Earth Changes and the Pole Shift
Disease outbreaks will increase as per ZetaTalk
Taking Sick
On Jan 15, 1998 ZetaTalk stated that Illness will increase as Planet X approaches. Zetas right again !!!
- ZetaTalk: Take Sick, written Feb 15, 1998.
- Increasingly, as the pole shift nears, the populace will take sick. This will take the form of known illnesses occurring more frequently, seemingly depressed immune systems, but will also appear as new and puzzling illnesses not seen before in the memory of man. What is going on here?
The changes at the core of the Earth that have resulted in El Nino weather patterns and white buffalo and deformed frogs also affect man. The germs are on the move. Their carriers are on the move. And thus humans are exposed to diseases that are so rare as to be undocumented in medical journals.
You will see increasing illness, odd illnesses, microbes that travel because an insect is scattering about and spreading germs in places where it normally doesn't travel. 90% of all the illness and distress you're going to see is a natural situation, a natural occurrence. Because of the changing, swirling in the core of the Earth, and this will continue to up-tick until the pole shift.
And reiterated in 1999
- ZetaTalk: Next 3 1/2 Years, written Sep 15, 1999.
- Sickness will slightly increase from where it is today. There is a lot of illness now because people who are already unstable are unable to take the turmoil caused by the increased emanations from the Earth. Some of them have simply sensed what is coming and have decided to die. This is true of animals as well as humans. Sickness will increase, but not to the point where it is going to get exponentially worse.
On Feb 2, 2000 a Washington report confirmed this increase, and published concerns were subsequently reported.
- Diseases From Around World Threatening U.S.
Reuters, Feb 2, 2000 - 30 New Diseases Make Global Debut
At least 30 previously unknown diseases have appeared globally since 1973, including HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis C, Ebola haemorrhagic fever and the encephalitis-related Nipah virus that emerged in Indonesia. Twenty well-known infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and cholera have re-emerged or spread since 1973. - Is Global Warming Harmful to Health?
Scientific American, August 2000 - Notably, computer models predict that global warming, and other climate alterations it induces, will expand the incidence and distribution of many serious medical disorders. Disturbingly, these forecasts seem to be coming true.
And since this time, SARS and increased incidence of flesh eating disease,
and entire cruise ships regularly returning to port with the passengers ill with stomach flu have been reported.
Depressed immune systems?
Zetas RIGHT Again!
After the pole shift, there will be many opportunistic diseases that will afflict mankind. This does not require an imagination, as today they afflict mankind after disasters. The primary affliction will be from sewage laden water, which will pollute the drinking water man is forced to use. We have been adamant about mankind distilling their drinking water after the pole shift for this reason. Distillation removes heavy metals as well as killing microbes by the boiling process. Any disease that flourishes in malnourished bodies and in areas of poor hygiene will take advantage of the pole shift disasters. Scurvy due to lack of Vitamin C will occur, with bleeding gums and even death if not corrected. Many weeds are high in Vitamin C and survivors should arm themselves with knowledge about the vitamin content of weeds. Unprotected sex by survivors either taking advantage of the weak, as in rape, or by simple distraction and grief and a lack of contraceptive devices will spread AIDS and hepatitis. Morgellons, which is caused by a synergy of parasites and microbes when the immune system is low will likely increase. There will be outbreaks of diseases which were endemic in the past, such as small pox or measles, but in those survivor communities where the members have been immunized in the past these will be limited and quarantines can help in this regard.
http://www.zetatalk5.com/ning/20no2010.htm
Chile battles youth unrest and typhoid fever outbreak
September 15, 2011 – SANTIAGO – Chile’s problems dealing with youth unrest over slow education reforms are being compounded by concerns the capital may be in the grip of a typhoid fever outbreak. The government has battled to enforce restraint on law enforcement agencies amid angry student-led protests, which have disrupted urban centers across the country for more than a month. The reforms demanded by youth groups are nowhere near being implemented and protests continue to simmer with support from teachers and workers unions. Now authorities are faced with the more immediate risk of typhoid. Health authorities issued repeated alerts for tougher hygiene checks and controls after they found several people infected and seriously ill with typhoid in the western metropolitan area of Santiago. At least seven cases were confirmed by the Public Health Institute but there were no immediate reports of fatalities. “Typhoid fever is an acute infectious disease triggered by a salmonella bacteria strain,” Institute Director Maria Teresa Valenzuela said. In most cases the infection is caused by consumption of contaminated food and drink or fruit and vegetables grown in areas where contaminated water is used in irrigation. Typhoid fever produces symptoms of high fever, diarrhea or intense headaches. The Santiago region has been prone to typhoid outbreaks since the 1990s when incidence of the disease caused up to 190 cases a year.
Epidemic Hazard in India on Saturday, 17 September, 2011 at 03:16 (03:16 AM) UTC.
| Description | |
| The Department of Health and Family Welfare has informed that it had received a message through telephone on 12th September 2011 of an outbreak of fever of unknown cause leading to three deaths at Poilwa village, Peren District. Immediately the State Rapid Response Team (RRT) of Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP), Nagaland, comprising of Dr. John Kemp (State Surveillance Officer), Dr. Sao Tunyi (Epidemiologist), Dr. Kevisevolie Sekhose (Epidemiologist), and Venezo Vasa (Entomologist) conducted an outbreak investigation at Poilwa village. The team collected three samples from suspected cases out of which all the three were tested positive for Scrub Typhus. Till date, there are 9 cases with 3 deaths. This was stated in a official press note issued by Dr. Imtimeren Jamir, the Principal Director, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima. Scrub Typhus is Rickettsial disease caused Orientia tsutsugamushi and transmitted by the bite of mite called Leptotrombidium deliense. In Nagaland, it was formerly detected by IDSP with Central Surveillance Team at Longsa village Mokokchung in 2006, and in Porba village of Phek District in 2007. The State RRT team carried out the outbreak investigation along with doing and entomological survey. The patients were treated with appropriate medicines and awareness and preventive measures were communicated with the villagers. The concerned local health authorities and programs are informed for further necessary action. The mop-up operation is being carried out by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program. | |
| Biohazard name: | Typhus (Scrub) |
| Biohazard level: | 3/4 Hight |
| Biohazard desc.: | Bacteria and viruses that can cause severe to fatal disease in humans, but for which vaccines or other treatments exist, such as anthrax, West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, SARS virus, variola virus (smallpox), tuberculosis, typhus, Rift Valley fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, and malaria. Among parasites Plasmodium falciparum, which causes Malaria, and Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes trypanosomiasis, also come under this level. |
| Symptoms: | - After bite by infected mite larvae called chiggers, papule develops at the biting site which ulcerates and eventually heals with the development of a black eschar. - Patients develop sudden fever with headache, weakness, myalgia, generalized enlargement of lymph nodes, photophobia, and dry cough. - A week later, rash appears on the trunk, then on the extremities, and turns pale within a few days. - Symptoms generally disappear after two weeks even without treatment. - However, in severe cases with Pneumonia and Myocarditis, mortality may reach 30% Diagnosis - The most commonly used test for diagnosis is Wel-Felix Test, which is available at State IDSP laboratory, Kohima. - More specific serological tests like detection of IgM can also be done for diagnosis. |
| Status: | confirmed
|
Turns out, the plague isn't just ancient history. New Mexico health officials recently confirmed the first human case of bubonic plague — previously known as the "Black Death" — to surface in the U.S. in 2011.
An unidentified 58-year-old man was hospitalized for a week after suffering from a high fever, pain in his abdomen and groin, and swollen lymph nodes, reports the New York Daily News. (Officials declined to say when the man was released from the hospital.) A blood sample from the man tested positive for the disease.
http://healthland.time.com/2011/05/10/first-case-of-bubonic-plague-in-2011-appears-in-new-mexico/
Epidemic Hazard in USA on Saturday, 17 September, 2011 at 03:33 (03:33 AM) UTC.
| Description | |
| Umatilla County health officials today confirmed a case of plague in an adult male county resident. He may have been infected while hunting in Lake County, noted Sharon Waldern, clinic supervisor for the county’s public health department. “Lake County had two cases of human plague last year.” The man has been hospitalized and is receiving treatment, Waldern noted. “People need to realize he was never considered contagious and he started treatment fairly quickly.” Plague is spread to humans through a bite from an infected flea. The disease is serious but treatable with antibiotics if caught early, officials said. Plague can be passed from fleas feeding on infected rodents and then transmitted to humans. Direct contact with infected tissues or fluids from handling sick or dead animals can pass the disease, as well as through respiratory droplets from cats and humans with pneumonic plague, officials said in a press release. Some types are spread from person to person, but that is not the case here, Waldern said. Symptoms typically develop within one to four days and up to seven days after exposure and include fever, chills, headache, weakness and a bloody or watery cough due to pneumonia, enlarged, tender lymph nodes, abdominal pain and bleeding into the skin or other organs. Plague is rare in Oregon. Only three human cases have been diagnosed since 1995 and they all recovered. Last year two human cases of plague were diagnosed in Lake County. As far as she knows, this is the first ever incident in Umatilla County. “In this recent case it is important to stay away from flea-infested areas and to recognize the symptoms. People can protect themselves, their family members and their pets,” said Genni Lehnert-Beers, administrator for Umatilla County Health Department. “Using flea treatment on your pets is very important, because your pets can bring fleas into your home.” People should contact their health care provider or veterinarian if plague is suspected. Early treatment for people and pets with appropriate antibiotics is essential to curing plague infections. Untreated plague can be fatal for animals and people. Antibiotics to prevent or treat plague should be used only under the direction of a health care provider. Additional steps to prevent flea bites include wearing insect repellent, tucking pant cuffs into socks when in areas heavily occupied by rodents, and avoiding contact with wildlife including rodents. |
|
| Biohazard name: | Plague (Bubonic) |
| Biohazard level: | 4/4 Hazardous |
| Biohazard desc.: | Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release. |
| Symptoms: | |
StatuThe Black Death: Bubonic Plague
|
confirmed http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_desc&edis_id=EH-20110917-32359-USA
|
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/colorado-reports-three-more-plague...
Colorado Reports Three More Plague Cases, All Had Contact With Dog That Died
In a follow-up to a story last week of a Colorado man and his pet dog who contracted plague, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has identified three additional Colorado residents positive for plague, bringing the total to four cases.
Yersinia pestis bacteria, which was grown on a medium of sheep’s blood agar (SBA) Image/CDC
The investigation of the original case identified three individuals, each of whom had direct contact with the previously reported dog that had died of plague. They all had mild symptoms, were treated with appropriate antibiotics, recovered, and no longer are contagious. The initial patient, who had pneumonic plague, remains hospitalized.
The dog likely was exposed to a prairie dog or rabbit with plague-infected fleas in eastern Adams County.
Tri-County Health Department officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are continuing to work together to investigate these cases and prevent further illnesses. Although person-to-person transmission of plague is extremely rare, individuals who may have been exposed through close contact with the four cases have been identified, and have received antibiotic treatment or are being monitored for symptoms when indicated.
Plague is spread by fleas from rodents, most commonly prairie dogs. Flea samples recently collected from eastern Adams County tested positive for plague bacteria. Tri-County Health Department staff members have gone door-to-door in the area with information about plague and to assess prairie dog populations. People and pets walking in open spaces and trails should avoid contact with prairie dogs, rabbits and other rodents.
Contact your physician if you develop a high fever and other plague symptoms following a fleabite or direct contact with dead rodents, or exposure to a sick cat or dog that may have had contact with plague-infected rodents.
LISTEN: Talking plague and the situation in New Mexico with Dr. Paul Ettestad
Symptoms of plague include a sudden onset of high fever, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, or a general feeling of being ill. Individuals with pneumonic plague (the lung form) develop fever, headache, weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing, which can lead to respiratory failure. Pneumonic plague is the most serious form of the disease and is the only form of plague that can be spread from person to person (by infectious droplets from coughing). Although human cases occur infrequently, plague can be severe and potentially life-threatening if not detected and quickly treated with common antibiotics.
Related story: Congo, Madagascar top countries reporting most plague 2000-2009, US...
Plague often is identified when there is an unusual die-off of prairie dogs in an area. When an infected animal dies, the fleas leave the carcass to find another host, thus spreading the disease. Most human plague cases occur when humans are bitten by infected fleas. Less commonly, people are infected by direct contact with blood or tissues from an infected animal or from pets (primarily cats) that become infected and transmit the disease. Since 1957, Colorado has identified 60 cases of human plague, nine (15 percent) of which were fatal. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
Jul 18, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://descrier.co.uk/uncategorized/china-151-people-quarantine-bub...
yumen/
China: 151 people in quarantine after bubonic plague outbreak in Yumen
Chinese authorities have placed 151 people in quarantine and sealed off an entire city after a man died from bubonic plague.
A 38-year-old man died from the plague last Wednesday in the north-western city of Yumen after reportedly being in contact with a dead marmot, a large species of squirrel that inhabits mountainous regions across much of the world.
