Zoonotic Diseases

Diseases discussed here have a history of use as an agent for biological warfare, either in the U.S. or abroad. Its use may have been experimental or actual, and any detrimental consequences upon humans, animals or the environment may have been intentional or not, depending on the circumstances, the point in time, and the nature of the disease.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

HANTAVIRUS UPDATE 2011 - AMERICAS (24) ARGENTINA (1) CHILE (5) USA (4)

Korean hemorrhagic fever (Hantavirus) was one of three hemorrhagic fevers and one of more than a dozen agents that the United States researched as potential biological weapons before suspending its biological weapons program.
*************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


In this update:
[1] Argentina (Santa Fe)
[2] Chile (Los Rios)
[3] Chile (Araucania)
[4] USA (Montana)

******
[1] Argentina (Santa Fe)
Date: Fri 29 Apr 2011
Source: Diario Victoria [in Spanish, trans. & summ, Mod.TY, edited]



Following up on another fatal victim, a young man from Granadero
Baigorria, Rosario municipal health [office]stated that the initial
tests indicate that he was infected by [a] hantavirus and not by
leptospirosis. On Tuesday [26 Apr 2011] the 28-year-old man from
Granadero Baigorria who worked as a shepherd in a wetland farm, died
after 2 agonizing days in a Rosario hospital, according to the Santa
Fe Director of Epidemiology, Julio Befani.

According to the Director's statement, the youth was taken 1st on
Tuesday [26 Apr 2011] to the Alberdi de Rosario Hospital and from
there was referred to the Clemente Alvarez [facility] where death
occurred. [Benfani] clarified [the situation] that the cause of death
has not yet been established, and that laboratory samples were sent
for testing and final classification at the Instituto Maiztegui in
Santa Fe. "We only know that he [the patient] was admitted with a
febrile syndrome compatible with [a] hantavirus or leptospirosis
[infection], but as of now we do not have [laboratory] results so we
are not sure if he died of one or the other disease."

For another case, the Director of Epidemiology of the Rosario office,
Lelio Mangiaterra, stated that the tests for a 24-year-old person from
Siete Colinas, who died last week [week of 17 Apr 2011] revealed that
the death was caused by [a] hantavirus [infection].

Mangiaterra explained that the spread of these diseases is
multicausal. "It is due to environmental conditions and the confluence
of rodents on the island [such as] the increase in the river [level],
an ecological phenomenon such as decreases in predators, or absence of
fires. It is important to note that the focus [of transmission] is not
in an urban environment."

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts vis ProMED-mail


[Several hantaviruses have been associated with human infection in
Argentina: Andes virus (western Argentina, in the long-tailed pygmy
rice rat host, _Oligoryzomys longicaudatus_); related Andes-like
viruses Hu39694 (in central Argentina; rodent host unknown);
Lechiguana (in central Argentina in the yellow pygmy rice rat _O.
flavescens_); Oran (in northwestern Argentina in _O. longicaudatus_);
and Bermejo (western Argentina in _O. flavescens_) virus. This case
may have been caused by Lechiguana virus infection, but without
laboratory confirmation, it is not possible to say with certainty.

An image of _O. flavescens_ can be accessed at


[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Argentina showing the
location of Granadero Baigorria in Santa Fe province can be accessed
at
- Mod.TY]

******
[2] Chile (Los Rios)
Date: Wed 27 Apr 2011
Source: EMOL [in Spanish, trans. & summ. Mod.TY edited]



A 45-year-old individual from Frutillare would be the 4th case of [a]
hantavirus [infection] registered in the Los Rios region. The
individual is currently interned in the Puerto Montt Hospital Base
according to details from Radio Bio Bio. According to reports, the
individual is stable and up to now help by mechanical respiration has
not been necessary.

Health authorities in the area are carrying out rigorous procedures
to establish the place were the infection occurred and establish if
there are other infected people.

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[The most likely hantavirus involved in this case and the following
one, below, is Andes virus.

