emerging diseases WHO responded to in the Western Pacific Region in 2018

Global Infectious Diseases 2019 | best infectious diseases conferences | infectious diseases conferences | conferences on infectious diseases | bacteriology conferences | virology conferences

Global Infectious Diseases 2019 | London | UK

Human infections with avian influenza in China

Sporadic human cases of avian influenza continued to be reported in China in 2018. Last year witnessed the first ever human case caused by the H7N4 influenza subtype and additional cases of H7N9, H9N2, H5N6 and H5N1.

The majority of these human cases of avian influenza were in poultry farmers or other people with direct contact with infected poultry (such as chickens or ducks). In 2018, none of these viruses appeared to spread easily from person to person. However, with ongoingcirculation of different types of influenza viruses in poultry and wild fowl, there is potential for the virus to mutate and become more contagious between animals and humans or between humans in the future. WHO works with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and others to continuously monitor the occurrence of human cases of avian influenza. WHO also works with Member States across the Region to strengthen surveillance, laboratory networks and influenza preparedness.

 Polio in Papua New Guinea

On 21 June 2018, poliovirus was confirmed to be circulating once more in Papua New Guinea after 18 years of being polio-free. By the end of the year, 26 cases had been reported.

The outbreak response continues, with WHO working alongside other partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to support the National Department of Health and provincial health authorities. Five mass immunization campaigns have taken place since July 2018. Emergency operations centres have been established at the national level and in all affected provinces; these centres will outlast the current outbreak to help the country respond to future outbreaks and emergencies. WHO has also supported the country to establish environmental surveillance in five sites in two cities.

 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in the Republic of Korea

On 8 September 2018, the Republic of Korea reported its first imported case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) since an outbreak in 2015. The case was a Korean man who returned to the Republic of Korea on 7 September from a business trip to Kuwait.

When the patient reported his symptoms and travel history to a doctor upon arriving home, MERS was immediately suspected. Measures were put in place before the patient arrived at the hospital to minimize contact with others. The Government immediately notified WHO, which supported the country to conduct investigations and share information nationally and internationally. The national public health emergency operations centre kicked into action to coordinate the response so that further spread of the disease was prevented.

global infectious diseases 2019 | top infectious diseases conferences | meetings | infectious diseases events