MENINGITIS, MENINGOCOCCAL - UGANDA: SUSPECTED
*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 12 Feb 2014
Source: New Vision [edited]
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/652442- ... ricts.html
The ministry of health (MOH) has confirmed an outbreak of meningitis in Adjumani and Arua districts [of Uganda]. A total of 31 suspected cases have been reported since the 1st case was registered late last month [January 2014]. However there have been no deaths.
In a press release issued by the MOH, Adjumani district has recorded the highest number of cases with 14 cases followed by Arua, which has so far registered 13 cases. The release reveals that the neighbouring districts of Koboko and Maracha have recorded 2 cases.
The release states that "the outbreak was reported after receiving confirmatory results from central public health laboratory (CPHL), which proved that 2 people had tested positive for the disease." The most affected areas in Adjumani district are the 3 districts hosting refugees who fled from South Sudan due to the current instability. The affected sub-counties include Dzaipi, Adropi, and Arinyapi, which share borders with South Sudan where a weekly market operates. This is likely to amplify transmission in the region and spill over the border.
According to the release the ministry has dispatched a team of health experts to strengthen the local team in the districts. "The necessary drug supplies have been mobilized; plans are under way to designate treatment centers in all the existing health facilities in the affected districts," states the release.
[Byline: Violet Nabatanzi, Juliet Waiswa]
--
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ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Adjumani is a district in northwestern Uganda; it borders the district of Arua to the southwest and South Sudan to the north. Arua is also a district in northwestern Uganda, but it is separated from the border with South Sudan by the Ugandan districts of Koboko, Maracha, and Yumbe. For a map of Ugandan districts, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Districts_of_Uganda.
South Sudan and Uganda are included in the WHO African meningitis belt, a region in sub-Saharan Africa where the incidence rate of meningitis is very high. Outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis are reported in the African meningitis belt each year during the hot, dry season, between December and June (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-Menin.aspx). A map of the African bacterial meningitis belt can be found at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/images/map3 ... -large.png.
_Neisseria meningitidis_ serogroup A is said to have been the most commonly isolated pathogen in the African meningitis belt. However, outbreaks have also been caused by other _N. meningitidis_ serogroups, such as serogroup C (http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/lab-manua ... 2-epi.html), W135 (http://www.expert-reviews.com/doi/abs/1 ... 84.5.3.319), and X (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 0X13004751). In March 2012, a serogroup B outbreak occurred in Ethiopia (http://tinyurl.com/q3jm3jg), and other bacterial species such as, _Streptococcus pneumoniae_ have also been implicated (see ProMED-mail post Meningitis, meningococcal - Africa (02): WHO meningitis region 20131028.2024307). However, we are not told what pathogen is causing the current outbreak in northwestern Uganda, although the news release above implies that it is the result of "hosting refugees who fled from South Sudan due to the current instability."
In May 2013, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), in collaboration with the South Sudanese Ministry of Health, stemmed a meningococcal meningitis serogroup A outbreak and vaccinated against the disease over 130 000 people with the meningococcal A conjugate vaccine in South Sudan's Upper Nile state (see http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ne ... fm?id=6802). Starting in October 2013, WHO expected that South Sudan would complete vaccinating its 5.6 million at risk population with meningitis conjugate vaccines in 3 phases by 2015 (http://www.emro.who.int/surveillance-fo ... sudan.html).
WHO reported (WHO Global Alert and Response, available at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_06_06_m ... index.html) that the number of cases reported from 1 Jan to 12 May 2013 (epidemiological week 19) was the lowest recorded during the epidemic season in the last 10 years (see ProMED-mail post Meningitis, meningococcal - Africa: WHO meningitis region 20130606.1759273). The decrease in number of cases of meningitis was thought to be due to the progressive introduction of meningococcal A conjugate vaccine in countries of the African meningitis belt since 2010. - Mod.ML
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1wa6.]
Aktuelle Epidemien in Afrika
Moderator: Moderatoren
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Birgitt
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Unbekannte Krankheit in Sudan
UNDIAGNOSED OUTBREAK - SUDAN (04): (CENTRAL DARFUR), CHILDREN, DONKEYS
**********************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 12 Feb 2014
Source: Radio Dabanga [edited]
https://www.radiodabanga.org/node/66603
A mysterious disease is afflicting children under 12 years of age as well as donkeys in Deleig camp for the displaced in Wadi Salih locality, Central Darfur.
One of the camp sheikhs told Radio Dabanga that about 75 percent of the children in the camp have been infected with the disease. The symptoms are coughing, vomiting, inflammation in the genitals, and sleeplessness.
The sheikh said that the disease has spread over the past 2 weeks. The camp's health centre has 9 rooms that can accommodate 20 children, but there are 100 or more cases. He said that there have been no fatalities thus far. The administration of the health centre has distributed white syrup and painkillers without explaining the reason for the disease's outbreak or how to prevent it.
The Sheikh called on the authorities and organisations working in the field of health care to urgently access the area to contain and identify the disease.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The description of the disease (coughing, vomiting, inflammation in the genitals, and sleeplessness) affecting mainly children under 12 years of age is too vague and non-specific to suggest a diagnosis. Is fever part of the illness? What is the sex distribution of the cases? What exactly is meant by "inflammation in the genitals," balanitis, orchitis, epididymitis in boys, vaginitis in girls? In what way are the donkeys involved? More information on the illness affecting the children and donkeys in the Deleig camp would be greatly appreciated from knowledgeable sources.
Sudan is an Arab state in the Nile Valley of North Africa. Sudan is divided into 18 states or wilayat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan). Central Darfur is one of the states of Sudan, and one of 5 comprising the Darfur region. It was created in January 2012 as a result of the ongoing peace process for the wider Darfur region (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Darfur). The state was formed from land that was previously part of the states of West Darfur and South Darfur. For a map of Central Darfur showing the location of Wadi Salih and Deleig, see (http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.in ... p_2981.pdf). - Mod.ML
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis_ and _Y. enterocolitica_ can occur in equines, but humans get febrile diarrhea and/or abdominal pain, not vomiting and inflammation of the genitals (what ever that represents). - Mod.LL
West Nile virus infection seems unlikely because respiratory symptoms (coughing) are not part of the clinical WNV picture, nor is genital inflammation, nor is a high proportion (75 percent) of the population affected with clinical disease; 20 percent or less of WNV infected people have clinical signs. - Mod.TY
No donkey deaths were mentioned, so it is unlikely to be anthrax. - Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org//1A1E.]
**********************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 12 Feb 2014
Source: Radio Dabanga [edited]
https://www.radiodabanga.org/node/66603
A mysterious disease is afflicting children under 12 years of age as well as donkeys in Deleig camp for the displaced in Wadi Salih locality, Central Darfur.
One of the camp sheikhs told Radio Dabanga that about 75 percent of the children in the camp have been infected with the disease. The symptoms are coughing, vomiting, inflammation in the genitals, and sleeplessness.
The sheikh said that the disease has spread over the past 2 weeks. The camp's health centre has 9 rooms that can accommodate 20 children, but there are 100 or more cases. He said that there have been no fatalities thus far. The administration of the health centre has distributed white syrup and painkillers without explaining the reason for the disease's outbreak or how to prevent it.
The Sheikh called on the authorities and organisations working in the field of health care to urgently access the area to contain and identify the disease.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The description of the disease (coughing, vomiting, inflammation in the genitals, and sleeplessness) affecting mainly children under 12 years of age is too vague and non-specific to suggest a diagnosis. Is fever part of the illness? What is the sex distribution of the cases? What exactly is meant by "inflammation in the genitals," balanitis, orchitis, epididymitis in boys, vaginitis in girls? In what way are the donkeys involved? More information on the illness affecting the children and donkeys in the Deleig camp would be greatly appreciated from knowledgeable sources.
Sudan is an Arab state in the Nile Valley of North Africa. Sudan is divided into 18 states or wilayat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan). Central Darfur is one of the states of Sudan, and one of 5 comprising the Darfur region. It was created in January 2012 as a result of the ongoing peace process for the wider Darfur region (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Darfur). The state was formed from land that was previously part of the states of West Darfur and South Darfur. For a map of Central Darfur showing the location of Wadi Salih and Deleig, see (http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.in ... p_2981.pdf). - Mod.ML
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis_ and _Y. enterocolitica_ can occur in equines, but humans get febrile diarrhea and/or abdominal pain, not vomiting and inflammation of the genitals (what ever that represents). - Mod.LL
West Nile virus infection seems unlikely because respiratory symptoms (coughing) are not part of the clinical WNV picture, nor is genital inflammation, nor is a high proportion (75 percent) of the population affected with clinical disease; 20 percent or less of WNV infected people have clinical signs. - Mod.TY
No donkey deaths were mentioned, so it is unlikely to be anthrax. - Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org//1A1E.]
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Birgitt
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Zika-Virus in Gabun
ZIKA VIRUS - AFRICA: GABON
**************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Thu 6 Feb 2014
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases [edited]
http://www.plosntds.org/article/info%3A ... td.0002681
Ref: Grard G, Caron M, Mombo IM, et al: Zika Virus in Gabon (Central Africa) -- 2007: A New Threat from _Aedes albopictus_?
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014; 8(2): e2681. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002681
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Background
----------
Chikungunya [CHIKV] and dengue [DENV] viruses emerged in Gabon in 2007, with large outbreaks primarily affecting the capital Libreville and several northern towns. Both viruses subsequently spread to the south-east of the country, with new outbreaks occurring in 2010. The mosquito species _Aedes albopictus_, that was known as a secondary vector for both viruses, recently invaded the country and was the primary vector involved in the Gabonese outbreaks. We conducted a retrospective study of human sera and mosquitoes collected in Gabon from 2007 to 2010, in order to identify other circulating arboviruses.
--------------
Not previously considered an important human arboviral pathogen, the epidemic capacity of Zika virus (ZIKV, a dengue-related flavivirus) was revealed by the Micronesia outbreak in 2007, which affected about 5000 persons. Widely distributed throughout tropical areas of Asia and Africa, ZIKV is transmitted by a broad range of mosquito species, most of which are sylvatic or rural, _Aedes aegypti_, an anthropophilic and urban species, being considered the main ZIKV epidemic vector.
In a context of emerging arbovirus infections (CHIKV and DENV) in Gabon since 2007, we conducted a retrospective study to detect other, related viruses. In samples collected during the concurrent CHIKV/DENV outbreaks that occurred in the capital city in 2007, we detected ZIKV in both humans and mosquitoes, and notably the Asian mosquito _Aedes albopictus_ that recently invaded the country and was the main vector responsible for these outbreaks. We found that the Gabonese ZIKV strain belonged to the African lineage, and phylogenetic analysis suggested ancestral diversification and spread rather than recent introduction.
These findings, showing for the 1st time epidemic ZIKV activity in an urban environment in Central Africa and the presence of ZIKV in the invasive mosquito _Aedes albopictus_, raise the possibility of a new emerging threat to human health.
--
Communicated by:
Roland Hubner
Superior Health Council
Brussels
Belgium
<roland.hubner@sante.belgique.be>
[This is the 1st report of an outbreak of Zika virus infections that ProMED-mail has posted for Gabon. It is interesting that an invasive mosquito vector, in this instance _Aedes albopictus_, increased an endemic virus, ZIKV, to an outbreak situation. This invasive mosquito is proving to be a public health problem in various parts of the world because of its capacity to transmit a variety of important arthropod-borne viruses. Zika virus has been spreading recently, with outbreaks in New Caledonia and French Polynesia [see ProMED archives below].
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Gabon can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/ahG1. - Mod.TY]
**************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 6 Feb 2014
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases [edited]
http://www.plosntds.org/article/info%3A ... td.0002681
Ref: Grard G, Caron M, Mombo IM, et al: Zika Virus in Gabon (Central Africa) -- 2007: A New Threat from _Aedes albopictus_?
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014; 8(2): e2681. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002681
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Background
----------
Chikungunya [CHIKV] and dengue [DENV] viruses emerged in Gabon in 2007, with large outbreaks primarily affecting the capital Libreville and several northern towns. Both viruses subsequently spread to the south-east of the country, with new outbreaks occurring in 2010. The mosquito species _Aedes albopictus_, that was known as a secondary vector for both viruses, recently invaded the country and was the primary vector involved in the Gabonese outbreaks. We conducted a retrospective study of human sera and mosquitoes collected in Gabon from 2007 to 2010, in order to identify other circulating arboviruses.
