VIETNAM-Avian influenza virus appears particularly dangerous

Avian influenza virus appears particularly dangerous

Wednesday, 09/05/2012 08:32
 "Appeared new bird flu virus is particularly dangerous, spread fast speed, highly lethal"


Mr. Diep Kinh Tan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, announced as the National Steering Committee meeting in bird flu prevention, is 4/9.

According to the Department of Animal Health (MARD), the new H5N1 virus appears different from the virus in 2011. This virus occurs between July and August spread wide from the North Central region. According to the original, this virus appears the same time as the outbreak of smuggled Chinese gas in water. At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Tung, deputy director of the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Center, said the vaccine is use protection still capable of against new viruses appear. Center is currently using the latest vaccine Re-6 China to deal with this virus.

Deputy Minister Diep Kinh Tan request DLP check the smuggled birds from China. Veterinary science must quickly check, published earlier for possible protection of the vaccine is used to prevent translation. In addition, Mr. Tan also suggested units relating priority vaccine production by Vietnam to avoid dependency on foreign.
http://alobacsi.vn/20120905083024776...nguy-hieom.htm

Vietnam-Detects new bird flu virus

Detects new bird flu virus
TT - At the meeting the National Steering Committee for Avian flu afternoon 4-9, Hoang Van Nam - the Director of the Department of Animal Health (MARD) said the Department has found differences in H5N1 virus is causing disease in seven localities.
According to him, the band new virus has the ability to penetrate into Vietnam, only in the last outbreak from July so far in seven Northern and North Central provinces of Hai Phong, Ha Tinh, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Bac Kan, Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai. Currently the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Center is urgently working to find strains, vaccination vaccine.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan, bird flu recurrence in some provinces are located on a stretch of road transport and consumption of smuggled poultry from China. Most likely outbreak of epidemics, spread from this source. From this, Qin proposed localities continue to strictly implement the prevention, strict control, strict handling the sale and transportation of poultry, poultry products smuggled ...

Launch and implement hygiene and disinfection month across the country in September. 
http://tuoitre.vn/Chinh-tri-xa-hoi/S...a-cam-moi.html

Vietnam -New mutated H5N1 strain classified as 2.3.2.1 C

Emerging avian influenza virus is highly pathogenic (Artwork)

H5N1 avian influenza viruses are highly toxic
Wednesday, 05/09/12 8:19 GMT +7
Through epidemiological surveillance, the Department of Animal Health (MARD) has identified a new type of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, avian influenza virus was named 2.3.2.1 C, high virulence.Group new virus has the ability to penetrate into Vietnam, the risk of continuing to appear very high in the current period.

According to the report of the Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the new virus was discovered in some northern and scattered in the North Central.

Avian influenza currently circulating in the provinces of Ha Tinh and Hai Phong, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh, Bac Kan, Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai. There were more than 181 thousand infected birds die or be destroyed.

2 months ago, this dangerous new viruses have emerged in China, capable of highly lethal. So far, the virus has been present in Vietnam and is the major threat to the people. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked the scientists attached to the quick implementation of the experiment, testing to see if bird flu vaccines are being used effectively with this new virus group or not to treatment plan.

Although avian influenza occurs only small enclosure and timely, but the number of recurrent outbreaks is higher than in previous years, highly pathogenic influenza virus. According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan, disease evolution in poultry increasingly complex. Status smuggled animals still occur as the risk of disease spread, large-scale outbreak. If disease continues to the end of the livestock sector extremely difficult.
http://news.zing.vn/xa-hoi/xuat-hien...c/a271520.html

DRC: 18 deaths caused by hemorrhagic fever Ebola (WHO)

Tuesday, September 4, 2012


(Xinhua) - A total of 25 cases of Ebola have been identified in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the second week of August, including 18 deaths, announced Tuesday the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Of these, 18 people died and eight cases were confirmed by the laboratory of the Research Institute of Virus in Uganda (Uganda Virus Research Institute) located in Entebbe," said Tarik Jasarevic, spokesman for the WHO.

Cases were reported in the towns of Dungu and Isiro, he added.

"The Congolese Ministry of Health is working closely with WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières," said the spokesman for the WHO.

