030321 – World Health Report

This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of international health risks as reported by the linked official sources from the U.S. and other countries.

Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.

Health

• Paraguay, Malaysia, Thailand * Communicable disease threats report, 21-27 February 2021, week 8 * Chikungunya. The virus is widespread in the Americas region, with several countries reporting cases in 2021. Chikungunya virus disease cases have also been reported in Asia during this period. Since the previous CDTR update on 22 January 2021, Paraguay, Malaysia, and Thailand have reported the majority of new cases.
• Russia * WHO * Avian Influenza A(H5N8. On 18 February 2021, the National IHR Focal Point for the Russian Federation notified WHO of detection of avian influenza A(H5N8) in seven human clinical specimens. These are the first reported detection of avian influenza A(H5N8) in humans. Positive clinical specimens were collected from poultry farm workers who participated in a response operation to contain an avian influenza A(H5N8) outbreak detected in a poultry farm in Astrakhan Oblast in the Russian Federation. The laboratory confirmation of the seven specimens were performed by the State Research Centre for Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR (WHO H5 Reference Laboratory). The age of seven positive cases ranged between 29 to 60 years and five were female.
• Russia * Communicable disease threats report, 21-27 February 2021, week 8 * Avian influenza A(H5N8) virus (human cases). The first cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N8) virus were detected in poultry workers in Russia.
• Vietnam, Colombia, Paraguay, Philippines, Sri Lanka * Communicable disease threats report, 21-27 February 2021, week 8 * Dengue. In 2021, the five countries reporting most cases are Vietnam, Colombia, Paraguay, Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

Ebola

• Democratic Republic of the Congo * Communicable disease threats report, 21-27 February 2021, week 8 * Ebola. Since last week’s report on 19 February 2021, and as of 25 February, four new confirmed cases have been reported in the North Kivu province of the DRC, from the Biena (three) and Musienene (one) health zones, including two new deaths. A vaccination campaign was launched on 15 February 2021 in Butembo, where the first case received treatment, and so far, 658 people have been vaccinated since the start of this outbreak.
• Guinea * CDC * Ebola. There is an outbreak of Ebola in N’Zérékoré Prefecture of Guinea. Travelers to this area could be infected with Ebola if they come in contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids.
• Guinea * Communicable disease threats report, 21-27 February 2021, week 8 * Ebola. Update of the week. Since last week’s CDTR report on 19 February 2021, and as of 25 February 2021, an additional two confirmed cases have been reported from the N’Zerekore prefecture in the N’Zerekore region of Guinea. Vaccines were shipped to Conakry on 22 February and the vaccination campaign began on 23 February 2021 in the sub- prefecture of Gouecke, N’Zerekore where the outbreak first began. The six bordering countries, namely Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau are on high alert and are finalising their preparedness and operational plans.

Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.