Week of Jul 12, 2004 AUSTRALIA Mycobacterium Ulcerans near Melbourne, Australia An outbreak of mycobacterium ulcerans infection has been reported in the town of Point Lonsdale, a coastal resort approximately a one-hour drive south of central Melbourne on the Bellarine Penisula. In the last two months six infections have been diagnosed in visitors and residents. An additional two cases that are not linked to Point Lonsdale have been reported to the Victorian Department of Human Services during 2004. Mycobacterium ulcerans causes chronic, progressive skin ulcers on exposed body parts such as arms or legs. The method of human transmission is not known, but possible modes include mosquitoes, sand flies, tabanid (March flies), aerosol contact, or direct contact with contaminated soil or vegetation. Source: · Promed Mail, Jul 15, 2004, http://www.promedmail.org/pls/askus/f?p=2400:1001:7128755064383494923::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ ID:1000,26024 · Herald Sun, Jul 14, 2004, http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,10139000%255E1702,00.html · Fox Sports, Jul 15, 2004, http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,10139256-2,00.html BANGLADESH Dengue Patients Surpass 400 in Dhaka, Bangladesh The number of dengue patients rose to 427 in Dhaka since the beginning of the monsoon season last month. Patients are undergoing treatment at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Suhrawardy Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and various private clinics. According to doctors working at hospitals and private clinics, most dengue patients in the city are coming from the Dhanmondi, Magbazar, Siddeshwari and Eskaton areas. Dhaka is located in the center of Bangladesh. Unofficial sources estimate the number of dengue-infected patients in the capital to be 600. Last year dengue seized 486 people and killed 10. Source: · Daily Star, Jul 15, 2004, http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/07/15/d40715011818.htm · Xinhuanet, Jul 13, 2004, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-07/13/content_1595883.htm · Promed Mail, Jul 16, 2004, http://www.promedmail.org/pls/askus/f?p=2400:1001:5496396524795300895::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ ID:1000,26039 · News From Bangladesh, Jul 13, 2004, http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2004-07- 13&hidType=LOC&hidRecord=0000000000000000014287 · News From Bangladesh, Jul 09, 2004, http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2004-07- 10&hidType=NAT&hidRecord=0000000000000000013907 Polluted Water at University Infects over 500 Students in Bangladesh Over 500 students living in dormitories of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology contracted water-borne diseases, mostly typhoid and diarrhea, in the last seven days. The university is located in Dhaka in the center of the Bangladesh. Students claimed they became sick after drinking polluted water supplied by the university. University authorities claim that the students may also have gotten sick from eating at cheap restaurants near the campus. The chief medical officer of the university medical complex reported that typhoid had been found in only 25 students, but other sources in the medical complex reported that 150 were found to be CRP positive, an indicator of typhoid infection. University authorities did some cleaning of water tanks. Source: · Daily Star, Jul 15, 2004, http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/07/15/d4071501077.htm Diarrhea Kills One Person and 25 Others Infected in Bandarban, Bangladesh One death attributed to diarrhea has been confirmed in the village Ramri Mro, Bandarban that is located in southeastern Bangladesh. The water-borne disease has attacked 25 others and local sources report that two have been hospitalized. It has been reported that people were drinking polluted water from ponds and canals, because of a scarcity of drinking water. All but 19 families have left Ramri Mro and taken shelter in nearby villages and the forest. Medical teams are working in the affected area since Monday afternoon. The Local Union Parishad is trying to get families who fled to return to the village. Source: · Daily Star, Jul 15, 2004, http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/07/15/d40715070367.htm Polio Suspected in Two Children in Bangladesh Two indigenous children, ages three and eight, were admitted to the Bandarban General Hospital on 4 and 6 July 2004 and are being treated for suspected cases of polio. Stool samples have been sent to the central laboratory of the Department of Health in Mohakhali (Dhaka). Confirmation of the diagnosis is awaiting these test results.The children are from Kamichhara Para and Mrangkhaymukh (Naikhiyang upazila, Bandarban District). Local people’s representatives claim that the health department’s polio vaccination program does not cover the remote area of Bandarban. A search is underway to find other infected children in the different areas of the district. Source: · News From Bangladesh, Jul 09, 2004, http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2004-07- 10&hidType=LOC&hidRecord=0000000000000000013917 BHUTAN Tests Confirm Dengue Outbreak in Bhutan An outbreak of