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Vol. II, No. 21~ EINet News Briefs ~ November
29, 1999
****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:
- World Trade Organization meeting
in Seattle
- Infectious disease information
from ProMED and other sources
- Updates from previous bulletins
- Notices
- How to join the EINet listserv
1. WORLD
TRADE ORGANIZATION
The World Trade Organization is meeting in Seattle
for its Third Ministerial Summit (November 29–December 3, 1999). The meetings
are aimed at launching a new round of world–trade negotiations to reduce
tariffs and other trade restrictions in agriculture and construction,
to entertainment, telecommunications and electronic commerce.
The affect of global trade on local economies, the environment,
and available resources has a pronounced effect on the health of individuals
and communities. Potential public health issues to be discussed during
the meetings include pharmaceutical patents and intellectual rights, emerging
infections, and environmental hazards and occupational health. For more
information about the WTO and Health, please see: www.washington.edu/wto/issues/health.html
and www.wto.org
[www.washington.edu/wto/issues/health.html]
2. 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
SINGAPORE – CHOLERA
Eight people have tested positive for cholera after attending a wedding
celebration last month. A total of 47 guests and food handlers (engaged
by the bride and groom) were screened after a food stall assistant tested
positive for the infection. The source of contamination has been traced
to ice used in a banana drink served during the reception. The last cholera
outbreak in Singapore occurred in 1993.
[ProMED November 24, 1999]
INDONESIA – POTENTIAL HEALTH THREATS OF MALARIA AND TUBERCULOSIS
The World Health Organization has urged the Indonesian state of Timor
to reinitiate tuberculosis treatment programs. According to the United
Nations, an estimated 20,000 East Timorese throughout Timor are active
carriers of tuberculosis. Field personnel from the WHO continue to support
health authorities in East and West Timor. WHO has appealed $11.4 million
dollars to sustain and expand public health efforts in the Indonesian
state. To date, the Italian government remains the sole country to pledge
financial support to WHO's efforts in East Timor.
[REUTERS Novermber, 3, 1999]
OCEANIA
NEW ZEALAND – BLOOD DONATION RESTRICTION
New Zealand's Health Ministry and Blood Service has issued a blood donation
restriction on any person who spent 6 months or more in Britain between
1980 and 1996. The ban has been issued in an effort to protect supplies
from a fatal brain disease linked to mad cow disease. The restriction
will not become effective until February 17, 2000, to ensure that it does
not lead to a significant impact on the blood supply. There is currently
no evidence that the disease can be transmitted by blood transfusions
or through person–to–person contact.
[ProMED November 22, 1999]
AMERICAS
USA –ORANGE JUICE RECALL
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers
to avoid drinking unpasteurized orange juice manufactured by Sun Orchard
(brand names include: Sun Orchard, Sysco Natural, Aloha, and Zupan), due
to potential contamination with Salmonella. A holding tank of orange juice
received a positive test for Salmonella Group E during the company's routine
product testing. The affected products were distributed to outlets in
California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Illinois,
Kansas, and Michigan, with "enjoy by" dates, November 18, 19, 20, and
21. No illnesses have been reported thus far. A multistate outbreak of
salmonellosis in June was also linked to the consumption of unpasteurized
juice manufactured by Sun Orchard, during which time more than 100 cases
were reported. Any questions about the product can be directed to Sun
Orchard, at 1𤴐𤯩�.
[CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES NEWS RELEASE November 12, 1999]
OTHER
RUSSIA – HEMORRHAGIC FEVER
Hemorrhagic fever is sweeping through the town of Pokhvistnevo in the
Samara region. To date, 62 people have been diagnosed and hospitalized
for the fever. The majority of the victims were in the woods of nearby
fields prior to infection. Medical personnel believe that this outbreak
is a recurrence of the region's "mouse fever" epidemic in 1997, when 2000
people fell ill. Research has estimated 30% of the rodents in the region
as carriers of the virus.
[ProMED November 12, 1999]
TUBERCULOSIS: A WORLD HEALTH THREAT
According to a report released by Harvard Medical School and philanthropist
George Soros, drug resistant strains of tuberculosis (MDR–TB) have been
identified in over 100 countries, including Western Europe and North America.
"Hot spots" have been located in the former Soviet Union, India, China,
Dominican Republic, and the Ivory Coast. In Russian prisons alone, there
are 40,000 active carriers of MDR–TB. The report urges that $1 billion
dollars is commissioned to control and prevent further spread of the deadly
strains of tuberculosis. It also recommends immediate implementation of
the Directly Observed Therapy Shortcourse (DOTS) (WHO), and encourages
the development of new drugs for treatment. Tuberculosis is the leading
infectious cause of death among adults worldwide. Each year, approximately
8 million are infected, and 2 million deaths associated with disease occur.
[BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 1999; 319: 1220; OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE PRESS
RELEASE October 28, 1999]
3. UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS BULLETINS
MALAYSIA – UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS
The serological investigation of an outbreak of an undiagnosed illness
in October has been concluded. The tests conducted on the samples of 45
patients between 8 and 19 years revealed recent exposure to melioidosis
and leptospirosis. The serological result for each case will be interpreted
with respect to clinical symptoms and epidemiological information.
[ProMED November 21, 1999]
USA (TEXAS) – DENGUE
Dengue cases in Texas have increased to 36 since July 1, 1999. Of these,
13 cases were acquired in Texas. All but one of the remaining cases had
traveled to Mexico prior to illness. The most recent date for onset of
illness among locally acquired and imported cases was October 26, 1999
and November 4, 1999, respectively. Health officials believe dengue is
common in Texas due to its close proximity to the climate near the Mexican
border, which is conducive to mosquito breeding. This is the second largest
outbreak of dengue in Texas history. The largest outbreak occurred in
1980, when 63 cases were reported. [ProMED November 19, 1999]
4. NOTICES
CONFERENCE
"TB Into The New Millenium" (Far North Queensland, Australia) will take
place July 14㪪, 2000. The meeting will address diagnosis, treatment,
and prevention of tuberculosis in the first world. The conference will
be limited to 150 participants. Early registration is strongly recommended.
Abstracts and papers must be received on or before March 1, 2000. For
further inquiries, please contact either admin@theasm.com.au,
or nanette_bold@csl.com.au
[tbnet November 18, 1999]
5. 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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