Archive for editor

PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (76): East Timor, Australia concern

African Swine Fever -- Timor LesteAustralia's Agricultural Department issued this bulletin on 14 Sep 2018 - one month after the first outbreak in China -- it reads as follows:Keeping Australia ASF free--------------------------Australia maintains an ASF-free status and greatly reduces the risk of incursion through the enforcement of strict biosecurity policies. Australia's focus is on ensuring the level of risk in products arriving at its borders are already managed to levels that are acceptable. Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Rotavirus – New Zealand: (SO) calf

Rotavirus -- New ZealandWhat is usually a daily 2-person, 2-hour job on [JMR] farm became a huge task for twice as many people when her calves were hit with rotavirus.Instead of feeding twice a day, [JMR] was working around the clock tube-feeding electrolytes in a fight against the dehydration which can kill calves infected with the gastrointestinal bug."It was heart-wrenching really, you had all these calves so unwell the only option was to tube-feed them," [she] said.Her Southland property had Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (45): Moldova (GA) domestic, spread, OIE

African Swine Fever -- MoldovaInformation received on [and dated] 28 Sep 2019 from Dr Vitalie Caraus, Head of the Animal Health and Welfare Department, Animal Health and Welfare Department, National Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, MoldovaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 25 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 26 Sep 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: May 2019Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]

Mechanical issue causes semi fuel spill on I-70 in Clark County – WHIO

Mechanical issue causes semi fuel spill on I-70 in Clark County  WHIO

Mechanical issue causes semi fuel spill on I-70 in Clark County – Springfield News Sun

Mechanical issue causes semi fuel spill on I-70 in Clark County  Springfield News Sun

PRO/PL> Cyst nematode, soybean – Canada: (MN)

Other Plant Disease -- CanadaFarmers are being urged to keep equipment clean after the unfortunate news that soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) have been confirmed [in Manitoba]. The nematode, which can spread through water, has been present in North Dakota [USA, neighbouring Manitoba] for years and has been expected to spread north through the Red River. This year [2019] is the first that researchers noted both symptoms and molecular confirmation of SCN.Mario Tenuta, University of Manitoba, said the pest Read more [...]

US EPA submits PFAS proposals for interagency review – Chemical Watch

US EPA submits PFAS proposals for interagency review  Chemical Watch

Chemical Process Safety and Fire Protection – Occupational Health and Safety

Chemical Process Safety and Fire Protection  Occupational Health and Safety

DG Digest: PHMSA rejects Oregon hazardous waste petition

Fall began with a roar across the country as heavy weather rolled in—a good reminder to have your workplace ready to cope.  In regulatory news, the FMCSA takes the lead this week with a large technical update to its core regulations.  Here’s all the latest: FMCSA The agency published an amendment making technical corrections throughout

Possible chemical leak at Dunedin Hospital – Stuff.co.nz

Possible chemical leak at Dunedin Hospital  Stuff.co.nz

PRO/AH/EDR> White nose syndrome, bats – North America (06): Canada (MB)

White nose syndrome -- CanadaThe fatal bat disease known as white-nose syndrome has been found in Manitoba's Riding Mountain National Park, the westernmost location where the infection has been found in Canada. A total of 6 bats were found dead or dying from white-nose syndrome this spring and summer in Riding Mountain, located about 250 km [approx. 155 mi] northwest of Winnipeg, Parks Canada disclosed on its website in July [2019]. The infected bats were found near the park's east gate as well as Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (44): Hungary (PT) wild boar, OIE

African Swine Fever -- HungaryInformation received on [and dated] 30 Sep 2019 from Dr. Lajos Bognar, deputy state secretary chief veterinary officer, Food Chain Safety Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Budapest, HungarySummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 25 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 28 Sep 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: Read more [...]

Hazardous Materials Crews Respond to Tanker Truck Rollover in San Mateo County – NBC Bay Area

Hazardous Materials Crews Respond to Tanker Truck Rollover in San Mateo County  NBC Bay Area

HazMat firefighters respond to 30-gallon diesel spill – Santa Clarita Valley Signal

HazMat firefighters respond to 30-gallon diesel spill  Santa Clarita Valley Signal

Wastemobile household hazardous waste collection coming to Renton, Oct. 11-13 – King County

Wastemobile household hazardous waste collection coming to Renton, Oct. 11-13  King County

PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (77): Pakistan (SD, PB, KP)

Polio -- Pakistan- Polio eradication has faced difficulties in 2019 with the total case count now standing at 69, with 52 cases from KP and KPTD, 7 cases from Sindh, 5 cases each from Balochsitan and Punjab.- "We will ensure we turn the tide" said the spokesperson for the EoC in Sindh.- This was said to be possible if only parents and caretakers take their children to any government EPI centre where these vaccines are available free of cost.The Emergency Operation Centre for Polio in Sindh here on Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (21): (NC) fatal, agricultural fair

