Inequities in the deployment of COVID-19 vaccine in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2020-2021.

The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is characterised by a large range in routine immunisation coverage. We reviewed progress in access, deployment efforts, and use of COVID-19 vaccines in the EMR to identify bottlenecks and propose recommendations. We compiled and analysed data reported to WHO regarding the number of vaccines provided emergency use authorisation (EUA) in each country, the number of vaccine doses allocated and delivered by COVAX, the number of vaccine doses received bilaterally, the date of initiation of vaccination, vaccine usage rate and overall vaccination coverage. In June-July and October-November 2021, we conducted two rounds of a regional survey to assess vaccine acceptance and calculated the weighted proportion of individuals who would get vaccinated once a vaccine is available and recommended. We stratified the analysis according to four groups based on their participation status in COVAX, from the highest to lowest income, that is, (1) fully self-financing high-income countries (group 1), (2) fully self-financing upper middle-income countries (group 2), (3) Advance Market Commitment (AMC) countries not eligible to receive Gavi support (group 3) and (4) AMC countries eligible for Gavi support (group 4). As of 31 December 2021, the median number of vaccines provided with EUA was 6 for group 1, 11 for group 2, 8 for group 3 and 9 for group 4. On the same date, COVAX had delivered 179 793 310 doses to EMR countries. Vaccination started on 10 December 2020 in group 1, on 13 December 2020 in group 2, on 30 December 2020 in group 3 and on 20 January 2021 in group 4. The regional acceptance survey (first round) pointed to higher vaccine acceptance in group 1 (96%), than in others, including group 2 (73.9%), group 3 (78.8%) and group 4 (79.3%), with identical patterns in the second round (98%, 78%, 84% and 76%), respectively. Usage of vaccine allocated by COVAX to participating countries was 89% in group 1, 75% in group 2, 78% in group 3 and 42% in group 4. The full dose and partial dose coverage decreased with the income groups of countries, from 70% and 6% in group 1, to 43% and 8% in group 2, to 33% and 11% in group 3, and 20% and 8% in group 4. All 22 EMR countries introduced COVID-19 vaccines by 21 April 2021, but with major inequities in coverage. Additional efforts are needed to address the determinants of unequal vaccine coverage at all stages of the result chain to improve vaccine equity.

Prevalence of HBV and HCV infections, Bhutan, 2017: Progress and next steps.

BACKGROUND: Bhutan is committed to eliminating hepatitis B and hepatitis C, though recent baseline estimates of disease burden in the general population are unknown. In 2017, we carried out a biomarker survey in the general population to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) biomarkers to evaluate the impact of immunization and guide further efforts. METHODS: In 2017, a cross-sectional, population-based, three-stage cluster survey was undertaken of the general population (1-17 and 20+ years of age). We visited households, collected blood specimens and administered a standard questionnaire. Specimens were collected for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) testing. We calculated prevalence of infection and selected characteristics, along with confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Of 1372 individuals approached, 1358 (99%) participated. Of those, 1321 (97%) had a specimen tested for HBsAg, and among 1173 enrolled individuals 5 years of age or older, 1150 (98%) individuals were tested for anti-HCV. The prevalence of HBsAg was 2.0% in 775 persons 20 years of age or older (95% CI: 1.0-4.0) and 0.5% in 546 persons 1-17 years of age (95% CI: 0.1-1.8). The prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.3% (95% CI: 0.1-0.8) among persons ≥5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Universal hepatitis B immunization of infants has resulted in a low prevalence of chronic HBV infection in persons 1-17 years of age and the prevalence of anti-HCV is low among persons aged ≥5 years. Efforts should continue to reach high coverage of the timely birth dose along with completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series. To reduce the chronic liver disease burden among adults, HBV and HCV testing and treatment as indicated might be restricted to pregnant women, blood donors, individuals with chronic liver diseases, and other groups with history of high-risk exposures.

Changing hepatitis A epidemiology in the European Union: new challenges and opportunities.

This perspective on hepatitis A in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) presents epidemiological data on new cases and outbreaks and vaccination policies. Hepatitis A endemicity in the EU/EEA ranges from very low to intermediate with a decline in notification rates in recent decades. Vaccination uptake has been insufficient to compensate for the increasing number of susceptible individuals. Large outbreaks occur. Travel increases the probability of introducing the virus into susceptible populations and secondary transmission. Travel medicine services and healthcare providers should be more effective in educating travellers and travel agents regarding the risk of travel-associated hepatitis A. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) endorses the World Health Organization's recommendations on vaccination of high-risk groups in countries with low and very low endemicity and on universal vaccination in countries with intermediate endemicity. Those recommendations do not cover the use of hepatitis A vaccine to control outbreaks. ECDC together with EU/EEA countries should produce evidence-based recommendations on hepatitis A immunisation to control outbreaks. Data about risk behaviours, exposure and mortality are scarce at the EU/EEA level. EU/EEA countries should report to ECDC comprehensive epidemiological and microbiological data to identify opportunities for prevention.

Increased financial accessibility and targeted education messages could increase ownership and use of mosquito nets in Purulia District, West Bengal, India.

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets are effective in reducing malaria transmission and mortality, yet they are underused for prevention. In this study, 561 households in 33 clusters were surveyed to estimate the coverage of net ownership and the frequency of use according to selected characteristics. Of the 540 participating household heads, 247 (46%) owned mosquito nets. Of 1681 individuals in households with mosquito nets, 1359 (81%) used the nets. A household monthly income > or =2000 Indian rupees (US$45) was strongly associated with mosquito net ownership (prevalence ratio=12, 95% CI 7.8-82). Factors independently associated with net use in multivariate analysis included age < 35 years (P<0.001), sleeping inside (P<0.001), use of repellent (P=0.03) as well as knowledge that mosquitoes cause malaria (P=0.002) and that malaria is severe in children (P<0.001). Whilst household income is the strongest determinant of mosquito net ownership, selected knowledge elements are associated with net use. It is necessary to improve financial accessibility to nets and to communicate that malaria is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that could be fatal in children.

Reducing use of injections through interactional group discussions: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether interactional group discussions could reduce prescriptions of injections by physicians. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Rural public health care facilities, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India. SUBJECTS: 72 medical officers, 36 each in intervention and control groups. INTERVENTION: Interactional group discussions. OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of prescriptions including at least one injection. RESULTS: In the intervention group, 249 of 1,080 prescriptions (23%) included at least one injection compared with 79 of 1,080 prescriptions (7%) before and after the intervention, respectively. (RR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.25-0.40). In the control group, 231 of 1,080 prescriptions (21%) included at least one injection before the intervention vs 178 of 1,080 prescriptions (16%) after the intervention (RR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.65-0.92). CONCLUSION: Interactional group discussions reduce prescription of injections.

Estimating the burden of disease and the economic cost attributable to chikungunya, Andhra Pradesh, India, 2005-2006.

To estimate the burden and cost of chikungunya in India, we searched for cases of fever and joint pain in the village of Mallela, Andhra Pradesh, and collected information on the demography, signs, symptoms, healthcare utilization and expenditure associated with the disease. We estimated the burden of the disease using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). We estimated direct and indirect costs and made projections for the district and state using surveillance data corrected for under-reporting. On average, from December 2005 to April 2006, each of the 242 cases in the village led to a burden of 0.0272 DALYs (95% CI 0.0224-0.0319) and a cost of US$37.50 (95% CI 30.6-44.3). Overall, chikungunya in Mallela led to 6.57 DALYs and a loss of US$9100. Out-of-pocket direct medical costs accounted for 68% of the total. From January to December 2006 the burden for Kadapa district was 160 DALYs (cost: US$290 000). Over the same period the burden for Andhra Pradesh was 6600 DALYs (cost: US$12 400 000). While the burden was moderate, costs were high and mostly out of pocket.

Risk factors for malaria deaths in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India: evidence for further action.

