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EINet
News Briefs Archive
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About EINet
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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:
The HK Department of Health and CDC continue to
investigate all confirmed and suspected cases. A cohort
study was conducted to compare the prevalence of influenza
A(H5N1) antibody in 502 people exposed to the first known
case–patient or to poultry to that of a non–exposed group of
419 Hong Kong residents. Samples were tested for antibody to
influenza A(H5N1) virus using a micro–neutralization assay.
In the exposed group, elevated neutralization antibody
titers to influenza A(H5N1) were present in 9 (2%), whereas
specimen in the unexposed group as well as the four family
members of the case–patient, were negative.
Antigenic and genetic analyses of viral isolates from 7
case–patients indicated two closely related but
distinguishable groups of influenza A(H5N1) viruses,
suggesting multiple introductions in humans from poultry
sources. All 7 of the influenza a(H5N1) viruses analyzed
from human cases contained all 8 RNA gene segments from
avian viruses, indicating that genetic reassortment between
avian and human influenza viruses has not occurred. While
person–to–person transmission for exposure to ill and
infectious persons has not been ruled out of the possibility
by the investigation, it appears that the virus is probably
not being efficiently transmitted at this time. <From
MMWR, 9/1/98>
Agence France Presse reported today that an agricultural
official in Guangdong province said that the 1.7 million
chickens that died there between Nov 1996 and Apr 1997 died
"from bacteria and diarrhea" due to farm mismanagement and
inexperience, and their deaths "had nothing to do with bird
flu." Hiroshi Kida, a WHO official in Taiwan had said last
week that China had covered up an outbreak of avian
influenza.
FLU CONTROL – URGENT, PLEASE READ At least two APEC
member economies have considered screening travellers from
Hong Kong to protect their people against avian flu. Please
be advised that WHO has carefully reviewed the Hong Kong
cluster of H1N5 illness (16 cases to date) and has
determined that no travel advisories or screening of
travellers is warranted at this time. In addition, a number
of economies have embargoed live chickens exported from Hong
Kong and the Peoples Republic of China in response to the
outbreak. It should be noted that Hong Kong does not export
live poultry, and that an international team will visit the
PRC next week. We will forward the findings of that visit
when they are made known. Trade disruption because of
emerging infections is always costly, any potential risk of
avian flu is limited to persons with direct contact with
infected poultry with low level transmission from person to
person (which has not been documented). If listserv members
have additional information to contribute they are
welcome.
Here is our weekly summary of relevant Asia–Pacific
postings to the ProMED Electronic Network, which is a
prototype for a communications system to monitor emerging
infectious diseases globally as an initiative of the
Federation of American Scientists (FAS) and co–sponsored by
WHO. More information about PROMED can be acquired
contacting the moderator. Please contact the moderator if
you would like more any of the reports below:
AUSTRALIA – DENGUE (QUEENSLAND) (06)
Update: There have been 29 cases of dengue 3 infection
confirmed in North Queensland. The majority of cases (24)
are linked, having stayed or worked in the vicinity of a
hostel in Cairns. Recently new clusters have been identified
away from this initial area. Control efforts are continuing
in an attempt to limit further virus transmission <from
Debbie Phillips, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus
Reference and Research>
FIJI
DENGUE (04) 10ם㫺 There have been an estimated total of
1,500 clinically suspected dengue cases seen at Ministry of
Health Facilities in the last three to four weeks. Suspected
cases seen to date are estimated at more than 500, with at
least 80 admissions. There have been no additional deaths
beyond the first three reported. There have been at least 20
suspected DHF cases reported from hospital wards, including
the three deaths. Radio Australia reported on 6/1/98 that
the Fiji Government Virus Laboratory in Suva has determined
that the current dengue fever outbreak is caused by a new
strain of the virus. The Health Ministry of Fiji has
announced it will welcome any overseas help to combat the
outbreak.
THAILAND
DENGUE 1ם㫺 The number of recorded cases of dengue in
Thailand in 1997 (77,155 with 178 deaths) is being partly
blamed on the El Nino phenomenon that brought warmer than
usual temperatures. But Dr. Nara Nakwattananakul, deputy
director of the health department said more data are needed
to prove the connection. "If El Nino is the cause, we will
have to be on alert to handle next year's situation."
Thailand's annual rainy season is over, but the normally
cool winter months have been warmer than usual, and Bangkok
residents have noticed an increase in the number of
mosquitoes. "The longer the weather remains warm, the more
mosquitoes multiply, increasing the spread of tropical
diseases," Nara told the Bangkok Post.
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© 1998, The University of Washington |
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