RABIES - ANGOLA: (LUANDA) CANINE, FELINE, HUMAN
************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 20 Dec 2012
Source: Angola Press [ANGOP] [In French, transl., edited]
http://www.portalangop.co.ao/motix/fr_f ... 088e8.html
In Luanda more than than 90 people have died from bites of rabid dogs
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Between 1 Jan 2012 and 15 Dec 2012 a total of 20 236 people have been bitten by rabid dogs in Luanda, and 84 have died according to ANGOP. According to a source in the Provincial Directorate of Health in Luanda, the urban district of Kilamba Kiaxe, in the municipality of Belas, recorded most cases (4067), followed by the municipalities of Viana (3428), Cazenga (2877) and Cacuaco (2178), and Sambizanga District, in the municipality in Luanda (2492).
Among those bitten, 86 percent were male, and 5-9 year-olds were the most affected age group said the source, adding that in the week from 9-15 Dec 2012, 568 bites have been reported, including 564 dogs and 4 cats. Kilamba Kiaxe District recorded 20 percent of the total cases, followed by Viana (17 percent) and Cazenga, 14 percent.
As a consequence the health authority has requested owners and breeders of domestic animals to have them vaccinated and kept under restraint. Parents with young families should warn their children of the risk of exposure to rabies virus infection.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-FRA
<promed-fra@promedmail.org>
[Nothing short of a nation-wide compulsory vaccination programme is likely to address this problem.
Luanda is the capital and largest city of Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and its administrative centre. It has a metropolitan population of more than 5 million. Since 2011, Luanda Province is divided into 7 municipalities.
The interactive ProMED/HealthMap of Luanda province Angola can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/2_1M. - Mod.CP]
[Photo of Luanda shoreline
http://photos.igougo.com/images/p135912 ... Angola.jpg
- Mod.JW]
Aktuelle Epidemien in Afrika
Moderator: Moderatoren
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Trachom - Ägyptische Körnerkrankheit in Sudan
TRACHOMA - SUDAN
****************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Sun 23 Dec 2012
Source: Alayaam.net [in Arabic, trans. Corr.SB, edited]
http://www.alayaam.net/
There are 700 000 cases of the disease trachoma in the Sudan. Federal Health Minister Dr. Tabita Boutros says that they are facing obstacles in efforts to eliminate the disease, especially in Darfur, with the deteriorating security situation, poor distribution of human resources, and lack of infrastructure, food, and drinking water in rural areas.
The minister said that 21 million Sudanese people are exposed to the disease.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Trachoma is a chronic keratoconjunctivitis caused by recurrent infections with ocular serotypes of _Chlamydia trachomatis_, an obligate intracellular bacterium. Infection often begins during infancy or childhood, and, if left untreated, the infection eventually causes the eyelid to turn inwards (trichiasis), which in turn causes the eyelashes to rub on the cornea, resulting in intense pain and scarring of the cornea. This ultimately leads to blindness by the time the person is an adult.
Trachoma is endemic in regions characterized by poverty, crowding, poor personal and family hygiene, lack of safe water, absence of latrines or toilets, flies, and lack of facial cleanliness. Trachoma is spread person-to-person among children and within families by frequent exchange of infected ocular discharge from one child's face to another, by direct contact with secretions of affected individuals, by contact with contaminated inanimate objects, such as towels and/or washcloths, and by flies.
The following is extracted from the WHO document "Global Health Observatory - Trachoma," available at http://www.who.int/gho/neglected_diseases/trachoma/en/:
Trachoma is hyperendemic in many of the poorest and most remote rural areas in 57 countries of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Australia, and the Middle East. Roughly half of the global burden of active trachoma is concentrated in 5 countries (Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Uganda and Sudan), and that of trichiasis in 4 countries (China, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda). Overall, Africa is the most affected continent: 27.8 million cases of active trachoma (68.5 percent of all cases globally) and 3.8 million cases of trichiasis (46.6 percent of all cases globally) occur in 28/46 countries in the African region.
The highest prevalence of active trachoma has been reported from Ethiopia and Sudan, where the infection often occurs in more than 50 percent of children younger than 10 years; trichiasis is found in up to 19 percent of adults. Implementation of the SAFE strategy will lead to the elimination of blinding trachoma by 2020. In 2008, about 60 percent of the population in need received preventive chemotherapy using antibiotics, and about 45 percent received surgical care. Ghana, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Morocco, and Oman have reported reaching their elimination targets.
The SAFE Strategy is an innovative public health approach designed to treat and prevent trachoma (http://trachoma.org/safe-strategy). The components of SAFE are: Surgery to correct inturned eyelids; Antibiotics (e.g. azithromycin) to prevent and treat active infection; Facial cleanliness to prevent disease transmission; and Environmental change to improve access to water and proper disposal of human and animal waste (http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_hea ... achoma/en/).
Antibiotics that are used to treat active infection are one percent tetracycline eye ointment administered to both eyes twice daily for 6 weeks or azithromycin administered as one oral dose (20 mg/kg body weight). Tetracycline eye ointment is cheap and is almost universally available, but compliance is often poor, whereas azithromycin is well tolerated but is relatively expensive, unless donated by Pfizer Inc. through the International Trachoma Initiative (Mariotti SP. New steps toward eliminating blinding trachoma. N. Engl. J. Med. 2004; 351: 2004-7).
WHO Guidelines recommend that a district should receive community-based, mass-antibiotic treatment when the prevalence of active trachoma among one to 9-year-old children is greater than 10 percent, and treatment should be repeated annually for 3 years, after which, a repeat district survey is carried out. If the district prevalence in one to 9-year-old children is still 10 percent or greater, annual mass treatment should be continued. If the prevalence is less than 10 percent, surveys should be conducted to determine the prevalence at the community level. Then, in communities in which the prevalence is less than 5 percent, treatment can be stopped, and in communities in which the prevalence is 5 percent or greater, annual treatment should continue until it falls below 5 percent http://www.who.int/blindness/publicatio ... t_06_1.pdf.
For a map of the Sudan, see http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/sudan_pol00.jpg.
The interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of the Sudan is available at: http://healthmap.org/promed?v=13.8,30,5. - Mod.ML]
[Photo of flies on eyes: http://webpages.scu.edu/ftp/mrzhao/images/trachoma1.jpg
Corneal damage by trachoma: http://www.pyroenergen.com/articles/images/trachoma.jpg. - Mod.JW]
****************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Sun 23 Dec 2012
Source: Alayaam.net [in Arabic, trans. Corr.SB, edited]
http://www.alayaam.net/
There are 700 000 cases of the disease trachoma in the Sudan. Federal Health Minister Dr. Tabita Boutros says that they are facing obstacles in efforts to eliminate the disease, especially in Darfur, with the deteriorating security situation, poor distribution of human resources, and lack of infrastructure, food, and drinking water in rural areas.
The minister said that 21 million Sudanese people are exposed to the disease.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Trachoma is a chronic keratoconjunctivitis caused by recurrent infections with ocular serotypes of _Chlamydia trachomatis_, an obligate intracellular bacterium. Infection often begins during infancy or childhood, and, if left untreated, the infection eventually causes the eyelid to turn inwards (trichiasis), which in turn causes the eyelashes to rub on the cornea, resulting in intense pain and scarring of the cornea. This ultimately leads to blindness by the time the person is an adult.
Trachoma is endemic in regions characterized by poverty, crowding, poor personal and family hygiene, lack of safe water, absence of latrines or toilets, flies, and lack of facial cleanliness. Trachoma is spread person-to-person among children and within families by frequent exchange of infected ocular discharge from one child's face to another, by direct contact with secretions of affected individuals, by contact with contaminated inanimate objects, such as towels and/or washcloths, and by flies.
The following is extracted from the WHO document "Global Health Observatory - Trachoma," available at http://www.who.int/gho/neglected_diseases/trachoma/en/:
Trachoma is hyperendemic in many of the poorest and most remote rural areas in 57 countries of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Australia, and the Middle East. Roughly half of the global burden of active trachoma is concentrated in 5 countries (Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Uganda and Sudan), and that of trichiasis in 4 countries (China, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda). Overall, Africa is the most affected continent: 27.8 million cases of active trachoma (68.5 percent of all cases globally) and 3.8 million cases of trichiasis (46.6 percent of all cases globally) occur in 28/46 countries in the African region.
The highest prevalence of active trachoma has been reported from Ethiopia and Sudan, where the infection often occurs in more than 50 percent of children younger than 10 years; trichiasis is found in up to 19 percent of adults. Implementation of the SAFE strategy will lead to the elimination of blinding trachoma by 2020. In 2008, about 60 percent of the population in need received preventive chemotherapy using antibiotics, and about 45 percent received surgical care. Ghana, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Morocco, and Oman have reported reaching their elimination targets.
The SAFE Strategy is an innovative public health approach designed to treat and prevent trachoma (http://trachoma.org/safe-strategy). The components of SAFE are: Surgery to correct inturned eyelids; Antibiotics (e.g. azithromycin) to prevent and treat active infection; Facial cleanliness to prevent disease transmission; and Environmental change to improve access to water and proper disposal of human and animal waste (http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_hea ... achoma/en/).
Antibiotics that are used to treat active infection are one percent tetracycline eye ointment administered to both eyes twice daily for 6 weeks or azithromycin administered as one oral dose (20 mg/kg body weight). Tetracycline eye ointment is cheap and is almost universally available, but compliance is often poor, whereas azithromycin is well tolerated but is relatively expensive, unless donated by Pfizer Inc. through the International Trachoma Initiative (Mariotti SP. New steps toward eliminating blinding trachoma. N. Engl. J. Med. 2004; 351: 2004-7).
WHO Guidelines recommend that a district should receive community-based, mass-antibiotic treatment when the prevalence of active trachoma among one to 9-year-old children is greater than 10 percent, and treatment should be repeated annually for 3 years, after which, a repeat district survey is carried out. If the district prevalence in one to 9-year-old children is still 10 percent or greater, annual mass treatment should be continued. If the prevalence is less than 10 percent, surveys should be conducted to determine the prevalence at the community level. Then, in communities in which the prevalence is less than 5 percent, treatment can be stopped, and in communities in which the prevalence is 5 percent or greater, annual treatment should continue until it falls below 5 percent http://www.who.int/blindness/publicatio ... t_06_1.pdf.
For a map of the Sudan, see http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/sudan_pol00.jpg.
The interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of the Sudan is available at: http://healthmap.org/promed?v=13.8,30,5. - Mod.ML]
[Photo of flies on eyes: http://webpages.scu.edu/ftp/mrzhao/images/trachoma1.jpg
Corneal damage by trachoma: http://www.pyroenergen.com/articles/images/trachoma.jpg. - Mod.JW]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Bilharziose in Sudan
SCHISTOSOMIASIS - SUDAN: (NORTH KORDOFAN)
*****************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Tue 25 Dec 2012
Source: Akhir Lahsa [In Arabic, transl. by SB, edited]
http://www.akhirlahza.sd/akhir/index.ph ... -----.html
2 million people suffering from Schistosomiasis in the Sudan
------------------------------------------------------------
Bahr Idriss Abu Garda Federal Minister of Health reports that there are some 2 million people in the Sudan suffering from schistosomiasis, with the state of North Kordofan recording the highest rate of 70 percent.
Abu Garda acknowledged during his address yesterday [24 Dec 2012], on "Bilharzia disease Silent Killer," that surveys confirmed the high incidence of the disease and called for International organizations to cooperate with the ministries to eradicate the disease.
For his part, Gabriel Noman the schistosomiasis program manager at the Federal Ministry of Health, said that schistosomiasis is 2nd after malaria (in the Sudan) but it is dangerous, and the number of cases of acute gastrointestinal bleeding referred to hospitals amounted to 6000, 10 of which developed bladder cancer. He demanded that the state give political commitment and material to combat the disease.
[Byline: Khartoum: Naima Belo]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A recent survey of schistosomiasis in Southern Kardofan State found that "the prevalence of _S. haematobium_ was 6.9 percent among the adult population" and that "the infection was associated with non-preference of latrine use." (Abou-Zeid AH et al. Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths among an adult population in a war affected area, Southern Kordofan state, Sudan. Parasit Vectors. 2012;5:133).
A study from Sudan of the efficacy of praziquantel, PZQ, found that "a single dose of PZQ reduced the prevalence of _S. haematobium_ by 83.3 percent (from 51.4 percent to 8.6 percent) and the geometric mean intensity of infection of positive individuals by 17.0 percent (from 87.7 to 72.8 eggs/10ml of urine) one year after treatment." and that "there was a significantly higher reduction of intensity of _S. haematobium_ infection among girls in comparison with boys." (Ahmed AM et al. Schistosoma haematobium infections among schoolchildren in central Sudan one year after treatment with praziquantel. Parasit Vectors. 2012;5:108). - Mod.EP]
[Schistosome Life cycle diagram:
http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/images/Para ... eCycle.gif
- Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A1E.]
*****************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Tue 25 Dec 2012
Source: Akhir Lahsa [In Arabic, transl. by SB, edited]
http://www.akhirlahza.sd/akhir/index.ph ... -----.html
2 million people suffering from Schistosomiasis in the Sudan
------------------------------------------------------------
Bahr Idriss Abu Garda Federal Minister of Health reports that there are some 2 million people in the Sudan suffering from schistosomiasis, with the state of North Kordofan recording the highest rate of 70 percent.
Abu Garda acknowledged during his address yesterday [24 Dec 2012], on "Bilharzia disease Silent Killer," that surveys confirmed the high incidence of the disease and called for International organizations to cooperate with the ministries to eradicate the disease.
For his part, Gabriel Noman the schistosomiasis program manager at the Federal Ministry of Health, said that schistosomiasis is 2nd after malaria (in the Sudan) but it is dangerous, and the number of cases of acute gastrointestinal bleeding referred to hospitals amounted to 6000, 10 of which developed bladder cancer. He demanded that the state give political commitment and material to combat the disease.
[Byline: Khartoum: Naima Belo]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A recent survey of schistosomiasis in Southern Kardofan State found that "the prevalence of _S. haematobium_ was 6.9 percent among the adult population" and that "the infection was associated with non-preference of latrine use." (Abou-Zeid AH et al. Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths among an adult population in a war affected area, Southern Kordofan state, Sudan. Parasit Vectors. 2012;5:133).
A study from Sudan of the efficacy of praziquantel, PZQ, found that "a single dose of PZQ reduced the prevalence of _S. haematobium_ by 83.3 percent (from 51.4 percent to 8.6 percent) and the geometric mean intensity of infection of positive individuals by 17.0 percent (from 87.7 to 72.8 eggs/10ml of urine) one year after treatment." and that "there was a significantly higher reduction of intensity of _S. haematobium_ infection among girls in comparison with boys." (Ahmed AM et al. Schistosoma haematobium infections among schoolchildren in central Sudan one year after treatment with praziquantel. Parasit Vectors. 2012;5:108). - Mod.EP]
[Schistosome Life cycle diagram:
http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/images/Para ... eCycle.gif
- Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A1E.]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Chikungunya in Gabun
CHIKUNGUNYA (23): GABON SUSPECTED
*********************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 13 Dec 2012
Source: Xinhua News Agency [in French, machine trans. Corr.SB, edited]
http://french.news.cn/afrique/2012-12/1 ... 039369.htm
The Gabonese Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday [12 Dec 2012] that 150 suspected cases of chikungunya, a [virus] disease spread by mosquitoes that causes severe pain, had been recorded at the Melen regional hospital in the eastern outskirts of Libreville.
"From the clinical point of view, this strongly suggests an outbreak of chikungunya," said the statement read out on television by the Gabonese media adviser to the Ministry of Health, Marie Josee Ndombi. According to the text, samples are being examined to ascertain the origin of the epidemic of "fever, headache, muscle and joint pain raging in Libreville."
In late November, the Ministry of Health recognized the existence of an outbreak of chikungunya in the city of Mouila, 444 km [275 mi] south of Libreville.
At Mouila, as in Libreville, patients complained of the same symptoms -- partial paralysis of the lower limbs, abdominal pain, fever, flu, and headaches.
This is the 2nd time chikungunya has been reported in Gabon. The 1st outbreak took place in 2007. More than 21 000 Gabonese were infected. Crisis committees were set up at airports and in health centers, the latter against resurgence. Unlike malaria, chikungunya [virus], also transmitted by mosquitoes, is not as deadly. The disease is cured without complications.
The government recommends wearing long clothes at night, sleeping under an impregnated mosquito net from a health center, and destroying all mosquito breeding centers such as stagnant water.
--
communicated by
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[This is the 3rd time that chikungunya virus outbreaks in Gabon have been reported by ProMED-mail, the 1st in 2007 and the 2nd in 2010. The partial paralysis reported in the cases above may be a reluctance by infected individuals to move due to intense joint and muscle pain that is characteristic of chikungunya virus infections. ProMED-mail would appreciate receiving results of laboratory tests on samples sent in to confirm (or refute) the clinical diagnosis.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Gabon can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/1zl4. - Mod.TY]
*********************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 13 Dec 2012
Source: Xinhua News Agency [in French, machine trans. Corr.SB, edited]
http://french.news.cn/afrique/2012-12/1 ... 039369.htm
The Gabonese Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday [12 Dec 2012] that 150 suspected cases of chikungunya, a [virus] disease spread by mosquitoes that causes severe pain, had been recorded at the Melen regional hospital in the eastern outskirts of Libreville.
"From the clinical point of view, this strongly suggests an outbreak of chikungunya," said the statement read out on television by the Gabonese media adviser to the Ministry of Health, Marie Josee Ndombi. According to the text, samples are being examined to ascertain the origin of the epidemic of "fever, headache, muscle and joint pain raging in Libreville."
In late November, the Ministry of Health recognized the existence of an outbreak of chikungunya in the city of Mouila, 444 km [275 mi] south of Libreville.
At Mouila, as in Libreville, patients complained of the same symptoms -- partial paralysis of the lower limbs, abdominal pain, fever, flu, and headaches.
This is the 2nd time chikungunya has been reported in Gabon. The 1st outbreak took place in 2007. More than 21 000 Gabonese were infected. Crisis committees were set up at airports and in health centers, the latter against resurgence. Unlike malaria, chikungunya [virus], also transmitted by mosquitoes, is not as deadly. The disease is cured without complications.
The government recommends wearing long clothes at night, sleeping under an impregnated mosquito net from a health center, and destroying all mosquito breeding centers such as stagnant water.
--
communicated by
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[This is the 3rd time that chikungunya virus outbreaks in Gabon have been reported by ProMED-mail, the 1st in 2007 and the 2nd in 2010. The partial paralysis reported in the cases above may be a reluctance by infected individuals to move due to intense joint and muscle pain that is characteristic of chikungunya virus infections. ProMED-mail would appreciate receiving results of laboratory tests on samples sent in to confirm (or refute) the clinical diagnosis.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Gabon can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/1zl4. - Mod.TY]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Meningitis in Algerien
MENINGITIS - ALGERIA: (BLIDA) REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 2 Jan 2013
Source: ubalert/Disaster Alert Network [edited]
http://www.ubalert.com/Gp5
13 Cases of Meningitis Prompts Closure of Private Clinic in Algeria
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorities said the Amina clinic in the town of Chiffa was closed by authorities as a precautionary measure following the detection of 13 meningitis cases. According to Dr. Zenati Ahmed, the director of health in the city of Blida, the cases of meningitis have been reported in patients who sought treatment at the clinic.
Based on health records, the 1st patient came in on 6 Dec 2012, although the alert was issued on 24 Dec 2012 following the diagnosis of additional cases. The patients were then transferred to a hospital in the town of Boufarik. Since then, 2 patients died including a 57-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man. Ahmed said that an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the outbreak or potential contamination in the clinic. He added that the investigation was initiated by the specialized services of the Ministry of Health, Population and Hospital Reform, aside from investigations by other relevant authorities.
It is worth mentioning that this is not the 1st time that health authorities are shutting down a private clinic due to a possible disease outbreak. In 2008, the clinic Rosiers Blida was also closed down.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The news report above does not indicate the microbial etiology in the 13 meningitis cases in the Algerian town of Chiffa. Algeria is not one of the countries in the African meningitis belt. The African meningitis belt, which is plagued yearly by large epidemics of meningococcal meningitis, lies in the sub-Saharan region of Africa (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol9no10/03-0170.htm).
The news report above also does not clearly state if the 13 cases were admitted with meningitis that was acquired in the community or were admitted to the hospital for some other diagnosis and acquired meningitis only after admission to the hospital. From the news article, there seems to be some implication of "potential contamination in the clinic" that prompted closure of the clinic as a "preventive" measure. (See ProMed-mail posts of the nosocomial fungal meningitis outbreak in the United States this past year.) A clarification of these issues would be appreciated.
Blida, with a population of 265 000, is a city in Algeria, located at the base of the Tell Atlas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blida). It is the capital of Blida Province, and it is located about 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Algiers, the national capital. Chiffa is a town in the Tell Atlas Mountains of northern Algeria, about 9 km (5.6 miles) west of Blida (For a map of this area, see http://distancecalculator.globefeed.com ... =2.8288889).
