Saturday, May 22, 2010

Vietnam: Horrible Heat Wave Is Taking It's Toll

5/23/10
This article pretty much summarizes the heat wave that Vietnam has been experiencing, driving the people into the water...which is very contaminated. I just clicked out of an article that said, it will continue.


Nghe An - Ha Tinh: Living in a pan fire

ROTATING OUTAGE, HUNDREDS OF MISERABLE APPEARANCE
Prolonged intense heat occurs everywhere, especially in Central makes the lives of people, production and business activities of enterprises increasingly upset. Meanwhile, power has been predicted to be out, reducing in many places.

Temperatures this week have a place in Nghe An up to 40 degrees C. Prolonged heat, frequent power outage, the lives of a large proportion of the population were turned upside down. Hundreds of chairs bearing the red curb because wind power failure, electronic stores, refrigeration nuom nuop guests. Fans charged, the fan, fan battery powered toad battery size and power sellers.

Ben Thuy Anh Thang, Vinh city after the first season of sunshine, bought two fans charged with static electricity but limited duration, his friends tell fans buy 12 volts used by toads battery is very convenient.

As observed by Pioneer Electronics in the market in Vinh, have been found three people choose to buy a fan charged, toad fans and lamps used in batteries charged. "Fans from the price charged to a 350 million per aircraft. Separate battery-powered fan toads each price from 150 to 220 thousand VND per piece, sold nearly 50 units per day, "Lan said the store owner.

According to the understanding of PV Pioneer, with fans charged with nearly 1 million may charged within 4 hours, the lights charged the price from 150 to 550 thousand VND / unit.

Some electronics stores in Nghe An recent days found in the state charged milk cows. "Many visitors to order this week but still no supermarket on imported goods," a supermarket employee in Vinh said.

Crossroads Market Vinh, gathering places many shops selling electric fans, fans of guests to purchase anti-double with hot weekday. "On the peak, I sold nearly 50 kinds of fans, more crowded today, burning in", Nguyen Thi Hoai, an agent after all. In May 4-2010, electric fans DaVi retail price of 170,000 VND / unit, this increase 220,000 per aircraft.

In Vinh, many students bring materials to pair Square, Ho Chi Minh (Truong Thi) to review construction at night, under high pressure lamp. Vinh University campus was packed the day to review student test.

In the cramped room, lost power, in a number of hostels, students contributed money to study light charged. In the city of Ha Tinh, people rushing to buy these items as anti-fan hot water, refrigerator, air conditioning temperature.

Vung Tau Energy Center power outage: Living people, businesses upset

Ba Ria - Vung Tau (BR - VT) is one of the biggest centers of power (capacity 4.2 trieuKWh) accounts for nearly one third of total electricity production from the country earlier this month but so far 4-2010 , this province without power constant.

According to the report of the Electricity BR-VT, May 4-2010, BR-VT is allocated 6.384 million kWh of electricity per day, in which demand for electricity in the province was estimated at 7.8 million kWh of electricity per day.

Due to lack of electricity so far from the beginning of the month 4-2010, BR-VT method rotating power cuts in residential areas. Electricity for BR-VT, reducing the total amount of electricity a day at about 550-600 thousand kWh, still short compared with that plan 2 Power Company Affairs.

In rural areas such as Chau Duc, Xuyen Moc, the situation is worse, electricity cut from 7 am to 21 pm, causing many difficulties for production activities as well as the people's business.

Due to hot weather, tourists flock to Vung Tau more crowded. Density power cut in urban areas and quite thick and Vung Tau power cut last time 12 hours / day has great influence on business operations of tourism businesses on the BR-VT province.

Joint Stock Company Nursing Travel Vung Tau (Medicoast) for a day without power, the company must spend more than 800 liters of oil to run generators. Oil prices are now at 14,600 dong per liter, so businesses have more than 12 million per day, whereas if access to electricity, one day this company pay nearly 4 million. With today's outage schedule, to give companies an estimated 180 million more per month to run generators.

3-star hotel for Sammy, electricity will cost the team nearly 140 million VND per month. 4 star hotel Cap Saint Jacques calculations also have to spend extra 150 million per month. Many tourist facilities for immigration or rent multiple rooms when not afford to offset diesel fuel to run generators. BR-VT tourism industry damaged.

Seasonal ingredients fishery began in April to September last year. This year, just in season are also the main raw materials at constant power outages as a result of fishery enterprises heavy damage due to lack of electricity.

Fisheries Corporation and Export-Import island had to equip the factory have two large-capacity generators 1000 KVA and 500 KVA, used to run alternate power failure to prevent incidents. Calculated if running, Company must spend 46 million of oil money to produce a container (20 tons), instead of 7.8 million if the cost of electricity use.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Hien, deputy director of Industry and Trade Department of BR-VT. that is the industrial zone (IZ) of BR-VT uses electricity to 4.5 million kWh per day, accounting for more than 2 / 3 total power consumption all BR-VT. In the steel mills that account for 80% of power of IP. Some power plants use large as 3-2010 in May: Vietnam steel plant uses 27 million kWh of electricity; PFS plant 18 million kWh of electricity use ...

Being in time to eat convenient, high steel prices, steel mills to reduce capacity is a difficult job. Department of Trade and electricity BR-VT set a goal to mobilize the enterprise around 30% lower power consumption.

Quang Nam - Da Nang: mad for power

Consecutive days, the outdoor temperature in Quang Nam on at up to 400 C, along with the Quang Nam Power outage notices rotating schedule from 7-5 to 20-5 for security reasons maintenance and repair of transmission lines has made life and business activities in many residential areas, manufacturing, hospitals difficult.

Calendar outage caused many people clam short time, frequency and area power outage cut more thicker. In the province of Quang Nam these days goes through many areas of frequent power cut from 4.30 - 14h and 11h30 - 20h30 2 alternate days.

Particularly in 9-5 days, many area residents in Tam Ky City, such as Changchun, Ngoc Tam, Residential No. 8 and No. 2, An Son ward, Tran Cao Van road, and Hung Vuong ... residential areas in Nui Thanh district, Phu Ninh, Duy Xuyen, Hoi An offers a power outage in the peak hours of sun.

