Yellow fever mosquito discovered in California

Some scientists say that climate change is a possible explanation for the mosquito’s spread into the Golden State.

National Monitor, Rina Shah | October 19, 2013

Yellow and dengue fever, tropical illnesses rarely found in California, may become a seasonal threat after two types of mosquitoes known for carrying the illnesses were seen around the state, reports SF Gate.  Experts are trying to kill off the mosquitoes before the threat becomes a reality.
Specialists in mosquito control are going door-to-door in several Bay Area counties to hunt for signs of Aedes aegypti, also called the yellow fever mosquito, which was found in San Mateo County in August. The same mosquito type was seen in at least two other California counties over the summer.  Over the past three years, there have also been reports of the Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, in Los Angeles County.  Public health officials are concerned that they could spread to other parts of the state.
Earlier this year, the Daily Democrat reported that experts in the west Sacramento area in California were evaluating a potential threat of West Nile Virus.  Many dead birds were found and 18 tested positive for West Nile Virus.  Additionally, 58 mosquito tests have also been positive for the disease.  Though more intense in Sacramento County, West Nile Virus was also presenting in other areas.  Yolo County had six dead birds and 19 mosquito samples that were infected.  There was one human case that has been confirmed by the California Department of Public Health.  To respond to the threat, officials were considering aerial spraying to kill mosquitoes and prevent the further spread of the virus.
The New York Department of Health explains that West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne illness that can be spread to humans.  Reducing the risk of being bit by a mosquito reduces the risk for contracting the disease.  Twenty percent of individuals that are infected by the virus develop West Nile fever, which shows mild symptoms similar to a fever or common infection.  A less likely development is West Nile encephalitis, which is more severe, including symptoms such as tremors, high fever, paralysis, and coma.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other illnesses transmitted by mosquitoes include dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, and several diseases that cause encephalitis.
It is unclear why the mosquitoes that carry dengue and yellow fevers are starting to spread into California.  Some scientists say that climate change is a possible explanation.  However, controlling the mosquito population is a reliable method for decreasing the risk of infections carried by mosquitoes.
Source

Cameroon Conducts Major Yellow Fever Vaccination Campaign

10/9/2013 7:49 PM ET

Cameroon's Ministry of Health has carried out a yellow fever mass vaccination campaign with a reported 94% coverage of the targeted population of 663,900 in 13 health districts considered to be at high risk for yellow fever, according to the World Heath Organization (WHO).

The UN health agency said the vaccination campaign was carried out between August 27 to September 1, 2013 in the Littoral Region, following laboratory-confirmation of two cases with yellow fever in the area in April 2013. The index case was a 43-year-old woman from Ndom Health district who became ill on March 15, 2013.

"The patients were laboratory confirmed at the Institute Pasteur of Cameroon by IgM ELISA (antibody) test, which was followed by the seroneutralizing test (PRNT) for yellow fever by the Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, a WHO regional reference laboratory for yellow fever," the agency said in a statement.

The suspected yellow fever cases were reported from Cameroon's South-West area in 2012. The cases were identified as part of the surveillance system which identifies patients with fever and jaundice within 14 days of onset.

WHO country office in Cameroon has been working with health authorities in the field investigation and response to the outbreak, with an ongoing surveillance for yellow fever in the African country.

The GAVI Alliance and the International Coordinating Group on Yellow Fever Vaccine Provision (YF-ICG1) supported the reactive mass vaccination campaign. The health districts considered to be at high risk for yellow fever are Dibombari, Edea, Loum, Manjo, Manoka, Mbanga, Melong, Ndom, Ngambe, Nkondjock, Nkongsamba, Pouma and Yabass.

The YF-ICG is a partnership that manages the stockpile of yellow fever vaccines for emergency response on the basis of a rotation fund. It is represented by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and WHO, which also serves as the Secretariat. The stockpile was created by GAVI Alliance.

by RTT Staff Writer

GPs in UK warned yellow fever vaccine supplies are 'limited'

GPs have been advised they may have to ration the use of yellow fever vaccine after the manufacturer reported delays in the supply of the vaccine lasting until next year.

Sanofi Pasteur MSD is currently experiencing a delay in the manufacturing process of yellow fever vaccine Stamaril, in a situation it says is likely to continue until January 2014.

Public Health England said it was aware of the problem, and that it was advising patients to check whether their local vaccination centre had adequate supplies of the vaccine before going there.

A spokesman for Sanofi Pasteur MSD said they had a ‘temporary manufacturing issue’ with Stamaril and that the company awaited the results of a ‘quality investigation’.

The spokesman added: ‘Sanofi Pasteur MSD expects the shortage in supply to last until January 2014. Sanofi Pasteur MSD is communicating with the MHRA and is also in touch with customers regarding the impact of the shortage in yellow fever vaccine supplies for the UK. We are working closely with the regulatory authority to find a solution.’

Public Health England said: ‘PHE is aware the yellow fever vaccination supplies are limited. As yellow fever vaccine can only be administered in registered yellow fever vaccination centres, we strongly advise health professionals advising travellers to check the National Travel Health Network and Centre website for the latest information on yellow fever. Travellers should consult their nearest yellow fever vaccination centre or check the NaTHNaC website for further advice.’

RCGP immunisation lead Dr George Kassianos said that the problems came as there was only one manufacturer of yellow fever vaccine and advised that rationing may be necessary.

He said: ‘Where there is shortage, and if we had to ration the vaccine, I would suggest we give priority to first-time vaccinees, as those who had a dose of this live vaccine before would almost certainly have adequate antibody to protect them from this infectious disease – one dose gives life-long immunity.’

Source

Comment: The importance for India lies in the fact that Stamaril, the Yellow Fever vaccine from Sanofi Aventis is the sole brand available in the private sector, and hence our supply is likely to remain affected too till these 'manufacturing issues' are sorted out.