Archive for editor
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (365): Germany case data, countries, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Germany- For the week ending [16 Aug 2020], over 1.8 million new COVID-19 cases and 39 000 new deaths were reported to WHO. This brings the cumulative total to 21.2 million confirmed COVID-19 cases including 761 000 deaths (Figure 1). In the past 7 days, the number of reported daily cases rapidly increased with an average of 260 000 cases and 5500 deaths.- The WHO Region of the Americas remains the most affected region in the past 7 days, accounting for 53% of all newly confirmed cases Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Virus yellows, sugar beet – Europe (03)
Other Plant Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownThe French government is planning to lift a blanket ban on the use of neonicotinoids to help save its sugar beet industry. Crops have been ravaged by aphids this year [2020] with widespread yield losses reported across the country. UK beet growers are also experiencing crop losses due to high levels of virus yellows.The French government announced a series of measures to support the "unprecedented crisis", including for the first time a derogation to use neonic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – Mongolia (06): (HD) bubonic, marmot exp
Plague -- MongoliaThe Mongolia National Center for Zoonotic Disease reported on their Facebook page [] of an additional suspected human bubonic plague case in western Mongolia. The case is a 37-year-old man from Tsetseg soum, Khovd province and is currently hospitalized in critical condition.It is reported the patient ate marmot meat. Since the beginning of 2020, 13 human plague cases have been reported (9 suspect and 4 confirmed).--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts[Plague is Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – USA (04): (NM) septicemic, fatal, comment
Plague — United States
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (08): USA, horses, mosquito
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesA virus afflicting horses and can spread to humans and prove fatal, has been detected in a horse in Clare County, located in the northern Lower Peninsula.The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) on Tuesday [11 Aug 2020], announced by state veterinarian Dr Nora Wineland who confirmed 2020's 1st case [in Michigan] of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a 2-year-old filly from Clare County. Both horse owners and Michigan residents Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – Congo DR (08): (IT) human, rodent
Plague -- DR CongoThis is a follow up of the WHO summary statement on plague in Congo DR (Plague - Congo DR (07): (IT) clusters, fatal, WHO http://promedmail.org/post/20200725.7606707) posted on ProMED 25 Jul 2020 (posted on the WHO website on 23 Jul 2020). As stated in the WHO article, since 12 Jun 2020, an upsurge of plague cases has been noted in the Rethy Health zone, Ituri province where response has been hampered by the insecurity due to the presence of the CODECO [Cooperative for the Development Read more [...]
DG Digest: PHMSA published three sets of Special Permits, EPA released final TSCA evaluation of 1-BP
It’s mid-August and although the pandemic continues to dominate the news cycle, it’s a great time to remember to help protect the safety of employees during the heat of the summer. It’s the hottest time of the year in most of the country; make sure that workers remain mindful of their safety, and keep your...
The post DG Digest: PHMSA published three sets of Special Permits, EPA released final TSCA evaluation of 1-BP appeared first on Labelmaster Blog. Read more [...]
A Guide to Respirators Used for Dust in Construction
Construction dust can cause serious damage to workers’ health and life-threatening diseases. Construction workers can be exposed to many types of dust, such as silica, wood, and lead dust. Workplace exposure to small particles of silica dust, also known as respirable crystalline silica, can lead to serious diseases, including silicosis, a progressive lung disease marked by scarring and thickening of the lung tissue; lung cancer; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and kidney disease. Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed disease, citrus – Uganda: (SX)
Undiagnosed -- UgandaA farmer in Serere district [Eastern Region] has cut down his 20 acre orange garden following an outbreak of a strange disease. Two years ago, he started recording low yields, something that compelled him to seek advice from agriculture extension workers. The cost of maintaining the oranges shot up following the outbreak. [Another farmer] explains that the trees started drying, causing the oranges to fall down before maturing.The Serere District Agriculture Officer said she is Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive mosquito – USA (05): (CA)
Pests -- United StatesThe 1st known mosquitoes with the potential to carry such diseases as Zika and yellow fever have been discovered in Shasta County.The 1st mosquito was found on Fri 14 Aug 2020 in a trap north of Lake Boulevard and west of North Market Street, also known as Highway 273, according to the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District.The mosquitoes, known as _Aedes aegypti_, have been found in other areas of California, but the recent finding in Redding marks a 1st for Shasta County, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Powassan virus encephalitis – USA (02): (CT)
Powassan virus -- United StatesHenry M Feder, Jr, M.D, Sam Telford, III, Sc.D, Heidi K Goethert, Sc.D, Gary P Wormser, M.D. Powassan Virus Encephalitis Following Brief Attachment of Connecticut Deer Ticks.AbstractBackgroundPowassan virus (POWV) is a tick-transmitted pathogen that may cause severe encephalitis; experimentally, it can be transmitted within just 15 minutes following a tick bite. The deer tick virus subtype of POWV (DTV) is transmitted by the deer tick [blacklegged tick] and is the likely Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (07): USA (MA, CT)
