ANNOUNCEMENTS
RAHC Hosts Provider Social
22 February- Fires 50 number 45, “Life is more fun with great teammates." Reynolds Army Health Clinic (RAHC) hosted their annual Provider Social Thursday, 17 February, as medical providers from across southwest Oklahoma gathered in the Lawton Convention Center at the Hilton Garden Inn. Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals from Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Southwestern Medical Center, and Duncan Regional Hospital were on hand to meet and socialize with their counterparts from RAHC. The event was coordinated by Humana Military which is the service that administers the TRICARE health program for military members, retirees and their families in the East Region. Reynolds Army Health Clinic Commander and the Director for the Central Oklahoma Small Market under the recent Defense Health Agency (DHA) transition, Col. Daniel Bridon, referenced the Fires 50 quote mentioned above in his opening remarks highlighting the excellent care that the southwest Oklahoma TRICARE partners provide to the Soldiers, Family Members, and Retirees that are referred from Reynolds to the TRICARE Network. The event was not only a chance for the medical professionals in the region to meet, but for Col. Bridon to speak about upcoming changes to TRICARE and introduce the 19 March MHS GENESIS transition for all military treatment facilities in Oklahoma, which will greatly update and upgrade the electronic health record system and allow better healthcare coordination between TRICARE and the Lawton/Fort Sill area medical facilities. The referral process is a major part of the health care provided by RAHC for the Lawton/Fort Sill TRICARE beneficiary population. The specialty medical care that is offered within the local area is vital in order for Reynolds to be able to provide safe, high-quality, accessible, patient-centered care, and to protect and improve the health of the Fort Sill community. Thursday's event is a small way for Reynolds Army Health Clinic to show their appreciation for the support of the southwest Oklahoma health care community and to take the time to discuss and improve ways to continue that support. Army.mil 
U.S. MILITARY
Hundreds of Oregon Guardsmen help overwhelmed hospitals
16 February- Oregon National Guardsmen are assisting more than 40 hospitals across the state struggling with heavy patient loads and short staffing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Guardsmen handle critical, non-direct patient care roles, including COVID testing support, equipment sterilization and laundry and custodial services. Staff Sgt. Nathan Browning, a 173rd Fighter Wing Airman, said he's helping sterilize rooms in the emergency department after patients leave to make them ready for the next patient, a critical process ensuring pathogens aren't passed from patient to patient. “I like it; I did E.R. admissions over in Idaho for five or six years, so this is my old stomping grounds," he said. Brig. Gen. Donna Prigmore, commander of the Oregon Air National Guard, paid him and others a visit to thank them and explain why hospitals needed them. “Think about filling a glass of water. You reach a point where it starts overflowing and you can't put any more into it," she said. “We've come close two times now in terms of that being the case for accessibility to hospitals, and a lot of people have no idea how close to dire it has become." With the specter of hospitals having to turn patients away, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown asked the National Guard to help cope with the rising tide of COVID. Nearly 1,200 Guardsmen answered that call, helping out in their local hospitals and traveling across the state as well. Col. Micah Lambert, 173rd FW vice commander, says it's an integral part of serving in the National Guard. “Always ready, Always there. That is the National Guard motto, and it is being clearly demonstrated throughout Oregon this year." From Portland to Ashland to Enterprise and every place in between, service members are helping hospitals navigate a public health crisis without having to turn sick people away. “Everyone is tired. It's kind of like ground hog's day; we just need a little relief to get ahead," said Jackie DeSilva, the trauma program manager for Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, the largest hospital in the region. Army.mil
The Chief of the Army Dental Corps Talks Dental Health & Readiness
