Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (21): Belgium, EU, wild boar, epidemiology, control
African Swine Fever -- BelgiumDr. Houdart discussed various options as to how the virus might have got into Belgium - all of them related to human (mis)behaviour, like virus on left-overs or equipment, through a military facility, through the introduction of infected wild boar and, interestingly, he also mentioned intentional introduction. He discussed that over 5000 blood samples of domestic pigs from about 1000 holdings had been analysed. No outbreak so far has been confirmed in domestic pigs in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Italy (02): (LZ) cattle, human, 2017
Anthrax -- ItalyAbstract-------On [31 Aug 2017], a veterinarian and a farmworker were hospitalised for skin lesions. Both had been exposed to a dead cow on [19 Aug 2017] on a farm near Rome, where 8 further cattle died of confirmed anthrax later the same month. At admission, the 1st case showed a black depressed eschar and another smaller lesion on one hand. The 2nd case presented deep infection of the skin, with involvement of both arms. Anthrax diagnosis was confirmed by detection of _Bacillus Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (49): Pakistan (KP)
Polio -- PakistanThe National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad [Mon 17 Jun 2019] notified a fresh polio case from district Bannu [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa] taking the total count of polio cases in district Bannu to 9 [?8], in Bannu division to 14, overall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to 18, and total of 24 in the country so far during 2019.Coordinator Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Capt. (R). Kamran Ahmed Afridi in a statement said that wild poliovirus has been isolated from stool sample Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed illness – Malaysia (02): fatalities, indigenous, TB susp, RFI
Undiagnosed -- MalaysiaOur nation is now concerned over the deaths of 14 Orang Asli from the Bateq community in Kuala Koh, Kelantan. The real cause for the string of deaths must be quickly ascertained to prevent more from becoming victims.Environmental groups are saying that water pollution is the cause. While water pollution is a very important factor, the effect should be gastroenteritis rather than pneumonia. Apparently, tuberculosis and leptospirosis have been ruled out, but has miliary tuberculosis Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Die-off, sea lions – USA: (CA) domoic acid susp
Animal Die-off -- United StatesThe Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) says they have responded to an increasing number of reports about sick California sea lions.Sea lions have been showing clinical signs of domoic acid toxicosis derived from toxic prey, according to CIMWI.Toxic algae blooms produce the domoic acid toxin but are not harmful to all animals. Filter feeding marine animals including shellfish and small fish consume these toxic algae and do not show signs of illness.Sea Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Cercospora berry blotch, coffee – Uganda: (BM)
Other Plant Disease -- UgandaRed blister, a fungal disease; has attacked several coffee plantations in Bukomansimbi district [Central region]. Joseph Mulindwa, National Agricultural Coffee Research Institute, reveals that the disease has become widespread in the area which has caused farmers losses. The disease destroys the embryonic part of the coffee cherries, making them to ripen before they are due and eventually affecting the quality and weight on harvest.Mulindwa advises farmers to boost their Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Glanders – India (02): (UP) horse
Glanders -- India1. Elschner MC, Neubauer H and Sprague LD. The resurrection of glanders in a new epidemiological scenario: a beneficiary of "global change". Curr Clin Microbiol Rep. 2017; 4(1): 54-60; abstract available at HealthMap/ProMED map available at:Uttar Pradesh State, India: ][See Also:Glanders - India: (DL) horse http://promedmail.org/post/20190602.64987552018----Glanders, equine - India (04): (UP) control http://promedmail.org/post/20180522.5811652Glanders, equine - India (03): (MP) Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (48): Nigeria (LA) cVDPV conf
Polio -- NigeriaThe virus detected was cVDPV [circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus] from the environment, not from an AFP [acute flaccid paralysis] case. The date of sample collection was 12 Apr 2019.--Communicated by:EpiCore Surveillance Project******[2]Date: Thu 13 Jun 2019 (submitted 16 Jun 2019 03:32 AM)Source: Nigerian Tribune [edited]The Lagos State Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation (WHO), United States Children Fund (UNICEF), Belinda and Bill Gates Foundation, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths – Dominican Republic (03): travelers, resort
Poisoning -- Dominican RepublicA group of Jimmy Buffett-diehards from Oklahoma were incredibly sick in paradise -- the latest in an ever-growing list of tourists to be sickened during a jaunt to the Dominican Republic, a report said.DF, a travel agent who vacationed to Punta Cana with the Buffett-loving Central Oklahoma Parrothead Association, said 4 days into their April [2019] trip, he and other members came down with a mysterious illness. "I can't even explain how sick I was," DF told Oklahoma's Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (17): Canada (SK), USA (WA), horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- CanadaOn [Tue 11 Jun 2019] the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported Canadian animal health officials have reported multiple cases of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) on a single farm in southern Saskatchewan. So