Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Radiation poisoning – Russia: military explosions
Poisoning -- RussiaRussian medics who treated radiation victims after a military explosion in the Arctic had no protection, and now fear they were irradiated themselves. Two of the medics in Arkhangelsk spoke to BBC Russian about the victims' evacuation, on condition of anonymity.A total of 5 nuclear engineers died on [8 Aug 2019] when an "isotope-fuel" engine blew up at the Nyonoksa test range, officials said. Two military personnel also died. President Vladimir Putin said the test involved a new Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Canada (03): salmon caviar, risk, recall
Botulism -- CanadaLast week [week of Mon 12 Aug 2019], Kananaskistrade grained salmon caviar was recalled from the marketplace as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) urged consumers to not eat the product because of concerns about botulism poisoning. The CFIA has posted an updated recall that includes additional product information, specifically that "all units sold up to and including 20 Aug 2019" are implicated in the recall. "This additional information was identified during the Canadian Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (32): (MO) mandatory food handler vacc
Hepatitis A -- United StatesA Missouri county has imposed mandatory hepatitis A vaccinations for food handlers. Franklin County, Missouri, joins a handful of jurisdictions across the country with mandatory hepatitis A vaccine programs aimed at preventing further cases. This development is part of a larger trend aimed at expanding vaccinations for hepatitis A and addressing future outbreaks of the disease.Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can cause symptoms ranging from fever to jaundice Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (18): Americas
Dengue -- Worldwide/UnknownCases by Country / Week updated, ending [w/e] / Serotype / Total / Confirmed / Severe / DeathsNorth AmericaUSA / 32 [week ending 9 Aug 2019] / D? / 244 / 255 / 5 / 0 Central America and MexicoBelize / 16 [w/e 19 Apr 2019] / D? / 647 / 90 / 0 / 0Cost Rica / 30 [w/e 26 Jul 2019] / D1,2 / 2849 / 0 / 0 / 0El Salvador / 31 [w/e 2 Aug 2019] / D2 / 10 800 / 0 / 0 / 5Guatemala / 30 / [w/e 26 Jul 2019] / D1,2,3,4 / 12 081 / 0 / 45 / 34Honduras / 25 [w/e 2 Aug 2019] / D1,2 / 49 326 Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Lumpy skin disease – India: (OR) cattle, susp, RFI
Lumpy Skin Disease -- IndiaLumpy skin disease (LSD) of cattle, locally known as "Go-Basant" [see comment], has triggered panic among people of Nischintakoili, Salepur, Mahanga, and Cuttack Sadar blocks. Over 2000 cattle have been affected in the 4 blocks. The highly infectious viral disease was 1st noticed in bordering areas of Nischintakoili block about a fortnight back and had affected some cows of farmers. Later it spread to other parts of the district.The disease, characterised by appearance Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (64): Philippines (RI) domestic, not
African Swine Fever -- PhilippinesThe Department of Agriculture (DA) said on [Wed 21 Aug 2019] that there is no outbreak of African swine fever [ASF] in the country, after confirming that there have been incidents of hog mortality in some areas. In a press briefing, DA spokesperson Noel Reyes said the DA has yet to identify the real cause of death of the pigs, pending confirmatory laboratory tests. [He explained] that all pigs within the one km [about 0.62 mi] radius from the virus' ground zero were Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (31): (Las Vegas)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesHealth officials in Las Vegas are using the word "outbreak" to describe a sharp spike in hepatitis A cases reported mostly among homeless people and drug users. The Southern Nevada Health District reported on Wednesday [14 Aug 2019] that from November [2018] to June [2019] it tallied 83 cases of the virus that causes liver damage and can lead to death.That's far more than the 58 cases reported in 2016, 2017, and 2018, combined. The district says more than 80% of reported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (18): (MN) lake swimming
E. coli -- United StatesThere have now been 69 people to have fallen sick from the _Escherichia coli_ outbreak at Lake Nokomis. Health officials put out an alert earlier this month [August 2019] after 3 children became sick with the bug after swimming at the lake, prompting the closure of both its beaches.The Minnesota Department of Health said on Friday [16 Aug 2019] it had received 49 confirmed cases of _E. coli_-related illness since the outbreak, and on Tuesday [20 Aug 2019] revealed that this Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (25): Europe (Germany) wild bird, OIE
West Nile Virus -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 20 Aug 2019 from Dr Dietrich Rassow, director for animal health and animal welfare, chief veterinary officer, directorate of animal health and animal welfare, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Berlin, GermanySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 13 Aug 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Aug 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 24 Sep Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (17): Asia, Pacific, Europe, Africa
Dengue — Sri Lanka
PRO/AH/EDR> Aflatoxin – Tanzania: (DO,MY)