--------------
Not previously considered an important human arboviral pathogen, the epidemic capacity of Zika virus (ZIKV, a dengue-related flavivirus) was revealed by the Micronesia outbreak in 2007, which affected about 5000 persons. Widely distributed throughout tropical areas of Asia and Africa, ZIKV is transmitted by a broad range of mosquito species, most of which are sylvatic or rural, _Aedes aegypti_, an anthropophilic and urban species, being considered the main ZIKV epidemic vector.
In a context of emerging arbovirus infections (CHIKV and DENV) in Gabon since 2007, we conducted a retrospective study to detect other, related viruses. In samples collected during the concurrent CHIKV/DENV outbreaks that occurred in the capital city in 2007, we detected ZIKV in both humans and mosquitoes, and notably the Asian mosquito _Aedes albopictus_ that recently invaded the country and was the main vector responsible for these outbreaks. We found that the Gabonese ZIKV strain belonged to the African lineage, and phylogenetic analysis suggested ancestral diversification and spread rather than recent introduction.
These findings, showing for the 1st time epidemic ZIKV activity in an urban environment in Central Africa and the presence of ZIKV in the invasive mosquito _Aedes albopictus_, raise the possibility of a new emerging threat to human health.
--
Communicated by:
Roland Hubner
Superior Health Council
Brussels
Belgium
<roland.hubner@sante.belgique.be>
[This is the 1st report of an outbreak of Zika virus infections that ProMED-mail has posted for Gabon. It is interesting that an invasive mosquito vector, in this instance _Aedes albopictus_, increased an endemic virus, ZIKV, to an outbreak situation. This invasive mosquito is proving to be a public health problem in various parts of the world because of its capacity to transmit a variety of important arthropod-borne viruses. Zika virus has been spreading recently, with outbreaks in New Caledonia and French Polynesia [see ProMED archives below].
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Gabon can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/ahG1. - Mod.TY]
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Birgitt
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- Kontaktdaten:
Hepatitis E in Sudan
HEPATITIS E - SUDAN: (NORTH DARFUR, SOUTH DARFUR)
*************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 17 Feb 2014
Source: Radio DaBanga [edited]
https://www.radiodabanga.org/node/66948
North Darfur:
------------
A reported 34 people in North Darfur's El Sareif locality have died from acute jaundice syndrome from January 2013 to date. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sent essential medical supplies to the affected areas.
According to the North Darfur State Ministry of Health, 2572 cases have been reported, with 34 deaths, in El Sareif locality from January 2013 to date. The most affected areas are the villages of Abuseniena and Umjamina, where displaced people have settled. Most of these people were displaced from the Jebel Amir area following conflict between the Rizeigat and Beni Hussein tribes in January 2013, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in its Humanitarian Bulletin of 3-9 Feb 2014.
In response to the outbreak, the WHO sent essential medical supplies for 59 000 people in the area. Furthermore, WHO conducted trainings for health workers on outbreak investigation, response, and case management. In addition, an estimated 1900 people received health education sessions, and cleaning campaigns, water testing, and water chlorination activities took place. Finally, WHO provided financial support to cover the running costs of the area's health facilities.
South Darfur:
----------
In South Darfur, the international NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres-Belgium (MSF-B) reported on 5 Feb 2014 that since January 2014, 51 suspected cases of acute jaundice syndrome had been registered in El Sareif camp for the displaced in Nyala locality. Eight cases were confirmed, while 6 cases were diagnosed as hepatitis E.
Two more cases of acute jaundice syndrome were reported from Kalma camp, Nyala locality by the international organisation Merlin. The national organisation Patients Helping Fund-Sudan also reported a further case of acute jaundice syndrome in El Dereig camp, Nyala locality. The State Ministry of Health has requested all health partners working in the camps for the displaced to intensify efforts in identifying and reporting cases of acute jaundice syndrome.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Hepatitis E has been a significant issue in Darfur. The following is from the WHO regarding the disease http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs280/en/:
Hepatitis E is found worldwide, and different genotypes of the hepatitis E virus determine differences in epidemiology. For example, genotype 1 is usually seen in developing countries and causes community-level outbreaks, while genotype 3 is usually seen in the developed countries and does not cause outbreaks. Globally, 57 000 deaths and 3.4 million cases of acute hepatitis E are attributable to infection with hepatitis E virus genotypes 1 and 2.
The highest seroprevalence rates (number of persons in a population who test positive for the disease) are observed in regions where low standards of sanitation increase the risk for transmission of the virus. Over 60 percent of all hepatitis E infections and 65 percent of all hepatitis E deaths occur in East and South Asia, where seroprevalence rates of 25 percent are common in some age groups. In Egypt, half the population aged above 5 years is serologically positive for the hepatitis E virus.
Transmission:
The hepatitis E virus is transmitted mainly through the faecal-oral route due to faecal contamination of drinking water. Other transmission routes have been identified, which include:
- Foodborne transmission from ingestion of products derived from infected animals;
- Transfusion of infected blood products;
- Vertical transmission from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
Although humans are considered the natural host for the hepatitis E virus, antibodies to the hepatitis E virus or closely related viruses have been detected in primates and several other animal species.
Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease, and contaminated water or food supplies have been implicated in major outbreaks. The ingestion of raw or uncooked shellfish has also been identified as the source of sporadic cases in endemic areas.
The risk factors for hepatitis E are related to poor sanitation in large areas of the world and shedding of the hepatitis E virus in faeces.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A1E. - Mod.LL]
*************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 17 Feb 2014
Source: Radio DaBanga [edited]
https://www.radiodabanga.org/node/66948
North Darfur:
------------
A reported 34 people in North Darfur's El Sareif locality have died from acute jaundice syndrome from January 2013 to date. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sent essential medical supplies to the affected areas.
According to the North Darfur State Ministry of Health, 2572 cases have been reported, with 34 deaths, in El Sareif locality from January 2013 to date. The most affected areas are the villages of Abuseniena and Umjamina, where displaced people have settled. Most of these people were displaced from the Jebel Amir area following conflict between the Rizeigat and Beni Hussein tribes in January 2013, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in its Humanitarian Bulletin of 3-9 Feb 2014.
In response to the outbreak, the WHO sent essential medical supplies for 59 000 people in the area. Furthermore, WHO conducted trainings for health workers on outbreak investigation, response, and case management. In addition, an estimated 1900 people received health education sessions, and cleaning campaigns, water testing, and water chlorination activities took place. Finally, WHO provided financial support to cover the running costs of the area's health facilities.
South Darfur:
----------
In South Darfur, the international NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres-Belgium (MSF-B) reported on 5 Feb 2014 that since January 2014, 51 suspected cases of acute jaundice syndrome had been registered in El Sareif camp for the displaced in Nyala locality. Eight cases were confirmed, while 6 cases were diagnosed as hepatitis E.
Two more cases of acute jaundice syndrome were reported from Kalma camp, Nyala locality by the international organisation Merlin. The national organisation Patients Helping Fund-Sudan also reported a further case of acute jaundice syndrome in El Dereig camp, Nyala locality. The State Ministry of Health has requested all health partners working in the camps for the displaced to intensify efforts in identifying and reporting cases of acute jaundice syndrome.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Hepatitis E has been a significant issue in Darfur. The following is from the WHO regarding the disease http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs280/en/:
Hepatitis E is found worldwide, and different genotypes of the hepatitis E virus determine differences in epidemiology. For example, genotype 1 is usually seen in developing countries and causes community-level outbreaks, while genotype 3 is usually seen in the developed countries and does not cause outbreaks. Globally, 57 000 deaths and 3.4 million cases of acute hepatitis E are attributable to infection with hepatitis E virus genotypes 1 and 2.
The highest seroprevalence rates (number of persons in a population who test positive for the disease) are observed in regions where low standards of sanitation increase the risk for transmission of the virus. Over 60 percent of all hepatitis E infections and 65 percent of all hepatitis E deaths occur in East and South Asia, where seroprevalence rates of 25 percent are common in some age groups. In Egypt, half the population aged above 5 years is serologically positive for the hepatitis E virus.
Transmission:
The hepatitis E virus is transmitted mainly through the faecal-oral route due to faecal contamination of drinking water. Other transmission routes have been identified, which include:
- Foodborne transmission from ingestion of products derived from infected animals;
- Transfusion of infected blood products;
- Vertical transmission from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
Although humans are considered the natural host for the hepatitis E virus, antibodies to the hepatitis E virus or closely related viruses have been detected in primates and several other animal species.
Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease, and contaminated water or food supplies have been implicated in major outbreaks. The ingestion of raw or uncooked shellfish has also been identified as the source of sporadic cases in endemic areas.
The risk factors for hepatitis E are related to poor sanitation in large areas of the world and shedding of the hepatitis E virus in faeces.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A1E. - Mod.LL]
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Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35387
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Lassafieber in Nigeria
LASSA FEVER - NIGERIA (03): (OYO)
*********************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 20 Feb 2014
Source: Nigerian Tribune [edited]
http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/inde ... istry.html
A medical person has been diagnosed to have Lassa fever at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan [Oyo state], the fever transmitted through multi-mammary gland rats. The medical person, who was brought in from Oke-Ogun area of the state, was diagnosed with the fever after samples of his blood were sent for screening in Lagos.
Professor Abiodun Otegbayo, UCH's Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, said he was admitted with fever and other symptoms suggestive of a viral flu and the tendency to bleed from openings on the body.
The don, who suggested that the medical personnel could have contracted Lassa fever from his work as doctor, stated, "we are on top of the situation and the patient is currently stable on admission." He assured, "the patient is isolated for treatment. We use what is called personal protective equipment from the Federal Ministry of health. We have drugs to treat the condition and the patient has been on the drugs and is stable."
Professor Otegbayo, however, said the medical person's contact, including medical personnel that attended to him while on hospital admission at UCH, Ibadan, will need to be screened to be sure they were not infected with the ailment [virus].
He then advised people to ensure their houses are not infested with rats and to maintain communal hygiene, saying rats that carry the problem must be prevented from having direct contact with food.
According to him, individuals with viral infections like the flu that has lasted for more than one week should promptly seek medical attention rather than self medicate, thinking the problem will go [away]. He declared: "Flu means you have fever, which will be persistent. You have nasal discharge; there could be sneezing, headaches, redness of eye, body pains and a general feeling of unwell."
Meanwhile, Oyo State Ministry of Health Deputy State Epidemiologist, Dr Abass Gbolahan, said the state swung into action immediately [after] it was notified of the Lassa fever case. Dr Gbolahan, saying that a case of Lassa fever is an epidemic because the disease spreads rapidly, said, "we are already positioned to curtail the problem. We have all the required materials, including drugs to treat Lassa fever."
While declaring that some required materials like gloves and personal protective equipment and drugs for treating Lassa fever had already been supplied by the state ministry of health, Dr Gbolahan said contact tracing had also been carried out in Saki and Ago-are where the doctor works and resides.
In addition, he said the people and health workers within Saki and Ago-are were sensitised on the signs and symptoms of Lassa fever, urging that anybody with fever that persists after medication should report immediately to the hospital.
[Byline: Sade Oguntola]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[An expert in the treatment of Lassa fever stated that the disease has spread from 6 states of the country in 2009 to 23 in 2013 (see ProMED-mail archive no. 20140116.2178284). It was reported that at least 93 persons have died from complications associated with Lassa fever between January 2011 and September 2013.
Lassa fever virus is a member of the family _Arenaviridae_ and causes acute hemorrhagic fever. It is transmitted to humans from contacts with food or household items contaminated with excreta of the multimammate rat (_Mastomys_ spp). Virus transmission can occur in houses or in hospital environments or laboratories in the absence of adequate infection control measures.
A map showing the location of Oyo state can be accessed at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyo_State, and of Nigeria at http://www.ezilon.com/maps/africa/nigeria-maps.html and http://healthmap.org/r/8jO0. - Mod.TY]
*********************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 20 Feb 2014
Source: Nigerian Tribune [edited]
http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/inde ... istry.html
A medical person has been diagnosed to have Lassa fever at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan [Oyo state], the fever transmitted through multi-mammary gland rats. The medical person, who was brought in from Oke-Ogun area of the state, was diagnosed with the fever after samples of his blood were sent for screening in Lagos.
Professor Abiodun Otegbayo, UCH's Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, said he was admitted with fever and other symptoms suggestive of a viral flu and the tendency to bleed from openings on the body.
The don, who suggested that the medical personnel could have contracted Lassa fever from his work as doctor, stated, "we are on top of the situation and the patient is currently stable on admission." He assured, "the patient is isolated for treatment. We use what is called personal protective equipment from the Federal Ministry of health. We have drugs to treat the condition and the patient has been on the drugs and is stable."
Professor Otegbayo, however, said the medical person's contact, including medical personnel that attended to him while on hospital admission at UCH, Ibadan, will need to be screened to be sure they were not infected with the ailment [virus].
He then advised people to ensure their houses are not infested with rats and to maintain communal hygiene, saying rats that carry the problem must be prevented from having direct contact with food.
According to him, individuals with viral infections like the flu that has lasted for more than one week should promptly seek medical attention rather than self medicate, thinking the problem will go [away]. He declared: "Flu means you have fever, which will be persistent. You have nasal discharge; there could be sneezing, headaches, redness of eye, body pains and a general feeling of unwell."
Meanwhile, Oyo State Ministry of Health Deputy State Epidemiologist, Dr Abass Gbolahan, said the state swung into action immediately [after] it was notified of the Lassa fever case. Dr Gbolahan, saying that a case of Lassa fever is an epidemic because the disease spreads rapidly, said, "we are already positioned to curtail the problem. We have all the required materials, including drugs to treat Lassa fever."
While declaring that some required materials like gloves and personal protective equipment and drugs for treating Lassa fever had already been supplied by the state ministry of health, Dr Gbolahan said contact tracing had also been carried out in Saki and Ago-are where the doctor works and resides.
In addition, he said the people and health workers within Saki and Ago-are were sensitised on the signs and symptoms of Lassa fever, urging that anybody with fever that persists after medication should report immediately to the hospital.
[Byline: Sade Oguntola]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[An expert in the treatment of Lassa fever stated that the disease has spread from 6 states of the country in 2009 to 23 in 2013 (see ProMED-mail archive no. 20140116.2178284). It was reported that at least 93 persons have died from complications associated with Lassa fever between January 2011 and September 2013.
Lassa fever virus is a member of the family _Arenaviridae_ and causes acute hemorrhagic fever. It is transmitted to humans from contacts with food or household items contaminated with excreta of the multimammate rat (_Mastomys_ spp). Virus transmission can occur in houses or in hospital environments or laboratories in the absence of adequate infection control measures.
A map showing the location of Oyo state can be accessed at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyo_State, and of Nigeria at http://www.ezilon.com/maps/africa/nigeria-maps.html and http://healthmap.org/r/8jO0. - Mod.TY]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35387
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Unbekannte Krankheit in Sudan
UNDIAGNOSED OUTBREAK - SUDAN (05): (CENTRAL DARFUR), FATAL, CHILDREN, DONKEYS, SPREAD, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
**************************************************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
[1]
Date: Sun 23 Feb 2014
Source: All Africa [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201402241308.html
The number of children who have died from a mysterious disease in Deleig camp for the displaced in Central Darfur has increased to 23. The number of fatalities among donkeys stands at 59.
Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a sheikh of the Deleig camp in Wadi Salih locality reported that 23 children have died so far of a mysterious disease that affects children below the age of 12 and donkeys.
The sheikh complained that no official or medical team from the locality or Central Darfur state had come to examine and treat the young patients. "Also, no effort has been done to define and contain the causes of the disease, in spite of the high number of deaths, and the fear and horror experienced by the people in the region."
The Minister of Health of Central Darfur State, Dr Eisa Mohamed Musa, has acknowledged the "emergence of an unknown inflammation" among the children in Deleig. He stated in a press statement that 12 cases were recorded in Deleig. The disease, the minister noted, affects young children below the age of 5 years. The "mysterious disease" symptoms indicate a severe acute respiratory syndrome, according to Musa.
The minister also stated that a medical team was sent to Deleig to investigate the epidemic disease. "We are still waiting for the result of tests on samples collected in the area."
On 12 Feb [2014], Radio Dabanga reported that about 75 percent of the children in Deleig camp were infected with a mysterious disease affecting children below the age of 12 years and donkeys. The symptoms are coughing, vomiting, inflammation in the genitals, and sleeplessness. On 16 Feb [2014], a Deleig camp sheikh reported that 15 children and 47 donkeys had died.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
******
[2]
Date: Mon 24 Feb 2014
Source: All Africa [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201402242068.html
People of the Southern Camp for the Displaced in Nierteti locality, Central Darfur have complained of the spread of an unknown disease among donkeys. 36 of the 146 infected donkeys have died within a week.
Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a camp resident reported on Sunday [23 Feb 2014] that the mysterious disease broke out among donkeys 15 days ago. The symptoms are severe coughing, weakness, [loss of] appetite and weight loss. Veterinary authorities have advised people to vaccinate the donkeys, but the camp resident said: "Most of us cannot afford the costs of a vaccination, which ranges between SDG 15 (USD 2.60) and SDG 20 (USD 3.50)."
The displaced appealed to the authorities and organisations working in the field of veterinary services to intervene as soon as possible to vaccinate the donkeys and contain the spread of the disease. "Donkeys are the most important means of livelihood for us."
On 12 Feb 2014 Radio Dabanga reported that about 75 percent of the children below the age of 12 years in the Deleig Camp for the Displaced in Central Darfur were infected with a mysterious disease. The disease affects children below the age of 12 years and donkeys. Four days later, 15 children and 47 donkeys had died.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The news reports above add little to the description of the disease in the Deleig refugee camp in Central Darfur given in the prior news reports (coughing, vomiting, inflammation in the genitals, and sleeplessness) (see ProMED-mail post Undiagnosed outbreak - Sudan (04): (CD) children, donkeys 20140214.2278865) that is affecting 75 percent of children under 12 years of age and donkeys. Now we learn that the disease (or perhaps another disease) is also affecting donkeys (severe coughing, weakness, appetite and weight loss) in another Central Darfur refugee camp in Nierteti (perhaps also spelled Nertiti). And we now also learn that the disease is rapidly fatal and has killed 23 children and 59 donkeys in Deleig and 36 of the 146 infected donkeys in Niertiti.
However, we are not given a better description of the illness to suggest a diagnosis. Is fever part of the illness? What is the sex distribution of the cases? What exactly is meant by "inflammation in the genitals?" What vaccine is being requested by the refugees for their donkeys in Niertiti? More information on the illness affecting the children in the Deleig camp and the donkeys in the Deleig and Niertiti camps would be greatly appreciated from knowledgeable sources.
Sudan is an Arab state in the Nile Valley of North Africa. Sudan is divided into 18 states or wilayat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan). Central Darfur is one of the states of Sudan, and one of 5 comprising the Darfur region. It was created in January 2012 as a result of the ongoing peace process for the wider Darfur region (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Darfur). The state was formed from land that was previously part of the states of West Darfur and South Darfur. For a map of Central Darfur showing the location of Wadi Salih and Deleig south of the state capital Zalingei, and Nertiti, east of the state capital, see http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.in ... p_2981.pdf. - Mod.ML
A photo of Nertiti refugee camp is at:
http://media.worldbulletin.net/250x190/ ... darfur.jpg. - Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A1E.]
**************************************************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
[1]
Date: Sun 23 Feb 2014
Source: All Africa [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201402241308.html
The number of children who have died from a mysterious disease in Deleig camp for the displaced in Central Darfur has increased to 23. The number of fatalities among donkeys stands at 59.
Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a sheikh of the Deleig camp in Wadi Salih locality reported that 23 children have died so far of a mysterious disease that affects children below the age of 12 and donkeys.
The sheikh complained that no official or medical team from the locality or Central Darfur state had come to examine and treat the young patients. "Also, no effort has been done to define and contain the causes of the disease, in spite of the high number of deaths, and the fear and horror experienced by the people in the region."
The Minister of Health of Central Darfur State, Dr Eisa Mohamed Musa, has acknowledged the "emergence of an unknown inflammation" among the children in Deleig. He stated in a press statement that 12 cases were recorded in Deleig. The disease, the minister noted, affects young children below the age of 5 years. The "mysterious disease" symptoms indicate a severe acute respiratory syndrome, according to Musa.
The minister also stated that a medical team was sent to Deleig to investigate the epidemic disease. "We are still waiting for the result of tests on samples collected in the area."
On 12 Feb [2014], Radio Dabanga reported that about 75 percent of the children in Deleig camp were infected with a mysterious disease affecting children below the age of 12 years and donkeys. The symptoms are coughing, vomiting, inflammation in the genitals, and sleeplessness. On 16 Feb [2014], a Deleig camp sheikh reported that 15 children and 47 donkeys had died.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
******
[2]
Date: Mon 24 Feb 2014
Source: All Africa [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201402242068.html
People of the Southern Camp for the Displaced in Nierteti locality, Central Darfur have complained of the spread of an unknown disease among donkeys. 36 of the 146 infected donkeys have died within a week.
Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a camp resident reported on Sunday [23 Feb 2014] that the mysterious disease broke out among donkeys 15 days ago. The symptoms are severe coughing, weakness, [loss of] appetite and weight loss. Veterinary authorities have advised people to vaccinate the donkeys, but the camp resident said: "Most of us cannot afford the costs of a vaccination, which ranges between SDG 15 (USD 2.60) and SDG 20 (USD 3.50)."
The displaced appealed to the authorities and organisations working in the field of veterinary services to intervene as soon as possible to vaccinate the donkeys and contain the spread of the disease. "Donkeys are the most important means of livelihood for us."
On 12 Feb 2014 Radio Dabanga reported that about 75 percent of the children below the age of 12 years in the Deleig Camp for the Displaced in Central Darfur were infected with a mysterious disease. The disease affects children below the age of 12 years and donkeys. Four days later, 15 children and 47 donkeys had died.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The news reports above add little to the description of the disease in the Deleig refugee camp in Central Darfur given in the prior news reports (coughing, vomiting, inflammation in the genitals, and sleeplessness) (see ProMED-mail post Undiagnosed outbreak - Sudan (04): (CD) children, donkeys 20140214.2278865) that is affecting 75 percent of children under 12 years of age and donkeys. Now we learn that the disease (or perhaps another disease) is also affecting donkeys (severe coughing, weakness, appetite and weight loss) in another Central Darfur refugee camp in Nierteti (perhaps also spelled Nertiti). And we now also learn that the disease is rapidly fatal and has killed 23 children and 59 donkeys in Deleig and 36 of the 146 infected donkeys in Niertiti.
However, we are not given a better description of the illness to suggest a diagnosis. Is fever part of the illness? What is the sex distribution of the cases? What exactly is meant by "inflammation in the genitals?" What vaccine is being requested by the refugees for their donkeys in Niertiti? More information on the illness affecting the children in the Deleig camp and the donkeys in the Deleig and Niertiti camps would be greatly appreciated from knowledgeable sources.
Sudan is an Arab state in the Nile Valley of North Africa. Sudan is divided into 18 states or wilayat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan). Central Darfur is one of the states of Sudan, and one of 5 comprising the Darfur region. It was created in January 2012 as a result of the ongoing peace process for the wider Darfur region (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Darfur). The state was formed from land that was previously part of the states of West Darfur and South Darfur. For a map of Central Darfur showing the location of Wadi Salih and Deleig south of the state capital Zalingei, and Nertiti, east of the state capital, see http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.in ... p_2981.pdf. - Mod.ML
A photo of Nertiti refugee camp is at:
http://media.worldbulletin.net/250x190/ ... darfur.jpg. - Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A1E.]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35387
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Unbekannte Krankheit in Sudan
UNDIAGNOSED OUTBREAK - SUDAN (06): (CENTRAL DARFUR), DONKEYS, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
*************************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 24 Feb 2014
From: Arnon Shimshony ProMED-mail Animal Disease and Zoonoses Moderator <promed@promedmail.org>
The following information related to the donkey disease in the Nierteti locality, Central Darfur, Sudan is derived from the All Africa newswire dated Mon 24 Feb 2014 and posted by ProMED in "Undiagnosed outbreak - Sudan (05): (CD) fatal, children, donkeys, spread, RFI 20140224.2297587:"
1. The disease started around 8 Feb 2014 (15 days prior to the report).
2. The clinical signs were severe coughing, weakness, loss of appetite and weight loss.
3. Out of 146 sick animals, 36 have died up to 24 Feb 2014 (case fatality rate of 24.7 percent).
4. A vaccine against the disease is apparently available in Sudan (price given).
Though the said disease is mentioned as coinciding and synchronic with a fatal disease in children, there is no evidence (yet?) that there is a common etiology for both human and animal diseases in Darfur.
Several OIE-listed diseases reported in the past from Sudan may be considered as candidates for differential diagnosis, producing some of the clinical signs described in donkeys. They include African horse sickness, surra (_Trypanosoma evansi_) and equine piroplasmosis. The list of zoonotic diseases of equines includes about 30 entities, some being equine-specific while others being multi-species. Selectively, _Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus_ and _Rhodococcus (corynebcterium) equi_ may be candidates for consideration.
Since vaccination has been mentioned, it would be interesting to note whether African horse sickness should be included in the suspect list. This disease is said to be mild in African donkeys.
Further information on the described health event in donkeys will be appreciated, in particular, identification of the vaccine which has been reportedly considered to address the syndrome. - Mod.AS
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[ProMED Veterinary Moderator TG suggests _Rhodococcus equi_.
Human infection
---------------------
"_Rhodococcus equi_, mainly known from veterinary medicine as a pathogen in domestic animals, can also cause infections in immunocompromised humans, especially in those with defects in cellular immunity...
"R. equi infection is predominantly airborne, acquired through the respiratory tract. Exposure to domestic animals, such as horses and pigs, may play a role in acquisition of this organism...
"[A]fter the latest chemotherapy treatment... the patient experienced flu-like symptoms and had a fever of 38.9°C... Outpatient evaluation showed 2 lung abscesses. From 3 consecutive blood cultures and from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, a gram-positive bacillus with mucoid growth was isolated and identifi ed as _R. equi_."
Meeuse JJ, Sprenger HG, et al. 2007. Rhodococcus equi Infection after Alemtuzumab Therapy for T-cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia. Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 13, No. 12, December 2007. [ 7 refs.] http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/13/12/pdfs/06-1559.pdf. Accessed on 26 Feb. 2014.
"The federal Food and Drug Administration recalled all products produced by Specialty Compounding of Cedar Park [Texas] after reports of bacterial infections affecting 17 patients. 2 patients died... _Rhodococcus equi_ [was] found in the blood of 17 people who fell ill at Corpus Christi Medical Center hospitals, Doctors Regional and Bay Area, said David Ball, a spokesman hired by the pharmacy. "There are literally hundreds of potential sources of contamination" ... The bacterium commonly is found in dry and dusty soil..." See ProMED 2013 archive below.
Equine infection
---------------------
"_Rhodococcus equi _ is responsible for high mortality rates and large economic losses related to severe pneumonia in foals under 6 months of age. This review includes the etiology, epidemiology and pathogenesis with special attention to the surface protein Vapa, its main determinant of virulence. The main [equine] clinical manifestations are presented...
"The disease in its severe form is characterized by massive lung abscesses, the presence of hyperthermia, tachypnea, and depression which may or may not be associated with coughing and nasal discharge. With the progression of clinical symptoms, the animals tend to have anorexia, recumbency, abdominal breathing and cyanosis, which if not immediately controlled culminate in death."
Rusca ACCP, Fernandes WR, Barrier MCR 2011. Rhodococcus equi Part 1 - epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment. (in Portuguese, machine trans., edited). Cienc. Rural vol.41 no.12 Dec. 2011 http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S01 ... ci_arttext. Accessed on 26 Feb. 2014
Photo of donkey in Nertiti camp, Sudan
http://thewe.cc/thewei/_/images_1/sudan ... darfur.jpe - Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A1E.]
*************************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 24 Feb 2014
From: Arnon Shimshony ProMED-mail Animal Disease and Zoonoses Moderator <promed@promedmail.org>
The following information related to the donkey disease in the Nierteti locality, Central Darfur, Sudan is derived from the All Africa newswire dated Mon 24 Feb 2014 and posted by ProMED in "Undiagnosed outbreak - Sudan (05): (CD) fatal, children, donkeys, spread, RFI 20140224.2297587:"
1. The disease started around 8 Feb 2014 (15 days prior to the report).
2. The clinical signs were severe coughing, weakness, loss of appetite and weight loss.
3. Out of 146 sick animals, 36 have died up to 24 Feb 2014 (case fatality rate of 24.7 percent).
4. A vaccine against the disease is apparently available in Sudan (price given).
Though the said disease is mentioned as coinciding and synchronic with a fatal disease in children, there is no evidence (yet?) that there is a common etiology for both human and animal diseases in Darfur.
Several OIE-listed diseases reported in the past from Sudan may be considered as candidates for differential diagnosis, producing some of the clinical signs described in donkeys. They include African horse sickness, surra (_Trypanosoma evansi_) and equine piroplasmosis. The list of zoonotic diseases of equines includes about 30 entities, some being equine-specific while others being multi-species. Selectively, _Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus_ and _Rhodococcus (corynebcterium) equi_ may be candidates for consideration.
Since vaccination has been mentioned, it would be interesting to note whether African horse sickness should be included in the suspect list. This disease is said to be mild in African donkeys.
Further information on the described health event in donkeys will be appreciated, in particular, identification of the vaccine which has been reportedly considered to address the syndrome. - Mod.AS
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[ProMED Veterinary Moderator TG suggests _Rhodococcus equi_.
Human infection
---------------------
"_Rhodococcus equi_, mainly known from veterinary medicine as a pathogen in domestic animals, can also cause infections in immunocompromised humans, especially in those with defects in cellular immunity...
"R. equi infection is predominantly airborne, acquired through the respiratory tract. Exposure to domestic animals, such as horses and pigs, may play a role in acquisition of this organism...
"[A]fter the latest chemotherapy treatment... the patient experienced flu-like symptoms and had a fever of 38.9°C... Outpatient evaluation showed 2 lung abscesses. From 3 consecutive blood cultures and from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, a gram-positive bacillus with mucoid growth was isolated and identifi ed as _R. equi_."
Meeuse JJ, Sprenger HG, et al. 2007. Rhodococcus equi Infection after Alemtuzumab Therapy for T-cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia. Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 13, No. 12, December 2007. [ 7 refs.] http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/13/12/pdfs/06-1559.pdf. Accessed on 26 Feb. 2014.
"The federal Food and Drug Administration recalled all products produced by Specialty Compounding of Cedar Park [Texas] after reports of bacterial infections affecting 17 patients. 2 patients died... _Rhodococcus equi_ [was] found in the blood of 17 people who fell ill at Corpus Christi Medical Center hospitals, Doctors Regional and Bay Area, said David Ball, a spokesman hired by the pharmacy. "There are literally hundreds of potential sources of contamination" ... The bacterium commonly is found in dry and dusty soil..." See ProMED 2013 archive below.
Equine infection
---------------------
"_Rhodococcus equi _ is responsible for high mortality rates and large economic losses related to severe pneumonia in foals under 6 months of age. This review includes the etiology, epidemiology and pathogenesis with special attention to the surface protein Vapa, its main determinant of virulence. The main [equine] clinical manifestations are presented...
"The disease in its severe form is characterized by massive lung abscesses, the presence of hyperthermia, tachypnea, and depression which may or may not be associated with coughing and nasal discharge. With the progression of clinical symptoms, the animals tend to have anorexia, recumbency, abdominal breathing and cyanosis, which if not immediately controlled culminate in death."
Rusca ACCP, Fernandes WR, Barrier MCR 2011. Rhodococcus equi Part 1 - epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment. (in Portuguese, machine trans., edited). Cienc. Rural vol.41 no.12 Dec. 2011 http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S01 ... ci_arttext. Accessed on 26 Feb. 2014
Photo of donkey in Nertiti camp, Sudan
http://thewe.cc/thewei/_/images_1/sudan ... darfur.jpe - Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A1E.]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35387
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Unbekannte Krankheit in Sudan
UNDIAGNOSED OUTBREAK - SUDAN (07): (CENTRAL DARFUR) CHILD & DONKEY DEATHS DENIED
********************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 26 Feb 2014
Source: Radio Dabanga [edited]
https://www.radiodabanga.org/node/67631
The Minister of Health of Central Darfur State has denied that there have been fatalities among children and donkeys suffering from a "mysterious disease" in El Salam camp for the displaced in Deleig.
In an interview with Radio Dabanga on Tuesday [25 Feb 2014], Eisa Mohamed Musa, Central Darfur State's Health Minister, strongly denied the deaths. He responded to a claim by one of El Salam camp sheikhs that 23 children and 59 donkeys did not survive the disease.
The Minister said that the cases were suspected to be whooping cough. He affirmed that samples were sent last week [week of 17 Feb 2014] to a referral laboratory in Khartoum for diagnosis. "We have not received the results so far." He stated that the ministry had received reports from the Deleig rural hospital about 12 cases of pneumonia among children. In total 15 pneumonia cases were recorded in February [2014]; 55 percent of these cases have not received vaccination, 33 percent have not completed their vaccinations, and 11 percent have not had vaccination because they have no vaccination cards. "The age of the children infected with pneumonia ranges between 1-5 years old. No one has died."
According to the Minister, the cases are limited to the area of El Salam camp, emphasising the absence of similar cases in other areas in Central Darfur. "The situation is now stable." He demanded from "those who claim there were deaths among children to report the details to the director of Deleig hospital." He advised the parents to ensure the vaccination of their children after they are born, telling them that "vaccines are available in the hospital of Deleig."
The Health Minister told Radio Dabanga that "the ministry is facing many challenges."
"We are short of medical staff, and of transportation means, in order to cover vast distances to remote areas in Central Darfur. In addition, we are in urgent need of a referral laboratory to be located in one of the states of Darfur to diagnose suspected diseases, instead of having to send samples to Khartoum."
Musa also pointed to "the problem of transmission of diseases from neighbouring Chad and the Central African Republic. But above all, the transmission of diseases in Darfur is associated with the seasons. Climatic conditions play an important role in the spread of diseases.
"Apart from this, many women have complicated child births. And many of them are suffering from urinary fistula."
The Minister stressed the need for citizens to pay attention to primary health care. "The people are not well informed about health issues. They do not understand the messages broadcasted via the local radio stations about timely vaccinations."
He called on "the citizens of Deleig in particular and of Darfur in general, to regularly visit the nearest health facility, medical centre, or hospital, whenever there is an outbreak of a disease. They should actively search for information, reports, and follow-ups about the symptoms, spread, and treatment of the disease."
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The Minister's denial of fatalities among children and donkeys in the El Salam camp adds confusion about the true nature of the situation there. The earliest report of 24 deaths among children came from North Darfur on 27 Dec 2013. On 12 Feb 2014, Radio Dabanga reported that about 75 percent of the children in Deleig camp, Central Darfur, were infected with a mysterious disease affecting children below the age of 12 years and donkeys. On 16 Feb 2014, a Deleig camp sheikh reported that 15 children and 47 donkeys had died. A 23 Feb 2014 report stated that the number of children who had died had increased to 23 and the number of fatalities among donkeys was 59. Perhaps a visit to the affected camps by medical NGOs would help to determine if these fatalities have occurred or not.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map showing the location of Central Darfur in Sudan can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/4Iun. - Mod.TY
The Minister seems to be talking about illness in a different camp. Deleig is quite a long way south of Jebel Marra where the cases were reported in Nertiti camp, see map at http://wber.oxfordjournals.org/content/ ... .large.jpg showing Garsela-Deleige in the NE corner of Wadi Salih province in the centre of the map and Nertiti in the top right of the map in Jebel Marra province (unfortunately there is no map scale provided). Recently, Zallingi & Wadi Saleh were incorporated into the new province of Central Darfur.
- Mod.JW]
********************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 26 Feb 2014
Source: Radio Dabanga [edited]
https://www.radiodabanga.org/node/67631
The Minister of Health of Central Darfur State has denied that there have been fatalities among children and donkeys suffering from a "mysterious disease" in El Salam camp for the displaced in Deleig.
In an interview with Radio Dabanga on Tuesday [25 Feb 2014], Eisa Mohamed Musa, Central Darfur State's Health Minister, strongly denied the deaths. He responded to a claim by one of El Salam camp sheikhs that 23 children and 59 donkeys did not survive the disease.
The Minister said that the cases were suspected to be whooping cough. He affirmed that samples were sent last week [week of 17 Feb 2014] to a referral laboratory in Khartoum for diagnosis. "We have not received the results so far." He stated that the ministry had received reports from the Deleig rural hospital about 12 cases of pneumonia among children. In total 15 pneumonia cases were recorded in February [2014]; 55 percent of these cases have not received vaccination, 33 percent have not completed their vaccinations, and 11 percent have not had vaccination because they have no vaccination cards. "The age of the children infected with pneumonia ranges between 1-5 years old. No one has died."
According to the Minister, the cases are limited to the area of El Salam camp, emphasising the absence of similar cases in other areas in Central Darfur. "The situation is now stable." He demanded from "those who claim there were deaths among children to report the details to the director of Deleig hospital." He advised the parents to ensure the vaccination of their children after they are born, telling them that "vaccines are available in the hospital of Deleig."
The Health Minister told Radio Dabanga that "the ministry is facing many challenges."
"We are short of medical staff, and of transportation means, in order to cover vast distances to remote areas in Central Darfur. In addition, we are in urgent need of a referral laboratory to be located in one of the states of Darfur to diagnose suspected diseases, instead of having to send samples to Khartoum."
Musa also pointed to "the problem of transmission of diseases from neighbouring Chad and the Central African Republic. But above all, the transmission of diseases in Darfur is associated with the seasons. Climatic conditions play an important role in the spread of diseases.
"Apart from this, many women have complicated child births. And many of them are suffering from urinary fistula."
The Minister stressed the need for citizens to pay attention to primary health care. "The people are not well informed about health issues. They do not understand the messages broadcasted via the local radio stations about timely vaccinations."
He called on "the citizens of Deleig in particular and of Darfur in general, to regularly visit the nearest health facility, medical centre, or hospital, whenever there is an outbreak of a disease. They should actively search for information, reports, and follow-ups about the symptoms, spread, and treatment of the disease."
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[The Minister's denial of fatalities among children and donkeys in the El Salam camp adds confusion about the true nature of the situation there. The earliest report of 24 deaths among children came from North Darfur on 27 Dec 2013. On 12 Feb 2014, Radio Dabanga reported that about 75 percent of the children in Deleig camp, Central Darfur, were infected with a mysterious disease affecting children below the age of 12 years and donkeys. On 16 Feb 2014, a Deleig camp sheikh reported that 15 children and 47 donkeys had died. A 23 Feb 2014 report stated that the number of children who had died had increased to 23 and the number of fatalities among donkeys was 59. Perhaps a visit to the affected camps by medical NGOs would help to determine if these fatalities have occurred or not.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map showing the location of Central Darfur in Sudan can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/4Iun. - Mod.TY
The Minister seems to be talking about illness in a different camp. Deleig is quite a long way south of Jebel Marra where the cases were reported in Nertiti camp, see map at http://wber.oxfordjournals.org/content/ ... .large.jpg showing Garsela-Deleige in the NE corner of Wadi Salih province in the centre of the map and Nertiti in the top right of the map in Jebel Marra province (unfortunately there is no map scale provided). Recently, Zallingi & Wadi Saleh were incorporated into the new province of Central Darfur.
- Mod.JW]
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Tollwut in Nigeria
RABIES - NIGERIA, DOG BUTCHERING
*********************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 19 Feb 2014
Source: Global Alliance for Rabies Control [edited]
http://rabiesalliance.org/media/news/do ... -to-rabies
Dog butchering exposes Nigerian meat handlers to rabies
-------------------------------------------------------
A study conducted in southeastern Nigeria, whose native population consumes dog meat as part of the traditional diet, detected the rabies virus in the saliva and brain tissue of 5 percent of slaughtered dogs. Researchers also confirmed that butchers take few precautions around symptom-free dogs prior to slaughter, using their bare hands to muzzle animals without using adequate protection against bites, potentially placing butchers at high risk for contracting rabies.
A recent rabies outbreak in neighboring Cross Rivers State in Nigeria claimed the lives of 8 people who suffered dog bites, showing that rabies is a growing regional problem.
To gain a clearer understanding of the extent of rabies in the area, researchers sampled saliva and brain tissue in 100 local dogs slated for butchering and tested them for the presence of rabies virus. The results of tests on saliva and brain samples were in agreement, and all positive cases of rabies (5 percent) were from apparently healthy, asymptomatic, indigenous breeds -- confirming that dogs slated for consumption shed the virus in saliva at the time of butchering.
Because dog meat is habitually consumed, and local butchers are unable to screen out infected animals and remove them from the food supply, the handling of infected dog meat may have implications on regional public health. There is potential for virus transfer if fluids or nervous tissues of infected animals come into contact with breaks in the skin before the meat is cooked.
In addition to the challenges of screening dogs for rabies, researchers found that a lack of rabies vaccination (for both butchers and dogs), unsafe dog handling habits, and low levels of formal education placed local butchers at high risk for rabies infection. A questionnaire distributed to 19 butchers of dog meat revealed that nearly all meat handlers (94.7 percent) had been bitten in the past during the butchering process, none were vaccinated, and very few had sought appropriate medical treatment (27.8 percent) -- preferring traditional medicines based on local plants and ashes instead.
No data was collected to correlate exposure to infected dog meat to the number of rabies infections in people, but the study confirmed that the rabies virus can be present in seemingly healthy dogs in the dog meat trade in Nigeria.
This poses an additional risk to butchers, their suppliers, and their customers. By disclosing the risky butchering practices in Nigeria, this study may encourage health authorities to provide targeted rabies education to the local population so that dog slaughter can be highlighted as an additional source of rabies exposure.
(Contributed by Laura Baker, a scientific writer and GARC volunteer, based on the publication by Mshelbwala, Ogunkoya and Maikai in ISRN Veterinary Science, Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 468043, p1-5.)
--
Communicated by:
Shamsudeen Fagbo
<oloungbo@yahoo.com>
via NBM List
<nigerianbiomedicalandlifescientists@yahoogroups.co.uk>
[This warning is but a reiteration of a similar communication in March 2009:
Rabies, via dog/cat butchering - Nigeria 20090329.1212
"Plus ca change..." and if the risk is not perceived, any stray dog with rabies will only get reported when it has bitten and killed a human. I would not be surprised if some 10 to 25 percent of these dog butchers already have antibodies. There is an unfortunate corollary to these -- the higher the herd immunity (in the dog butchers), the less likely they are to pay it any attention, get themselves vaccinated, or even push for stray dog control and vaccination. - Mod.MHJ]
*********************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 19 Feb 2014
Source: Global Alliance for Rabies Control [edited]
http://rabiesalliance.org/media/news/do ... -to-rabies
Dog butchering exposes Nigerian meat handlers to rabies
-------------------------------------------------------
A study conducted in southeastern Nigeria, whose native population consumes dog meat as part of the traditional diet, detected the rabies virus in the saliva and brain tissue of 5 percent of slaughtered dogs. Researchers also confirmed that butchers take few precautions around symptom-free dogs prior to slaughter, using their bare hands to muzzle animals without using adequate protection against bites, potentially placing butchers at high risk for contracting rabies.
A recent rabies outbreak in neighboring Cross Rivers State in Nigeria claimed the lives of 8 people who suffered dog bites, showing that rabies is a growing regional problem.
To gain a clearer understanding of the extent of rabies in the area, researchers sampled saliva and brain tissue in 100 local dogs slated for butchering and tested them for the presence of rabies virus. The results of tests on saliva and brain samples were in agreement, and all positive cases of rabies (5 percent) were from apparently healthy, asymptomatic, indigenous breeds -- confirming that dogs slated for consumption shed the virus in saliva at the time of butchering.
Because dog meat is habitually consumed, and local butchers are unable to screen out infected animals and remove them from the food supply, the handling of infected dog meat may have implications on regional public health. There is potential for virus transfer if fluids or nervous tissues of infected animals come into contact with breaks in the skin before the meat is cooked.
In addition to the challenges of screening dogs for rabies, researchers found that a lack of rabies vaccination (for both butchers and dogs), unsafe dog handling habits, and low levels of formal education placed local butchers at high risk for rabies infection. A questionnaire distributed to 19 butchers of dog meat revealed that nearly all meat handlers (94.7 percent) had been bitten in the past during the butchering process, none were vaccinated, and very few had sought appropriate medical treatment (27.8 percent) -- preferring traditional medicines based on local plants and ashes instead.
No data was collected to correlate exposure to infected dog meat to the number of rabies infections in people, but the study confirmed that the rabies virus can be present in seemingly healthy dogs in the dog meat trade in Nigeria.
This poses an additional risk to butchers, their suppliers, and their customers. By disclosing the risky butchering practices in Nigeria, this study may encourage health authorities to provide targeted rabies education to the local population so that dog slaughter can be highlighted as an additional source of rabies exposure.
(Contributed by Laura Baker, a scientific writer and GARC volunteer, based on the publication by Mshelbwala, Ogunkoya and Maikai in ISRN Veterinary Science, Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 468043, p1-5.)
--
Communicated by:
Shamsudeen Fagbo
<oloungbo@yahoo.com>
via NBM List
<nigerianbiomedicalandlifescientists@yahoogroups.co.uk>
[This warning is but a reiteration of a similar communication in March 2009:
Rabies, via dog/cat butchering - Nigeria 20090329.1212
"Plus ca change..." and if the risk is not perceived, any stray dog with rabies will only get reported when it has bitten and killed a human. I would not be surprised if some 10 to 25 percent of these dog butchers already have antibodies. There is an unfortunate corollary to these -- the higher the herd immunity (in the dog butchers), the less likely they are to pay it any attention, get themselves vaccinated, or even push for stray dog control and vaccination. - Mod.MHJ]
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Cholera in Namibia, Nigeria und Sambia
CHOLERA, DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY UPDATE (08): AFRICA
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
In this update:
[1] Cholera - Namibia (national)
[2] Cholera - Zambia (Northern Province)
[3] Cholera - Nigeria (Bauchi State)
[4] Cholera - Nigeria (Benue State)
******
[1] Cholera - Namibia (national)
Date: Tue 4 Mar 2013
Source: The Namibian [edited]
http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?i ... egory_id=1
The Ministry of Health and Social Services yesterday, 3 Mar 2014, said 18 people have died of cholera countrywide since November 2013, while 554 cases were confirmed. The ministry announced in a statement recently that it was working closely with WHO and Unicef and other stakeholders, to contain the cholera outbreak reported in 6 regions across the country.
The disease was first reported in the Opuwo district in the northwestern region of Kunene in November 2013 where 493 cases were confirmed. "Since then other regions such as Omusati, Oshana, and Ohangwena were affected," said health spokesperson Ester Paulus.
Paulus said on 20 Jan 2014, the ministry declared that the situation had completely stabilised in all the regions. She said the 1st confirmed case of cholera in Windhoek was on 5 Feb 2014 in the informal settlements of Katutura, where overcrowding, as well as poor hygiene and sanitation conditions put the population at risk and increased the risk of further transmission.
"So far 39 suspected cases have been recorded in Windhoek with 2 confirmed cases, including 2 deaths," she said.
[Byline: Theresia Tjihenuna]
--
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[Maps of Namibia can be seen at http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... amibia.gif and http://healthmap.org/r/1i9l. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
******
[2] Cholera - Zambia (Northern Province)
Date: Sat 1 Mar 2014
Source: Zambia Daily Mail [summ., edited]
http://daily-mail.co.zm/blog/2014/03/01 ... f-cholera/
The cholera that has broken out in Mpulungu district [Northern Province] should be brought under control as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the country. That there have been 10 cases recorded already in the rural district is worrying because human life is at risk.
District commissioner Juliana Chizu said on Thu 27 Feb 2014, 3 people are admitted to Mpulungu Health Centre and that 6 others had been discharged.
Cholera is not new to Zambia as it has been breaking out almost every rainy season.
In January 2013, it broke out in Nchelenge where it killed 3 people and left 64 others hospitalized, but an intensive intervention by the government and members of the community prevented the loss of more lives and the further spread of the disease.
--
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[Maps of Zambia can be seen at http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... ambian.gif and http://healthmap.org/r/3enk. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
******
[3] Cholera - Nigeria (Bauchi State)
Date: Mon 3 Mar 2014
Source: Daily Times [edited]
http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/ch ... i-kills-10
No fewer than 10 people have died of cholera outbreak, out of 61 cases recorded in Bauchi State in the last 3 weeks.
The Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency in Bauchi State, Dr Nisser Umar, disclosed this on Sat 1 Mar 2014, in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
While lamenting the high level of poor sanitation among the people, especially those in the rural areas of the state, Umar said of the 61 cases recorded, more than half of the number were Amajiri children. He said the government was doing all within its power to control the epidemic.
[Byline: Lara Adejoro]
--
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<promed@promedmail.org>
[Maps of Nigeria can be seen at http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... gerian.gif and http://healthmap.org/r/1qGF. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
******
[4] Cholera - Nigeria (Benue State)
Date: Sat 22 Feb 2014
Source: AllAfrica, Daily Trust report [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/2014022415 ... ?viewall=1
Cholera outbreak has claimed more than 30 lives in Benue State within 30 days, while several victims are on admission in health facilities across the state.
Weekly Trust survey of several hospitals in Makurdi revealed that many adults and children had been afflicted by the epidemic who were seen helplessly on their sick bed. Though, the state Ministry of Health said it has recorded lesser number of deaths, reliable sources said more than 30 people had lost their lives in Wadata and North Bank area of Makurdi, worst hit by the disease within the last month.
At the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), the head of Public Relations Unit, Cephas Hough, said no such single case has been reported and that the hospital is well equipped to take care of any eventuality. But the Jolua Hospital, Wadata in Makurdi, Dr Adole Edoh who said 2 deaths had been recorded from cholera, also noted that 80 percent of the cases treated so far since the return of the dry season with its many epidemics were cholera-related.
Similarly, authorities of the Hope Hospital, Wadata said the ailment has claimed 2 lives in their facilities while many others are admitted in different critical stages. The hospital's matron, Agata Zack Nyitgher, said their personnel were currently handling over 30 cases of cholera. "So far, we have lost a boy and a 37-year-old man," she added.
While at the Madonna Hospital Wurukum, the Medical Director, Dr Ameh Idoko, explained that the WHO has confirmed cases of cholera in his hospital.
The situation is no different at the Musab Hospital located on Ikeja Street, Wadata with over 10 deaths recorded and more than 85 cases attended to. A medical personnel who spoke on condition of anonymity said at least 20 persons were currently on admission at the facility based on suspicion of the disease.
Weekly Trust gathered at the workshop that Benue State government has so far recorded 307 cases of cholera with 10 deaths since the outbreak of the disease.
[Byline: Hope Abah]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
In this update:
[1] Cholera - Namibia (national)
[2] Cholera - Zambia (Northern Province)
[3] Cholera - Nigeria (Bauchi State)
[4] Cholera - Nigeria (Benue State)
******
[1] Cholera - Namibia (national)
Date: Tue 4 Mar 2013
Source: The Namibian [edited]
http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?i ... egory_id=1
The Ministry of Health and Social Services yesterday, 3 Mar 2014, said 18 people have died of cholera countrywide since November 2013, while 554 cases were confirmed. The ministry announced in a statement recently that it was working closely with WHO and Unicef and other stakeholders, to contain the cholera outbreak reported in 6 regions across the country.
The disease was first reported in the Opuwo district in the northwestern region of Kunene in November 2013 where 493 cases were confirmed. "Since then other regions such as Omusati, Oshana, and Ohangwena were affected," said health spokesperson Ester Paulus.
Paulus said on 20 Jan 2014, the ministry declared that the situation had completely stabilised in all the regions. She said the 1st confirmed case of cholera in Windhoek was on 5 Feb 2014 in the informal settlements of Katutura, where overcrowding, as well as poor hygiene and sanitation conditions put the population at risk and increased the risk of further transmission.
"So far 39 suspected cases have been recorded in Windhoek with 2 confirmed cases, including 2 deaths," she said.
[Byline: Theresia Tjihenuna]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Maps of Namibia can be seen at http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... amibia.gif and http://healthmap.org/r/1i9l. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
******
[2] Cholera - Zambia (Northern Province)
Date: Sat 1 Mar 2014
Source: Zambia Daily Mail [summ., edited]
http://daily-mail.co.zm/blog/2014/03/01 ... f-cholera/
The cholera that has broken out in Mpulungu district [Northern Province] should be brought under control as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the country. That there have been 10 cases recorded already in the rural district is worrying because human life is at risk.
District commissioner Juliana Chizu said on Thu 27 Feb 2014, 3 people are admitted to Mpulungu Health Centre and that 6 others had been discharged.
Cholera is not new to Zambia as it has been breaking out almost every rainy season.
In January 2013, it broke out in Nchelenge where it killed 3 people and left 64 others hospitalized, but an intensive intervention by the government and members of the community prevented the loss of more lives and the further spread of the disease.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Maps of Zambia can be seen at http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... ambian.gif and http://healthmap.org/r/3enk. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
******
[3] Cholera - Nigeria (Bauchi State)
Date: Mon 3 Mar 2014
Source: Daily Times [edited]
http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/ch ... i-kills-10
No fewer than 10 people have died of cholera outbreak, out of 61 cases recorded in Bauchi State in the last 3 weeks.
The Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency in Bauchi State, Dr Nisser Umar, disclosed this on Sat 1 Mar 2014, in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
While lamenting the high level of poor sanitation among the people, especially those in the rural areas of the state, Umar said of the 61 cases recorded, more than half of the number were Amajiri children. He said the government was doing all within its power to control the epidemic.
[Byline: Lara Adejoro]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Maps of Nigeria can be seen at http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... gerian.gif and http://healthmap.org/r/1qGF. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
******
[4] Cholera - Nigeria (Benue State)
Date: Sat 22 Feb 2014
Source: AllAfrica, Daily Trust report [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/2014022415 ... ?viewall=1
Cholera outbreak has claimed more than 30 lives in Benue State within 30 days, while several victims are on admission in health facilities across the state.
Weekly Trust survey of several hospitals in Makurdi revealed that many adults and children had been afflicted by the epidemic who were seen helplessly on their sick bed. Though, the state Ministry of Health said it has recorded lesser number of deaths, reliable sources said more than 30 people had lost their lives in Wadata and North Bank area of Makurdi, worst hit by the disease within the last month.
At the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), the head of Public Relations Unit, Cephas Hough, said no such single case has been reported and that the hospital is well equipped to take care of any eventuality. But the Jolua Hospital, Wadata in Makurdi, Dr Adole Edoh who said 2 deaths had been recorded from cholera, also noted that 80 percent of the cases treated so far since the return of the dry season with its many epidemics were cholera-related.
Similarly, authorities of the Hope Hospital, Wadata said the ailment has claimed 2 lives in their facilities while many others are admitted in different critical stages. The hospital's matron, Agata Zack Nyitgher, said their personnel were currently handling over 30 cases of cholera. "So far, we have lost a boy and a 37-year-old man," she added.
While at the Madonna Hospital Wurukum, the Medical Director, Dr Ameh Idoko, explained that the WHO has confirmed cases of cholera in his hospital.
The situation is no different at the Musab Hospital located on Ikeja Street, Wadata with over 10 deaths recorded and more than 85 cases attended to. A medical personnel who spoke on condition of anonymity said at least 20 persons were currently on admission at the facility based on suspicion of the disease.
Weekly Trust gathered at the workshop that Benue State government has so far recorded 307 cases of cholera with 10 deaths since the outbreak of the disease.
[Byline: Hope Abah]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
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RABIES - NIGERIA (02): DOG BUTCHERING, COMMENT
**********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: 5 Mar 2014
From: Martin Hugh-Jones, ProMED-mail Animal Disease Assistant Moderator <promed@promedmail.org>
Two subscribers questioned my suggestion that maybe some 10-25 percent of the Nigerian butchers of stray dogs with inapparent rabies might have antibodies.
The study quoted stated: "A study conducted in southeastern Nigeria, whose native population consumes dog meat as part of the traditional diet, detected the rabies virus in the saliva and brain tissue of 5 percent of slaughtered dogs. Researchers also confirmed that butchers take few precautions around symptom-free dogs prior to slaughter, using their bare hands to muzzle animals without using adequate protection against bites, potentially placing butchers at high risk for contracting rabies."
The paper quoted no rabies cases among the dog butchers, thus my speculative hypothesis that some may have developed immunity without the benefit of vaccination.
Though it is believed that rabies has a 100 percent mortality rate, to quote the song, "it ain't necessarily so." See the following:
[1] Rabies in Caribbean mongoose, taken from "The biology of the mongoose in the Caribbean," by David Nellis & C Everard, Foundation for Scientific Research in Surinam and the Netherlands Antilles, Utrecht, 1983, pp 134-135: briefly, they reported a fluxuating level of the disease in trapped mongoose, from 3.7 percent in 1968, to 0.5 percent in 1970, to 3.5 percent in 1971, with a gradual decline to 0.14 percent in 1977. Rabies SN antibodies at a titre over 1:5 were found in 498 of 1675 (29.7 percent) mongoose tested between 1971 and 1974. The lowest percent antibody protected, 9 percent or 3/33, were in northern Grenada and 54.5 percent (30/55) on the central west coast. Of 127 mongooses 7.1 percent had titres over 1:1000, and the highest titre was 1:5900.
[2] O'Shea TJ, Bowen RA, Stanley TR, Shankar V, Rupprecht CE. Variability in Seroprevalence of Rabies Virus Neutralizing Antibodies and Associated Factors in a Colorado Population of Big Brown Bats (_Eptesicus fuscus_). PLoS One. 2014 Jan 22;9(1):e86261.
[3] Gilbert AT, Petersen BW, Recuenco S, Niezgoda M, Gomez J, Laguna-Torres VA, Rupprecht C. Evidence of rabies virus exposure among humans in the Peruvian Amazon. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2012 Aug;87(2):206-15. [In the Amazon basin, rabies exposure is usually from vampire bats feeding on the sleeping individual].
My thanks to Charles Rupprecht for the latter references. - Mod.MHJ
--
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ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Nigeria can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/1qGF.]
**********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: 5 Mar 2014
From: Martin Hugh-Jones, ProMED-mail Animal Disease Assistant Moderator <promed@promedmail.org>
Two subscribers questioned my suggestion that maybe some 10-25 percent of the Nigerian butchers of stray dogs with inapparent rabies might have antibodies.
The study quoted stated: "A study conducted in southeastern Nigeria, whose native population consumes dog meat as part of the traditional diet, detected the rabies virus in the saliva and brain tissue of 5 percent of slaughtered dogs. Researchers also confirmed that butchers take few precautions around symptom-free dogs prior to slaughter, using their bare hands to muzzle animals without using adequate protection against bites, potentially placing butchers at high risk for contracting rabies."
The paper quoted no rabies cases among the dog butchers, thus my speculative hypothesis that some may have developed immunity without the benefit of vaccination.
Though it is believed that rabies has a 100 percent mortality rate, to quote the song, "it ain't necessarily so." See the following:
[1] Rabies in Caribbean mongoose, taken from "The biology of the mongoose in the Caribbean," by David Nellis & C Everard, Foundation for Scientific Research in Surinam and the Netherlands Antilles, Utrecht, 1983, pp 134-135: briefly, they reported a fluxuating level of the disease in trapped mongoose, from 3.7 percent in 1968, to 0.5 percent in 1970, to 3.5 percent in 1971, with a gradual decline to 0.14 percent in 1977. Rabies SN antibodies at a titre over 1:5 were found in 498 of 1675 (29.7 percent) mongoose tested between 1971 and 1974. The lowest percent antibody protected, 9 percent or 3/33, were in northern Grenada and 54.5 percent (30/55) on the central west coast. Of 127 mongooses 7.1 percent had titres over 1:1000, and the highest titre was 1:5900.
