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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

TL Avian Flu?



TL Avian Flu?
(TRIBUNNEWS.COM / BIAN HARNANSA)

Tribunnews.com - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 7:43 PM
 
TL (8), a resident of Cipagalo, District Bojongsoang, Bandung regency, died with a condition similar to the H5N1 virus (bird flu). Shortly before she died at RSHS, Saturday (10/06/2012), the TL has a fever higher than normal accompanied by shortness of breath.
TL father, Entis Sutisna (40), said the circumstances of her third child experienced fever that begins on Friday (09/29/2012), a week earlier. At that time, a sudden fever TL.Entis and his wife, Yani Maryani (38), suspected his body heat was experienced by ordinary heat so then he just gave regular drug store. "And it had dropped the heat conditions," Entis said when met at his house Tribune, Monday (10/08/2012) afternoon.
A few days later, Entis said, her daughter had a fever again. Her family then had to bring their children to the nearest doctor for examination. "But it also gave a general practitioner and referred our son to RSHS," he said.
Saturday (06/10/2012), Entis RSHS bring their children to the emergency room at around 09.00. When it was time to be examined by TL ER physician. However, the TL condition with high fevers accompanied by shortness of breath, the doctor took a blood sample to be examined in the laboratory TL. "At that time there were doctors suspect our son bird flu. Yeah, a new suspect just because the condition is like that," said Entis.
Not only that, shortly after the TL blood sample, the RSHS also provide letters of recommendation must be signed by the family because of the plans include TL into a special room. "We do not understand what that room. Said's PICU room. Anyway we had to sign an agreement that our son moved into the room," he said.
Unfortunately, Entis said, had not yet moved into the room TL, TL was first passed by the condition still in the emergency room.
Entis admitted was asked about the history of pets in the house. According Entis, indeed he could raise some chickens. But of all pet chickens, none of which showed symptoms of illness, even death. "Only a few chickens. Was also nobody's sick," he said.
Entis and Yani claimed equally do not understand the conditions experienced by their children to die in a state of high fever and shortness of breath symptoms similar to bird flu. According Entis, the Bandung District Health denied that his son died of bird flu. 
"Yes, from the health office one came to the house yesterday (Monday afternoon, Red). Said's not bird flu. We also do not understand," he said.
Both Entis, Yani, and entire families admitted willingly farewell TL very sudden. But Entis, which only works as a handyman, was confused because her child care costs are so high in RSHS, ie more than Rp 5 million.
"I was able to pay $ 2 million, it was after borrowing from here and there. Remainder did not know where. Obviously I was detained at the checkout KTP administration RSHS. Advised me people can not afford, have not had time to take care of SKTM (certificate can not afford) completely, a new list of up to RT / RW and villages, "he said in a low tone.
Separately, Chief Medical Officer of Bandung regency, Kustijadi Achmad, said TL unclear died from bird flu. Based on the diagnosis of RSHS Bandung, the result is the dengue shock syndrome (DSS).
"A week ago there were about fifteen dead chickens, and have been checked Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Bandung regency. But the cause of death was not yet certain chickens infected with bird flu," he told the Tribune, yesterday afternoon.
According to Ahmad, TL became ill on 28 September, with complaints of body heat that sometimes appear and sometimes disappear. Family still delivering drugs purchased from the shop.
On October 2, the patient was taken to a private doctor because the heat does not go away and do not mention what type of illness. "Then the controls back on October 5, but the doctor has to be referred to RSHS. Sign RSHS hour 23, in ER vomiting and bloody bowel movements. Died the next day at 03.00," said Ahmad.
Head of Animal Health Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Bandung regency, Euis Rohayani, did not respond to text messages and calls made Tribune.
When confirmed by telephone, Head of Public Relations and Protocol RSHS Bandung, Dr. Teuku Djumala, asserted, Flamboyan Isolation Space is not unexpected treat bird flu patients, including a patient named TL. "I checked and there is no bird flu patient in (Space) Flamboyan," he said yesterday.
But the Emergency Public Relations (ER) RSHS, dr Meilani, says IGD RSHS 22:31 pm on October 5 received patient named TL. As I entered the ER, the patient was diagnosed DSS. When she died on October 6 at 11.00, the diagnosis was finally DSS and not bird flu.  http://www.tribunnews.com/2012/10/09/tl-terjangkit-flu-burung