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Algeria can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A_U. - Mod.ML]
*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 2 Jan 2013
Source: ubalert/Disaster Alert Network [edited]
http://www.ubalert.com/Gp5
13 Cases of Meningitis Prompts Closure of Private Clinic in Algeria
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorities said the Amina clinic in the town of Chiffa was closed by authorities as a precautionary measure following the detection of 13 meningitis cases. According to Dr. Zenati Ahmed, the director of health in the city of Blida, the cases of meningitis have been reported in patients who sought treatment at the clinic.
Based on health records, the 1st patient came in on 6 Dec 2012, although the alert was issued on 24 Dec 2012 following the diagnosis of additional cases. The patients were then transferred to a hospital in the town of Boufarik. Since then, 2 patients died including a 57-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man. Ahmed said that an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the outbreak or potential contamination in the clinic. He added that the investigation was initiated by the specialized services of the Ministry of Health, Population and Hospital Reform, aside from investigations by other relevant authorities.
It is worth mentioning that this is not the 1st time that health authorities are shutting down a private clinic due to a possible disease outbreak. In 2008, the clinic Rosiers Blida was also closed down.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The news report above does not indicate the microbial etiology in the 13 meningitis cases in the Algerian town of Chiffa. Algeria is not one of the countries in the African meningitis belt. The African meningitis belt, which is plagued yearly by large epidemics of meningococcal meningitis, lies in the sub-Saharan region of Africa (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol9no10/03-0170.htm).
The news report above also does not clearly state if the 13 cases were admitted with meningitis that was acquired in the community or were admitted to the hospital for some other diagnosis and acquired meningitis only after admission to the hospital. From the news article, there seems to be some implication of "potential contamination in the clinic" that prompted closure of the clinic as a "preventive" measure. (See ProMed-mail posts of the nosocomial fungal meningitis outbreak in the United States this past year.) A clarification of these issues would be appreciated.
Blida, with a population of 265 000, is a city in Algeria, located at the base of the Tell Atlas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blida). It is the capital of Blida Province, and it is located about 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Algiers, the national capital. Chiffa is a town in the Tell Atlas Mountains of northern Algeria, about 9 km (5.6 miles) west of Blida (For a map of this area, see http://distancecalculator.globefeed.com ... =2.8288889).
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Algeria can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A_U. - Mod.ML]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Cholera in Sambia und Angola - Diarrhoe in Uganda
CHOLERA, DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY UPDATE (02): AFRICA
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
In this update:
[1] Cholera - Zambia (Luapula Province)
[2] Cholera - Angola (Cunene Province)
[3] Diarrhea - Uganda: (Kibuku)
******
[1] Cholera - Zambia (Luapula Province)
Date: Fri 4 Jan 2013
Source: Times of Zambia [edited]
http://www.times.co.zm/?p=25300
The cholera death toll in Luapula Province has risen to 3, Health Minister Joseph Kasonde has confirmed. Dr Kasonde and Nchelenge District Commissioner Joseph Chisakula said in separate interviews yesterday [3 Jan 2013] that 2 more people died of cholera in Nchelenge. On Tue 1 Jan 2013, one person died in Mwense District. Separately, Mr Chisakula said the district was putting in place measures to prevent a further spread of the disease.
Mwense District Commissioner, Victor Kasuba, said 35 patients were moved from the mission hospital to Mulundu Basic School where a cholera centre had been established. 2 other patients were admitted to Chibondo Health Centre. The 1st cases were reported on Sunday [30 Dec 2012] and samples were taken to Mansa General Hospital, where results proved positive for the waterborne disease.
District health officials had since appealed to residents in Mwense and surrounding areas to limit their movements, particularly avoiding the border areas with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC's Kasenga District also had confirmed cholera cases.
The Ministry of Health had already put in place various medical interventions, including a steady supply of drugs.
[Byline: Kaiko Namusa]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1Dk]
******
[2] Cholera - Angola (Cunene Province)
Date: Fri 28 Dec 2012
Source: Angola Press Agency (Angop) [trans. Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ, edited]
http://www.portalangop.co.ao/motix/es_e ... 4ec0d.html
According to the local health director, Eleuterio Hivilikwa, 69 cases of cholera were diagnosed in Cahama Municipal Hospital, Cunene province, between 20 and 27 Dec 2012.
During a contingency plan meeting to address the epidemic, held today [28 Dec 2012] in Ondjiva, the official also reported 3 deaths [from cholera].
He said the emergence of new cases of the disease is a result of lack of hygiene, improper water consumption, and non-compliance by some members of the community with preventive measures indicated by health authorities. Development of new cases is expected due to rains recorded in the region.
Hivilikwa said there are enough drugs to treat any cholera cases over a period of at least 3 weeks.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1iGj]
******
[3] Diarrhea - Uganda: (Kibuku)
Date: Mon 24 Dec 2012
Source: New Vision [edited]
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/638399- ... trict.html
Diarrhea outbreak in Kibuku district
------------------------------------
An outbreak of diarrhea and other waterborne [and water-]related diseases have been reported in Kabusule village Kirika sub-county Kibuku district. Kibuku district health officer, Steven Wilson Namungha, revealed this while handing over 190 water jerrycans donated by Kadama Widows Association to residents of Kabusule village on Sunday [23 Dec 2012].
Namungha said that Kibuku Health Centre IV and other health centres on average receive over 300 patients on a daily basis with waterborne-related diseases.
"Only OPD in Kibuku Health Centre IV receives about 300 patients with waterborne [and water-]related diseases on a daily basis. These cases include, diarrhea, vomiting, skin rash, bilharzia and malaria," Namungha said.
Namungha attributed the outbreak of the waterborne [and water-]related diseases to scarcity of safe clean drinking water, poor hygiene and sanitation in the households. He said that residents of Kabusule and other villages still share the few water sources with animals and that water coverage in the district stands at 42 percent below the national figure.
"With the dry season in January [2013], more people are most likely to be exposed to skin diseases because water will be scarce forcing them to use water from the ponds. The village depends on unprotected water sources with no borehole," Namungha said.
Namungha said that pit latrine coverage in the district stands at 72 percent in 32 villages and that diarrhea is 3rd to malaria to be treated in Kibuku district. Namungha warned the residents against using cassava plantation and plastic bags as pit latrine, adding that when it rains the dirt contaminates unprotected water streams.
Deputy executive officer of the Kadama Widow Association, Gorreti Nabukenya, said that the association will continue working closely with the district authorities to see that the hygiene and sanitation is improved.
"We are having talks with district leaders to see how Kadama Widow Association can come in to improve sanitation and provide more safe clean water sources to the suffering residents. We have started by providing clean water tap jerrycans. We have taught families on how to keep hygiene," Nabukenya said.
She appealed to the district authorities to establish strict bylaws that will see the families without pit latrine and dirty compounds are disciplined.
[Byline: Paul Watala]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
<promed-eafr@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1wa6]
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
In this update:
[1] Cholera - Zambia (Luapula Province)
[2] Cholera - Angola (Cunene Province)
[3] Diarrhea - Uganda: (Kibuku)
******
[1] Cholera - Zambia (Luapula Province)
Date: Fri 4 Jan 2013
Source: Times of Zambia [edited]
http://www.times.co.zm/?p=25300
The cholera death toll in Luapula Province has risen to 3, Health Minister Joseph Kasonde has confirmed. Dr Kasonde and Nchelenge District Commissioner Joseph Chisakula said in separate interviews yesterday [3 Jan 2013] that 2 more people died of cholera in Nchelenge. On Tue 1 Jan 2013, one person died in Mwense District. Separately, Mr Chisakula said the district was putting in place measures to prevent a further spread of the disease.
Mwense District Commissioner, Victor Kasuba, said 35 patients were moved from the mission hospital to Mulundu Basic School where a cholera centre had been established. 2 other patients were admitted to Chibondo Health Centre. The 1st cases were reported on Sunday [30 Dec 2012] and samples were taken to Mansa General Hospital, where results proved positive for the waterborne disease.
District health officials had since appealed to residents in Mwense and surrounding areas to limit their movements, particularly avoiding the border areas with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC's Kasenga District also had confirmed cholera cases.
The Ministry of Health had already put in place various medical interventions, including a steady supply of drugs.
[Byline: Kaiko Namusa]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1Dk]
******
[2] Cholera - Angola (Cunene Province)
Date: Fri 28 Dec 2012
Source: Angola Press Agency (Angop) [trans. Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ, edited]
http://www.portalangop.co.ao/motix/es_e ... 4ec0d.html
According to the local health director, Eleuterio Hivilikwa, 69 cases of cholera were diagnosed in Cahama Municipal Hospital, Cunene province, between 20 and 27 Dec 2012.
During a contingency plan meeting to address the epidemic, held today [28 Dec 2012] in Ondjiva, the official also reported 3 deaths [from cholera].
He said the emergence of new cases of the disease is a result of lack of hygiene, improper water consumption, and non-compliance by some members of the community with preventive measures indicated by health authorities. Development of new cases is expected due to rains recorded in the region.
Hivilikwa said there are enough drugs to treat any cholera cases over a period of at least 3 weeks.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1iGj]
******
[3] Diarrhea - Uganda: (Kibuku)
Date: Mon 24 Dec 2012
Source: New Vision [edited]
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/638399- ... trict.html
Diarrhea outbreak in Kibuku district
------------------------------------
An outbreak of diarrhea and other waterborne [and water-]related diseases have been reported in Kabusule village Kirika sub-county Kibuku district. Kibuku district health officer, Steven Wilson Namungha, revealed this while handing over 190 water jerrycans donated by Kadama Widows Association to residents of Kabusule village on Sunday [23 Dec 2012].
Namungha said that Kibuku Health Centre IV and other health centres on average receive over 300 patients on a daily basis with waterborne-related diseases.
"Only OPD in Kibuku Health Centre IV receives about 300 patients with waterborne [and water-]related diseases on a daily basis. These cases include, diarrhea, vomiting, skin rash, bilharzia and malaria," Namungha said.
Namungha attributed the outbreak of the waterborne [and water-]related diseases to scarcity of safe clean drinking water, poor hygiene and sanitation in the households. He said that residents of Kabusule and other villages still share the few water sources with animals and that water coverage in the district stands at 42 percent below the national figure.
"With the dry season in January [2013], more people are most likely to be exposed to skin diseases because water will be scarce forcing them to use water from the ponds. The village depends on unprotected water sources with no borehole," Namungha said.
Namungha said that pit latrine coverage in the district stands at 72 percent in 32 villages and that diarrhea is 3rd to malaria to be treated in Kibuku district. Namungha warned the residents against using cassava plantation and plastic bags as pit latrine, adding that when it rains the dirt contaminates unprotected water streams.
Deputy executive officer of the Kadama Widow Association, Gorreti Nabukenya, said that the association will continue working closely with the district authorities to see that the hygiene and sanitation is improved.