22 February- Army Brig. Gen. Shan K. Bagby, chief of the Army Dental Corps and commanding general of Army Regional Health Command-Central, spoke with the MHS Communications team to discuss the importance of dental health for service members' readiness, the impact of COVID-19 on his team, the importance of diversity in the military, and his recent visit to the 2022 Army Best Medic Competition. MHS Communications: You recently attended this year's Army Best Medic Competition (ABMC). How does this type of event prepare soldiers for Army medicine? Army Brig. Gen. Shan Bagby: The ABMC challenges the Army's best medical personnel in a demanding, continuous, and realistic simulated operational environment that requires competitors to be agile and adaptive, just as they would have to be in a real-world tactical environment. It is designed to be both physically and mentally challenging as well as testing the competitors' tactical medical proficiency and leadership skills. This event shows the strength and adaptability of Army Medicine to support the Army and the Joint Force. MHS Communications: Particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, why is this competition so relevant for medical soldier teams and their training? Brig. Gen. Bagby: COVID-19 has not stopped the Army's mission, soldiers around the world must be ready to fight tonight. Our medical soldiers must not only be medically ready but also be ready medical soldiers. Preparing for training and competing in this type of event further prepares our soldiers to be just that – ready at a moment's notice to support the warfighter both here and abroad. Army medics allow warfighters to do their jobs knowing they're in good hands if wounded and keeping our fighting force mission ready. MHS Communications: Why is physical fitness such an important aspect of this competition and Army medicine? Brig. Gen. Bagby: Physical fitness is important for any soldier. Being physically fit provides strength, stamina, and survivability for our soldiers to meet the Army mission to deploy, fight, and win our nation's wars by providing ready, prompt, and sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the Joint Force. MHS Communications: Black health and wellness is this year's theme for Black History Month. What's the importance of increasing diversity in the dental corps? Brig. Gen. Bagby: Having a diverse workforce is critical to the success of Army Medicine and our Army. Creating an environment where everyone is welcome ensures we can continue to recruit, train, and retain the best. Our organizations, like our society, are best served when we create an environment where people can contribute in a way that enables collective success. Health.mil
Veterans experience higher mortality rates across all causes of death after traumatic brain injuries, UTSA study shows
22 February- Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, has been called the “signature wound" of the post-9/11 wars, partly because of the widespread use of improvised explosive devices in Iraq and Afghanistan. Advances in body armor and emergency medicine enabled service members to survive injuries that would have been fatal in previous wars. “A lot of those happen to be head injuries, or what would be grouped into the moderate to severe TBI category," said Jeffrey Howard, an associate professor of public health at UTSA and author of a new study published in JAMA Network Open. “So that was at the heart of why we were focused on this particular injury: It's highly prevalent." Howard and his team studied data on more than 2.5 million post-9/11 military veterans and found that they experienced excess mortality rates compared with the total U.S. population. Not only that, but there were dramatically higher mortality risks for veterans exposed to TBI across all causes of death — especially cancer, cardiovascular disease, accidents, suicide and homicide. “What is clear is that there's a problem here. It's multifaceted, multi-dimensional. It cuts across medical issues and healthcare issues and into societal issues," Howard said. Howard pointed out that there's a lot we don't know about how traumatic brain injury affects veterans' bodies and behaviors. TPR
Yuma County COVID-19 cases in significant decline
22 February- On February 21, Yuma County, Arizona's daily average of new COVID cases was 65 per day, down fully two-thirds from only two weeks earlier. Local hospitalizations for COVID also decreased by nearly 40%, though 40 Yuma County residents succumbed to the illness over the previous two weeks. All told, over 1,100 Yuma County residents have died of the virus since the beginning of the pandemic nearly two years ago. U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) Commander Col. Patrick McFall elevated the post's Health Protection Condition to Bravo Plus last month, and urged continued vigilance from the workforce in a commander's round table video on February 9. Citing the wide availability of COVID vaccines, the mandate to wear face coverings indoors while at work on post, and some of the workforce's ability to telework where practical, McFall said YPG personnel have the means to protect themselves, their co-workers, and YPG's mission. “We have to manage our teammates the way we manage a battle," McFall said. “We can't commit everybody, we must have reserves. The number of cases is on a glide path down, but if we aren't careful, we could potentially be out of teammates when we have to perform a critical mission." In Yuma County, 68% of the total population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 73% of the population over the age of five. More than 80% of the local population has received at least one dose of vaccine. Being vaccinated against COVID is still the best protection available against suffering a serious case of COVID-19. As of February 18, 49 of the 64 hospitalized COVID patients in Yuma County--77%-- were unvaccinated. Instances of so-called 'breakthrough' infections