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EARTHQUAKES IN HAITI cause deaths, injuries, disruption of services

Date: 26 Jan 2010

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on the afternoon of January 12 and was followed by powerful aftershocks, including one January 20, 22 and 26. Extensive damage resulted, particularly in the Port-au-Prince area in Ouest department. The Delmas and Leogane districts of the Ouest department were also heavily affected, as was the capital of Sud-Est department, Jacmel.

Volunteers traveling to Haiti to help with earthquake relief efforts should be aware and properly protected against diseases that arise after a disaster. With water supplies being stalled and contaminated, the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks like Typhoid and Hepatitis A are increased.The potential new mass of displaced persons could create crowded, unsanitary conditions that facilitate the spread of contagious infections.

The risk of disease outbreaks increases following such events, largely due to contaminated water, crowded conditions and lack of shelter. Homelessness is associated with psychological stressors as well as the physical risks of sun exposure, insect-borne illnesses and injury. People are beginning to settle into makeshift shelters. As many as 600 settlements have been spontaneously established in available open spaces. Security is an issue, especially for the estimated 1 million orphans. Disease outbreaks are common in refugee camps, where people live in crowded and unsanitary conditions. Some diarrhea cases have been reported, with no details yet available. Suspected cases of measles were eventually determined to be chicken pox. Tetanus is also an increasing problem.

MENINGITIS CLAIMS FOUR IN MIAMI
Irony for South Floridians, World Meningitis Day is April 25, 2009

Miami, FL- 4/23/09- A virulent strain of meningitis, Neisseria meningitidis W-135, is responsible for the deaths of four people in South Florida. Eight others have been infected in the past six months.

These deaths come just days before the first annual World Meningitis Day which begins April 25, 2009. The day is meant to raise awareness and educate Americans about the dangers of contracting the meningococcal disease. “We recognize the dangers of meningitis and the importance of being vaccinated against the disease,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S.

Although the W-135 strain can be treated with vigorous, early intervention with antibiotics, Lessans warned that this is a fast-acting strain and “death can sometimes occur within hours of first symptoms.”

Neisseria meningitidis is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States. According to the CDC, serogroups B,C and Y are the major causes of meningococcal disease. Among those over age eleven, 75% of cases are caused by serogroups C, Y, or W-135. “The vaccines available in the United States protect against these 3 serogroups and there is plenty of vaccine available in Miami and throughout the U.S.,” commented Lessans after stating that the general population, especially those at risk, often does not get vaccinated.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain. Children and young adults, especially those living in close quarters or sharing utensils, dishes, bottles cigarettes and glasses are at higher risk; although persons of any age can become infected. “Most people don’t realize that even second hand smoking may put you at risk. The bacteria or viruses are exhaled with the smoke and breathed in by other people in the room,” stated Lessans.

Of the two causes of infection, bacterial meningitis is often more serious and has a higher fatality rate than viral meningitis. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, rash and sometimes seizures.

Officials in Miami-Dade are urging hospitals and doctors to notify the Miami-Dade Health Department as soon as they discover any new cases so they can take protective measures. For more information on vaccinations visit www.PassportHealthMiami.com or call 305-642-9889 to make an appointment.

HEPATITIS B AND C, HIV, COLONOSCOPY -
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: (TENNESSEE, FLORIDA & GEORGIA), ALERT
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A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Fri 27 Mar 2009
Source: msnbc Health, Associated Press report [edited]
<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29916792/>

10 colonoscopy patients have hepatitis
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Equipment used on thousands of patients [more than 10 000 -- see comment below. - Mod.JW] at 3 facilities wasn't properly sterilized.
The Veterans Affairs (VA) department says 10 people have tested positive [so far] for infectious liver disease since they were exposed to contaminated colonoscopy equipment. The 10 are among thousands of patients who have been warned to get blood tests since being treated at VA facilities in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Miami [Florida] & Augusta, Georgia. All 3 sites failed to properly sterilize equipment between treatments.

VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts said Friday [27 Mar 2009] that 4 Tennessee patients have tested positive for hepatitis B. A total of 6 have tested positive for hepatitis C, a potentially life-threatening form of the viral infection that can cause permanent liver damage.

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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Brent Barrett

[The Miami VA notified about 3260 patients who received colonoscopies between May 2004 and March 12 of this year [2009] that they may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV. It has suspended colonoscopies. At the Murfreesboro hospital, 6400 veterans might have been exposed, according to the VA. At the Augusta, Ga., VA hospital, 1100 veterans might have been exposed.
<Miami Herald article>