Transcript Health Alerts

Health Alerts
David Trump, MD, MPH, MPA
Acting Chief Deputy Commissioner for Public Health
and Preparedness & State Epidemiologist
Health and Medical Subpanel
April 28, 2014
1
Ebola Virus
A viral hemorrhagic fever caused by exposure to animal sources
in the environment (fruit bats, monkeys) or blood or body
fluids of ill persons
Outbreak in Africa (as of Apr 16):
• Guinea – 197 cases with 122 deaths (24 HCW, 13 deaths)
• Liberia – 27 cases with 13 deaths
• Sierra Leone – 12 suspected cases, all tested negative
Patient isolation, contact tracing in effect; PPE in healthcare
and burial practices
No travel restrictions
Virginia hospitals and local health departments on alert for
incoming ill travelers
2
Influenza A(H7N9)
375 cases with 115 (31%) deaths – China (98% of cases),
Taiwan, Hong Kong, one Chinese traveler in Malaysia
Severe illness, disproportionately affecting middle-aged
men
1st wave Feb-May 2013; 2nd wave began Oct 2013 &
continues
80% exposed to birds or live poultry markets
Small clusters; not easily spread between people
Surveillance, usual precautions
No travel restrictions
3
Influenza A(H5N1)
649 cases and 385 (59%) deaths since 2003
Jan 2014 case in Canada in a person who traveled to
China
Proper precautions; surveillance of contacts; search for
exposure history (e.g., poultry)
No travel restrictions
WHO now reporting on this monthly unless risk situation
changes
4
MERS-CoV*
Since September 2012 – 243 cases with 93 (38%) deaths
Associated with travel to Middle East, contact with
animals or ill persons where disease is occurring
Surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI)
Healthcare precautions important
No travel restrictions
* MERS-CoV: Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus
5
Chikungunya Virus
Mosquito-borne illness, mostly seen in Africa, Asia, Europe
In Dec 2013, 1st case in the Americas – St. Martin Island
By Apr 4, 2014, >3,290 confirmed cases in multiple
Caribbean island nations and in French Guiana
Symptoms: high fever (>102ºF), headache, nausea, muscle
and joint pain, and rashes
Commissioner sent letter to clinicians on Apr 18
Recommended awareness of the illness and assessment
of travel history in those with compatible symptoms
Potential for cases to be imported and lead to local
spread in the US primarily by the Aedes albopictus
“Tiger” mosquito
6
Virginia’s 2013-14 Flu Season is Concluding
Recent uptick in Flu B
7