ViroBlog from hVIVO: October 2012

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www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/Influenza_Summary_IRA_HA_interface_01Oct12.pdf

Fascinating

Posted by Rob LW

Fwd: Health News - Dr. Ian Lipkin Addresses Concerns over Potentially Hazardous H5N1 Influenza Research

H5N1 Influenza Research

http://www.healthcanal.com/infections/32935-Ian-Lipkin-Addresses-Concerns-over-Potentially-Hazardous-H5N1-Influenza-Research.html

Posted by Rob LW

Saturday 13 October 2012

Flu season 2012: CDC resumes publishing weekly FluView Reports - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-cdc-flu-report-20121012,0,6821583.story

Posted by Rob LW

Thursday 11 October 2012

West Nile outbreak closer to being second worst in US | Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/10/11/west-nile-outbreak-closer-to-being-second-worst-in-us/

Tuesday 9 October 2012

Congo Fever: Fears For Victim's Family

James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

Having come to the UK seeking asylum, the man, aged in his late 30s, had lived in Glasgow for several years and worked as a mechanic in a garage that he owned in the city's East End.
The man, who has not yet been named, was diagnosed with the rare tropical disease after flying into Glasgow last Tuesday following a trip to Afghanistan.
The man's friends in Glasgow are now concerned for at least three of his family members back in Afghanistan, who are displaying the same symptoms.
Having undergone initial treatment in Glasgow, the man was transferred to London's Royal Free Hospital in a RAF isolation aircraft.
The Royal Free, which houses a specialist centre for hazardous infections, confirmed on Saturday that he had died.
Sky News understands the man had been attending his brother's wedding in Samangan Province, around 250km (150 miles) north of Kabul.
He began to experience symptoms of CCVHF on his return journey and, by the time he returned to Glasgow, was very ill.
The man was a member of the Scottish Afghan Society and its acting chairman Mohammed Asif told Sky News: "He was 38 years old and had a son who is aged 5 or 6.
"My friend picked him up at Glasgow Airport and he was in pain, he was very tired and his body was aching."
Mr Asif said: "The biggest worry is that the disease might spread. Three members of his family, including a brother and sister, are showing similar symptoms: vomiting, ear pain and body ache.
"We've been in touch with local politicians in the area to warn them - my friend stayed the night in a guesthouse in Kabul on his way back.
"There, they have burned the carpets, mattresses, cups and cutlery that he might have used.
"He flew back to Glasgow via Dubai but had missed his connecting flight and so had to stay the night in Dubai airport.
"The police there stopped him because they thought he might have taken drugs but they soon realised that he was just very sick."
Mr Asif said the man's family in Afghanistan have not yet been informed of his death.
"We are currently making efforts to contact them," he said.
"At the moment his wife, who is Eastern European, is liaising with the authorities about funeral arrangements.
"It may be that, because of the circumstances of his death, that we're unable to send his body back to Afghanistan for a funeral. We may have to bury him in a Muslim cemetery in Glasgow."
It is the first confirmed case of CCVHF in the United Kingdom.
Two passengers who sat near to the man on the Emirates flight from Dubai to Glasgow are being monitored as a precaution.
:: Anyone who is worried they may have the disease should contact NHS24 for advice on 0800 0858531.

Related Stories
Congo Fever: Man Dies In London Hospital
Congo Fever Case Confirmed In Scotland

Cheers

Rob

Sent from another mobile device with an annoyingly small keyboard, apologies for any typos

Saturday 6 October 2012

La. has 25 new West Nile cases | The Advertiser | theadvertiser.com

http://www.theadvertiser.com/viewart/20121006/NEWS01/210060304/La-has-25-new-West-Nile-cases?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp

Posted by Rob L W

Congo Fever: Man Dies In London Hospital

The man had recently returned home to the UK and was being treated in complete isolation after being admitted to Gartnavel General Hospital's Brownlee Centre in Glasgow, less than three hours after arriving in Scotland.