"We are having talks with district leaders to see how Kadama Widow Association can come in to improve sanitation and provide more safe clean water sources to the suffering residents. We have started by providing clean water tap jerrycans. We have taught families on how to keep hygiene," Nabukenya said.
She appealed to the district authorities to establish strict bylaws that will see the families without pit latrine and dirty compounds are disciplined.
[Byline: Paul Watala]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
<promed-eafr@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1wa6]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Hepatitis B in Uganda
HEPATITIS B - UGANDA: (MOYO, ADJUMANI)
**************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 7 Jan 2013
Source: Vaccine News Daily [edited]
http://vaccinenewsdaily.com/africa/3214 ... in-uganda/
Hepatitis B outbreak continues in Uganda
----------------------------------------
Public health officials in Uganda's West Nile region have expressed concern about [a] persistent outbreak of hepatitis B [virus infection] that has caused the deaths of at least 29 people. The officials said the illness is concentrated in the northwestern districts of Moyo and Adjumani and the number of cases appears to be on the rise. Most of the health facilities in the region lack the required vaccine and equipment needed to combat the illness, according to a report in the Daly Monitor newspaper.
Local residents have complained that a complete dose of hepatitis B vaccine remains too expensive at local private clinics.
Surveillance teams said the number of fatalities might be higher than 29 because many residents are forgoing treatment at public health facilities in favor of private ones that are not fully reporting the extent of infections.
Dr Dominic Drametu, the medical superintendent of Adjumani [district], said the district hospital has treated approximately 90 cases of the illness in the past 3 years. "On average the hospital handles at least 2 cases of hepatitis B every month but our challenge is that the facility lacks the required drugs," Drametu said,
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that predominantly affects the liver. It can vary in severity, lasting a few weeks or resulting in life-long health problems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[Byline: Jeffrey Bigongiari]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is a major global health problem and the most serious type of viral hepatitis. It can cause chronic liver disease and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. A vaccine against hepatitis B has been available since 1982. Hepatitis B vaccine is 95 percent effective in preventing infection and its chronic consequences, and is the 1st vaccine against a major human cancer.
In developing countries, common modes of transmission are: perinatal (from mother to baby at birth), early childhood infections (inapparent infection through close interpersonal contact with infected household contacts), unsafe injection practices, unsafe blood transfusions and unprotected sexual contact. Hepatitis B virus is not spread by contaminated food or water, and cannot be spread casually in the workplace. The mode of transmission in the Moyo and Adjumani Districts of Uganda is unclear. Further information would be welcomed. Outbreaks of hepatitis B in Moyo district in 2011 and 2012 were reported previously in ProMED-mail, and it is clear the problem persists.
The incubation period of hepatitis B virus infection is 90 days on average, but can vary from 30 to 180 days. The virus may be detected 30 to 60 days after infection and persists for variable periods of time.
A map showing the locations of the Districts of Moyo and Adjumani, in the West Nile Region of Uganda can be accessed at: http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... Uganda.gif. - Mod.CP]
**************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 7 Jan 2013
Source: Vaccine News Daily [edited]
http://vaccinenewsdaily.com/africa/3214 ... in-uganda/
Hepatitis B outbreak continues in Uganda
----------------------------------------
Public health officials in Uganda's West Nile region have expressed concern about [a] persistent outbreak of hepatitis B [virus infection] that has caused the deaths of at least 29 people. The officials said the illness is concentrated in the northwestern districts of Moyo and Adjumani and the number of cases appears to be on the rise. Most of the health facilities in the region lack the required vaccine and equipment needed to combat the illness, according to a report in the Daly Monitor newspaper.
Local residents have complained that a complete dose of hepatitis B vaccine remains too expensive at local private clinics.
Surveillance teams said the number of fatalities might be higher than 29 because many residents are forgoing treatment at public health facilities in favor of private ones that are not fully reporting the extent of infections.
Dr Dominic Drametu, the medical superintendent of Adjumani [district], said the district hospital has treated approximately 90 cases of the illness in the past 3 years. "On average the hospital handles at least 2 cases of hepatitis B every month but our challenge is that the facility lacks the required drugs," Drametu said,
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that predominantly affects the liver. It can vary in severity, lasting a few weeks or resulting in life-long health problems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[Byline: Jeffrey Bigongiari]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is a major global health problem and the most serious type of viral hepatitis. It can cause chronic liver disease and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. A vaccine against hepatitis B has been available since 1982. Hepatitis B vaccine is 95 percent effective in preventing infection and its chronic consequences, and is the 1st vaccine against a major human cancer.
In developing countries, common modes of transmission are: perinatal (from mother to baby at birth), early childhood infections (inapparent infection through close interpersonal contact with infected household contacts), unsafe injection practices, unsafe blood transfusions and unprotected sexual contact. Hepatitis B virus is not spread by contaminated food or water, and cannot be spread casually in the workplace. The mode of transmission in the Moyo and Adjumani Districts of Uganda is unclear. Further information would be welcomed. Outbreaks of hepatitis B in Moyo district in 2011 and 2012 were reported previously in ProMED-mail, and it is clear the problem persists.
The incubation period of hepatitis B virus infection is 90 days on average, but can vary from 30 to 180 days. The virus may be detected 30 to 60 days after infection and persists for variable periods of time.
A map showing the locations of the Districts of Moyo and Adjumani, in the West Nile Region of Uganda can be accessed at: http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... Uganda.gif. - Mod.CP]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Magen-Darm-Entzündung in Südafrika - Kapstadt
GASTROENTERITIS - SOUTH AFRICA: (CAPE TOWN), CHILDREN
*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 14 Jan 2013
Source: Shanghai Daily, Xinhua News Agency report [edited]
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/ar ... ?id=119159
A diarrhoea outbreak has gripped the city of Cape Town, leading to the deaths of at least 2 children and the hospitalization of hundreds of other children, according to official statistics released on Monday [14 Jan 2013]. Nearly 300 were admitted at Red Cross Children's Hospital between November and December [2012], while more than 2500 children have been treated at local clinics with moderate to severe dehydration due to diarrhoea, the Mayoral Committee for Health (MCH) said. Among the patients, at least 2 children, less than 5 years old, have died, the committee said. MCH spokesman Sandile Bontsa said the number of diarrhoea cases seen in children this season had gone up slightly compared with last year at this time. Only 57 children out of 2519 were treated for severe dehydration, he said, adding that authorities were bracing themselves as the worst time was yet to come.
In informal settlements, where there is poor sanitation, residents are particularly at risk, Bontsa said. Summer time is the season for diarrhoea outbreaks, which usually start around November and peak during February and March. It is the time when bacteria breed due to heat, leading to serious gastric illnesses.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Diarrhoeal disease is the 2nd leading cause of death in children under 5 years old, and is responsible for killing 1.5 million children every year. Diarrhoea can last several days, and can leave the body without the water and salts that are necessary for survival. Most people who die from diarrhoea actually die from severe dehydration and fluid loss. Children who are malnourished or have impaired immunity are most at risk of life-threatening diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is usually a symptom of an infection in the intestinal tract, which can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms, most of which are spread by faeces-contaminated water. Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking-water, or from person to person as a result of poor hygiene. Diarrhoeal disease is treatable with a solution of clean water, sugar, and salt, and with zinc tablets.
Infection is more common when there is a shortage of clean water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Rotavirus and _Escherichia coli_ are the 2 most common causes of diarrhoea in developing countries.
Malnutrition: children who die from diarrhoea often suffer from underlying malnutrition, which makes them more vulnerable to diarrhoea. Each diarrhoeal episode, in turn, makes their malnutrition even worse. Diarrhoea is a leading cause of malnutrition in children under 5 years old.
Although this report favours a bacterial cause, rotavirus infection is a more likely cause in view of the restriction to children.
A map showing the location of Cape Town in Western Province of South Africa can be accessed at http://towns.bookingsouthafrica.com/. - Mod.CP
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/4T5Z.]
*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 14 Jan 2013
Source: Shanghai Daily, Xinhua News Agency report [edited]
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/ar ... ?id=119159
A diarrhoea outbreak has gripped the city of Cape Town, leading to the deaths of at least 2 children and the hospitalization of hundreds of other children, according to official statistics released on Monday [14 Jan 2013]. Nearly 300 were admitted at Red Cross Children's Hospital between November and December [2012], while more than 2500 children have been treated at local clinics with moderate to severe dehydration due to diarrhoea, the Mayoral Committee for Health (MCH) said. Among the patients, at least 2 children, less than 5 years old, have died, the committee said. MCH spokesman Sandile Bontsa said the number of diarrhoea cases seen in children this season had gone up slightly compared with last year at this time. Only 57 children out of 2519 were treated for severe dehydration, he said, adding that authorities were bracing themselves as the worst time was yet to come.
In informal settlements, where there is poor sanitation, residents are particularly at risk, Bontsa said. Summer time is the season for diarrhoea outbreaks, which usually start around November and peak during February and March. It is the time when bacteria breed due to heat, leading to serious gastric illnesses.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Diarrhoeal disease is the 2nd leading cause of death in children under 5 years old, and is responsible for killing 1.5 million children every year. Diarrhoea can last several days, and can leave the body without the water and salts that are necessary for survival. Most people who die from diarrhoea actually die from severe dehydration and fluid loss. Children who are malnourished or have impaired immunity are most at risk of life-threatening diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is usually a symptom of an infection in the intestinal tract, which can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms, most of which are spread by faeces-contaminated water. Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking-water, or from person to person as a result of poor hygiene. Diarrhoeal disease is treatable with a solution of clean water, sugar, and salt, and with zinc tablets.
Infection is more common when there is a shortage of clean water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Rotavirus and _Escherichia coli_ are the 2 most common causes of diarrhoea in developing countries.
Malnutrition: children who die from diarrhoea often suffer from underlying malnutrition, which makes them more vulnerable to diarrhoea. Each diarrhoeal episode, in turn, makes their malnutrition even worse. Diarrhoea is a leading cause of malnutrition in children under 5 years old.
Although this report favours a bacterial cause, rotavirus infection is a more likely cause in view of the restriction to children.
A map showing the location of Cape Town in Western Province of South Africa can be accessed at http://towns.bookingsouthafrica.com/. - Mod.CP
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/4T5Z.]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Lassa-Fieber in Nigeria
LASSA FEVER - NIGERIA: (BENUE), NOSOCOMIAL
*****************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 16 Jan 2013
Source: The Guardian (Nigeria) [edited]
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.ph ... &id=110686
Lassa fever kills 3 in Benue state
----------------------------------
At least 3 persons, including a medical doctor, were said to have died of Lassa fever at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Orduen Abunku, who disclosed this to journalists in Makurdi yesterday [Tue 15 Jan 2013], said the deceased were referred to the teaching hospital from another hospital, maintaining that clinical suspicion indicated that the ailment might be Lassa fever.
