White-nose syndrome spreads, Foot and Mouth Returns to S. Korea, and Avian Influenza In Ostriches

White-nose syndrome reaches Nova Scotia and spreads in the United States
A Hunts County, Nova Scotia bat has tested positive for white-nose syndrome. The finding makes Nova Scotia the 4th Canadian province to see signs of the devastating disease. While spread primarily from bat-to-bat and not harmful to humans, Canadian authorities are urging residents to stay out of caves and old mines that are home to bat populations. Humans may inadvertently carry fungal spores that cause the disease into caves by way of clothing or caving gear.  

First seen in caves outside of Albany, New York in 2006, white-nose syndrome has spread rapidly west to Oklahoma, north into Canada, and south to the state of North Carolina. With the recent confirmation of the disease in Trigg County, Kentucky, 16 US states have now been affected.

White nose syndrome has been the cause of over 1 million bat deaths in Eastern North America, and bat declines have exceeded 70 percent in severely affected areas of New England. The total population of the little brown bat has declined so dramatically that the species may become extinct in the region within 20 years.

Foot and mouth returns to South Korea
Just 5 days after South Korea declared the end of their foot and mouth outbreak, six pigs were diagnosed with the disease.  All the pigs were on the same farm in Yeongcheon, N. Gyeongsang province.  Earlier, South Korea had chosen to vaccinate its animals against foot and mouth in an attempt to control the epidemic.  Countries generally prefer to eliminate outbreaks by culling and restricting animal movements because it take longer to regain certification as “foot and mouth free” if vaccinations are used.  The detection of the disease is a blow to South Korea; the epidemic has already led to losses totalling 2.6 billion US dollars.

Ostrich meat trade interrupted by flu outbreak
An outbreak of avian influenza on an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, South Africa had led to a ban on all exports of the product..  South Africa accounts for over 80% of the world’s ostrich meat production.  In an attempt to control the outbreak, 5,000 birds have been culled.  If the infection is contained, ostrich meat exports may resume next month.

Meningitis in Ghana and the US, Avian Influenza in Bangladesh, and Plague in Madagascar

Meningitis in Ghana and the United States
Fifteen people have died from meningitis in Ghana’s Upper West Region with over 100 cases reported. Ghana is located in the Meningitis Belt of sub-Saharan Africa where the highest rates of bacterial meningitis are seen. Although vaccines exist for meningococcal meningitis, many in the Meningitis Belt are unvaccinated.

In the United States, young adults are considered to be at the greatest risk.  This week, a college student at Ohio State University and a high school student in Elizabethton, Tennessee died.  Meningococcal meningitis has been confirmed in the former and is suspected in the latter.  Also, an Oregon high school student is in critical condition with confirmed meningococcal meningitis.  A second possible case has also been identified.  According to the CDC, the US has between 1,000 and 1,200 cases each year.  The CDC has more information on the vaccine here.

Human Cases of Avian Influenza in Bangladesh
Two cases avian influenza (H5N1) have been reported in the Kamalapur area of Dhaka.  The first case is a one year old girl and second is a 2 year old boy.  The boy was diagnosed after increased surveillance following the identification of the girl’s illness.  The only other human case of H5N1 in Bangladesh was in 2008 in the same area as the current two cases.

Plague Continues to Spread in Madagascar
Since early February 2011 deaths from both pneumonic and bubonic plague have been occurring in Northern Madagascar. As of February 23rd a total of 45 cases had been detected in the country with 23 deaths. It is thought that plague initially spread as locals mistook symptoms of plague for influenza. It was only after 3 people in one family died in the district of Ambilobe that doctors were alerted. In a report dated March 15th, additional deaths were reported from the Antananarivo region. While plague typically occurs yearly in Madagascar’s Central Highlands, the current outbreak is occurring in a region where the disease is not endemic. In areas affected, homes are being sanitized, and preventative treatment is being given to those who have had contact with plague victims.

African Swine Fever, Meningitis C, Measles, and more Infectious Disease News from Around the Globe

African Swine Fever in Ukraine
Ukraine is hoping to prevent an outbreak of African swine fever. "[Across the border] in Russia. . . the epidemic of the disease is already out of control.” Ukraine is taking preventative measures to avoid the spread of the disease.  All pigs will be vaccinated, and meat markets will be closed. In the coming days, residents of neighboring villages must relinquish their pigs for slaughter. As compensation, they will receive 75 rubles per kilogram of body weight.

На сегодняшний день Украина находится под угрозой африканской чумы свиней.  «В России, практически на границе с Украиной, эпидемия этого заболевания уже вышла из-под контроля. Cоответствующие службы из регионов, находящихся в зоне риска, должны принять профилактические меры для предупреждения распространения заболевания по территории Украины и провести вакцинация всего поголовья свиней. Кроме того, устранить места стихийной торговли мясными продуктами, а также определить специальные места для проведения забоя свиней, если заболевание проявится на территории Украины.

