Category Archives: pandemic
CDC cites 2 more deaths in EV-D68 cases, more polio-like illnesses | CIDRAP
Authorities confirm 12 new MERS-CoV cases in Saudi Arabia | Vaccine News Daily
Health authorities confirmed 12 more cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and five deaths due to the sickness in Saudi Arabia as of Oct. 26.
Six of the cases were in Taif, four in Riyadh, one in Madinah and one in Skaka. The patients’ ages range from 17-75. Nine of the patients are men and 10 of the patients are Saudi nationals. Health professionals confirmed that 10 of the patients also have other health concerns.
Only two of the patients traveled outside their home cities in the 14 days before their symptoms arose and none of the patients had recently performed Umrah/Hajj.
The patients do not share contact with camels or camel products, though two of the patients live in regions populous with camels.
via Authorities confirm 12 new MERS-CoV cases in Saudi Arabia | Vaccine News Daily.
Ned’s Second Line Daily
Ned’s Second Line Daily. Wednesday real deal
Canada’s Ebola visa ban is dumb, xenophobic, and illegal – Vox
It’s right wingnut politics in both cases – trying to look tough on security and race without seeming racist as both are!
Canada is a country built by and still composed mostly of immigrants. It’s a country that prides itself on being a good global citizen. It’s a country that lobbied against — and was economically scarred by — short-lived travel restrictions following the SARS outbreak of 2002-03.
Now, Canada is one of only two developed countries to issue a visa ban for people from Ebola-stricken West Africa — a wrong-headed decision that is xenophobic, bad science, and against international law.
Following Australia, the federal government’s department of citizenship and immigration announced last week that it would no longer grant travel visas to Canada for residents and citizens of Ebola-affected countries, including Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. It’s also halting the residency applications of folks from these countries. The restrictions don’t actually apply to Canadian travelers — but only to West Africans themselves.
via Canada’s Ebola visa ban is dumb, xenophobic, and illegal – Vox.
Spanish Ebola survivor, Teresa Romero, released from Madrid hospital | Outbreak News Today
In a news conference today, Romero said, “I am here to thank everyone, I am still very weak. When I felt I was dying I would cling to my memories, to my family and my husband, I was isolated and I did not have any contact with the exterior except with Javier [Limón] by telephone,” she added.
Romero contracted the dangerous virus treating the late Ebola infected priest, Manuel García Viejo towards the end of September.
Romero also commented on two other issues- donating her Ebola antibody-rich plasma and the killing of her dog, Excalibur.
“I don’t know what failed, or if anything failed. I just know that I don’t hold any grudges. If my infection is good for something, to better study the disease and help develop a vaccine, or if my blood can be used to cure other people, I am available,” Romero said.
In a statement today, the nurse’s aide said the killing of her dog, Excalibur, “wasn’t necessary”. “The worst part of all of this is that our dog was not given a chance.”
via Spanish Ebola survivor, Teresa Romero, released from Madrid hospital | Outbreak News Today.
Sierra Leone loses fifth doctor to Ebola | News | DW.DE | 03.11.2014
Sierra Leone’s chief medical officer Brima Kargbo said Dr. George had checked himself into “the Chinese hospital at Jui outside Freetown,” but died of the virus on Monday.
He said the late Dr. George, who was medical superintendent at Kambia Hospital in northern Sierra Leone, might have contracted the virus from a patient he treated for another illness. He had not directly treated Ebola patients.
via Sierra Leone loses fifth doctor to Ebola | News | DW.DE | 03.11.2014.
Ned’s Second Line Daily
Sunday final – worth the wait!
Ebola fears grip North Korea; foreigners to be quarantined | CTV News
Governor Christie and North Korea taking the same stance on public health zealotry/foolishness. If you needed any more “proof” about how silly and bullying people are being about Ebola when they are thousands of miles away from anyone who may have it – here it is!
North Korea announced Thursday it will quarantine foreigners for 21 days over fears of the spread of the Ebola virus, even though no cases of the disease have been reported in the reclusive country, or anywhere in Asia, and very few foreigners are allowed to enter.
An announcement distributed to diplomatic missions in Pyongyang said that, regardless of country or region of origin, all foreigners will be quarantined under medical observation for 21 days.
Foreigners from affected areas will be quarantined at one set of locations, while those from unaffected areas will be sent to other locations, including hotels. The staff of diplomatic missions and international organizations will be allowed to stay in their residences.
via Ebola fears grip North Korea; foreigners to be quarantined | CTV News.
Liberia: 300,000 people at risk of malaria as Ebola epidemic damages healthcare system | MSF UK
On 29 October, 20,000 families – 100,000 people – living in the New Kru neighborhood had already received one treatment. The distribution will continue for several days in other neighbourhoods. It will be repeated the next two months at the same locations, with the same treatment and mosquito nets.
Given the backdrop of Ebola, vigilance is essential. To protect both the population and healthcare workers against the risk of infection, the distribution takes place early in the morning, when the streets are still empty. Participants keep their distance from each other to avoid any physical contact. The operation is divided among 55 sites.
After each distribution, the MSF-trained volunteers ensure that the message has gotten through, going door-to-door to confirm that all family members have taken the drugs even if they are not ill, because the treatment both cures and prevents the illness.
via Liberia: 300,000 people at risk of malaria as Ebola epidemic damages healthcare system | MSF UK.


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