Abunku intimated that already, they have taken proactive steps by kitting all doctors in the hospital with protective equipment and administered anti-viral drugs to prevent spread of the disease, adding that another patient who contacted the ailment had been isolated from the rest of the patients in the hospital. "I am confident that with the steps we have taken, there would not be a wide spread of the disease. I also urge people to cover their food well to avoid rat faeces from entering them," Abunku said.
Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital, Dr Orkuda Malu, who also confirmed the deaths, said the blood samples of the deceased had been taken to Edo State for authentication.
[Byline: Joseph Wantu]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs in West Africa. The illness was discovered in 1969 when 2 missionary nurses died in Nigeria, West Africa. The cause of the illness was found to be Lassa virus, named after the town in Nigeria where the 1st cases originated. The virus, a member of the virus family _Arenaviridae_, is a single-stranded RNA virus and is zoonotic, or animal-borne. Lassa fever is mild or has no observable symptoms in about 80 percent of people infected with the virus, the remaining 20 percent have a severe multisystem disease. Lassa fever is also associated with occasional epidemics, during which the case-fatality rate can reach 50 percent.
The reservoir, or host, of Lassa virus is a rodent known as the "multimammate rat" of the genus _Mastomys_. It is not certain which species of _Mastomys_ are associated with Lassa; however, at least 2 species carry the virus in Sierra Leone. _Mastomys_ rodents breed very frequently, produce large numbers of offspring, and are numerous in the savannas and forests of West, Central, and East Africa. In addition, _Mastomys_ generally readily colonize human homes.
There are a number of ways in which the virus may be transmitted, or spread, to humans. The _Mastomys_ rodents shed the virus in urine and droppings. Therefore, the virus can be transmitted through direct contact with these materials, through touching objects or eating food contaminated with these materials, or through cuts or sores. Because _Mastomys_ rodents often live in and around homes and scavenge on human food remains or poorly stored food, transmission of this sort is common. Contact with the virus also may occur when a person inhales tiny particles in the air contaminated with rodent excretions. This is called aerosol or airborne transmission. Finally, because _Mastomys_ rodents are sometimes consumed as a food source, infection may occur via direct contact when they are caught and prepared for food.
Lassa fever may also spread through person-to-person contact. This type of transmission occurs when a person comes into contact with virus in the blood, tissue, secretions, or excretions of an individual infected with the Lassa virus. The virus cannot be spread through casual contact (including skin-to-skin contact without exchange of body fluids). Person-to-person transmission is common in both village and health care settings [as in the report above], where, along with the modes of transmission mentioned above, the virus also may be spread in contaminated medical equipment, such as reused needles (nosocomial transmission).
Approximately 15-20 percent of patients hospitalized for Lassa fever die from the illness. However, overall only about 1 percent of infections with Lassa virus result in death. The death rates are particularly high for women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and for fetuses, about 95 percent of which die in the uterus of infected pregnant mothers. The antiviral drug ribavirin has been used with success in the treatment of Lassa fever patients.
An image of a mutlimammate rat can be viewed at http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil:Mastomys_coucha.jpg. A map of Nigeria showing the location of Makurdi and the state of Benue can be accessed at http://www.ialnigeria.com/home/index.ph ... Itemid=128. - Mod.CP
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/4TH_.]
*****************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 16 Jan 2013
Source: The Guardian (Nigeria) [edited]
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.ph ... &id=110686
Lassa fever kills 3 in Benue state
----------------------------------
At least 3 persons, including a medical doctor, were said to have died of Lassa fever at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Orduen Abunku, who disclosed this to journalists in Makurdi yesterday [Tue 15 Jan 2013], said the deceased were referred to the teaching hospital from another hospital, maintaining that clinical suspicion indicated that the ailment might be Lassa fever.
Abunku intimated that already, they have taken proactive steps by kitting all doctors in the hospital with protective equipment and administered anti-viral drugs to prevent spread of the disease, adding that another patient who contacted the ailment had been isolated from the rest of the patients in the hospital. "I am confident that with the steps we have taken, there would not be a wide spread of the disease. I also urge people to cover their food well to avoid rat faeces from entering them," Abunku said.
Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital, Dr Orkuda Malu, who also confirmed the deaths, said the blood samples of the deceased had been taken to Edo State for authentication.
[Byline: Joseph Wantu]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs in West Africa. The illness was discovered in 1969 when 2 missionary nurses died in Nigeria, West Africa. The cause of the illness was found to be Lassa virus, named after the town in Nigeria where the 1st cases originated. The virus, a member of the virus family _Arenaviridae_, is a single-stranded RNA virus and is zoonotic, or animal-borne. Lassa fever is mild or has no observable symptoms in about 80 percent of people infected with the virus, the remaining 20 percent have a severe multisystem disease. Lassa fever is also associated with occasional epidemics, during which the case-fatality rate can reach 50 percent.
The reservoir, or host, of Lassa virus is a rodent known as the "multimammate rat" of the genus _Mastomys_. It is not certain which species of _Mastomys_ are associated with Lassa; however, at least 2 species carry the virus in Sierra Leone. _Mastomys_ rodents breed very frequently, produce large numbers of offspring, and are numerous in the savannas and forests of West, Central, and East Africa. In addition, _Mastomys_ generally readily colonize human homes.
There are a number of ways in which the virus may be transmitted, or spread, to humans. The _Mastomys_ rodents shed the virus in urine and droppings. Therefore, the virus can be transmitted through direct contact with these materials, through touching objects or eating food contaminated with these materials, or through cuts or sores. Because _Mastomys_ rodents often live in and around homes and scavenge on human food remains or poorly stored food, transmission of this sort is common. Contact with the virus also may occur when a person inhales tiny particles in the air contaminated with rodent excretions. This is called aerosol or airborne transmission. Finally, because _Mastomys_ rodents are sometimes consumed as a food source, infection may occur via direct contact when they are caught and prepared for food.
Lassa fever may also spread through person-to-person contact. This type of transmission occurs when a person comes into contact with virus in the blood, tissue, secretions, or excretions of an individual infected with the Lassa virus. The virus cannot be spread through casual contact (including skin-to-skin contact without exchange of body fluids). Person-to-person transmission is common in both village and health care settings [as in the report above], where, along with the modes of transmission mentioned above, the virus also may be spread in contaminated medical equipment, such as reused needles (nosocomial transmission).
Approximately 15-20 percent of patients hospitalized for Lassa fever die from the illness. However, overall only about 1 percent of infections with Lassa virus result in death. The death rates are particularly high for women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and for fetuses, about 95 percent of which die in the uterus of infected pregnant mothers. The antiviral drug ribavirin has been used with success in the treatment of Lassa fever patients.
An image of a mutlimammate rat can be viewed at http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil:Mastomys_coucha.jpg. A map of Nigeria showing the location of Makurdi and the state of Benue can be accessed at http://www.ialnigeria.com/home/index.ph ... Itemid=128. - Mod.CP
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/4TH_.]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Cholera in Angola und Ghana
CHOLERA, DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY UPDATE (05): AFRICA
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
******
[1] Cholera - Angola (Uije Province)
Date: Thu 17 Jan 2013
Source: Angola Press [edited]
http://www.portalangop.co.ao/motix/en_u ... d9b93.html
Cholera cases have been increasing in Northern Uije province over the past days, which worries the local authorities, said the head of the department of control of endemic illnesses, Santos Covi, adding that last week the cases had been falling, with a record of 5 against the current 45 recorded throughout last week. He said that this is due to heavy rains hitting the region, and advised the population to take preventive measures.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1iGj.]
******
[2] Cholera - Ghana (Ashanti Region)
Date: Wed 9 Jan 2013
Source: Daily Graphic [edited]
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/N ... ?ID=261600
Medical and environmental officials in the Obuasi municipality are battling to control a cholera outbreak that has claimed one life and left more than 50 people hospitalized. The disease broke out last Monday with patients reporting with symptoms at medical establishments in the municipality. Doctors at 5 local hospitals -- Anglo Gold Ashanti, SDA, Obuasi Municipal, St. Jude, and the Bryant Mission hospitals -- where the patients are receiving treatment have been working hard to prevent more deaths.
The Obuasi Municipal Disease Control Officer, Mr Philip Aboagye, told the Daily Graphic yesterday [8 Jan 2013] that a team of health officials from Kumasi had been at Obuasi to assess the situation to find the way forward. "We have just completed a meeting with the Kumasi team and visited patients in hospitals trying to assess the situation and see what to do next," he said.
Obuasi, a major mining community, is currently suffering from sanitation inadequacies resulting from the breakdown of some of the municipal assembly's skip loaders. The municipal environmental officer, Mr Sampson Owusu-Ansah, confirmed the sanitation challenge, saying that there had been spillovers at some refuse collection points since the weekend because 2 of the assembly's 4 skip loaders were not functioning.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1jUt.]
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
******
[1] Cholera - Angola (Uije Province)
Date: Thu 17 Jan 2013
Source: Angola Press [edited]
http://www.portalangop.co.ao/motix/en_u ... d9b93.html
Cholera cases have been increasing in Northern Uije province over the past days, which worries the local authorities, said the head of the department of control of endemic illnesses, Santos Covi, adding that last week the cases had been falling, with a record of 5 against the current 45 recorded throughout last week. He said that this is due to heavy rains hitting the region, and advised the population to take preventive measures.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1iGj.]
******
[2] Cholera - Ghana (Ashanti Region)
Date: Wed 9 Jan 2013
Source: Daily Graphic [edited]
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/N ... ?ID=261600
Medical and environmental officials in the Obuasi municipality are battling to control a cholera outbreak that has claimed one life and left more than 50 people hospitalized. The disease broke out last Monday with patients reporting with symptoms at medical establishments in the municipality. Doctors at 5 local hospitals -- Anglo Gold Ashanti, SDA, Obuasi Municipal, St. Jude, and the Bryant Mission hospitals -- where the patients are receiving treatment have been working hard to prevent more deaths.
The Obuasi Municipal Disease Control Officer, Mr Philip Aboagye, told the Daily Graphic yesterday [8 Jan 2013] that a team of health officials from Kumasi had been at Obuasi to assess the situation to find the way forward. "We have just completed a meeting with the Kumasi team and visited patients in hospitals trying to assess the situation and see what to do next," he said.
Obuasi, a major mining community, is currently suffering from sanitation inadequacies resulting from the breakdown of some of the municipal assembly's skip loaders. The municipal environmental officer, Mr Sampson Owusu-Ansah, confirmed the sanitation challenge, saying that there had been spillovers at some refuse collection points since the weekend because 2 of the assembly's 4 skip loaders were not functioning.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1jUt.]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Leishmaniasen in Sudan
LEISHMANIASIS, VISCERAL - SUDAN (NORTH DARFUR)
**********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Fri 25 Jan 2013
Source: Radio Dabanga [edited]
http://www.radiodabanga.org/node/42030
Leishmaniasis outbreak in N. Darfur displaced camp
--------------------------------------------------
The health situation continues to deteriorate at the Zam Zam camp in North Darfur. An activist announced the outbreak of the 'black fever' disease (also known as kala-azar) [visceral leishmaniasis] at the site, along with a shortage of medicine.