"The epidemic in the DRC is not associated with that s' is declared in Uganda because the strains are of different origins (Uganda, Sudan and Ebola type DRC Ebola Bundibugyo type)," said the door-word.

http://www.afriscoop.net/journal/spip.php?breve13264

2 million U.S. sought to eradicate the Ebola outbreak in Eastern Province

KINSHASA (Xinhua) - The WHO and UNICEF sought to partners in a joint appeal on September 3, a release of 2 million U.S. dollars to assist the DRC government to deal with the epidemic Ebola raging in the Eastern Province (north-eastern DRC).


Tuesday, September 4, 2012 | 9:12 UTC


Difficulties on the ground, require sufficient resources to eradicate this epidemic in this part of the DRC, said Dr. Leo Degal, Resident Representative of WHO, to the press.

"To date, 30 cases have been reported, including 14 deaths," he said, adding that the virus detected in the DRC is different from that hit Uganda in July.

According to him, the DRC is struck by the virus Bundibungyo (theoretically less virulent), while in Uganda it was a Sudanese strain.

The Resident Representative of WHO, together with the Minister of Health and representatives of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), returns from a mission in the Eastern Province, where they performed an epidemiological investigation.

The outbreak of the highly virulent hemorrhagic fever extends Isiro, a city of about 200,000 inhabitants, to nearby locations in the Eastern Province.

Coordination to fight against this epidemic has been established and support was provided to the medical staff with the disbursement of U.S. $ 150,000 by the Government of the DRC.  http://www.afriquinfos.com/articles/2012/9/4/millions-dollars-americains-sollicites-pour-eradiquer-lepidemie-debola-province-orientale-209167.asp

Viral fever claims three more lives in Chitwan after causing havoc in Dailekh

Report

—

Nepalnews.com

Three people have died after suffering from viral fever that broke out since the first week of August in Chitwan district as desperate efforts of authorities to contain the epidemic has so far failed.
The victims have not been identified, but two people died of viral fever at the Bharatpur Hospital and another person at the Bharatpur Medical College, reports quoted doctors at these hospitals as saying.
According to the District Public Health Office, Chitwan, it has become difficult to confirm the death toll from viral fever in the district as hospitals have not revealed the number of deaths due to viral fever for the Nepali calendar month of Shaun.
Six persons have already died in Dailekh due to viral fever and more than 200 people have fallen ill due the disease in the past one week.    

http://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/viral-fever-claims-three-more-lives-chitwan-after-causing-havoc-dailekh

Two new suspected Ebola cases reported in Kibaale

Tuesday, September 4  2012 at  13:42

Medical officials in Kibaale district have registered two new suspected Ebola cases.

Gertrude Keneema (25) and her four-year child, Tidiya Birungi, were admitted to Kagadi Hospital isolation ward on Sunday afternoon with clinical symptoms similar to those of Ebola.

“They are admitted in an isolation ward at the hospital. They have received medication and they are stable,” the District health officer Dr Dan Kyamanywa told this newspaper on Tuesday.

He says medical experts then carried out investigations to establish whether they had come into contact with an Ebola patient.

“They do not have that history,” Dr Kyamanywa said.

The patients are residents of Kabuga LCI, Nyamacumu parish in Muhorro sub-county. Dr Kyamanywa says the two had fever, and were vomiting as well as passing blood. “We extracted a blood sample from them and sent it to the Uganda virus research institute for testing” Kyamanywa added.

The results had not been returned by press time.

The suspected cases come within the period health authorities say must elapse before the district is declared Ebola free. The incubation period for Ebola is around 21 days, and the district can only be declared Ebola free if no new case is reported after that period.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday said the outbreak could be coming to an end since no new confirmed cases have been reported since August 3, 2012.

The WHO stressed Monday that all probable and confirmed cases had been monitored for 21 days or more, adding that "the last confirmed case was discharged on August 24 ... following recovery".  http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Two+new+suspected+Ebola+cases+reported+in+Kibaale/-/688334/1496028/-/11xejfc/-/index.html

Viet Nam Bird flu cases on the rise

A vet in Trieu Trach Commune in central Quang Tri Province's Trieu Phong District vaccinates a bird. Blue-ear disease in pigs and bird flu have spread in several cities and provinces during recent weeks. — VNA/VNS Photo Ho Cau

HA NOI — Blue-ear disease in pigs and bird flu have increased significantly in several cities and provinces over the past three weeks, according to a report on the diseases released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Department of Animal Health last Thursday.

