AVIAN FLU or BIRD FLU - Health officials around the world remain on high alert and fear that inter-human transmission of Bird Flu is just a question of time. This month there have been 20 reported cases in Indonesia with six deaths (3 confirmed by WHO). It seems that these cases were transmitted by birds located in the Jakarta zoo. To date there have been over 110 human cases of avian flu (H5N1) in Asia resulting in over 60 deaths. Transmission of Bird Flu has ALWAYS been from the animal to man and most of the cases have been reported in rural areas where animals are raised or handled. No travel restrictions but it is recommended to avoid contact with live animals (chickens, ducks and pigs) in rural areas, farms and in market places and to wash hands regularly and particularly before meals. There is no vaccination against the Avian Flu available today.
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BURKINA FASO - Four cases, including one death, have been reported due to yellow fever in the southwestern part of the country (Banfora, Gaoua, Batie).
CAMEROON - Since the beginning of the year there have been 400 cases and 30 deaths due to cholera in the northern part of the country (Maroua region).
CONGO (Democratic Republic of - Kinshasa) - Since the beginning of the year there have been 1500 cases and 20 deaths due to cholera in the Goma region.
GUINEA (Conakry) - 7 cases of yellow fever have been reported in the country resulting in 4 deaths.
INDIA - 700 deaths reported in the Utter Pradesh region of northern India due to Japanese encephalitis. An epidemic of dengue fever has also been reported in the state of West Bengal.
SENEGAL - Since the beginning of the year there have been 20,000 cases and 250 deaths due to cholera.
SINGAPORE - More than 10,000 cases of dengue fever, resulting in 8 deaths, in Singapore since the beginning of the year.
UGANDA - Since the beginning of the year there have been 1,000 cases of cholera in the northern part of the country.
VENEZUELA - 3 cases of yellow fever reported in the Merida State.
INFORMATION AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR THE VARIOUS DISEASES
ANTHRAX
Bacterial disease that usually affects sheep, cows, horses and goats. Humans contract the disease by coming into contact with animals or eating contaminated meat.The disease is fatal if untreated.
Prevention: Avoid contact with animals suspected of having anthrax. There is a vaccination for animals. Humans can be cured by antibiotics.
BARTONELLOSIS
Bacterial disease transmitted by a sandfly.
Prevention: Mosquito bite prevention: repellents, impregnated bed nets, coils, electric diffusers, protective clothing.
BRUCELLOSIS
Bacterial disease transmitted by contaminated animals (cows, pigs, sheep).
Prevention: Boil milk and cook meat. An effective vaccination exists for those at risk.
CHIKUNGUNYA INFECTION
Viral infection transmitted by a mosquito. After 2-3 days incubation period, the symptoms appear including fever, aches, articular pains, skin rash. The disease is benign.
Prevention: Mosquito bite prevention: repellents, impregnated bed nets, coils, electric diffusers, protective clothing.
CHOLERA
Bacterial disease transmitted by food and water.
Prevention: A more effective oral vaccination against cholera now exists. Insist on drinking "clean" water and on washing hands with soap and water.
CIGUATERA
A disease provoked by a toxin produced by a marine microorganism (dinoflagellates) that has been eaten by reef fish, who is turn are eaten by predator fish, thereby passing the toxin up the food chain. The disease is rather common in the Pacific and Indian oceans and in the Caribbean. Symptoms appear 5 to 6 hours after ingestion of the fish and may include numbness of the extremities, diarrhea, abdominal pain, chills, vomiting and headaches.
Prevention: Avoid eating large carnivorous predator fish. Ask the local fisherman since they are usually well aware of the problem and the fish to avoid. Ciguatoxic fish look normal. Cooking, drying and freezing do not destroy the toxin.
CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER
Tick-borne viral disease for which there is no vaccination. Symptoms include fever, pain, vomiting, skin rash, bleeding and coma.
Prevention - Insect bite prevention.
DENGUE FEVER
Viral disease transmitted by a mosquito.
Prevention: Mosquito bite prevention: repellents, impregnated bed nets, coils, electric diffusers, protective clothing.
EBOLA FEVER
Viral disease transmitted to man mostly by monkeys and contaminated human secretions.
Prevention: Avoid contact with monkeys and contaminated individuals.
FLU
A viral disease transmitted via saliva and respiratory secretions. Usually benign it provokes fever, headaches, pain in the muscles and articulations. Rarely fatal.
Prevention: Vaccination which must be repeated every year.
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
A viral disease usually only affecting animals (cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, camel, etc.). In rare cases it can be transmitted to man. The disease is characterized by ulcerative lesions of the mouth, nose, feet and teats.
Prevention: Eviction of all contaminated animals.
HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
A viral disease (coxsackie virus), often found during childhood. Rarely fatal. Can provoke fever, skin rash and ulcerations in the mouth, vomiting and diarrhea. Children usually recover in less than one week but in some cases there can be neurological complications. The disease is spread through contact with nasal discharges, saliva and feces and fluid from blisters as well as contact with items used by an infected individual.
Prevention: Wash hands with soap and water, improved hygiene in child-care centers.
