News Reports for June 10, 2012

India: Action against fever outbreak intensified (Kerala)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after collector K N Satheesh issued a month-long prohibitory order in the capital considering the alarming number of fever cases, a special squad swung into action on Saturday and issued warnings to unauthorized slaughter houses in the city. (Snip) the district administration has set a deadline for such slaughter houses to stop operations by Monday.

(Snip) all street vendors, slaughter house owners, who are found polluting the environment, have already been asked to close their outlets.

The drive will be intensified starting Monday. Councillors will embark on an intense campaign in their respective wards to prevent the spread of contagious diseases after a meeting is convened by the collector on Monday. The squad comprising officials of various departments will make sure that unauthorized slaughter house owners are booked and their shops closed down.

Meanwhile, no fresh cases of fever were reported in the capital on Saturday. "We do not have any new confirmed dengue cases in the capital. The door-to-door campaigns by health officials will start next Monday," (Snip) Till Friday, about 620 dengue cases were confirmed in Thiruvananthapuram. Fever outbreak has also been reported in 43 wards of the total 100 and corporation officials continued shifting garbage to Kochuveli for the third day. Though locals protested against this move, police reminded them about the prohibitory order forcing them to disperse. Continued: http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

(Note: What the hell does slaughter houses have to do with dengue??? There were outbreaks of H5N1 in the poultry in Kerala earlier this year so this article has me reaching for a very large roll of tinfoil!!!)

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Sun Jun 10, 2012 at 05:15:38 AM UTC

exactly what I thought when I read it!! keep up the good work Carol!

Always have a plan B.

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by: maryinhawaii @ Sun Jun 10, 2012 at 23:04:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hi Mary

India has thousands of cases of dengue every year and I don't ever remember the government of any of the Indian states shutting down slaughter houses or vendors. It's always talk about warning citizens about mosquitos breeding in standing water in the articles on dengue cases. This is highly suspicious, IMO.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 00:29:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Agreed - this report is very concerning

I don't recall any instance of reports of slaughterhouses being shut down other than for H5N1.  

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by: AlohaOR @ Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 05:41:01 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Another story -- focus seems to be on dumping garbage

http://zeenews.india.com/news/...

District Collector KN Sateesh enforced prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC on Friday to enable hassle-free movement of garbage and take to task those throwing waste wantonly, causing public health problems.

Under the orders, anyone dumping waste in public will face stringent action, including arrest and non-bailable charges.

The measure is mainly meant against illegal slaughter houses, vegetable vendors and way-side eateries, who throw waste generated by them around without public concern. (snip)

The measure is mainly meant against illegal slaughter houses, vegetable vendors and way-side eateries, who throw waste generated by them around without public concern. (snip)

Garbage clearance has virtually come to a standstill for about six months with people in the panchayat where the processing plant is located opposed to its presence. The panchayat locked it up in December, saying it posed a serious health threat to the locality.

This has forced households to dispose waste by burning it in limited surroundings or dumping it in their backyards.  

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by: AlohaOR @ Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 05:47:21 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Trivandrum residents warned against littering on city streets

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/di...

(snip) District Collector P N Satheesh resorted to this unprecedented step on Saturday in view of the spread of dengue fever in the city. Even though only 620 cases have been reported so far, Satheesh feels that it could lead to a plague like situation Surat witnessed in 1994 considering the poor sanitary situations in the city.

Many residents have been dumping wastes on the streets ever since the waste treatment plant at Vilappilsala was shut down in December last year. The waste accumulated on the streets has started stinking following the onset of monsoon.

The district collector said that the situation could worsen and pose threat to public health when the rain intensifies. (snip)

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by: AlohaOR @ Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 05:50:38 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

ProMED: Avian influenza (37): Russia (PR) H9, LPAI, RFI

Bird flu detected on a large poultry farm in Russia

Russian veterinary services have warned that avian flu, which is currently spreading through South East Asia, has been found on a large poultry farm in eastern Russia.

