Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Europe: ECDC, MSM, 2010-2017
Syphilis -- Worldwide/UnknownThe number of syphilis cases has been consistently going up across Europe since 2010, mostly affecting men who have sex with men [MSM] living in urban areas. In 2017, notification rates reached an all-time high in the EU/EEA [European Union/European Economic Area] countries with more than 33 000 reported cases. An in-depth ECDC study published today [12 Jul 2019] describes the factors behind this increase and outlines the evidence-based options for public health control Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (49)
Measles -- Republic of CongoMeasles is one of the world's most contagious diseases, with the potential to be extremely severe. In 2017, the most recent year for which estimates are available, measles caused approximately 110 000 deaths. Even in high-income countries, complications result in hospitalization in up to a quarter of cases and can lead to lifelong disability, from brain damage and blindness to hearing loss.The best protection against the disease is through receiving 2 doses of the measles Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chikungunya (05): Americas, Africa, Asia, Indian Ocean, observations, research
Chikungunya -- Worldwide/UnknownBackground: Since its 1st detection in the Caribbean in late 2013, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has affected 51 countries in the Americas. The CHIKV epidemic in the Americas was caused by the CHIKV-Asian genotype. In August 2014, local transmission of the CHIKV-Asian genotype was detected in the Brazilian Amazon region. However, a distinct lineage, the CHIKV-East-Central-South-America (ECSA) genotype, was detected nearly simultaneously in Feira de Santana, Bahia state, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (16): (BR, AR)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaAs many as 872 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) were reported in Bihar in the year 2019. Of 872 reported cases, 176 died of the disease, said [minister of] State Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a reply to a question in Lok Sabha.Japanese encephalitis [JE] also claimed one life in Bihar; 16 cases of it were reported in the state."In a reply to an unstarred question raised by many parliamentarians on the issue of acute encephalitis syndrome, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Norovirus – Europe (03): research, airborne transmission
Norovirus -- Worldwide/UnknownWhile other studies have looked into the possibility of airborne noroviruses, researchers say this is the 1st to quantify noroviruses in the air. "Sampling and analyzing viruses in the air represent several challenges, including large-volume air sampling, concentrating the sample, and detecting with high efficiency and specificity rare agents," lead author Caroline Duchaine, of the Universite Laval and the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute Research Centre, told CBS News. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Sheep pox & goat pox – Russia: (MS) sheep, OIE
Sheep/Goat Pox -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 12 Jul 2019 from Dr Nikolay Vlasov, deputy head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture, Moscow, RussiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 10 Jul 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 11 Jul 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 21 Mar 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: sheep pox and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kenya (11): (Kisumu) human, susp
Anthrax -- KenyaOne person has died of suspected anthrax and another hospitalised in Kisumu, officials say. The disease was reported in Mowlem, Kisumu County government said in a statement released Friday morning [12 Jul 2019]."We have cases of suspected anthrax in the county. Two people were admitted to the hospital Thursday [11 Jul 2019], and one has since died," Dr Jonathan Billis, health officer in Kisumu Central Sub-county, said.Dr Billis called on all health workers in the county to be on high Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (56): domestic, spread, FAO, tainted food to Europe
African Swine Fever -- Worldwide/UnknownChina:Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: ASF was detected in a pig on a farming household in Bobai County, Yulin City, and on a farm in Zhongli Village, Zhongli Township, Gangbei district, Guigang City; a total of 43 pigs became sick, of which one died from the disease.Viet Nam:Since the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) confirmed its 1st ASF outbreak on 19 Feb 2019, a total of 62 provinces/cities have reported outbreaks; more than 3 million Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – USA (03): (NC)
Pests -- United StatesA new breed of tick has been found in Surry County and could be to blame for the deaths of 5 cows this year [2019].The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services [NCDA&CS] issued a press release late Monday [8 Jul 2019] warning of the dangers of a relatively new species of the parasites: the Asian longhorned tick."State veterinarian Doug Meckes is reminding livestock and pet owners to be vigilant in their tick preventative measures during warm weather," Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (13): (NYC) mid-Manhattan apartment complex, RFI
