One Health Publications

Imported Human Rabies Cases Worldwide, 1990–2012

Citation: Carrara P, Parola P, Brouqui P, Gautret P (2013) Imported Human Rabies Cases Worldwide, 1990–2012. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 7(5): e2209. doi:10.1371/

journal.pntd.0002209

Editor: Charles E. Rupprecht, The Global Alliance for Rabies Control, United States of America

Abstract

Sixty cases of human rabies in international travelers were reviewed from 1990–2012. A significant proportion of the cases

were observed in migrants or their descendants when emigrating from their country of origin or after a trip to visit friends

and relatives or for other reasons (43.3%). The cases were not necessarily associated with long-term travel or expatriation to

endemic countries; moreover, cases were observed in travelers after short trips of two weeks or less. A predominance of

male patients was observed (75.0%). The proportion of children was low (11.7%). Cases from India and Philippines were

frequent (16 cases/60). In a significant proportion of cases (51.1%), diagnosis was challenging, with multiple missed

diagnoses and transfers from ward to ward before the final diagnosis of rabies. Among the 28 patients whose confirmed

diagnosis was obtained ante-mortem, the mean time between hospitalization and diagnosis was 7.7 days (median time: 6.0

days, range 2–30) including four cases with a diagnosis delayed by 15 or more days. In five cases, a patient traveled through

one or more countries before ultimately being hospitalized. Three factors played a role in delaying the diagnosis of rabies in

a number of cases: (i) a low index of suspicion for rabies in countries where the disease has been eradicated for a long time

or is now rare, (ii) a negative history of animal bites or exposure to rabies, and (iii) atypical clinical presentation of the

disease. Clinical symptomatology of rabies is complex and commonly confuses physicians. Furthermore, failure in

diagnosing imported cases in more developed countries is most likely related to the lack of medical familiarity with even the

typical clinical features of the disease.

* E-mail: philippe.gautret@club-internet.fr

From U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Select Zoonotic Diseases Conference Call - May 1, 2013

“2020 Healthy Pets Healthy Families Initiative”

“Healthy pets can lead to healthy people. That’s why the Los Angeles County Veterinary Public Health Program (VPH) started the 2020 Healthy Pets Healthy Families initiative.  The county-wide initiative aims to:

1.      Create animal health goals based on the latest research

2.      Track trends in animal health

3.      Create programs that improve both animal and human health

The initiative combines the One Health movement with the national Healthy People 2020 model. In 2011, VPH launched the 2002 Healthy Pets Healthy Families Coalition, which brings together physicians, veterinarians, animal health and public health professionals from all over Los Angeles and neighboring counties. The group has set goals for the year 2020 around seven focus areas and will be working together to develop specific strategies and interventions to improve both the health of humans and animals.”

Karen Ehnert, DVM, MPVM, DACPVM

Director (Acting)

Veterinary Public Health

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

313 N. Figueroa St, Room 1127

Los Angeles, CA 90012 (USA)

(213) 989-7060

(213) 481-2375 Fax

kehnert@ph.lacounty.gov

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/

Our mission: “To protect health, prevent disease, and promote health and well-being”

Please see attached Power Point slide presentation courtesy of Dr. Ehnert, a One Health supporter http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/supporters.php.

Parasites & Vectors 2013, 6:123 (29 April 2013)

Letter to the Editor    
Paediatric Visceral Leishmaniasis in Italy: a 'One Health' approach is needed
Lorusso V, Dantas-Torres F, Caprio F, Manzionna M, Santoro F, Baneth G, Otranto D

[Abstract] [Provisional PDF]

http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/pdf/1756-3305-6-123.pdf

One Health Event Highlights Ugandan Military - April 29, 2013

One Health Initiative Advances Care for Humans, Animals and the Environment

By One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team: Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP ▪ Bruce Kaplan, DVM ▪ Thomas P. Monath, MD ▪ Jack Woodall, PhD ▪ Lisa A. Conti, DVM, MPH

Posted Horizon Solutions Site April 27, 2013

http://www.solutions-site.org/node/875

Also please see www.solutionssite.org.