Northern Bac Kan Province's Department of Animal Health said on Friday the H5N1 bird flu epidemic had broken out in 11 hamlets in Cho Don District, with about 380 birds infected and 2,370 birds having to be destroyed, while more than 280 pigs were reported dead in the province's Cho Moi District and Bac Kan Town.

Nong Van Chi, deputy chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Kan Province, said bird flu and blue-ear disease were difficult to control and likely to spread because of local people's hesitance to report the disease to authorities.

Within the last two weeks, blue-ear disease in pigs had broken out in 83 communes of Central Highlands Dak Lak Province, raising the total communes, wards and towns with the disease in 10 districts and Buon Ma Thuot City to 166 out of 184.

Releasing the statistics on Friday, the Dak Lak Province People's Committee said it had earmarked VND9 billion (US$428,000) to buy more than 6,600 vaccine doses and 11,200 litres of chemicals to cope with the epidemic.

The committee has also mobilised local vets, State officials and medical teachers and students to take charge of vaccinations for pigs.

The committee said, however, that the control of the epidemic had been slow due to loose management and supervision in many areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has supplied 25,000 litres of antiseptic chemicals from national reserves to support the provinces of Ha Tinh and Ninh Binh to prevent the spread of bird flu.

Central Ha Tinh Province's Preventive Medicine Department said H5N1 bird flu had broken out in four districts and Ha Tinh City while in northern Ninh Binh Province bird flu had spread to seven districts and towns with 32,000 birds having to be destroyed. — VNS  http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/social-issues/229624/bird-flu-cases-on-the-rise.html

Ebola: 14 deaths in Eastern Province since the declaration of the epidemic

September 3, 2012 at 11:54
The Scientific and Technical Committee of the fight against Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Isiro (Province Orientale) published Saturday 1 ^thSeptember, its first evaluation report since the declaration of the epidemic in the DRC on 17 August. He identified twenty-nine cases including fourteen deaths. The district medical officer of health Isiro, Dr. Jacques Bumbaluka says other suspects are being analyzed in the laboratory.

The doctor says that patients are located in two neighboring areas of health: Isiro (18 cases including 11 deaths) and Viadana (11 cases including 3 deaths).

"The case recorded Faradje ultimately proved negative laboratory. Poko alerts and Abba are being analyzed " , he adds.

In addition, Dr. Jacques Bumbaluka believes that the epidemic could be controlled in the coming days, to say the reasons for his certainty.

The Ebola epidemic broke out in the DRC at the beginning of August in the Eastern Province. According to WHO, the lifestyles of rural Congolese facilitate the spread of the disease.

"These are the usual work [rural] as hunting that expose them to the disease. The infected person in the forest will transmit the disease to others in the village " , said Dr. Vital Mondonge recently, physician in charge of controlling communicable disease prevention at WHO.

Absence of a cure, the Minister of Health has asked the public to respect hygiene measures individually and collectively.

The crisis committee epidemics Isiro District in Eastern Province arrested several measures at the community to stop contamination . It is specifically asked people to:

• not shake hands;
• Do not touch any animal found dead in the forest;
• Do not handle the meat;
• Do not touch unprotected vomit, blood, stool of a patient with Ebola or has been unsuccessful;
• do not sleep with the patient Ebola;
• not remain unprotected near a sick Ebola;
• Do not touch or handle contaminated clothing and other items;
• do not touch and / or wash corpses
• be injected under protection standards laid down by this kind of circumstances. http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/09/03/ebola-14-deces-enregistres-en-province-orientale-depuis-la-declaration-de-lepidemie/#more-130702

Ebola claims more lives in DRC

INSHASA - The death toll from an Ebola outbreak in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to 14 and the crisis is not yet under control, medical officials said on Monday.

The epicentre of the outbreak, which killed its first victim last month, is in the busy town of Isiro in Orientale Province, but it has spread to the settlement of Viadana 75 km away, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement.

WHO also called for aid of nearly $2 million to help Congo's weakened health sector cope with the disease.

Last month officials confirmed that the epidemic was a different strain from the one that killed at least 36 people in neighbouring Uganda, and had likely been sparked by locals eating infected meat in the forest.

