Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile virus – Austria: eastern states, horse, donkey
Tick-borne Encephalitis -- AustriaCitation: de Heus, P.; Kolodziejek, J.; Hubalek, Z.; Dimmel, K. et al. West Nile virus and tick-borne encephalitis virus are endemic in equids in Eastern Austria. Viruses 2021, 13(9), 1873; doi.org/10.3390/v13091873AbstractThe emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in addition to the autochthonous tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in Europe causes rising concern for public and animal health. The first equine case of West Nile neuroinvasive disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> BSE, cattle – UK (02): (England) classical, OIE
BSE -- United KingdomSummaryReport type: immediate notificationStarted: 1 Sep 2021Confirmed: 16 Sep 2021Reported: 17 Sep 2021Reason for notification: recurrenceLast occurrence: 27 Sep 2015Causal agent: prionNature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaksSummary of outbreaksTotal outbreaks (1)Outbreak location 1: Sedgemoor, Somerset, EnglandStarted: 1 Sep 2021Epidemiological unit: farmTotal animals affected:Species / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (09): Americas, USA, horse, sheep
West Nile Virus -- United StatesThe North Dakota Department of Agriculture reports 4 confirmed cases and one suspect case of West Nile virus in horses, and one infected sheep. Animals resided in Ramsey, McIntosh, Stark, Grand Forks, Barnes, and Nelson counties. Two of the animals have died.According to the CDC, West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. The virus typically infects birds, horses, and people, but any animal can be infected. Vaccines are available Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (12): USA (MN,OR) horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesHerpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis (EHM, the neurologic form).In many horses, the 1st or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected. In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include cough, decreased appetite, Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Lethal decline, coconut palm – Kenya: alert
Other Plant Disease -- KenyaKenya is on a high alert following the outbreak of a coconut disease along the Indian Ocean coast that has so far wiped out the crop in Mozambique and could threaten Kenya's palms. Kenya Plant and Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) has started a survey to establish if the deadly disease could have reached the country.The undertaken disease monitoring and surveillance is aimed at stopping the spread if the disease is detected. Mitigation measures will include uprooting Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Epizootic hemorrhagic disease – USA (03): (NY) deer
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease -- United StatesNew York's Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed a large outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in whitetail deer this week, with reports of approximately 700 dead whitetails. The EHD outbreak has been confirmed in 7 counties: Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Nassau, Oswego, Suffolk, and Ulster. Wildlife officials are also investigating suspected EHD cases in at least 9 more counties, which include Albany, Jefferson, Oneida, Orange, Putnam, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (325): pediatric cases, J&J booster, UN General Assembly, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownThe Biden administration will require foreign nationals seeking to fly to the United States to show proof of vaccination, the Wall Street Journal reports. The new policy, which will take effect in November [2021], replaces the travel ban originally put in place under the Trump administration ().In related news, the United States has extended Canada and Mexico border restrictions for nonessential travel, including tourism, until 21 Oct 2021.Finally, today 2 major American Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kazakhstan (05): (SK) cattle, OIE
Anthrax -- KazakhstanSummary:Report type: Immediate notificationStarted: [21 Aug 2021]Confirmed: [8 Sep 2021]Reported: 20 Sep 2021Reason for notification: 1st occurrence in a zone or compartmentCausal agent: _Bacillus anthracis_Nature of diagnosis: Clinical, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.Outbreak location 1: Tolebiyskiy, South KazakhstanStarted: 21 Aug 2021Epidemiological unit: FarmTotal animals affected:Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Canada: (ON) pork products, alert
Salmonella -- CanadaThe Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Ministry of Health in Ontario are warning foodservice operators not to buy, use, or serve shredded pork skins and pork rinds that were sold to restaurants that make Vietnamese/Asian meals in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) due to possible _Salmonella_ contamination. The affected products were sold frozen in clear plastic bags with no labels, no lot codes, no identifiers, and no cooking instructions, CFIA said. "At this time there Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Blackleg, cabbage – India: (HP)
