Infection Control News: March 4-8, 2019
Measles
UNICEF warned of a resurgence of measles in the world, noting that ten countries, including Brazil, Ukraine and France, were responsible for about three quarters of the total increase in cases in 2018. News.
Fraser Health confirms new case of measles in Metro Vancouver area, bringing total to 17. News.
The N.W.T.’s chief public health officer has declared a measles outbreak in Inuvik, according to a Wednesday press release. News.
How much does a measles outbreak cost when 10 healthcare workers are involved? Study.
Ebola
The DRC health ministry reported three new cases. The latest confirmed cases lift the outbreak total to 888. Communique.
Traditional African healers may be adding to Ebola problems. News.
New Brunswick. An outbreak of whooping cough has been declared at Moncton High School. News.
Ebola. Attacks may worsen Ebola epidemic in Congo, officials warn. Re-infections could happen in places where the outbreak was brought under control, WHO warns. News.
A London man appears to be free of the AIDS virus after a stem cell transplant, the second success including the “Berlin patient,” doctors reported. News.
A massive study undertaking in Denmark demonstrates no connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. The study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Study.
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health recorded 4 more cases of MERS-CoV, including 1 case in a large hospital-based outbreak. Update.
For the 4th consecutive week, Nigeria has reported declining case counts in an ongoing Lassa fever outbreak. Despite the progress, 23 cases and 6 deaths were reported in the most recent week recorded. WHO report.
Zika. A study confirms the Zika-microcephaly link, finding that women infected with Zika during the early stages of pregnancy are 17 times more likely to have a child with the condition compared with uninfected pregnant women. Study.
The practice of feeding dogs a raw meat-based diet is on the rise. Is it possible that the risk of transferring harmful bacteria to the owner is increased as well? Look for answers in this study from BMJ. Study.
The PHAC originally developed the Marburg vaccine. It is now up to the US Department of Health and Human Services to partner with Public Health Vaccines LLC to develop a vaccine. The virus is a potential bioterrorism threat according to Homeland Security. Press release.
WHO has outlined several reforms aimed at modernizing and strengthening its role as a world leader in public health. News.
Tuberculosis rates in the North are 290 times those in the rest of Canada. News.
Madagascar. At least 922 people – mostly children – have died of measles since October 2018, despite an emergency program that has vaccinated 2.2M of the 26M population so far. Now, parents trudge for miles to vaccinate their kids against it. News.
USA. An unvaccinated boy contracted Oregon’s first tetanus case in about 30 years. It cost over $800,000. Read this to learn how a simple vaccine could prevent a lot of complications. News.