Rabies, Canine, Human - South Africa : (Eastern Cape) Suspected

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - SOUTH AFRICA: (EASTERN CAPE) SUSPECTED
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A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Fri 16 Jan 2009
Source: Independent online, SAPA report [edited]


Suspected rabies outbreak in Eastern Cape
-----------------------------------------
The Eastern Cape Department of Health officials were attending to a
suspected rabies outbreak in Mgwenyane village near Libode on Friday 16 Jan
2009, the department said. Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the department
had dispatched an outbreak team to the village after at least 8 people were
bitten by 2 dogs in the village.

One of the dogs attacked its owner and then bit 5 other people before
running away. The other dog bit 2 people and also ran away. The dogs were
believed to have fled into a nearby forest. All the people who had been
bitten were identified and taken to a nearby hospital where they were being
treated for dog bites and receiving anti-rabies medication.

The outbreak team was on the scene informing people to treat all dogs in
the area with suspicion. "We are urging those who had been bitten to come
forward and be treated with immediate effect," Kupelo said. The suspected
outbreak was reported to the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture. The
Department was responsible for immunising dogs in the area and would help
with further investigations. Kupelo said that the Department only suspected
that the dogs suffered from rabies but that further investigation would
reveal the facts. The ages of the people bitten ranged from 4 to 66 years old.

communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[Although the diagnosis of rabies virus infection has not been confirmed by
laboratory tests, it is highly probable that the diagnosis will be
confirmed in view of the frequency of reports of rabies from this province
of South Africa. That said, this report suggests that the risk of
contracting rabies virus infection from feral dogs may be of no greater
concern than some of the social practices prevalent in the region.

The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of South Africa is available at
. A map showing the provinces
of south Africa can be accessed at
, and the
location of the city of Libode can be found at
. - Mod.CP]

Rabies, Human - UK (05): (Northern Ireland) Ex South Africa

RABIES, HUMAN - UNITED KINGDOM (05): (NORTHERN IRELAND) EX SOUTH AFRICA
***********************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


[1]
Date: Wed 14 Jan 2009
Source: The Nursing Times online [edited]


Rabies death in Northern Ireland sparks Health Protection Agency investigation
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The Health Protection Agency [HPA] has launched an investigation following
the death of a young woman from rabies in Northern Ireland last week [5-9
Jan 2009]. Officials from the agency are attempting to trace volunteers who
have worked at the Riverside Wildlife Rehabilitation and Environmental
Education Centre in Limpopo, South Africa.

The woman, who died last week, is thought to have acquired rabies following
a bite from a dog while working at the animal sanctuary in December 2006.
The centre has written to all those who volunteered there since July 2006
as a precaution and it is estimated that around 230 UK citizens have worked
there since that date. Volunteers are being advised that if they have been
bitten or scratched by a dog or mongoose within the centre or surrounding
area, they should seek medical advice.

Rabies vaccine is extremely effective at preventing the disease even if it
is given some time after an exposure. Dr David Brown, HPA rabies expert,
said: 'This is a tragic event and is a very real example of the need to get
health advice before you travel to countries where rabies is common or if
you know you will be working with animals. "Talk to your doctor or nurse
about whether or not a rabies vaccine is appropriate."

(byline: Richard Staines)

communicated by:
ProMED-mail
via HealthMap alerts

******
[2]
Date: Fri 16 Jan 2009
Source: HPA. Health Protection Report [edited]

Rabies, Fox, Human - Russia: (Moscow Region)

RABIES, FOX, HUMAN - RUSSIA: (MOSCOW REGION)
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A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 12 Jan 2009
Source: Life.ru News Agency [in Russian, trans. & summ. Corr.BA, edited]


Fatal rabies case in the Moscow region
--------------------------------------
An emergency situation has been declared in the Noginsk area of the Moscow
region [oblast] where a fatal case of rabies has been reported. All those
who have had contact with the fatal case are under observation.

It is inferred that the deceased patient, a 42 year old man, contracted
rabies in August 2008 when he was bitten by a sick fox. He did not
immediately seek medical treatment and was admitted to hospital only much
later, when his condition had deteriorated. He died on 31 Dec 2008.

communicated by:
ProMED-RUS


[There has been an increase in the number of human cases of rabies in
several Russian regions. According to official statistics the number of
[fatal] cases of rabies virus infection increased from 5 during 11 months
of 2007 to 15 for the same period of 2008. - Mod.NP

An interactive map of the regions of Russia can be accessed at
. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map
of Russia is available at
- Mod.CP]

Rabies - China : (Shandong)

RABIES - CHINA: (SHANDONG)
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A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 12 Jan 2009
Source: GoogleNewsZH [Chinese, trans. Angela Song-En Huang, edited]


According to the Yantai City Disease Control Center, the number of
infectious diseases reported in Yantai [Shandong Province] continues to
fall steadily. But there has been a rise in the number rabies cases.