As of Sunday, there had been 29 confirmed or probable cases with 14 deaths and a mortality rate of around 48 percent, Anja de Weggheleire, medical co-ordinator in the area for the charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), said.

"A week ago we were a bit optimistic ... but a few days later we got some more cases ... We have quite a clear picture of what is happening, but I cannot say it is under control," she said.

Officials say that nearly 170 people remain under surveillance to see if they develop symptoms of the disease and with the last confirmed case on Saturday, the end of the epidemic remains a long way off, de Weggheleire said.

Ebola is transmitted to humans from monkeys and birds and causes excessive bleeding in victims. Mortality rates can be as high as 90 percent.

http://ewn.co.za/2012/09/04/DRC-Ebola-outbreak-death-toll-rises

Bird flu found in Thanh Hoa

Department of Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) certification, bird flu found in Thanh Hoa with outbreaks in poultry of people H.Hau Loc, 1,000 chickens, ducks sick, to be destroyed . Is this dangerous disease has appeared in seven provinces: Ha Tinh and Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Bac Kan, Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai.

http://www.thanhnien.com.vn/pages/20120904/tin-van-04-09-2012.aspx

Ca Mau: 6 poultry samples positive for H5N1

  

Tuesday, 04/09/2012, 01:57 (GMT +7)

. - On 3-9, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ca Mau Province said, recently discovered six poultry samples positive for influenza H5N1, in Tran Van Thoi Thoi Binh and Ca Mau City.  For disease control, Ca Mau province has instructed relevant agencies to consolidate Steering prevention services at all levels; establishment inspection especially in high-risk areas, check , regular transport and trade of poultry and livestock in the area ... Provincial Health proactive measures to prevent and combat the H5N1 flu.  * Afternoon 3-9, Tran Hung, Deputy Sub-Department of Animal Health, Ha Tinh province, said up to this point in Ha Tinh province has basically successfully controlled the outbreak of avian influenza and not to detect outbreak new influenza. From the end of the month 7-2012, outbreak of bird flu outbreak in Ha Tinh mainly in Cam Xuyen district, Thach Ha, then add some communes in Ky Anh District, Can Loc district, Ha Tinh ... . made more than 30,000 poultry (chicken, duck) infected and sick death and destruction. ...http://www.sggp.org.vn/thongtincanuoc/2012/9/298073/

Hospitalized H3N2v Cases Identify Community Transmission

Recombinomics Commentary 22:45
September 3, 2012

On November 19, a child aged <5 1="1" 2="2" acute="acute" after="after" an="an" and="and" been="been" before="before" br="br" child="child" condition="condition" congestion.="congestion." cough="cough" days="days" developed="developed" fever.="fever." fever="fever" for="for" had="had" hospitalized="hospitalized" of="of" onset="onset" the="the" unrelated="unrelated" week="week" years="years">
Lake County Deputy Health Commissioner Ron Graham said a child was recently hospitalized for a short time, but recovered and is back home.

The above MMWR comment (in red) describes “patient zero” (1F) for the current H3N2v pandemic.... 
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/09031204/H3N2v_Community_Hosp.html?

New Virus Tied to Ticks Poses Puzzle for Doctors

By DENISE GRADY

 September 3, 2012 

For a year and a half, scientists have been swarming over a 100-acre farm in northwestern Missouri, catching ticks and drawing blood from raccoons, possums, turkeys and deer.

“They even bled my horses, and my dogs and cats,” the owner of the farm said. “They got to looking at me, and I said, ‘I already gave.’ ”

The scientists have been trying to find out how this farmer and another unfortunate Missouri man contracted a severe viral disease — a new one, never seen before. It put both men in the hospital for more than a week with high fevers, diarrhea, nausea, muscle pain, low blood cell counts and liver abnormalities.

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention think the men were infected by lone star ticks, meaning that there may be a frightening new addition to the list of tick-borne dangers that includes Lyme disease, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. But despite scouring the countryside, investigators have found neither ticks nor animals carrying the new virus. They have named it the Heartland virus, for the hospital and region where it was found. So far, the two men in Missouri are the only humans known to have been infected.

The cases are a stark reminder that new infectious diseases can still emerge, frequently from unknown bacteria and viruses that lurk in animals.