in individuals who have received the vaccine tend to be less severe than what is experienced by those who are not vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy still exists among some, with one belief being that the vaccine causes autoantibodies, or antibodies produced by the immune system that attacks a person's own body as in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. This belief is not substantiated by medical studies of the vaccine. “What the research has found is that COVID itself causes this huge inflammatory reaction and does increase autoantibodies, but they did not find that the vaccine caused increased autoantibodies," said Maj. Ashley Aiton, Officer in Charge of the YPG Health Clinic. “It does cause a mild inflammatory process, but all vaccines do that." Army.mil
GLOBAL
A fourth Covid-19 shot might be recommended this fall, as officials 'continually' look at emerging data
21 February- As the world approaches the second anniversary of the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic by the World Health Organization, on March 11, more nations are rolling out -- or are discussing the possibility of -- fourth doses of coronavirus vaccine for their most vulnerable. In the United States, leading public health officials say they are "very carefully" monitoring if or when fourth doses might be needed. Israel was the first nation to roll out fourth doses, announcing in December that adults 60 and older, medical workers and people with suppressed immune systems were eligible to receive the extra shot if at least four months have passed since their third dose. More recently, the Public Health Agency of Sweden announced last week that second booster doses are recommended for everyone 80 and older in the country. The United Kingdom's Department of Health and Social Care announced Monday that an extra booster dose of coronavirus vaccine will be offered in the spring to adults 75 and older, residents in care homes for older adults and immunosuppressed people 12 and older. In the United States, health officials emphasized late last year that fourth doses were not yet needed and said it was too premature to be discussing a potential fourth dose of coronavirus vaccine for most people. Now, the US Food and Drug Administration "is indeed continually looking at the emerging data on the pandemic and variants in the United States and overseas in order to evaluate the potential utility and composition of booster doses," FDA spokesperson Alison Hunt wrote in an email to CNN on Friday. CNN
CDC: Pediatric ER visits skyrocket for injuries and eating disorders during the pandemic
21 February- The COVID pandemic may have been hardest on the youngest among us, despite the fact that children are statistically the least likely to get and transmit the virus. Although overall pediatric emergency rooms (ER) visits declined during the pandemic, the number of visits increased significantly for firearm injuries, self-harm, and drug poisoning compared to pre-pandemic levels, including doubling for eating disorder visits among adolescents, according to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report. "Children and adolescents' loss of parents or other caregivers, increases in other adversities and disruptions in daily routine because of the COVID-19 pandemic might also increase [their] behavioral health concerns and unhealthy coping behaviors," the CDC researchers wrote. The agency analyzed data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program for three time periods: March 2020 to approximately the end of 2020, the year of 2021 and approximately the first month of January 2022. Fox News
COVID-19 face mask's titanium dioxide particles cause cancer? Experts say they should be regulated
19 February- COVID-19 face masks are still a must since many countries across the globe remain affected by the deadly pandemic. Recently, health experts discovered new more contagious variants than the older strains. These are Deltacron, Omnicron, and Delta. Because of this, officials suggested that people still need to wear face masks when going outside. However, a new study claimed that face coverings could also endanger your health as they are believed to contain titanium oxide particles. The Nature journal published a report explaining why titanium oxide particles are harmful to humans when they are inhaled. Experts said that TiO2 could be a carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) when people breathe them in. This just shows that wearing face masks can also lead to some health issues. Previously, another study revealed that 70% of the face masks could contain titanium oxide particles ranging from 100 to 2000 mg. This just shows that TiO2 is available in the textiles used in face coverings. Because of this, experts are now suggesting that officials either regulate the amount of these dangerous particles or phase them out. If you want to see more details about the new study regarding COVID-19 face masks' titanium oxide particles, you can visit this link. Tech Times
Extra Covid booster in spring for over-75s and high risk