An image of the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (_Oligoryzomys
longicaudatus_), the sigmodontine rodent host of Andes hantavirus, can
be seen at
.

The regions of Chile can be seen on the map at
.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Chile showing the Los
Lagos region can be accessed at
- Mod.TY]

******
[3] Chile (Araucania)
Date: Mon 25 Apr 2011
Source: El Austral [in Spanish, trans. & summ, Mod.TY, edited]



A new victim was hit by hantavirus [infection] in La Araucania.
Saturday afternoon [23 Apr 2011] a young woman of just 19 years died
in the [Valdivia] Regional Hospital suspected of having the disease.
On Thursday [21 Apr 2011] she came to the [Temuco] regional medical
center with a serious respiratory picture, coming from a rural area in
Melipeuco. The patient was connected to a mechanical respirator and
the rapid test [for a hantavirus infection] was positive; this would
be the 4th fatal victim of the virus in La Araucania.

According to the Health SEREMI [Regional Ministerial Secretariat of
Health], Gloria Rodriguez, [later, the patient] was admitted to the
intensive care unit of the Temuco Hospital. Although the rapid test
was positive, the SERMI said that they awaited confirmation from the
Institute of Public Health [ISP], the results of which would be
available this week. "We have information that this concerns the young
woman from a rural area in Melipeuco, which would be suspicious of [a]
hantavirus [infection], but this week we sent sample to the ISP and
began visits to to the place where she had been infected and
interviewed the family.

According to the information provided by SEREMI, if the tests are
positive, this would be the 3rd fatal case due to [a] hantavirus
infection in the region just this year [2011]. However, this would be
the 4th person affected by the virus, given that one survived.

As for these infections, SERMI indicated that since we are in autumn,
it is important that the families take necessary precautions,
especially in rural areas that the long-tailed [pygmy] rat inhabits.
"Despite the fact that the disease is more frequent in summer, it is
important to also take into account the measures in this season and in
winter, above all when there are colonies of these rats [in
buildings]," she said. It is important to avoid entry of these rats,
keep houses clean, garbage in sealed, covered containers and control
rats outside of houses. Also, it is important to not camp near high
risk areas.

[Byline: Tania Marquez]

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts vis ProMED-mail


[A map showing the location of the Araucania region of Chile can be
accessed at

and Melipeuco in that region at
- Mod.TY]

******
[4] USA (Montana)
Date: Mon 25 Apr 2011
Source: The Republic [edited]



Park County health officials say a 46-year-old Livingston-area woman
has died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Coroner Al Jenkins tells
the Livingston Enterprise that the woman died on 8 Apr [2011] while
she was being transported to a Billings hospital. The woman had
visited Park Clinic on 7 Apr [2011] with symptoms including a high
fever, muscle fatigue and an extreme headache. She checked into the
emergency room the next day also suffering from shortness of breath
and extreme congestion.

[Sin Nombre] hantavirus can be contracted through inhaling the
droppings or urine of deer mice [_Peromyscus maniculatus_] or touching
the droppings or urine and then touching one's eyes, nose or mouth.

--
Communicated by:
Tony Schountz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Microbiology
School of Biological Sciences
University of Northern Colorado
501 20th Street
Greeley, CO 80639



[These types of report usually do not indicate which hantavirus is
involved. In fact, there are many, several capable of causing
hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The virus involved in this fatal case
is most likely Sin Nombre virus.

