Disease

Diphtheria reappears in Venezuela after long absence: Another symptom of a broken health system

The governor of Bolivar state, Venezuela, Francisco Rangel Gómez confirmed this week that there are 13 cases of diphtheria in the town of San Antonio, Sifontes municipality, according to a El Diario de Guayana report. The Venezuelan Society of Public Health says diphtheria was eradicated in Venezuela in the late 1940s.

Rift Valley fever in Niger

On 30 August 2016, WHO received reports about unexplained deaths among humans, along with death and abortion in livestock in the North Western parts of Niger, and the areas bordering Mali.

From 2 August to 22 September 2016, 64 human cases including 23 deaths have been reported in Tchintabaraden health district in Tahoua region. The area is mainly populated by nomadic stockbreeders. The deaths have now been attributed to Rift Valley Fever.

Dengue Fever Cases Increase in Vietnam

Officials in Ho Chi Mihn City (HCM City) say that recent increased rainfall has resulted in an increase in the mosquito population in Vietnam’s largest city and the resulting increase in dengue fever.

More than 11,300 dengue cases in the city have been reported this year, an increase of 35 per cent compared to the same period last year and the trend is expected to continue for the next several weeks as Vietnam’s peak dengue season continues through October.

According to local media, Cu Chi District is the hottest spot for dengue infections besides Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh, Thu Duc and Binh Thanh districts.

Hawaii Hepatitis A cases now at 284 as outbreak continues

Eight new cases this week have increased the state Department of Health’s tally of hepatitis A cases to 284 as the worst outbreak of the viral disease in two decades in Hawaii continues to run its course.

The health department first issued a medical advisory to all health care providers on June 30 urging them to report all suspected hepatitis A infections in the search for the cause of the outbreak. The infectious liver disease is usually spread through food or drink contaminated with traces of the feces of an infected person. It can also spread through close personal contact.