STATUS REPORT OF FOREIGN EPIDEMIOLOGY ACTIVITY, DECEMBER 1979

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06922903
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: March 1, 2022
• Case Number: F-2021-02358
• Publication Date: January 31, 1980

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Scientific intelligence
Monthly Review
31 January 1980
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Scientific Intelligence
Monthly Review
Poe
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Status Report of Foreign
Epidemiology Activity,
December 1979
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The mbst significant epidemiological events included
Japanese B encephalitis in India, malaria in Nicaragua
and Haiti, anthrax in Rhodesia, and sugarcane rust in
Cuba. (b)(3)
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Status Report of
Foreign Epidemiolo Activity,
December 1979
Office of Scientifc Intelligence
Highlights
The most significant epidemiological events reported
during December included Japanese B encephalitis in
India, malaria in Nicaragua and Haiti, anthrax in
Rhodesia, and sugarcane rust in Cuba.
Outbreaks of Japanese B encephalitis in India have
spread to several districts of Andhra Pradesh where
more than 220 cases and at least 50 deaths have
occurred, mostly among children. Most of the previous
outbreaks of this disease in India were confined to the
(b)(3) north and northeastern states.
Serious malaria outbreaks in Nicaragua and Haiti
threaten to spread into neighboring countries. Nicara-
gua, with assistance from the Pan American Health
Organization, is planning an emergency antimalaria
program. Haiti has a cooperative agreement with
Discussion
Epidemiology Activity
Asia
New outbreaks of Japanese B encephalitis have been
reported in several districts of Andhra Pradesh, India.
The Kolar District near Bangalore has been the most
affected; more than 220 cases and 50 deaths have been
reported. This is the first indication of a serious
outbreak of the disease in southern India. The origin of
the outbreak is unknown, but it could be associated
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Japan that includes a malaria control program, but the
effort is too small to impact on Haiti's malaria problem
during 1980.
Anthrax is widespread among the Tribal Trust lands of
central Rhodesia but has not been detected on com-
mercial animal farms. The epizootic has resulted in
over 2,000 human cases and 40 deaths, and an
undetermined number of animal deaths
(b)(3)
An epiphytotic of sugarcane rust has affected 25
percent of Cuba's sugar crop and is expected to reduce
this year's yield by 1 million tons. The impact of this
loss, however, may be offset by Cuba's efforts to reduce
postharvest losses and by price manipulation
with a shipment of cattle and swine infected with the
disease from the north. Additional cases can be
expected in Bangalore because available vaccine is
being used in West Bengal, where the disease is
endemic.
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Japanese B encephalitis, an acute viral disease that
affects the central nervous system, can cause serious
illness in adults, but children are the most vulnerable.
In India, the disease is transmitted to man by the
mosquito Culex vishnui, and cattle and swine are
believed to be the primary virus carriers and reservoirs
of infection. Primary methods of control include ultra-
low-volume insecticide spraying to reduce the
b)(3) mosquito population and also vaccination, using a
vaccine currently produced in Japan.
Vietnamese in Kampuchea
reportedly continued to experience serious outbreaks of
malaria.
Vietnamese lack of
effective malaria-suppressive drugs and the prevalence
of Plasmodium falciparum, the most serious malaria
parasite. Large numbers of casualties attributed to
malaria suggest that effective antimalaria drugs are in
short supply.
(b)(3)
Latin America
Serious malaria outbreaks have been reported in
Nicaragua and Haiti. Experts from the Nicaraguan
Ministry of Health and from the Pan American Health
Organization (PA HO) have described the outbreak in
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western Nicaragua as an epidemic situation, requiring
emergency control efforts. Malaria outbreaks in north-
ern and southern Haiti represent not only a serious
public health threat to Haiti but also to the
damaged areas of the Dominican Republic.
Haiti and Nicaragua have serious endemic malaria
affecting most of their populations. The lack of a
concerted antimalaria vector control program, in-
creased levels of insecticide resistance among the
mosquito vectors, and inadequate medical resources
have contributed to the severity of this disease prob-
lem. The Dominican Republic health officials are
concerned that malaria will spread into the country,
because Haiti has no effective antimalaria program,
and it is unlikely that current outbreaks will be
controlled. The Dominican Republic would be vulner-
able to the spread of vector-borne diseases in vast areas
where Hurricanes David and Frederick caused severe
damage to rural and urban water supplies and dislo-
cated thousands of people from their homes during
August and September.
A recently concluded emergency plan between the
Government of Nicaragua and PAHO will be aimed at
malaria eradication in parts of western Nicaragua
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where the situation is most severe. This agreement
calls for US aid in the form of larvicides, insecticides,
and antimalarial drugs. The agreement also calls for a
program to control the mosquito Aedes aegypti, the
primary urban vector of yellow fever and dengue fever.
Severe flooding in northeast Nicaragua during early
December may have created an environment especially
suitable for mosquito population buildup and the
resultant potential for vector-borne epidemics of hu-
man disease.
Haiti recently signed an aid agreement with Japan
which includes a malaria eradication program for the
Les Cayes region. This agreement will do little to
prevent the spread of malaria this year into the
DomrniCan Republic, which continually experiences
malaria importations from Haiti, especially in the
northern region. Haitian health officials believe this
agreement is the first step toward the de
much larger aid commitment by Japan.
During November, Costa Rica experienced cases of
malaria resulting from travelers from Nicaragua. As a
consequence, health officials in Costa Rica have been
alerted in order to prevent the spread of this disease.
Africa
The northern population of Zaire reportedly is experi-
encing a proliferation of endemic diseases, including
tuberculosis, measles, cholera, and venereal diseases.
Serious outbreaks of measles, primarily affecting
infants, have been reported in various communities in
the vicinity of Bafwasende. There also is evidence of a
resurgence of cholera in northeastern lake regions,
especially near Bukavu where cholera was epidemic in
1978.
The various types of outbreaks are indicative of the
general lack of health care and food resources in this
area. Domestic aid probably will not be directed to the
affected population, and the outbreaks will continue.
High mortality associated with measles is a good
indication of inadequate food supplies, inasmuch as
malnourished children are extremely vulnerable to
measles. Tuberculosis outbreaks also can be expected
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to be the major public health problem in 'areas of
overcrowding, such as refugee camps, if adequate
medications are unavailable. Cholera probably will
spread unabated and Zaire will become a reservoir of
cholera infection for neighboring countries as it was in
1978. (b)(3)
New cholera outbreaks in Africa also have been
reported from Rhodesia, Malawi, Uganda, and Tanza-
nia. The outbreaks in Tanzania have occurred in the
western regions, and travel restrictions have been
imposed to prevent the spread of cholera into the
western part of the country. The current disease
situation appears consistent with the annual resur-
gence of cholera in this part of Africa, which is
associated with the December through April rainy
season.
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Epizootic Situation
Africa
The Department of Veterinary Services in Rhodesia
has reported numerous anthrax outbreaks in districts
and tribal trust territories of Matabeleland, the
Midlands, and Mashonoland. Anthrax, a highly fatal
bacterial disease of herd animals and man, has been
spreading steadily since it was first reported in the
Midlands during August. Veterinary officials have
attributed the disease spread to the high rate of
livestock thefts, particularly cattle. The number of
animal deaths has not been reported, but 2,260 persons
reportedly were treated for anthrax and 40 deaths were
reported during November 1979. (b)(3)
Man acquires anthrax from contact with anthrax-
contaminated animal blood or tissues and from inhal-
ing anthrax spores when handling contaminated ani-
mal hides. Rigid control measures and early treatment
with antibiotics are necessary to control this disease.
Livestock immunization also can be used effectively to
prevent animal infection in anthrax endemic areas.
Most of the human cases reported in Rhodesia involved
skin lesions.
(b)(3)
The anthrax outbreaks have been confined to tribal
trust territories and to areas previously known as
African purchase areas. Anthrax has not spread into
livestock in the commercial farming areas; thus
current outbreaks have not affected beef supplies.
Veterinary controls are relatively good in the commer-
cial farming areas, as compared to the tribal lands
where control measures are virtually ineffective.
