Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Infant botulism – USA (03): (TX)
Botulism -- United StatesThe Northeast Texas Public Health District is awaiting confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) about another possible case of infant botulism in East Texas.According to NET Health Public Information Officer Terrence Ates, notification of the official lab results can span 2 to 3 weeks. Right now, the department is considering this a preliminary case. Ates said if confirmed by the state, this would be the 5th case of infant botulism in East Texas.In Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (38): Serbia (BG, PD) domestic, 1st rep, OIE
African Swine Fever -- SerbiaInformation received on [and dated] 11 Aug 2019 from Dr. Emina Milakara, DVM, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Belgrade, SerbiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 30 Jul 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Aug 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: suspicionThis event pertains to the whole Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – USA (02): (CO) wild rabbit, alert
Tularemia -- United StatesThe Larimer County Department of Health and Environment reported Friday [9 Aug 2019] that tularemia, also known as "rabbit fever," has been found in a rabbit in northern Larimer County.Tularemia-causing bacteria from the droppings or urine of sick animals, usually rabbits, can contaminate soil and spread the disease, according to a news release from the health department.A recent die-off of rabbits suggested a possible tularemia outbreak among the animals in that area, the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Asia (14): Pakistan (SD) Karachi
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanA teenage boy succumbed to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in the metropolis on Fri 9 Aug 2019.The teenager, who was admitted 4 days ago in the Jinnah Hospital, was identified as a resident of Orangi Town.He becomes the 8th [or 9th - see below] victim of CCHF during the ongoing year [2019].--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts[It was reported in ProMED post Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - Asia (13): Pakistan (SD) Karachi Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Rubella – Japan (02)
Rubella -- JapanThis week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviewed a travel notice last updated in March 2019 concerning travel to Japan and the rubella outbreak.Travelers to Japan should make sure they are vaccinated against rubella with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine before travel, the federal health agency notes.According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo, 2039 rubella cases have been reported through the end of July 2019, with most Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tetrodotoxin poisoning, puffer fish – Philippines (02): (MD)
Food-related toxin -- Philippines4. Cohen NJ, Deeds JR, Wong ES, et al: Public health response to puffer fish (tetrodotoxin) poisoning from mislabeled product. J Food Prot 2009; 72(4): 810-7 [abstract available at .5. FDA: Fish and fisheries products hazards and controls guidance. 4th ed. US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration; 2014. Available at .6. FDA: Exchange of letters between Japan and the US Food and Drug Administration regarding puffer fish. US Department Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Papillomavirus 9 – Australia: (NS) new virus in horses
Other Animal Disease -- AustraliaA newly identified equine papillomavirus has been described by Australian researchers.The virus was believed to be responsible for a 1cm [0.39 in] wide wart-like lesion on the penis of a 12-year-old thoroughbred stallion in Australia.A vet was called to check the stallion when he appeared to suffer pain on ejaculation.The testing of his semen subsequently identified the virus, named _Equus caballus papillomavirus_ 9 (EcPV9). [This appears to indicate the virus was Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (24): Americas, Canada (BC) horse, warning
West Nile Virus -- CanadaA horse in Princeton, in B.C.'s South Okanagan, has tested positive for West Nile virus.The Cascade Veterinary Clinic, operated by Dr. Ryan Ridgway and Dr. Lynn Smart, shared the information in a post on social media, along with a warning for horse owners to get their animals vaccinated."Thankfully it [the horse] was vaccinated, so it was not fatal. Had it not been vaccinated, it most likely would not have survived, or if it had, it would have had severe neurological issues. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – Australia (03): (NS) dogs
Leptospirosis -- AustraliaThe University of Sydney has reported 6 confirmed cases of leptospirosis in dogs in the inner west. All the dogs died or were euthanized.The specific suburbs where leptospirosis has been reported are Surry Hills, Glebe and Darlinghurst.While it is thought the recent outbreak could be due to major construction occurring in Sydney and therefore increased exposure to rats and contamination of subterranean water, the current source of infection and the strain of bacteria involved Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza (23): USA (MI) swine origin, pigs, fair
Influenza -- United StatesMichigan's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have identified 10 pigs at the Jackson County Fair testing positive for swine influenza.The fair started 4 Aug 2019 and will conclude on 10 Aug 2019.Pigs showing signs were tested, and results were positive for swine influenza. The ill pigs were removed from the fairgrounds after testing, and there are currently no reported human illnesses. All healthy Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Sphingomonas paucimobilis – USA: (NY) nosocomial, 2018, contam. IV opioid med
