Archive for editor

PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – India (04): (OR, Similipal Nat'l Park) elephant calf

Anthrax -- IndiaAn elephant calf died of anthrax disease in Similipal National Park of Mayurbhanj district. As per reports, initially, locals spotted the carcass of the elephant calf near Rajapal village under Jamuani section in Similipal today [1 Sep 2020].After being informed, Forest personnel reached the spot and recovered the carcass of the elephant calf.The age of the elephant calf was in between 2 to 3 years. Following post mortem, it was known that the baby elephant died of anthrax, said a Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (07): Congo DR (SN)

Monkeypox -- DR CongoA monkeypox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed 10 lives, while 141 people have been infected so far, local media reported on Tuesday [1 Sep 2020]."From the 1st week of surveillance until the 33rd, we recorded 141 confirmed cases, with 10 deaths," Dr. Aime Alengo, a health official in Sankuru province, told the local Actualite news website.Alengo said the disease affects those who are mostly less than 5 years old. "We are one of a few countries in Africa Read more [...]

Hazmat incident closes ramp at U.S. Route 250/I-77 interchange – New Philadelphia Times Reporter

Hazmat incident closes ramp at U.S. Route 250/I-77 interchange  New Philadelphia Times Reporter

Haz-mat incident closes ramp at U.S. Route 250/I-77 interchange – New Philadelphia Times Reporter

Haz-mat incident closes ramp at U.S. Route 250/I-77 interchange  New Philadelphia Times Reporter

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (386): Americas HCWs, wastewater transmission susp, WHO, global

COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownIntroduction------------Between [1 Jan 2020] and [28 Aug 2020], the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in the Americas exceeded the number of cases reported in all the remaining 5 WHO Regions during the same period by 1.4 million cases. As of [28 Aug 2020], a total of 13 005 995 cases of COVID-19, including 458 444 deaths, have been reported in the 54 countries/areas/territories in the Region of the Americas.During the previous 4 weeks, a 26% relative increase in Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe (13): elephant, NOT, cause uncertain

Anthrax -- ZimbabweThe mysterious deaths of 11 elephants in Zimbabwe may have been the result of bacterial infection, officials say. Authorities had already ruled out 2 possibilities after the carcasses were discovered on Friday [28 Aug 2020] in Pandamasue Forest, between Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls, in the west of the country.The dead elephants were found with the tusks still on their bodies, meaning they were not killed by poachers, and cyanide poisoning has also been ruled out as a Read more [...]

NY Firefighters Tackle Chemical Leak from Rail Car – Firehouse.com

NY Firefighters Tackle Chemical Leak from Rail Car  Firehouse.com

Shelter In Place Ordered After Chemical Leak At Selkirk's SABIC – WAMC

Shelter In Place Ordered After Chemical Leak At Selkirk’s SABIC  WAMC

PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (43): Congo DR (EQ) WHO

Ebola -- DR CongoEbola virus (EBOV) is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus that can cause Ebola virus disease (EVD). It is thought that EVD survivors are protected against subsequent infection with EBOV and that neutralising antibodies to the viral surface glycoprotein (GP) are potential correlates of protection. Serological studies are vital to assess neutralising antibodies targeted to EBOV GP; however, handling of EBOV is limited to containment level 4 laboratories. Pseudotyped viruses can Read more [...]

Governor Cuomo Deploys State Emergency Response and Environmental Personnel to Selkirk to Assist in Hazardous Chemical Release Incident at SABIC Innovative Chemicals Facility – ny.gov

Governor Cuomo Deploys State Emergency Response and Environmental Personnel to Selkirk to Assist in Hazardous Chemical Release Incident at SABIC Innovative Chemicals Facility  ny.gov

PRO/AH/EDR> Schistosomiasis – Malawi: (Lake Malawi) S. mansoni

Schistosomiasis -- MalawiAbstract--------Background. Intestinal schistosomiasis was not considered endemic in Lake Malawi until November 2017 when populations of _Biomphalaria pfeifferi_ were first reported; in May 2018, emergence of intestinal schistosomiasis was confirmed. This emergence was in spite of ongoing control of urogenital schistosomiasis by preventive chemotherapy. Our current study sought to ascertain whether intestinal schistosomiasis is transitioning from emergence to outbreak, to Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (385): guidelines for working with wildlife

COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownThe Wildlife Health Specialist Group (WHSG) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) have recently released guidelines to minimize the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from people to free-ranging wild mammals. These recommendations are based on 1st principles of biosecurity and hygiene, current knowledge of human-to-animal SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and the precautionary principle.There is a possibility that Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Zika virus (05): Americas, research, observations

Zika virus -- United StatesAbstract--------Mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission has almost exclusively been detected in the tropics despite the distributions of its primary vectors extending farther into temperate regions. Therefore, it is unknown whether ZIKV's range has reached a temperature-dependent limit, or if it can spread into temperate climates. Using field-collected mosquitoes for biological relevance, we found that 2 common temperate mosquito species, _Aedes albopictus_ and _Ochlerotatus Read more [...]

