Via Cairns :
" A CAIRNS doctor worked by torchlight, just a few kilometres from Australia's border, to help prevent a cholera outbreak worsening and spreading.
GP Dr Anthony Mahler, who works part-time at the Cairns Cosmetic Clinic, has returned from a week-long humanitarian mission to Papua New Guinea helping treat patients in remote parts of PNG afflicted by the country's cholera outbreak.
Australia's border in the Torres Strait has been sealed with fears more than 100 PNG people may have died from the disease. The outbreak, which began in the country in July 2009, has infected at least 5000 people.
Hundreds of sick locals are currently being treated at the overflowing Daru Hospital, and other makeshift facilities.
The mission, organised and funded through the Church of Latter-Day Saints, involved Dr Mahler and Brisbane GP David Williams, alongside Cairns-based church organiser Shane Palmer, heading to the island of Daru and the nearby Fly River delta to provide immediate care for patients suffering from the disease.
In one remote village near the Bamu River, doctors and medical staff treated 185 patients in one night, working under torchlight in a makeshift hospital."
Monday, December 6, 2010
Dominican Rep. reports new cholera case
An article from Xinhua :
" SANTO DOMINGO, Dec. 4 : The Dominican Republic reported a new cholera case on Saturday, raising the number of the country's cases to 16.
The new patient, a 39-year-old man from south of the country, has been hospitalized and is in good conditions, Public Health Minister Bautista Rojas told reporters.
"This patient is being monitored by the Public Health Ministry. We have a monitoring system at national level and everything goes fine," he said.
The epidemic is under strict control of authorities, which have carried out preventive measure nationwide, he added."
" SANTO DOMINGO, Dec. 4 : The Dominican Republic reported a new cholera case on Saturday, raising the number of the country's cases to 16.
The new patient, a 39-year-old man from south of the country, has been hospitalized and is in good conditions, Public Health Minister Bautista Rojas told reporters.
"This patient is being monitored by the Public Health Ministry. We have a monitoring system at national level and everything goes fine," he said.
The epidemic is under strict control of authorities, which have carried out preventive measure nationwide, he added."
Japan : Bird-flu steps complete: Shimane
Via The Japan Times :
" MATSUE, Shimane Pref. : The Shimane Prefectural Government announced Sunday that it has taken all preventive measures against bird flu since a local poultry farm was found infected last week.
All 21,500 chickens at the farm in Yasugi have been killed and incinerated, and all precautionary steps — including the disinfection of the farm and its vicinity — have been carried out, the prefectural government said.
Although no new cases of avian flu have been reported, surveillance will be maintained within a 10-km radius of the infected farm, Shimane officials said."
" MATSUE, Shimane Pref. : The Shimane Prefectural Government announced Sunday that it has taken all preventive measures against bird flu since a local poultry farm was found infected last week.
All 21,500 chickens at the farm in Yasugi have been killed and incinerated, and all precautionary steps — including the disinfection of the farm and its vicinity — have been carried out, the prefectural government said.
Although no new cases of avian flu have been reported, surveillance will be maintained within a 10-km radius of the infected farm, Shimane officials said."
Pakistan : Karachi has 3,259 dengue positive patients
Via Pak Tribune :
" KARACHI: The number of dengue positive patients has climbed to 3,259 in Karachi, while 638 were reported from other parts of the province this year.
A report of the Provincial Dengue Surveillance Cell (PDSC) said 5,770 suspected patients with symptoms of dengue fever have been registered so far in different hospitals of Sindh, while 5,070 of them belong to Karachi.
With the death of 24-year-old Sumaira on Friday at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, the growing official death toll of dengue patients has now reached 19 in the city and 24 in the province."
" KARACHI: The number of dengue positive patients has climbed to 3,259 in Karachi, while 638 were reported from other parts of the province this year.
A report of the Provincial Dengue Surveillance Cell (PDSC) said 5,770 suspected patients with symptoms of dengue fever have been registered so far in different hospitals of Sindh, while 5,070 of them belong to Karachi.
With the death of 24-year-old Sumaira on Friday at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, the growing official death toll of dengue patients has now reached 19 in the city and 24 in the province."
Egypt : Two Egyptian women die from swine flu, bird flu
An article from The Daily News Egypt, excerpt :
" CAIRO: Two Egyptian women passed away this weekend in the Delta from swine flu and bird flu, the Ministry of Health said.The swine flu victim, a 30-year-old pharmacist from the city of Damanhour in the Beheira governorate, passed away on Thursday. She went to the hospital on Nov. 17 after developing severe flu symptoms including fatigue, sore throat, coughing, and pain in her bones and muscles.
Abdel Rahman Shahin, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, announced on Saturday that a 30-year-old women in the governorate of Gharbia passed away from bird flu. Hers is the 37th death from bird flu in Egypt since the disease first appeared in 2006. It is also the tenth bird flu fatality to occur in Egypt in 2010.
Shahin also warned that the number of deaths related to swine flu may rise in the coming months, as the Ministry of Health expects there will be an outbreak of the H1N1 virus in the near future.