BACKGROUND: In 2006, a cluster of malaria deaths in the highly endemic Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India, led to assignment of additional resources. Malaria deaths decreased, but continued to occur. A study was conducted to identify the risk factors for residual malaria deaths. METHODS: Malaria death was defined as a death from fever with microscopically confirmed Plasmodium falciparum among residents of Jalpaiguri during 2007-2008. For each case, three age-, sex- and locality-matched controls were recruited among microscopically confirmed falciparum malaria patients cured during the same period. Clinical and treatment information was abstracted from records. Information about knowledge about malaria, presence of bed nets and DDT spraying was collected through interviews of the close relatives of study subjects. Odds ratio (OR) were calculated using multivariate methods. RESULTS: 51 malaria deaths were matched with 153 controls, which did not differ by age (median: 35 versus 36 years) and proportion of males (63% versus 63%). On multiple logistic regression analysis, compared with survivors, malaria deaths were more likely to have been admitted with already existing complications [OR = 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.6-10)], treated at a private facility (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.2-12), received treatment after 48 hours of fever onset (OR = 14, 95% CI = 2.9-64), received chloroquine (OR = 13.3, 95% CI = 3.7-47). Households of the deceased were also more likely to miss bed nets (OR = 6.3, 95% CI = 1.9-24) and DDT spraying (OR = 9.2, 95% CI = 2.8-31). CONCLUSION: Elimination of malaria deaths will require education of providers for prompt referral before complications, engagement of the private sector, community awareness for early treatment as well as scaled-up use of bed nets use and DDT. Use of newer generation anti-malarials must to be generalized.

Risk factors for typhoid in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India: evidence for practical action.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for typhoid and propose prevention measures. METHODS: Case-control study; we compared hospital-based typhoid cases defined as fever>38 degrees C for >or=3 days with four-fold rise in 'O' antibodies on paired sera (Widal) with community, age and neighbourhood matched controls. We obtained information on drinking water, fruits, vegetables, milk products and sanitation; and calculated matched odds ratios (MOR) and attributable fractions in the population (AFP) for the risk factors or failure to use prevention measures. RESULTS: The 123 typhoid cases (median age: 25 years, 47% female) and 123 controls did not differ with respect to baseline characteristics. Cases were less likely to store drinking water in narrow-mouthed containers (MOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7, AFP 29%), tip containers to draw water (MOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7, AFP 33%) and have home latrines (MOR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8, AFP 23%). Cases were more likely to consume butter (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3-4.1, AFP 28%), yoghurt (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4-3.7, AFP 34%) and raw fruits and vegetables, including onions (MOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2-3.9, AFP 34%), cabbages (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7-4.8, AFP 44%) and unwashed guavas (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-3, AFP 25%). CONCLUSION: Typhoid was associated with unsafe water and sanitation practices as well as with consumption of milk products, fruits and vegetables. We propose to chlorinate drinking water at the point of use, wash/cook raw fruits and vegetables and ensure safer preparation/storage of local milk products.

Scrub typhus in Darjeeling, India: opportunities for simple, practical prevention measures.

To identify risk factors for scrub typhus in Darjeeling, India, we compared 62 scrub typhus cases (acute fever with eschar and specific IgM) with 62 neighbourhood controls. Cases were more likely to live close to bushes [matched odds ratio (MOR) 10; 95% CI 2.3-63] and wood piles (MOR 3.5; 95% CI 1.5-9.5), to work on farms (MOR 10; 95% CI 2.7-63), to observe rodents at home (MOR 3.6; 95% CI 1.4-11) and at work (MOR 9; 95% CI 2.4-57), and to rear domestic animals (MOR 2.4; 95% CI 1.1-5.7). Cases were less likely to wash after work (MOR 0.4; 95% CI 0.1-0.9) and change clothes to sleep (MOR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.5). A cleaner, rodent-controlled environment may prevent exposure to scrub typhus. Personal protection measures and better hygiene could further reduce individual risk.

Two sequential outbreaks in two villages illustrate the various modes of transmission of cholera.

We investigated two sequential outbreaks of severe diarrhoea in two neighbouring villages of Orissa, in 2005. We conducted descriptive and matched case-control studies. The attack rates were 5.6% (n=62) and 5.2% (n=51), respectively, in the first and second villages. One death was reported in the second village (case fatality 2%). We identified that consumption of milk products prepared in the household of the index case [matched odds ratio (mOR) 5.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-30] in the first village, and drinking well water in the second village were associated with the illness (mOR 4.7, 95% CI 1.6-19). We isolated Vibrio cholerae El Tor O1 Ogawa from stool samples from both the villages. Mishandling of milk products led to a cholera outbreak in the first village, which led to sewerage contamination of a well and another outbreak in the second village. Environmental contamination should be expected and prevented during cholera outbreaks.

