Archive for editor
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (50): Saudi Arabia (RI, MD)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the past 4 days since the last update, there have been a total of 3 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection including 2 deaths reported from Saudi Arabia.Information on newly confirmed cases (3) [includes 2 fatalities reported at time of initial confirmation report][1]Date of confirmation report: 23 May 2019Case No: 19-1920MERS from Riyadh city: 69-year-old male from Riyadh city, Riyadh regionContact with camels: YesCase classification: PrimaryCurrent status: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Thailand (02): incr. cases, teenagers/young adults, lack of education
Syphilis -- ThailandSyphilis has become a serious public health concern in Thailand. An alarming rise in syphilis cases in the country underscores the need for a public health education campaign. But it's a topic rarely discussed freely in Thailand, where sexual dialogue is received with embarrassment, mockery or laughter in sex education classes.According to the Thai Health Ministry, the average age of the 1st sexual encounter of Thais has fallen to 13-15 years old. Fifty percent report to have Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (16): India, Australia, seasonal activity
Influenza -- AustraliaThe city has witnessed 200 cases of swine flu (H1N1) in the 1st 5 months of the year [2019], the highest since 2016. There have been 2 deaths owing to the virus in March 2019.While there were no cases reported between January and May in 2018, 70 cases (3 deaths) were reported in 2017, and 2 cases in 2016. Doctors, however, claimed the outbreak is "under control."The number of cases has dropped from 85 in March to 47 in April and 29 in May [2019], according to the epidemiology Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (08): (NJ) fatal
Legionnaires' -- United StatesHealth officials have identified a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases in Union County, [New Jersey] authorities said Friday [24 May 2019]. There are 22 confirmed cases. [The people became ill between 8 Mar-13 May 2019 (). A "vast majority" of those who fell ill live in Union County (.)] The disease is being blamed for 5 deaths, although officials said they were "older adults who had significant medical conditions.""This is a continuing investigation. The risk to Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> West Nile virus (12): Europe (Italy) Usutu immunity
West Nile Virus -- ItalyAbstract"In 2018, there was a large West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak in northern Italy. We observed 5 atypical cases of WNV infection that were characterised by the presence of WNV RNA and WNV IgG at the time of diagnosis, but no IgM response during follow-up. Neutralisation assays demonstrated pre-existing Usutu virus immunity in all patients. Besides challenging diagnosis, the immunological crosstalk between the 2 viruses warrants further investigation on possible cross-protection Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kenya (10): (NK) buffalo
Anthrax -- KenyaAn anthrax outbreak that affected Kenya's Lake Nakuru National Park is over, and the last buffalo death was recorded on 10 May [2019], the country's wildlife conservation agency said on Saturday [25 May 2019]. John Waweru, director general of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), said in a statement that the total mortalities to date are 145 buffaloes representing 3.54% of the estimated population of 4100 buffaloes in Lake Nakuru National Park."Our partnership with the local administration Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax fears – UK: (England) tannery concerns
Anthrax -- United KingdomA burial site underneath land earmarked for development in Yeovil could bring the risk of deadly disease contamination, according to local councils. A housing estate featuring 765 homes is planned to be built on land at the outskirts of the town. The redevelopment plans, to the north of Yeovil at Upper Mudford, also include a 65-bed care home, shops, a health centre, and a new primary school.A decision is expected to be made on the applications "in the coming months," according Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Mycobacterium bovis – UK (02): (Scotland) cat, pet food origin
Bovine TB -- United KingdomA Scottish family had to be tested for tuberculosis (TB) after their cats contracted a strain of the infection that can be passed to humans. [NT], 43, from Kirkintilloch, had been feeding her cats the wild venison flavour of Natural Instinct pet food, which is being investigated by Food Standards Scotland over a possible link to TB in cats. Her beloved tabby, Jax, was ill for 9 months before he was diagnosed with the bovine strain of TB, and sadly he passed away in March Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (48): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, WHO, response
Ebola -- DR Congo- 123 526 vaccinated persons;- 831 people vaccinated on 23 May 2019;- Of those vaccinated, 34 048 are high-risk contacts (CHR), 60 522 are contacts of contacts (CC), and 28 956 are front-line providers (PPL);- Persons vaccinated by health zone: 32 412 in Katwa, 25 048 in Beni, 15 798 in Butembo [total numbers can be seen at the source URL above];- The only vaccine to be used in this outbreak is the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, manufactured by the pharmaceutical group Merck, following approval Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (39): Pakistan, Nigeria, politics of health
Polio -- PakistanParalysis cases spiked after a vaccination drive was derailed by false rumors that dozens of children had collapsed and died.After serious setbacks in April [2019] led to a cluster of new polio cases, Pakistan is revamping its vaccination strategy in a renewed effort to wipe out the virus. The country is one of just 3 -- along with Afghanistan and perhaps Nigeria -- in which polio is still endemic. Eradication of the virus in Pakistan is crucial to the drive to rid the world of polio, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease – Russia (02): (PR) poultry, OIE
Newcastle Disease -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 24 May 2019 from Dr. Nikolay Vlasov, Deputy Head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture, Moscow, RussiaSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 30 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 7 May 2019Report date: 24 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 24 May 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 7 Jan Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Infectious hematopoietic necrosis, trout – Austria: (KA) OIE
Other Animal Disease -- AustriaInformation received on [and dated] 20 May 2019 from Dr. Ulrich Herzog, Chief Veterinary Officer, Consumer Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Vienna, AustriaSummaryReport type: Immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 1 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 8 Apr 2019Report date: 20 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 20 May 2019Date event resolved: 7 May 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: Read more [...]