“This is a novel virus,” said Laura K. McMullan, a senior scientist at the viral special pathogens branch of the C.D.C. Now that it has been identified, she said, researchers can try to find out how long it has been around and how common it is, in part by testing stored blood samples from people who had similar illnesses in the past that were never diagnosed.

The disease first appeared in Missouri in June 2009, when Robert Wonderly, then 57, a factory worker who lives on a farm, suddenly fell ill. For several days he felt weak, feverish and irritable. Then his chest began to ache.

Tests at Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph ruled out a heart attack, but Mr. Wonderly just got sicker. His fever spiked to 104 degrees. When his wife told a nurse that she had found a tick embedded in his skin the day before he became ill, the nurse called in an infectious diseases expert, Dr. Scott M. Folk.

Dr. Folk immediately suspected ehrlichiosis, a bacterial disease that is carried by ticks and is common in the area. So he prescribed the standard treatment, the antibiotic doxycycline. In the meantime, he sent a sample of Mr. Wonderly’s blood to Atlanta to be tested at the C.D.C.

People with ehrlichiosis usually ..

more here

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/health/research/new-tick-borne-heartland-virus-has-scientists-puzzled.html

Ebola in Uganda – update

Ebola in Uganda – update (WHO, September 3 2012, 


3 September 2012

There have been no new confirmed cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever reported in Kibaale district, Uganda, since 3 August 2012, indicating that the outbreak is coming to an end.

A total of 24 probable and confirmed cases including 17 deaths have been reported since the beginning of the outbreak.

Of these, 11 cases were laboratory confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe. The last confirmed case was discharged on 24 August 2012 following recovery.

All contacts of probable and confirmed cases have been followed up daily and have completed the recommended 21 days of monitoring for any possible signs or symptoms of Ebola.

The partners who are involved in the response to the Ebola outbreak are transferring capacity to national and district authorities to sustain the essential functions, including enhanced surveillance and response, psychosocial support and infection prevention and control in health care facilities.

[link to www.who.int] 

Epidemiological situation Ebola: no suspected cases in Kinshasa

A false alarm indicating the propensity of Ebola virus in the urban-rural commune of Maluku, Kinshasa last week failed to shake the city.Haemorrhagic fever Ebola virus has not reached the city of Kinshasa, not even the common urban-rural Maluku, entrance from the east. Dysentery which suffer some residents in Maluku is not viral. Efforts are made to ensure that this epidemic in the Eastern Province, particularly in the area of ​​health Isiro is controlled.
On site, the International Committee of scientific and technical coordination of the fight against the Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus A in the district of Haut-Uele has his headquarters in Isiro for closer monitoring of the epidemiological situation. Probable cases and / or suspicious samples undergo before being placed in segregation units, to avoid the tendency. Already 28 confirmed cases with 12 deaths, as of August 30, 2012.
This development was made by the Minister of Health, Dr Felix Kabange Numbi on Friday 31 August, during a face to face with an audience of journalists, Kinshasa.
The Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Director of the 4th Directorate of the Ministry of Health responsible for the disease, took part in the press conference. There was more fear than harm. A false alarm indicating the propensity of Ebola virus in the urban-rural commune of Maluku, Kinshasa last week, failed to shake the city. Some residents have rushed to the empty suitcases places, for fear of being contaminated. "Ebola is declared" disease under surveillance in the DRC. " The epicenter of this epidemic is the health zone Isiro in the Eastern Province.
In Kinshasa, no cases of Ebola have been reported. Dysentery and other forms of diarrhea whose residents suffer Maluku is not viral. So there is not any signs of the presence of Ebola in Kinshasa, "the Minister assured. Never mind! Measures are taken to strengthen surveillance in various border crossings including N'djili International Airport and ports, services, border police. Also private ports are they subject to such supervision to protect the city of Kinshasa pangs of Ebola. All flights from the east are subject to control and ports both public and private teams are positioned so that nothing escapes the health services, "said the Minister.
The daily bulletin of epidemiological August 30, 2012 presented by the International Coordinating Committee of Scientific fight against Ebola hemorrhagic fever A in Haut-Uele district reported 28 confirmed cases, including 12 deaths. These cases are distributed as follows: Isiro: 15 cases with 9 deaths; Viadana: 10 cases with 3 deaths; Faradje 1 case. The 2 cases reported last week in Dungu, the lab results are negative. Present at the press conference, the WHO Representative in the DRC has expressed concern about the risk of spread of the disease in other provinces. Therefore He pulled the attention of the international community on the need for international mobilization to help the DRC to fight effectively against this contagious and devastating.
Efforts in preventing
"Being a viral disease, Ebola has no treatment to cure nor a vaccine to prevent it. Can not cure the symptoms, "warned Dr. Kabange Numbi. Efforts are made to ensure that this epidemic in the Eastern Province, particularly in the area of ​​health Isiro is controlled. After the declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the Eastern Province by the Ministry of Public Health of the antennas of the National Radio and Television, the Government of the Republic FC 136.5 million disbursed to enable the competent authorities to make on site for more in-depth observations.
Accompanied by the WHO Representative in the DRC and other partners including UNICEF, the Ministry of Public Health has visited the sick placed in segregation units prior to the distribution of drugs purchased by the Government and kits and protective equipment provided by WHO and UNICEF in the areas of health affected. The joint delegation also decided to free the administration of medical care to victims of Ebola virus before considering home care of the most distant. Particular emphasis was also placed on awareness. Support has been allocated to local media to achieve this end.
On-site Isiro, the International Committee of scientific and technical coordination of the fight against the Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus A in the Haut-Uele district has established its headquarters in Isiro for closer monitoring of the epidemiological situation. Probable cases and / or suspects undergo before taking places in quarantine to prevent the tendency. Bluntly, the Minister of Health called for all-out mobilization and national solidarity to prevent the tendency of the disease.   http://www.mediacongo.net/show.asp?doc=23518

