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EID Weekly Updates

EID Weekly Updates:

Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Region of the Americas

Vol. 2, No. 7—19 February 2004
Main Updates index

Update on Avian Influenza

Since our last update on 12 February 2004, 6 new human cases of avian flu H5N1 and ensuing 3 deaths have been reported, which brings the total to 31 human cases and 22 deaths. To date, 2 countries have reported human cases; and 8 countries, epizootics among poultry.

Table 1: Current Situation of Avian Influenza—Human Cases and Epizootics
(as of 19 February 2004)
Country Epizootics Virus subtype identified Number of confirmed human cases Comments
Number of provinces affected Species of birds affected Cases Deaths
Cambodia 1 out of 19 Chickens: mostly laying/breeder hens H5N1 0 0 Several localized outbreaks around Phom Penh.
China 16 out of 31 Ducks, chickens, geese, one peregrine falcon in Hong Kong H5N1 0 0 Epizootic out of control: 43 farms affected, with Xizang Autonous Region (Tibet) and Jilin province the areas most recently affected.
Indonesia 11 out of 26 Laying and breeding hens. H5N1 0 0 Epizootia widespread, out of control.
Japan 1 out of 9 Egg-laying poultry H5N1 0 0 Minor outbreak in Oita prefecture caused by subtype H5; further testing underway to confirm possible involvement of H5N1 strain.
Laos 1 out of 17 Laying hens H5 0 0 Epizootia limited to one area in Vientinae.
Pakistan 1 out of 7 Egg-laying poultry H7 0 0 Epizootic localized but widespread; etiology as yet unconfirmed.
South Korea 8 out of 14 Chickens, ducks H5N1 0 0 16 new outbreaks reported.
Taiwan 1 out of 21 Laying hens, colored-feather native chickens H5N2 0 0 Epizootic under control since January.
Thailand 29 out of 76 Chickens (broilers/fryers, laying hens), native poultry, ducks, geese, turkeys, ostrich, quail, peacocks H5N1 9 7 Epizootic out of control; bird-human transmission, with 14 new outbreaks in various provinces.
Viet Nam 57 out of 64 Parent stock for broilers/fryers (chickens) H5N1 22 15 Cluster of confirmed cases of subtype H5N1 in a Vietnamese family: investigation carried out on the virus isolated in a 23-year-old woman (see WHO Updates 19 and 20) to evaluate the possibility of person-to-person transmission; genetic material of the virus isolated in this patient and in her 30-year-old sister was of avian origen and contains no human influenza genes.
Total       31 22  
Sources

Additional online information is available via the WHO Avian Influenza page, from the Newsroom of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and in an OIE Press Release entitled Avian Influenza has stopped spreading beyond the countres currently infected, among other press releases in the OIE Highlights section.

Sources (Consult for additional information.)

Outbreak of Diarrheic Rotavirus Disease in Guatemala

Over the past few weeks, Guatemala has reported to PAHO the existence of an outbreak of diarrheic disease. The outbreak began last month; based on information dated 31 January 2004, it has affected 28,255 people, of whom 17,032 are under five years of age.

Laboratory analyses carried out both in hospitals and by the various areas of the Ministry of Health, as well as the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (Instituto de Guatemala del Seguro Social / IGSS) have identified rotavirus in 15%–60% of the samples taken.

During the first three weeks of the outbreak, the increase in relation to 2003 was 9%, falling to 4% in the fourth week. The outbreak has affected above all the health districts of Ixcan, Petén Sur Oriente and Escuintla, but has also spread to Guatemala, Sacatepéquez, Suchitepéquez, Quetzaltenango, San Marcos, El Progreso and Zacapa.

Since the beginning of February, the country has carried out continuous monitoring of hospital admissions, which have averaged 250 per day. This monitoring—along with declaring a state of national epidemiological alert and strengthening information, education and communication—has resulted in a greater demand for care and subsequently in the number of reported cases.

Prevention and control measures have been taken with regard to strengthening surveillance of detected cases and identifying risk groups, and increasing awareness among health-care professionals at all levels with a view to the early detection and proper treatment of diarrheic syndrome and dehydration.

In addition, there has been a review and strengthening of more structural aspects such as intra- and intersectoral coordination, internal and mass communication, and the existence of contingency plans as well as of medicines and other supplies necessary to respond to this type of emergency.

The rotavirus transmission is mainly transmitted via fecal-oral contact. The virus is stable in the environment and can remain viable for long periods of time. This permits transmission from contact with contaminated surfaces, water, or food. It is important for prevention and control measures to take these aspects into account.

There is no specific treatment for the disease. Two vaccines are currently being tested (Phase III trials), with promising preliminary results in terms of efficacy and safety. The principal strategy for dealing with such outbreaks consists of minimizing the mortality caused by dehydration as a result of the diarrheic syndrome. Approximately 1 out of every 40 children with gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus will require hospitalization and therapy providing fluids intravenosly. Compliance with the oral-rehydration standards set by the global WHO strategy for Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) is extremely important in these cases.

For more information, see the PAHO pages on IMCI and on Diarrheal/Enteric Diseases.

Sources

  • Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance of Guatemala, Epidemiology, Last Epidemiological Week, Epidemiological Bulletin of Guatemala, Epidemiological Week No. 4, 25–31 January 2004, pp. 1–2 and 4–6 (Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social de Guatemala, Epidemiología, Última Semana Epidemiológica, Boletín epidemiológico de Guatemala, Semana epidemiológica No. 4-2004, 25–31 enero 2004, pp. 1–2 y 4–6; in Spanish).
  • Report to PAHO from Ministry of Health of Guatemala.