dengue fever in Phuentsholing town in southwestern Bhutan has been confirmed by laboratory tests. As of 14 July 2004, 1393 cases of dengue have been reported in the Phuentsholing hospital. No deaths have been attributed to the disease. Only a few cases required hospitalization. Others responded to symptomatic treatment. The central medical and public health team from Thimphu is assisting the Phuentsholing hospital to manage the outbreak. Health authorities are campaigning for local awareness and mosquito control measures. Surveillance for the outbreaks has been increased. Source: · Kuensel Online, Jul 15, 2004, http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=4287 · Promed Mail, Jul 16, 2004, http://www.promedmail.org/pls/askus/f?p=2400:1001:5496396524795300895::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ ID:1000,26039 INDIA Suspected Japanese Encephalitis Kills 3 People in India Eight persons with suspected cases of Japanese encephalitis (also known as viral encephalitis) have been admitted to the Shija Hospital and Research Institute Langol in Manipur. Manipur is located in eastern India. Three people didn’t respond to medication and have died. The remaining five patients are in serious condition. Blood samples have been taken and sent to Kolkata NIC for confirmation of the diagnosis. During the rainy season, the area is highly susceptible to outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases. Source: · The Sangai Express, Jul 11, 2004, http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=1.11.110704.jul04 · Promed Mail, Jul 11, 2004, http://www.promedmail.org/pls/askus/f?p=2400:1001:12740389138696598654::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL _ID:1010,25963 16 People Killed by Diarrhea in Uttar Pradesh, India Seven people died of diarrhea in the Bhadohi district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, bringing the total to 16 for the past week. Uttar Pradesh is located in northern India. Five people died in Trilokpur village, two others in Wahidanagar. Many others, some in serious condition, have been admitted to different hospitals. Teams of doctors have been dispatched to the affected areas to control the disease. Free medicine has been distributed. People have been informed about precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Earlier last week, several people died in different villages of the district. Source: · Hindustan Times, Jul 12, 2004, http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_881449,000900010004.htm Unknown Virus Kills 15 Children in Gujarat, India Twenty-three children have been affected by a mysterious virus, 15 of which have already died of the disease. Four new cases were reported in the last 12 hours (11 July 2004). The children have been admitted to SSG Hospital and CHC in Halol. The recently admitted cases suggest that the virus is prevalent in the Chhotaudepur, Kwant, Pawi Jetpur and Dabhoi taluka of Vadodara district; Gogamba, Halol and Godhra taluka of neighboring Panchmahal district; and Alirajpur taluka of Madhya Pradesh. There is no indication of the nature of the illness. Activities by the National Institue of Virology team in the area suggest a mosquito-borne virus to be involved. Gujarat is located in the western part of India. Source: · Promed Mail, Jul 12, 2004, http://www.promedmail.org/pls/askus/f?p=2400:1001:12740389138696598654::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL _ID:1010,25979 · Ahmedabad Newsline, Jul 12, 2004, http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=91090 LAOS Dengue Infects 1,200 and Kills Three People in Laos Since the start of the dengue season last week, 1,200 people have been infected and three people died. The dengue season in Laos runs from July to September. Last year, 53 people died from the disease and 17,630 were infected. Residents have been urged to clean or overturn water containers and destroy mosquito-breeding places, usually areas with stagnant water. The Ministry of Public Health has advised doctors and nurses in outlying districts to send dengue victims to hospitals in the capital Vientiane, located in western Laos, because they have better equipment. Source: · Vientiane Times, Jun 12, 2004, http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/Contents/2004-133/Thousands.htm PAPUA NEW GUINEA HIV/AIDS Widespread in the Papua New Guinean Army AIDS is threatening to destroy the Papua New Guinea army. Each month, one to two soldiers in the country’s army die due to AIDS. One percent of all soldiers have already been tested positive for the HIV virus. It is predicted that up to a third of the Papua New Guinean army may be infected with HIV. Soldiers can stay in the army until their condition worsens. Source: · Pacific Islands Report, Jul 09, 2004, http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2004/July/07-09-11.htm · Radio New Zealand International, Jul 08, 2004, http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=10921 PHILIPPINES Rising Number of Gastroenteritis and Cholera in Pangasinan, Philippines The number of acute gastroenteritis cases in Pangasinan (Northern part of the Philippines) continues to rise. A total of 2,055 cases have been reported with 21 deaths attributed to the disease.