H5N1

Animal health body urges bird flu vaccination to avoid pandemic

Via Reuters: Animal health body urges bird flu vaccination to avoid pandemic. Excerpt:

PARIS, May 21 (Reuters) - Governments should consider vaccinating birds against bird flu to avoid the virus - which has already killed hundreds of millions of birds and infected mammals worldwide - turning into a new pandemic, the head of the World Animal Health Organisation (WOAH) said.  

The severity of the current outbreak of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, and the economic and personal damage it has caused, has led governments to reconsider vaccinating poultry. However, some, like the United States, remain reluctant mainly because of the trade curbs this would entail.

"We are coming out of a COVID crisis where every country realised the hypothesis of a pandemic was real," WOAH Director General Monique Eloit told Reuters in an interview.  

"Since almost every country that does international trade has now been infected, maybe it's time to discuss vaccination, in addition to systematic culling which remains the main tool (to control the disease)," she said.  

The WOAH is holding a five-day general session from Sunday, and will be focus on global control of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. 

A WOAH survey showed only 25% of its member states would accept imports of products from poultry vaccinated against HPAI.  

The European Union's 27 member states agreed last year to implement a bird flu vaccine strategy. France is set to be the first one, starting with ducks in the autumn.  

"If a bloc like the EU, which is a large exporter, starts moving in that direction, it will have a ricochet impact," Eloit said.  

The U.S. department of Agriculture (USDA) told Reuters on Friday that "in the interest of leaving no stone unturned in the fight against HPAI, USDA continues to research vaccine options that can protect poultry from this persistent threat".  

However, it still considers biosecurity measures to be the most effective tool for mitigating the virus in commercial flocks, it said in emailed answers.

Progress toward regional measles elimination — worldwide, 2000–2021

Via MMWR: Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2021. The summary:

What is already known about this topic?  

Progress toward measles elimination experienced setbacks in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

What is added by this report?  

During 2000–2021, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 56 million deaths worldwide. In 2021, only 81% of children received their first dose of measles containing vaccine (MCV), the lowest coverage reported since 2008, leaving 25 million children vulnerable to measles. Measles surveillance continues to be suboptimal, and large and disruptive outbreaks were reported in 22 countries.  

What are the implications for public health practice?  

Reaching all children with 2 doses of MCV and strengthening measles surveillance is critical to close immunity gaps, prevent outbreaks, and recover progress lost during the pandemic.

Excess death rates for Republicans and Democrats during the COVID-19 pandemic

Via the National Bureau of Economic Research: Excess Death Rates for Republicans and Democrats During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The abstract:

Political affiliation has emerged as a potential risk factor for COVID-19, amid evidence that Republican-leaning counties have had higher COVID-19 death rates than Democrat- leaning counties and evidence of a link between political party affiliation and vaccination views. 

This study constructs an individual-level dataset with political affiliation and excess death rates during the COVID-19 pandemic via a linkage of 2017 voter registration in Ohio and Florida to mortality data from 2018 to 2021. We estimate substantially higher excess death rates for registered Republicans when compared to registered Democrats, with almost all of the difference concentrated in the period after vaccines were widely available in our study states. 

Overall, the excess death rate for Republicans was 5.4 percentage points (pp), or 76%, higher than the excess death rate for Democrats. Post-vaccines, the excess death rate gap between Republicans and Democrats widened from 1.6 pp (22% of the Democrat excess death rate) to 10.4 pp (153% of the Democrat excess death rate). 

The gap in excess death rates between Republicans and Democrats is concentrated in counties with low vaccination rates and only materializes after vaccines became widely available.

WHO sees October COVID surge in Ukraine, cites polio concerns

Via Reuters: WHO sees October COVID surge in Ukraine, cites polio concerns. Excerpt:

JERUSALEM, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation expects a rise in COVID-19 in Ukraine to peak in October, possibly bringing hospitals close to their capacity threshold, WHO's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday.  

"We are now seeing an increase in cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine. We project that transmission could peak in early October and hospitals could approach their capacity threshold," Ghebreyesus told WHO'S Regional Committee for Europe conference in Tel Aviv.  

"Oxygen shortages are predicted because major supply sources are in occupied parts of the country," he said. Oxygen is essential for patients with a range of conditions, including COVID-19 and those with other critical illnesses stemming from complications of pregnancy, childbirth, sepsis, injuries and trauma.  

Russia's February invasion of Ukraine has greatly impacted healthcare, with the WHO confirming more than 500 attacks on health infrastructure there, resulting in some 100 deaths. Ghebreyesus also said that the war could increase polio spread. 

"We are also deeply concerned about the potential for the international spread of polio due to the gaps in immunization coverage and mass population movement linked to the war," he said.  