Last March the Central Operation Room of Crisis and Disaster Management at the Information and Decision Support Center for the Cabinet of Ministers announced that the number of people to contract swine flu in Egypt has nearly decreased in half."
" CAIRO: Two Egyptian women passed away this weekend in the Delta from swine flu and bird flu, the Ministry of Health said.The swine flu victim, a 30-year-old pharmacist from the city of Damanhour in the Beheira governorate, passed away on Thursday. She went to the hospital on Nov. 17 after developing severe flu symptoms including fatigue, sore throat, coughing, and pain in her bones and muscles.
Abdel Rahman Shahin, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, announced on Saturday that a 30-year-old women in the governorate of Gharbia passed away from bird flu. Hers is the 37th death from bird flu in Egypt since the disease first appeared in 2006. It is also the tenth bird flu fatality to occur in Egypt in 2010.
Shahin also warned that the number of deaths related to swine flu may rise in the coming months, as the Ministry of Health expects there will be an outbreak of the H1N1 virus in the near future.
Last March the Central Operation Room of Crisis and Disaster Management at the Information and Decision Support Center for the Cabinet of Ministers announced that the number of people to contract swine flu in Egypt has nearly decreased in half."
India : Encephalitis claims two more lives, toll climbs to 516
An article from Hindustan Times :
" Two people succumbed to encephalitis here, taking the toll in the viral infection in eastern Uttar Pradesh this year to 516.
Health officials said on Saturday that the two died at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College Hospital here yesterday. The victims hailed from Gorakhpur and Sant Kabrinagar.
"Nine patients suffering from encephalitis have been admitted to the hospital on Friday," Additional Director (Health) U K Srivastava said."
" Two people succumbed to encephalitis here, taking the toll in the viral infection in eastern Uttar Pradesh this year to 516.
Health officials said on Saturday that the two died at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College Hospital here yesterday. The victims hailed from Gorakhpur and Sant Kabrinagar.
"Nine patients suffering from encephalitis have been admitted to the hospital on Friday," Additional Director (Health) U K Srivastava said."
Egypt announces 10th bird flu fatality in ''10
Via Kuna, the whole report :
" CAIRO, Dec 4 : Egypt on Saturday announced the 10th bird flu fatality this year for a 30-year-old women northern the capital.
Since the national outbreak of the pandemic in 2006, some 113 cases were discovered; 37 of which led to death, the Egyptian health ministry said in a statement."
" CAIRO, Dec 4 : Egypt on Saturday announced the 10th bird flu fatality this year for a 30-year-old women northern the capital.
Since the national outbreak of the pandemic in 2006, some 113 cases were discovered; 37 of which led to death, the Egyptian health ministry said in a statement."
Friday, December 3, 2010
Canada : Fatal flu hits northern Manitoba
An article from The Globe and Mail :
" Native leaders in northern Manitoba fear they may be in grip of a lethal influenza outbreak.
One person died last week on a northern reserve in which Influenza A was a factor, according to Joel Kettner, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer. Tests are being conducted on other cases, he said. The virus H1N1 is one of a number of influenza viruses within that strain.
“We are very interested and concerned about the situation, and are watching it very closely,” Dr. Kettner said Thursday evening.
David Harper, grand chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents most northern Manitoba first nations, said there have been two recent deaths and a third person is very ill. He fears influenza may be a factor in all three cases, and in the illnesses of others.
Both victims were members of Garden Hill first nation, according to David McDougall, chief of nearby St. Theresa Point. “We heard about it and our community is now on alert for extreme cases of flu,” he said, though he added so far the community had been spared."
" Native leaders in northern Manitoba fear they may be in grip of a lethal influenza outbreak.
One person died last week on a northern reserve in which Influenza A was a factor, according to Joel Kettner, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer. Tests are being conducted on other cases, he said. The virus H1N1 is one of a number of influenza viruses within that strain.
“We are very interested and concerned about the situation, and are watching it very closely,” Dr. Kettner said Thursday evening.
David Harper, grand chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents most northern Manitoba first nations, said there have been two recent deaths and a third person is very ill. He fears influenza may be a factor in all three cases, and in the illnesses of others.
Both victims were members of Garden Hill first nation, according to David McDougall, chief of nearby St. Theresa Point. “We heard about it and our community is now on alert for extreme cases of flu,” he said, though he added so far the community had been spared."
India : Beware! it's a season of viral infections
Via The Hindu :
" The current spell of northeast monsoon has brought in its wake viral infections in both adults and children. Apart from the usual complaints of conjunctivitis, fever, respiratory tract ailments and cough and cold, doctors say there is an increase in the number of children reporting with gastroenteritis.
According to paediatricians in the city there has been an increase in the incidence of viral infections in the last few days as compared to a fortnight ago. But, infections such as leptospirosis, dengue and malaria, caused by stagnation of water, are expected to increase after the rain, said P. Ramachandran, Director, Institute of Child Health, Egmore.
The Government Children's Hospital attached to the Institute has seen an increase in respiratory illness and bronchiolitis, a condition that affects infants and young children, especially those in the three to six month age group. Children who are not breastfed and those who are exposed to crowded places or cigarette smoke are at risk."
