Institutional links

Risks in Eating Sprouts: Canada
With the release of its new policy on sprouts, Health Canada is reminding Canadians that raw or undercooked sprouts should not be eaten by children, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. Sprouts, including mung bean and alfalfa sprouts, continue to be a popular choice for Canadians as a low-calorie, healthy ingredient in many dishes. These foods, however, may carry harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7, which can lead to serious illness. Many outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli infections have been linked to contaminated sprouts. The most recent in Canada was in the fall of 2005, when more than 648 cases of Salmonella were reported in Ontario. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency continue to work with producers to develop and implement best practices that will reduce the chances of sprouts becoming contaminated. Health Canada's new Policy on Managing Health Risks Associated with the Consumption of Sprouted Seeds and Beans was recently released with this in mind.
Source: Advisories, Warnings and Recalls, Health Canada, 24 January 2007

Malaria: Dominican Republic (Update)
The Public Health Agency of Canada has been notified of a third case of malaria in a Canadian traveller returning from the Dominican Republic. A single case has also been reported in a US traveler. The Canadian travellers became infected with malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) between 15 and 26 December 2006 while vacationing in Punta Cana, a resort area located in the province of La Altagracia. The travellers did not take antimalarial medication and did not protect themselves against mosquito bites. The Agency is collaborating with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pan American Health Organization to monitor for and report any additional cases of malaria in travellers returning from the Dominican Republic.
Source: Travel Health Advisory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 29 January 2007

Malaria: Jamaica (Update)
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to monitor an outbreak of malaria in Jamaica. As of 28 January 2007, the Jamaican Ministry of Health has reported 273 confirmed cases of malaria with the majority occurring in Kingston. Eleven of the cases have been reported in the adjacent parish of St. Catherine, 3 cases have been reported in St. Thomas parish, and 1 case has been reported in the parish of Clarendon. Although 1 case has been reported in a US resident who traveled to Kingston in November 2006, no cases have been reported among Canadian travellers to date. All confirmed cases were caused by infection with Plasmodium falciparum. No deaths have occurred and there is no evidence of chloroquine resistance among treated cases.
Source: Travel Health Advisory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 29 January 2007

Measles: Worldwide
Deaths as a result of measles fell by 60% worldwide between 1999 and 2005, announced by the Measles Initiative - a partnership between the World Health Organization, the United Nations (UN), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Red Cross and other organisations. This figure surpasses the target set by the UN in 2002 to reduce deaths due to measles by half in this period. According to recently published data, the number of measles deaths worldwide fell from an estimated 873,000 (uncertainty bounds 634,000 to 1,140,000) in 1999 to 345,000 (247,000 to 458,000) in 2005. Outbreaks in Europe remain common although fatalities are now rare. Twelve deaths were reported in the European Union in 2005, 11 in Romania and one in Germany. In many developing nations, however, case fatality rates range from 1 to 5%, and can reach 30% in refugee settings and among malnourished children. Despite there being a safe and effective vaccine available for over four decades, measles is still a leading cause of death for young children.
Source: Eurosurveillance Weekly, Volume 12, No. 1, 25 January 2007

The details given are for information only and may be very provisional. Where incidents are considered of national importance and are ongoing, the initial report will be updated as new information becomes available.