Archive for editor

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (552): USA, animal, cat, dog, snow leopard, OIE

COVID-19 -- United StatesInformation received on 21 Dec 2020 from Dr Mark Davidson, Associate Administrator, USDA-APHIS, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of AmericaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 27 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 4 Apr 2020Report date: 18 Dec 2020Date submitted to OIE: 21 Dec 2020Reason for notification: emerging diseaseMorbidity: 2 (scale 0 to 5)Mortality: 1 (scale 0 to 5)Zoonotic impact: Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (115): Iran (TE) HPAI, poultry, H5N8, OIE

Avian Influenza H5N8 -- IranInformation received on [and dated] 15 Dec 2020 from Dr. Ali Safar Maken Ali, Head, Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO), Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, Tehran, IranSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 5 Dec 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Dec 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 28 Jan 2020Manifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (551): animal, pig, research, experimental infection

COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownIn a study in Emerging Infectious Diseases late last week, Canadian and US researchers found that pigs are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, highlighting the need for additional livestock assessment to determine the potential role of domestic animals in the pandemic.Previous studies indicated that swine are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, but they did not measure seroconversion (antibody production), the authors note.They inoculated 19 Read more [...]

Three sent to hospital after chemicals mix at Neenah business – WBAY

Three sent to hospital after chemicals mix at Neenah business  WBAY

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (550): mutation, query, Thailand, Taiwan, WHO, global, RFI

COVID-19 -- ThailandExecutive summary-----------------A new variant strain of SARS-CoV-2 that contains a series of mutations has been described in the United Kingdom (UK) and become highly prevalent in London and southeast England. Based on these mutations, this variant strain has been predicted to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2. Although a variant may predominate in a geographic area, that fact alone does not mean that the variant is more infectious. Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (114): UK, Germany, poultry, wild bird, HPAI H5N1, H5N3, OIE

Avian Influenza H5N1 -- United KingdomInformation received on [and dated] 18 Dec 2020 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: 13 Dec 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 18 Dec 2020Reason for notification: new strain of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza [AI] virusSerotype: H5N1Nature of Read more [...]

Supply Chain Moves: Week of December 21st, 2020

  Week of December 21st, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As supply chain challenges continue to mount, companies are looking to technology solutions to help them navigate these uncertain times – whether it’s responding to rapid e-commerce growth or preparing to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine around the world. To help companies keep... The post Supply Chain Moves: Week of December 21st, 2020 appeared first on Labelmaster Blog. Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Ehrlichiosis – Australia (04): (NT) dogs

Other Animal Disease -- AustraliaNearly 1000 dogs may have already died from an exotic tick-borne disease rapidly spreading through remote indigenous communities, according to a Top End vet.Ehrlichiosis was believed not to exist in Australia until it was confirmed in WA's Kimberley region in May 2020 and the Northern Territory in June 2020.The bacterial disease causes fever, lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes, under-skin bleeding, weight loss, and can lead to death in dogs.Bonny Cumming, a vet with Animal Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (549): animal, mink, Denmark, erad. Russia, vaccine, China, RFI

COVID-19 -- DenmarkDenmark on Monday [21 Dec 2020] banned mink farming until the start of 2022 after it emerged that a strain of the coronavirus can be passed between the animals and humans.Officials have concerns that the mutated variant could threaten the effectiveness of future vaccines.The draft bill passed by 55 votes to 43 in parliament with the main opposition parties -- the central-right Liberals and the populist Danish People's Party -- voting against the bill."Danish mink farmers have Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed illness – India (08): (AP) fatal, further investigations

Undiagnosed -- IndiaAll India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and National Institute of Chemical Technology (NICT) in a report to the Andhra Pradesh government stated that pesticide remains could be the cause of the disease which affected the people of Eluru. How it entered their bodies should be further investigated.Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy held a video conference on the cause of illness in Eluru with experts. The CM said all types of tests should be conducted so Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (23): Afghanistan (KT, PK), RFI