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesState health officials confirmed the 2nd human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infection in a female in her 60s who was exposed to EEE in Hampden County.As a result, the EEE risk level in Wilbraham has been raised to critical, and the EEE risk level in Hampden and Monson has been raised to high.Across the Commonwealth, 3 municipalities are at critical risk, 8 are at high risk, and 20 are at moderate risk for EEE.All residents are reminded Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (363): animal, Denmark (ND), Netherlands (NB, LI), mink, spread
COVID-19 -- DenmarkThe Danish Veterinary and Food Administration is currently testing all Danish mink farms for COVID-19. This is done as part of the government's strategy to ensure close COVID-19 monitoring of the farms.The 1st 925 mink farms were tested without COVID-19 being found. On Friday [14 Aug 2020], afternoon however, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration was able to ascertain COVD-19 in a mink farm in Hjorring Municipality.This is the 4th mink farm to be found positive for COVID-19. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (362): immunity duration, UK serosurvey, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United KingdomSARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells will likely prove critical for long-term immune protection against COVID-19. We here systematically mapped the functional and phenotypic landscape of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses in unexposed individuals, exposed family members, and individuals with acute or convalescent COVID-19. Acute phase SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells displayed a highly activated cytotoxic phenotype that correlated with various clinical markers of disease severity, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Pneumonia, ovine – Canada: (BC) bighorn sheep, population decline
Pneumonia -- CanadaThe contagious disease has already wiped out 80 per cent of a herd of bighorn sheep near Clinton, British Columbia [BC].A BC conservation group is worried about a herd of California bighorn sheep after a lethal bacterial disease was identified in 2 lambs in a herd of sheep near Penticton in the Okanagan.The bacteria can cause pneumonia in both domestic and wild sheep and goats, but it is particularly harmful to wild sheep herds, according to the BC Wild Sheep Society."It's a little Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – UK: (England) swimmer, urban stream
Leptospirosis -- United KingdomA mother has warned of the dangers of wild swimming after her daughter ended up in hospital with a rare infection. The Bristol schoolgirl, aged 11, contracted life-threatening leptospirosis after swimming in the River Frome at Snuff Mills. Also known as Weil's disease, the bacterial infection is usually carried by rats and cattle and left her with grey lips, sickness, shaking, a fever, and aches.The picturesque park in Stapleton is popular for a dip on a sunny day, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (24): Europe (Russia) animal, Asia (China) cattle
Rabies -- RussiaAbstract--------Eliminating rabies is challenging in many developing countries, especially in rural areas. In contrast to the annual decline of human cases in China in last decade, the incidence of rabies in livestock has been increasingly reported. This paper reports the rabies outbreaks in beef cattle (Angus) in Shaanxi Province, China, which caused 31 and 5 deaths at an attack rate of 19.4% (95% CI: 13.6%‐26.4%) and 0.25% (95% CI: 0.1%‐0.6%) in a satellite cow farm Read more [...]
Rockwood shelter-in-place order remains after crews battle blaze – The Detroit News
Rockwood shelter-in-place order remains after crews battle blaze The Detroit News
PRO/AH/EDR> Strangles – North America (03): Canada (ON) horse
Strangles -- CanadaHistorically, strangles got its name as affected horses were sometimes suffocated from large, infected lymph nodes that obstructed their upper airway or trachea. The hallmark clinical signs of infection are fever (temperature higher than 101.5 F / 38.6 C), nasal discharge, and enlarged submandibular lymph nodes (in the space between the lower jawbones), which ultimately abscess. Purulent nasal discharge is typically present, although it may initially be clear. The retropharyngeal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Georgia: (KK) human
Anthrax -- Republic of GeorgiaA 43-year-old resident of the village of Karadzhalo, Gardabani town in Kvemo Kartli region in southeastern Georgia is being treated for anthrax and COVID-19, according to a Sputnik News-Georgia report (computer translated). According to the Imedi TV channel, the woman, on the advice of a relative, consulted a doctor because of a wound on her arm. Tests confirmed she had anthrax."She came to us with suspected anthrax, as she had a wound covered with black film on her Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> COVID-19 update (361): tuberculosis, pandemics, selected countries, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/Unknown- The International Narcotics Control Board, World Health Organization, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have released a statement calling on governments to ensure that the procurement and supply of controlled medicines in countries meet the needs of patients, both those who have COVID-19 and those who require internationally controlled medicines for other medical conditions.- While several countries in the Americas have implemented innovative strategies Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> West Nile virus (07): Europe, ECDC update, Spain
West Nile Virus -- SpainBetween 31 Jul 2020 and 6 Aug 2020, no cases were reported by the EU Member States or the EU neighbouring countries. However, Greece notified the death of a case reported during the past weeks. It is the 1st death associated to West Nile virus (WNV) infection of the season.Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 6 Aug 2020, EU Member States have reported 12 human cases of WNV infection: Greece (10 cases, including one death) and Romania (2 cases). All Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kyrgyzstan (03): (OH) cattle, human