In response to his death and how quickly the disease can spread in densely populated areas, such as cities, Chinese authorities have sealed off the city to prevent a wider outbreak.
There have been no reports of additional infections in Yumen, but the quarantine and city shut down are being implemented as a precaution. Chinese authorities say that the city has enough rice, flour, and oil to supply the 30,000 residents for the next month, according to the South China Morning Post.
bubonic plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, which is generally transmitted through the bite of an infected flea, which can be found on infected animals such as rodents, including marmots. In some cases, the bubonic plague can lead to other forms of plague such as septicemic plague or pneumonic plague which can then be spread directly from person to person after contact with infected tissue or through coughs and sneezes.
Treatment with antibiotics reduces the mortality rate from Bubonic plague from 40-60% down to 1-15%, but potentially infected people must start receiving treatment within 24 hours of the first symptoms for the medicine to have an effect.
Bubonic plague, along with septicemic plague and pneumonic plague, is commonly believed to be the cause of the Black Death that swept through Europe in the 14th century and killed an estimated 25 million people, or 30–60% of the European population.
Jul 22, 2014
Mario Valencia-Rojas
Health officials warn of parasitic disease 'Crypto' in Pinellas
CLEARWATER -
Health officials are issuing a warning about a parasitic disease making the rounds in Pinellas County.
They say reports of Cryptosporidium are on the rise. “Crypto” is a parasite that spreads easily in child-care settings and through swimming in contaminated water, according to the Pinellas County Health Department.
"Crypto can cause severe dehydration from the diarrhea or vomiting, so you can be very uncomfortable for many days," said Maggie Hall with the Pinellas Health Department.
It's like a stomach virus, only worse. Crypto is a parasitic disease often spread by fecal contamination. This year, there have been nearly 60 cases reported in Pinellas County, about half coming from public pools or water parks.
"Crypto is something that can be year round in water," Hall said.
"There's always a little concern when you're talking about something that can get your kids ill," said Kelli Earle.
Earle's 17 month old son is learning to swim, in St Pete.
"This is his 3rd lesson he's swallowing a lot of water now," she said.
That's one thing health officials say you should try to avoid. Swallowing contaminated water is one of the easiest ways to get sick.
Health officials encourage people to practice good hygiene to avoid the spread. That includes showering before swimming, and not changing diapers pool side.
Crypto won't kill you, but as FOX 13's Dr. Joette Giovinco points out, some people may be worse off than others.
"The people at that at most risk are the small babies -- they can get dehydrated very readily -- pregnant woman, or people with immune system problems," Dr. Jo said.
Source-http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/26157161/health-officials-warn-o...
Jul 31, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.chch.com/scaffolding-collapses-burlington-skyway/
Ebola outbreak spurs emergency measures in West Africa
The outbreak has now caused 1,323 cases and 729 deaths, the World Health Organization announced in a press on Thursday.
"Ebola is worsening in West Africa,” said Dr. Tom Friedan, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “This is a tragic, painful, dreadful, merciless virus and it’s the largest, most complex outbreak that we know of in history.”
Although the UN health agency has not recommended any travel restrictions, Canada updated its travel advice on Thursday and the CDC issued its highest-possible travel alert, advising against any non-essential travel to the three West African countries at the centre of the outbreak.
Epidemiologists believe the outbreak started in December in Guinea but the virus has now spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, where an American traveller from Liberia died last week. There is no specific treatment or cure for Ebola, which is transmitted through close contact and bodily fluids.
This is the first time the virus has caused an outbreak in West Africa and on Friday, the World Health Organization’s director general will be meeting with presidents from the affected countries to launch a $100 million (U.S.) response plan. The WHO is also calling for “several hundred more personnel” — everyone from doctors and nurses to epidemiologists and data managers — to be deployed to the region.
A Liberia immigration officer inspects a passport of a Sierra Leonean national wearing protective hand gloves to avoid contact with the deadly Ebola virus at the Bo Waterside border post between Liberia and Sierra Leone on July 30, 2014.
But even in the best-case scenario, the outbreak will likely continue for another three to six months, according to Frieden.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said in a teleconference with reporters. “We at CDC are surging our response along with others and though it will not be quick and it will not be easy, we do know how to stop Ebola.”
Both Liberia and Sierra Leone have now declared states of emergency and will be implementing quarantine measures because “extraordinary challenges require extraordinary measures,” according to Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma.
In Liberia, the government has shut down schools and ordered most public servants to stay at home. On Monday, Sierra Leoneans will observe a “National Stay at Home Day” and authorities have started performing house-to-house searches. Ebola-affected “localities and homes” will also be placed under quarantine, according to Koroma, with police and military deployed to “give support” to health workers and NGOs.
In a written statement, Médecins Sans Frontières — which has been responding to the outbreak in all three hard-hit countries — said the state of emergency declaration “shows a recognition of the gravity of the situation.”
However, the medical aid organization said it does not know how the declaration will affect their operations, since some of the emergency measures will be difficult to implement. According to MSF, the most crucial needs right now are gaining the trust of local communities, as well as increased awareness, better contact tracing and a “massive deployment of qualified medical staff.”
“It’s understandable that the authorities are considering measures to prevent people from moving, but our fear is that it will be even more difficult to respond to the outbreak if people’s movements are restricted and they might use alternative roads,” the statement read.
In the capital Freetown — which is 400 km west of the outbreak epicentre in eastern Sierra Leone — the fear on the streets is now “palpable,” said Stephen Douglas, a Canadian media development professional who has lived in the country for five years.
“People are selling plastic gloves, rubber gloves, and there are buckets of chlorine set up on street corners,” he said. “It’s not panic yet . . . (but there is) more and more fear and people are very guarded.”
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/07/31/sierra_leone_declares_...
Aug 1, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.london24.com/news/health/tuberculosis_outbreak_at_east_l...
Tuberculosis outbreak at east London school
15:35 06 August 2014
Edward's prescription of antibiotics for the potentially deadly disease
Twenty pupils have tested positive for TB (tuberculosis) after an outbreak of the killer disease at a Newham secondary school.
A total of 83 students at Kingsford Community School, Kingsfiord Way, Beckton, were tested before the end of term last month, it emerged, after a fellow pupil was diagnosed with the infectious strain of the disease.
Students who came into close contact with the boy were tested in June and July after some developed symptoms following the pupil’s diagnosis in May.
Of those screened, 17 tested positive for “latent” TB, meaning they experience no symptoms, and three were diagnosed with “active” TB, which presents symptoms like coughing and fever but is not contagious.
The 20 students are receiving specialist treatment, including a course of antibiotics to wipe out the disease.
The boy with “full blown” TB was taken out of school and treated, and was well enough to return before the end of term.
Public Health England (PHE) said the students may not have caught the disease from the first boy, as Newham already has a high incidence of TB.
Rosemary Stephens, whose son Edward was diagnosed with “latent” TB, received a letter from the school in May saying her son would need to be screened.
“One of the boys that my son talks to at school came in with a really bad cough,” she said. “The boy had been coughing up blood.
“Then we received a letter saying Edward had to be screened. My son has to take tablets. He’s never taken tablets and he’s having a really hard time.
“I have a feeling it’s going to interfere with his schooling.”
She added: “All his friends are on antibiotics as well. It’s really scary, because it’s a killer. It can kill you.”
Dr Simon Cathcart, director of PHE’s north east London health protection team, said: “TB is a disease that typically requires close, prolonged and frequent contact before transmission occurs.
“It is important that everyone is aware of the symptoms of TB, which include a prolonged unexplained cough, fevers and weight loss.
“Greater awareness can mean the condition is diagnosed much faster.”
Aug 7, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/ebola-outbreak-serio...
Ebola outbreak: 'At least 20' patients flee Liberia quarantine clinic after protesters break down door and loot building
Sunday 17 August 2014
At least 20 patients believed to be suffering from Ebola have fled a quarantine clinic in Liberia after protesters reportedly broke down the doors and looted the building, sparking fears of a serious health risk.
The incident occurred in the Liberian capital of Monrovia in the West Point 'slum' on Saturday evening. Blood-stained bedding was among some of the items taken from the centre, which officials say poses a serious infection risk.
Tolbert Nyenswah, the assistant health minister, said protesters were apparently displeased that patients were being brought in for treatment from different parts of the capital. Other reports suggested they were concerned Ebola is a hoax.
West Point residents went on a "looting spree," stealing items from the clinic that were likely infected, a senior police official told the Associated Press. The residents took medical equipment, mattresses and sheets that had bloodstains, he said.
"All between the houses you could see people fleeing with items looted from the patients," the official said, adding that he now feared "the whole of West Point will be infected."
West Point is home to at least 50,000 people. The patients' whereabouts remain unknown.
The break-in comes just a day after crowds converged on a burial team who arrived in West Point to collect bodies of suspected Ebola victims, while chanting: "No Ebola in West Point".
Aug 18, 2014
Howard
Mysterious Sleeping Sickness Terrifies Kazakhstan (Sep 3)
The villagers complained of drowsiness, memory loss and hallucinations. All of them were diagnosed with "encephalopathy of unknown etiology."
As of September 2, as many as 15 people were hospitalized with symptoms of the so-called "sleeping sickness". The number of those, who either suffered or recovered from the disease, made up more than 60 people - about ten percent of the population of the 680-strong village of Kalachi.
On Wednesday, September 3, the local hospital received another three patients - a 64-year-old woman and two minors - of 12 and 17 years of age.
Kazakh media say that the number of those, who suffered from "sleeping sickness" is a lot larger than was officially reported.
According to KTK TV channel, soon after celebrations of the start of the new school year on September 1, nine children went into hibernation. Having come back home from school, they would literally collapse, parents said. After waking up, the children were behaving inappropriately. They suffered from delusions and hallucinations; some had to be tied up as it seemed that they intended to hurt themselves.
In addition to children, seven adults fell victims of the mysterious disease as well. Among them, there is a doctor of the rural hospital. The woman has been sleeping for five days already. Her neighbors help the woman at her home.
As previously reported, doctors did not suspect anything strange at first. Most of them thought that the people suffered from alcoholic poisoning. The situation turned out to be much more serious in March 2013, during the local holiday known as Nauryz, when six people were hospitalized within one week. Alcohol poisoning was excluded. The second wave came for Easter 2013 and repeated three times afterwards.
Some of the villagers have been hospitalized with the same diagnosis several times. In all cases, the patients suffered from fatigue, drowsiness, memory loss and weakness. After "waking up", the people do not return to their normal lifestyle. Adults complain of memory lapses and headaches, while children show very little activity.
Source
http://english.pravda.ru/society/anomal/04-09-2014/128450-sleeping_...
Sep 5, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/respiratory-virus-sickening-children-c...
Respiratory Virus Sickening Children in Colorado
A respiratory illness sweeping through parts of the U.S. has landed in Colorado, sickening hundreds of children, according to local doctors.
The disease hasn't been officially identified but officials suspect a rare respiratory virus called human enterovirus 68. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is related to the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold.
According to Mark Pallansch, director of the Division of Viral Diseases at the CDC, similar cases to the ones in Colorado have been cropping up across the U.S. At least 10 states -- Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Colorado, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Georgia -- have reported suspected outbreaks of human enterovirus 68 and requested CDC support.
At Children's Hospital Colorado in Denver, officials say that between Aug. 18 and Sept. 4, doctors saw more than 900 pediatric patients with symptoms of the respiratory virus in the emergency room. Of those who came in, 86 were admitted into the hospital and a handful ended up in the intensive care unit.
Dr. Christine Nyquist, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital Colorado, said the virus usually ends up appearing similar to a severe cold but can be particularly dangerous for children with asthma because of how it affects the respiratory system.
"The kids are coming in with respiratory symptoms, their asthma is exacerbated," Nyquist said. "Kids with no wheezing are having wheezing."
Sep 7, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
I'd like to document the rapidly out of control outbreak of what the CDC now refers to as EV-68.
Children in school NEED to wash their hands with warm soapy water and parents NEED to keep their children home if they have a cold. This epidemic is spiralling out of control and as per the CDC, washing hands is the best option. That does not mean using hand sanitizer which I've learned is the norm for grammar school children in many schools in the US because they can't reach the faucets. That is no excuse and needs to be changed so I'm on the phone with the CDC right now. The nations children are at risk. We need to do something about it NOW!!!
http://www.enews163.com/2014/09/07/america-midwest-outbreak-of-seve...
America Midwest outbreak of severe respiratory illness : nearly 500 teenagers hospitalized
People in Chicago September 7 electricity Midwest recent outbreak of severe respiratory disease, has killed nearly 500teenagers hospitalized. This disease is caused by a virus , the initial symptoms are similar to the common cold , and then evolved into severe breathing difficulties. Fortunately, there were no patient deaths.
United States Centers for Disease Control found that the disease is caused by a virus EV-D68 or D68 , but there is no vaccine or specific drug against this type of virus . Some cases severe patients required ventilator to relieve symptoms. Local hospital said, after never encountered a similar phenomenon .
