It’s the first week of June, and stormy weather has been an issue for much of the country. Be sure your workplace pays proper attention to safety response and evacuation plans for such events; storm water runoff may also be an issue for certain businesses. Don’t be caught unprepared! It was a quiet week on…
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PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (50): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, preparedness, response, vaccine
Ebola -- DR CongoIn addition to not paying their risk premiums, the nurses have also lashed out at attacks and violence that they continue to suffer as a result of their involvement in the response to the Ebola virus disease that has already resulted in hundreds of deaths. Thus, they decided to continue the suspension of prevention activities, including prenatal consultation (CPN), preschool consultation (CPS) and routine vaccinations, as it has been for nearly 3 months now in the city of Butembo."The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Algeria: (TD) goat, sheep, spread
Foot and Mouth -- AlgeriaMore than 50 cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been reported since the beginning of the current year [2019] in the wilaya of Tindouf, and all the necessary preventive measures have been taken, it was learned Sun 2 Jun 2019 from the Wilaya's Veterinary Inspectorate.This number of cases was recorded following the veterinary control operations targeting the livestock of the Tindouf wilaya. The affected livestock (goats), in the commune of Oum-Laassel (170 km north of Tindouf), Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (42): Pakistan, Nigeria, Somalia
Polio -- PakistanIn 2019, Somalia confirmed 2 children have been affected by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2)*.There is a stool sample from 1 additional child from Bosaso undergoing further testing.A 9-year-old child from Buhodle, in the region of Togdher, in Somaliland, is confirmed to have cVDPV2. The date of onset of paralysis for the child was [21 Apr 2019] and the date of confirmation of results was [15 May 2019]. The child affected is suffering from paralysis in all 4 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Mayotte (13): increase in cases, human, cattle
Rift Valley Fever -- Région d'outre-mer de Mayotte, FranceAs emphasized by the ARS (Regional Health Agency), the circulation of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) continues in Mayotte."An animal disease of viral origin, Rift Valley fever, mainly affects domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats), causing abortions and high mortality in young animals, and can be transmitted from the infected animal to other animals, and to man."A total of 123 animal outbreaks and 137 human cases have been reported since Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> HIV/AIDS – Pakistan: (SD) WHO
HIV/AIDS -- PakistanAn international team of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) has arrived in Pakistan to support the response to an outbreak of HIV in Larkana in Sindh province, Pakistan, at the request of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination.The outbreak was first reported on 25 Apr 2019, and a major HIV screening programme started on 28 Apr 2019. It was expanded on 8 May 2019, with additional health workers being deployed. Testing is ongoing.So far Read more [...]
Chemical spill prompts warning to Fairgrounds area – FOX 13 News, Tampa Bay
Chemical spill prompts warning to Fairgrounds area FOX 13 News, Tampa Bay
Emergency crews are on the scene of a hazardous materials spill at a warehouse east of Tampa.
Gasket failure caused Croda gas leak that closed Delaware Memorial Bridge for record number of hours – The Philadelphia Inquirer
Gasket failure caused Croda gas leak that closed Delaware Memorial Bridge for record number of hours The Philadelphia Inquirer
A new chemical reactor at the Croda chemical plant at Atlas Point remained closed Tuesday, while work elsewhere at the 140-acre complex returned to normal, …
PRO/AH/EDR> BSE, bovine – Brazil: (MT) conf. atypical
