News Briefs Archive

China—Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in chickens in Hong Kong. As a result of the recent avian influenza outbreak, the third recurrence in five years, approximately 860,000 chickens will have been slaughtered by 22 Feb 2002. The virus is from the same H5N1 family as the 1997 influenza that passed to humans, but is not the same strain. On 08 Feb 2002 Hong Kong's Department of Environment scheduled a one–day shutdown on poultry sales in order to prevent the spread of the avian flu by disinfecting stalls. Chicken sellers in markets across Hong Kong used blowtorches and high–powered water jets to eradicate the virus. The slaughter of chickens in farms and markets as a result of the epidemic is expected to cost at least five million HK dollars. The outbreak originated at a Kam Tin farm and spread to many other farms. A total of 25 farms have had cases of the virus in the current outbreak and Hong Kong's remaining 121 chicken farms are thought to be "safe". The government has ordered an investigation into the outbreak.
[Promed 02/10/02, 02/09/02; Associated Press 02/20/02]

Indonesia (Banjarnegara) — Malaria
An outbreak of malaria in November and December of 2001 that spread from Banyumas and Cilacap to the Central Java regency has killed at least 23 people in Banjarnegara. According to reports, hundreds have been infected and villages of Kalitengah, Kaliajer, Merden, Karananyar, and Purwonogoro regencies have been affected. The total number of deaths in Kalitengah has reached 300.
[Promed 02/11/02]

Indonesia (Jakarta) — Fear of Diarrhea and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Epidemic
Health officials in Jakarta, Indonesia are worried about a possible diarrhea and dengue hemorrhagic fever epidemic due to recent storms across Indonesia. Torrential rains have created landslides and the worst flooding in decades, ruining crops, causing many to leave their homes, and killing at least 125 people. Reports stated on 14 Feb 2002 that at least 16 people, mostly children, have died over the past few weeks of illnesses brought on by the heavy showers. These include diarrhea, dengue fever, respiratory problems, malaria and hemorrhagic fever. According to reports, floods rose to approximately 10 feet in some areas on 14 Feb 2002, carrying piles of rotting garbage into homes and contaminating water supplies. The diseases of concern can also spread to those whose homes have not been flooded. Officials are warning of more rain throughout Indonesia until the end of February.
[Reuters Health Online 02/14/02]

US — Unexplained Rash
School children from seven states around the United States have broken out in a rash of unknown causes. Health investigators believe the rash, which is not considered to be a serious health risk, is due a new or unidentified virus. Children in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington state reported rashes on various parts of their bodies and as a result some schools were temporarily closed. The simultaneous occurrence of an unknown rash in different pars of the country has doctors baffled. An environmental company in Quakertown Community School District in Pennsylvania collected air and water samples and examined carpets, floor mats, vacuum bags, and clothing, but all tested negative for contaminants. Explanations for the rashes differ among school districts and some include an overactive ventilation system, a mutation of fifth disease (erythema infectiosum), an unidentified virus, or "hysteria". Fifth disease, which is more common among children, is manifested as a blotchy rash on the cheeks and spreads to the extremities. It is usually accompanied by fever and malaise and is caused by a parvovirus.
[Promed 01/16/22]

RELATED NEWS

India (Chandigarh) — Suspected Plague Outbreak
As of 19 Feb 2002, four people have died and at least 12 more cases have been reported due to a suspected outbreak of plague in the town of Rohru in India's northern state of Himachal Pradesh. A special team from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) was investigating the outbreak and tests were being carried out to determine if the deaths were caused by the plague. The symptoms of pneumonic plague, anthrax and any other respiratory infection are similar, so the final diagnosis cannot be made until test results are determined. Symptoms of pneumonic plague include high fever, chills, cough, breathing difficulty, body pain, and blood in sputum. Incubation in humans is approximately one to seven days after infection.

Prior to the determination of the official cause of death, doctors at the Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla believed that the outbreak was due to pneumonic plague. Tests carried out by the NICD have confirmed the presence of Yersinia pestis in clinical samples. Himachal health authorities believe the cause of infection might have been contact with a wild animal because those affected had gone hunting prior to the onset of disease.

As a preventive measure, the government distributed approximately 675,000 antibiotic capsules to 17,000 people and is keeping the area under surveillance. Other measures taken include the fumigation of affected villages and transport vehicles; a public education campaign; and further administration of chemophylaxis to residents of neighboring villages and health professionals. The Health Minister, J.P. Nadda, has said no new cases of illness related to the outbreak have been reported as of 08 Feb 2002 and according to the NICD, the outbreak is under control. Local transport has resumed after it was temporarily suspended last week. However, schools and colleges in the area remained closed and government doctors are forbidden from going on leave. In 1994 more than 50 people in western India died due to a plague outbreak.
[Reuters 02/15/02 02/18/02; World Health Organization 02/20/02; Promed 02/17/02]