Disease

Novel Coronavirus

Origins found in Pangolins – The deadly novel coronavirus pandemic has been traced to pangolins, the world’s most trafficked and endangered mammal, according to researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. This had been confirmed by researchers at the South China Agricultural University. DNA analysed by the Baylor researchers appears to offer a near-perfect match for the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (nCoV-2019). Importantly, the analysis also shows that nCoV-2019 may be present in trafficked pangolins beyond the outbreak epicentre in Wuhan, a metropolis of 11-million people in Hubei province, where market wildlife is thought to have infected traders. The analysis found it in pangolins in Guangdong. Hubei province and Guangdong province are both major nerve centres for China’s pangolin trade. It is probable that the virus originated in bats, with pangolins being the vector into humans. In past epidemics, vectors have been pigs, chickens, ducks and camels.

Singapore – The Singapore Ministry of Health reported an additional three novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) cases today, all with no links to previous cases or travel history to China. This brings the total in the country to 33.

Japan – Another 41 people on a cruise ship quarantined off Japan have the new coronavirus. The newly diagnosed infections mean at least 61 people from the ship have contracted the virus. There were more than 3 700 passengers and crew on the ship when it arrived off Japan’s coast on Monday evening. The ship will remain in quarantine until February 19.

Hong Kong – Hong Kong has begun a mandatory two-week quarantine for anyone arriving from mainland China, in a fresh effort to contain the deadly new coronavirus. Visitors must isolate themselves in hotel rooms or government-run centres. Residents must stay inside their homes. Anyone caught flouting the new rules faces a fine and a prison sentence.

Thailand – The Thai health minister has called for any tourists who refuse to wear medical face masks to be kicked out of the country. He was frustrated by tourists who refuse to wear face masks putting Thai residents at risk of contracting the disease and also suggested the Thai government impose a travel ban on Chinese nationals in order to help prevent the Coronavirus pandemic spreading.

Botulism – Argentina

In Argentina, the Ministry of Health of Córdoba confirmed two cases of botulism in the province. The patients were visitors to the province who “bought pickled wild boar and got sick”. They were both in critical condition in hospital.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever – Mali

Government officials in the governorate of Mopti are reporting seven human Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) deaths. In the village of Samoa, 14 cases were detected and 7 people died. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family.

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2UCJ4Ue