In Maryland U.S.A., it’s been revealed that people who got organ transplants are dying from rabies. The latest victim died in February this year. The North Carolina man who donated his organs had been diagnosed with a tummy bug called ciguatera, from eating contaminated fish. Turns out he had rabies, which can have symptoms similar to tummy bug. Three organ recipients have been successfully treated for rabies. A report says this is not the first time this has happened in the U.S. (at least three other documented cases where several people died), and issued a warning: “This transmission event provides an opportunity for enhancing rabies awareness and recognition and highlights the need for a modified approach to organ donor screening and recipient monitoring for infectious encephalitis.”-report co-authored by U.S. CDC, published in Journal of the American Medical Association
The U.S. CDC has confirmed that this year’s norovirus outbreaks are dominated by the GII.4 Sydney strain (as I wrote months ago).
In eight U.S. states at least 275 people are sick from a protozoa called cyclospora. 10 people hospitalized. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is trying to find the source.
In Washington U.S.A., the Seattle Parks and Recreation closed the Lincoln Park wading pool after children got sick. They suspect norovirus. Public pools are chlorinated, but the normal chlorine levels are not high enough to kill the new strains of tummy bugs.
In Massachusetts U.S.A., a family has removed their stomachs. They have a genetic mutation known as CDH1. It causes diffuse gastric cancer, which normally shows up when it reaches stage 4, meaning too late for treatment. They’ve had several relatives die from it. Stomach cancer is the number two cause of cancer death around the World.
In the U.S., the National Pork Board is investing $800000 USD to fight a killer pig virus called porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED). It’s fatal for suckling pigs, and 346 cases have been confirmed in 14 states. It’s been determined that it’s being spread when transporting pigs to markets or slaughter houses. Right now the pork industry is being told to handle all pigs as if they were bio-hazards. Pig meat is safe to eat when cooked properly.
Wisconsin U.S.A., reporting an invasion of Lone Star ticks, which cause ehrlichiosis. The disease has symptoms similar to influenza and tummy bugs. Health officials suspect the new ticks are surviving through the warmer winters.
In Canada, health officials are warning you to protect from insect bites, some of which cause tummy bug like symptoms. Blood sucking insects spread diseases from human to human.
In Taranaki, New Zealand, cases of cryptosporidiosis are skyrocketing. Last year they had none, this year 24 cases so far. It usually spreads when a sick person swims in a public pool. Treatment is the same for norovirus, drink plenty of water.
Health officials in Taiwan reporting that norovirus outbreaks are getting larger every year. They’ve identified GII.4-2006b and GII.4-New Orleans.
In United Kingdom, more reasons to stay out of hospital. The Royal Blackburn Hospital is apparently intentionally killing patients through neglect and harassment. A old woman was admitted with tummy bug, but then died. Her family says the staff ignored her, intentionally moved her to new rooms in the middle of the night, and she even wound up with injuries that she didn’t have when she went in. The woman called the Royal Hospital “hell on earth”. A government investigation backs up the family’s claim, saying the Royal Hospital has the highest death rates in the U.K.
Wards in the Royal Bolton Hospital and the Coronary Care Unit in U.K. have been closed. It’s blamed on tummy bug, but hospital staff are not sure how many people are sick.
Health alarms are ringing in the U.K., after reports that the upcoming winter will see more delays in getting help at the hospital. It’s blamed on huge reductions in staff at Accident & Emergency (A&E) units across the U.K. due to funding cuts. Also, a disease that can have tummy bug like symptoms being warned about. It’s the killer coughing bug, called pertussis or whooping cough. This year’s cases are up ten times from 2008.
In Scotland U.K., officials with Health Protection Scotland reporting massive increase in two or more linked cases of illnesses. Cases of people being sick with more than two diseases at the same time is up 40% from last year. Norovirus is the most prevalent co-infector, salmonella the second most prevalent. 68% of cases took place in nursing homes and 28% in hospitals.
U.K. news media have been circulating a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that says 50% of all tummy bugs are caused by raw fruit and veg! It’s usually the fertilizers used on the plants, which can actually absorb the pathogens through their roots, meaning in some cases you can’t just wash it off ’cause it’s inside the plant.
In Russia, norovirus has been found in frozen raspberries from the Netherlands. Russian officials are warning of norovirus infections of frozen berries from Austria, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.
Pakistan reporting a tummy bug outbreak in Panjpai. At least 67 people sick. Several people died. In Punjab, a child died from tummy bug. Health officials say the disease is being spread by the water supply, at least 200 people sick.
In Madhya Pradesh, India, at least ten people sick from cholera. Government officials say it’s taking place in “unauthorized” communities, whose water source is contaminated. In Maharashtra, 31 more students have been admitted to hospital. This is the place where elementary and junior high students were poisoned by their school lunch. 22 children have died so far. It’s blamed on a deadly pesticide (which is banned in the U.S.) that somehow got into their food. The school principal has been arrested after an employee said she was forced by him to serve the food even after she discovered the contamination. Also, in the same state of Maharashtra, health officials are reporting increased cases of cholera, specifically in the city of Mumbai. Officials there are concerned because they had no cases last year. Also they report increased cases of typhoid and hepatitis.