Radioactive hazmat spill cleanup at UW Medicine building in Seattle could take 6 weeks – KING5.com
Radioactive hazmat spill cleanup at UW Medicine building in Seattle could take 6 weeks KING5.com
A UW Medicine spokesperson says the public is not in danger. She couldn’t give a firm time for how long the cleanup will take.
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – Europe (03): Belgium (OV) L. pneumophila, cooling towers pos.
Legionnaires' -- BelgiumThe Flemish Agency for Health and Safety reported (computer translated) that 5 of the 17 company cooling towers tested were positive for the bacterium _Legionella_. Two companies reported high values of the organism. Officials remind us that this does not mean that the source of the infection is known. The samples will now be genetically tested. In the remaining 12 company cooling towers tested, 10 were negative and 2 had different kind than the _Legionella pneumophila_ that Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Red sea bream iridoviral disease – India: (KA) sea bass, 1st report, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- IndiaInformation received on [and dated] 23 May 2019 from Mr. Tarun Shridhar, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, New Delhi, IndiaSummaryReport type: Immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 18 Jan 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 15 May 2019Report date: 23 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 23 May 2019Date event resolved: 3 Feb 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Schistosomiasis – Myanmar (02): (RA)
Schistosomiasis -- MyanmarArakan state [now Rakhine state] has the largest outbreak of schistosomiasis cases among 14 states and regions in Myanmar, said Dr. Kyi Lwin, head of the Department of Public Health in Arakan State. "The outbreaks of schistosomiasis are still discovered here. Diarrhea is also prevalent here. Arakan has the most rampant cases of schistosomiasis in Myanmar," Dr. Kyi Lwin told the media in a campaign held on [21 May 2019] at U Ottama Hall in Sittwe to prevent schistosomiasis Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Babesiosis – USA: blood transfusion
Babesiosis -- United StatesThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just came out with strict new recommendations on screening for the parasite causing the tick-borne infection babesiosis. Medical screening has always been part of the blood donation process, but this month [May 2019] a new recommendation from the FDA includes wholesale testing of donor samples in certain areas of the country for the tick-borne infection babesiosis.Dr. Steven Sloan is the medical director of the blood bank at Boston Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Strangles – North America (06): USA (WA) horses
Strangles -- United StatesIn January of this year [2019], there were confirmed cases of equine strangles in Snohomish County, Washington. The Washington Department of Agriculture has confirmed on 15 May 2019, 2 horses on a property in the county were positive for strangles. Eight other horses were exposed on the property.A 4-year-old Arab gelding and a 4-year-old Arab mare on that property began showing clinical signs of strangles on 11 May 2019. Those signs included fever, nasal discharge and swollen Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease – Sweden (02): (NB) moose
Chronic Wasting Disease — Sweden
PRO/AH/EDR> Ficus toxicity – India: (KA) cattle
Other Animal Disease -- IndiaEven though the drought has not affected cattle in Thirthahalli taluk [administrative district], as is the case in other drought-affected taluks of Shivamogga district, the death of 2 heads of cattle at Araga village recently has set off alarms in the district. However, a thorough investigation conducted by the Obscure Disease Research Center, Shivamogga, has revealed they [the cattle] died after consuming the toxic _Ficus tsjahela_ leaves.This is not the 1st such incident Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Armenia (02): (LO) dog, OIE
Leishmaniasis -- ArmeniaInformation received on [and dated] 21 May 2019 from Dr. Hovhannes Mkrtchyan, head, Veterinary Inspectorate of the State Service for Food Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Yerevan, ArmeniaSummaryReport type: Immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 8 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 21 May 2019Date event resolved: 9 May 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
14 Hospitalized After Chemical Leak at Lincolnshire Pool – Buffalo Grove, IL patch
14 Hospitalized After Chemical Leak at Lincolnshire Pool Buffalo Grove, IL patch
2 Critically Injured After Chemical Leak at Pool – Buffalo Grove, IL – Two teens were in critical condition and 12 others injured after authorities responded to the …
Suffolk factory chemical leak: Haverhill site evacuated – BBC News
Suffolk factory chemical leak: Haverhill site evacuated BBC News
An 8000-litre tank containing a chemical spills on to a public road and footpath.