Vietnam H5N1

Vietnam of Youxiang OIE report 3 H5N1 avian flu

Related topics: farming

Time :2012-09-03 09:52

Vietnam once again to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reported 3 cases of H5N1 avian flu. Outbreak areas then Tuen County in Enteromorpha Province, North Dong Vien, Yen Thuong Bang Lung. There are currently a total of 366 cases of confirmed and 1,867 poultry suspected infection. All of these poultry have been culled. Has yet to identify the source of the outbreak. http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Finfo.china.alibaba.com%2Fnews%2Fdetail%2Fv2-d1046206121.html

Province Orientale: 28 Ebola cases reported, 12 deaths

Monday, September 3, 2012

Returning from the Eastern Province where he went especially with the representative of the WHO / DRC Dr Léodegal Bazira to assess the situation on the ground regarding the outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever raging in this part the country, the Minister of Health, Dr Felix Kabange Numbi held a press conference last Friday, August 31 at Pev during which he gave accurate figures on the evolution of the disease.

As of 30 August 2012, 28 cases were reported with 12 deaths including three health professionals. This is the area of health Isiro says Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi, considered the epicenter that more cases. 15 acs with 9 décès.soit a fatality rate of 60%. The health zone Viadana recorded 10 cases including 3 deaths, 2 cases with 0décès Dungu, Faradje 1 case with zero 0.

With regard to monitoring cases, the surveillance team followed up on Isiro 141 cases out of 172 cases date of August 30.

The Minister of Health and his team visited in turn the different areas of health affected by the epidemic. They also visited various centers isolation of patients when they were able to speak with some for comfort "because among them there are those who are anxious, thinking they are afraid they will die ..." noted Dr. Felix Kabange

While commending the bravery of the nursing staff and the support of partners including WHO, whose representative, says he took the chance to accompany me to visit people with Ebola, the MSF for building isolation units for their patients daily care, CDC Atlanta for Isiro sent five specialists who installed a mobile laboratory and UNICEF to support drug and logistics, Dr. Felix Kabange also stressed the management of land has encountered some difficulties with the complex ground geography reinforced by the poor state of roads, lack of protective equipment for staff.

However, Dr. Felix Kabange said that to overcome these difficulties the location must provide staff more motorcycles and bicycles available, and deficiency of protective equipment, the partners whose Oms is committed to meeting this gap.

Despite these problems, Dr. Felix Kabange wishes to clarify that the management of patients going in the right conditions because drugs are available. In addition, he adds, we provide holistic care, there are even psycho-clinicians to provide psychological care of people with Ebola. In addition, there is one and only one coordination on the ground, so that the various partners and community health workers working in perfect harmony to curb this epidemic.