Because power is so hot at the time hundreds of people flocked to the sea, Tam Ky Tam Thanh over 15km city to avoid the sun. I'm not making a lot of irrigation water, people's wells dried up, along with the power outage caused many water pumping system to stop functioning, much of the crop area in Quang Nam has no irrigation water.

To ensure that produce, over time, Mr. Phan Hai - Director BQ Shoe Company (Danang) and dozens of his staff must always keep track of calendar information to arrange power production. "Compared to the time a few months ago, this electrical power walking with more frequency that our businesses are heavily influenced by working with production to offer customers" - he complains Sea.

Ha Noi - HCM City Children hospitalized increase

Recognition of reporters Pioneer 9-5 pm at the Central Pediatrics Hospital showed that the number of children from birth to 12 months of age to visit and hospitalization increased. Common illnesses such as high fever, cough, pneumonia, bronchitis, digestive disorders ...

Front of the Emergency and Digestive Sciences, many young couples are impatient waiting their turn to take me to the examination. I always look at tape pasted on the forehead of fever, with fever grandchildren to 39.40 degrees. Because some people take their children on a winter visit, the department will strengthen the doctor, nurse on duty.

Party chairs in the hallway waiting, he and his wife land in Ha Khau ward, Ha Long city (Quang Ninh) are wondering I do not know what to buy drugs on hospitalization or drink.

Dat He said: "I last six months, of pneumonia, was treated in hospital 16 days Bai Chay, but does not progress, while the hospital is too loaded, with eight small children beds Should rental car this morning to take him to the Central Hospital for treatment. A young mother in Trau Quy, Gia Lam (Hanoi) must also take their children to visit complained: "Many families lose sleep at night, all night to look her way. The weather is too hot, adult children are also tired anymore ...".

Along the corridor-Emergency Department (8-storey buildings), the grandmother, and she was sitting in multiple locations is paralyzed, because everyone blowzy fatigue, heat stress. Some even win back reclining in a chair waiting in the hospital ...

She lacked capacity in Thinh, Thieu Hoa district, Thanh Hoa corona penetrating eye by insomnia, said: "Look at her leanness, high fever, I am very sorry. Hospital over a week, losing more than 4 million children still out then that ...".

* I'm not extend continuously over time led to bronchitis virus-induced, febrile seizures, viral fever, rash and acute diarrhea in children increased rapidly. Pioneer Record of 9-5 days at Children's Hospital City 1-2 shows the number of children hospitalized patients related to the warm weather increases causing serious overloading hospital.

Faculty Children's Hospital Infectious 1 day 9-5 with 120 patients being treated inpatient, mainly hand, foot and mouth disease, meningitis and dengue fever during the weekdays this place just under 80 receiving ca. Diarrhea in science also has more than 150 children admitted to hospital treatment.

Similarly at the Children's Hospital 2, day 9-5 in science, respiratory infections and diarrhea in the hospital, the number of patients hospitalized treatment of diseases related to respiratory, hemorrhagic fever, meningitis, diarrhea also increases.

Dr. Vu Quang Vinh - Deputy General Plan 2 Children's Hospital said the hospital every day to receive more than 5,000 patients to visit related diseases, an increase of nearly 1,000 cases compared to the previous period.

Dr. Anh Tuan - Science Children's Hospital Respiratory two consecutive severe heat that adults and children at risk pharyngitis.

Vietnam Map

I am noticing a correlation with the green postmark and the green thumbtack. Right now, the green postmark is mostly indicating increased hospitizations, respiratory cases.

Green Postmark: Misc. ex: H5N1 Suspected Cases, Respiratory; hospital overloads...
Green Thumbtack: PPRS



Red: H5N1 Human Confirmed
Blue: H5N1 Poultry Confirmed in assoc. with Human Confirmed
Yellow: H5N1 Confirmed Poultry Outbreaks
Purple: H1N1 Confirmed Humans
Green: Misc. ex: H5N1 Suspected Cases, Respiratory; hospital overloads...
Purple Thumbtack: Cholera
Pink Thumbtack: Dengue
Green Thumbtack: PPRS
Light Blue Thumbtack: Hand-Foot-Mouth

Vietnam: Hung Yen Province Update

Current situation in Hung Yen Province

1 Case Streptococcus Suis: (location not known)
5/25:
2 days ago, her baby brother to play house, right at home I have to sell off sick pigs, pig sty, she just dropped see sick pigs. The next day, you do not use a fever, the body grows a lot of hemorrhagic necrosis, emergency hospitalizations.
http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2010/05/see-pig-sick-patients-infected-swine.html

1 Case Streptococcus Suis: (Hung Yen Province, Tien Lu District)
5/25:
This morning (25 / 5), Nguyen Thi Be patient (55 years in Tien Lu district, Hung Yen province) was taken to hospital in the central tropical disease condition severe septic shock, the whole body as purple plum back by the note the necrosis to right, appear from top to heel.
http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2010/05/see-pig-sick-patients-infected-swine.html



2 Human Cases Streptococcus Suis:
5/13:
Hospital Hung Yen province to receive treatment of patients with meningitis is higher in latex than other times. Notably, there are patients with illness after eating pork or pigs eat more soup.
... Particularly in the Department of Infectious science - Provincial Hospital took swabs (cerebrospinal fluid) of 2 patients submitted to National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology cultured, isolated finds streptococcus swine Streptococcus suis type 2.
http://tinyurl.com/2eenvry

PPRS:

4/27:
Ten days, public opinion in Hung Yen people panicking over the phenomenon of blue ear pig dead and abnormal spreading throughout the districts of the province. But only Van Lam is considered the "focal point" of the epidemic with more than 12 thousand children infected, more than six thousand children were killed and destroyed. The districts from My Hao, Yen My, Khoai Chau, Van Giang, Kim Dong, Tien Lu, An Thi, Hung Yen town ... pig sick pig had died, but local governments still calmly said: Never has translated (?!).

