ProMED/ Dominican Republic, new cholera outbreak (San Cristobal)

ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases: August 26, 2013

 

Dominican health authorities yesterday, 23 Aug 2013, confirmed a new cholera outbreak in San Cristobal (about 30 km [18.6 mi] west of Santo Domingo), after the epidemic that has been ongoing in Haiti since October 2010.

According to Eulogio Acosta, San Cristobal hospital director of emergency, 23 people have been hospitalized this week due to the disease, none of whom have died.

The Health Ministry issued a 1st level alert in San Cristobal and surrounding towns, and set up a special unit to treat new cholera cases in the area.

 

Source: ProMed mail: Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update : Dominican Republic (San Cristobal)

Comment: Cholera is an easily preventable disease in travelers, and at least in India, we have a simple solution to preventing choler by taking two doses of oral cholera vaccine at a gap of 15 days.

Chikungya in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Published Date: 2013-08-13 02:54:42
Subject: PRO/EDR> Chikungunya (30): India (GU) 
Archive Number: 20130813.1870987

CHIKUNGUNYA (30): INDIA (GUJARAT)
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Date: Wed 7 Aug 2013
Source: India.com Health [edited]
http://health.india.com/news/chikungunya-back-in-ahmedabad/


Has chikungunya [virus] made a comeback in the city [Ahmedabad]? After the civic body and the government tried their best to control the figures, the disease seems to be back again. Members of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) health committee on Monday [5 Aug 2013] discussed how the various diseases were increasing in the city.

According to figures obtained from the civic body, the city witnessed 43 cases of chikungunya [virus infections] last year (January 2012-December 2012). Surprisingly, 20 cases of chikungunya were reported this July [2013] alone, which is nearly 50 per cent of last year's total in just one month! Also, 39 cases of chikungunya have been reported from January to July this year [2013]. However, no deaths have been reported this year.

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[The report above does not indicate if these reported cases have been confirmed by laboratory. There have been outbreaks of chikungunya virus infection in Karnataka state this year (2013). The virus is endemic in India, so it is not surprising that there are sporadic outbreaks in various parts of the country.

And now Chikungunya in Singapore!

Published Date: 2013-08-13 02:57:37
Subject: PRO/EDR> Chikungunya (31): Singapore 
Archive Number: 20130813.1877862

CHIKUNGUNYA (31): SINGAPORE
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A ProMED-mail post
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Sun 11 Aug 2013
Source: The Straits Times [edited]
http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/dengue-easing-chikungunya-cases-the-rise-20130811


The dengue fever epidemic appears to be on the decline, but the spread of another mosquitoborne disease is still going strong. Close to 500 people have been infected with chikungunya [virus] this year -- compared with a total of 60 cases in the 3 years between 2010 and last year [2012].

In the week ending 3 Aug [2013], 21 people were infected -- 16 in the Bukit Timah area, one in Jalan Papan in the Jurong area, and one in Woodlands Industrial Park, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Health.

Although it is not known where the other 3 people were bitten, none of them had been overseas recently.

[byline: Salma Khalik]

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[The number of chikungunya virus infections in Singapore continues to climb steadily. On 25 May 2013, 184 cases were reported. Now, there are nearly 500. No mention is made about what, if any, vector mosquito control measures are being taken. If dengue virus infections have been ruled out in these cases, those reported as chikungunya virus infections are presumably laboratory confirmed.

Lack of yellow fever vaccine hits vacation plans of Mumbaiites

Soubhik Mitra, Hindustan Times  Mumbai, August 09, 2013

Thane resident Rajesh Iyer cancelled his plans to visit Kenya during the Diwali vacations and the reasons were not the usual falling rupee or rising prices, but the lack of yellow fever vaccine in Mumbai. It is mandatory to take the vaccination before applying for a visa to central African and South American destinations.

“I got tired of the back and forth in getting the vaccination,” said Iyer, who was to travel in a group of 12 people. He will now head to either Mauritius or South Africa.

According to travel agents in the city, officials at the two vaccination centres in Mumbai have been turning down passengers claiming to have run of out vaccine stock. “I had clients who queued up twice and were turned away,” said Vasuki Sundaram, owner of Wings Travel, adding that at least four families planning a trip to Africa have now settled for other destinations.

The problem is not just in Mumbai, but in other metros as well. “I have six families held up because yellow fever vials have  not been available for two weeks,” said Sampat Kumar, a travel agent from Bangalore. Kumar said some of them had made advance payments and were now left in a lurch.

Mumbai airport sources claimed that touts at the airport premises have been selling vials for Rs. 5000 each, while the actual cost is Rs. 300.Thane resident Rajesh Iyer cancelled his plans to visit Kenya during the Diwali vacations and the reasons were not the usual falling rupee or rising prices, but the lack of yellow fever vaccine in Mumbai. It is mandatory to take the vaccination before applying for a visa to central African and South American destinations.

The problem is not just in Mumbai, but in other metros as well. “I have six families held up because yellow fever vials have  not been available for two weeks,” said Sampat Kumar, a travel agent from Bangalore. Kumar said some of them had made advance payments and were now left in a lurch.

Mumbai airport sources claimed that touts at the airport premises have been selling vials for Rs. 5000 each, while the actual cost is Rs. 300.

Source