U.S. Cable News Network (CNN) reported that this disease outbreaks Center is Kansas City , Missouri , the largest local children’s hospital has received more than 450 children hospitalized ( reaches up to 30 people per day) , which has more than 60 children are receiving treatment in intensive care unit .
In addition, to Denver, Colorado , Illinois , Ohio and other states in the southwest and also appeared in children infected with these viruses. It is reported that this outbreak on August 17 outcrop , and peaked in late August . The virus would have caused mild asthma symptoms, and only a few serious complications .
Symptoms of infection or EV-D68 D68 virus include fever , muscle aches , sneezing , coughing and rashes . Wash your hands often ( every time more than 20 seconds ) , do not kiss or hug with others sharing utensils , note isolation, using disinfectants to clean furniture and door handles are an effective way to prevent infection.
( Original title : Midwest outbreak of severe respiratory illness : nearly 500 teenagers hospitalized )
and another link:
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/cases-rare-respiratory-illnes...
Posted: 5:01 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014
Cases of rare respiratory illness seen in NC
NORTH CAROLINA —
According to "Good Morning America," a respiratory illness sweeping through parts of the U.S. has landed in Colorado, sickening hundreds of children.
The disease hasn't been officially identified but officials suspect a rare respiratory virus called human enterovirus 68. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is related to the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold.
According to Mark Pallansch, director of the Division of Viral Diseases at the CDC, similar cases to the ones in Colorado have been cropping up across the U.S. At least 10 states, including North Carolina and Georgia, have reported suspected outbreaks of human enterovirus and requested CDC support.
Dr. Christine Nyquist, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital Colorado, said the virus usually ends up appearing similar to a severe cold but can be particularly dangerous for children with asthma because of how it affects the respiratory system.
“The kids are coming in with respiratory symptoms, their asthma is exacerbated," Nyquist said. "Kids with no wheezing are having wheezing."
To stay healthy, the CDC recommends basic sanitary practices to avoid spreading the virus, including washing hands, avoiding those who are sick, and covering the nose and mouth during sneezes or coughs.
and another link:
http://www.newsy.com/videos/respiratory-virus-affecting-thousands-a...
Respiratory Virus Affecting Thousands Across U.S.
Alright parents, here's one to watch out for. There's a mysterious respiratory illness that has affected more than 900 children and teenagers in Colorado just in the past month — some even have to be put in intensive care.
KCNC: "The name is human enterovirus 68... We've not seen it in Denver previously."
"What doctor Meyappan is seeing is how quickly this virus becomes life threatening especially in kids with even mild asthma."
HLN: "Doctors think a virus related to one of those that causes the common cold is creating the outbreak."
What's troubling about this virus is it starts out with cold-like symptoms including fever, sneezing, coughing and body aches — making it difficult to properly diagnose until more serious symptoms show up.
KMGH: "To go from a cold to being probably minutes away from death, that's kind of scary."
That was the father of Will Cornejo, a teen with asthma who contracted the virus.
Will's Mother via KRDO: "He just passed out, had his eyes rolled back in his head."
And although Colorado is one of the states experiencing the most severe outbreaks — the rest of the U.S. isn't in the clear. Just like the common cold, enterovirus 68 seems to spread easily.
CNN: "Health officials in ten other states from North Carolina to Oklahoma have also reported suspected outbreaks."
Al Jazeera: "Some states are reporting seventy new cases a day. Kansas, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana are among them but Colorado and Missouri have been hit the hardest."
Because viruses are not treatable with antibiotics, doctors have been giving patients steroids and medication to help improve breathing — as respiratory problems seem to be the most threatening symptom. But the majority of the emphasis is being put on prevention.
That includes washing your hands, disinfecting items that are touched often and avoiding touching your face, especially your eyes and nose.
Fortunately, there are no reports of any deaths from this outbreak.
and another link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterovirus_68
Enterovirus 68 (EV68, EV-D68, HEV68) is a member of the Picornaviridae family, an enterovirus (a group of ssRNA viruses containing thepolioviruses, coxsackieviruses, and echoviruses). First isolated in California in 1962 and considered rare, it has been on a worldwide upswing in the last few years.[when?][2][3][4] It may be involved in cases of a 2009 outbreak of polio-like disease in California.[5] The virus is suspected as a cause of the August 2014 outbreak of a respiratory disease in ten states of the United States that has been particularly dangerous for children with asthma or under the age of 5.[6]
Symptoms[edit]
Generally Enterovirus 68 causes respiratory illness in children, but infrequently attacks the central nervous system and may cause paralysis or even death.[7]
Treatment is dependent on the disease process initiated by the virus. There is no vaccine or known cure.
Sep 8, 2014
lonne rey
Doctors probe polio like illness in California kids
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/doctors-probe-polio-illness-california...
Sofia, smiling and laughing, was with her parents and her brothers at a news conference at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University to talk about the mysterious polio-like illness that struck her and has so far robbed her of the use of her arm.
"Most of the kids are still paralyzed. ... There can be some mild improvement but the level of paralysis remains severe," said
Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant, a neurologist at the University of California, San Francisco.
She said this evening that doctors still do not know what is causing the illness.
"We're not exactly clear what is the agent," she said. "We suspect it is a virus."
She said they believe it may be a virus that is just a benign cold for most children, but for a very few results in much more serious symptoms.
Sofia's problems began when her parents noticed she was having trouble breathing. After treatment by her pediatrician didn't help, Sofia spent four days in the hospital, but her breathing was still not completely clear.
Sep 10, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.local10.com/news/venezuela-on-alert-over-mysterious-dead...
Venezuela on alert over mysterious, deadly disease
Published On: Sep 17 2014 10:15:49 AM EDT
The deaths of 10 people in the past week of a mysterious disease in several cities in Venezuela, including the capital of Caracas, have caused panic within the population and has prompted doctors to sound the alarm.
A government spokesman minimized the warnings and described efforts to notify the public of a disease that has killed four adults and four children as a "campaign of disinformation and terrorism."
Despite the government's indifference, the country's doctors insist there is plenty of reason for concern about a highly dangerous and contagious disease of unknown origin.
In its initial stages, the disease presents symptoms of fever and spots on the skin, and then produces large blisters and internal and external bleeding, according to data provided week stop by the College of Physicians of the state of Aragua, where the first cases were reported.
Then, very quickly, patients suffer from respiratory failure, liver failure and kidney failure. Venezuelan doctors have not been able to determine what the disease is, much less how to fight it.
The government has denied the existence of "a mysterious disease" and described the information provided by the doctors as a "media campaign against Venezuela."
The governor of the state of Aragua, Tarek El-Aissami and Communications Minister Delcy Rodriguez, refer to the warnings as a "defamatory" strategy to "distress to the population."
Some theories being examined include the possibility that the disease could be a new type of very aggressive and severe dengue, an atypical version of the Chikunguña fever or an Ebola virus appearance in Venezuela.
Sep 19, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-10-global-infection-outbreaks-un...
Global infection outbreaks, unique diseases rising since 1980
A global map plots cumulative outbreaks of human infectious disease since 1980. Darker shaded nations had more outbreaks. Credit: Brown University
Enterovirus. Tuberculosis. Cholera. Measles. Various strains of the flu and hepatitis. The number of infectious disease outbreaks and the number of unique illnesses causing them appear to be increasing around the globe, according to a new Brown University analysis of more than 12,000 outbreaks affecting 44 million people worldwide over the last 33 years.
Menacing as that may sound, these preliminary findings also reveal an encouraging trend. On a per capita basis, the impact of the outbreaks is declining. In other words, even though the globe faces more outbreaks from more pathogens, they tend to affect a shrinking proportion of the world population.
"We live in a world where human populations are increasingly interconnected with one another and with animals—both wildlife and livestock—that host novel pathogens," said Katherine Smith, assistant professor of biology and co-lead author of the study, with Brown University colleagues Cici Bauer, assistant professor of biology, and Sohini Ramachandran, assistant professor of biostatistics, in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface. "These connections create opportunities for pathogens to switch hosts, cross borders, and evolve new strains that are stronger than what we have seen in the past."
Sure enough, animals are the major source of what ails us. The analysis revealed that 65 percent of diseases in the dataset were "zoonoses," meaning they come from animals. Ebola, for instance, may have come from bats. In all, such diseases caused 56 percent of outbreaks since 1980.
Newly derived data
To perform the analysis, the team worked to derive quantifiable data from the prose reports of outbreaks stored in the Global Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Online Network (GIDEON). They developed a "bioinformatics pipeline" to automate the creation of a database comprising 12,102 outbreaks of 215 infectious diseasesinvolving 44 million cases in 219 countries between 1980 and 2013.
Brown's Institute for the Study of Environment and Society funded the work.
They are now making the database publicly available on Ramachandran's server.
The raw numbers revealed a steep rise in the number of outbreaks globally.
"GIDEON defines an outbreak as an increase in the number of cases of disease beyond what would normally be expected in a defined community, geographical area, or season," Ramachandran said.
Oct 29, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/22/world/africa/madagascar-plague-ou...
Madagascar: Plague Outbreak Kills 40
NOV. 21, 2014
The World Health Organization reported Friday that an outbreak of plague, the infamous scourge that killed millions in the Dark Ages, has been recorded in parts ofMadagascar, the Indian Ocean island nation off the coast of southeastern Africa. In an alert posted on its website, the W.H.O. said at least 119 plague cases, including 40 deaths, had been confirmed since the nation’s Health Ministry identified the first case nearly three months ago. The statement said cases had been reported in seven regions, including the capital, Antananarivo, raising the “risk of a rapid spread of the disease due to the city’s high population density and the weakness of the health care system.” Efforts to combat the outbreak, the statement said, have been hampered by the country’s opposition to a type of insecticide used to control fleas, the primary spreader of the disease from rodents to humans.
Nov 22, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.egcitizen.com/articles/2015/02/03/news/doc54d16132015f91...
Florin High student tests positive for tuberculosis
Classmates to undergo testing
By Cameron Macdonald - Citizen News Editor
These skin tests were performed after one student was diagnosed last month with an infectious form of the airborne disease that can cause severe bacterial infections in the lungs. That patient was removed from school and placed in home care during the week before the school-wide tests were done.
In the Feb. 3 tests, the infected students reportedly have a “latent” version of the disease that is not infectious and does not show symptoms. County spokesperson Laura McCasland said on Feb. 9 they are permitted to remain at school.
The patients who tested positive will undergo chest X-rays and preventative treatment that includes weekly doses of medicine and therapy, officials said.
“With these results, we don’t see a lot of evidence of transmission,” Sacramento County Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye said in a press statement. “Those who tested positive will be further evaluated.”
She added that her staff is scheduling new tests in 8-10 weeks for students or school employees who tested negative since the disease could arise during that time.
An information night for Florin parents was held on Feb. 2 where they learned about the disease and the screening process, district spokesperson Xanthi Pinkerton said. Another meeting is being planned for the future.
Readers with questions about tuberculosis can call (916) 875-5881. Concerned parents can call Florin High School at (916) 689-8600
Feb 15, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.hngn.com/articles/67612/20150214/new-hiv-strain-that-bec...
New HIV Strain that Becomes AIDS in 3 Years Discovered in Cuba
Feb 14, 2015 08:31 PM EST
Researchers at KU Leuven's Laboratory for Clinical and Epidemiological Virology described how the HIV strain spreads in the body of the host. In common HIV infection, the virus enters the human cells through anchor points called CCR5 before it switches to the anchor point CXCR4. This process usually takes 10 years until the virus switches to full-blown AIDS.
But based on the observation in infected patients in Cuba, the HIV strain was found to switch in just three years, much faster than the usual progression because it directly attacks the CXCR4 upon initial contact.
The international researchers led by professor Anne-Mieke Vandamme examined the blood samples of 73 newly infected patients; 73 percent of them were already AIDS-positive. They compared these samples to those collected from 22 patients diagnosed with AIDS who underwent regular progression.
The researchers observed that the blood samples of those infected with the aggressive form of HIV strain had unusually high doses of the virus and the molecule RANTES that binds the CCR5 to protect the cell from the virus. The high concentration of RANTES implied that the CCR5 was no longer available and that the strain had started targeting the CXCR4.
Based on the speed of the progression, infected patients would be AIDS-positive in three years without even realizing that they are critically ill.
The HIV strain in Cuba is considered unique at this point although scientists are aware that the virus can mutate.
"The only thing now is that in Cuba, it is associated with rapid progression [of the disease]. It's something that hasn't been seen before that clearly," Hector Bolivar, a physician and infectious disease specialist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, told the Miami Herald. He wasn't part of the study.
The study was published in the journal EBioMedicine.
Feb 15, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://megamodemedia.blogspot.com/2015/04/ondo-battles-strange-dise...
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Ondo battles strange disease outbreak, 28 killed already (Premium Times)
The Ondo State Government is working to eradicate a strange disease which suddenly broke out in the Ode-Irele community of Ondo state, leading to the death of no fewer than 28 people in the past three days.
Residents say the disease broke out three days ago and spread rapidly around the community, killing its victim within 24 hours.
