Health Alerts

The CDC announced a further 71 measles cases up to Apr 19, taking the YTD total to 626 from 22 states. As of Apr 24, that number had risen to 695, making 2019 the worst for measles cases since the viral illness was eliminated in 2000. More detailed information is available on the outbreaks in New York State, Rockland County, New York City, Washington, New Jersey, California, and Michigan on the CDC Measles webpage. Within the region, the PAHO summarises measles outbreaks in 12 countries of the Americas. Elsewhere, there are reports or updates on the outbreak of measles in India (central Mumbai), the Philippines, Bulgaria, Georgia, Chad and New Zealand (Bay of Plenty). Read more.

FROM THE Apr 20 CDC flu update: ‘According to this week's report (Apr 7-13), seasonal flu activity decreased in the United States but remains elevated. Eleven states are reporting widespread flu activity. CDC estimates that flu has caused as many as 41.3 million flu illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations and 57,300 deaths so far this season.’ Read more.