Archive for editor
PRO/EDR> Influenza (11): Asia, Australia
Influenza -- IndiaAs per the Maharashtra public health department data, around 94 patients have died in the state due to swine flu [influenza A/H1N1] as of [Wed 10 Apr 2019]. According to the state's health department officials, there has been a higher number of cases of swine flu this year [2019] due to climatic changes in the region.The number of cases treated also has increased to 1236 patients, who are being treated across the state. A higher number of swine flu cases were recorded in districts Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (05): O103, ground beef, CDC
E. coli -- United StatesSince the last update on 9 Apr 2019, 13 more ill people were added to this outbreak.As of 12 Apr 2019, 109 people infected with the outbreak strain of _E. coli_ O103 have been reported from 6 states. The CDC is reporting the 109 illnesses that the PulseNet laboratory network has confirmed are part of this outbreak. States are investigating additional illnesses that might be a part of this outbreak.State / Ill peopleIndiana / 1Georgia / 17Kentucky / 54Ohio / 7Tennessee / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (28): Bhutan (CK) backyard poultry, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- BhutanInformation received on [and dated] 11 Apr 2019 from Dr. Tashi Samdup, Director General, Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu, BhutanSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 6 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 8 Apr 2019Report date: 11 Apr 2019Date submitted to OIE: 11 Apr 2019Reason for notification: Reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 8 Aug 2018Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (11): USA (WY, NV), Canada (ON) horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesAn equine herpesvirus (EHV) 1-infected horse has been reported in Johnson County [Wyoming]. Laboratory confirmation of a Johnson County horse infected with equine herpesvirus neurologic disease, or equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM), was received by Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) staff veterinarians on Thu 4 Apr 2019. The horse has been quarantined to its premise in Johnson County with 19 other horses.The affected horse began showing neurologic signs, including Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (26): global, challenges to eradication
Polio -- NigerNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2019: 9Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 33New cVDPV cases reported this week: 0Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2019: 4Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 104Headlines- The report by the director-general of WHO on the eradication of poliomyelitis is online, ahead of the 72nd World Health Assembly scheduled for May 2019. The report summarizes the Read more [...]
No hazardous materials found after report of a suspicious package on Connecticut Avenue, police say – Washington Post
No hazardous materials found after report of a suspicious package on Connecticut Avenue, police say Washington Post
Connecticut Avenue was closed near the National Zoo for about three hours Friday evening and an apartment building was evacuated after a suspicious …
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (06): China (NM) H7N9
Avian Influenza H7N9 -- ChinaNorth China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Saturday [6 Apr 2019] said a human infection case of the H7N9 bird flu virus has been confirmed.The patient, an 82-year-old man from Ejina Banner (county) in Alashan League (prefecture), is receiving treatment in neighboring Gansu province, said the government of Ejina Banner.The government has initiated an emergency response and disinfected the patient's residence and its proximity. It said those who had close contact Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Fusarium head blight, wheat – China: (AH), alert
Other Plant Disease -- ChinaThe agricultural department in east China's Anhui Province has sent a warning of a wheat scab epidemic. The department discovered that 4.7 million hectares [about 11.6 million acres] of wheat fields in the province are prone to an outbreak of the fungal disease this year [2019]. Among them, 2 million hectares [about 4.9 million acres] are likely to suffer losses. Wheat scab had been expanding and aggravating over the past years in the province, affecting yield and quality.Agricultural Read more [...]
500 gallons of jet fuel spills from big rig crash near Gorman – Santa Clarita Valley Signal
500 gallons of jet fuel spills from big rig crash near Gorman Santa Clarita Valley Signal
More than 500 gallons of jet fuel spilled onto the road and roadside near the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 just south of Gorman Wednesday morning after a …
Mississippi chemical plant fire leads to evacuations; 'all clear' given – FOX13 Memphis
Mississippi chemical plant fire leads to evacuations; ‘all clear’ given FOX13 Memphis
The immediate area surrounding a chemical plant in Tunica was evacuated after a small fire broke out at the plant, according to officials.
Houston-Area Chemical Fires Draw Attention To Lax Safety Laws – WBUR
Houston-Area Chemical Fires Draw Attention To Lax Safety Laws WBUR
Three fires broke out recently at petrochemical plants. Residents say it may be the cost of having this kind of industrial economy, but the air quality and danger …
The hazmat pro’s guide to Game of Thrones, Season 8
At last, the moment for which hazmat pros have waited untold winters! The final season of Game of Thrones starts Sunday. Everyone in the Dangerous Goods galaxy knows Game of Thrones is really about hazmat transport. For all its swordplay, palace intrigue and dragons, the show addresses the same issues hazmat pros deal with every…
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (36): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summaries, WHO, response
Ebola -- DR CongoTwo workers from Rughenda Airport in Butembo were transferred to the Butembo Ebola treatment center after laboratory tests confirmed that they had been infected with the Ebola virus disease. This is an Air Rale (RVA) agent and a porter who had attended the unsecured burial of a deceased Ebola acquaintance.-This Thursday [11 Apr 2019], the teams of the response vaccinated all the agents of the airport and disinfected all the airport facilities of this small earthen airport, which Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (16): Argentina (JY)
Hantavirus -- ArgentinaAuthorities of the Jujuy Ministry of Health yesterday [8 Apr 2019] confirmed that 11 cases of hantavirus [infections] are confirmed in the province, distributed in the localities of San Pedro, Palma Sola, Libertador General San Martin, and Calilegua."The majority of the affected people have a history of having gone fishing or hunting in the forest," and so "probably did not take the necessary precautions", stated the Jujuy Subsecretary of Prevention for Health, Veronica Serra.The Read more [...]
