Archive for editor
PRO/AH> Bluetongue – Europe (07): Luxembourg, cattle, BTV-8, spread, control
Bluetongue -- LuxembourgAs of [8 Sep 2020], the detection of bluetongue virus (blue tongue disease) serotype 8 has been confirmed by the reference laboratory.Following this analysis result, Luxembourg, which had been declared free from this disease since 2012, will be considered as a regulated area [restriction zone].The following provisions concerning the export of susceptible animals (cattle, sheep, goats) to countries or zones free from this type of virus are applicable from [10 Sep 2020].1. Adult Read more [...]
DEC, OSHA investigating Sabic chemical leak – Albany Times Union
DEC, OSHA investigating Sabic chemical leak Albany Times Union
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (45): Congo DR (EQ), WHO
Ebola -- DR CongoTwo more Ebola cases were confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Equateur province outbreak, raising the total to 112, the World Health Organization (WHO) African regional office said today [Tue 8 Sep 2020] in a Twitter update.One more death was recorded, lifting the fatality count to 48. The outbreak in the country's northwest began in early June [2020], just as a large outbreak centered in North Kivu province in eastern DRC was declared over. The latest event affects Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (396): tracking superspread, Europe 2nd wave, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesAbstract--------SARS-CoV-2 has caused a severe, ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 in Massachusetts with 111 070 confirmed cases and 8 433 deaths as of [1 Aug 2020]. To investigate the introduction, spread, and epidemiology of COVID-19 in the Boston area, we sequenced and analyzed 772 complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes from the region, including nearly all confirmed cases within the 1st week of the epidemic and hundreds of cases from major outbreaks at a conference, a nursing facility, Read more [...]
Chemical leak in Selkirk forces evacuations of nearby businesses – timesunion.com
Chemical leak in Selkirk forces evacuations of nearby businesses timesunion.comNY Firefighters Tackle Chemical Leak from Rail Car Firehouse.comInvestigation Ongoing After Selkirk Hazmat Spill Spectrum NewsView Full Coverage on Google News Read more [...]
Partnering to Prevent Suicide in the Construction Industry – Building Hope and a Road to Recovery
September is Suicide Prevention Month. During this yearly observance, many organizations will place special emphasis on mental health and suicide prevention – including those in the construction industry where suicide rates of workers are alarmingly high.1 Overall, suicide rates in the U.S. have increased, and it has been the 10th leading cause of death since 2008.2 Additionally, a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MMWR found during late June 2020, forty percent of U.S. Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Phytoplasmas, grapevine & pome fruit – Russia: surveys
Other Plant Disease -- RussiaSurveys for '_Candidatus_ Phytoplasma solani' associated with bois noir disease and for Grapevine flavescence doree phytoplasma (both EPPO A2 List) were performed in southern Russia. In 2012-2018, more than 600 samples of grapevine (_Vitis vinifera_) were tested by molecular analysis. This survey confirmed the presence of '_Ca._ P. solani' in Crimea. The presence of Grapevine flavescence doree phytoplasma was not detected. However, [its] vector _Scaphoideus titanus_ was Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (18): Germany (BB) wild boar, susp
African Swine Fever -- GermanyGermany's Ministry of Food and Agriculture said on Wednesday [9 Sep 2020] it had a suspected case of African swine fever [ASF] in the eastern state of Brandenburg.The suspected case concerned a wild boar carcass found a few kilometers from the German-Polish border. A sample of the carcass was being taken for tests at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut laboratory, the ministry said in a statement."As soon as the analysis is completed, Federal (Agriculture) Minister Julia Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (395): vaccine trial, bradykinins, motorcycle rally, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesThere's a new paper [see [B] eLife article below] that a lot of people are talking about recently that presents a rather large unifying hypothesis about the effects of the coronavirus (and suggests some new modes of treatment as well). This is the "bradykinin hypothesis", and before digging into it, it might be worth a paragraph to talk about what bradykinin is.It's a 9-amino-acid peptide, and it's got a ton of biological activity. Bradykinin lowers blood pressure by dilating Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Vesicular stomatitis – USA (14): horse
Vesicular Stomatitis -- United StatesSince the start of the outbreak, 323 VSV-affected premises have been identified. (USDA-APHIS)According to the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) has been confirmed in 8 states this year: Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.Since the start of the outbreak, 323 VSV-affected premises have been identified (202 confirmed positive, 121 suspect), according to APHIS. Of these, Read more [...]
