Mystery Disease Plagues Uganda

UNDIAGNOSED DISEASE - UGANDA (02): (KITGUM)
*******************************************
A ProMED-mail post

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


Date: Mon 29 Nov 2310
Source: AllAfrica, The New Vision (Uganda) report [edited]



Uganda: strange disease spreads to Kitgum
-----------------------------------------
The mysterious disease affecting Agago and Abim districts has
reportedly spread to Kitgum. The [Ugandan] Health Ministry yesterday
[28 Nov 2010] said the disease had not been identified yet, but
medical officers had been giving people "supportive treatment". Dr
Issa Makumbi, the Ministry's head of disease surveillance, said the
Entebbe-based Centre for Disease Control was today [29 Nov 2010]
expected to release results from samples received last week.

In the middle of this month [November 2010], Ministry officials,
quoting preliminary laboratory results, identified the disease as
amoebic dysentery. Yesterday [28 Nov 2010], the ministry put the
death toll in Kitgum at 5. But Sr Grace Ogwang, the Kitgum district
disease surveillance officer, said 8 people died of the disease in
Kitgum. This brings the death toll in the 3 districts to 36. The
disease has also reportedly spread to Pader.

The Kitgum victims included a mechanic who was hurriedly buried at
the Kitgum Hospital cemetery on [Sun 28 Nov 2010] under the strict
supervision of medical personnel from the World Health Organisation.
Ogwang said [the deceased] had travelled to Wol in Agago district a
week before his death. He is suspected to have contracted the disease
there. Ogwang warned people against getting into contact with the
bodies of victims and to avoid handshakes, communal handwashing, and
sharing of food.

[Byline: Anne Mugisa, David Labeja]

--
Communicated by:
Thomas James Allen


[Since the previous press report from the region, the outbreak of
this unidentified disease has spread to include Kitgum and the
overall death toll has in creased from 32 to 36. 8 of the fatalities
have occurred in Kitgum. No further information is available yet
regarding the nature of the disease, other than that initially
amoebic dysentery was suspected, rather than any form of haemorrhagic
disease as rumoured previously. A precise diagnosis is awaited.

The districts of Kitgum, Abim, and Agago in the Northern Region of
Uganda can be located on the map at
.
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Uganda can be accessed at
. - Mod.CP]

[see also:
Undiagnosed disease - Uganda: Acholi, RFI I20101129.4297]
...................................cp/mj/dk

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AVIAN INFLUENZA (28): ISRAEL (JUDEA AND SAMARIA) H5N1

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

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


Date: Mon 7 Mar 2011
Source: Circular 2011/4/a, Veterinary Services & Animal Health,
Israel [in Hebrew, trans. & summ. Mod.AS, edited]
less.htm?NRMODE=Published>


Avian influenza suspected in Rosh Zurim; preliminary notification
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Avian influenza H5 has been diagnosed in a turkey farm in the Kibbutz
Rosh Zurim, district BetLehem, province of Judea and Samaria. The
affected farm includes 13 400 birds. Quarantine measures and
surveillance have immediately been applied.

No unusual mortality has been detected in poultry farms 10 km [6 mi]
around the affected farm. Veterinarians, to whom the circular is being
electronically distributed, are called to alertness.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[The Israeli Veterinary Services have kindly provided the following
additional information, for which ProMED-mail is grateful:

"H5N1 has been confirmed by PCR. Virus isolation is pending. Out of
the 13 400 14 week old turkeys in the infected flock, about 1000
showed clinical disease, of which 200 died.

"The entire affected flock, as well as 2 additional turkey flocks on
the same farm (14 000 each, one 6 weeks old and the other 4 days old)
are to be immediately culled. An immediate notification has already
been submitted to the OIE".