Ukraine has low vaccination coverage for both COVID and polio, an infectious disease mainly affecting children that can cause paralysis and kill in rare cases. Two cases of polio were reported in Ukraine in 2021.

Defining immunization: Types, statistics, and resources

Thanks to Regis College Online for sending the link to this resource just before World Immunization Week: Defining Immunization: Types, Statistics, and Resources. Click through to see the very good infographic on immunization. The introduction:

Immunization prevents an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths per year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The administration of vaccines has increased significantly over the last century, and developments in the field continue to improve and strengthen them. It’s important for every individual to understand the different types of vaccines and stay aware of recommendations for immunizations put forth by public health organizations.

Ebola in Mbandaka: No new confirmed case for a week

Via Provinces 26 RDC: DRC-Ebola in Mbandaka: no new confirmed case for a week. The Google translation, slightly edited:

No new confirmed case of the Ebola virus disease has been recorded for a week, to the day, in the city of Mbandaka in Equateur province. The last case was recorded on April 25, and died a day later.  

The latest data made public by the health authorities show a total of 2 confirmed cases, a man and a woman [all deceased], in the health zone of Mbandaka alone. 

Since Wednesday April 27, the vaccination campaign against Ebola has been launched. It concerns people who have come into contact with a patient suffering from Ebola, as well as front-line workers.  

So far, 175 people have been vaccinated. The total number of contacts listed is 334 people.  

Meanwhile, the Governor of Equateur calls on the population to be vigilant and to respect the health measures enacted, in order to stop the spread of this epidemic.  

In a message made public, Governor Bobo Boloko asks residents to immediately refer suspected cases within their various entities to nearby health structures for appropriate care.  

"Our province is now in an epidemic of the Ebola virus disease. I want to inform you that it is a very dangerous, contagious and often fatal disease. It is transmitted by direct contact with blood, urine, stool, vomit, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, sweat and manipulation of the body of a patient with or who has died of Ebola. And by the consumption of wild and domestic animals found dead. In case of headache, fever, abdominal pain, hiccups, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, red eyes and sometimes bleeding. This is why before eating, preparing, breastfeeding and changing babies' diapers, after the toilet, on returning home, we wash our hands with soap and clean water. 

Note that this 14th Ebola epidemic has been officially declared in Mbandaka. This is the third outbreak in this province since 2018.

Mbandaka: ISTM takes measures to secure its students against the new Ebola epidemic

Via Radio Okapi, we learn that the first Ebola case was a medical student: Mbandaka: ISTM takes measures to secure its students against the new Ebola epidemic. The Google translation:

The Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM) took measures, including vaccination, to secure its students and limit the spread of Ebola, 48 hours after the declaration of the epidemic in Mbandaka by the central government.   

The first confirmed and deceased case was student Yange Bononga, enrolled in the 3rd Nutrition graduate, for the 2021-2022 academic year.   

Thus the management committee meeting on Monday, April 25 asked for the cooperation of the students and the support of the competent services.   

Among these measures taken, there is the awareness of students on the existence of the disease, the respect of barrier gestures and the obligation to present themselves free of charge to the hospital in the event of illness.   

In addition to the installation of washbasins in front of the strategic corners of the institute, the committee also requested the vaccination of the entire ISTM community, particularly the students of the 3rd Nutrition graduate.      

In addition, the ISTM has launched an appeal to public health services and humanitarian organizations to help build its capacity in information and protective equipment. Thus, a conference-debate on the resurgence of the Ebola virus disease in Ecuador is planned this week.   

All these measures are taken, continues the management committee, following the instructions of the minister in charge, to help curb the epidemic.    

Some students unfortunately had contact with the victim during his final moments.   

The management committee clarified, however, that the victim would have contracted the disease during his return trip from the holidays of Boende, where he is from.   

Although he probably arrived on April 10 in Mbandaka, he was directly admitted to health centers without attending the institute. This, until his hospitalization at the Wangata General Reference Hospital, then at the Ebola treatment center, where he passed away. 

WHO: Democratic Republic of Congo declares new Ebola outbreak in northwest province

A news release from WHO AFRO: Democratic Republic of Congo declares new Ebola outbreak in North West Province.

Brazzaville/Kinshasa, April 23, 2022 – Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared an Ebola outbreak today after the confirmation of a case in Mbandaka, capital of Equateur province (north -west). This is the third outbreak in this province since 2018.  

So far, only one case has been confirmed. The patient, a 31-year-old man, began experiencing symptoms on April 5 and after more than a week of home care, he sought treatment at a local health facility. On April 21, the patient was admitted to an Ebola treatment center for intensive care but died later that night. After recognizing the symptoms, health workers immediately took samples for laboratory testing for Ebola virus disease. Investigations to determine the source of the outbreak are ongoing.  