Graciously provided by highly valued One Health Supporter/advocate http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/supporters.php:

Janine M. H. Selendy, Chairman, President, and Publisher, Horizon International, Yale University
Dept. of Biology, New Haven, CT 06520-8103 USA Yale Tel: 203-432-6266; Cell: 914-329-1323

North Carolina State University (USA)

Bartonellosis: Diagnosing a Stealth Pathogen - April 23, 2013

“NC State professor of veterinary internal medicine Ed Breitschwerdt has spent the last couple of decades working with Bartonella, bacteria historically associated with “cat scratch disease.” Bartonella is increasingly recognized as a cause of persistent intravascular infection that can result in severe health effects. Research from Breitschwerdt’s laboratory and others has led to the discovery of more than 30 new Bartonella species, as well as numerous chronically infected animal “reservoirs” for the bacteria and a variety of insects that can transmit Bartonella to both humans and animals.

Bartonella species are “stealth pathogens” – that is, bacteria that can survive undetected for years in the human body. These bacteria infect red blood cells, but can also live in the endothelial cells – the cells that line blood vessels and organs. Because Bartonella species can survive for such a long time within the blood stream and tissues, the symptoms of bartonellosis can take very divergent paths, resulting in “nonspecific” symptoms and an infection that is quite difficult to diagnose, let alone treat. ...”

Please read entire article at: http://web.ncsu.edu/abstract/science/tpbartonellosis-diagnosis/

Permission to post granted by:

Tracey Peake
Communications Specialist
NC State News Services
919/515-6142

Horizon International of Yale University (USA) Endorses One Health

On April 24, 2013, Janine M. H. Selendy, Chairman, President, and Publisher of Horizon International, Yale University, Department of Biology, Box 208103, New Haven, CT 06520-8103 (USA) sent the One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team an important and welcomed One Health endorsement message.

“On behalf of Horizon International I am writing to express our enthusiastic support for the valuable One Health Initiative (OHI) and Horizon’s willingness to do what it can to help advance the OHI objective to bring about the synergy achievable with interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. 

As is so well expressed on the OHI Web site, such synergy will “advance health care for the 21st century and beyond by accelerating biomedical research discoveries, enhancing public health efficacy, expeditiously expanding the scientific knowledge base, and improving medical education and clinical care.” ...”

Please read full letter attached.

National Academies of Practice (NAP) Establishes Liaison with One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono team

The NAP is a strong supporter/advocate of the One Health concept and approach -

P.O. Box 644930

Pittsburgh PA 15264

Phone Number:(703) 299-0105

Fax Number: (703) 299-9233

Email Address: kkorbel@napractice.org,

Website: http://www.napractice.org/

Please see April 22, 2013 attachment.

NEW VACCINES FOR PATHOGENS INFECTING ANIMALS AND HUMANS: ONE HEALTH

*Thomas P. Monath, MD

One Health slide presentation at World Vaccine Congress, April 16-19, Washington, DC

*Dr. Monath is a founding member of the One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono team and website.

From Chatham House “home of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (UK), is a world-leading source of independent analysis, informed debate and influential ideas on how to build a prosperous and secure world for all...” 

Emerging Infections in Perspective: Novel Coronavirus and H7N9 Influenza

Monday 15 April 2013 by Professor David L. Heyman, CBE,  Professor David L Heymann, CBE, Head and Senior Fellow, Centre on Global Health Security
   

“Since the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory infection (SARS) ten years ago, efforts to detect unusual severe respiratory disease have intensified. At the same time, there have been major advances in the development of diagnostic tests. This is a result of a major increase in the research and development budget for tests to diagnose unknown disease, and this investment was driven by the perception that anthrax and other organisms such as the smallpox virus will continue to be a bioterrorism threat. ...”

Please read entire article: http://www.chathamhouse.org/media/comment/view/190809

Note: Dr. Heymann is a prominent One Health supporter/advocate and a member of the One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono team’s Honorary Advisory Board http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/advBoard.php.