Polio -- AfghanistanSix polio cases have been reported in the southeastern zone after a long time, public health officials say, expressing their concern about the cases. They said 5 of the cases were detected in Khost and one in Paktika province.Dr. Habib, an official at the Immunization Regional Office, said he was in touch with the Public Health Ministry and provincial officials to prevent an increase in polio cases.He said some people were reluctant to vaccinate their children based on various Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – Belgium: (LG) cattle, OIE

Bovine TB -- BelgiumInformation received on [and dated] 21 Dec 2020 from Dr Herman Claeys, Chef du Service Politique sanitaire: Animaux et Vegetaux, Directorat-general Animaux, Vegetaux et Alimentation, Service Public Federal Sante publique, securite de la chaine alimentaire et environnement, Bruxelles, BelgiumSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 16 Nov 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 18 Dec 2020Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]

State bill would allow hazardous materials on Moroun-owned Ambassador Bridge – Crain's Detroit Business

State bill would allow hazardous materials on Moroun-owned Ambassador Bridge  Crain’s Detroit Business

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (548): mutations, PEGs,Thailand, WHO, global

COVID-19 -- ThailandOn [14 Dec 2020], authorities of the United Kingdom (UK) reported to WHO that a new SARS-CoV-2 variant was identified through viral genomic sequencing. This variant is referred to as SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01 (variant under investigation, year 2020, month 12, variant 01). Initial analysis indicates that the variant may spread more readily between people. Investigations are ongoing to determine if this variant is associated with any changes in the severity of symptoms, antibody Read more [...]

Crime and fire report: 327 gallons of heating oil spill in basement; multiple reports of shoplifting as Christmas approaches – Detroit Lakes Tribune

Crime and fire report: 327 gallons of heating oil spill in basement; multiple reports of shoplifting as Christmas approaches  Detroit Lakes Tribune

PRO/PL> Ralstonia, potato, & tomato – Germany: (BY) alert

Other Plant Disease -- GermanyFarmers along the Naab River in the upper palatinate region of Bavaria may no longer irrigate their potatoes and tomatoes with river water. The Naab upwards from where it joins the Danube is contaminated with _Ralstonia solanacearum_, bacteria that cause dangerous slime rots of those crops.The pathogen spreads quickly and destroys potato and tomato crops. It is, therefore, classified as a quarantine disease by the European Union. Affected farmers will suffer serious Read more [...]

Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials shipping December closure – WSU News

Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials shipping December closure  WSU News

DG Digest: IATA issues guidance for vaccines and other pharmaceuticals

The week finds the nation now in the middle of the very heart of the holiday season, but the usual “regulatory slowdown” we often see at this time of year is definitely not in effect. Several actions of note appear this week.  Meanwhile, the pandemic continues to rage, although vaccine shipments are now underway and give... The post DG Digest: IATA issues guidance for vaccines and other pharmaceuticals appeared first on Labelmaster Blog. Read more [...]

PRO/PL> Undiagnosed disease, orange – India: (SK)

Undiagnosed -- IndiaAn unknown disease has claimed around 70% of oranges in [parts of] East District. A local farmer [said] that flowering and fruiting of the oranges were excellent this [2020] season. However, the oranges were just about ready for plucking when the fruits started dropping, he said. Around 70-90% of the orange production has been lost. The farmers are presently collecting the fallen semi-ripe oranges. "We are burying our damaged oranges because it could infect our fruit-bearing trees. Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Asia (05): China (SA)

Hantavirus -- ChinaRecently, a 16-year-old girl was admitted to Xi'an Children's Hospital due to sudden haemorrhagic fever. She was in the intensive care unit for a week because of her serious condition before she got better.The girl (ZZ) ate out on the day of the incident. She ate 3 steamed buns and a bowl of rice noodles. She developed fever after returning home. The fever reached 39 C [102 F]. The family rushed her to the county hospital, and then she was transferred to Xi'an Children's Read more [...]