Poisoning -- TanzaniaA suspected aflatoxicosis outbreak is being reported in Tanzania. The World Health Organization (WHO) was informed of the situation by the Ministry of Health in late June 2019. Since 1 Jun 2019, sporadic cases presented with symptoms and signs of abdominal distention, jaundice, vomiting, swelling of lower limbs, with a few cases of fever and headache, from Dodoma and Manyara Regions in Tanzania. As of 11 Aug 2019, a total of 53 cases and 8 deaths have been reported from Chemba, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Infectious hypodermal & hematopoietic necrosis – UK: shrimp, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- United KingdomInformation received on 20 Aug 2019 from Dr Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer, DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) London, United KingdomSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 15 Jul 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 13 Aug 2019Report date: 19 Aug 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Powassan virus encephalitis – USA (04): (MA)
Powassan virus -- United StatesTasting the salty hints of summer coming through, JS just had a few more days left of school before classes no longer disrupted her riding schedule. The 11 year old had big plans for her 2 ponies, Land's End Lady Slipper and Sparkle, that included the Vermont Summer Festival, Lake Placid (New York) and the USEF Pony Finals (Kentucky). [After school on] Mon 20 May [2019] she found her way to CK and CK's farm.On Tue 21 May [2019], JS came home from a field trip with a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – Europe (07): (Spain) meat, recall, fatal
Listeriosis -- SpainHealth authorities in Spain are on high alert after a 90 year old woman died amid a listeria outbreak in the southern region of Andalusia that has affected more than 110 people.Jose Miguel Cisneros, director of the infectious disease department at Seville's Virgen del Rocio Hospital, on Tuesday [20 Aug 2019] announced the 1st casualty since the outbreak was declared on 15 Aug [2019]. Authorities have closed the pork meat supplier's plant and recalled all of its products. Cisneros Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Asia (15): Pakistan (SD,BA)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanOne more case of Congo virus [has been] reported in Karachi as a young boy was diagnosed with the disease after being admitted at a hospital in Nazimabad area, ARY News reported on Sunday [18 Aug 2019]. Doctors confirmed that the 17 year old boy, named as [QS] who is [a] resident of Sohrab Goth and worked at a dairy farm, was diagnosed with Congo virus during the initial medical examination tests.It is pertinent to mention here that the 1st case of Congo Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America: Canada (ON), USA (LA,NY)
Encephalitis -- CanadaOn 10 Aug 2019, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) was notified of a confirmed case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a horse located in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized following the sudden onset and progression of neurological signs. Laboratory diagnostic testing confirmed infection with the EEE virus (EEEv).EEE is not transmissible from horses to people. Effective equine vaccines for EEE Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – Australia: (AC,NS) Korean community
Hepatitis A -- AustraliaAustralian Capital Territory (ACT) health officials are investigating a cluster of hepatitis A cases in Canberra's South Korean community. There have been 8 cases of the virus in the ACT and Sydney since June 2019. The cluster of cases comes as South Korea experiences a large outbreak of the virus, with more than 11 000 cases reported in the country in 2019.ACT Health said it was working with its counterparts in New South Wales to investigate the cause of the outbreak. An Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (57)
Measles -- United StatesFrom 1 Jan to 15 Aug 2019, 1203 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 30 states (note: case count is preliminary and subject to change). This is an increase of 21 cases from the previous week. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the USA since 1992 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.- Measles can cause serious complications. As of 15 Aug 2019, 124 of the people who got measles this year (2019) were hospitalized, and 64 reported having Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (41): Ukraine, domestic, wild boar, update, OIE
African Swine Fever -- UkraineKiev: event started 16 Oct 2016. A total of 20 outbreaks (submitted) reported to date (20 Jul 2019). The event is continuing, with the last follow-up report no. 17 provided on 13 May 2019.Total animals affected:Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Killed and disposed of / SlaughteredSwine / 11 507 / 62 / 62 / 11 450 / 0--communicated by:ProMED-mail******[2] Donetsk: domestic swine and wild boarDate: Tue 20 Aug 2019Source: OIE, WAHIS (World Animal Health Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (40): Bulgaria (PZ) wild boar, spread
African Swine Fever -- BulgariaA 2nd outbreak of African swine fever [ASF] has been registered in Alabak State [Hunting] Enterprise, Pazardzhik regional governor Stefan Mirev said after a meeting of the Regional Epizootic Commission, Focus Radio - Pazardzhik reported.Mirev said a sample of a 2nd dead pig found in the Velingrad region on the territory of Alabak State [hunting] Enterprise tested positive. "It is the 2nd outbreak of ASF in the region of Velingrad. At the meeting, we made a thorough Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kazakhstan (03): (AM) cattle, human, OIE