Anthrax -- KyrgyzstanAll patients with suspected anthrax have been discharged from the Osh Interregional Combined Hospital. The diagnosis was confirmed at the laboratory in only one patient, while the rest had a negative result.Eight people were hospitalized with suspected anthrax (carbuncular form). Epidemiological investigations found that 9 people took part in the slaughtering and butchering of a cow carcass. The meat was then distributed among residents of Taldyk, Toguz-Bulak, Kyzyl-Bairak and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (55): Australia (VI) turkey, LPAI, H5N2
Avian Influenza -- AustraliaTurkeys at a Lethbridge property have tested positive to a 2nd strain of the avian influenza virus. The birds are on a property within an existing restricted area in the Golden Plains.The local government area has had 2 cases of avian flu at 2 free-range egg farms in the last fortnight. Another property at Bairnsdale has also tested positive.Agriculture Victoria has confirmed the H5N2 strain is low pathogenic, but it can affect chickens, ducks, geese, geese, turkeys, guinea Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (39): Congo DR (EQ)
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (360): USA (NC, NY) animal, dog, comment
COVID-19 — United States
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – USA: (WY) wild rabbit, alert
Tularemia -- United StatesA rabbit in Laramie County has tested positive for tularemia, health officials announced Thursday [13 Aug 2020]. The animal was found in Hillsdale, according to the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department.Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is a rare infectious disease that typically attacks the skin, eyes, lymph nodes and lungs. The disease mainly affects rabbits and rodents, but it can also affect humans and pets.People can become infected in several ways, including Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Asia (05): Pakistan (SD, PB) RFI
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanA young man tested positive for the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) on Tuesday [11 Aug 2020] and is undergoing treatment in an isolation ward of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).JPMC Executive Director Dr. Seemin Jamali said [WA] works as a rider for a motor company and is a resident of the Lines Area neighbourhood. She said that this is the 4th case of the CCHF."The patient had interaction with sacrificial animals and was brought in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza – USA (03): (PA) horse
Equine Influenza -- United StatesThe incubation period of influenza is approximately 1-3 days. Clinical signs begin abruptly and include high fever (up to 106 deg F [41.1 deg C]), serous nasal discharge, submandibular lymphadenopathy, and coughing that is dry, harsh, and nonproductive. Depression, anorexia, and weakness are frequently seen. Clinical signs usually last less than 3 days in uncomplicated cases. Influenza virus replicates within respiratory epithelial cells, resulting in destruction Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (359): rapid saliva-based test, publications, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownAn unfortunate side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an explosion of professional publications dealing with every possible aspect of the disease. Innumerable studies dissect the clinical features, epidemiology, imaging characteristics, and risk factors of patient cohorts treated in hospitals or clinics.The GIDEON database collates all case series dealing with COVID-19 that have been cited in PubMed. These charts do not include drug trials and disease prevalence Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Norovirus – Taiwan: hotel buffet susp
Norovirus -- ChinaThe Yilan County Public Health Bureau said Wednesday [12 Aug 2020] that several customers and employees in the mass food poisoning case at Hotel Royal Chiaohsi had tested positive for norovirus, though it has not been confirmed as the official cause.Earlier this month [August 2020], news broke out that 164 people who dined at the Hotel Royal Chiaohsi's buffet restaurant had experienced symptoms of food poisoning, including a group of Chailease Finance Co. employees who were on a Read more [...]
Hazmat spill temporarily narrows Main Street Aug. 1 – The Newkirk Herald Journal – newkirkherald.com
PRO/EDR> Tuberculosis, MDR – USA: (OH) primary MDR, food-processing facility, WGS, 2018-19
Tuberculosis -- United StatesDuring 2018-2019, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reported 3 cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) [see footnote] in persons who worked in 2 food processing facilities. The National Tuberculosis Molecular Surveillance Center [see footnote] performed whole genome sequencing of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate from each patient; phylogenetic analysis revealed the isolates were genetically identical. Prompted by concern for MDR TB transmission associated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive mosquito – Spain (02)
Other Human Disease -- SpainAfter being one of the worst-hit countries in the battle against coronavirus, [in Spain] fears of an outbreak of dengue, chikungunya and West Nile viruses have been raised. It comes after a new mosquito species was reported in the country._Aedes japonicus_ originally comes from Japan, Korea, China and Russia. It is believed the insect arrived in Spain through the trading of used tyres that come from these countries.But the Association of Pest Control Companies of Catalonia Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (358): New Zealand, China contaminated imported food, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- New Zealand- There have been notable achievements made by Azerbaijan in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To further boost its response to the ongoing pandemic, a team of WHO experts has recommended that the country strengthen contact tracing and testing.- Access to basic handwashing facilities is a key condition for schools to be able to operate safely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet the latest data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) found that 43% Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (364): USA (NC,NY) animal, dog, comment