The cause of the disease remained unknown.
Experts say preliminary reports from victims revealed neurologic clinical symptoms: blindness, and loss of consciousness.
Ebola Alert, an evidence-driven group of volunteer professionals who helped with the Ebola Virus Disease interventions in the country, said 28 people have died from the disease.
But the State Health Commissioner, Dayo Adeyanju, put the number of dead victims at 12.
Mr. Adeyanju, while briefing newsmen in Akure, said preliminary investigations showed that the disease is not Ebola “as it does not manifest any of its symptoms, but it attacks the central nervous system of the victims”.
He said the state government, after getting information on the disease, immediately deployed officials who took samples from victims which was sent to Lagos for laboratory analysis to help understand the nature of the disease.
Mr. Adeyanju, who warned against spreading false information on social media, said the government is on top of the situation, and advised people in the council area to report any strange illness to the nearest health facility.
He assured that the government is also doing its best to contain the disease from further spreading out of the town while those infected were being quarantined at the General Hospital, Irele, with other patients moved out of the facility.
The Health Commissioner also advised people of the area to avoid handling dead bodies at this period to help contain further spread of the disease.
A journalist who visited the affected community Thursday said he was told by residents that the ailment had spiritual undertone.
“Community leaders said some people broke into a shrine, and the god became angry with them, striking all those people who have hands in the act,” the journalist said, asking not to be named.
“Our team also saw people performing rituals in the community. They believe that the ritual will appease the god and that the disease will end.”
But the state’s Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, said he was not aware of any spiritual dimension to the development.
“All I can tell you is that medical experts are on ground, attending to victims and doing all the necessary tests. Government is working hard to contain the disease, and I can tell you that it is under control,” Mr. Akinmade told PREMIUM TIMES.
Ebola Alert later posted an update on its twitter handle on Thursday night saying the disease is under control and that its cause was being investigated.
The organisation said the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation, and the National Centre for Disease Control had been alerted of the outbreak
Apr 17, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://outbreaknewstoday.com/norovirus-strikes-the-coral-princess-6...
Norovirus strikes the ‘Coral Princess’, 6th cruise ship outbreak of 2015
April 27, 2015As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vessel Sanitation Program personnel go aboard the Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess when it docks in Los Angeles today, they will be facing an norovirus outbreak investigation which has sickened 111 passengers and crew, according to the most up-to-date data.
Image/CDC
The 99 passengers and 12 crew members that were taken ill were testing on board the ship for norovirus using a rapid test kit.
This will be the sixth cruise ship outbreak investigated by CDC officials this year, five of the outbreaks have been confirmed as being caused by norovirus.
In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises’ and the crew aboardthe ship are taking the following actions: Increasing cleaning and disinfectionprocedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan, making announcements to notify onboard passengers of the outbreak, encourage case reporting, and encourage hand hygiene and collected stool specimens from ill passengers and crew.
Norovirus is a very contagious virus. You can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis). This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, anddiarrhea and to throw up.
Anyone can be infected with norovirus and get sick. Also, you can have norovirus illness many times in your life. Norovirus illness can be serious, especially for young children and older adults.
Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. Each year, it causes 19-21 million illnesses and contributes to 56,000-71,000 hospitalizations and 570-800 deaths.
Apr 28, 2015
lonne rey
Pit Bull Spreads Plague to Four People
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/pit-bull-spreads-plague-f...
An outbreak of plague that affected four people and a dog in Colorado might be the first instance of person-to-person transmission of plague in the United States in 90 years, officials said Thursday.
It started with a sick pit bull, and its owner, two vet techs and a close personal contact of the dog's owner all ended up infected. The dog died but all four people were treated with antibiotics and are okay.
And while the Yersinia pestis bacteria that causes plague is usually passed along in flea bites, the pneumonic form that infects the lungs can be transmitted by little droplets in a cough or through other close contact.
The last documented case of human-to-human transmission of plague in the U.S. was during an outbreak in Los Angeles in 1924.
Either way, the case is unusual and serves as a warning to doctors and vets alike to be on the lookout for plague when animals or people have unusual respiratory symptoms and have been in possible contact with rodents such as prairie dogs or squirrels
May 3, 2015
Yvonne Lawson
94 pupils at the same Devon secondary school test positive for tuberculosis after mass test following three confirmed cases since March
Ninety-four pupils at the same secondary school have tested positive for tuberculosis.
It follows three confirmed cases of infectious TB at the same school - Teign School in South Devon - in March this year.
Since then, 300 people of the 1,400 staff and pupils at the school have been screened. The 94 have tested positive for the 'latent' - or inactive - form of the disease.
The rest of the school and former pupils are now being tested and those who have had a positive result are being reviewed by a specialist team at Torbay Hospital.
TB is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs. It is passed on through coughs and sneezes among people who have been in close contact.
Health officials have confirmed the number of positive tests are higher than expected, but Public Health England said a positive test does not usually result in infectious TB.
Dr Sarah Harrison, deputy director of health protection for the Devon, Cornwall and Somerset Public Health England Centre, said: 'Most people with latent TB will never develop an active infection, especially if they receive antibiotics, but it is important that people with latent TB are aware of their status if they do develop an active infection.
'People who do develop TB disease are not infectious in the early stages of illness. TB is normally a curable infection which can be treated effectively with antibiotics, particularly if found early.'
The school confirmed screening will continue from June 22 for three weeks to complete the testing of the rest of the pupils and staff.
Teign School are also calling back students and staff who have left the school since last summer as a precautionary measure.
Mark Woodlock, headmaster of Teign School said: 'We continue to work very closely with the Public Health Service to ensure the health and well-being of our students.
'Our concerns remain first and foremost with the health of our pupils, and every precaution is being taken.'
NHS England said in 2013 there were 7,290 cases of TB reported across England - about 13.5 cases per 100,000 of the population.
The UK has the second highest rate of TB among western European countries and rates are nearly five times higher than in the US.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3094237/94-pupils-Devon-sec...
More info about Latent TB : http://www.thetruthabouttb.org/what-is-tb/latent-tb/
May 24, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.kaj18.com/story/29258373/mers-outbreak-2300-plus-quarant...
MERS outbreak: 2,300-plus quarantined; 1,800 schools closed in South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- Fears of MERS in South Korea are growing by the day, with more than 2,300 people quarantined as the country grapples with the outbreak.
More than 1,800 schools will be closed for several days amid concerns of the spread of Middle East respiratory syndrome. They include at least 1,255 schools in Gyeonggi province, the area outside Seoul where the outbreak started and where a South Korean air force member stationed at a U.S. air base has been isolated with the illness.
Other closed schools are in the Gangnam region, near the Samsung Seoul hospital -- the most affected hospital in the city.
In total, 87 people have contracted the virus, and six people have died, according to official numbers.
Potential exposure through doctor
South Korea's capital has asked more than 1,500 people to self-quarantine because they unknowingly attended a symposium with a doctor who was infected with MERS, Seoul's mayor said.
Mayor Park Won-soon said all 1,565 people who attended the symposium should stay at home as a precaution to avoid spreading MERS in the unlikely event they contracted it at the meeting.
The mayor said the city is considering measures that would force these people to stay at home, and that officials are trying to determine where else the doctor traveled while he had symptoms.
Kang Shin-myun, Seoul chief of police, said it will enforce quarantine orders for those suspected of having MERS.
"We will deal strongly with anyone who escalates unnecessary sense of public uneasiness," he said.
Air force member infected
A South Korean air force member stationed at a U.S. air base tested positive for MERS last week and remains in isolation at a military hospital on the base, a South Korean Ministry of National Defense official said.
The sergeant had received treatment for an Achilles' heel at the same hospital that had the first MERS patient in South Korea, who became sick after visiting four Middle Eastern countries.
There are no other diagnosed cases of MERS on base, according to Osan Air Base. The United States built the base, south of Seoul, during the Korean War.
MERS doesn't transmit easily
MERS, which surfaced three years ago, is not well-understood. Because the virus is still fairly new, doctors and scientists do not know the exact source or mode of its transmission.
MERS spreads from close contact with an ill person, such as living with or caring for them, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The South Korean outbreak had its first case on May 20. The vast majority of the cases are hospital clusters, and the deaths were among people with pre-existing health conditions.
Experts from the World Health Organization who have dealt with MERS are coming to South Korea to assess the pattern of the virus spread and to look at public health response efforts.
The outbreak in South Korea has been the largest outside Saudi Arabia -- where the virus was discovered.
But South Korea is far from alone in the battle. As of Wednesday, 1,179 cases of MERS have been confirmed in 25 countries, WHO said. Two of those cases were in the United States -- both were health workers who lived in Saudi Arabia.
Jun 8, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://outbreaknewstoday.com/plague-death-reported-in-colorado-firs...
Plague death reported in Colorado, first plague case in Larimer County in 16 years
Posted by Staff on June 20, 2015Larimer County, CO health officials are reporting a confirmed plague fatality in a Cherokee Park area male Friday. The individual died on June 8. This is the first Larimer County resident confirmed to have contracted plague since 1999.
Oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis/CDC
According to the ongoing investigation, the young man may have contracted the disease from fleas on a dead rodent or other animal on the family acreage. The Larimer County Department of Healthand Environment is coordinating the investigation, working with the experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the State Health Department, and the Larimer County Coroner’s office.
Because many people visited the family’s home after the young man’s death – before the cause of death was identified – the family is reaching out to those who visited their home or attended the scattering of his ashes on the property. There is a small chance that others might have been bitten by infected fleas, so anyone who was on the family’s land in the last 7 days should seek medical attention immediately if a fever occurs. The last exposure to others was likely on June 14.
Those who attended services in Fort Collins on June 10 or June 13 are not at any risk, nor is there any risk from past contact with the deceased, nor recent contact with his family members and friends.
Plague can spread through rodent populations in a localized area – often resulting in mass animal “die-offs.” The only animals with confirmed plague so far this year in Larimer County were in an area of Soapstone Natural area this is not open to the public.
Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. It is found in animals throughout the world, most commonly rats but other rodents like ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, rabbits and voles.Fleas typically serve as the vector of plague. Human cases have been linked to the domestic cats and dogs that brought infected fleas into the house.
People can also get infected through direct contact with an infected animal, through inhalation and in the case of pneumonic plague, person to person.
Jun 20, 2015
M. Difato
A measles outbreak in a southeast province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed more than 300 people and infected at least 20,000, according to a preliminary United Nations report.
“The toll is heavy and worrying: since January 1, 2015, more than 20,000 cases of measles have been registered in Katanga province alone” and “almost 320 people have died”, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement this week.
According to the UN agency, the current outbreak is turning for the worst is “gaining ground”. These include the presence of armed groups, the isolation of some regions that makes it hard to conserve vaccines properly, and the refusal of some parents to allow their children to be vaccinated due to religious and cultural traditions. The global humanitarian aid organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), reported that there were 267 death from measles from the start of the year through July among the 16,500 cases. In the epidemic that began in 2010 – but peaked in 2011 – measles caused 77,241 cases in the Katanga province and 1,085 deaths, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. The roads in the region are often in poor condition, with some areas not accessible by vehicle, according to MSF.
The disease is highly contagious, with initial symptoms of high fever, diarrhea, dehydration and pneumonia, according to the WHO.
The virus is spread through having contact with droplets or fluids infected with the virus such as the sneeze and cough of a measles patient.
“Most deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease”, according to the WHO.
The World Health Organization warned last November that progress toward wiping out measles has stalled worldwide due to poor vaccine coverage. The disease can easily be countered by a vaccine.
Source: http://www.dispatchtimes.com/congo-measles-outbreak-death-toll-rise...
Aug 16, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
Just thought this should be on the record here on the ning.
http://fusion.net/story/196136/pentagon-plague-shipped/
The Pentagon might have accidentally shipped some bubonic plague
Shipping wrongly stored and potentially infectious plague bacteria: it happens! Or at least, it may have happened at some of “[t]he Pentagon’s most secure laboratories.”
Nine labs run by the the Pentagon are under what USA Today describes as an “emergency ban on research on all bioterror pathogens” after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noticed subpar practices during inspections they performed in August. The CDC’s concerns include bad practices around shipping samples of Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that cause bubonic plague (which affects the lymph nodes) and pneumonic plague (the lungs).
The CDC was concerned because the bacteria, which are supposed to be shipped either weakened or dead, were mislabeled and may in fact have been alive.
Oops!
The ban went into place last week, on September 2, but when it was announced the Army failed to note the CDC’s concerns about plague bacteria and two potentially deadly encephalitis viruses. Instead the announcement traced the ban to news that broke in May of a decade of improper shipping and mishandling of live anthrax by an Army lab in Utah. Today, though, an army spokesperson told USA Today that the concerns about plague bacteria and the viruses “directly contributed to [Secretary of the Army John] McHugh’s ordering of the moratorium.”
