statcounter

Monday, November 11, 2013

Ten-Year-Old Kampot Boy Dies From Bird Flu

Ten-Year-Old Kampot Boy Dies From Bird Flu
By Mech Dara and Simon Henderson - November 11, 2013

A 10-year-old boy from Kampot province died of bird flu on Saturday bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to 13 this year, with 24 confirmed cases overall, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
...See More
Ten-Year-Old Kampot Boy Dies From Bird Flu | The Cambodia Daily
www.cambodiadaily.com
A 10-year-old boy from Kampot province died of bird flu on Saturday bringing the total number of deaths from the virus
at

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Spain-Health studied 40 people in contact with the new virus

Health studied 40 people in contact with the new virus

  • Besides family, friends and health, has contacted the plane's passengers

  • The woman traveled to Saudi Arabia to Spain with respiratory symptoms

Electron micrograph of MERS-CoV (scanned image to ...
Electron micrograph of MERS-CoV (scanned image to color). CDC
Although this is an imported case and that there is a risk from the standpoint of public health, detection of the first case of Saudi coronavirus Spain was forced to launch a complex machinery of surveillance and prevention put on alert physicians, microbiologists, epidemiologists ... As confirmed by the Ministry of Health to THE WORLD right now especially is monitored 40 people who have been in contact with the Moroccan woman who remains hospitalized and stable Majadahonda Puerta de Hierro Hospital in Madrid.
Sources Ana Mato department heads explain that you are doing track "about 40 people between health, family and patients, who have had close contact" with the woman.
Spanish authorities are getting in contact with the persons of the flight near the woman traveled from Saudi Arabia to our country. Specifically, clarify, on the plane is considered 'contact' to those in two rows in a circle from the seat of the patient: "I mean, two passengers on the right and two left, two rows in front left and right and the same thing back. " In this case, as the configuration of the aircraft was three seats on each side of the aisle and as affected riding in the middle seat, you are analyzing only the two people traveling beside (in addition to the two rows in front and back).
Health authorities also include among this group contagion risk to members of the cabin crew that were in direct contact with the affected and health workers that could having attended at first without adequate protection (masks, gloves. ..)

Surveillance for 21 days

According to agreed protocols between Health and the CCAA for these cases, monitoring is recommended for two weeks all these people to monitor respiratory symptoms from appearing. Besides all epidemiological data were collected a blood sample in the first seven days (which will be analyzed at the National Center of Microbiology, Institute Carlos III) and, if they remain without symptoms, a second sample at 21 days.
Inmaculada Casas and Francisco Pozo, Unit Respiratory and Flu Virus Carlos III, explain that to confirm the diagnosis respiratory samples taken from both the upper respiratory tract (nasopharyngeal) and lower (bronchoalveolar lavage and tracheal aspirate sample even Sputum). "Do not forget that serum samples from symptom onset and after 10 days of onset of these symptoms are of great interest to perform serology studies that complement the information obtained from respiratory specimens."
As acknowledged by the Ministry in its document 'Procedure of action against infections with the new coronavirus (MERS-CoV)', aimed at health professionals, today is not known for how long you can keep infecting a patient, so that "all samples collected for laboratory investigation should be treated as potentially infectious." And that includes not only respiratory samples (sputum, bronchial aspirate, nasopharyngeal ...), but also the urine and feces, which also detected the presence of the virus.
According to this protocol, the woman remains isolated in a negative pressure room in Madrid hospital (with special filters and a lower pressure outside to open the door to anything you have on the environment pops out) and although presents a picture of pneumonia with severe respiratory problems, "the situation is stable and progressing well".
This is a 61 year old Moroccan citizen, resident in Spain, who traveled to Saudi Arabia between October 2 and November 1 (although whether traveled to participate in the pilgrimage to Mecca, health authorities had strengthened itself epidemiological surveillance for this reason). This is precisely the focus country of origin of this new respiratory virus, never before seen in humans. Since 2012 has affected some 150 people (mostly in Arabia and neighboring countries) and although it is a very high figure, especially concerned about the mortality rate of the virus, about 50%.http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elmundo.es%2Fsalud%2F2013%2F11%2F07%2F527b8665684341c00c8b457e.html
In Spain, this is the first time a case is reported with suspected coronavirus infection. 
at

