Archive for editor
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease – USA (20): (MT, AZ)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesA white-tailed deer harvested by a hunter in the Ruby Valley in southwest Montana during the general hunting season tested positive for chronic wasting disease [CWD]. The buck is one of 24 samples coming back positive for CWD in the latest batch of test results.The other new positive samples were from deer harvested within CWD Management Zones elsewhere in the state where the disease is known to exist.The Ruby Valley deer was harvested on private land about Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease – Dominican Republic: (PV,CR,ST) poultry, OIE
Newcastle Disease -- Dominican RepublicInformation received on 19 Dec 2019 from Dra Nimia Lissette Gomez Rodriguez, [Director, Animal Health Directorate, general directorate for livestock (DIGEGA), Ministry of Agriculture], Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 11 Nov 2019Report date: 19 Dec 2019Date submitted to OIE: 19 Dec 2019Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Dickeya blackleg, potato – USA: (HI)
Other Plant Disease -- United StatesIn Hawaii (US), _Dickeya dianthicola_ (EPPO A2 List) was detected for the 1st time in January 2018 in potato (_Solanum tuberosum_) plants showing symptoms of bacterial soft rot. Infected plants had been collected from a potato field on Oahu.[Original publication: ]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Blackleg of potato can be caused by several species and subspecies of bacteria in the genera _Pectobacterium_ and _Dickeya_. Symptoms may include stem rot leading to leaf Read more [...]
CSB Proposes Regs on Chemical Release Incident Reporting – EHS Daily Advisor
CSB Proposes Regs on Chemical Release Incident Reporting EHS Daily Advisor
Revisiting the most important 2019 hazmat regulations—and previewing 2020
The biggest regulatory news in 2019 may have been something that didn’t happen—PHMSA’s HM-215O International Harmonization rule, which would have aligned U.S. regulations with the most recent UN Model Regulations, ICAO Technical Instructions and IMDG Code. HM-215O will almost certainly be formalized in 2020. Meanwhile, here’s a look back at the significant regulatory developments that... Read more [...]
Suit accuses Pittsburg chemical plant of 5 years of hazardous-waste violations – San Francisco Chronicle
Suit accuses Pittsburg chemical plant of 5 years of hazardous-waste violations San Francisco Chronicle
Pittsburg chemical plant sued for 5 years of illegally disposing hazardous wastes – San Francisco Chronicle
Pittsburg chemical plant sued for 5 years of illegally disposing hazardous wastes San Francisco Chronicle
PRO/PL> Stripe rust, wheat – China: alert
Other Plant Disease -- China- Yellow rust is expected to affect China's wheat output around spring next year [2020], after the disease spreads to key production areas across the eastern and northwest regions.- Yellow rust was detected in Gansu, Ningxia, and Shaanxi provinces around October and November [2019], affecting seedlings across 510 685 acres, an area 3 times larger than the previous year [2018], the National Agricultural Technology Promotional Center said.- The affected provinces witnessed Read more [...]
How much do risk management plans tell about chemical hazards? – Beaumont Enterprise
How much do risk management plans tell about chemical hazards? Beaumont Enterprise
PRO/AH/EDR> Classical swine fever – Russia (04): (AM) wild boar, OIE
Classical Swine Fever -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 17 Dec 2019 from Dr Nikolay Vlasov, deputy head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture, Moscou, RussiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 8 Nov 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 15 Nov 2019Report date: 17 Dec 2019Date submitted to OIE: 17 Dec 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 20 Jul Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV: (75): Saudi Arabia, WHO
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaFrom [1-30 Nov 2019], the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported 10 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) infection and one associated death. The cases were reported from Riyadh (4), Madinah (2), Al-Qassim (1), Assir (1), Taif (1), and Makkah (1) regions.Details of the 10 reported cases:MERS-CoV cases reported between [1 and 30 Nov 2019*]Please note, data corresponds to Disease Outbreak News as published on [18 Dec 2019]Case no.: Date of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (29): (IL) hospital susp., RFI