Per CNN, Department of Defense spokesman Peter Cook said in a briefing that the CDC determined that “there is no risk to the health of workers or the public.” But they’re also still investigating. Cook also described a little bit about how the investigation is progressing:
The major takeaway: Just be careful if you get any weird packages from military labs, okay?
Sep 11, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201510190008.aspx
Number of dengue fever cases tops 25,379 in Taiwan
As of Sunday, Kaohsiung and Tainan, where the dengue fever outbreak is concentrated, had reported 125 and 119 new cases, respectively.
It appears that the dengue fever outbreak is intensifying in Kaohsiung and abating in Tainan, the CDC said, adding that the two southern Taiwan cities have accumulated 4,544 and 20,400 cases so far, respectively.
While 23,076 dengue patients have recovered nationwide, 43 are still being treated in intensive care units, CDC statistics show.
In addition, Tropical Storm Koppu could bring rain as it approaches Taiwan, which is favorable for vector breeding, the CDC warned the public to step up disease control efforts, including spraying and removing unused water containers.
Dengue fever is an infectious tropical disease spread by mosquitoes. The symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and skin rash. In a small proportion of cases, the disease can develop into hemorrhagic dengue fever, which can be fatal.
Oct 19, 2015
Ryan X
Bubonic Plague Found in Oregon Teenager
Oct 30, 2015
Scott
Puerto Rico reports first case of Zika virus, spread by mosquitoes (12/31/15)
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-puertorico-zika-idUSKBN0UF1L22016...
Puerto Rico has reported its first case of Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that has been spreading across South America and the Caribbean and has been linked by Brazilian authorities to a serious birth defect, a U.S. Congressman said on Thursday.
Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's representative in Congress, said in a statement his office had been in touch with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which had confirmed the single case of Zika on the island.
"There is no reason for alarm, and the public should continue to take common sense steps to avoid mosquito bites, like using repellent and wearing long pants and shirts," Pierluisi said.
Zika was first detected in Africa in the 1940s but was unknown in the Americas until last year.
The mosquito-transmitted disease has been confirmed in countries including Brazil, Panama, Venezuela, El Salvador, Mexico, Suriname, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Guatemala and Paraguay, according to public health officials.
Brazilian authorities in November linked Zika to a surge in babies born with microcephaly, a birth defect that seriously limits a child's mental and physical abilities.
Brazil has reported nearly 2,000 cases of babies born with microcephaly, or unusually small brains, the World Health Organization (WHO) said this month.
The WHO said the cause of the outbreak in Brazil had yet to be determined.
Between three and 12 days after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, three out of four people come down with symptoms including mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis, headaches and joint pain.
Jan 1, 2016
Scott
California will see a lot more disease-carrying mosquitoes this year, experts say (1/3/16)
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-mosquitoes-20160104-s...
...The mosquitoes' expansion of territory was largely attributed to abnormally warm weather in the summer and fall.
...After months of tracking the growing population of yellow fever mosquitoes, local vector-control officials found the Asian tiger mosquito in September. Both species of the insect were first found near San Diego's shipyards, although it's unclear how they first came into the county.
...First found in California in 2013, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus have roughly tripled in number around the state during the last several seasons. They have been found in 82 cities and communities, including Escondido, Los Angeles, Fresno and parts of the Bay Area.
But beyond being a growing public nuisance, it's unclear how much of a threat these mosquitoes present. East Coast and Midwest cities have long tolerated the pests without serious incident.
Jan 4, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://whnt.com/2016/01/18/47-people-test-positive-for-tuberculosis...
47 people test positive for tuberculosis in west-central Alabama
Posted 3:19 pm, January 18, 2016
MARION, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Public Health says 47 people have been identified with tuberculosis infection in Perry County. These patients will receive further testing and treatment , including a chest X-ray.
To date, 798 residents of Perry County have been tested for TB over the past three days. A community meeting will be held Tuesday, January 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Berean Baptist Church in Marion. At that time, representatives from Public Health will be available to update residents about the outbreak and the TB screening program.
In this story
Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Karen Landers said, “We will continue to screen and test individuals to ensure that we have conducted a thorough investigation, as well as to educate the public about our response process. Once again, we thank the residents of Perry County for their outstanding support during this time.”
To encourage screening and follow-up, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, through Jan. 29 the Perry County Health Department will pay
Because of the high rate of TB infection in Marion, Perry County Health Department is the only local health department offering money to patients for TB screening and treatment.
Symptoms of TB include cough lasting more than two weeks, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue. A person may be infected with the TB germ and have no symptoms. Fortunately, patients can be treated preventively before becoming ill.
If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. TB disease was once the leading cause of death in the United States.
The Perry County Health Department is located at 1748 S. Washington St., Marion. All services are confidential and are provided at no charge. No appointment is needed for this service.
Jan 19, 2016
M. Difato
Possible associations between GBS and Zika virus infection
Guillain-Barré syndrome – El Salvador
Disease Outbreak News 21 January 2016
http://www.who.int/csr/don/21-january-2016-gbs-el-salvador/en/
The National IHR Focal Point of El Salvador has notified PAHO/WHO of an unusual increase of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in the country. In El Salvador, the annual average number of GBS is 169; however, from 1 December 2015 to 6 January 2016, 46 GBS were recorded, including 2 deaths.
Of the 46 GBS cases, 25 (54%) are male and 35 (76%) are 30 years old or older. All cases were hospitalized and treated with plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin. One of the two deceased patients had a history of multiple underlying chronic diseases. Out of the 22 patients whose information was available, 12 (54%) presented with febrile rash illness in the 15 days prior to the onset of symptoms consistent with GBS.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of infection and acquire further details about the laboratory diagnosis. Possible associations between GBS and Zika virus infection are also being investigated. Since the confirmation of the first case of Zika virus infection in November 2015 until 31 December 2015, Salvadoran health authorities reported 3,836 suspected cases of Zika virus infection.
WHO advice
The proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing the breeding of mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people. This can be achieved by reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled habitats that support mosquito larvae, reducing the adult mosquito populations around at-risk communities and by using barriers such as insect screens, closed doors and windows, long clothing and repellents. Since the Aedes mosquitoes (the primary vector for transmission) are day-biting mosquitoes, it is recommended that those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, the sick or elderly, should rest under mosquito nets (bed nets), treated with or without insecticide to provide protection.
During outbreaks, space spraying of insecticides may be carried out following the technical orientation provided by WHO to kill flying mosquitoes. Suitable insecticides (recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme) may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers, when this is technically indicated.
Basic precautions for protection from mosquito bites should be taken by people traveling to high risk areas, especially pregnant women. These include use of repellents, wearing light colored, long sleeved shirts and pants and ensuring rooms are fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restriction to El Salvador based on the current information available.
Jan 22, 2016
Heather
Jan 27, 2016
M. Difato
Zika virus case confirmed in Monroe County; total NY cases up to 5
January 28, 2016
http://www.syracuse.com/health/index.ssf/2016/01/zika_virus_case_co...
A single case of Zika virus has been confirmed in Monroe County, bringing the total number of cases of the disease in New Yorkup to five.
The Department of Health confirmed that individuals in New York City, Monroe, Orange, and Nassau counties had contracted the disease, all while traveling abroad, according to CBS New York.
There are a total of 31 cases of the disease across 11 U.S. states, according to WHEC-TV. The disease has been linked to the birth defect known as microcephaly, which can leave newborns with unusually small heads and abnormal brain development.
Health officials did not say whether the affected person was a man or a woman, but did say the individual was not pregnant, according to WHAM-TV reporter Sean Carroll.
State Heath Commissioner Howard Zucker issued a statement last week saying there "is virtually no risk of acquiring Zika virus in New York State at this time as the virus cannot be spread by casual contact with an infected person and mosquitoes are not active in cold winter months."
All of the afflicted New Yorkers contracted the disease in one of the tropical countries where it has become an epidemic. Officials have urged pregnant women to avoid travel to 24 countries, mostly in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the virus has been spreading. The countries and territories include: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, St. Martin, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cape Verde, off the coast of western Africa and Samoa in the South Pacific.
The United Nations plans to hold an emergency meeting Monday to determine whether the disease, which is "spreading explosively," should be declared an international health emergency. One World Health Organization scientist said there could be up to 4 million cases of Zika in the Americas in the next year.
Despite the concern, U.S. health officials remain confident that a widespread outbreak in the country is unlikely. Dr. Anthony Fauci told The Associated Press he thinks the Zika virus can be kept at bay with "mosquito vector control."
» Meet the 'Infectious Disease Cowboys' hunting down dengue in Syracuse
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Jan 28, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.citizen.co.za/992909/yellow-fever-outbreak-kills-51-in-a...
Yellow fever outbreak kills 51 in Angola
There is no specific treatment for the viral hemorrhagic disease which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
LUANDA, Feb 15, 2016 (AFP) – A yellow fever outbreak in Angola has killed 51 people out of 241 suspected cases, in the first epidemic of the disease to hit the country in 30 years, official statistics showed Monday.
The centre of the outbreak is the capital Luanda’s eastern suburb of Viana where 29 deaths and 92 cases have been reported over the last six weeks, national director of public health Adelaide de Carvalho said.
There is no specific treatment for the viral hemorrhagic disease which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and found in tropical regions of Africa and Latin America’s Amazon region.
Authorities have launched a mass vaccination drive targeting about 1.5 million people.
Angola lies in the yellow fever belt of Africa where vaccination against the disease is recommended.
Feb 15, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/health/Meningitis-outbreak-93...
Meningitis outbreak: 93 dead, 548 infected
Health News of Monday, 15 February 2016
The Ghana Health Service has declared a meningitis epidemic in the Jaman North district of the Brong Ahafo region.
Current figures released by the service show that a total of 548 people have been infected with the deadly disease.
Ghana has recorded both pneumococcal and cerebrospinal meningitis since November last year.
The disease has so far claimed 93 lives from the latest outbreak.
The Brong Ahafo region is leading with 359 cases of meningitis and 52 fatalities.
Addressing the media Monday, the Director of the Health Service Dr. Badu Sarkodie said the situation is under control.
Feb 16, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.nairaland.com/2961491/outbreak-deadly-disease-oau-campus
A "New" Unexplainable disease at Obafemi Awolowo University
Nigeria:
Outbreak Of A Deadly Disease On OAU CAMPUS! Management Warn!!!
ALERT! ALERT!! ALERT!!!
This is to inform the general society of Obafemi Awolowo University and by extension the whole community of Ile-Ife of the outbreak of the new unknown, fierce, slowly killing disease.
Report has it that this disease has been diagnosed to be caused by a virus, but non of the lab scientists has been able to pinpoint the virus.
Dr Ilesanmi, the resident doctor of health centre said. . .
" The virus observed by our lab scientist is neither similar in structure nor function to any of the viruses ever known. In the past five days we've admitted 75 patients with similar cases, though our infrastructural facilities failed us to manage the large number. 65 of these patients are female while just ten are male, so we are guessing that this disease is gender sensitive.
We implore the whole of OAU students and staffs as a whole to please bear with us, as we are working towards better services, as far as this deadly disease is concerned. The symptoms includes: headache, stomach ache, body weakness, irritation, fever, vomiting (in some cases), sore throat, loss of appetite. Though we don't know the preventions yet, but we believe that by proper hygiene, we can reduce the spread of the disease. . ."
It is recommended that during this period, we have our bath at least twice a day, if not thrice, wash our hands with soap and water, and keep our food properly.
We pray that God saves OAU from this deadly disease. Send this message to all your friends in OAU and Ile-Ife, you might be saving a life.
cc: seun,lalasticlala, dominique, sissy3
Feb 28, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/Scarlet-Fever-warning-37-new-...
New Scarlet Fever warning as 37 cases in a week reported in the region
Posted: February 28, 2016
THIRTY seven new cases of scarlet fever have been reported in the South West last week, according to the latest Public Health statistics.
Parents are being urged to be on the lookout for symptoms to help stop the spread of the outbreak after new cases of scarlet fever were recorded.
The peak in infections of the extremely contagious disease usually happens in March and April and there was concern after a sharp rise across the country during 2015.
Scarlet fever is not usually a serious infection but complications can arise, particularly in those who are not treated promptly. At present, there is no vaccine for scarlet fever.
In the latest figures on infectious diseases issued by Public Health England there have been 37 cases of scarlet fever in the South West.
GPs in England and Wales have a statutory duty to notify the local authority of suspected cases of certain infectious diseases, including scarlet fever, smallpox, Sars, tuberculosis, cholera, leprosy, Legionnaires' disease, meningitis, mumps, yellow fever, outbreaks of food poisoning and whooping cough.
HOW TO SPOT SCARLET FEVER
Symptoms generally take two to five days to appear after infection; the illness often starts with a sore throat, headache and a high temperature (fever) with a rash developing 12 to 48 hours later.
Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that causes a distinctive pink-red rash. Other symptoms include a high temperature, a flushed face and a red, swollen tongue.