HANTAVIRUS
Viral disease transmitted by coming in contact with urine, stools or saliva from infected rodents.
Prevention: Avoiding contact with rodents. There is an effective vaccination against this disease.
HEPATITIS
A viral disease.
Hepatitis A is transmitted by water or food which has been contaminated by fecal material.
Hepatits B is transmitted by blood, sex and saliva.
Hepatitis E is transmitted by water and food which has been contaminated by fecal material.
Prevention: Vaccination against hepatitis A and B. There is no vaccination against hepatitis E.
KALA-AZARorLEISHMANIASIS
Disease transmitted by a small insect called a sandfly that produces an ulcerating, chronic, nodular skin lesion.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention.
JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS
Viral disease transmitted by a mosquito.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention and eventually a vaccination.
LEGIONELLOSE
Bacterial disease transmitted by water and air.
Prevention: Improve maintenance of water systems: avoiding stagnation of water.
Regularly clean water reservoirs and change filters.
Avoid water temperatures between 25° and 45°C which increase germ proliferation.
Decontaminate water systems either through mechanical or chemical means: heating between 50°
and 60°C or chlorination of the system.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
This disease is transmitted by the urine of rodents (rats, mice, etc.). Transmission can take place through the skin or by ingestion of food or water contaminated by infected rat urine.
Prevention: Good hygiene, washing hands before meals, clean water and avoiding contact with urine from rodents (sewers, streams, etc.) A vaccination does exist.
MALARIA
Parasitic disease transmitted by a mosquito.
Prevention: Mosquito bite prevention and preventive anti-malarial medication. MEASLES
Viral disease very common in children. Usually benign.
Prevention: Very effective vaccination.
MENINGITIS, CEREBRO-SPINAL
Bacterial infection that affects the nervous system.
Prevention: Vaccination against meningitis A & C. One shot provides protection for 3 years.Note that a new vaccination has just been commercialized against the strains A, C, Y and W135.
MONKEY-POX
Viral disease, similar to smallpox that is rarely fatal. Transmitted from monkeys to man.
Prevention: No vaccination. Avoid direct contact with monkeys.
PLAGUE
This disease is transmitted by fleas that have been contaminated by sick rats. The disease can also be transmitted by infected dogs, rabbits, goats and many other animals.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention, good hygiene and destruction of rats.
POLIO
Viral disease which provokes paralysis.
Prevention: Vaccination.
RABIES
Viral disease transmitted by warm blooded mammals (dogs, cats, bats, etc.)
Prevention: Avoid stray animals. An effective vaccination exists.
RIFT VALLEY FEVER
Viral disease transmitted by a mosquito.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention.
ROSS RIVER VIRUS
Viral disease transmitted by a mosquito which provoke fatigue, painful joints and skin rash.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention.
SCHISTOSOMIASIS
Also known as bilharziasis, is a tropical disease caused by a parasitic worm that grows in certain snails and is transmitted to humans. The worm penetrates through the skin when a human bathes in ponds or lakes where the infected snail lives.
Prevention: Avoid swimming in lakes and ponds. Destruction of the snails in the water.
SLEEPING SICKNESS OR TRYPANOSOMIASIS
Insect-borne disease transmitted by a tse-tse fly.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention.
STRONGYLOIDOSIS
Parasitic disease transmitted by contaminated water.
Prevention: "Clean" water and food well cooked.
TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS
A disease transmitted by ticks and caught mainly in the wood and bushes.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention and an effective vaccination.
TRICHINOSIS
A parastic disease transmitted by contaminated pork, and other meats (horse).
Prevention: Meats must be well cooked.
TRYPANOSOMIASIS (Chagas Disease)
This parasitic disease is transmitted by blood sucking insects (kissing bugs) that live in cracks and holes in poor housing and that bite people oftne on the face, while they sleep. Initial symptoms of the disease are mild or nonexistent. It generally takes decades for the parasite to cause death by slowly damaging heart muscle, the esophagus and the colon. By that time, drugs are ineffective.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention measures.
TUBERCULOSIS
A bacterial disease transmitted by microscopic droplets of saliva in the air which
contain the germ.
Prevention: BCG vaccination provides 80% protection levels and prevents the fatal forms of TB. The BCG is a highly debated issue, particularly in the USA.
In all cases, it is recommended that children who will be living in areas where TB is common be vaccinated with the BCG vaccine.
TYPHOID
Bacterial disease transmitted by contaminated food and water.
Prevention: A vaccination provides protection for three years with one shot. Drink only "clean" water.
TYPHUS
Disease transmitted by lice.
Prevention: Correct hygiene, soap and water. Treatment is based on a single dose of antibiotics (Doxycycline).
VENEZUELAN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS
Generally benign viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention.
WEST NILE FEVER
A viral infection transmitted by a mosquito. Symptoms include fever, rashes and aching muscles. The disease can lead to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), paralysis and death. More common in the elderly.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention. No vaccination.
YELLOW FEVER
A viral infection transmitted by a mosquito.
Prevention: Insect bite prevention. A vaccination provides protection for ten years with one shot.
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