An image of _Peromyscus maniculatus_, the rodent host of Sin Nombre
virus, can be accessed at
.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the USA showing the
location of Montana can be accessed at
and Park county in Montana at
- Mod.TY]

[see also:
Hantavirus update 2011 - Americas (23): USA, Chile 20110422.1265
Hantavirus update 2011 - Americas (21): Chile (BI), USA (CO)
20110409.1105
Hantavirus update 2011 - Americas (08): Argentina (SA) susp.
20110228.0662
2010
----
Hantavirus update 2010 - Americas (41): Argentina (BA) 20101231.4614
Hantavirus update 2010 - Americas (40): Chile, French Guiana
20101224.4542
Hantavirus update 2010 - Americas (36): USA (CO) 20101101.3955]
.................................................jw/ty/ejp/jw
*##########################################################*
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are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

EQUINE HERPESVIRUS, EQUINE - USA (06): (NEW JERSEY)

EQUINE HERPESVIRUS, EQUINE - USA (06): (NEW JERSEY)

***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Fri 15 Apr 2011
Source: newjerseynewsroom.com [edited]



2nd Monmouth County horse farm quarantined amid equine herpes
outbreak
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tourelay Farm and Overbrook Farm see activity restricted for 3
weeks.

A 2nd horse farm in Colts Neck, Monmouth County, has been quarantined
as part of a state Department of Agriculture [NJDA] investigation into
an outbreak of the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus, type 1
(EHV-1) that has led to the death of 1 horse and sickened 5 others.

The disease was discovered on Wednesday [13 Apr 2011) by a private
veterinarian treating a sick horse at the 1st farm, Overbrook Farm.
The filly was euthanized by the veterinarian after it failed to
respond to treatment. 5 other Overbrook Farm horses are recovering
from the illnesses.

The Agriculture Department's tracing activities at Overbrook Farm to
determine the extent of the outbreak led to Friday's [15 Apr 2011]
quarantine of Tourelay Farm but no sick horses have been reported
there.

Overbrook Farm was quarantined Thursday (14 Apr 2011), meaning horse
movement on and off the property has ceased and only essential farm
personnel are allowed access to limit the spread of the virus. While
the disease is not dangerous to humans, personnel must utilize
biosecurity measures, such as disinfectant foot baths, coveralls,
disposable gloves, hand washing and disinfectant hand gels, and
non-sharing of tack between horses.

The Overbrook Farm and Tourelay Farm quarantines are expected to last
21 days, unless more horses become ill. All quarantines are based on
risk assessment.

The Agriculture Department has been in contact with Colts Neck
Township officials to keep them informed of the efforts to contain the
virus and protect animals.

The EHV-1 virus spreads quickly from horse to horse, has a high
morbidity, and can cause a wide range of clinical signs, from a
complete lack of clinical signs to respiratory problems, especially in
young horses, and spontaneous abortions in pregnant mares. The
neurologic form of EHV-1, additionally, can cause an acute paralytic
syndrome, which results in a high mortality. The incubation period of
EHV-1 is typically 2 to 10 days. The virus spreads readily through
direct contact with infected materials.

The virus does not affect other domestic animals, with the exception
of llamas and alpacas.

Concerned owners should consult their veterinarian prior to taking
any action as the clinical signs of infection with the neurological
form of EHV-1 are common to many other diseases. The neurologic form
of EHV is a reportable disease in New Jersey.

More information about the disease, in PDF format, is available at
.

If an owner has a horse that is exhibiting neurologic signs or
suspects equine herpes, they are directed to call their veterinarian
immediately.

The NJDA Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory provides testing for the
neurologic form of EHV-1. For more information for to
.

[byline: Tom Hester Sr]

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[The websites provided within the article are very helpful and
thorough. - Mod.TG

New Jersey can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive
map at . Monmouth County can be seen on
the map at
. -
Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA (05): (NY) quarantine lifted
20110417.1201
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA (04): (NY) Cornell U 20110407.1083
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA (03): (NY) Cornell U 20110405.1057
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA (02): (NY) Cornell U, RFI
20110403.1038
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA: (NY) Cornell University
20110402.1021
2010
---
Equine herpesvirus - USA (04): (NY) 20101129.4286
Equine herpesvirus - USA (03): (NJ) 20100408.1131
Equine herpesvirus - USA (02): (NJ) susp. 20100403.1071
Equine herpesvirus - USA: (LA) 20100101.0016]
.................................................tg/mj/sh
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
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DENGUE/DHF UPDATE 2011 (16)

