Hendra Virus Confirmed in Queensland Dog

The Australian Animal Health Laboratory has confirmed the first case of Hendra virus in a dog. Hendra virus has only been found naturally within the flying fox bat, horse, and human. This case is the first to be found within a dog outside of a laboratory. The male kelpie showed no signs of disease, but tested positive for antibodies and likely contracted the virus from a positive horse on the property already under quarantine near Beaudesert, Queensland. It has not yet been confirmed if humans can become infected from animals other than horses but the risk is likely low. Researchers and pet-owners fear an evolving disease that can spread more readily from different species.

Hendra virus continues to appear in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Most recently, the virus was found in a horse in Chinchilla, Queensland.  This is also the first case west of the Great Diving Range. Over the past month, 10 horses in Queensland and 4 in New South Wales have died or have been euthanized. It is estimated that a total of 57 people have been exposed and are being monitored and tested for Hendra virus.

Hendra Virus Outbreak, Polio Crisis in Pakistan, Egypt Link in E. coli Outbreaks, La Crosse Encephalitis and Rabies

Hendra Virus in Queensland and NSW
Eight people have potentially been exposed to the deadly Hendra virus outside of Brisbane, Australia after a horse that died was confirmed to be positive for the disease. It’s believed that horses become infected after eating food contaminated by flying fox (bats of the genus Pteropus found in Australia) urine, saliva, or birth fluids.  Humans can acquire the disease after having contact with respiratory secretions or blood from infected horses. Of 7 people ever diagnosed with Hendra virus only 3 have survived.  In response to the confirmed Hendra horse death, the area’s mayor has issued that flying fox bats in the area of Kerry and Beaudesert, Queensland be culled despite their protected status.

It was also discovered today that a 2nd horse was infected with the Hendra virus in Wollongbar, New South Wales, and has since been euthanized. The case is unrelated to the horse that died in Queensland earlier this week on June 28th.  

The Polio Crisis in Pakistan
Yesterday, another polio case was discovered in Pakistan’s Khuzdar district, bringing this year’s total to at least 57 for the country. Although Pakistan is now just one of four countries still with endemic polio transmission, the other three countries have reported much lower disease burdens - with 11 cases in Nigeria, 5 in India, and 4 in Afghanistan for the same period. Most concerning is the discovery of cases in regions within the country long-believed to be polio-free. Last week, a 2 year old was found to have polio in Diamer District of northern Pakistan, an area that has not reported cases for over 12 years. Many believe that internal displacement, problem with the vaccine cold chain, and refusal by parents to have their children vaccinated as a result of misinformation have all contributed to the resurgence of cases within the country. Pakistan now is subjected to much international pressure as many European countries are considering imposing travel restrictions on Pakistani citizens and the World Bank has warned that it will convert a grant on polio vaccination for the country into a loan if Pakistan fails to eradicate by 2012.

Egyptian seeds named as source of German and French E. coli outbreaks
Investigators at the European Food Safety Authority have found a common link in Germany’s and France’s recent E. coli outbreaks: contaminated fenugreek seeds originating in Egypt. German health officials have confirmed the farm at the center of the outbreak had received fenugreek seeds from Egypt. Experts warn that additional contaminated seeds are likely still in circulation and may lead to additional outbreaks. The death toll from the German outbreak has risen to 50 (48 in Germany, 1 in Sweden and 1 in the US); over 4,000 were sickened.

La Crosse Encephalitis case in North Carolina
Although West Nile Virus gets much of the press, mosquitoes carry other diseases as well. This week, North Carolina saw its first confirmed case of La Crosse Encephalitis this summer. Like West Nile Virus, most people who are infected with La Crosse Encephalitis do not become ill. In a small number of people the infection affects the nervous system  and can lead to seizures, coma, and paralysis. North Carolina has one of the highest rates of La Crosse Encephalitis in the US.

Rabies in Azerbaijan
In the Sheki region of Azerbaijan there was an outbreak of rabies among domestic animals. Measures have been taken to remove the infected animals which were infected by attacking  wolves. Ten animals have been slaughtered while another 8 are suspected to be infected with the virus. In addition, a human case of rabies has been identified in the same village. That person was one of five injured and possibly infected when the attack occurred on June 8. According to the deputy chief physician of the Central Hospital of Sheki, the villager underwent treatment for approximately 20 days with no results.

В Шекинском районе отмечена эпидемия бешенства среди домашнего скота, проводятся мероприятия по  уничтожению зараженных животных. Причиной возникновения болезни стало нападение на домашний скот  диких животных.  В селе было уничтожено свыше 10 животных, а у 8 животных есть вероятность заражения бешенством.

Кроме того, в селе Кунжут отмечен случай заражения бешенством человека. Житель села является одним из  5 человек, подвергшихся нападению волков 8 июня.

По словам заместителя главного врача Центральной больницы Шекинского района, проводящееся около 20 дней лечение не дало никаких результатов.

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.