Archive for editor

PRO/EDR> Measles update (74)

Measles -- SamoaSince 2017, a global resurgence of measles cases has been affecting all regions of the world. In global immunization surveys, coverage for the 2nd dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2) was 69%, with significant variability between regions. In the Asia Pacific region, outbreaks and clusters of measles cases are being reported from countries where measles has been eliminated, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, as well as higher incidence in endemic countries Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (06): Uganda ex South Sudan

Rift Valley Fever -- UgandaIn late November [2019], Uganda health authorities notified the World Health Organization of a fatal Rift Valley fever (RVF) case from Obongi district.The case was a 35-year-old man from South Sudan who was living in the Palorinya Refugee camp in Obongi district, Uganda. The case had travel history to South Sudan between 12 and 19 Nov 2019 to harvest cassava.While in his home country, he developed fever and other symptoms and was treated for malaria; however, his condition Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Adenovirus – USA (03): (WI) college students

Adenovirus -- United StatesMultiple cases of adenovirus has been reported on college campuses around the state, according to health officials.The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is asking students and staff to take care to avoid the respiratory illness."Adenovirus infection is easily spread, which is why we tend to see it in places where large groups gather, like college dormitories and classrooms," said State Health Officer Jeanne Ayers. "While symptoms vary, the virus can be especially Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Canada (07): (AB) incr. incidence, congenital, meth use in Edmonton

Syphilis -- CanadaA syphilis outbreak is worsening in Alberta [Canada], and the majority of new cases are in the Edmonton zone.Edmonton saw 1186 of the 1753 infectious syphilis [primary, secondary and early latent syphilis] cases reported in Alberta in 2019, a total of 68 per cent.Alberta Health Services [AHS] declared an outbreak in July 2019, saying cases had 'increased dramatically' in the province since 2014. The number increased again in July [2019] [].AHS sent a new public health alert to Read more [...]

Crews battling 2-alarm fire in Delaware – ABC6OnYourSide.com

Crews battling 2-alarm fire in Delaware  ABC6OnYourSide.com

PRO/PL> Purple blotch, shallot – India: (TN)

Other Plant Disease -- IndiaShallots grown in Tuticorin [Toothukudi] district [are] affected by purple blotch [due to] heavy rains. In most areas [shallot] is inter-cropped with chilli.[A farmer said,] "This year [2019] we had continuous downpour almost every day for about a month, leaving the soil soaked and shallots rotting." He said that rotting is common every year but it used to vanish under the sun. Without sunshine and a break in the rain, farmers fear their production would drop to a mere Read more [...]

PRO/PL> Gummy stem blight, gourds – Bangladesh: (KH)

Other Plant Disease -- BangladeshFarmers in Kushtia [district] are worried about the new Gummy Stem Blight disease infecting scores of gourd plants and negatively affecting production. Upon inspection, many gourd plants were found rotting, several even dying, because of the disease known to be a cucurbit-rot disease caused by a fungal infection. A cure for the disease has still not been found, which has led many to fear significant losses in gourd farming.[A] farmer said, "This year [2019], many Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (114): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, violence, interview

Ebola -- DR CongoTwo more Ebola infections were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today [6 Dec 2019], with the World Health Organization (WHO) detailing some of effects that attacks and insecurity have had on the response in recent weeks and a key response group pulling staff out of one health zone.For the week ending 3 Dec 2019, 9 new cases were reported, 5 in Mandima and 4 in Mabalako, the WHO said in its weekly outbreak snapshot.It said security incidents have slowed the volume Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (97): Malaysia (SA) cVDPV1, Philippines

Polio -- MalaysiaHighlights- No new cases reported in the past week - Currently 6 human cases confirmed with circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus type 2 (cVDPV2), and 1 case with type 1 (VDPV1), all from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). There is also 1 case with immunodeficiency-related VDPV type 2 (iVDPV2) from Laguna.- Synchronized polio vaccination campaign started on [25 Nov 2019] so far vaccinated 3 953 754 children under 5, which is 90% of the target total 4.4 Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (43): Liberia

