012721 – 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

• Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Sudan, Chad, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Mali, Somalia, Yemen, Liberia, Benin, Sierra Leone * Communicable disease threats report, 17-23 January 2021, week 3 * Poliomyelitis. On 5 May 2014, polio was declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization due to concerns over the increased circulation and international spread of wild poliovirus in 2014. Update of the week. Since the previous update and as of 12 January 2021, 172 cases of polioviruses (WPV1, cVDPV1 and cVDPV2) have been reported, two of which were caused by the WPV1 strain, nine by the cVDPV1 strain and 161 by the cVDPV2 strain. No cases have been reported in 2021 so far. Wild poliovirus (WPV1): Two cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) caused by WPV1 have been reported in Pakistan. 29 WPV1 environmental samples have also been detected: 26 in Pakistan and three in Afghanistan. Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV): Nine new cases of AFP caused by cVDPV1 have been reported in Yemen. 161 cases of AFP caused by cVDPV2 have been reported from 13 countries: Afghanistan (80), Pakistan (18), South Sudan (16), Chad (14), Guinea (7), Burkina Faso (6), Sudan (6), Cote d’Ivoire (3), Democratic Republic of the Congo (3), Nigeria (3), Sierra Leone (3), Central African Republic (1) and Somalia (1). 59 cVDPV2 environmental samples have also been detected: Pakistan (27), Afghanistan (23), Nigeria (3), Benin (2), Liberia (2), Mali (1) and South Sudan (1). Sierra Leone. According to Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, the country has confirmed three (3) cVDPV2 cases for the first time in 10 years.
• China * Communicable disease threats report, 17-23 January 2021, week 3 * Influenza A(H5N6). Update of the week. A human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) virus infection was reported in December 2020 from Chongqing province, China. The case had a history of exposure to poultry prior to the occurrence of symptoms on 18 December 2020 and was hospitalised with severe pneumonia on 28 December 2020.
• China * Communicable disease threats report, 17-23 January 2021, week 3 * Influenza A(H9N2). Update of the week. Since the CDTR update on 13 November 2020 and as of 18 January 2021, a human case of influenza A(H9N2) virus infection has been reported in a 1-year-and 4-month-old male from Yunfu, Guangdong Province, China. He had exposure to poultry before the onset of mild symptoms on 28 December 2020, and was admitted to hospital on 29 December 2020. No family cluster was reported as of 4 January 2021. In addition, WHO reported about six new human cases of avian influenza A(H9N2) virus infections in China, retrospectively detected through influenza-like-illness Surveillance (ILI) between July 2019 and December 2020.
• French Antilles * Communicable disease threats report, 17-23 January 2021, week 3 * Dengue. Update of the week. Since the previous update with data as of 6 December and as of 9 January 2021, additional 2 115 cases have been reported in Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy and Martinique. The following cases have been reported since the previous update: Guadeloupe: 1 300 additional suspected cases. Saint-Martin: 90 additional suspected cases. Saint-Barthelemy: 75 additional suspected cases. Martinique: 650 additional suspected cases, including one death.
• Italy * GOV.UK * Unlike in the UK, you will need to go to a pharmacy (“farmacia”) to get most over-the-counter medicines. Pharmacies are widely available and are usually identified by a green cross. UK prescriptions are not accepted though you may be able to buy an equivalent medication from the pharmacy. Alternatively you can visit an Italian GP or Guardia Medica Turistica (where available) to obtain a local prescription. Prescription medicines are not free in Italy but with an EHIC or GHIC, and an Italian prescription, you will pay a reduced rate.
• Malta * GOV.UK * UK prescriptions are not recognised in Malta. If you need medication while travelling you should speak to a Maltese medical practitioner. GPs may be found privately at most pharmacies, though their times of availability may vary. Pharmacies are easily identified and usually bear a green cross outside the shop front. Prescriptions issued from EU Member States may be fulfilled by a Maltese Pharmacist provided they can confirm that the issuer is a licensed medical practitioner, dentist or veterinary surgeon. Available medication might not match the exact make and brand of those found in the UK or EU and you should confirm with the pharmacist or doctor that your prescription has a suitable local equivalent. Where this is not possible you may need to be assessed by a Maltese medical practitioner and provided with a local prescription.
• Portugal * Communicable disease threats report, 17-23 January 2021, week 3 * Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. Update of the week. The public health authority in Portugal has updated ECDC on an outbreak of Legionnaires ‘ disease in the North Region of Portugal. Since the CDTR on 19 December 2020 and as of 20 January 2021, a further nine cases and one additional death was reported. The Portuguese health authorities have declared the end of this outbreak.
• World * Communicable disease threats report, 17-23 January 2021, week 3 * Influenza. Update of the week. Week 02/2021 (11-17 January 2021). Influenza activity remained at interseasonal levels. Of 928 specimens tested for influenza in week 02/2021, from patients presenting with ILI or ARI symptoms to sentinel primary healthcare sites, one was positive for an influenza virus. Influenza viruses were detected sporadically from non-sentinel sources (such as hospitals, schools, primary care facilities not involved in sentinel surveillance, or nursing homes and other institutions). Both influenza type A and type B viruses were detected. There were no hospitalised laboratory-confirmed influenza cases reported for week 02/2021. The influenza season in the European Region has usually been designated as having started by this point but despite widespread and regular testing for influenza, reported influenza activity still remains at a very low level. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected healthcare seeking behaviours, healthcare provision, and testing practices and capacities in countries and areas of the European Region, which have negatively impacted on the reporting of influenza epidemiologic and virologic data during the 2020-2021 season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the influenza data we present will need to be interpreted with caution, notably in terms of seasonal patterns.
• World * Communicable disease threats report, 17-23 January 2021, week 3 * Chikungunya and dengue. Update of the week. This monthly review provides an overview of the whole 2020. Chikungunya virus disease: The virus is widespread in the Americas region, with several countries reporting cases in 2020. Chikungunya virus disease cases have also been reported in Asia and Africa during this period. Since the previous CDTR update on 21 November 2020, Brazil, India and Thailand have reported the majority of new cases. Dengue: In 2020, the five countries reporting most cases are Brazil, Paraguay, Mexico, Vietnam and Malaysia.

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.