21 February- An additional booster dose will be offered to all adults over-75 and the most vulnerable over-12s in the UK this spring. The UK's vaccines advisers said an extra dose would help top up their protection against severe Covid-19. Many of the oldest received their latest shot back in the autumn and immunity may now be waning, it said. An autumn booster programme, aimed at a wider group of people, is also planned later this year. Up until now, only people with severely weakened immune systems had been eligible for a fourth dose - three doses plus a booster. Those now being offered a second booster this spring, to be administered six months after their previous dose, are:
- adults aged 75 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed, or have weakened immune systems
Adults will be offered a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, while children aged 12-18 will receive Pfizer. BBC
RSV vaccine candidate launches extensive phase 3 study
22 February- Massachusetts-based Moderna, Inc. today announced that the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for the RSV program had endorsed the start of the 34,000 participant Phase 3 portion of the pivotal clinical study of mRNA-1345, a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine candidate for seniors. The DSMB's endorsement comes after an independent review of preliminary ConquerRSV Phase 2 data, which suggests that the vaccine has an acceptable safety profile in older adults at the selected dose. The U.S. FDA has already granted Fast Track designation for mRNA-1345. mRNA-1345 is a vaccine against RSV encoding for a prefusion F glycoprotein, eliciting a higher neutralizing antibody response than the postfusion state. And the mRNA-1345 vaccine uses the same lipid nanoparticle as Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine and contains optimized protein and codon sequences. In preclinical studies, Moderna has observed that its seasonal flu, RSV, and COVID-19 booster vaccines can be combined into one dose that produces an immune response to all six antigens. "RSV is one of the most widespread respiratory viruses, causing severe disease and hospitalization in older adults, and yet there is no vaccine available on the market," said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, in a press release issued on February 22, 2022. "An mRNA vaccine against RSV could have a positive impact on individuals, communities, and global public health." Precision Vaccination
SpikeVax's vaccine effectiveness decreases quickly
22 February- The peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine published a study on February 21, 2022, that 3-doses of Modern'a SpikeVax vaccine's effectiveness (VE) against hospitalization caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus variants Delta or Omicron was about 99% across the entire study population. However, the mRNA COVID-19 VE decreased quickly. SpikeVax (mRNA-1273) was 71.6% (69.7–73.4%) at 14–60 days and 47.4% (40.5–53.5%) effective against Omicron infection after 60 days. Furthermore, SpikeVax's 3-dose VE was just 29.4% (0.3–50.0%) against Omicron infection in immunocompromised individuals. This research was led by a Kaiser Permanente Southern California team that conducted a test-negative case-control study among 26,683 COVID-19 cases caused by the Delta and/or Omicron infections in December 2021. Precision Vaccinations
WHO announces 2nd hub for training countries to make COVID vaccines
23 February- The World Health Organization said on Wednesday it has set up a hub in South Korea to train low- and middle-income countries to produce their own vaccines and therapies, and is expanding its COVID-19 vaccine project to a further five nations. The new training hub comes after the U.N. agency set up a technology transfer hub in Cape Town, South Africa, last year to give companies from poor and middle-income countries the know-how to produce COVID-19 vaccines based on mRNA technology. The new hub outside Seoul will provide workforce training to all countries wishing to produce products such as vaccines, insulin, monoclonal antibodies, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press briefing. "Currently, bio-manufacturing training facilities are located mainly in high income countries..., putting them out of reach for many lower income countries," he said. The facility in South Korea is already carrying out training for companies based in the country and will now accommodate trainees from other countries, the WHO said. The WHO also said five more countries - Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Serbia and Vietnam - will receive support from its mRNA technology transfer hub in South Africa. The countries have been vetted by a group of experts and proved to have the capacity to move to production stage relatively quickly, the WHO said. Last week, six African countries - Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia - signed up as the first on the continent to receive the technology to manufacture mRNA vaccines at scale and according to international standards. Reuters
INFLUENZA
CDC: Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report
Key Updates for Week 6, ending February 12, 2022:
- Sporadic influenza activity continues across the country. In some areas, influenza activity is increasing.
