Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

The Epidemic Virus



Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Between November 2002 and July 2003 an outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong nearly became a pandemic, with 8,422 cases and 916 deaths worldwide (10.9% fatality) according to the WHO.Within weeks SARS spread from Hong Kong to infect individuals in 37 countries in early 2003.

As of today, the spread of SARS has been fully contained, with the last infected human case seen in June 2003 (disregarding a laboratory induced infection case in 2004). However, SARS is not claimed to have been eradicated (unlike smallpox), as it may still be present in its natural host reservoirs (animal populations) and may potentially return into the human population in the future.

Mortality is less than 1% for people aged 24 or younger, 6% for those 25 to 44, 15% for those 45 to 64, and more than 50% for those over 65.For comparison, the fatality rate for influenza is usually around 0.6% (primarily among the elderly) but can rise as high as 33% in severe epidemics of new strains.

Signs and Symptoms

Initial symptoms are flu-like and may include:

 fever, myalgia, lethargy, gastrointestinal

 symptoms, cough, sore throat and other

 non-specific symptoms.The only symptom

 that is common to all patients appears to be

 a fever above 38 °C (100.4 °F). Shortness 

of breath may occur later.

A/H1N1 Virus

AH1N1 Virus Alert!

“Swine flu” was the name originally given to a new strain of the flu that first appeared in Mexico in the Spring of 2009, but is now more accurately described as H1N1 flu, because it is now understood that the H1N1 virus is a mix of swine, human, and avian strains of the flu virus.

It has spread to the United States and around the world and there is a risk that it will develop into a world wide pandemic.  However, over the last several years the ability of the world community to respond to a pandemic has greatly increased, because of concern about the possibility of an avian flu epidemic.  A focused partnership with the range of United Nations agencies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and a coalition of non-governmental organizations, has significantly improved in 30 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Whereas coordinated efforts to respond to disasters usually begin only after the disaster has occurred, the concerns of a global pandemic caused by the avian influenza virus created an unprecedented opportunity to develop the planning and coordination for a pandemic in advance of the event. Because of this work, developing countries’ ability to respond to a pandemic, while still far from perfect, will be both better and faster than what would otherwise have been possible.

So, while the current situation regarding the possible spread of H1N1 flu into a worldwide pandemic is of a concern, it is important to note that due to the work over the last three years, pandemic preparedness measures are in place at the international level to help control the spread of H1N1 and hopefully limit the loss of life from the disease.

Leptospirosis

Kidney tissue, using a silver stainingtechnique, revealing the presence ofLeptospira bacteria

Leptospirosis

               Leptospirosis is a bacterial urinary infection in rats. Though more common in wild rats, it is highly contagious and quickly transmitted to any pet rat that comes in contact with urine from an infected animal. Leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans (zoonotic) or other animals. It is therefore recommended that a rat or rat colony infected with the disease be euthanized.

The disease was first described by Adolf Weil in 1886 when he reported an "acute infectious disease with enlargement of spleen, jaundice and nephritis".Leptospira was first observed in 1907 from a post mortem renal tissue slice. In 1908, Inada and Ito first identified it as the causative organism and in 1916 noted its presence in rats.

Though recognised among the world's most common diseases transmitted to people from animals, leptospirosis is nonetheless a relatively rare bacterial infection in humans. 

The infection is commonly transmitted to humans by allowing water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin, the eyes, or with the mucous membranes. Outside of tropical areas, leptospirosis cases have a relatively distinct seasonality with most of them occurring August–September/February–March.

Dengue Alert ?

mosquito dengue 

What is dengue fever?

           Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence (the "dengue triad") of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.


           Dengue goes by other names, including "breakbone" or "dandy fever." Victims of dengue often have contortions due to the intense joint and muscle pain, hence the name breakbone fever. Slaves in the West Indies who contracted dengue were said to have dandy fever because of their postures and gait.


             Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness. Symptoms include headache, fever, rash, and evidence of hemorrhage in the body. Petechiae (small red or purple splotches or blisters under the skin), bleeding in the nose or gums, black stools, or easy bruising are all possible signs of hemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening and can progress to the most severe form of the illness, dengue shock syndrome.

The Scarlet Fever

“Hong Kong – A scarlet fever outbreak in Hong Kong, thought to be a mutant strain resistant to antibiotics.

Scarlet Fever

Hong Kong officials have recorded 494 cases of scarlet fever this year, more than triple the total for 2010. It is the city’s highest annual total. Thomas Tsang, controller for Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection, said: ‘We are facing an epidemic because the bacteria that is causing scarlet fever is widely circulating in this region — not only in Hong Kong but in mainland China and Macau

Scarlet fever (known as scarlatina in older literature references) is an exotoxin-mediated disease arising from group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection. Ordinarily, scarlet fever evolves from a tonsillar/pharyngeal focus, although the rash develops in fewer than 10% of cases of "strep throat." The site of bacterial replication tends to be inconspicuous compared to the possible dramatic effects of released toxins. Exotoxin-mediated streptococcal infections range from localized skin disorders (eg, bullous impetigo) to the systemic rash of scarlet fever to the uncommon but highly lethal streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.