This is the latest WHO Health Events Update Dec. 6 to 20, 2016….

 

Event Updated	Country	Hazard	Disease	Report	IHR Assessment
12/20/2016	Pakistan	Infectious	Poliomyelitis, acute paralytic, vaccine-associated	In Pakistan, a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been detected from environmental samples in Quetta, Balochistan. Two isolates with apparent genetic linkages were isolated from environmental samples, collected on 20 October and 28 November 2016. The virus was isolated from environmental samples only and no associated cases of paralysis linked to the isolated strains have been detected in Quetta or anywhere else in the province.	Public Health Risk (PHR)
				Pakistan also continues to be affected by endemic transmission of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1).  As at 15 December, 19 WPV1 cases have been reported in 2016.  It is the lowest number of reported annual cases ever, from the fewest-number of affected areas in the country.
				A response with monovalent oral polio vaccine type 2 (mOPV2) in the Quetta and neighbouring districts is now planned, in line with internationally-agreed protocols.
				To ensure high quality, preparations are focusing on allocating adequate resources to the highest-risk areas; tailoring operational plans to identified reasons for missed children; validating vaccination teams’ microplans, vaccinator selection, training and supervision; and enhancing local engagement with communities through community leaders. In order to jointly address transmission across the common reservoir, close coordination is ongoing with Afghanistan teams at all levels.
12/20/2016	Canada	Infectious	Influenza due to identified avian or animal influenza virus	On 16 December 2016 the Public Health Agency of Canada was notified of a confirmed human case of influenza A(H3N2) variant virus by its National Microbiology Laboratory. The case is a child who developed respiratory infection symptoms on24 October 2016, was hospitalized on 8 November 2016 with the diagnosis of pneumonia. The case has recovered. Public health follow up with case has confirmed exposure to heard of swine with influenza like illness in a farm stable.  Both animal health follow up and epidemiological investigation is ongoing.	Public Health Risk (PHR)
12/16/2016	Saudi Arabia	Infectious	Coronavirus infection	Between 6 and 13 December 2016 the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported ten (10) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) including two (2) fatal cases. Three (3) deaths among previously reported MERS cases were also reported.	Public Health Risk (PHR)
12/16/2016	China	Zoonosis	Influenza due to identified avian or animal influenza virus	On 14 December 2016, the Health Bureau, Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) (China) confirmed a case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus affecting a 58-year old male.	Public Health Risk (PHR)
				On 13 December 2016, a batch of poultry (Silkies) from Guangdong province in China was found positive for H7 antigen in a wholesale market in Macao SAR (China) during routine inspection.  Following protocol, an epidemiological investigation commenced and two close human contacts of the infected poultry were identified, including a poultry vendor and driver. The poultry vendor discharged the concerned batch of poultry from the truck in the early morning of 13 December.
				The vendor was referred to hospital for further investigation.  He tested positive for avian influenza A(H7N9) by RT-PCR in three specimens at the public health laboratory. He has not had any influenza-like symptom until now and is under observation and being treated with antiviral at a government hospital.
				His wife who also works in the same wholesale market was identified as a close contact of the case. She tested negative and is under observation for the next 10 days.
				To date, a total of 807 laboratory-confirmed human cases with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus have been reported through IHR notification since early 2013.
12/7/2016	China	Infectious	Influenza due to identified avian or animal influenza virus	On 01 December 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of one laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus.	Public Health Risk (PHR)
12/6/2016	Oman	Infectious	Coronavirus infection	On 29 November 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of Oman reported one (1) additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).	Public Health Risk (PHR)