Jun 15, 2010
Report estimates falciparum malaria cases at 451 million annually
In a new assessment of the clinical burden of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, researchers estimated that there were 451 million cases worldwide in 2007, according to a report published today in PLoS Medicine. That compares with a World Health Organization (WHO) estimate of 247 million cases per year. The authors wrote that the WHO and other health agencies need an accurate estimate of clinical cases of malaria so they can better target their resources. They said that national surveillance data can be incomplete, especially in countries where the disease is endemic and diagnosis is often inaccurate. To estimate the malaria burden, the researchers used a cartographic method that incorporated a map of malaria risk with statistical techniques designed to quantify uncertainty in countries where surveillance is inadequate, such as India, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Myanmar. The new estimate suggests that more than half of the malaria cases occur in those four countries.
Jun 15 PLoS Medicine study
More illnesses linked to raw milk, Illinois Subway restaurants
In two foodborne illness developments, health officials in Illinois reported five more Salmonella infections linked to Subway restaurants, and Delaware authorities reported two illnesses in patients who recently consumed raw milk. The new Illinois salmonellosis cases raise the state's total to 80, and the latest report from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said three more counties reported Salmonella serotype Hvittingfoss illnesses, bringing the number of affected counties to 26. State officials are still investigating the source of the outbreak. Meanwhile, the Delaware Division of Public Health yesterday reported a case of brucellosis in a 58-year-old woman and a case of listeriosis in a 44-year-old man. Both patients had recently consumed raw dairy products, and the man had recently handled raw poultry. No other risk factors were identified. The woman has been released from the hospital and is recovering, and the man is hospitalized in stable condition.
Jun 15 IDPH statement
Jun 14 Delaware Health and Social Services statement
