PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (31): O157, romaine lettuce, 3rd cluster
E. coli -- United StatesToday, 12 Dec 2019, the FDA is providing an update on our investigation of an outbreak of _E. coli_ O157:H7 illnesses linked to romaine lettuce. The FDA takes our responsibility of protecting the public from unsafe food very seriously and is committed to providing the public with more information as it becomes available.Outbreaks reported-----------------Early on, based on test results provided by the Maryland Department of Health, our investigation pointed to farms in Salinas, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – Canada (04): (ON) RFI
Legionnaires' -- CanadaThe Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is currently investigating an increase in Legionnaires' disease cases in Barrie. Four cases of Legionnaires' disease have been confirmed recently in individuals who reside in the city; in the past 6 years the health unit has seen on average 2 cases annually in Barrie residents."It's not uncommon to see cases of Legionnaires' disease in Simcoe Muskoka; however seeing this number at an unusual time of year for the bacteria warrants Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine kobuvirus – USA: calves
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesA virus affecting cattle 1st discovered in Japan in 2003 has made its way to the USA, researchers report in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.Bovine kobuvirus is fairly new to science, so its ill effects are not fully understood. It belongs to a family of viruses known as _Picornaviridae_, which includes _Rhinovirus_, a source of head colds and sinus infections in humans, and _Poliovirus_, which causes polio.Previous studies conducted elsewhere in the world Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (95): China (SA) wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 13 Dec 2019 from Dr. Huang Baoxu, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group, Animal Health and Epidemiology Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao, China (People's Rep. of)SummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 27 Nov 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 11 Dec 2019Report date: 13 Dec 2019Date submitted to OIE: 13 Dec 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Scrapie, sheep – Portugal: (GU) OIE
Scrapie -- PortugalInformation received on [and dated] 11 Dec 2019 from Dr. Bernardo Fernando, Directorate General for Food and Veterinary, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Lisbon, PortugalSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 4 Dec 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 4 Dec 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 30 Sep 2016Manifestation of disease: Subclinical infectionCausal agent: Read more [...]
Small fire at Wacker Chemical Corp. quickly put out – The Daily Telegram
Small fire at Wacker Chemical Corp. quickly put out The Daily Telegram
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Myanmar (02): (YA, ML, MO) st A & O, cattle, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- MyanmarInformation received on 10 Dec 2019 from Dr Ye Tun Win, chief veterinary officer, director general, Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Nay Pyi Taw, MyanmarSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 15 Nov 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 22 Nov 2019Report date: 10 Dec 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 2 Jul 2018Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (75)
Measles -- AustraliaThree new measles cases have been diagnosed in Melbourne, with warnings issued for Melbourne Airport and a popular restaurant in the city's southeast.On Tuesday [10 Dec 2019], Victoria's chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton confirmed the 3 new cases were recently diagnosed, and those infected had travelled on trams and planes and played futsal.A woman in her 50s is being treated in the hospital, another woman, aged in her 30s, is recovering at home, and a man in his 30s is also Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (94): Indonesia (SU) domestic pigs, confirmed
African Swine Fever -- IndonesiaThe Minister of Agriculture announced the confirmation of African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in North Sumatra Province on 12 Dec 2019. Since late September [2019], increased pig mortality [has] been reported in North Sumatra and some other provinces. FAO is liaising with the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services. The Director of Animal Health requested FAO to provide recommendations on containment and control of ASF in the event that the disease Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (31): WHO global update, Asia, Americas, Caribbean
Influenza -- Worldwide/UnknownSummary- In the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, respiratory illness indicators and influenza activity started to increase in most countries. Influenza activity was elevated across the countries in Western Asia.- In the Caribbean and Central American countries, influenza activity was low overall, except for Jamaica and Honduras. In tropical South American countries, influenza activity remained low.- In tropical Africa, influenza activity remained elevated in Read more [...]
