Hong Kong : Case of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infection under CHP investigation

Press release from Hong Kong's CHP :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 29) investigating a case of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection affecting an 11-month-old baby boy, and hence urged the public to maintain good personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene.

The patient, with good past health, has presented with fever, cough and runny nose since July 18 and was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) on July 24 for management. He then developed convulsion yesterday (July 28) and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit on the same day for further treatment.

The clinical diagnosis is meningitis and he is currently in serious condition.

His cerebrospinal fluid sample tested positive for Hib antigen upon laboratory testing by PYNEH.

 Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the baby boy had travelled to Manila with his family on May 4 and returned to Hong Kong on July 20. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic. Investigations are ongoing."

Malaysia : 94 Dengue Fatalities So Far This Year

Article via Bernama, excerpt :

" The number of dengue deaths this year as of last Sunday stands at 94 people, an increase of 224 per cent as compared to the corresponding period last year, according to the Health Ministry.

Selangor recorded the highest fatalities at 38 people as compared to seven people last year while Johor experienced 14 deaths, double the number last year, the ministry said in a statement here today.

The ministry said Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya recorded eight dengue fatalities as compared to seven last year."

Malaysia : Penang’s three cases of Japanese Encephalitis came from different areas, says official

Via The Malay Mail :

" The three cases of Japanese Encephalitis in Penang come from different areas in the state, Penang state executive councillor for health Dr Afif Bahardin said today, suggesting that the infections did not come from a common source.

Two cases come from George Town and Bagan Jermal in north Seberang Perai. In the third case infection is believed to have happened in Tasek Gelugor.

“There are no abattoirs or pig farms in George Town and Bagan Jermal,” Dr Alif told a press conference today.

Pigs are reservoirs for the virus that causes the disease but the Culex mosquito is responsible for passing the virus from pigs to humans."

Malaysia : Second JE victim in Penang

Via The Sun Daily, excerpt :

" A toddler in Penang has been warded at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Penang Hopsital after she became the second victim of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Penang.

The two-year-old from Bagan Jermal, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, was admitted to the Seberang Jaya Hospital on June 12 before being sent for treatment here.

Penang Health Department director Datuk Lailanor Ibrahim said the girl received intensive treatment in the pediatric ICU unit.

"The girl since had been placed in the pediatric ICU unit and had received intensive treatment from the hospital," said Lailanor in a statement.

He also added that according to a specialist from Penang Hospital, the patient is recovering and is able to eat and drink."

Singapore : 'Significant increase' in dengue cases, with further rise likely - NEA

Article via Channel News Asia, excerpt :

" The National Environment Agency (NEA) has reported a “significant increase” in the number of dengue cases in Singapore, with the figures likely to rise as the weather heats up.

A total of 676 cases were reported during the week ending June 28, up from 553 the previous week, latest figures on the NEA website showed. Between June 28 and 3.30pm on July 1, there were another 265 reported cases."

Malaysia : JE kills two toddlers

Article via The Borneo Post, excerpt :

" Two toddlers, one in Tuaran and another here, died in the middle of last month due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE).

According to State Health Department director Dr Christina Rundi yesterday, there had been 

five cases of JE in Sabah, two of which resulted in deaths, this year.

The three other JE cases occurred earlier this year, she said.

She added that investigation had already been done on the cases and several activities had 

been carried out to destroy mosquito-breeding sites.

“We have conducted surveillance among surrounding communities, clean-up of mosquito 

breeding sites, fogging and health education,” she said.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday that 16 JE 

cases were reported throughout the country this year and from the total, four have died."