Lassa Fever -- LiberiaA report reaching the Daily Observer from the Nimba County Health Team said that Lassa fever is becoming alarming, with 9 cases confirmed, out of which 3 persons have died.The county health surveillance officer, Isaac Cole, told reporters in Nimba that 3 districts, including Sanniquellie Mahn, Saclepea, and Tappita have been declared as the "epicenters" of the deadly disease.Of the 3 districts, Cole said Sanniquellie Mahn is the worst-affected area, where over 30 cases of suspected Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (25): Mali (BA, SK), Cote d'Ivoire

Yellow Fever -- MaliThe Ministry of Health and Social Affairs declares the occurrence of 3 confirmed cases of yellow fever on Tue 3 Dec 2019.Of the 3 cases, one resides in Sirakoro-Meguetana in the health district of Kati [Bamako region, Mali], the 2nd in Manankoro in the health district of Bougouni [Sikasso region, Mali], and the 3rd in the village of Keregouana in Cote d'Ivoire [unable to locate this village on a map, but presumably it is near the border of Mali and Cote d'Ivoire. - CopyEd.TW].In Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Vaping-related illness – North America (07): USA, CDC update

Other Human Disease -- United StatesCitation: Lozier MJ, Wallace B, Anderson K, et al.: Update: Demographic, Product, and Substance-Use Characteristics of Hospitalized Patients in a Nationwide Outbreak of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injuries - United States, December 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 6 Dec 2019. DOI: .SummaryWhat is already known about this topic?Patients with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) in Illinois and Wisconsin Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (55): Poland (WP, LB) wild boar, spread, OIE

African Swine Fever -- PolandThe deadly hog virus that has roiled the global meat industry reached a key pork region in Poland, increasing the risk of disruption in the European Union's 4th-biggest producer.The 1st case of African swine fever [ASF] was recorded in a dead wild boar in the western province of Wielkopolskie this week, Poland's chief veterinary inspectorate said Thursday [5 Dec 2019]. That comes as more cases have recently been reported in the Lubuskie province, closer to the border Read more [...]

Four Workers at The Lot Taken to Hospital for Possible Hazardous Materials Exposure – WEHOville

Four Workers at The Lot Taken to Hospital for Possible Hazardous Materials Exposure  WEHOville

Hazardous Materials Investigation Underway On Canada Road – SFGate

Hazardous Materials Investigation Underway On Canada Road  SFGate

None injured in Reynolds 'small' chemical leak | Local – Newsbug.info

None injured in Reynolds ‘small’ chemical leak | Local  Newsbug.info

PRO/AH/EDR> Nipah virus – India (09): (KL)

Nipah/Hendra Virus -- IndiaOut of the 7 patients who were admitted to the hospital suspecting Nipah virus infection, one has been tested positive while the other 6 have been tested negative.Kerala health minister K K Shailaja said at a press briefing in Kochi on Thursday [28 Nov 2019] that of "7 patients admitted to the hospital, one patient's result is positive for Nipah virus, while 6 patients' results are negative. No one has been discharged from the isolation ward. The source of the virus is Read more [...]

Why the new lithium battery test summary rules are nothing to stress out about

On January 1, 2020, a new regulation goes into effect that will impact every organization that manufactures or distributes lithium batteries and/or the equipment they power. These companies will be required to share information, known as a “test summary,” that proves their batteries meet the testing standards as defined in sub-section 38.3 of the UN... Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (71): Saudi Arabia (SH) Morocco, serosurvey

MERS -- Saudi ArabiaAbstract--------BackgroundMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains a major concern for global public health. Dromedaries are the source of human zoonotic infection. MERS-CoV is enzootic among dromedaries on the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and in Africa. Over 70% of infected dromedaries are found in Africa. However, all known zoonotic cases of MERS have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula with none being reported in Africa.AimWe aimed to investigate Read more [...]

