Disease

Portugal hepatitis A outbreak

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in Portugal, the outbreak that began earlier this year has grown to 242 cases, according to a local media report. This is up from 138 cases one month ago.

South Africa malaria update

In an update on the malaria situation in South Africa, in the Limpopo Province, malaria transmission is ongoing, mainly in Mopani and Vhembe Districts, with some increase in cases in adjacent areas of the northern Kruger National Park. However, the number of new cases of malaria in the province is starting to decline.

In Mpumalanga Province, a malaria outbreak has been declared in the Bushbuckridge area related to increased numbers of malaria cases.

There are a number of reasons for the increase in malaria transmission in recent weeks. The malaria areas of South Africa are prone to epidemics because of the seasonal nature of malaria in the region. The current situation is due to a combination of increased rainfall and temperatures, and reduced insecticide spray coverage in some areas has probably contributed.

Vector control by indoor spraying is expensive and labor-intensive, and the malaria control program has to adjust its spraying activities according to available budget, and because certain areas have been effectively cleared of malaria for a number of years. However, they still remain at risk of outbreaks if circumstances are favorable for the vectors.

Foot and Mouth Disease: Cambodia

Authorities in Svay Rieng province on Wednesday said the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease had been brought under control by timely treatment, though their numbers on how many cows the contagious virus had infected varied wildly.

Meas Sok, chief of Svay Chrum district’s Chhoeuteal commune, said about 200 cows were infected beginning last month and that speedy vaccinations had since brought the number down to 30.