Hospital-Related Infection -- United States"A cluster of cases of _Sphingomonas paucimobilis_ bacteremia was discovered, and the bacteremias were noted to be caused by intravenous administration of opiates that had been diluted with tap water in a drug-diversion scheme."_Sphingomonas_ is a genus of Gram-negative, strictly aerobic bacilli that include more than 20 species, which contain glycosphingolipids instead of lipopolysaccharide in their cell envelopes (1). One particular _Sphingomonas_ species, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (78): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, WHO, response, research
Ebola -- DR CongoA 1st confirmed case of Ebola virus disease has been detected in the locality of Lolwa, in Mambasa territory in Ituri province.The 1st case is a 30-year-old woman "whose signs began to manifest in Some in the health zone of Mandima," the technical secretariat of the multisectoral committee of the response against the Ebola outbreak said in a bulletin on Fri [9 Aug 2019].The woman "used self-medication from 3-4 Aug 2019 until she left Some for Lolwa and was hospitalized at the Lolwa Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (37): Bulgaria, wild boar, spread
African Swine Fever -- BulgariaBulgaria's Food Safety Agency (BFSA) said it has confirmed 3 new cases of African swine fever [ASF] in wild boar in the provinces of Smolyan, Shumen, and Veliko Tarnovo.These are the 1st confirmed cases of ASF in wild boar in Smolyan and Shumen, the agency said in a statement on Thursday [8 Aug 2019].Earlier this week [week of Mon 5 Aug 2019], Bulgaria's agriculture ministry said that the country will receive EUR 2.9 million (USD 3.2 million) from the European Commission Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (36): Moldova (CN) domestic, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- MoldovaInformation received on [and dated] 8 Aug 2019 from Dr. Vitalie Caraus, head of the Animal Health and Welfare Department, Animal Health and Welfare Department, National Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, MoldovaSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 5 Aug 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Aug 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies – Americas (41): USA (TN, SC, FL, TX) dog, cat, fox, raccoon, human exp.
Rabies -- United StatesA puppy adopted from the Washington County/Johnson City Animal Shelter was euthanized and tested positive for rabies after it began to show signs of the fatal disease.Animal Shelter Director Tammy Davis said she hopes the incident won't cause a knee-jerk reaction for the public or anyone looking for a pet."No one should be concerned ... the puppy showed no signs of rabies while at the shelter," she said. Davis said she learned about the case from the Tennessee Department of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (67): Pakistan, Congo DR
Polio -- PakistanNew wild poliovirus cases isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 1Environment: 8Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2019: 60Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 33New cVDPV isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 0Environment: 0Others: 3Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2019: 44Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 104Summary of new viruses this week:- Pakistan: 1 wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case and 8 WPV1-positive environmental Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (54)
Measles -- ArgentinaBetween 1 Jan and 7 Aug 2019, a total of 2927 confirmed cases of measles, including 1 death, have been reported in 14 countries and territories of the Region of the Americas: Argentina (5 cases), the Bahamas (1 case), Brazil (1045 cases), Canada (82 cases), Chile (4 cases), Colombia (175 cases), Costa Rica (10 cases), Cuba (1 case), Curaçao (1 case), Mexico (3 cases), Peru (2 cases), the United States of America (1172 cases), Uruguay (9 cases), and the Bolivarian Republic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (60): WHO annual review, Saudi Arabia
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn its latest annual global risk assessment of MERS-CoV, the World Health Organization (WHO) said transmission, symptom profile, and virus characteristics haven't changed since its last report, but officials are still deeply concerned about transmission in hospitals.Since its last update in June 2018, 219 cases were reported in 4 countries: Saudi Arabia (204), Oman (13), South Korea (1), and the United Kingdom (1). However, of the 97 secondary cases reported to the WHO, 52 were Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Toxic algae – USA (TX) dog, human, alert
Algae -- United StatesToxins are compounds that have a harmful effect on other cells, tissues, and organisms. In the natural environment, these toxins are generally contained within the blue-green algal cell but they are released into the water when the cell is damaged or dies.Blue-green algal toxins can be divided into the following groups:1. Hepatotoxins- Hepatotoxins cause blood to collect in the liver causing circulatory shock and can lead to death by internal hemorrhaging.- Hepatotoxins can Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Palytoxin – UK: coral poisoning
Poisoning -- United KingdomA mother nearly died cleaning out the family fish tank as she was overcome by the world's 2nd deadliest toxin.[The 34-year-old woman] had to be put into isolation for 48 hours and have her home sealed off by a Hazardous Area Response Team after she was poisoned by coral.Doctors battled to save her from palytoxin, a chemical released by the living organism when it comes under attack.It causes severe and potentially fatal respiratory distress, for which there is no antidote. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – France: (BF) swimmer