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Indonesia-Five pilgrims DIY Declared Suspect Had Mers-CoV

Thursday, November 7, 2013, 8:57 pmREPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA - Five pilgrims on their return to DIY DIY was declared suspect Mers-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus). They had been treated at Dr Sardjito (two people), Hospital Morangan-Sleman (one person), Hospital-Panembahan Senopati Bantul (one person), and Bethesda Hospital Yogya (one person).
'' From the Laboratory of the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Jakarta was declared negative,'' said Head of Prevention and Control of Health Department of Health Problems DIY Daryanto Chadorie.

Of these five, there was one person who died last Wednesday, which is being treated at Bethesda Hospital, but because of comorbidities. In fact, if there are mild cases of Mers-CoV health center can handle it, but when it's weight category should be referred to hospital.

Currently, hospitals in the province designated by the Ministry of Health as a referral hospital for Mers-CoV is Sardjito Hospital and Hospital Panembahan Senopati Bantul. Although the pilgrims had gone all DIY, DIY Health Department and staff remain alert to Mers-CoV.

'' To prevent lest Mers-CoV entry into DIY by screening at airports for passengers returning from countries that have no cases of Mers-CoV and high body temperature (38 degrees Celsius) to the top,'' he said. ,

Meanwhile Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Ministry of Health, Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, said a person who is declared "suspected" completely not necessarily mean pain. Most of the "suspect" bird flu, or "suspected" Mers CoV and others that ultimately negative laboratory results.

The term "suspect" made for caution to health care and screening forms for further detection, he said. All the people who are coughing, fever, no pneumonia, and home of the Arabian peninsula that could be categorized as a "suspect" Mers CoV. They then carefully examined in the laboratory, particularly with PCR.

'' If the result is negative, meaning that the patient was suffering from bacterial pneumonia. It's just by chance had just returned from Saudi Arabia and because it called "suspected" Mers CoV,'' he said.
 http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.republika.co.id%2Fberita%2Fnasional%2Fumum%2F13%2F11%2F07%2Fmvves8-lima-jamaah-haji-diy-sempat-dinyatakan-suspek-merscov
at

Update: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

November 05, 2013 - Update: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) ~ More cases reported
Reports: 14 13 12 11 10 > >>
Event Update: The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that since April 2012, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cases have been identified in nine countries:  France, Oman, Italy, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom (UK). The initial cases in France, Italy, Tunisia and the UK were linked to travel to the Middle East. Some of the infections have occurred in clusters through close contacts or in a health care setting. This suggests that the virus can spread between humans, however, there has been no sustained person-to-person transmission and the risk of contracting this infection is still considered to be low.

To date, WHO has been informed of a global total of ▲150 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 64 deaths. For the latest updates on MERS-CoV including the total number of cases and deaths please visit the World Health Organization’s Global Alert and Response website.
Coronaviruses are the cause of the common cold but can also be the cause of more severe illnesses including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). At this time, there is still more to learn about this new strain of coronavirus. People who have been infected with MERS-CoV have experienced influenza-like illness with signs and symptoms of pneumonia, which may include coughing, mucous, shortness of breath, malaise, chest pain and/or fever. Many have also had gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea.
The World Health Organization continues to work with relevant ministries of health and other international partners to support investigations to gain a better understanding of the disease and its risks. There continues to be no travel restrictions as the risk to travellers remains very low.
RecommendationsConsult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.
1. Protect yourself and others from the spread of germs and flu-like illnessIf you are sick with symptoms from an flu-like illness, delay travel or stay home:• Travellers should recognize signs and symptoms of flu-like illness, and delay travel or stay home if not feeling well.
• Travellers should note that they may be subject to quarantine measures in some countries including Saudi Arabia if showing flu-like symptoms.