***************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


In this update:
[1] Bolivia (Santa Cruz, Beni, La Paz)
[2] Cases in various countries:
Brazil (Paraibo)
Brazil (Rio de Janeiro state)
Brazil (Ceara)
Brazil (Alagoas)
Brazil (Sao Paulo state)
Brazil (Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo state)
Brazil (Campinas, Sao Paulo state)
Brazil (Sorocaba, Sao Paulo state)
Brazil (Parana)
Paraguay (Health Regions IX and XII)
Paraguay (national)
Argentina (Chaco)
Maldives
Barbados
USA (Maui, Hawaii)

******
[1] Bolivia (Santa Cruz, Beni, La Paz)
Date: Tue 12 Apr 2011
From: Juan Saavedra Quintanilla [in Spanish,
trans. Mod.TY, edited]


Up to 8 Apr [2011] (13th epidemiological week), 11 341 probable
dengue cases have been reported, with 2280 confirmed and 27 deaths.
These numbers exceed the total numbers of dengue cases of 2010, which
were more than 9000 cases.

The departments [state or province equivalent] most affected are
Santa Cruz de la Sierra with 5727 probable cases, 1404 confirmed cases
and 11 deaths; Beni with 3269 probable cases, 314 confirmed cases and
14 deaths, and La Paz reports 993 probable cases, 308 confirmed cases
and one death.

More than 80 per cent are due to [dengue virus] serotype 2 and the
rest for serotypes 1 and 3. In the Caja Petrolera de Salud (Santa
Cruz) Hospital, more than 80 per cent of admitted patients have a
positive tourniquet test, minor mucosal bleeding, thrombocytopenia and
ascites, vascular wall edema and/or plural leakage as a manifestation
of increased capillary permeability. According to the WHO
classification, this corresponds with DHF grades I and II; more than
50 per cent have elevated transaminases, and about 75 per cent of the
admitted patients indicate that this is their 1st dengue episode.

Vector control and other measures are being intensified to deal with
this [situation].

--
Dr Juan Saavedra Quintanilla
Jefe Servicio Infectologia
Caja Petrolera de Salud
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia


[ProMED-mail thanks Dr Saavedra for this firsthand report of the
dengue outbreak in Santa Cruz and La Paz departments. One hopes that
this epidemic in the Santa Cruz department is not as severe as ones in
the recent past, which have filled hospital beds there and overtaxed
health care systems.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Bolivia showing the
location of Santa Cruz department can be accessed at
. A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map showing the
location of the Beni department can be accessed at
. A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map
of Bolivia showing the location of La Paz department can be accessed
at . - Mod.TY]

******
[2] Cases in various countries:

- Brazil (Paraiba). 13 Apr 2011. The director of epidemiological
surveillance of the Joao Pessoa municipality indicated in a new
bulletin that there is an increase in the number of dengue cases.

Joao Pessoa has a total of 893 reported dengue cases, which
represents an increase of 249 cases in 15 days. Confirmed cases of
classical dengue fever from (type 1 [virus]) increased from 126 to 199
in the past 2 weeks. There is an alert situation in the capital with a
current incidence of 113 cases per 100 000 population; this is not
characterized as an epidemic.

in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Brazil showing the
location of Paraiba state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Rio de Janeiro state). 14 Apr 2011. Almost 20 per cent of
Rio de Janeiro state is having a dengue epidemic. According to the
statement issued yesterday [13 Apr 2011] by the state Secretariat of
Health, residents in 17 municipalities run the risk of being hit by
the disease. There are 3 more cities [at risk] than last week, when 14
faced this situation. The bulletin also stated that since January
[2011], 35 dengue deaths were confirmed, most in the capital, with 11
deaths. The Rio [de Janeiro] municipality is not under an epidemic,
but the situation is complicated. According to the bulletin, of the 45
489 [dengue] cases reported in 2011 [in the state], 48 per cent are
concentrated in the capital.
_em_17_municipios_157709.html> in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Brazil showing the
location of Rio de Janeiro state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Ceara). 16 Apr 2011. In all of Ceara, the number of
confirmed dengue cases has reached 11 807. There are more than 1000
cases confirmed in this past week. One case was confirmed as dengue
[virus] type 4. In 2010, there were 13 196 dengue cases in the state.
The number of dengue deaths increases each week in Ceara. This past
week, 3 deaths were confirmed, and now there are 25 deaths due to the
disease with 38 still under investigation.

in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Brazil showing the
location of Ceara state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Alagoas). 13 Apr 2011. In the last 3 months [January
through March 2011], Alagoas registered 6240 fewer dengue cases than
in the same period last year [2010], representing a decrease of 70 per
cent. During the same period of 2010, 9672 [dengue] cases were
registered, whereas between 1 Jan - 2 Apr [2011], there were 3432
cases. in
Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Brazil showing the
location of Alagoas state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Sao Paulo state). 12 Apr 2011. The Sao Paulo state
Secretariat of Health confirmed 10 cases of dengue [virus] type 4
[infections] in the state as of this Monday [11 Apr 2011]. According
to this agency, the cases are concentrated in the Sao Jose do Rio
Preto region (438 km [272 mi] from Sao Paulo city).

in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Brazil showing the
location of Sao Paulo state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo state). 13 Apr 2011. Ribeirao
Preto confirmed an additional 853 dengue cases this past week. The
city now has 8256 confirmed cases of the disease, according to the
bulletin issued by the Secretariat of Health this Wednesday (13 [Apr
2011]). The city is undergoing a [dengue] epidemic. Despite these
large numbers, there has been a decline in relation to last year
[2010], when almost 14 000 cases were registered up to the last week
of March 2010. In all of 2010, the city had 30 000 cases with 9
deaths. This year [2011], the city has one confirmed [dengue] death,
in January 2011. Another 2 [deaths] are under investigation.

in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Brazil showing the
location of Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Campinas, Sao Paulo state). 13 Apr 2011. In just 15 days,
the number of confirmed dengue cases climbed 17 per cent, going from
480 people with the disease to 562. According to data from the
[health] office, 4 people had complications from the disease, and
another 3 presented with DHF symptoms. No deaths have been registered.

in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Brazil showing the
location of Campinas, Sao Paulo state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Sorocaba, Sao Paulo state). 11 Apr 2011. As of the end of
this weekend, the number of confirmed dengue cases in Sorocaba totaled
609, according to a bulletin issued by the municipal Secretariat of
Health. Of this total, 583 are patients who contracted the disease in
the city, and 26 were imported [from elsewhere].

in Portuguese, trans. Mod TY.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Brazil showing the
location of Sorocaba, Sao Paulo state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Parana). 10 Apr 2011. The number of confirmed dengue cases
in health area 10 have reached 393, but according to information from
this agency, the total could exceed 400, once laboratory results for
181 [more cases] become available.
in
Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Brazil showing the
location of Parana state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Paraguay (Health Regions IX and XII). 17 Apr 2011. According to
Health Region XII, 24 dengue cases have been confirmed. The region was
considered practically free of the disease up until the present.
Health Region IX yesterday [16 Apr 2011] registered 250 positive
dengue cases, with another 150 with samples awaiting [test results].

in Spanish, trans. Mod.TY.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Paraguay can be accessed
at . - Mod TY]

- Paraguay (national). 16 Apr 2011. The minister of public health and
social welfare, Esperanza Martinez, admitted that this is the worst
dengue epidemic in the history of this South American country. From
January 2011 to the present, 26 792 people with febrile syndromes have
been registered, and the reported incidence rate has increased to 157
cases per 100 000 population. Ivan Allende, director of health
surveillance, stated to reporters that there are 62 deaths associated
with the disease, of which 30 were confirmed, 13 were discarded, and
another 19 continue under investigation. Allende stated that the
greatest outbreaks were in Asuncion and its metropolitan area, and the
serious situation will continue for another 2 or 3 weeks more.

in Spanish, trans. Mod.TY.