The article indicates that the outbreak, affecting a facility of Amurski Broiler, one of the largest poultry farms in the Primorsk Territory, adjacent to the Chinese border, was caused by a low pathogenicity avian influenza virus serotype H9 [Mod.AS].

-------------------------------
(Snip)

The following statement by Russia's Rosselkhoznadzor, published 22 May 2012, is of relevance:

"According to the data provided by the Rosselkhoznadzor low pathogenic influenza H9 is likely to have occurred in South East Asia and now it is spreading. There is a risk of its introduction into eastern and central Siberia. According to some data available this virus has already occurred in synanthropic birds and possibly in migratory wild birds in the Amur Oblast".

See at http://fsvps.ru/fsvps/news/468...

Additional details on the current Russian outbreak and on the H9 situation in north eastern China would be appreciated. - Mod.AS http://www.promedmail.org/dire...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Sun Jun 10, 2012 at 05:41:24 AM UTC

Brazil: Santa Catarina - influenza A, the Church discourages greetings Masses

Translated

The outbreak of swine flu in the city of Blumenau, located 120 km from Florianópolis (SC), made ​​the local diocese to recommend to ministers that "do not shake hands" of the faithful at the entrance of churches.

(Snip) in 2012, four deaths have been recorded in the city from the virus Influenza A (H1N1). (Snip) of the 154 confirmed cases in the state, 52 occurred in Blumenau. In 2009, the city recorded 11 deaths and 108 cases of the disease throughout the year.

In notices placed in the Cathedral, Bishop Dom Jose Negri began a series of recommendations to ministers and faithful. Among them are "to avoid shaking hands" of the ministers welcomed the entry and during the Lord's Prayer. "Communion should be distributed in the hands of communicants," stated the warning, which still calls for ministers and parishioners "who are attending meetings to avoid the flu."

The increase in the number of cases in the city lead the city to create the Service Centre of influenza A, to apply vaccines to people who have chronic diseases. The station is already operating in the city center and will serve patients from Monday in German Village. http://noticias.terra.com.br/b...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Sun Jun 10, 2012 at 05:51:09 AM UTC

Update: Influenza Activity - United States, 2011-12 Season and Composition of the 2012-13 Influenza Vaccine

CDC: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

During the 2011-12 influenza season in the United States, influenza activity* occurred at low levels during October through December and increased in January and February before peaking in mid-March. Influenza A (H3N2) viruses predominated overall, but influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 (pH1N1) and influenza B viruses also circulated widely. This influenza season was mild compared with recent years, with a lower percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI),† lower rates of hospitalizations, and fewer deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza. This report summarizes influenza activity in the United States during the 2011-12 influenza season (October 2, 2011-May 19, 2012) and reports the recommendations for the components of the 2012-13 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine.

Continued with a lot more information: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/previe...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Sun Jun 10, 2012 at 06:23:48 AM UTC

India: Mysterious disease claims one in Jiribam, leaves scores in hospital (Manipur)

IMPHAL, June 7: State Health Minister Phungza-thang Tonsing to day rushed to Jiribam as the outbreak of an undiagnosed disease has left one dead and many at the hospital in the sub division. (Snip) the symptoms of the still to be diagnosed disease are excessive vomiting and bouts of loose motion. (Note: I think this means weaknes.)

The first such case was reported to be one Thangkhahum, 50, son of (L) Phairenthang Khum of Borobekra gram panchayat. The person was rushed to Jiribam community health centre with the said symptoms. Even after meagre treatment available at the CHC, the doctors pronounced him dead on June 4.

Our correspondent added, " I questioned the doctors on the cause of death and the nature of the disease, whereas reply came from the doctors and the lab assistants that the diagnosis is yet to be confirmed", it was added that the medical samples taken were to be sent to Imphal for clinical analysis.

Sources have also said that along with the deceased, another three persons were admitted to the community health centre for treatment and further diagnosis with the same symptoms. Reports mentioned that the source of the outbreak was suspected to be from Shottobegra, from Phailenthang, a village bordering Jiribam and Churachandpur.