He was then transferred to the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Tests revealed he flew into Scotland from Dubai, though his journey originated in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

It was the first recorded case of the deadly disease in the UK. Other passengers who sat close to him on an aircraft are undergoing daily health checks.

The health board said two of them - one who remained in "close proximity" to the ill man during the flight - will be monitored on a daily basis for the next two weeks for any developments of relative symptoms.

The other two passengers do not require follow-up surveillance and the risk to all other passengers on the flight from Dubai is "extremely low", it added.

In a statement, the board said: "In total, therefore, we are currently following up two passengers from the flight with daily monitoring as a precaution for two weeks - two weeks is the maximum incubation period for the disease."

"Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever can be acquired from an infected patient only through direct contact with their blood or body fluids, therefore there is no risk to the general public," the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust said.

"We would like to extend our condolences to his family."

Congo fever is a tick-borne viral infection and is fatal in 30% of human cases. It causes large areas of severe bruising, nosebleeds and uncontrolled bleeding at needle injection sites.

Early symptoms include headaches, fever, vomiting and back, joint and stomach pain. They can also include red eyes, red spots on the roof of the mouth and jaundice.

The virus is widespread in parts of Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East.

:: Anyone who is worried they may have the disease should contact NHS24 for advice on 08000 858531.

Related Stories:
Congo Fever Case Confirmed In Scotland

Cheers

Rob

Sent from another mobile device with an annoyingly small keyboard, apologies for any typos

Friday 5 October 2012

Congo Fever Case Confirmed In Scotland

Tests revealed the 38-year-old, who flew into Scotland from a Dubai stopover, has Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF).

It has emerged this afternoon that the man's journey originated in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

It is the first recorded case of the disease in the UK.

The man was admitted to Gartnavel General Hospital's Brownlee Centre in Glasgow less than three hours after arriving in Scotland and has since been transferred to the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

His condition is described as critical but stable.

Passengers who sat close to the man on Emirates flight EK027 on Tuesday have been contacted. Three passengers as well as airport staff are being cared for as a precautionary measure.

Although they are not showing any symptoms of the disease, doctors said they would be closely monitored.

Dr Syed Ahmed, an NHS consultant in public health who is co-ordinating investigations into the case, said: "The risk of person-to-person transmission of Crimean-Congo viral haemorrhagic fever is extremely low as it can only be transmitted by direct contact with infected blood or body fluids.

"It is not a virus which is transmitted through the air. As such, the risk to those who were in close contact with him is minimal.

"We have already made contact with all the patient's close contacts and they are being followed up appropriately.

"The decision to transfer the patient to the high-security unit at the Royal Free was taken in line with the national protocol for the management of cases such as this."

CCHF is a tick-borne viral disease and is fatal in 30% of human cases.

It causes large areas of severe bruising, nosebleeds and uncontrolled bleeding at injection sites.

Early symptoms include headaches, fever, vomiting and back, joint and stomach pain. They can also include red eyes, red spots on the roof of the mouth and jaundice.

The virus is widespread in parts of Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East.

:: Anyone who is worried they may have the disease should contact NHS24 for advice on 08000 858531.

Wednesday 3 October 2012

Promising Data Presented on GenVec RSV Program - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/01/4869706/promising-data-presented-on-genvec.html

Saudi Arabia says new virus related to SARS does not pose threat to pilgrims on Islam’s Hajj - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-arabia-says-new-virus-related-to-sars-does-not-pose-threat-to-pilgrims-on-islams-hajj/2012/10/01/c9469c78-0bf5-11e2-97a7-45c05ef136b2_story.html

Cheers

Rob

Sent from another mobile device with an annoyingly small keyboard, apologies for any typos

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Tuesday 30 October 2012

Sunday 28 October 2012

Saturday 27 October 2012

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Thursday 25 October 2012

Sunday 21 October 2012

Saturday 20 October 2012

Thursday 18 October 2012

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Monday 15 October 2012