Outbreak of waterborne hepatitis E in Hyderabad, India, 2005.

A large outbreak of hepatitis E occurred in 2005 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 1611 cases were reported between 1 March and 31 December 2005 (attack rate 40/100,000). The epidemic curve suggested a continuing common source outbreak. Cases were centred around open sewage drains that crossed the old city. The attack rate was significantly higher in neighbourhood blocks supplied by water supply lines that crossed open drains (203/100,000) than in blocks supplied by non-crossing water pipes with a linear trend (38/100 000, P<0.00001). Crossing water pipelines were repaired and the attack rates declined.

The shift from public to private health care providers and malaria deaths in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India, 2006.

We investigated an increase in malaria deaths in order to formulate control measures. A search of records in health care facilities for cases of death following fever, with a blood smear or rapid antigen test positive for Plasmodium falciparum, identified 77 fatalities. Of these, 72 (93%) occurred in hospitals (78% of which in the 24 hours following admission). Of 60 family members of the patients who died interviewed, 70% reported that the patient had received care from unqualified rural private practitioners available round the clock. Among 100 of these rural practitioners assessed, 21% knew anti-malarial dosage and 7% knew malaria severity criteria. There were 65% and 42% vacancies among 240 community health worker and 12 microscopist positions, respectively, in the public sector in the area. As a result, the mean interval between active case search rounds in the community was 35 days (standard: 14) and the median time between blood slide collection and radical treatment was 12 days (standard < 2 days). Deficiencies in the public health system may have led to a shift towards rural practitioners. Poor management of malaria may have contributed to deaths. We posted microscopists and community health workers in the area to restore appropriate malaria management in the public sector.

An urban, water-borne outbreak of diarrhoea and shigellosis in a district town in eastern India.

BACKGROUND: In September 2007, the Gayeshpur municipality reported a cluster of cases with diarrhoea. We aimed to identify the causative agent and the source of the disease. METHODS: We defined a case as the occurrence of diarrhoea (> 3 loose stools/day) with fever or bloody stools in a resident of Gayeshpur in September-October 2007. We asked healthcare facilities to report cases, collected stool specimens from patients, constructed an epidemic curve, drew a map and calculated the incidence by age and sex. We also conducted a matched case-control study (58 in each group), calculated matched odds ratio (MOR) and population attributable fraction (PAF), as well as assessed the environment. RESULTS: We identified 461 cases (attack rate: 46/1000 population) and isolated Shigella flexneri (serotype 2a and 3a) from 3 of 4 stool specimens. The attack rate was higher among females (52/1000) and those in the age group of 45-59 years (71/1000). The outbreak started on 22 September, peaked multiple times and subsided on 12 October 2007. Cases were clustered distal to a leaking pipeline that crossed an open drain to intermittently supply non-chlorinated water to taps. The 58 cases and 58 controls were matched for age and sex. Drinking tap water (MOR: 10; 95% CI: 3-32; PAF: 89%), washing utensils in tap water (MOR: 3.7; 95% CI: 1.2-11.3) and bathing in tap water (MOR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.1-11) were associated with the illness. CONCLUSION: This outbreak of diarrhoea and Shigella flexneri dysentery was caused by contamination of tap water and subsided following repair of the pipeline. We recommended regular chlorination of the water and maintenance of pipelines.

Estimation of measles vaccination coverage using the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) method--Tamilnadu, India, 2002-2003.