Anthrax -- KazakhstanInformation received on [and dated] 19 Aug 2019 from Dr Tursyn Kabduldanov, deputy chairman, Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision, Ministry of Agriculture, Astana, KazakhstanSummary:Report type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 12 Aug 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Aug 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: _Bacillus anthracis_Nature of diagnosis: clinical, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Armenia: (GR) cattle, human
Anthrax -- ArmeniaA total of 5 people from Armenia's Gegharkunik Province have been diagnosed with anthrax, the Ministry of Healthcare said in a news release.According to the healthcare ministry two villagers from Geghhovit (Martuni region, Gegharkunik) sought medical treatment in the local hospital for what appeared to be the skin form of anthrax. The patients told the medics that a few days earlier they had slaughtered cattle in the village.Experts from the Healthcare Ministry's National Center Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (30): CDC
Hepatitis A -- United StatesSince March 2017, CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH) has been assisting multiple state and local health departments with hepatitis A outbreaks, spread through person-to-person contact.The hepatitis A vaccine is the best way to prevent HAV infection.The following groups are at highest risk for acquiring HAV infection or developing serious complications from HAV infection in these outbreaks and should be offered the hepatitis A vaccine in order to prevent or control Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (81): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, summaries, response
Ebola -- DR CongoSince the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 2861, of which 2767 are confirmed and 94 probable. In total, there have been 1921 deaths (1827 in confirmed and 94 in probable cases) and 849 people have recovered.- 360 suspected cases under investigation;- 9 new confirmed cases, including 5 in North Kivu, including 3 in Beni, 1 in Kalunguta and 1 in Musienene, 2 in Ituri in Mambasa and 2 in South Kivu in Mwenga;- 8 new confirmed deaths, including 5 in North Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Die-off, apis – Brazil: pesticides susp
Animal Die-off -- BrazilMore than half a billion bees dropped dead in Brazil within just 3 months, according to Bloomberg. Researchers say the main cause of death is pesticides, which could end up affecting more than the bees. As some of the most integral pollinators in nature, bees contribute to the reproduction of various plants. About 75% of the world's crops depend on pollination by bees, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports. FAO has warned about the importance of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Mayotte (15): fewer cases, human, cattle
Rift Valley Fever -- Région d'outre-mer de Mayotte, FranceSince the beginning of the circulation of the Rift Valley fever [RVF] virus in Mayotte, at the end of November 2018, 143 human cases have been reported to the ARS [regional health agency; Agence Régionale de Santé] by the CHM [Mayotte hospital centre; Centre Hospitalier de Mayotte] laboratory, and 126 animal foci have been reported. As soon as the 1st cases arrived, preventive measures and vector control measures had been Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Potato mop-top virus – New Zealand
Other Plant Disease -- New ZealandA potato virus that has the potential to affect crop production has been found to be widespread, meaning eradication is impossible. The potato mop-top virus (PMTV) was discovered in Canterbury in 2018 [ProMED-mail post http://promedmail.org/post/20180925.6049697]. It was the 1st time the virus had been found in New Zealand.A national survey to determine the extent of the disease has now been completed, confirming it has spread throughout the country. Biosecurity Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Panama disease TR4, banana – Americas (02): (Colombia) conf
Other Plant Disease -- ColombiaColombia has declared a national state of emergency following confirmation that a dreaded fungus has appeared in the country's banana plantations, making this the 1st time Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (TR4) has appeared in Latin America. The finding has put the whole region on alert. In 2015, Randy Ploetz, University of Florida, had said that it was possible it was already there. Wageningen University [& Research, WUR] in the Netherlands used molecular diagnostics Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Infectious hypodermal & hematopoietic necrosis – Canada: (AB) shrimp, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- CanadaInformation received on [and dated] 16 Aug 2019 from Dr Jaspinder Komal, deputy chief veterinary officer, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, CanadaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 14 Jun 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 14 Aug 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus [IHHNV]Nature of diagnosis: laboratory (advanced)This Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – India (08): (OR) cattle, human, toxic mushrooms
