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Vol. III, No. 13 ~ EINet News Briefs ~ October 20,
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
- Notices
- How to join the EINet listserv
1. OVERVIEW OF INFECTIOUS–DISEASE INFORMATION FROM
PROMED
Below is a bi–monthly 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
MALAYSIA – HAND, FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE OUTBREAK
The state of Johor reported 137 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease
(HFMD) between October 9 and 11, 2000, representing 40% of the 362
cases reported for the whole year. The disease has spread to Kuala
Lumpur, where a three year old boy reportedly died from the disease,
bringing the total number of HFMD–related deaths to three. The state
of Johor ordered the closure of all kindergartens and play areas in
the state capital to prevent further spread among children. With no
new hosts for the virus, health officials are hoping it will fade
out on its own.
[THE STAR 10/13/00; PROMED 10/13/00, 10/18/000]
TIOMAN VIRUS – NEW PARAMYXOVIRUS FROM MALAYSIAN BATS
The University of Malaya and the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory
(AAHL) have characterized a new paramyxovirus discovered in Malaysia.
The Tioman virus was discovered in the course of searching for the animal
host of another paramyxovirus, Nipah virus, which killed 105 people
and led to the culling of millions of pigs in Malaysia last year. While
using urine samples from bats to isolate the Nipah virus, doctors discovered
the Tioman virus in the bat urine. The geographic distribution of Tioman
virus in bats is as yet unknown. There have been no recorded outbreaks
of disease associated with Tioman virus in bats or any other species.
[WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/VADIVALE; 10/17/00; PROMED 10/17/00]
AMERICAS
CANADA – RABIES CASE
A nine year old boy died of rabies in what is believed to be the first
Quebec case of rabies in humans in more than 3 decades. Doctors said
the boy had probably been exposed to the rabies virus about a month
ago while on vacation with his parents in a wildlife reserve. The boy
was diagnosed antemortem with direct immunoflourescent assay. The strain
of rabies is believed to the silverhair bat strain. The virus can cause
acute encephalitis in all warm–blooded hosts, including humans, and
the outcome is nearly always fatal. It can take up to 90 days for the
rabies virus to incubate before symptoms appear. The first symptoms
of rabies in people are fever or headache, which can last for several
days. The symptoms then become more severe and include delirium, insomnia
and hallucinations.
[CANADIAN PRESS 10/17/00; PROMED 10/17/00]
OTHER
INDIA – MALARIA AND DENGUE OUTBREAKS
About 20 men, women, and children have died over a 2–week period of suspected
cerebral malaria, in the Dadri area of Noida. Cerebral malaria is seen
when the infection is not treated early in its course. Dengue and malaria
have spread in Ghaziabad city and villages as well. About 6 victims of
dengue have been traced in hospitals here. More than 12 villages in Ghaziabad
are in the grip of the outbreak. The area with the reported suspected
outbreak is located approximately 50 kilometers Southeast of New Delhi.
The malaria situation in many parts of India is unstable with local epidemics
occurring at regular intervals. The immunity in the population is therefore
low, and an increase in transmission can result in outbreaks. There is
confusion as to whether the outbreak is due to dengue fever or malaria
or both. Malaria is easily diagnosed by microscopy, so it should not be
too difficult to distinguish the two. The outbreak emphasizes the importance
of malaria prophylaxis for travellers to India.
[TIMES OF INDIA 10/16/00; PROMED 10/17/00]
KAZAKHSTAN – HUMAN ANTHRAX
Thirty–three cases of human anthrax, including two deaths, have now been
reported in Kazakhstan. Twenty–seven of these participated in the illegal
slaughter of sick animals without veterinary supervision and five had
had contact with infected meat. Livestock vaccination rates were found
to be sub–optimum, at only 50㫠 percent.
[PROMED 10/18/00]
UGANDA – WHO CONFIRMS OUTBREAK OF EBOLA VIRUS
Laboratory testing indicates that the Ebola virus is responsible for the
outbreak of hemorrhagic fever in northern Uganda that has resulted in
39 deaths and 94 suspected cases over the past few weeks. Cases were first
reported in a local hospital in Gulu town and are now occurring in the
community. These are the first cases of hemorrhagic fever ever reported
in Uganda. Ebola hemorrhagic fever is one of the most virulent viral diseases
known to humankind, causing death in 50㫲% of cases. The Ebola virus
is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or
semen of infected persons. The Ugandan Health Minister, Crispus Kiyonga,
advised that all persons believed to have died of the disease should be
buried immediately, and he warned against cultural practices such as the
washing of bodies of the recently deceased. The Ugandan Ministry of Health
has established a National Task Force for managing the response to the
epidemic. WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health and this Task Force
by coordinating the international response to the outbreak, implementing
disease control measures, such as barrier nursing procedures, case finding,
contact tracing and monitoring, and supplying protective equipment. Health
authorities in the neighboring country of Kenya are monitoring major border
crossings in order to identify and isolate suspected Ebola cases.
[WHO 10/18/00; REUTERS NEWS 10/16/00; PROMED 10/17/00]
2. NOTICES
AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS SMALL GRANTS SCHEME
The Australian government’s Human Rights Small Grants Scheme provides
small grants to organizations in the Asia Pacific region to develop domestic
capacities to respect, promote, and protect human rights. Local organizations
wishing to submit proposals should approach the relevant Embassy/High
Commission/Consulate in the respective country for a copy of the application
form as soon as possible. Each proposal will be assessed in terms of its
potential human rights benefits, the quality of the proposal in addressing
the HR–SGS objectives, and value for money. Funding is restricted to organizations
that are involved in the defense of human rights. Proposals seeking funding
under the HR–SGS should be small scale, with a funding limit range of
$5000–$50,000 per annum. For further information, contact James_Sweeting@ausaid.gov.au
or elizabeth.wetherell@dfat.gov.au.
REGIONAL SURVEILLANCE ACTION PLAN
An action framework for surveillance and response to outbreaks of infectious
disease in Southeast Asia was created at the September Regional Action
Conference for Surveillance and Response to Infectious Disease Outbreaks
in Southeast Asia held in Bali. Objectives were outlined in three categories:
1) laboratory/field surveillance systems; 2) training, and 3) communications
and information systems. Conference delegates were requested to inventory
existing surveillance systems active in their own countries and report
back to Dr. Ingerani of the Indonesia Ministry of Health. The conference
was sponsored by the Indonesian Ministry of Health and USNAMRU, and co–sponsored
by World Health Organization (WHO), The World Bank, Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC).
APEC–EINET PROJECTS PRESENTED AT WFPHA
Two APEC–Einet projects were presented at the 9th International Congress,
World Federation of Public Health Associations in Beijing, China, Sept.
2ע, 2000. Carrie Horwitch, MD, MPH, discussed the success of the Web–based
distance learning course, “Emerging Infections of International Public
Health Importance”. Nedra Floyd Pautler, MA, MS, spoke on the results
of the APEC–Einet Telecommunications Survey, which showed that the Internet
is becoming central to regional communications in the public sector although
training and security remain important concerns.
3. 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.
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