Legionnaires' -- United States- On 23 Sep 2019, the NC Division of Public Health was notified about an increase in the number of Legionnaire's disease cases in Buncombe and Henderson counties.- The source of the outbreak is under investigation.- Many of the cases reported attending the NC Mountain State Fair, held 6-15 Sep 2019 in Fletcher, NC.- As a precaution, anyone who attended the NC Mountain State Fair and who is experiencing cough, fever or shortness of breath is advised to call their healthcare Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Pakistan (21): (PB) fatal

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanA young woman suffering from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever [CCHF], commonly referred to as Congo fever, died in Rawalpindi on Friday [27 Sep 2019], Dunya News reported.According to details, the 32-year-old woman, a resident of Adiala Road, was brought to the emergency ward of a private clinic in critical condition where she died during treatment.Congo fever is a tick-borne viral disease which is mainly transferred to humans from pets. Its symptoms include Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> West Nile virus (39): Asia (Bangladesh) 1st human case

West Nile Virus -- BangladeshA new mosquito-borne virus, West Nile Virus (WNV), has been found in Bangladesh. However, detailed information about the virus has not been available yet as the government's concerned department didn't investigate to know its origin.According to the experts, West Nile is a potentially life-threatening viral infection which can pass to animals and humans if they are bitten by an infected mosquito.WNV is a virus of the _Flaviviridae_ family, which includes the viruses responsible Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> West Nile virus (38): Europe (Germany, Greece) ECDC update

West Nile Virus -- GermanyGermany has seen its 1st confirmed case of the mosquito-spread West Nile virus in a human."The person from [the eastern state of] Saxony suffered from encephalitis, was treated at the Klinikum St Georg in Leipzig, and has recovered," several institutions, including the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, announced on Friday [27 Sep 2019].The virus often does not cause symptoms in humans. Serious and deadly cases are rare and usually involve older people with pre-existing illnesses.So Read more [...]

Saturday Morning Hazardous Materials Incident Contained in Easto – WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 – – WBOC TV 16

Saturday Morning Hazardous Materials Incident Contained in Easto – WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 –  WBOC TV 16

Chemical leak scare causes evacuations at Selma hospital ER – KFSN-TV

Chemical leak scare causes evacuations at Selma hospital ER  KFSN-TV

PRO/EDR> Measles update (64)

Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownThe World Health Organisation (WHO) has alerted to [a] major and ongoing outbreak of measles in Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan and Thailand. The latest preliminary reports, published yesterday [23 Sep 2019] by the WHO, warned that [the] measles outbreak continues to spread rapidly around the world with millions of people globally at risk of the disease.According to the health body, in the first 6 months of 2019, reported measles Read more [...]

Hazardous Materials Training gets emergency responders ready for disasters – News8000.com – WKBT

Hazardous Materials Training gets emergency responders ready for disasters  News8000.com – WKBT

PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (37): Europe (Germany) animals, spread, OIE

West Nile Virus -- Germany1. OIE WAHIS interface Report Archive, Ref 31948, 25 Sep 2019, Germanyand2. OIE WAHIS interface Report Archive, Ref 31946, 25 Sep 2019, Germany[both abridged, edited]1. Ref 31948 (Sachsen-Anhalt-other)[This report presents follow-up report no. 5 of a West Nile fever event in Germany's province Sachsen-Anhalt-other that started 3 Jul 2019. It includes the following outbreak summary as of 25 Sep 2019, and a map presenting the 13 outbreaks (with 16 cases).]Total outbreaks = Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Netherlands: Spanish eggs

Salmonella -- NetherlandsAbout 30 people are part of a _Salmonella_ outbreak in the Netherlands linked to eggs from Spain. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) in August 2019 advised people not to eat eggs stamped with the code 3-ES-4624944A because of _Salmonella_ contamination. The agency added it was important to wash hands after touching them, as the _Salmonella_ can be found on the outside of the eggs. The eggs were supplied to neighborhood supermarkets, market stalls Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed lethal disease – Norway (05): dog, peaked

Undiagnosed -- NorwayThe Norwegian Food Safety Authority cancels the general advice to limit close contact between dogs. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Veterinary Institute now receive few reports of dogs with bloody diarrhea from veterinarians. It is also clear that not all cases of illness can be linked to each other.Many of the reported cases are from some counties in Eastern Norway, where the density of dogs is also high. The Veterinary Institute and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Vaping-related illness – North America (01): Canada, USA, CDC updates

Other Human Disease -- CanadaWhat is already known about this topic?Lung injury associated with e-cigarette use, or vaping, has recently been reported in most states. CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, and others are investigating this outbreak.What is added by this report?Among 805 cases reported as of [24 Sep 2019], 69% were in males; 62% of patients were aged 18-34 years. Among patients with data on substances used in e-cigarettes, or vaping products, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Lead poisoning – USA (02): (NY) cattle, human

Poisoning — United States

PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – Europe (06): UK (England) cooling tower confirmed, corr.