Arkema NA, Executive Now Face Assault Charges From 2017 Texas Chemical Plant Fire – Insurance Journal
Arkema NA, Executive Now Face Assault Charges From 2017 Texas Chemical Plant Fire Insurance Journal
A Texas grand jury on April 10 indicted chemicals manufacturer Arkema North America and one of its executives on assault charges, alleging they.
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – South Africa: (NW) domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- South AfricaInformation received on 10 Apr 2018 from Dr Bothle Michael Modisane, chief director, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Animal Production and Health, Pretoria, South AfricaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 3 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Apr 2019Report date: 9 Apr 2019Date submitted to OIE: 10 Apr 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 10 Dec 2018Manifestation Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Panama disease TR4, banana – Israel
Other Plant Disease -- IsraelAs reported in EPPO RS 2018/106, _Fusarium oxysporum_ f. sp. _cubense_ tropical race 4 was first found in Israel in 2016 at 2 separate locations. Ongoing intensive surveillance operations have discovered a further outbreak at a number of sites in close proximity to one of these locations (in the eastern/southern [Sea of Galilee] area).The infected sites have been confined and placed under strict supervision by the NPPO [National Plant Protection Organisation]. Infected Read more [...]
Update: 500 gallons of jet fuel spills from big rig crash near Gorman – Santa Clarita Valley Signal
Update: 500 gallons of jet fuel spills from big rig crash near Gorman Santa Clarita Valley Signal
More than 500 gallons of jet fuel spilled onto the road and roadside near the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, just south of Gorman, after a big rig hauling 5,000 …
Construction Fall Fatalities Still Highest Among All Industries: What more can we do?
Falls are the leading cause of construction-worker fatalities, accounting for one-third of on-the-job deaths in the industry. In 2017, there were 366 fall fatalities out of 971 total fatalities in construction. According to the CPWR, from 2011-2015, 61% of fatal falls in construction occurred in small businesses with fewer than 10 employees. Almost two-thirds of fatal falls were from roofs, scaffolds, and ladders. Hispanics are 29% of the US construction workforce yet account for 39% of fatal falls Read more [...]
Arkema hit with new criminal charges in 2017 plant fire during Harvey – Chron
Arkema hit with new criminal charges in 2017 plant fire during Harvey ChronAnother Arkema official indicted in chemical release during Harvey KPRC Click2HoustonTexas jury adds assault charges against chemical company, executive ReutersHarris County DA announces new indictments for Arkema and its VP of Logistics KTRK-TVView full coverage on Google News Read more [...]
Hermiston HazMat team hope to educate public on their role, resources – East Oregonian
Hermiston HazMat team hope to educate public on their role, resources East Oregonian
Most of the time, HazMat teams in Oregon find themselves responding to fuel spills or chemical releases, things that pose an obvious and direct threat to human …
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – USA (03): (IA, TX) horses
Equine Infectious Anemia -- United StatesThe Equine Disease Communication Center reported on 8 Apr 2019 that 4 quarter horses from Polk County, Iowa have tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA).Equine infectious anemia is a viral disease that attacks horses' immune systems. The virus is transmitted through the exchange of body fluids from an infected to an uninfected animal, often by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies. It can also be transmitted through the use of blood-contaminated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (10): USA (AZ, TX) horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesAs of 29 Mar 2019, 3 confirmed cases of EHV have been identified, and the associated premises and exposed horses on the premises have been placed under quarantine by the State Veterinarian. EHV-1 has been confirmed in all 3 cases by lab testing.Two of the 3 cases have had no travel history since initial exposure or any travel history at all. Trace outs of potential contacts are being pursued for the 3rd case. Two of the cases are in Maricopa County and one case Read more [...]
Crews respond to hazardous materials call at county government center – Ventura County Star
Crews respond to hazardous materials call at county government center Ventura County Star
A hazardous materials crew responded to a report of spilled methamphetamine inside the sheriff’s crime lab drug vault on Wednesday afternoon.
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (16): Asia (Qatar ex Nepal) human, sylvatic exposure suspected
Rabies -- QatarA 26-year old male, resident of Likhu-4, Nuwakot district [Nepal], died of rabies 3 days ago in Doha, Qatar. According to his relatives, a raccoon bit him 6 months ago [which means, in early October 2018]. He then went to a nearby medical shop 3 days after the bite for antirabies vaccine and counseling. Unfortunately, the victim returned home without vaccination after he was counseled that he was late for vaccination.According to his roommate in Qatar, he felt loss of consciousness Read more [...]