BSE -- BrazilThe Brazilian government reported on Friday [31 May 2019] a case of atypical mad cow disease [Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)] in an animal in Mato Grosso state, according to a statement from the country's Agriculture Ministry. The ministry said the case of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), was detected in a 17-year-old cow. It said it collected the necessary material for tests and incinerated all other parts of the cow. "No part of the animal entered Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rat bite fever – USA: (CA)
Fever -- United States1. Washburn RG. _Streptobacillus moniliformis_ (rat-bite fever). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and practice of infectious diseases. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2000: 2422-4.2. McHugh TP, Bartlett RL, Raymond JI. Rat-bite fever: report of a fatal case. Ann Emerg Med. 1985; 14(11): 1116-8 [abstract available at .]3. Sens MA, Brown EW, Wilson LR, Crocker TP. Fatal _Streptobacillus moniliformis_ infection in a two-month-old infant. Am J Clin Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (09): (OH) hospital
Legionnaires' -- United StatesOhio Department of Health [ODOH] director Amy Acton yesterday [31 May 2019] issued an order to the Mount Carmel Grove City hospital to take immediate action to contain an outbreak of legionnaires' disease. The rare adjudication order came after the DOH found a connection between 7 confirmed cases of the disease in patients at the hospital.Steps outlined in the order include:- Flush all hot and cold water lines and fixtures throughout the entire 7-floor, 200-bed facility.- Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (39)
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownThe measles outbreak in New Brunswick, Canada has now spread to a 2nd high school; the 12 cases are all linked to the initial case. The province's chief medical officer, Dr Jennifer Russell, confirmed on Sat 1 Jun 2019 that the latest confirmed case is someone who either works or studies at Hampton High School, north east of Saint John.As of Sat 1 Jun 2019, there were 12 confirmed cases of the highly contagious disease in the Saint John area, all of them linked to New Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Typhimurium – USA (03): pet hedgehog
Salmonella -- United StatesCalifornia / 2 Colorado / 1 Indiana / 2 Iowa / 1 Kansas / 1 Maine / 1 Michigan / 1 Minnesota / 5 Mississippi / 1 Missouri / 3 Nebraska / 1 Oregon / 1 Tennessee / 1 Texas / 1 Virginia / 2 Washington / 1 Wyoming / 2------------Total / 27 Illnesses started on dates from 22 Oct 2018 to 8 Apr 2019. Ill people range in age from 2 to 95 years, with a median age of 14 years. 55 per cent are female. Of 17 people with information available, 2 (12%) have been Read more [...]
Patchwork emergency response efforts leave some residents in the dark after chemical incidents – Houston Chronicle
Patchwork emergency response efforts leave some residents in the dark after chemical incidents Houston Chronicle
Recent chemical fires and spills have highlighted the lack of a central system for notifying the public in emergencies, especially in situations affecting multiple …
2 Loud Explosions Set Off Fire At Santa Clara Chemical Plant – CBS San Francisco
2 Loud Explosions Set Off Fire At Santa Clara Chemical Plant CBS San Francisco
SANTA CLARA (KPIC) – Two explosions rocked the industrial area of Santa Clara late Saturday afternoon, sparking a smoky fire at a chemical plant. A witness …
Elementary students evacuated after chemical leak – WCVB Boston
Elementary students evacuated after chemical leak WCVB BostonStudents at a Wellesley elementary school were sent home early Friday after a chemical leak, according to Wellesley Fire. A small Freon leak was discovered Friday morning coming from an air conditioner in a utility room at Sprague Elementary School, fire officials said. There were no reports of injuries, but all students were sent home as a precaution, fire officials said. Read more [...]
PRO> Malaria: transgenic fungus kills mosquitoes
Malaria -- Worldwide/UnknownMalaria control efforts require implementation of new technologies that manage insecticide resistance. _Metarhizium pingshaense_ provides an effective, mosquito-specific delivery system for potent insect-selective toxins. A semifield trial in a MosquitoSphere (a contained, near-natural environment) in Soumousso, a region of Burkina Faso where malaria is endemic, confirmed that the expression of an insect-specific toxin (Hybrid) increased fungal lethality and the likelihood Read more [...]
