Tester blog: February 2016

Monday 29 February 2016

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12
SINGAPORE - Samsung's latest smartphones, the Galaxy S7 and the S7 edge will be available in Singapore from March 12, with pre-orders starting this Friday (Feb 26) at 10am. However, only the 32GB version will be available at launch. A spokesperson for Samsung...

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/EDR> Hepatitis C - China: (SX) nosocomial

Hepatitis C -- China
Two heads of a hospital in Shangluo in northwest China's Shaanxi Province were dismissed after 26 patients contracted hepatitis C during dialysis treatment, said the local authorities on Fri 26 Feb 2016.
It is suspected that the patients contracted hepatitis C while undergoing hemodialysis sessions in the hospital, said an official at the medical center, He Youwen. "They are among about 40 kidney patients receiving treatment regularly 2-3 times a week," he added, noting that the virus,

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1TNBBLo

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC - Argentina: (SL) fatality

E. coli -- Argentina
Health Minister of the province Roberto Schwartz confirmed the death of a 2-year-old admitted last Sunday [21 Feb 2016] to the San Luis Hospital with characteristic symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Schwartz, who described the outbreak as "sporadic," said the province has the inputs and technology needed to diagnose and treat the disease, which occurs by exposure to bacteria in poorly cooked meat or through (poor) food processing.
The minister recommended using domestic prevention

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1ndOHn9

PRO/EDR> Clostridium perfringens foodborne illness - Nigeria: (AC) fatalities, RFI

Foodborne Illness -- Nigeria
Earlier this week, health officials in Abuja, Nigeria suspected that a "mystery outbreak" that killed some 13 people may have been due to dysentery or typhoid in Saburi [Abuja] community.
However, on Fri 27 Feb 2016, Dr Rilwanu Muhammad, the Executive Secretary, FCT [Federal Capital Territory] Primary Health Care Development Board, said that 13 people died, while 10 people survived food poisoning caused by _Clostridium perfringens_ in Abuja. _C. perfringens_ is a bacterium which exists as a

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1oUhT4z

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/EDR> Alcohol poisoning - USA, Sweden: hand sanitizer, consumption

Poisoning -- United States
With laws prohibiting minors from legally purchasing alcoholic beverages, many teens are finding creative ways to get a buzz from products they can find right at home. In fact, since 2010, US poison control centers have seen a nearly 4-fold increase in calls related to minors ingesting hand sanitizer as a way to get drunk. And according to Vice [channel], this may be an even bigger problem in Sweden.
Vice reported that this disturbing trend has forced Swedish pharmacists to remove hand

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1pm4jGV

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (18): WHO, susp, research, funding, NGO, corr

Ebola -- Worldwide/Unknown
Human-to-human transmission directly linked to the 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa was declared to have ended in Sierra Leone on 7 Nov 2015. The country then entered a 90-day period of enhanced surveillance to ensure the rapid detection of any further cases that might arise as a result of a missed transmission chain, reintroduction from an animal reservoir, importation from an area of active transmission, or re-emergence of virus that had persisted in a survivor.
On

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1RAU2ja

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/EDR> Zika virus (10): Americas, Asia, Europe, Pacific

Zika virus -- Australia
Travel-associated Zika virus disease cases reported: 107
Locally acquired vector-borne cases reported: 0
US Territories
--------------
Travel-associated cases reported: 1 (Puerto Rico)
Locally acquired vector-borne cases reported: 39
(American Samoa 4, Puerto Rico 34, US Virgin Islands 1)
[With map & table]
--
29 Feb 2016: USA: Hawaii battling Zika outbreak
[Describes multiple problems with controlling mosquitoes under local conditions, ranging from keeping organic farms free of

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1OIls1W

PRO/EDR> Hand, foot & mouth disease - Canada: ex Mexico (QR) resort

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease -- Canada
A number of Canadian families are returning from a popular Mexican resort area with an unwanted souvenir following a suspected outbreak of hand-foot-mouth disease.
While vacationing at a resort in Cancun this week, KB of Black Diamond [Alberta] captured photos of her 18-month-old daughter's red bumps and posted the images to social media in the hopes of warning others of a possible outbreak.
"She started out with a fever and what I thought were bug bites at first," said KB. "Then the

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1TMLuJu

PRO/EDR> Hepatitis E - India (05): (HP)

Hepatitis E -- India
People allege civic authorities waited a week to suspend drinking water supply from Ashwani Khud that was found to be contaminated with the hepatitis E virus, which caused the outbreak. By then, 25 percent of Shimla's population was affected. More than 2 months after the 1st cases of jaundice were reported in the 3rd week of December 2015, Shimla continues to grapple with the state's biggest jaundice outbreak since Independence [1947].
Official data show 10 people have died and 1600

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1OIlrLt

PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (06): Americas (Dominican Republic)

