scholarly journals Epidemic Trend and Molecular Evolution of HV Family in the Main Hantavirus Epidemic Areas From 2004 to 2016, in P.R. China

Author(s):  
Qiuwei Wang ◽  
Ming Yue ◽  
Pingping Yao ◽  
Changqiang Zhu ◽  
Lele Ai ◽  
...  

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is caused by hantavirus (HV) infection, and is prevalent across Europe and Asia (mainly China). The genetic variation and wide host range of the HV family may lead to vaccine failure. In this study, we analyzed the gene sequences of HV isolated from different regions of China in order to trace the molecular evolution of HV and the epidemiological trends of HFRS. A total of 16,6975 HFRS cases and 1,689 HFRS-related deaths were reported from 2004 to 2016, with the average annual incidence rate of 0.9674 per 100,000, 0.0098 per 100,000 mortality rate, and case fatality rate 0.99%. The highest number of cases were detected in 2004 (25,041), and after decreasing to the lowest numbers (8,745) in 2009, showed an incline from 2010. The incidence of HFRS is the highest in spring and winter, and three times as many men are affected as women. In addition, farmers account for the largest proportion of all cases. The main hosts of HV are Rattus norvegicus and Apodemus agrarius, and the SEOV strain is mainly found in R. norvegicus and Niviventer confucianus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that at least 10 HTNV subtypes and 6 SEOV subtypes are endemic to China. We found that the clustering pattern of M genome segments was different from that of the S segments, indicating the possibility of gene recombination across HV strains. The recent increase in the incidence of HFRS may be related to climatic factors, such as temperature, relative humidity and hours of sunshine, as well as biological factors like rodent density, virus load in rodents and genetic variation. The scope of vaccine application should be continuously expanded, and surveillance measures and prevention and control strategies should be improved to reduce HFRS infection in China.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-66
Author(s):  
N. Lawal ◽  
A.B. Onoja

Coronaviridae is a family of RNA viruses responsible for two previous epidemics of viral pneumonia and related illnesses: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2002 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in 2012. The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by a new member of the family Coronaviridae, named SARS-CoV-2 which emerged in December, 2019 in Wuhan, China. Infected persons present with severe respiratory illness including pneumonia. There have been reports of confirmed cases in different animal species that became infected with SARS-CoV-2, suggesting possible reverse zoonosis. In this review, we discussed the origin, biology, genome organization, replication and virus entry into host cells, immune mechanisms, epidemiological trends, prevention and control strategies employed in combating the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: COVID-19, Epidemiological trend, Pandemic, SARS-CoV-2


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (05) ◽  
pp. 441-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuldeep Dhama ◽  
Yashpal Singh Malik ◽  
Satya Veer Singh Malik ◽  
Raj Kumar Singh

Humans constantly encounter threats from many infectious, zoonotic, and devastating pathogens. Outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), bird flu, and swine flu posing pandemic threats have compelled health agencies to follow global preparedness for combating the emerging deadly pathogens. The outbreak in West Africa of highly contagious Ebola viral disease (EVD) that started in Guinea in December 2013, assumed global proportions to become the largest outbreak of EVD and the most prominent international health concern. With fatality rates of nearly 50%–90%, it has claimed, as of 11 April 2015, 10,619 human lives out of a total of 25,626 cases reported worldwide. Ebola virus (EBOV), a member of Filoviridae family, is associated with severe, often lethal, hemorrhagic fever disease in humans and animals. The animal hosts, including non-human primates and reservoir hosts (fruit bats), play a significant role in transmission and maintenance of EBOV in nature. Although no approved vaccine for the prevention of EVD currently exists, disease control can be greatly enhanced by timely laboratory confirmation through blood tests using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Adherence to strict sanitary and hygienic measures, monitoring and surveillance of EBOV, as well as quarantine checks on international trade, transport, and visitors from affected countries are mandatory to prevent and control the spread of EVD. This review describes the salient properties of EBOV and the development of novel diagnostics, vaccines, and control strategies for this emerging disease of high public health concern and international emergency.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 030006052110332
Author(s):  
Mahnaz Derakhshan ◽  
Hamid Reza Ansarian ◽  
Mory Ghomshei

Objective We aimed to characterize the temporal variation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and mortality as a possible tool to monitor and control the spread of this disease. Methods We analyzed cyclicity and synchronicity in cases of COVID-19 infection and time series of deaths using Fourier transform, its inverse method, and statistical treatments. Epidemiological indices (e.g., case fatality rate) were used to quantify the observations in the time series. The possible causes of short-term variations are reviewed. Results We observed that were both short-term and long-term variations in the COVID-19 time series. The short cycles were 7 days and synchronized among all countries. This periodicity is believed to be caused by weekly cycles in community social factors, combined with diagnostic and reporting cycles. This could also be related to virus–host–community dynamics. Conclusion The observed synchronized weekly cycles could serve as herd defense by providing a form of social distancing in time. The effect of such temporal distancing could be enhanced if combined with spatial distancing. Integrated spatiotemporal distancing is therefore recommended to optimize infection control strategies, taking into account the quiescent and active intervals of COVID-19.