[2] O'Shea TJ, Bowen RA, Stanley TR, Shankar V, Rupprecht CE. Variability in Seroprevalence of Rabies Virus Neutralizing Antibodies and Associated Factors in a Colorado Population of Big Brown Bats (_Eptesicus fuscus_). PLoS One. 2014 Jan 22;9(1):e86261.
[3] Gilbert AT, Petersen BW, Recuenco S, Niezgoda M, Gomez J, Laguna-Torres VA, Rupprecht C. Evidence of rabies virus exposure among humans in the Peruvian Amazon. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2012 Aug;87(2):206-15. [In the Amazon basin, rabies exposure is usually from vampire bats feeding on the sleeping individual].
My thanks to Charles Rupprecht for the latter references. - Mod.MHJ
--
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[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Nigeria can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/1qGF.]
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RABIES - NIGERIA (03): DOG BUTCHERING, COMMENTS
***********************************************
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[Re: ProMED-mail Rabies - Nigeria (02): dog butchering, comment 20140305.2315888]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
[1]
Date: Wed 5 Mar 2014
From: Dave Cundiff <cundiff@reachone.com> [edited]
Nice examples, but only one shows human data. When I worked as a state rabies control epidemiologist in the 1980's, I was told there was a significant proportion of rabies antibodies in non-vaccinated raccoon trappers near the Florida-Georgia [FL/GA] border (from which the East Coast raccoon rabies epizootic began, after FL/GA raccoons were relocated to Virginia for hunting purposes).
CDC's rabies experts, who I think mostly worked in the Fort Collins virology offices, were aware of these data, although nobody thought it would serve much purpose to publicize them. (I think everyone figured that if these data were publicized, some people might become complacent about precautions and nobody's protection would improve.)
If this, or other similar observations, can be confirmed, it would support Dr Hugh-Jones' speculation about the Nigerian dog butchers' possible subclinical exposure.
There are other encephalitis viruses with bimodal clinical spectra. Eastern encephalitis may be one of them. Some get minor or no symptoms, while others get devastating brain injury. There's not much in between, and there's no clinical warning of impending danger to any particular individual.
My personal guess is that this deadly lottery rests on a combination of age, genetic variation, number, and location of viruses injected, and acuity of exposure -- but testing these hypothesized risk factors might require more resources, for potentially ambiguous results, than anyone currently wants to spend.
--
Dave Cundiff MD MPH
Olympia, Washington
USA
<cundiff@reachone.com>
******
[2]
Date: Thu 6 Mar 2014
From: James Alexander <James.Alexander@dshs.state.tx.us> [edited]
A while back, I either read or was told about a fox trapper in Alaska. Anyway, the guy would use his mouth to strip the pelt off his catch and, if I recall correctly, he had a decent titer to rabies.
We also had the girl from Missouri that was in a Houston Hospital a couple of times with severe headaches, etc. that was titered without having been vaccinated. It was reported in MMWR. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm5907.pdf
--
James L Alexander, DVM, MPVM, DACVPM
Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian
Texas Department of State Health Services
WTAMU
Box 60968
300 Victory Drive
Canyon, TX 79016
USA
http://www.texaszoonosis.org
<james.alexander@dshs.state.tx.us>
[There appear to be a number of stories, documented studies and anecdotal, of humans with rabies titres but no history of vaccination. Some appear to be associated with clinically severe headaches. This is clearly a topic awaiting a doctoral dissertation. Target cohorts for bleeding and testing might include Mexican bat guano miners -- the various bat species in these caves and volcanic vents have histories of rabies -- or even Texans routinely exposed to Mexican free-tail bats, fox trappers, and family members with headaches and inapparent infected pets.
I can appreciate why such events do not get followed up as the documented existence of such individuals with positive titres might dissuade truly exposed individuals from getting treatment and post-exposure vaccination at a high human cost. I still get vaccinated every 3 years or so because of the real possibility of exposure in the field as an investigative veterinarian; my medical friends say I can stop as I probably already have a respectable titre.
Dave raises an interesting parallel point with EEE [eastern equine encephalitis]. For many years Louis MacFarland, our State Epidemiologist, and I compared notes about the human cases of EEE we had in Louisiana. Most were mild even if hospitalised; I can remember only one case with severe neurological damage but he went home eventually. This is very different from the medical textbooks and New Jersey. The logical explanation is that we in the semi-tropics have mosquito activity for some 50 out of the 52 weeks (I had to remove one from my car this morning [6 Mar 2014] and we had ice on the streets on Tuesday [4 Mar 2014]) and thus benefit from herd immunity; unfortunately our horses do not. - Mod.MHJ]
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[Re: ProMED-mail Rabies - Nigeria (02): dog butchering, comment 20140305.2315888]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
[1]
Date: Wed 5 Mar 2014
From: Dave Cundiff <cundiff@reachone.com> [edited]
Nice examples, but only one shows human data. When I worked as a state rabies control epidemiologist in the 1980's, I was told there was a significant proportion of rabies antibodies in non-vaccinated raccoon trappers near the Florida-Georgia [FL/GA] border (from which the East Coast raccoon rabies epizootic began, after FL/GA raccoons were relocated to Virginia for hunting purposes).
CDC's rabies experts, who I think mostly worked in the Fort Collins virology offices, were aware of these data, although nobody thought it would serve much purpose to publicize them. (I think everyone figured that if these data were publicized, some people might become complacent about precautions and nobody's protection would improve.)
If this, or other similar observations, can be confirmed, it would support Dr Hugh-Jones' speculation about the Nigerian dog butchers' possible subclinical exposure.
There are other encephalitis viruses with bimodal clinical spectra. Eastern encephalitis may be one of them. Some get minor or no symptoms, while others get devastating brain injury. There's not much in between, and there's no clinical warning of impending danger to any particular individual.
My personal guess is that this deadly lottery rests on a combination of age, genetic variation, number, and location of viruses injected, and acuity of exposure -- but testing these hypothesized risk factors might require more resources, for potentially ambiguous results, than anyone currently wants to spend.
--
Dave Cundiff MD MPH
Olympia, Washington
USA
<cundiff@reachone.com>
******
[2]
Date: Thu 6 Mar 2014
From: James Alexander <James.Alexander@dshs.state.tx.us> [edited]
A while back, I either read or was told about a fox trapper in Alaska. Anyway, the guy would use his mouth to strip the pelt off his catch and, if I recall correctly, he had a decent titer to rabies.
We also had the girl from Missouri that was in a Houston Hospital a couple of times with severe headaches, etc. that was titered without having been vaccinated. It was reported in MMWR. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm5907.pdf
--
James L Alexander, DVM, MPVM, DACVPM
Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian
Texas Department of State Health Services
WTAMU
Box 60968
300 Victory Drive
Canyon, TX 79016
USA
http://www.texaszoonosis.org
<james.alexander@dshs.state.tx.us>
[There appear to be a number of stories, documented studies and anecdotal, of humans with rabies titres but no history of vaccination. Some appear to be associated with clinically severe headaches. This is clearly a topic awaiting a doctoral dissertation. Target cohorts for bleeding and testing might include Mexican bat guano miners -- the various bat species in these caves and volcanic vents have histories of rabies -- or even Texans routinely exposed to Mexican free-tail bats, fox trappers, and family members with headaches and inapparent infected pets.
I can appreciate why such events do not get followed up as the documented existence of such individuals with positive titres might dissuade truly exposed individuals from getting treatment and post-exposure vaccination at a high human cost. I still get vaccinated every 3 years or so because of the real possibility of exposure in the field as an investigative veterinarian; my medical friends say I can stop as I probably already have a respectable titre.
Dave raises an interesting parallel point with EEE [eastern equine encephalitis]. For many years Louis MacFarland, our State Epidemiologist, and I compared notes about the human cases of EEE we had in Louisiana. Most were mild even if hospitalised; I can remember only one case with severe neurological damage but he went home eventually. This is very different from the medical textbooks and New Jersey. The logical explanation is that we in the semi-tropics have mosquito activity for some 50 out of the 52 weeks (I had to remove one from my car this morning [6 Mar 2014] and we had ice on the streets on Tuesday [4 Mar 2014]) and thus benefit from herd immunity; unfortunately our horses do not. - Mod.MHJ]
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Birgitt
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Tollwut in Simbabwe
RABIES - ZIMBABWE: (MANICALAND) HUMAN, CANINE
*********************************************
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Date: Fri 7 Mar 2014
Source: Manica Post [edited]
http://www.manicapost.com/index.php?opt ... Itemid=131
A Rusape [Makoni District, Manicaland Province] family was robbed of its child, who died after succumbing to a rabies infection following the minor's attack by a rabid dog. The rabid dog that bit the minor is said to have attacked several other dogs in the town's surrounding farming area, raising a rabies scare and serious concerns over the safety of children. Makoni District Medical Officer Dr Alfred Kumbirai on Wednesday [5 Mar 2014] confirmed the minor's death. "It is true we had a case in which a minor died of rabies, having been attacked by a rabid dog," said Dr Kumbirai.
Dr Kumbirai could not furnish this paper with finer details of the case and referred further questions to Rusape General Hospital's medical superintendent, Dr Tembo. Dr Tembo refused to comment and asked this publication to approach the administrator, Mr Ngwaru, who is not a medical expert, to comment on the story. Sources at the hospital also confirmed that the minor succumbed to the infection a fortnight ago [around 21 Feb 2014].
"The child was delirious. Her parents delayed in seeking medication, and by the time they eventually did so, the situation was helpless. As you know, rabies is not curable. There was foam coming out of the mouth. The child regularly went into shock. The child was shaking and very agitated," said a source at the hospital.
Last year [2013] another child succumbed to rabies as a result of the bites. [Not recorded by OIE.]
Children are at particularly higher risk because of their proximity to domestic animals. Shots given immediately after contact with saliva from a rabid animal can easily prevent death. But once symptoms appear, treatment is useless.
Statistics at hand show that Buhera has recorded 128 bites by vaccinated dogs, 97 by unvaccinated dogs and 280 by dogs whose vaccination status is unknown. At 505 bites, Buhera becomes the most risky district. Chimanimani has recorded 190 bites, Chipinge 312 bites, Makoni 501 [where the child presumably lived and was exposed.], Mutare 484, Mutasa 454, Nyanga 229, Mutare City 132.
Efforts to get a comment from the provincial veterinary officer, Dr Charles Guri, were fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered. Sources at the provincial offices said Dr Guri was attending a training workshop in Harare.
It was not immediately clear if the department had moved in to kill the infected dogs or conducted mass vaccinations.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[In 2012, the last year for Zimbabwe provincial rabies data provided to OIE, there were 160 animal rabies cases reported from every province; there were only 1st 6 months reports for Manicaland Province, and those involved 2 jackals and 1 dog, and no reports at all for July through December. Zimbabwe has not provided OIE with any data for 2013. The usual status of the human disease in the country is "+" but without any numbers except for 2007, when there were 7 human deaths. So I think we can safely presume that this is a serious zoonotic problem awaiting proper management. The news report was very polite when it stated, "It was not immediately clear if the department had moved in to kill the infected dogs or conducted mass vaccinations." It is not stated whether the attack dog was caught and tested for rabies. Absence would suggest that this did not happen.
Urban rabies is readily and cheaply controlled by annual vaccination of dogs. Wildlife rabies control is more complicated and expensive as it involves oral vaccination using baits designed to attract the target species (singular or plural) that is driving the problem. This has been achieved by a number of countries in Europe, and the US and Canada.