Anthrax -- IndiaHere is food for thought for the state's powers-that-be. Due to lack of access to cheap protein, poor, backward and tribal districts in the state are turning to wild mushrooms and dead cattle/goat meat, which is leading to a rise in food poisoning and anthrax cases in Odisha.Though the Odisha Government has launched with much fanfare the Odisha Food Security Act with an objective to ensure food security of 34 lakh [3 400 000] more families, a reality check reveals how many villages Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (63): Philippines (RI) domestic, 1st rep, susp
African Swine Fever -- PhilippinesThe [Philippines] Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered the culling of hogs in an unidentified area to contain what could be the entry of the African swine fever (ASF) virus in the country. In a press conference on Monday [19 Aug 2019], agriculture secretary William Dar neither confirmed nor denied reports that the ASF virus has infected hogs raised in Rizal, but noted that the agency received an incident report on Friday [16 Aug 2019] "on an increased mortality Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kazakhstan (02): (AM) cattle, human
Anthrax -- KazakhstanA total of 4 anthrax cases have been confirmed in the Akmola region, reports the health care department. "Up to [now] 5 [suspected cases of] anthrax have been recorded; lab tests have confirmed 4. The cause of contamination was cow butchering without a veterinary certificate in a private yard," said the interlocutor."Epidemiological situation in the Akmola region and Nur-Sultan is stable," said the department. "The situation is being constantly monitored by the committee," said Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Spotted fever – Germany: Rickettsia aeschlimannii via hyalomma tick
Other Human Disease -- GermanyThe University of Hohenheim and the Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology [IMB] have detected spotted fever in a hyalomma tick, the 1st time such a tick is suspected to have caused disease in a human in Germany.This tick feeds on humans and can transmit a form of spotted fever in Germany. What were still unanswered questions about the tropical giant tick hyalomma is now certainty. At the beginning of August [2019], it was suspected that for the 1st time, a human in Germany Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Fungal foot rot, rice – India: (PB)
Other Plant Disease -- IndiaThe Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has warned farmers across Punjab against the attack of foot rot disease in basmati [varieties of] rice. According to Dr Narinder Singh, foot rot is an important disease of basmati rice. After transplanting in the field, infected plants are killed after a few days. Pinkish growth of the fungus appears on the lower sheaths.Dr Singh said the crop remains free from this disease if farmers have followed the seed and root dip treatment Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed disease, rice – Sri Lanka: (RN)
Undiagnosed -- Sri LankaSeventy acres of paddy crops in Balangoda [Ratnapura district] have been infected with an unidentified disease. The farmers state that due to the disease, all the paddy heads turn white, rendering it inconsumable. They noted that the disease had destroyed their crops and they are left helpless. They requested the officials to look into the matter and provide a solution.The Balangoda Agrarian Center has already informed the Bathalagoda Rice Research and Development Institute Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (08): (MA)
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesThe Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed a 2nd human case of eastern equine encephalitis [EEE] in the state on Friday [16 Aug 2019]. Officials also raised the risk level for EEE to "critical" in 10 more towns in central and eastern Massachusetts.The department said the new EEE case is in a man between the ages of 19-30 in Grafton. As a result, Grafton, Hopkinton, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southboro, Upton, and Westboro are all at "critical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Potomac horse fever – USA (MA) horse
Rickettsia -- United StatesThe Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has confirmed 2 cases of Potomac horse fever (PHF), one in Essex County and one in Norfolk County.The Norfolk County horse, whose age, gender, breed, and vaccination status were not reported, presented on 16 Jul 2019 with clinical signs including being "off feed" and uncomfortable -- signs generally associated with mild colic -- followed by fever and diarrhea. Veterinarians diagnosed the horse with PHF the following Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (56)
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownMeasles is a highly contagious viral disease for which no treatment exists. The only way to fight it is vaccination and treatment of the symptoms in the hope that the patient will be strong enough to naturally fight off the infection.The measles epidemic declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 10 Jun 2019 is the deadliest the country has experienced since 2011-2012. Between January and early August 2019, over 145 000 people have been infected, and 2758 have Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis E – USA: (NY) susp. Mexican basil, RFI
Hepatitis E — United States
