Archive for editor
'Ground-shaking' explosion rocks Illinois town; 1 dead, 2 still missing – NBC News
'Ground-shaking' explosion rocks Illinois town; 1 dead, 2 still missing NBC NewsExplosion at Illinois silicone plant leaves 4 injured and 3 unaccounted WPTV.com1 dead, 2 missing in 'ground-shaking' plant explosion ABC News3 missing in Waukegan chemical plant explosion likely dead, fire marshal says Chicago TribuneView full coverage on Google News Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Thailand (02): background
Diphtheria -- ThailandAlthough 2 fatal cases of diphtheria were recently reported in Thailand [1], rates of this disease have declined dramatically since the 1970s. In fact, Thailand can serve as an icon for the effectiveness of vaccination. In the following graph, I've contrasted rates of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus with WHO estimates of DPT vaccine uptake. The 2nd graph depicts the effect of DPT vaccination on diphtheria mortality in this country [2,3].See graphs at: .References:1. ProMED-mail Read more [...]
1 dead, 2 missing after explosion at chemical plant in Waukegan – Lake and McHenry County Scanner
1 dead, 2 missing after explosion at chemical plant in Waukegan Lake and McHenry County Scanner
One person is dead, four people were injured and two others remain missing after a massive explosion and fire at a chemical factory in Waukegan Friday …
HazMat crews respond to emergency road closure – KBTX
HazMat crews respond to emergency road closure KBTX
Crews have blocked the intersection of OSR and Sandy Point Road following the discovery of an oily substance spilled on the roadway, about 1/2 a mile to a …
Hazardous Materials Incident Closes Intersection Of OSR & Sandy Point Road – WTAW
Hazardous Materials Incident Closes Intersection Of OSR & Sandy Point Road WTAW
The Brazos County emergency management office says a hazardous materials incident closed the intersection of OSR and Sandy Point Road. The closure …
UPDATE: 37 people taken to hospital, 7 in critical condition after ammonia leak in Illinois – WDJT
UPDATE: 37 people taken to hospital, 7 in critical condition after ammonia leak in Illinois WDJTThe Latest: NTSB sending team to investigate ammonia leak Washington Post37 hurt, including 7 critical after Chicago-area gas leak Star Tribune7 In Critical Condition After Beach Park Ammonia Spill, Including Firefighter; At Least 40 People Sent To Hospital CBS ChicagoView full coverage on Google News Read more [...]
The Secret Identity of OSH
Fans of the comic book hero team The Avengers continue to break box office records with the movie Endgame. Let’s take a light-hearted moment to imagine the role occupational safety and health could play in some of our favorite fictional heroes’ origin stories and their secret identities. A large number of these characters’ heroic paths started with careless incidents that would most likely prove fatal to us mere mortals and not grant special green bulletproof skin or spider-like Read more [...]
How Harris County is gearing up to handle chemical fires [Opinion] – Houston Chronicle
How Harris County is gearing up to handle chemical fires [Opinion] Houston Chronicle
The county wasn’t prepared, writes County Judge Lina Hidalgo. But that’s changing.
PRO/AH/EDR> Mayaro virus – Americas: PAHO/WHO
Other Human Disease -- Trinidad & Tobago[Abstract]Given the recent detection of Mayaro fever cases through laboratory surveillance in areas where cases had not previously been reported, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) encourages member states to implement and maintain capacity to detect this disease, including laboratory diagnostic capacity and raising awareness among healthcare workers.Mayaro feverMayaro fever is a zoonosis caused by an arbovirus of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – Mongolia (02): (BO) bubonic, marmot, fatal, quarantine
Plague -- MongoliaA married couple has died, leaving their 4 children orphaned after an outbreak of the bubonic plague, which sparked plane panic.The man, 38, named only as Citizen T, and his pregnant wife, 37, are thought to have fallen ill after hunting and eating contaminated marmot, a large species of squirrel, in Mongolia. The man died on 27 Apr [2019], and the woman died 3 days later, reports the Siberian Times.The highly contagious bacterial disease is spread by fleas living on wild rodents. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (30): (Afghanistan, Pakistan) social media
Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 3Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2019: 15Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 33New cVDPV cases reported this week: 1Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2019: 9Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 104Headlines- On [30 Apr 2019], the Polio Endgame Strategy 2019-2023 was launched. The strategy will guide the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and its partners to overcome final hurdles to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yersiniosis – Denmark
Foodborne Illness -- DenmarkA bacterial infection found in the intestines of many animals and common in pigs, _Yersinia enterocolitica_, has been found in 18 Danes since 30 Mar 2019. So far, 10 women and 8 men aged 2-74 from all over Denmark have been diagnosed with the rare infection, reported BT."Right now, we have an outbreak of the bacterium _Yersinia enterocolitica_. It is a disease like salmonella that typically infects people via food," said Luise Muller from the State Serum Institute (SSI).The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Uganda: (QP) cattle, human
Anthrax -- UgandaCattle dealers in Kapchorwa District have defied a directive from authorities imposing quarantine on the movement of the animals, slaughter of meat and sale following the outbreak of anthrax in the area. Some cattle dealers are selling meat and its products on the black market.Mr. Sande Cherop, the district veterinary officer, said the dealers smuggle cattle and meat from neighbouring Bulambuli, Kween and Amudat districts. "They take advantage of laxity of our agencies and the fact Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (42): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, WHO, Uganda, vaccine
Ebola -- DR CongoSince vaccination began on 8 Aug 2018, 109 844 people have been vaccinated [total numbers of people vaccinated in North Kivu, Ituri, Tshopo, and Haut-Uele provinces can be seen at the source URL above].--Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall[Helen Branswell @HelenBranswell ():- The #Ebola case count topped 1500 today. It's conceivable that today or tomorrow the death toll will cross 1000. There were 984 deaths as of yesterday and the deaths are coming fast these Read more [...]