Chemical leak in Selkirk forces evacuations of homes, businesses – Times Union

Chemical leak in Selkirk forces evacuations of homes, businesses  Times Union

Emergency response deployed to Albany County following hazardous chemical spill – WWTI – InformNNY.com

Emergency response deployed to Albany County following hazardous chemical spill  WWTI – InformNNY.com

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (384): HCW serology, vaccine trials, WHO, global

COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownThree issues are crucial in planning COVID-19 vaccine trials: (1) whether to demand not only proof of some vaccine efficacy but also proof of worthwhile efficacy; (2) whether the initial trials of vaccine against placebo should prioritise not only single-vaccine trials but also a multivaccine trial; and (3) whether to assess safety, protection against severe disease, and duration of protection by continuing blinded follow-up of the vaccine and placebo groups after definite Read more [...]

Hazardous materials incident in Bethlehem – The Daily Gazette

Hazardous materials incident in Bethlehem  The Daily Gazette

Overturned trailer carrying hazardous materials closes portion of I-10 – WAFB

Overturned trailer carrying hazardous materials closes portion of I-10  WAFB

Hazmatology: Street Chemistry, Street Physics | Firehouse – Firehouse.com

Hazmatology: Street Chemistry, Street Physics | Firehouse  Firehouse.com

DG Digest: U.S. Agencies Publish Semi-annual Agendas & We Preview the 2021 Early 49 CFR

The end of August brings us to the transition to the autumn and in particular the coming Labor Day holiday.  With this year’s pandemic still weighing so heavily on our nation, let’s all remember to enjoy that holiday in accordance with the recommendations of our health experts. Employees may be planning their weekends too, and can... The post DG Digest: U.S. Agencies Publish Semi-annual Agendas & We Preview the 2021 Early 49 CFR appeared first on Labelmaster Blog. Read more [...]

3,000 Gallons of Gasoline Spilled in Yellowstone | – mybighornbasin

3,000 Gallons of Gasoline Spilled in Yellowstone |  mybighornbasin

Crews work to clean up gas spill in Murfreesboro – WKRN News 2

Crews work to clean up gas spill in Murfreesboro  WKRN News 2

PRO/AH/EDR> Scrub typhus – Nepal (03): (DR)

Scrub Typhus -- NepalFive scrub typhus cases have been reported in Darchula District [Sudurpashchim Pradesh province], Nepal. The infection has been found in one male person in Mahakali municipality, in 2 women, and one man in Malikarjun rural municipality, and in one male person of Byas rural municipality, Dr Gajendra Duwal at the District Hospital Darchula said.One of the infected people has been referred to Dhangadhi [Kailali District] while another person has been admitted to the District Hospital Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (12): (BR)

Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaOf 70 children who were admitted to the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur, 9 died due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), the hospital said on Saturday [29 Aug 2020]. As per the hospital's report on 29 Aug [2020], a total of 56 children were discharged so far after recovering post-treatment from the hospital.There are 2 children admitted to the PICU [pediatric intensive care unit] in the hospital. Last year [2019] over 140 children died Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> African trypanosomiasis – Togo: elimination

Trypanosomiasis -- TogoTogo has eliminated African human trypanosomiasis (AHT), also known as sleeping illness, on its territory. It is no longer a public health threat in Togo.The WHO (World Health Organization) has certified that the country has met all the criteria for eliminating this endemic disease in the country. The announcement was made by the Minister of Health, Moustapha Mijiyawa, in a statement. "This report was reviewed by a group of independent experts convened by the WHO regional office. Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (383): surveill weakness, poultry plant, 2nd inf, WHO, global

COVID-19 -- United StatesSo far in the COVID-19 pandemic, surveillance systems are not monitoring ill health and long-term implications of COVID-19, only deaths are reported. Most are also not tracking all cases, only positive tests are counted. Underestimating the number of cases means inadequate control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and failure to support those who do not recover quickly from COVID-19. We must universally agree and implement surveillance Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Streptococcus, group B – Singapore: st III, ST283, invasive, RFI

Strep -- Singapore1. Rajendram P, Mar Kyaw W, Leo YS, et al. Group B _Streptococcus_ sequence type 283 disease linked to consumption of raw fish, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016; 22(11): 1974-1977; .2. Tan S, Lin Y, Foo K, et al. Group B _Streptococcus_ serotype III sequence type 283 bacteremia associated with consumption of raw fish, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016; 22(11): 1970-1973; .3. Chau ML, Chen SL, Yap M, et al. Group B _Streptococcus_ infections caused by improper sourcing and handling Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (382): Netherlands, animal, farmed mink, spread, control

