Malaria: Dominican Republic (Update)
In October and November of 2005 the Public Health Agency of Canada was notified of two cases of P. falciparum malaria in European travellers returning from the province of La Altagracia in the Dominican Republic. The cases, a 24-year-old female tourist from France and a 20-year-old male tourist from Spain, acquired the disease during travel to the Bavaro area in the province of La Altagracia in August and September of 2005. The Agency continues to collaborate with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pan American Health Organization in the monitoring and reporting of cases of malaria in travellers returning from the Dominican Republic. At this time, no additional cases have been reported.
Source: Travel Medicine Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, 31 January 2006

Avian Influenza (H5N1) - Human Activity: Asia, Europe and Middle East (Update)
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in birds and in humans in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Further information can be accessed online at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2006/h5n1060131_e.html.
Source: Travel Medicine Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, 31 January 2006

Surveillance of Early Detection of Disease Outbreaks at an Outdoor Mass Gathering: Virginia
Implementing public health surveillance at mass gatherings might help detect outbreaks or possible acts of biologic terrorism and enable prompt public health intervention. This report describes public health surveillance and response activities during a 10-day event and presents recommendations for health surveillance at large outdoor events. Public health surveillance should be implemented at mass gatherings to facilitate rapid detection of outbreaks and other health-related events and enable public health teams to respond with timely control measures.
Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Volume 55, No. 3, 27 January 2006

Orf Virus Infection in Humans: New York, Illinois, California and Tennessee
Orf virus is a zoonotic parapoxvirus endemic to most countries in the world and is principally associated with small ruminants (e.g., sheep and goats). Human orf infections appear as ulcerative skin lesions after contact with an infected animal or contaminated fomite. This report summarizes the epidemiologic and laboratory investigations of four sporadic cases of human orf infection, emphasizing the temporal association between human lesions and skin trauma or recent flock vaccination with live orf vaccine. This zoonotic infection shares clinical manifestations and exposure risks with other, potentially life-threatening zoonoses (e.g., cutaneous anthrax) and is likely under-recognized because of a lack of clinical suspicion and widely available diagnostics. Barrier precautions and proper hand hygiene are recommended for the prevention of orf virus infection in humans.
Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Volume 55, No. 3, 27 January 2006

Hepatitis B Vaccine for all Newborns: Oregon
Public health officials in the Oregon Department of Human Services are calling for hospitals and other health care providers to adopt a national recommendation to vaccinate all newborns against hepatitis B. Universal vaccination at birth is the most effective way to prevent infection and future consequences of the disease. The recommendation was published on 23 December 2005 by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The advisory panel also recommends hepatitis B screening for all pregnant women, 94% of whom in Oregon receive hepatitis screening prior to delivery. If they test positive for the virus, their infant is vaccinated immediately. Oregon has recommended hepatitis B vaccine as a routine infant vaccination since 1991 and as a routine adolescent vaccination since 1995.
Source: News Release, Oregon Department of Human Services, 30 January 2006

The details given are for information only and may be very provisional. Where incidents are considered of national importance and are ongoing, the initial report will be updated as new information becomes available.