- The majority of influenza viruses detected are A(H3N2). H3N2 viruses identified so far this season are genetically closely related to the vaccine virus, but there are some antigenic differences that have developed as H3N2 viruses have continued to evolve.
- The percentage of outpatient visits due to respiratory illness decreased nationally again this week and is below baseline. Influenza is contributing to levels of respiratory illness, but other respiratory viruses are also circulating. The relative contribution of influenza varies by location.
- The number of hospital admissions reported to HHS Protect increased slightly this week.
- The cumulative hospitalization rate in the FluSurv-NET system is higher than the rate for the entire 2020-2021 season, but lower than the rate seen at this time during the four seasons preceding the COVID-19 pandemic.
- CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 2.3 million flu illnesses, 22,000 hospitalizations, and 1,300 deaths from flu.
- An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications. CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu vaccine as long as flu activity continues.
- Flu vaccination coverage remains lower this season compared to last.
- Flu vaccines are available at many different locations, including pharmacies and health departments. Visit www.vaccines.gov to find a flu vaccine near you.
- There are also flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat flu illness. CDC
VETERINARY/FOOD SAFETY
Many countries received recalled infant formula linked to outbreak; one death under investigation
19 February- Recalls are being issued worldwide for powdered infant formula, including Similac, following the announcement of recalls in the United States and Canada. Those recalls include actions in Singapore and New Zealand and are related to an outbreak in the United States that has seen at least four children hospitalized. One death is being investigated by U.S. officials. Three of the infections are from cronobacter sakazakii and one is from Salmonella. The implicated infant formula products are from an Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, MI, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company has initiated a recall for its Similac, Alimentum and EleCare manufactured at the Sturgis, MI, production plant. Recalled products were distributed to the following countries in addition to the United States: Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Guam, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Vietnam ANI South. The FDA's findings to date include several positive cronobacter results from environmental samples taken at the Abbott facility in Sturgis, MI. A review of the Abbott 's internal records also indicate environmental contamination with cronobacter sakazakii. Food Safety News
WELLNESS
Pandemic stress could be causing your eye problems: Here's what to know
7 February- The physical manifestations of pandemic stress are well-documented: People have been experiencing increased blood pressure, sleep problems and trouble focusing. But there are other, potentially overlooked, indicators of stress, according to experts — and eye health is a prime example. “Stress, anxiety, depression and mental health changes can affect our sensory system, especially our vision," said Raj Maturi, an ophthalmologist and clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Vision is a complex psychophysical process where we build a model of the world around us — and this is affected by our mental state." Eye twitching, for example, is a common stress response. Usually, the twitches, which are triggered when the muscles around the eye spasm, go away in a day or two. But other common issues, including dry eye disease, can have lasting effects if they aren't addressed. Eye conditions such as these are “very common pandemic side effects," Maturi said. This is especially true if you are spending more time on Zoom or are working longer hours on your laptop, because chances are you're not blinking as much as you should be. As widespread as they may be, eye problems are too often neglected, Maturi said. But, he added, “vision is one of the most precious things that we have." As people's stress levels soar, it's crucial to know how anxiety affects your eyes. Here are the basics — and tips for how to best protect your eyes in times of stress. The Washington Post
USAFRICOM
Africa: Measles outbreak reported in Mali