Legionnaires' -- CanadaThis report [of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease] is identified as a UK incident. The text confirms that this cluster of _Legionella_ infections occurred in London, Ontario, Canada -- so not really the UK. Please could you update.--Dr. Tony EllamConsultant in Communicable Disease Control (Retired)UK Public Health (Retired)[ProMED-mail thanks Dr. Ellam for correcting the record that the location of this outbreak of Legionnaires' disease is London, Ontario, Canada, not London, Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Obituary: Stuart B. Levy

Antimicrobial resistance -- Worldwide/UnknownStuart B. Levy, the emeritus professor of molecular biology and microbiology at the Tufts University School of Medicine whose pioneering research and impassioned advocacy raised awareness of the danger of antibiotic resistance, died on [4 Sep 2019]. Levy, who had battled Parkinson's disease and related conditions for several years, was 80.Colleagues, friends, and family remember the scientist, who retired in 2018 after 47 years at Tufts, as a gifted researcher Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Capnocytophaga canimorsus – USA: (WI) fulminant sepsis, genetic predisposition

Sepsis -- United StatesGravely ill, [the patient] lost parts of his arms and legs, as well as the skin of his nose and part of his upper lip. The cause was _Capnocytophaga_, a germ from [his dog] Ellie's mouth or from another dog he encountered._Capnocytophaga_ is commonly found in the saliva of cats and dogs and almost never leads to people getting sick, unless the person has a compromised immune system. But [the patient] was perfectly healthy. In fact, he doesn't think he'd ever used his health Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (46): Asia (Myanmar) dog, OIE

Rabies -- MyanmarInformation received on [and dated] 27 Sep 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 notificationStart date: 9 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Sep 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: rabies virusSerotype: not typedNature Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox, smallpox vaccine

Smallpox-Related, Monkeypox -- Worldwide/UnknownBavarian Nordic announced that the FDA has approved Jynneos, a live, nonreplicating vaccine for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox disease in adults aged 18 years or older who are at a high risk for smallpox or monkeypox infection. The new vaccine from Bavarian Nordic marks the only FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of monkeypox."The licensure of this vaccine not only enhances domestic biodefense and global health security but also demonstrates Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive mosquito – Canada (ON)

Other Human Disease -- CanadaThe Windsor Essex County Health Unit [WECHU] said that recently collected data has identified a single mosquito capable of transmitting the Zika virus. The routine mosquito surveillance program, conducted by WECHU in the summer and fall, tested the adult _Aedes aegypti_ mosquito found, and it has tested negative for any vector-borne diseases.That type of mosquito is capable of transmitting Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The 1st mosquito capable of transmitting Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia: Timor-Leste (DL) domestic, 1st report, OIE

African Swine Fever -- Timor LesteInformation received on [and dated] 27 Sep 2019 from Dr Da Costa Jong Joanita Bendita, national director of Veterinary Directorate, Veterinary Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dili, Timor-LesteSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 9 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 26 Sep 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (16): Nigeria

Yellow Fever -- NigeriaOn 16 Jul 2019, the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health received information about suspected yellow fever cases in Ndingele ward, Izzi local government area (LGA), Nigeria. The cases had symptoms of fever and jaundice, reported with onset since May 2019. As of 30 Aug 2019, a total of 84 suspected yellow fever cases, including 26 deaths (case fatality ratio: 31%), have been reported across 9 LGAs within Ebonyi state. Of the suspected yellow fever cases, 55% (46/84) are male. The Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – Europe (06): UK (England) cooling tower confirmed

Legionnaires' -- United KingdomAn air conditioning cooling tower is to blame for an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease that landed 6 people in the hospital in a single south-central London neighbourhood, public health officials announced Thursday [26 Sep 2019].Middlesex-London Health Unit inspectors collected samples from different areas in the neighbourhood to test for the presence of _Legionella_ bacteria, the germ that causes Legionnaires' disease. Laboratory testing confirmed samples from a cooling Read more [...]

PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (93): Congo DR (NK, IT, SK) cases, summaries, response

Ebola -- DR Congo- Ring vaccination expanded around 2 confirmed cases in Mataba health area in Kalunguta, North Kivu. Two more vaccination rings, in the same health zone, are waiting to be opened in Lisasa and Kabasha health zones;- Since the start of vaccination on [8 Aug 2018], 228 430 people have been vaccinated;- The only vaccine to be used in this epidemic is the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Merck, after approval by the Ethics Committee in its decision of 20 Read more [...]

PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (20): (NC) fatal, agricultural fair susp.

Legionnaires' -- United StatesOne person has died in Buncombe County from an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, as health officials investigate the disease's possible link to the Mountain State Fair.The NC Department of Health and Human Services is working with health departments in Buncombe and Henderson counties to investigate several reported cases of Legionnaires' disease among attendees of the NC [North Carolina] Mountain State Fair earlier this month [September 2019].Kim Horton, spokeswoman Read more [...]