Arkanoid Legent

Bangladesh : Nipah? Avoid date with raw date sap

2012-01-28T19:45:00.001+08:00

Via BDNews 24 :

" As nipah strikes back, with at least five deaths reported so far in Joypurhat district in northern Bangladesh, prospects of fresh outbreaks of this fruit bat-borne viral infection looms large, according to health department officials.

While experts say a simple measure — not drinking raw date juice — can prevent the virus from infecting, government records show it has killed 155 of 201 infected, spreading from one district to another, since 2001, when the virus first struck as an 'unknown' ailment.

"It is totally preventable if we avoid drinking raw date sap," said Prof Mahmudur Rahman, director of the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), which oversees emerging and re-emerging diseases in Bangladesh.

"But once infected, we don't have a cure -- it's highly fatal. This year the fatality has been 100 percent so far," he said.

A highly contagious disease, Prof Rahman said the virus can pass from person to person by contact.

ONLY COUNTRY WITH NIPAH

Nipah was first detected in Malaysia in 1998 but at present Bangladesh, a hotspot for emerging diseases, is the only country in the world that reports the disease.

Nipah has become a cause of concern for the health authorities since it strikes every year during Jan to April.

Though it is believed that border districts of India have the virus, reports are not available from the Indian government to confirm it.

This year, while IEDCR is grappling to check the spread in Joypurhat district's Sadarpara and Khetlal upazillas, where five persons died in this month's outbreak, the district civil surgeon says new suspects of infection are emerging from the area.

"We received at least five suspected infections (in hospitals)," civil surgeon Mozammal Haque told bdnews24.com on Thursday."

Malaysia : 459 cases of dengue fever reported during third week of 2012

2012-01-28T19:37:00.001+08:00

Article via Sin Chew Jit Poh, excerpt :

" A total of 459 cases of dengue fever, with two deaths, were reported during the week between Jan 15 and 21 this year, a drop of 22 cases with one death from the previous week, Health Director-General Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said today.

However, he said, the number of fatalities due to dengue showed an increase with four people so far this year, from only one during the corresponding period last year.

"Last week alone there were two deaths, one each in Selangor and dan Negeri Sembilan," he said in a statement here.

He said the states which showed an increase in dengue cases were the Federal Territory and Putrajaya, with 18 cases each or 39 per cent), Kelantan 13 cases (72 per cent), Melaka 6 cases (50 per cent), Negeri Sembilan three cases (38 per cent), Terengganu three cases (30 per cent), Labuan one case (100 per cent) and Penang one case (six per cent)."

Australia : Bird flu forces duck cull in Victoria

2012-01-28T19:35:00.000+08:00

Via The Australian :

" AT least 10,000 ducks will have to be destroyed to contain an outbreak of bird flu at two Victorian farms.

The virus found in birds on the two properties is a low pathogenic avian influenza and not the deadlier form of the virus that spread through Asia, threatening humans and leading to a mass cull of poultry.

Hugh Millar, the state's chief veterinary officer, said there was no risk to the community but authorities had to act quickly to quarantine the two properties north of Melbourne.

"This is all about making sure that the virus doesn't one day in the future evolve and mutate into a more serious form," he said.

The source of the latest outbreak has not been confirmed."

India : Bird flu in Tripura, Culling begins

2012-01-28T19:31:00.001+08:00

Via Deccan Chronicle :

" Bird flu, or avian influenza, has resurfaced in Tripura barely within a month of declaring the country free from the disease and culling has started in villages within a 3-km radius of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research at Lambuchera in West Tripura district where it was first detected.

The culling has started from Friday morning and 14 centres have been set up in the nearby villages. In the duck firm of the ICAR alone 1,600 birds will be culled. ICAR joint director M. Datta said death of the birds first came to notice in December-end but culling started only after the high security Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Bhopal, confirmed the presence of H5N1. A ban was also imposed on selling and consuming of chicken and other poultry products in a radius of 10 km."

Indonesia : Deceased Indonesian Had Swine Flu, Not Bird Flu

2012-01-28T19:29:00.002+08:00

Via The Jakarta Globe :

" The Ministry of Health confirmed on Friday that a man who was initially thought to have died as a result of contracting bird flu was instead killed by complications caused by the H1N1 virus, formerly known as swine flu.

Rohmad, 18, from Tangerang, died on Wednesday after five days in the isolation ward at Tangerang General Hospital. He had been admitted last week complaining of high fever, shortness of breath and a sore throat.

“The cause of death of the Tangerang resident was because of the H1N1 virus, not H5N1 [bird flu],” Ministry of Health official Trihono said."

Ecuador : There are 465 cases of dengue, according to Health Ministry

2012-01-28T19:26:00.001+08:00

Machine translated article via El Universo :

" A total of 460 cases of dengue fever and more severe type 5 were recorded only yesterday in the country, reported the Ministry of Health. Most infected people come from the provinces of Guayas and El Oro, where there are 196 and 128, respectively.

From the figures Guayas, two cases are severe (formerly known as hemorrhagic), of which one person died on 15 last January.

She was a teenager of 12 years on January 9, fever, headaches and abdominal. He received anti-inflammatory and natural medicine, the ministry said. By having a poor outcome, went to the hospital January 12 Ycaza Francisco Bustamante."

Hong Kong : A cluster of Influenza A cases in Siu Lam Hospital

2012-01-28T19:24:00.001+08:00

Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" Six female patients (aged 19 to 48) and three staff members in a female severe mentally handicapped ward had presented with fever and respiratory symptoms since January 16. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the concerned patients and their test results were positive to Influenza A. All patients have been transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment under isolation and are in stable condition. For the three staff members, one has recovered and resumed duty while the other two are on sick leave.

Admission to and discharge from the ward have been suspended. Restricted visiting to the ward has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close surveillance."

Substandard cardiac drugs claim over 100 lives in Pakistan

2012-01-28T19:21:00.000+08:00

Via Xinhua :

" Over 100 heart patients have been killed and 450 others were admitted to hospitals due to the adverse reaction of cardiac drugs in eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Friday, local media reported.

According to the report, during the last week of December last year, cardiac doctors of a public hospital in Lahore prescribed a combination of four medicines from the hospital's pharmacy to over 40,000 patients suffering from heart disease.

After taking the drugs, over 450 people were shifted to different hospitals in Lahore and an estimated 106 patients died till Friday, while 2,000 cardiac patients who have already used the possibly spurious drug are at risk."

Japan : 1 dead, 2 critical following flu outbreak in Saitama hospital

2012-01-28T19:18:00.000+08:00

Via Japan Today :

" One person has died and two are in a critical condition after 39 people were infected by a flu outbreak in a Saitama hospital, officials said Thursday.

According to an Ageo Central General Hospital spokesperson, both patients and staff have been affected by the nosocomial infection. In total, 20 patients and 19 staff members are believed to have contracted the virus, TV Asahi reported. Thirty-one of those stricken have tested positive for influenza type A viruses.

The deceased is believed to have been a woman in her 80s. The hospital says the woman contracted the virus on the afternoon of Jan 20, following which her fever rose to 38 degrees. Doctors say the woman passed away within hours of showing the first signs of the virus. A man in his 80s and another in his 50s are still critical, TV Asahi quoted doctors as saying."

Mexico Ups Swine Flu Screening as Cases Increase

2012-01-27T14:06:00.000+08:00

Via ABC News, excerpt :

" Three years after swine flu closed Mexico City and caused an international scare, the Mexican government and local media are at odds over the severity of this season's flu virus. Newspapers are warning of an alarming increase in cases while the government insists there is no cause for alarm."

Australia : Bird flu detected in Victoria

2012-01-27T14:03:00.001+08:00

Via The Age, excerpt :

" Bird flu has been detected at two locations northwest of Melbourne.

The Department of Primary Industries has quarantined two commercial duck farms operated by the same owner, after birds at both properties tested positive to low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI).

DPI Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Andrew Cameron, on Friday said analytical tests carried out at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory at Geelong, Victoria, had given a positive response to low pathogenic H5 subtype avian influenza virus, prompting authorities to act immediately.

The cases were detected during routine testing for other conditions."

Zimbabwe : Harare typhoid cases continue to rise

2012-01-26T20:05:00.000+08:00

Via The Zimbabwean :

" Cases of typhoid are continuing to rise in Harare, where at least 90 people have been hospitalised and more than a thousand are suspected to have contracted the disease.

Residents in and around the capital have been on high alert since the first typhoid cases were confirmed last year. But in recent months, the combination of extreme heat, summer rains and dilapidated basic municipal services, has resulted in perfect conditions for the disease to spread

"We have attended to over 600 cases in Kuwadzana alone," city health director Prosper Chonzi was quoted as saying in the state media this week. The MDC-T meanwhile said on Wednesday that more than one thousand Harare residents had been treated this month.

The bacterial disease, which spreads most easily in areas without proper sanitation, causes vomiting, fever and diarrhoea and the public have been urged to use good hygiene to prevent the situation from worsening.

The city and surrounding areas have been struck by severe water shortages since last year, with some areas not being supplied with clean water for many weeks. The shortages have sometimes resulted in residents fighting each other while trying to access water from the limited number of boreholes across the city."

Italy : Influenza Cases Start Peaking, Especially Among Under - 5S

2012-01-26T20:03:00.001+08:00

Via AGI :

" The seasonal influenza epidemic is peaking with just last week accounting for some 380,000 Italians in bed.

Total contagions since the start of the epidemic total 1.6m, with the disease peaking among children under the age of 5. The figures were reported as part of the Italian Health Institute's latest bulletin."