Can one compliance gap ruin your bottom line? Ask the Night King.
We all know Game of Thrones, the hit series currently in its final season on HBO, is really about hazmat transport. Fittingly, Sunday night’s episode 3 supplied a metaphor that every supply chain organization should take to heart. Spoiler alert: If you aren’t current on Game of Thrones, skip the next two paragraphs! The episode…
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (18): Hungary (HB) wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- HungaryInformation received on [and dated] 2 May 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: 28 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 29 Apr 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Reunion Island: day care center
Salmonella -- Région d'outre-mer de Réunion, FranceTi Baba nursery in Saint-Paul has been affected by cases of salmonellosis. Five babies were infected with the bacterium. They were examined by the nursery doctor following symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. For several days, symptoms of acute gastroenteritis have been occurring in the toddlers.The analyses were carried out on the foodstuffs, the menus served to the children, and, according to the director of the SPL Ti Baba, the service Read more [...]
OSS Waste District accepts hazardous materials on May 4 – The Beacon
OSS Waste District accepts hazardous materials on May 4 The Beacon
The Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca Joint Solid Waste District is sponsoring a Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to noon for re.
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (19): Bolivia (SC)
Hantavirus -- BoliviaA suspected case of [a] hantavirus [infection] in Postrervalle last week mobilized personnel of the medical center of this municipality and the Office of Health of Vallegrande. The ill individual, a 17 year old, who works as a cowboy in the Mosqueras area, went to the [health] center, presenting with symptoms of [a] hantavirus [infection]. He was taken to Vallegrande where a corresponding chart was initiated and related tests were done that confirmed the 1st case of [a] hantavirus Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Thailand: fatal
Diphtheria -- ThailandThe Thailand Department of Disease Control (DDC) with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) reports a diphtheria incidence rate that is 2 times higher than the same period of last year (2018) and also the median of the past 5 years (20142018).Through [27 Apr 2019], there had been 9 confirmed diphtheria cases of which 2 died. The patients were found in 6 provinces including Uttaradit, Tak, Suratthani, Sonkhla, Satun, and Yala. The highest incidence rates occurred among infants Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – Mongolia: (BO) bubonic, susp, fatal, quarantine
Plague -- MongoliaA district of the western Mongolian province of Bayan-Olgiy has been quarantined after 2 people died of suspected bubonic plague, local media reported Wed 1 May 2019. A couple died in suspicious circumstances in Ulgii district of the western province in late April 2019, news website quoted the province's emergency management department as saying."Preliminary test results show that bubonic plague likely caused the deaths of the 2 people. The province's office has declared an indefinite Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (13): WHO global update, North America, Asia
Influenza, Influenza H1N1 -- Saudi ArabiaInformation in this report is categorized by influenza transmission zones, which are geographical groups of countries, areas or territories with similar influenza transmission patterns.Summary-------- In the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere influenza activity decreased overall.- In North America, influenza activity continued to decrease with influenza A(H3N2) the dominant virus, followed by influenza B.- In Europe, influenza activity decreased across Read more [...]
Norfolk firefighters respond to possible hazardous materials incident – WTKR News 3
Norfolk firefighters respond to possible hazardous materials incident WTKR News 3
Reports say a locksmith was called to open an old vault safe when an unknown substance was released.
