Category Archives: pandemic

WHO | Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update

Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 144 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 62 deaths.

via WHO | Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update.

Scientists creating super bird flu virus to prevent epidemic | World | News | Toronto Sun

Ultra-dangerous hubris at work in Netherlands Lab –

Steven Salzberg, a professor of medicine and biostatistics from John Hopkins School of Medicine, accused them of \”an outrageous display of chutzpah\” and says Fouchier \”is deeply confused about the possible benefits of this work\”, which Salzberg argues are marginal at best.

\”The notion of \’gain of function\’ research on pathogens is very, very dangerous,\” he told Reuters.

via Scientists creating super bird flu virus to prevent epidemic | World | News | Toronto Sun.

Eurosurveillance – View Article

We here report of a patient who had been hospitalised in Egypt for appendicitis in July 2013, and was colonised with various multiresistant Enterobacteriaceae including strains producing NDM-1, oxacillinase-48 (OXA-48) and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). Explorative screening for multiresistant microorganisms among the patient’s family members also yielded several ESBL-producing microorganisms. This report addresses the need for heightened awareness of patients and family members who have recently been exposed to healthcare environments in countries with high levels of antibiotic resistance.

Patients repatriated after hospitalisation abroad are a risk for introducing multiresistant microorganisms into hospitals in their home countries. In 2008, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM), which hydrolyses last-line carbapenem antibiotics, has been for the first time described in a Swedish patient returning from India [1]. Most reports on NDM are related to travellers returning from Pakistan and India. However, the global dispersal of NDM is of growing concern [2]. In the past two years, NDM-producing strains have been reported in patients returning from the African continent without obvious links to the Indian subcontinent [3,4].

via Eurosurveillance – View Article.

Duck Poop Helps Scientists Sniff out Avian Flu

Scientists are learning that diseases like avian influenza, also known as bird flu, can actually change the smell of an animal’s feces.  And, they are using this knowledge to help them sniff out when birds, such as mallard ducks, are infected.

via Duck Poop Helps Scientists Sniff out Avian Flu.

Duh!?! Dogs used to smell drugs, bombs, diseases and now rats too – so how about an electronic sniffer in your loo to let you know when you are getting sick? Grin. Really – it could work!

Avian Flu Diary: mBio: PEDV – Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus – An Emerging Coronavirus

And USDA approved Smithfield Ham being bought by a Chinese firm – great – not!

In summary, we report here the emergence of PEDV in the United States and detailed genetic and phylogenetic analyses of the complete genomic sequences of three emergent U.S. PEDV strains from Minnesota and Iowa. The findings that the emergent U.S. PEDV strains are most closely related to Chinese G2a strains suggest that the emergence of the PEDV in the United States likely originated from China. However, the exact source of the origin is difficult to identify at this point. The finding that the emergent PEDV strains in the United States share unique genetic features with a bat coronavirus further suggests a possible evolutionary origin of PEDV from bat species and potential cross-species transmission. The information presented in this study will guide the current control measures to stop the ongoing spread of PEDV in the United States and also provides important clues for the development of an effective vaccine against the emergent PEDV strains.

(Continue . . . )

Whether the result of an introduction from China, or evolutionary events here in the United States, pig producers are now confronted with at least three new variants of this virus.  PEVD has the potential to cause extensive economic damage to pork producers across the nation.

via Avian Flu Diary: mBio: PEDV – Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus – An Emerging Coronavirus.

U.N. Security Council calls for polio immunization campaign in Sudan | Vaccine News Daily

The United Nations Security Council called on Friday for an emergency vaccination campaign against polio in South Kordofan, Sudan.

Members of the Council expressed concern over the serious threat of a polio outbreak in Sudan. An epidemic has already begun in the Horn of Africa and continues to spread.

The U.N. Security Council called on the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North to come together to allow for safe passage of humanitarian aid workers to implement the emergency vaccination campaign. The campaign is supported by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization and the U.N. Children’s Fund.

via U.N. Security Council calls for polio immunization campaign in Sudan | Vaccine News Daily.

ICRC, prison officials aim to quell plague outbreaks in Madagascar | Vaccine News Daily

In an effort to curb outbreaks of the plague among Madagascar’s prison system, the International Committee of the Red Cross recently teamed with government officials to rid the country’s prisons of rodents.

Efforts have been focused on Antanimora Prison in Antanavarivo, Madagascar, which houses approximately 3,000 prisoners. There has been an average of 500 annual cases of the plague reported in the country during the last four years.

via ICRC, prison officials aim to quell plague outbreaks in Madagascar | Vaccine News Daily.

NYC launches initiative to control hepatitis C prevalence in the city | Vaccine News Daily

“This is a very hopeful time for persons living with hepatitis C,” Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said. “After many years in which the infection was very difficult to treat, hepatitis C can now be cured. We also expect that medications that are easier to use and even more effective will be available in just a few months, and many other promising drugs should be approved for use in the next few years.”

The initiative is titled Hepatitis C in New York City: State of the Epidemic and Action Plan. It is estimated approximately 146,500 people in New York are carrying HCV and only half are aware that they have the infection. Most will not experience symptoms until 10 to 30 years after infection, when life-threatening conditions, such as liver disease, develop as a result of the initial infection.

“Unfortunately, roughly half of those living with HCV infection do not know that they are infected,” Farley added. “With new opportunities to treat and cure this disease, all health care providers in New York City must become familiar with current recommendations for testing and treatment.”

via NYC launches initiative to control hepatitis C prevalence in the city | Vaccine News Daily.