Public Health England's advice to parents and carers on how to protect against scarlet fever:
Make sure children wash their hands regularly
Not allow children to share cutlery with an infected person
Make sure children avoid people with the infection
Wash or dispose of tissues or handkerchiefs used by an infected person
Be aware that you can catch scarlet fever
Feb 28, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.hstoday.us/briefings/daily-news-analysis/single-article/...
Wisconsin, CDC Investigating Bacterial Blood Infection Outbreak
“As soon as we were notified of the potential outbreak, Wisconsin’s disease detectives began working immediately to identify the source,” said State Health Officer Karen McKeown.
While 18 patients who tested positive for the Elizabethkingia infection in this outbreak have died, it has not been determined if the cause is the bacterial infection, or the patients’ other serious health conditions, or both.
Symptoms of the illness can include fever, shortness of breath, chills or cellulitis. Confirmation of the illness requires a laboratory test.
The majority of patients acquiring this infection are over the age of 65 and all patients have a history of at least one underlying serious illness, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health (DPH).
There have been 44 cases of Elizabethkingia anophelis infections reported to DPH since November. However, the investigation is ongoing, and the Department plans to continue to update case counts on its website every Wednesday.
“Case counts may change as additional illnesses are identified and more cases are laboratory confirmed,” DPH said in a statement.
American bacteriologist Elizabeth O. King discovered Elizabethkingia in 1959 when she was studying unclassified bacteria associated with pediatric meningitis at the CDC. The bacteria is a species of gram-negative, obligate aerobic, making it resistant to many antibiotics. Consequently, the CDC indicates early detection is critical.
After the first potential cases were identified, DPH alerted health care providers, infection preventionists, and laboratories statewide of the presence of the bacteria, and provided information on how to identify and treat the infection.
The outbreak has prompted the CDC to send five “disease detectives” to southern Wisconsin to assist in the investigation. DPH is also working closely with state and local partners, including the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and clinicians in Wisconsin. Wisconsin health officials are committed to determining the source of the bacteria and working to control the outbreak.
“Determining the source of the bacteria affecting patients in Wisconsin is a complex process,” McKeown said. “While we recognize there will be many questions we cannot yet answer, we feel it is important to share the limited information we have about the presence of the bacteria, as we continue our work to determine the source.”
Mar 4, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.truthandaction.org/chinese-superbug-invasion/
Chinese Superbug Invasion
An invasion from China is headed our way, and it has nothing to do with military incursions or cyberspace spying. Instead, the threat is from infectious pathogens, and there is almost nothing we can do about it, despite warnings from medical experts that go back years.
A bacterial mutation discovered in people and livestock in China is proving to be the antibiotic-resistant “super-bug” scientists and health experts have been warning about for years. Antibiotic resistance is estimated to kill at least 700,000 people worldwide each year, and that number is expected to climb to over 10 million deaths by 2050. The mutation could push that number much higher, and scientists and health experts are at a loss in how to address this very serious threat.
Super-bug encroaching from China
A gene known as MCR-1 is becoming more common in China and has been found to make bacteria resistant to all antibiotics, including “last resort” antibiotic drugs. The gene allows bacteria to resist even harsh antibiotics or polymyxins, including Colistin, which is the antibiotic of last resort when other antibiotics have failed. MCR-1 genes are not destroyed by polymixyins, and could theoretically interact with all other infectious pathogens to allow the extensive spread of infectious diseases, with no viable medical solution
at this time. The problem has intensified due to the overuse of Colistin by farmers around the world. Farmers have used large quantities of antibiotics with pigs and chickens in order to fatten them up and prevent disease, with the use of Colistin especially prevalent in China.
It is impossible to know how soon the problem will reach U.S. shores, but there is no doubt that international commerce in all things including food products means that the problem of drug resistant “super-bugs” cannot be far distant and new methods and treatments will have to be developed
to address the looming health concern.
Mar 23, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/03/21/kashechewan-evacuation_n_95...
Kashechewan Evacuation: Kids With Rash Will Be Removed From Community
Posted: 03/21/2016 4:15 pm EDT
OTTAWA — Children covered in sores and rashes in an Ontario First Nation are the face of a much broader health crisis faced by aboriginal communities across the country, says Charlie Angus, the NDP indigenous affairs critic.
Angus joined ministerial officials and aboriginal leaders for a conference call Monday to discuss why some children in Kashechewan First Nation have developed unusual rashes and, in extreme causes, painful sores on their bodies.
The call came after images of the children were shared widely on social media over the weekend.
"The pictures of those children were so shocking and so heartbreaking that it woke Canadians up across the country," Angus said.
"They were saying 'what the hell is happening in our country that children are getting sick like this?' These children really are the face of a much larger systemic crisis that is facing northern First Nation communities."
Angus, whose riding includes the long-troubled reserve, said three children have been evacuated from the community while another 13 are expected to be removed by officials for further examination and possible treatment.
The children are expected to be transported out of the community by Tuesday.
Doctors are also expected to be sent into the community to conduct door-to-door visits and determine if other children are developing similar symptoms, a government official said Monday.
"What the physicians are doing is trying to do some supplementary follow-up work by visiting the homes with the community health workers to see if there's other children they have missed or are there certain prevailing health conditions that might contribute to skin conditions," said Keith Conn, an acting assistant deputy minister for regional operations in the Health Department's First Nations and Inuit branch.
Health Minister Jane Philpott also addressed the Kashechewan cases outside the Commons on Monday, where she noted that the children in the community are not suffering from a water-related condition.
"It is our understanding that that is not the case," Philpott said.
"In fact, the water has been tested as recently as last Tuesday and we know that it meets all of the appropriate standards for safety and drinking water and water to be used for other purposes."
Philpott said she could not speak to specifics due to confidentiality concerns but stressed that all children who require care will be evacuated if necessary.
One possible cause of skin lesions is an infectious condition, the minister added.
"The health conditions that we are seeing in First Nations communities like Kashechewan and the very serious and concerning gaps in health outcomes are not new, unfortunately," she said.
"It is a sad reality. It is a reality that we are facing front on, that I am working with my officials in Health Canada to address."
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said the situation in Kashechewan speaks to why northern Ontario First Nations leaders decided to declare a public health emergency last month.
Fiddler, who was also on Monday's conference call, said he heard a message from officials focused only on short-term problems.
He said the government needs to also tackle broader systemic issues, such as a lack of clean drinking water, proper housing and possible mould issues, to determine why health problems are plaguing reserves.
"It was good to hear government officials commit to getting these children out for an assessment and hopefully treatment," Fiddler said.
"We also need to look at the longer term ... some of the determinants of health: housing, water, and education, everything else that contributes to the health and well-being of our families."
Fiddler also said he is still waiting to hear from Philpott in response to the public health emergency.
"Here we are a month after our declaration was issued and we are still trying to confirm meetings with the federal health minister," he said. "Meanwhile, things are deteriorating."
When the emergency was declared, the Ontario First Nation leaders called on governments to respond within 90 days and to meet the chiefs to develop a detailed intervention plan.
During question period on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signalled Tuesday's budget will contain "historic" investments to address indigenous issues.
The fiscal blueprint is largely expected to be a litmus test of the government's commitment to tackling long-standing challenges including housing, drinking water and education.
Trudeau has maintained no relationship is more important to him than the one with Aboriginal Peoples.
Mar 25, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://abc7chicago.com/news/illness-sweeps-canada-evacuation-center...
Illness Sweeps Canada Evacuation Center After Wildfire
In the Northland Expo Center, one of seven evacuation sites in the region, officials are trying to identify the illness that is spreading, but Dr. Chris Sikora said during a news conference today that the cases "seem to be viral gastroenteritis," and that people are suffering from "nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea." Sikora is the senior medical officer of health in Edmonton.
The wildfire in Fort McMurray started one week ago, and today there are over 600 people taking shelter in the Northland Expo Center, according to Kerry Williamson, senior media relations adviser for Edmonton at Alberta Health Services.
"Most of the time the fires burn [in areas] without a lot of people," Williamson said. "This one was the largest one they have seen in Alberta's history."
The confined spaces and close quarters that characterize evacuation centers can be a recipe for disaster when it comes to containing the spread of infectious illnesses such as norovirus.
"Controlling norovirus outbreaks is very challenging because the virus is incredibly contagious and people can get the infection more than once," said ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser. "In temporary shelters in which there is crowding, the challenges are even greater. The virus can spread from person-to-person, from contaminated food or water, and through contact with surfaces with norovirus on them."
In addition to intestinal viruses, respiratory viruses like influenza can also be spread more easily in confined spaces, according to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases specialist at the Vanderbilt Medical Center.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidance on ways to limit the exposure and transmission of contagious diseases. Besser, who headed the CDC's public health emergency preparedness and response functions from 2005 to 2009, reiterated the basic principles.
"To control an outbreak, you want to keep people who are sick away from those who are not," he said. "You want to ensure access to hand-washing stations and if that isn't available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers. People with norovirus should not be involved in food preparation. All potentially contaminated surfaces need to be disinfected with a dilute bleach solution."
Sikora emphasized that the Northland Expo center is taking a three-step approach to combating this contagious infection.
"First, we are trying to keep the well people well," he said. "The second step is to help assist and maintain the health of people who are ill. The third is to maintain continuity of business here at the reception center."
Schaffner emphasized that the longer people are together in enclosed spaces, in close proximity, the more likely these outbreaks become. And while these illnesses may not be deadly to most of the population, they are "a more serious threat to the very young, the very old, and for people with underlying illnesses such as diabetes."
Though this fire is the worst the region has ever seen, Sikora emphasized that the people of Alberta "are a resilient bunch, and we will help our staff and public get through this."
Dr. Malorie Simons is a resident physician with the Brown University Department of Internal Medicine. She is a resident in the ABC News Medical Unit.
May 10, 2016
M. Difato
Malaysia on high alert as hand, foot and mouth disease outbreak spreads
June 17, 2016 http://www.ibtimes.sg/malaysia-high-alert-hand-foot-mouth-disease-o...
Malaysia is on high alert after the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) reached outbreak proportions in the country.
The health ministry has taken urgent measures to control the outbreak. There were 1,379 HFMD cases nationwide with Selangor, Johor and Kuala Lumpur at the top of the list.
Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah said there was an increase of 83 cases or 6.4 per cent, compared with 1,296 cases registered the week before.
"The upward trend began in the last week of April with 794 cases. A directive was issued in early May to all state health departments to step up monitoring and preventive efforts," he told The Straits Times.
According to the ministry, Selangor has a total of 4,441 cases, which is the highest with 32.6 percent. It is followed by Johor with 1,393 cases (10.2 per cent) and then comes Kuala Lumpur 1,317 (9.7 per cent), Sabah 1,299 (9.5 per cent) and Sarawak 1,108 (8.1 per cent).
The health authorities have already closed 12 nurseries and preschools in Negri Sembilan in order to carry out disinfection procedures there.
Abdul Rahim Abdullah, the State health director, said that six houses were also detected with the disease. "Up to Sunday, a total of 485 HFMD cases have been reported. So far, there is no new outbreak besides the 18 spots," he said.
He also added that the nurseries and preschools in Taman Seri Pandan, Seremban were among the first areas to get affected by HFMD.
If the total number of weekly cases exceeds 20, then the authorities will put out an alert to warn the public.
Last month, 28 cases were detected till the second week but surprisingly the number shot up to 87 by the fourth week. In Kuala Terengganu, the authorities were seen taking prompt action to inspect day care centres, kindergartens and surroundings. The results showed that there was an increase in the number of cases up to 35 per cent.
However, in Ipoh, there was a drop in the number of cases from 25 between the month of February and May.
The State Health, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman, Muhammad Pehimi Yusof, said that 165 cases were reported in the first five months this year, whereas last year only 122 cases were detected. Hence, the number of affected cases is surely on a rise.
Perak health director, Juita Ghazalie said that the disease is rising in a cyclical pattern every two years. She also said that information about the disease has already been disseminated to all parties.
They have also taken steps to set up a sentinel surveillance laboratory at Taiping and Seri Manjung Hospital to closely monitor the situation.
HFMD is highly infectious in nature. It is caused by enteroviruses, specifically the Coxsackie A16 and Enterovirus 71 strains.
It can be detected by symptoms like fever, sore throat, rashes on the hands and feet, and mouth ulcers. Apart from these, patients might also have other complications such as meningoencephalitis or myocarditis in severe cases and it may even result in death.
Jun 17, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://outbreaknewstoday.com/venezuela-malaria-case-count-tops-1000...
Venezuela malaria case count tops 100,000, up 68 percent from 2015
July 9, 2016
Venezuela recorded the most malaria cases in decades in 2015 (HERE), ending the year with a total 136,402 cases. However, the data for the first 25 weeks of 2016 put the country over the 100,000 case threshold, a whopping 68 percent increase compared to the same period in the record year of 2015, according to the Bulletin of Environmental Health as reported in an....
Image/Alvaro1984 18
More than 4500 locally acquired cases were reported in epidemiological week 25 alone. The case tally so far this year eclipses the total for all of 2014.
Three of of four cases are due to Plasmodium vivax, while 16 percent are due to the more serious Plasmodium falciparum.
