Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Porcine epidemic diarrhea – North America (04): Canada (MB) pig
Diarrhea -- CanadaThe porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus has appeared west of the Red River for the 1st time this year [2019].Manitoba Agriculture's most recent update on the number of infected premises from 6 Jun 2019 shows the virus has been found in 19 farms in southeast Manitoba and 2 in south central Manitoba in the Morris and Lowe Farm area.However, Manitoba Pork Council's manager of swine health programs Jenelle Hamblin told The Sun that 2 additional cases have been discovered Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (20): Belgium (LX) wild boar, control policy
African Swine Fever -- BelgiumAlmost a month before the start of the hunting season on 1 Jul 2019, the Walloon government took a new decision to curb African swine fever [ASF] in the province of Luxembourg. The measures are intended to ensure a total depopulation of wild boar in the different zones defined within the perimeter infected by ASF, says Minister of Nature and Forest Rene Collin.In the core and buffer zones the destruction of wild boar will be carried out by the agents of the government Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (42)
Measles -- United States"Federal health officials attribute 2019's outbreak to parents who refuse to vaccinate their children..." This concerns me.Reports blaming vaccine hesitancy for low uptake may help drive understanding of how to address vaccine hesitancy. But they have adverse consequences: they make it easier for people to blame vaccine hesitancy when they should be blaming inadequate vaccination services (and funding better services); and, for those people who are hesitant, it may also validate Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Campylobacteriosis – Norway: (HO)
Campylobacter -- NorwayNorwegian authorities said Tuesday [11 Jun 2019] they were trying to identify the source of water contamination that has sent dozens of people in southern Norway to the hospital. Since Thursday [6 Jun 2019], 55 people, including 13 children from Askoy, an island north of Bergen, have been hospitalized following the contamination. All have been discharged. Norwegian news agency NTB reported that in all, some 2000 people had fallen sick.A one-year-old child on the island died Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (21): 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 (53): Uganda (KS) ex Congo DR (NK) 1st cross-border cases, MOH, WHO
Ebola -- DR CongoThe Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) have confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease in Uganda. Although there have been numerous previous alerts, this is the 1st confirmed case in Uganda during the Ebola outbreak on-going in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo.The confirmed case is a 5-year-old child from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who travelled with his family on [9 Jun 2019]. The child and his family entered the country through Bwera Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Fusarium wilts, cucurbits – Pakistan: (SD)
Other Plant Disease -- PakistanFungus attacks on gourd family crops hit Sindh farmers hard. Increasing salinity, extreme heat, and mysterious diseases together have made farmers reluctant to cultivate this crop. Many farmers say that mysterious "virus" [see comment below] destroys plant and product. Farmers in a coastal region of Thatta district [Sindh] have also witnessed the same problem of "virus" attacks on melon crop. Some have tried to use pesticides, but in vain.Prof Ismail Kumbhar, Sindh Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (03): (BR)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaAt least 28 children have died in the last one month in Muzaffarpur district of north Bihar, allegedly due to AES, which is locally known as Chamki bukhar (brain fever).Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has expressed concern over the rising deaths of children in Muzaffarpur. He said, "A team of doctors and medical experts have been sent to Muzaffarpur to monitor the situation and also speed up the awareness drive about complexities and preventive measures about AES.""Till Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis – Algeria: (TR) unpasteurized dairy
Foodborne Illness -- AlgeriaA total of 3 cases of brucellosis, known as "Malta fever", a disease that affects farm animals, were recorded at Ksar-Chellala, in the far east of the Tiaret wilaya (province). These are 3 women who consumed curd in the last days of Ramadan, according to doctors at the local hospital. In all, more than 150 cases of brucellosis in humans have been recorded since the beginning of 2019.According to the Department of Health and Population (DSP), the wilaya of Tiaret has recorded Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Varicella update (05): Mexico, immigrants