For the 9 years following 1998, Yantai City reported no locally-acquired
rabies cases. With the keeping of pets becoming more and more popular after
2007, there has been much trading and exchange of animals between cities.
Yentai began to report rabies occasionally, resulting in an expansion of
affected areas.

In addition, the rat population has increased, resulting in increases of
[hantaviral] hemorrhagic fevers. Although cases of AIDS and tuberculosis
are falling, they may increase in the future. Experts warn that people must
continue to protect themselves from infectious diseases.

communicated by:
ProMED-mail via
HealthMap

[Further information on measures being taken to control the spread of urban
rabies in Yantai city and Shandong province, such as the policy regarding
vaccination of household pets, would be welcomed.

A map of Shandong province, showing the city of Yantai on the north coast,
is available at . The
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of China can be accessed at
. - Mod.CP]

Rabies, Bat, Feline & Human Exposure - USA: (Illinois)

RABIES, BAT, FELINE AND HUMAN EXPOSURE - USA: (ILLINOIS)
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A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Sun 11 Jan 2009
Source: Shavedlongcock.blogspot.com [edited]


The discovery of a rabid bat in the Lincoln Square neighborhood prompted
the city late on Saturday [10 Jan 2008] to issue a warning against any
contact with bats or other wild animals. On Wed 7 Jan 2009, a house cat
discovered the bat in an apartment near Lawrence and Western Avenues and
woke up a man and woman in the dwelling, according to the Chicago
Department of Public Health. The couple saw the bat lying on the floor and
trapped it with a bucket, and then called staff from Chicago Animal Care
and Control to remove it.

Analysis of the bat's carcass this week by the Illinois Department of
Public Health showed the bat had rabies, and, as a precaution, the man and
the woman are undergoing medical treatment, a series of 5 vaccinations
spread out over a 28 day period. "Rabies should never, under any
circumstances, be taken lightly," CDPH [Chicago Department of Public
Health] commissioner Terry Mason said in a release sent Saturday [10 Jan
2008] night. "This is a deadly viral disease that attacks the nervous
system. There is no effective treatment for rabies once symptoms have
started. At that point, it is fatal." But a rabies infection can be
prevented with early treatment, "so that makes it vitally important that
anyone exposed to a bat seek medical care right away," he said.

People can get rabies from the bite of an infected warm-blooded animal,
such as a bat, raccoon, skunk, coyote, feral cat, or domestic animals. In a
typical year, about 2 or 3 rabid bats are detected in the city, according
to the CDPH. People who find a bat in their house should immediately leave
the room where the bat is, close the door behind them and call 911.

communicated by:
ProMED-Mail rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[The species of the bat and fate of the cat are not disclosed. - Mod.CP]

Rabies, Human - United Kingdom (04) : (Northern Ireland) ex South Africa

RABIES, HUMAN - UNITED KINGDOM (04): (NORTHERN IRELAND) ex SOUTH AFRICA
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Wed 7 Jan 2009
Source: Daily Telegraph online [edited]


A woman who contracted rabies while working in an African animal
sanctuary has become the 1st Briton to die from this virus infection
in the past 4 years. The woman, from Northern Ireland, had been in a
critical condition in the intensive care unit of Belfast's Royal Victoria
Hospital since the condition was diagnosed in December [2008]. It is
thought she was infected with the virus -- which is invariably fatal
if not treated immediately -- after being scratched or bitten by a
rabid dog she had been helping to look after.

The woman had traveled to Africa a number of times over the last
couple of years but began to feel unwell after being home for several
months after her last trip in March 2008.

A statement from her brothers said: "We are devastated by the loss of
our sister. We are extremely proud not only of all she achieved in
life but also of the bravery with which she fought her illness. Her
courage was inspiring and typical of the passionate and determined
way in which she led her life. Her loss will leave a huge hole in all
our lives, and her family and friends will miss her terribly."

Since 1946, there have been 23 deaths among Britons infected with
rabies abroad. The most recent human case was in 2005 when a woman
became infected after being bitten by a dog in Goa, India and later
died in hospital in Liverpool. It is believed the Belfast patient may
have been infected as far back as December 2006 while working in an
animal sanctuary in South Africa. She sent home emails at the time
detailing how she had been scratched while separating 2 dogs. One of
the animals later had to be put down after it started foaming at the mouth.