Eighty percent of cases were reported from Bolivar state in eastern Venezuela on the borders of Brazil and Guyana.
Malaria is considered the most important parasitic disease affecting humans. The femaleAnopheles mosquito serves as the vector for the parasite.
The mosquito-borne disease continues to sicken and kill far too many people eachyear, most of them children. In 2012, roughly 207 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide resulting in 627,000 deaths, according to the World HealthOrganization (WHO). In 2013, 97countries had ongoing malaria transmission, placing 3.4 billion people at risk for the disease.
Jul 10, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/n0691-40-now-hospitalise...
40 now hospitalised after anthrax outbreak in Yamal, more than half...
Russian army biological protection troops called in amid warnings 'utmost care' needed to stop deadly infection spreading.
A total of 40 people are under observation in hospital. Picture: Vesti Yamal
The concern among experts is that global warming thawed a diseased animal carcass at least 75 years old, buried in the melting permafrost, so unleashing the disease.
A total of 40 people, the majority of them children, from nomadic herder families in northern Siberia are under observation in hospital amid fears they may have contracted the anthrax. Doctors stress that so far there are NO confirmed cases.
Up to 1,200 reindeer were killed either by anthrax or a heatwave in the Arctic district where the infection spread.
Specialists from the Chemical, Radioactive and Biological Protection Corps were rushed to regional capital Salekhard on a military Il-76 aircraft.
They were deployed by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to carry laboratory tests on the ground, detect and eliminate the focal point of the infection, and to dispose safely of dead animals.
The move confirmed the seriousness with which the authorities view the anthrax outbreak, the first in this region since 1941.
The army unit is equipped with military helicopters as well as off road vehicles for what Yamalo-Nenets governor Dmitry Kobylkin calls 'an extremely challenging task of liquidating the consequences - and disinfecting the focus - of the infection. I think this perhaps will be the first in the world operation cleaning up a territory of mass deer mortality over such distances in the tundra.'
Eight new people were admitted to hospital in Salekhard early on Friday, bringing the total to 40, said officials.
Earlier it was reported that 13 were in hospital.
'As of now, there is no single diagnosis of the dangerous infection,' said a spokesman for the governor of Yamalo-Nenets, Dmitry Kobylkin. 'Medics are taking preliminary measures even if there is the slightest doubt over the nomads' state of health.'
The 40 are all from a total of 63 nomads belonging to a dozen families who were at the site of the outbreak at Tarko-Sale Faktoria camp. The remaining nomads have been evacuated some 60 kilometres from the focus of infection in Yamalsky district.
A prolonged period of exceptionally hot weather in an Arctic Siberian district - with temperatures of up to 35C - has led to melting of permafrost in Yamalo-Nenets and other regions.
The outbreak of anthrax earlier this week is the first in this part of Russia since 1941.
Officials say 1,200 reindeer have died in recent days, evidently through a combination of infection from anthrax, and the heatwave - unprecedented in living memory.
A major inoculation programme is also underway with a local state of emergency declared at Tarko-Sale Faktoria camp, above the Arctic Circle and close to the Yaro To lake, some 340 kilometres north-east of Salekhard.
It is already clear that the anthrax outbreak has come despite major precautions against the disease in a part of northern Russia which takes huge pride in its venison industry, with supplies sent to other regions of the country and abroad.
Officials insisted that last year almost half a million reindeer were vaccinated against anthrax.
One leading academic Professor Florian Stammler, of the Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Finland, has warned of the serious risk of anthrax spreading around the Yamal Peninsula from this location, which he portrays as a reindeer junction.
He told The Siberian Times: 'I have myself moved together with private herders around the Yaro To lake.
'The location is an important pass way for many reindeer nomads, used in all seasons. The nomads with the furthest longest migration routes use it in early May, just before calving time, moving up North in spring towards their summer pastures.
Continues.............
Jul 29, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
Bairnsdale Ulcer could spread to other Australian states
WARNING: Graphic images
A FLESH-eating zombie bug is spreading in Australia, gnawing at skin and causing amputations in extreme cases.
The Bairnsdale ulcer has been around for decades but its prevalence in the country is growing, with parts of Victoria and Queensland becoming hot spots.
And NSW could be next.
Tens of thousands of people are at risk of catching the gruesome flesh-eating bug, and doctors aren’t sure where it comes from or what causes it.
It is believed the bug is spread by either mosquitoes, or through possums after they have been bitten by the insect.
It starts out looking like any normal mosquito bite but months later a volcano-like wound will develop and start eating through the flesh.
It’s easily curable if caught early but, if not, it can lead to further complications. Some sufferers need surgery, some endure extreme scarring and others even need to have limbs amputated.
The bug is aggressive and ulcer can be transmitted to a person as soon as they step into one of the hot spots.
Earlier this month, it was reported the bug had spread to the Melbourne suburbs of Bentleigh, Hampton and Cheltenham, southeast of the CBD.
A nine-year-old girl contracted the Bairnsdale ulcer and caught it late. Picture: Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne/Paul JohnsonSource:Supplied
Austin Health infectious diseases physician and medical researcher Professor Paul Johnson said the bug should not be ignored.
He said more research needed to be done into the spread of the disease, to stop it seeping into other states.
Prof Johnson said there was a Bairnsdale ulcer outbreak in the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas in recent decades but it had since spread to Frankston, an outer-southeastern suburb of Melbourne, and even some southern parts of NSW.
Prof Johnson said he couldn’t understand why it was not there already, considering parts of the state had the same climate as suburbs in Melbourne that were hot spots for the flesh-eating bug.
“There’s been some cases near the Victorian border and it could creep up from there,” he said.
Prof Johnson said the Bairnsdale ulcer was very unpredictable and quickly changed its path, much like migrating birds.
“In Victoria it moved progressively west but stopped at Torquay. Now it’s moving back to the east,” he said.
Prof Johnson believed mosquitoes were carrying the bug and transmitting it to people through their bites.
“We still don’t know a lot about where it’s coming from,” he said.
“One current theory is maybe it’s spreading in possums and somehow humans get infections indirectly. Maybe they are getting it from possums via mosquitoes. But maybe possums are just victims of it, like humans.”
The Bairnsdale ulcer, also known at the Buruli ulcer, can also affect bones if it worsens.
Prof Johnson said in rare cases the ulcer could also cause gangrene, the death and decomposition of body tissue.
There have been cases in other countries, predominantly in Nigeria, Mali and other west African countries.
Australia is the only developed country with significant Bairnsdale ulcer outbreaks.
The number of cases has almost doubled in the past three years. In 2015, there were 106 cases recorded in Victoria, up from the 65 in 2013.
There have already been 45 cases recorded this year in Victoria alone.
In a health warning from Victoria Health this month, chief health officer Professor Charles Guest said the bug remained a “concern” in the state.
“Everyone is susceptible to infection,” the warning states.
“Although the source of the infection is unknown, this environmental organism appears to be associated with swampy or stagnant water, and/or coastal vegetation.”
There has also been a number of people infected by the flesh-eating bug in far-north Queensland near Mossman and on the Capricorn Coast of Queensland near Yeppoon.
The tropical north coast near Darwin has also suffered an outbreak.
Prof Johnson said last year there were only about three cases in Queensland but the state suffered from a massive outbreak in 2011.
“Queensland may have none of very few cases but every now and then there will be an outbreak, likely occurring in the Mossman area,” Prof Johnson said.
He said it mainly affected healthy people from the very young to the old.
“It’s not a disease of the sick and weak,” Prof Johnson said.
The Bairnsdale ulcer often erupts on the elbow, back, calf or ankle about four months after a person has been bitten.
The incubation process is slow, and it’s likely transmitted while people are in tropical and coastal climates.
“We still don’t understand why people get it and exactly how to stop it, and how to stop it moving around,” Prof Johnson said.
“It starts as something strange and innocuous but it gradually gets bigger and looks like a small volcano on your skin.
“It gradually swells and hollows out and discharges.”
Holidaymakers have been among those who have found the Bairnsdale ulcer lurking beneath their skin and, last year, two-year-old toddler Sonny Hayes-Marshall was the second youngest victim to ever suffer from the disease.
The Geelong Advertiser reported his nose was infested with the flesh-eating bug and there were fears he would lose his eyesight.
“My main concern was this bug going near his eyes because it just literally kills and eats away at the flesh,” mother Laura Hayes told Geelong Advertiser.
The bug eats through healthy cells, gnawing through skin, nerve, blood and fat cells.
Ms Hayes said it was just a little red dot that you could hardly notice.
“It was like the size of a pin head at first but it just kept getting bigger,” she said.
Prof Johnson said doctors in NSW were yet to deal with many Bairnsdale ulcer cases and encouraged anybody concerned to talk to their health professional.
The chief health officer of Victoria said the bug was first diagnosed in the Bairnsdale area in the 1930s and, since 2012, areas on the Mornington Peninsula, particularly Rye and surrounding townships, had seen a growing number of cases.
Professor Guest said wearing appropriate, protective clothing when gardening and undertaking recreational activities in areas with the Bairnsdale ulcer would prevent infection.
Cuts and abrasions should also be cleaned promptly and exposed skin contaminated by suspect soil or water should be washed following outdoor activities.
Professor Guest said people should also protect themselves with insect repellent.
Aug 20, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.thenational.ae/world/unpredictable-weather-raises-zombie...
Unpredictable weather raises ‘zombie’ diseases from the ground
August 28, 2016 Updated: August 28, 2016 09:37 PM
The death of a boy and his grandmother this month in the far north of Russia after an anthrax outbreak raises questions about the impact of climate change on other pathogens that have been suspended in the ice.
Melting ice caps, rising sea levels, unpredictable weather patterns leading to widespread flooding and, conversely, drought – the known consequences of global warming are bad enough.
But to that catalogue of disasters may be added – right out of the Hollywood scriptwriter’s playbook – the return of deadly "zombie" diseases, reawakened from slumber by the melting of ice that has entombed them for decades or centuries.
This month, an outbreak of anthrax in the far north of Russia claimed the lives of a 12-year-old boy and his grandmother, among 41 children and 31 adults struck down by a disease not seen in the region since 1941. Hundreds of reindeer are also reported to have died.
It is not yet clear where the anthrax came from, but scientists are examining two possibilities – that the dormant but still infectious spores were released from the remains of infected animals or humans buried more than 70 years ago and now being exposed as the region’s permafrost melts.
In either case, Alexei Kokorin, head of WWF Russia’s climate and energy programme, says back then "they didn’t bury deep because it’s hard to dig deep in permafrost".
Now, however, that permafrost is on the retreat, raising concerns about what might lie beneath. Summer thawing in the region normally melts the ice to a depth of about 30 centimetres, but this year it has exceeded a metre, exposing shallow human and animal graves.
It is not the first time a long-dormant virus has risen from its slumbers. In a paper published a year ago, a team of French and Russian scientists revealed that since 2003 four viruses had been discovered in a single 30,000-year-old sample of permafrost.
According to a paper published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States in August last year, all four were capable of infection.
Luckily for us, the targets of these primitive, "giant" viruses – so large they can be detected with a normal microscope – are only certain types of amoebae.
But, the authors caution, "the fact that these viruses retain their infectivity in prehistorical permafrost layers should be of concern in a context of global warming".
Other viruses poised to emerge from icy tombs might not be so benign.
Smallpox, caused by the variola virus, is believed to have first infected humans about 12,000 years ago. By the 18th century, it was killing half a million people a year in Europe alone and in the 20th century claimed the lives of as many as 500 million people worldwide.
It was the first disease to have been fought on a global scale and, in 1980, after an 18-year immunisation drive, the World Health Organisation declared that, apart from a few samples kept in secret and highly secure laboratories, it was eradicated.
Or maybe not. After the recent anthrax outbreak in Russia, scientists there told The Siberian Times they feared "born again" smallpox could rise from the graves of victims buried more than 120 years ago.
In the mid- to late 1800s several smallpox epidemics ravaged settlements north of the Arctic Circle, wiping out whole communities.
"There was a town where up to 40 per cent of the population died," Boris Kershengolts, deputy director at a Siberian biological research institute, told the paper. "Naturally, the bodies were buried under the upper layer of permafrost soil, on the bank of the Kolyma River."
Now, more than a century later, he says, "Kolyma’s floodwaters have started eroding the banks", exposing the graves.
Related article: http://www.thenational.ae/world/europe/russias-melting-ice-could-re...
Aug 28, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.skyvalleychronicle.com/BREAKING-NEWS/Multi-agency-probe-...
Multi agency probe underway into mysterious illness affecting eight children in Washington state
October 29, 2016
(SEATTLE, WA.) -- The Washington State Department of Health is leading a joint investigation into reports of eight children who were admitted to Seattle Children’s Hospital with acute neurologic illnesses which have yet to be identified.
As part of the agency's work to understand their symptoms, it is investigating the possibility of a condition known as acute flaccid myelitis (AFM).