Legionnaires' -- United StatesThe New York City Health Department is testing the water at Manhattan Plaza, 400 West 43rd Street, after 2 building residents were diagnosed with legionnaires' disease. According to Department of Health commissioner [Dr. Oxiris] Barbot, "The New York City Health Department is working with building management to test the water in your building because 2 tenants have been reported sick with legionnaires' disease within the past 12 months."People can contract legionnaires' Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (16): Asia, Pacific, Europe, Africa, Australia
Dengue — Australia
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (14): (CO) O157, restaurant
E. coli -- United StatesThree people have been confirmed to have _E. coli_ in Westminster [CO]; all ate at the same Westminster Red Robin. Two of them were hospitalized.According to a news release from the Tri-County Health Department, the restaurant, at 779 W 146th Ave, closed voluntarily 10 Jul 2019 for cleaning and sanitizing, food safety training for employees, and testing for employees who handle the food.One adult and 2 children tested positive for the bacteria _E. coli_ O157:H7, and all 3 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed respiratory illness – USA (03): (VA) fatal, retirement community
Undiagnosed -- United StatesTwo people have died and 18 others have been hospitalized after a "respiratory outbreak" at a Virginia retirement community, according to officials. The Fairfax County Department of Health said that 54 individuals had become ill with "respiratory symptoms, ranging from upper respiratory symptoms (cough) to pneumonia" in the last 11 days at Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield.In a letter Wednesday [10 Jul 2019] to residents obtained by ABC News affiliate WJLA-TV Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Cote d'Ivoire: (MN) Tai National Park, sooty mangabeys
Anthrax -- Cote d'IvoireCitation: Gogarten JF, Dux A, Mubemba B, et al. Tropical rainforest flies carrying pathogens form stable associations with social non‐human primates. Mol Ecol [prepublication] .AbstractLiving in groups provides benefits but incurs costs such as attracting disease vectors. For example, synanthropic flies associate with human settlements, and higher fly densities increase pathogen transmission. We investigated whether such associations also exist in highly mobile non‐human Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Scrapie – Canada: (AB) sheep
Scrapie -- CanadaA case of scrapie, a fatal disease affecting sheep and goats, has been confirmed in an Alberta sheep. Alberta Lamb Producers said today [10 Jul 2019] the disease was confirmed in late June [2019] in a sheep having lived on multiple premises. Two Alberta flocks have now been quarantined. Their location was not disclosed.Scrapie is a reportable disease and a type of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) in the same broad category as BSE. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – Europe (04): Greece (MH) OIE
Equine Infectious Anemia -- GreeceInformation received on [and dated] 11 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: 5 Jun 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 5 Jun 2019Report date: 11 Jul 2019Date submitted to OIE: 11 Jul 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 31 Dec 2018Manifestation of disease: Clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Contagious equine metritis – Denmark: (HS) horse, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- DenmarkInformation received on [and dated] 11 Jul 2019 from Dr Per Starcke Henriksen, chief veterinary officer, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark, Glostrup, DenmarkSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 2 Jul 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 10 Jul 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: March 2009Manifestation of disease: sub-clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (64): Congo DR (NK,IT) update, WHO, summaries, challenges, vaccines
Ebola -- DR Congo- New health area affected: Mambasa (Ituri). The 1st case is an 8-year-old boy residing in Mambasa who had been to Beni with his mother. His mother, confirmed to have Ebola, died in Beni on 19 Jun 2019, but she was not buried in a dignified and secure manner. After developing the disease, the boy returned to Mambasa with his uncle. He died at the Mambasa Reference General Hospital.Figures of the response----------------------- 156 851 vaccinated persons- 73 466 784 people under Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (58): Ghana positive envir, global (Pakistan, China)