PRO/AH> MERS-CoV (52): animal reservoir, Bactrian camels, exptl infection trial
MERS -- Worldwide/UnknownIn 2012, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged. To date, more than 2300 cases have been reported, with an approximate case fatality rate of 35%. Epidemiological investigations identified dromedary camels as the source of MERS-CoV zoonotic transmission, and evidence of MERS-CoV circulation has been observed throughout the original range of distribution. Other new-world camelids, alpacas and llamas, are also susceptible to MERS-CoV infection. Currently, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Duck virus hepatitis – Guyana: (EB) 1st rep, OIE
Hepatitis -- GuyanaInformation received on [and dated] 28 May 2019 from Dr Dwight Walrond, deputy chief executive officer, Administration, Guyana Livestock Development Authority (Ministry of Agriculture), Georgetown, GuyanaSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Mar 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 28 Mar 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: duck hepatitis A virusNature of diagnosis: suspicion, clinical, Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Chronic wasting disease – USA (11): (MT) deer
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesChronic wasting disease (CWD) was recently found in a white-tailed doe that was killed within the city limits of Libby. Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) officials collected the doe after residents reported seeing a very emaciated and sick-looking deer. This week, initial test results came back positive for CWD. Results of a 2nd confirmation test are expected early next week. This is the 1st time CWD has been detected in the wild, west of the Continental Divide Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Enteritidis – EU/EEA: egg ex Poland
Salmonella -- United KingdomThe United Kingdom has reported 11 cases of salmonellosis in 2019 as part of an outbreak traced to eggs from Poland that started in 2012. The outbreak was part of a multi-country investigation in 2016 and linked to eggs imported from Poland. Control measures were taken in that country and internationally, and all eggs sourced from implicated salmonella-contaminated farms were removed from the market.After an initial decline, infections continued to be reported in the UK Read more [...]
Millersburg company fined for hazardous materials violations | Local – Corvallis Gazette Times
Millersburg company fined for hazardous materials violations | Local Corvallis Gazette Times
State regulators have fined an Ohio-based company for mishandling highly volatile hazardous waste at its Millersburg facility.
Cargo Tank Marking/Placarding/Hazardous Materials Regulations: U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Addresses Ethanol/Gasoline Mixtures – JD Supra
The United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) addressed in a February 7th letter a request for clarification of the …
Millersburg company fined for hazardous materials violations | Local – Albany Democrat Herald
Millersburg company fined for hazardous materials violations | Local Albany Democrat Herald
State regulators have fined an Ohio-based company for mishandling highly volatile hazardous waste at its Millersburg facility.
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (16): Africa
Cholera -- SomaliaThe Ministry of Health of Somalia has announced 55 new suspected cases of cholera, with no deaths, for epidemiological week 20 (13-19 May) in 2019. No suspected cholera cases were reported between epidemiological weeks 1 and 7 due to closure of main cholera treatment center, from which the data are collected. The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases since the beginning of this outbreak in December 2017 is 7290, including 46 associated deaths. During this reporting Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (06): June 2019
Diarrhea -- BangladeshMolecular characterization and analysis of _Mycoplasma pneumoniae_ among patients of all ages with community-acquired pneumonia during an epidemic in China.Jiuxin Qu, Shuyan Chen, Fang Bao, Li Gu, Bin Cao.Int J Infect Dis. 2019; 83(June): 26-31.Exploring bacterial resistance in Northern Oman, a foundation for implementing evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship program.Diaa Al Rahmany, Adel Albeloushi, Iman Alreesi, Ahmed Alzaabi, Mohammed Alreesi, Laura Pontiggia, et al.Int Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – USA: (NM)
Tularemia -- United StatesNew Mexico state health officials are reporting 2 confirmed cases of tularemia in 2019 among 2 residents of Santa Fe County: a 57 year old man and a 72 year old woman."Tularemia can cause serious illness in both people and pets, so I would encourage people in Santa Fe County to follow precautions to avoid getting infected," said Department of Health cabinet secretary, Kathy Kunkel. "People can get tularemia if they handle infected animals such as rabbits or rodents or are Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – France (02): O26, unpasteurized cheese
E. coli -- FranceOutbreak detection------------------From 25 Mar to 27 Apr 2019, 19 suspected Shiga toxin-producing _Escherichia coli_ (STEC) [also called enterohemorrhagic _E coli or EHEC. - Mod.LL) associated pediatric haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) cases were notified by French hospital paediatric departments to Sante publique France, compared with 5-10 cases during the same period in previous years [1]. 13 cases were confirmed as serogroup O26, with whole genome sequencing (WGS) underway for Read more [...]
Elementary students dismissed after chemical leak – WCVB Boston
Elementary students dismissed after chemical leak WCVB Boston
Students at a Wellesley elementary school were sent home early Friday after a chemical leak, according to Wellesley Fire.