Cleaning Notre Dame 'With Light': Expert Says Lasers Will Help Restore Cathedral To Former Glory – Here And Now

Cleaning Notre Dame ‘With Light’: Expert Says Lasers Will Help Restore Cathedral To Former Glory  Here And Now

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (547): mutations, travel restrictions, Thailand, WHO, global

COVID-19 -- ThailandThe aim of this Threat Assessment Brief is to summarise the findings, assess potential public health implications of this new variant, provide options for response and point out limitations, unknowns, and needs for further studies and investigations.Executive summary-----------------Over the last few weeks, the United Kingdom (UK) has faced a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in South East England, leading to enhanced epidemiological and virological investigations. Analysis of Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (546): animal, Sweden, mink, surveillance, spread, control, RFI

COVID-19 -- Sweden[An e-mail from Sweden's Veterinary Service to OIE's Information Department, dated 1 Dec 2020]:In the framework of the ongoing surveillance in Swedish mink farms, the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) has confirmed 3 further cases of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in mink farms in the southeast part of the country, in the county of Blekinge.All positive farms are in the same area as the 1st case detected, in which approximately 20 of Sweden's 40 mink farms are situated. In total, there Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (22): Pakistan (BA)

Polio -- PakistanAnother polio case has been reported in Balochistan, taking the tally of the cases for the current year [2020] to 25 in the province, ARY News reported.The provincial health department has confirmed that a 16-month-old boy in Qila Abdullah area of the province tested positive for the virus. With the latest inclusion, the overall number of poliovirus cases in Balochistan has jumped to 25. Earlier on [25 Sep 2020], a polio case had been reported in Ahmedpur East tehsil in Punjab's Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease – North America (06): USA (WY) elk

Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesAn elk has tested positive for chronic wasting disease in an area of northwestern Wyoming where the animals congregate during the winter at feeding grounds.Wyoming's Wildlife Health Laboratory processed a test Wednesday [16 Dec 2020] from an elk killed by a hunter as part of Grand Teton National Park's annual elk population control efforts, state officials announced Friday [18 Dec 2020].Mule deer and moose have tested positive for chronic wasting disease in Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (545): mutations, UK, South Africa, South Asia, WHO, global

COVID-19 -- United KingdomWHO region (no. countries/territories):Total confirmed cases (new cases in last 24 hours) / Total deaths (new deaths in last 24 hours)------------------------------------Western Pacific Region (19): 999 891 (7958) / 18 798 (90)European Region (61): 23 457 397 (265 890) / 518 481 (5792)South East Asia Region (10): 11 572 247 (35 166) / 176 277 (543)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 4 641 968 (25 244) / 114 971 (518)Region of the Americas (54): 31 925 704 (352 665) / 804 Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza – USA (08): (CA) horse

Equine Influenza -- United StatesA Los Angeles, California boarding facility remains closed to ingress and egress after an attending veterinarian confirmed equine influenza in 2 ponies. 25 additional equines are suspected as positive, and 120 were exposed.The affected animals, an 18-year-old Welsh pony mare and a 16-year-old Welsh pony gelding, were both under-vaccinated. The mare began experiencing signs, which included fever and cough, on 10 Dec 2020 and was confirmed positive on 16 Dec 2020. The Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (113): UK, poultry, captive bird, HPAI H5N8, spread, control

Avian Influenza H5N8 -- United KingdomA flock of chickens from an Orkney farm has been culled in Scotland's 1st serious case of bird flu since 2016. A 6-mile (10 km) control zone has been set up on the island of Sanday. Thirty-nine free-range laying chickens died of bird flu, and the 11 remaining birds in the affected flock were put down.The controls include restrictions on the movement of poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure, and restrictions on bird gatherings.Scotland's Chief Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cattle – Israel (02): (HZ,HM) spread, st pend, OIE

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease -- IsraelInformation received on [and dated] 12 Dec 2020 from Dr. Tamir Goshen, Acting Director, Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Beit Dagan, IsraelSummary Report type: Follow-up report no. 4Date of start of the event: 14 Oct 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 8 Nov 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: October 2016Manifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive mosquito – USA (10): (FL)