Zambia : Typhoid claims another life

2012-01-26T19:59:00.001+08:00

Via Daily Mail :

" ANOTHER person has died of typhoid in Mufulira’s Mupambe township.

This brings to three the number of people who have died since the waterborne disease broke out in December last year.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Reuben Mbewe confirmed this in an interview on Tuesday.

Dr Mbewe said the man, whose identity he withheld, died at Malcolm Watson Hospital over the weekend.

“We recorded one death over the weekend. One patient died of typhoid in the male ward over the weekend. This is the third death we have recorded since the outbreak of the disease last year,” Dr Mbewe said."

UK : Three Torquay schoolchildren treated in meningitis alert

2012-01-26T19:48:00.001+08:00

Article via South Devon, excerpt :

" THREE schoolchildren have received hospital treatment in a meningitis alert at two Torbay schools.

Two year nine youngsters at St Cuthbert Mayne school in Torquay have been confirmed with meningococcal B infection.

One of the students remains in hospital and is responding well to treatment.

The other student has been discharged and has returned to school.

A third child, a student at Torquay Community College has been admitted to hospital with a confirmed case of a different strain of the meningococcal B infection."

Flu spreading in Japan, doubling number of cases per hospital

2012-01-26T19:45:00.001+08:00

Via The Mainichi Daily News :

" An influenza epidemic is spreading in Japan, doubling the number of cases per hospital, according to data compiled through Tuesday by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

Over 90 percent of the cases this flu season are due to the Hong Kong influenza A virus subtype H3N2, marking the first epidemic in five years of the seasonal flu virus that can cause encephalitis in infants and gravely affect elderly people, the institute said.

Data collected on a regular basis from around 5,000 medical institutions across Japan show that the average number of cases stood at 7.33 in the week through Jan. 15, up from 3.76 a week earlier.

The number of cases, which increased in all 47 prefectures, has since continued to grow, the institute added, referring to data from around 6,700 drugstores."

Hong Kong : Goose carcass found in Sham Tseng tests positive for H5N1 virus

2012-01-26T18:57:00.001+08:00

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 26) that a goose carcass found in Sham Tseng was confirmed to be H5N1 positive after laboratory testing.

The goose carcass was found and collected at Anglers' Beach, 13 milestone, Castle Peak Road, Sham Tseng, on January 20. It was highly decomposed when found and required a series of tests before H5N1 avian influenza was confirmed today.

The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within 3 kilometres of where the dead goose was found. AFCD staff have conducted inspections and found no evidence of any backyard poultry being kept there. AFCD will continue to monitor the situation and conduct inspections of the area.

In view of the case, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken."

Fiji : Landslide buries family

2012-01-25T20:10:00.001+08:00

Via Stuff, another landslide this time in Fiji :

" A family of four has been killed in a landslide as severe flooding continues in Fiji, according to a report.

A 35-year-old father, 30-year-old mother, and two daughters aged three-years-old and one-year-old were buried in the landslide at Nanuku near Ba, Fiji Broadcasting said.

Villagers were able to talk to members of the family while they tried to rescue them from the landslide, the state broadcaster reported.

"However, after some time, there was no response from within the rubble."

Two farmers have also been reported killed trying to save stock in separate incidents as heavy rain from a tropical depression that is battering the western part of the country.

Fiji's Ministry of Information has said the deaths of the family are not yet confirmed, Radio New Zealand reported."

Rain hinders PNG landslide rescue effort

2012-01-25T20:07:00.001+08:00

Via ABC News, excerpt :

" Rescue teams are arriving at the site of a deadly landslide in Papua New Guinea, but continuing wet weather and fears of another landslide are hampering their efforts.

Tumbi village near Tari, in the country's Southern Highlands, is now a mess of millions of cubic metres of rock and soil.

The landslide area is about one kilometre long and several hundred metres wide. Some of the boulders dislodged are the size of cars.

Thousands of people have gathered at the site, many with mud smeared on their faces in a sign of mourning.

PNG prime minister Peter O'Neill has inspected the area and vowed to investigate the cause of the disaster.

Mr O'Neill said an independent team of investigators would be appointed to determine the cause and he promised to help relocate those affected and to find their loved ones.

'A huge task'

Andrew Alphonse, a senior reporter from the PNG Post Courier who spent the day at Tumbi village, says locals have named 26 people they believe have been buried underneath the landslide.

He told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific that operations to retrieve the bodies have not officially started because of the difficult conditions."

India : Poultry deaths trigger bird flu panic

2012-01-25T19:39:00.002+08:00

Via IBN Live :

" Death of poultry in Raikia block has spread bird flu panic among the residents. The deaths were reported from two SHGs.

Sources said a SHG in Gamandi village had procured 600 chicks with financial assistance from a bank on the advice of local veterinary office, on January 6. However, the members found 10 chicks dead the following day. And so far, 180 have perished.

Another SHG at Barepanga village too saw death of 50 chicks."

Vietnam : 11-month girl dies of suspected meningitis

2012-01-25T19:27:00.001+08:00

Via Tuoitre News, excerpt :

" An 11-month old girl from the central province of Quang Tri died from suspected meningitis on January 20. If confirmed, it will be the first case in Vietnam in 2012.

The information was released by the Ministry of Health’s Department for Preventative Health that quotes information from the Nha trang Pasteur Institute.

Nguoi Lao Dong reported that the child started to show symptoms on January 19 with scarlet fever and was administered antipyretics.

She was later hospitalized at a local hospital in Quang Tri province before being transferred to the Hue Central Hospital in Hue City on January 20."

Mysterious disease kills 200 in Uganda

2012-01-25T19:05:00.000+08:00

Via Press TV :

" At least 200 children have so far died and thousands sickened due to a mysterious Nodding disease that has struck Uganda's poor northern region, Press TV reports.

Nodding disease or the Nodding syndrome is a new, little-known disease which emerged in Sudan in the 1980s. The deadly illness affects mostly children aged between the ages 5 and 15 and causes seizures, permanent mental and physical retardation and death in most cases.

According to health officials, over 200 children have died and more than 3000 children are still struggling with the illness which struck northern Uganda 3 years ago."

Nigeria : Is Lassa fever back?

2012-01-25T18:57:00.000+08:00

Via The Nation :

" Lassa fever is back as cases are being reported in some parts of the country. The vectors are rats and dirty environment. WALE ADEPOJU writes on the Federal Government’s effort to contain the disease.

Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus found in rats, is on the loose in some parts of the country. The death of a medical doctor was reported in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State while unconfirmed reports claimed Imo and some northern states are experiencing what may turn out to be an epidemic, if not checked.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Akin Osibogun, said Lassa Fever is related to rats. "We need to watch out to see whether there is an increase in rat population. This is because they aid the transmission of the disease. So, there is the need to take measures to reduce the population of rats and engage in environmental cleanliness such as proper refuse disposal system among others."

Dengue continues to worry Suriname

2012-01-25T18:51:00.000+08:00

Via Stabroek News :

" Four out of six patients with a viral condition in Diakonessenhuis have dengue. Last weekend, ten cases of viral infection were admitted to the Academisch Ziekenhuis Paramaribo, AZP, [University Hospital].

In the meantime the cases keep flooding other hospitals, forcing authorities to call in the help of the Military Hospital. The Nickerie regional hospital conducted 100 lab tests in 2011, 20 of which were positive for dengue.

In January 2012, 12 cases have been uncovered so far. s‘Lands Hospitaal had 40 lab test requests between December and January, four of which tested positive, while the AZP lab had 100 positive cases."

Typhoid hits Zimbabwe capital

2012-01-25T18:26:00.002+08:00

Article via Times Live, excerpt :

" At least 90 people were admitted to hospital and over 600 affected in a typhoid outbreak in the Zimbabwean capital Harare, a health official says.

"We have attended to over 600 cases in Kuwadzana alone," city health director Prosper Chonzi was quoted as saying in the state-owned Herald newspaper.

"We have confirmed that the disease is typhoid. We have not recorded any deaths. We have over 90 patients admitted at the Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital."

Chonzi said city health authorities found traces of the typhoid bacteria in meat samples taken from open-air vendors.

Typhoid thrives in areas that do not have proper sanitation.

Poor hygiene and sanitation have caused numerous disease outbreaks in Zimbabwe in recent years."

India : City faces dengue, chikungunya threat

2012-01-25T18:18:00.001+08:00

Via Times of India :

" THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The mounting garbage heaps in the city have become a cause of concern with the district health administration confirming the spread of diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

"Garbage heaps have increased the number of mosquitoes in certain areas of the capital city and this is helping the spread of diseases," said National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) district programme manager Dr Unnikrishnan."

2 fatality in Indonesia suspected bird flu patients

2012-01-25T18:10:00.003+08:00

News is coming out of the local media in Indonesia with reports of fatalities due to bird flu. First is a 4 year old boy and the other is the 18 year old suspect whom I posted earlier as in critical condition.

Below are the machine translated articles :

Allegedly Infected with Bird Flu, Boy 4 Year Deaths

JAKARTA : Nazril Ilham (4) single-child couples Maimunah (25) and Mohammed Enzen (24), of Kampung Sungai Bintaro Branch 4 RT 1.1 Hurip Jaya Village, District Babelan, Dies Bekasi District. Suspected Bird Flu Nazriel.

The victim died after being treated for six days in hospital Anna Bekasi. The atmosphere of grief is still visible at the funeral home shortly after the victim was buried in the cemetery not far from his home, Wednesday (01/24/2012). Surprisingly burial victims without assisted the hospital or health department Bekasi.

Again, Bird Flu Patient Dies

After 5 days treated in isolation space bird flu, RO, 18 years, men who indicated suspect bird flu died. RO died at 12:30 pm in the isolation room bird flu Tangerang District Hospital.

