EINet
News Briefs Archive
About EINet
News Briefs
Learning
tools
Data
Library
search
Other
links
APEC
ISTWG
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:
- Avian flu update
- Overview of infectious–disease information from Pro–MED and other sources
- APEC Emerging Infections Network Side Meeting at 14th APEC Industrial Science and Technology Working Group (ISTWG), Monday, March 16, 1998, Taipei
- How to add colleagues to the EINet listserv
INCREASED SURVEILLANCE FOR INFLUENZA SHOULD BE
CONTINUED
The 14 member World Health Organization (WHO) team
started on 16 January at Guangzhou and visited Guangdong
Provincial Health Bureau, Guangzhou and Shenzhen Municipal
Health Bureaus, four epidemic prevention stations,
hospitals, influenza surveillance sites, poultry farms, a
wholesale market and animal quarantine laboratories. While
the team found no human case of influenza A(H5N1) virus
infection in Guangdong during its mission, there is still
need to maintain intensified levels of surveillance for at
least six months, because of the potential risk of
adaptation of the H5N1 virus to humans, which could lead to
the transmission of a highly virulent strain from person to
person, according to Dr Daniel Lavanchy, who heads the WHO
programme on influenza surveillance. Levanchy noted, "We
were very impressed with the high quality of the
surveillance activities which had been implemented by the
Chinese Government in December 1997 and January 1998. The
number of specimens collected for virus isolation from
patients exhibiting flu–like symptoms has increased from 20
to 1000 samples per month, while key influenza laboratories,
which are part of WHO's global influenza surveillance
network, are strengthening their capabilities."
The mission made more than 20 technical recommendations
on surveillance in humans, and surveillance in animals,
including laboratory surveillance. Recommendations include
more training of staff, improved reporting of
epidemiological data and expanding the scope for serological
and virological investigations to include duck and geese and
to cover more farms. Dr Yin Dakui, the Chinese Vice–Minister
of Health, said that China would be extending its
collaboration with WHO on influenza, including H5N1.
Authorities in Hong Kong will resume importation of
chickens from mainland China on 7 February 1998.
Requirements for this will include additional inspection,
and blood testing at chicken farms prior to export with
complementary testing for avian influenza upon arrival in
Hong Kong. Chickens will be segregated from live ducks/other
water fowl at all levels to minimise the risk of
transmission of the H5N1 virus from live ducks/other water
fowl to live chickens. WHO also stressed that there is no
public health reason for other countries to ban the
importation of chicken and chicken products from China,
including Hong Kong. <WHO WER and Epidemiological
Bulletin>
Here is our weekly summary of relevant Asia–Pacific EID
issues based on 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:
FIJI – DENGUE (09)
The estimated number of suspected cases of dengue fever
has reached 4,500. In addition, there have been seven deaths
due to suspected Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) to date,
all reported from CWM hospital in Suva.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS – REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION Two Japanese mosquito–borne viral encephalitis (JE) cases
have been confirmed in two cases (from Kokonda and Ipoknai)
in the North Fly District, Western Province, a first for
Papua New Guinea. They were diagnosed at Rumginae Hospital
by Dr. John Oakley late last year <WHO Collaborating
Centre for Viral Diseases in SE Asia and Western Pacific.
Increasing seroprevalence for antibodies against JE detected
in the Rumginae area in recent years indicate that the
disease is spreading. Infection rates are high in endemic
areas during peak transmission times, with encephalitis
resulting in 1 of 20 to 1,000 infections
Dr. Oakley has requested information on a cheaper means
of obtaining vaccine against JE. He has been quoted AUD$240
for a course of JE–VAX from Sydney but has heard there is a
new vaccine developed by US and Chinese researchers in China
which is much cheaper. Can any one help?
USA AND AMERICAS – HANTAVIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME –
UPDATE USA: Since Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) was first
recognized in May 1993, 177 U.S. case–patients from 29
states have been laboratory confirmed by CDC and have been
added to the national HPS registry. Of these 177, 39 were
identified retrospectively, with onset of illness prior to
May 1993. To date, 19 case–patients with onset of illness in
1997 have been confirmed.
Cumulative descriptive demographic statistics for the 177
confirmed U.S. case–patients in the HPS registry:
Male: 108 (61%) White: 132 (75%) American Indian: 39
(22%), Black: 5, Asian: 1, Hispanic: 20 (11%) Brian Hjelle (University of New Mexico) estimates that
there have been more than 130 cases in Argentina since the
1980s, close to 30 from Chile, and at least 34 from
Paraguay, plus more in Brazil and Uruguay and possibly one
in Bolivia. This would bring the total to over 200, but PAHO
would have the correct numbers.
In contrast to US cases, South American cases are much
more likely to be clustered in families. Thus there continue
to be familial clusters in Argentina and Chile, but none of
the recent clusters can be clearly linked to interpersonal
transmission, as was observed in the 1996㫹 summer outbreak
in Argentina.
14th APEC Industrial Science and Technology Working Group
(ISTWG) This will be a key discussion of the initiative for APEC
cooperation in emerging infectious diseases! Delegates from
health backgrounds or related to the Ministry of Health will
be particularly useful for detailing the next steps in this
important initiative, but discussion will be at a level
appropriate for non–health specialists to participate in a
valuable way. Some of the areas of cooperation we will
discuss: finalization of the APEC framework for the
initiative, potential next steps including the exchange of
surveillance and prevention information on selected
diseases, resource access to libraries, collaborative
research educational/distance learning, and training. The
side meeting will take place in the afternoon. Attendance
must be coordinated through each science and technology
delegation, so please contact the lead of your S&T
delegation.
ASIA
16ם㫺
AMERICAS
14ם㫺
Age: Mean=37 (11㫝) Died: 79 (45%)
Monday, March 16, 1998.
Back to: News
Briefs | Top
of this page
Revised:
June 25, 1998
© 1998, The University of Washington