PRO/EDR> Syphilis, gonococcal disease, chlamydia – UK: (Scotland) increase, MSM
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis -- United KingdomReports from Health Protection Scotland (HPS) show that the sexually transmitted infections (STI), chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis have all increased from 2017 to 2018.Gonorrhea cases increased the most. In 2018, 3233 episodes of gonorrhea were reported, a 24% increase compared to 2017 and the largest number recorded in the last decade. In fact, since 2013, gonorrhea diagnoses have increased by 103% (from 1595 in 2013 to 3233 in 2018). The increase Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (49): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, WHO, response
Ebola -- DR Congo- Swedish ambassador to the DRC, Maria Hakansson, and British foreign minister, Harriett Baldwin, visited the Ebola response teams in Butembo on Mon 27 May 2019. After the courtesy of the mayor of the city, the 2 guests visited different sites of the Ebola response starting with a vaccination site. They also visited the ETC and the ETC nursery in Butembo. After all these visits, the Swedish ambassador and the British foreign minister visited the Auberge, the Butembo coordination Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis update (06): Canada, USA, New Zealand
Whooping Cough -- CanadaThere are now 22 confirmed cases of whooping cough in the greater Fredericton area, including 19 school-aged children from several schools, says the regional medical officer of health. That's nearly double the number of cases from last month [April 2019], when Dr Na-Koshie Lamptey declared a whooping cough outbreak for the capital region.Public health will be offering immunization clinics over the next week for those most at risk of the bacterial respiratory infection easily Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (41): Afghanistan, Pakistan, global
Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 2Environment: 8New cVDPV poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 1Environment: 3Headlines- Following the group's meeting earlier this month, the latest report of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee is available online. The committee evaluated the latest global poliovirus epidemiology and concluded that the effort to eradicate polio remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Read more [...]
County emergency services conduct hazmat response exercises Thursday and Friday – Summit Daily News
County emergency services conduct hazmat response exercises Thursday and Friday Summit Daily News
The Summit County Office of Emergency Management, along with partner organizations across the county, conducted a hazardous materials exercise Thursday …
CEOs! Want supply chain to be a competitive weapon? Start with hazmat.
For years now, we’ve been helping supply chain professionals see hazmat compliance as a competitive advantage, not a cost center. Show your bosses real visibility into the true costs and value of improved compliance, we’ve said, and you’ll secure the resources to drive new revenue and boost profitability. Turns out we’re not the only ones…
AskRail: Charles Werner, Forrest Wieder highlight features of hazardous-materials app for rail cargo – Urgent Communications
AskRail: Charles Werner, Forrest Wieder highlight features of hazardous-materials app for rail cargo Urgent Communications
Former fire chief Charles Werner and Forrest Wieder, general manager of the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC), outline the benefits …
Hazardous materials exercise serves as training for emergency responders – Summit Daily News
Hazardous materials exercise serves as training for emergency responders Summit Daily News
The Summit County Office of Emergency Management, along with partner organizations across the county, conducted a hazardous materials exercise Thursday …
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (48): North Korea (CH) domestic, 1st rep, OIE
African Swine Fever -- North KoreaInformation received on [and dated] 30 May 2019 from Mr Ri Kyong Gun, director of the Veterinary and, Ministry of Agriculture, Anti-Epizootic Department, Pyongyang, Korea (Dem People's Rep.)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 23 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 25 May 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Nipah virus – Bangladesh (03): treatment
Nipah/Hendra Virus -- BangladeshLo MK, Feldmann F, Gary JM, et al. Remdesivir (GS-5734) protects African green monkeys from Nipah virus challenge. Science Translational Medicine 2019: 11; 494, eaau9242, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aau9242Abstract--------Nipah virus is an emerging pathogen in the _Paramyxoviridae_ family. Upon transmission of Nipah virus from its natural reservoir, _Pteropus_ spp. fruit bats, to humans, it causes respiratory and neurological disease with a case fatality rate about 70%. Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Equine influenza – UK (09): horse, EIV H3N8 Florida clade 1
Equine Influenza -- United KingdomExperts are urging owners to continue to be vigilant over equine flu as 32 cases have been confirmed in less than 2 months. The latest update from the Animal Health Trust shows 20 outbreaks in May [2019], including 9 in a week. This follows 12 cases confirmed in April [2019].Of the outbreaks reported at the beginning of May, 8 involved horses who had recently been imported from Ireland, and one a horse who had recently arrived from Europe.Two of the affected horses Read more [...]
