We will inform you about the latest infectious disease outbreaks from overseas. Read the new articles.
Information as of June 26, 2024
Avian Influenza A (H5N1)|7 June 2024|Australia
The state Victorian Department of Health confirmed this case on 18 May 2024. Under Article 44, the NFP of Australia advised the NFP of India of the confirmed case on 21 May 2024. Under Article 8, the IHR NFP of Australia notified WHO of the case on 22 May 2024.
Epidemiological Alert – Human infections caused by avian influenza A(H5N1) in the Region of the Americas – 5 June 2024|10 Jun 2024 |Pan American Health Organization
The Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) calls on Member States to work in a collaborative and intersectoral manner to preserve animal health and protect public health. PAHO/WHO urges Member States to implement protocols for the timely detection, notification and rapid response to outbreaks in animals and/or human infections. PAHO/WHO encourages Member States to review and test their pandemic influenza preparedness and readiness plans. In addition, virus sharing with Collaborating Centers in both sectors is encouraged to strengthen risk analysis and to have candidate vaccine viruses.
Zeroing in on purposive targeting in oral cholera vaccination campaign|14 June 2024|African Region
In the midst of a raging cholera outbreak in Sorgin, Nsanje, Kaombe Sugar Company finds itself at the epicenter of a public health crisis. Field workers, including long-time employee Michael Kajobe, face dire sanitation challenges as the absence of toilets and water washing mechanisms in sugarcane plantations forces them to resort to unhygienic practices.
Avian Influenza A(H5N2)|14 June 2024|Mexico
A national multidisciplinary group of experts was formed to investigate the cause of death. It included infectious disease specialists, pneumonologists, microbiologists and intensive care professionals. Upon review of the patient’s clinical history and records, the national multidisciplinary team concluded on 6 June that, although the patient had a laboratory-confirmed infection with avian influenza A(H5N2) virus, he died due to complications of his co-morbidities.
Mpox|14 June 2024|Democratic Republic of the Congo
Although, MPXV strains circulating in Democratic Republic of the Congo belong to clade I, and no cases of MPXV clade IIb have so far been detected, an increase of reported cases, as well as a geographical expansion of their distribution, has been observed in the country since 2022.
Avian Influenza A (H9N2)|11 June 2024|India
The patient is a 4-year-old child residing in West Bengal state. The case, previously diagnosed with hyperreactive airway disease, initially presented to the paediatrician with fever and abdominal pain on 26 January 2024. On 29 January, the patient developed seizures and was brought to the same paediatrician. On 1 February, the patient was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of a local hospital due to the persistence of severe respiratory distress, recurrent high-grade fever and abdominal cramps. The patient was diagnosed with post-infectious bronchiolitis caused by viral pneumonia. On 2 February, the patient tested positive for influenza B and adenovirus at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at the local government hospital. The patient was discharged from the hospital on 28 February 2024.
Oropouche virus disease|11 June 2024|Cuba
On 27 May 2024, the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba reported the first ever outbreak of Oropouche virus disease. A total of 74 confirmed cases were reported from Province of Santiago de Cuba (n=54), and from Province of Cienfuegos (n=20). These cases were detected through strengthened monitoring and surveillance actions following an increase in cases with non-specific febrile illness in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, with the municipalities of Santiago de Cuba and Songo La Maya reporting 29 and 25 cases each; and in the province of Cienfuegos where eight cases were reported from Cienfuegos, five from Rodas, five from Abreu, and one each from Aguada de Pasajeros and Cumanayagua municipalities. OROV was identified in 74 samples of the 89 samples tested at the national reference laboratory of the Pedro Kourí Institute (IPK per its acronym in Spanish).
Epidemiological update – Invasive disease caused by group A streptococci – 21 June 2024|22 Jun 2024 |Pan American Health Organization
Generally, group A streptococci cause mild illnesses such as tonsillitis and pharyngitis; rarely, they can cause severe infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis, bacteremia, septic arthritis, puerperal endometritis, or pneumonia. Approximately one third of these invasive infections are complicated by streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
Epidemiological Update – Increase in dengue cases in the Region of the Americas – 18 June 2024|18 Jun 2024 |Pan American Health Organization
In the Region of the Americas, the number of dengue cases recorded during the first half of 2024 exceeded the maximum number of cases historically reported in a year, as compared to all previously recorded years. As of epidemiological week (EW) 23 of 2024, 43 countries and territories in the Region of the Americas have reported 9,386,082 cases of dengue; this number is twice as high as the number of cases recorded throughout 2023, 4,617,108 cases.
WHO Africa releases groundbreaking guidance to boost fight against sickle cell disea…|19 June 2024|African Region
Brazzaville – World Health Organization (WHO) in the African Region today released groundbreaking new guidance to help strengthen efforts to address the growing threat of sickle cell disease in the region. Significant for their integrated and holistic approach, the new technical documents offer detailed, actionable strategies and insights to support countries to improve quality of care, make treatment more accessible and boost overall health outcomes.
Source:https://www.afro.who.int/news/who-africa-releases-groundbreaking-guidance-boost-fight-against-sickle-cell-disease
African health leaders begin work on roadmap to reshape global health financing on t…|13 June 2024|African Region
Addis Ababa – More than 80 ministry of health experts, regional and global partners and civil society representatives have set in motion the development of a roadmap to catalyse action to reshape the health financing ecosystem in Africa, and make it fit-for-purpose towards 2030 and beyond.
Source:https://www.afro.who.int/news/african-health-leaders-begin-work-roadmap-reshape-global-health-financing-continent
New framework launched to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis in eastern Africa|12 June 2024|African Region
A new, comprehensive framework has been launched to guide health authorities, policy-makers and other stakeholders towards elimination of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) as a public health problem in eastern Africa. Also known as kala-azar, VL is a deadly parasitic disease that causes fever, weight loss, spleen and liver enlargement, and – if untreated – death. Transmitted by the bite of infected female sandflies, VL is endemic in 80 countries around the world. In 2022, eastern Africa accounted for 73% of global VL cases, half of which occurred in children aged under 15 years.