Meningitis cases on board ship in Italy



Photo: Bernd W APA/dpa/Z1017 stneck?
Meningitis cases on board the cruise ship MSC Orchestra have triggered alarm in Italy. Four crew members, who are suffering from bacterial meningitis had, on Sunday to be taken to the hospital in the Tuscan port city of Livorno. The state of a sick crew member is very serious.
"On the part of the shipping company have been taken all necessary steps to protect the health of passengers and crew members," assured the company that operates the ship, MSC Cruises. In collaboration with the Italian health authorities about the 3,000 passengers were aboard antibiotics as a precaution. No other member of the crew and passengers have since shown no symptoms. Medical experts are located on the ship of MSC Cruises, which are monitoring the situation closely.
The ship MSC Orchestra, which had arrived in Livorno on Sunday after a stage in Naples began on Sunday night continued his journey in Villefranche-sur-Mer in France. The ship will also hold Valencia and Ibiza, La Goulette (Tunisia), Catania and Naples.


The Rooster Tail Positive Bird Flu



Tribunnews.com - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 13:01 PM
The Rooster Tail Positive Bird Flu
Tribun JABAR / GANI KURNIAWAN
A number of officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Food Security Bandung gutted chickens owned by a resident in Sabana Road, RT 03 RW 06, Cibolerang, District Babakan Ciparay, Bandung, Sunday (04/03/2012). A total of 36 birds in the pet destroyed by fire as a result of the rapid tests in this place dead chickens tested positive for avian influenza viruses (A1). 

BANDUNG - DVO Bandung directly spraying in the village which allegedly contained Cipagalo distribution of the H5N1 virus.
Besides suspected to be the cause of the death of one of the residents there, the officers also discovered one day before chickens tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
"Mother's Chicken pemliharaan Oneng, tested positive for bird flu.'s Just a tail of five, one-tailed it died suddenly yesterday," said Iman Rahman Paramedics officer DVO London some time ago.
Because that's two things, says Iman, it initiated a spraying disinfectant into domestic poultry cages citizens. The plan, today will be a mass depopulation of poultry in the region. "But we do not know because the condition has not been possible," he said.

Bandung Diskes Make Bird Flu Bird


Bandung Diskes Make Bird Flu Bird

Tribunnews.com - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 13:28 PM
TRIBUNNEWS.COM, TEM- Health Office (PHO) Bandung District will conduct disease surveillance for two weeks, in the District Bojongsoang, related to the finding of a chicken H5N1 virus, or bird flu.
Head of DHO Bandung, Kustijadi Achmad said it appealed to the public to immediately see if a fever or flu disease to the nearest health center.
"If there are people who had a fever around the District Bojongsoang, please see a health center. Later when a high fever that does not go away, will be referred to the hospital," he said when met at Soreang Tribune, Tuesday (10/09/2012).
He added, in addition to the medical officer at the health center, five officers on standby for surveillance of health office at any time to the field if there are reports of bird flu. The observation was carried out for two weeks, starting on Monday (10/08/2012).  http://www.tribunnews.com/2012/10/09/diskes-bandung-lakukan-pengamatan-flu-burung

Philippines; DOH urges people to limit handshakes, touching


Hattip to gardenofjade

SARS back as coronavirus; DOH urges people to limit handshakes, touching

8:03 am | Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

MANILA, Philippines—Almost a decade after the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) spread globally, the virus “resurfaced” as “coronavirus,” the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday.
Dr. Eric Tayag, Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson, said the World Health Organization reported three cases of the respiratory illness. Two people from Saudi Arabia are confirmed dead and a Qatari man is still being monitored.
The SARS-like virus has not yet reached the country but the health department assistant secretary said the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia might cause the influx of people from Saudi Arabia, the origin of the disease.
“No travel restrictions to Saudi Arabia yet,” Tayag said but added that DOH has already coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration.
The virus could be transferred if an inflicted person sneezed within three feet, he explained. “The coronavirus has no cure yet and little is known about it,” he added.
To avoid the SARS-like disease, Tayag advised: “Wash your hands, limit handshakes and touching other people.

Ninth person reported killed in meningitis outbreak



 October 8, 2012, 11:44 PM


As many as 13,000 people received steroid shots suspected in a U.S. meningitis outbreak, health officials said Monday. But it's not clear how many are in danger.

Officials don't how many of the shots may have been contaminated with meningitis-causing fungus tied to the outbreak. And the figure includes not only those who got them in the back for pain - who are most at risk - but also those who got the shots in other places, like knees and shoulders.