- Argentina (Chaco). 16 Apr 2011. The minister of health, Francisco
Baquero, indicated that to date Chaco registered 5 confirmed cases and
7 probable cases of dengue fever, and there are another 5 under study.
The patients with confirmed diagnoses were released [from health care]
and are in perfect condition. There is concern in Choco because of the
serious epidemics in the neighboring countries of Paraguay, Brazil and
Bolivia. in
Spanish, trans. Mod.TY.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Argentina showing the
location of Chaco province can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Saudi Arabia (Jeddah). 16 Apr 2011. There have been 26 suspected
cases of dengue fever since the floods, 6 of which were confirmed,
Sami Badawood, director of health affairs in Jeddah, said in a phone
interview
.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Saudi Arabia showing the
location of Jeddah can be accessed at . -
Mod.TY]

- Maldives. 12 Apr 2011. The Maldives is battling a growing epidemic
of dengue fever which is believed to have contributed to the deaths of
at least 5 people this year [2011]. More than 300 cases were reported
in the 1st 2 months of 2011, compared with 737 cases and 2 fatalities
reported last year [2010]. The more serious cases have
disproportionately affected children.
.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map showing the location of the
Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Barbados. 11 Apr 2011. A recent release issued by the Ministry of
Health has revealed that over the 1st 9 weeks of this year [2011], 135
cases of dengue fever were confirmed by laboratory testing, and one
death was recorded. The ministry also revealed that 570 cases of
dengue fever and 4 deaths were recorded in 2010. This compares with
2008 when, during the 1st 9 weeks of the year, 2 deaths were verified,
and 212 cases were documented, following an epidemic in 2007
.


[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map showing the location of
Barbados in the Caribbean can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- USA (Maui, Hawaii). 13 Apr 2011. Three new cases of dengue fever
are suspected in Hana, along with a possible case in Haliimaile and an
additional 2 or 3 Upcountry, according to health officials. Maui
district health officer Dr Lorrin Pang also said at least one of 2
cases previously suspected in Keanae has been confirmed by a
laboratory in Hawaii, although he was still waiting for official
verification from a Center for Disease Control lab in Puerto Rico
.

[David Duffy has reminded us that Hana was the
focus of the 2001 outbreak, very wet and rural on the windward side.
Haliimaile is near the Kahului Airport in dry sugar cane country on
the leeward side.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the USA showing the
location of Maui in Hawaii state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

[see also:
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (15) 20110411.1146
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (12) 20110325.0938
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (10) 20110306.0743
2010
---
Dengue/DHF update 2010 (53) 20101018.3777
Dengue/DHF update 2010 (38) 20100727.2520
---
Dengue - USA (Hawaii) (04) 20011006.2424
Dengue - USA (Hawaii) 20010922.2296]
.................................................sb/lm/ty/msp/sh
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
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Sunday, April 17, 2011

AVIAN INFLUENZA, (LPAI) POULTRY - USA (03): (NEBRASKA)

******************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 14 Apr 2011
Source: US AG Net [edited]



NDA Quarantines Backyard Flocks Due to Low Path Avian Flu
---------------------------------------------------------
State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes has placed several backyard
mixed bird flocks under quarantine after receiving confirmation of a
case of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) in a backyard flock in
Eastern Nebraska. A Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Bureau of
Animal Industry staff member detected the LPAI case through routine
testing conducted at a recent exotic bird sale.

"Low path avian influenza commonly occurs in wild birds, and so we
conduct routine testing of backyard flocks because those flocks often
are exposed to the outdoors," Hughes said. "Upon confirmation of the
LPAI case, we quickly determined where the birds originated from and
where the birds were dispersed to through the exotic bird sale. We
have no reason to believe this case is anything other than an isolated
incident."

