WHO Updates on Uganda’s Ebola Sudan Cluster; CWD in Texas Deer for First Time
The WHO reported a second Ebola Sudan cluster in Uganda, linked to a young child. This outbreak has raised concerns regarding undetected transmission. In Texas, chronic wasting disease was detected in captive deer for the first time, prompting containment measures. A study in Norway found that sleep debt among nurses is linked to higher infection risks, necessitating further investigation into occupational health impacts.
On March 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a second cluster of Ebola Sudan cases in Uganda, which includes three confirmed and two probable cases linked to a 4-year-old child. This new information has raised alarms about undiscovered transmission levels and prompted heightened surveillance efforts. The child’s death from Ebola occurred on February 25, with the child’s mother also reported to have died shortly after delivering the baby in a hospital, enunciating connections to Ntoroko district near the DRC border.
The mother was symptomatic starting January 22 and subsequently died on January 6, while her newborn passed away on January 12. The WHO emphasized the absence of supervised burial for these three deaths, which complicates tracing efforts. The cases now include an eleventh confirmed case—a woman who had contact with the boy—and a twelfth case from contact with his mother, both currently in treatment for Ebola.
As of March 2, 192 additional contacts have been identified for monitoring, with many from Kampala and Wakiso districts. This outbreak marks Uganda’s sixth Ebola Sudan occurrence, with a current case fatality rate of 29%, significantly lower than previous outbreaks that ranged between 41% and 70%.
In a separate report, chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected for the first time in captive deer in Kaufman County, Texas. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) confirmed that two white-tailed deer tested positive for CWD under mandatory surveillance protocols. The affected deer farm has been quarantined to contain potential disease spread.
CWD is caused by prions—misfolded proteins resistant to extreme conditions such as heat and formaldehyde—spreading through saliva, urine, and feces among deer. Since its first identification in Colorado in 1967, CWD has been found in 36 states and several countries worldwide.
Lastly, a study from Haukeland University Hospital in Norway reveals that sleep deprivation and night work among nurses correlate with increased susceptibility to common infections such as the cold and pneumonia. The research involving 1,335 Norwegian nurses indicates that serious sleep debt can raise the risk of pneumonia up to four times, highlighting significant health risks associated with shift work.
The recent reports from the WHO and other health organizations highlight critical public health concerns: the resurgence of Ebola in Uganda with a second cluster of cases, the emergence of chronic wasting disease in Texas, and sleep-related health risks among nurses in Norway. These incidents prompt the need for enhanced surveillance, monitoring, and health interventions to mitigate the spread of infections and address occupational health issues.
Original Source: www.cidrap.umn.edu
