021021 – 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

• Asia * CDC * Polio. There are polio outbreaks in several countries in Asia. CDC recommends that all travelers to these countries be vaccinated fully against polio.
• Barbados * GOV.UK * Dengue fever. Dengue fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. There is currently a spike in dengue cases.
• Europe * Communicable disease threats report, 31 January-6 February 2021, week 5 * Influenza. Update of the week. Week 04/2021 (25 January-31 January 2021). Influenza activity remained at interseasonal levels. The influenza season in the European Region has usually been designated as having started by this point in the year 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 behaviour, healthcare provision, and testing practices and capacities in countries and areas of the European Region, which has had a negative impact on the reporting of influenza epidemiological and virological 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.
• Haiti * GC.CA * Rabies. There are reports of a rise in rabies in dogs in Haiti. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. If you are exposed while in Haiti, you may not have access to proper treatment. There is currently a rabies vaccine shortage in Haiti and international transportation options continue to be less available due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Saudi Arabia * WHO * Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Between 1 June through 31 December 2020, the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported four additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) with one associated death. The cases were reported from Riyadh (two cases), Taif (one case), and Al-Ahsaa (one case) Regions.
• Saudi Arabia * Communicable disease threats report, 31 January-6 February 2021, week 5 * Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Update of the week. Since the beginning of 2021 and as of 1 February 2021, no MERS-CoV cases have been reported by Saudi Arabian health authorities or by WHO.
• United States * WHO * Influenza A (H3N2). On 13 January, 2021, a child under 18 years of age in Wisconsin developed respiratory disease. A respiratory specimen was collected on 14 January. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing conducted at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene indicated a presumptive positive influenza A(H3N2) variant virus infection. The specimen was forwarded to the Influenza Division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on 21 January for further testing. On 22 January, CDC confirmed an influenza A (H3N2)v virus infection using RT-PCR and genome sequence analysis. Investigation into the source of the infection has been completed and revealed that the child lives on a farm with swine present. Sampling of the swine on the property for influenza virus has not yet been conducted but is planned. Five family members of the patient reported respiratory illness during the investigation and were tested for influenza; all tested negative. The patient was prescribed antiviral treatment and was not hospitalized and has made a full recovery. No human to human transmission has been identified associated with this investigation.
• Yemen, Bangladesh * Communicable disease threats report, 31 January-6 February 2021, week 5 * Cholera. Update of the week. Since the last update on 27 November 2020, new cholera cases have been reported worldwide. Those countries reporting the majority of new cases since the previous update are Yemen and Bangladesh.

Ebola News

• Democratic Republic of the Congo * WHO * The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today announced that a new case of Ebola has been detected in Butembo, a city in North Kivu Province, where a previous outbreak was declared over in June 2020. The Butembo branch of the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) confirmed Ebola in samples taken from a patient with Ebola-like symptoms who had sought treatment at a local health centre. The woman was the wife of an Ebola survivor. She has since died. WHO epidemiologists are on the ground investigating the case. Already more than 70 contacts have been identified. Disinfection of sites visited by patient is also ongoing.

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.