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Asia
Efforts to increase livestock production in the moun-
tain areas of northern Vietnam are being hampered by
continued outbreaks of anthrax. The provinces of Son
La, Lai Chau, Ha Tuyen, Hoang Lien Son, Cao Bang,
and Lang Son have reported outbreaks of anthrax
since 1973. Herds of buffalo, cattle, and horses in these
provinces reportedly account for 25 percent of the total
number of livestock in the country and are a valuable
source for draft animals supplied to the Red River
Delta and the southern provinces. The Party Central
Committee recently passed a resolution making the
control of anthrax an urgent matter in order to expand
the herds of cattle, buffalo, and horses in the affected
provinces and to preclude the spread of the disease to
other areas. (b)(3)
Newcastle disease also was reported to be widespread
throughout Vietnam. The poultry industry is an
important sector of the economy, but the disease kills
30 to 40 million chickens annually (40 to 50 percent of
the poultry population). A concerted effort is being
made to control the disease through the use of vaccine
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and better husbandry practices. If the disease can be
controlled, the flocks of chickens can be increased
rapidly, making a major contribution to the supply of
animal protein. Thus far, five provinces�Ha Nam
Ninh, Hai Hung, Thai Binh, Ha Son Binh, and Thanh
(b)(3) Hoa�have completed their vaccination programs.
Twenty-five percent of the racehorses in western
Australia are reported to be suffering from what is
described as a severe virus infection that affects the
respiratory system. According to Australian veterinary
officials, the disease is difficult to detect because the
horses continue to eat well and look healthy during the
early stages of the disease. It becomes apparent when
horses are put under stress, either on a training track or
in a race.
Epiphytotic Situation
(b)(3)
Latin America
Cuban officials claim that sugarcane rust has affected
25 percent of Cuba's crop, thus reducing this year's
anticipated yield by 1 million tons. The impact of the
disease is partially offset by Cuban efforts to increase
yield this year by reducing postharvest losses, but the
Cuban sugarcane harvest is unlike!y to reach its
projected 8-million-ton goal.
(b)(3)
Sugarcane rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia
melanocephala that occurs in Cuba, but it is not
normally regarded as a serious economic disease.
Cuban officials in the past have called attention to the
rust disease problem in order to raise the price of their
crop. Cuban officials claim that rust attacks Barbados
4362, the main sugarcane variety grown in Cuba,
which accounts for about 25 percent of that planted on
the island. If the reported 15 percent losses can be
attributed to rust, Barbados 4362 may be highly
susceptible to this disease. Disease control can be
affected only if the vulnerable sugarcane is replaced by
rust-resistant varieties.
(b)(3)
Scientists of the National Institute of Agricultural
Technology in Argentina have detected for the first
time in Argentina, an infestation of a nematode
(Meloidogyne incognita) in soybeans. The parasite is
known to attack ornamental plants, trees, and shrubs,
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as well as potatoes and tobacco. The life cycle of the
parasite varies from one to two months, depending on
the prevailing temperatures. Control can be effected
by using nematocides, rotating crops, or by planting
resistant strains.
(b)(3)
The Costa Rican Agricultural Ministry has begun a
mass campaign to eradicate the outbreak of coffee rust
in Nicaragua. Technicians have been sent to Nicara-
gua to destroy coffee plants affected by the disease.
Also, the Costa Rican border post in Penas Blancas is
fumigating all incoming vehicles from Nicaragua
The Economic Group of Latin American and Carib- (b)(3)
bean Sugar Exporting Countries (GEPLACEA) has
announced a plan to control and prevent smut and rust
diseases that attack sugarcane fields on the continent.
The plan was introduced officially at the 11th plenary
meeting of the 21 member countries.
(b)(3)
Asia
The Thailand Agricultural Extension Department
reported a widespread infestation of white fruit flies, a
sugarcane pest, in Chonburi, Rayong, and
Chachoengsac Provinces. Helicopters of the Agricul-
tural Aviation Division are being used to spray the
affected sugarcane plantations. Crops in the northeast
provinces, particularly in Udonthani Province, are
being damaged by sugarcane borers.
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