Showing posts with label ghana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ghana. Show all posts
04 August, 2011
Cerebrospinal Meningitis Outbreak in Ghana Leaves 5 Dead
An outbreak of CSM, commonly known as cerebrospinal meningitis, in the New Nsuta community of Obuasi Municipality in Ghana, has killed 5 and infected 17 individuals. It has not yet been established how the disease broke out in the area. Fearful residents are urging local health officials to immediately immunize them, and the Ministry of Health is working to dispatch vaccines to the area, although the strain has yet to be identified. Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal membrane and can be caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria. The outbreak has reportedly taken a toll on businesses in the area, as patrons are pulling out. Last year’s meningitis outbreak in northern Ghana resulted in 54 cases and 27 deaths.
01 April, 2011
Chickenpox in Guangxi, Legionella in Scotland, and "Apollo" Strikes Ghana
Hundreds of cases of chickenpox in Guangxi, China
Multiple elementary schools and daycare centers in Beihai City of Guangxi Province have seen an explosion of chickenpox among students since the end of last year. The 251 cases reported to date is a staggering 27 times greater than the case count during the same time period last year. Although the winter to spring season is the high-incidence period for chickenpox, this year’s spring has been especially cold and rainy, creating an environment especially conducive to the propagation of varicella-zoster virus. Furthermore, children have relatively weaker immune, and when they congregate in school, the chance of the virus spreading through direct contact or aerosolized spray greatly increases. Since mid-March, two schools have seen 14 and 15 cases, respectively, while the remaining cases have dispersed throughout the city.
Legionella outbreak in Scotland
One individual has been hospitalized with Legionnaire's disease and over 100 guests and staff of a four-star hotel in Dundee, Scotland have reported flu-like symptoms. Pontiac fever and Legionnaire’s disease are both caused by Legionella bacteria, but Pontiac fever is milder while Legionnaire’s can be deadly. Many of those reporting flu-like symptoms may have Pontiac fever. Outbreak investigators found Legionella in the hotel’s club. In February, an outbreak of Legionella reportedly originated at the Playboy mansion.
“Apollo” strikes Ghana
Over 400 cases of acute hemmorrhagic conjunctivitis have been reported in clinics throughout Ghana. This viral infection is highly contagious and typically resolves after two weeks. The disease is known as Apollo in West Africa because the first epidemic occurred during the Apollo 11 lunar landing.
Multiple elementary schools and daycare centers in Beihai City of Guangxi Province have seen an explosion of chickenpox among students since the end of last year. The 251 cases reported to date is a staggering 27 times greater than the case count during the same time period last year. Although the winter to spring season is the high-incidence period for chickenpox, this year’s spring has been especially cold and rainy, creating an environment especially conducive to the propagation of varicella-zoster virus. Furthermore, children have relatively weaker immune, and when they congregate in school, the chance of the virus spreading through direct contact or aerosolized spray greatly increases. Since mid-March, two schools have seen 14 and 15 cases, respectively, while the remaining cases have dispersed throughout the city.
Legionella outbreak in Scotland
One individual has been hospitalized with Legionnaire's disease and over 100 guests and staff of a four-star hotel in Dundee, Scotland have reported flu-like symptoms. Pontiac fever and Legionnaire’s disease are both caused by Legionella bacteria, but Pontiac fever is milder while Legionnaire’s can be deadly. Many of those reporting flu-like symptoms may have Pontiac fever. Outbreak investigators found Legionella in the hotel’s club. In February, an outbreak of Legionella reportedly originated at the Playboy mansion.
“Apollo” strikes Ghana
Over 400 cases of acute hemmorrhagic conjunctivitis have been reported in clinics throughout Ghana. This viral infection is highly contagious and typically resolves after two weeks. The disease is known as Apollo in West Africa because the first epidemic occurred during the Apollo 11 lunar landing.
18 March, 2011
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.
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.
17 February, 2011
Legionnella at the Playboy Mansion, Meningitis in the Ukraine and on US college campuses, Cholera update, and Chlamydia in New Brunswick
Meningitis in Ukraine
On February 11th, in Zakarpatie, about 60 people were hospitalized, suspected of having the deadly disease - meningitis. Most of the patients are associated with a local Roma camp. The town is in a panic and many are afraid of becoming infected from the Roma people. Parents are not letting their children outside and most others are trying to stay indoors. “Everybody is scared, the same as last year during the outbreak of the swine flu.” Locals say that the Roma district had suffered from meningitis in the past, but do not recall such a widespread event.
It is suspected that an epidemic of meningitis has the potential to touch other parts of Ukraine. On January 28, in Svyatoshynskyi district of Kiev, a second-grade boy died from meningitis while other children were infected.
The most common symptoms of viral meningitis are high fever, vomiting and headache. Meningitis can be life-threatening and is therefore classified as a medical emergency.
На Закарпатье уже госпитализировано около 60 пациентов с подозрением на смертельную болезнь - менингококк. Большинство заболевших - это представители местного цыганского табора.
В городе паника - люди боятся заразиться от цыган. Местные не пускают детей на улицу и сами стараются меньше выходить. "Все перепуганы, как в прошлом году во время эпидемии "свиного гриппа". Местные говорят, что в ромском районе и раньше болели менингитом, но такой мощной эпидемии не припоминают.
Похоже эпидемия менингококка может затронуть всю Украину. 28 января в Святошинском районе Киева от менингита умер второклассник. Признаки вирусного менингита - температура до 40, рвота, головная боль.
Chlamydia Epidemic in New Brunswick
New Brunswick has issued a warning over the growing number of cases of chlamydia, particularly among youths. “If you are under 30 and you are breathing you need a chlamydia test," stated the deputy chief medical officer. Although over 1,800 New Brunswick youths have been diagnosed, a focus group has revealed that most youths in New Brunswick are unaware of the risks infection poses. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to infertility in both women and men if untreated (although sterility is a very rare complication in men). Having chlamydia also increases the likelihood of becoming infected with HIV if exposed to it.
Cholera Spreading in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Papau New Guinea
The number of deaths in Greater Accra, Ghana from cholera has risen to six with 505 cases recorded as of February 14. The 1st case was reported on January 10, and the number of cases has continued to rise despite the government’s efforts to combat the outbreak by offering free treatment to those affected and undertaking a public education campaign.
Eleven are now dead and 252 cases suspected due to a cholera outbreak in Côte d’Ivoire’s capital of Abidjan. The epidemic began in Adjame on January 21 and is being attributed to garbage piling up throughout the city. An educational campaign as well as free treatment of cases are both being conducted in an attempt to stop the outbreak.
Cholera cases continue to be recorded in Papau New Guinea (PNG) due to a lack of government funding and an initially poor response to the outbreak. Over 10,000 cases and 483 deaths have been recorded in 7 of 19 PNG provinces since the outbreak began in September 2009.
Playboy Mansion Hit with Legionnaires’ Disease
On February 3, Hugh Hefner hosted a fundraiser for Jenny McCarthy's Generation Rescue Autism Foundation at the infamous Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills in California. Unfortunately, many of his guests became very sick within 24 to 48 hours after leaving the event with severe flu-like symptoms such as coughs, chills, fevers, and respiratory infections. Investigators discovered that these people were experiencing a mild form of Legionnaire’s Disease, Pontiac Fever. So far, 170 people have been reported with the disease.
Pontiac Fever is a respiratory infection caused by the Legionnella bacteria, which is typically found in water-delivery systems such as shower heads, hot tubs and air conditioners. The Playboy Mansion spread may be linked to a fog machine. Symptoms usually persist for 8-10 days, but resolve themselves without any antibiotics.
The Playboy Mansion is only one of various DOMAINfest Global Conference locations in Santa Monica under investigation for helping spread the disease.
Meningitis on campus
Two US universities have seen meningitis cases recently. In New York, a St. Lawrence University junior has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. At St. Lawrence, approximately 95% of the students have been vaccinated. At Texas A&M, a 20-year old junior living off-campus died of bacterial meningitis on Friday. He was the second student this academic year to be infected at Texas A&M. Texas’ one-year old law requiring meningococcal vaccination does not apply to students living off-campus.
Pneumoccal and meningococcal meningitis are the most common forms of bacterial meningitis. The pnemococcal vaccine routinely given to children under 2. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends everyone between 11-18 years of age be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis. According to the National Meningitis Association, there are 1500 cases of bacterial meningitis every year. Many states and schools require the vaccine for incoming freshman. For more information on the vaccine, visit the CDC’s site.
On February 11th, in Zakarpatie, about 60 people were hospitalized, suspected of having the deadly disease - meningitis. Most of the patients are associated with a local Roma camp. The town is in a panic and many are afraid of becoming infected from the Roma people. Parents are not letting their children outside and most others are trying to stay indoors. “Everybody is scared, the same as last year during the outbreak of the swine flu.” Locals say that the Roma district had suffered from meningitis in the past, but do not recall such a widespread event.
It is suspected that an epidemic of meningitis has the potential to touch other parts of Ukraine. On January 28, in Svyatoshynskyi district of Kiev, a second-grade boy died from meningitis while other children were infected.
The most common symptoms of viral meningitis are high fever, vomiting and headache. Meningitis can be life-threatening and is therefore classified as a medical emergency.
На Закарпатье уже госпитализировано около 60 пациентов с подозрением на смертельную болезнь - менингококк. Большинство заболевших - это представители местного цыганского табора.
В городе паника - люди боятся заразиться от цыган. Местные не пускают детей на улицу и сами стараются меньше выходить. "Все перепуганы, как в прошлом году во время эпидемии "свиного гриппа". Местные говорят, что в ромском районе и раньше болели менингитом, но такой мощной эпидемии не припоминают.
Похоже эпидемия менингококка может затронуть всю Украину. 28 января в Святошинском районе Киева от менингита умер второклассник. Признаки вирусного менингита - температура до 40, рвота, головная боль.
Chlamydia Epidemic in New Brunswick
New Brunswick has issued a warning over the growing number of cases of chlamydia, particularly among youths. “If you are under 30 and you are breathing you need a chlamydia test," stated the deputy chief medical officer. Although over 1,800 New Brunswick youths have been diagnosed, a focus group has revealed that most youths in New Brunswick are unaware of the risks infection poses. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to infertility in both women and men if untreated (although sterility is a very rare complication in men). Having chlamydia also increases the likelihood of becoming infected with HIV if exposed to it.
Cholera Spreading in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Papau New Guinea
The number of deaths in Greater Accra, Ghana from cholera has risen to six with 505 cases recorded as of February 14. The 1st case was reported on January 10, and the number of cases has continued to rise despite the government’s efforts to combat the outbreak by offering free treatment to those affected and undertaking a public education campaign.
Eleven are now dead and 252 cases suspected due to a cholera outbreak in Côte d’Ivoire’s capital of Abidjan. The epidemic began in Adjame on January 21 and is being attributed to garbage piling up throughout the city. An educational campaign as well as free treatment of cases are both being conducted in an attempt to stop the outbreak.
Cholera cases continue to be recorded in Papau New Guinea (PNG) due to a lack of government funding and an initially poor response to the outbreak. Over 10,000 cases and 483 deaths have been recorded in 7 of 19 PNG provinces since the outbreak began in September 2009.
Playboy Mansion Hit with Legionnaires’ Disease
On February 3, Hugh Hefner hosted a fundraiser for Jenny McCarthy's Generation Rescue Autism Foundation at the infamous Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills in California. Unfortunately, many of his guests became very sick within 24 to 48 hours after leaving the event with severe flu-like symptoms such as coughs, chills, fevers, and respiratory infections. Investigators discovered that these people were experiencing a mild form of Legionnaire’s Disease, Pontiac Fever. So far, 170 people have been reported with the disease.
Pontiac Fever is a respiratory infection caused by the Legionnella bacteria, which is typically found in water-delivery systems such as shower heads, hot tubs and air conditioners. The Playboy Mansion spread may be linked to a fog machine. Symptoms usually persist for 8-10 days, but resolve themselves without any antibiotics.
The Playboy Mansion is only one of various DOMAINfest Global Conference locations in Santa Monica under investigation for helping spread the disease.
Meningitis on campus
Two US universities have seen meningitis cases recently. In New York, a St. Lawrence University junior has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. At St. Lawrence, approximately 95% of the students have been vaccinated. At Texas A&M, a 20-year old junior living off-campus died of bacterial meningitis on Friday. He was the second student this academic year to be infected at Texas A&M. Texas’ one-year old law requiring meningococcal vaccination does not apply to students living off-campus.
Pneumoccal and meningococcal meningitis are the most common forms of bacterial meningitis. The pnemococcal vaccine routinely given to children under 2. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends everyone between 11-18 years of age be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis. According to the National Meningitis Association, there are 1500 cases of bacterial meningitis every year. Many states and schools require the vaccine for incoming freshman. For more information on the vaccine, visit the CDC’s site.
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