far, 5 horses diagnosed with equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM, the neurologic form of EHV-1) have been euthanized."The 1st signs noted were sporadic abortions (6) in a group of 70 late-term brood mares, followed by severe neurological signs in 5 horses, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (54): Saudi Arabia (RI, QS)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the period since the last update [MERS-CoV (53): Saudi Arabia (SH, QS) http://promedmail.org/post/20190609.6511415], 10-15 Jun 2019, there have been 2 newly confirmed cases and one outcome recovery reported by the Saudi MOH.Information on newly confirmed cases (2)[1]Date of confirmation: 10 Jun 2019Case no.: 19-1929MERS from Unaizah city: 28-year-old male from Unaizah city, Qassim regionContact with camels: YesCase classification: PrimaryCurrent status: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Carbon monoxide poisoning – Nigeria: (IM) fatal
Poisoning -- NigeriaTragedy struck in Imo state on Monday [10 Jun 2019] after fumes from a generator left 10 guests who attended a traditional wedding dead.Punch Metro learned that no fewer than 30 other guests were on life support in different hospitals in the Ikeduru and Mbaitoli local government areas [LGAs] of the state as a result of the fumes the guests inhaled from the generator.Our correspondent learned that [F] and [I] had their traditional wedding at [U's] compound, Umuomumu Mbieri, in Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (47): Nigeria (LA) positive environmental samples, RFI
Polio -- NigeriaWith Nigeria almost at the last stage of being declared a polio-free country, the Lagos state government has confirmed the environmental strand [???] of polio virus in Makoko, Itire and Maracana canals in the state.Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Titilayo Goncalves, who disclosed this at a day media/stakeholders sensitization workshop in Lagos on Thursday [13 Jun 2019], said the state government, with support from the United Nations Children's Funds (UNICEF) and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – USA (02): live poultry, multiple serotypes
Salmonella -- United StatesAlabama / 7Arkansas / 8Arizona / 1California / 9Colorado / 4Connecticut / 3Iowa / 4Idaho / 4Illinois / 5Indiana / 2Kansas / 4Kentucky / 11Louisiana / 2Massachusetts / 3Maryland / 7Maine / 5Michigan / 4Minnesota / 5Missouri / 12Mississippi / 9Montana / 2North Carolina / 2Nebraska / 4New Mexico / 3Nevada / 1Ohio / 32Oklahoma / 3Oregon / 2Pennsylvania / 18Rhode Island / 1South Carolina / 1South Dakota / 3Tennessee / 26Texas / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (10): O26, flour, alert, recall
E. coli -- United StatesCalifornia / 1Connecticut / 1Missouri / 1New Jersey / 1New York / 5Ohio / 5Pennsylvania / 2Rhode Island / 1---------------Total / 17Three hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates flour is a likely source of this outbreak.On 13 Jun 2019, King Arthur Flour, Inc., a customer of ADM Milling Co., announced a recall of 14 218 cases of 5-lb. King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour because the flour may be Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Infectious hypodermal & hematopoietic necrosis – USA: (TX, FL) shrimp, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesInformation received on [and dated] 13 Jun 2019 from Dr. Jack Shere, Deputy Administrator Chief Veterinary Officer, USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, USASummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 13 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 10 Jun 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease Manifestation of disease: Subclinical infectionCausal agent: Infectious hypodermal and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hepatitis C – USA (02): (NC) injection drug use
Hepatitis C -- United StatesA man used injected drugs in the 1980s. Years later, the 57-year-old from Greensboro, North Carolina, started feeling sick, fatigued, and foggy. When he went to the doctor in 2000, he was shocked to find out that he was infected with hepatitis C. His situation is not unique. An increasing number of North Carolinians live with hepatitis C, many of whom are unaware they are infected. In response to a dramatic statewide spike in hepatitis C infections fueled by the opioid Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis – USA (03): (DE) Mexican unpasteurized dairy products
Brucellosis -- United StatesDelaware state health officials are reminding the public to avoid consuming raw dairy products as it announced a confirmed case of brucellosis caused by _Brucella melitensis_ in a 46-year-old Sussex County woman.The illness is a bacterial infection that primarily affects those consuming, or coming into contact with, contaminated animals or animal products. The most common source of infection is through the consumption of raw, unpasteurized dairy products. Prior to becoming Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Singapore: dog, OIE
Leishmaniasis -- SingaporeInformation received on [and dated] 14 Jun 2019 from Dr. Him Hoo Yap, Chief Veterinary Officer, Director General, Deputy CEO, Regulatory Programmes and Operations, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority, Singapore, SingaporeSummaryReport type: Immediate notification Date of start of the event: 28 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 5 Jun 2019Report date: 14 Jun 2019Date submitted to OIE: 14 Jun 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza A, poultry (03): Belgium, A(H3), low pathogenicity, spread, control