INTRODUCTION: As part of the global strategic plan to reduce the number of measles deaths in India, the state of Tamilnadu aims at > or =95% measles vaccination coverage. A study was conducted to measure overall coverage levels for the Poondi Primary Health Center (PPHC), a rural health-care facility in Tiruvallur District, and to determine whether any of the PPHC's six health subcenters had coverage levels <95%. METHODS: The Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) method was used to identify health subcenters in the PPHC area with measles vaccination coverage levels <95% among children aged 12-23 months. Lemeshow and Taber sampling plans were used to determine that the measles vaccination status of 73 children aged 12--23 months had to be assessed in each health subcenter coverage area, with a 5% level of significance and a decision value of two. If more than two children were unvaccinated, the null hypothesis (i.e., that coverage in the health subcenter was low [<95%]) was not rejected. If the number of unvaccinated children was two or fewer, the null hypothesis was rejected, and coverage in the subcenter was considered to be good (i.e., > or =95%). All data were pooled in a stratified sample to estimate overall total coverage in the PPHC area. RESULTS: For two (33.3%) of the six health subcenters, more than two children were unvaccinated (i.e., coverage was <95%). Combining results from all six health subcenters generated a coverage estimate of 97.7% (95% confidence interval = 95.7-98.8) on the basis of 428 (97.7%) of 438 children identified as vaccinated. CONCLUSION: LQAS techniques proved useful in identifying small health areas with lower vaccination coverage, which helps to target interventions. Monthly review of vaccination coverage by subcenter and village is recommended to identify pockets of unvaccinated children and to maintain uniform high coverage in the PPHC area.

Injection practices in Burkina Faso in 2000.

BACKGROUND: Unsafe delivery and overuse of injections can result in the spread of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV. The aim of the present survey was to estimate the frequency of safe injection practices in Burkina Faso. METHOD: Using the new standardized World Health Organization tool to assess injection practices, we selected 80 primary health facilities with a two-stage cluster sampling method, collected information using structured observations and provider interviews, and analyzed the data using Epi-Info software. RESULTS: We observed 116 injections in 52 facilities. In 50 facilities [96%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 85-99%] injections were given with a new, single-use syringe and needle. In 29 facilities (56%; 95% CI 36-74%), staff recapped needles using two hands. All 80 facilities visited had a stock in the community to provide new, single-use syringes and needles. In 61% (95% CI 54-79%) of facilities, staff reported needlestick injuries in the last 12 months. Used needles were discarded in open containers in 66 facilities (83%; 95% CI 55-96%) and observed in the surroundings of 46 facilities (57%; 95% CI 32-80%). CONCLUSIONS: In 2000, most of the health facilities in Burkina Faso were using sterile injection equipment. However, practices were still observed that could expose patients, health care workers, and communities to risks, and that required specific interventions.

Evaluation of hepatitis C surveillance in Poland in 1998.

The aim was to evaluate hepatitis C surveillance in Poland during 1998. Hepatitis C reports were obtained from epidemiology offices. Public health staff were interviewed to collect information on surveillance operations. To estimate the proportion of acute cases among the total reported, a study was conducted in the Warsaw district to validate case reports. A total of 1661 (97.2%) hepatitis C cases were studied. Hepatitis C surveillance was timely and acceptable to the user, but did not provide a number of information elements required to differentiate acute from chronic cases of infection. Of the 268 case reports available in the Warsaw district, only 15 (5.6%) met the acute hepatitis C case definition. It is concluded that hepatitis C surveillance in Poland cannot provide useful incidence estimates and information regarding risk factors for acute infection. A strict case definition and a modified case form with specific questions for HCV transmission routes should be applied.