EPA working to contain hazardous materials on Plymouth Waterfront – The Patriot Ledger
EPA working to contain hazardous materials on Plymouth Waterfront The Patriot Ledger
PLYMOUTH – Crews were busy this week digging up a waterfront parking lot on Water Street in an effort to contain contamination left in the soil by a former …
Hazardous Materials/Transportation: U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Addresses Overpacking Question – JD Supra
The United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) in a February 25th letter provided clarification of the Hazardous Materials …
Sandy Springs plans hazardous waste collection – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Sandy Springs plans hazardous waste collection Atlanta Journal Constitution
A household hazardous waste collection day will give Sandy Springs residents a safe way to dispose o…
Hazardous materials hauler | Grammer Industries – Modern Bulk Transporter
Hazardous materials hauler | Grammer Industries Modern Bulk Transporter
OVER roughly five decades, Grammer Industries Inc has grown into a diversified operation with a core focus on handling hazardous materials.
AI and Workers’ Comp
The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine just awarded the article “Applying Machine Learning to Workers’ Compensation Data to Identify Industry-Specific Ergonomic and Safety Prevention Priorities, Ohio, 2001 to 2011” with an Adolph G. Kammer Merit in Authorship Award for the best article published in their journal last year. The article details how researchers used artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning methods to successfully auto-code over 1 million workers Read more [...]
WNC road reopens after tractor-trailer crash, hazmat spill; cleanup continues, officials say – WYFF4 Greenville
WNC road reopens after tractor-trailer crash, hazmat spill; cleanup continues, officials say WYFF4 Greenville
A crash that caused a hazmat situation Tuesday morning in Western North Carolina and shut down a highway has reopened.
Overturned tank trailer leads to hazmat cleanup – Lake County News
Overturned tank trailer leads to hazmat cleanup Lake County News
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A tank trailer carrying fertilizer that overturned on Saturday required a hazmat cleanup that authorities said lasted several hours.
NC-226 North in McDowell County reopen after Hazmat spill; cleanup crews still on site – FOX Carolina
NC-226 North in McDowell County reopen after Hazmat spill; cleanup crews still on site FOX Carolina
McDowell County, NC (FOX Carolina) – McDowell County Emergency Management has issued a warning to keep pets and livestock away from Coxes Creek.
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – Canada (02): (SK) horses
Equine Infectious Anemia -- CanadaA 9th positive equine infectious anemia result was confirmed for a horse located on a farm in the rural municipality of Meadow Lake, SK.On 25 Apr 2019, a positive equine infectious anemia (EIA) result was confirmed by the CFIA's national reference laboratory for a horse located on a premise in the rural municipality of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. Eight other cases have been reported since the start of the year [2019].The horse had been sampled by an accredited veterinarian Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed illness – India: fatalities, alcohol poisoning susp.
Poisoning -- IndiaAt least 7 people have died, and 87 others were taken seriously ill in Odisha's Bhadrak district on Tuesday [30 Apr 2019] after allegedly consuming spurious liquor along with meat at a feast organised a day after the 4th and final phase of polls were conducted in the state.The victims belong to Tihidi and Chandbali blocks of the coastal district, where elections for both Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies were held on Sunday [28 Apr 2019]. Doctors said the condition of the people Read more [...]
Norfolk firefighters responding to possible hazardous materials incident – wtkr.com
Norfolk firefighters responding to possible hazardous materials incident wtkr.com
Reports say a locksmith was called to open an old vault safe when an unknown substance was released.
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (16): (FL, VA, LA)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesOn 26 Apr 2019, Louisiana reported 139 cases of HAV infection, including 3 not linked to the current outbreak. This report also noted that one death has been associated with the outbreak.On 12 Apr 2019, Louisiana reported 112 cases of HAV infection, including 3 not linked to the current outbreak.On 29 Mar 2019, Louisiana reported 100 cases of HAV infection, including 3 not linked to the current outbreak.On 22 Feb 2019, Louisiana reported 72 cases of HAV infection, including Read more [...]
EPA working to contain hazardous materials on Plymouth Waterfront – Wicked Local
EPA working to contain hazardous materials on Plymouth Waterfront Wicked Local
Diggers and dozers are hard at work on the Plymouth Waterfront.
35 released, two remain hospitalized after chemical leak from truck leaving Wisconsin farm – WDJT
35 released, two remain hospitalized after chemical leak from truck leaving Wisconsin farm WDJT
Toxic chemicals have been removed from the area after a leak in lake county, but the damage has been done. 37 people wound up in the hospital. Thirty five of …
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (34): USA (CA) low path (H5), ducks
Avian Influenza -- United StatesAs part of routine surveillance for H5/H7 avian influenza, H5 low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) was detected in a commercial duck breeder flock in Monterey County, California, exposing 9746 birds, according to information the U.S. Department of Agriculture submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on 24 Apr 2019.According to the OIE report, partial HA sequencing determined the H5 to be an LPAI virus of North American wild bird lineage, but further Read more [...]