Other Plant Disease -- IndiaCabbage crops in parts of Kangra district [Himachal Pradesh] have been hit by blackleg disease. Scientists from Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University (HPAU) have visited the area. Farmers have been told to treat the crop with copper or other fungicides and also use fungicides while sowing. Infected plants are to be destroyed and drainage of water in fields should be ensured. A monoculture of cabbage crops increases the disease risk.--Communicated by:ProMED[Blackleg Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (324): ivermectin overdose, toxicity, efficacy, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownWHO region (no. countries/territories):Total confirmed cases (new cases in last 24 hours) / Total deaths (new deaths in last 24 hours)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Western Pacific Region (19): 7 974 488 (60 114) / 108 643 (931)European Region (61): 68 419 751 (129 294) / 1 313 479 (2089)South East Asia Region (10): 42 547 959 (49 037) / 669 126 (658)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 15 480 394 (30 417) / 283 387 (676)Region Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cannabis poisoning – Ireland: children, cannabis-infused candy
Poisoning -- IrelandLikely this problem is happening in other locations as well.Cannabis products often contain THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, a hallucinogen. This product is usually eaten, and the effects can occur from 1-3, or possibly more, hours after eating the product, the delay partly determined by the amount of edible product ingested, the size of the individual, and whether there is any other food in the stomach. These factors affect when the cannabis effects are felt. Consequently, with Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (08): Europe (Germany) horse, captive and wild bird, OIE
West Nile Virus -- GermanySummaryReport type: immediate notificationStarted: 16 Apr 2021Confirmed: 30 Apr 2021Reported: 17 Sep 2021Reason for notification: recurrenceLast occurrence: 4 Nov 2020Causal agent: West Nile virus [WNV]Nature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.Outbreak location 1: BerlinStarted: 23 Aug 2021Epidemiological unit: ZooAnimals affected:Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Killed and disposed of / Slaughtered Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (35): Eurasia, Germany (HB) ex Turkey, dog, OIE
Rabies -- GermanyReport type: immediate notificationReport Reference: rabies importStarted on: 8 Sep 2021Confirmed on: 15 Sep 2021Reported on: 20 Sep 2021Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseLast occurrence: 2 Feb 2006Causal agent: rabies virusSerotype: RABVNature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory This event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of outbreaks:Total outbreaks: 1Outbreak location: BremenStarted on: 8 Sep Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (16): Germany (BB) domestic pig, spread, control
African Swine Fever -- GermanyIn a reaction on the latest developments in domestic pigs in Brandenburg state, the German Farmers' Union (DBV) demanded a more consistent approach of the ASF virus. In a press release, chairman Hubertus Beringmeier stated that more effective measures are needed in the battle to overcome ASF. Beringmeier called for more speed, more unity, and a more consistent policy when facing ASF. The recent outbreaks on 3 domestic pig locations in Germany have shown that the strategy Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (249): T cell response, GAO, UK, vaccination USA & France, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstract--------SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, including Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2, were shown to be effective for COVID-19 prevention, eliciting both robust antibody responses in naive individuals and boosting pre-existing antibody levels in SARS-CoV-2-recovered individuals. However, the magnitude, repertoire, and phenotype of epitope-specific T cell responses to this vaccine, and the effect of vaccination on pre-existing T cell memory in SARS-CoV-2 convalescent patients, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Vibrio parahaemolyticus – USA: (WA) oyster, alert, recall
Vibrio parahaemolyticus -- United StatesWashington state has initiated a recall of live oysters harvested from the Samish Bay growing area in the Puget Sound area. The recall is in response to multiple cases of _Vibrio parahaemolyticus_ illnesses associated with oysters harvested in the area. The outbreak has already surpassed the highest number of cases ever recorded by the state for the month of July, according to the state's Health Department. Distribution details are incomplete but it is known Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Septoria blotch, wheat – Ireland: new strains, host resistance breakdown
Other Plant Disease -- IrelandTeagasc [Agriculture and Food Development Authority] has confirmed that Irish strains of septoria are able to overcome a source of genetic resistance present in a range of wheat varieties. Septoria blotch is the primary disease of the Irish wheat crop. In 2020, unexpected levels of the disease were observed on varieties in a number of locations, each with the variety Cougar in their background, which has levels of septoria resistance.Initial results confirmed the strains Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Pepino mosaic virus, tomato – Russia: ex Uzbekistan (IK) intercept
Other Plant Disease -- RussiaA 20-ton consignment of Uzbek fresh tomatoes arrived in the Irkutsk region [Russia]. Rosselkhoznadzor [Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance] sent samples for examination. Virological results revealed _Pepino mosaic virus_ by PCR method. The test confirms the presence of a dangerous virus in the product. The virus was detected for the 1st time in Irkutsk region.Currently, there is no means of combating the disease. Preventive measures should be Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Vibrio vulnificus – USA (02): (TX)