20 February- Some 459 cases of measles have been recorded in Mali since the beginning of January, in the regions of Sikasso, Kayes, Koulikoro, Ségou, Mopti and the District of Bamako, said Tuesday, Dr. Cheick Amadou Tidiane Traoré, Director General of Health and Public Hygiene. “Since the start of 2022 to date, we have recorded 459 measles cases. By the grace of God but also with the vaccination activities, we have not recorded any cases of death. Zero deaths has significant value when it comes to vaccination and when it comes to measles," explained the same source. Dr. Traoré believes that “vaccination against measles can in any case reduce the effect of this disease on populations" stressing that “when you see an epidemic of measles and there is no death, c is that people are somehow immune, they have received at least a dose in the majority". Outbreak News Today
USCENTCOM
Iraq: Anthrax outbreak kills dozens of cattle in Kurdistan region
7 February- The spread of anthrax in Duhok province in the Kurdistan region has resulted in the death of dozens of cattle, according to a Rudaw report. The sudden spread of the disease has put fear in the heart of local farmers and authorities, as they are worried that the disease may spread to other parts of the Region. Anthrax is a bacterial pathogen in livestock and wild animals. Ruminants such as bison, cattle, sheep and goats are highly susceptible, and horses can also be infected. Anthrax is a very serious disease of livestock because it can potentially cause the rapid loss of a large number of animals in a very short time. Affected animals are often found dead with no illness detected. Outbreak News Today
USEUCOM
Lassa fever in England: WHO details
22 February- In a follow-up on the recent Lassa fever cases reported in England, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided more details in a statement released Monday. On 9 February 2022, WHO was notified by the United Kingdom health authorities of two laboratory confirmed cases and one probable case of Lassa fever. As of 18 February, three cases have been confirmed and one death has been reported. These are the first reported Lassa fever cases in the United Kingdom since 2009, and represents the second known case of secondary transmission of Lassa fever in Europe. The first case travelled to Mali in late 2021, where Lassa fever is endemic. After returning to the United Kingdom, the individual developed symptoms of fever, fatigue and loose stool, and was subsequently hospitalized. The first case has now recovered. The second and third cases were family members of the first case and did not travel to Mali. Both were admitted to the hospital and the third case has sadly died. Outbreak News Today
USINDOPACOM
Philippines: Avian influenza reported in birds in Bulacan and Pampanga
22 February- Just a month and a half after the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) declared the Philippines free of the last remaining A(H5N6) strain of the Avian Influenza as of January 8, the Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) report four outbreaks–one in a backyard quail farm in Mexico, Pampanga, two commercial quail farms in Candaba, Pampanga, and one commercial duck farm in Baliuag, Bulacan. “We immediately carried out the needed protocol to effectively contain avian influenza that was detected in ducks and quails in Baliuag, Bulacan, and Candaba and Mexico in Pampanga — aimed mainly at preventing it from spreading to other areas," said Agriculture Secretary William Dar. The DA-BAI confirmed the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain through its Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory (BAI-ADDRL) using Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). DA-BAI Director Reildrin Morales said they are continuously conducting surveillance activities on all poultry species, and that there is no reported occurrence of said disease in chickens and turkeys. He said the disease was first detected on January 6, 2022, from a duck farm, in Barangay Barangka, Baliuag, Bulacan, through routine surveillance activities implemented by DA-BAI as part of its early warning system. The second was reported on January 21, 2022, from two commercial quail farms, in Brgy. Dalayap, Candaba, Pampanga; and on January 27, 2022, from a quail farm, in Brgy. Mangga, Candaba, Pampanga. The third case was reported on February 11, 2022, from two adjacent quail farms in Brgy. San Antonio, Mexico, Pampanga. Outbreak News Today
Vietnam: Hanoi reports single day record of COVID-19 cases