AC to host advisory board that facilitates national hazardous-materials training – MyHighPlains.com
AC to host advisory board that facilitates national hazardous-materials training MyHighPlains.com
The National Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE)/DOE Advisory Board will meet from 12:30-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 at AC’s …
Arkema hit with new criminal charges in 2017 fire – Chron
Arkema hit with new criminal charges in 2017 fire Chron
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg on Wednesday announced new criminal charges against Arkema, the French chemical company whose Crosby plant …
Arkema hit with new criminal charges in 2017 fire – Houston Chronicle
Arkema hit with new criminal charges in 2017 fire Houston Chronicle
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg on Wednesday announced new criminal charges against Arkema, the French chemical company whose Crosby plant …
Arkema hit with new criminal charges in 2017 fire – Chron.com
Arkema hit with new criminal charges in 2017 fire Chron.com
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg on Wednesday announced new criminal charges against Arkema, the French chemical company whose Crosby plant …
Another Arkema official indicted in chemical release during Harvey – KPRC Click2Houston
Another Arkema official indicted in chemical release during Harvey KPRC Click2Houston
Another official from a chemical company that was the site of a fire during Hurricane Harvey was indicted Wednesday by the grand jury.
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis, visceral – Kenya: (MB)
Leishmaniasis -- KenyaSome 27 people have been admitted at Laisamis Level 4 Hospital following an outbreak of kala-azar [visceral leishmaniasis] in Laisamis sub county in Marsabit.The facility's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Abshiro Hapicha however, said the patients, were responding well to treatment. A majority of the patients, he added are from Logo."A total of 27 patients who tested positive to kala-azar have been admitted in this hospital and are currently undergoing medication. I can say that Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (42): Saudi Arabia (SH, JZ)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaSince the last update on 8 Apr 2019 (see MERS-CoV (41): Saudi Arabia (SH, MK, RI, NJ) http://promedmail.org/post/20190408.6411513), there have been 2 additional newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection reported by Saudi Arabia. In addition 2 recoveries were reported.Information on newly confirmed cases (2)[1]Date of confirmation report: 10 Apr 2019Case No: 19-1904MERS in Alkhafji city: 34-year-old male in Al Khafji city, Eastern [Ash Sharqiyah] regionContact with camels: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease – Cambodia: (KC) chicken, OIE
Newcastle Disease -- CambodiaInformation received on [and dated] 9 Apr 2019 from Dr Sen Sovann, Director General, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP), Phnom Penh, CambodiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 3 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 4 Apr 2019Report date: 9 Apr 2019Date submitted to OIE: 9 Apr 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (04): O103, CDC
E. coli -- United StatesAs of 8 Apr 2019, 96 people infected with the outbreak strain of _E. coli_ O103 have been reported from 5 states. CDC is reporting the 96 illnesses that the PulseNet laboratory network has confirmed are part of this outbreak. States are investigating additional illnesses that might be a part of this outbreak.State / Ill peopleGeorgia / 17Kentucky / 46Ohio / 5Tennessee / 26Virginia / 2Total / 96Illnesses started on dates from 2 to 26 Mar 2019. Ill people range in age from 1 Read more [...]
UPDATED: Building reopens after chemical leak prompts evacuation at INL building – East Idaho News
UPDATED: Building reopens after chemical leak prompts evacuation at INL building East Idaho News
UPDATE. IDAHO FALLS — The Energy Innovation Building at Idaho National Laboratory has reopened after a refrigerant leak prompted the evacuation of the …
'There was never a threat to the community' say officials after Y-12 chemical leak – WVLT.TV
‘There was never a threat to the community’ say officials after Y-12 chemical leak WVLT.TV
All nuclear material is safe and site personnel are returning to normal operations after authorities with the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge said an …
Fire crews rush to 'chemical leak' at Tauranga Port to find it was just water – New Zealand Herald
Fire crews rush to ‘chemical leak’ at Tauranga Port to find it was just water New Zealand Herald
Reports of a chemical leak caused fire and emergency crews to rush out to Port of Tauranga early this morning. A Northern communications spokesman told the …
500 Acres of Farmland Poisoned by Chemical Plant Leak, Locals Say – The Epoch Times
500 Acres of Farmland Poisoned by Chemical Plant Leak, Locals Say The Epoch Times
Nearly 500 acres of wheat crop in three neighbouring villages in central China’s Henan Province withered and died …
Potential Hazards of Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly referred to as 3-D printing, is becoming more prevalent in industry. AM is a set of processes for making products by selectively joining small amounts of material, using a computer-aided design file. [1,2] The advantages for industry include: shortened production cycles, reduced tooling costs, reduced waste material, easier product customization, novel design options, and new possibilities in distribution and fulfilment. [2–6] The automotive, aerospace, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (17): Asia (Qatar ex Nepal) human, sylvatic exposure suspected, comment
Rabies — Qatar