Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza – Niger: horse, st H3N8, OIE
Equine Influenza -- NigerInformation received on 15 Jul 2019 from Dr Issiako Abdou, [director general of veterinary services, directorate of animal health, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock], Niamey, NigerSummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 1 Oct 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Jul 2019Report date: 14 Jul 2019Date event resolved: 30 Jan 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseCausal agent: equine influenza A Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – UK: Egypt travel, multiple serotypes, alert
E. coli -- United KingdomPublic Health England has issued a warning after almost 20 cases of Shiga toxin-producing _Escherichia coli_ infection [also called enterohemorrhagic _E. coli (EHEC)] were found in people returning from Egypt in 2019.All travelers had been to the Hurghada region [Red Sea governorate] of Egypt. A variety of different EHEC strains have been detected in visitors to Egypt with serotypes O157 and O26 identified among them. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (68): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, WHO, Uganda
Ebola -- DR Congo- Following the recommendations of the international expert committee, WHO declared on Wed 17 Jul 2019, that the Ebola epidemic in the DRC is a health emergency of international concern.- The Ministry of Health accepts the evaluation of the expert committee. The ministry hopes that this decision is not the result of the many pressures from different stakeholder groups who wanted to use this declaration as an opportunity to raise funds for humanitarian actors despite the potentially Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Wheat stripe mosaic virus – South America: new virus
Other Plant Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownSoilborne wheat mosaic disease (SBWMD), originally attributed to infections by _Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus_ (SBWMV) and _Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus_ (WSSMV), is one of the most frequent virus diseases and causes economic losses in wheat in southern Brazil.Wheat leaves and stems displaying mosaic symptoms were collected from different wheat cultivars in southern Brazil. Double‐stranded RNA was extracted and submitted to cDNA library synthesis Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Chrysanthemum stunt viroid, potato – Russia: 1st rep
Other Plant Disease -- RussiaA pospiviroid, detected from asymptomatic potato plants (_Solanum tuberosum_) from Russia, was identified as chrysanthemum stunt viroid (CSVd). The genomic sequence of this potato isolate showed 100% identity with that of the chrysanthemum isolates from Japan.The CSVd RNA transcribed from the cDNA, having the sequence of the isolate from Russia, was able to infect potato, tomato, and chrysanthemum plants. The infected chrysanthemum plants exhibited stunting symptom.This Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Vesicular stomatitis – USA (05): (CO,TX) horse
Vesicular Stomatitis -- United StatesVesicular stomatitis is a viral disease that primarily affects horses and cattle and occasionally swine, sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas. The transmission process of VSV is not completely understood but includes insect vectors such as black flies, sand flies, and biting midges.The incubation period ranges from 2-8 days. Clinical signs include vesicles, erosions, and sloughing of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, ears, teats, and coronary bands. Often excessive Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Canada (04): (AB) RFI
Syphilis -- CanadaAlberta is declaring a provincial outbreak following a continued rapid rise of syphilis cases across the province. "Sexually transmitted infections are a risk to anyone who is sexually active, particularly people who have new sex partners and are not using protection," said Dr Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health. Hinshaw said testing and treatment are freely available to Albertans. "I encourage anyone who is sexually active to get tested regularly," she said.Alberta Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (37): Americas (Canada, USA) bat, fox, human
Rabies -- CanadaA British Columbia man has died of a rare viral rabies infection, the 1st such case in the province since 2003. Provincial health officer Dr Bonnie Henry says the man was in contact with a bat in mid-May [2019] and developed symptoms compatible with rabies 6 weeks later. She says in a news release that while the exposure in this case was on Vancouver Island, bats in all areas of BC are known to carry rabies.The Health Ministry is not releasing further information about the man to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – USA (06): (TX) more outbreaks
Anthrax -- United StatesSince the 9 Jul 2019 update, anthrax has been detected on 3 additional premises in southwest Sutton County and one premises in southcentral Crockett County. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) quarantined the premises after animals tested positive for the reportable disease.To date, 8 premises in 3 Texas counties have had animals confirmed with anthrax. Animals include the following species: antelope, goat, horses and cattle. Producers have been advised on vaccinating Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kazakhstan: (Turkestan) cattle graves, still safe
