Mumps: Nova Scotia
Capital Health Public Health Services is following a cluster of mumps cases in the district. Thirty-two cases have been confirmed. Cases will continue to accumulate as some people are still coming into contact with infected cases. The cases are asked to self-isolate for the 9 days after they become sick to be sure that they do not put others at risk. Public Health encourages people to be aware of their immunization status and they should contact their doctor if they are uncertain. The investigation of the outbreak continues.
Source: Capital Health Public Health Services, 30 March and 5 April 2007

Salmonellosis Outbreaks Associated with Baby Poultry: United States
During 2006, state health departments notified CDC of three outbreaks of Salmonella species infections in persons who had been in contact with chicks and other baby poultry (ducklings, goslings, and baby turkeys) purchased at agricultural feed stores. The feed stores received the poultry from hatcheries, and each of the three outbreaks was traced to a single hatchery. For decades, baby poultry, particularly chicks and ducklings, have been known to be a source of salmonellosis. More recently, the source of birds associated with salmonellosis outbreaks has been traced back to individual hatcheries. Many persons who purchase baby poultry remain unaware that contact with these birds puts them and others who are exposed to the birds, especially children and immunocompromised persons, at risk for salmonellosis. This report describes the three outbreaks and provides recommendations for preventing transmission of Salmonella infection from birds to humans.
Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Volume 56, No. 12, 30 March 2007

Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Minnesota
New data released by the Minnesota Department of Health show that 16,428 cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), a record number, were reported in Minnesota in 2006. Health officials noted that among the 12,935-chlamydia cases, nearly 70% occurred in teens and young adults. Rates remain elevated among communities of color and nearly one out of three chlamydia cases occurred in Greater Minnesota. The greatest increases for chlamydia, compared to 2005 data, have been in St. Paul with an 11% increase and the suburbs with a 9% increase. Although there was a slight drop in gonorrhea cases in 2006 compared to 2005, this still remains the second most commonly reported STD in Minnesota with 3,303 cases reported in 2006. The state has averaged around 3,200 reported cases of gonorrhea in each of the last five years. Early syphilis cases remain concentrated in the Twin Cities area with 80 out of the 104 total cases occurring among gay and bisexual men in 2006. Three out of four early syphilis cases occurred in persons aged 25 to 44 years.
Source: News Release, Minnesota Department of Health, 2 April 2007

Tularaemia Outbreak: Northern Norway
Since November 2006, nine cases of tularaemia from three adjacent municipalities in northern Norway have been laboratory-confirmed. According to notification forms from clinicians, eight cases had cervical lymphadenopathy, with additional mention of oral or pharyngeal infection in five. Information about the clinical picture is missing for one case at the time of submission of this report. The median age of the cases is 22 years (range 2-54 years), and seven are female. At the time of notification, two patients had recovered, two were still ill, and information was missing for the remaining five. Four of the cases were hospitalised.
Source: Eurosurveillance Weekly, Volume 12, No. 3, 29 March 2007

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.