A map showing the location of Rosh Zurim is available at
. - Mod.AS]

[see also:
Avian influenza (25): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, H5N1, OIE
20110306.0737
Avian influenza (24): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, H5N1 conf.
20110305.0719
Avian influenza (22): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, RFI
20110303.0695
2010
---
Avian influenza (30): Israel (HD), emu, OIE, resolved 20100515.1594
Avian influenza (26): Israel (HD), emu, OIE 20100507.1486
Avian influenza (36): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, RFI
20100522.1698
Avian influenza (31): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, RFI
20100519.1647
Avian influenza (30): Israel (HD), emu, OIE, resolved 20100515.1594
Avian influenza (28): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, susp. RFI
20100513.1562
Avian influenza (09): Israel (HA) update 20100203.0364
Avian influenza (08): Israel (HA) resolved, OIE 20100202.0355]
.................................................arn/mj/sh
*##########################################################*
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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
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or archived material.
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PROOF of MILITARY origins of H1N1 Swine Flu, Vaccine BIOWEAPON, and Baxt...

Pneumonia Plague & Joseph Moshe

Dengue, Croatia

DENGUE/DHF UPDATE 2011 (10)
***************************
A ProMED-mail post

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


In this update:
[1] Croatia
[2] Cases in various countries:

******
[1] Croatia (Peljesac peninsula)
Date: 3 Mar 2011
Source: Eurosurveillance, vol 16 No. 9. [summarized, edited]



Summary
After [providing] information about a dengue case in Germany acquired
in Croatia, health professionals and the public in Croatia were
alerted to assess the situation and to enhance mosquito control,
resulting in the diagnosis of a 2nd case of autochthonous dengue fever
in the same area and the detection of 15 persons with evidence of
recent dengue infection. Mosquito control measures were introduced.
The circumstances of dengue virus introduction to Croatia remain
unresolved.

Introduction

_Aedes albopictus_ was for the 1st time recorded in Croatia in 2004
in the area surrounding Zagreb. Within 2 years, _Ae. albopictus_ was
found on the entire territory of the Adriatic coast from northern
Istria to Dubrovnik in the south. According to routine monitoring of
mosquitoes and published articles, _Ae. albopictus_ is now permanently
established in the coastal but not yet in the continental areas of
Croatia.

Discussion
After France, Croatia is the 2nd country in Europe in which
autochthonous transmission of dengue infection has been shown, which
had not been recorded in Europe since the epidemic in Greece in 1925
to 1928.

The assumption that the German tourist acquired dengue fever in the
region of the Peljesac peninsula was confirmed by the identification
of a 2nd case of dengue fever in a local citizen who had not travelled
outside the area. Although the antigen was not confirmed by RT-PCR in
the acute serum of the patient, taken 6 days after illness onset, the
presence of specific IgM antibodies (IgG was negative) pointed to
acute infection. This was confirmed in a sample taken on day 19 of the
illness when IgM and IgG antibodies were found.

Of the 14 samples taken from the Croatian patient's neighbours, none
of whom had travelled outside Croatia, 9 were IgG-positive, and we
assume that these were relatively recent infections, because 7 of them
were also IgM-positive. Some of them reported having an influenza-like
disease in August and early September [2010]. Moreover, DENV-specific
antibodies were found in 5.4 per cent of the anonymous serum samples
collected in October 2010 by the laboratory that covers the area of
Peljesac and Korcula. In this panel, 5 of the 6 DENV-positive sera
showed borderline or positive values of IgM antibodies against DENV.
Based on the available serological and epidemiological data, we,
therefore, assume that a cluster of acute DENV infections occurred in
the area, most probably during August and September 2010.

Reference:
Gjenero-Margan I, Aleraj B, Krajcar D, Lesnikar V, Klobucar A,
Pem-Novosel I, Kurecic-Filipovic S, Komparak S, Martic R, Duricic S,
Betica-Radic L, Okmadzic J, Vilibic-Cavlek T, Babic-Erceg A, Turkovic
B, Avsic-Zupanc T, Radic I, Ljubic M, Sarac K, Benic N,
Mlinaric-Galinovic G. Autochthonous dengue fever in Croatia,
August–September 2010. Euro Surveill. 2011;16(9):pii=19805.