2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1307-1315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria da Glória Teixeira ◽  
Maria da Conceição Nascimento Costa ◽  
Maurício Lima Barreto ◽  
Eduardo Mota

Dengue epidemics account annually for several million cases and deaths worldwide. The high endemic level of dengue fever and its hemorrhagic form correlates to extensive domiciliary infestation by Aedes aegypti and multiple viral serotype human infection. This study analyzed serial case reports registered in Brazil since 1981, describing incidence evolutionary patterns and spatial distribution. Epidemic waves followed the introduction of every serotype (DEN 1 to 3), and reduction in susceptible individuals possibly accounted for decreasing case frequency. An incremental expansion of affected areas and increasing occurrence of dengue fever and its hemorrhagic form with high case fatality were noted in recent years. In contrast, efforts based solely on chemical vector control have been insufficient. Moreover, some evidence demonstrates that educational measures do not permanently modify population habits. Thus, as long as a vaccine is not available, further dengue control depends on potential results from basic interdisciplinary research and intervention evaluation studies, integrating environmental changes, community participation and education, epidemiological and virological surveillance, and strategic technological innovations aimed to stop transmission.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 478-493
Author(s):  
Shanker Bahadur Shrestha ◽  
Uttam Raj Pyakurel ◽  
Mukti Khanal ◽  
Murari Upadhyay ◽  
Kesara Na-Bangchang ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate epidemiology and control strategies of the four priority vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in Nepal, i.e. malaria, Kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis), lymphatic filariasis (LF) and dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever. Design/methodology/approach The study was a retrospective design to collect data during 1998–2016 from VBDs endemic districts of Nepal. All data were reviewed and epidemiological information of the four VBDs were analyzed. Findings The number of malaria cases during 1998–2016 of the 13 affected districts was declined from 8,498 to 991 cases with no record of deaths since 2012. The number of cases and deaths in the 12 kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) affected districts in 1998 was 1,409 and 42 cases, respectively, but was dramatically decreased in 2016 to 213 and 2 cases, respectively. LF cases of the 61 affected districts in 2011, 2014 and 2016 were 28,855, 30,000 and 33,517 cases, respectively. In total, 25 districts achieved elimination target and the remaining are expected to complete the needful cycles by 2018. Dengue incidence of the 31 affected districts during 2006–2015 was under controlled with reported cases of 642, 356 and 136 cases in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, and only one death in 2015. Implementation of control strategies particularly disease management and community peoples’ awareness significantly reduced the cases and deaths of the target VBDs. Practical implications The results of this study clearly suggest that the current control strategies have been worked effectively. However, in particular of the VBDs, health education in communities in the endemic areas should be adopted for better community participation in the context of the primary health care approach and increase the effectiveness of disease control. Originality/value VBDs, i.e., malaria, kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis), LF and dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever, are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the least developed countries which include Nepal. Globalization of travel and trading, unplanned urbanization, environmental and climate change are having a significant impact on disease transmission. Therefore, the Ministry of Health of Nepal had brought some changes in strategies based on activities for disease control, vector control, preventive and preparedness for outbreak response. Consequently, the cases and deaths due to malaria, kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis), lymphatic filaiasis and dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever have been brought down markedly.


Author(s):  
R. S. Oliveira ◽  
K. B. A. Pimentel ◽  
M. L. Moura ◽  
C. F. Aragão ◽  
A. S. Guimarães-e-Silva ◽  
...  

Abstract Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease with a wide distribution in the Americas. Brazil is an endemic country and present cases in all states. This study aimed to describe the occurrence, the underlying clinical and epidemiological factors, and the correlation of climatic variables with the frequency of reported CL cases in the municipality of Caxias, state of Maranhão, Brazil. This is a retrospective and descriptive epidemiological study based on data extracted from the Brazilian Information System of Diseases Notification, from 2007 to 2017. Maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, and relative air humidity data were provided by the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. A total of 201 reported autochthonous CL cases were analyzed. The predominance of cases was observed in males (70.1%). The age range between 31 and 60 years old was the most affected, with 96 cases (47.9%). Of the total number of registered cases, 38.8% of the affected individuals were engaged in agriculture-related activities. The georeferenced distribution revealed the heterogeneity of disease occurrence, with cases concentrated in the Western and Southern regions of the municipality. An association was detected between relative air humidity (monthly mean) and the number of CL cases per month (p = 0.04). CL continues to be a concerning public health issue in Caxias. In this context, there is a pressing need to strengthen measures of prevention and control of the disease through the network of health services of the municipality, considering local and regional particularities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-204
Author(s):  
Shrikant Verma ◽  
Mohammad Abbas ◽  
Sushma Verma ◽  
Syed Tasleem Raza ◽  
Farzana Mahdi

A novel spillover coronavirus (nCoV), with its epicenter in Wuhan, China's People's Republic, has emerged as an international public health emergency. This began as an outbreak in December 2019, and till November eighth, 2020, there have been 8.5 million affirmed instances of novel Covid disease2019 (COVID-19) in India, with 1,26,611 deaths, resulting in an overall case fatality rate of 1.48 percent. Coronavirus clinical signs are fundamentally the same as those of other respiratory infections. In different parts of the world, the quantity of research center affirmed cases and related passings are rising consistently. The COVID- 19 is an arising pandemic-responsible viral infection. Coronavirus has influenced huge parts of the total populace, which has prompted a global general wellbeing crisis, setting all health associations on high attentive. This review sums up the overall landmass, virology, pathogenesis, the study of disease transmission, clinical introduction, determination, treatment, and control of COVID-19 with the reference to India.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Poremski ◽  
Sandra Henrietta Subner ◽  
Grace Lam Fong Kin ◽  
Raveen Dev Ram Dev ◽  
Mok Yee Ming ◽  
...  

The Institute of Mental Health in Singapore continues to attempt to prevent the introduction of COVID-19, despite community transmission. Essential services are maintained and quarantine measures are currently unnecessary. To help similar organizations, strategies are listed along three themes: sustaining essential services, preventing infection, and managing human and consumable resources.


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