|
About
EINet
News Briefs
Learning
tools
Data
Library
search
Other
links
APEC
ISTWG
EINet
home
|
Vol. III, No. 10 ~ EINet News Briefs ~
July 26, 2000
****A free service of the APEC Emerging Infections Network*****
The EINet listserv was created to foster discussion,
networking, and collaboration in the area of emerging infectious diseases
(EID's) among academicians, scientists, and policy makers in the Asia–Pacific
region. We strongly encourage you to share their perspectives and experiences,
as your participation directly contributes to the richness of the "electronic
discussions" that occur. To respond to the listserv, use the reply function.
In this edition:
- Infectious disease information
from ProMED and other sources
- Updates from previous bulletins
- Notices
- How to join the EINet listserv
1. OVERVIEW OF INFECTIOUS–DISEASE
INFORMATION FROM PROMED
Below is a bi–weekly summary of Asia–Pacific EID issues based on postings
to the ProMED Electronic Network and other sources. ProMED is the prototype
for a communications system that monitors emerging infectious diseases globally,
an initiative of the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), and co–sponsored
by WHO.
ASIA
CHINA––AVIAN INFLUENZA THREAT
According to 2 reports published in the Journal of Virology, viral gene
assortment among highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses endemic
to southern China may pose a human threat. Genetic characterization
showed that the H5N1 viruses responsible for the 1997 outbreak of influenza
A in Hong Kong were generated by the re–assortment of genes from viruses
other than H5N1. The findings also lent support to the circulation of
the influenza virus genes for at least 3 years, and after the poultry
depopulation in Hong Kong.
The reports concluded that multiple genetically different viruses increase
the potential for future outbreaks of human disease from avian influenza,
especially with the co–circulation of virus–containing genes that contributed
to the 1997 outbreak of H5N1 in Hong Kong.
[J OF VIROLOGY 2000; 74: 6309㪧, 6592㫻]
MALAYSIA––BATTLE AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS
The number of tuberculosis (TB)–related deaths in Malaysia has increased
by almost 27% from 1995 (571) to 1999 (778). TB has become one of the
leading causes of death in the nation; in 1999, the fatality rate rose
to 5.2%. Over 20% of all TB deaths reported last year were associated
with HIV co–infection. Sabah was worst affected state in 1999, where
4,200 TB cases were reported.
The Health Ministry has declared the fight against TB a national priority.
[THE STRAITS TIME INTERACTIVE 7/5/00]
VIETNAM––HEPATITIS B CARRIER RATE AMONG WORLD'S HIGHEST
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Vietnam has one of
the highest rates of hepatitis B carriers in the world. Among those
with high vulnerability and infection rates are prostitutes, drug addicts,
and medical workers. Vietnam will require 5 million doses of anti–hepatitis
B vaccine to combat the disease. Currently, the country can only supply
about 300,000 doses annually. [VIETNAM NEWS 7/13/00]
VIETNAM––CHILD IMMUNIZATION RECORD PRAISED
UNICEF has praised Vietnam for its child immunization practices. State
figures indicate that 96% of 1 year olds receive shots against 6 major
infectious diseases; the data places Vietnam 4th––ahead of Thailand,
Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Phillipines––among southeast Asia countries
for child immunization. Since the Expanded Programme on Immunization
was established in Vietnam in 1981, measles, tuberculosis (TB), diphtheria,
and pertussis rates in children have dropped significantly; polio and
neonatal tetanus have been virtually eradicated.
UNICEF and the United Nations continue to encourage the
government to allocate more resources to vaccine production, technical
support, and expanded services.
[VIETNAM NEWS 7/14/00]
JAPAN––HAND FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
Over 13,000 cases of hand foot and mouth disease have been reported
since mid–June. The most affected regions include the island of Kyushu,
and the prefectures of Yamagata, Gunma, Nara, and Wakayama. To date,
health officials have reported 12 cases of EV71, a virus that can cause
the disease, and lead to serious complications.
Hand foot and mouth disease usually strikes children;
it is characterized by fever, rashes, and blisters on the arms, legs,
and mouth. The Health Ministry has urged the public to be on alert for
the disease throughout the summer.
[KYODO NEWS 7/15/00]
JAPAN––MEASLES CASES RISE
Since January, the Health and Welfare Ministry has registered over 10,000
measles cases––a 3–fold increase over the number of cases recorded in
1999. To date, about 180 adults have been infected with measles. Health
officials have attributed the rise of cases to a 70% vaccination rate
against measles in the early 1990s.
[JAPAN TIMES 7/2/00]
OCEANIA
NEW ZEALAND––SEXUAL DISEASES INCREASE
Data collected from 30 sexual health clinics nationwide have revealed
a 42% increase of gonorrhea infections between 1996 and 1999, especially
among Maoris and young women. Chlamydia infections rose 40% during the
same time period. Figures also indicated a disproportionate number of
sexually related infections diagnosed among young people; about 70%
of gonorrhea and chlamydia cases and 63% of genital warts cases were
in young people (<25 years).
The Family Planning Association has urged sticking to
one sexual partner and condom use.
[THE PRESS 7/18/00]
AMERICAS
USA––MEASLES NO LONGER ENDEMIC
In 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) registered
100 measles cases; of these, 33 were imported and 33 were import–linked.
The cases of unknown source (34) "did not appear to cluster temporally
or geographically in patterns that would suggest a chain of endemic
transmission". Virologic data supporting the transmission of imported
virus strains has prompted concern about the reestablishment of endemic
measles if vaccination coverage declines.
The CDC estimates that 98% of children entering school
are immunized against measles, and that 93% (>6 years old) have antibody
to the virus.