Influenza -- BelgiumTimeline- 1st case detected in January 2019-- In the framework of the avian influenza surveillance programme-- Flock of outdoor laying hens-- LPAI H3N1, but brain was positive in PCR-- Depopulation on initiative of the farmer- 6 Apr 2019: the same farm is infected again- Quick rise of the number of cases since last week of April [2019]Current situation- H3 influenza confirmed in 71 poultry farms by PCR, of which 6 confirmed as H3N1Clinical symptoms- Eggshell defects Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Clostridium difficile – USA: FMT, fatal MDRO infection, new regulations, FDA
C. difficile -- United StatesTwo patients contracted severe infections, and one of them died, from fecal transplants that contained drug-resistant bacteria, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on Thursday [13 Jun 2019].As a result, the agency is halting a number of clinical trials until the researchers conducting them can demonstrate that they have procedures in place to screen donated stool for dangerous organisms, said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the agency's Center for Biologics Evaluation Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Bacterial sepsis – USA: platelet transfusion, Acinetobacter, S. saprophyticus
Staph -- United StatesA total of 4 people in 3 states developed sepsis after receiving bacteria-contaminated platelet transfusions between May and October last year [2018], according to a US government report released Thursday [13 Jun 2019]. One of the 4 patients died.The source of the bacterial contamination of the platelets isn't clear. An analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] found that the bacteria were closely related, and the contamination might be from a common source. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Ebola update (56): Congo DR (NK,IT) updates, no PHEIC, Merck vaccine, Africa CDC
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH> Malaria – Trinidad & Tobago: ex Venezuela, imported cases
Malaria -- Trinidad & TobagoThere have been 17 malaria cases thus far in Trinidad and Tobago in 2019, and 13 are Venezuelans. One case is a Trinbagonian, one is from Uganda, one is from Ghana, and one is from Guyana.This was disclosed by health minister Terrence Deyalsingh as he responded to a question from Oropouche West MP Vidia Gayadeen-Gopeesingh on whether there was truth to social media reports that many Venezuelan nationals seeking medical attention at Port of Spain and San Fernando general Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (46): global (Pakistan, Somalia, Angola)
Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 1Environment: 0New cVDPV poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 2Environment: 0Contact: 1HeadlinesSummary of new viruses this week:- Pakistan - 1 wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case;- Somalia - 1 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) case; and- Angola - 1 (1st) circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) case.Afghanistan- No wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case was reported in the past Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Aspergillosis, birds – New Zealand: endangered parrot
Aspergillosis -- New ZealandAn unprecedented disease outbreak has pushed the critically endangered kakapo, the world's fattest parrot, closer to extinction, New Zealand scientists said Thursday [13 Jun 2019]. One of the last kakapo populations on remote Codfish Island has been hit with a fungal respiratory disease called aspergillosis, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said.The DOC said 36 of the parrots were receiving treatment and 7 had died, including 2 adults -- a huge loss for a species that Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Influenza A, poultry (02): Belgium, A(H3), low pathogenicity, spread
Influenza -- BelgiumA poultry farm in Wallonia is the latest affected by the H3 virus, a very mild form of avian influenza currently present in Belgium, according to local media.Since April [2019], dozens of farms have been contaminated in Flanders. The first 2 Walloon cases are located in Libramont and the province of Liege according to the Federal Agency for Food Safety.Infected hens do not die as a direct result, but are more vulnerable and can catch other diseases. It also causes a drop in egg Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Canada: (AB) cutaneous, reinfection
Diphtheria -- CanadaAn Edmonton elementary school student with a compromised immune system has been diagnosed with a rare and potentially deadly diphtheria infection yet again. Edmonton Public Schools sent home a letter to families of Evansdale School students, alerting them to a confirmed case of diphtheria. This is the same north Edmonton school where, in 2017, a student was confirmed to have the disease.The 11-year-old boy was the student who had diphtheria last school year, and on Monday [10 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis update (07): Europe, Americas
Whooping Cough -- United Kingdom1. Zerbo O, Bartlett J, Goddard K, et al. Acellular pertussis vaccine effectiveness over time. Pediatrics. 2019. pii: e20183466. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-3466. [Epub ahead of print]; 2. Edwards KM. Challenges to Pertussis Control. Pediatrics. 2019. pii: e20191276. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-1276. [Epub ahead of print]; . - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJHealthMap/ProMED-mail map of California, United States: ]******[5] Canada (British Columbia)Date: Fri 7 Jun 2019 9:30 AM PDTSource: Williams Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (55): Congo DR (NK,IT) Uganda (KS) ex DRC, case updates, summaries
Ebola -- DR Congo- This Thu 13 Jun 2019, 5 family members were repatriated to the DRC. Returnees are the mother of the index case, the 3-year-old brother (who is a confirmed Ebola case), a 6-month-old baby, the father of Ugandan children, and the nanny. Thus, to date, no more cases of Ebola are found in Uganda.--Communicated by:Mary Marshall- Thu 13 Jun 2019. Situation report 2, Uganda Ministry of Health[WHO Africa, abridged, edited]On 11 Jun 2019, the Ministry of Health of Uganda Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (04): (BR)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaShrivastava A, Kumar A, Thomas JD, et al: Association of acute toxic encephalopathy with litchi consumption in an outbreak in Muzaffarpur, India, 2014: a case-control study. Lancet Glob Health. 2017; 5(4): e458-e466. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(17)30035-9; .Until the etiology (or etiologies) of these AES cases is determined, effective and efficient prevention of these cases will not be possible. - Mod.TYMaps of India: and ][See Also:Japanese encephalitis & other - India Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (45): Pakistan (KP)
Polio -- PakistanAnother polio case on [Thu 13 Jun 2019] surfaced in Shangla, a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ARY News reported.Sources in Health Ministry said that poliovirus had been confirmed in a 2-year-old boy in Shangla area of KP, bringing the total number of polio cases in the country to [23] this year [2019]. Sources further added that samples of the child were sent for tests on [30 May 2019].It is worth to note here that Poliovirus is creating havoc in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The virus Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Rocky Mountain spotted fever – USA: (KY)
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever -- United StatesAfter her 2-year-old son became ill because of Rocky Mountain spotted fever following a tick bite, the mother is sharing their story to raise awareness of tick-borne illnesses. "The only thing I had ever heard of was Lyme disease," the 24-old from Louisville, Kentucky, told TODAY. "This was the scariest experience of my life. I would never wish this on anyone else."When her son first had a slight fever she thought it was an ear infection. But when he became Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths – Dominican Republic (02): travelers, resort, poisoning susp
Undiagnosed -- Dominican RepublicMore than two million Americans visit the Dominican Republic every year, making up about a third of the country's tourists. Six have died in the last year during their visits. Because of the seeming similarities among their deaths, their family members have suggested that they are connected and have raised suspicions about the resorts where they died. Here's what we know, and don't know, about the circumstances.Who has died, and how?Yvette Monique Sport, 51, died Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Mercury contamination – India: coal-fired power plant, seafood
Poisoning -- IndiaSubhavana KL, Qureshi A, Roy A. Mercury levels in human hair in South India: baseline, artisanal goldsmiths and coal-fired power plants. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2019; 29(1); Mercury comes in many forms. This article does not tell us what form of mercury is involved. However, without regard to the form, mercury is toxic to the body. Neither does the article tell us if the individuals have any clinical signs.This is a study [cited in the news report above] regarding sources Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Ice-ice disease, seaweed species – Philippines
Other Plant Disease -- PhilippinesSeaweed farming faces [a] dilemma with ice-ice disease. The Philippines is known to have more than 800 species of seaweeds, 2 of which are used in farms to extract carrageenan, a food enhancer. These are _Eucheuma_ and _Kappaphycus_, a source of livelihood for Filipinos in coastal areas. However, farmers are shying away because of lower yield caused mostly by the ice-ice disease.Only a small number of researchers in the world have sought to study the disease and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Varicella update (06): Colombia (Bogota) prison
Chicken Pox -- ColombiaThe Personeria [legal entity] de Bogotá warned that an outbreak in the [El Buen Pastor women's prison] associated with cases of varicella (chickenpox) was found in courtyards 2, 4, and 6, which required about 951 persons deprived of their liberty to be quarantined and, in addition, to restrict visits.According to the complaint, the situation has been occurring since 22 May 2019, the day the 1st case of varicella was reported in courtyard 2.Such was the emergency that Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (33): Americas, USA (AZ,NJ) cat, dog, skunk, bat, human exp
Rabies -- United StatesSeven Amado [Pima county] residents are going through a series of rabies shots after they were exposed to rabid kittens.A quarantined cat is at the Pima Animal Care Center [PACC]. 15 cats and 2 dogs are in quarantine after being exposed to a rabid skunk and rabid kittens at an Amado home.An Amado resident called the Pima Animal Care Center on 4 Jun 2019 to report several of her kittens had recently died. She said her 2 dogs had been in a fight with a skunk 2 weeks earlier and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – USA (03): (CA) police officer
Typhoid -- United StatesA Los Angeles police detective has been diagnosed with typhoid fever, a rare illness typically spread through contaminated food or water, and at least 5 other officers who work in the same station are showing symptoms, union officials said Thu 30 May 2019. The 6 officers work in the Central Division station, where a state investigation into unsafe and unsanitary working conditions led to penalties and more than USD 5000 in fines earlier in May 2019, documents show.The division Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Southern tomato virus – UK (02): symptomatology, comment