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[This report presents another example of the consequences of the
spread and establishment of an introduced dengue virus vector
mosquito, _Aedes albopictus_. It will not be surprising to see future
cases of locally acquired dengue and chikungunya virus infections when
these viruses are introduced into areas where there are relatively
abundant population of this mosquito. In the current focus above,
presumably dengue virus transmission has ceased with the onset of cold
weather.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Croatia showing the areas
mentions can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

******
[2] Cases in various countries: Philippines (Pangasinan), - Indonesia
(Jakarta), Saudi Arabia (Jeddah), USA (Miami, Florida), Honduras,
Brazil (Sorocaba, Sao Paulo state), Brazil (Bauru, Sao Paulo state),
Brazil (Araraquara, Sao Paulo state), Brazil (Itu, Sao Paulo state),
Brazil (Cambe, Parana), Brazil (Parana), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro
state), Brazil (Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro state), Brazil
(Amazonas), Brazil (Ceara), Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul)

- Philippines (Pangasinan). 1 Mar 2011. The numbers of those
afflicted with the [dengue] viral disease continue to climb in
Pangasinan province in the past 2 months according to the local office
of the Department of Health (DOH) today [1 Mar 2011]. The DOH reports
a total of 157 people have been found positive with dengue, resulting
in 3 deaths thus far.
.

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

- Indonesia (Jakarta). 4 Mar 2011. Since January to March 2011, the
dengue fever case in North Jakarta reached 485 or lower compared to
same period last year [2010] by 723 cases.


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

- Saudi Arabia (Jeddah). 6 Mar 2011. In Jeddah, 33 cases of dengue
fever have been reported in the last 3 weeks, according to Health
Affairs Director Dr. Sami Badawood, adding that more infections were
likely in the coming weeks as the cool season comes to an end.
.

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

- USA (Miami, Florida). 2 Mar 2011. The 2nd locally acquired case of
dengue fever in Miami-Dade County was confirmed Wednesday [2 Mar 2011]
by the county Health Department. The Health Department said the person
showed symptoms of the illness, and lab tests confirmed it was dengue.
The person has fully recovered from the symptoms, the health
department said. The 1st case of locally acquired dengue in Miami-Dade
was reported this past November [2010]. That person also fully
recovered.
.

[One cannot help but wonder if this 2nd case is the result of a
recent importation of dengue virus, or if virus transmission continues
to smolder in the Miami area. It would be helpful to know whether the
current case is due to a dengue virus similar to any of the previously
reported recent cases in Florida.

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

- Honduras. 5 Mar 2011. The head of the Dengue Program of the
Honduras Ministry of Health, Roxana Araujo, reported today [5 Mar
2011] a "significant reduction" in dengue incidence that in 2010
produced the worst epidemic in 30 years with a total of 83 deaths. She
stated that since 1 Jan [2011] to date, 680 cases of classical dengue
fever have been registered, and during that same period last year
[2010], there were 2880. There are 5 DHF cases this year [2011], while
in the same period last year, there were 190, Araujo added.

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

- Brazil (Sorocaba, Sao Paulo state). 5 Mar 2011. The number of
confirmed dengue cases doubled in one week, putting the city health
authorities on alert. While a bulletin released by the Secretariat of
Health on 25 Feb [2011] indicated that there were 75 cases, a survey
made yesterday afternoon [4 Mar 2011] confirmed 148 cases in the city.
Only 17 are imported [from elsewhere].
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

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

- Brazil (Bauru, Sao Paulo state). 4 Mar 2011. On Thursday [3 Mar
2011], the municipal Secretariat of Health reported 45 new locally
acquired dengue cases in Bauru, totaling 435 cases of the disease up
to now (432 locally acquired and 3 imported) in 2011. In just 3 days,
the city counted 156 new dengue cases, and the Secretariat expects
that this year [2011] will be an epidemic one. It is always worthwhile
to compare [the number this year] with 2010, when the number of
reported cases was 648, with 485 locally acquired and 47 imported.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Bauru in Sao Paulo state
can be accessed at . - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Araraquara, Sao Paulo state). 3 Mar 2011. An additional 33
dengue cases were confirmed in Araraquara. This year [2011], a total
of 146 people had the disease. Of these, just 2 were imported from
another city. The results of 129 reported cases are awaited.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map Araraquara in Sao Paulo
state can be accessed at . - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Itu, Sao Paulo state). 28 Feb 2011. The number of dengue
cases in Itu increased by 8. This week, the city recorded 4 more
locally acquired cases. With these, there are now 5 locally acquired
cases and anther 6 imported from other cities. The Itu Secretariat of
Health also reported that laboratory results from another 15
[suspected dengue cases] are awaited.
. [in
Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Itu in Sao Paulo state
can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Cambe, Parana). 4 Mar 2011. In Cambe, 853 dengue cases have
been registered with 26 cases [laboratory] confirmed.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