"This is low-path Avian Influenza which isn't usually a human health
concern," said Dr. Joann Schaefer, the state's Chief Medical Officer
and Director of Public Health for the Nebraska Department of Health
and Human Services. "Low-path avian influenza is very different than
the high-path (H5N1) avian influenza that continues to circulate
overseas and is a cause for concern."

The backyard flock in which the LPAI was discovered (the initial
flock) has been quarantined and will be depopulated based on United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) protocol. Hughes said owners of 5
additional backyard flocks in Eastern Nebraska purchased birds from
the initial flock at the exotic bird sale. So far, 5 of these flocks
tested positive for LPAI and also will be depopulated. Backyard flocks
that are within a 2-mile radius of the 3 infected flocks currently are
being quarantined and will undergo testing.

"A backyard flock typically consists of hobby birds, show birds or
birds used for personal consumption," said Susan Joy, the general
manager of Nebraska Poultry Industries.

NDA encourages all backyard flock producers to follow biosecurity
measures on their operations, including: requiring individuals to wash
their hands before and after contact with birds; avoid contact with
neighbors' birds; and disinfect boots and change clothes that come
into contact with birds other than your own.

NDA conducts avian influenza testing as part of a cooperative
agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture. Producers
who are interested in having their flocks tested, free of charge, can
call the NDA.

Additional information about avian influenza, NDA's testing program,
and biosecurity measures can be viewed at .

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[This article does not tell us what strain of avian influenza was
found. Not all low pathogenic strains are reportable to the OIE.
This article mentions exotic bird sale. This may mean it is a swap
meet where a variety birds are traded, sold, exchanged in a community
market situation.

There will likely be an investigation to determine how many birds may
have the disease and how far they may have been transported.

ProMED-mail would be grateful if the Nebraska officials or USDA
officials would publish which strain of avian influenza this was. -
Mod.TG]

[see also:
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (02): (MO) 20110402.1025
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA: (MO) - H7, OIE 20110402.1019
2009
----
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (05): (TN) 20090514.1810
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (04): (TN) 20090512.1773
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (03): (TN) 20090505.1682
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (02): (KY), H7N9
20090408.1361
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (KY): H7 20090405.1314
2008
----
Avian influenza (72): USA (AR), LPAI H7 20080604.1782
Avian influenza H7 - North America: human receptor 20080527.1728
2006
----
Avian influenza - USA (NJ): LPAI susp. 20060430.1257
2004
----
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - USA (DE, MD) 20040412.0993
Avian influenza, poultry, H7 - USA (MD) (02) 20040309.0665]
.................................................sb/tg/ejp/lm
*##########################################################*
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using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
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or archived material.
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Saturday, April 16, 2011

HANTAVIRUS UPDATE 2011 - AMERICAS (22): PANAMA (VERAGUAS)

A very popular bio-weapon but spread here blamed on rodents (of course)

*********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 11 Apr 2011
Source: La Estrella, Panama [in Spanish, transl. Mod.TY, edited]



[Health] Authorities in Panama today [11 Apr 2011] noted that the
death of a man in Santiago, Veraguas province, 250 km [155 miles] west
of Panama City, was due to [a] hantavirus [infection]. According to
the Regional Director of the Ministry of Health, Maria del Pilar
Pelaez, the patient died this weekend after being admitted in critical
condition of the Luis Chicho Fabrega Hospital in Santiago.

This official indicated that, due to this situation, an
epidemiological barrier was established in the area where the victim
lived to impede the spread of the [this] hantavirus in the province.
The 30-year-old young man, who the authorities did not identify, was a
driver who was involved in transportation of grain, circumstances
under which he we was infected by this fatal virus.

In this country [Panama], since the appearance of the 1st case in
1999 up to the present, about 150 cases have been registered, of which
30 people have died. Panamanian [health] authorities constantly carry
out fumigation campaigns and educational talks to make people aware of
the dangers of rodents as main transmitters of this fatal disease
[virus].