The woman, who was in her 30s, worked as an adoption manager at the
Cats Protection centre at Dundonald [in Northern Ireland]. She is
believed to be the 1st person in Northern Ireland to have contracted
rabies for 70 years. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board in
Belfast led a multi-agency investigation into her case and insisted
the risk to the community was negligible; there is no documented case
of human-to-human transmission of rabies anywhere in the world. In
the UK, the last human death from [canine] rabies contracted
domestically was in 1902. The World Health Organization has estimated
the annual number of human rabies deaths to be between 40 000 and as
high as 70 000. Most of these deaths take place in developing
countries, particularly in South and Southeast Asia.

Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[The length of the presumed incubation period is surprising but not
exceptional and probably contributed to the late diagnosis of the
unfortunate woman's condition. The vaccination status of the victim
is not revealed, but it must be presumed that she had not sought or
been offered post-exposure vaccination after sustaining a bite from a
aggressive canine while working in South Africa. The deceased woman
should have been offered protective anti-rabies vaccination prior to
her employment in an animal sanctuary, a high risk environment in a
rabies-endemic country.

Northern Ireland and the city of Belfast can be located on the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the United Kingdom at:
.
- Mod.CP]

Rabies, Canine, Human -Indonesia: (Bali), Suspected

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - INDONESIA: (BALI), SUSPECTED
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Tue 6 Jan 2008
Source: The Jakarta Post online [edited]


A 4-year-old boy, who was suspected of contracting rabies after a dog
bit him 6 months ago, died in Sanglah Hospital last Tuesday [30 Dec
2008?]. The Badung health authority did not inform the press about
the boy's death. The Jakarta Post learned about it from a source who
declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to
journalists. The Post managed to get official confirmation of the
death on Monday [5 Jan 2009].

The boy was a resident of Kutuh village, South Kuta, which has been
classified as a rabies-prone area. It is not yet clear whether the
boy had in fact died of rabies, as hospital officials could not
provide laboratory results yet, but observations indicated the boy
had shown symptoms similar to rabies-infected patients prior to his
death, including fear of water, uncontrollable convulsions and
excessive drooling.

"Public testimonies and the physician in the South Kuta public health
center said the boy was exhibiting symptoms of rabies infection, but
he died before the laboratory results had come back," said I Ketut
Suiadnyana, head of Disease Observation and Prevention at the Badung
Health Agency. "We are currently working to gather the boy's medical
history." Kutuh village Chief I Wayan Litra confirmed the boy had
been bitten by a dog 6 months ago, and the dog that had bitten him
died a week later. "Soon after, the boy came down with a high fever
but was nursed back to health. Then last week, he began convulsing
uncontrollably, so his parents took him to Sanglah Hospital, where he
died," Litra said.

Head of South Kuta's public health center, Sastrawan, said he planned
to interview the boy's parents to verify whether the boy had been
bitten a 2nd time and to gather other relevant medical information.

Four people are believed to have died from rabies in the past few
months. The alleged victims all died after being bitten by dogs. Of
the 4, only one showed clinical symptoms specific to rabies-infected
patients. The discovery of a rabid canine on 26 Nov 2008 [see
ProMED-mail references below] and the number of deaths have prompted
Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika to declare south Kuta a rabies-prone area.

The province conducted a mass culling and vaccination program in the
area, which was recently expanded to include south Denpasar, the area
adjacent to south Kuta. The program is called Lirikan Indah,
literally meaning a beautiful glance. It stands for kenali
(identify), hindari (avoid), laporkan (report), vaksin (vaccinate)
and rumahkan (leash). Banners and billboards have been put up in the
area to warn people against transporting dogs, cats, or primates into
and out of Bali until the rabies situation is under control.

Also, 503 wild dogs have been culled from south Kuta since the
outbreak. I Gusti Ngurah Mahardika, a veterinarian and rabies
management team member, said rabies was 100 percent preventable if an
infected person was immediately vaccinated and the bite wound
immediately cleaned with soap. "The most important thing is to not
let dogs roam wild outside the house. One infected dog can transmit
the disease to 10 other dogs within a week," he said.

[Byline: Luh De Suryani]

Communicated by:
Thomas Schmidt
CEO mediScon worldwide
International Institute for Travel and Health
Kaulbachstr. 25
30625 Hannover - Germany


[Commendable efforts are being made to alert the population of the
southern part of the island of Bali to the dangers of rabies
infection in the canine population and to achieve control and
eradication by a combination of culling and vaccination. Strangely,
the medical authorities seem reluctant to employ post-exposure
vaccination to protect the human population. As of yet, none of the
suspected cases of human rabies have been confirmed by laboratory
diagnosis. The outcome of these investigations is awaited.

A map of the island of Bali showing the location of Kuta at the base
of the southernmost peninsula, the site of the rabies outbreak, is available at
.
The location of the island of Bali can be found using the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Indonesia at:
.
- Mod.CP]