Legionnaires' -- United StatesIllinois state and local health officials report investigating 3 cases of Legionnaires' disease in individuals who were patients at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital.One individual was an inpatient, and the 2nd and 3rd individuals had outpatient visits. These patients could have acquired the infection at the hospital, but they also had other possible sources of exposure during the 10 days before they started showing symptoms.The Illinois Department of Public Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – Europe (07): France (AO) RFI
Legionnaires' -- FranceThe prefecture of Bas-Rhin reports that 22 cases of legionellosis have been diagnosed since 1 Nov 2019 in patients aged 42-88 years living in the west of the agglomeration of Strasbourg (Strasbourg Ouest, Lingolsheim, Ostwald).Two people have died, 18 people have been cured or are recovering, and 2 recent hospitalizations are being assessed. This situation directs epidemiological investigations towards the search for a common source of contamination that is not known to Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (102): Pakistan (BA,KP,SD)
Polio -- PakistanAnother 2 more polio cases have been reported in Balochistan on [Wed 18 Dec 2019], taking the tally of such cases across the country to 106 this year [2019], ARY News reported.According to the Health Ministry, the polio cases were reported from the Mastung district and Dera Murad Jamali area [Nasirabad district] of Balochistan. The authorities said a 16-month-old boy from Dera Murad Jamali and a 14-year-month old baby boy from Mastung were diagnosed with the crippling disease, adding Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Fowl typhoid – Honduras: (FM) poultry, OIE
Typhoid -- HondurasInformation received on [and dated] 18 Dec 2019 from Dr Rafael Enrique Rodriguez Alvarado, [Head of the Animal Health Epidemiology Department, Animal Health Technical Sub directorate, National Service for Agriculture and Livestock (SENASA), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock], Tegucigalpa, HondurasSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 18 Nov 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 28 Nov 2019Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed Read more [...]
Tanker truck fire, chemical leak prompts hazmat response in Cloverdale – Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Tanker truck fire, chemical leak prompts hazmat response in Cloverdale Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Truck Fire, Chemical Leak Shuts Down Lane Of Highway 101 In Cloverdale – CBS San Francisco
Truck Fire, Chemical Leak Shuts Down Lane Of Highway 101 In Cloverdale CBS San Francisco
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (74): animal reservoir, dromedary camels, epidemiology
MERS -- Worldwide/UnknownCitation. El-Kafrawy SA, Corman VM, Tolah AM, Al Masaudi SB, Hassan AM, Muller MA et al. Enzootic patterns of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in imported African and local Arabian dromedary camels: a prospective genomic study. Lancet Planet Health online-first, published online 13 Dec 2019; .Summary1. BackgroundThe Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a lethal zoonotic pathogen endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. Dromedary camels are a likely Read more [...]
EPA Rule Easing Chemical Plant Safety Requirements Set to Start – Bloomberg Environment
EPA Rule Easing Chemical Plant Safety Requirements Set to Start Bloomberg Environment
PRO/AH/EDR> Campylobacteriosis – USA: dogs, humans, multidrug resistant
Campylobacter -- United StatesConnecticut / 1Florida / 1Georgia / 1Illinois / 1Kentucky / 3Maryland / 1Minnesota / 6Nevada / 4Ohio / 5South Carolina / 2Tennessee / 1Utah / 3Wyoming / 1-------------------Total / 30Illnesses started on dates ranging from 6 Jan 2019 through 10 Nov 2019. Ill people range in age from 8 months to 70 years, with a median age of 34; 52% of ill people are female. Of 26 people with information available, 4 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Ciguatera fish poisoning – Canary Islands
Food-related toxin -- Canary Islands [Spain]Health officials with the Government of the Canary Islands have reported a possible outbreak of ciguatera after finding 6 cases of food poisoning [that occurred] after consuming black medregal (amberjack) in La Victoria de Acentejo, according to an El Dia report (computer translated). Ciguatera is not unknown in the Canary Island[s], [which report] several cases annually [including] some 20 outbreaks in the past decade.More than 400 species of fish, including Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Caprine arthritis/encephalitis – UK (02): (N Ireland) OIE
Encephalitis -- United KingdomInformation received on [and dated] 16 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: 29 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Nov 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: sub-clinical infectionCausal agent: caprine arthritis/encephalitis virusNature Read more [...]
