Measles outbreaks in Ireland, Europe, Africa - Measles vaccination recommended in addition to other travel vaccines
The large measles outbreak reported in Ireland earlier this year is decreasing but is not gone.
Since the beginning of 2010, 389 measles cases have been reported to the HPSC; most (52%) cases are less than 5 years of age and from the Dublin area (30%); with 22% less than 1 year of age, too young to have the vaccine usually. Most cases were preventable; of the 230 cases 12 months of age or older, for whom information on vaccination was known, 97% were either unvaccinated or had only one dose of MMR (73% unvaccinated, 24% one dose).
Measles can only be prevented with the MMR vaccine. It is very infectious, and is spread by coughing and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions. Symptoms usually appear 8–12 days after infection and include high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth. Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards.
Complications are more common in children under the age of five, or adults over the age of 20. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and related dehydration, ear infections, or severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia.
Other countries are also reporting an upsurge in measles cases, and as in Ireland, this is occurring among unvaccinated.
• France has reported 2,000 cases since the beginning of the year
http://www.invs.sante.fr/surveillance/rougeole/donnees/donnees_310510.htm
• Germany has reported a measles outbreak in the Essen area
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19605
• WHO has reported large measles outbreaks in Eastern and Southern Africa
http://www.who.int/immunization/newsroom/WHO_UNICEF_press_release_measles_outbreaks_18jun10.pdf
Reminder about need for MMR vaccination for those travelling and resident in Ireland
• Measles outbreaks whether in Ireland or overseas pose a risk to non-vaccinated Irish children and adults
• All children need two doses of MMR vaccine; at 12-15 months and at age 4-5 years
• Older children and young adults who have not received at least two doses of MMR should contact their GP for this vaccine.
• Further details on measles can be found on the HPSC website at http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/VaccinePreventable/Measles/
HPSC publishes HIV and AIDS figures for 2009
New figures released by the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre show 395 newly diagnosed case of HIV in Ireland during 2009 – a 2.2% decrease compared with 2008 – and 33 new cases of AIDS.
The cumulative number of AIDS cases reported up the end of 2009 is 1038, with 414 deaths reported among AIDS cases. There were two deaths among AIDS cases reported in 2009. The total number of HIV infections reported up to the end of 2009 is 5,637.
156 of the newly diagnosed HIV cases were heterosexually acquired, 138 new infections were among men who have sex with men (MSM) and 30 were among injecting drug users (IDUs). However, this data must be interpreted with caution as information on risk group is not available for 65 cases, making analysis of trends difficult.
258 of those diagnosed with HIV in 2009 were male, and 137 were female.
There were five new diagnoses of HIV infection in children during 2009. All are likely to have been infected through mother to child transmission (MCT). Of these, one was born in Ireland and the remaining four were older children who were born in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Of the 307 HIV cases where geographic origin is known, 141 were born in Ireland, 96 were born in sub-Saharan Africa, 21 were born in Western Europe, 13 were born in Central Europe, 15 were born in Eastern Europe and 14 were born in South America.
HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Aidan O’Hora, said that the one of the key findings of this year’s report was the number of MSM who have been newly diagnosed with HIV.
“The number rose from 97 in 2008 to 138 in 2009 – a 42.3% increase in twelve months. The majority of these men – 63% - were born in Ireland and most likely acquired their infection here. Young men under 30 years of age accounted for 35% of new diagnoses. This trend is consistent with what is being seen in many other western industrialized countries.
“The overall drop in HIV cases is welcome. The number of people living with HIV is growing and given the increases in sexually transmitted diseases which facilitate the transmission of HIV infection, people should heed the safe sex message. Anyone engaging in sexual activity should practice safe sex. A properly used condom provides effective protection from HIV.
“The epidemiology of HIV in Ireland is complex and due to the voluntary nature of the reporting system, it is likely that the number of case reports is an underestimate,” added Dr O’Hora.
The full report is available here.
‘Don’t lick spoon’ when cooking or baking with duck eggs warns HPSC as children fall ill with salmonella
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Tuesday) warned parents not to let children lick the spoon used in baking or cooking with duck eggs as an investigation continues into a salmonella outbreak.
So far in 2010, seven cases of Salmonella Typhimurium DT8 have been identified by HPSC and the National Salmonella Reference Laboratory, and have been linked to duck eggs by a public health investigation. At least three have occurred in children who licked the spoon used by their parents in food preparation, says HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Paul McKeown.
“Many children love to lick the cake or food mixture from the spoon during baking and unfortunately in this outbreak it has probably resulted in some falling ill. As yet, the precise location and extent of the problem is not sufficiently clear for us to offer guidance on food distribution or recall so the only way to stay safe is by thoroughly cooking all duck eggs and by preventing cross-contamination between any raw egg and ready-to-eat foods. People should also wash their hands, any preparation surfaces and cooking utensils after handling or using duck eggs.
“The symptoms of Salmonella Typhimurium DT8 infection can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. Occasionally, the illness can be severe, especially in children and the elderly. Anyone who may have these symptoms after recently eating duck eggs or products made with duck eggs, should contact their doctor for advice.
“The investigation into the outbreak is ongoing. HPSC is continuing to work closely with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and public health colleagues to control this outbreak and to prevent further cases,” said Dr McKeown.