Vibrio vulnificus -- United StatesThe summer heat drives people to place like Bolivar Peninsula in Texas to enjoy the Gulf of Mexico. But the warm water is also home to potentially dangerous bacteria. An Oklahoma man said he contracted a bacterium after a family trip to Crystal Beach and nearly lost his leg."They had to take lots of skin. They had to do a lot of stuff to me to save my leg, and save me, actually," he said.He said his trip last month [June 2021] was picture perfect until the day he Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (248): immunity and variants, vaccines, azithromycin, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstract--------The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in major neutralizing antibody-binding sites can affect humoral immunity induced by infection or vaccination (1-6). We analysed the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody and T cell responses in previously infected (recovered) or uninfected (naive) individuals that received mRNA vaccines to SARS-CoV-2. While previously infected individuals sustained higher antibody titers than uninfected individuals Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Malaria – Yemen: (TA)
Malaria -- YemenThousands of citizens have been infected with malaria since the beginning of this year [2021] in areas controlled by the ousted Hadi government in Taiz province, southwest Yemen.Health facilities in the province have recorded 4000 confirmed and suspected cases of malaria, a media source said, quoting an official in the malaria control program in the province.The official noted that the areas where malaria had spread significantly were on the west coast, west, and western Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Herpes B virus – China: (Beijing) 1st rep, fatal
Herpes -- ChinaA man in China has died after contracting a rare infectious disease from primates, known as the monkey B virus, Chinese health officials revealed in a report Saturday [17 JUL 2021]. The victim, a 53-year-old veterinarian based in Beijing, was the 1st documented human case of the virus in China.According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the man worked in a research institute that specialized in nonhuman primate breeding and dissected 2 dead monkeys in March Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (27): Americas (USA) ex Azerbaijan, dog, human exp, OIE
Rabies -- United StatesReport type: immediate notificationStarted on: 10 Jun 2021Confirmed on: 18 Jun 2021Reported on: 15 Jul 2021Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseLast occurrence: 30 Dec 2019Causal agent: rabies virusSerotype: RABVNature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of outbreaks:Total outbreaks: 1Outbreak location: Chester County, PennsylvaniaStarted on: 10 Jun 2021Ended on: 13 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (247): animal, Spain (GA) mink, OIE
COVID-19 -- SpainSummaryReport type: immediate notificationStart on: 12 Jul 2021Confirmed on: 12 Jul 2021Reported on: 19 Jul 2021Event status: ongoingReason for notification: emerging diseaseEvent morbidity (%): 0.01Event mortality: -Zoonotic potential: yesDiagnostic details: laboratory testCausal agent: SARS-CoV-2This event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Outbreak location 1: Sobrado, A Coruña, GaliciaStarted on: 12 Jul 2021Ended on: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Vibriosis – USA: (WA) climate warning
Vibrio parahaemolyticus -- United StatesAccording to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), a recent outbreak of vibriosis, an illness associated with eating raw or undercooked shellfish, is likely linked to the heat dome that enveloped the Pacific Northwest in late June 2021. The department says the extreme heat combined with low tides to produce conditions where more _Vibrio_ bacteria can thrive, and the number of lab-reported vibriosis cases for the month of July, 52, is the highest Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (246): Indonesia, France, Germany, Israel, Olympics, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownBy the thousands, they sleep in hallways, tents, and cars, gasping for air as they wait for beds in overcrowded hospitals that may not have oxygen to give them. Others see hospitals as hopeless, even dangerous, and take their chances at home.Wherever they lie, as COVID-19 steals their breath away, their families engage in a frantic, daily hunt for scarce supplies of life-giving oxygen.Indonesia has become the new epicenter of the pandemic, surpassing India and Brazil Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (23): Africa (Nigeria), Asia (India)
Cholera -- Nigeria57. Luquero FJ, Grout L, Ciglenecki I, et al. Use of _Vibrio cholerae_ vaccine in an outbreak in Guinea. N Engl J Med. 2014; 370(22): 2111-20; .58. Severe K, Rouzier V, Anglade SB, et al. Effectiveness of oral cholera vaccine in Haiti: 37-month follow-up. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2016; 94(5): 1136-42; .59. Bhattacharya SK, Sur D, Ali M, et al. 5-year efficacy of a bivalent killed whole-cell oral cholera vaccine in Kolkata, India: a cluster-randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – Congo DR (02)
Typhoid -- DR CongoAccording to the WHO, 716 494 suspected cases of typhoid fever, including 198 deaths, were recorded in selected health zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Of the 204 tests performed (191 blood cultures and 13 fecal cultures), one test was positive.In 2020, a total of 715 920 suspected cases of typhoid fever were reported, including 178 deaths.Typhoid fever, caused by the bacterium _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Typhi, is a life-threatening bacterial infection. Typhoid Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Typhimurium, monophasic – France: imported Spanish sausage