For maps of Zimbabwe, see: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/z ... o-2002.jpg and http://healthmap.org/r/3EUp. Manicaland Province is in the northwest and on the border with Mozambique. For Rusape, see: http://www.fallingrain.com/world/ZI/00/Rusape.html. For a description of Rusape, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rusape. - Mod.MHJ]
*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Fri 7 Mar 2014
Source: Manica Post [edited]
http://www.manicapost.com/index.php?opt ... Itemid=131
A Rusape [Makoni District, Manicaland Province] family was robbed of its child, who died after succumbing to a rabies infection following the minor's attack by a rabid dog. The rabid dog that bit the minor is said to have attacked several other dogs in the town's surrounding farming area, raising a rabies scare and serious concerns over the safety of children. Makoni District Medical Officer Dr Alfred Kumbirai on Wednesday [5 Mar 2014] confirmed the minor's death. "It is true we had a case in which a minor died of rabies, having been attacked by a rabid dog," said Dr Kumbirai.
Dr Kumbirai could not furnish this paper with finer details of the case and referred further questions to Rusape General Hospital's medical superintendent, Dr Tembo. Dr Tembo refused to comment and asked this publication to approach the administrator, Mr Ngwaru, who is not a medical expert, to comment on the story. Sources at the hospital also confirmed that the minor succumbed to the infection a fortnight ago [around 21 Feb 2014].
"The child was delirious. Her parents delayed in seeking medication, and by the time they eventually did so, the situation was helpless. As you know, rabies is not curable. There was foam coming out of the mouth. The child regularly went into shock. The child was shaking and very agitated," said a source at the hospital.
Last year [2013] another child succumbed to rabies as a result of the bites. [Not recorded by OIE.]
Children are at particularly higher risk because of their proximity to domestic animals. Shots given immediately after contact with saliva from a rabid animal can easily prevent death. But once symptoms appear, treatment is useless.
Statistics at hand show that Buhera has recorded 128 bites by vaccinated dogs, 97 by unvaccinated dogs and 280 by dogs whose vaccination status is unknown. At 505 bites, Buhera becomes the most risky district. Chimanimani has recorded 190 bites, Chipinge 312 bites, Makoni 501 [where the child presumably lived and was exposed.], Mutare 484, Mutasa 454, Nyanga 229, Mutare City 132.
Efforts to get a comment from the provincial veterinary officer, Dr Charles Guri, were fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered. Sources at the provincial offices said Dr Guri was attending a training workshop in Harare.
It was not immediately clear if the department had moved in to kill the infected dogs or conducted mass vaccinations.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[In 2012, the last year for Zimbabwe provincial rabies data provided to OIE, there were 160 animal rabies cases reported from every province; there were only 1st 6 months reports for Manicaland Province, and those involved 2 jackals and 1 dog, and no reports at all for July through December. Zimbabwe has not provided OIE with any data for 2013. The usual status of the human disease in the country is "+" but without any numbers except for 2007, when there were 7 human deaths. So I think we can safely presume that this is a serious zoonotic problem awaiting proper management. The news report was very polite when it stated, "It was not immediately clear if the department had moved in to kill the infected dogs or conducted mass vaccinations." It is not stated whether the attack dog was caught and tested for rabies. Absence would suggest that this did not happen.
Urban rabies is readily and cheaply controlled by annual vaccination of dogs. Wildlife rabies control is more complicated and expensive as it involves oral vaccination using baits designed to attract the target species (singular or plural) that is driving the problem. This has been achieved by a number of countries in Europe, and the US and Canada.
For maps of Zimbabwe, see: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/z ... o-2002.jpg and http://healthmap.org/r/3EUp. Manicaland Province is in the northwest and on the border with Mozambique. For Rusape, see: http://www.fallingrain.com/world/ZI/00/Rusape.html. For a description of Rusape, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rusape. - Mod.MHJ]
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Birgitt
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Unbekannte Krankheit in Nigeria
UNDIAGNOSED OUTBREAK - NIGERIA: (BORNO) FATAL
*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Sun 9 Mar 2014
Source: Vanguard, Agence France-Presse (AFP) report [summ., edited]
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/heal ... lee-borno/
[This is an excerpt from a longer report on violence in Borno state, Nigeria. - Mod.TY]
In Baga, a fishing village near Lake Chad, a suspected cerebral fever has killed scores of people since December last year [2013] but residents have been unable to seek treatment.
"People are dying like fowls," said [a local resident].
--
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["Cerebral fever" is a term too vague to suggest a diagnosis or even if the etiological agent is infectious or a toxicant. Other key information is also missing including the time over which the cases occurred, the number of cases by age and sex, any other symptoms, presence or absence of cases in other nearby places, etc. ProMED-mail would appreciate receiving any of this information.
The current population of Baga is not available. Almost 200 people were killed in Baga in May of last year (2013) and over 2000 houses and businesses were destroyed in a conflict in the area between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram insurgents.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Nigeria can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/77fQ. Baga is a village located on a peninsula that projects into Lake Chad on the Borno, Nigeria side of the lake. A map can be accessed at http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... d_1973.jpg. - Mod.TY]
.................................................jw/dk/ty/mj/mpp
*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Sun 9 Mar 2014
Source: Vanguard, Agence France-Presse (AFP) report [summ., edited]
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/heal ... lee-borno/
[This is an excerpt from a longer report on violence in Borno state, Nigeria. - Mod.TY]
In Baga, a fishing village near Lake Chad, a suspected cerebral fever has killed scores of people since December last year [2013] but residents have been unable to seek treatment.
"People are dying like fowls," said [a local resident].
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
["Cerebral fever" is a term too vague to suggest a diagnosis or even if the etiological agent is infectious or a toxicant. Other key information is also missing including the time over which the cases occurred, the number of cases by age and sex, any other symptoms, presence or absence of cases in other nearby places, etc. ProMED-mail would appreciate receiving any of this information.
The current population of Baga is not available. Almost 200 people were killed in Baga in May of last year (2013) and over 2000 houses and businesses were destroyed in a conflict in the area between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram insurgents.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Nigeria can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/77fQ. Baga is a village located on a peninsula that projects into Lake Chad on the Borno, Nigeria side of the lake. A map can be accessed at http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... d_1973.jpg. - Mod.TY]
.................................................jw/dk/ty/mj/mpp
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Birgitt
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- Kontaktdaten:
Unbekannte Krankheit in Kenia
UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS - KENYA: (BARINGO) HUMAN FATAL, LIVESTOCK, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
**************************************************************************************
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Date: Mon 10 Mar 2014
Source: AllAfrica, The Star report [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201403100817.html
An unknown disease has killed 4 people in East Pokot-Tiaty sub-county in February [2014], a report has said. A baseline report submitted to the media by Baringo county doctors yesterday [9 Mar 2014] indicates that a pupil at Plesian Primary School died while on a tour to Nakuru on [8 Feb 2014] while 2 women aged 49 and 55 died on [11 and 17 Feb 2014] in Nasur and Todo villages.
The doctors say several other patients still posses the symptoms of the disease. Baringo Chief Officer for Health Gideon Toromo said 31 blood specimens collected from women, men, and children from various villages and dispensaries in the area and taken to Kemri [Kenya Medical Research Institute] laboratory in Kisumu tested negative of malaria. The report says there is no relief food supply to the area to warrant suspicion of food poisoning (aflatoxins), no history of travel amongst the sick and Amaya and Plesian dispensaries have enough drugs.
Dr Toromo said the deceased complained bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and headache. He said the pastoral residents in the area are saying most of their animals are sick.
The water sources have dried up hence most people and animals get drinking water from shallow sand dug wells.
Toromo said the groundwork research was carried out by Micah N Cherop (county disease surveillance coordinator), Haron Bowen (county medical laboratory technologist), Duke Omariba (Kemri water reed project manager), and Winnie Korir (Kemri research nurse).
He said it is still too early to speculate on the cause of the disease. "We suspect it could be one of those zoonotic viral infections such as Q-fever, which is caused by _Coxiella burnetii_," Toromo said.
[Byline: Joseph Kangogo]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The lack of potable water may well be the problem here causing a contaminated waterborne outbreak that affects humans and animals and causes bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain and headache in humans. The symptom complex in the animals is not stated. Bloody diarrhea strongly suggests dysentery such as caused by shigellosis or amoebiasis although other intestinal bacillary illnesses such as salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis can cause bloody diarrhea and enterohemorrhagic _E. coli_ (EHEC) classically does. Q fever is not generally waterborne illness and is not caused by a virus as stated but a rickettsial bacterium.
Of this list, there is not a good fit since the zoonotic organisms such as EHEC, salmonellosis, and campylobacteriosis generally do not cause disease in livestock, if indeed the animals mentioned are livestock and _Shigella_ and _Entamoeba_ are not zoonoses.
It is also possible that the illnesses in the people and the animals are of different etiology. - Mod.LL]
[Maps of Kenya can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/awB0 and http://www.guide2kenya.com/uploads/cont ... ty-Map.jpg (counties). - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
[Some of the symptoms mentioned are compatible with Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus infections in the human cases and could account for livestock illnesses, although no symptoms or species involved are mentioned. Other common RFV symptoms such as encephalitis and ocular disease are not mentioned (see the CDC fact sheets at ). However, KEMRI health professionals are very familiar with RVF which has caused major outbreaks in Kenya, yet RVF virus is not mentioned as a possible cause of these cases, casting doubt on RVF virus as the etiological agent involved in these cases. RVF outbreaks have been associated with wet conditions, not drought. Mod. TY]
**************************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 10 Mar 2014
Source: AllAfrica, The Star report [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201403100817.html
An unknown disease has killed 4 people in East Pokot-Tiaty sub-county in February [2014], a report has said. A baseline report submitted to the media by Baringo county doctors yesterday [9 Mar 2014] indicates that a pupil at Plesian Primary School died while on a tour to Nakuru on [8 Feb 2014] while 2 women aged 49 and 55 died on [11 and 17 Feb 2014] in Nasur and Todo villages.
The doctors say several other patients still posses the symptoms of the disease. Baringo Chief Officer for Health Gideon Toromo said 31 blood specimens collected from women, men, and children from various villages and dispensaries in the area and taken to Kemri [Kenya Medical Research Institute] laboratory in Kisumu tested negative of malaria. The report says there is no relief food supply to the area to warrant suspicion of food poisoning (aflatoxins), no history of travel amongst the sick and Amaya and Plesian dispensaries have enough drugs.
Dr Toromo said the deceased complained bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and headache. He said the pastoral residents in the area are saying most of their animals are sick.
The water sources have dried up hence most people and animals get drinking water from shallow sand dug wells.
Toromo said the groundwork research was carried out by Micah N Cherop (county disease surveillance coordinator), Haron Bowen (county medical laboratory technologist), Duke Omariba (Kemri water reed project manager), and Winnie Korir (Kemri research nurse).
He said it is still too early to speculate on the cause of the disease. "We suspect it could be one of those zoonotic viral infections such as Q-fever, which is caused by _Coxiella burnetii_," Toromo said.
[Byline: Joseph Kangogo]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The lack of potable water may well be the problem here causing a contaminated waterborne outbreak that affects humans and animals and causes bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain and headache in humans. The symptom complex in the animals is not stated. Bloody diarrhea strongly suggests dysentery such as caused by shigellosis or amoebiasis although other intestinal bacillary illnesses such as salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis can cause bloody diarrhea and enterohemorrhagic _E. coli_ (EHEC) classically does. Q fever is not generally waterborne illness and is not caused by a virus as stated but a rickettsial bacterium.
Of this list, there is not a good fit since the zoonotic organisms such as EHEC, salmonellosis, and campylobacteriosis generally do not cause disease in livestock, if indeed the animals mentioned are livestock and _Shigella_ and _Entamoeba_ are not zoonoses.
It is also possible that the illnesses in the people and the animals are of different etiology. - Mod.LL]
[Maps of Kenya can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/awB0 and http://www.guide2kenya.com/uploads/cont ... ty-Map.jpg (counties). - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
[Some of the symptoms mentioned are compatible with Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus infections in the human cases and could account for livestock illnesses, although no symptoms or species involved are mentioned. Other common RFV symptoms such as encephalitis and ocular disease are not mentioned (see the CDC fact sheets at ). However, KEMRI health professionals are very familiar with RVF which has caused major outbreaks in Kenya, yet RVF virus is not mentioned as a possible cause of these cases, casting doubt on RVF virus as the etiological agent involved in these cases. RVF outbreaks have been associated with wet conditions, not drought. Mod. TY]
