Tag Archives: virus

International

H7N9 update: 108 cases, 22 deaths!

23 April 2013 (09:10 UTC-07 Tango)/12 Jumada t-Tania 1434/03 Ordibehest 1391/14 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

China’s Anhui Province reported a 91 years old man hospitalized with the new ‘bird’ flu.  He is critical.

Zhejiang Province reported two more human cases, an 84 years old retiree and a 62 years old farmer, both in critical condition.  Also, an 86 years old man died from H7N9.

It was confirmed that the case reported in Shandong Province yesterday, is caused by H7N9.  It’s the first human H7N9 infection in that province.  The patient is a 36 years old man who whole-sells construction supplies, apparently no contact with birds.

In Henan Province, a 65 years old man is considered recovered.  He became sick with fever, cough and muscle pain on 08 April, was hospitalized on 10 April, tested positive for H7N9 on 11 April but was not confirmed as a H7N9 case until 14 April.

China’s national health officials ordered that all ‘recovered’ patients must still be monitored by local health officials.

International

H7N9 update: 105 cases, 21 deaths!

22 April 2013 (09:45 UTC-07 Tango)/11 Jumada t-Tania 1434/02 Ordibehest 1391/13 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Three more cases of human H7N9 reported in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Shandong provinces, China. Another person has been released from hospital, making it 13 who’re considered recovered.  However, they are still being monitored.

In Zhejiang a 54 years old woman who works in an office, apparently no contact with birds, has been hospitalized.  In Jiangxi a 32 years old farmer is also hospitalized.

The first possible case is being reported in Shandong Province, they’re waiting for test results.  It is a 36 years old man.   If the test result is positive he’ll be the 105th human case.

After all the tens of thousands of poultry culling (killing) and testing of birds, the Ministry of Agriculture has managed to find one more bird with the new form of H7N9.  One pigeon at a pigeon farm in Jiangsu Province tested positive.  Researchers are becoming skeptical about the bird connection with this new ‘bird flu’, because of how relatively few birds are being found infected with it.

International, U.S.

Dogs dying of H7N9 in Denver? Mystery deaths being investigated!

21 April 2013 (13:59 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Jumada t-Tania 1434/01 Ordibehest 1391/12 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

“There are many diseases or viruses or bacteria that might be involved, so we’re trying to pinpoint what exactly is causing the disease.”-Cathlin Craber, veterinarian

When H7N9 was first reported out of China, the only known symptom was unexplained pneumonia.  Now in Denver, Colorado U.S.A., veterinarians are racing to find out why dozens of dogs have developed unexplained pneumonia, five have died!

Just a couple of days ago Time published an article talking about the possibility of other animals carrying the new deadly ‘bird flu’.  This was being driven by the fact that at least 40% of infected humans had no contact with birds.

The Denver dog pneumonia outbreak is happening in a Humane Society Animal Shelter, which has been closed for the next 30 days.  Vets are concerned it was brought in from the surrounding community: “We’re still gathering information trying to figure that out. There’s a chance that it’s in our community somewhere and when an animal comes into our shelter it can get into our population.”-Cathlin Craber, veterinarian

There are 260 dogs in the shelter, which has been in operation since 1910.  It’s estimated that at least 25% of the dogs are sick.

International, U.S.

H7N9 update: More than 100 cases, 20 deaths! Minnesota on alert!

21 April 2013 (13:07 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Jumada t-Tania 1434/01 Ordibehest 1391/12 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

15 hours since my last update, now China reporting up to 102 cases and 20 deaths!

The majority of cases are in Shanghai City and Zhejiang Province, and involve elderly people.  Two people died in the Province, and five more people became sick (four in critical condition).

Jiangsu Province reporting a new case. 

Good news, health officials say a total of 12 people have recovered, so far.   However, doctors have been ordered to continue monitoring the health of those people considered recovered.

The U.S. state of Minnesota had placed their medical industry on alert, back on 05 April.  The StarTribune reports that already a “couple” of people have had blood work done because of symptoms matching H7N9.  So far no positive results.

International

H7N9 update: 96 cases, 18 dead! UN now says it’s possible for human to human cases!

21 April 2013 (21:38 UTC-07 Tango 20 April 2013)/10 Jumada t-Tania 1434/01 Ordibehest 1391/12 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

The UN’s World Heath Organization admitted that several people who got sick were in close contact with other people who were sick, and not in contact with birds.  The UN official was careful with his words: “We’ve not seen easy and sustained person-to-person transmission so far.”-Michael O’Leary, UNWHO

There are now 96 human case of H7N9 in China, at least half have never been in contact with birds.  A 69 years old man died Friday night after emergency treatment failed in Zhejiang Province.

