Disease

Update on polio in Equatorial Guinea

As of 16 July 2014, Equatorial Guinea has reported a total of 5 wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases, with onset of paralysis between 28 January 2014 (first case) and 3 May 2014 (most recent case). Genetic sequencing indicated that the cases are linked to the ongoing outbreak in Cameroon.

A national emergency action plan to respond to the polio outbreak was developed by the Ministry of Health and polio partner agencies and is being implemented. Three nationwide campaigns with bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) have already been conducted in the country - two campaigns targeting children under 15 years old in April 2014 and early May 2014, and one in late May 2014 targeting children under 5 years old. Two nationwide bOPV campaigns are planned for mid-July 2014 and mid-August 2014; the July 2014 round will target the entire population, and the August 2014 round will target children under 15 years old.

Chikungunya Disease in Puerto Rico

Health officials declared chikungunya an epidemic in Puerto Rico on Thursday and warn the majority of these mosquito-borne virus cases have been reported in the capital of San Juan and its surrounding areas.

There have been more than 200 reported cases of the virus on the island as of June 25, according to Health Secretary Ana Rius. While Puerto Rico declared an official epidemic, health officials in Jamaica reported their island has just confirmed its first case. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin Harvey said the infected person had recently traveled to a country where the disease has been transmitted locally.

Cholera outbreak in South Sudan - Update

The cholera outbreak in South Sudan has now claimed 60 lives and there are fears more people will die.

The disease is spreading beyond the nation's capital of Juba and into remote areas where it is difficult to get health care.

The sickness is described as just another symptom of the civil war, as many people live in internal displacement camps where the illness spreads quickly.

With heavy rains expected in South Sudan, the outbreak is expected to get worse.