Containers left on San Mateo County road spur haz-mat response – The Mercury News

Containers left on San Mateo County road spur haz-mat response  The Mercury News

PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (42): Nigeria

Lassa Fever -- NigeriaFigure 1 [map]. Randomised distribution of confirmed Lassa fever cases in Nigeria as at 24 Nov 2019.Figure 2 [map]. LGAs with confirmed Lassa fever cases in Nigeria as at 24 Nov 2019.Figure 3 [graph]. Epicurve of Lassa fever confirmed cases (754) in Nigeria, week 1-47, 2019.Figure 4 [graph]. Weekly trends of Lassa fever confirmed cases in Nigeria, week 1, 2016-week 47, 2019.Figure 5 [graph]. Confirmed Lassa fever cases in Nigeria with state-specific case-fatality rates (CFR) Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (96): global (Afghanistan WPV1, Angola cVDPV2)

Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 1Environment: 26Others: 0New cVDPV isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 16Environment: 4Others: 0HeadlinesTo provide an insight on the status of polio eradication efforts as at September 2019, the WHO director-general's report on polio eradication to the upcoming executive board (EB) meeting has been published. Available in 6 languages, the report summarizes the programmatic, epidemiological, and financial Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (31): (BR)

Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaBihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey on [Sat 30 Nov 2019] said the state government is doing its best to save children, as the death toll due to acute encephalitis syndrome [AES] in Muzaffarpur mounted to 73.Pandey said doctors and nurses are being called in from Patna for additional help. "We are trying everything and anything that can save children's lives. Everything is being made available from medicines to doctors. We have even called doctors and nurses from AIIMS Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Syria (04): (DY)

Leishmaniasis -- SyriaAccording to Euphrates Post network, leishmaniasis is also widely spread in areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In its post on [Sun 1 Dec 2019], the network claimed that the spread of leishmaniasis is mostly concentrated in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.According to the network, unofficial statistics by the SDF-affiliated local council shows more than 7000 leishmaniasis infections among children in al-Baghouz, Hajin, Diban, al-Sha'afa, al-Kishkiye, Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (53): Asia (Yemen) RFI

West Nile Virus — Yemen
Taiz health official: 24 laboratory-confirmed cases of West Nile virus and more than 300 suspected cases. #Republic_Yemen

Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[Any information on the actual number of WNV cases, their lab confirmation, and public health response activities in this regard will be highly appreciated. – Mod.UBA
HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Yemen:

PRO/AH/EDR> Piscine reovirus – Canada: (BC) wild salmon exp

Other Animal Disease -- CanadaThe British Columbia [BC] government is sending an inspector to a Vancouver Island fish processing plant after video emerged showing bloody discharge being dumped into seawater near Campbell River.Videographer Tavish Campbell captured blood and fish parts from the plant being released directly into the water in November [2019]. He also collected samples, which were tested by the Atlantic Veterinary College and came back positive for piscine orthoreovirus (PRV)."It's Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (30): O157, romaine lettuce

E. coli -- United StatesSince the previous update on 26 Nov 2019, an additional 35 ill people have been reported. As of 2 Dec 2019, a total of 102 people infected with the outbreak strain of _E. coli_ O157:H7 have been reported from 23 states.State / Ill people----------------Arizona / 3California / 4Colorado / 6Florida / 1Idaho / 3Illinois / 1Iowa / 1Maryland / 4Michigan / 1Minnesota / 3Montana / 1Nebraska / 1New Jersey / 7New Mexico / 2North Carolina / 1Ohio / 12Oregon / Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (54): Americas (Bolivia) dog, human

Rabies -- BoliviaLos Tiempos, Bolivia, 2 Dec 2019Confirmation of the 1st case of the year (2019) of human rabies in CochabambaAfter confirming the death of rabies of a 7-year-old girl in the southern area of Cochabamba, the Departmental Health Service (SEDES) and the Zoonosis Unit of the Mayor's Office intensified prevention actions to prevent the proliferation of the virus. This would be the 1st case confirmed so far this year [2019].The head of the Epidemiology Unit of SEDES, Arturo Fernando Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Measles update (73)

Measles -- SamoaThe Ministry of Health confirms a total of 4052 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team since the outbreak started. There were 171 recorded in the last 24 hours.There are currently 177 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.Of this, 142 are at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), 4 at Poutasi District Hospital, 1 at Lalomanu DH, 22 at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital, 6 at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH), 1 at Read more [...]

