Pandemic Plan Released: Nova Scotia
The province pandemic plan for the health system will aim to reduce the amount of sickness and death during a potential influenza pandemic. The first version of the Nova Scotia Health System Pandemic Influenza Plan describes action, organized by pandemic phase, in areas of communications, surveillance, public health measures, vaccines, antivirals and health services. Health Minister mentioned an event such as a pandemic would not only stress the health system, but the economy, the province and society in general. It is expected that 15 to 35% of Nova Scotia's population will become ill during a pandemic. About 1,000 to 3,000 Nova Scotians will require hospitalization, and 300 to 1,000 people could die.
Source: Nova Scotia Department of Health, 26 June 2007

Mumps: Maritimes (Update)
As of 22 June 2007, 518 confirmed cases of mumps had been reported from the affected provinces (Nova Scotia 395; New Brunswick 99; P.E.I. 2; Newfoundland 1; Ontario 14; Manitoba 2; Alberta 3; British Columbia 2). Confirmed cases are either laboratory-confirmed OR clinically compatible and linked to a laboratory-confirmed case. However to date, the sporadic exportation of mumps cases from the Maritimes does not appear to be resulting in sustained transmission in other provinces. The majority of cases have occurred in persons aged 17-37 years, many of whom are college or university students. The viral strain in these outbreaks is identical to the strain (genotype G) detected from the 2005-06 Nova Scotia outbreaks, the United States' multi-state outbreak in 2006 and the United Kingdom epidemic between 2004 and 2006. Information on date of onset is known for 492 of the 518 confirmed mumps cases reported. The remaining 26 cases are pending or missing dates of onset. The Public Health Agency of Canada will continue to provide updates on the current outbreak of mumps. Further information can be obtained online at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/mumps-oreillons/prof_e.html.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada, 22 June 2007

Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has launched an innovative campaign to reverse the increase in cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia in the County. The rates of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are all alarmingly high and rising in the community. Gay and bi-sexual men in LA County continue to face a serious problem with syphilis. In 2005, 85% of the recorded syphilis cases were among this group. Six out of 10 of those cases occurred among HIV-positive men. There are more than 30,000 cases of chlamydia and more than 5,000 cases of gonorrhea in women alone every year in LA County. African American and Latino women make up the largest number of those reported cases out of any other group. The campaign is part of a comprehensive public health strategy that includes augmented Public Health Investigator field staff to follow-up on treatment with patients; additional field staff placed at community agencies that have rapport with gay and bi-sexual men, and have detected large numbers of syphilis cases in their clients; and enhanced testing in the LA County jail system, where high rates of syphilis were previously detected.
Source: Public Health News, County of Los Angeles Public Health, 26 June 2007

Tetanus: Italy
In June 2006, a child hurt himself on an iron gate, and developed a mild trauma on his left thumb resulting in a superficial laceration which was cleaned and dressed by a physician, and did not require hospitalisation. According to the national recommendations on tetanus wound management, unimmunised or incompletely immunised persons should in such event receive tetanus immunoglobulin and a vaccine dose simultaneously. However, the parents did not indicate the immunisation status of their child, and therefore he did not receive any post-exposure prophylaxis. Two weeks after the initial injury, the child was admitted to the district hospital with dysphagia, muscular stiffness, opisthotonus and trismus. After an initial assessment, the patient was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. During the hospital stay, in-depth laboratory testing, neuroimaging studies and electromyography were performed. Their results were consistent with the diagnosis of tetanus. The patient was treated with human tetanus immunoglobulin, ceftriaxone, metronidazole, midazolam, promazine, magnesium sulphate and phenobarbital. He recovered and after 15 days in hospital was discharged without any further treatment. A full series of vaccinations in accordance with the national immunisation schedule was begun and subsequently continued after hospital discharge, without any adverse event. It seems unlikely that the vaccine dose administered 32 months before the injury could have modified the severity of tetanus in this case.
Source: Eurosurveillance Weekly, Volume 12, Issue 6, 21 June 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.