Tanker truck fire, chemical leak prompts Hwy. 101 lane closure in Cloverdale – Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Tanker truck fire, chemical leak prompts Hwy. 101 lane closure in Cloverdale Santa Rosa Press Democrat
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (101): Ghana, RFI
Polio -- GhanaThere has been a surge in the number of polio cases across the country [Ghana] since July this year [2019], and this has been an issue of concern for both the Government and other health partners. Government and donor partners, are therefore, making frantic efforts at addressing the issue while the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and its partners have embarked on a number of measures to contain the situation. In some few years back, the country was nearly declared polio-free as it had chalked Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Myanmar (03): (YA) st A, cattle, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- MyanmarInformation received on 16 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: 2 Dec 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Dec 2019Report date: 16 Dec 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 2 Jul 2018Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Kenya
Leishmaniasis -- KenyaHealth officials continue to report cases of the parasitic disease, leishmaniasis, in Kenya. During the week ending [8 Dec 2019], officials saw 34 additional cases.This brings the leishmaniasis outbreak tally this year [2019] to 2822, including 34 deaths.Most cases of leishmaniasis have been reported from Mandera, Marsabit, Wajir, and Garissa counties.Leishmaniasis is not a single disease, but a group of syndrome due to a variety of species of this parasite. They affect different Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (97): Indonesia (SU) domestic, 1st rep, OIE
African Swine Fever -- IndonesiaInformation received on [and dated] 17 Dec 2019 from Dr I Ketut Diarmita, Director General of Livestock and Animal Health Services, Livestock and Animal Health Services, Ministry of Agriculture of Indonesia, Jakarta, IndonesiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 4 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 27 Nov 2019Report date: 17 Dec 2019Date submitted to OIE: 17 Dec 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bolivian hemorrhagic fever – Bolivia (03): (LP) susp
Hemorrhagic Fever -- BoliviaThe President of the La Paz Medical Association, Luis Larrea, today [16 Dec 2019] reported a suspicious case of hemorrhagic fever coming from the Yungas area in La Paz department; the patient is being treated in the Agarmont Hospital."We have a report that for the moment is awaiting confirmation, of a case of hemorrhagic fever who was in the Hospital del Norte and who this morning was sent to intensive therapy in the Agarmont Hospital because there would have been bleeding Read more [...]
Special Delivery! Remember the Workers Behind Your Holiday Packages
Chances are this holiday season you will send and/or receive a package. Probably several. We all delight in the ‘miracle’ of a package arriving on our doorstep a mere few days after ordering. It’s easy to forget that there is no magic involved. Considerable effort and many workers are responsible for the arrival of your holiday gifts. We present the lifecycle of your gift and point out the workers involved and some of the safety and health issues faced at every step. This holiday Read more [...]
Brewster pleased with emergency response to chemical scare – New Philadelphia Times Reporter
Brewster pleased with emergency response to chemical scare New Philadelphia Times Reporter
PRO/PL> Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus – Germany: (BY)
Other Plant Disease -- GermanyA cucumber grower from Bavaria has reported an infection in his greenhouse with the _Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus_ (CABYV), the Julius Kühn Institute [JKI] has announced.The virus, previously known mainly from the Mediterranean countries, was already detected in France in 1992 and more recently also in the Czech Republic and Ukraine. [It] could harm up to fifty percent of the crop in cucumbers.Spread does not take place directly, but through aphids such as Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (23): Asia, Pacific, Africa, vaccine, research
Dengue -- Worldwide/UnknownNearly 50% of the world's population is considered at risk of infection with dengue virus (DENV), a mosquito-borne RNA virus that can potentially cause lethal disease. The efficacy of currently approved vaccines is poor in people who have not previously encountered DENV. Afroz et al. found that pretreatment of mice with the amino acid starvation mimetic halofuginone (HF) increased the adaptive immune response to a DENV vaccine. Known to activate the nutrient-sensing kinase Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (117): Congo DR (NK,IT) Uganda, perspective, exercises, attacks
Ebola -- DR Congo- 1890 people were vaccinated, until [Fri 12 Dec 2019], with the 2nd vaccine Ad26.ZEBOV / MVA-BN-Filo (Johnson & Johnson) in the 2 health areas from Karisimbi to Goma; - Opening of a geographic ring around 5 confirmed cases in the Mangodumu health area in Mabalako in North Kivu. 40 people have been vaccinated; - Continued geographic vaccination in the Aloya health area in Mabalako with 29 vaccinated participants, including 19 high-risk contacts and 10 contact contacts; - Continued Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (27): Nigeria, WHO
Yellow Fever -- NigeriaThe outbreak response activities are being coordinated by a multi-agency yellow fever Incident Management System (IMS). On [5 Nov 2019], an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated for the 3rd time, in response to the upsurge of confirmed yellow fever cases reported in a wide-geographic distribution including Bauchi, Benue and Katsina. A national rapid response team has been deployed to Bauchi and other affected states to support the outbreak response activities including Read more [...]
