Archive for editor
PRO/EDR> Measles update (63)
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownEpidemic Intelligence Center Deputy Director Guo Hung-wei yesterday [17 Sep 2019] gave an update on the 1st case of measles imported from New Zealand at a news conference at the Centers for Disease Control in Taipei.A man in his 20s living in southern Taiwan who visited New Zealand with his family from 14-24 Aug 2019 developed a fever on 1 Sep 2019 and sought medical attention at clinics 3 times before he developed a rash and sought treatment at a hospital on 5 Sep 2019 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – Netherlands (02): (GE)
Pests -- NetherlandsA Hyalomma tick, commonly referred to as a giant tick, was found in Wageningen. This is the 3rd specimen of this type of tick, which can carry dangerous diseases like Crimean Congo virus and spotted fever, to be found in the Netherlands this year [2019]. The other sightings were in Drenthe and in the Achterhoek in July 2019.This latest giant tick was found on a pony in Wageningen, according to Omroep Gelderland. It was previously thought that the Netherlands is too cold for the Read more [...]
I-95 crash prompts hazmat response, closes lanes in both directions near Newark – The News Journal
I-95 crash prompts hazmat response, closes lanes in both directions near Newark The News Journal
A crash involving an overturned tractor-trailer on I-95 south snarled rush hour traffic and prompted a hazardous materials response, closing lanes in both …
PRO/AH> Undiagnosed lethal disease – Norway (04): dog, spread
Undiagnosed -- Norway1. Latest news: Since [Mon 23 Sep 2019], the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has received 2 new reports on dogs with similar symptoms of disease. The cases are from Akershus and Hordaland.These are cases that have been reported directly to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and not as feedback via the survey sent to veterinarians. So far, an estimated 43 dogs with similar symptoms of disease have died.The Norwegian Food Safety Authority's survey shows that almost 90 different Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – USA (06): caviar, risk, recall
Botulism -- United StatesRoland Foods has recalled 6 batches each of its red lumpfish caviar and black lumpfish caviar because they might be contaminated with botulism. "Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled," Roland Foods' website recall notice says. "The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing found that the product experienced a processing issue."Botulism can kill. As Roland Foods warns, it can also cause weakness, dizziness, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (26): USA (OH, MI) horses, humans
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesA potentially deadly virus being spread by mosquitoes has made its way to Ohio. Eastern equine encephalitis, or "Triple-E", has killed 3 people in Michigan. Health officials in Ohio are closely monitoring the spread of the virus.Stephanie Green boards 36 horses at her Shoo Fly Stables in Fairfield County. She says her horses are like her children, which is why she takes no chances with their health. "Horses are very susceptible to a lot of different diseases, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel porcupine fungal disease – USA: (ME, MA, NH)
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesA debilitating, often fatal fungal disease has been discovered in wild North American porcupines in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, according to the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire (UNH).UNH pathologists found that 12 wild porcupines taken to wildlife rehabilitators in Maine and Massachusetts with what appeared to be mange were actually infected with a disease caused by a common fungal organism found in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Antibiotic resistance (07): incr., food animals in emerging economies, 2000-2018
Antimicrobial resistance -- Worldwide/UnknownA landmark international study, just published in Science [1], charts an alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food animals in emerging economies around the world. Food animals' resistance rates to antibiotics commonly used in raising them -- and in treating diseases in humans -- are as high as 60% in some cases, according to the report. Left unchecked, it could mean the potential loss of animal proteins and farmer incomes. It could also negatively Read more [...]
DG Digest: PHMSA releases special permits and OHMS will hold a round table on safety and innovation
As we begin the fall season, now’s the time to review your workplace’s plan to cope with its weather. Be sure to keep drains and gutters clear of leaves so leaks and puddles don’t add to safety risks. It’s getting dark sooner—make sure your employee team focuses on safe driving and being aware pedestrians. The... Read more [...]