Salmonella -- FranceAbstract--------"_Salmonella enterica_ remains an important foodborne pathogen in all regions of the world, with Typhimurium as one of the most frequent serotypes causing foodborne disease. However, the past 2 decades have seen a rapid worldwide emergence of a new _Salmonella_ serotype, namely monophasic variant of _S._ Typhimurium, whose antigenic formula is 1,4,[5],12:i:-. It has become one of the 2-5 most common _Salmonella_ serotypes responsible for animal and human infections Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> White nose syndrome, bats – North America (04): evidence tolerance & resistance
White nose syndrome -- Worldwide/UnknownNorth America's bats are facing their own devastating pandemic. White-nose syndrome, a disease caused by a cold-loving fungus, has killed more than 6 million bats since it was 1st detected in an upstate New York cave in 2006. It threatens some species, such as the northern long-eared bat, with extinction.The fungus, aptly named _Pseudogymnoascus destructans_, has since spread across the U.S. and Canada -- carried both by the routine movements of bats and by Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Chemical exposure – USA: (TX) water park
Poisoning -- United StatesAround 65 people were sickened Saturday afternoon [17 Jul 2021] at a Houston-area water park in what local officials called a chemical incident."In the area around the kiddie pool in this water park, a lifeguard was sick, and soon after that, more and more people began becoming sick," Harris County Judge Lina Hildalgo said in a news conference outside Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring, Texas. "What began as a fun family day has turned into very much a nightmare Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine enteric coronavirus – New Zealand: (CA) dog race
Coronavirus -- New Zealand85. Accessed 10 Apr 2020"(Extracted from )."Are there diseases that can be confused with canine coronavirus?There are many causes of diarrhea in dogs. Severe cases of coronavirus can be easily confused with parvovirus, and they may occur at the same time. Be sure to see your veterinarian if your dog has diarrhea that does not resolve within twenty- four hours or is associated with significant lethargy or loss of appetite.Is there any treatment?There is no specific treatment Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Varroosis – Finland: (AX) honey bee, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownSummaryReport type: immediate notificationStarted: 13 Jul 2021Confirmed: 14 Jul 2021Reported: 14 Jul 2021Reason for notification: 1st occurrence in a zone or a compartmentCausal agent: _Varroa_ spp.Nature of diagnosis: laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaksSummary of outbreaksTotal outbreaks (1)Outbreak location 1: Brando, AlandStarted: 13 Jul 2021Epidemiological unit: apiaryTotal animals affected:Species / Susceptible Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Tetanus – Dominican Republic: fatal
Tetanus -- Dominican RepublicHealth officials in the Dominican Republic have reported 19 tetanus cases so far this year [2021], which has resulted in 6 fatalities, according to epidemiological surveillance.The Dominican Today reports the cases and deaths are in residents of the provinces of Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Independencia [].Tetanus is caused by a very potent toxin produced by the anaerobic bacterium, _Clostridium tetani_. The spores of this organism are very resistant to environmental Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – Europe: Germany (BW) fatal
Legionnaires' -- GermanyIn Heilbronn District, in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, it is reported that 5 men and women have contracted legionnaires' disease and 2 have died. The patients came from Obersulm, Ellhofen, Weinsberg, and Löwenstein, health officials announced. Most of them are middle-aged and older men. The 2 deceased men had a previous illness and were 49 and 81 years old.Health authorities are feverishly looking for the source of the contamination.Experts from the Heilbronn Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hendra virus – Australia: horse, new viral strain
Nipah/Hendra Virus -- AustraliaAbstract--------A novel Hendra virus (HeV) variant was identified through multidisciplinary and interagency syndromic surveillance of a horse having suffered acute fatal disease consistent with HeV infection. Novel molecular assays for HeV detection are described in the light of routine testing failure. In silico analysis of the variant receptor-binding protein in comparison with prototypic HeV supported that the monoclonal antibody m102.4 used for post-exposure prophylaxis, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (245): UK, Israel, mask trial retraction, Eurosurveillance, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownThe Research Letter, "Experimental Assessment of Carbon Dioxide Content in Inhaled Air with or without Face Masks in Healthy Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial," by Harald Walach, PhD, and colleagues published online in JAMA Pediatrics on 30 Jun 2021 is hereby retracted. Following publication, numerous scientific issues were raised regarding the study methodology, including concerns about the applicability of the device used for assessment of carbon dioxide levels Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – Guyana: (EB) flooding
Leptospirosis -- GuyanaFollowing major flooding in the country, Region 6 is reporting 67 cases of dengue and 5 cases of leptospirosis.Regional Chairman, David Armogan, during a press briefing in Region 6 yesterday, relayed that that while there are 67 cases of the mosquito-borne dengue presently there has not been any major escalation since."A number of areas are pretty dry, Black Bush Polder they don't have much difficulties with flooding and so, and a lot of those cases came out from Black Bush Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis & Lyme disease – Austria (02): comments
Lyme Disease, Tick-borne Encephalitis — Austria