At Hiep Cuong (Kim), the good version, Nhat Tan, Hung Dao, The Si (Tien Lu), was thrown into the river dead pigs floating command disease. On the field, the village road in the commune Dao Duong, Nhat Tan have both pig run empty but unclaimed. Sam White commune (My Hao) people are detected and counted eight sacks containing pig viscera alive by throwing away bad odors. In a large number of cooperative farms Player Si (Tien Lu), Dai Hung, Thanh Cong (Khoai Chau) ... each farm are sick and dead pigs.

A farm owner in Khoai Chau honest disclosure: ten days ago His family has 12 pigs each were killed nearly 100 kg, the previous two months had more than 200 children die of illness and symptoms of high fever, body rash, stop eating
http://tintuc.xalo.vn/00-215830862/hung_yen_lieu_co_giau_dich_tai_xanh.html
4/26 - First Reported


Cholera - 5 miles south:

5/3:
47 who have acute diarrhea caused by cholera after eating together at a wedding in Hàn, xã Bắc Lý, huyện Lý Nhân, province Hà Nam. 4 cases of severe manifestations. We have cured a patient, a patient was transferred to hospital in the treatment of tropical diseases, two patients received treatment in provincial hospitals. Số người còn lại đều được theo dõi, điều trị tại nhà và đã ổn định, không có bệnh nhân tử vong. The rest will be monitored and treated at home and has been stable, with no patients died.
http://www.laodong.com.vn/Home/Bung-phat-dich-tieu-chay-cap/20105/183116.laodong

Increased Hospitalizations:
5/23:
Number of patients to visit health facilities in the province of Hung Yen significant increase, in which subjects are children rather high proportion. Average day, about 30-40 kids turn to examination and treatment. The disease is mostly common respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, fever virus, chicken pox, influenza ... risk spreading into an epidemic and isolated cases of children with suspected infected with Japanese encephalitis symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting ... 80% of patients across the province of diarrhea and pneumonia virus. Most children are infected family self treatment at home, when no relief was put to the basis of medical examination and treatment. So many children are hospitalized in the condition has become quite heavy, high fever, convulsions, severe dehydration ... Hung Yen's health sector has increased its surveillance, early detection of cases to aid and prompt treatment, avoid the spread out communities, especially for diseases such as acute diarrhea, dengue, Influenza A (H5N1) ...
http://tinyurl.com/23zfy5s

Vietnam: Bac Ninh Update

History of events in Bac Ninh

H5N1 Poultry:
3/14:
On March 10, 2010, avian influenza has occurred in poultry killed 200 chickens in total 400 chickens forums in rural scalp, Nam Son commune, Bac Ninh city.


PPRS:

5/14:
In 8 days from 7-5 to 14-5, swine blue ear occurred in 20 communes of 8 districts. Calculated from the first outbreak (on 16-4-2010) to date, the province has 79 communes with the blue ear pig, with a total of nearly 17,800 infected pigs, the pigs were killed and total destruction to nearly 6300 children
http://tinyurl.com/2b6ggzb

5/10:
PRRS spread out in 17 communes, wards and towns of the new Yen Phong district, Bac Ninh and Ho Tu Son. The total number of infected pigs in these communes is 1,000 children, some died and 366 children are destroyed. So, from now on 16-4, PRRS had occurred in 59 communes, wards and towns in eight districts of Bac Ninh. Total number of pigs are infected 12,064 children, killed children and destroyed 3033.

4/27:
Nguyen Quoc Minh - Sanya Hamlet, Gia Dong Commune, Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh, said: "ago, nearly a month, my village began to appear blue ear pig disease. Services spread throughout the countryside, home What pigs also infected and died, is home to the farm, raising pigs hundred folding out and they die out within a day.


Cholera:

4/27:
http://vovnews.vn/Home/Cac-benh-dich-co-xu-huong-gia-tang/20104/142104.vov


Increased Hospitalizations:
5/23:
In three days recently, the weather hot and muggy so the amount of pediatric patients hospitalized at hospitals in Bac Ninh increases with common illnesses such as bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, fever super germs ...

Currently, pediatric hospitals are treating the province more than 100 patients per day while receiving between 20 and 25 patients should have been overloaded, transplant patients must lie down or be moved to other departments.

Doctor Nguyen Minh Hiep, Head of Children's Hospital of Bac Ninh province, said about 60% of hospitalized patients suffer from respiratory diseases, pneumonia is the most. Most patients are in serious condition due to the parents before the psychological subjective weather conditions and no initiative to prevent ... To reduce the overload, the provincial hospital has mobilized a number of nurses and orderlies from other faculties to the same time from the department for disease prevention for pediatric patients away. For those cases with high risk of infection such as viral fever, diarrhea ... Faculty arrange reasonable quarantine area to prevent cross infection.
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=vi&tl=en&u=http://www.nhandan.com.vn/tinbai/%3Ftop%3D39%26sub%3D62%26article%3D175225&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhiz811qrIrgzJ1y-fcAWcDdajHLjg

Heat, increasing the patient to hospital

On 23-05-2010 03:13


Care, treatment for children in
Pediatrics - Hospital District
Binh Giang (Hai Duong) hospitalization due to heat stress.
ND - In three days recently, the weather hot and muggy so the amount of pediatric patients hospitalized at hospitals in Bac Ninh increases with common illnesses such as bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, fever super germs ...


Currently, pediatric hospitals are treating the province more than 100 patients per day while receiving between 20 and 25 patients should have been overloaded, transplant patients must lie down or be moved to other departments.


Doctor Nguyen Minh Hiep, Head of Children's Hospital of Bac Ninh province, said about 60% of hospitalized patients suffer from respiratory diseases, pneumonia is the most. Most patients are in serious condition due to the parents before the psychological subjective weather conditions and no initiative to prevent ... To reduce the overload, the provincial hospital has mobilized a number of nurses and orderlies from other faculties to the same time from the department for disease prevention for pediatric patients away. For those cases with high risk of infection such as viral fever, diarrhea ... Faculty arrange reasonable quarantine area to prevent cross infection.