Small Business International Travel: NIOSH Has You Covered
Your company just landed a business deal overseas. It’s an exciting opportunity for the company and for your employees. But you are a small company with limited resources. What are the next steps for international business travel? Travel visas, vaccinations, import restrictions. How do you ensure your employees’ safe and healthy travel? NIOSH to the rescue. Many small businesses lack dedicated travel and human resource staff to plan such trips. This puts more responsibility for safe and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (25): USA (CT, MA, MI) human
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesA person diagnosed with eastern equine encephalitis [EEE] earlier this season has died, and a 2nd case of the disease has been confirmed in Connecticut this season.The Department of Public Health confirmed an adult from East Lyme who was hospitalized with eastern equine encephalitis in late August [2019] has died.DPH also confirmed a 2nd human case has been confirmed in an adult resident of Old Lyme.EEE is a rare disease, but 30 percent of people who catch Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (34): CDC
Hepatitis A -- United StatesState / Case total / Hospitalizations n (%) / Deaths / Outbreak start / Current through / Av. weekly cases since last post--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total / 26 013 / 15 643 (60%) / 262 / --- / --- / 265States with an ongoing outbreak --------------------------------Alabama / 142 78 (55%) / NR / 1 Sep 2018 / 4 Sep 2019 / -- Arizona / 575 / 454 (79%) / 8 / 1 Nov 2018 / 19 Sep 2019 / 8 Arkansas / 412 / 209 (51%) / 3 / Read more [...]
Tractor Trailer Driver Dies in Monday Morning Crash – wnbf.com
Tractor Trailer Driver Dies in Monday Morning Crash wnbf.com
A tractor-trailer driver is dead following a Monday morning crash that caused the evacuation of 80 homes in Chenango Bridge. According to Broome County …
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (46): Taiwan (KH) duck, HPAI H5N5, new strain, OIE
Avian Influenza -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 23 Sep 2019 from from Dr. Wen-Jane Tu, Chief Veterinary Officer, Deputy Director General, Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Taipei, Chinese TaipeiSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 9 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 13 Sep 2019Reason for notification: New strain of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Highly pathogenic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC, Salmonellosis – Latvia: schools
Salmonella -- LatviaOfficials in Latvia are investigating 40 _Salmonella_ and Shiga toxin-producing _E. coli_ illnesses with mostly children affected. A total of 36 children and 4 employees of educational institutions are ill, according to the Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC).Salmonellosis has been laboratory confirmed in 9 children with symptoms of acute intestinal infection thought to have occurred from [9 to 11 Sep 2019]. Patients have been recorded at Levina and Tornisi Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Herpesvirus, zoo elephant – INDIA: (OR)
Herpes -- IndiaThe death of 4 elephants within a month inside Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar has now emerged as a major concern for animal lovers as well as the State government. As there is no proven method of treating Elephant endotheliotrophic herpes virus, assistance from experts from Assam and Kerala is being sought to contain further outbreak, informed Forests and Environment Minister Bikram Arukh on [Sat 21 Sep 2019].Arukh further informed that out of the total 8 elephants at Read more [...]