Meningitis C in France
France is launching a vaccination campaign, aimed at students, due to the increase in Meningitis C cases in Lille.  Though the case count in the general population is still low (0.36 per 100 000), the student population is facing a higher and more serious case count (7 per 100 000).  France feels there is a great need for the campaign as 10% of meningitis C cases are fatal.

La France lance une campagne de vaccination contre la méningite C.  La campagne est visée aux étudiants universitaires à cause de l’augmentation des cas de méningite C a l’Université de Lille.  Pendant que le taux pour la population générale reste plutôt bas, a 0.36 cas pour 100 000, la population étudiante a 7 cas pour 100 000, ce qui est plutôt sérieux.  

Enteroccocus at University Hospital Vaudois, Switzerland
Vancomycine resistant enteroccocus has been found at the University Hospital Vaudois in Lausanne, Switzerland.  All patients, confirmed or suspected of carrying enteroccocus have been grouped together on the 15th floor, which is no longer taking admissions. Enteroccoci are gram-positive bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections, bacterial endocarditis and meningitis.

Le Centre Hospitalier Université Vaudois est touché par entérocoques résistant à la Vancomycine.  Tous les patients qui sont suspects ou bien porteurs de l’entérocoques sont réunis sur le 15ème étage pour une durée indéterminée. L’entérocoques est une bactérie anaérobie qui peut provoquer les infections du canal urinaire, l’endocardite et la méningite.  

Measles in Geneva, Switzerland and Rhônes-Alpes, France
Twenty-six cases of measles have been identified since January 2011.  This is the biggest outbreak of measles in the canton of Geneva since 2008.  The majority of cases in Switzerland and in the neighboring French region are adults who have not been vaccinated.

Dans le canton de Genève, 26 cas de rougeole se sont identifiés depuis janvier 2011.  Ceci est la plus grande flambée de rougeole depuis 2008.  La plupart de cas sont les adultes qui n’ont pas été vacciné contre le rougeole.  

Avian Influenza Update: Bangladesh (poultry), India (ducks), Cambodia (humans), Indonesia (poultry and human) and Vietnam (poultry; human case ruled out)
In addition to the ongoing outbreaks of avian influenza in South Korea and Japan, three other Asian countries reported outbreaks.  In Rajshahi, Bangladesh, 8,600 chickens were culled as outbreaks continue to be detected around Dhaka and Rangpur.  India confirmed an outbreak in Agartala, Tripura leading to the culling of 3,000 ducks.  It is India’s first outbreak since June 2010.

Cambodia recorded two human deaths last week as doctors worry about the possibility of an outbreak.  WHO has not yet confirmed the recent deaths, but a five-year-old girl died there earlier this month.  In Garut, Indonesia, the sudden death of 600 chickens has been attributed to avian influenza.  Additionally, 14 villagers have severe flu symptoms but the cause of their illnesses has not been determined.  In Vietnam, tests have ruled out avian influenza infection after a girl with suspect symptoms died at the Hue Central Hospital. Outbreaks among poultry have been reported in three Vietnamese provinces.

Conjunctivitis Clusters in Brazil
Over the last week over 150 cases of conjunctivitis were reported in the city of Goioerê (located in Parana State), with 52 of those cases occurring over the weekend. At about 29,000 inhabitants the city of Goioerê is considered relatively small and any outbreak of this magnitude is cause for city officials to be alarmed,  and in addition the highly contagious nature of conjunctivitis, the ministry of health is concerned about containing this outbreak. All inhabitants of Goioerê are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, and not to stay in enclosed (non-ventilated) housing with large gatherings of people.

Influenza Closes Russian Schools, Cholera Cases Found in NYC, and White Nose Syndrome Spreads

Epidemic of Influenza in Russia.
An epidemic of influenza has been spreading throughout Russia. Nearly 60 regions in Russia have been severely affected. In Moscow, since January 31st, all elementary and middle schools have been closed in hopes of preventing the further spread of the disease. Every week around 160,000 people are becoming ill, and about 450 are being hospitalised every day.


Почти в 60 российских регионах зафиксирована эпидемия гриппа. 31 января из-за эпидемии гриппа и ОРВИ во всех столичных школах были приостановлены занятия у 1-8 классов. Городские власти решили ввести карантин в учебных заведениях в качестве превентивной меры, чтобы обезопасить детей. Cейчас еженедельно заболевают около 160 тысяч москвичей, госпитализируется около 450 человек в день.


Measles Getting a Foothold in Auckland?
On January 11th, an individual infected with measles flew from Brisbane to Auckland, triggering a public health warning over potential exposure to other passengers.  In the month since that flight, 12 additional cases have been diagnosed in Auckland.  Public health officials now fear the outbreak will spread.  Only some of the 12 cases were on the flight or had known contacts on the flight, suggesting measles is now circulating in the community.


Cholera in New York City
This week New York City officials confirmed 3 cases of cholera, the first diagnoses since the outbreak in Haiti started.  All the patients attended a wedding in the Dominican Republic in January.  New York City typically sees one imported case of cholera per year, and the risk of spread is negligible.


White Nose Syndrome Continues to Spread
Just one week after being discovered in Indiana, the deadly White Nose Syndrome (WNS) has been identified in bats located in an old Avery County mine and in a cave within Grandfather Mountain State Park in North Carolina. This discovery marks the first time WNS has been found in bats in North Carolina. The disease, first discovered in New York State in 2006, has spread North into Canada and South to Tennessee (a total of 16 states and 2 Canadian provinces have been affected to date). WNS has devastated bat populations throughout the United States with over one million bats killed due to mortality rates close to 100% in affected populations.


Swine Flu Causes Multiple Deaths in Hong Kong and Beijing
As China ushered in its Lunar New Year this past week, the city of Beijing has reported 11 new cases and 1 death due to H1N1 since February 2nd. So far in 2011, 195 cases and 4 deaths due to H1N1 have been confirmed for the city. Chinese New Year is a time of great excitement but also of public health concern due to the great amount of movement and travel among the population and also due to large group gatherings, both publicly and at home. During this holiday period, it was reported that people within Beijing sought outpatient care 263,000 times, a 17.4% increase from last year, and emergency care 110,000 times.


The Hong Kong Center for Health Protection also reported today that in the brief past two weeks, 9 individuals have died from H1N1 since January 24th. The Center’s director explained that H1N1 is the main virus circulating this flu season, causing rates of severe complications and care-seeking to be higher in comparison to the same time period last year. He predicts that the peak period for this flu season may continue until March. Since the H1N1 outbreak in 2009, Hong Kong has accumulated over 80 deaths.

Gujarat Residents Fearful of Hemorrhagic Virus, Encephalitis in Honduras and More Breaking News

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20110119/deadly-ebola-like-virus-in-western-india-110119/

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Confirmed in Humans for the 1st Time in India
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) was confirmed to be the cause of a previously undiagnosed outbreak in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India on January 18th. This is the first confirmed report of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in India. To date, 5 cases have been confirmed, including 3 deaths (a female patient, an attending physician, and an intensive care nurse). The two other patients include another nurse and the husband of the first patient. Previously, serious outbreaks through nosocomial infection have been recorded, and therefore proper control measures must be utilized.  

Ticks collected from the Ahmedabad area were collected and testing showed “high quantities” of CCHF virus. It is likely that the virus is present in ticks and other animals (including cattle) throughout Northern India, as they can be infected but do not die from the disease. If the virus is shown to be present in animals such as cattle, the virus could have spread to humans from cutting infected meat. The Gujarat government has been warned to be on the lookout for additional cases.

Encephalitis in Honduras
In the last week there has been an outbreak of Encephalitis in Guarita in Lempira, Honduras. Guarita is located near the Sumpul River close to El Salvador. So far, twenty horses have died from this inflammatory disease and about 20-30 are ill. No humans have contracted the disease yet, but health officials in both Honduras and El Salvador fear that it may be spread.

Rift Valley Fever Re-emerge in South Africa
A case of rift valley fever has been identified in Groot-Brakrivier in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Although only one case has been identified so far, this has raised concern within the region as an outbreak ending in August last year left 26 people and more than 8,500 animals dead. Furthermore, this has dashed the hopes of local wool and meat producers that the international markets will be open again since restrictions were placed following the outbreak last year. As livestock makes up 49% of agricultural output in South Africa, this may have serious financial repercussions on the local economy. Experts believe that the virus may continue to spread via mosquitoes as heavy rain and flooding perpetuate throughout the country and the Department of Agriculture has advised farmers to vaccinate their animals and to refrain from handling or eating sick animals.

African Swine Fever in Angola
African Swine Fever was confirmed in the cities of Kambundi Katembo and Luquembo of Malanje Province, Angola. A report from January 21st state that the fever has already spread through a great number of the pigs in Kambundi Katembo and Luquembo. African Swine Fever is infectious among pigs and causes hemorrhaging and myocardial infarction in the pig. Resident owners of those infected animals that have died are advised to bury them far from their homes.

Avian Influenza nested in Japanese Chicken Farms
In the early morning of January 23rd, Japanese officials confirmed the presence of avian influenza in chickens from a farm in Shintomi, located in the Miyazaki prefecture. The farm has been ordered to euthanize 410 thousand chickens, as a preemptive measure to stop the spread of avian influenza throughout the poultry population. Although it is possible for avian influenza to be spread to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk is small and transmission of the virus generally occurs only after direct and repeated contact with infected poultry.

Flooding Brings Infectious Diseases; Foot and Mouth, and Influenza Updates

Flooding and Infectious Disease Risk Worldwide
Increased rainfall and flooding in many regions of the world have heightened the risk and concern over the transmission of water-borne diseases. Oftentimes during flooding, population displacement and contamination of water sources can lead to major outbreaks of diarrhea, dysentery and even cholera and typhoid fever. Risk of infection is also increased when victims, especially children, come in direct contact with polluted waters and develop wound infections, dermatitis, or conjunctivitis. In the long term, water disasters can leave pools of standing water that create optimal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and increase the risk of vector-borne illnesses such as dengue, malaria, and West Nile. Currently, the onslaught of rainfall and flooding have wreaked heavy damage and increased risk of disease outbreak in the regions of Brazil, Southeast Asia and Australia.

Brazil
Heavy rainfall in Brazil during this summer season, especially last week, has been extremely problematic causing severe flooding and landslides in Rio de Janeiro’s mountainous region. In just one day the region experienced 95% of the expected rainfall for the entire month of January. Cities like Teresopolis, Petropolis, and Nova Friburgo have been hit very hard with over 400 deaths so far.  As of today, January 18, the death toll in the country is at 677 with about 14,000 homeless due to the heavy rains. This is considered the worst disaster in Brazil’s history (in terms of deaths) surpassing the flood in Sao Paulo state in 1967, which killed 436 people. Government officials worry that these heavy rains could bring disease epidemics to Brazil. The Agency of Civil Defense began distributing vaccines for tetanus and diphtheria in an attempt to prevent infections.

Sri Lanka and Philippines
Heaviest rains in nearly a century and flooding in Sri Lanka has so far left 40 dead, 4 missing, and over 325,000 people displaced. More than 27,000 houses were damaged and victims were forced to evacuate to over 200 camps located on higher grounds. Although in the past days water levels have begun to recede and people are returning to their homes, they are faced with the risk of water-borne diseases in these regions. Those living in the temporary relief camps also remain at risk. Sri Lanka’s government is reportedly mobilizing resources and medical supplies to these areas and making an effort to strengthen the disease surveillance system to prevent any potential outbreaks. According to health ministry officials, so far no cases of such disease have been reported.

Severe flooding and landslides in Philippines have so far spanned 25 provinces and have left at least 50 people dead and 1.5 million people affected. In addition to washing away houses and destroying crops, the flooding may result in large-scale disease outbreaks. According to one rescue unit, one region has reportedly had several hundred cases of dysentery, although this has not been officially confirmed.

Queensland
In the aftermath of the worst flooding seen in Queensland in centuries, health authorities warn of the potential of infectious disease infections. Already, several cases of melioidosis, which has not been reported in Brisbane since the 1974 floods, have surfaced and large amounts of pooled water could potentially result in a surge in mosquito numbers, leading to increased risk of mosquito-borne illnesses such as Ross River virus and dengue fever. Fecal contamination of water from sewage and the possible spoilage of food from when the power was cut raises concern over food-borne illnesses such as E.coli and salmonella. Many Queensland clinics have already seen an influx of patients seeking tetanus vaccines as a precautionary measure. Although health officials say there has not yet been a rise in gastrointestinal cases, they expect the number of patients with infections to swell if food, water, and sanitation continues to be compromised.

Foot and Mouth Outbreaks
South Korea’s worst-ever outbreak of Foot and Mouth continued as a new case was discovered at a pig farm in Yesan, 134 kilometers south of Seoul.  With meat prices soaring, losses exceeding $1 billion, and extensive culling of livestock representing decades of breeding and care, South Korea is facing a social and economic disaster.  There is widespread belief that North Korea is also suffering from a Foot and Mouth outbreak, but details are limited.  Bulgaria has reported a second outbreak and Vietnam has detected Foot and Mouth in Ha Giang. An outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease has also been reported in Gwanda, Zimbabwe. Local officials say the cause is the lack of fences, which therefore allow cattle to mix with infected wildlife. A vaccination campaign has begun, however the high cost of the vaccine adds difficulties to this effort to stop the spread of disease.

H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza Spreading in the Balkans
A fatal case of H1N1 has been recorded in Banat, Serbia, and 26 others are reported to be infected throughout the country. Montenegro reported a second death and registered 100 cases of the H1N1 virus. In addition, a woman in northern Bosnia died, bringing the total number of deaths from H1N1 this season to 4. Albania reports 17 cases of H1N1, and Croatia reports 300 cases with 3 deaths. Romania registered a third death of H1N1 since the beginning of the year.