Leptospirosis -- FranceLast week [week of 29 Jul 2019], 3 young people were infected with leptospirosis after swimming in the Ognon, a tributary of the Saone. Infection occurred at the commune of Pesme, Haute-Saone.The place of bathing is a known [hazard] and despite a municipal decree, every year many people brave the forbidden.Leptospirosis in humans can be very serious and the 3 bathers have also had to be hospitalized. The symptoms are comparable to the flu and appear between 3 to 20 days after Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (59): China (LN) domestic, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on 8 Aug 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: 26 Jul 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 27 Jul 2019Report date: 8 Aug 2019Date submitted to OIE: 8 Aug 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 4 Dec Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (42): Mexico, poultry, HPAI H7N3, update, OIE
Avian Influenza -- MexicoThe following information is related to the current highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H7N3 situation in Mexico that continues to date (8 Aug 2019).Mexico continues to have an active event of HPAI H7N3. Since the 1st outbreak was identified in March 2019 until 8 Aug 2019, 22 outbreaks have been reported.These outbreaks have been detected in the following states: Mexico (2), Jalisco (3), Hidalgo (3), Queretaro (8), Tlaxcala (1), Guerrero (2), Guanajuato (2), and Veracruz Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever – Asia (13): Pakistan (SD) Karachi
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanHealth authorities at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) on [Tue 6 Aug 2019] said one more person had been diagnosed with the [Crimean-Congo] hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and admitted to an isolation ward in the health facility, and advised people to take precautionary measures while interacting with cattle and sacrificial animals."A 29-year-old patient was brought to the JPMC Emergency Department with high-grade fever and bleeding from the gums. Doctors Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – Sweden: outbreak
Tularemia -- SwedenThere have been several reported cases of tularemia or rabbit fever, known as 'harpest' in Sweden, this summer [2019], mostly in the north and centre of the country.The animals most likely to carry the disease are wild hares, hence the name rabbit fever, and rodents, but it can also be transferred to humans via mosquito bites and occasionally tick bites. It's also possible for the infection to be transmitted by inhaling dust or drinking water that is contaminated by urine or feces Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis – Lithuania
Tick-borne Encephalitis -- LithuaniaThe rate of tick-borne encephalitis in Lithuania remains the highest in Europe, announced the country's Center for Communicable Diseases and AIDS (ULAC) on [Tue 6 Aug 2019].According to ULAC, the rate of tick-borne encephalitis cases was 16.6 cases per 100 000 population in 2017, based on the latest data provided by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in its latest annual epidemiological report."In Lithuania the rate of encephalitis remains Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (59): Myanmar (SH) domestic, susp
African Swine Fever -- MyanmarMore than 2000 pigs have been culled in Mong La Special Region 4's Silu and Maing Ma regions in the eastern Shan State of Myanmar as of [Wed 7 Aug 2019], after nearly 500 pigs died from what is suspected to be the African swine fever [ASF] earlier this month [August 2019]."We are currently doing contagious pig disease control in the region," said U Kyi Myint, secretary of the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA). He told The Irrawaddy on [Wed 7 Aug 2019] that this Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Azerbaijan (02): (AC) ovine, OIE
Anthrax -- AzerbaijanInformation received on 7 Aug 2019 from Dr. Galib Abdulaliyev, Head, CVO, Animal Health Department, Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency, Baku, AzerbaijanSummary:Report type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 1 Aug 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Aug 2019Report date: 7 Aug 2019Date submitted to OIE: 7 Aug 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 3 Jun 2013Manifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria – Burundi: national epidemic
Malaria -- BurundiA serious outbreak of malaria in Burundi has reached epidemic proportions, killing almost as many people as the Ebola crisis in the nearby Democratic Republic of the Congo.The outbreak in the tiny Great Lakes country has infected almost half the total population, killing about 1800 people since the beginning of the year [2019].According to figures gathered by the World Health Organisation, almost 6 million cases have been recorded since the 1st week of January to the end of July Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Turkey
Hantavirus -- TurkeyErtek M, Buzgan T; Refik Saydam National Public Health Agency; Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey: An outbreak caused by hantavirus in the Black Sea region of Turkey, January-May 2009. Euro Surveill. 2009; 14(20). pii: 19214; Finding Puumala virus in rodents in Turkey is not surprising, since it has caused human cases there in the past. Dobrava-Belgrade orthohantavirus (DOBV) was first isolated from yellow-necked mice (_Apodemus flavicollis_) found in Dobrava village, Republic Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (18): (VA) cooling tower susp.