Cholera -- Dominican Republic
Of the more than 20 inmates in the public jail of the city of Bani [Peravia province] affected by outbreaks of diarrhea and vomiting that began about 15 days ago, 3 were found positive for the cholera virus, according to lab results released yesterday afternoon [26 Feb 2016] in Bani.
The reports of the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses -- INACIF) indicate that 3 of the cases analyzed by the scientific entity tested positive for the cholera

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1TMLsRT

PRO/EDR> Mumps - USA (02): (NH) student cases, alert

Mumps -- United States
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human services issued a health alert Friday night [25 Feb 2016] warning health care providers of a mumps outbreak at a New Hampshire college campus.
State epidemiologist Dr Ben Chan said the outbreak is at St Anselm College in Goffstown.
According to the health alert the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services has confirmed 2 cases in a lab and identified 3 other probable cases.
All the patients are members of the men's college

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1OIlruZ

PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (29): Saudi Arabia (RI)

MERS -- Saudi Arabia
As of 12:00 noon today [29 Feb 2016] there have been a total of:
1310 laboratory confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection including
555 deaths [reported case fatality rate 42.4 percent]
742 recoveries, and
13 currently active cases
Since the last update [27 Feb 2016] there has been a total of:
4 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection [28 Feb 2016]
0 newly confirmed fatalities,
0 newly confirmed recoveries
Information on the newly reported cases:
29 Feb 2016 (3 cases):

1- A

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1TMLuJk

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Analysis of botulism outbreak calls for awareness of risk

With increasing demand for locally made, ready-to-eat food, there must be an awareness of the risk for botulism from improperly canned foods, according to the findings of an outbreak report.

Read more about it at FoodQualityNews RSS via http://bit.ly/1ScueMu

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Sunday 28 February 2016

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/EDR> Streptococcus, group A, scarlet fever - UK (02): (England) update

Scarlet Fever -- United Kingdom
Health officials are urging parents to be vigilant for scarlet fever symptoms following an outbreak in the region. According to Public Health England (PHE) 37 cases of scarlet fever, which commonly affects young children, were reported across the South West last week.
The authority is now urging parents and guardians to be aware of the signs in an effort to catch the illnesses early. PHE is warning parents to look for signs of a sore throat, headache, fever and pinkish rash on the chest.

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1n9VwWT

PRO/AH/EDR> Trichinellosis - Czech Republic: (LI) wild boar

Trichinosis -- Czech Republic
Repeated tests carried out in a wild boar shot in Zwickau [Cvikov], Marenicky area in the Ceska Lípa district [map at /jk4kmu2], revealed infection with the parasite _Trichinella spiralis_, the cause of trichinosis which is transmissible to humans. The tests were confirmed by the State Veterinary Institute in Prague, said Miroslav Kurfurst, Director of the regional veterinary administration of the Liberec Region (KVSL).
Immediately after receiving the results, the regional veterinary

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1XU6XiE

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (18): WHO, susp., research, funding, NGO

Ebola -- Worldwide/Unknown
Suspected
-------
USA
--------
25 Feb 2015 USA (New York): Kennedy Airport passenger does not have Ebola virus, officials say
[Diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection]
26 Feb 2015 USA (Virginia): Ebola in Arlington County? Patient rushed to Virginia hospital with virus-like symptoms, Ebola infection "unlikely"
[Patient returned from a country experiencing an Ebola outbreak and is now in isolation]
Research
-----
Study on persistent symptoms in Ebola

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1KUVsG3

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Saturday 27 February 2016

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervid - USA (10): (TX)

Chronic Wasting Disease -- United States
A free-ranging mule deer buck, harvested in Hartley County [Texas], has been confirmed positive for CWD. State officials received confirmation today [26 Feb 2016] from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.
Hartley County is located in the Texas Panhandle immediately to the south of Dalhart and borders New Mexico. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) are contemplating a multi-tiered risk management response

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1Rwgeed

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis, animal reservoir: porcine, direct transmission

Japanese Encephalitis -- Worldwide/Unknown
Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus causes serious inflammation of the brain in people and fertility problems in pigs. Mosquitoes were previously the only known transmission route. However, the virus can also be spread from pig to pig by direct contact, and this could enable it to circulate in pigs during the mosquito-free winter season.
The JE virus is the main cause of serious encephalitis in people in Asia. The virus is found in large parts of Southeast Asia and is now also widespread in

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/21ra07E

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/AH/EDR> Oleander poisoning - USA (CA): equine, canine

Poisoning -- United States
A Sonoma County [California] woman's horse and dog were killed, and another horse she owns was sickened, after the animals ingested cookies laced with poison that apparently were deliberately left for them to eat earlier this month, officials said Tuesday [23 Feb 2016].
Deputies recently identified a person of interest in the poisoning case, but authorities would not give details about the possible suspect, said Sgt. Cecile Focha, a spokeswoman for the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
The

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1pg0tPx

PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (28): Saudi Arabia (AS)