Zam Zam's night clinic halted its operations since the beginning of January [2013] and the camp's ambulance is no longer available, as reported on Wednesday [23 Jan 2013] by Radio Dabanga. Amid the situation, a large delegation comprising elders, youth representatives and women submitted a memorandum to the ministry of health in El-Fasher.
In the document, he reaffirmed his previous statement that the arrival of displaced [persons] from East Jebel Marra is exacerbating the already critical conditions at the camp.
On a related event, the medical coordinator for the department of emergency and humanitarian action of Zam Zam said the camp's sheikhs and omdas had already informed the state's ministry of health about the problems they are experiencing.
Dr. Tarek said the ministry promised to resolve the situation in the "near future" and reopen the night clinic and the camp's pharmacy. Additionally, the doctor revealed that the director of the drugs administration assured he will coordinate efforts with health organizations in order to overcome the shortage in medicines. The director will also ensure the return of the staff of the night clinic to Zam Zam, Dr. Tarek said.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Visceral leishmaniasis is highly endemic in Sudan. It is not a surprise that under primitive conditions with probably no or little vector control, high population density in the camps and malnutrition, that leishmaniasis will surge. Visceral leishmaniasis is a life-threathening infection without treatment and treatment is costly. - Mod.EP
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A1E.]
**********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Fri 25 Jan 2013
Source: Radio Dabanga [edited]
http://www.radiodabanga.org/node/42030
Leishmaniasis outbreak in N. Darfur displaced camp
--------------------------------------------------
The health situation continues to deteriorate at the Zam Zam camp in North Darfur. An activist announced the outbreak of the 'black fever' disease (also known as kala-azar) [visceral leishmaniasis] at the site, along with a shortage of medicine.
Zam Zam's night clinic halted its operations since the beginning of January [2013] and the camp's ambulance is no longer available, as reported on Wednesday [23 Jan 2013] by Radio Dabanga. Amid the situation, a large delegation comprising elders, youth representatives and women submitted a memorandum to the ministry of health in El-Fasher.
In the document, he reaffirmed his previous statement that the arrival of displaced [persons] from East Jebel Marra is exacerbating the already critical conditions at the camp.
On a related event, the medical coordinator for the department of emergency and humanitarian action of Zam Zam said the camp's sheikhs and omdas had already informed the state's ministry of health about the problems they are experiencing.
Dr. Tarek said the ministry promised to resolve the situation in the "near future" and reopen the night clinic and the camp's pharmacy. Additionally, the doctor revealed that the director of the drugs administration assured he will coordinate efforts with health organizations in order to overcome the shortage in medicines. The director will also ensure the return of the staff of the night clinic to Zam Zam, Dr. Tarek said.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Visceral leishmaniasis is highly endemic in Sudan. It is not a surprise that under primitive conditions with probably no or little vector control, high population density in the camps and malnutrition, that leishmaniasis will surge. Visceral leishmaniasis is a life-threathening infection without treatment and treatment is costly. - Mod.EP
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1A1E.]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Unbekannte fieberhafte Erkrankung in Uganda - Mubende
UNDIAGNOSED FATALITIES - UGANDA: (MUBENDE), REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
*******************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: 25 Jan 2013
Source: Monitor
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... index.html
Mubende residents worried as strange disease kills 5
--------------------
Ministry of Health officials say blood samples have been taken for tests, and locals have now resorted to witchcraft for cure.
Five people have so far died while 30 others are admitted to different health centres as a result of a strange disease that has hit Mubende District.
According to residents, the disease that broke out a few weeks ago, causes heat around the chest and itching in the neck, and within a few hours, the patient starts vomiting and bleeding through the nose and the mouth. It also causes diarrhoea and a high fever.
Residents claim that the disease is as a result of witchcraft, since some of the patients have sought help from witch doctors and allegedly felt better.
The district health officer, Dr Wilson Mubiru, explained that the 1st patients registered with symptoms of the disease suspected they were suffering from Ebola.
"We have forwarded blood tests to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe. Although we are yet to get the results, we highly doubt whether this is Ebola," Dr Mubiru said.
Ministry of Health permanent secretary, Dr Asuman Lukwago, yesterday [24 Jan 2013]confirmed that cases of the strange illness had been reported to them, saying they were following it up.
Outbreaks
Just last week, Uganda was again declared Ebola-free after an outbreak in Luweero District killed 4 people [see prior ProMED-mail post Ebola virus disease - Uganda (02): (LO) declared Ebola-free 20130117.1502950].
However the government is still grappling with the nodding syndrome disease in northern Uganda that has killed scores of children and left others helpless.
[Byline: Sarah Tumwebaze]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall
[According to the description of the clinical picture provided in the above newswire, there appears to be an outbreak of an as yet undiagnosed febrile illness with onset of hemorrhagic manifestations later in the course of the disease. Thusfar there are reports of 5 deaths out of 35 ill individuals for a case fatality rate (CFR) of 14.3 percent.
During the course of 2012, there were 2 separate outbreaks of Ebola virus disease in Uganda, earlier in the year (July through September 2012), in Kitgum district in the northernmost reaches of the country bordering with Sudan, and more recently (November-December 2012) in Loweero District, a district bordering with Mubende district (see below geographic description). There was also an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (October - November 2012) involving 5 districts -- Kabale in southwestern Uganda bordering with Rwanda, Kampala (the capital city), Ibanda, Mbarara and Kabarole districts. In September 2012, there was a case of yellow fever in Agago District (Agago District is bordered by Kitgum District to the north, Kotido District to the northeast, Abim District to the east, Otuke District, to the south, and Pader District to the west. It is located 230 miles to the north of Kampala.) The reported CFR of 14.3 percent of this current outbreak is relatively low for the hemorrhagic fever outbreaks that have been recently affecting Uganda, but does not necessarily rule out a hemorrhagic fever etiology. Of interest, in using the GideonOnline website to identify a differential diagnosis (http://www.gideononline.com, chikungunya was identified as highly likely, albeit the reported CFR of 14.3 percent would be considered high for chikungunya virus associated disease.
It should be mentioned that in addition to the viral hemorrhagic fevers mentioned above, Uganda has had recurrent outbreaks of plague through the years.
ProMED-mail would greatly appreciate more information on this outbreak from knowledgeable sources in the region, as well as information on the results of laboratory studies.
Mubende District borders with Kyankwanzi District to the north, Kiboga District to the northeast and Mityana District to the east. Gomba District and Sembabule District lie to the south, Kyegegwa District to the southwest and Kibaale District to the northwest of Mubende District. Mubende, the district headquarters, is located approximately 172 kilometres (107 mi), by road, west of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and the largest city in that country. The district also shares a short border to the northeast with Luweero District where the recent outbreak of Ebolavirus was.
For a map of Uganda showing districts, see http://www.ugandamission.net/aboutug/map1.html.
For the interactive HealthMap/ProMED map of Uganda, see http://healthmap.org/r/1wa6 - Mod.MPP]
*******************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: 25 Jan 2013
Source: Monitor
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... index.html
Mubende residents worried as strange disease kills 5
--------------------
Ministry of Health officials say blood samples have been taken for tests, and locals have now resorted to witchcraft for cure.
Five people have so far died while 30 others are admitted to different health centres as a result of a strange disease that has hit Mubende District.
According to residents, the disease that broke out a few weeks ago, causes heat around the chest and itching in the neck, and within a few hours, the patient starts vomiting and bleeding through the nose and the mouth. It also causes diarrhoea and a high fever.
Residents claim that the disease is as a result of witchcraft, since some of the patients have sought help from witch doctors and allegedly felt better.
The district health officer, Dr Wilson Mubiru, explained that the 1st patients registered with symptoms of the disease suspected they were suffering from Ebola.
"We have forwarded blood tests to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe. Although we are yet to get the results, we highly doubt whether this is Ebola," Dr Mubiru said.
Ministry of Health permanent secretary, Dr Asuman Lukwago, yesterday [24 Jan 2013]confirmed that cases of the strange illness had been reported to them, saying they were following it up.
Outbreaks
Just last week, Uganda was again declared Ebola-free after an outbreak in Luweero District killed 4 people [see prior ProMED-mail post Ebola virus disease - Uganda (02): (LO) declared Ebola-free 20130117.1502950].
However the government is still grappling with the nodding syndrome disease in northern Uganda that has killed scores of children and left others helpless.
[Byline: Sarah Tumwebaze]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall
[According to the description of the clinical picture provided in the above newswire, there appears to be an outbreak of an as yet undiagnosed febrile illness with onset of hemorrhagic manifestations later in the course of the disease. Thusfar there are reports of 5 deaths out of 35 ill individuals for a case fatality rate (CFR) of 14.3 percent.
During the course of 2012, there were 2 separate outbreaks of Ebola virus disease in Uganda, earlier in the year (July through September 2012), in Kitgum district in the northernmost reaches of the country bordering with Sudan, and more recently (November-December 2012) in Loweero District, a district bordering with Mubende district (see below geographic description). There was also an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (October - November 2012) involving 5 districts -- Kabale in southwestern Uganda bordering with Rwanda, Kampala (the capital city), Ibanda, Mbarara and Kabarole districts. In September 2012, there was a case of yellow fever in Agago District (Agago District is bordered by Kitgum District to the north, Kotido District to the northeast, Abim District to the east, Otuke District, to the south, and Pader District to the west. It is located 230 miles to the north of Kampala.) The reported CFR of 14.3 percent of this current outbreak is relatively low for the hemorrhagic fever outbreaks that have been recently affecting Uganda, but does not necessarily rule out a hemorrhagic fever etiology. Of interest, in using the GideonOnline website to identify a differential diagnosis (http://www.gideononline.com, chikungunya was identified as highly likely, albeit the reported CFR of 14.3 percent would be considered high for chikungunya virus associated disease.
It should be mentioned that in addition to the viral hemorrhagic fevers mentioned above, Uganda has had recurrent outbreaks of plague through the years.
ProMED-mail would greatly appreciate more information on this outbreak from knowledgeable sources in the region, as well as information on the results of laboratory studies.
Mubende District borders with Kyankwanzi District to the north, Kiboga District to the northeast and Mityana District to the east. Gomba District and Sembabule District lie to the south, Kyegegwa District to the southwest and Kibaale District to the northwest of Mubende District. Mubende, the district headquarters, is located approximately 172 kilometres (107 mi), by road, west of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and the largest city in that country. The district also shares a short border to the northeast with Luweero District where the recent outbreak of Ebolavirus was.