Explosion rocks chemical plant in Palm Bay – WESH 2 Orlando
Explosion rocks chemical plant in Palm Bay WESH 2 Orlando
DG Digest: FMCSA proposes pilot program on Hours Of Service for drivers
PHMSA The agency issued its latest group of Special Permit Actions. The actions cover subjects as diverse as cylinder qualifications to the securement of fireworks within transport vehicles. See the actions here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-09-04/pdf/2020-19646.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-09-04/pdf/2020-19641.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-09-04/pdf/2020-19643.pdf FMCSA The agency proposed a pilot program to allow temporary regulatory Read more [...]
Supplementing the Supply of N95s with Reusable Elastomeric Half Mask Respirators
As we celebrate our annual Respiratory Protection Week Observance this year, we at NIOSH want to show our appreciation to all the workers who use respiratory protection and the manufacturers who develop these products to keep our nation’s workers safe. Whether your role is to heal, protect, create, or construct, we rely on your skills and your willingness to do a job that requires systems to be in place to protect the health and safety of America’s workers. We continue striving to support Read more [...]
Respiratory Protection vs. Source Control – What’s the difference?
In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, CDC recommends that adults and children two years and older wear a mask, especially when social distancing is not possible or feasible[1]. Cloth masks and medical masks used in healthcare settings (such as surgical or procedure masks) are important tools in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, however they are not a type of respiratory protection. Due to limited supplies, respiratory protection should be reserved for workers who rely on Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (394): Netherlands (NB) animal, farmed mink, spread
COVID-19 -- NetherlandsAt a mink farm in Deurne and a mink farm in Wilbertoord (municipality of Mill and Sint Hubert), infections with SARS-CoV-2 have been detected. Both companies have approximately 3000 parent animals [each].The infections came to light from the early warning, the monitoring system in which animals are tested for the virus every week. The companies are [to be] cleared as soon as possible.A total of 50 mink farms in the Netherlands have now been declared infected.--Communicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (393): Senegal, vaccine development, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- SenegalSignificance------------The rapid spread of the virus causing COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, raises questions about the possibility of a universally effective vaccine. The virus can mutate in a given individual, and these variants can be propagated across populations and time. To understand this process, we analyze 18 514 SARS-CoV-2 sequences sampled since December 2019. We find that neutral evolution, rather than adaptive selection, can explain the rare mutations seen across SARS-CoV-2 Read more [...]
Hazmat incident reported in New Philadelphia – WTOV Steubenville
Hazmat incident reported in New Philadelphia WTOV Steubenville
PRO/AH> Contagious equine metritis – Denmark (02): horse, spread
Other Animal Disease -- DenmarkContagious equine metritis (CEM) is caused by the bacterium _Taylorella equigenitalis_, which causes contagious inflammation of the uterus in mares. The bacterium is transmitted by mating, insemination or indirect contact. The mares may show signs of genital infection and reproductive problems, including abortion, but some mares show no signs of infection. The mares can transmit the bacterium to stallions. The stallions usually become healthy carriers. CEM is a disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria, P. knowlesi – India: (UP,HR,DL)
Malaria -- IndiaThe AIIMS [All India Institute of Medical Science] researchers found the presence of malaria parasite _Plasmodium knowlesi_ in the north Indian population while doing a study on patients with acute febrile illnesses (AFI) and pathogens causing them. _Plasmodium knowlesi_ is found in nature in long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques. The zoonotic parasite was found in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi. A previous study at AIIMS had found its presence in the Andaman and Nicobar Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (13): Europe (Germany) captive bird, zoo, OIE
West Nile Virus -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 4 Sep 2020 from Dr Dietrich Rassow, Director for Animal Health and Animal Welfare, Chief Veterinary Officer, Directorate of Animal Health and Animal Welfare, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Berlin, GermanySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 19 Aug 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 26 Aug 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 22 Jul Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – Ukraine: (KS) hare, 1st rep, OIE
Tularemia -- UkraineInformation received on [and dated] 7 Sep 2020 from Dr Olga Shevchenko, Deputy Head, State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Kyiv, UkraineSummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 14 Aug 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 4 Sep 2020Report date: 7 Sep 2020Date event resolved: 4 Sep 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (61): Russia (TY) HPAI H5, wild bird, OIE
Avian Influenza -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 3 Sep 2020 from Dr Nikolay Vlasov, deputy head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture, Moscow, RussiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 28 Aug 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 31 Aug 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 29 Mar 2017Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: highly Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (16): USA (MA)
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesPublic health officials in Massachusetts have announced the state's 4th human case of the mosquito-borne disease eastern equine encephalitis [EEE] this season.The latest case is a woman in her 60s who was exposed to the disease in Plymouth County. The state said on Friday [4 Sep 2020] that as a result, the risk level in the town of Plymouth been raised to high.There are now 4 communities in the state at critical risk for the disease (10 at high risk and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis – Germany (02): (BW, BY)
Tick-borne Encephalitis — Germany
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick behavior: pathogen influence
Pests -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstractPathogens can manipulate the phenotypic traits of their hosts and vectors, maximizing their own fitness. Among the phenotypic traits that can be modified, manipulating vector behavior represents one of the most fascinating facets. How pathogens infection affects behavioral traits of key insect vectors has been extensively investigated. Major examples include _Plasmodium_, _Leishmania_ and _Trypanosoma_ spp. manipulating the behavior of mosquitoes, sand flies and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed die-off, fish – USA: (MT) proliferative kidney disease susp.