So far no pigs have become sick from H7N9, and of the tens of thousands of birds killed and tested, only about a couple of dozen were positive.

 

 

International, U.S.

Norovirus update 20 April 2013: Increase in almost all food poisoning cases!

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that almost all types of food poisoning, both viral and bacterial, are increasing!  The biggest jump in stomach illness is from raw or undercooked shellfish.

In New Mexico U.S.A., a norovirus outbreak hit 17 teachers at the Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary School in Albuquerque.  Department of Health officials say they are expecting the outbreak to hit children next.

In Alaska U.S.A., norovirus continues to spread.  The Girdwood K-8 School hit by 47% absenteeism.  Health officials say they’ve traced the outbreak to two high schools.

In Pennsylvania U.S.A., more than 120 students and teachers became sick at the Saint Katharine of Siena School in Wayne.

In California U.S.A., doctors reporting norovirus spikes in Palm Springs, and numerous cases involving infants in Rancho Mirage.  So far the counties of Imperial and Riverside have the highest number of reported stomach illnesses in the Golden State.

In South Carolina U.S.A., Christian politician Rick Santorum hospitalized after god hit him with a stomach bug!

In New Hampshire U.S.A., the Pembroke Academy drama club had to cancel the opening of their play.  They got sick after eating a take out order from Olive Garden.

The Jersey General Hospital, on the Jersey Channel Islands in United Kingdom, has closed several wards due to outbreaks being reported across the islands: “It is evident there is increasing numbers of suspected norovirus cases within the island community. It is important every islander plays their part in trying to slow down the spread of this highly infectious virus, particularly in public places and catering establishments.”-Gary Kynman, Deputy Director of Operations

In Cumbria, England U.K., the Furness General Hospital closed its Barrow ward because of an outbreak.

Students at Wellfield Junior School in Sale, Manchester U.K., became sick after a school trip to a sheep farm in Cumbria.

In West Yorkshire U.K., the Dewsbury and District Hospital closed because of an outbreak.

The Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester U.K., restricted visitation to its Acute Stroke Unit and Chestnut Ward because of outbreaks.

In Redditch U.K., the Alexandra Hospital closed wards 3 and 12.

The United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust reporting that several wards are down in their hospitals in Lincoln and Boston, Lincolnshire U.K.

In New Zealand, cryptosporidium cases have doubled. More than half the people sick with the parasites were infected after they swam in public pools. Health officials are saying get out of the water: “Many people are not aware that swimming too soon after being sick with diarrhea is a risk for passing infection on to other pool users. People can still pass cryptosporidium on to others for many days after no longer feeling ill.”-Margot McLean, Medical Officer of Health

International, U.S.

H7N9 update: U.S. hospitals on alert!

20 April 2013 (19:53 UTC-07 Tango 19 April 2013)/09 Jumada t-Tania 1434/31 Farvardin 1391/11 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned U.S. hospitals to be on alert for people coming from China, who could spread H7N9.  Two U.S. governors, Jerry Brown and Scott Walker, were recently in China drumming up business for their states.

The number of human cases in China is now at 91.   One new case in Jiangsu Province, and three in Zhejiang Province.

Two adults are now considered recovered, a 51 years old woman and a 55 years old man.

Business/Economics, International

H7N9 update: 87 cases, all wild poultry businesses shut down!

18 April 2013 (17:50 UTC-07 Tango)/07 Jumada t-Tania 1434/29 Farvardin 1391/09 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Since my last update, five more case reported; one in Jiangsu Province and one in Henan Province, two in Zhejiang Province and one more in Shanghai.

The Chinese government has banned all live wild poultry markets throughout China.

International

H7N9 update: 82 cases, 17 dead!

18 April 2013 (01:40 UTC-07 Tango)/07 Jumada t-Tania 1434/29 Farvardin 1391/09 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

In less than 24 hours there were five new human cases of H7N9, according to the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Shanghai reports yet another case, while Zhejiang Province reported four new cases.

There were no details about the death.

International

H7N9 update: Only children are recovering?

17 April 2013 (09:40 UTC-07 Tango)/06 Jumada t-Tania 1434/28 Farvardin 1391/08 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Shanghai reports another human case, making the total number of confirmed infections for China 78.

In Beijing the seven years old girl who was sick, has been released from the hospital, considered recovered. Her H7N9 tests are now negative.

A four years old boy is still in quarantine, in Beijing.  He has no symptoms but tested positive for H7N9, and is considered a carrier.

A child in Shanghai was sick, but recovered, as well as a young adult.  So far it looks like the younger you are the better your chances of recovery.  Most older people who’re sick are still in the hospital.

In Taiwan, health officials have been reporting an increase in ‘suspected’ cases.  But so far, everyone has tested negative.