Detection of Hepatitis A Virus in Strawberries Implicated in an Outbreak in the USA in 1997

Food and Environmental Virology - Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was detected in frozen strawberries which had been implicated in a large outbreak of hepatitis A in 1997. The sample was analysed after...     

Isolation and Genomic Sequence of Hepatitis A Virus from Mixed Frozen Berries in Italy

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was detected in two samples of mixed frozen berries linked to Italian hepatitis A outbreak in April and September 2013. Both viruses were fully sequenced by next-generation sequencing and the genomes clustered with HAV complete genomes of sub-genotype IA with nucleotide identities of 95–97 %.     

Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Sewage After an Outbreak on a French Island

A hepatitis E outbreak, which occurred on a small isolated island, provided an opportunity to evaluate the association between the number of hepatitis E cases in the community and the concentration of virus detected in sewage. Samples were collected from the different sewage treatment plants from the island and analyzed for the presence of hepatitis E (HEV) virus using real-time RT-PCR. We demonstrated that if 1–4 % of inhabitants connected to a WWTP were infected with HEV, raw sewage contained HEV at detectable levels. The finding that such a small number of infected people can contaminate municipal sewage works raises the potential of the further distribution of the virus. Indeed, investigating the routes of transmission of HEV, including the potential for sewage effluent to contain infectious HEV, may help us to better understand the epidemiology of this pathogen, which is considered to be an emerging concern in Europe.     

A 2019 Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus Infections in the United States Linked to Imported Fresh Blackberries

Globally, hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the most common agents of acute viral hepatitis and causes approximately 1.4 million cases and 90,000 deaths annually despite the existence of an effective vaccine. In 2019, federal, state, and local partners investigated a multi-state outbreak of HAV infections linked to fresh blackberries sourced from multiple suppliers in Michoacán, Mexico. A total of 20 individuals with outbreak-related HAV infection were reported in seven states, including 11 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Nebraska State and Douglas County Health Departments conducted a traceback investigation for fresh blackberries reportedly purchased by 16 ill persons. These individuals reported purchasing fresh blackberries from 11 points of service from September 16 through 29, 2019 and their clinical isolates assessed through next-generation sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were genetically similar. The traceback investigation did not reveal convergence on a common grower or packing house within Mexico, but all of the blackberries were harvested from growers in Michoacán, Mexico. FDA did not detect the pathogen after analyzing fresh blackberry samples from four distributors, one consumer, and from nine importers at the port of entry as a result of increased screening. Challenges included gaps in traceability practices and the inability to recover the pathogen from sample testing, which prohibited investigators from determining the source of the implicated blackberries. This multi-state outbreak illustrated the importance of food safety practices for fresh produce that may contribute to foodborne illness outbreaks.

     

Successful Use of Advertisement Pictures to Assist Recall in a Food-Borne Hepatitis A Outbreak in The Netherlands, 2017

This study describes an outbreak investigation of 14 hepatitis A cases in the Netherlands. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) genotype IB sequences in cases were highly similar (459/460 nt). The origin of strains could be narrowed to Bulgaria based on information from EPIS-FWD. As an association with consumption of soft fruit was suspected, a case–control study was initiated using a questionnaire and a list of pictures of soft fruit available at the supermarket chain involved. Twelve out of 13 cases consumed a specific frozen raspberry/blueberry product shown on the list (OR 46.0, 95% CI 5.0–27). In multivariable regression analysis this product was the only risk factor (aOR 26.6, 95% CI 2.0–263). Laboratory analyses could not demonstrate HAV-RNA in batches that had been on the market in the incubation period of patients. Trace back of frozen fruit showed that raspberries had been traded by a producer in Bulgaria. After withdrawal of the product from the supermarket no new cases were reported. Use of advertisement pictures of consumed food was helpful in this investigation. Suspicion of the source was strengthened by data from molecular typing and food trace back activities, underlining the importance of good (inter)national cooperation between public health and food safety organisations.     

A Food Handler-Associated, Foodborne Norovirus GII.4 Sydney 2012-Outbreak Following a Wedding Dinner, Austria, October 2012

On October 12, 2012, the provincial public health directorate of Salzburg reported a suspected norovirus (NV) outbreak among guests of a wedding–reception. The investigation aimed to confirm the causative agent, to identify the mode of transmission and to implement appropriate preventive measures. A probable outbreak case was defined as a wedding guest with diarrhoea or vomiting with disease onset from 7 to 10 October 2012 and who consumed food at the wedding dinner prepared by a hotel in the province Salzburg on 6 October 2012. A confirmed outbreak case fulfilled the criteria of a probable outbreak case and had a laboratory-confirmed NV infection. We conducted a cohort-investigation among the wedding guests. The case definitions were fulfilled in 26 wedding guests (25 %) including 2 confirmed cases. Females were 3.2 times more likely to develop disease (95 % CI 1.4–7.2) as compared to males. A mushroom dish was found to be associated with disease risk among females (risk ratio 2.3, 95 % CI 1.2–4.3). Two of 2 tested case-patients and 6 of 14 kitchen workers tested were positive for NV GII.4 Sydney. One kitchen staff-member worked during the wedding dinner despite diarrhoea. No food safety training was documented for the employees and the kitchen staff’s restroom was lacking operational facilities for hand hygiene. We report the first investigated outbreak due to GII.4 Sydney, which was likely due to a symptomatic kitchen worker. Gender-specific eating behaviour may have posed female guests at higher risk of NV infection.     

Acute Hepatitis A Virus Infection in Tobruk,Eastern Libya: Increasing Trends After 2017

Food and Environmental Virology - Acute hepatitis A is a self-limited liver inflammation caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. The infection is transmitted by direct contact from person to...     

Pest outbreak distribution and forest management impacts in a changing climate in British Columbia

This paper examines the risks associated with forest insect outbreaks in a changing climate from biological and forest management perspectives. Two important Canadian insects were considered: western spruce budworm (WSBW; Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman, Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and spruce bark beetle (SBB; Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby, Coleoptera: Curculionidae). This paper integrates projections of tree species suitability, pest outbreak risk, and bio-economic modelling.Several methods of estimating pest outbreak risk were investigated. A simple climate envelope method based on empirically derived climate thresholds indicates substantial changes in the distribution of outbreaks in British Columbia for two climate scenarios and both pests. A “proof of concept” bio-economic model, to inform forest management decisions in a changing climate, considers major stand-level harvest decision factors, such as preservation of old-growth forest, and even harvest flow rates in the presence of changing tree species suitability and outbreak risk. The model was applied to data for the Okanagan Timber Supply Area and also the entire Province of British Columbia.At the provincial level, the model determined little net timber production impact, depending on which of two climate scenarios was considered. Several potentially important factors not considered in this first version of the model are discussed, which indicates that impact may be underestimated by this preliminary study. Despite these factors, negative impacts were projected at the Okanagan Timber Supply Area level for both scenarios.Policy implications are described as well as guidance for future work to determine impacts of climate change on future distribution and abundance of forest resources.     

甲型H1N1流感报道的阶段性特征与同质化倾向

甲型H1N1流感疫情自墨西哥大范围暴发以来,引起了各国媒体的高度重视,尤其是中国媒体在吸取2003年非典型肺炎疫情初期集体失语的教训后,对这一国际性卫生防疫灾害事件给予了充分关注。纵观国内媒体对甲型H1N1疫情的报道,根据报道频率和报道内容的不同,大致可以将其分为三个阶段:暴发期、平缓期和反弹期。国内媒体在这三个阶段的报道中各有特点。暴发期表现出了媒介融合、反应迅速和立体报道的特征;平缓期表现为媒体和受众的新闻脱敏与同质化报道倾向;反弹期则出现了初衷与结果的悖离和被动报道的现象。其中对地震报道最大的启发就是要防止同质化倾向,进行差异性报道,使受众对新闻可读、爱读,才能够起到科普宣传的作用。     

广东某市疫情期间污水中精神药物的分布特征和滥用评价

采用污水流行病学的方法，研究了2020年新冠疫情期间及前后广东省某市生活污水中两种典型精神药物甲基苯丙胺和氯胺酮的赋存特征及其变化情况，并运用手机信令数据分析人口总数、结构特征及其变动规律，进而将两者结合分析了疫情期间及前后两种药物的消费量变化特征.结果表明，疫情期间该市实际人口相对于疫情前下降了约45%，两种药物总消费量相对于疫情前下降了约75%.总消费量的显著下降很大程度是由疫情期间实际人口下降造成的.实际上，疫情期间该市甲基苯丙胺和氯胺酮的人均消费水平相对于疫情前下降不到50%.考虑到疫情期间严格的管控措施，这一下降幅度说明这两种精神类药物滥用极其顽固；而疫情后两种药物的消费量及在环境中的浓度又基本恢复到疫情前的水平，进一步证明了精神类药物滥用的顽固性.     

2009年秋季旋沟藻赤潮爆发期间珠江口表层水体的环境特征

2009年秋季在珠江口海域爆发了一次大规模的双胞旋沟藻赤潮,影响面积高达300 km2。赤潮爆发期间,我们对珠江口水域的环境因子特征进行了调查。结果表明,调查期间珠江口西侧受径流的影响程度远高于东部,营养盐一般呈西高东低的水平分布格局,其中以NO3-N、DIN和SiO3-Si的差异最为明显。表层水体的DIN、PO4-P和SiO3-Si的平均浓度分别为31.64μmol/L、0.71μmol/L和46.3μmol/L。SiO3-Si和PO4-P的高值区主要位于洪奇门及以下的珠海沿岸,PO4-P的高值区主要位于洪奇门以上的水域,虎门附近S1站位的PO4-P浓度高达6.23μmol/L。高的营养盐输入、低的降雨量和严重的咸潮入侵应该是导致这次双胞旋沟藻赤潮爆发的重要诱因。     

Challenging Investigation of a Norovirus Foodborne Disease Outbreak During a Military Deployment in Central African Republic

In January 2016, a large-scale outbreak of acute gastroenteritis was reported among French armed forces deployed in the Central African Republic. Challenging investigations, conducted from France, made it possible to identify a norovirus genogroup II in both stool and food samples, confirming a norovirus foodborne disease outbreak. Infected food handler management is discussed.     

历史传染病疫情的环境与气候特征初探及对新冠肺炎疫情的思考

新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19,简称“新冠肺炎”）疫情的暴发与流行对人类社会安全造成严重危害,同时也考验着世界各国公共卫生系统应对大型突发性传染病的防控能力.对历史传染病疫情暴发和流行的环境与气候特征进行总结,对于新冠肺炎疫情的科学研究及防控具有重要的参考价值.结果表明:①历史上人际传播的冠状病毒科、正粘病毒科传染病多暴发于北半球亚热带季风气候地区及冬春季节,而黄病毒科传染病多暴发在热带地区及高温多雨的夏秋季节.②全球变暖和极端天气催生影响传染病的暴发及传播.③人类对生态系统平衡的影响,迫使病毒宿主栖息地迁移和不同病毒宿主聚集,增加病毒变异概率和传染病暴发风险.在此基础上,提出了对新冠肺炎疫情的思考,认为适宜的气候因素可能利于疫情的暴发与流行,而热带国家疫情的暴发则说明需要重新审视气候、环境条件及生态因素对新型冠状病毒的影响.研究结果将为新冠肺炎疫情的防控和未来传染病疫情的预测及阻断提供参考和借鉴.      