Number of patients to visit health facilities in the province of Hung Yen significant increase, in which subjects are children rather high proportion. Average day, about 30-40 kids turn to examination and treatment. The disease is mostly common respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, fever virus, chicken pox, influenza ... risk spreading into an epidemic and isolated cases of children with suspected infected with Japanese encephalitis symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting ...


80% of patients across the province of diarrhea and pneumonia virus. Most children are infected family self treatment at home, when no relief was put to the medical facility for medical examination and treatment. So many children are hospitalized in the condition has become quite heavy, high fever, convulsions, severe dehydration ... Hung Yen's health sector has increased its surveillance, early detection of cases to aid and prompt treatment, avoid the spread out communities, especially for diseases such as acute diarrhea, dengue, Influenza A (H5N1) ...


Ben Tre Department of Health said, up to 21-5, the province had 25 cases of diarrhea, including three cases of recent laboratory-confirmed positive for cholera. Three patients were positive for cholera, which are: Ms. Le Thi Ngoc, 59, Tan Hoi commune, Mo Cay district hospital on South 18-5, through examination of the Preventive Medicine Center of Ben Tre province identified positive for cholera.

Previously, on 13-5, Phan Quoc Vietnam, 35, At Village, Khanh Thanh Tan Commune, Mo Cay District North, diarrhea treatment levels must be brought into hospital at Cu Lao Minh area, positive for cholera (Institute of Pa-Ho Chi Minh xto test samples by the regional hospital of Cu Lao Minh moved).
Tuesday Patients also identified positive for cholera, named basis, in Tan Phu Tay commune, Mo Cay District North, to the hospital treatment of Tien Giang province recently (due to family in Tien Giang ) were discharged from hospital. After the discovery of diarrhea caused by cholera, Center for Preventive Medicine Center of the province along with two Mo Cay District Health South and North Mo Cay commune officials to have the patients to the inspection and water sampling Reviews experience and guide people to prevention, treatment and sanitation institutions

Vietnam: Hai Duong Update

Currently, in Hai Duong, we have:

1. Severe Undiagnosed Pneumonia:

Reported: 5/14

Name: Xoan Do Thi

Age: 19

24 mos. Pregnant


2. PPRS - 5/14/10

Department of Epidemiology
Currently, there are 15 provinces of Hai Duong, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Hưng Yên, Bắc Ninh, Hải Phòng, Hà Nội, Nam Định, Hà Nam, Lạng Sơn, Nghệ An, Quảng Ninh, Bắc Giang, Hòa Bình và Cao Bằng có dịch Tai xanh chưa qua 21 ngày. Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Lang Son, Nghe An, Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Hoa Binh and Cao Bang PRRS not over 21 days.
http://tinyurl.com/3a3vbz4



3. Cholera - 5/14


Morning 14 / 5, Preventive Medical Center of Hai Duong Province have confirmed the appearance of acute diarrhea epidemic in Lai Cach, Cam Giang District, Hai Duong province.
This is the 2nd, the emergence of cholera in 2010 in Hai Duong. Outbreak first appeared in a Hong Vinh, Binh Giang District, in April 2010. Five people positive for cholera after eating away at the funeral marry Me Trai hamlet, Vinh Hong, Binh Giang.
http://tinyurl.com/3ymcd8l


4. Increased Hospitalizations - 5/23

23-05-2010

Binh Giang (Hai Duong) hospitalization due to heat stress.

http://tinyurl.com/23zfy5s

Matched pigs died from service

Matched pigs died from service
7:55 AM, 21/05/2010
(Labor) - Sources from the People's Committee of Vinh Hung, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa said on 05/20: 16.5 days, local government has set up 13 minutes culled pigs affected with a total weight of 366.2 kg in total of 37 children of the household pig herd Le Van Luong - South Village residence.

Under the test pigs by Mr. Le Van Cuong - vets Vinh Hung showed up on 16/05: The main cause leading to the appearance of the first service in Vinh Hung is due about a month ago, family Salary his family have purchased 20 pigs of unknown origin in Hau Loc district has not been taken to vaccinate livestock.

. On the morning of 05/20, almost all remaining pigs stop eating, with symptoms of fever and diarrhea began.

No..they can't tell what they are comin down with..and neither can you..

..Some health experts warn, the number of people suffering from dangerous diseases increase rapidly in the coming days, mostly due to hot weather, hot cause, along with habitat in much of the heavy pollution masonry.

But most worrisome is the viral fever outbreak at the time of the epidemic influenza A/H5N1, H1N1, dengue fever, meningitis is still raging, while the initial manifestation of this disease are quite similar each other. Therefore, when these symptoms, especially with young children need to take immediately to medical facilities for examination and treatment.
Saturday ,May 22,2010, Posted at: 18:40(GMT+7)
Rare illnesses attack people in broiling weather

Several strange dangerous diseases have attacked people, adding the list of diseases like influenza, dengue fever, diarrhea in the scorching hot weather in the country

A doctor is taking care of a pregnant at the national Tropical Diseases Hospital in Hanoi

Nguyen Trung Cap, a doctor of the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hanoi, said there had three pregnant women suffered from a rare pneumonia.

The pregnant patients from the northern locals of Hanoi, Hai Duong and Hai Phong have been taken to the hospital in serious conditions, breathing failure, damaged lung and low blood pressure. They must use breathing machines. Doctors couldn’t find out the cause despite conducting many tests.

Doctors have quarantined three patients and provided intensive treatment. Their efforts have been rewarded when three patients have been in stable condition.

Moreover, 22 year old Nguyen Thi My Linh who had 34 week pregnant gave birth of a baby weighing 1.7kg. The baby is being raised in a neonatal intensive care unit at the National Children Hospital.

Meantime, hospitals in Hanoi have received a large quantity of patients suffering viral fever. In some cases all family members have the illness.

