SARS-Like MERS Virus Spreads Among Health Care Workers
A sudden uptick in the SARS-like corona virus called MERS-CoVfor Middle Eastern Respiratory Coronavirus is partially related to health care workers becoming infected with the disease.
This month the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 32 cases of the virus so far, including a cluster of 10 health care workers, all of whom worked with an infected patient who died on April 10. Nearly all the cases were located in the Middle East countries of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Jordan. One case was found in Malaysia.
Of the 32 cases reported this month, 19 were health care workers, according to the WHO.
For the first time, the disease has been found in Asia, after a Malaysian man was found to have contracted it this month. The 54-year-old man was diagnosed with the disease after traveling to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The man traveled for a pilgrimage and during his vacation spent time at a camel farm, where he had camel milk. He died on April 13 and had undisclosed underlying health conditions.
The virus is a respiratory virus in the same family as the deadly SARS virus and common cold. Symptoms can include fever, shortness of breath, pneumonia, diarrhea and in severe cases kidney failure.
Since the virus was first identified in April 2012, the WHO has found a total of 243 confirmed cases of the deadly virus and 93 people have died from it.
The virus has been shown to spread between people in close contact. Currently officials do not know where the virus originated, but suspect it was likely from an animal.
No MERS-CoV infections have been reported in the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that travelers to the Arabian Peninsula monitor their health during the trip and in the weeks after.
CDC officials recommend that if a recent traveler to the region develops a fever or symptom of respiratory illness, including a cough or shortness of breath, they should see a doctor immediately.
MAGNITUDE 5.8 OFFSHORE TARAPACA, CHILE
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usb000prk0#summary
Subject To Change
Depth: 9 km
Distances: 83km (52mi) WNW of Iquique, Chile
182km (113mi) SSW of Arica, Chile
233km (145mi) SSW of Tacna, Peru
241km (150mi) NNW of Tocopilla, Chile
487km (303mi) SW of La Paz, Bolivia
Power outage affects 30,000 customers in St. Catharines, Canada
Horizon Utilities said some 30,000 customers were affected by a widespread power outage in St. Catharines Saturday afternoon.
The power went out shortly after 2 p.m., and crews were dispatched to restore service.
Horizon said the cause of the outage was a supply problem from Hydro One.
Shortly before 3 p.m., power began to be restored in various areas of the city, and at 3:45 p.m. Horizon said power had been fully restored to St. Catharines.
Plane overturned while landing at Somerset Airport, USA
Richard Skevington, the pilot, and his wife, Mary Skevington, both of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., were uninjured in the crash, and had exited the plane by the time officers arrived on the scene, police said.
Richard Skevington told officers that the plane was blown by a strong gust of wind while touching down, and ran off the left side of the runway into the soft grass, causing it to overturn, police said.
The Far Hills-Bedminister Fire Department and First Aid Squad responded to the scene, and a New Jersey State Police NorthStar helicopter was already on the scene when township police arrived, police said.
The Federal Aviation Administration was contacted and will investigate the crash, police said.
MAGNITUDE 5.1 ST. MARTIN REGION, LEEWARD ISL.
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=373421
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Depth: 60 km
Distances: 31 km E of Gustavia, Saint-Barthelemy / pop: 5,988 / local time: 15:31:35.0 2014-04-19
58 km E of Marigot, Saint-Martin / pop: 5,700 / local time: 15:31:35.0 2014-04-19
70 km N of Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis / pop: 12,920 / local time: 15:31:35.0 2014-04-19
MAGNITUDE 5.1 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G.
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=373409
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Depth: 80 km
Distances: 618 km NW of Honiara, Solomon Islands / pop: 56,298 / local time: 05:11:26.0 2014-04-20
423 km SE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea / pop: 26,273 / local time: 04:11:26.0 2014-04-20
123 km SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea / pop: 2,916 / local time: 04:11:26.0 2014-04-20
MAGNITUDE 5.3 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G.
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=373405
Subject To Change
Depth: 25 km
Distances: 612 km NW of Honiara, Solomon Islands / pop: 56,298 / local time: 04:55:20.0 2014-04-20
421 km SE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea / pop: 26,273 / local time: 03:55:20.0 2014-04-20
105 km SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea / pop: 2,916 / local time: 03:55:20.0 2014-04-20
MAGNITUDE 5.3 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usb000prew#summary
Subject To Change
Depth: 39 km
Distances: 105km (65mi) SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea
117km (73mi) SW of Arawa, Papua New Guinea
414km (257mi) SE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
548km (341mi) ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea
619km (385mi) WNW of Honiara, Solomon Islands
Severe hailstorm including a tornado destroys 17 houses in Myanmar
Hailstorms, strong wind, and thunderstorms hit Myanmar during Thingyan and 17 houses in Inle Lake area were destroyed by a tornado on April 17.
A hailstorm hit Taunggyi, Shan State on April 12. A strong wind and lightening hit Hpa-An, Kayin State on April 14. A thunderstorm hit Kawkareik, Kayin State and another hailstorm hit Mogok, Mandalay Region on April 17.
“During the Thingyan period, there was strong wind, hailstorms, thunders, and rainfalls,” said an official from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. “The rainfall record in Taunggyi was around 24 millimetres. The rainfall record in Kawkareik, Kayin State after a thunderstorm was around 8 millimeter.”
“We heard about the tornado in Inle but we don’t have detailed information as the weather station has not been opened yet. We will plan to open one in that area,” the official added.
Tin Maung from Nanthae village group in northern area of Inle Lake said the villagers have been repairing their tornado-hit houses by themselves.
“I don’t know about what happened in other areas. Four or five houses collapsed in Nanthae village group. An umbrella from the pagoda fell down to the ground. The villagers have been repairing the collapsed houses. The tornado lasted for ten or fifteen minutes. I heard the situation is pretty bad in Thalaeoo,” said Tin Maung.
“Around 17 houses have been destroyed after the tornado hit five villages near Inle Lake around 3 pm on Myanmar New Year’s Day. There was no casualties reported,” said an official from Nyaung Shwe Police Station.
“Tornadoes start around this time. It started raining since the 15th. The tornado hit [Inle Lake area] after the forming of thunderstorms,” said meteorologist Dr Tun L
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