Other Human Disease -- United States_Aedes scapularis_ is a mosquito that can spread yellow fever, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and other human pathogens. It has a wide range, from Texas to parts of South America and throughout much of the Caribbean. In 1945, 3 specimens of larval _Ae. scapularis_ were found in Monroe County, Florida, in the Middle Florida Keys, but _Ae. scapularis_ has not been seen in Florida since then -- until now. A new study published in November [2020] in the Journal Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia – Niger: (TL) OIE

Bovine Pleuropneumonia -- NigerInformation received on [and dated] 15 Dec 2020 from Dr. Issiako Abdou, Director General of Veterinary Services, Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Niamey, NigerSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 3 Dec 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Dec 2020Report date: 15 Dec 2020Date submitted to OIE: 15 Dec 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: Clinical Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (544): mAb cocktail, mortality, Thailand, WHO, global

COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownBackground: Recent data suggest that complications and death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be related to high viral loads.Methods: In this ongoing, double-blind, phase 1-3 trial involving nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19, we investigated 2 fully human, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein, used in a combined cocktail (REGN-COV2) to reduce the risk of the emergence of Read more [...]

Lighting Interventions to Reduce Circadian Disruption in Rotating Shift Workers

  Shift work has been linked to poor sleep, chronic metabolic disorders (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity), several forms of cancer [1-3], depression, and elevated risk for the occurrence of accidents. These risks are especially acute for those who work rotating shifts that involve working through the night [4-8], as sometimes occur in hospitals. Studies show that healthcare workers are at greater risk for shift-work-related health and safety problems compared to their colleagues Read more [...]

Champaign County rail systems see frequent transport of hazardous materials – CU-CitizenAccess.org

Champaign County rail systems see frequent transport of hazardous materials  CU-CitizenAccess.org

PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (112): UK, wild bird, HPAI H5N5

Avian Influenza -- United KingdomBird flu has been reported in different animals in 2 parts of Wales as a high alert warning has been issued across the UK.Newport City Council posted that wild geese and swans in the city had tested positive for the "highly pathogenic avian influenza HPAI H5N5". The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has also said a case has been reported in the past week [7-13 Dec 2020] in a little grebe, a type of water bird, in Carmarthenshire.Nearly 150 Read more [...]

City of Houston Tightens Local Hazardous Materials Regulations – JD Supra

City of Houston Tightens Local Hazardous Materials Regulations  JD Supra

Covington taking steps to enforce hazardous materials ban on Brent Spence Bridge – WKRC TV Cincinnati

Covington taking steps to enforce hazardous materials ban on Brent Spence Bridge  WKRC TV Cincinnati

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (543): vaccine, excess mortality, Nigeria, India, WHO, global

COVID-19 -- Nigeria"Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a marked increase in all-cause deaths in the US, mostly among older adults./1 Although the burden of COVID-19 among hospitalized younger adults has been described, fewer data focus on mortality in this demographic, owing to lower case-fatality rates./2"Excess mortality reflects the full burden of the pandemic that may go uncaptured due to uncoded COVID-19 and other pandemic-related deaths. Accordingly, we examined all-cause excess Read more [...]

PRO/PL> Rhizoctonia, cereal crops – Australia: (WA)

Other Plant Disease -- AustraliaIncreased rhizoctonia bare patches in cereals have been observed around WA [Western Australia] this [2020] season. Daniel Hueberli, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA (DPIRD), said the main reason for the higher levels of rhizoctonia was late rain and the subsequent later emergence of crops in a lot of regions."The 2nd reason was that growers were likely sowing into a high inoculum load, most of the paddocks probably had some cereals in there Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (542): animal, Greece (EM) mink mutation, human, OIE

COVID-19 -- GreeceInformation received on [and dated] 15 Dec 2020 from Mrs Chrysoula Dile, Head, Animal Health Directorate, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, GreeceSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 4 Dec 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 8 Dec 2020Reason for notification: emerging diseaseMorbidity: 2 (scale 0 to 5)Mortality: 1 (scale 0 to 5)Zoonotic impact: The Y453F mutation in the spike (S) protein of the virus, referred to as Read more [...]