Anthrax -- KazakhstanThere is no threat of anthrax in the animal burial site in Arys, says the press service of the akim [mayor] of the Turkestan region. "No threat has been found in the animal burial site located on the territory of Arys connected with anthrax. There are 2 animal burial sites in Arys. One is located in Dermen; another one [is] in Kozhatogay rural county. Both of them are under control," said Omirkul Omaroc, head of Arys city territorial inspection.He said the burial sites have not Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (14): (GA) hotel
Legionnaires' -- United StatesOfficials said 5 guests who stayed at a prominent downtown Atlanta hotel have become sick with legionnaires' disease, prompting an investigation of the hotel on [Mon 15 Jul 2019]. "Based on epidemiological evidence we have an outbreak among people who stayed at the [Sheraton Atlanta] during the same time period," said Nancy Nydam, director of communications at Georgia Department of Public Health, on [Tue 16 Jul 2019].Legionnaires' is a serious form of pneumonia that Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Canada (03): (ON) meth/IDU
Syphilis -- CanadaThe Northwestern Health Unit is reporting an increase in cases of syphilis in its region, which stretches from the Manitoba border east to Pickle Lake and Atikokan. The region typically sees fewer than 5 cases a year of the disease, according to medical officer of health Dr Kit Young Hoon. So far, it's seen around 40 since last August [2018]."People should be making an effort to protect themselves," Young Hoon told CBC, "so using condoms, using dental dams [latex or polyurethane Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA, Canada: O103, O121, ground bison, alert, recall
E. coli -- United StatesAn international investigation is under way as public health officials report more than 20 people have been infected with _Escherichia coli_ linked to ground bison, which is now under recall. "As of 16 Jul 2019, Northfork Bison Distributions Inc is voluntarily recalling its ground bison, referred to as Bison Ground, and its ground bison patties, referred to as Bison Burgers and/or Buffalo Burgers, produced between 22 Feb 2019, and 30 Apr 2019," according to a public alert Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Equine viral arteritis – Poland: (WP) OIE
Other Animal Disease -- PolandInformation received on [and dated] 15 Jul 2019 from Dr Pawel Niemczuk, chief veterinary officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, POL Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Warsaw, PolandSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 23 Jun 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 26 Jun 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: June 2010Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> BSE, cattle – Spain (02): (GA) atypical H-type, OIE
BSE -- SpainInformation received on 16 Jul 2019 from Dr Valentin Almansa, director general, [Health of Agricultural Production, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food], Madrid, Spain.SummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 3 Jul 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 10 Jul 2019Date of event resolved: 10 Jul 2019Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 19 Feb 2019Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis – Malaysia: (SA) human, pig
Japanese Encephalitis -- MalaysiaThe Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus has been detected in Tambunan [Sabah], about 100 km (62 mi) from [the state capital, Kota Kinabalu], says the state agriculture and food industries minister Datuk Junz Wong on [Tue 16 Jul 2019]. He said Health Department officials in Sabah had detected the virus in a pig farm in Kampung Lubang, Tambunan on [11 Jul 2019].On being informed, the Department of Veterinary Services started inspection at all 7 pig farms within the vicinity. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rodenticide poisoning – Norway: red fox
Poisoning -- NorwayTraditional rat poison causes small rodents to die from internal bleeding within a few days. The active substances prevent the blood from clotting. Norway banned the use of rat poison by private individuals in 2014. Yet researchers have found active substances from rodenticides in 54% of the red foxes they examined, according to a recent study."We were surprised how many of the foxes had consumed rat poison. The discovery worries us," says veterinarian and doctoral student Kristin Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (18): (AR)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaAs many as 11 positive cases of Japanese encephalitis (JE) have been detected in Arunachal Pradesh, a statement from the health department said on Monday [15 Jul 2019].JE is a flavivirus related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses, and is spread by mosquitoes. JE is the main cause of viral encephalitis in many countries of Asia with an estimated 68 000 clinical cases every year.Lobsang Jampa, the state's senior statistical officer for integrated disease surveillance Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Iceland (03): O26, ice cream susp
E. coli -- IcelandAt least 3 children have developed kidney failure after being diagnosed with _Escherichia coli_ infections that are linked to eating ice cream from a farm. A cluster of infections due to Shiga toxin producing enterohemorrhagic _E. coli_ (EHEC) O26:H11 has been traced to the tourist attraction Efstidalur II farm in Blaskogabyggd in the south of Iceland.The 17 ill children are aged between 14 months and 12 years. At least 3 of them developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Toxic algae – Canada: (NB) dog