" The current spell of northeast monsoon has brought in its wake viral infections in both adults and children. Apart from the usual complaints of conjunctivitis, fever, respiratory tract ailments and cough and cold, doctors say there is an increase in the number of children reporting with gastroenteritis.
According to paediatricians in the city there has been an increase in the incidence of viral infections in the last few days as compared to a fortnight ago. But, infections such as leptospirosis, dengue and malaria, caused by stagnation of water, are expected to increase after the rain, said P. Ramachandran, Director, Institute of Child Health, Egmore.
The Government Children's Hospital attached to the Institute has seen an increase in respiratory illness and bronchiolitis, a condition that affects infants and young children, especially those in the three to six month age group. Children who are not breastfed and those who are exposed to crowded places or cigarette smoke are at risk."
Malaysia : Elderly man dies of dengue
Via New Straits Times :
" GEORGE TOWN: A 60-year-old man died of dengue at the Penang Hospital here early yesterday.
The victim, Lok Ah Leak, was one of three dengue patients from Air Itam here who were warded at the hospital.Lok, a vegetable seller at the Tanjung Bungah wet market, had been warded since Nov 11.
A hospital spokesman confirmed that Lok died of cerebral haemorrhage and lung infections.
Meanwhile, state health, welfare, caring society and environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said another patient, B. Nadarajah, died of Influenza A (H1N1) on Monday."
" GEORGE TOWN: A 60-year-old man died of dengue at the Penang Hospital here early yesterday.
The victim, Lok Ah Leak, was one of three dengue patients from Air Itam here who were warded at the hospital.Lok, a vegetable seller at the Tanjung Bungah wet market, had been warded since Nov 11.
A hospital spokesman confirmed that Lok died of cerebral haemorrhage and lung infections.
Meanwhile, state health, welfare, caring society and environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said another patient, B. Nadarajah, died of Influenza A (H1N1) on Monday."
Tanzania : Scores end up in hospital as cholera hits three regions
Via The Citizen :
" At least 87 patients have been admitted in various hospitals in the country following an outbreak of cholera, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said yesterday.
Speaking to The Citizen, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Ms Blandina Nyoni, said her office has received a report showing 87 cholera patients have been recorded in three regions of Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Shinyanga.According to her, Dar es Salaam reported 58 patients in Temeke District and one in Kinondoni District. She said in Bariadi District, Shinyanga Region, there were at least 23 people who had been reported to have con- tracted cholera while six other people were reported in Mkinga District, Tanga Region.
She said the ministry was well prepared to face the situation. She therefore urged members of the public toreport to hospitals and health centres for treatment on detecting cholera symptoms which include diarrhoea and vomiting.Commenting on the red eyes disease, which has affected a number of Dar es Salaam residents, Ms Nyoni said her ministry had no official report on it, but promised to make a follow-up.However, Ms Nyoni urged the city residents and Tanzanians in general to take precautions on the outbreak of dis- eases for the betterment of their health."
" At least 87 patients have been admitted in various hospitals in the country following an outbreak of cholera, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said yesterday.
Speaking to The Citizen, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Ms Blandina Nyoni, said her office has received a report showing 87 cholera patients have been recorded in three regions of Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Shinyanga.According to her, Dar es Salaam reported 58 patients in Temeke District and one in Kinondoni District. She said in Bariadi District, Shinyanga Region, there were at least 23 people who had been reported to have con- tracted cholera while six other people were reported in Mkinga District, Tanga Region.
She said the ministry was well prepared to face the situation. She therefore urged members of the public toreport to hospitals and health centres for treatment on detecting cholera symptoms which include diarrhoea and vomiting.Commenting on the red eyes disease, which has affected a number of Dar es Salaam residents, Ms Nyoni said her ministry had no official report on it, but promised to make a follow-up.However, Ms Nyoni urged the city residents and Tanzanians in general to take precautions on the outbreak of dis- eases for the betterment of their health."
Rift Valley fever strikes in Mauritania
An AFP report hosted by Yahoo :
" An outbreak of Rift Valley fever has struck the north Mauritanian town of Aoujeft, causing "loss of human life" and killing cattle, official sources said, while the press put the death toll at 17.
"Cases of Rift Valley fever have caused loss of human life and at the level of cattle," the official Mauritanian news agency AMI reported, without giving casualty figures.
According to the independent local press, the "epidemic" has claimed 17 lives and sick people have been sent to hospitals in Nouakchott.
"The ministers of health and the interior, visiting the region, have given strict instructions to the people of Adrar (where Aoujeft lies) to avoid consuming locally produced meat and milk," AMI added.
These bans on foodstuffs essential to the local population are expected to last until laboratory analyses and tests that have been under way since last Thursday on contaminated animals are complete, the agency said."
" An outbreak of Rift Valley fever has struck the north Mauritanian town of Aoujeft, causing "loss of human life" and killing cattle, official sources said, while the press put the death toll at 17.
"Cases of Rift Valley fever have caused loss of human life and at the level of cattle," the official Mauritanian news agency AMI reported, without giving casualty figures.