"The patient died at 12.30 pm, due to respiratory failure," said Head of Public Relations Tangerang District Hospital, Achmad Muchlis to VIVAnews.com , Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Dikatakanya, since entering the room isolation, the condition of critically ill patients and no progress.

Until finally died of respiratory failure. "Until now there has been no official information related to the correct patient infected with bird flu," he said."

Bhutan : Bird flu detected in wild birds

2012-01-25T18:03:00.001+08:00

Via Kuensel Online :

" After chickens, the contagious bird flu has now been detected in wild birds.

Investigations will begin tomorrow in Phuentsholing to find out if the flu would affect the wild bird population in the country.

The investigation is carried out after the National Incident Command Centre (NICC) for bird flu received reports of some 18 wild birds death that died simultaneously over the last week.

First, about 15 “house crows” were found dead on January 19 near the junction of Rabten workshop and GREF camp. House crows are a species that are found in sub-tropical areas like Phuentsholing.

The satellite veterinary laboratory officer in-charge Tuku Rai said all 15 crows had decomposed and could not be used for laboratory investigation. “But we managed to find a sick crow from the same area,” Tuku Rai said. “The sample tested positive for H5 and influenza “A” virus during the filed investigation."

First cases of influenza H1N1 in Yucatan

2012-01-25T18:01:00.001+08:00

Via The Yucatan Times :

" The head of the Yucatan Health Department Alvaro Quijano Rivas reports two cases of influenza H1N1 in the state, who also remark that the vaccination campaign is still in action.

Quijano Rivas explained that one cases is a local and the other is a person from the state of Morelos, he also said that the two persons are stable and getting better.

He commented that a big part of the population have already taken the vaccination that protects against the influenza B, H1N1 and H3N2, and for this season there are 125,238 doses available in order to avoid a massive outbreak of cases."

UK : Farmers' concerns over new livestock illness

2012-01-25T17:55:00.000+08:00

Via BBC News :

" Farmers say they are "very concerned" about a new animal illness which can cause birth defects in livestock.

The Schmallenberg virus (SBV), which emerged in the Netherlands and Germany last year, was confirmed in the UK for the first time on Monday.

Cattle farmer Roger Long said: "We know so little about it. But of course we are concerned and the last thing we need is another virus to come over here."

Mr Long said his farm at East Dereham in Norfolk was "not a million miles away" from one of two sheep farms in the county where the disease has been detected.

SBV has been confirmed at two other sheep farms in England, one in Suffolk and one in East Sussex. The NFU said all the lambs which tested positive for SBV were stillborn or died shortly after birth."

Bangladesh : Nipah virus attack confirmed

2012-01-25T17:52:00.001+08:00

Article via BD News 24 :

" The virus that killed five people at Jaipurhat in the last four days has been identified as Nipah.

The Institute of Epidemiology Diseases Control and Research (IEDCR) confirmed on its website on Tuesday that the five had indeed died from Nipah. A team from the institute are now working in the affected area.

The IECDR said human infections took place in Joypurhat municiplatiy and Khetlal Upazila.

Of the five deaths, two are from Khetlal and the others from the municipality. They died in Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogra and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

On Jan 21, a five-member IECDR expert team went to Bogra and Rajshahi to collect blood and other samples.

Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital said it had launched a separate unit for Nipah-infected patients."

Indonesia : Avian flu threatens to claim additional life

2012-01-25T17:46:00.001+08:00

Via The Jakarta Post, excerpt :

" An 18-year-old man thought to be infected with avian flu was in critical condition at the Tangerang General Hospital as of Tuesday.

“The patient is still in isolation,” hospital spokesman Achmad Muchlis said. “He is exhibiting the symptoms of avian flu, but the team of doctors is still waiting for confirmation from laboratory results.”

The patient, a resident from Me-karsari village in Tangerang regency, suffered from a high fever for six days after which time he was taken to the private Sari Asih Hospital in Karawaci last Wednesday, when he developed respiratory problems.

As his condition worsened, the hospital transferred him to Tangerang General Hospital on Saturday.

According to the hospital’s president director, Mamahit, the family informed doctors that before the patient fell sick, one of the ducks he had raised had died.

“Referring to the case history and the symptoms he was suffering from, we treated him as a bird flu patient,” he told reporters.

A team from the Tangerang Health Agency conducted a survey around the patient’s neighborhood."

Five people die of flu complications in Taiwan

2012-01-25T17:45:00.000+08:00

Via Xinhua :

" Five more people in Taiwan have died of flu complications since last weekend, when the traditional Spring Festival holiday began, bringing the total number of flu-related deaths on the island since last July to 36.

Taiwan's health authorities said Tuesday that four of the five people who died had suffered from chronic diseases, including diabetes and hypertension, and another 14-year-old Taiwanese had no chronic illness.

None of the five had been vaccinated against influenza, authorities said, adding that some of them died from respiratory failure, septic shock and multi-organ failure, after developing pneumonia."

WHO : Avian influenza - situation in China - update

2012-01-25T17:35:00.000+08:00

From WHO :

" The Ministry of Health of China has notified WHO of a human case of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection.‬‪

The case is a 39 year-old male from Guiyan City, Guizhou Province. He developed symptoms on 6 January 2012 and was admitted to hospital but was in critical condition and died on 22 January 2012.‬‪

The case was laboratory diagnosed by Guizhou CDC and confirmed by China CDC on 22 January 2012. Investigation into the source of infection is ongoing. Close contacts of the case are being monitored and to date all remain well.‬‪"

Kashmir : Viral infection outbreaks in Handwara village

2012-01-24T11:48:00.002+08:00

Via Greater Kashmir :

"Nearly 100 persons, mostly children and women, have fallen ill due to the outbreak of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) at Yamlar Zachaldara village in this frontier district, officials said on Monday.

The outbreak of the highly contagious viral disease- has triggered panic in the village.

“Many patients with complaints of pneumonia, acute sneezing, fever and Asthama were admitted in Sub district Hospital Zachaldara,” officials said. “Several teams of doctors visited the affected villages."

Philippines : Leptospirosis deaths rise, 21 deaths recorded in 'Sendong' aftermath

2012-01-24T11:41:00.001+08:00

Via GMA News :

" Cases of leptospirosis in areas affected by Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) continued to rise, with 616 cases having been recorded so far. A total of 21 deaths have been recorded, officials said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Tuesday that of the 616 cases recorded as of Monday, 21 were fatal.

"As of 23 January 2012, different hospitals in Cagayan de Oro, Opol, Tagoloan, and Villanueva in Misamis Oriental and Iligan City in Lanao del Norte recorded a total of 616 cases of leptospirosis, 21 of which were fatalities," the NDRRMC said in its report.

It also said acute respiratory infections, diarrhea and fever remain the most common health concerns in evacuation centers.

Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities were among the hardest hit areas in the wake of Sendong, which devastated Mindanao and the Visayas in mid-December. The NDRRMC said Sendong left 1,257 dead and 6,071 injured, with 182 reported missing."

Pakistan : Drug reaction toll jumps to 63

2012-01-24T11:36:00.000+08:00

Via Dawn :

" A total of 63 heart patients have died over the past three weeks after taking medicines from government hospitals in Lahore.

The stunning fact was revealed at a press briefing by provincial Health Secretary Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) on Monday night.

The official confirmed 27 deaths in hospitals while the Principal of the Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Dr Faisal Masood, said 36 cardiac patients registered with the PIC had died of suspected drug reaction in the Services Hospital.

He said the 36 deaths were in addition to those officially confirmed by the health secretary.

Both the officials made public the ‘official figure’ after reporters accused them of concealing facts related to the deaths."

Canada : Norovirus likely culprit in illness among Cuba vacationers

2012-01-24T10:40:00.001+08:00

Aritcle via The Montreal Gazette :

" The 44 Canadians who flew home from Cuba while vomiting or suffering diarrhea last week all had "symptoms consistent with norovirus," Canadian officials say.

But the Public Health Agency of Canada says there have been no new cases since the flight they were on arrived in Ottawa Friday evening with 11 sick passengers. It was the fourth such flight to land in Ottawa or Toronto last week.

As well, 11 passengers who landed in Montreal Saturday felt nauseous, but none were actually vomiting and so public health officials weren't called in to determine whether if it were norovirus."

Philippines : Zambo health office records 57 dengue cases

2012-01-24T10:37:00.001+08:00

Via Zambo Times :

" ZAMBOANGA CITY : The public has been advised anew to maintain clean surroundings in their respective communities.

City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos issued the advice as he noted that 57 cases of dengue were recorded in this city for the past 22 days.

Agbulos said the number of dengue cases recorded since Jan. 1 was barely 13 cases lower than the 70 recorded in January last year.

There were also two fatalities in January of last year."

UK : Animal disease detected in Norfolk, Suffolk and Sussex

2012-01-24T10:28:00.000+08:00

Via BBC News, excerpt :

" A new animal illness which causes birth defects in livestock has been confirmed in the UK for the first time at four sheep farms.

Tests on animals on the farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex have detected the Schmallenberg virus.

The disease first emerged in the Netherlands and Germany last year.

It can lead to late abortions and birth deformities in newborn sheep, goats and cattle and is thought to be spread by midges.

The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), which detected the disease in the UK farms, said it was continuing to monitor it.

'Spread by midges'

Officials said that although the disease was a new one, and there were some uncertainties about it, assessment by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control suggested the risk to humans from Schmallenberg virus was very low.

A spokesman for the AHVLA said: "We have finished the initial analysis of samples we have received as a result of our enhanced surveillance for this new disease."