For a map of Uganda showing districts, see http://www.ugandamission.net/aboutug/map1.html.
For the interactive HealthMap/ProMED map of Uganda, see http://healthmap.org/r/1wa6 - Mod.MPP]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Lassa-Fieber in Nigeria
LASSA FEVER - NIGERIA (02): (NASARAWA) FATAL
********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Sat 26 Jan 2013
Source: AllAfrica, Daily Trust report [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201301280466.html
An out break of Lassa fever in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, which was confirmed last week, has led to the death of at least one person who shuttled between Nasarawa's 2 biggest health facilities in the frantic search for attention.
The 2nd and 3rd cases involving a couple were confirmed last Friday [25 Jan 2013] after diagnoses conducted on the victims by a team of epidemiologists at the Dalhatu Araf Specialists Hospital (DASH) in Lafia, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Ahmed Yakubu Ashiki, told the Weekly Trust newspaper, yesterday [25 Jan 2013]. The 3 victims including the deceased, the Weekly Trust learnt, were neighbours in Tudun Gwandara, an over-populated and one of the dirtiest sections of the metropolis.
Dr Ashiki told Weekly Trust that the 2 victims are still on admission at his hospital, and are "doing very well." He expressed hope that with the medication they are receiving, they will be out of the hospital hale and hearty. He confirmed that one other person also contacted the virus, but added that "he is not with us; he was not hospitalized here."
Enquires by the Weekly Trust showed that the 3rd patient, a male, could not secure admission at the DASH because of inadequacy of beds, following which he was advised to proceed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), in Keffi, about an hour and 40 minutes drive from Lafia. But sources said this hospital also did not have bed space for the patient, and had to advise him to seek medical attention elsewhere. He died eventually, shuttling between DASH and FMC.
Dr Emmanuel Akabe, State Commissioner for Health who confirmed the outbreak by telephone also informed the Weekly Trust that he has information that the 3rd victim died 3 days ago. He said the patient was first at DASH, but added that there was no bed space to accommodate him, following which the state hospital referred him to the Federal Government-owned health facility, in Keffi. The commissioner said reports available to him showed that the patient died 3 days ago, after he reached DASH, but refused to stay longer while arrangement for his bed was being made.
Jamilu Nagogo, head of the information unit at the FMC, confirmed that the patient was at the hospital for medical attention, just as he confirmed that he had no admission there because of lack of bed space.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs in West Africa. The illness was discovered in 1969 when 2 missionary nurses died in Nigeria, West Africa. The cause of the illness was found to be Lassa virus, named after the town in Nigeria where the 1st cases originated. Lassa fever virus, a member of the virus family _Arenaviridae_, is a single-stranded RNA virus and is zoonotic, or animal-borne. Lassa fever is mild or has no observable symptoms in about 80 percent of people infected with the virus, the remaining 20 percent have a severe multisystem disease. Lassa fever is also associated with occasional epidemics, during which the case-fatality rate can reach 50 percent.
The reservoir, or host, of Lassa virus is a rodent known as the "multimammate rat" of the genus _Mastomys_ (see image at http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil:Mastomys_coucha.jpg.). It is not certain which species of _Mastomys_ are associated with Lassa; however, at least 2 species carry the virus in Sierra Leone. _Mastomys_ rodents breed very frequently, produce large numbers of offspring, and are numerous in the savannas and forests of West, Central, and East Africa. In addition, _Mastomys_ generally readily colonize human homes. Lassa fever may also spread through person-to-person contact. This type of transmission occurs when a person comes into contact with virus in the blood, tissue, secretions, or excretions of an individual infected with the Lassa virus.
Approximately 15-20 percent of patients hospitalized for Lassa fever die from the illness. The death rates are particularly high for women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and for fetuses, about 95 percent of which die in the uterus of infected pregnant mothers. However, overall only about one percent of infections with Lassa virus result in death. The antiviral ribavirin has been used with success in the treatment of Lassa fever patients. It is not stated in this report the nature of the treatment available in Nigerian hospitals.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive of Nigeria can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/50T5. A map showing the location of Lafia and the state of Nasarawa in central Nigeria can be accessed at http://www.ialnigeria.com/home/index.ph ... Itemid=128. - Mod.CP]
********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Sat 26 Jan 2013
Source: AllAfrica, Daily Trust report [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201301280466.html
An out break of Lassa fever in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, which was confirmed last week, has led to the death of at least one person who shuttled between Nasarawa's 2 biggest health facilities in the frantic search for attention.
The 2nd and 3rd cases involving a couple were confirmed last Friday [25 Jan 2013] after diagnoses conducted on the victims by a team of epidemiologists at the Dalhatu Araf Specialists Hospital (DASH) in Lafia, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Ahmed Yakubu Ashiki, told the Weekly Trust newspaper, yesterday [25 Jan 2013]. The 3 victims including the deceased, the Weekly Trust learnt, were neighbours in Tudun Gwandara, an over-populated and one of the dirtiest sections of the metropolis.
Dr Ashiki told Weekly Trust that the 2 victims are still on admission at his hospital, and are "doing very well." He expressed hope that with the medication they are receiving, they will be out of the hospital hale and hearty. He confirmed that one other person also contacted the virus, but added that "he is not with us; he was not hospitalized here."
Enquires by the Weekly Trust showed that the 3rd patient, a male, could not secure admission at the DASH because of inadequacy of beds, following which he was advised to proceed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), in Keffi, about an hour and 40 minutes drive from Lafia. But sources said this hospital also did not have bed space for the patient, and had to advise him to seek medical attention elsewhere. He died eventually, shuttling between DASH and FMC.
Dr Emmanuel Akabe, State Commissioner for Health who confirmed the outbreak by telephone also informed the Weekly Trust that he has information that the 3rd victim died 3 days ago. He said the patient was first at DASH, but added that there was no bed space to accommodate him, following which the state hospital referred him to the Federal Government-owned health facility, in Keffi. The commissioner said reports available to him showed that the patient died 3 days ago, after he reached DASH, but refused to stay longer while arrangement for his bed was being made.
Jamilu Nagogo, head of the information unit at the FMC, confirmed that the patient was at the hospital for medical attention, just as he confirmed that he had no admission there because of lack of bed space.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs in West Africa. The illness was discovered in 1969 when 2 missionary nurses died in Nigeria, West Africa. The cause of the illness was found to be Lassa virus, named after the town in Nigeria where the 1st cases originated. Lassa fever virus, a member of the virus family _Arenaviridae_, is a single-stranded RNA virus and is zoonotic, or animal-borne. Lassa fever is mild or has no observable symptoms in about 80 percent of people infected with the virus, the remaining 20 percent have a severe multisystem disease. Lassa fever is also associated with occasional epidemics, during which the case-fatality rate can reach 50 percent.
The reservoir, or host, of Lassa virus is a rodent known as the "multimammate rat" of the genus _Mastomys_ (see image at http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil:Mastomys_coucha.jpg.). It is not certain which species of _Mastomys_ are associated with Lassa; however, at least 2 species carry the virus in Sierra Leone. _Mastomys_ rodents breed very frequently, produce large numbers of offspring, and are numerous in the savannas and forests of West, Central, and East Africa. In addition, _Mastomys_ generally readily colonize human homes. Lassa fever may also spread through person-to-person contact. This type of transmission occurs when a person comes into contact with virus in the blood, tissue, secretions, or excretions of an individual infected with the Lassa virus.
Approximately 15-20 percent of patients hospitalized for Lassa fever die from the illness. The death rates are particularly high for women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and for fetuses, about 95 percent of which die in the uterus of infected pregnant mothers. However, overall only about one percent of infections with Lassa virus result in death. The antiviral ribavirin has been used with success in the treatment of Lassa fever patients. It is not stated in this report the nature of the treatment available in Nigerian hospitals.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive of Nigeria can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/50T5. A map showing the location of Lafia and the state of Nasarawa in central Nigeria can be accessed at http://www.ialnigeria.com/home/index.ph ... Itemid=128. - Mod.CP]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Cholera in Sambia, Uganda und Tansania
CHOLERA, DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY UPDATE (08): AFRICA
*********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
In this update:
Africa
[1] Cholera - Zambia (Luapula Province)
[2] Cholera - Zambia (Central Province)
[3] Cholera - Uganda (Nebbi District)
[4] Cholera - Tanzania (Rukwa Region)
******
[1] Cholera - Zambia (Luapula Province)
Date: Wed 30 Jan 2013
Source: Times of Zambia [edited]
http://www.times.co.zm/?p=28987
Four people have died from a diarrheal disease suspected to be cholera that has broken out in Chipili District of Luapula Province. Chipili Member of Parliament (MP) Davies Mwila confirmed this in an interview yesterday, 29 Jan 2013, after he visited the affected areas. "4 people have died at Kabongo Village in Chipili but the district health office is yet to establish whether or not it is from a cholera outbreak," he said. Mr Mwila said the outbreak was reported last week [week of 21 Jan 2013] and that a team from the Mwense District Health Office was yet to conclude investigations.
Mwense District Commissioner, Victor Kasuba, said in a separate interview that only one person had died from severe diarrhea after taking suspected contaminated water. "The outbreak in Chipili is not cholera, it is a mere diarrhoeal outbreak and only one person died from it because she drank contaminated water," he said. Mr Kasuba, however, confirmed one cholera case at Mukabi Village.
Luapula Provincial medical officer, Elicoh Bwalya confirmed that one person had died while 4 others were admitted to Mukonshi Health Centre near Chipili after a suspected cholera outbreak in the area.
Dr Bwalya said he was yet to receive reports from other health centres where medical personnel were investigating suspected cholera outbreaks.
[Byline: James Kunda]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Maps of Zambia can be accessed at http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/ma ... zambia.pdf and http://healthmap.org/r/56FV. - Mod.LL]
*****
[2] Cholera - Zambia (Central Province)
Date: Wed 30 Jan 2013
Source: Daily Mail [edited]
http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/index.php?o ... Itemid=200
One new case of cholera has been recorded in Lukanga Swamps in Kapiri Mposhi, bringing the total number of cases since September 2012 to 55 in Kapiri Mposhi and Kabwe.
Central Province medical officer Dickson Suya said in Kabwe yesterday, 29 Jan 2013, that the latest patient is admitted to Waya Health Centre.
Dr Suya said the Lukanga Swamps are still a problematic area in containing the waterborne disease. He said medical authorities in Kapiri Mposhi have continued conducting education campaigns in Lukanga Swamps to reach fishermen and fisher mongers. He appealed to Central Province residents to observe hygiene, avoid unnecessary handshakes and crowded places to help curb the disease.
Meanwhile, medical officials in Kapiri Mposhi and Kabwe have called for closure of all fishing camps in Lukanga Swamps if cholera is to be contained in the 2 districts.