[MMWR 2000; 49: 557㫔]
USA (CALIFORNIA)––FLESH EATING DISEASE
Since April, an outbreak of flesh eating disease (necrotizing fasciitis)
has claimed 5 lives and infected 5 others in Alameda County. Cultures
showed that all 10 cases (26㫻 years of age) used injection drugs;
however, at least 2 different strains were identified. To date, 12 cases
have been reported in Alameda County this year, including 6 fatalities.
Increasing muscle pain and flu–like symptoms usually appear
within 24 hours of infection. A few days thereafter, the area of pain
can swell, and show large dark marks that become blisters filled with
black fluid. Antibiotics usually kill necrotizing fasciitis infection.
In 1998, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) estimated 800 cases of the disease; usually, 20% of the patients
die.
[ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER 7/2/00]
USA––SHEEP LINKED TO 'MAD COW DISEASE' TO BE DESTROYED
U.S. officials have announced the destruction of 350 sheep imported
from Europe as a preventive measure against the potential spread of
transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), which causes scrapie
in sheep and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. The sheep,
which were in 3 flocks in Vermont, were acquired by the U.S Agriculture
Department after tests revealed 4 sheep with TSE. The flocks were built
with sheep imported from Belgium and the Netherlands in 1996.
To date, no cases of BSE have been reported in the U.S.In
June of 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned most
uses of mammal proteins in feed for cows, sheep, goats, and other ruminant
animals as a precaution.
[REUTERS 7/18/00]
OTHER
RUSSIA (KAZAKHSTAN)––TYPHUS EPIDEMIC
An outbreak of louse–borne classical typhus has emerged in the north Kazakhastan
region. Over the past 2 months, 18 cases have been recorded in children
from the Kyzylzhar District. Amid the increase of sick people, the illness
has also become more serious, with high temperatures lasting for up to
10 days longer than on average.
Classical louse–borne typhus is transmitted by inhalation of louse feces
or by fecal contamination of bites. Classical typhus is endemic/quasi–endemic
in 54 countries. Historically, endemic typhus outbreaks are associated
with war, famine, and social deprivation. Disinfestation is the principal
control method.
[KAZAKH COMMERCIAL TELEVISION via BBC MONITORING 6/10/00]
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(JULY 16–JULY 19, 2000, ATLANTA, GEORGIA)
Public health experts, researchers, and scientists from around the world
gathered at a 4–day conference to discuss the growing threat of the emergence
and reemergence of infectious disease influenced by population growth,
travel, climate changes, worldwide transport of animals and foods, and
human enroachment on wilderness habitats.
Major topics included the latest findings on food–borne sicknesses and
diseases spread by insects and birds, the growing resistance of bacteria
to antibiotics, and the possibility that bioterrorists will unleash killer
diseases. The internet was also cited as a vital link for information
exchange to spotting the emergence of disease–causing viruses and speeding
the international response to outbreak of infectious disease.
The conference was sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the American
Society of Microbiology (ASM).
[www.cdc.gov/iceid/; FOX NEWS
7/17/00; POSTNET.COM 7/16/00]
2. UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS
BULLETINS
JAPAN––TAINTED MILK
The nation's largest outbreak of food poisoning in decades was recorded
earlier this month, after over 11,000 people in western Japan were sickened
by tainted milk (Snow Brand Milk Products). The outbreak was caused by
Staphylococcus aureus that accumulated in a production–line valve at a
plant in Osaka.
The company was ordered to recall the milk and 2 other contaminated products,
and to shut down the plant until further notice. The possibility of criminal
negligence has been investigated.
[AP PRESS 7/6/00]
MALAYSIA––NIPAH VIRUS
Authorities in Johor are on alert after Nipah virus was detected in a
farm in Pontian near Johor Bahu. Last week, 8 farms were quarantined.
Over 5,000 Nipah–infected pigs in Sarawak and Perak have been culled as
a precautionary measure. The government's decision to cull the pigs was
triggered after 2 workers tested positive for the virus.
Johor authorities have taken 200 blood samples from pigs in Jeram Batu,
Pontian, near Johor Baru for tests of Nipah virus; the results are pending.
[THE STRAITS TIME INTERACTIVE 7/15/00]
3. NOTICES
"CHALLENGES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AT THE DAWN OF THE 21ST CENTURY"
The World Federation of Public Health Association (WFPHA) will hold its
9th International Congress during September 2ע, 2000, in Beijing, China.
Participants will gather to examine issues that encompass the globalization
of health, public health infrastructure, global communications, and food
safety. The Congress will offer plenary sessions, poster presentations,
roundtable discussion, special addresses, organization meetings, and skills–building
workshops (topics include distance education, distance learning, leadership,
and management training).
The Congress will be co–chaired by Margaret Hilson, President of the
WFPHA, and Yin Dakui, Vice Minister, Chinese Ministry of Health. The Congress
will be co–hosted by the China Preventive Medicine Association (CPMA)
and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine (CAPM). Co–sponsors include
the Asian Development Bank, FAO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNFPA, and WHO.
About 1500 participants are expected to attend.
For more information, contact Wang Hexiang, Congress Secretariat at cpma@ht.rol.cn.net,
or Allen Jones, WFPHA Secretariat at allen.jones@apha.org.
[WORLD FEDERATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (WFPHA); www.apha.org/wfpha/brochure00/information.htm
]
4. JOIN THE E–LIST AND RECEIVE EINet NEWS BRIEFS
REGULARLY
The APEC EINet listserv was established to enhance collaboration among
academicians and public health professionals in the area of emerging infections
surveillance and control. Subscribers are encouraged to share their material
with colleagues in the Asia–Pacific Rim. To subscribe (or unsubscribe),
please contact nwc@u.washington.edu.
Further information about the APEC Emerging Infections Network is available
at http://www.apec.org/infectious.
|
