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After a lull of nearly two months throughout the country, the resurgence of avian influenza (bird flu) in France's South West in May 2023 has triggered an immediate response.
Reuters reported on May 26, 2023, France announced an avian influenza (bird flu) vaccination program would launch in late 2023.
Marc Fesneau, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, called on May 22, 2023, for all avenues to be explored to improve the fight against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), foremost among which is vaccination.
On April 6, 2023, France launched a tender for 80 million doses of bird flu vaccines.
Temporary authorization for use has recently been submitted for vaccines for poultry species currently being assessed by the French Agency for Veterinary Medicinal Products and the European Medicines Agency.
To date, only one vaccine for chickens (Gallus gallus species) has marketing authorization in France (2006).
In the U.S., the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service recently confirmed they are testing several bird flu vaccine candidates. On May 16, 2023, the emergency use of an HPAI vaccine candidate to prevent additional deaths of California Condors.
Additional avian and human bird flu vaccine development news as of May 27, 2023, is posted by Precision Vaccinations.
According to Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported on May 14, 2023, the number of syphilis patients totaled 5,164 in 2023. The data for the same period in 2022 was 3,630.
The IDWR Surveillance Data Table week #19 confirmed Tokyo had the most cases at 1,332, followed by Osaka with 699 cases and Fukuoka with 257 cases.
According to the Institute, cases of congenital syphilis have been increasing in recent years, with 20 cases reported in 2022. In 2023, six patients were confirmed by early April.
Congenital syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which can be passed from mother to child during fetal development or at birth. Up to half of all babies infected with syphilis in the womb die shortly before or after birth.
"There is a possibility that cases of congenital syphilis will increase along with those of syphilis," commented Prof. Satoshi Takahashi, who heads the Japanese Society for Sexually Transmitted Infections, according to local media on May 24, 2023.
"Syphilis is a curable disease, so people should get tested without hesitation if they have worrisome symptoms or concerns."
As of April 11, 2023, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 176,713 syphilis cases in 2021 and 2,855 congenital syphilis cases, resulting in 220 stillbirths and infant deaths, a YOY increase of 32%.
Unfortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved a syphilis vaccine as of May 27, 2023.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today confirmed some US residents returning from Mexico were diagnosed with suspected fungal meningitis infections that have led to severe illness and death.
In a Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions advisory issued on May 26, 2023, the CDC stated travelers with these infections had medical or surgical procedures that involved injection of an anesthetic into the area around the spinal column (i.e., epidural) performed at clinics in Matamoros, including River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3.
If you had a procedure involving an epidural injection of an anesthetic in Matamoros, Mexico, any time since January 1, 2023, learn what additional steps you should take, says the CDC.
There are millions of fungal species, but only a few hundred of them can make people sick. Fungal meningitis infections are not contagious and are not transmitted from person to person.
Although anyone can get fungal meningitis, people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk.
Certain health conditions, medications, and surgical procedures may weaken the immune system. Symptoms of fungal meningitis infections include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, or sensitivity to light.
Fungal meningitis is treated with IV (injected through a vein) and oral medications. The CDC says that treatment length can vary depending on the fungus type.
The Chilean Ministry of Health recently issued a health alert in Arica, Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, and the Metropolitan Region, for the risk of Aedes aegypti mosquitos transmitting viruses such as yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, zika, and malaria.
The health alert empowers the strengthening of the surveillance system and the adoption of opportune measures for the control of mosquitoes and viruses.
“The Ministry of Health is taking the necessary measures,” Fernando Leanes, representative of the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization in Chile, told CNN Chile on May 4, 2023.
In South America, the Stamaril® yellow fever vaccine is generally available.
Other travel vaccines are listed by Vax-Before-Travel.
The U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today published an analysis focused on the resurgence of mpox in England.
As of May 24, 2023, the UKHSA reported 20 new cases of mpox.
Of these, 19 were in England (10 cases were presumed to have acquired mpox in the U.K., eight were acquired outside the U.K., and one was waiting for classification), and one was in Scotland.
The UKHSA did not disclose the vaccination status of the mpox cases.
During 2022, there were 3,732 confirmed and highly probable mpox cases reported in the U.K. Of these, 3,553 were in England.
Before 2022, cases diagnosed in the U.K. had been imported from countries where mpox is endemic or contacts with documented epidemiological links to imported cases. Between 2018 and 2021, there were 7 cases of mpox in the U.K.
Anyone eligible for mpox vaccination in the U.K. is urged to come forward for the vaccine in the coming months to protect themselves before the summer of 2023.
Steve Russell, NHS director of vaccinations and screening, stated in March 2023, "There is still time to get your first and second doses if you haven't already, which will provide long-term protection against the virus and any possible future outbreaks, so please do book an appointment while the offer is available on the NHS."
Bavarian Nordic's JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN) vaccine is offered in the U.K. as well as in the U.S.
Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a cluster of mpox infections in mostly vaccinated men in the Chicago, Illinois area.
Mpox is a sexually transmitted disease, similar to HPV and hepatitis, that is vaccine-preventable.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced week #20 is the last full version of FluView for the 2022-2023 influenza season.
Starting with week #21, an abbreviated summer version of FluView will be published. The full version is expected to resume for week #40 of 2023, which is the start of the 2023-2024 influenza season.
As of May 26, 2023, seasonal influenza activity remains low nationally, with outpatient respiratory illness below baseline in eight of 10 HHS regions.
Unfortunately, 154 pediatric flu fatalities have been reported so far this season.
The good news is the majority of influenza viruses tested are in the same genetic subclade and antigenically similar to the influenza viruses included in this season’s influenza vaccine.
The CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages six months and older get an annual flu shot as long as flu activity continues in their area, or intend to visit a country where the local flu season is accelerating.
Various influenza vaccines remain available at health clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.
Are you an international traveler looking for an undiscovered, safe destination to visit? According to the U.S. Department of State, the Republic of the Marshall Islands could be an option.
With about six thousand annual visitors in 2019, these Pacific Islands are undiscovered.
This U.S. Territory includes 29 atolls and over 1,200 islands, famous for its numerous shipwrecks.
On May 23, 2023, the State Department's Level 1 travel advisory confirmed without COVID-19 restrictions, visitors to this Oceanic retreat should exercise standard precautions.
Should Americans need assistance, the U.S. Embassy in the Marshall Islands is located at Mejen Weto, Ocean Side, Majuro, Marshall Islands.
However, non-emergency consular services were recently suspended indefinitely. For questions and inquiries, call 247- 4011 or email [email protected].
From a health perspective, there was a shortage of necessary medical supplies and medications in April 2023.
And the U.S. CDC suggests various routine vaccinations before visiting the Marshall Islands.
The ECDC and the WHO Regional Office for Europe jointly reported influenza transmissions have significantly decreased.
As of May 21, 2023, the percentage of all sentinel primary care specimens from patients presenting with symptoms that tested positive for an influenza virus decreased to 2% from 4% in the previous week, which is below the epidemic threshold set at 10%.
And 15 of 39 countries or areas reported low intensity; there were no reports of medium or higher intensity, with only 2 of 38 countries across the Region reporting widespread activity.
Both the ECDC and WHO suggest international travelers speak with a healthcare provider about flu shot options for the forthcoming 2023-2023 influenza season.