Wash your hands frequently:• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands as germs can be spread this way. For example, if you touch a doorknob that has germs on it then touch your mouth, you can get sick.
• Wash your hands with soap under warm running water for at least 20 seconds, as often as possible.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. It’s a good idea to always keep some with you when you travel..
Practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette:• Cover your mouth and nose with your arm to reduce the spread of germs. Remember if you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands afterwards.

Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
2. Stay up-to-date with your vaccinationsThere is no vaccine for this novel coronavirus, however, it is important to be up-to-date on all of your routine and recommended vaccinations, including this year's seasonal flu vaccine, prior to travel.

3. Be aware that the risk may be higher for travellers with chronic medical conditions (e.g.: diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, respiratory disease) who may require medical care while abroad
4. Practice safe water and food precautions.
5. Avoid close contact with live farm or wild animals.
6. Monitor your healthIf you develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and/or shortness of breath within 14 days after your return to Canada, especially if you have a chronic medical condition:
• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Tell your health care provider which countries you have visited while travelling.

For the latest updates on coronavirus including the total number of cases and deaths please visit the World Health Organization’s Global Alert and Response website.http://www.healthandsafetywatch.com/HSWEvents.aspx?EventID=b7e35b31-54b0-4282-af9c-f39fb71a4ecd&EntityType=1&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
at

H7N9 influenza Central Epidemic Command Center has recommended the Guangdong Provincial Tourism epidemic level raised, and the same as a Grade II Zhejiang: "Alert (Alert).

Mainland China and Hong Kong media reported on the 6th, Dongguan City, Guangdong determined following the new H7N9 avian influenza infection after one case, Jiaxing City, also reported a 64-year-old farmer women infected H7N9, but serious condition. H7N9 influenza Central Epidemic Command Center has recommended the Guangdong Provincial Tourism epidemic level raised, and the same as a Grade II Zhejiang: "Alert (Alert)." Dongguan case was a 3-year-old five-month-old boy with mild symptoms, is currently isolated observation; in this case this year, Guangdong Province, the first two cases.
at

MERS In Hajj Pilgrim Raises Transparency Concerns


Recombinomics Commentary 23:30
November 6, 2013
According to the director explained how the Coordinating Center and Emergency Health Alerts, Fernando Simón, it is "a woman of 61 years who was in Saudi Arabia between October 2 and November 1" and "initiated a respiratory symptoms with fever and cough on 15 October. "

After that, "the 28 and October 20 began a process in which he was diagnosed with pneumonia in a hospital in Saudi Arabia." Later, Simon explained that she "traveled back to Spain on November 1 and was diagnosed back in Puerta de Hierro".

The above translation provides additional information on the Hajj pilgrim (61F) who was MERS confirmed in Spain (see map).  She developed symptoms on October 15, during the Hajj.  Although the hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) diagnosed pneumonia, they failed to identify the etiological agent, which was done is Spain.

Consequently, the pilgrim returned to Spain, leading to significant exposure of other passengers as well as contacts in Spain, including health care workers.  However, the vast majority of Hajj pilgrims did not come from Spain raising concerns that MERS was widely dispersed, although only Spain has reported a confirmed case and all recent confirmed cases in KSA were in Riyadh and the Eastern Region (primarily Jubail).

Many countries reported symptomatic returning pilgrims, but all reported cases were negative, including a fatality in Egypt who was H1N1pdm09 confirmed.

Detection of MERS is a challenge as seen by the failure of KSA to identify MERS in any of the millions of pilgrims participating in the Hajj.  The Spain pilgrim was hospitalized with pneumonia, which is similar to the Al Hasa outbreak where 11 cases were classified as probably because they had pneumonia and contacts with a confirmed MERS case, but were either not tested or only tested once.

The current confirmed case in Spain raises concerns that MERS was widely dispersed from KSA and largely missed by receiving countries. http://www.recombinomics.com/News/11061302/MERS_Hajj_Transparency.html
at

Spain has first MERS case; woman went to Hajj

Health officials in Spain have detected a case of MERS in a woman who recently returned to the country after attending last month’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The Spanish Ministry of Health said the woman was admitted to hospital in Madrid on Nov. 1 and is in stable condition. In its press release, the ministry said it is following up with people who were in contact with her to determine if others have contracted the sickness.
That will likely involve tracking people who travelled on the same plane or planes with the ill woman, who journeyed back to Spain from Saudi Arabia shortly before being hospitalized.
The woman was already experiencing signs of her illness before she left the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a World Health Organization expert said Wednesday.
“She became symptomatic while she was in KSA,” said Dr. Anthony Mounts, the WHO’s point person for the new virus, a cousin of the coronavirus that caused the 2003 SARS outbreak.
“We understand that she did perform the Hajj and came back and was admitted to hospital in Spain and was tested there.”
Mounts did not know if the woman flew on a commercial airline or on one of the charter flights used by many who travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, the massive annual international pilgrimage that draws Muslims from around the world to their religion’s most sacred sites, Mecca and Medina.
This year’s Hajj took place from Oct. 13 to 18, though pilgrims started converging on Saudi Arabia in late September and typically many remain in the country for a period afterwards. This woman is believed to have spent most of the month of October in the kingdom.
Countries elsewhere have been on the lookout for illness in their returning pilgrims. In the past couple of weeks there have been a number of false alarms where people ill with flu-like systems were identified as possible MERS cases. But until now, all have tested negative for the virus.
In fact, Mounts said earlier this week he felt the world might soon be able to conclude that the Hajj had not served as a transmission event to spread the virus from Saudi Arabia — which has recorded 125 of the 151 confirmed cases — to other parts of the globe.
On Wednesday, he said it may be too soon to conclude that yet.
“I think it does give us pause,” he said of the case. “I think it means that we really do have to wait a little while longer before we’re sure we’re out of danger.”  http://metronews.ca/news/world/846723/spain-has-first-mers-case-woman-went-to-hajj/
at

Detected a case of the new coronavirus in Spain


  • The patient, who remained during the month of October in Saudi Arabia, is stable

  • According to the Ministry of Health, 'no risk to public health in Spain'

  • To date 63 deaths have been reported and 150 cases confirmed

  • United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy, other European countries with cases

Image of a strain of the family of coronaviruses.
Image of a strain of the family of coronaviruses. AFP
The Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality has reported the detection of an imported case in Spain with laboratory evidence for human infection with the novel coronavirus. A pathogen of the same family as the SARS virus that generated 10 years ago 8,000 infections and 700 deaths.
The new affected woman is a resident of Spain, born in Morocco, who had traveled to Saudi Arabia and is admitted to the Hospital Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda (Madrid), where they have taken all over the case, well as possible contacts as operating procedures agreed between the Ministry and the autonomous.
According to the director explained how the Coordinating Center and Emergency Health Alerts, Fernando Simón, it is "a woman of 61 years who was in Saudi Arabia between October 2 and November 1" and "initiated a respiratory symptoms with fever and cough on October 15, "according to Efe.
After that, "the 28 and October 20 began a process in which he was diagnosed with pneumonia in a hospital in Saudi Arabia." Later, Simon explained that she "traveled back to Spain on November 1 and was diagnosed back in Puerta de Hierro".
At present, the patient has a "developing pneumonia with severe respiratory problem", while in "stable condition and evolving favorably".... http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elmundo.es%2Fsalud%2F2013%2F11%2F06%2F527a753863fd3d301d8b458f.html
at

Tien Giang announced on avian flu A/H5N1


11/06/2013 21:10

(TNO) Date 6:11, Tien Giang Province People's Committee issued Decision No. 2677/QD-UBND, announced A/H5N1 flu in poultry in two Tan Phu and Tan Thoi commune, Tan Phu Dong district.