Around 2,000 toddlers see doctors at the National Children Hospital daily, an increase of 700 from the number on previous days. Hospitals Saint Paul, Bach Mai, Army no.103 have also seen a soar of patients recently.

Nguyen Hong Ha, deputy head of the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases said the hospital had seen admission of some patients who had contracted the streptococcus, commonly found in pigs, due to having eaten undercooked pork products made from diseased swine. So far 22 cases have been rushed to the hospital.

Medical experts warned the increase of rare diseases due to sweltering weather and polluted environment. Parents should take children to medical facilities as flu H5N1, H1N1, dengue fever and meningitis have the same symptoms.

Dengue Hits Key West

From the Summary:

March 11, 2010
DEN-1 was serotype isolated in Key West and may be less
likely to predispose to DHF

http://tinyurl.com/3xwy9xr

Excerpt
Published: May 20, 2010
More than two dozen cases of locally-acquired dengue fever have hit the resort town of Key West, Fla., in the past nine months, the CDC said.

Although not the first cases of home-grown dengue in the U.S., or even in Florida, the outbreak highlights the need for physician vigilance regarding this and other formerly exotic tropical diseases, the CDC said in the May 21 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

"The re-emergence of dengue in Florida as well as the threat posed to the U.S. from other emerging mosquito-borne arboviruses (e.g., chikungunya) emphasizes the necessity for strong vector-borne surveillance and mosquito control infrastructure to rapidly identify and control outbreaks of dengue or other mosquito-borne diseases," MMWR's editors wrote in a commentary accompanying the report.

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquito bites. It is endemic in the Western Hemisphere from Mexico southward. Most cases seen by U.S. physicians have involved travelers to such regions.

Dengue was also known in Florida in the 1930s, but no locally-acquired cases had been confirmed since then, until last August.

The first case was actually identified in Rochester, N.Y., involving a 34-year-old woman who had just returned from a week-long visit to Key West.

The day after arriving back in Rochester, she went to her doctor complaining of fever, headache, malaise, and chills. Lab analysis showed bacteria and blood in her urine.

Not surprisingly, her primary care physician and a local emergency department did not initially suspect dengue. The presumptive diagnosis was a urinary tract infection and she was treated accordingly.

Some of her symptoms resolved, but a week later she returned to her primary care doctor saying she didn't "feel right," the MMWR report said. An infectious disease specialist was called in, who inquired about travel to dengue-endemic areas.

She denied having been out of the country, but said she had received multiple mosquito bites during her Key West visit, and she was tested for dengue antibodies, which came back positive. Public health officials in the county where Key West is located were informed, and they notified local physicians and the public of the potential for locally acquired dengue.

As a result, several other recent cases of febrile illness with other symptoms such as headache, myalgia, chills, and vomiting, were discovered to be dengue.

In response, according to the MMWR report, officials in the Keys stepped up mosquito control efforts, going door-to-door to find and eradicate breeding sites. They also encouraged the public to take steps to prevent mosquito bites.

Officials conducted random serological testing in local households, finding that about 5% of 240 individuals carried dengue antibodies.

Key West physicians were also contacted to provide serum specimens from recent patients with symptoms consistent with dengue. Nine of 21 samples sent for testing came back positive for dengue.

The tally of confirmed dengue infections in Key West eventually grew to 28, with the most recent case diagnosed in mid-April.

Sixty-third World Health Assembly closes after passing multiple resolutions

21 MAY 2010 | GENEVA -- The 63rd World Health Assembly, which brought together Health Ministers and senior health officials from the World Health Organization's (WHO) Member States, concluded business and closed Friday evening.

Related links

Sixty-third session of the World Health Assembly
Full coverage

The Director-General's closing remarks

"You reached agreement on some items that are a real gift to public health, everywhere. Thanks to some all-night efforts, we now have a code of practice on the international recruitment of health personnel," said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. " In addition, you have given public health a policy instrument and guidance for tackling one of the world’s fastest growing and most alarming health problems. This is the rise of chronic noncommunicable diseases, like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease."

The delegates adopted resolutions on a variety of global health issues including:

Public health, innovation and intellectual property: global strategy and plan for action

The issue of intellectual property is critical for 4.8 billion people who live in developing countries, more than 40% of them living on less than 2 US dollars a day. Poverty affects their access to health products to fight disease. The debate this year focused on financing issues, including the rational use of funds, and conducting research through regional networks. The global strategy proposes that WHO should play a strategic and central role in the relationship between public health and innovation and intellectual property within its mandate. The strategy was designed to promote new thinking in innovation and access to medicines, which would encourage needs-driven research rather than purely market-driven research. A new consultative working group will examine the way to take this work forward and is expected to report back to the 65th Health Assembly in 2012.

-snip-

Pandemic influenza preparedness: sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits

Members States expressed strong support for the continuing efforts of the Open-Ended Working Group to further global pandemic influenza preparedness by strengthening the sharing of influenza viruses and of benefits such as vaccines. Member States spoke on the progress made at the recent intergovernmental meeting (held 10-12 May 2010) and characterized the interaction as transparent, substantive, collaborative and an important foundation for future negotiation in this area. The role of industry as a stakeholder in the process to increase global capacity for vaccine production, increased technology transfer to developing countries, and access to supplies of vaccine and medicines at affordable prices for resource-limited countries were among issues raised. A number of countries urged the collaboration to move forward to increase pandemic preparedness and protect global public health. Having considered the report of the Open-Ended Working Group (15 April 2010), a resolution was passed:

  • to request the Director-General to continue to support the effort and undertake any technical consultations and studies as necessary; and
  • to decide that the group will report through the Executive Board to the Sixty-fourth World Health Assembly ( May 2011) .
-snip-

Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)

The first report of the of the review committee assessing the functioning of the International Health Regulations (IHR) during pandemic influenza was discussed.

Delegates stressed that the IHR is broader than pandemic and plays a vital role in global public health, and their countries fully support IHR implementation. Delegates detailed activities that their countries are carrying out to implement the Regulations at national and regional levels.