Overnight night chemical leak leads to evacuations – KGAN TV

Overnight night chemical leak leads to evacuations  KGAN TV

PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (36): Chile (LI)

Hantavirus -- ChileThe ISP [Public Health Institute] confirmed the 1st hantavirus [infection] case in the O'Higgins region [of 2019]. The affected individual is a 32-year-old woman, resident of San Vicente. Moreover, the Health SEREMI [Regional Health Ministerial Secretariat] stated that they are studying a suspected case in a minor."Chile is an endemic country for hantaviruses in the Coquimbo y Aysen regions. Because of this, the inhabitants of our region must always observe preventive measures," Read more [...]

TPC to rebuild Texas chemical plant shut by explosions, fire: spokeswoman – Reuters

TPC to rebuild Texas chemical plant shut by explosions, fire: spokeswoman  Reuters

Former Santa Clara Waste Water Company Officials Sentenced For Dumping Hazardous Materials In Chiquita Canyon – KHTS Radio

Former Santa Clara Waste Water Company Officials Sentenced For Dumping Hazardous Materials In Chiquita Canyon  KHTS Radio

PRO/AH/EDR> Announcements (10): OIE-FAO-WHO, tripartite zoonosis guide

-- Worldwide/UnknownIn March 2019, FAO, OIE and WHO launched a guide for countries taking the One Health approach to address zoonotic disease. This guide was entitled "Taking a Multisectoral, One Health Approach: A Tripartite Guide to Addressing Zoonotic Diseases in Countries". As of October 2019, the guide is available in French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Chinese [in addition to English]."Every day we hear about health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface. Zoonotic diseases such Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (95): Pakistan (SD, KP) Afghanistan (KD)

Polio -- PakistanThe number of polio cases reported in Sindh this year [2019] has gone up to 14 as the Emergency Operation Centre [EOC] for Polio has confirmed a new case.A 9-month-old boy from Larkana has contracted polio. According to EOC officials, the polio case surfaced in Larkana's UC Karani on [9 Nov 2019].According to his parents, the child received 4 doses of the oral polio vaccine during a campaign and 3 doses during routine vaccination.Officials say the poliovirus in the environment in Read more [...]

Fairfax tractor-trailer crash seriously injures one and closes intersection, hazmat cleanup possible – The News Journal

Fairfax tractor-trailer crash seriously injures one and closes intersection, hazmat cleanup possible  The News Journal

PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (43): USA (GA) human

Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesA mystery illness left a little girl in the hospital for a month. Now, the family has answers, but no cure. Doctors pinpointed it to a mosquito borne virus.An 8-year-old girl in Savannah is fighting to regain normalcy after a virus left her hospitalized for a month.Eastern equine encephalitis [EEE or triple E] is a [virus] disease spread by mosquito bites. "It's very rare," said Pediatric Director Stephen Thacker. "Only about 7 reported cased on average Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Viral hemorrhagic septicemia, fish – Italy: (TT) rainbow trout, OIE

Other Animal Disease -- ItalyInformation received on [and dated] on 2 Dec 2019 from Dr Silvio Borrello, chief veterinary officer, Food Safety and Collegial Bodies for Health Protection, Ministere de la Sante, Department for Veterinary Public Health, Rome, ItalySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 18 Nov 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Nov 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 13 Dec 2018Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Q fever – Spain: (RI) goat exposure

Q Fever -- SpainA total of 9 people have been treated in Health Centers of La Rioja for an outbreak of Q fever, and 3 of them have been admitted, according to various local media. This disease is a zoonosis that is transmitted by inhalation of the bacteria present in infected animals.In addition, 3 citizens of the Basque Country, specifically from Biscay, are also admitted with Q fever, and a 4th person is waiting for bacteriological results. The patients would have acquired the disease after a visit Read more [...]

Former Wastewater Officials Sentenced on Charges Related to Hazardous Materials Scheme – SCVNEWS.com

Former Wastewater Officials Sentenced on Charges Related to Hazardous Materials Scheme  SCVNEWS.com