DOT’s Check the Box making progress against undeclared Dangerous Goods
Hazardous Matt is on a roll, and the “plain brown box” is in retreat. This time last year we took a first look at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Check the Box program, a multimedia campaign that addresses the ongoing problem of undeclared Dangerous Goods—also known as the “plain brown box.” The star of the…
PRO/PL> Little cherry & X diseases, stone fruit – USA: (northwest)
Other Plant Disease -- United StatesPhytoplasmas of the 16SrIII taxonomic group cause X diseases (such as Western-X, Canada-X; _Candidatus_ Phytoplasma pruni) of stone fruit (_Prunus_ spp). Symptoms and host specificity differ for members of the group. X-disease symptoms in cherry (also called cherry buckskin) vary with the cultivar and rootstock combinations but are often similar to viral little cherry disease.Phytoplasmas can be spread by sap-sucking insects (mostly leaf hoppers), by grafting, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (93): China (SA) wild boar
African Swine Fever -- ChinaThe Information Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced on 11 Dec 2019 that African swine fever [ASF] virus was detected in 3 dead wild boars in Foping County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi province. The total number of dead boars found and submitted for testing was 9. The test was positive for ASF virus nucleic acid.After the epidemic was diagnosed, the State Forestry and Pasture Bureau and the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st. Typhimurium – Canada: snake, rodent source
Salmonella -- CanadaThe Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with provincial public health partners to investigate an outbreak of _Salmonella_ infections occurring in 6 provinces. The outbreak is ongoing, as recent illnesses continue to be reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada.Based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to both snakes and rodents has been identified as the likely source of the outbreak. Many of the individuals who became sick reported having direct or Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (115): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, WHO, summaries
Ebola -- DR Congo- The Technical Secretary of the Multisectoral Ebola Response Ebola Response Committee, Prof Jean-Jacques Muyembe Ntamfum, accompanied by the Assistant Director-General for Intervention in Emergencies WHO, Dr Soce-Ibrahima Fall, and a strong delegation from the overall coordination of the response, carried out a mission to return on Tue 10 Dec 2019 to Biakato Mines in the territory of Mambasa in Ituri;- as soon as he arrived, Prof Muyembe went to the ETC of Biakato Mines where he Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria, avian – USA: (HI) forest birds, mosquito control
Malaria -- United StatesIt's hard to imagine a time when Hawaii's native forest birds were so abundant that Hawaiian honeycreeper songs were ear-splitting, as one early naturalist described it.Only 17 forest bird species are left in the islands, down from more than 50 that evolved here over thousands of years, according to the Audubon Society. And nearly all of those that persist appear poised for extinction in this century as threats to their survival intensify with the onset of climate change.Over Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (99): global (WPV & cVDPV), Pakistan (KP), Afghanistan (BL)
Polio -- PakistanNew wild poliovirus isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 3Environment: 9Others: 0New cVDPV isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 22Environment: 11Others: 4Headlines- In the run up to the WPV certification of the African region next year [2020], the Africa Regional Certification Commission is currently conducting a visit in Nigeria to analyze and verify the accuracy of the certification documents prepared by the Nigerian government. "It is important that the Nigerian Read more [...]
EPA Will Soon Issue the Latest Revision to the Risk Management Program (RMP) Chemical Release Rules – JD Supra
Train hauling hazardous materials derails in Southwest Detroit – Detroit Metro Times
Train hauling hazardous materials derails in Southwest Detroit Detroit Metro TimesTrain with hazardous materials derails in Detroit ABC NewsTrain cars carrying hazardous materials overturn in Detroit Detroit Free PressTrain derails in Detroit; no hazardous materials found, city says Crain's Detroit BusinessTrain derailment on Detroit’s southwest side prompts HAZMAT situation WDIV ClickOnDetroitView full coverage on Google News Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Canada (08): (SK,ON) incr. incidence, indigenous, women, meth use
Syphilis -- CanadaSix months since an outbreak was declared, syphilis continues to surge in Saskatchewan as doctors struggle to track down at-risk patients.The Saskatchewan Health Authority and Indigenous Services Canada declared an outbreak in June [2019] after 42 cases of syphilis were diagnosed in the North Battleford-Lloydminster area in the 1st 6 months of the year [2019].Saskatchewan has a relatively low rate of syphilis compared to other Canadian provinces. However, as of October [2019], the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (56): Hungary (BE) wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- HungaryInformation received on [and dated] 10 Dec 2019 from Dr Lajos Bognar, deputy state secretary chief veterinary officer, Food Chain Safety Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Budapest, HungarySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 7 Dec 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Dec 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (53): UK (England) poultry, LPAI H5, OIE
Avian Influenza -- United KingdomInformation received on 11 Dec 2019 from Dr Christine Middlemiss, Chief Veterinary Officer, DEFRA, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London, United KingdomSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 4 Dec 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 10 Dec 2019Report date: 11 Dec 2019Date submitted to OIE: 11 Dec 2019Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 20 Jan 2016Manifestation Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Scabies – USA: (CO) ICE facility
Scabies -- United StatesCrews at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Aurora [Colorado] are trying to keep scabies from spreading. It's a highly contagious infestation of mites that burrow into the skin. The people living in one dorm are being kept away from everyone else.A spokeswoman says these cases typically involve someone who is already infected when they arrive at the southern border. Scabies is treated with a topical medicine.ICE officials released the following statement Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Simian foamy virus, human – Africa: (Cameroon)
Other Human Disease -- CameroonAbstract--------Background. Zoonotic simian foamy viruses (SFVs) establish persistent infections in humans, for whom the long-term consequences for health are poorly described. Here, we aimed to characterize blood-cell phenotypes and plasma biomarkers associated with gorilla SFV infection in humans.Methods. We used a case-control design to compare 15 Cameroonian hunters infected with gorilla SFV (cases) to 15 controls matched for age and ethnicity. A flow cytometry-based Read more [...]