Suspecting the nature of the disease, it was learnt that the pradhan of Borobekra (Snip) intimated the concerned medical officers of the sub division to investigate the issue on June 4. Later, a team of seven medical staffs including a local pastor, laboratory technician and a doctor went to the said place at Sottobekra and further threated 43 patients having the same symptoms.

(Snip) health minister Phungzathang Tonsing has rushed to Jiribam to take stock of the situation. (Snip) the minister has visited the community health centre located at Babupara, Jiribam.

The minister after deliberating in the matter has met patients admitted at the centre and provided monitory relief of Rs 500 each to the patients suffering from such symptoms.

Later, he also left the centre for Barak circle which is located about thirty km from proper Jiribam town towards Borobekra, which is suspected to be the epicenter of the epidemic. The minister also met officials of a private run hospital and appealed to provide necessary medical attention to patients with symptoms of the disease.
(Snip)
According to sources from the medical department, the source of the epidemic is currently under the microscope and necessary treatment is provided to the ailing patients.

(Snip) due to lack of proper medical facilities in Jiribam, majority of the patients are presently referred to private run clinics of Assam. Continued: http://ifp.co.in/imphal-free-p...

Map link: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl...

(Note: I don't remember India ever giving money like this to victims of disease before. Hmmm, I am going to keep both eyes on India for a while!)

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Sun Jun 10, 2012 at 15:17:40 PM UTC

My guess

... is that "loose motion" means diarrhea

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by: AlohaOR @ Sun Jun 10, 2012 at 23:47:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

LOL That fits.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 00:22:59 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Suriname reporting 800 flu cases

South America: PARAMARIBO - The number of influenza cases with airway infections keeps increasing, with the Medical Mission (MZ) registering more than 800 cases in the hinterland alone in four weeks' time (Snip) "We've seen a strong increase in all regions in the hinterland. We're alert and have already informed the Bureau of Public Health (BOG) of this increase," Jaglall states, adding that no case required hospitalization.

The physician considers the increase remarkable, and says its exact cause should be determined. One possible cause could be the large-scale migration to the hinterland of people from French Guiana, which is also has been hit by an epidemic. (Snip) http://www.stabroeknews.com/20...

Map link: (pan out to see where Suriname and French Guiana are located in South America) http://maps.google.com/maps?hl...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Sun Jun 10, 2012 at 18:58:25 PM UTC

ProMED: Unknown disease - Brazil (MG) (02), prison, outbreak, because as yet undefined

Translated

Results (Snip) more than 15 days are not yet finalized.

(Snip) the outbreak of an acute disease caused panic and led to the enactment of a quarantine in the Relocation Center of the Prison System (Ceresp) Ipatinga. The cause remains without explanation. Were not disclosed the results of tests made by the detainees, and samples collected at the prison unit. The Journal Steel has received several inquiries from readers and subscribers, requesting clarification on the subject [The ProMED-PORT also waits - Mod RNA].

The report sought on Wednesday (6) [June/2012] Communication from the advice of the Ezequiel Dias Foundation. By telephone, he was told not yet completed the analysis of samples collected in the county jail. "A lot of material was collected and requires more time for analysis," claimed the sector of communication. The FUNED also informed that there is no provision for dissemination of results. (Snip)

Tests such as blood cultures were performed on detainees. In addition, samples were also collected food and water are served to the inmates Ceresp as a way to identify the contaminants. Suspicion initially disclosed, were: bacterial sepsis by bacteria that may be transmitted by food or water, hemorrhagic fevers, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, hantavirus and leptospirosis. Suspected as meningitis, H1N1 (swine flu) and viral hepatitis A and B were discarded. http://www.promedmail.org/dire...

(Note: Approximately one month's time and they still don't know what this disease outbreak is!)

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Sun Jun 10, 2012 at 19:40:24 PM UTC

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for June 11, 2012

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 05:39:04 AM UTC