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The U.S. Department of State today reissued its Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution travel alert for the Kingdom of Denmark.
This alert stated civil unrest events may occur at tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas at any time.
Furthermore, the U.S. Mission in Copenhagen issued a Demonstration Alert on June 7, 2023, reminding U.S. citizens to remain vigilant if in the area of demonstrations as these events can be unpredictable and quickly turn violent.
If you decide to travel to the Kingdom of Denmark, enroll in the Smart Traveler Program to receive local Alerts in an emergency.
From a health perspective, the U.S. CDC recently suggested prospective visitors confirm their immunization status with a healthcare provider before visiting Demark.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently announced it added Gabon, Guinea, and Moldova to the list of regions considered to be affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), known as bird flu.
Bird flu outbreaks are mainly located in areas of the Pacific Flyway.
The HAPI updates were confirmed on May 23, 2023.
On May 23, 2022, after confirming that the HPAI occurred in commercial birds or poultry, APHIS added Gabon to the regions where HPAI exists.
On June 3, 2022, the veterinary authorities of Guinea reported to WOAH an HPAI occurrence in that country.
On January 24, 2022, the veterinary authorities of Moldova reported to WOAH an HPAI occurrence in that country.
In the U.S., the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported the Eurasian (H5 clade 2.3.4.4b.) appeared in North America in January 2022 and has impacted over 58 million birds in 47 states as of June 2023.
Bird flu infections have also been detected in various mammals, such as bears, cats, dogs, dolphins, ferrets, foxes, minks, sea lions, and skunks.
As of June 7, 2023, bird flu vaccines are available for people, and vaccine candidates are being tested for birds.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) today issued a joint statement on adapted COVID-19 vaccines and considerations for their use during the upcoming 2023 vaccination campaigns.
In line with the outcome of meetings of international regulators and the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 2023, the EMA’s Emergency Task Force recommended on June 6, 2023, updating COVID-19 vaccines to target XBB strains (a subgroup of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain), which have become dominant in Europe.
The EMA and ECDC also noted that monovalent vaccines (targeting only one strain) are a reasonable choice to protect people against dominant and emerging coronavirus strains.
Other COVID-19 vaccine news is posted by Precision Vaccinations.
Considering the increase of respiratory viruses activity in the Andean sub-region and Southern cone, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) today recommended Member States strengthen and integrate surveillance for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2.
And the PAHO suggested, on June 6, 2023, adopting the necessary measures for preventing and controlling severe outcomes, including ensuring high vaccination coverage in high-risk groups such as children.
In the Southern sub-region, influenza activity has shown a marked increase with high circulation levels. Influenza A viruses have predominated during the last four epidemiological weeks (EW).
And RSV activity has shown a pronounced rise and is currently at medium circulation levels in the past EW.
SARS-CoV-2 activity has remained at low levels.
As the Southern Hemisphere's 2023-2024 influenza season accelerates, various flu shots are available for most people over six months.
And for infants, the RSV monoclonal antibody palivizumab should be administered during the first year of life to infants with hemodynamically significant heart disease or chronic lung disease of prematurity (<32 weeks gestation who require >21% O2 for the first 28 days of life).
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported 152 of 2,144 (7.09%) people were sickened with norovirus during the Celebrity Cruises Summit cruise to Bermuda between May 15–May 25, 2023.
Twenty-five crew members also reported being ill during the voyage.
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus, says the CDC.
As of May 31, 2023, Celebrity Cruises reported the following actions:
- Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to the ship’s outbreak prevention and response plan.
- Notified current guests of the situation onboard and encouraged illness reporting and good hand hygiene.
- Collected and sent stool specimens from gastrointestinal illness cases to the CDC laboratory.
- Provided twice daily reports of gastrointestinal illness cases to VSP during the outbreak investigation.
- Consulted with VSP about sanitation cleaning procedures and reporting ill cases.
- Notified embarking guests of the situation onboard and encouraged illness reporting and good hand hygiene.
Throughout 2023, the CDC has reported ten other norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships.
As of June 7, 2023, there are norovirus vaccine candidates conducting clinical studies.
GSK plc today announced that the European Commission had authorized Arexvy™ for active immunization to prevent lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults 60 and older.
The first launches are planned for the 2023/2024 RSV season, which typically starts in the autumn.
Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer, GSK, commented in a press release on June 7, 2023, "This authorization for Arexvy means eligible adults can be vaccinated against RSV disease for the first time, reinforcing GSK's long history of vaccine innovation."
Our strong manufacturing capability and scale, including from our vaccine manufacturing site in Belgium, means we are ready to deliver the (RSV) vaccine as countries begin to launch."
RSV is a common, contagious respiratory virus that leads to over 270,000 hospitalizations and approximately 20,000 in-hospital deaths each year in adults aged 60 years and over in Europe.
Those with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes and chronic heart and lung disease, drive the majority of RSV hospitalizations.
In the U.S., two RSV vaccines have been authorized for seniors, and one RSV monoclonal antibody (Beyfortus®) is seeking authorization for infants/children.
The U.S. Department of State today reissued Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution travel advisories for two additional South American countries, the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Republic of Ecuador.
On June 6, 2023, the State Department confirmed both countries are confronting civil unrest.
Previously, on June 1, 2023, the State Department issued a similar advisory for Peru.
If you decide to visit these countries, monitor local media for breaking events, avoid demonstrations, and be prepared to adjust your plans, says the U.S. government.
And prepare a contingency plan for emergencies and enroll in the Smart Traveler Program to be located in a crisis.
From a health perspective, the U.S. CDC suggests speaking with a travel vaccine provider about one month before visiting these countries to review immunization and medication options targeting diseases such as dengue and yellow fever.