Swine flu death toll hits nine in Mexico as cases almost double

2012-01-24T10:23:00.001+08:00

Via The Telegraph :

" Nine people have died from an outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, with the number of cases almost doubling in a week.

Health officials have identified 573 cases of A (H1N1), up from 333 instances on Thursday.

The strain represents 90 per cent of influenza cases in the country, the health ministry said in a statement yesterday.

Authorities brushed aside suggestions of a new health emergency.

In 2009, an outbreak of the same swine flu strain in Mexico and the United States, quickly became a global pandemic, claiming the lives of 17,000 people. In Mexico alone, 1,250 people died.

The pandemic ended in 2010, after the World Health Organisation said flu patterns had returned to normal levels."

Oman : Smuggled livestock blamed for deadly infection

2012-01-23T10:05:00.001+08:00

Via Gulf News :

" Man who died believed to have contracted haemorrhagic fever from handling the ‘illegal cargo'

Smuggled livestock could have been the source of the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) that killed a Bangladeshi expatriate last week in Buraimi, according to sources.

Sources at the Buraimi Hospital said an illegal Pakistani, who handled livestock, could also have died from CCHF two week ago.

The unclaimed body of the Pakistani was still lying in the Buraimi hospital morgue but no investigation was carried out to determine the cause of death although his symptoms were similar to those of CCHF."

Fiji : Lepto alert

2012-01-23T10:01:00.001+08:00

Via The Fiji Times :

" THE Lautoka Hospital attended to two new cases of leptospirosis last week.

As a result, a fresh warning has been issued to the public about the threat posed by the illness which claimed 10 lives last year.

Hospital acting medical consultant Dr Simione Voceduadua confirmed the two patients were treated and sent home.

He said the wet weather condition could hasten the spread of the illness via contaminated water.

"This time last year many people were treated with leptospirosis. Unfortunately, some died," said Dr Voceduadua.

"Leptospirosis is much more dangerous than typhoid and people must visit the hospital should they have symptoms.

"We need to be vigilant of the places we visit and watch out for contaminated water."

Dr Voceduadua said domestic animals must also be well looked after since the illness was spread from animal waste."

Philippines : Health office records 57 dengue cases

2012-01-23T09:57:00.001+08:00

Via Sun Star :

" ZAMBOANGA City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos advised the public anew to maintain clean surroundings as the number of dengue cases rose to 57 in just 15 days.

The number of dengue cases recorded for the past 15 days is 13, compared to the 70 cases in January of 2011. There were also two fatalities in January of last year.

Agbulos said the 57 dengue cases were recorded in nine villages in the city."

Swine flu death toll rises in Mexico

2012-01-23T09:41:00.001+08:00

Via IOL :

" The death toll in Mexico from an outbreak of A(H1N1) swine flu has hit nine, with 573 cases detected, officials said on Sunday.

The strain represents 90 percent of detected cases of influenza in the country, the health ministry said in a statement.

The number of cases reported was up sharply from Thursday, when health officials said 333 had been identified.

Authorities have brushed aside suggestions of a new health emergency but have begun tracking new cases since December."

China : Guizhou Province confirmed case of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza

2012-01-22T20:20:00.002+08:00

This is the official media release from China's Ministry of Health with regards to the latest avian influenza fatality. It's machine translated but you get idea of what is being reported :

" January 19, 2012, Guiyang Medical College Hospital treated one case of fever patients. January 22, by the Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control, China CDC laboratory confirmed cases of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

January 6 patients with disease exacerbations, after January 19 into the Guiyang Medical College Hospital intensive care unit for treatment. At 12:30 on January 22, the patient rapidly increased, blood pressure, sudden ventricular fibrillation, after she died. Up to now, has identified 71 close contacts were abnormal symptoms.

After the outbreak, the provincial health department attaches great importance, in accordance with provincial government requirements, under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, and actively carry out epidemic prevention and control.

One is to treat the patient; the second is to carry out further field epidemiology; Third, the close contacts under medical observation; fourth is to strengthen surveillance; five human bird flu prevention and control is good propaganda and education work.

Sixth issue of the "Guizhou Province Health Department on the strengthening of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza prevention and control of emergency," which requires a really good job around the prevention of bird flu preparations."

Man dies of bird flu in southwest China

2012-01-22T20:16:00.000+08:00

Via Xinhua :

" A 39-year-old man died of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in southwest China on Sunday, the Ministry of Health said.

The man, who began to suffer from fever on Jan. 6, died Sunday noon in a hospital in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou Province, after being treated with intensive care for three days, the ministry said.

The disease control and prevention centers at both the provincial and national levels have confirmed the case of H5N1 infection.

Till now, the 71 individuals who have been in close contact with the victim, have not shown unusual symptoms, the ministry said."

Indonesia : Bird Flu Positive Infected, RO Isolated

2012-01-22T12:38:00.001+08:00

Machine translated article from Liputan 6 :

" RO, residents Mekarsari Village, Tangerang District, Banten, who was 18, Saturday (21 / 1) evening, rushed to the isolation room Tangerang General Hospital.

Appropriate description of Tangerang District Hospital Director, RO eventually tested positive for bird flu infected. He became the first bird flu patients were treated in isolation rooms newly inaugurated Minister of Health Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih in December.

Before being treated in hospitals Tangerang, since Friday morning RO treated at Mercy Hospital Sari, Karawaci. For six days earlier, a high fever RO spliced with shortness of breath, and voice disorders."

Two die of A(H1N1) swine flu in Mexico: official

2012-01-22T12:36:00.000+08:00

An AFP report :

" An outbreak of A(H1N1) swine flu claimed the lives of two people -- 19 and 21 years old -- in Mexico's capital in the first weeks of the year, health authorities said Saturday.

The health secretary of Mexico's Federal District, Armando Ahued, said there were 138 confirmed cases of the flu, including 110 cases of A(H1N1), a novel strain of the swine flu that was first detected in 2009.

Nationwide, 333 cases of the virus have been confirmed, the federal government's health secretary said earlier in the week, without saying how many deaths had been attributed to it.

The latest victims were a 19-year-old and a 21-year-old who died in separate hospitals."

CDC : Acute Muscular Sarcocystosis Among Returning Travelers - Tioman Island, Malaysia, 2011

2012-01-22T12:24:00.002+08:00

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)from CDC, excerpt :

" GeoSentinel (the surveillance program of the International Society of Travel Medicine and CDC) has identified 32 cases of suspected acute muscular sarcocystosis in travelers returning from Tioman Island off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. All the patients traveled to Tioman Island during the summer of 2011. Within days or weeks of returning home, all experienced fever and muscle pain, often severe and prolonged. All had peripheral eosinophilia, and most had elevated serum creatinine phosphokinase levels. Most were tested for acute trichinosis and toxoplasmosis by serology, and all of these tests were negative. Approximately half of the patients were identified in Germany; others were reported elsewhere in Europe, and in North America and Asia. Muscle biopsy from two patients demonstrated organisms consistent with sarcocystosis, one from a group of five ill travelers and one from a group of three.

Sarcocystis spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites.* Humans are the definitive host for Sarcocystis hominis and Sarcocystis suihominis, acquired by eating undercooked sarcocyst-containing beef or pork, respectively. The parasites reproduce sexually in the human intestine, where infection can cause acute gastroenteritis; however, most S. hominis and S. suihominis infections are thought to be asymptomatic (1). Although the specific species have never been identified, humans can become intermediate hosts for at least some of the 130 Sarcocystis spp. that are transmitted between predator and prey in nature. In these cases, humans ingest oocysts or sporocysts in food or water contaminated with feces from an infected predator animal. Nonspecific symptoms might arise during the reproductive and migratory phase of the parasite within the vascular endothelium. The parasite ultimately disseminates to skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle, where it forms sarcocysts containing large numbers of parasites that are infectious for a definitive host. Sarcocyst formation can provoke eosinophilic myositis, as occurred in this outbreak. No proven treatment exists for human muscular sarcocystosis, but in all previously reported cases, symptoms resolved over weeks to months."

Oman : Suspected Congo fever claims one in Buraimi

2012-01-21T21:46:00.001+08:00

Article via Times of Oman :

" The spread of a tick-borne viral disease is “creating panic” in a Buraimi hospital after an expatriate with the symptoms of the viral infection died in the intensive care unit of the hospital in the wee hours of Thursday.

A Bangladeshi man died due to Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), an infectious disease in animals that can be transmitted to people, after a multiple organ failure, according to medics.

“The patient was brought to the hospital last Tuesday. He had high fever and nasal bleeding. After lab tests, it was confirmed that the patient was infected by the tick-borne viral disease called Congo fever. Within 48 hours, his condition worsened. He suffered from multiple organ failure. He died in the wee hours of Thursday,” a medic in the hospital told Times of Oman.

Alert sounded

“The infectious disease department is on alert now. The medics, hospital employees and other patients have been given anti-viral medicines. Whosoever was in touch with the patient has been given the anti-viral dose,” the medic said, adding that the authorities concerned have taken steps to contain the spread of the disease in the entire area.

Though the infection is transmitted to humans by the bite of a tick, an increasing number of cases have also been reported to have occurred among medical and nursing staff caring for the patients in hospitals and laboratories."

UK : Meningitis kills Newbiggin boy Marshall Watkinson in 24 hours

2012-01-21T21:42:00.001+08:00

Via Chronicle Live :

" GRIEVING mum Gemma Eastlake today revealed how a deadly strand of meningitis killed her son in less than 24 hours.

Marshall Watkinson died in hospital just 24 hours after he was struck down with a vomiting bug on Wednesday night.

But the following morning when his mother, Gemma Eastlake, took his younger brother to school the 11-year-old’s condition had rapidly deteriorated.