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

- Brazil (Parana). 3 Mar 2011. From January - 25 Feb [2011], Parana
reported 12 703 suspected dengue cases, with 2193 confirmed; 3 deaths
and 39 serious cases were reported. The Jacarezinho prefecture, in the
north of the state, declared an emergency situation, after 2 deaths
and 1253 reported [dengue cases]. This city is 2nd [in the state] in
the number of confirmed and suspected [dengue] cases. In the past 2
months [January and February 2011], Londrina has registered one death
and the most reported dengue cases in the entire state, with 4570.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

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

- Brazil (Rio de Janeiro state). 3 Mar 2011. Rio de Janeiro is under
a state of alert for dengue. As of this past Monday [1 Mar 2011], the
municipal Secretariat of Health has registered 3640 [dengue] cases in
the city from January - February [2011]. This is the greatest number
since the epidemic of 2008, when 240 deaths were confirmed in the
state.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY, edited]

[With 7 dengue deaths in the state from 1 Jan - 28 Feb [2011], the
number of deaths is more than double that of 2010, when there were 3.
.

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

- Brazil (Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro state). 4 Mar 2011. The city
is classified as one of "medium risk" [for dengue], said the city
Secretary of Health, Suely Pinto, this afternoon [4 Mar 2011]. There
are 35 cases of classical dengue fever and one of DHF. The reported
cases awaiting confirmation are 285, 2 of which are [suspected] DHF.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Volta Redonda, Rio de
Janeiro state can be accessed at . -
Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Amazonas). 3 Mar 2011. With 15 548 reported cases as of
Tuesday [1 Mar 2011], Brazil's state of Amazonas is going through its
3rd dengue epidemic -- the 2nd-worst in its history -- only surpassed
by the 19 000 [dengue virus infections] in 2001 when dengue [virus]
types 1 and 2 were circulating. As of 1 Mar [2011], there were 9
confirmed dengue deaths, all due to dengue [virus] type 1 and 2
[infections]. An additional 4 deaths are under investigation to
determine whether they were due to dengue [virus infections].
According to health authorities, dengue [cases] are increasing, with
230 cases reported daily, 98 per cent with classical dengue fever. The
epidemic is occurring in 2 municipalities, the capital city Manaus,
with 10 798 cases as of last Wednesday [2 Mar 2011], and Tefe.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

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

- Brazil (Ceara). 3 Mar 2011. The number of dengue deaths in Ceara
reached 10. After the state Secretariat of Health reported that
number, the alert level increased, and the state runs a big risk of
suffering a new epidemic of the disease. According to the latest
bulletin, Ceara counted 3182 confirmed cases in 114 cities.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

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

- Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul). 1 Mar 2011. A possible dengue epidemic
is placing the units of the State Center for Health Surveillance on
alert. In recent days, there are now 288 reported cases in Rio Grande
do Sul, with 11 confirmed.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map Rio Grando do Sul can be
accessed at . - Mod.TY]

[see also:
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (09) 20110228.0665
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (08) 20110222.0579
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (07) 20110214.0498
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (04) 20110124.0292
2010
----
Dengue/DHF update 2010 (57) 20101115.4149]
.................................................sb/mpp/ty/msp/mpp
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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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Bird Flu Appears in Palistine

AVIAN INFLUENZA (22): PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, WEST BANK, REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION
*******************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

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


Date: Thu 3 Mar 2011
Source: SMS message, distributed by Israel's Avian Health Network [in
Hebrew, trans. Mod.AS, edited]


An outbreak of HPAI H5N1 has been diagnosed in a turkey flock in the
village Silat al Harithiyah, West Bank, Palestinian Territories. The
flock is 75 days old with a very high mortality rate. Diagnosis was
carried out by PCR.

--
Communicated by:
Nati Elkin

[For the location of the village Silat al Harithiyah in the northern
part of the West-Bank, Jenin district, about 3 km from the boundary
with Israel, see map at .

Official confirmation from the Palestinian authorities and
information on the disease-control measures applied are anticipated.

Israel's Avian Health Network is a semi-governmental institution
engaged in the diagnosis and control of poultry diseases. - Mod.AS]

[see also:
2010
----
Avian influenza (36): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, RFI
20100522.1698
Avian influenza (31): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, RFI
20100519.1647
Avian influenza (28): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, susp. RFI
20100513.1562]
.................................................arn/msp/mpp
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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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************************************************************
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WEST NILE VIRUS, MOSQUITOES - USA: (LOUISIANA)

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

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


Date: Mon 28 Feb 2011
Source: Nola.com (Times-Picayune online) [edited]



A case [sic] of West Nile virus has been found in a mosquito sample
tested in January [2011], providing significant information about how
the virus outlasts the winter, a recent St. Tammany Parish Mosquito
Abatement District report stated. [Detection or isolation of a virus
from a mosquito or mosquito pool is not referred to as a case. Case
refers to disease in humans or animals. The mosquitoes are infected,
but not "diseased." - Mod.TY]

A test sample returned positive for West Nile [virus], giving new
evidence that the virus cycles as normal during the winter months. The
virus was found in the mosquito _Culiseta inornata_, a species
normally active in the winter and early spring. This is the 1st time
the species has tested positive for West Nile [virus], the report
said. A total of 96 mosquito samples [pools] were tested for the virus
in January [2011], with one _Culiseta inornata_ pool returning
positive, the report said. A mosquito sample [pool] typically consists
of up to 50 mosquitoes that are tested as one unit.

According to Charles Palmisano, director of the mosquito abatement
district, the new evidence backs suspicions the virus actively cycles
[is transmitted] via infections between mosquitoes and birds instead
of lying dormant during the winter when cold temperatures slow
mosquito activity and development. "It's just another piece of the
puzzle to the question of what happens to the virus in the winter,"
Palmisano said. "While this indicates the (infection) cycle could be
continuing during the winter, we aren't sure what effect this could
have in late spring, early summer."

No human cases of West Nile have been reported this year [2011], and
once weather permits and adult mosquitoes become more active, the
district will begin spraying ditches in the parish to control the
mosquito population, Palmisano said. "The spring is a very important
time of year to hopefully have an impact on West Nile virus activity
for the entire year," Palmisano said. "Our thinking is that if we can
reduce the viral activity in the early spring, perhaps this will also
reduce its impact during the summer when human transmission is most
likely."

Through 21 Feb 2011, there have been no other positive findings for
West Nile [virus], Palmisano said.

About 90 percent of the people who contract West Nile will never
experience any symptoms and likely will never know they have the
disease, officials have said. Nearly all the rest will suffer from
West Nile fever, which has symptoms similar to the flu and is not
typically diagnosed as West Nile.

Only about one percent of patients who contract West Nile will
develop the neuro-invasive form of the disease, which can result in
brain or spinal swelling leading to permanent damage or death. People
who are at least 65 years old are the most likely to suffer
complications.

When a mosquito feeds on a bird infected with West Nile, the mosquito
can carry the virus and infect a person through a bite. It is not
transmitted from person to person.

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[West Nile virus (WNV) was isolated from _Culiseta inornata_ in the
USA from 2002 at least to 2008 as reported to the US CDC by the states
.
_Culiseta inornata_ has been shown in the laboratory to be infected by
and to transmit WNV. It primarily feeds on mammals and may be a
"bridge" vector transmitting the virus to humans and equine animals.

Reference:
Laura B. Goddard,* Amy E. Roth,* William K. Reisen,* and Thomas W.
Scott*. 2002. Vector competence of California mosquitoes for West Nile
virus. Emerg Infect Dis. 2002 December; 8(12): 1385-1391.

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

[see also:
2008
----
West Nile virus update 2008 - Western Hemisphere (15) 20080814.2516]
.................................................sb/mpp/ty/msp/mpp
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
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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