14 hospitalized, including 6 police officers and 4 firefighters, after chemical leak in Lincolnshire – Lake and McHenry County Scanner
14 hospitalized, including 6 police officers and 4 firefighters, after chemical leak in Lincolnshire Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Two people were in serious condition and 12 others, including six police officers and four firefighters, were hospitalized after an unknown chemical leak at a pool …
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
The opioid overdose epidemic continues to claim lives across the country with a record 47,600 overdose deaths in 2017[i]. The crisis is taking an especially devastating toll on certain parts of the U.S. workforce. High rates of opioid overdose deaths have occurred in industries with high injury rates and physically demanding working conditions such as construction, mining, or fishing[ii],[iii]. Other job factors such as high job demands, job insecurity, and lack of control over tasks have also been Read more [...]
Emergency crews responding to possible hazardous materials release in Bristol, Va. – WJHL-TV News Channel 11
Emergency crews responding to possible hazardous materials release in Bristol, Va. WJHL-TV News Channel 11
Emergency crews have responded to a possible hazardous materials spill in Bristol, Virginia.
WANTED: Suspect allegedly sent 'hazardous materials' to a Colorado teller – KKTV 11 News
WANTED: Suspect allegedly sent ‘hazardous materials’ to a Colorado teller KKTV 11 News
Authorities are asking for help in identifying a person who reportedly sent ‘hazardous materials’ to a teller in Colorado.
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (35): Viet Nam (HU) backyard, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- Worldwide/UnknownInformation received on [and dated] 20 May 2019 from Dr. Dong Pham Van, Director General, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hanoi, Viet NamSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 4 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 13 May 2019Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 11 Mar 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Lesotho: (MS) cattle, OIE
Anthrax -- LesothoInformation received on [and dated] 21 May 2019 from Dr Gerard Relebohile Mahloane, Director General of Veterinary Services, Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Maseru, LesothoSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 12 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 18 May 2019Report date: 21 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 21 May 2019Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 10 May Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Libya (02): (ZW) sheep, st pending, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- LibyaInformation received on 23 May 2019 from Dr Zakaria Mohamed Mustafa Elkhatal, Director General, National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal & Marine Wealth, Tripoli, LibyaSummaryReport type: follow-up report no. 1Date of start of the event: 25 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 3 May 2019Report date: 22 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 23 May 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 30 Dec Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – Denmark: ex Pakistan, multidrug resistance
Typhoid -- PakistanIn Denmark, typhoid fever is a rare infection in returning travelers with fewer than 100 cases in our laboratory during the past 20 years. On a global level, the WHO estimates between 11 and 22 million cases with 128 000 to 161 000 deaths annually [1]. Since November 2016, an outbreak of _Salmonella enterica_ serotype Typhi resistant to ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolones and ceftriaxone has been ongoing in the Sindh Province in Pakistan, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Africa (09): Namibia, update
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- NamibiaThe Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia officially declared an outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) on [6 May 2019] after reporting a number of cases from different regions of the country.As of 15 May 2019, 7 suspected cases of CCHF were reported from 5 regions, including one laboratory confirmed case out of 7 samples tested and one death (case fatality ratio 14 percent).The Ministry of Health and Social Services detail the cases/locations Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Lebanon: ex Syria, refugees, cutaneous
Leishmaniasis — Lebanon
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (46): China (GZ) domestic, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 21 May 2019 from Dr Zhang Zhongqui, director general, China Animal Disease Control Centre, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China (People's Rep of)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 18 May 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 3 Feb 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
Last chance to take the 2019 Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook survey!
Labelmaster, Hazardous Cargo Bulletin (HCB) and IATA invite you to participate in the world’s most comprehensive survey of hazmat professionals. The last day for responses is Friday, May 31. Usually, when you see a “last chance” email or blog headline, it’s to entice you into some sort of offer you’ll regret missing. Maybe it’s a... Read more [...]
Extramural Spotlight: Airline Pilot Mental Health
In March 2015, Germanwings Flight 9525 crashed into the French Alps, killing all 150 people onboard. An investigation found that the copilot deliberately steered the plane into the mountainside. It also revealed that he had a history of depression. Among workers, untreated depression can affect the ability to perform tasks and—as the Germanwings incident shows—in rare instances, can result in devastating consequences. In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers at the NIOSH-funded Read more [...]
EPA and FEMA cleaning up hazardous materials after Iowa flooding – KWQC-TV6
EPA and FEMA cleaning up hazardous materials after Iowa flooding KWQC-TV6
MILLS Co., Iowa (NBC) – Federal agencies are in western Iowa, cleaning up chemicals and other hazardous materials that have been stranded in flood water for …
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (37): Pakistan, Nigeria
Polio -- NigerNew wild poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 2Environment: 7 [8?]New cVDPV poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 1Environment: 3Officially reported wild poliovirus cases as of 21 May 2019--------------------------Total global cases in 2019: 24 (compared with 8 for the same period in 2018)- Total in endemic countries in 2019: 24 (compared with 8 for the same period in 2018)- Total in non-endemic countries in 2019: 0 (compared with 0 for the same period in Read more [...]
Part of RT 865 closed after hazmat spill, officials say – WJAC Johnstown
Part of RT 865 closed after hazmat spill, officials say WJAC Johnstown
UPDATE #1: One lane has been opened as crews continue to cleanup. Original Story: Authorities say part of Route 865 in Cambria and Blair counties is closed …
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe (06): (MN) wildlife, comment