Those injected in joints are not believed to be at risk for fungal meningitis, said Curtis Allen, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He said there was no breakdown available of how many had the shots in the back or in joints...  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57528389/ninth-person-reported-killed-in-meningitis-outbreak/

Monday, October 8, 2012

CDC HEALTH ADVISORY

This is an official
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY


Distributed via Health Alert Network
October 8, 2012, 13:10 ET (1:10 PM ET)
CDCHAN-00328-2012-10-08-ADV-N

Update: Multistate Outbreak of Meningitis and Stroke Associated with Potentially Contaminated Steroid Medication


Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue to work closely with state public health departments on a multistate investigation of fungal meningitis among patients who received an epidural steroid injection. Some of these patients also suffered strokes that may have resulted from their infection. These cases are associated with a potentially contaminated steroid medication prepared by New England Compounding Center (NECC), located in Framingham, Mass. This HAN notice provides updated information about the investigation (including a change in the case definition*), laboratory findings, an expanded voluntary recall of products, and recommendations for clinicians


Background
CDC, in collaboration with FDA, state public health departments, and state boards of pharmacy, has been investigating an ongoing outbreak of meningitis associated with a potentially contaminated steroid medication, preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) prepared by New England Compounding Center, located in Framingham, Mass. CDC and state public health departments are actively coordinating outreach to patients who have been exposed to this potentially contaminated medication.
As of October 8, 2012, a total of 105 cases, including 8 deaths, have been reported in 9 states: Florida (4 cases), Indiana (11 cases), Maryland (5 cases, including 1 death), Michigan (21 cases, including 2 deaths), Minnesota (3 cases), North Carolina (2 cases), Ohio (1 case), Tennessee (35 cases, including 4 deaths), and Virginia (23 cases, including 1 death). Fungus has been identified in specimens obtained from at least nine patients, one of whom also had Propionibacterium acnes, of unclear clinical significance, isolated from a post-mortem central nervous system specimen. In addition to an Aspergillus spp. isolated from a Tennessee patient, the fungus Exserohilum rostratum was identified in other patients, indicating the possibility of infections caused by multiple organisms. Fungal meningitis is not transmitted from person to person.
The clinical presentation of infected patients remains consistent with the prior report: onset of symptoms is typically 1 to 4 weeks following injection with a variety of symptoms, including fever, new or worsening headache, nausea, and new neurological deficit (consistent with deep brain stroke). Some of these patients’ symptoms were very mild in nature. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from these patients has typically shown elevated white cell count (with a predominance of neutrophils), low glucose, and elevated protein. As of October 8, no infections resulting from injection into a peripheral joint space have been reported.


Product Recall..

[link to emergency.cdc.gov

AVIAN INFLUENZA: Northern League, NEW CASES IN VENETO: The EU NOT LOWER GUARD

 Brussels, 08 Oct - With a question to the European Commission, the MEP of the Lega Nord Mara Bizzotto Brussels brought to the attention of the two cases of avian influenza recently in Veneto, respectively, at a farm in Treviso ( Maserada sul Piave) and in one of Verona (Sona)The strain of the H5N2 virus would be a subspecies less aggressive H5N1, causing the pandemic a few years ago. "Faced with a virus that now recurs cyclically over the years, we must never let our guard down," said the Hon. Bizzotto that, in your question, invited the EU executive to "take all actions possible to monitor the effects and possible developments of the virus" and to "provide for the appropriations budget in support of the poultry sector and the farmers who, after the appearance of virus, have been or will break down their animals as a precaution. " According to Istat, poultry farms in Italy are around 24 thousand and are mainly concentrated in Veneto (2976), England (2,393) and Calabria (2,257). Veneto is also the region with the highest number of animals bred (58.1 million), followed by Maharashtra (34.9 million) and Lombardy (27.2 million). "Today, fortunately, it is only a few isolated outbreaks that are of moderate concern, and that the health authorities are watching with care and attention -  http://www.agenparl.it/articoli/news/politica/20121008-aviaria-lega-nord-nuovi-casi-in-veneto-l-ue-non-abbassi-la-guardia

Multi-State Meningitis Outbreak - Current Case Count



October 8, 2012 2:00 PM EDT

Persons with Meningitis Linked to Epidural Steroid Injections, by State

Persons by State with Meningitis Linked to Epidural Steroid Injections, as of October 8, 2012

StateCase CountDeaths
Florida (FL)4 
Indiana (IN)11 
Maryland (MD)51
Michigan (MI)212
Minnesota (MN)3 
North Carolina (NC)2 
Ohio (OH)1 
Tennessee (TN)354
Virginia (VA)231
TOTALS1058
http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-map.html

13,000 people may have been exposed to fungal meningitis


By SYDNEY LUPKIN and KATIE MOISSE (@katiemoisse)
Oct. 8, 2012
Health officials estimate that 13,000 people may have been exposed to contaminated lots of an epidural steroid that has been linked to a rare fungal meningitis that has infected 105 people across nine states, killing eight of them. Fourteen new cases and one new death have been reported since yesterday.