The role of child care in a community-wide outbreak of hepatitis A.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of child care centers in a community-wide hepatitis A epidemic. METHODS: We analyzed surveillance data during an epidemic in Maricopa County, Arizona, from January to October 1997 and conducted a case-control study using a sample of cases reported from June to November. Cases were physician-diagnosed and laboratory confirmed; control subjects were frequency matched by age and neighborhood. Information regarding hepatitis A risk factors, including child care-related exposures, was collected. Characteristics of all licensed child care centers in the county were obtained through review of computerized lists from the Arizona Office of Child Day Care Licensing. Surveillance data were linked to the child care list to determine which centers had reported hepatitis A cases. We conducted univariate and multivariate conditional logistic analyses and calculated population attributable risks (PAR). RESULTS: In total, 1242 cases (50/100 000 population) were reported. The highest rates occurred among people aged 0 to 4 (76/100 000), 5 to 14 (95/100 000), and 15 to 29 (79/100 000) years. The most frequently reported risk factor was contact with a hepatitis A patient (45%). However, nearly 80% of these contacts were with individuals who attended or worked in a child care center. Overall, child care center-related contact could have been the source of infection for 34% of case-patients. In the case-control study, case-patients (n = 116) and control subjects (n = 116) did not differ with respect to demographic characteristics. A total of 51% of case-patients compared with 18% of control subjects reported attending or working in a child care setting (direct contact; adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 6.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1-23.0) or being a household contact of such a person (indirect contact; OR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.3-8.0). In age-stratified analyses, the association between hepatitis A and direct or indirect contact with child care settings was strongest for children <6 years old and adults aged 18 to 34 years. Household contact with a person with hepatitis A also was associated with hepatitis A (OR: 9.2; 95% CI: 2.6-58.2). The presence of a child <5 years old in the household was not associated with hepatitis A. The estimated PAR for direct child care contact was 23% (95% CI: 16-34), for indirect child care contact was 21% (95% CI: 13-35), and for any child care contact was 40% (95% CI: 30-53). Information on 1243 licensed child care centers was obtained, with capacity ranging from 5 to 479 slots (mean: 87). Thirty-four (2.7%) centers reported hepatitis A cases. Centers that had a mean capacity of >50 children were more than twice as likely to have had a reported case of hepatitis A (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1-6.7). Among the 747 centers that accepted >50 children, having infant (OR: 3.7; 95% CI: 1.6-8.3), toddler (OR: 6.3; 95% CI: 2.2-20.0), or full-day service (OR; undefined; 95% CI: 1.7- ~) was associated with having a reported case of hepatitis A. CONCLUSIONS: In Maricopa County, people associated with child care settings are at increased risk of hepatitis A, and child care attendees may be an appropriate target group for hepatitis A vaccination. Considering the estimated proportion of children who attended child care and were old enough to receive hepatitis A vaccine (>/=2 years of age) and the calculated PAR, approximately 40% of cases might have been prevented if child care center attendees and staff had been vaccinated. However, epidemiologic studies indicate that the proportion of cases that are attributable to child care center exposure varies considerably among counties, suggesting that this exposure may be associated with an increased risk of hepatitis A in some communities but not in others. To prevent and control hepatitis A epidemics in communities, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Pediatrics have adopted a long-term strategy of routine vaccination of children who live in areas with consistently elevated hepatitis A rates. After demonstrating cost-effectiveness, a rule was implemented in January 1999 to require hepatitis A vaccination of all children who are aged 2 to 5 years and enrolled in a licensed child care facility in Maricopa County. Other communities with similar epidemiologic features might consider routine vaccination of child care center attendees as a long-term hepatitis A prevention strategy. Consistent with current recommendations, in communities with persistently elevated hepatitis A rates where child care center attendance does not play an important role in hepatitis A virus transmission in the community, child care centers may nonetheless provide a convenient access point for delivering hepatitis A as well as other routine childhood vaccinations.

Outbreak of human monkeypox, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1996 to 1997.

Human monkeypox is a zoonotic smallpox-like disease caused by an orthopoxvirus of interhuman transmissibility too low to sustain spread in susceptible populations. In February 1997, 88 cases of febrile pustular rash were identified for the previous 12 months in 12 villages of the Katako-Kombe Health Zone, Democratic Republic of Congo (attack rate = 22 per 1,000; case-fatality rate = 3.7%). Seven were active cases confirmed by virus isolation. Orthopoxvirus- neutralizing antibodies were detected in 54% of 72 patients who provided serum and 25% of 59 wild-caught animals, mainly squirrels. Hemagglutination-inhibition assays and Western blotting detected antibodies in 68% and 73% of patients, respectively. Vaccinia vaccination, which protects against monkeypox, ceased by 1983 after global smallpox eradication, leading to an increase in the proportion of susceptible people.

Injection safety: a global challenge

This article summarizes the key injection safety issues and announces the launch of the Safe Injection Global Network (SIGN). Document in pdf format; Acrobat Reader required.