Animal Die-off -- United StatesHundreds of dead mountain whitefish have washed ashore along the Yellowstone River in Montana, launching an investigation into the cause of death.Although the mortality has yet to be confirmed, park officials speculate the fish died due to proliferative kidney disease (PKD) caused by a parasite found lurking in the waters.Biologists on the case have counted around 200 bodies along the river between Big Timber and Livingston.Incident reports began at the end of August Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (44): Congo DR (EQ)
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (392): USA motorcycle rally, cardiac manifestations, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesWHO 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): 5 116 478 (3431) / 11 206 (75)European Region (61): 4 475 267 (31 094) / 222 279 (315)South East Asia Region (10): 4 689 943 (96 991) / 83 400 (1218)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 1 996 246 (14 100) / 52 710 (310)Region of the Americas (54): 14 001 390 (144 427) / 484 079 (3383)African Read more [...]
EL finance panel OKs budget shifts | News, Sports, Jobs – Morning Journal News
EL finance panel OKs budget shifts | News, Sports, Jobs Morning Journal News
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (09): September 2020
Chlamydia -- United StatesCoronavirus (COVID-19) CollectionEditorials---All Hands on Deck: A synchronized whole-of-world approach for COVID-19 mitigationShahul H. Ebrahim, Jiatong Zhuo, Ernesto Gozzer, Qanta A. Ahmed, Rubina Imtiaz, Yusuf Ahmed, Seydou Doumbia, N.M. Mujeeb Rahman, Habida Elachola, A. Wilder-Smith, Ziad A. Memish. IJID 2020,94(8):208-215.Advancing COVID-19 vaccines - avoiding different regulatory standards for different vaccines and need for open and transparent data sharing. Eskild Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – USA (03): (ND) cow
Anthrax -- United StatesNorth Dakota's state veterinarian says the state's 1st reported case of anthrax this year [2020] is a reminder to livestock producers to take action to protect their animals from the disease, especially in areas with a past history of the disease. The case, in Morton County, was confirmed yesterday [3 Sep 2020] by the North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory."Anthrax has been confirmed in cattle in a Morton County beef herd," Dr. Susan Keller said. "Producers Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> COVID-19 update (391): vaccine trails, cytokines, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownWHO 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): 513 045 (4719) / 11 131 (132)European Region (61): 4 443 522 (45 961) / 221 960 (551)South East Asia Region (10): 4 592 952 (93 164) / 82 182 (1214)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 1 982 146 (15 073) / 52 400 (322)Region of the Americas (54): 13 856 963 (131 311) / 480 696 (3464)African Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (21): waning immunity, Ethiopia vaccination
Measles -- EthiopiaWaning MMR immunity, vaccine hesitancy, could mean more measles outbreaks.A systematic review and meta-analysis of 62 studies has found that immunity conferred by the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine fades each subsequent year, suggesting that vaccination strategies should be revisited.The study, published yesterday [1 Sep 2020] in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, showed that 96.0% of patients inoculated with the 2-dose trivalent MMR vaccine initially developed antibodies Read more [...]