Member States underscored the need for individual, country-based capacity strengthening, learning from past lessons, the importance of flexibility and of reaching out beyond the health sector. They further expressed their appreciation of the IHR training and awareness raising activities supported by WHO and stressed the importance of monitoring IHR implementation. They also emphasized the need for strong communication and partnerships.



Friday, May 21, 2010

Vietnam: Ben has three cases positive for cholera

21/05/2010
Excerpt:

Patients positive for cholera is Le Thi Ngoc, 59, Tan Hoi commune, Mo Cay District South hospitalized on 18 / 5, through examination of the Preventive Medicine Center of Ben Tre province has identified positive calculated for cholera.

Previously, on 13 / 5, Phan Quoc Vietnam, 35 years old, escort Foundation, Khanh Thanh Tan Commune, Mo Cay District North, diarrhea treatment levels must be brought into hospital at Cu Lao Minh area, positive for cholera.

Tuesday patients identified positive for cholera named basis, in Tan Phu Tay commune, Mo Cay District North, to the hospital treatment of Tien Giang province recently discharged from hospital.

Vietnam: 3 Cases Cholera in Ben Tre

Detected three cases of cholera
Bee.net.vn-eight hours ago 8 views
Mr. Nguyen Van Thang - Deputy Director of Ben Tre Department of Health, said the end date of 21 / 5, the province has had three cases positive for cholera bacteria, a total of 25 cases of diarrhea.
Detected three cases of cholera Write luanLuu this article

Three patients were positive for cholera are: Ms. Le Thi Ngoc (59 years old, Tan Hoi commune, Mo Cay District South), Phan Quoc Vietnam (35 years old, escort Foundation, Khanh Thanh Tan Commune, Mo Cay District North), and patient name Trans (Tan Phu Tay commune, Mo Cay District North).

After the discovery of diarrhea caused by cholera, Center for Preventive Medicine Center of the province along with two Mo Cay District Health South and North Mo Cay commune officials to have the patients to the inspection and water sampling Reviews experience and guide people to prevention, treatment and sanitation institutions.

Also on 21 / 5, NT Rural Development Ministry had written requests for people's committees of provinces and cities directly under the Central Government not to transport pigs and pig products from the region are going through the blue ear disease.

Vietnam: Many people with strange diseases, dangerous

Saturday, 22/05/2010, 02:50 (GMT +7)
The weather is hot, stuffy continuously extended across the country have made many people ill. Not only the common diseases like influenza, viral fever, diarrhea, dengue fever outbreak strong ... which appeared especially those patients suffering strange symptoms, no cause can be determined.

Maternity strange pneumonia infection

Intermediate Doctor Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Emergency Treatment-positive, Tropical Diseases Hospital central concern, said the hospital had recently received three pregnant women in Hanoi, Hai Duong, Hai Chamber of pneumonia was especially weird and can not find the root cause disease despite repeated tests. These patients hospitalized in serious condition to life, severe respiratory failure, two white lungs, low blood pressure. All patients must be placed ventilation and windpipe.

Level Doctor adds: "Before the status of such patients, when hospitalized think we can be infected with influenza A/H5N1, H1N1, or H3N2, but many times still can not find the test virus disease. Though not find the pathogenic virus but still focused hospitals isolate patients, treatment of positive symptoms on the status of severe pneumonia due to acute respiratory failure in patients with advanced pregnancy, the risk of death up to 60% as the world medical literature. " However, until now, all these three cases would initially cover of danger.

Especially patients with L. Nguyen Thi My, 22, 34 weeks of pregnancy (in Duc Hoa, Soc Son, Hanoi), has been taken to support a baby weighing 1.7 kg and the baby is being raised glass cage at the Central Pediatrics Hospital. At the same time, hospitals also continue to send samples of three patients to the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology for testing to clarify the cause of infection.

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, from the beginning of the year, the country recorded more than 9480 cases of dengue fever, including 3 deaths; meningitis meningococcal discovered more than 40 cases ( up 32%) malaria cases is 3845 (up 5.34%).

Fever virus, Streptococcus increase

Not only that, recent days, in many hospitals had received a large number of patients including adults and children with fever virus, even more families fever virus family.

Central Pediatrics Hospital, to visit some children up to 1800-2200 cases per day, up about 700 patients, mostly children in which viral fever, pneumonia.

Bad Paul Green Hospital, Bach Mai Hospital, Military Hospital 103 ... of patients to examination and treatment has increased from 30% - 50%, of which 1 / 3 of cases to check are fever virus, with symptoms such as fever 38-40 ° C, headache, fatigue, painful joints.


Meanwhile, MA, Nguyen Hong Ha, Deputy Director of Hospital Central Tropical Diseases, said today receiving hospital must still scattered cases from swine Streptococcus. Since the beginning of the year, with 22 cases of Streptococcus hospitalization and 3 patients currently being treated, including one patient in Hanoi with severe necrosis of the toes, arms, and possible body must be removed.

Some health experts warn, the number of people suffering from dangerous diseases increase rapidly in the coming days, mostly due to hot weather, hot cause, along with habitat in much of the heavy pollution masonry.

But most worrisome is the viral fever outbreak at the time of the epidemic influenza A/H5N1, H1N1, dengue fever, meningitis is still raging, while the initial manifestation of this disease are quite similar each other. Therefore, when these symptoms, especially with young children need to take immediately to medical facilities for examination and treatment.

Oil Washes Up in Louisiana

Excerpt
Friday, May 21, 10:18 AM ET

The pressure on oil giant BP is mounting after it is becoming clear that the oil from Transocean's Deepwater Horizon rig has reached Louisiana's wetlands.

Deep red oil has begun to coat miles of coastline along the Mississippi River Delta's southern tip, and a thick oily sludge has begun to wash up into inlets and settle amid marsh grass.

Heavier Oil Concentrations Targeting Louisiana Gulf Shipping Lanes

Excerpt:
5-20-10 11:48

Atmospheric Administration Wednesday night warned that "medium" concentrations of oil may encroach on the Southwest Pass by 7:00 p.m. EDT Saturday. No more than "light" concentrations of oil have been previously reported in that area.