MERS -- Saudi Arabia
As of 12:00 noon today [27 Feb 2016] there have been a total of:
1306 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection, including
555 fatalities [reported case fatality rate 42.5 percent]
742 recoveries, and
9 currently active cases
In the past 24 hours there have been:
1 newly confirmed case
1 newly reported fatality and
0 newly reported recoveries
Information on newly reported fatal case:
- A 50-year-old Saudi male from Mahail Aseer, non-healthcare worker, who was reported as

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1LMhAx4

PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever - West Africa (09): Nigeria, Benin

Lassa Fever -- Nigeria
Lassa fever case numbers as of week 6 [week ending 19 Feb 2016]
Numbers of cases in states reported / confirmed / deaths
Bauchi 1 / 0 / 0
Kano 3 / 0 / 0
Nasarawa 2 / 0 / 0
Ogun 1 / 1 / 0
Ondo 16 / 2 / 2
Oyo 3 / 0 / 0
Taraba 4 / 0 / 0
Total 30 / 3 / 2
--
Communicated by:
Tayo Babalobi

[The number of Lassa fever cases in Nigeria is increasing rapidly. A 21 Feb 2016 report indicated that there were 58 deaths, considerably more than the 2 deaths indicated above, on 19 Feb

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1pg0weh

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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#Test123

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/EDR> Yellow fever - Africa (16): Angola

Yellow Fever -- Angola
About 118 people have died [due to] a yellow fever outbreak in Angola, where the capital [Luanda] leads that list with 82, and 434 cases, according to the recent epidemiological bulletin.
According to the report, in addition to Luanda, where the 1st case of the disease in a citizen of Eritrea was notified in the municipality of Viana on [5 Dec 2015], the ailment is affecting the provinces of Bie, Benguela, Cunene, Cabinda, Huila Huambo, Malange, Kwanza Sul, Uige, Zaire and Kwanza

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1n4BhK0

PRO/EDR> Botulism - USA (03): (OH,CA) jarred pesto, 2014

Botulism -- United States
On 28 Jul 2014, the Cincinnati Health Department was notified of suspected cases of foodborne botulism in 2 women admitted to the same hospital 12 days apart. Patient A had been treated for 12 days for suspected autoimmune disease. When patient B, the roommate of patient A, was evaluated at the same medical center for similar symptoms, it was learned that on 13 Jul 2014, patient A and patient B had shared a meal that included prepackaged pesto from a jar; clinicians suspected botulism and

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1pfn272

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Friday 26 February 2016

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever - Mali (02): neighboring countries, clarification

African Swine Fever -- Mali

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/210Xoi0

PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis - update (04): Pakistan, Laos, cVDPV1, global, WHO

Polio -- Pakistan
A fresh case of polio disease emerged in Balochistan as a 2-year-old boy was diagnosed with the crippling disease on Tuesday [23 Feb 2016].
The virus surfaced in Quetta's Samungli area, with an official confirming that it was the 1st case of the year 2016.
According to the Coordinator of the Emergency Operation Centre, Dr Syed Saifur Rehman, environmental samples of the virus from Qilla Abdullah were found to be positive.
The 1st polio case of the year [2016] has surfaced in Karachi.

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1TJk1s5

PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (27): Saudi Arabia (RI), RFI

MERS -- Saudi Arabia
As of noon today [26 Feb 2016] there have been:
1305 laboratory confirmed cases of MERS-CoV, including
554 deaths [reported case fatality rate 42.5 percent]
9 currently active cases.
In the past 24 hours, there have been a total of:
2 newly confirmed cases;
0 newly reported deaths;
0 newly reported recoveries.
Information on 2 newly reported cases:
1- A 72-year-old Saudi male from Ruwaidah alard, non-healthcare worker, reported to be in critical condition; is reported to be a

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/210XohX

PRO/EDR> Syphilis - USA: (NV) rising incidence, MSM

Syphilis -- United States
An explosion of reported early syphilis cases in Clark County [Nevada] since 2012 has been deemed an outbreak by the Southern Nevada Health District. [Las Vegas, with a population of 613 599 in 2014, is the county seat and most populous city in Clark County, which has a population of about 2 million residents ().]
Reported cases of the sexually transmitted disease have skyrocketed 128 percent in Southern Nevada since 2012, with 694 new-onset cases of the disease confirmed in 2015, the

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1TJk1s2

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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#Test123

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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#Test123

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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PRO/EDR> Plague: worldwide, 2010-2015

Plague -- Worldwide/Unknown
Plague is a bacterial infection mainly affecting small mammals and transmitted by fleas. The geographical distribution of the disease is very focalized. Occasionally, the pathogen _Yersinia pestis_ can infect humans through infected flea bites. Human plague is a serious disease, particularly in its septicaemic and pneumonic forms. The pneumonic form, invariably fatal unless treated early, is especially contagious and can trigger terrifying epidemics through direct person-to-person contact. In

Read more about it at HealthMap Global Disease Alerts via http://bit.ly/1RtAkpH

Samsung’s latest S7 smartphones will be available at S’pore launch on Mar 12

February 22, 2016 at 04:14PM
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