Environmental, Polio -- GhanaNew wild poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 9Environment: 3New cVDPV poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 2Environment: 1Others: 1Headlines- A circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been confirmed in China. It is genetically linked to a VDPV2 isolated from an environmental sample from Xinjiang province, collected on [18 Apr 2018]. WHO is continuing to evaluate the situation and stands ready to support the ongoing investigation and risk Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Maedi-visna – Norway: (NT) sheep, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- NorwayInformation received on [and dated] 11 Jul 2019 from Dre Kristina Landsverk, chief veterinary officer, Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Brumunddal, NorwaySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 20 Jun 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 10 Jul 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 2009Manifestation of disease: sub-clinical infectionCausal agent: Maedi-visna virusNature of diagnosis: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (55): Laos (VT) domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- LaosInformation received on [and dated] 11 Jul 2019 from Dr. Somphanh Chanphengxay, Director General, Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, LaosSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 23 Jun 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 3 Jul 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Panama disease TR4, banana – Americas: 1st rep (Colombia) susp
Other Plant Disease -- ColombiaThe Colombian Ministry of Agriculture has initiated an information campaign about fusarium cubense race 4 (TR4) and has sent out personnel to monitor farms where musaceous crops are grown, given the possible presence of this pest in 2 Colombian plantations.The farms in the department of La Guajira are declared as under phytosanitary quarantine because of the presence of symptoms "associated with _Fusarium oxysporum_ f. sp. _cubense_ tropical race 4." Infected plants Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Carbon monoxide poisoning – Canada: (MB)
Poisoning -- CanadaInsufficient ventilation is the suspected cause of a carbon monoxide build-up forcing the evacuation of a Winnipeg [Manitoba] hotel this week and sent 46 guests and staff to hospital."It appears carbon monoxide in the building built up because of inadequate ventilation related to gas-fired appliances. Instead of being safely vented, exhaust was being drawn back into the building," Chuck Steele, Manitoba Hydro's director of engineering and, told reporters [Wed 10 Jul 2019]."We still Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Late blight, potato – Europe (02): UK, strain 36_A2
Other Plant Disease -- United KingdomA surge in potato blight across the UK has led experts to tell growers to give careful consideration as to how crops are protected. AHDB [Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board] reported a sharp rise in late blight samples submitted. '36_A2', a new strain of late blight that spread rapidly across continental Europe before arriving in the UK in 2017, was the most frequently detected [strain], with '6_A1' -- sometimes referred to as 'Pink 6' -- also confirmed.Dr Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Angola: (HL) bovine, human
Anthrax -- AngolaSix people died and 12 are hospitalized for consuming anthrax-contaminated cattle in the southern Angolan province of Huila, official sources said [Wed 10 Jul 2019].The incident took place last May [2019] in Mulondo, in the municipality of Matala, the provincial supervisor for Health Promotion in Huila, Julio Madaleno, told Angola Press. The victims may had eaten the meat of dead animals (not processed for human consumption), Madaleno said after clarifying that the situation is controlled Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Schistosomiasis – Uganda: pediatric treatment
Schistosomiasis -- UgandaBilharzia infections in Uganda have hit 12 million cases and the threat continues, 14 years after the Health ministry launched a programme to wipe out the disease.The ministry launched the Bilharzia Control Programme in 2003, with mass treatment of affected communities once every year with a drug called Praziquantel. The drug was used in areas with bilharzia infection of 20% and above. The government also launched mass treatment of school-age children once every 2 years in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Cyclosporiasis – USA (FL): banquet
Other Human Disease -- United StatesThirty people or more have reported contracting parasitic infections after a charity banquet at a restaurant in Jacksonville, FL.A local television news outlet is reporting that people who were at an Exchange Club banquet at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant developed gastrointestinal illnesses with some having been confirmed infected by the _Cyclospora_ parasite."I got up to go to the bathroom and collapsed," TC, who attended the banquet, told News4Jax. "My Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Stem rust, wheat – Kenya: (Rift Valley)
Other Plant Disease -- KenyaThe high cost of pesticides and an outbreak of stem rust is threatening the current crop of wheat on many farms in the North Rift. Farmers say the disease has been aggravated by heavy rains currently pounding parts of the region. They are now struggling to control the disease. "There is no money, and wheat producers cannot afford the skyrocketing cost of pesticides to control diseases. Crop yields will definitely reduce further at the end of this [2019] season," a farmer Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (48)