COVID-19 -- NetherlandsThis study looked at the number of animals with antibodies to the virus as an indication of a transmitted infection. In total, 1000 blood samples were examined; 500 for dogs and 500 for cats. These were samples collected by veterinarians and sent to the diagnostic laboratories of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University for regular diagnosis and, therefore, not in any connection with COVID-19 suspicion or due to the animals' contacts with human COVID-19 patients.Antibodies Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> St. Louis encephalitis virus – USA: (TX) mosquitoes

St. Louis Encephalitis -- United StatesCorpus Christi health officials have found a 2nd mosquito test pool with Saint Louis encephalitis [virus] in the city. Pools were also found in Robstown and Kingsville.Late Thursday [27 Aug 2020], city officials said a mosquito pool collected in the 1200 block of Main Drive contained Saint Louis Encephalitis, or SLE [virus], according to a news release.The 1st mosquito pool with SLE was found earlier this month [August 2020] in the 400 block of Bartlett Street. Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe (12): elephant, susp

Anthrax -- ZimbabweThe Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has confirmed that 11 elephants were found dead yesterday [Fri 28 Aug 2020] at Pandamasue Forest, New Ziana reports.ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said the authorities were concluding investigations into the deaths of the elephants, but they suspected that they could have died due to anthrax. Said Farawo: "The elephants were found dead in Pandamasue Forest. Zimparks suspects anthrax. Veterinary doctors Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (11): USA, horse, mosquito

Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesClemson Livestock and Poultry Health officials have confirmed eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) in the state's 9th horse for 2020. The affected horse, a 5 year old Tennessee walking horse mare from Lexington County, is deceased.Previous EEE cases in South Carolina have occurred in Berkeley, Edgefield, Florence, Horry, and Marion counties. Horry has been hardest hit, with 4 confirmed cases. Other affected counties have had just one confirmed case each.--communicated Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (381): saliva vs nasopharyngeal, ocular, countries, 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): 482 583 (5522) / 10 435 (128)European Region (61): 4 180 463 (40 870) / 218 845 (382)South East Asia Region (10): 3 987 855 (82 795) / 74 192 (1095)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 1 891 458 (12 968) / 50 183 (300)Region of the Americas (54): 13 001 995 (136 352) / 458 444 (3626)African Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Chikungunya (04): Americas, Asia, Africa, research

Chikungunya -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstractA 53 year old woman with hypertension and raised cholesterol presented to Hospital Federal dos Servidores do Estado (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) on 9 May 2019, with a 2 week history of arthralgia and paresthesia in both hands. Three weeks earlier, she had had a 4 day episode of febrile illness with a diffuse, mildly pruritic rash, arthralgia, and joint oedema. A chikungunya infection was diagnosed by reverse transcription PCR. At the time of presentation, she had Read more [...]

Emergency Crews Cleaning Up Leaking Fuel After Semi Crash – News On 6

Emergency Crews Cleaning Up Leaking Fuel After Semi Crash  News On 6

Emergency Crews Cleaning Up Leaking Fuel After Semi Crash – news9.com KWTV

Emergency Crews Cleaning Up Leaking Fuel After Semi Crash  news9.com KWTV

PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (12): Americas, USA (CA,FL) horse

West Nile Virus -- United StatesWNV transmission occurs when infected mosquitoes feed on animals, as well as humans, after having fed on infected birds.Clinical signs of WNV in horses include:- mild anorexia and depression;- fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculation;- hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity to touch and sound);- changes in mentation (mentality), when horses look like they're daydreaming or "just not with it";- occasional drowsiness;- propulsive walking (driving or pushing forward, often Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (380): excess mortality, 2nd infect, pediatric shedding, WHO

COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownSince 2005, the French public health agency (Sante Publique France) has been following up all-cause mortality routinely, based on the administrative data transmitted by the French National Institute for Statistic and Economic Studies (INSEE). The medical causes of death are not recorded.This sample from 3000 cities represents 77% of the total French mortality, varying from 42% to 98% in the 100 districts (1). We obtained the excess all-cause mortality from the difference Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (06): Congo DR, WHO

Monkeypox -- DR CongoThe Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) saw another 1000 total monkeypox cases in the past month, rising from 2591 cases on 5 Jul to 3567 on 9 Aug [2020], according to the World Health Organization. The monkeypox death toll in DRC has also risen to 132 through 9 Aug [2020].WHO notes that one major challenge in the DRC to the current emergency includes acquiring the required funding to respond to all the multiple ongoing outbreaks in the country, which include Ebola, COVID-19, Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (42): Congo DR (EQ)

Ebola — DR Congo

Take Action to Protect Your Hearing

  In the United States, hearing loss is the third-most common chronic physical condition among adults after hypertension and arthritis. About 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to occupational noise each year. About 12% of the U.S. working population has hearing difficulty and around 58% of the hearing difficulty among U.S. workers is attributable to occupational exposures. Within every industry sector, there are some workers exposed to hazardous noise levels, although some workers in mining, Read more [...]