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-ESP


[One wonders if fumigation was used as the rodent control measure,
rather than rodent poisons in other forms. Although not stated in this
report, in Panama, the hantavirus most likely to be the etiological
agent in this case is Choclo virus. As mentioned in ProMED-mail
archive number 20081027.3389, hantaviruses (and their rodent hosts)
recognized in Panama include Rio Segundo (_Reithrodontomys
mexicanus_), Choclo (_Oligoryzomys fulvescens (costaricensis)_), and
Calabazo (_Zygodontomys brevicauda (cherriei)_). Of these 3 viruses,
only Choclo is a known human pathogen, causing hantavirus pulmonary
syndrome, which can have a high case fatality rate especially when
victims come to hospital late in the course of their disease, as with
the situation with this case.

A photograph of the pygmy rice rat (_Oligoryzomys fulvescens_) can be
accessed at
.

The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Panama showing the
location of Veraguas province can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

[see also:
2010
----
Hantavirus update 2010 - Americas (28): Panama, susp. 20100707.2259
Hantavirus update 2010 - Americas (22): Panama, Brazil
20100502.1430
Hantavirus update 2010 - Americas (11): Panama (HE, CC, PN)
20100305.0732
Hantavirus update 2010 - Americas (09): Panama (LS) 20100226.0638
Hantavirus update 2010 - Americas (08): Panama (HE) 20100216.0547]
.................................................sb/lm/ty/ejp/lm
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ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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Saturday, April 9, 2011

UNDIAGNOSED DEBILITATING ILLNESS - CHINA (02)

Date: Fri 8 Apr 2011 Source: China.org.cn, The Global Times report [edited] Despite repeated medical tests and reassurances from the relevant health authorities, people suffering HIV/AIDS-like symptoms insist they are ill and have been infected with an undetected virus. Since 2009, there have been thousands of cases in 6 provinces and municipalities, according to media reports. Victims have complained of HIV/AIDS symptoms despite repeatedly testing negative for the virus. A leading expert at the Institut Pasteur of Shanghai also backed their claims. It was unlikely "psychological factors" caused the symptoms, Mo Xiaowei told the Beijing News. Her institute had conducted blood tests for 5 sufferers in 2009 and detected "the same unknown virus," Mo said. Mo's Institute, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was "unqualified" to conduct such research, the Ministry of Health said. "I don't agree my symptoms were caused by an AIDS phobia," one man told the Global Times on Thursday [7 Apr 2011]. "I was tested negative, but I still have the symptoms. I don't know what I have." Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes and bleeding under the skin. The sufferers are fine and most of their symptoms were "exaggerated," Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing, reiterated in a press conference on Wednesday [6 Apr 2011]. His center has done 2 epidemiological studies and sent blood samples to the US for further testing. All were found to be HIV negative, and their CD4 cell ratio in the blood -- an indicator of the immune system [function] -- was found to be normal. HIV phobia most likely caused the HIV suspicions, said Ministry of Health spokesman Deng Haihua. The sufferers remained unconvinced. "I didn't start seeking out doctors until after I discovered the physical symptoms," one sufferer told the Beijing News. -- Communicated by: Jerry Hausley [This report further excludes human immunodeficiency virus as the etiologic agent of this undiagnosed illness, and immune system dysfunction does not appear to be involved in at least some cases of this illness. It is still unclear whether the illness can be considered a discrete clinical entity. The report from the Institut Pasteur of Shanghai that a (so far uncharacterised) virus has been isolated from patients displaying the symptoms of this illness cannot be evaluated at this stage. A verdict from the US CDC is awaited. - Mod.CP] [see also: Undiagnosed debilitating illness - China: RFI 20110404.1051] .................................................cp/mj/jw *##########################################################* ************************************************************ ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at: ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at . Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub- scribe at . For assistance from a human being, send mail to: . ############################################################ ############################################################