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The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that since the first Disease Outbreak News published on February 25, 2023, eight additional laboratory-confirmed Marburg virus disease (MVD) cases have been reported in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
Two of the eight new confirmed cases were reported from the province of Kié-Ntem, four from the Litoral, and two from Centre- Sur provinces. The areas reporting cases are about 150 kilometers apart, suggesting wider virus transmission.
This brings the total to nine laboratory-confirmed cases and 20 probable cases during the MVD outbreak in Equatorial Guinea.
Seven laboratory-confirmed patients and all probable cases have died from MVD.
Marburg is spread by contact with the blood or body fluids of a person infected with the virus, says the WHO.
As of March 22, 2023, the WHO assesses the risk posed by this MVD outbreak as very high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low at the global level.
Other African countries, such as Tanzania, are reporting MVD cases or people under surveillance.
The U.S. CDC updated its Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions notice to alert international travelers on March 23, 2023.
As of March 24, 2023, there is no MVD-targeted vaccine authorized.
Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) today announced a case of measles in a local unvaccinated resident.
This is the first case of measles in Utah since 2017.
Utah joins Kentucky and Ohio in reporting recent measles cases.
The SLCHD stated in a press release on March 23, 2023, the public is at minimal risk of illness due to this case related to international travel.
The infected person's exposure is limited to healthcare settings and the person's family members.
Anyone vaccinated against measles is protected even if they may have been exposed. This means they do not need to take any action.
And contact tracers notified people who may have been exposed and advised unvaccinated contacts to get vaccinated immediately.
Receiving a measles vaccine after exposure can prevent illness if administered within 72 hours.
Furthermore, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says no specific antiviral treatment exists for the measles virus.
However, research indicates vitamin A deficiency is a recognized risk factor for severe measles infections. Therefore, at-risk children diagnosed with measles should receive two vitamin A supplements 24 hours apart.
"Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease," commented Dr. Angela Dunn, SLCoHD executive director.
"While over 90% of children in Utah schools and childcare facilities are adequately vaccinated, there are still people in our community who are not protected," continued Dr. Dunn.
"Being fully vaccinated against measles does more than just protect the person who receives the vaccination; it also protects their family and friends, including children who may be too young to be vaccinated, and it helps limit the spread of disease in the community."
Furthermore, the CDC recommends protecting international travelers with an MMR vaccine before visiting measles outbreak communities in countries such as India.
Various measles vaccines are available at most health clinics and community pharmacies in the U.S.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published Influenza Update N° 441, confirming influenza activity continued to decrease following the peak in late 2022.
In the countries of North America, most indicators of influenza activity were at levels typically observed towards the end of the flu season.
Influenza A viruses predominated overall, with influenza A(H3N2) accounting for most subtyped influenza A viruses in the United States, whereas influenza A and B viruses circulated similarly in Canada.
And in Europe, out of 39 countries, 17 reported high or moderate intensity, and over half continued to report widespread activity.
Overall, influenza B viruses were predominated in both sentinel and non-sentinel surveillance as all subregions experienced a wave of influenza B activity after an initial influenza A surge.
While the Northern Hemishpere flu season is ending, the WHO's data on March 20, 2023, indicates the Southern Hemishpere is just starting.
For international travelers, the means another flu shot may be needed when visiting countries such as Brazil, Peru, or Argentina later this year.
Community pharmacies in the U.S. generally offer influenza vaccines throughout the year.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced it had expanded its Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions global polio travel notice.
As of March 22, 2023, the CDC increased the number of countries listed.
Furthermore, the CDC stated that before traveling to any destination listed, adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose.
Previously, the World Health Organization confirmed the spread of poliovirus remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Recently, the New York State Department of Health announced that New Yorkers intending to visit Israel and other countries with circulating poliovirus should ensure they are fully immunized against polio.
In the U.S., CDC updated the pediatric and adult polio vaccination schedules in February 2023.
The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is recommended within four weeks of travel. Various IPV-containing vaccines are available at most health clinics and community pharmacies.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced the United Republic of Tanzania declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), with confirmed cases reported in the Kagera Region.
Other MVD outbreaks in Africa have been confirmed in 2023.
MVD is a viral hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms including fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Infection with the Marburg virus is often fatal, as there is no specific treatment, says the CDC.
As of March 21, 2023, the CDC's Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions notices advises visitors should separate themselves from others and seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, chills, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel (up to 21 days).
As of March 23, 2023, no MVD preventive vaccines are authorized.
The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) today announced the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a striped skunk recovered from Carson County, located east of Amarillo in the Texas panhandle.
As of March 21, 2023, this is the first confirmed case of HPAI in mammals in Texas.
HPAI is a highly contagious virus that transmits efficiently among wild and domestic birds. The virus can spread directly between animals and indirectly through environmental contamination.
Since the H5 clade 2.3.4.4b. appeared in North America in January 2022, over 6,000 H5N1 detections in wild birds, by 47 states (14 states within 30 days), leading to the loss of over 58 million birds as of March 17, 2023.
For mammals, current data shows transmission occurs primarily through the consumption of infected animal carcasses, though mammal-to-mammal transmission does not appear sustainable.
Other mammal species confirmed with HPAI in the U.S., Canada, Central Ameria, and South America include foxes, raccoons, bobcats, opossums, mountain lions, and black bears.
Because of the ease of transmission, the TPWD recommends that wildlife rehabilitators also remain cautious when intaking wild animals with clinical signs consistent with HPAI and consider quarantining animals to limit the potential for HPAI exposures to other animals within the facility.
Currently, the transmission risk of avian influenza from infected birds to people remains low.
But the public should take basic protective measures, such as wearing gloves, face masks, and handwashing if contact with wild animals cannot be avoided.
Furthermore, the U.S. government has approved avian influenza vaccines should human-to-human transmission occur since the annual flu shot is not effective against this type of influenza.
