WHO Updates on Uganda Ebola Outbreak, Texas CWD Case, and Nurses’ Health Risks
The WHO reports a second Ebola Sudan cluster in Uganda linked to a deceased child, raising alarms about undetected transmission and prompting enhanced surveillance. Additionally, CWD has been confirmed in a Texas deer farm for the first time, while a study reveals a connection between sleep debt and increased infection risks in nurses.
On March 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a second cluster of Ebola Sudan cases in Uganda, comprising three confirmed and two probable instances. Concerned about undetected virus transmission, the WHO has increased surveillance efforts. All cases are linked to a deceased 4-year-old child, whose death occurred on February 25, along with his mother and newborn who also died without testing.
The WHO details that the mother showed symptoms beginning January 22, passing away on January 6, while her newborn died shortly after on January 12. Neither had supervised burials, raising further concerns about potential community spread. Currently, the eleventh and twelfth confirmed cases are women who had contact with the child and his mother, respectively, and both are receiving treatment.
As of March 2, 192 new contacts have been identified and monitored, spanning across Kampala and Wakiso districts, as well as Ntoroko district. This outbreak marks the sixth Ebola Sudan outbreak in Uganda, with a current case fatality rate of 29%, lower than previously recorded rates that ranged from 41% to 70%.
In the realm of wildlife health, chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been identified for the first time on a Kaufman County, Texas deer farm, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). This disease was confirmed in two white-tailed deer during mandated testing under CWD surveillance, prompting quarantine measures to prevent further spread from the facility.
CWD is known to be caused by infectious misfolded proteins called prions, which can endure environmental challenges and persist for years. Since its first detection in Colorado in 1967, CWD has been reported in multiple states and countries. Texas mandates strict testing protocols for deer mortality within breeding facilities to mitigate the risks associated with CWD.
In another study, researchers at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen have found that sleep debt and night work significantly increase the risk of common infections among nurses. The study, which included over 1,300 Norwegian nurses, indicates that insufficient sleep correlates with heightened vulnerability to colds, pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, and gastrointestinal infections.
The findings reveal that sleep debt of up to two hours can lead to a tripled risk of serious infections, especially pneumonia. This research emphasizes the health consequences faced by approximately 25% of employed individuals worldwide who engage in shift work, which is necessary for essential service operations, yet detrimental to worker health.
In summary, the WHO has reported a second cluster of Ebola Sudan cases in Uganda, highlighting the importance of increased monitoring and community awareness. In Texas, the first case of CWD in a deer farm reinforces the need for stringent health protocols. Lastly, a study in Norway demonstrates that sleep deprivation among nurses raises the risk of various infections, underscoring the adverse health effects of shift work. These developments underline the need for ongoing vigilance in public health efforts.
Original Source: www.cidrap.umn.edu