Legionnaires' -- United StatesThe Chesterfield County Health Department said it has confirmed 4 more cases of the _Legionella_ bacteria at sites in the northeastern part of the county. [These cases likely refer to environmental sites, not case patients, of which there are 10. - Mod.ML]This comes as the county continues to investigate 10 cases of Legionnaires' disease in the area since 1 May [2019]. On average, the county normally sees 3 cases of the disease each year.District Health Director Dr. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Israel (04): (HA) cattle, st O, spread, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- IsraelInformation received on 7 Aug 2019 from Dr. Tamir Goshen, Acting Director, Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Beit Dagan, IsraelSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 1 Aug 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 4 Aug 2019Report date: 7 Aug 2019Date submitted to OIE: 7 Aug 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 27 May 2019Manifestation of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (77): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, WHO, response, vaccine, research
Ebola -- DR CongoHighlights----------The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in Democratic Republic of the Congo continues at a similar transmission intensity to previous weeks. Since our last external situation report, with data reported up to 28 Jul 2019, 92 new confirmed EVD cases with an additional 59 deaths have been reported across the two affected provinces. There are currently no confirmed cases of EVD outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Hotspots Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (58): Japan ex Viet Nam, contaminated food
African Swine Fever -- VietnamA Vietnamese exchange student has been arrested by police in Japan for illegally carrying fermented pork rolls containing the African swine fever [ASF] virus into the country. Hac Thi Phuong Linh, 23, is being held at a police station in Tokyo for violating the quarantine law, her family said.Vietnamese newspaper VnExpress reported that she was caught at Haneda International Airport on 13 Jun 2019 trying to bring in 10 kg of the pork rolls (nem chua) and 360 fetal duck Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – Spain: (PL)
Tularemia -- SpainThe leaders of Castilla y Leon, through its territorial delegation in Palencia, has confirmed that as of yesterday, 5 Aug 2019, there are already 16 cases of tularemia in the province. There are 29 other probable cases that are under study.According to the last part issued from the regional administration, the detection of 3 other cases in Paredes de Nava is underway. Two cases that have been detected have occurred in the area of Palencia Rural and Saldana. In all of them it is Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Streptococcus, group A, invasive – UK (02): (England) fatal, WGS
Strep -- United KingdomThe NHS [National Health Service] Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) [Clinical Commissioning Groups, which are responsible for delivery of NHS services in England ] have released an update in the Strep A [Group A streptococcus (GAS), also called _Streptococcus pyogenes_] outbreak, which has taken the lives of 13 people.There have been 35 people in total affected by the Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) [invasive GAS infection] outbreak in mid and west Essex. There have Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (04): (NC, WI, FL) horse
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesA horse in Cumberland County was euthanized after contracting a mosquito-borne disease, the state's Department of Agriculture said Tuesday [30 Jul 2019]. The horse, a 4-year-old mare, was not vaccinated against eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE). It was the 1st case of the disease in North Carolina this year [2019], the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said.The disease causes inflammation of the brain and is usually fatal. It can take Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (66): Pakistan (KP)
Polio -- PakistanAnother 5 polio cases have been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Babir Bin Atta, Prime Minister (PM) spokesperson for anti-polio campaign has said among the cases of polio which have come to surface, none of them has ever been administered polio drops.Parents have severely opposed anti-polio campaign following April [2019] incidents [see archives http://promedmail.org/post/20190425.6436992 and http://promedmail.org/post/20190425.6440803].[Byline: Zeeshan Aziz]--Communicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – USA (09): (TX) more cases
Anthrax -- United StatesSince the July 29, 2019 update, anthrax has been detected on 2 new premises in Crockett County and 2 new Sutton County premises. Anthrax has been previously confirmed in both counties this year [2019].[See counties in the map of Texas at the source URL above]The newly identified premises are located in the following areas:- 1 premise is in central Crockett County;- 1 premise is in east central Crockett County;- 1 premise is in northwest Sutton County;- 1 premise is in central Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever – Asia (12): Pakistan (BA) fatal
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanPakistan has faced a number of significant healthcare challenges over the past decade. In 2000, one of these events -- a deadly epidemic of Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) -- struck Pakistan. The people of Pakistan are at a very high risk of acquiring CCHF, due to a number of factors which emerge from a scoping review of the literature. First, the underdeveloped healthcare system of the country is currently not prepared to cope with challenges of Read more [...]