When she returned to their home in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, his little body was covered in a rash and he was struggling to breath.

Paramedics raced to the 11-year-old’s home and he was taken to Wansbeck General Hospital where medics frantically fought to save his life.

However, after he was transferred to Newcastle’s RVI doctors were unable to save the youngster and he died in the intensive care unit with his parents at his side."

Canada : Patient dies of C. difficile in Cape Breton

2012-01-21T21:40:00.000+08:00

Via CBC News, excerpt :

" A Nova Scotia man whose mother died after contracting a hospital-acquired infection says the Cape Breton Regional Hospital needs to clean up its act before more people die.

Clostridium difficile has been determined as a contributing factor in the death of Julia Young, 88."

Paraguay : 29 cases of dengue fever reported

2012-01-21T21:33:00.001+08:00

Machine translated article from Prensa Latina :

" The Ministry of Public Health confirmed 29 cases of Paraguay dengue in the first 19 days of January and kept under surveillance for suspected other 210 people, today unveiled the institution.

A statement issued here by the Directorate of Health Watch notes that 29 other cases were dismissed. The older records are (58.2 percent) of residents of Asuncion and surrounding cities, and they are the departments of Concepción (14.5 percent) and Alto Paraná (11 , 5 percent), the latter territory bordering Brazil.

The bulletin indicates that prevails dengue type two, and warns that although there were no further deaths, the risk of severe disease caused by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. During the outbreak last year killed 68 Paraguayans for this cause and thousands of notifications were reported throughout the country."

Indonesia : Bird flu alert raised after death of Jakarta siblings

2012-01-21T21:30:00.001+08:00

Via The Jakarta Post, excerpt :

" PDY brought a sick pigeon to his home last December in Sunter Agung, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, oblivious to the dangers of contact with fowl that might carry the lethal H5N1 virus.

The 23-year-old, who was known to love pigeons, had offered to look after the sick bird, which belonged to his friend. He tried to heal the bird, but to no avail. He then took it to a car repair shop near the Sulianti Suroso Hospital, a referral infirmary for bird flu patients, where he had kept other pigeons.

The bird died on Dec. 31, but on New Year’s Eve, PDY had a high fever. The family thought he had a usual fever and gave him pills, but only to find his condition worsening. He was eventually taken to Satya Negara Hospital, wherein he was diagnosed as having symptoms of bird flu. He died a few days later.

While his relatives mourned his death, his five-year-old sister, identified as ASR, was rushed to Persahabatan Hospital in East Jakarta after showing similar symptoms.

She was initially cleared of the H5N1 infection, but further tests proved she was bird flu positive. She died on Jan. 16, but this was only revealed by the Health Ministry on Thursday.

Their mother, Sriyati, refused to talk to journalists about the deaths of her children, saying, “It’s just very sad. I can’t remember much about how they became infected.”

Radi Permana, a relative of the victims, told The Jakarta Post that PDY and ASR were very close. “He often took his sister to the car repair shop and showed her the pigeons,” he said.

Risa, who lives next door to the siblings, said that the family became reclusive after the loss of their children.

The neighbors were also told that ASR did not die of bird flu, but of dengue. “Somehow, we knew that she died from bird flu,” another neighbor, who declined to be named, said. “But we understand why they don’t want to tell people about it."

Hong Kong : Latest update on Siu Lam Hospital patients confirmed with Norovirus

2012-01-21T21:27:00.001+08:00

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" Regarding the earlier announcement on a male severe mentally handicapped ward in which some patients had been confirmed with Norovirus, the spokesperson of Siu Lam Hospital made the following update today (January 21):

Two more male patients (aged 38 and 55) in the ward had presented with diarrhoea or vomiting symptoms. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Norovirus. The concerned patients have been transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment under isolation and are in stable condition.

Admission to and discharge from the ward have been suspended. Restricted visiting to the ward has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close surveillance."

WHO : Influenza update - update 151

2012-01-21T21:18:00.002+08:00

The latest influenza update from WHO, excerpt :

" Summary

• Influenza activity in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere remains low overall though notable local increases in activity have been reported in some areas of Canada, Europe (Turkey, Spain, Italy and Malta), northern Africa (Tunisia and Algeria), China and the middle East (the Islamic Republic of Iran).

• Countries in the tropical zone reported generally low or undetectable levels of influenza activity with the exception of southern China, where influenza type B detections are increasing, and Costa Rica, which continues to report influenza A(H3N2) but at declining levels.

• Influenza activity in the temperate countries of the southern hemisphere is at inter-seasonal levels though Chile, Paraguay and Australia all report persistent low level transmission of A(H3N2) during their summer season.

• The most commonly detected virus type or subtype throughout the northern hemisphere temperate zone has been influenza A(H3N2) with the exception of Mexico, where influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 is the predominant subtype circulating, and China which is reporting a predominance of influenza type B. Other than Mexico, only very small numbers of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 have been reported globally.

• Reports from countries that do antigenic characterization indicate that nearly all influenza A viruses tested are antigenically related to those viruses included in the current trivalent influenza vaccine. While many of the influenza type B viruses are of the Yamagata lineage, which is not included in the current vaccine, overall numbers of influenza B virus detections are quite low compared to influenza type A (with the exception of China noted above).

• Oseltamivir resistance continues to be observed at very low levels and has not increased notably over levels reported in previous seasons."

WHO : Avian influenza – situation in Viet Nam

2012-01-21T21:17:00.002+08:00

From WHO with regards to the latest Avian Influenza fatality in Vietnam :

" The Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced a confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

The case was an 18 year-old male from Kien Giang Province. He developed symptoms on 10 January 2012 and was admitted to hospital on 14 January 2012 but died on 16 January 2012. Confirmatory test results for influenza A (H5N1) were obtained on 17 January 2012 by Pasteur Institute, the WHO National Influenza Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

The man was reportedly exposed to ducks. Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City and the local health sector are conducting outbreak investigation and response. He is the 120th person in Viet Nam to become infected with the H5N1 virus; to date, 60 of these cases have died from complications of the disease."

India : Measles outbreak in Arunachal villages

2012-01-20T21:12:00.000+08:00

Via Times of India :

" ITANAGAR : At least 30 cases of measles have been detected in remote villages of Chayangtajo circle in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The worst affected are Namchar Bagang and Soshi Bagang, about 17 km from Chayangtajo, said an official on Thursday.

The villagers have been forced to take shelter at makeshift tents in forests so that they don't contract the disease. A voluntary health camp was held at Chayangtajo on Sunday by Dr B Gara of Naharlagun General Hospital and Dr Raja Dodum of Seppa District Hospital, a source said.

To take stock of the situation, the team, later, rushed to various villages in the district and gave medicines to infected children. The team tried to reach out to all the villagers as they visited almost every household, the source added."

UK : Health chiefs in meningitis alert

2012-01-20T21:10:00.000+08:00

Via The Leader :

" PARENTS, teachers and family doctors and their staff are being advised to be on the alert for symptoms of meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.

Professor Qutub Syed, director, HPA North West, said: “We tend to see more cases of these diseases in the winter months so it is important for everyone to know what the symptoms are and to be prepared to take urgent action if a case is suspected.

“If parents or guardians think a child may have meningitis, they should call the doctor immediately or take the patient to the nearest accident and emergency unit."

In Rwanda, successfully fighting a resurgence of malaria

2012-01-20T21:04:00.002+08:00

News release from UNICEF on situation of Malaria in Rwanda, excerpt :

" NYAMATA, Rwanda, 19 January 2012 : Across Rwanda, children are benefiting from faster malaria diagnosis, the widespread distribution of nets, and the diligence of hospital and health centre staffs determined to keep malaria in check.

These renewed efforts are driven by a recent resurgence in malaria cases, following the country’s drastic reduction in both illness and death rates from malaria.

“In May 2010, we had 32 malaria-related deaths of children under the age of 5 in our district,” said Celestin Nzarerwanimana during an interview in late 2011. He is a community health supervisor at Nyamata Hospital in southern Rwanda.

“This year, in May we had only 17 deaths. Our efforts are working, but we still need to remain vigilant.”

‘Our team is advancing’

The Government of Rwanda is serious about this vigilance, and has procured new equipment to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment. Among these essential supplies is the rapid malaria test, which makes a diagnosis using blood from a pricked finger.

In addition, community health workers have visited tens of thousands of homes to check whether families were properly using their bed nets. They also provided advice about hygiene, safe water, nutrition and family planning."

India rejects 'total drug resistant TB' claim

2012-01-20T20:34:00.001+08:00

Article via BBC, excerpt :

" Indian health authorities have rejected recent reports that some tuberculosis cases in Mumbai were totally resistant to antibiotic treatment.

A health ministry team sent to probe the cases said they were "extensively drug resistant" infections.

Earlier, doctors in Mumbai said 12 patients had a "totally drug resistant" form of TB, and three had died.

TB is one of the world's biggest killers, second only to HIV among infectious diseases.

Normally a patient with TB is given a six to nine month course of antibiotics to eradicate it.

However, new strains of the bacterium have developed which are increasingly resistant to the antibiotics most commonly used to treat it.

Partially drug-resistant TB can now be found in countries across the world, and "multi-drug resistant" strains affect countries such as Russia and China."

Indonesia : Toddler died from bird flu - Health Ministry

2012-01-20T20:27:00.001+08:00

More information coming from The Jakarta Post with regards to the latest bird flu fatality in Indonesia :

" A toddler whose brother died of bird flu while being taken to hospital earlier this month become the country’s second casualty of the deadly virus this year.