Vineyard firefighters undergo hazardous materials training – Martha's Vineyard Times
Vineyard firefighters undergo hazardous materials training Martha’s Vineyard Times
Firefighters from several Vineyard departments took part in a hazardous materials training over four days last week at West Tisbury Fire Station No. 2. Instructors …
Pipe leaking sulfuric acid leads to hazmat scene at U of R building – 13WHAM-TV
Pipe leaking sulfuric acid leads to hazmat scene at U of R building 13WHAM-TV
Rochester, N. Y. (WHAM) – Four employees at a University of Rochester facilities building reported feeling sick after a pipe was found to be leakingsulfuric acid …
PRO/PL> Brown rot, orange – India: (MH)
Other Plant Disease -- IndiaNagpur [district] oranges are succumbing to a fungal infection brought on by excess rain. Some farmers are quoting an 80% loss of the produce already being harvested. ICAR [Indian Council of Agricultural Research] said that there has been a 40-50% dip in production due to a fungal infection called `phytophthora palmvora.' "The atmospheric humidity is around 90-95%. Such conditions favour the growth of this fungus."[ICAR] said the fungus is invading developing fruits and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Burkholderia cepacia – China: (Hong Kong) chlorhexidine product, renal patients
Burkholderia cepacia -- ChinaHong Kong health officials continue their investigation into a cluster of _Burkholderia cepacia_ complex infection linked to Kam's KS-MED solution for wound care.To date, a total of 181 patients were known to be affected; many are renal patients. Officials report prepacked aqueous chlorhexidine product tested positive for _Burkholderia cepacia_ complex by the Hospital Authority.Based on the findings, health officials urge members of the public not to use the product, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st. Enteriditis – UK: eggs
Salmonella -- United KingdomDozens of people have been made ill after eating British eggs contaminated with one of the most dangerous forms of _Salmonella_, the Bureau can reveal, despite government assurances that the risk had been virtually eliminated. There have been at least 100 cases recorded in the past 3 years, and 45 since January [2019], in a major outbreak that health officials have traced back to contaminated eggs and poultry farms.Despite outbreaks of this strain occurring for more than Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A and E – India: (PB) waterborne
Hepatitis -- IndiaA 2-member team from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has arrived in Bathinda to take stock of the outbreak of jaundice cases in 2 villages that have till now reported 165 patients and one death. The team comprising Dr Hemlata and Dr Hema Gogia will visit Harraipur village, where hepatitis A has been reported, and Rama Mandi, where hepatitis E infection has been reported.Harraipur started reporting the cases from 5 Sep 2019, while in Rama Mandi, [illness] started from Read more [...]
Fire and Explosion at Celanese Chemical Plant – Powder Bulk Solids
Fire and Explosion at Celanese Chemical Plant Powder Bulk Solids
Fire crews responded to the Celanese Corporation chemical plant in Pasadena, TX last Saturday afternoon after an explosion and fire were reported at the …
Omagh Hospital: Fire officers investigate chemical leak – BBC News
Omagh Hospital: Fire officers investigate chemical leak BBC News
Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex has been partially evacuated due to an ongoing incident. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue *Service* (NIFRS) …
Omagh Hospital partially evacuated due to 'chemical leak' – Belfast Telegraph
Omagh Hospital partially evacuated due to ‘chemical leak’ Belfast Telegraph
The incident was declared at Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex on Monday morning. In a tweet, a Western Trust spokesperson said no patients have …
Hazardous Materials Crash Evacuates Chenango Bridge Residents – wnbf.com
Hazardous Materials Crash Evacuates Chenango Bridge Residents wnbf.com
Broome County Emergency Services officials have issued a mandatory evacuation of all residents in a quarter mile of Interstate 88 at Exit 2.
One injured, Hazmat team called after tractor-trailer crash – WBNG-TV
One injured, Hazmat team called after tractor-trailer crash WBNG-TV
Emergency crews were on the scene of a tractor-trailer rollover crash on I-88 East early Monday morning.
Hazardous Materials Crash Evacuates Port Crane Residents – wnbf.com
Hazardous Materials Crash Evacuates Port Crane Residents wnbf.com
Broome County Emergency Services officials have issued a mandatory evacuation of all residents in a quarter mile of Interstate 88 at Exit 2.
