Attachments
This epidemiological bulletin aims to provide the situation of key infectious diseases in the WHO South-East Asia Region to inform risk assessments and responses. The bulletin uses information from publicly available sources and will be published every two weeks. For feedback or suggestions, please write to seoutbreak@who.int.
Key events and updates
India: Chandipura virus infection
Situation overview (as of 1 August 2024)
- Since early June 2024, cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) have been reported in children under 15 years of age in Gujarat.
- On 1 August 2024, an official press release stated that there have been 148 AES cases including 59 deaths as of 31 July.
- Of 148 AES cases:
- 140 were reported in 24 districts in Gujarat, 4 in Madhya Pradesh, 3 in Rajasthan, and 1 in Maharashtra.
- Chandipura virus infection has been confirmed in 51 cases.
- Of these, 48 were reported in Gujarat, 2 in Rajasthan, and 1 in Maharashtra. Public health response
- Gujarat state has implemented several public health measures including insecticidal spray for vector control, information, education, and communication activities, sensitization of medical personnel and timely referral of cases to designated facilities.
- A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) has been deployed to assist the Gujarat State Government.
- A joint advisory from National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and National Center for Vector-borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) is being issued to guide the neighboring States reporting AES cases.
India: Zika virus disease
Situation overview (as of 6 August 2024)
- According to an official Union Health Ministry press release published on 1 August, 13 cases of Zika virus disease have been reported nationwide as of 22 July. Cases are in Maharashtra (10 cases) and Karnataka (3 cases).
- In Pune district (Maharashtra), the District Health Department reported 72 cases of Zika as of 5 August.
- An informal medial article indicated that Zika virus has been detected in mosquito pools and larvae samples in Pashan, Erandwane, and Mundhwa. Authorities are working to contain mosquito breeding within a 5- kilometer radius of the affected area.
- The Government of India has formulated an ‘Action Plan for managing Zika Virus Disease’. The plan provides detailed guidance on various public health actions that need to be taken in response to the disease outbreak.
Myanmar: Acute Watery Diarrhea
Situation overview (as of 4 August 2024)
- On 7 July, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar reported through its press release outbreak of acute watery diarrhea had started in Yangon region in early June.
- Since late June, severe diarrhea cases have been admitted to hospitals in some townships in the eastern district of Yangon, including Thaketa Township.
- As of 23 July 2024, a total of 1 645 cases were hospitalized with AWD, of which 269 had severe dehydration.
- WHO is supporting the response to the outbreak in collaboration with partners.