ASR, 5, from Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta, died on Monday after receiving treatment at the Persahabatan hospital in East Jakarta since Jan. 10, the Health Ministry announced on Thursday.

The ministry’s research center said that it was confirmed on Jan. 13 that she had been infected with H5N1, after testing negative several times.

“In the earlier examinations, the bird flu was not detected. It appeared after we conducted several tests,” said Tjandra Yoga Aditama, the ministry’s disease control and environmental health chief.

Tjandra said that her condition deteriorated quickly before her death.

“Previously, she had shown good physical improvement. That’s why we took her out of the intensive care unit,” he said.

ASR is said to have often accompanied her brother, PDY, to watch pigeons around their neighborhood. The siblings were believed to have been infected with the H5N1 virus from a sick pigeon."

Hong Kong : Update on cluster of Norovirus cases in Siu Lam Hospital

2012-01-20T20:25:00.000+08:00

From Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" Regarding the earlier announcement concerning a male severe mentally handicapped ward in which some patients had been confirmed with Norovirus, the spokesperson of Siu Lam Hospital made the following update today (January 20):

One more 46-year-old male patient and one more staff member in the ward presented with diarrhoea or vomiting symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patient and the test results were positive for Norovirus. The patient concerned has been transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment under isolation and is in stable condition. The staff member is currently on leave.

Admission to and discharge from the ward have been suspended. Restricted visiting to the ward has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close surveillance."

Singapore : Efforts stepped up as dengue cases in Siglap rise to 10 Efforts stepped up as dengue cases in Siglap rise to 10

2012-01-20T20:22:00.001+08:00

Via Straits Times :

" Residents in Siglap are on the alert for possible mosquito breeding areas after more people in the area were hit by dengue fever.

The number of dengue cases in Opera Estate has grown from three last week to 10 on Thursday.

As a result, the National Environment Agency (NEA), which is in charge of dengue control, has intensified operations in the neighbourhood."

Greece : Infant dies of H1N1 flu

2012-01-20T20:18:00.000+08:00

Via Ekathimerini :

" A seven-and-a-half month Lybian baby diagnosed with the H1N1 virus died in Athens on Friday.

The infant was being treated at the intensive care unit of the Aghia Sofia children’s hospital in Athens, Skai reported on Friday. According to the medical facility’s staff the infant had been infected with the virus before entering Greece."

Hong Kong : Two cases of scarlet fever complicated with toxic shock syndrome under investigation

2012-01-20T20:07:00.001+08:00

Another press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating two cases of scarlet fever complicated with toxic shock syndrome.

The first one is a fatal case involving a 14-year-old girl with good past health. She presented with on and off low-grade fever since January 6, associated with cough, runny nose and malaise.

The girl sought medical consultation from three different private clinics for five times from January 6 to 17. Her condition did not improve and she developed rapid breathing since January 17 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital early next morning. She was admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit with septic shock, pneumonia and pleural effusion. Her condition deteriorated and she passed away later in the same day.

Her pleural aspirate specimen tested positive for streptococcus pyogenes (Group A).

The girl lived with her parents and a younger brother in Eastern District. Her mother and younger brother had recent upper respiratory infection symptoms. Swabs will be taken from them for further tests.

The girl used to study at a secondary school in Happy Valley and last attended school on January 16. There has been no report of outbreak of respiratory illness in the school.

As a precautionary measure, the school is advised to suspend class tomorrow for thorough cleansing and disinfection. She did not travel outside Hong Kong before onset of symptoms. But she travelled to Macau from January 7 - 8.

The second case involves an 11-year-old boy with good past health. He presented with cough and runny nose since January 8 and developed fever since January 13.

He was admitted to a private hospital on January 15. Group A streptococcus was isolated from his blood specimen.

He was transferred to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on January 17. On the same day, he also developed generalised sandpaper-like skin rash. He is now in stable condition.

He is studying in a primary school in Wan Chai District. He last attended school on January 13. The school will start holiday tomorrow and as a precautionary measure, the school is advised to carry out thorough cleansing and disinfection.

The CHP's investigation revealed that the patient has no recent travel history. His home contacts are asymptomatic."

WHO : Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update

2012-01-20T20:04:00.001+08:00

Via WHO :

" The Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt has notified WHO of two cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.‪

The first case is a 2 year-old female from Cairo Governorate. She visited Helwan Fever Hospital as an outpatient on 30 October 2011 with symptoms of influenza-like-illness (ILI). The case was confirmed by RT-PCR at the Central Public Health Laboratory through periodic testing of samples collected from ILI outpatients from sentinel ILI surveillance sites. The epidemiological team investigated the case after confirmation of the laboratory test. Retrospective investigation through data collected from her family identified a positive history of exposure to backyard poultry. Samples from the case have been sent to the US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3) for further sequencing.

The second case is a 31 year-old male from Fayium governorate. He developed symptoms on 1 January 2012, received oseltamivir on 14 January 2012 and is still hospitalised under the critical care unit. The case was confirmed by the Central Public Health Laboratory, a National Influenza Center of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network.

Epidemiological investigations into both the cases indicated that they had exposure to backyard poultry."

Hong Kong : CHP investigates confirmed case of severe paediatric influenza B infection

2012-01-20T20:01:00.002+08:00

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health seeks to draw public attention to its investigation into a confirmed case of severe paediatric influenza B infection affecting a 13-year-old boy.

The boy, enjoying good past health, presented with cough, running nose and sore throat since January 3. He sought medical consultation and received treatment from a general practitioner on multiple occasions.

He started to develop headache, vomiting, fever and photophobia since January 15. He was admitted to St Teresa's Hospital on January 17 and was later transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the same day.

The boy was clinically suggestive of meningitis. He is now in stable condition.

His nasopharyngeal swabs, collected in St Teresa's Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, tested positive for Influenza B.

Investigation revealed that the boy's mother and elder sister had upper respiratory tract infection symptoms early this month and have both recovered."

Seven Newcastle Disease Outbreaks in Israel

2012-01-19T21:04:00.000+08:00

Via The Poultry Site :

" The Israeli veterinary authorities have reported seven new outbreaks of Newcastle disease in Haifa, Hadarom, Hazafon and Jerusalem.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received follow-up report no.7 on Sunday, 15 January. The affected population comprises broilers, turkeys and egg layers.

According to the report, a total of 454,500 birds showed signs of susceptibility to the outbreak, out of which approximately 40,000 cases were reported. A total of 26,000 deaths were recorded, and 219,500 birds were destroyed, while 186,000 were slaughtered.

The source of the outbreak remains inconclusive, and the epidemiological investigation is ongoing."

Indonesia : Ministry of Health stated AS death positive bird flu

2012-01-19T20:55:00.002+08:00

Machine translated article from Antara :

" Ministry of Health (Kemkes) in a statement here on Thursday, said the death of the girl with the initials AS (5) on Monday (16 / 1) is positive for bird flu.

AS is the nephew of PD (23) who died on January 7, 2012 ago and also tested positive for bird flu and the two alleged victims have contracted the H5N1 virus from the same source of pet birds PD.

"Since entering the hospital, AS have been given help and given medication, but is this bird flu death rate is quite high," said Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Health (P2PL) Tjandra Yoga Aditama when contacted by AFP on Thursday."

Canada : Health district trying to curb C. difficile

2012-01-19T20:20:00.001+08:00

Via Herald News, excerpt :

" It seems particularly cruel when sick people who enter hospital to get better end up getting a hospital-acquired illness.

And if the bacterium you pick up happens to be Clostridium difficile, the cruelty can be magnified.

"There is quite a spectrum of clinical illness, everything from no symptoms to very severe," says Dr. Kevin Forward, a microbiologist with Dalhousie University.

"There can be very serious involvement, dehydration, decrease in kidney function and the bowel can cease to work."

Bowel function can be so severely affected that the wall of the bowel can perforate and leak poisons into the rest of the body.

While C. difficile can be found in any hospital or long-term care facility, two recent outbreaks at Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney have raised concerns about the potentially fatal bacterium.

An outbreak early last year was linked to the deaths of 11 patients in seven of the nine hospitals under the direction of the Cape Breton district health authority. A total of 64 patients contracted C. difficile before the outbreak was declared over in May.

A Public Health Agency of Canada report on the outbreak was published just days before the latest occurrence in December."

Indonesian MOH Announces Bird Flu Fatality

2012-01-19T20:14:00.002+08:00

From Mike Coston at Avian Flu Diary, along with his excellent comments, excerpt please go to his site for all the links :

" Ten days ago we learned of the death of a 23 year-old man living in north Jakarta from the H5N1 virus, presumably contracted from pigeons he was raising (see Bird Flu Suspect Dies In Indonesia).

At the time, there were media reports that this man’s sibling (ASR, age 5) was also ill and hospitalized, but it was reported on January 9th that he/she tested negative for the H5N1 virus.

We know that testing for the H5N1 virus has always been difficult, particularly once a patient is placed on antivirals, and we’ve seen some cases where patients tested negative repeatedly up until their demise, and bird flu infection was only established post-mortem.

Which is why many observers of the bird flu situation in Indonesia take negative test results with a grain of salt.

Today, via a statement released from the Indonesian Ministry of Health (h/t Gert van der Hoek on FluTrackers), we now learn that a 5 year old girl from the same neighborhood (with exposure to pigeons) has died after testing positive for the virus on January 13th."

MSF closes its largest medical centres in Mogadishu after killings

2012-01-19T19:17:00.001+08:00

Media release from Médecins Sans Frontières :

" Other projects in Somalia continue, but MSF medical assistance in Somali capital reduced by half

19 January 2012 – Following the tragic killings of our colleagues Philippe Havet and Dr Karel Keiluhu in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 29 December 2011, the medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) sees itself forced to end all activities in the Hodan district of the capital, including the closure of two separate 120-bed medical facilities for the treatment of malnutrition, measles and cholera.

