Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2014/01/news-scan-jan-27-2014
News Scan for Jan 27, 2014
Caribbean chikungunya outbreak grows; GI illness on cruise ship
Filed Under:
Chikungunya;Norovirus
Cases of chikungunya in Caribbean nearing 800 in 6 territories
Caribbean territories reporting indigenous cases of Chikungunya fever now number six and confirmed and suspected cases number at least 786, with several more imported cases as well, according to a Jan 24 report from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
That number is up from 485 in the previous update, from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, on Jan 20.
The territories with cases include the British Virgin Islands, 3; Guadeloupe, 65; Martinique, 267; St. Barthelemy, 45; the French side of St. Martin, 393; and the Dutch side of St. Martin, 10. Cases were first reported in early December of last year in St. Martin; the outbreak is the first ever in the Americas.
The disease is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and A albopictus mosquitoes, which also spread dengue fever. Symptoms include fever and arthralgias.
Educational efforts toward community members to eliminate vector breeding areas such as standing water and to guard against mosquito bites continue to expand. In addition, PAHO officials have developed a diagnostic algorithm and guidance on management that cover both chikungunya and dengue to help clinicians diagnose cases quickly.
Jan 24 PAHO update
Jan 21 CIDRAP News scan on Jan 20 ECDC update
PAHO diagnostic algorithm
PAHO management guidelines
Caribbean cruise ship cuts trip short for probable norovirus outbreak
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship is cutting its trip through the Caribbean short by 2 days because of probable norovirus in more than 600 of the approximate 4,000 passengers and crew, say news reports.
The ship, Explorer of the Seas, left Cape Liberty, N.J., Jan 21 for a 10-day cruise, according to a CNN story. It will be thoroughly sanitized when it arrives back in port, says the cruise line. A Los Angeles Times story said the ship was cleaned at intermediary ports twice during the cruise as well. Passengers will be compensated for their inconvenience, CruiseFever.net reported.
The gastrointestinal illness is causing vomiting and diarrhea, consistent with norovirus, although the cause has not been confirmed. Royal Caribbean decided to head to port early after consultation with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Jan 27 CNN report
Jan 27 LA Times story
Jan 25 CruiseFever.net article
News Scan for Jan 27, 2014
Caribbean chikungunya outbreak grows; GI illness on cruise ship
Filed Under:
Chikungunya;Norovirus
Cases of chikungunya in Caribbean nearing 800 in 6 territories
Caribbean territories reporting indigenous cases of Chikungunya fever now number six and confirmed and suspected cases number at least 786, with several more imported cases as well, according to a Jan 24 report from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
That number is up from 485 in the previous update, from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, on Jan 20.
The territories with cases include the British Virgin Islands, 3; Guadeloupe, 65; Martinique, 267; St. Barthelemy, 45; the French side of St. Martin, 393; and the Dutch side of St. Martin, 10. Cases were first reported in early December of last year in St. Martin; the outbreak is the first ever in the Americas.
The disease is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and A albopictus mosquitoes, which also spread dengue fever. Symptoms include fever and arthralgias.
Educational efforts toward community members to eliminate vector breeding areas such as standing water and to guard against mosquito bites continue to expand. In addition, PAHO officials have developed a diagnostic algorithm and guidance on management that cover both chikungunya and dengue to help clinicians diagnose cases quickly.
Jan 24 PAHO update
Jan 21 CIDRAP News scan on Jan 20 ECDC update
PAHO diagnostic algorithm
PAHO management guidelines
Caribbean cruise ship cuts trip short for probable norovirus outbreak
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship is cutting its trip through the Caribbean short by 2 days because of probable norovirus in more than 600 of the approximate 4,000 passengers and crew, say news reports.
The ship, Explorer of the Seas, left Cape Liberty, N.J., Jan 21 for a 10-day cruise, according to a CNN story. It will be thoroughly sanitized when it arrives back in port, says the cruise line. A Los Angeles Times story said the ship was cleaned at intermediary ports twice during the cruise as well. Passengers will be compensated for their inconvenience, CruiseFever.net reported.
The gastrointestinal illness is causing vomiting and diarrhea, consistent with norovirus, although the cause has not been confirmed. Royal Caribbean decided to head to port early after consultation with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Jan 27 CNN report
Jan 27 LA Times story
Jan 25 CruiseFever.net article