Disease

Diptheria - Bangladesh

In a follow-up, the number of suspected diphtheria cases in the outbreak primarily affecting displaced Rohingya population is shooting through the roof with the latest numbers released last week showing a total of 2,526 cases suspected with diphtheria, including 27 deaths.

The current outbreak is mainly occurring within the displaced Rohingya population living in the Balukali makeshift and extension camps. This population is also affected by malnutrition, low routine immunization coverage, and poor access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

White-nose syndrome: Bats

The fungus behind white-nose syndrome, a disease that has ravaged bat populations in North America, may have an Achilles’ heel: UV light.

White-nose syndrome has spread steadily for the past decade, affecting millions of bats and is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans.

Influenza - India

The seasonal influenza (H1N1) outbreak has turned into an epidemic in Southern Punjab cities and killed 18 people so far since December, while the Punjab government has declared an emergency in all hospitals.

Meanwhile a special team of World Health Organization (WHO) reached Multan to investigate the outbreak of Swine Flu.