Measles -- United KingdomSeveral cases of measles have been linked to a cinema, McDonald's restaurant, and a hospital A&E department, it has been revealed.Public Health Wales has confirmed that a "cluster" of cases of measles has been reported in particular areas of Rhyl, Denbighshire.A spokeswoman said there are currently 3 confirmed cases of the infection and 2 related suspected cases.It is understood that these people spent time in public while they were contagious, which means the measles Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – North America (11): USA (TX) horse
Equine Infectious Anemia -- United StatesSixteen quarter horses have tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA) at one Kaufman County premise, according to the Texas Animal Health Commission, which has placed the premise on quarantine. The latest bulletin was issued yesterday [Mon 8 Jul 2019] by the Equine Disease Communication Center and comes nearly a month after a previous alert out of Kaufman County for a quarter horse previously testing positive for EIA."The confirmed EIA cases are contained Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (15): (AS, BR)
Japanese Encephalitis — India
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update (20): Africa
Cholera -- CameroonHighlights- 10 new cases reported from 5 to 8 Jul 2019 from the 3 affected LGAs, bringing total case count to 213.- No new deaths reported within the reporting period.- One new ward affected. Total number of wards that reported at least one suspected case stands at 16.Epidemiological summaryThe total number of cases reported as of 8 Jul 2019 stands at 223, with 3 deaths (case fatality rate [CFR] = 1.35%). Yola North has 119 cases with 2 deaths (CFR = 1.68%); Girei has 95 cases Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (27): Belgium, wild boar, control
African Swine Fever -- BelgiumFor the 1st time, Belgium has reported a week without new cases of African swine fever (ASF) in its wild boar population. That was shown in the latest report to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).Ever since mid-May [2019] the total number of infected animals had been relatively low. Over the whole of June [2019], only 8 infected wild boar were found in Belgium's province of Luxembourg -- the lowest monthly score since the virus was discovered in September Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (25): CDC
Hepatitis A -- United StatesState / Case total / Hospitalizations, n (%) / Deaths / Outbreak start date / Data current through / New weekly cases since last postTotal / 21 375 / 12 564 (59%) / 208 / -- / -- /States with an ongoing outbreak:-----------------------Alabama / 92 / 48 (52%) / NR / 1 Sep 2018 / 3 Jul 2019 / 4Arizona / 424 / 335 (79%) / 3 / 1 Nov 2018 / 3 Jul 2019 / 14Arkansas / 369 / 176 (48%) / 3 / 7 Feb 2018 / 28 Jun 2019 / 26Colorado / 86 / 55 (64%) / 0 / 1 Oct 2018 / 3 Jul 2019 / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America: USA (18): USA (ND) horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe North Dakota Department of Agriculture said Mon 1 Jul 2019 a horse has confirmed positive for the neurologic disease associated with equine herpesvirus-1, or EHV-1.The horse is receiving veterinary care in McKenzie county.In the last few months, EHV-1 cases have been identified in several US states and Canadian provinces.North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says many horses will be moving to events around the region this summer [2019]. He says Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (54): Viet Nam (TN) domestic, spread
African Swine Fever -- VietnamAfrican swine fever (ASF) has hit Viet Nam's southern Tay Ninh province, Vietnam News Agency reported on [Sun 7 Jul 2019]A herd of 16 pigs raised by a household in Tay Ninh's Chau Thanh district have been tested positive to ASF virus, and then culled to prevent the disease from spreading.ASF has spread to almost all cities and provinces across Viet Nam, leading to the culling of over 2.84 million pigs or 10.3 percent of the country's total pig population.Viet Nam will Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Zika virus (05): Americas, Africa, Middle East research, observations
Zika virus -- HondurasAbstract--------AimTo evaluate gross motor function and associated factors in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).MethodIn this study 59 children (30 males, 29 females) with CZS at a mean (SD) age of 14.7 (3.9), months (range 5-29mo) were evaluated using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Neurological damage was evaluated by neuroimaging. The mothers' sociodemographic characteristics Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (15): Americas (USA) (Iowa) horse
West Nile Virus -- United StatesIowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand, DVM, has confirmed 2 cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been detected in horses living in the southern part of the state. These are the 1st confirmed cases of WNV in Iowa horses this year [2019].The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported last week [week of 1 Jul 2019] that cases were confirmed in Davis and Union counties.In Davis county, a 15-year-old thoroughbred mare Read more [...]
