IHS Health Event

Event Updated	Country	Hazard	Disease	Report	IHR Assessment
10/7/2016	Thailand	Infectious	Microcephaly related to ZIKA	On 30 September 2016, following review by a Scientific Committee established under the authority of the Communicable Disease Act 2015, the IHR Focal Point, Thailand, reported 2 cases of microcephaly related to Zika infection to WHO.
					PHEIC
				Case 1: A female infant delivered at term (39 weeks of gestation), was diagnosed with microcephaly on the second day after birth.  Her head circumference was 27 cm.  The mother did not recall any history of rash or fever during pregnancy, and had not travelled out of Thailand. A Computerized Tomography (CT) scan of the infant’s brain revealed massive intracranial calcification, including loss of cerebral sulci. Screening for Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes and Syphilis was negative. Anti-Zika IgM was detected in a serum specimen taken from the infant, but RT PCR for Zika was negative. Zika testing in the mother (PCR and IgM) was negative.
				Case 2: A male infant delivered at term (38 weeks of gestation) was diagnosed with microcephaly on the fifth day after birth.  His head circumference was 28 cm.  His mother reported fever with rash in the first trimester, and had not travelled out of Thailand. A CT scan of the infant’s brain revealed massive intracranial calcification including loss of cerebral sulci. Screening for Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes and Syphilis was negative. RT PCR testing of the infant’s urine for Zika was positive, but Anti-Zika IgM was negative. Sequencing of the viral genome was attempted but was not successful.  Zika testing in the mother (PCR and IgM) was negative.
				Extensive investigation accompanied by control measures (as described below) were carried out in the affected areas, but no additional Zika cases were detected.

 

Yellow Fever

Key Updates

Angola epidemiological update (as of 29 September):

–       The last confirmed case had symptom onset on 23 June.

–       Thirty-two (32) probable cases were reported in the last four weeks.

–       Phase II of the vaccination campaign was postponed due to logistical challenges but was rescheduled to begin the second week of October. The target population consists of two million people in 12 districts in nine provinces.

Democratic Republic of The Congo (DRC) epidemiological update (as of 5 October):

–       The last confirmed non-sylvatic case had symptom onset on 12 July.

–       Seven (7) cases are under investigation (three in Kinshasa and one case each in Bas Uele, Kwilu, Sud Ubangi and Tshuapa provinces).

–       The reactive vaccination campaign in Feshi and Mushenge Health Zones in Kwango province began on 2 and 6 October, respectively.