Awareness key to eradication of the epidemic

Dr. Felix Kabange wanted to clarify size, "there is no specific treatment or vaccine to treat Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Treatment is symptomatic, that is to say they treat the signs of the disease. "However, the only effective treatment remains the awareness to observe the rules of hygiene. Why, during his stay in the Eastern Province, the Minister of Health had working sessions with local media to raise awareness among the population. It is called, to guard against contamination of the Ebola to wash their hands with soap before preparing food, before eating and after using the latrine, to boil water or disinfected with a chlorine solution, eat only hot food and goods covered.

It is also advisable not to defecate near water sources, not to organize the funeral of a deceased patient of Ebola hemorrhagic fever or touch his body, not touching an animal found dead forest.  http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http://www.lobservateur.cd/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D8145:province-orientale-28-cas-debola-notifies-12-deces-enregistres%26catid%3D47:nation%26Itemid%3D49&usg=ALkJrhhSt3g4yxF1o8xs5sUDZB8r19weOg

Wisconsin reports 14 cases of influenza after patients were near pigs

By Mark Johnson of the Journal Sentinel

Aug. 30, 2012
State health officials announced Thursday that 14 people in Wisconsin are confirmed to have the variant of the H3N2 influenza virus, though all have either recovered or are currently recovering from the virus. One child was hospitalized briefly, according to the Department of Health Services.

All of the patients had contact with pigs or came close to pigs at the Wisconsin State Fair or county fairs in Kenosha, Dodge and Manitowoc counties. As a result, state officials asked that fair visitors show caution and that those with weakened immune systems avoid entering swine barns.

"While this strain of influenza appears to cause an illness similar to seasonal strains, keep in mind that any influenza can cause very severe illness in certain people," State Health Officer Henry Anderson said in a news release.

The majority of the flu patients have been children. The average age: 10 years...
[link to www.jsonline.com]

Woman's Death Associated With H3N2v Virus

...Ohio is currently reporting 102 cases of H3N2v statewide. Those with confirmed cases of H3N2v are between the ages of 6 months and 61 years old. Most ill individuals have recovered on their own or were treated and released after a short stay in the hospital.
At this time, surveillance indicates that the individuals most likely became ill with the flu virus after exposure to swine.
At-risk individuals (children younger than 5 years old, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic conditions such as asthma and other lung diseases, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune system, and neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders) should avoid exposure to pigs and swine barns during this fair season.... [link to www2.nbc4i.com]

H3N2v H2H Clonal Expansion Raises School Concerns

Recombinomics Commentary 23:55
August 31, 2012

In the U.S., influenza surveillance systems that normally start up in October have been activated early to look for cases, Finelli said.

She said the CDC is concerned that with the resumption of school and the impending change in the weather this virus could become more transmissible among people.

So far only a few instances of person-to-person spread have been seen with H3N2v. But Finelli noted that late last year there was some human-to-human transmission in Iowa and West Virginia. While the numbers last year weren’t high, she said the CDC is worried that pattern might be repeated this year.

The above comments from a Helen Branswell piece notes the two H3N2v outbreaks at the end of 2011 that did not have swine exposure...
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/08311206/H3N2v_H2H_Clonal_School.html
 

Three H3N2v Case Cluster In Somerset County Pennsylvania

Recombinomics Commentary 04:30
September 1, 2012

The three cases occurred among youth participants in the Somerset County Fair, Aug. 18-25.

This is the same virus that recently caused illness in association with the Huntingdon County Fair that took place earlier in August. Nationwide, a total of 288 cases have been confirmed. The illnesses reported in Pennsylvania are also mostly in children and are typical for the flu.

The above comments from the Pennsylvania Department of Health press release describe a second H3N2v outbreak, which is also in central Pennsylvania, but closer to the Maryland and West Virginia borders, including Mineral County, West Virginia, where the current sub-clade was first detected in late 2011 at a day care center were confirmed and contact cases had no swine exposure.

Like the Huntingdon outbreak, multiple confirmed cases have been reported, and more ILI cases are likely. The sequence from one isolate from the Huntingdon outbreak, A/Pennsylvania/13/2012 (collected August 15) was closely related to the other 33 sets of sequences from July and August collections from Hawaii, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, representing clonal expansion via sustained human to human transmission.

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/09011202/H3N2v_Somerset_PA_3.html