The closure of activities in this district halves the assistance MSF is providing in Mogadishu. For now, MSF projects will continue to provide medical care in the other districts of the capital, as well as in 10 locations in the rest of Somalia.

However, the continuation of MSF work to assist Somalis in need of medical care is dependent upon the respect for personnel, patients and medical facilities. Where these conditions prevail, MSF remains committed to continue its activities in Somalia.

“It is hard to close health services in a location where the presence of our medical teams is genuinely lifesaving everyday,” states Christopher Stokes, MSF general director, “but the brutal assassination of our colleagues in Hodan makes it impossible for us to continue working in this district of Mogadishu.”

In Hodan, MSF has been assisting 200,000 Somalis who have fled to the capital in recent months. Since August 2011, treatment has been provided to 11,787 malnourished children, 1,232 patients have been treated for acute watery diarrhea and 861 patients have been treated for measles. MSF teams have also vaccinated 67,228 children against measles."

India : Culling begins at Mayurbhanjs Bahanaga

2012-01-19T19:11:00.001+08:00

Article via IBN Live :

" BHUBANESWAR : Culling commenced at Mayurbhanj’s Bahanaga on Wednesday as 10 teams fanned out to the rural pockets and collected the poultry birds. By the end of the day, over 1,800 birds had been culled and buried. The rapid response teams (RRTs) deployed by the Mayurbhanj district administration used public address system to get the people to disclose their birds and surrender them for culling. While the surveillance teams went from door-to-door for the collection of birds, disinfection was also done simultaneously.

Bahanaga, under Betanati block, is reported to have poultry birds not more than 7,000 in number. The veterinary officials along with the district administration are hopeful of completing the culling exercise in the next three days. “Since the national highway cuts through Betanati, tyres of vehicles are being sprayed with disinfectants too,” said an officer. The district administration has earmarked a vacant spot in a reserve forest where two burial pits have been created."

Ecuador : 12 year old boy dies with dengue hemorrhagic

2012-01-19T19:05:00.002+08:00

Machine translated article from UPI :

" A 12 year old boy is the first fatality of DHF in the current epidemic in the country, the health ministry confirmed.

The minister, Carina Vance said the boy died last Sunday in Guayaquil, the capital of the province of Guayas, where the largest number of cases of hemorrhagic dengue fever, which affects the country to a hundred people. Dr. Vance said that Ecuador spends "a serious situation."

Russia bans imports of Dutch meat over new virus

2012-01-19T18:57:00.000+08:00

Via Reuters, excerpt :

" Russia has banned imports of sheep and goat meat and live animals from the Netherlands following an outbreak of a new virus detected last year, the Dutch Economics and Agriculture ministry said on Wednesday.

The Schmallenberg virus, named after a German town where it was first found last year, was first diagnosed in December at a Dutch sheep farm in the brains of lambs who were born with a deformed neck or head or stiff joints."

Bhutan : HPAI Reported in Thimphu and Chhukha District

2012-01-19T18:54:00.001+08:00

Via The Poultry Site :

" The Bhutanese veterinary authorities have reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Thimphu and Chhukha District.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received follow-up reports 1 and 2 on 17 and 18 January, respectively. According to follow-up report no. 1, the affected population consists of poultry backyard farm within Thimphu City on 13 January.

In Thimphu, a total of 270 birds were found susceptible to the outbreak, out of which 38 cases were identified. The affected birds were found dead, and the remaining 232 were destroyed.

According to follow-up report no. 2, the outbreak in Chhukha district occurred on 30 December 2011, affecting backyard poultry in Mebesa village located above the district road off the national highway.

The report states that a total of 2010 birds showed signs of susceptibility, out of which 103 cases and deaths were reported. 1581 birds were destroyed.

According to the latter report, the outbreak at Mebesa village seems to have preceded the outbreak at Tsimasham village based on the trace-back mechanisms and time-line of the occurrence of events. The outbreaks at Mebesa and Tsimasham appear to be epidemiologically linked but need to be confirmed from the results of the virus sequencing and phylogenetic studies.

The source of the outbreak remains inconclusive."

Vietnam : Officials record bird flu death

2012-01-19T18:40:00.001+08:00

Via Stuff :

" Vietnamese officials say they've recorded the country's first human bird flu death in nearly two years, while more cases of the H5N1 virus have recently popped up elsewhere.

Dang Thi Thanh of southern Kien Giang province's health department says test results confirm that an 18-year-old man died of the disease Monday after being hospitalised a day earlier.

She says the man worked at a duck farm in neighboring Can Tho City when he fell sick with a high fever and breathing problems. His house has been disinfected and those who were in contact with him remain under surveillance."

Cambodia : Avian influenza situation – update

2012-01-19T18:22:00.001+08:00

From WHO :

" The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia has announced that the case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus reported in the Disease Outbreak News posting of 16 January 2012 died on 18 January 2012.

The boy is the 19th person in Cambodia to become infected with the H5N1 virus; to date, 17 of these cases have died from complications of the disease."

Nigeria : Lasaa fever kills CMD in Ebonyi

2012-01-18T20:09:00.001+08:00

Via Daily Times :

" Director of the Igboji General Hospital falls victim to the outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever

Following the death of the Chief Medical Director of Igboji GeneralHospital Ikwo Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi state by Viral Hemorrhagic Fever thegovernment said it has put in place an emergency response team for the
treatment and control of outbreak of communicable diseases such asViral Hemorrhagic Fever, gastroenteritis, meningitis associated withdry season.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Sunday Nwangele, whomade the statementyesterday in Abakaliki while addressing key stakeholders inthehealthsector,noted that outbreak of Hemorrhagicfever,otherwise called lassa fever,was first officially reported inEbonyi state in 2008."

30 contract meningitis bacterium in southern Vietnam

2012-01-18T20:06:00.000+08:00

Article from Thanh Nien News :

" Thirty people in Ho Chi Minh City have tested positive for the bacterium that causes meningitis, which could be fatal if left untreated, the Tuoi Tre newspaper reported Tuesday.

The paper quoted Tran Phu Manh Sieu, director of the HCMC Center for Preventive Health, as saying that the cases were detected among workers of the Japanese-owned Furukawa Automotive Parts Vietnam’s factory in Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, District 7.

Following the discovery, the center has prescribed antibiotics for all 6,200 workers of the factory to prevent the spread of Neisseria meningitides – the bacterium that causes meningitis, it said."

Australia : Top End warned to beware of tropical diseases

2012-01-18T19:59:00.001+08:00

Via ABC News, excerpt :

" The husband of federal MP Natasha Griggs is recovering in Royal Darwin Hospital after contracting the dangerous soil-borne disease melioidosis.

The Member for Solomon says her husband went to see a doctor because a cut on his leg was not healing.

Ms Griggs thinks he caught melioidosis while mowing the lawn, despite being vigilant."

Philippines : At least 24 dead due to polluted floodwaters

2012-01-18T19:55:00.001+08:00

Via Gulf Times :

" Manila : At least 24 deaths due to the water-borne disease leptospirosis has been reported in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities after typhoon Washi caused unprecedented flooding in the two Southern Philippine urban centres.

A report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that a month after tropical storm Washi (local name Sendon) struck northern Mindanao, health authorities recorded 377 leptospirosis cases."

India : Boy catches new, deadly strain of TB from parent

2012-01-18T19:45:00.001+08:00

Via Times of India :

" MUMBAI: To understand the ability of tuberculosis to create havoc in people's lives, consider an aside from the recent path-breaking study conducted by Hinduja Hospital in Mahim. One of the 12 patients identified with the incurable, totally drug resistant tuberculosis (TDR-TB) strain had reportedly contracted it from his parent.

This unknown family's story is the face of India's new TB chapter: the double whammy of expensive treatment and the sapping side-effects of drugs that have to be taken daily for 25 months on an average. Doctors are not forthcoming about the details of the case. "Families mean close contact. The probability of transmission is always high,'' said a doctor who has met the patients.

The importance of the case lies in the fact that drug-resistant TB-be it multi-drug resistant (MDR), extensively resistant (XDR) or the newfangled TDR-can be transmitted in their fiercest avatars. "Eight out of 10 Indians harbour TB bacilli. It depends on what they were exposed to. But if the host has a healthy immune system, TB's worrisome strains will lie dormant,'' explained a senior doctor associated with TB care."

India : Malaria claims 4 lives in Vizag agency

2012-01-18T19:35:00.000+08:00

Via IBN Live :

" Contrary to the claims of the medical and health department officials, malaria has claimed lives of four persons in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam in January alone.

Notwithstanding various government programmes to combat malaria, there is no improvement in the situation which is getting worse day by day.

K Sitamma (26) of Pedabayalu, D Sai Kumar (16) of Tangagi, S Lakshmi (25) of Dhimsa and R Sai Kumar (5) of Dubbaput were among those who died due to malaria.

A pregnant woman, Killo Suvarna (21), resident of Kikitiguda of Araku Valley mandal reportedly died of malaria on Sunday night, but health department officials are yet to confirm it.

Tribal areas in Visakhapatnam district were known to be the highest incidence areas for malaria in the state."

Haiti : More than Cholera in the Mountains above Pestel

2012-01-18T19:25:00.002+08:00

Article via PJ Star, written by Dr. John Caroll, excerpt :

" I hiked up the mountains today south of the village of Pestel.

With the help of a guide I passed through the tiny village of Casavon and followed water pipes that led us to the spring at La Matin.