"Winds are forecast to be from the southeast through Saturday with speeds of 10-15 knots [11-13 miles per hour]," said NOAA. "Weakly upcoast (eastward) currents...have been keeping this oil from moving much further westward. However, with persistent southeast winds, stronger westward currents may develop, and there is potential for shoreline contacts."

Southwest Pass is a Mississippi River shipping channel used exclusively by vessels involved in international commerce with the Louisiana Gulf's five deepwater ports, facilities comprising the world's busiest port complex. It lies in Plaquemines Parish in southeastern Louisiana.

"The heavier oil forecast isn't good, but we haven't had any delays, cancellations or ships cleaned because of the oil spill yet," said Chris Bonura, spokesman for the Port of New Orleans. "This oil doesn't seem to be very sticky. Even the boats involved in the recovery effort, that plow right through the slick, don't seem to get very dirty."

Louisiana Guard continues efforts to protect coast from oil spill


Photo credit Pfc. Tarell J. Bilbo
Louisiana National Guard Soldiers anchor and strap down tubing for a shoreline protection system in the southwest pass of the Mississippi River delta near Venice, La., May 18, 2010.


By Louisiana National Guard News Release
May 21, 2010
VENICE, La. (May 20, 2010) -- The Louisiana National Guard's construction of the Tiger Dam shoreline protection system near in the southwest pass of the Mississippi River Delta continues to move ahead as an oil spill threatens the Gulf Coast.

"Our engineers continue to work to complete this project to protect coastal areas and provide a layered defense to lessen the impact of shoreline oiling," said 1st. Lt. Rebekah L. Andersen, platoon leader with the 1023rd Vertical Engineer Company, 528th Engineer Battalion.

The 1023rd, with headquarters in Oak Grove, La., has built nearly two miles of the 7.1-mile barrier to protect the natural marshlands across a beach in the southwest pass as a secondary line of defense to the boom line.

The work site's location requires Soldiers to be airlifted in and out daily by UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the 1st Battalion of the 244th Aviation Regiment, based in Hammond, La.

All of the inflatable barrier material and equipment was sling-loaded and dropped in place.

"By being out here day to day and seeing the sand washed up against the dam, we can tell it's working," said Spc. Benjamin K. Davis.

This water diversion system, normally used for flood control, replaces sandbags and is made up of a series of interlocking flexible tubes inflated with water to form a temporary dam or levee.

As work crews lay out the Tiger Dam material for assembly and inflation, other crews work pumps to fill the tubular sections with water.

"We just want everyone to know that we're here to do our mission, and we will do it as effectively as possible," Andersen said. "We know that the community is in support of our activities overseas, but it seems a bit more personal when they see us working stateside."

OIE Report: Low Path H7N7 Korea

Immediate notification report
Report reference: , Ref OIE: 9287, Report Date: 21/05/2010 , Country: Korea (Rep. of)

Disease Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry)
Causal Agent Low pathogenic avian influenza virus
Clinical Signs No
Date of first confirmation of the event 20/05/2010
Date of report 21/05/2010
Serotype(s) H7N7
Date of Start of Event 13/05/2010
Province CHOLLA-NAMDO

As part of the avian influenza surveillance programme, Jeollanam-do Institute of Livestock and Veterinary Science took samples (faeces, laryngo-pharyngeal swabs and blood) from the farms on 13 May. Haemagglutination test results were positive on 18 May. The National Veterinary Research
and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) found avian influenza antigen (H7) by PCR on 20 May and confirmed it as low pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7N7) by gene sequencing on 21 May.
The poultry in the farms were culled as a precautionary measure and disinfection is being implemented on 21 May.

What further reports will be submitted in relation to this event?
There are 2outbreaks that are still recorded as unresolved. It is not possible to declare this event resolved until these individual outbreaks are resolved.
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

Precautionary measures in Lebanon on high bird flu infection

May 21, 2010
Beirut, May 21: / command and the Lebanese Agriculture Minister, Dr. Hussein Al-Haj all breeder chicken, pigeons, poultry of all kinds to close Oguenanha and not allowed to mix with wild birds, especially migratory ones, on the basis of information available from the World Organization for Animal Health ", or any ie, "focus on the resurgence of bird flu infection in high-Palestine.

The minister said that based on the recommendations of international organizations concerned with agriculture and public health preventive measures were taken in the seasons of migration of wild birds to prevent the spread of bird flu higher infection and to prevent contact between poultry and wild migratory birds and to supplement the decisions and circulars issued in advance .. Been assigned to regional interests in the Ministry of Agriculture and the coordination and support with the local authorities put the circular issued in this regard to implement and take appropriate action in the right of each exclusion.

Vietnam: Hospitals overloaded

Updated: Friday, 05/21/2010 | 2:49:38 PM

Children's Hospital at this time is always overloaded.
These days in the southern provinces, the temperature increases, the threshold is always at 37-39 degrees C. Temperatures in the central provinces are also quite high, there are areas, up to date over 39 degrees C. Northern hot but not like every year, but the situation was erratic rain, sun and are made for the health of many people "instability." Many older people, children, pregnant women admitted to hospital.

Crowded hospital

Central Pediatrics Hospital at 10 am on 19-5-2010, we found overrepresentation in most departments. Patients are filling up the hallway. Many people avoid the heat under the trees or water kiosks near the hospital.
-snip-

In Science Respiratory, Digestive,
Infectious status are young children 2-3 / bed is common.
A doctor at the Digestive Sciences, said that five children with diarrhea only focus on the winter months, this year again before long Lunar New Year so far.

Many children in the hospital in severe dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, dry skin, sunken eyes. Only in the morning on 19-5, Faculty of diarrhea receiving four grandchildren. Also equally overloaded, Faculty of Infectious beginning in April to now, more than 200 children hospitalized for encephalitis, meningitis and meningococcal infection. To "liberate" the bed, the Faculty must treat emergency insurance for children of danger, fever, anticonvulsant ... then moved to the lower level.

