Disease

Hantavirus - Argentina

Officials with the Government of Chubut in the Patagonia region of southern Argentina is reporting an unprecedented hantavirus outbreak. According to the latest numbers, 24 cases have been reported, including eight fatalities. But the biggest concern of this outbreak is its person-to-person contagion.

Meningococcal Disease - Ireland

Three people have died following an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Ireland, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE). Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis or septicaemia, which requires urgent antibiotic treatment. Eleven cases have been reported since the last week of December.

Yellow Fever - Nigeria

On 22 November 2018, the World Health Organization was informed of a cluster of suspected Yellow fever (YF) cases and deaths in Edo State, Nigeria. Edo State is located less than 400km from Lagos on a dense population movement axis between Lagos and South-Eastern Nigeria. Edo State is also a known endemic area for Lassa fever – which was initially suspected as causing the outbreak. From 22 September through 31 December 2018, a total of 146 suspected, 42 presumptive positive, and 32 confirmed cases, including 26 deaths (presumptive case fatality rate: 18%), have been reported across 15 of 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Edo State.