Disease

Seoul virus – United States of America and Canada

On 24 January 2017, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through their Health Alert Network (HAN) publication, reported 8 cases of infection with Seoul virus in the states of Wisconsin (n=2) and Illinois (n=6). The first two cases were reported in early December 2016, when two home-based pet rat breeders in Wisconsin State developed an acute febrile illness, later confirmed as Seoul virus infection. Rats (Rattus norvegicus) at some facilities also tested positive for Seoul virus. Human infection with Seoul virus is not commonly found in the United States; this virus family also includes Sin Nombre virus, which is the most common hantavirus causing disease in the United States. This is the first known outbreak associated with pet rats in the United States.

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China

Between 19 January and 14 February 2017, a total of 304 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection have been reported to WHO from mainland China though the China National IHR focal point.

Brazil yellow fever - Update

The Brazilian Ministry of Health, or Ministério da Saúde now puts the confirmed yellow fever death toll at 89.

Through Friday, 263 cases of the disease have been confirmed (Minas Gerais-225, Espírito Santo-34 and São Paulo-4). In all, 1,258 suspected cases were reported, of which 882 remained under investigation and 113 were discarded.

Concerning yellow fever related fatalities, of the 200 reported deaths, 89 were confirmed, 108 are still under investigation and 3 were discarded. Eighty-six percent of the confirmed deaths were reported in Minas Gerais (77).