Although the number of cases has increased, the outbreak does not include any new states. The number of people with fungal meningitis, which is not spread person-to-person, has grown by 64 percent since Friday....
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/fungal-meningitis-outbreak-reaches-105-cases-deaths/story?id=17424832#.UHMlbE3peek

DRC Ebola-34 people dead, 6 have survived


 intervention  far from over - most recent new case reported 10 days ago. 34 people dead, 6 have survived



Patient care, axis of intervention against Ebola in Congo


Efforts continue MSF and other organizations to tackle Ebola in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Case management, attention to family and psychosocial support have been a priority for MSF since it launched an emergency intervention in mid-August in the town of Isiro and vicinity.
MSF doctors are prepared to treat patients with Ebola in Congo © Teresa Sancristóval / MSF
The count of suspected cases indicates that 34 people have died since the beginning of the Ebola epidemic, according to the Congolese Ministry of Health. In the center of Isiro hospital treatment are currently four people entered. The staff of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are doing everything in their power to ensure the welfare of these patients.
"Many people have lost their lives, but we are glad we discharged six people after they recover completely," says Alfonso Verdú, MSF emergency coordinator in Isiro. Verdú detailing that since 11 September have confirmed 12 new cases of Ebola, the last one on September 27, so that intervention is far from over.
Together with the Ministry of Health in DRC and other bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Center for Disease Control, MSF is turning in the work to contain the outbreak. The humanitarian organization has increased community awareness activities, essential if the public is well informed about the virus and contribute to the extinction of the outbreak.

Death toll for meningitis cases linked to injections rises to eight

Oct 8 (Reuters) - U.S. health officials on Monday reported an additional 14 cases in a fungal meningitis outbreak linked to steroid injections that has now killed eight people and infected 105 in nine states.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/08/health-meningitis-idUSL1E8L8B9F20121008?rpc=401&type=marketsNews

Fungal meningitis toll reaches 105; 8 dead


The number of people infected with a rare type of meningitis tied to contaminated steroid injections has climbed to 105, federal health officials said Monday. Eight people have died. 
The drugs were given starting May 21, much earlier than previously suspected, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Infections and deaths have been reported in nine states. 
Cases have been identified in nine states and health officials fear the numbers will continue to rise as doctors check patients for the symptoms. Doctors and patients alike may not know to look for the unusual infection, which can take weeks to develop after an injection....

Lia Died Due to Dengue Fever Had Suspected bird flu


 
Soreang, (AFP). - Tia Lia Lestari (8) are believed to have died from bird flu turned out to be due to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which is critical (Schock Dengue Syndrome / DSS). While the 15 chickens that died suddenly around the victim's home was investigated Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (Disnakkan) District. Bandung.
The victim lives with her parents, Entis Sutisna and Yani Maryani in Kp. Cipagalo RT 04/04 Bojongsoang. "The description of the cause of death of the victim is not RSHS flui birds but DSS," said Chief District Health Office.Bandung, dr. H. Achmad Kustijadi, M. Epid, when contacted on Monday (10.08.12).
According Kustijadi, a week ago there were about 15 dead chickens and examined by Disnakan Kab. Bandung. "The new course can be sure three days later whether H5N1 or other virus deadly chicken," he said.
The patient became ill on 28 September with intermittent complaints of body heat. "But the family just delivering drugs from the stall. Recent on Tuesday (2/10) brought Lia to the hospital and was subsequently referred to RSHS and while in the ER was vomiting and bloody bowel movements. Lia died the next day, Wednesday (3/10) at 15.00 pm, "he said.  