PPC requires districts and mobilize all manpower, material resources necessary for the epidemic to epidemic areas, agriculture directed Veterinary Department, the units coordinate with the departments, organizations implementing prevention measures against A/H5N1 flu .
According to the Veterinary Department of Tien Giang, from 31.10 to 4:11, veterinary noted in 4 households in the area two Tan Phu and Tan Thoi have ducks disease and death. Total of 4 ducks are 938 households, of which, 315 557 children die of the disease. All ducks are 4 signs of bird flu and the test results were positive for influenza A/H5N1 virus. All the remaining ducks were destroyed functional forces.
So far, veterinary vaccinated more than 12,000 surrounded the cam/54 households in two communes in Tan Phu and Tan Thoi; while disinfection organized, sterile environment for the household and the household poultry disease neighborhood
at

Vaccine Approved for Japanese encephalitis

Vaccine Approved for Brain Fever

By
Published: November 4, 2013
The World Health Organization has approved a new vaccine for a strain of encephalitis that kills thousands of children and leaves many survivors with permanent brain damage.
The move allows United Nations agencies and other donors to buy it.
The disease, called Japanese encephalitis or brain fever, is caused by a mosquito-transmitted virus that can live in pigs, birds and humans. Less than 1 percent of those infected get seriously ill, but it kills up to 15,000 children a year and disables many more. Up to four billion people, from southern Russia to the Pacific islands, are at risk; it is more prevalent near rice paddies.
There is no cure.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/05/health/vaccine-approved-for-brain-fever.html?_r=0
The low-cost vaccine, approved last month, is the first authorized by the agency for children and the first Chinese-made vaccine it has approved.
It is made by China National Biotec Group and was tested by PATH, a nonprofit group in Seattle with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Dr. Margaret Chan, W.H.O.’s director-general, said she hoped that approval would encourage other vaccine makers from China and elsewhere to enter the field.
China had given the vaccine domestically to 200 million children over many years but had never sought W.H.O. approval.
India, which previously bought 88 million doses from China, launched the first locally produced version last month.
A Novartis vaccine for Japanese encephalitis, Ixiaro, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. But travel clinics charge $200 or more for it. Two weeks after the W.H.O. approved the Chinese vaccine, the F.D.A. granted Ixiaro’s maker seven years of exclusivity.http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/05/health/vaccine-approved-for-brain-fever.html?_r=0
at

Spain press release on corona case

Press Releases

Detected an imported case of the new coronavirus in Spain

  • The patient had traveled to Saudi Arabia
  • The patient, who remained during the month of October in Saudi Arabia, is located in a favorable position and stable
  • The case does not pose a risk to public health in Spain
  • Health authorities have followed national and international procedures for dealing with this case
November 6, 2013.'s Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality has reported the detection of an imported case in Spain with positive laboratory results for human infection with the new coronavirus.
This is a woman living in Spain, born in Morocco, who had traveled to Saudi Arabia and is admitted to the Hospital Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda (Madrid), where they have taken all over the case, and on possible contacts as operating procedures agreed between the Ministry and the autonomous.
The patient, who was admitted on November 1, remains in a favorable and stable. The samples analyzed in the National Microbiology Center have tested positive to the new coronavirus infection.
The Ministry and the Community of Madrid are proceeding to identify all close contacts of the patient, as recommended in the procedures agreed at national and international level.
An imported case in which all these measures have been established, no risk to public health in Spain.
Following the provisions of the International Health Regulations, the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality has notified the World Health Organization and the European rapid alert network (EWRS), with which it maintains close monitoring of the situation, together with the Ministry of Health of the Community of Madrid.
NEW CORONAVIRUS
The Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus Middle East was identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Most people affected by this respiratory virus acute respiratory disease presents with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
To date there have been reported 150 confirmed cases, 125 of them in Saudi Arabia. All cases have been reported in five countries in the Middle East (Saudi, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman). In Europe there have been cases, all imported from this area, in four countries: United Kingdom (two cases), Germany (two cases), France (one case) and Italy (one case).
at