AFM is a rare condition that can be caused by many different things; it affects the nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. Symptoms typically include sudden weakness in one or more arms or legs, along with loss of muscle tone and decreased or absent reflexes.
Public Health Seattle & King County, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working with the Department of Health on the investigation. At this time, there are no confirmed cases of AFM.
The exact cause of AFM is unknown. Many viruses and germs are linked to AFM, including common germs that can cause colds and sore throats, and respiratory infections.
It can also be caused by poliovirus and non-polio enteroviruses, mosquito-borne viruses (such as West Nile Virus or Zika virus) and autoimmune conditions.
The eight children were admitted to the hospital with a range of types and severity of symptoms, but all had a loss of strength or movement in one or more arms or legs.
The children are from four counties [King County - 3 children, Pierce County - 1 child, Franklin County- 2 children, and Whatcom County - 2 children] and range in age from 3 to 14 years old.
Three of the eight cases are currently hospitalized at Seattle Children’s Hospital and five have been released.
"At Seattle Children’s, patient safety is our top priority and parents should rest assured that it is safe to bring their children to the hospital," said Dr. Mark Del Beccaro, chief medical officer at Seattle Children’s Hospital. "We are following our standard infection control protocols, including putting patients with symptoms of active respiratory infections in isolation so they do not have contact with any other patients."
Public Health Seattle & King County, the DOH and the CDC are in the process of further evaluating each case and conducting tests to determine if the patients meet the case definition for AFM, and if an underlying cause can be identified.
However, the cause of any individual case of AFM can be hard to determine, and often, no cause is found, said a statement from the health department.
The CDC makes the final determination regarding whether these are confirmed cases of AFM or not.
"At this point there isn’t evidence that would point to a single source of illness among these cases," said Dr. Scott Lindquist, state infectious disease epidemiologist at the Department of Health. "However, this investigation is just getting underway and we’re looking at all possibilities as we try to understand what might have contributed to these illnesses."
There were no cases of AFM reported in Washington State last year, but there were two cases in 2014. There have been more than 50 cases of AFM in 24 states across the U.S. so far this year.
Oct 30, 2016
Willa Rawlings
Scroll down past the 'Long time events' section:
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php
Feb 1, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
Dead within 3 hours
https://www.naij.com/1092310-4-villagers-die-strange-disease-zamfar...
4 villagers die of strange disease in Zamfara, many hospitalised
Updated: 5 hours ago
Alhaji Salisu Isa-Dangulbi, Chairman of Maru Local Government Council in Zamfara said on Tuesday that four persons had died of a strange disease in Bindin village of the area.
The chairman told newsmen in Gusau that the council had mobilized a team of medical experts headed by its Director of Health to control the situation.
We are waiting for the medical team to finish its work so as to know the cause of the outbreak
“We have also reported this situation to state government through the ministries of health and local government for further action.
Even though there are many speculations about the outbreak, some people are relating it to unprotected and illegal mining activities, but we cannot conclude now until the medical experts finish their work,” he said.
Residents of the area had said that many people were affected by the disease which manifested in high fever, red eyes and swollen heads, culminating in death within three hours.
A resident, Kabir Mikailu said over 10 people died in the village and many others were rushed to General Hospital Dangulbi and the Yeriman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau for medical attention.
According to him, the disease affected mostly women and children and called for speedy response to curtail its spread.
Mar 7, 2017
Derrick Johnson
The American bug ravaging Italy's olive oil industry: Bacteria causes trees to wither and die - and there's no cure
A bacterial pathogen is destroying olive trees in southern Italy, and local Italian authorities are doing little to contain the disease.
The pathogen - for which there is no cure - most likely arrived from the Americas and requires the uprooting of infected trees to prevent it from spreading.
But protestors and a local public prosecutor in the southern Italian town of Puglia are trying to block the felling of ancient olive trees, and have even opened a criminal investigation into whether researchers caused the infection themselves.
Olive trees infected by the bacteria 'Xylella fastidiosa' in Gallipoli in the Puglia region of Italy. The pathogen causes Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS), a disease which causes withering and desiccation (extreme dryness) of terminal shoots, which then expand to the rest of the canopy, causing the tree to collapse and die
According to Nature News, last year Italian authorities failed to track the olive tree infection, caused by a bacterium called Xylella fastidiosa.
It hadn't been seen in Europe until 2013, when it was found in Puglia, Italy.
Researchers found that the pathogen causes Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS), a disease which causes withering and desiccation (extreme dryness) of terminal shoots, which then expand to the rest of the canopy, causing the tree to collapse and die.
Italian authorities didn't follow the disease containment plan agreed to with the European Commission, and an audit published by the Commission includes the failures of the local governments, who began monitoring the infection too late and delayed removing infected trees.
Two years ago in the town of Oria in southern Italy, task forces in charge of uprooting infected olive trees encountered difficulties when protestors chained themselves to ancient trees
In most of 2016, laboratories in Italy analyzed almost no Xylella samples.
The European Commission is concerned that the pathogen X.fastidiosa pauca - the subspecies that causes OQDS - will spread throughout Europe, threatening its olive industry as whole.
Monitoring programmes coordinated by the Commission have identified other subspecies of Xylella in other EU countries, and in May, a devastating subspecies of the pathogen, X.fastidiosa fastidiosa, which causes Pierce's disease and regularly wipes out vineyards in California, was found in Mallorca, Spain.
While the spread of the infection was contained there, researchers worry that other undiscovered subspecies could infect other crops.
Two years ago in the town of Oria in southern Italy, task forces in charge of uprooting infected olive trees encountered difficulties when protestors chained themselves to ancient trees.
Map of Xyllella fastidiosa bacteria worldwide. Countries in orange show where the bacterium is present, and countries in purple where the bacterium is transient. It shows the spread of the bacterium species, but not specific subspecies
The challenges in Oria began in 2015 when military-police general Giuseppe Silletti began containment measures which included cutting down healthy trees around infected ones.
Following EU regulations, he drew a map of infected areas, including a 20-kilometers 'buffer zone' around the area where trees were mostly healthy, but needed to be monitored.
A scanning electron micrograph of Xylella fastidiosa bacteria in the xylem vessel of an infected sweet orange leaf. The bacteria block these vessels, impairing water uptake in plants, causing withering and desiccation (extreme dryness) of leaves
However, protestors and Puglia's publig prosecutor hampered his team's efforts by suspending the felling of trees, and Silletti resigned in December of 2015 because his plans were being blocked.
The prosecutor finally lifted the felling ban when the European Commission threatened to report the Italian government to the European Court of Justice.
While Puglia's regional governor has since appointed a new task force to tackle the problem, its goals and composition haven't been made public.
The disease causes withering and desiccation (extreme dryness) of terminal shoots, which then expand to the rest of canopy, causing the tree to collapse and die. Pictured is a dried branch of olive tree, partly infected by Xyella fastidiosa, in Caprarica in Italy's Puglia region
Some protestors don't believe that the pathogen is causing the infection, and some sent a new complaint to the prosecutor in May saying that researchers ignored other potential causes of infection such as a fungus, even though this has already been ruled out by the European Commission.
Despite these setbacks, researchers in Puglia have identified two types of olive tree that are mostly resistant to the disease, and the Commission suggested that they could be planted in infected areas to replace dead trees.
However, developing full resistant trees could take time - a decade or more.
The Xylella fastidiosa pathogen - for which there is no cure - most likely arrived from the Americas and requires the uprooting of infected trees to prevent it from spreading
Different subspecies of the pathogen have been seen in countries across the EU, and more may be found.
Genes flow 'relatively easily' between the different species, says Dr Rodrigo Almeida, who studies Xylella at the University of California, Berkeley.
This gene flow could result in even more pathogenic version of the infection.
Some protestors don't believe that the pathogen is causing the infection, and some sent a new complaint to a Puglia prosecutor in May saying that researchers ignored other potential causes of infection such as a fungus, even though this has already been ruled out by the European Commission
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4581856/Italy-s-oliv...
Jun 8, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.thebigwobble.org/2017/06/a-cholera-epidemic-is-bringing-...
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
A cholera epidemic is bringing war torn Yemen to it's knees as experts predict 250,000 will contract the disease in the coming months
Photo ibtimes.co.uk
At Yemen's Sabaeen Hospital, code black is an understatement: patients sleep three to a bed, on the bare floor or outside in tents as cholera brings a country torn by war to its knees.
Six weeks into the second outbreak of the deadly disease in less than a year, at least one patient checks in at Sabaeen every 60 seconds, leaving staff unable to cope.
"Over the past two weeks, we've been receiving patients at a rate of one or two, sometimes even three, per minute," said Ismail Mansuri, a doctor treating cholera patients at Sabaeen.
The situation is nearly indescribable in Yemen, where a long-running conflict escalated in 2015 as regional powers joined the fight for control over the country, the poorest in the Arab world.
Two years later, less than half of Yemen's medical facilities are functional as the war has killed 8,000 people, displaced millions and seen port blockades push the country to the brink of famine.
Cholera re-appeared on April 27 after an initial outbreak in October 2016, and the United Nations says it is now spreading at an "unprecedented rate".
British charity Oxfam estimates the waterborne disease now kills at least one person per hour in Yemen.
Hospitals have been overwhelmed, with cholera cases putting emergency rooms in constant code black -- when a hospital is unable to cope with the number of patients.
Official figures show more than 920 people have died and 124,000 have been taken ill with cholera since late April, with the rebel-held capital Sanaa hit the hardest.
Few areas remain untouched, with the disease affecting 20 of the country's 22 provinces.
Experts project at least a quarter of a million people will contract cholera in the next six months.
"The hike in contraction is beyond troubling," said Maher al-Hada of Yemen's Center to Fight Cholera.
"We have a good 300 patients come through our doors every day".
Like other medics, Hada struggles to secure access to electricity, clean water and basic medical supplies as Yemen's Saudi-backed government remains locked in a war with Huthi rebels allied with Iran.
Damage to sewage systems, the electricity grid and piping have left Yemen's main water supplies contaminated with the bacteria, and the crisis is only expected to escalate as the rain season approaches.
In the southern province of Aden, where the Yemeni government is based, foul-smelling stagnant water has turned black, attracting mosquitos and insects that experts warn are a potent means of transmitting contagious diseases.
Majid al-Daari, head of the cholera treatment centre at the Al-Sadaqa Hospital in Aden, said his facility has seen more than 200 cases this week alone.
Umm Hisham Munir, the superintendant at a school in Aden, rushed her two sons to hospital when they began to show symptoms of cholera, a bacterial infection which can be deadly if not treated immediately.
"We're terrified that the disease will just keep spreading.
People are poor here.
They can't afford medical care.
They can't afford to move," Munir said in Aden. Ammar Abdelmalek, a resident in the rebel-held central Ibb province, said the streets were "flooded" with garbage and sewage.
"This is why we have cholera," said Abdelmalek.
In the northern province of Lahj, Mazen al-Sayed said the privilege of having a car saved his mother's life.
"Honestly it's because I have a car that my mother is still alive.
Others die on the spot," said Sayed.
The message from aid agencies is unequivocal: more aid is needed to stem the disease from turning into an all-out epidemic.
The World Health Organization and International Committee of the Red Cross are two of the groups leading the fight against cholera, but even they face an uphill battle.
"WHO is working to access remoted areas heavily affected to reach as many patients as possible," said Omar Saleh, a member of the WHO mission to Yemen.
"The humanitarian situation is alarming," Saleh said.
"We are looking at a real disaster.
The disease has nothing to do with political affiliations".
Jun 14, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-dengue-sri-lanka-idUSKBN1...
Dengue outbreak kills 300 in Sri Lanka, hospitals at limit
COLOMBO (Reuters) - An outbreak of dengue virus has killed around 300 people so far this year in Sri Lanka and hospitals are stretched to capacity, health officials said on Monday.
They blamed recent monsoon rains and floods that have left pools of stagnant water and rotting rain-soaked trash -- ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes that carry the virus.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is scaling up emergency assistance to Sri Lanka with the Sri Lanka Red Cross to help contain the outbreak.
"Dengue patients are streaming into overcrowded hospitals that are stretched beyond capacity and struggling to cope, particularly in the country’s hardest hit western province," Red Cross/Red Crescent said in a statement.
According to the World Health Organization, dengue is one of the world's fastest growing diseases, endemic in 100 countries, with as many as 390 million infections annually. Early detection and treatment save lives when infections are severe, particularly for young children.
The Sri Lankan government is struggling to control the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms and can develop into the deadly hemorrhagic dengue fever.
The ministry of health said the number of dengue infections has climbed above 100,000 since the start of 2017, with 296 deaths.
"Ongoing downpours and worsening sanitation conditions raise concerns the disease will continue to spread," Red Cross/Red Crescent said.
Its assistance comes a week after Australia announced programs to help control dengue fever in Sri Lanka.
"Dengue is endemic here, but one reason for the dramatic rise in cases is that the virus currently spreading has evolved and people lack the immunity to fight off the new strain," Novil Wijesekara, head of health at the Sri Lanka Red Cross said in a statement.
Jul 25, 2017