21 February- In Vietnam today, the Hanoi Department of Health reported 5,477 cases of COVID-19. a single day record. Nationally, Vietnam saw nearly 47,000 daily cases. In addition to the 5477 cases in Hanoi, other cities reporting high number of cases include Bac Ninh (2,582), Phu Tho (1,908), Quang Ninh (1,898), Thai Nguyen (1,862), Hai Duong (1,815), Hoa Binh (1,782), Vinh Phuc (1,734), Nam Dinh (1,715) and Hai Phong (1,707). Since the beginning of the epidemic, Vietnam has had 2,834,373 infections, including 2,827,112 cases reported since last April. The total number of deaths from COVID-19 in Vietnam so far is 39,605, accounting for 1.4% of the total number of infections. Outbreak News Today
USNORTHCOM
U.S.: Florida- Reports 79 animal rabies cases in 2021
20 February- The Florida Department of Health reported 79 total animal rabies cases in 2021, down from 80 in 2020 and 129 in 2019. Levy County reported the most cases with eight and like in previous years, the raccoon accounted for the most cases with 40. Rabies is a disease of the nervous system that can cause paralysis and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The virus is spread through saliva, and humans may become infected through a bite wound, scratch or exposure of a fresh cut to saliva of a rabid animal. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease. Outbreak News Today
U.S.: Washington- Measles case confirmed in Snohomish County infant
22 February- Local public health officials have confirmed a measles infection in an infant residing in Snohomish County. The person is believed to have been infected with measles during travel in South Asia prior to arriving in the state. The Health District's Communicable Disease & Surveillance team is also monitoring the health status of other individuals in the family who were exposed. Confirmation came in February 21. Before the infant was diagnosed, others may have been exposed in the following locations:
Sea-Tac Airport during these times:
• February 19: 11:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Seattle Children's Hospital, Emergency Room Lobby, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, during these times:
• February 20: 12:34 a.m. – 2:49 a.m.
Health officials at the Snohomish Health District, Public Health – Seattle & King County, and Washington State Department of Health have been contacting impacted locations to alert them of the potential exposures. Outbreak News Today
USSOUTHCOM
Peru declares epidemiological alert for dengue, Entomological agents deployed to North Lima
16 February- In Peru, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) , through the National Center for Epidemiology, Disease Prevention and Control (CDC Peru) , launched the epidemiological alert for dengue cases in Lima and other regions of the country, in order to strengthen the system of surveillance and epidemiological investigation and provide preparedness and response measures at the national level. Until Epidemiological Week (EW) 05-2022, 5,218 cases of dengue have been reported, with an incidence rate of 15.80 per 100,000 inhabitants. According to clinical form, 87.03% of the cases correspond to dengue without warning signs, 12.50% to dengue with warning signs and 0.48% to severe dengue, including 8 deaths, with a fatality rate of 0.15%. 82.1% (4,283) of dengue cases were concentrated in the regions of Ucayali, Huánuco, Cajamarca, Cusco, and San Martin. Piura, Junin and Loreto. When comparing with the same period of the previous year, an increase in cases and even some dengue outbreaks was observed in the regions of Áncash, Lima, Cusco, Cajamarca, Huánuco, Ucayali, Pasco, Piura,Lambayeque, Puno and La Libertad. In the province of Lima, in the last five years, outbreaks have occurred in the districts of La Molina, Lurigancho, Lima, Puente Piedra and Ate. The most important outbreak was in 2021 in Lurigancho, which reported a total of 531 cases of dengue. In 2022, there are confirmed autochthonous cases of dengue in the districts of San Juan de Lurigancho (Diris Lima Centro), Lurigancho (Diris Lima Este), in addition to probable cases in Comas, Carabayllo and Puente Piedra (Lima Norte). To eradicate the mosquito that transmits dengue, zika and chikungunya, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) , through the Directorate of Integrated Health Networks (Diris) Lima Norte , initiated the control and surveillance plan to eliminate the Aedes Aegypti vector of the dwellings of the prioritized districts of the aforementioned jurisdiction. Outbreak News Today