“Time is not on our side,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “The disease has taken a two-week head start and we are now playing catch-up. The good news is that health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have more experience than anyone else in the world in rapidly controlling Ebola outbreaks."  

The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing its fourteenth Ebola outbreak since 1976. The current outbreak is the sixth since 2018 alone, the most frequent event in the country's Ebola history. In Equateur province, previous outbreaks date back to 2020 and 2018, with 130 and 54 cases recorded respectively.  

Efforts to stem the current outbreak are already underway. The deceased patient received a dignified and safe burial, which involves modifying traditional funeral ceremonies in ways that minimize the risk of contagious fluids infecting attendees.   

Anyone who has been in contact with the patient is also identified and their state of health will be monitored. The health facility where the patient received care has been decontaminated.  

WHO experts based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are supporting national authorities to strengthen key areas of outbreak response, including testing, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, treatment, as well as risk communication and engagement with communities to support public health measures to prevent infections.  

Vaccination should start in the next few days. The country already has stocks of rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine available in the cities of Goma and Kinshasa. The vaccines will be sent to Mbandaka and administered using the "ring vaccination" strategy - where contacts and contacts of contacts will be vaccinated to curb the spread of the virus and protect lives.  

"Many people in Mbandaka are already vaccinated against Ebola, which should help reduce the impact of the disease," said Dr Moeti. "All those who were vaccinated during the 2020 epidemic will be revaccinated."  

Ebola is a potentially deadly disease, affecting humans and other primates. Case fatality rates have ranged from 25% to 90% in past epidemics. Effective treatment now exists and if patients receive early treatment, as well as supportive care, their chances of survival improve dramatically.

COVID-19 in February 2022

Here is a screenshot from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) dashboard, taken just a few moments ago:

And here is what I posted from that dashboard on February 1, 28 days ago:

We've seen some dramatic changes: a predicted sharp fall in cases, from 23,183,000 in the week ending January 30, to 10,942,000 in the week ending January 27.  

 

Deaths in the week ending January 30 were 66,304. They peaked on February 6 at 75,455, and fell to 60,232 in the week ending February 27.

 

Vaccinations have been erratic, from a low of 166,866,000 in the week of January 30 to a peak of 257,076,000 in the week ending February 6, and ending the month at 162,473,000.

 

Meanwhile the US with 4,487,000 cases in February has been overtaken in case counts by Germany with almost 5 million cases, and Russia with 4,508,000. Around the world, 60,265,061 persons contracted COVID-19 in February, and 285,999 died of it.

 

All these numbers are of course probably serious undercounts, and the pandemic seems likely to continue indefinitely. It will receive media attention when it afflicts rich or strategically important countries; otherwise the media will go back to stories about sports and entertainment, politics and scandal. We have probably already passed the billionth case, but the official billionth case will trigger lots of headlines. Then COVID-19 will fade out of our awareness until a new strain emerges, or someone in our family falls ill and dies of an old one.

 

I hope I'm still here to post the Johns Hopkins numbers for February 28, 2023.

Africa marks two years of COVID-19 fight

Via WHO AFRO: Africa marks two years of COVID-19 fight.

Brazzaville – Africa today marks two years since the first COVID-19 case was detected in the continent. Countries across the region have made great efforts in combatting the pandemic in which more than 11 million cases and over 242 000 deaths have so far been recorded.     

While the impact of COVID-19 has been widespread and devastating, Africa has drawn from its experience in responding to other outbreaks to tackle the pandemic, and with the support of World Health Organization (WHO) it has bolstered public health measures, learned crucial lessons, improved tactics and grown better at responding to the virus.     

The continent’s capacity to manage COVID-19 cases has improved, with the increased availability of trained health workers, oxygen and other medical supplies. The number of Intensive Care Unit beds has increased across the continent, from 8 per 1 million people in 2020 to 20 today. WHO has also helped increase the number of oxygen production plants in Africa from 68 to 115 – a 60% rise – through supporting the repair, maintenance and procurement of new oxygen plants. Where plants have been set up, the cost of oxygen has decreased by 40%. Despite these improvements, oxygen availability remains a concern, and a large majority of patients who require oxygen as part of their clinical treatment plan are unable to access it.  

“This year we can end the disruption and destruction the virus has left in its path, and gain back control over our lives,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Controlling this pandemic must be a priority, but we understand no two countries have had the same pandemic experience, and each country must, therefore, chart its own way out of this emergency.”     

Although Africa’s pandemic response capacity has improved, the continent must now significantly ramp up COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Only 11% of the population is fully vaccinated so far. Vaccine supplies have increased in recent months and WHO is working with countries facing challenges to overcome the hurdles and widen vaccination reach.