Meningitis strikes 4 on cruise liner


LIVORNO, Italy, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A bacterial meningitis outbreak on an Italian cruise liner left four crew members hospitalized, one in critical condition, officials said.
The four were admitted to a hospital in the Tuscan port of Livorno Sunday at the end of a cruise by MSC's Orchestra liner, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.
Two crew members were in the hospital's intensive care unit -- a 32-year-old Indonesian, who was critically ill, and a 47-year-old Italian man.
The two other sick crew members were in the hospital's infectious diseases unit.
The ship left Livorno to start another cruise late Sunday.

Eighth death reported in meningitis outbreak


01:15 PM ET

The Centers for Disease Control said Monday that the number of people infected with meningitis related to steroid injections has gone from 91 to 105. The death toll has risen from seven to eight.

Patients in nine states contracted the deadly fungal meningitis after being injected in their spine with a preservative-free steroid called methylprednisolone acetate that was contaminated by a fungus. The steroid is used to treat pain and inflammation.

What is meningitis?

The New England Compounding Center (NECC), the Massachusetts-based pharmacy that made the contaminated injections, voluntarily recalled three lots of the injected steroid last week.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/08...itis-outbreak/

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Saudi flight boy in fever scare



Mary Ann Benitez
Monday, October 08, 2012

A four-year-old boy who came down with severe respiratory syndrome after arriving from Saudi Arabia is being tested for a novel coronavirus that has infected two people in the Middle East.
The Centre for Health Protection said last night it received a report from Ruttonjee Hospital yesterday. The boy arrived from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia with his father last Wednesday.
He went to Ruttonjee's accident and emergency department yesterday with fever, a cough and vomiting, and was transferred to Queen Mary Hospital for isolation, where his condition is stable.
Hong Kong has been on alert since the World Health Organization said the novel coronavirus - which belongs to the same family as the coronavirus that spawned the 2003 outbreak of Severe  http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=127103&sid=37847183&con_type=1&d_str=20121008&fc=10

UPDATE 2-Deadly US meningitis outbreak increases to 91 cases


Sun Oct 7, 2012 3:28pm EDT


* Most new cases in Michigan

* Thousands of patients may have received injections

By Tim Ghianni

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct 7 (Reuters) - U.S. health officials on Sunday reported an additional 27 cases in a fungal meningitis outbreak linked to steroid injections that has killed seven people and now affected 91 in nine states.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a new total of 91 cases in an update on its website, up from 64 on Saturday. Most of the new cases were reported in Michigan, where the total increased to 20 from five. Virginia's total increased to 18 from 11.

The widening outbreak has alarmed U.S. health officials and focused attention on regulations of pharmaceutical compounding companies like the one that produced the drugs, the New England Compounding Center Inc in Framingham, Massachusetts.

The company shipped 17,676 vials of the steroid methylprednisolone acetate to 76 facilities in 23 states from July through September, the Massachusetts Health Department said.
The steroid is used as a painkiller, usually for the back, and could have been injected in thousands of patients, authorities have said.

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, and affected patients started showing a variety of symptoms from one to four weeks after their injections.

The company, which was previously the subject of complaints, said it suspended its operations while an investigation proceeds and has recalled the three lots of the drug.

A compounding pharmacy takes medications from pharmaceuticals manufacturers and makes them into specific dosages and strengths for use by doctors.

Complaints against New England Compounding Center (NECC) in 2002 and 2003 about the processing of medication resulted in an agreement with government agencies in 2006 to correct deficiencies, the Massachusetts Health Department said.

LIMITED FDA AUTHORITY

In 2011, there was another inspection of the facility and no deficiencies were found. In March 2012, another complaint was made about the potency of a product used in eye surgery procedures. That investigation is continuing, the state health department said.

The U.S. Food and Drug administration has limited authority over the day-to-day operations of compounding pharmacies, which are regulated primarily by state boards that oversee the practices, licensing and certification of pharmacies and pharmacists.

Compounded products do not have to win FDA approval before they are sold, and the agency has no jurisdiction over how the products are manufactured or labeled for use. Instead, the FDA investigates cases of adulterated drugs in cooperation with state regulators.

The FDA has tried to exert greater authority over compounded drug products under a section of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act that covers new drugs. But those efforts led to federal court challenges that resulted in two separate and conflicting rulings at the appellate level.

The nine states where cases have been reported are Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.

Tennessee, where the outbreak was first detected, accounted for most of the cases, with 32, including three deaths. Many patients there remain hospitalized, some in critical condition.

Michigan had 20 cases and two deaths. One person died in Maryland and another in Virginia, the CDC said.


Reuters had reported 65 cases on Saturday, including one additional case after the CDC published its total.