Algae -- CanadaA dog that went swimming in a New Brunswick river notorious for toxic algae has died, and animal welfare experts are warning pet owners of the risk. The dog was playing in the St John River in Fredericton when it began to vomit, according to a vet who treated the animal. The dog's owners rushed the animal to the vet, but it died shortly after arrival.Veterinarian Dr Colleen Bray said she believes because of the dog's signs and the suddenness of its death, it likely came in contact Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Equine influenza – UK (11): horse, EIV H3N8 Florida clade 1, spread
Equine Influenza -- United KingdomMore than 200 cases of equine influenza (EI) have been confirmed by laboratory testing in Britain so far this year [2019], compared with just 2 outbreaks [see comment] reported in 2018. Dr Richard Newton, The Animal Health Trust's (AHT) Director of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance, said the effect of increased horse movement and mixing of horses at events in the summer was a contributing factor.The latest 3 cases were confirmed on 10 and 11 Jul [2019].On 10 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (67): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, WHO, Goma
Ebola -- DR CongoThank you, Mark, and thank you for your leadership and partnership.Please accept my respect and appreciation.Your excellency, Oly Ilunga,The right honourable Rory Stewart,Excellencies, colleagues, friends:Yesterday, WHO was notified of 2 very sad developments in the Ebola outbreak in DRC. The 1st was a case of Ebola in the city of Goma, in a pastor who had traveled from Butembo. Although this is a very concerning development, it's one that we and the government have expected and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (57): Saudi Arabia (NJ,RI) WHO
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaFrom 1-31 May 2019, the National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported 14 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) infection, including 5 deaths. Of the 14 cases reported, 4 cases were associated with 2 separate clusters. Cluster 1 involved 2 cases (case no. 6 and case no. 7) living in the same household in Alkharj, Riyadh, and cluster 2 involved one patient (case no. 9) and one healthcare worker (case no. 11) in Riyadh.MERS-CoV Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Malaria – Malaysia (02): Pahang, resurgence
Malaria -- MalaysiaHealth officials in Malaysia are investigating a malaria cluster in Kuala Lipis, Pahang state. On [Thu 11 Jul 2019], 4 confirmed cases of malaria were reported to Kuala Lipis District Health Office (PKD) from Betau Health Clinic. All cases involve Orang Asli children aged 4-10 from 2 villages, 2 cases [each] from Kampung Pagar and Kampung Serdang. All cases have been taken to the Kuala Lipis Hospital ward and given treatment.Kuala Lipis has not reported a malaria case for the past Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Infant botulism – USA (02): (TX) more cases
Botulism -- United StatesHealth officials have now confirmed 3 cases of infant botulism in East Texas, and a possible 4th case is under investigation. "We are certainly curious about where this originated from," said Russell Hopkins, with Northeast Texas Public Health District. According to Hopkins, 2 cases occurred in Troup, one in Mineola, and they are expecting a 4th case to be confirmed in Tyler."We're not really sure what the commonality is, because they are kind of spread out," Hopkins said. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – UK (02): (Jersey) pet rabbit: fatal
Other Animal Disease -- United KingdomA new strain of a disease that is frequently fatal to rabbits has been confirmed for the 1st time in Jersey by New Era Vets. Rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease, also known as VHD [or RHD] is highly contagious for both domestic and wild rabbits and hares. The 2nd strain VHD2, is the one that has been found locally.The virus can be spread through flies, insects, or birds which act as indirect hosts. Humans can also pass it on if they can come into contact with an Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed respiratory illness – USA (02): (VA) fatal, retirement community
Respiratory Illness -- United StatesTesting will continue this week to try to learn why 55 residents of the Greenspring assisted-living center in Springfield have become ill, 20 have been hospitalized, and 2 have died in recent weeks. County health officials say the center has been closed to new admissions while efforts to pinpoint the cause of the infections continue."The individuals who died were hospitalized with pneumonia. Both were older adults and had complex medical problems. The Health Department Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (17): Europe (Greece) horse, OIE
West Nile Virus -- GreeceInformation received on [and dated] 15 Jul 2019 from Mrs Chrysoula Dile, head, Animal Health Directorate, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, GreeceSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 9 Jul 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Jul 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 31 Dec 2019Manifestation of disease: sub-clinical infectionCausal agent: West Nile fever virusNature of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (17): (AS)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaWith the death of 5 more patients on Sunday [14 Jul 2019], the toll in Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases in Assam rose to 76, a National Health Mission (NHM) bulletin stated. The registered positive JE cases across the state also increased to 348 from 334 on Friday [12 Jul 2019]. The 5 deaths were reported from Darrang, Nalbari, Tinsukia, Kamrup and Udalguri districts, the bulletin said.Giving the cumulative figures for JE/AES (acute encephalitis syndrome), the bulletin Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kenya (12): (KU) human, cattle
