Disney-linked measles outbreak grows to 87 cases
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today confirmed that an outbreak of measles tied to southern California Disney parks in recent weeks has risen to 73 cases in California and 14 elsewhere, including 1 in Mexico.
The 87 cases include 9 new infections reported since the previous CDPH update on Jan 23. Other states reporting cases are Arizona, 5 cases; Utah, 3; Washington, 2; and 1 each in Colorado, Oregon, and Nebraska.
Of 71 California patients for whom the CDPH reported data, 4 (6%) are younger than 1 year and would not have been eligible for vaccination. Twenty-six (39%) are 19 or younger, while 61% are 20 or older.
"CDPH is urging caution to individuals who are not vaccinated, especially infants under 12 months," the agency said in its update.
The CDPH added, "It is safe to visit these places, including the Disneyland Resort, if you are vaccinated. Therefore, CDPH recommends that anyone not already immunized against measles gets immunized at this time. Two doses of measles-containing vaccine (MMR vaccine) are more than 99% effective in preventing measles."
Most infected patients had not received the MMR vaccine, according to previous media reports. The initial case-patients had visited Disney parks from Dec 17 through Dec 20.
In related news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Jan 23 issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory on the outbreak. It said the CDC and state officials are investigating the outbreak, and it advised healthcare providers to be alert for measles symptoms in patients.
Jan 26 CDPH update
Jan 23 CDC HAN notice
Jan 21 CIDRAP News scan on the outbreak
Chikungunya cases rise by more than 22,000 in Colombia
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported 29,628 new cases of chikungunya in the Caribbean and Americas on Jan 23, the majority of which occurred in Colombia, bringing the outbreak total to 1,163,189.
The new total includes 1,135,892 suspected and 24,320 confirmed locally acquired cases and 2,977 imported cases of chikungunya. Colombia, already hit hard by the outbreak over the past several months, reported 22,277 new cases of the mosquito-borne disease, bringing the country's outbreak total to 112,752.
Guyana reported an increase of 5,339 cases, bringing its outbreak total to 5,415. The South American nation, which borders the Caribbean, previously had only 76 cases.
PAHO also reported 4 new deaths related to chikungunya, 2 of which occurred in Puerto Rico, where 10 people have now died of the disease. One death was reported in the US Virgin Islands, bringing the territory's death total to 2, and Barbados reported its first chikungunya-related death. The fatality total for the outbreak is now 176.
Jan 23 PAHO update
CDC declares sprout-related Salmonella outbreak over
The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak that sickened 115 people in 12 states is officially over, according to a CDC update issued Jan 23.
The first Salmonella case was reported on Sep 30, and the multistate outbreak was later traced to mung bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods, Inc. in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Salmonella strain sickened four people since the CDC's most recent update on Dec 16, with one new case each reported in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. The CDC reports that 25% of the 115 people affected by the outbreak required hospitalization.
Given the 12-day shelf life of mung bean sprouts, it is unlikely that the contaminated sprouts are still available for purchase or consumption, the CDC said. Given sprouts' frequent implication in foodborne disease outbreaks, the CDC recommends that consumers eat only cooked bean sprouts.
Jan 23 CDC update
Dec 17 CIDRAP News scan on outbreak
