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Health Alerts. David Trump, MD, MPH, MPA Acting Chief Deputy Commissioner for Public Health and Preparedness & State Epidemiologist Health and Medical Subpanel April 28, 2014. Ebola Virus.
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Health Alerts David Trump, MD, MPH, MPA Acting Chief Deputy Commissioner for Public Health and Preparedness & State Epidemiologist Health and Medical Subpanel April 28, 2014
Ebola Virus • A viral hemorrhagic fever caused by exposure to animal sources in the environment (fruit bats, monkeys) or blood or body fluids of ill persons • Outbreak in Africa (as of Apr 16): • Guinea – 197 cases with 122 deaths (24 HCW, 13 deaths) • Liberia – 27 cases with 13 deaths • Sierra Leone – 12 suspected cases, all tested negative • Patient isolation, contact tracing in effect; PPEin healthcare and burial practices • No travel restrictions • Virginia hospitals and local health departments on alert for incoming ill travelers
Influenza A(H7N9) • 375 cases with 115 (31%) deaths – China (98% of cases), Taiwan, Hong Kong, one Chinese traveler in Malaysia • Severe illness, disproportionately affecting middle-aged men • 1st wave Feb-May 2013; 2nd wave began Oct 2013 & continues • 80% exposed to birds or live poultry markets • Small clusters; not easily spread between people • Surveillance, usual precautions • No travel restrictions
Influenza A(H5N1) • 649 cases and 385 (59%) deaths since 2003 • Jan 2014 case in Canada in a person who traveled to China • Proper precautions; surveillance of contacts; search for exposure history (e.g., poultry) • No travel restrictions • WHO now reporting on this monthly unless risk situation changes
MERS-CoV* • Since September 2012 – 243 cases with 93 (38%) deaths • Associated with travel to Middle East, contact with animals or ill persons where disease is occurring • Surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) • Healthcare precautions important • No travel restrictions • * MERS-CoV: Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus
Chikungunya Virus • Mosquito-borne illness, mostly seen in Africa, Asia, Europe • In Dec 2013, 1st case in the Americas – St. Martin Island • By Apr 4, 2014, >3,290 confirmed cases in multiple Caribbean island nations and in French Guiana • Symptoms: high fever (>102ºF), headache, nausea, muscle and joint pain, and rashes • Commissioner sent letter to clinicians on Apr 18 Recommended awareness of the illness and assessment of travel history in those with compatible symptoms • Potential for cases to be imported and lead to local spread in the US primarily by the Aedesalbopictus “Tiger” mosquito
Virginia’s 2013-14 Flu Season is Concluding Recent uptick in Flu B