Rep. Gilliard: Low-frequency radio channel could have helped warn about Lanxess chemical leak – WCBD News 2
PRO/AH/EDR> Obituary: Henry T Eigelsbach
Tularemia -- United States[1]Date: Tue 10 Dec 2019From: Steve Prior [edited]I am saddened to be providing you with the attached news release concerning the passing of Hank Eigelsbach but happy that his contribution to infectious disease research may be acknowledged by ProMED, a reference source that he continued to access until his passing.Hank spent his entire research career at Camp/Fort Detrick having joined in the 1st intake of military personnel/research scientists in 1944. As you will recall, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine influenza – Canada: (ON) H3N2, 1st rep, corr
Influenza H3N2 -- Canada[1]Date: Wed 11 Dec 2019From: Scott Weese [edited]The recent ProMED post about canine influenza in Ontario appears to be incorrect. The cited news report has verbatim text from January 2018 articles describing the previous outbreak (full details at ). I am unaware of any canine influenza activity in Canada since October 2018.--J Scott Weese DVM DVSc DipACVIMOntario Veterinary College and Centre for Public Health and ZoonosesUniversity of GuelphGuelph, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (98): Afghanistan, Philippines, Pakistan, violence
Polio -- Afghanistan- In response to the 1st human case confirmed with VDPV1 from Maluso, Basilan (BARMM), outbreak immunization was conducted in the area with bOPV for children under 10 years old, vaccinating 13 547 children under 10 years of age (102% of the target).- A cVDPV1 case in Sabah state, Malaysia, was confirmed to be genetically linked to the Basilan case by the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) in Australia. Since the 2 viruses are genetically linked, they are Read more [...]
Here's how to properly dispose common hazardous materials – PhillyVoice.com
Here’s how to properly dispose common hazardous materials PhillyVoice.com
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (11): China (FJ,AH) H9N2
Avian Influenza -- ChinaFirst reported by WHO/WPRO:1. Avian Influenza Weekly Update Number 716; 22 Nov 2019 #5 [CHP Fujian Province: A 4-year-old girl with onset on 26 Oct 2019].2. Avian Influenza Weekly Update Number 717; 29 Nov 2019 #6 [CHP Anhui Province: A 5-year-old girl with onset on 12 Nov 2019].Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP):3. Avian Influenza Report, 15(49); reporting period: 1 Dec-7 Dec 2019 (week 49) (Published 10 Dec 2019)Taiwan Centers for Disease Control:4. Mainland Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Squirrel pox, red squirrel – UK (04): (England) susp
Other Animal Disease -- United KingdomThe call from conservation volunteers comes after a potential case of the fatal squirrel pox virus was spotted at a nature reserve by an amateur wildlife photographer.The infectious disease, carried and spread by grey squirrels, results in death for most reds within 15 days.Although the "possible" case spotted at Smardale Nature Reserve near Kirkby Stephen has not been confirmed, it has led to renewed calls for vigilance among the public to help conserve one Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine Influenza – Canada: (ON) H3N2, 1st rep, ex South Korea
Canine Influenza -- CanadaThe public health authority in southern Ontario says it has confirmed what they believe to be the 1st 2 known cases of canine influenza in Canada.The H3N2 strain of the virus was detected by a veterinarian in dogs imported by an adoption agency from South Korea via the United States."A small number of dogs having close with the affected dogs also have mild respiratory disease, but test results from those animals are not yet available," the health unit said in a press Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (44): 2019 overview
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesIn the wake of an especially prevalent and deadly year for eastern equine encephalitis [EEE] virus, National Institutes of Health officials say the mosquito-borne illness poses an "emergent threat" and are calling for a national strategy to address it and other emerging arboviruses [arthropod-borne viruses].As of [3 Dec 2019], according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 37 confirmed human cases of EEE this year in 9 US states, Read more [...]
