Preventing Hantavirus Infection

Hantavirus is a rare and deadly disease carried by mice into your home. Controlling their presence and cleaning is the key to prevention.

Read more about the virus, its symptoms, and prevention.

Swine flu infects North America

Canada is the third country to confirm cases of Swine flu, a strain that is now infecting the whole of North America. The human, swine, avian mixture strain has killed at least 68 and sickened more than 1000 in Mexico, with Mexico City as the epicenter of the outbreak.

California, Texas, and Kansas have confirmed cases, and a high school in New York City may be the next locale to be added to the list.

The U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared a swine flu emergency, freeing up resources to prevent further spread at the local level. No deaths have been reported in the U.S., but anyone suspecting to have the infection should see a doctor to receive treatment, preventing severe disease, and so the numbers can be properly recorded and tracked to head off a pandemic. The more the health authorities know about the spread, the better equipped they will be to stop it.

The strain is currently responding to Tamiflu treatment, and vaccine production is being evaluated. The symptoms are the usual for the flu - coughing, fever, fatigue, runny nose - in addition to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

According to press reports, students in New Zealand who recently returned from Mexico may add a fourth country to the infected list, and other countries are reporting that testing is under way to determine if they too have cases of the potentially pandemic strain.

Prevention methods include using a kleenex or your sleeve when sneezing, washing your hands frequently with warm water and mild soap (antibacterial products do not affect viruses and are not advised), staying away from public places when feeling ill, drinking plenty of fluids when starting to feel ill, and seeking medical attention.

Find out more on Twitter @CDCEmergency

The MMR vaccine

Do you wonder why we vaccinate with MMR? I've written a synopsis here.

An excerpt:

Three dangerous viruses once required separate vaccinations but are now protected against by one. Monovalent vaccines are available for all three viral infections, but routine use of the MMR vaccine containing all three began 20 years ago (1989). The vaccine is given as two injections. The first dose is given...

Measles and Rubella

I have written synopses of the childhood viral diseases Measles and Rubella.

The take away information - children between 12 and 15 months of age should receive the MMR vaccine, with a booster at least 4 weeks later or by the time they enter Kindergarten (4-6 years of age) to confirm immunity.

Women who are planning on getting pregnant should be tested for Rubella to ensure their immunity. Those who are not immune should be vaccinated for Rubella at least 28 days prior to becoming pregnant to prevent birth defects. 25% of women who are susceptible to rubella and exposed to the virus in their first trimester have babies with eye defects, heart defects, hearing loss, mental impairments, and movement disorders.

First U.S. case of Marburg Fever

Marburg virus causes an hemorrhagic fever, an extremely serious illness that is similar to Ebola and Lassa Fever. It is carried by fruit bats and is indigenous to Africa.The virus was discovered in the 1960s during work in a Marburg, Germany laboratory that resulted in an outbreak among lab workers - work conducted by global health agencies on outbreaks of the newly discovered hemorrhagic fevers in Africa.

A Colorado resident sought medical help in January after returning from a trip to Uganda and feeling ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed that he is the first U.S. case of Marburg.

The cave he visited, and where he presumably caught the virus, has been closed following the death of a tourist from the Netherlands, also due to Marburg fever.

The hospital followed containment procedures outlined for unknown infections and has stated that any staff members concerned over their potential exposure can be tested. The hospital does not believe there should be any public worry of exposure because it is spread via body fluids.

Marburg has an incubation time of 5-10 days with fever, chills, and headaches appearing as the first symptoms.