H5N1

WHO DON: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Well, this Disease Outbreak News item from WHO certainly brings back memories of yesteryear: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Excerpt:

Situation at a glance 

The World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of one human case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) on 5 September 2024, by the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). 

The case is a male from the Eastern Region of KSA aged between 50-55 years, with underlying health conditions. He had no history of contact with camels and was not a health care worker. The follow-up of close contacts has been completed, and no secondary cases have been detected. 

Since the beginning of the year, five cases including four deaths have been reported from KSA. The notification of this case does not change WHO’s overall risk assessment, which remains moderate at both the global and regional levels.

CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case

Thanks to @Monkeypoxtally for alerting me to this report from the Centre for Health Protection in Hong Kong: CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case. Excerpt:

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (October 2) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccinations.        

The case involves a 43-year-old male patient with good past health. He developed a skin rash on September 24. He attended the Wan Chai Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on September 25 and 27. He is in stable condition and has been admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital.  

According to the patient, he had visited Thailand and Taiwan during the incubation period and had high-risk exposures during his stay there. An initial investigation revealed that no epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization.        

The CHP appeals again to high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations with a view to lowering the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. Persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves of being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. 

Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection.