New CryptoSuperbug ?

[AsteroidX]

This has occured in India. Could it be a new version of chicken pox and measles ?

Even as the mercury level steadily climbs, the city is reeling under twin attacks of chicken pox and measles. While hundreds have been affected by either of the two diseases, scores have been hit by both. Though a large of number of the patients had been vaccinated, the immunization has apparently failed to work. Some doctors believe it is the usual seasonal occurrence, while some experts feel the outbreak has been triggered by poor ventilation in office buildings. Over the last two weeks, hospitals and clinics have reported a deluge of patients. The city is reeling under the twin attacks of chicken pox and measles. Even as the mercury steadily climbs, hundreds have been affected by either of the two, scores by both. A large number of the patients had been vaccinated for the diseases but the immunization failed to work. Even though doctors believe it is the usual seasonal occurrence, some hospitals reported a deluge of patients over the last two weeks.

Last week, as many as 12 employees of a central Kolkata office were afflicted with chicken pox and measles. Of these 12 people, four had measles and the rest had chicken pox. The fact that a large number of patients are aged between 16 and 25 years has taken experts by surprise. "This generation had been vaccinated for the diseases. So they shouldn't have had them, though immunization doesn't guarantee that the disease won't strike. It reduces the chances and the intensity," said Amitabha Saha, a medicine specialist. Some experts feel the diseases could be the result of 'sick building syndrome' (SBS). SBS is triggered by poor ventilation, mostly in office buildings, leading to a poor quality of air which breeds infections. "While irritation in the eyes and throat is the most common initial symptom, SBS could also lead to chicken pox and measles. Last week, I had a dozen patients from the same office who either had chicken pox or measles. In each case, the disease was quite severe and a majority of them had been vaccinated," said Debashish Basu, preventive medicine specialist.

The number of cases should have started going down by now, pointed out experts. Medicine specialists Subrata Moitra said, "Generally, chicken pox and measles cases reach their peak by mid-February. They start climbing down by early March and cases should be sporadic in late April. Since we are approaching peak summer now, these diseases should be on the wane." Some private hospitals refused admission to patients in the fear of the diseases being transmitted. "We had received scores of enquiries but had to turn them down for we don't have enough isolation beds. While we are planning to open an isolation ward for swine flu patients, chicken pox and measles patients can't be accommodated now. We have been requesting patients to go to the ID Hospital in case the attack is very severe," said the CEO of a private hospital.

Children, too, have been affected, particularly those in the 4-12 age group, said paediatricians. Almost all were immunized. "It's a little too late for the diseases to strike. The heat has made it even tougher for the children. Recovery is taking longer than usual. But it is not correct to say that immunization has been a failure. Even if it doesn't prevent the disease, it makes sure that the attack is milder," said paediatrician Shantanu Ray.

[AsteroidX]

Theres been 121 deaths related to this occurrence in Pakistan:

During a surveillance drive, 800 cases of measles were reported in different parts of Punjab, a majority of which were reported from Lahore, Punjab EPI Director Health Services Dr Tanveer Ahmed said on Tuesday. "Only one death, that of a five-year-old boy, Sohail, was reported in Gujranwala. On investigation, it was found that the boy was vaccinated but due some other reasons, he did not become immune to the disease," he said. "A majority of the patients who live in Lahore have actually migrated from Narowal, Sheikhupura and Kasur," he said. He said in a meeting of the health department, it was decided that the vaccination and surveillance drive should be escalated to control the disease. Dr Tanveer said measles vaccination was available in bulk to treat patients in all the hospitals of Lahore. However, he advised parents to get their children vaccinated to save them from the fatal disease. Biohazard name: Measles Biohazard level: 2/4 Medium Biohazard desc.: Bacteria and viruses that cause only mild disease to humans, or are difficult to contract via aerosol in a lab setting, such as hepatitis A, B, and C, influenza A, Lyme disease, salmonella, mumps, measles, scrapie, dengue fever, and HIV. "Routine diagnostic work with clinical specimens can be done safely at Biosafety Level 2, using Biosafety Level 2 practices and procedures. Research work (including co-cultivation, virus replication studies, or manipulations involving concentrated virus) can be done in a BSL-2 (P2) facility, using BSL-3 practices and procedures. Virus production activities, including virus concentrations, require a BSL-3 (P3) facility and use of BSL-3 practices and procedures", see Recommended Biosafety Levels for Infectious Agents.

[Ashotep]

Received vaccinations but still getting it. Could it possibly be different than one vaccinated for, mutated.

[AsteroidX]

thats what Im wondering.

[Assassin Spider]

It wouldn't surprise me at all. New diseases pop up constantly. However, I think the jury is still out for now on this one.

[Grey14]

I highly doubt that the majority of the population in India has been vaccinated for these diseases. They do not have the same healthcare infrastructure that we have in the states or other first world countries. Even if those that say they were vaccinated actually were they probably used less than effective versions of the vaccine. It is quite easy to identify known diseases and I am sure the WHO is already tested and clearly identified the strains of these bugs. This is not a superbug. It is an instance of basically a third world country with low health care priorities.

[AsteroidX]

To my knowledge WHO has not verified that claim.

I highly doubt that the majority of the population in India has been vaccinated for these diseases. They do not have the same healthcare infrastructure that we have in the states or other first world countries. Even if those that say they were vaccinated actually were they probably used less than effective versions of the vaccine. It is quite easy to identify known diseases and I am sure the WHO is already tested and clearly identified the strains of these bugs. This is not a superbug. It is an instance of basically a third world country with low health care priorities.