河南省春节和疫情影响情景下PM2.5组分特征

2020年1月我国爆发了新型冠状病毒疫情,期间我国各地区大气污染源排放特征发生了显著改变.为研究该情景下PM_2.5组分特征,本研究于2020年1月1日~2月13日利用在线观测仪器对郑州、安阳和新乡市进行连续观测.根据春节假期和疫情爆发,将研究时期分为春节前（1月1~23日）、春节疫情期（1月24~31日）和节后疫情期（2月1~13日）.受疫情和有利的气象条件影响,节后疫情期间郑州、安阳和新乡市除O₃外其它污染物浓度较春节前均明显下降,其中NO₂和PM_2.5的降幅分别为65%、52%、72%和51%、55%、54%,但是污染物浓度仍较高,表明未来河南省冬季大气污染的较大幅度改善面临巨大挑战.从颗粒物组分来看,二次无机盐和有机物是观测期间PM_2.5的主要组分.春节疫情期3个城市受烟花爆竹的影响较小,并且硝酸根和扬尘的贡献相比春节前轻微下降.节后疫情期间郑州、安阳和新乡市PM_2.5中硝酸根浓度和占比显著下降,占比降幅为10.6%、4.1%和4%;硫酸根和有机物的占比上升,其中二次有机碳的贡献增大.以郑州市为例分析硝酸盐生成,相比春节前,节后疫情期间不同污染时段硝酸根的占比均下降,但硝酸根仍是污染时段PM_2.5中占比最高的组分.日变化特征表明节后疫情期间大气中O₃浓度和湿度的增高可能促进了NO₂的转化,因此下一步应采取PM_2.5和O₃的协同管控,重视NO₂和VOCs的协同减排.     

河南省春节和疫情影响情景下PM2.5组分特征

2020年1月我国爆发了新型冠状病毒疫情,期间我国各地区大气污染源排放特征发生了显著改变.为研究该情景下PM_2.5组分特征,本研究于2020年1月1日~2月13日利用在线观测仪器对郑州、安阳和新乡市进行连续观测.根据春节假期和疫情爆发,将研究时期分为春节前（1月1~23日）、春节疫情期（1月24~31日）和节后疫情期（2月1~13日）.受疫情和有利的气象条件影响,节后疫情期间郑州、安阳和新乡市除O₃外其它污染物浓度较春节前均明显下降,其中NO₂和PM_2.5的降幅分别为65%、52%、72%和51%、55%、54%,但是污染物浓度仍较高,表明未来河南省冬季大气污染的较大幅度改善面临巨大挑战.从颗粒物组分来看,二次无机盐和有机物是观测期间PM_2.5的主要组分.春节疫情期3个城市受烟花爆竹的影响较小,并且硝酸根和扬尘的贡献相比春节前轻微下降.节后疫情期间郑州、安阳和新乡市PM_2.5中硝酸根浓度和占比显著下降,占比降幅为10.6%、4.1%和4%;硫酸根和有机物的占比上升,其中二次有机碳的贡献增大.以郑州市为例分析硝酸盐生成,相比春节前,节后疫情期间不同污染时段硝酸根的占比均下降,但硝酸根仍是污染时段PM_2.5中占比最高的组分.日变化特征表明节后疫情期间大气中O₃浓度和湿度的增高可能促进了NO₂的转化,因此下一步应采取PM_2.5和O₃的协同管控,重视NO₂和VOCs的协同减排.     

Hepatitis A Outbreaks and Environmental Circulation of Genotype IA Strains in the São Paulo City, 2017–2018

Food and Environmental Virology - Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the major cause of enterically transmitted infectious hepatitis. Between 2016 and 2017, the number of confirmed cases of hepatitis A...     

高发期海浪河流域水节霉生长变化及影响因素

海浪河流域2006年2月曾发生水节霉污染事件,目前每年的水节霉高发期(1—2月)在海浪河流域河夹村大坝河段仍有少量水节霉滋生.为了防止水节霉再次大规模爆发,通过显微镜观察及现场水质监测方法,研究了高发期海浪河流域水节霉生长变化及其影响因素. 结果表明,具有明显“缩缢”态的水节霉开始出现于1月下旬,约9 d后开始在微生物共生体中占优势,再经过21 d后(即2月底)由优势转为不占优势;“缩缢”态水节霉出现时间段为1月26日—2月24日,约1个月左右,是水节霉污染防治重点时段. 1—2月河夹村大坝水节霉出现与溶解氧,pH和一定浓度的碳及氮有机物等因素相关,上述因素共同作用导致水节霉滋生.      

Norovirus GII.17 Associated with a Foodborne Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreak in Brazil, 2016

Foodborne transmission gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreak occurred during a celebration lunch in July, 2016, Brazil. All stool samples tested were positive for noroviruses (NoV) and phylogenetic analysis revealed that strains were genetically close to GII.17 Kawasaki_2014. These findings indicated circulation of NoV GII.17 Kawasaki_2014 in the Brazilian population, associated with AGE outbreak.