[Infectious Diseases News Brief]

Influenza Vaccination for the 2003-2004 Season: Canada
The antigenic components of the influenza vaccine have been updated for the 2003-2004 season. The statement contains new information on influenza epidemiology, and updated sections on the immunization of health care workers and adverse reactions. NACI recommends that the trivalent vaccine for the 2003-2004 season in Canada contain an A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2)-like, an A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1)-like, and either B/Hong Kong/330/2001-like or B/Shangdong/7/97-like antigens. Vaccine producers may use antigenically equivalent strains because of their growth properties. Influenza A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2) is antigenically equivalent to the A/Moscow/10/99 (H3N2) virus. Since there is currently no A/Fujian/411/2002-like virus, isolated in embryonic eggs, that is suitable as a vaccine candidate, and since many recent isolates are antigenically closely related to A/Panama/2007/99, it is recommended that the A (H3N2) component of vaccines to be used in the 2003-2004 season contain an A/Moscow/10/99 (H3N2)-like virus. Circulating influenza A (H1N2) viruses are the result of reassortment of influenza A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) viruses. For this reason, antibody against influenza A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) vaccine strains is expected to provide protection against circulating influenza A (H1N2) viruses. The statement can be accessed on-line at: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/03vol29/acs-dcc-4/index.html.
Source: Canada Communicable Disease Report, Volume 29, ACS-4, 15 August 2003

West Nile virus: Nova Scotia
Health officials announced that a man from the Capital Health District is the province's first probable human case of West Nile virus. It is believed that he became infected during recent travel to an area of the United States where there are human cases. Preliminary test results were positive, but final test results to confirm West Nile virus won't be available for a few weeks. The individual went to an outpatient clinic with neurological symptoms. He has been treated on an outpatient basis, and is doing very well.
Source: Media Release, Nova Scotial Department of Health, 21 August 2003

Syphilis: Winnipeg (Update)
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is stepping up its “Stop Syphilis” campaign, involving posters, condom books and coasters. The campaign is aimed primarily at the core group affected so far by the outbreak - middle-aged men and women who meet at downtown bars and hotels and subsequently have unprotected sex with unfamiliar partners while intoxicated. The outbreak has now extended beyond the initial core group and includes 26 confirmed cases, one is a sex trade worker and two other confirmed cases of syphilis whose only reported contacts were three sex trade workers. The total number of known contacts is 69. However, a number of the cases reported contacts for which they were not able to provide identifying information. A number of contacts, some of whom public health staff have not yet been able to trace, live outside the city's core in the suburbs. The range of ages has also been extended with contacts and confirmed cases ranging from the mid-teen years into the mid-seventies.
Source: News Release, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, 22 August 2003

Eastern Equine Encephalitis: North Carolina
The State Public Health Laboratory confirmed that a child from Scotland County has been infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The child has been hospitalized and is in critical condition. This is North Carolina's first human case this year. No other information on the patient will be released to protect the patient's confidentiality.
Source: Press Release, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 22 August 2003

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.

[Infectious Diseases News Brief]