According to the independent local press, the "epidemic" has claimed 17 lives and sick people have been sent to hospitals in Nouakchott.
"The ministers of health and the interior, visiting the region, have given strict instructions to the people of Adrar (where Aoujeft lies) to avoid consuming locally produced meat and milk," AMI added.
These bans on foodstuffs essential to the local population are expected to last until laboratory analyses and tests that have been under way since last Thursday on contaminated animals are complete, the agency said."
Malaysia : Alarming increase in Malacca dengue cases
Via The Star :
" MALACCA: The number of dengue cases in Malacca increased alarmingly over the first 11 months of the year to 1,378 cases, compared with the 748 over the same period last year.
State Women’s Affair, Family Development and Health Committee chairman Norpipah Abdol said 309 cases were confirmed as haemorrhagic dengue fever.
She said the number of dengue deaths increased to 12 compared to four over the same period last year.
Norpipah said the Melaka Tengah district recorded the highest number with 973 dengue cases with four deaths, followed by 218 cases with five deaths in Alor Gajah and 187 cases with three deaths in Jasin.
She said several areas in the Melaka Tengah district needed attention as more than two dengue cases were reported within 14 days.
These included Taman Peruna in Sungai Udang with 44 cases, Kampung Pantai Peringgit with four cases, Jalan Tun Sri Lanang, Tengkera Pantai 2 and Portuguese Settlement with three cases each, and Batu 7 Kampung Bukit Darat in Tanjong Kling with two cases."
" MALACCA: The number of dengue cases in Malacca increased alarmingly over the first 11 months of the year to 1,378 cases, compared with the 748 over the same period last year.
State Women’s Affair, Family Development and Health Committee chairman Norpipah Abdol said 309 cases were confirmed as haemorrhagic dengue fever.
She said the number of dengue deaths increased to 12 compared to four over the same period last year.
Norpipah said the Melaka Tengah district recorded the highest number with 973 dengue cases with four deaths, followed by 218 cases with five deaths in Alor Gajah and 187 cases with three deaths in Jasin.
She said several areas in the Melaka Tengah district needed attention as more than two dengue cases were reported within 14 days.
These included Taman Peruna in Sungai Udang with 44 cases, Kampung Pantai Peringgit with four cases, Jalan Tun Sri Lanang, Tengkera Pantai 2 and Portuguese Settlement with three cases each, and Batu 7 Kampung Bukit Darat in Tanjong Kling with two cases."
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Vietnam : Vaccine not magic bullet for bird flu
An article from Vietnam News :
" HA NOI : Vaccination was not a "magic bullet" against bird flu, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation Bangkok-based expert in viral diseases Subhash Morzaria said yesterday.
"It requires additional measures like surveillance, contingency plans and sound bio security," he told the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Capacity Building Workshop on Vaccination Against Avian Influenza in Ha Noi.
Although vaccination was an essential tool in countries with a high number of human infections and economic losses, bio security was recommened when the virus first appeared, he said.
"If it's not acceptable to kill a large number of animals, infected countries must use vaccination."
But surveillance should be used with all vaccination programmes to detect outbreaks early as well as the incursion of any mutations and changes in clinical signs.
Seventeen countries have reported avian influenza outbreaks in animals this year - 11 of them in Asia, including Viet Nam."
" HA NOI : Vaccination was not a "magic bullet" against bird flu, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation Bangkok-based expert in viral diseases Subhash Morzaria said yesterday.
"It requires additional measures like surveillance, contingency plans and sound bio security," he told the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Capacity Building Workshop on Vaccination Against Avian Influenza in Ha Noi.
Although vaccination was an essential tool in countries with a high number of human infections and economic losses, bio security was recommened when the virus first appeared, he said.
"If it's not acceptable to kill a large number of animals, infected countries must use vaccination."
But surveillance should be used with all vaccination programmes to detect outbreaks early as well as the incursion of any mutations and changes in clinical signs.
Seventeen countries have reported avian influenza outbreaks in animals this year - 11 of them in Asia, including Viet Nam."
Japan : All 21,500 chickens culled at bird flu-hit farm in Shimane Pref
Via Japan Today :
" MATSUE : The Shimane prefectural government said Thursday it has killed all 21,500 chickens and begun incinerating their bodies at a local farm where five birds were confirmed infected with the highly virulent bird flu the previous day.
Efforts to disinfect the farm in the city of Yasuki are to be completed by early next week while a government lab in Ibaraki Prefecture is trying to assess the virulence of the H5 virus and the farm ministry is investigating how the birds got infected."
" MATSUE : The Shimane prefectural government said Thursday it has killed all 21,500 chickens and begun incinerating their bodies at a local farm where five birds were confirmed infected with the highly virulent bird flu the previous day.
Efforts to disinfect the farm in the city of Yasuki are to be completed by early next week while a government lab in Ibaraki Prefecture is trying to assess the virulence of the H5 virus and the farm ministry is investigating how the birds got infected."
Indonesia : Padang RS Treats Suspected Bird Flu Patients
Translated article from Metro TV News :
" Padang: M. Djamil Hospital in Padang, West Sumatra, receive one patient suspected of having bird flu. This was disclosed Specialist Children's Hospital M. Djamil Padang, Finny Fitry Yeni, Wednesday (1 / 12).
"We received one patient suspected of having bird flu. The patient had high fever since last Sunday after direct contact with poultry," said Finny.
Fini said the patient named Barbie Elasah Laila (2). It was first known to have suspected bird flu after treatment by a midwife, and then referred to the Hospital (RS) M. Djamil.
Barbie is a child of the couple Afrizal (35) and Lailai (32), a resident of Karang Putih, Indarung, Lubuk Kilangan District, the city of Padang, West Sumatra.
"To find out whether these patients had positive bird flu, blood samples will be sent to Jakarta for further examination," he said.
"In seven to 10 days in the future we will only accept the results of examination of blood samples," said Fini.
Currently, patients treated in inpatient installation space C, Internal Medicine, Room Saspek, M. Djamil Hospital Padang. Meanwhile, parents of patients, Afrizal, say, my child has a fever after playing with birds behind the house. A day earlier, four birds also died suddenly, and immediately burned."
" Padang: M. Djamil Hospital in Padang, West Sumatra, receive one patient suspected of having bird flu. This was disclosed Specialist Children's Hospital M. Djamil Padang, Finny Fitry Yeni, Wednesday (1 / 12).
"We received one patient suspected of having bird flu. The patient had high fever since last Sunday after direct contact with poultry," said Finny.
Fini said the patient named Barbie Elasah Laila (2). It was first known to have suspected bird flu after treatment by a midwife, and then referred to the Hospital (RS) M. Djamil.
Barbie is a child of the couple Afrizal (35) and Lailai (32), a resident of Karang Putih, Indarung, Lubuk Kilangan District, the city of Padang, West Sumatra.
"To find out whether these patients had positive bird flu, blood samples will be sent to Jakarta for further examination," he said.
"In seven to 10 days in the future we will only accept the results of examination of blood samples," said Fini.
Currently, patients treated in inpatient installation space C, Internal Medicine, Room Saspek, M. Djamil Hospital Padang. Meanwhile, parents of patients, Afrizal, say, my child has a fever after playing with birds behind the house. A day earlier, four birds also died suddenly, and immediately burned."
Philippines : Dengue kills boy, 6
Via The News Today :
" A six-year-old boy from Tubungan, Iloilo died of dengue hemorrhagic fever even as cases are already decreasing in the province.
The latest casualty is among the 32 deaths and 6 440 dengue cases recorded by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office as of Nov. 20, 2010.
Most of the deaths were monitored in towns of Pototan, Guimbal, Cabatuan, Calinog, Janiuay, Dingle, Leon, Banate, and Oton, and Passi City.
Dr. Ma. Socorro Quinon, chief of IPHO, said the six-year-old boy was confined on November 8 and died 10 days later.
Quinon said dengue patients confined in provincial and district hospitals have decreased compared to the high number of cases in August."
" A six-year-old boy from Tubungan, Iloilo died of dengue hemorrhagic fever even as cases are already decreasing in the province.
The latest casualty is among the 32 deaths and 6 440 dengue cases recorded by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office as of Nov. 20, 2010.
Most of the deaths were monitored in towns of Pototan, Guimbal, Cabatuan, Calinog, Janiuay, Dingle, Leon, Banate, and Oton, and Passi City.
Dr. Ma. Socorro Quinon, chief of IPHO, said the six-year-old boy was confined on November 8 and died 10 days later.
Quinon said dengue patients confined in provincial and district hospitals have decreased compared to the high number of cases in August."
India : Two die of swine flu
Via Times of India :
" NEW DELHI: As the winter approaches, swine flu cases in the country have started going down significantly, with just two deaths and 11 cases reported Nov 22-28, health ministry said Tuesday.
The swine flu, which has claimed nearly 1,236 lives this year, was at its peak during the monsoon months of May-September. The H1N1 virus which causes the flu needs moisture and heat to grow."
" NEW DELHI: As the winter approaches, swine flu cases in the country have started going down significantly, with just two deaths and 11 cases reported Nov 22-28, health ministry said Tuesday.
The swine flu, which has claimed nearly 1,236 lives this year, was at its peak during the monsoon months of May-September. The H1N1 virus which causes the flu needs moisture and heat to grow."
India-controlled Kashmir reports 2,649 HIV positive cases
Via Xinhua :
" SRINAGAR, India-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 1 : The number of confirmed HIV positive cases in Indian-controlled Kashmir is 2,649, health officials said here on Wednesday.
The figures available with region's AIDS Prevention and Control Society reveal a surge in HIV positive cases.
"Number of confirmed HIV positive cases in the region as of today is 2,649. Last year the number of such patients was 2,222," said Risheesh Khajuria, Assistant Director State AIDS Prevention and Control Society (SAPCS).
"There are 1,076 full blown AIDS cases in the region and 185 deaths because of AIDS have been recorded so far,"Khajuria said.
Though the number is less compared to prevalent scenario world over but experts are stress on the awareness campaign to bring the numbers down."
" SRINAGAR, India-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 1 : The number of confirmed HIV positive cases in Indian-controlled Kashmir is 2,649, health officials said here on Wednesday.
The figures available with region's AIDS Prevention and Control Society reveal a surge in HIV positive cases.
"Number of confirmed HIV positive cases in the region as of today is 2,649. Last year the number of such patients was 2,222," said Risheesh Khajuria, Assistant Director State AIDS Prevention and Control Society (SAPCS).
"There are 1,076 full blown AIDS cases in the region and 185 deaths because of AIDS have been recorded so far,"Khajuria said.
Though the number is less compared to prevalent scenario world over but experts are stress on the awareness campaign to bring the numbers down."
Thailand : Result of dengue vaccine trials expected soon
An article from The Nation :
" Preliminary results of clinical trials on the vaccine for haemorrhagic dengue fever should be ready in the next three months, Department of Disease Control's directorgeneral Dr Manit Teeratantikanont said yesterday.
The trial is being conducted by Mahidol University's Faculty of Tropical Medicine, the Public Health Ministry, the International Paediatric Vaccine Initiative and vaccine giant Sanofi Pastuer.
The Paediatric Dengue Vaccine Initiative (PDVI) has given the Mahidol research team a grant to run a largescale study among 4,000 children in Ratchaburi province. Researchers have been following symptoms in the children and collecting information since February last year."
" Preliminary results of clinical trials on the vaccine for haemorrhagic dengue fever should be ready in the next three months, Department of Disease Control's directorgeneral Dr Manit Teeratantikanont said yesterday.
The trial is being conducted by Mahidol University's Faculty of Tropical Medicine, the Public Health Ministry, the International Paediatric Vaccine Initiative and vaccine giant Sanofi Pastuer.
The Paediatric Dengue Vaccine Initiative (PDVI) has given the Mahidol research team a grant to run a largescale study among 4,000 children in Ratchaburi province. Researchers have been following symptoms in the children and collecting information since February last year."
Bird flu of highly virulent H5 strain confirmed in Japan
Via Japan Today :
" TOKYO : The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry confirmed Wednesday that the chickens suspected of having bird flu at a farm in Shimane Prefecture had been infected with the highly virulent H5 strain of avian flu virus. It represents the first bird flu infection since February 2009 when a quail farm in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, was found to be infected by another strain of avian flu virus.
The prefectural government in western Japan said it has found at least two spots in chicken houses at the poultry farm in the city of Yasugi where wild birds could enter the houses.
It had earlier said there were no abnormalities in a metallic bird net inside of a plastic sheet covering the poultry houses and that birds should have not been able to get into the houses.
According to the local government, the net has come loose at one of the two spots while part of the sheet has turned at the other spot.
The prefectural government suspects that the virus was brought by a wild bird as there is a lake nearby where many migratory birds gather and aims to identify the infection route in cooperation with researchers from the ministry."
" TOKYO : The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry confirmed Wednesday that the chickens suspected of having bird flu at a farm in Shimane Prefecture had been infected with the highly virulent H5 strain of avian flu virus. It represents the first bird flu infection since February 2009 when a quail farm in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, was found to be infected by another strain of avian flu virus.
The prefectural government in western Japan said it has found at least two spots in chicken houses at the poultry farm in the city of Yasugi where wild birds could enter the houses.
It had earlier said there were no abnormalities in a metallic bird net inside of a plastic sheet covering the poultry houses and that birds should have not been able to get into the houses.
According to the local government, the net has come loose at one of the two spots while part of the sheet has turned at the other spot.
The prefectural government suspects that the virus was brought by a wild bird as there is a lake nearby where many migratory birds gather and aims to identify the infection route in cooperation with researchers from the ministry."
Indonesian Toddler Suspected Bird Flu
Mike Coston at Avian Flu Diary has this story with regards to another bird flu suspect in Indonesia, go to the site for all the links :
" We’ve another media report of a suspected H5N1 infection in Indonesia, this time of a 19 month old toddler from Padang, West Sumatra.
Indefatigable newshound Dutchy has started this thread on FluTrackers, with this machine translation of a news report from Kompas."
" We’ve another media report of a suspected H5N1 infection in Indonesia, this time of a 19 month old toddler from Padang, West Sumatra.
Indefatigable newshound Dutchy has started this thread on FluTrackers, with this machine translation of a news report from Kompas."
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Australia : Swine flu pandemic over - Roxon
An article from Brisbane Times :
" The swine flu pandemic which claimed 213 Australian lives has been officially declared over by federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon.
Just over 37,600 cases of the virus were reported in Australia during the last eight months of 2009.
There have been less than 7000 infections this year to date.
"As the number of cases has declined it is appropriate to declare the H1N1 pandemic over in Australia for this year by returning our pandemic phase to 'alert'," Ms Roxon said in a statement.
This move was taken on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, and the Australian Health Protection Committee.
Australia had been in the "protect" phase until Wednesday.
It was created in June last year as the number of swine flu cases quickly soared past 2000."
" The swine flu pandemic which claimed 213 Australian lives has been officially declared over by federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon.
Just over 37,600 cases of the virus were reported in Australia during the last eight months of 2009.
There have been less than 7000 infections this year to date.
"As the number of cases has declined it is appropriate to declare the H1N1 pandemic over in Australia for this year by returning our pandemic phase to 'alert'," Ms Roxon said in a statement.
This move was taken on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, and the Australian Health Protection Committee.
Australia had been in the "protect" phase until Wednesday.
It was created in June last year as the number of swine flu cases quickly soared past 2000."
Papua New Guinea : Number of cholera victims in PNG still rising
Via Radio Australia :
" The number of people affected by the recent cholera outbreak in Papua New Guinea is close to two thousand.The original point of the outbreak is Daru, a tiny island off the coast of PNG's Western Province, where around one thousand cases have been documented.
The situation is stabilizing there but it's now on the move .. emerging in villiages on the mainland between two districts .. South Fly and Middle Fly.And while attaining reliable data is a challenge .. it's clear the numbers affected continue to steadily rise.
Restrictions remain in place for travel between Australia's Torres Strait Islands and PNG."
" The number of people affected by the recent cholera outbreak in Papua New Guinea is close to two thousand.The original point of the outbreak is Daru, a tiny island off the coast of PNG's Western Province, where around one thousand cases have been documented.
The situation is stabilizing there but it's now on the move .. emerging in villiages on the mainland between two districts .. South Fly and Middle Fly.And while attaining reliable data is a challenge .. it's clear the numbers affected continue to steadily rise.
Restrictions remain in place for travel between Australia's Torres Strait Islands and PNG."
Tanzania : Cholera outbreak reported in Urambo District
Via The Citizen :
" Urambo : An outbreak of cholera has been reported in Urambo District, Tabora Region, with three people already admitted at the district hospital.The Urambo district medical officer, Dr Revocatus Joseph, said that four people, one among them from the outskirt of Urambo town, were recently admitted at the hospital suffering from diarrhoea.
“We later established the disease as cholera. However, he said one person was discharged after his condition improved,” said Dr Joseph, adding that another person who was looking after a patient admitted at the hospital also contacted the disease.He said several precautionary measures have already been taken to contain the spread of the deadly water borne disease.
Dr Joseph said they took measures to vaccinate members of the families of the two people who were admitted alongside their neighbours so as to prevent the disease from spreading."
" Urambo : An outbreak of cholera has been reported in Urambo District, Tabora Region, with three people already admitted at the district hospital.The Urambo district medical officer, Dr Revocatus Joseph, said that four people, one among them from the outskirt of Urambo town, were recently admitted at the hospital suffering from diarrhoea.
“We later established the disease as cholera. However, he said one person was discharged after his condition improved,” said Dr Joseph, adding that another person who was looking after a patient admitted at the hospital also contacted the disease.He said several precautionary measures have already been taken to contain the spread of the deadly water borne disease.
Dr Joseph said they took measures to vaccinate members of the families of the two people who were admitted alongside their neighbours so as to prevent the disease from spreading."
Hong Kong : Necrotising fasciitis case under investigation
Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) :
" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 30) investigating a case of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) involving a 71-year-old man with underlying chronic diseases.
The man, living in Sham Shui Po, had his right hand injured by fish at a wet market in the district on November 26. He presented with fever and swelling in his right hand and forearm beginning November 27. He was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre and debridement surgery was performed on the same day. He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition.
Laboratory tests on his wound swab yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.
His home contact was asymptomatic.
A CHP spokesman said necrotising fasciitis was a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissues and fascia. It could destroy tissues and cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection."
" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 30) investigating a case of necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) involving a 71-year-old man with underlying chronic diseases.
The man, living in Sham Shui Po, had his right hand injured by fish at a wet market in the district on November 26. He presented with fever and swelling in his right hand and forearm beginning November 27. He was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre and debridement surgery was performed on the same day. He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition.
Laboratory tests on his wound swab yielded Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis.
His home contact was asymptomatic.
A CHP spokesman said necrotising fasciitis was a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissues and fascia. It could destroy tissues and cause death within 12 to 24 hours after infection."
Malaysia : Dengue vaccine trials in 5 states
Via New Straits Times :
" KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will conduct tests on a dengue vaccine here and in four states.
The tests, in collaboration with vaccine developer Sanofi Pasture, would be a broad clinical study programme, said director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.He said the tests would look into seroprevalence, acute febrile epi-sodes and dengue infection, safety, immunogenicity and efficacy.
Clinical trials for seroprevalence, acute febrile episodes and dengue infection, he added, had begun since the middle of this year and involved 300 volunteers.
"Trials studying other aspects will start in December and end in the middle of next year," said Dr Ismail The four states are Penang, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Sarawak.
"If these studies are successful, we hope the vaccine can be made available in Malaysia in the next few years."
" KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will conduct tests on a dengue vaccine here and in four states.
The tests, in collaboration with vaccine developer Sanofi Pasture, would be a broad clinical study programme, said director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.He said the tests would look into seroprevalence, acute febrile epi-sodes and dengue infection, safety, immunogenicity and efficacy.
Clinical trials for seroprevalence, acute febrile episodes and dengue infection, he added, had begun since the middle of this year and involved 300 volunteers.
"Trials studying other aspects will start in December and end in the middle of next year," said Dr Ismail The four states are Penang, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Sarawak.
"If these studies are successful, we hope the vaccine can be made available in Malaysia in the next few years."
Japan : Shimane bird flu feared
Via The Japan Times :
Virus scare: Workers in protective garb inspect a poultry farm Tuesday in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture, where suspected bird flu cases have been found.
" MATSUE, Shimane Pref. : The Shimane Prefectural Government began destroying about 23,000 chickens at a poultry farm suspected of having Japan's first bird flu cases since early last year.
In the face of a possible resurgence of avian flu in western Japan, Prime Minister Naoto Kan vowed to contain the spread of the virus and ordered officials to do everything in their power for "domestic crisis management."
The operation at the farm in the city of Yasugi was expected to take two to three days, according to the local government.
Five chickens found dead there Monday morning tested positive for bird flu in preliminary tests. They may have been infected with the highly virulent H5 strain of avian flu virus.
The Shimane and Tottori prefectural governments conducted checks targeting all poultry farms Tuesday. In Tottori, officials also started disinfecting vehicles on main roads near the affected farm, which lies just across the border."
Virus scare: Workers in protective garb inspect a poultry farm Tuesday in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture, where suspected bird flu cases have been found. " MATSUE, Shimane Pref. : The Shimane Prefectural Government began destroying about 23,000 chickens at a poultry farm suspected of having Japan's first bird flu cases since early last year.
In the face of a possible resurgence of avian flu in western Japan, Prime Minister Naoto Kan vowed to contain the spread of the virus and ordered officials to do everything in their power for "domestic crisis management."
The operation at the farm in the city of Yasugi was expected to take two to three days, according to the local government.
Five chickens found dead there Monday morning tested positive for bird flu in preliminary tests. They may have been infected with the highly virulent H5 strain of avian flu virus.
The Shimane and Tottori prefectural governments conducted checks targeting all poultry farms Tuesday. In Tottori, officials also started disinfecting vehicles on main roads near the affected farm, which lies just across the border."
India : Woman dies of dengue fever
Via Deccan Herald, this article also reports a man who has died of suspected dengue :
" A woman lost her life to dengue fever in the town.
The deceased has been identified as Shobha (29) of Boppasamudra village. It is said that Shobha who was suffering from fever was admitted to a hospital in Mysore, where she succumbed on Monday.
Her husband Madaiah is a labourer. The doctors have confirmed the death was due to dengue.
In Mandya
However, in Mandya, Cheeranahalli Umesh (33) who was suffering from high fever and headache succumbed to illness on Tuesday.
Umesh was brought in to the hospital after his condition turned critical.He was admitted to a private hospital in Mandya for headache and fever where he was given preliminary treatment and was later shifted to a hospital in Mysore for further treatment."
" A woman lost her life to dengue fever in the town.
The deceased has been identified as Shobha (29) of Boppasamudra village. It is said that Shobha who was suffering from fever was admitted to a hospital in Mysore, where she succumbed on Monday.
Her husband Madaiah is a labourer. The doctors have confirmed the death was due to dengue.
In Mandya
However, in Mandya, Cheeranahalli Umesh (33) who was suffering from high fever and headache succumbed to illness on Tuesday.
Umesh was brought in to the hospital after his condition turned critical.He was admitted to a private hospital in Mandya for headache and fever where he was given preliminary treatment and was later shifted to a hospital in Mysore for further treatment."
Canada : H1N1 cases outnumbered heart attacks, strokes at hospitals during 5-week period
An article from The Canadian Press, excerpt :
" TORONTO : A new look at last year's flu pandemic finds that two-thirds of hospitalizations for the H1N1 flu were in a five-week period beginning at the end of October.
The study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information says that during those five weeks, H1N1 accounted for 3.4 per cent of hospitalizations across the country.
That was more than the percentage for heart attacks or for strokes.
The institute says that in Ontario, one in four emergency visits during October and November 2009 were by patients with flu-like symptoms — compared to about one in seven in previous years.
Overall, the study finds there were more than 15,000 confirmed and probable H1N1 hospitalizations from April to December — about 6,500 more patients than the number of lab-confirmed hospitalized cases previously reported."
" TORONTO : A new look at last year's flu pandemic finds that two-thirds of hospitalizations for the H1N1 flu were in a five-week period beginning at the end of October.
The study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information says that during those five weeks, H1N1 accounted for 3.4 per cent of hospitalizations across the country.
That was more than the percentage for heart attacks or for strokes.
The institute says that in Ontario, one in four emergency visits during October and November 2009 were by patients with flu-like symptoms — compared to about one in seven in previous years.
Overall, the study finds there were more than 15,000 confirmed and probable H1N1 hospitalizations from April to December — about 6,500 more patients than the number of lab-confirmed hospitalized cases previously reported."
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