Uncover the latest news in infectious diseases provided by your friends at The Native Antigen Company
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Dear Customers and Partners,
Please find the next edition of the Monthly Infectious Diseases Summary, our subjective look at the most important news of the month. Please let us know how you like it and if there is something interesting we missed, contact us at this email address.
Hepatitis E Outbreak Ravages Eastern Chad
Article
On 5 March 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a severe hepatitis E outbreak in Chad's eastern Ouaddai province, an area already heavily burdened by refugees fleeing the Sudan conflict. From 2 January to 28 April 2024, 2092 suspected cases and seven deaths (CFR 0.3%) have been reported in the Adré and Hadjer-Hadid health districts. Alarmingly, 95% of these cases are from seven refugee camps and transit sites, predominantly affecting women and children. Among the infected are 27 pregnant women, a group at heightened risk for severe outcomes. Authorities, backed by WHO, are in a race against time, launching emergency measures to provide safe drinking water and improve hygiene to curb the spread of this deadly virus. Read more here.
This outbreak is not without precedent. The potential severity of such outbreaks is illustrated by the largest recorded outbreak of acute hepatitis E infections in 2012-2013 in the Upper Nile, South Sudan, where over 11,000 cases occurred among persons fleeing violence in Sudan in 2011. This historical example, among multiple others underscore the critical need for robust public health interventions to prevent further escalation. Read more about the Hepatitis E outbreaks in Displaced Populations of sub-Saharan Africa, 2010–2020.
New Case of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Confirmed in Spain's Salamanca Province
Article
On 27 April 2024, regional health authorities in Salamanca Province, Spain, confirmed a case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in an elderly man with a tick bite. The patient is hospitalized in stable condition under isolation. This is the fifth CCHF case in Salamanca since 2018 and the 13th in Spain since 2013. Although the general population's risk is low, it increases for those exposed to tick bites, such as hunters and hikers. The Hyalomma spp. ticks, primary vectors of CCHF, are present in southern and eastern Europe. ECDC is closely monitoring the situation and emphasizes personal protective measures against tick bites. Read more.
On May 20, 2024, Jet2 flight LS302 from Alicante to Belfast became the focal point of a medical alert when a passenger exhibited symptoms suggestive of measles or chickenpox. The potential risk of transmission of these highly infectious diseases led to a precautionary detainment of passengers for over an hour upon landing. Read more about the flight here.
The incident is a stark reminder of the escalating health crisis in the UK, where measles cases have surged to unprecedented levels in recent years, particularly in the capital. England alone has reported over 1,000 confirmed cases, a figure that starkly exceeds last year’s total and highlights the critical need for widespread immunization and prompt diagnostic measures to prevent further spread of infectious diseases. The episode aboard LS302 serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of vaccination and the swift identification of infectious conditions in public health management. As of the latest reports, national coverage for the MMR vaccine at 12 months is approximately 91.8%, falling short of the WHO target1. This decline is even more pronounced in London, where coverage is around 87.6%, significantly lower than the national average1.
Have a look at our offer of Varicella-Zoster and Measles virus products, and do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to consult with our assay development specialists!
Deadly MERS-CoV Outbreak in Saudi Arabia: Three New Cases and One Death Reported
Article
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is facing a critical health scare as three new cases of the deadly Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported between April 10 and 17, 2024. One of these cases has tragically resulted in death, raising serious concerns about the virus's spread within healthcare settings. All three affected individuals were men aged between 56 and 60, with pre-existing health conditions. Alarmingly, the cases are linked to a single healthcare facility in Riyadh.
The index case, a 56-year-old school teacher, sought medical care after developing symptoms and was subsequently admitted to the hospital. He succumbed to the virus on April 7. The other two cases were detected through prompt contact tracing. A 60-year-old retired male and another 60-year-old retired military personnel, both of whom had no direct exposure to camels, are suspected to have contracted the virus within the hospital. Both remain in intensive care. This outbreak brings the total number of MERS-CoV cases in Saudi Arabia this year to four, with two fatalities
MERS-CoV is known for its severe respiratory symptoms and high mortality rate, particularly among individuals with underlying health conditions. The virus is primarily transmitted from camels to humans, but human-to-human transmission, especially in healthcare settings, poses significant risks. Read more.
Do not forget to check out our wide portfolio of Human Coronavirus antigens and antibodies here.
Meet Our Team
Lousia Emms, Research Scientist
Growing up in Oxford, I was always fascinated by the natural world and had an interest in understanding the processes underlying living organisms. I studied Biological Sciences at the University of Portsmouth, completing my degree in 2015 before enrolling onto an MRes program. For this I spent a year in a Brain Tumour Research laboratory, studying mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and its involvement in glioblastoma onset and recurrence.
Upon completing my MRes I moved back to my hometown of Oxford and attained my first graduate post as a Production Technician for The Native Antigen Company in 2017. In this role I gained an understanding of all aspects of the manufacturing process of our antigens before moving into the Research and Development department under Holger Hannemann as an upstream junior research scientist in 2019. I trained in molecular biology initially and then specialised in our tissue culture expression systems: responsible for introducing both our insect cell expression system and stable cell line system during this time. I continue to be interested in how we can improve our processes and at present am involved in the upscaling of our VirTuE HEK293 expression system.
Outside of the lab I am very much an outdoors person and am not afraid to get my hands dirty, often volunteering at a local farm. Much of my time is also spent caring for my very demanding but equally lovely German Shepherd.
Resources you might have missed...
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On 5 March 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a severe hepatitis E outbreak in Chad's eastern Ouaddai province, an area already heavily burdened by refugees fleeing the Sudan conflict. From 2 January to 28 April 2024, 2092 suspected cases and seven deaths (CFR 0.3%) have been reported in the Adré and Hadjer-Hadid health districts. Alarmingly, 95% of these cases are from seven refugee camps and transit sites, predominantly affecting women and children. Among the infected are 27 pregnant women, a group at heightened risk for severe outcomes. 
On May 20, 2024, Jet2 flight LS302 from Alicante to Belfast became the focal point of a medical alert when a passenger exhibited symptoms suggestive of measles or chickenpox. The potential risk of transmission of these highly infectious diseases led to a precautionary detainment of passengers for over an hour upon landing. 
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is facing a critical health scare as three new cases of the deadly Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported between April 10 and 17, 2024. One of these cases has tragically resulted in death, raising serious concerns about the virus's spread within healthcare settings. All three affected individuals were men aged between 56 and 60, with pre-existing health conditions. Alarmingly, the cases are linked to a single healthcare facility in Riyadh.