[Byline: Chambo Ng'Uni]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
******
[3] Cholera - Uganda (Nebbi District)
Date: Wed 30 Jan 2013
Source: New Vision (Uganda) [edited]
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/639382- ... trict.html
A cholera epidemic has hit 6 villages in Dei parish, Panyimur sub-county in Nebbi district. According to the Uganda Red Cross (URC) the epidemic attacked the area this month [January 2013].
The URC head of communications, Catherine Ntabadde, said the disease followed a case at Dei Heath Centre II in Nebbi on 17 Jan [2013], where a business woman from Ogwedo village from Buliisa district was admitted at the health centre and was found with signs of excessive watery diarrhoea.
"She was later moved to her home by her relatives, from where 2 other children in the neighbourhood of Dei and Munduryema villages developed similar symptoms and died shortly after," Ntabadde noted.
She said medical reports indicate that it was cholera, which killed them and has eventually spread throughout the 6 villages of the parish and other neighbouring areas of Buliisa. The affected villages include Dei, Dei A, Dei B, Dei C, Dei centre, and Namutangna village.
She noted that 28 cases of cholera had been registered since January [2013] when the outbreak was reported. "Many of the cases have been discharged and only 3 are still admitted at Dei Health Centre II for surveillance," she added.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/55iM. - Mod.LL]
******
[4] Cholera - Tanzania (Rukwa Region)
Date: Sat 26 Jan 2013
Source: AllAfrica, Tanzania Daily News report [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201301270038.html
To date 9 people have died from cholera while 300 others are receiving treatment after an outbreak that hit several fishing camps and a village along the Lake Rukwa Basin in Sumbawanga District.
The epidemic is believed to have erupted after villagers served themselves with contaminated food and water. Camps for attending to victims have been set up at Nkwiro, Kalumbaleza, Nankanga, and Ilemba Uze.
Sumbawanga District Medical Officer (DMO), Dr Thomas Rutayazibwa said the authority has imposed a quarantine, banning any gatherings including open market activities and local brew pubs. Food vendors famous known as 'Mama Ntilie' have also been ordered to wind up their business.
[Byline: Peti Siyame]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/56FX. - Mod.LL]
*********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
In this update:
Africa
[1] Cholera - Zambia (Luapula Province)
[2] Cholera - Zambia (Central Province)
[3] Cholera - Uganda (Nebbi District)
[4] Cholera - Tanzania (Rukwa Region)
******
[1] Cholera - Zambia (Luapula Province)
Date: Wed 30 Jan 2013
Source: Times of Zambia [edited]
http://www.times.co.zm/?p=28987
Four people have died from a diarrheal disease suspected to be cholera that has broken out in Chipili District of Luapula Province. Chipili Member of Parliament (MP) Davies Mwila confirmed this in an interview yesterday, 29 Jan 2013, after he visited the affected areas. "4 people have died at Kabongo Village in Chipili but the district health office is yet to establish whether or not it is from a cholera outbreak," he said. Mr Mwila said the outbreak was reported last week [week of 21 Jan 2013] and that a team from the Mwense District Health Office was yet to conclude investigations.
Mwense District Commissioner, Victor Kasuba, said in a separate interview that only one person had died from severe diarrhea after taking suspected contaminated water. "The outbreak in Chipili is not cholera, it is a mere diarrhoeal outbreak and only one person died from it because she drank contaminated water," he said. Mr Kasuba, however, confirmed one cholera case at Mukabi Village.
Luapula Provincial medical officer, Elicoh Bwalya confirmed that one person had died while 4 others were admitted to Mukonshi Health Centre near Chipili after a suspected cholera outbreak in the area.
Dr Bwalya said he was yet to receive reports from other health centres where medical personnel were investigating suspected cholera outbreaks.
[Byline: James Kunda]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Maps of Zambia can be accessed at http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/ma ... zambia.pdf and http://healthmap.org/r/56FV. - Mod.LL]
*****
[2] Cholera - Zambia (Central Province)
Date: Wed 30 Jan 2013
Source: Daily Mail [edited]
http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/index.php?o ... Itemid=200
One new case of cholera has been recorded in Lukanga Swamps in Kapiri Mposhi, bringing the total number of cases since September 2012 to 55 in Kapiri Mposhi and Kabwe.
Central Province medical officer Dickson Suya said in Kabwe yesterday, 29 Jan 2013, that the latest patient is admitted to Waya Health Centre.
Dr Suya said the Lukanga Swamps are still a problematic area in containing the waterborne disease. He said medical authorities in Kapiri Mposhi have continued conducting education campaigns in Lukanga Swamps to reach fishermen and fisher mongers. He appealed to Central Province residents to observe hygiene, avoid unnecessary handshakes and crowded places to help curb the disease.
Meanwhile, medical officials in Kapiri Mposhi and Kabwe have called for closure of all fishing camps in Lukanga Swamps if cholera is to be contained in the 2 districts.
[Byline: Chambo Ng'Uni]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
******
[3] Cholera - Uganda (Nebbi District)
Date: Wed 30 Jan 2013
Source: New Vision (Uganda) [edited]
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/639382- ... trict.html
A cholera epidemic has hit 6 villages in Dei parish, Panyimur sub-county in Nebbi district. According to the Uganda Red Cross (URC) the epidemic attacked the area this month [January 2013].
The URC head of communications, Catherine Ntabadde, said the disease followed a case at Dei Heath Centre II in Nebbi on 17 Jan [2013], where a business woman from Ogwedo village from Buliisa district was admitted at the health centre and was found with signs of excessive watery diarrhoea.
"She was later moved to her home by her relatives, from where 2 other children in the neighbourhood of Dei and Munduryema villages developed similar symptoms and died shortly after," Ntabadde noted.
She said medical reports indicate that it was cholera, which killed them and has eventually spread throughout the 6 villages of the parish and other neighbouring areas of Buliisa. The affected villages include Dei, Dei A, Dei B, Dei C, Dei centre, and Namutangna village.
She noted that 28 cases of cholera had been registered since January [2013] when the outbreak was reported. "Many of the cases have been discharged and only 3 are still admitted at Dei Health Centre II for surveillance," she added.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/55iM. - Mod.LL]
******
[4] Cholera - Tanzania (Rukwa Region)
Date: Sat 26 Jan 2013
Source: AllAfrica, Tanzania Daily News report [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201301270038.html
To date 9 people have died from cholera while 300 others are receiving treatment after an outbreak that hit several fishing camps and a village along the Lake Rukwa Basin in Sumbawanga District.
The epidemic is believed to have erupted after villagers served themselves with contaminated food and water. Camps for attending to victims have been set up at Nkwiro, Kalumbaleza, Nankanga, and Ilemba Uze.
Sumbawanga District Medical Officer (DMO), Dr Thomas Rutayazibwa said the authority has imposed a quarantine, banning any gatherings including open market activities and local brew pubs. Food vendors famous known as 'Mama Ntilie' have also been ordered to wind up their business.
[Byline: Peti Siyame]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/56FX. - Mod.LL]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35386
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Malaria in Uganda
MALARIA - UGANDA: (MUBENDE)
***************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 31 Jan 2013
Source: Daily Monitor [edited]
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... index.html
The Ministry of Health has linked the strange disease that broke out in Mubende district to malaria.
Epidemiologists from the ministry were recently sent to the district to investigate the cause of the disease reported mainly in Kiryandongo Parish in Kisanda Village.
In an interview yesterday [30 Jan 2013], the permanent secretary, Dr Asuman Lukwago, said the team led by the head of the epidemiological unit, Dr Issa Makumbi, had investigated most of the cases, and chances of Ebola haemorrhagic fever and the Marburg virus had been ruled out.
"We discovered that the people are suffering from a complicated form of malaria. This was confirmed from the 3 people that have been tested so far. The biggest challenge was that people thought that the disease was as a result of witchcraft. So they would seek the services of traditional healers, and in the process, they were delayed. By the time they went to hospital, their condition was already worse," Dr Lukwago said.
"The malaria outbreak was as a result of the heavy rains that were experienced in Mubende. These led to floods, thus causing mosquito breeding. But the situation is under control because our team is doing surveillance."
The disease, which broke out at the beginning of the month [January 2013], has so far killed 5 people, and more than 30 others are admitted. The disease is said to cause heat around the chest and itching in the neck, and after a few hours, vomiting, and bleeding through the nose and the mouth.
[Byline: Sarah Tumwebaze]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall
[This is not the 1st time that malaria has been confused with haemorrhagic fever. Untreated, severe malaria results in thrombocytopenia, and bleeding is not uncommon. If these patients did indeed receive an effective malaria treatment, the development of the disease points to a problem with drug resistance or substandard drugs. - Mod.EP]
[For a map of Uganda showing districts, see http://www.ugandamission.net/aboutug/map1.html. For the interactive HealthMap/ProMED map of Uganda, see http://healthmap.org/r/1wa6. - Mod.ML
]
***************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 31 Jan 2013
Source: Daily Monitor [edited]
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... index.html
The Ministry of Health has linked the strange disease that broke out in Mubende district to malaria.
Epidemiologists from the ministry were recently sent to the district to investigate the cause of the disease reported mainly in Kiryandongo Parish in Kisanda Village.
In an interview yesterday [30 Jan 2013], the permanent secretary, Dr Asuman Lukwago, said the team led by the head of the epidemiological unit, Dr Issa Makumbi, had investigated most of the cases, and chances of Ebola haemorrhagic fever and the Marburg virus had been ruled out.
"We discovered that the people are suffering from a complicated form of malaria. This was confirmed from the 3 people that have been tested so far. The biggest challenge was that people thought that the disease was as a result of witchcraft. So they would seek the services of traditional healers, and in the process, they were delayed. By the time they went to hospital, their condition was already worse," Dr Lukwago said.
"The malaria outbreak was as a result of the heavy rains that were experienced in Mubende. These led to floods, thus causing mosquito breeding. But the situation is under control because our team is doing surveillance."
The disease, which broke out at the beginning of the month [January 2013], has so far killed 5 people, and more than 30 others are admitted. The disease is said to cause heat around the chest and itching in the neck, and after a few hours, vomiting, and bleeding through the nose and the mouth.
[Byline: Sarah Tumwebaze]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall
[This is not the 1st time that malaria has been confused with haemorrhagic fever. Untreated, severe malaria results in thrombocytopenia, and bleeding is not uncommon. If these patients did indeed receive an effective malaria treatment, the development of the disease points to a problem with drug resistance or substandard drugs. - Mod.EP]
[For a map of Uganda showing districts, see http://www.ugandamission.net/aboutug/map1.html. For the interactive HealthMap/ProMED map of Uganda, see http://healthmap.org/r/1wa6. - Mod.ML
]
