NEJM

“…..A 28-year-old man (index patient), with repeated exposure to live poultry, presented with respiratory infection and was admitted to the respiratory department, where his condition worsened. Laboratory investigation of serum and sputum samples obtained later in the course of illness showed that he was positive for H7N9 by serologic testing and polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) assay. Seven days after admission of the index patient, influenza-like illness developed in a 33-year-old male physician (Doctor 1) who attended the index patient. The acute respiratory distress syndrome later developed in this physician. Four days after the onset of symptoms in Doctor 1, influenza-like illness and bronchial pneumonia developed in a second attending physician (Doctor 2), a 35-year-old man, in the same department. He too had close contact with the index patient…….The three viruses isolated from the index patient, Doctor 1, and Doctor 2 suggest direct human-to-human transmission……”

Emerging Infectious Disease

Atkinson B, Hearn P, Afrough B, Lumley S, Carter D, Aarons EJ, et al. Detection of Zika virus in semen [letter]. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016 May [date cited]. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2205.160107

“….In 2014, a 68-year-old man had onset of fever, marked lethargy, and an erythematous rash 1 week after returning from the Cook Islands. Serum samples taken 3 days into the febrile illness tested negative for dengue and chikungunya viruses by real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR). Test results for dengue virus IgM and chikungunya virus IgM also were negative; a test result for dengue virus IgG was indeterminate.

An rRT-PCR test result for ZIKV was positive and indicated a crossing threshold value of 35 cycles. This low viral load, commonly observed even in the acute phase of disease, meant that attempts to obtain sequence data were unsuccessful. Convalescent-phase serum, urine, and semen samples were requested; only semen was positive for ZIKV by rRT-PCR, , at 27 and 62 days after onset of febrile illness….”

TFAH

In response to the Zika virus and other emerging health threats, TFAH recommends the need for:

• Policies and communications driven by best available science: When a situation is uncertain and evolving, accompanied by a great deal of fear in the community, policy and communications decisions must be based on the best available science. In recent outbreaks, some policies, such as quarantine decisions, may have been driven by fear or politics. Policymakers should work with public health on risk communications and policies that acknowledge concern among the public and ensure accurate, appropriate information.
• Support for research and development of medical countermeasures: There is an urgent need for diagnostics, treatments and vaccines for Zika and other emerging threats. Congress should provide adequate funds to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the Strategic National Stockpile and Project BioShield to accelerate development, purchase and stockpiling of medical countermeasures for public health emergencies.
• Public health capacity to detect and contain the virus in the U.S.:  Federal, state and local health departments must receive a sufficient, stable annual level of funding to meet and maintain a core set of capabilities to respond to emerging and ongoing threats. Modern laboratory, epidemiological and surveillance capacity, as well as the ability to distribute medical countermeasures if needed, are key to containing an infectious disease threat. The Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreement is an important source of funding for the domestic preparedness infrastructure.
• Enhanced health system preparedness for infectious diseases: We must build all-hazards preparedness and infection control protocols into the healthcare delivery system, including coordination between healthcare facilities and with public health and enabling providers to screen and respond to potential cases. The Hospital Preparedness Program provides vital support to the healthcare preparedness system, but funding has dwindled in recent years.
• Strengthening the global health infrastructure: Infectious disease control strategies rely on the ability to detect and contain diseases as quickly as possible – which means working with other countries and across borders to contain threats globally. The United States must provide ongoing support for the Global Health Security Agenda and activities such as CDC’s Global Disease Detection program, which build the capacity and coordination needed to identify and contain emerging infectious diseases around the world.

Trust for America’s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. www.healthyamericans.org

NY Times

**  The cease-fire would be partial.

**  It excludes the Islamic State and the Nusra group, both designated as terrorist organizations by the UN

NY Times

UT

Global volunteers: UT Peace Corps applications double in 2015

By Christine Long : February 10th, 2016

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UT alumna Katie Alber is no longer startled awake by donkeys braying or goats banging on the door of her host family’s metal-roofed home in the small West African country of Gambia, where she is serving as a health extension volunteer for two years.

“I have brewed attayah (tea) in the bush, eaten a rat the size of a cat (it tasted like pork), and grown good enough at Mandinka to use sarcasm successfully,” Alber posted on Facebook.

UT alumna Katie Alber is a health extension volunteer through the Peace Corps in the West African country of Gambia.

Alber has access to the Internet once every few weeks. On her blog, she wrote, “I am loving every second! It is a great and humbling challenge, which I hope will bring meaning and enlightenment.”The 2012 graduate is one of more than 200 UT alumni who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961 when the agency was formed under President John F. Kennedy.

UT is seeing a renewed surge in passion to be a part of the Peace Corps.

Fourteen graduates and soon-to-be graduates of The University of Toledo submitted applications to the Peace Corps in 2015. That is more than double the previous year.

In 2014, six UT college seniors and alumni applied and four — including Alber — embarked on the journey of immersing themselves in another culture with a combination of international experience and rewarding work in education, health and the environment.

“For four consecutive years, we have seen growth,” Sammy Spann, assistant provost in UT’s Center for International Studies and Programs, said. “Seniors and graduates are delaying or taking a breather from their careers to join the Peace Corps and define themselves. Momentum is picking up because this generation is seeing more turmoil. They are interested in spreading compassion and empathy, as well as getting more real-world, life-changing experiences.”

A Peace Corps representative will be on Main Campus Thursday, Feb. 18, from 3 to 3:30 p.m. in Snyder Memorial Building Room 1100 for students interested in learning more about this global service.

“Just because you’ve earned your degree doesn’t mean you stop pushing the edge of your comfort zone and global understanding through The University of Toledo,” Spann said. “We have made a strong effort to encourage students to consider joining the Peace Corps to improve the human condition, as well as help them gain leadership skills to attract the attention of employers, including the State Department.”

Far from home, Alber works in West Africa to educate families about nutrition and hygiene, to raise awareness about malaria, and to help improve water systems and sanitation practices.

“It may have been a long day of clinic work and 40k+ of biking, but there’s always time to stop and enjoy an African sunset,” Alber wrote on Instagram.

Alber is one of 350 new Peace Corps volunteers from across the United States sworn into service in December after three months of cultural, language and technical training.

Peace Corps volunteers receive paid living expenses, full health and dental coverage, vacation days, and more than $8,000 upon completion of service.

For more information about applying for the Peace Corps, go to utoledo.edu/cisp/peacecorp.

Daily Mail

CNN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFGNDql9YCA

JAMA

CIDRAP:  “….In the middle of January the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) described ocular problems in three microcephalic babies from Brazil. Shortly after that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued interim guidance to help clinicians assess and manage babies born with possible Zika infections; among the recommendations were ophthalmologic testing before hospital discharge or within 1 month after birth….”

ANSA