A recent outbreak of mumps in Macedonia highlights the fact that this country has reported highest rates in this region for much of the past three decades. In the following graph I have included the United States for comparison.

Update: Picked up by ProMED

A recent outbreak in Western Visayas belies the fact that measles rates in the Philippines have declined dramatically since the 1990′s, in parallel with increased vaccination usage.

From 1983 to 1997, the Philippines had reported one of the highest measles rates in this region.

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A recent outbreak in Cameroon reminds us that measles rates in West Africa have changed little during the past two decades.

The following graph illustrates the fact that vaccine use has clearly been associated with declining morbidity; however, vaccination rates remain below 75%.

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Despite the recent fatal case of avian flu in Beijing, overall avian flu cases in humans worldwide have decreased 55%, from 88 to 40, from 2007 to 2008, according to GIDEON Online (www.gideononline.com), the largest online database of infectious disease information for medical professionals. Human deaths from avian flu worldwide declined from 59 to 30 (49%), from 2007 to 2008.

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In 2008, a Swiss tourst acquired Toscana virus infection while camping in Italy. A chronology of travel-related sandfly fever follows (primary references available on request):

1985 – 3.7% of Swedish military personnel serving with a U.N. contingent on Cyprus acquired sandfly fever.
1986 to 1989 – 37 Swedish tourists acquired Sicilian and Naples sandfly fever virus infection in Cyprus.
1987 (publication year) – Toscana virus infection was confirmed in a patient who had returned from Italy to the United States.
1989 (publication year) – Infection was documented among Russian troops serving in Afghanistan.
1987 – A Swedish tourist acquired Toscana virus infection on Mallorca.
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