Anthrax -- Kenya[A photograph of] a man who ate the meat of an infected cow displays a swelling, a symptom of anthrax, at Mowlem in Kisumu County on 12 Jul 2019. [Actually it is a typical necrotic ulcer on his left forefinger that is healing, indicating that he has had it for a couple of weeks, dating the outbreak. - Mod.MHJ]The anthrax outbreak in Kisumu County has been contained, county director of health Dickens Onyango said on Sunday [14 Jul 2019]. The disease has left one person dead and others Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hydrogen sulfide – France: (BT) fatal, sea lettuce
Poisoning -- FranceHolidaymakers heading to France have been warned about a green tide of potentially toxic sea lettuce possibly having killed 2 men in under a week. An 18 year old oyster farmer died in Morlaix Bay last Saturday [6 Jul 2019], and a 70 year old retiree passed away in Douarnenez Bay on Tuesday [9 Jul 2019].The Brittany beauty spots where the unidentified men apparently succumbed to heart attacks "in minutes" are hugely popular with tourists, including thousands who arrive from the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Unexplained deaths, camel – Kenya (02): (BA) enterotoxemia susp, RFI
Undiagnosed -- KenyaThe Baringo County government does not have drugs to treat an outbreak of a bacterial disease among camels, county veterinary director John Wameyo has said. "Going by the symptoms, we have identified the deadly disease as enterotoxaemia -- [a] bacterial disease spread as a result of animals drinking dirty water," he told the Star on Tuesday [9 Jul 2019] [see comment]. "The disease requires special antibiotics and vaccination. As a department, we don't have any stock of medication Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Iceland (02)
E. coli -- IcelandA total of 16 children have been diagnosed with the bacterial infection, and concerns have been raised that tourists may spread it further, RUV [the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service] reports. The outbreak is purported to have originated in Efstadal 2, a farm and restaurant near Laugarvatn, after a group of schoolchildren visited the place, with some of them contracting _Escherichia coli_ infection. To be clear: none of the food nor any of the employees tested positive for Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (59): Pakistan (KP,PB)
Polio -- PakistanAnother 4 polio cases surfaced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces on [Sun 14 Jul 2019], bringing the total number of these cases to 45 this year [2019]. A 6 month old boy from Kala Khel union council of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bannu district has been diagnosed with polio, according to the National Institute of Health. Anti-polio campaign workers visited the family during immunization campaigns, but the child could not be administered anti-polio vaccine as the parents reportedly Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Colony collapse disorder, apis – Russia: update
Other Animal Disease -- RussiaThe crops that bring us most of our food provide for 35 per cent of calorie intake, as well as most minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Nuts, melons, and berries will not grow without pollinating insects. Bees also pollinate citrus fruits, apples, onions, broccoli cabbage, zucchini, beans, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, coffee, cocoa, avocados, and coconuts. The production of these crops belongs to most valuable segments of the global food industry. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (16): Europe (Germany) owl, OIE
West Nile Virus -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 10 Jul 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: 3 Jul 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Jul 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 18 Jul Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Unidentified disease, vegetable crops – Sri Lanka: (north, central)
Undiagnosed -- Sri LankaAn unidentified disease has affected vegetable cultivations in the northcentral and central [provinces of Sri Lanka]. Due to this disease, in the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa [North Central], and Matale [Central] districts especially, a large area of cultivations have been destroyed.The farmers said that there are various characteristics of this disease affecting many vegetables including pumpkin, kekiri [cooking melon], cucumber, water melon, winged beans, bitter gourd, beans, Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Southern tomato virus – Germany: 1st rep (NI)
Other Plant Disease -- GermanyGreenhouse tomatoes from Lower Saxony showed symptoms consisting of mottling, yellowing, and/or chlorotic spots. 8 samples were analysed by high throughput sequencing, 2 samples were pooled. STV sequences were detected in 2 of the pools, and no other virus sequences were detected. The full genomes were assembled by mapping to STV reference (Genbank). The sequences had 99.9% nt identity to each other and to [an] STV isolate from Switzerland [see link below].To confirm Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Vesicular stomatitis: possible vector
Vesicular Stomatitis -- Worldwide/UnknownDonaldson AI. Bats as possible maintenance hosts for vesicular stomatitis virus. Am J Epidemiol. 1970; 92(2): 132-6. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a121185Dr Donaldson may have a point. This may be something the United States Department of Agriculture or a university might choose to pursue and verify.In Panama, vesicular stomatitis virus was found to infect members of 7 mammalian orders, including opossums, xenarthrans (sloths, anteaters, and armadillos), Read more [...]