No injuries when fire breaks out at Celanese chemical facility in Clear Lake – Chron
No injuries when fire breaks out at Celanese chemical facility in Clear Lake Chron
An explosion and fire occurred Saturday at the Celanese Corp. chemical plant in Clear Lake, officials said. The fire occurred around noon at the company’s …
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (61): Saudi Arabia (RI)
MERS -- Saudi Arabia[This update covers the period from 10 Aug 2019 to today (22 Sep 2019), for which I apologize for the delay in posting events of August 2019. - Mod.MPP]During the period 10 Aug 2019 through today, 22 Sep 2019, there have been a total of 6 newly confirmed cases. Outcome reports on 4 of these 6 cases are available as well as an additional 3 outcomes reported during this period. Reported outcomes included 6 recoveries and 2 deaths. Details are provided below:[1]Date of confirmation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Bangladesh: (ME) cattle
Anthrax -- BangladeshSeveral hundred cattle died of anthrax, and another several hundred were infected with the disease in Meherpur, according to the Department of Livestock.Livestock department officials said they had already taken preventive measures to contain the disease so that it could not spread to other districts.The department director general, Hiresh Ranjan Bhowmik, told New Age on Friday [20 Sep 2019] that they were aware of sporadic infections of anthrax at Gangni in Meherpur. He said Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – USA (05): (TX) imported XDR case, possible secondary case
Typhoid -- United StatesHours after Collin County Health Care Services released information on Fri 20 Sep 2019 about a travel-related case of typhoid fever confirmed in August 2019 in McKinney, the Frisco ISD said it is currently investigating a possible case at an elementary school.Collin County health officials said on Fri 20 Sep 2019 that people who ate at the Hat Creek Burger Co., 3321 South Custer Road, between 19 Aug 2019 and 22 Aug 2019 may have come in contact with the extremely drug-resistant Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Herpes simplex, type 1, genital – USA: (NY) circumcision
Herpes -- United States13. Preuss J. Julius Preuss' Biblical and Talmudic Medicine. Rosner F, trans-ed. New York, NY: Ktav Publishers; 1971: 375.14. Rosner F. Hemophilia in the Talmud and rabbinic writings. Ann Intern Med. 1969; 70(4): 833-7; abstract available at .15. Semmelweis I, Carter K. The etiology, concept, and prophylaxis of childbed fever. In: Wisconsin Publications in the History of Science and Medicine No. 2. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press; 1983: 263.16. Katz J. Controversy Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (35): Americas (Canada, BC, susp. ex USA) human, horse
West Nile Virus -- United StatesThis year [2019], 2 cases of the West Nile virus have been reported in BC: one human, one horse.The B.C. Centre for Disease Control told CTV News the human case was reported on Vancouver Island last month [August 2019] and is the only instance reported in B.C. so far this year.The horse-related case was reported in the Princeton area.Few details were provided for privacy reasons, but the BC CDC said both cases were travel-related. Both were tied to the U.S. It is not Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (29): (BR)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaAn official has confirmed that 2 children have died after a fresh bout of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) struck north Bihar again this week."Children afflicted with AES are coming to the hospital at regular intervals, but only 2 have died in the past one week," Sunil Kumar Shahi, superintendent of the state-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur, said over the phone on 20 Sep 2019.SKMCH is the only advanced medical facility equipped to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Typhimurium – Congo DR: multidrug resistance, invasiveness
Salmonella -- DR CongoThe 1st extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of _Salmonella_ Typhimurium, a pathogen which is responsible for millions of bloodstream infections per year in sub-Saharan Africa, have been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Drug-resistance has increased in successive groups of _S._ Typhimurium over time. These new strains are resistant to all but one of the commonly available drugs in the DRC, with one sample showing reduced susceptibility to this final Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Melioidosis – USA: (US Virgin Islands) post-hurricane, 2017
Melioidosis -- United StatesCitation:Guendel I, Ekpo LL, Hinkle MK, Harrison CJ, Blaney DD, et al.: Melioidosis after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, St. Thomas/St. John District, US Virgin Islands, October 2017. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019; 25(10): 1952-1955. doi: 10.3201/eid2510.180959.Melioidosis is caused by _Burkholderia pseudomallei_, a saprophytic, gram-negative bacillus endemic to tropical regions worldwide (1). Diagnosis is difficult because of wide-ranging clinical manifestations (2), and this bacterium Read more [...]
No injuries when fire breaks out at Celanese chemical facility in Clear Lake – Laredo Morning Times
No injuries when fire breaks out at Celanese chemical facility in Clear Lake Laredo Morning TimesFire occurred at Celanese chemical plant in Pasadena Saturday, company says KPRC Click2HoustonFire breaks out at Celanese chemical facility in Pasadena; officials say no need to shelter in place ChronFire erupts at chemical plant in Texas, no casualties reported - Xinhua | English.news.cn XinhuaFire engulfs Texas chemical plant MENAFN.COMView full Read more [...]