People from all over this part of the mountain get their water from the pipes that lead from this spring. But for the water to run through the pipes it has to be pumped from a reservoir near the catchment zone as the spring water flows out of the rocks and into the catchment zone. And for the pump to work in the reservoir, the Delco generator needs to work. And the generator wasn’t working today. So the people either walk to the spring at La Matin and carry water back to their village in five gallon buckets on their head or they collect water from a cistern in their yard or their neighbor’s yard.

Whatever. Clean water is sacred here and extremely hard to get.

The people I talked to on the mountain paths said they have had cholera in the village of La Matin last year, but not now.

There is much pathology in the mountains and it is not all cholera."

Cambodia : Bird flu-infected boy dies

2012-01-18T19:22:00.001+08:00

Article via Phil Star :

" A 2-year-and-7 month-old boy from northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey had died early Wednesday from avian influenza A (H5N1) virus after being admitted to hospital for about a week, said a senior health official.

"The boy passed away at 2:00 a.m. early Wednesday due to critical condition," Sok Touch, director of the Health Ministry' s anti-communicable disease department, told Xinhua over telephone on Wednesday.

He said the boy was the nineteenth person in Cambodia to become infected with H5N1 virus, and the first person died this year."

India : More poultry birds culled in Odisha

2012-01-18T19:01:00.001+08:00

Via Deccan Herald :

" Thousands of more poultry birds were Wednesday culled in Odisha after bird flu hit a new area, an official said.

Officials and veterinarians launched the culling operation in and around three km of Bahanada village in the tribal-populated Mayurbhanj district after tests confirmed that two chickens were infected with the deadly H5N1 virus.

Culling of about 5,000 birds in about 30 villages is being carried out by about 10 teams, state animal resources development department director Benudhar Dash told IANS.

Authorities last week culled over 31,000 poultry birds in and around Keranga village of Khurda district, more than 300 km from the present culling site.

Dash said the government sent samples of different fowls to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal, after hundreds of crows died in some parts of Odisha earlier this month.

The test confirmed that three samples of poultry and two samples of crow were infected with the H5N1 virus, he said."

Ukraine declares measles outbreak, 883 people infected

2012-01-18T18:58:00.001+08:00

Via Xinhua :

" The Ukrainian Health Ministry on Monday declared an outbreak of measles, with 883 cases of the infectious disease so far reported.

"It is still too early to talk about the epidemic, but we have recorded outbreaks of measles in some regions of Ukraine," said Sergey Platov, chief expert of the ministry's Public Health and Epidemiological Welfare Department.

Platov told a press conference here alerts had been issued in the country's western and central regions and in Kiev, Ukraine's capital.

The expert also urged people to be vaccinated against the disease immediately."

South Korea : Actor stricken with Swine Flu

2012-01-18T18:52:00.001+08:00

Via Channel News Asia :

" Korean actor Jo Donghyeok's management agency revealed on Tuesday that the actor, who had recently completed shooting for the popular Korean drama "Brain", has been diagnosed with the influenza A (H1N1) virus on Monday, reported Korean media.

"We have cleared his schedule and he is currently resting at home," said a representative from Jo's management agency.

Jo had suffered from a fever over the weekend but brushed it off as a simple cold."

Hong Kong : Norovirus outbreak under close watch at elderly home

2012-01-18T18:51:00.001+08:00

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak at an elderly home and reminded people and management of institutions to strictly observe environmental and personal hygiene to prevent norovirus gastroenteritis.

The gastroenteritis outbreak affected 46 residents aged between 74 and 104 and 20 staff members at an elderly home in Kwun Tong. The affected, 10 men and 56 women, have developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis including diarrhoea and vomiting since January 2.

All the affected are in stable condition. Seven of the affected residents required hospitalisation. Stool samples from eight affected residents tested positive for norovirus.

Officers of the CHP have visited the institution on multiple occasions and provided health advice to staff on proper disinfection, disposal of vomitus and faecal matter, as well as personal and food hygiene. Another visit to the institution, together with the Social Welfare Department, was conducted today (January 18) to reinforce the infection control measures."

US: E. Coli Ehec - (Michigan)

2012-01-18T18:47:00.001+08:00

Via ProMed :

" Western Upper Peninsula [Michigan] Health Department is investigating a cluster of cases of _Escherichia coli_ O157:H7 infection who became ill over the Christmas holidays. Initially 3 local and 2 non-local cases were identified.

Investigation has led to the identification of 2 additional cases. 4 of the cases were hospitalized; no deaths have occurred. The health department has determined that the likely source of the outbreak was an ill food handler at The Ambassador, a Houghton restaurant.

The restaurant owner and his staff have been working cooperatively with the health department's environmental health division during the investigation. The restaurant remains open for business and there is no anticipated ongoing risk of illness due to
this outbreak."

Indian TB cases 'can't be cured'

2012-01-17T20:55:00.000+08:00

Via BBC News, excerpt :

" Tuberculosis which appears to be totally resistant to antibiotic treatment has been reported for the first time by Indian doctors.

Concern over drug-resistant strains of TB is growing, with similar 'incurable' TB emerging in Italy and Iran.

Doctors in Mumbai said 12 patients had a "totally drug resistant" form of the infection, and three have died.

The Indian Health Ministry is investigating the cases and has sent a team of doctors to Mumbai.

TB is one of the world's biggest killers, second only to HIV among infectious diseases.

Normally a patient with TB is given a six to nine month course of antibiotics to eradicate it."

India : Central team examining Drug Resistant TB cases in Mumbai

2012-01-17T20:52:00.001+08:00

Via IBN Live :

" A team of doctors, deputed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has reached Mumbai to ascertain facts about the reported cases of Drug Resistant TB cases.

The Ministry says, the cases should be called 'Extensively Drug Resistant-TB' (XDR-TB) and not 'Totally Drug Resistant TB' (TDR-TB) as per WHO norms, an official release said.

The central team has started analysis of the situation and is in touch with the health authorities of Maharashtra, Mumbai Municipal Corporation, while also involving experts from concerned stake-holders, including the Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai.

Hinduja hospital is not accredited to diagnose XDR or TDR, the release said."

Australia : Killer soil disease attacks MP's husband

2012-01-17T20:40:00.001+08:00

Via NT News :

" THE HUSBAND of Federal MP Natasha Griggs is in hospital with the killer tropical disease melioidosis.

"Pretty scary stuff," she said in a tweet on social networking site Twitter.

"GP told my husband you have Melioidosis go straight to the hospital. Looks like a few days in Darwin Hospital for him."

A Territory man recently died from the soil-borne disease, which comes out when it rains.

As of the first week of January, 18 people had contracted the infection, also known as Nightcliff Gardener's Disease, 16 of them from Darwin.

Centre for Disease Control director Vicki Krause has said contact with mud, groundwater and soil during the Wet increased the likelihood of exposure to the bacterium."

Haiti : A Solvable Problem in Pestel

2012-01-17T20:37:00.001+08:00

Via PJ Star, excerpt :

" When wandering around the mountains of Haiti and you are a blan (foreigner) it is easy to get disoriented and confused.

But we need to try and keep things as simple as possible to make sense of the Haitian mountains and the cholera that hides inside.

Right now there is a significant amount of cholera in the mountains of the Commune of Pestel. Pestel is located on the northern coast of the southern peninsula of Haiti.

During the last ten days we have documented cholera morbidity and mortality by talking to Haitian health care workers in the mountains of Pestel and have reviewed their written records. We have documented cholera cases in many different sections of Pestel. And these results have been published.

And we are caring for very sick patients now with cholera from four sections of Pestel. These patients are very sick. They need IV fluids and will die without it. And there are new patients each day in little CTU’s that have been recently set up in Desvereaux, Tozia, Pela, and Pavion.

And when the rains start in two months, science and common sense tell us that the volume of cholera patients will rise quickly up here in the mountains.

Rivers and springs have been identified and tested for cholera from these sections during the last 10 days."

Ghana : Malaria still rife in Awutu-Senya District

2012-01-17T20:31:00.001+08:00

Via Ghana Broadcasting Corporation :

" The Awutu-Senya District Director of Health Services, Mrs Patricia Antwi, says malaria continues to be the number one cause of death in the district. She said this at the 2011 Annual Performance Review meeting of the Service at Awutu Beraku.

Mrs Antwi said as part of efforts to reduce malaria, the directorate distributed about 100 thousand treated mosquito nets and established four out of the six targeted CHPS zones. She appealed for financial support to enable the directorate to achieve its targets.

The Director said her unit received support from Grameen Foundation to implement Mobile Technology for Community Health (MoTeCH) for all health facilities and that, more than 4500 pregnant women had so far registered under the programme."

Cholera epidemic spreads in DR Congo

2012-01-17T20:23:00.000+08:00

Via Press TV :

" A fresh cholera outbreak is threatening the lives of thousands of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The water-borne epidemic has struck South Kivu, capital of Bukavu Province, which has a population of over 4.5 million people.

More than 1,600 confirmed cases with at least 14 deaths have been reported since last week.

Last year, nearly 19,000 cases were also reported with more than 200 deaths from another cholera outbreak."

Hong Kong : Little egret tests positive for H5N1 virus

2012-01-17T20:21:00.001+08:00

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 17) that a dead little egret found in Yuen Long on January 12 was confirmed to be H5N1-positive after a series of laboratory tests.

The bird carcass was found and collected beside a tree outside the Yuen Long Office, Wetland and Fauna Conservation (Enforcement) Section of the AFCD, Lot 1520RP, DD123, Nam Sang Wai, Yuen Long on January 12.

The little egret is a common resident bird in Hong Kong.

The AFCD will continue to conduct inspections of poultry farms to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented."