Via Ottawa Citizen :
" The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario has declared an outbreak of C. difficile after discovering three patients with the viral infection this week.
The hospital said it is working closely with Ottawa Public Health and taking all necessary steps to stop the infection from spreading. Officials are following guidelines from the provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term Care regarding handwashing and have added housekeeping resources to clean rooms, common areas and equipment more frequently with hospital grade disinfectants.
One of the C. difficile patients came to the hospital with the infection, while two acquired it in the hospital, officials said. All three were in the same ward, 4-North, when the virus was discovered and are now isolated in the same area.
Visitor restrictions are in effect for the entire unit. Staff, physicians and families are being extra vigilant with hand washing and use of gowns and gloves with infected patients."
Friday, November 4, 2011
India : Dengue, lepto, malaria cases up
Via Deccan Chronicle, excerpt :
" The monsoon has brought along with it a rising number of fever and infections and city doctors are witnessing a rise in the cases of malaria, dengue and leptospirosis.
“What is alarming this year is that entire families are falling sick with dengue at the same time. We usually receive the children with severe symptoms first, but now the parents are also being affected.
We are also seeing cases of children from the same school being affected,” said paediatrician Dr J.K. Reddy, who receives at least three cases a day.
At Lister Metropolis Laboratories, the rainy season is the busiest time of the year. “In the last 10 days, there has been a spurt of monsoon-related ailments.
In a week we test 20 to 25 positive cases of dengue fever at facilities around the city,” said Ms Monika Prabhakaran, consultant pathologist at the laboratory.
More than leptospirosis and malaria, doctors claim that they get more cases of dengue as the mosquitoes that cause dengue bite mostly during the day."
" The monsoon has brought along with it a rising number of fever and infections and city doctors are witnessing a rise in the cases of malaria, dengue and leptospirosis.
“What is alarming this year is that entire families are falling sick with dengue at the same time. We usually receive the children with severe symptoms first, but now the parents are also being affected.
We are also seeing cases of children from the same school being affected,” said paediatrician Dr J.K. Reddy, who receives at least three cases a day.
At Lister Metropolis Laboratories, the rainy season is the busiest time of the year. “In the last 10 days, there has been a spurt of monsoon-related ailments.
In a week we test 20 to 25 positive cases of dengue fever at facilities around the city,” said Ms Monika Prabhakaran, consultant pathologist at the laboratory.
More than leptospirosis and malaria, doctors claim that they get more cases of dengue as the mosquitoes that cause dengue bite mostly during the day."
US : E. coli cases confirmed in Boone County
Via St. Louis Beacon :
" State health officials confirmed late Thursday that three E. coli cases have been found in Boone County. They said a specimen from a fourth suspected case was under review. These newly disclosed cases do not appear to be connected to the E. coli outbreak in the St. Louis area, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
The agency also lowered the number of confirmed cases growing out of the St. Louis outbreak. Late Wednesday, officials had said the number stood at 26. But late Thursday, they said four of the 26 were unrelated to the St. Louis outbreak.
The agency added that investigators had found two new cases, bringing to 24 the number of confirmed E. coli cases that have turned up so far in the St. Louis investigation."
" State health officials confirmed late Thursday that three E. coli cases have been found in Boone County. They said a specimen from a fourth suspected case was under review. These newly disclosed cases do not appear to be connected to the E. coli outbreak in the St. Louis area, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
The agency also lowered the number of confirmed cases growing out of the St. Louis outbreak. Late Wednesday, officials had said the number stood at 26. But late Thursday, they said four of the 26 were unrelated to the St. Louis outbreak.
The agency added that investigators had found two new cases, bringing to 24 the number of confirmed E. coli cases that have turned up so far in the St. Louis investigation."
Pakistan : Four more fall to dengue in City
Via The Nation :
" The ruthless dengue virus put to sword four more people including one woman on Thursday, taking the death toll till today to 337.
Besides taking lives of persons in a day, the deadly virus forced hundreds of Lahorites to approach public sector hospitals and private healthcare centres for preliminary tests, confirming 118 new cases and as such taking the overall tally to 31979.
Khalida Bibi, 60, a resident of Akbari Gate, breathed her last at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Shehroz, 11, of Youhanabad died at Children’s Hospital, Muhammad Khaliq, 45, of Babu Sabu at Jinnah Hospital while Muhammad Shahbaz, 45, of Muhafiz Town died at Ittefaq Hospital.
Out of 118 new dengue cases, 18 were tested positive at Mayo Hospital, 15 at Services Hospital, 12 at Jinnah Hospital, 10 at Lahore General Hospital, four at Children’s Hospital and three at institute of Public Health while 48 were reported from private healthcare centres in the City."
" The ruthless dengue virus put to sword four more people including one woman on Thursday, taking the death toll till today to 337.
Besides taking lives of persons in a day, the deadly virus forced hundreds of Lahorites to approach public sector hospitals and private healthcare centres for preliminary tests, confirming 118 new cases and as such taking the overall tally to 31979.
Khalida Bibi, 60, a resident of Akbari Gate, breathed her last at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Shehroz, 11, of Youhanabad died at Children’s Hospital, Muhammad Khaliq, 45, of Babu Sabu at Jinnah Hospital while Muhammad Shahbaz, 45, of Muhafiz Town died at Ittefaq Hospital.
Out of 118 new dengue cases, 18 were tested positive at Mayo Hospital, 15 at Services Hospital, 12 at Jinnah Hospital, 10 at Lahore General Hospital, four at Children’s Hospital and three at institute of Public Health while 48 were reported from private healthcare centres in the City."
India : 23 new cases of dengue reported on Thursday
Via Hindustan Times :
" With 23 new cases reported from the city on Thursday, the total number of people affected with dengue fever this year has touched 820. Five people, including a one-and-a-half-year-old boy, have succumbed to the disease so far this season, the latest being on October 14 when a 28-year-old woman died due to dengue hemorrhagic fever at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Though the authorities had anticipated the dengue figures to cross 800 this year, what has come as a surprise for them is the spurt in the number of chikungunya cases.
With 10 more cases of the mosquito-borne disease reported on Thursday, the total number of people affected with the disease has reached 54 so far this year."
" With 23 new cases reported from the city on Thursday, the total number of people affected with dengue fever this year has touched 820. Five people, including a one-and-a-half-year-old boy, have succumbed to the disease so far this season, the latest being on October 14 when a 28-year-old woman died due to dengue hemorrhagic fever at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Though the authorities had anticipated the dengue figures to cross 800 this year, what has come as a surprise for them is the spurt in the number of chikungunya cases.
With 10 more cases of the mosquito-borne disease reported on Thursday, the total number of people affected with the disease has reached 54 so far this year."
Thursday, November 3, 2011
US : UC Riverside Student Tests Positive for Tuberculosis
Via KTLA :
" UC Riverside officials will be offering free tuberculosis tests to students, faculty and staff after a confirmed case of active TB was detected in one student.
The student, who has not been identified, tested positive for the disease last week, according to campus officials.
The student has been moved from a residence hall to an off-campus apartment, and has been given a good prognosis for recovery."
" UC Riverside officials will be offering free tuberculosis tests to students, faculty and staff after a confirmed case of active TB was detected in one student.
The student, who has not been identified, tested positive for the disease last week, according to campus officials.
The student has been moved from a residence hall to an off-campus apartment, and has been given a good prognosis for recovery."
India : Mosquito havoc - 21 new dengue cases
Via Hindustan Times :
" With 21 new cases of dengue reported on Wednesday, the total count has gone to 797, says the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Japanese Encephalitis, caused by Culex Tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, has infected 14 persons in Delhi so far this year, while chikungunya has affected 29 people. However, no new chikungunya case was reported on Wednesday.
Dengue, caused by Aedes Aegypti mosquito, has claimed five lives in Delhi this year. “Though the numbers are rising slowly, we feel the situation is much better than last year. There is nothing to be alarmed at this point of time,” said Dr VK Monga, chairman, public health committee, MCD."
" With 21 new cases of dengue reported on Wednesday, the total count has gone to 797, says the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Japanese Encephalitis, caused by Culex Tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, has infected 14 persons in Delhi so far this year, while chikungunya has affected 29 people. However, no new chikungunya case was reported on Wednesday.
Dengue, caused by Aedes Aegypti mosquito, has claimed five lives in Delhi this year. “Though the numbers are rising slowly, we feel the situation is much better than last year. There is nothing to be alarmed at this point of time,” said Dr VK Monga, chairman, public health committee, MCD."
Ghana : Accra floods leave 75 infected with cholera
Via Citi FM Online :
" Seventy-five cases of cholera have so far been recorded in the Accra Metropolis following the floods that hit some suburbs of Accra a week ago.
Out of the number, 67 were recorded last week alone. No deaths have, however, been recorded though.
According to the AMA Public Health Directorate, the majority of the cases emanate from the Odorna area.
These revelations were made at a public sensitisation forum at the Odorna Market by personnel of the Public Health Directorate of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly."
" Seventy-five cases of cholera have so far been recorded in the Accra Metropolis following the floods that hit some suburbs of Accra a week ago.
Out of the number, 67 were recorded last week alone. No deaths have, however, been recorded though.
According to the AMA Public Health Directorate, the majority of the cases emanate from the Odorna area.
These revelations were made at a public sensitisation forum at the Odorna Market by personnel of the Public Health Directorate of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly."
Fears of new deadly super-flu which 'could spread to Britain within 24 hours'
Via Mail Online, a headline which screams panic :
" A new deadly strain of super-flu could spread to Britain within 24 hours, experts have warned.
The potential for bird flu and human flu to combine and form a new virus has been described as 'one of the biggest biological threats of our time'.
The alert comes as people have started to fall victim to seasonal flu and the more virulent swine flu at the same time, according to the Daily Express.
This creates the risk of a lethal mutation, leading to an 'ominous' super-flu virus to which humans have almost no immunity, said scientists.
Dr Peter Hotez, a world-renowned infectious disease expert, said: 'Highly infectious strains of the virus against which humans have little defence can spread from one continent to another within 24 hours.'
He said the detection of the rare double-flu infection highlighted the need for extreme vigilance against new killer strains around the world.
'We are required to remain vigilant against one of the biggest biological threats of our time,' added Dr Hotez, president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
The news comes as Britain’s winter flu season gets underway, amid fears the country could face one of the worst outbreaks of the disease in years."
" A new deadly strain of super-flu could spread to Britain within 24 hours, experts have warned.
The potential for bird flu and human flu to combine and form a new virus has been described as 'one of the biggest biological threats of our time'.
The alert comes as people have started to fall victim to seasonal flu and the more virulent swine flu at the same time, according to the Daily Express.
This creates the risk of a lethal mutation, leading to an 'ominous' super-flu virus to which humans have almost no immunity, said scientists.
Dr Peter Hotez, a world-renowned infectious disease expert, said: 'Highly infectious strains of the virus against which humans have little defence can spread from one continent to another within 24 hours.'
He said the detection of the rare double-flu infection highlighted the need for extreme vigilance against new killer strains around the world.
'We are required to remain vigilant against one of the biggest biological threats of our time,' added Dr Hotez, president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
The news comes as Britain’s winter flu season gets underway, amid fears the country could face one of the worst outbreaks of the disease in years."
New flu sparks hybrid fears in Cambodia
Via NZ Herald :
" A rare case of people being infected with both swine and seasonal flu has been documented in Cambodia, raising concern about the possibility of a potent combination strain, said a new study.
The unusual diagnoses were made in a 23-year-old teacher and one of his young male students, who had H1N1 and a human season flu H3N2 at the same time, said the findings in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Neither patient was hospitalized and their illnesses did not appear any more severe than in typical patients who are afflicted with a single strain."
" A rare case of people being infected with both swine and seasonal flu has been documented in Cambodia, raising concern about the possibility of a potent combination strain, said a new study.
The unusual diagnoses were made in a 23-year-old teacher and one of his young male students, who had H1N1 and a human season flu H3N2 at the same time, said the findings in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Neither patient was hospitalized and their illnesses did not appear any more severe than in typical patients who are afflicted with a single strain."
Hong Kong : Update on Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in Caritas Medical Centre
Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :
" Regarding the earlier announcement on the confirmation of some inpatients as Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers, the spokesperson of Caritas Medical Centre made the following update today (November 3):
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, screening of contacts has been performed. Another two male patients (aged 92 and 73) who were discharged and returned to old age homes on October 26 and 31 respectively were confirmed as carriers of VRE today. The hospital has informed the relevant old age homes and arranged to re-admit the patients for medical surveillance and isolation care.
The hospital will continue screening patients who were in close contact with those confirmed cases in the same period and continue the enhanced infection control measures. The situation will be closely observed.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up."
" Regarding the earlier announcement on the confirmation of some inpatients as Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers, the spokesperson of Caritas Medical Centre made the following update today (November 3):
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, screening of contacts has been performed. Another two male patients (aged 92 and 73) who were discharged and returned to old age homes on October 26 and 31 respectively were confirmed as carriers of VRE today. The hospital has informed the relevant old age homes and arranged to re-admit the patients for medical surveillance and isolation care.
The hospital will continue screening patients who were in close contact with those confirmed cases in the same period and continue the enhanced infection control measures. The situation will be closely observed.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up."
US : 29th person dies in cantaloupe listeria outbreak
An excerpt from The Associated Press :
" The death toll in an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe has reached 29 after federal health authorities say an eighth person has died in Colorado."
" The death toll in an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe has reached 29 after federal health authorities say an eighth person has died in Colorado."
India : Rajasthan minister's nephew dies of dengue
Via Times of India :
" JAIPUR: A day after food and civil supplies minister Babu Lal Nagar's nephew died of dengue in a private hospital, five other dengue cases were reported in Sirsi block of Kalwad area in Jaipur on Wednesday.
Jitendra Lal Nagar, a resident of of Teori village in Viratnagar in Jaipur, was a student of Rajasthan College and had gone to his village to celebrate Diwali. Since then he will ill. He died on Tuesday.
Jaipur zilla pramukh Hazari Lal Nagar and the deceased's uncle said, "He was unwell since Diwali. But when he did not recover even after three to four days, he was admitted to a private hospital, where he was tested positive for dengue. His platelet count was low."
The increasing number of dengue cases has raised an alarm. The five other cases reported in Kalwad area here have kept the medical and health department on their toes. Two of the patients were immediately admitted to a government hospital."
" JAIPUR: A day after food and civil supplies minister Babu Lal Nagar's nephew died of dengue in a private hospital, five other dengue cases were reported in Sirsi block of Kalwad area in Jaipur on Wednesday.
Jitendra Lal Nagar, a resident of of Teori village in Viratnagar in Jaipur, was a student of Rajasthan College and had gone to his village to celebrate Diwali. Since then he will ill. He died on Tuesday.
Jaipur zilla pramukh Hazari Lal Nagar and the deceased's uncle said, "He was unwell since Diwali. But when he did not recover even after three to four days, he was admitted to a private hospital, where he was tested positive for dengue. His platelet count was low."
The increasing number of dengue cases has raised an alarm. The five other cases reported in Kalwad area here have kept the medical and health department on their toes. Two of the patients were immediately admitted to a government hospital."
Avian influenza - situation in Egypt - update 56
The latest update from WHO with regards to the Avian Influenza situation in Egypt :
" The Ministry of Health of Egypt has notified WHO of one case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.
The case is a 1 year-old male from Mahala district, Gharbia governorate. He developed symptoms on 17 September and was hospitalized on 21 September. He completed the course of oseltamivir, recovered and was discharged from the hospital on 25 September.
Investigations into the source of infection revealed that the case had contact with poultry raised in the neighbourhood.
The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratories, a National Influenza Center of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network.
Of the 152 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 52 have been fatal."
" The Ministry of Health of Egypt has notified WHO of one case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.
The case is a 1 year-old male from Mahala district, Gharbia governorate. He developed symptoms on 17 September and was hospitalized on 21 September. He completed the course of oseltamivir, recovered and was discharged from the hospital on 25 September.
Investigations into the source of infection revealed that the case had contact with poultry raised in the neighbourhood.
The case was confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratories, a National Influenza Center of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network.
Of the 152 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 52 have been fatal."
Canada : Low Pathogen Bird Flu in Wild Birds
Article via The Poultry Site :
" The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed a low pathogenicity H7 avian influenza virus in wild birds in central and western Canada.
The birds were sampled through Canada’s Inter-Agency Wild Bird Influenza Survey, which serves as an early warning system designed to detect avian influenza viruses circulating in the wild that could be transmitted to domestic poultry.
Low pathogenicity influenza viruses commonly circulate in the wild bird population with little or no impact on the health of wild birds or people.
However, H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses are known to have the ability to mutate from low pathogenicity to highly pathogenic forms once introduced into domestic poultry, potentially causing high rates of disease and mortality in birds."
" The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed a low pathogenicity H7 avian influenza virus in wild birds in central and western Canada.
The birds were sampled through Canada’s Inter-Agency Wild Bird Influenza Survey, which serves as an early warning system designed to detect avian influenza viruses circulating in the wild that could be transmitted to domestic poultry.
Low pathogenicity influenza viruses commonly circulate in the wild bird population with little or no impact on the health of wild birds or people.
However, H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses are known to have the ability to mutate from low pathogenicity to highly pathogenic forms once introduced into domestic poultry, potentially causing high rates of disease and mortality in birds."
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Indonesia : 80% Poultry Shelters in Jakarta Infected by Bird Flu
Machine translated article from Tribun News, with minor editing done by myself :
" Jakarta residents should be wary of consuming chicken because 80 percent of shelters where poultry are stored are infected with avian influenza virus.
Until now undertaken efforts to address this issue by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo is still very minimal.
Head of Operational Office Indonesia-Dutch Partnership on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI-IDP), Ivo Claassen, said, based on surveillance in some poultry shelter facilities in Jakarta and the results of research conducted in 2007 and repeated again in 2009, showed 80 percent of the houses shelter these birds infected with avian influenza virus.
"The results of this study we have given to the government of DKI Jakarta. This became the basis for restructuring. But for some reason, the improvement was not so done. So, the situation has not changed," said Ivo told the press at the close of the IDP-HPAI project on Wednesday (11/02/2011).
According to him, in fact the source of the virus exists outside of Jakarta. However, the virus was brought to Jakarta for the distribution system that is not true that birds spread the Jakarta area."
" Jakarta residents should be wary of consuming chicken because 80 percent of shelters where poultry are stored are infected with avian influenza virus.
Until now undertaken efforts to address this issue by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo is still very minimal.
Head of Operational Office Indonesia-Dutch Partnership on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI-IDP), Ivo Claassen, said, based on surveillance in some poultry shelter facilities in Jakarta and the results of research conducted in 2007 and repeated again in 2009, showed 80 percent of the houses shelter these birds infected with avian influenza virus.
"The results of this study we have given to the government of DKI Jakarta. This became the basis for restructuring. But for some reason, the improvement was not so done. So, the situation has not changed," said Ivo told the press at the close of the IDP-HPAI project on Wednesday (11/02/2011).
According to him, in fact the source of the virus exists outside of Jakarta. However, the virus was brought to Jakarta for the distribution system that is not true that birds spread the Jakarta area."
South Africa : Superbug may be 'more widespread'
Via Times Live :
" The New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) superbug, which caused four Gauteng deaths, may be "more widespread" than previously thought, a microbiology expert said on Wednesday.
"The fact that unrelated NDM-1 producing bacteria have been found in a patient in a public sector hospital would indicate that, if we look harder, this problem is more widespread than we think," said Professor Adrian Duse.
Duse, the head of the outbreak response unit of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, was responding to questions about a recent outbreak of the superbug.
Ten patients at the Life Glynnwood Hospital had been diagnosed with NDM-1 and another at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
"Early detection by screening patients means that [Life Glynnwood Hospital], because of its proactive screening programme, was more likely to find NDM-1 carrying patients than in other healthcare facilities where screening might have been less intensive," Duse said.
NDM-1 is an enzyme produced by bacteria, making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
On Saturday, a fourth patient infected with the enzyme died at the Glynnwood hospital. It could not be determined to what extent NDM-1 had contributed to the four deaths, as each of these patients were seriously ill with other medical conditions."
" The New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) superbug, which caused four Gauteng deaths, may be "more widespread" than previously thought, a microbiology expert said on Wednesday.
"The fact that unrelated NDM-1 producing bacteria have been found in a patient in a public sector hospital would indicate that, if we look harder, this problem is more widespread than we think," said Professor Adrian Duse.
Duse, the head of the outbreak response unit of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, was responding to questions about a recent outbreak of the superbug.
Ten patients at the Life Glynnwood Hospital had been diagnosed with NDM-1 and another at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
"Early detection by screening patients means that [Life Glynnwood Hospital], because of its proactive screening programme, was more likely to find NDM-1 carrying patients than in other healthcare facilities where screening might have been less intensive," Duse said.
NDM-1 is an enzyme produced by bacteria, making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
On Saturday, a fourth patient infected with the enzyme died at the Glynnwood hospital. It could not be determined to what extent NDM-1 had contributed to the four deaths, as each of these patients were seriously ill with other medical conditions."
Electrocution warning amid Thai flooding
Via The Sydney Morning Herald :
" Thai authorities have warned flood victims of an increased danger of electrocution in densely populated Bangkok and its suburbs as the toll from the worst inundation in decades surged above 400.
While the centre of the Thai capital remains dry, residential areas in its outskirts and to the north have been submerged in water up to people's waists or even deeper as run-off creeps south from the central plains.
The government said on Wednesday the disaster had now killed 427 people - up by 42 from the figure reported a day earlier. While drowning was the most common cause of death, dozens have also been electrocuted.
"In the past 10 days deaths from electrocution rose from just nine to 36 and about 80 per cent of those were in the provinces surrounding Bangkok," a senior public health ministry official, Porntep Siriwanarangsun, told AFP on Wednesday.
"I'm sure many cases are not reported. If this issue is not addressed it will be a major cause of death."
Most instances of fatal electrocution occurred when people returned to their flooded one-storey homes, unaware of the risk.
"In many cases victims died because of senseless action," Porntep said.
So far none of the deaths in the official toll was in Bangkok, where the risk of drowning is considered relatively low because the water is fairly shallow in most areas and the current is not strong.
A bigger worry is children swimming in contaminated water, Porntep said, adding that the authorities would need to clean up garbage soon after the floods recede to prevent leptospirosis, a severe bacterial infection."
" Thai authorities have warned flood victims of an increased danger of electrocution in densely populated Bangkok and its suburbs as the toll from the worst inundation in decades surged above 400.
While the centre of the Thai capital remains dry, residential areas in its outskirts and to the north have been submerged in water up to people's waists or even deeper as run-off creeps south from the central plains.
The government said on Wednesday the disaster had now killed 427 people - up by 42 from the figure reported a day earlier. While drowning was the most common cause of death, dozens have also been electrocuted.
"In the past 10 days deaths from electrocution rose from just nine to 36 and about 80 per cent of those were in the provinces surrounding Bangkok," a senior public health ministry official, Porntep Siriwanarangsun, told AFP on Wednesday.
"I'm sure many cases are not reported. If this issue is not addressed it will be a major cause of death."
Most instances of fatal electrocution occurred when people returned to their flooded one-storey homes, unaware of the risk.
"In many cases victims died because of senseless action," Porntep said.
So far none of the deaths in the official toll was in Bangkok, where the risk of drowning is considered relatively low because the water is fairly shallow in most areas and the current is not strong.
A bigger worry is children swimming in contaminated water, Porntep said, adding that the authorities would need to clean up garbage soon after the floods recede to prevent leptospirosis, a severe bacterial infection."
Vietnam : Ministry of Health frets rise of highly infectious diseases
Via Saigon Daily :
" The Ministry of Health said Tuesday that more complicated and infectious diseases seem to be on the rise in the country resulting in fresh resurgence of contaminated cases.
Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) is the most prominent amongst the diseases to affect thousands. In October, 19,500 fresh cases of HFMD and 21 fatalities have been reported, bringing the total number to 78,000 infectious cases and 139 deaths since the beginning of the year.
With an additional 7,500 new cases and 6 more deaths in October, dengue fever is the second most infectious disease on the rise in the country. 42,000 people have already contracted the disease with 44 reported fatalities.
Other highly infectious diseases affecting people in high numbers are hepatitis, encephalitis, typhoid and swine influenza (H1N1).
Despite frequent warnings by health authorities, people still ignore safety regulations and do not adopt hygienic habits, with the result that cases of food poisoning are also on the rise.
146 people contracting acute diarrhea and three persons died in Ta Giang Phinh commune in Sa Pa District in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai."
" The Ministry of Health said Tuesday that more complicated and infectious diseases seem to be on the rise in the country resulting in fresh resurgence of contaminated cases.
Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) is the most prominent amongst the diseases to affect thousands. In October, 19,500 fresh cases of HFMD and 21 fatalities have been reported, bringing the total number to 78,000 infectious cases and 139 deaths since the beginning of the year.
With an additional 7,500 new cases and 6 more deaths in October, dengue fever is the second most infectious disease on the rise in the country. 42,000 people have already contracted the disease with 44 reported fatalities.
Other highly infectious diseases affecting people in high numbers are hepatitis, encephalitis, typhoid and swine influenza (H1N1).
Despite frequent warnings by health authorities, people still ignore safety regulations and do not adopt hygienic habits, with the result that cases of food poisoning are also on the rise.
146 people contracting acute diarrhea and three persons died in Ta Giang Phinh commune in Sa Pa District in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai."
South Africa : Bird flu under control in EC
Article via Bua News Online :
" Pretoria : An outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) has been swiftly brought under control in the Eastern Cape after it was detected on an ostrich farm in Teasdale, near Graaf Reinet, in October.
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development said the birds on the farm tested positive for the Avian Influenza on 14 October and were immediately placed under quarantine - along with other farms within a radius of 10km in terms of the Animal Disease Control Act.
Birds on the Hardwood Farm, situated 6km away, were also tested but results from the laboratory showed no clinical evidence of AI. The farm is still under quarantine.
"The department has further found out that 222 ostriches were moved from Teasdale to Wapadsleegte farm in Graaf Reinet before the outbreak. The results from that farm were negative but the state vets will continue to monitor the farm monthly," spokesperson Ayabulela Ngoqo said in statement.
Under the instructions from the national department and the Veterinary Services section, the owner of Teasdale Farm is to cull all his 628 birds in a bid to control the disease.
Ngoqo said the department was committed to fulfilling its responsibility of protecting the provincial livestock against any disease of economic importance and those that are a potential threat to human health."
" Pretoria : An outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) has been swiftly brought under control in the Eastern Cape after it was detected on an ostrich farm in Teasdale, near Graaf Reinet, in October.
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development said the birds on the farm tested positive for the Avian Influenza on 14 October and were immediately placed under quarantine - along with other farms within a radius of 10km in terms of the Animal Disease Control Act.
Birds on the Hardwood Farm, situated 6km away, were also tested but results from the laboratory showed no clinical evidence of AI. The farm is still under quarantine.
"The department has further found out that 222 ostriches were moved from Teasdale to Wapadsleegte farm in Graaf Reinet before the outbreak. The results from that farm were negative but the state vets will continue to monitor the farm monthly," spokesperson Ayabulela Ngoqo said in statement.
Under the instructions from the national department and the Veterinary Services section, the owner of Teasdale Farm is to cull all his 628 birds in a bid to control the disease.
Ngoqo said the department was committed to fulfilling its responsibility of protecting the provincial livestock against any disease of economic importance and those that are a potential threat to human health."
India : Japanese Encephalitis affects four more, MCD clueless about origins
Via Mid Day, excerpt :
" The agency has decided to collect samples from at least 500 pigs and send them to National Research Centre for Equines at Hisar
Last year it was Super bug NDM-1 that spread panic, and now the deadly Japanese Encephalitis is ready to claim the city. Already 14 people in the Capital have been affected but fortunately, there are no casualties as yet.
Two more tested positive on Monday, taking the number of patients suffering from the disease to 14. Despite the alarming figure, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is clueless about the origin of the disease. "We are still not able to trace the virus. Though we have been collecting the blood samples of pigs in the city, we have nothing concrete as yet," said Dr V K Monga, chairman, health committee, MCD. According to officials, the Central and state governments have joined hands to fight against the disease.
"We held a meeting with various Health department officials on Monday. Now we are going to expand the screening process further and samples will be collected from at least 500 pigs, which will then be sent to the National Research Centre for Equines at Hisar in Haryana for tests," said Dr Monga.
Surprisingly, the civic agency said it was too difficult to find the exact cause of the disease, blaming it on the size of the sample and other factors. "The size of the sample survey is too small as compared to the disease and its effect. A pig is a very robust animal. It is not easy to catch their sample."
" The agency has decided to collect samples from at least 500 pigs and send them to National Research Centre for Equines at Hisar
Last year it was Super bug NDM-1 that spread panic, and now the deadly Japanese Encephalitis is ready to claim the city. Already 14 people in the Capital have been affected but fortunately, there are no casualties as yet.
Two more tested positive on Monday, taking the number of patients suffering from the disease to 14. Despite the alarming figure, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is clueless about the origin of the disease. "We are still not able to trace the virus. Though we have been collecting the blood samples of pigs in the city, we have nothing concrete as yet," said Dr V K Monga, chairman, health committee, MCD. According to officials, the Central and state governments have joined hands to fight against the disease.
"We held a meeting with various Health department officials on Monday. Now we are going to expand the screening process further and samples will be collected from at least 500 pigs, which will then be sent to the National Research Centre for Equines at Hisar in Haryana for tests," said Dr Monga.
Surprisingly, the civic agency said it was too difficult to find the exact cause of the disease, blaming it on the size of the sample and other factors. "The size of the sample survey is too small as compared to the disease and its effect. A pig is a very robust animal. It is not easy to catch their sample."
Thailand : Anger rises in Bangkok's flooded areas
Via Radio Australia, excerpt :
" The good news for Bangkok is that the city centre seems to have avoided the massive flooding that has crippled outlying areas of the Thai capital.
The bad news is that it could be more than a month before the floodwaters recede.
Some residents are angry about the way authorities have handled flood protection and prevention and they want flood barriers opened up to release the water.
The death toll continues to climb. Drowning and electrocution remain the key causes. At least two people have died of the bacterial infection leptospirosis and authorities fear a major outbreak of typhoid or cholera.
Much of the water is now black, slimy and smelly and it may yet take up to 45 days to subside."
" The good news for Bangkok is that the city centre seems to have avoided the massive flooding that has crippled outlying areas of the Thai capital.
The bad news is that it could be more than a month before the floodwaters recede.
Some residents are angry about the way authorities have handled flood protection and prevention and they want flood barriers opened up to release the water.
The death toll continues to climb. Drowning and electrocution remain the key causes. At least two people have died of the bacterial infection leptospirosis and authorities fear a major outbreak of typhoid or cholera.
Much of the water is now black, slimy and smelly and it may yet take up to 45 days to subside."
New Zealand : Southland measles scare
Via Stuff :
" Three Southland people have been contacted by Public Health South after sitting near a Dunedin Hospital staff member, who was later diagnosed with measles, on an Air New Zealand flight, the Southern District Health Board said yesterday.
While infectious, the worker travelled to Auckland on Tuesday, October 25 on Flight NZ672 from Dunedin and returned on Friday on Flight NZ673. Air New Zealand gave Public Health South the passenger seating lists and passengers seated in the same row and two rows in front and behind had been contacted.
Board Medical officer of health Derek Bell said yesterday that three of the passengers contacted were from Southland, but would not specify where or if they had been immunised.
No outbreak of measles in the Southland region had been reported since the health board's statement this week that the staff member at Dunedin Hospital had been diagnosed with the disease.
This is the second case of measles in the Southern health district. Both remain in Otago, and have been linked to an infectious visitor from Wellington last month.
The hospital worker had contact with patients and other staff at the very early stage of the illness on the night of Monday, October 24."
" Three Southland people have been contacted by Public Health South after sitting near a Dunedin Hospital staff member, who was later diagnosed with measles, on an Air New Zealand flight, the Southern District Health Board said yesterday.
While infectious, the worker travelled to Auckland on Tuesday, October 25 on Flight NZ672 from Dunedin and returned on Friday on Flight NZ673. Air New Zealand gave Public Health South the passenger seating lists and passengers seated in the same row and two rows in front and behind had been contacted.
Board Medical officer of health Derek Bell said yesterday that three of the passengers contacted were from Southland, but would not specify where or if they had been immunised.
No outbreak of measles in the Southland region had been reported since the health board's statement this week that the staff member at Dunedin Hospital had been diagnosed with the disease.
This is the second case of measles in the Southern health district. Both remain in Otago, and have been linked to an infectious visitor from Wellington last month.
The hospital worker had contact with patients and other staff at the very early stage of the illness on the night of Monday, October 24."
India : 19 more test positive for dengue
Via Zee News :
" Nineteen people have tested positive for dengue virus raising the total number of those hit by the mosquito-borne disease in the national capital to 776.
"Hospitals across the city have diagnosed 19 people with dengue fever since yesterday. With this, the total number of people affected by it is now 776," said Dr V K Monga, chairman of Municipal Corporation of Delhi's public health committee.
Cases of mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise in the city.
"Chikungunya cases too are rising now. Last year at this time of the year, the number of cases was 33 and it is 44 this year till now," he said."
" Nineteen people have tested positive for dengue virus raising the total number of those hit by the mosquito-borne disease in the national capital to 776.
"Hospitals across the city have diagnosed 19 people with dengue fever since yesterday. With this, the total number of people affected by it is now 776," said Dr V K Monga, chairman of Municipal Corporation of Delhi's public health committee.
Cases of mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise in the city.
"Chikungunya cases too are rising now. Last year at this time of the year, the number of cases was 33 and it is 44 this year till now," he said."
Pakistan : Dengue toll rises to 14 as another patient dies
Via Dawn :
" The dengue death toll in Sindh rose to 14 as the provincial health authorities on Tuesday confirmed the death of a patient, who was admitted to a private hospital in Karachi about two weeks back.
According to the provincial dengue surveillance cell, a 64-year-old man living in the New Sabzi Mandi area on the Superhighway was admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) on Oct 18 and tested positive for dengue. The patient died on Oct 31 in the hospital, taking the figure of dengue-related deaths this year in Karachi to 12 and in the province to 14.
With the latest victim of dengue fever — spread by female mosquito Aedes aegypti — in the city, the number of patients who died of dengue at the AKUH increased to five. Of the other seven patients, three died at the Civil Hospital Karachi, two at the Ziauddin Hospital and one each at the OMI Hospital and the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre."
" The dengue death toll in Sindh rose to 14 as the provincial health authorities on Tuesday confirmed the death of a patient, who was admitted to a private hospital in Karachi about two weeks back.
According to the provincial dengue surveillance cell, a 64-year-old man living in the New Sabzi Mandi area on the Superhighway was admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) on Oct 18 and tested positive for dengue. The patient died on Oct 31 in the hospital, taking the figure of dengue-related deaths this year in Karachi to 12 and in the province to 14.
With the latest victim of dengue fever — spread by female mosquito Aedes aegypti — in the city, the number of patients who died of dengue at the AKUH increased to five. Of the other seven patients, three died at the Civil Hospital Karachi, two at the Ziauddin Hospital and one each at the OMI Hospital and the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre."
Malaria returns to southern Botswana
Via Mmegi Online :
" The rainy season is here and once again government is urging people to take precautions against malaria.
While historically the disease has only affected the northern parts of the country, it has been found in the south. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Health, Tuduetso Kelapile told Mmegi that while the southern part of the country is historically a malaria free area it has recently been affected.
"We have had cases of malaria in Kweneng East, Kgatleng and Letlhakeng," she said, adding that the ministry carries out thorough investigations in the areas to establish the presence of malaria. Once the disease is found, intervention measures such as spraying and supplying people with mosquito nets will be implemented.
Kelapile said that nationally her ministry recorded 15 deaths from malaria over the last two years.
"We recorded seven deaths in 2009 and eight last year," she said. This year only, there have been 77 confirmed cases in Bobirwa, 57 in Tutume, 40 in Boteti, 37 in Palapye, 31 in Selebi-Phikwe, 30 in Kweneng East, 27 in Ngami and 23 in Kgatleng. Kelapile said that the government currently distributes mosquito nets to people who reside in malaria endemic areas such as Okavango, Chobe, Ngami, Nata Gweta areas, Boteti-West and some targeted areas in Bobirwa and Tutume."
" The rainy season is here and once again government is urging people to take precautions against malaria.
While historically the disease has only affected the northern parts of the country, it has been found in the south. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Health, Tuduetso Kelapile told Mmegi that while the southern part of the country is historically a malaria free area it has recently been affected.
"We have had cases of malaria in Kweneng East, Kgatleng and Letlhakeng," she said, adding that the ministry carries out thorough investigations in the areas to establish the presence of malaria. Once the disease is found, intervention measures such as spraying and supplying people with mosquito nets will be implemented.
Kelapile said that nationally her ministry recorded 15 deaths from malaria over the last two years.
"We recorded seven deaths in 2009 and eight last year," she said. This year only, there have been 77 confirmed cases in Bobirwa, 57 in Tutume, 40 in Boteti, 37 in Palapye, 31 in Selebi-Phikwe, 30 in Kweneng East, 27 in Ngami and 23 in Kgatleng. Kelapile said that the government currently distributes mosquito nets to people who reside in malaria endemic areas such as Okavango, Chobe, Ngami, Nata Gweta areas, Boteti-West and some targeted areas in Bobirwa and Tutume."
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
India : Mystery disease kills 13 in Kota
Via Times of India :
" JAIPUR: A mystery fever has played havoc at Mandargarh in Kota for the past few days.
Residents of Mandargarh, which is a tribal area in Mandana, are living in fear as sources claimed that 13 people have died in the area in the past one month. The medical department claimed only five deaths.
Those who died had symptoms like cough, cold and running nose, sources said. Initially, the residents suspected the deaths are due to Chikungunia or pneumonia, but the medical and health department denied this. It was not due to a seasonal disease. Teams have been sent to investigate, said BR Meena, director (health).
"It is not Chikungunia but we have found that patients are also suffering from anaemia, which shows up in blood tests," G S Sisodiya, Kota's chief medical and health officer, said.
He said the people in the area are mostly anaemic. Now, the department is distributing iron and folic acid tablets among the residents of the area."
" JAIPUR: A mystery fever has played havoc at Mandargarh in Kota for the past few days.
Residents of Mandargarh, which is a tribal area in Mandana, are living in fear as sources claimed that 13 people have died in the area in the past one month. The medical department claimed only five deaths.
Those who died had symptoms like cough, cold and running nose, sources said. Initially, the residents suspected the deaths are due to Chikungunia or pneumonia, but the medical and health department denied this. It was not due to a seasonal disease. Teams have been sent to investigate, said BR Meena, director (health).
"It is not Chikungunia but we have found that patients are also suffering from anaemia, which shows up in blood tests," G S Sisodiya, Kota's chief medical and health officer, said.
He said the people in the area are mostly anaemic. Now, the department is distributing iron and folic acid tablets among the residents of the area."
Pakistan : Dengue claims four lives
Via The Nation :
" The dengue virus claimed lives of four more people in the city hospitals bringing the death toll to 314 on Monday.
Muhammad Ramazan died at Services Hospital while Waqas of Manga Mandi and Shamim Bibi, 40, died at Jinnah Hospital of dengue fever complications.
Another patient, Jamshed Ali, of Manga Mandi, died at a private health facility on Ferozepur Road.
The health department also confirmed four more dengue-related deaths in the city during the last 24 hours.
It said so far 298 people have died of the ailment all over the province, including 261 in Lahore."
" The dengue virus claimed lives of four more people in the city hospitals bringing the death toll to 314 on Monday.
Muhammad Ramazan died at Services Hospital while Waqas of Manga Mandi and Shamim Bibi, 40, died at Jinnah Hospital of dengue fever complications.
Another patient, Jamshed Ali, of Manga Mandi, died at a private health facility on Ferozepur Road.
The health department also confirmed four more dengue-related deaths in the city during the last 24 hours.
It said so far 298 people have died of the ailment all over the province, including 261 in Lahore."
Cholera claims 142 lives in Somalia
Via The News Tribe :
" Mogadishu: Cholera and famine have claimed the lives of at least another 142 people in Somalia over the past 24 hours.
Medical sources said that at least 83 children have died this morning in the town of Afgooye, 30 kilometers southeast of Mogadishu. This is while more than 1,300 women and children have been hospitalized in the same region.
Meanwhile, medical officials in the capital of Somalia also said that cholera has claimed the lives of at least 59 children, while another 977 are currently hospitalized in Hoosh District.
The developments come as the country’s drought victims are still facing the looting of humanitarian aid in different districts across Mogadishu."
" Mogadishu: Cholera and famine have claimed the lives of at least another 142 people in Somalia over the past 24 hours.
Medical sources said that at least 83 children have died this morning in the town of Afgooye, 30 kilometers southeast of Mogadishu. This is while more than 1,300 women and children have been hospitalized in the same region.
Meanwhile, medical officials in the capital of Somalia also said that cholera has claimed the lives of at least 59 children, while another 977 are currently hospitalized in Hoosh District.
The developments come as the country’s drought victims are still facing the looting of humanitarian aid in different districts across Mogadishu."
Hong Kong : Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci case in medical ward in Caritas Medical Centre
Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :
" An 81-year-old male patient with history of multiple medical diseases was admitted to a medical ward on October 7 for multiple leg ulcers. His urine sample was confirmed to have Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) colonisation on October 26. The clinical condition of the patient remained serious during his stay in CMC. He passed away today due to underlying illness.
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened other inpatients who were in close contact with the index patient in the same period. Three male inpatients (aged 70 to 86) have been confirmed to be VRE carriers. They are now under medical surveillance and isolation. The hospital will continue the screening process.
The hospital has stepped up infection control measures according to established guidelines."
" An 81-year-old male patient with history of multiple medical diseases was admitted to a medical ward on October 7 for multiple leg ulcers. His urine sample was confirmed to have Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) colonisation on October 26. The clinical condition of the patient remained serious during his stay in CMC. He passed away today due to underlying illness.
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened other inpatients who were in close contact with the index patient in the same period. Three male inpatients (aged 70 to 86) have been confirmed to be VRE carriers. They are now under medical surveillance and isolation. The hospital will continue the screening process.
The hospital has stepped up infection control measures according to established guidelines."
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