Zika virus infection and its emerging trends in Southeast Asia

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that represents a public health emergency at the ongoing epidemic.Previously,this rare virus was limited to sporadic cases in Africa and Asia until its emergence in Brazil,South America in 2015,where it rapidly spread throughout the world.Recently,a high number of cases were reported in Singapore and other Southeast Asia countries.A combination of factors explains the current Zika virus outbreak although it is highly likely that the changes in the climate and high frequency of travelling contribute to the spread of Aedes vector carrying the Zika virus mainly to the tropical climate countries such as the Southeast Asia.The Zika virus is known to cause mild clinical symptoms similar to those of dengue and chikungunya and transmitted by different species of Aedes mosquitoes.However,neurological complications such as Guillain-Barrésyndrome in adults,and congenital anomalies,including microcephaly in babies born to infected mothers,raised a serious concern.Currently,there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine available for Zika virus infection.Therefore,international public health response is primarily focused on preventing infection,particularly in pregnant women,and on providing up-to-date recommendations to reduce the risk of non-vector transmission of Zika virus.

Emerging of dengue infection after big flood in Thailand:a concern

Editor,dengue is an important tropical borne mosquito infection.This infection is very common in Southeast Asia especially for Thailand and nearby country.There are several factors that lead to the emerging of dengue infection.Here, the author presents the interesting observation on emerging of dengue infection after big flood in Thailand.In mid 2010.big flood occurs around Thailand.About 30%of total area of Thailand was occupied by water.Interestingly,a sharp increase of dengue prevalence was reported in many provinces.Up to 83%increasing of prevalence was noted by Thai Minister of Public Health(http://thairecent.com/Breaking/2010/695901/).

Some challenges in progressive control of livestock originated zoonotic diseases in Pakistan-a pilot survey

Objective:To document the recent livestock related practices and possible unhygienic ways of pathogen entry.Identification of the potential risk factors for the spread of infection is important to design an evidence-based disease control programme.Methods:Rapid assessment method was adopted and a purposive sample of 60 dairy farmers were interviewed.The following factors were noted for contributing in primary and secondary transmission of zoonotic infections:(i) persons who come in close contact with animals and their secretions,(ii) management strategies of farm animals(sheds and environment),(iii) management practices adopted at farms,(iv) small scale farmers and rural livestock production systems,(v)milk collection systems.Results:This research unveiled the certain routes of zoonotic disease transmission.Certain management practices,precautionary measures and strategies were the pivotal risk factors.Conclusions:The study emphasizes the need to educate the poor livestock keepers.

First case of biliary Aureimonas altamirensis infection in a patient with colon cancer in China

Aureimonas altamirensis,first reported in 2006,is an aerobic,gram-negative bacillus.It is usually considered a contaminant from the surrounding environment;however,recent evidences suggest that it may be an opportunistic pathogen in humans,which may cause multiple-site infections.Here,we report the first case of biliary A.altamirensis infection in a patient with colon cancer in Guangzhou,China.The A.altamirensis strain GZ8HT01 was isolated from the bile culture taken from the patient and identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.Additionally,the bacterial strain was sensitive to all antibiotics tested.The patient was effectively treated with imipenem-cilastatin.These findings are valuable for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of this emerging pathogen.

Why lockdown?Why national unity?Why global solidarity?Simplified arithmetic tools for decision-makers,health professionals,journalists and the general public to explore containment options for the 2019 novel coronavirus

As every country in the world struggles with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,it is essential that as many people as possible understand the epidemic containment,elimination and exclusion strategies required to tackle it.Simplified arithmetic models of COVID-19 transmission,control and elimination are presented in user-friendly Shiny and Excel formats that allow non-specialists to explore,query,critique and understand the containment decisions facing their country and the world at large.Although the predictive model is broadly applicable,the simulations presented are based on parameter values representative of the United Republic of Tanzania,which is still early enough in its epidemic cycle and response to avert a national catastrophe.The predictions of these models illustrate(1)why ambitious lock-down interventions to crush the curve represent the only realistic way for individual countries to contain their national-level epidemics before they turn into outright catastrophes,(2)why these need to be implemented so early,so stringently and for such extended periods,(3)why high prevalence of other pathogens causing similar symptoms to mild COVID-19 precludes the use of contact tracing as a substitute for lock down interventions to contain and eliminate epidemics,(4)why partial containment strategies intended to merely flatten the curve,by maintaining epidemics at manageably low levels,are grossly unrealistic,and(5)why local elimination may only be sustained after lock down ends if imported cases are comprehensively excluded,so international co-operation to conditionally re-open trade and travel between countries certified as free of COVID-19 represents the best strategy for motivating progress towards pandemic eradication at global level.The three sequential goals that every country needs to emphatically embrace are contain,eliminate and exclude.As recently emphasized by the World Health Organization,success will require widespread genuine national unity and unprecedented global solidarity.

SARS Vaccine:Progress and Challenge

Severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS)emerged in 2002 as a severe and highly contagious infectious disease that rapidly spread to a number of different countries.The collaborative efforts of the global scientific community have provided,within a short period of time,substantial insights into the molecular biology and immunology of SARS-CoV.Although the outbreak has been contained,there is continuous concern that the virus may resurface into the human population through seasonal changes,animal reservoirs or laboratory accidents.The severe morbidity and mortality associated with SARS make it imperative that an effective vaccine be developed to prevent reemergence and epidemics in the future.Cellular & Molecular Immunology.2005;2(2):101-105.

Pushing past the tipping points in containment trajectories of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)epidemics:A simple arithmetic rationale for crushing the curve instead of merely flattening it

Countries with ambitious national strategies to crush the curve of their Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)epidemic trajectories include China,Korea,Japan,Taiwan,New Zealand and Australia.However,the United States and many hard-hit European countries,like Ireland,Italy,Spain,France and the United Kingdom,currently appear content to merely flatten the curve of their epidemic trajectories so that transmission persists at rates their critical care services can cope with.Here I present a simple set of arithmetic modelling analyses that are accessible to non-specialists and explain why preferable crush the curve strategies,to eliminate transmission within months,would require only a modest amount of additional containment effort relative to the tipping point targeted by flatten the curve strategies,which allow epidemics to persist at supposedly steady,manageable levels for years,decades or even indefinitely.