To pediatrics - Paul Green hospital, we see "dizziness by patients standing here waiting jammed examination. English Coughing, crying loud speakers called mixed languages in turn causes the air search and wait for further examination suffocation, shortness of breath. The nurse sat received some books and examinations, said several recent days much hospitalized patients, especially children with pneumonia, diarrhea, flu ...
-snip-

In central Da Nang Hospital each day over 500 patients receiving high fever, acute respiratory long, encephalitis, meningitis Hue Central Hospital ... these days there are many elderly patients and children admitted to hospital with high fever, cough, pneumonia, meningitis. Number of patients in inpatient treatment of diseases prevention surge over 200 cases. In Pediatrics, 150 beds always have to "load" of nearly 300 children. Psychiatric Hospital of Nghe An, every 70-10 days to receive a strong agitation in the state. Children's Hospital of Nghe An in the number of children in shock due to the chrome drying treatment has increased. Many children hospitalized for fever 39-40 degrees C, red leather body. A number of other respiratory infections, diarrhea ...

On the morning of 19-5-2010, Respiratory Sciences, Children's Hospital I also jammed with patients, pediatric patients 2-3 years of a bed. Many other patients have to lie corridor. If in April as Children's Hospital a "hot" with hand, foot and mouth disease (TCM), the respiratory disease in May to peak again. Dr. Le Bich Lien, Deputy Director of Children's Hospital I said: "Every day the hospital received more than 30 cases of respiratory disease. We have over 200 children being treated at the Respiratory Sciences, 80-100 grandchildren increased compared with weekdays. Number of patients with severe pneumonia increased, in some cases to the hospital was near cardiac arrest, resuscitation should stop breathing, pass the new emergency. " Dr. Tran Thi Thu Loan, Head of Children's Hospital respiratory 2, a day hospital to receive medical examination and treatment of 30 patients with hand, foot and mouth (tcm), which has 6-7 severe cases.

It is recommended by experts Preventive Medicine Department, Ministry of Health said, encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever outbreak in two patients easy hot sunny days. The elderly, pregnant women and children are very susceptible to these diseases. If the environment is not good, the audience is also very vulnerable to cross diarrhea, influenza, dengue fever, typhus, encephalitis level ... Doctor Truong Huu Khanh, Head of Infection - Neurology Children's Hospital I said: "The disease encephalitis, meningitis is a serious illness caused by disease nose, throat, so parents should be aware not fun for kids, outdoor activities too long, not to children exposed to the temperature changes abruptly. The incidence of encephalitis, meningitis is not much, just from a - 5/100.000 but the disease can leave severe sequelae parents should pay attention to disease prevention for children and the child to the hospital in time when detecting symptoms headache accompanied by vomiting, enough lu. TCM for disease prevention for children by hygiene in eating and living, washing hands often, when children have severe disease manifestations such as shocked, play with it should be taken to hospital for treatment timely.

As predicted, the summer heat wave more prolonged. Especially in the northern provinces, May 6-7-8 regular season of Japanese encephalitis patients. In order to limit heat stress condition that causes everyone to pay attention against heat, enhance disease prevention and health training, exercise, as recommended by the professional bodies, special attention to the subjects are elderly, children, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases ...

Vietnam: 3 Pregnant Women - Not Identified Virus Causing Pneumonia

[I'm trying to figure out the name of the 3rd pregnant woman. I'm not sure if this is correct. See original, below.]
6 hours ago
No cause was viral pneumonia

Have not found the virus that causes inflammation phoiTrong within a month, the Institute of Infectious Diseases and the National Tropical receiving three consecutive severe pneumonia cases are pregnant women.


A severe pneumonia patients are being treated in isolation room pressure center, PRIVATE Tropical Diseases Hospital.

Disease virus is determined by the hot sun and weather caused the virus thrive. However, three pregnant women after conducting the tests have not identified the virus causing pneumonia.

Ms. Dong Thi Xoan severe respiratory failure must be treated positively in the negative pressure chamber, was 24 weeks pregnant, was hospitalized in a state of high fever, severe difficulty breathing, coma. The results of the swabs tested yet identified virus caused her pneumonia.

Ms. Yung has also been severe viral pneumonia has not been determined after 34 weeks of pregnancy. After the drama of danger, she suddenly and premature labor, the baby weighs 1.7 kg, is being cared for in the glass cage at the Central Pediatrics Hospital.

Nguyen Xuan decision, the patient's brother Yung, Soc Son (Hanoi) said: Fortunately, both mother and child health-ling, she has settled. "

Nguyen Thi Tam pregnant women hospitalized in a coma, danger was always drama. Based on the symptoms of severe respiratory failure, so the treatment for these patients based on the protocol for influenza A/H5N1.

-snip-
original:

Chị [she] Đồng Thị Xoan bị suy hô hấp nặng phải điều trị tích cực tại buồng áp lực âm, đang mang thai được 24 tuần, nhập viện trong tình trạng sốt cao, khó thở nặng nề, hôn mê. Kết quả các xét nghiệm bệnh phẩm vẫn chưa xác định được loại virus gây ra bệnh viêm phổi của chị.

Chị [she] Mỹ Linh cũng bị viêm phổi nặng do virus chưa được xác định khi mang thai 34 tuần. Sau khi qua cơn nguy kịch, chị đột nhiên trở dạ và sinh non, cháu bé nặng 1,7kg, hiện đang được chăm sóc trong lồng kính tại BV Nhi Trung ương.

Anh Nguyễn Xuân Quyết, anh trai của bệnh nhân Mỹ Linh, Sóc Sơn (Hà Nội) cho biết: Rất may là sức khỏe cả mẹ và con chị Mỹ Linh đã ổn định”.

Thai phụ [pregnant woman] Nguyễn Thị Tâm nhập viện trong tình trạng hôn mê, giờ cũng đã qua cơn nguy kịch. Căn cứ vào triệu chứng suy hô hấp nặng, nên việc điều trị cho các bệnh nhân này dựa trên phác đồ cho bệnh cúm A/H5N1.