This form of meningitis is not contagious, the CDC said. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea and neurological problems that would be consistent with deep brain stroke.

The steroid was sent to California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas and West Virginia, the CDC said.

A list of facilities that received vials from the infected lots can be found online via the website cdc.gov.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8L723D20121007

Multi-State Meningitis Outbreak - Current Case Count October 7, 2012 2:00 PM EDT Persons with Meningitis Linked to Epidural Steroid Injections, by State Persons with meningitis linked to epidural steroid injections, as of October 7, 2012: Total case count: 91 Florida: 4 cases Indiana: 8 cases Maryland: 3 cases, including 1 death Michigan: 20 cases, including 2 deaths Minnesota: 3 case North Carolina: 2 cases Ohio: 1 case Tennessee: 32 cases, including 3 deaths Virginia: 18 cases, including 1 death http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-map.html

Multi-State Meningitis Outbreak - Current Case Count

October 7, 2012 2:00 PM EDT
Persons with Meningitis Linked to Epidural Steroid Injections, by State


Persons with meningitis linked to epidural steroid injections, as of October 7, 2012:
Total case count: 91
Florida: 4 cases
Indiana: 8 cases 
Maryland: 3 cases, including 1 death
Michigan: 20 cases, including 2 deaths
Minnesota: 3 case
North Carolina: 2 cases
Ohio: 1 case
Tennessee: 32 cases, including 3 deaths
Virginia: 18 cases, including 1 death

http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-map.html

CDC: More than 90 people ill with meningitis



Published : Sunday, 07 Oct 2012, 1:33 PM CDT

ATLANTA (AP) —Health officials say they have now confirmed more than 90 cases of a rare fungal meningitis that has been linked to a steroid commonly used to ease back pain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted updated figures to its website Sunday. The death toll stood at 7, the same number as a day earlier.The outbreak is spread across nine states, the same states reported Saturday: Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.

The CDC figures show there are 91 cases in the U.S. altogether.

The steroid linked to the outbreak has been recalled, and health officials have been scrambling to notify anyone who may have received an injection of it. The Massachusetts pharmacy that made it has said it is cooperating with investigators.
http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/national/CDC-More-than-90-people-ill-with-meningitis_39905146

U.S. CDC to give update on deadly meningitis outbreak Sunday


U.S. CDC to give update on deadly meningitis outbreak Sunday

Oct 7 (Reuters) - The latest tally of cases in a widening outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to steroid injections will be made available at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) on Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said...As of Saturday, the death toll had risen to seven and 65 people in nine states were reported to have fallen ill after receiving steroid injections. The cases have been traced to three lots of the steroid prepared by a pharmaceutical compounding plant in Massachusetts, New England Compounding Center Inc.

The CDC, which advised of the pending update on its website, said vials of steroids linked to the outbreak were shipped to 76 facilities in 23 states and could have been used to inject thousands of patients.

So far, cases of people becoming ill after receiving the steroid injections have been reported in Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.

Deaths have been reported in Tennessee, Maryland, Michigan and Virginia.

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The particular form affecting people in the outbreak is not contagious.

:tiphat:[url]http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/07/health-meningitis-idUSL1E8L71H420121007[/url]

Hong Kong probes suspected case of new coronavirus infection

Hong Kong probes suspected case of new coronavirus infection
(philstar.com) Updated October 07, 2012 10:38 PM Comments (0) View comments


HONG KONG (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's health authority received a report from a local hospital on Sunday, over a suspected case of severe respiratory disease associated with new coronavirus affecting a four-year-old boy who came from Jeddah of Saudi Arabia, the city government said in a statement.
The boy presented with fever, cough and vomiting today and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital on Hong Kong Island. The boy has been transferred to Queen Mary Hospital for isolation, and his current condition is stable.
Respiratory specimen has been taken from the patient and test result is pending, according to the Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health.
Investigation by the Center for Health Protection revealed that the boy traveled with his father from Saudi Arabia to Hong Kong on Oct. 3. His father also had fever two days ago but has recovered.
A spokesman with the Center advised travelers who fall sick within 10 days after visiting from affected countries should put on a mask and seek medical advice immediately, as well as report their travel history to the doctor concerned.
The WHO said earlier that two cases of acute respiratory syndrome with renal failure had been reported from two persons who had both traveled to Middle East, and a novel coronavirus has been later confirmed relating to the two cases.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which includes viruses that cause the common cold and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=857212&publicationSubCategoryId=200