Chicken Pox -- MexicoDozens of immigrants have been recently reported sick with varicella (chickenpox) in Mexicali immigrant shelters, a state official said.State Chief Epidemiologist Oscar Zazueta said the number of Central American immigrants who have been confirmed with the illness has climbed to 51. Over half of those cases were found at the Alfa y Omega shelter. Agency staff found another 15 at the state's Family Development Office shelter and 8 more at the Hogar de Angeles shelter. Two additional Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Impatiens necrotic spot virus, capsicum – USA: (MA)
Other Plant Disease -- United States_Impatiens necrotic spot virus_ (INSV) was confirmed by the [University of Massachusetts] on pepper [capsicum] seedlings grown in a greenhouse. Symptoms of INSV on pepper include leaf distortion and tan or brown lesions that may or may not be circular. Wilting and necrosis of meristems may also occur.Management starts with discarding infected plants. Monitor and manage thrips populations in the greenhouse. Carefully inspect all incoming plant material for disease Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths – Fiji: travelers, organophosphates susp, RFI
Undiagnosed -- FijiA woman who died mysteriously in Fiji along with her partner sent a series of text messages to her mother in which she revealed her hands had gone "numb" and that she was going to the doctor.MP and DP died 2 days apart after arriving for a "dream" holiday to the South Pacific nation on 22 May 2019 and becoming ill soon after.Fiji's health ministry has been working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation to investigate what could Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E coli EHEC – USA (09): (IL)
E. coli -- United StatesAccording to the Winnebago County Health Department 3 people are sick with _E. coli_ infections. Those patients have been experiencing diarrhea beginning 21 May 2019. The exact cause of the illness has not been determined.An outbreak is defined as 2 people who are not related getting sick with the same illness. _E. coli_ outbreaks in the past have been linked to contaminated water and contaminated food, especially ground beef and leafy greens. Authorities interview these patients Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (37): Bangladesh, poultry, HPAI H5N1, new variant
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- BangladeshScientists have identified a novel strain of avian influenza that contained several genetic mutations.A team of researchers at Bangladesh Agricultural University examined 15 dead or sick birds from 13 clinical outbreaks of avian influenza in Bangladesh. The birds in their sample included ducks, geese, chickens and turkeys. Researchers used RT-PCR [reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction] (a laboratory method used to detect genetic material and specific proteins) Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (41)
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownSince the beginning of 2019, we have seen an increase in the number of suspected cases of measles with a total of 87 000 suspected cases until week 20, with an estimated lethality of 1.8%. The INRB laboratory confirmed 677 measles cases in 516 health areas, located in 83 health zones in 23 provinces of the country.This situation is all the more worrying because it represents an increase of more than 33%, compared to the epidemiological situation for the same period in Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – USA (05): (MD)
Botulism -- United StatesBotulism has been recently identified in Howard County. Botulism is a serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves. It can be caused by eating contaminated food or beverages. It is often associated with improperly home-canned, preserved or fermented foods. It is not contagious.A Howard County health department investigation found the possible source as acupuncture and herbal practice in Ellicott City. Any food, teas or other products that can be put in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Powassan virus encephalitis – USA: (NJ)
Encephalitis -- United StatesThe potentially deadly Powassan tick-borne virus has been confirmed in 2 Sussex county residents, one of whom died last month [May 2019], state health officials confirmed [Sat 8 Jun 2019].The Powassan virus is spread by the deer tick [_Ixodes scapularis_]. The illness is rarer than Lyme disease, which is also spread by the tick, but 10% of people who contract the [Powassan virus] illness die from it.A Department of Health official on [Sat 8 Jun 2019] said that the department Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed illness – Malaysia: fatalities, iron mining wastewater, TB susp, RFI
Undiagnosed -- MalaysiaA shocking news report by Sinar Harian revealed that at least 13 Orang Asli in Gua Musang, Kelantan [Malaysia] have succumbed to an "unknown illness" related to unclean water, and that around 50 more of them are affected with it. [Orang Asli are indigenous people and the oldest inhabitants of Peninsular Malaysia (). - Mod.ML]The small community of Kampung Kuala Koh with less than 300 Bateq people live in fear as they helplessly witness their loved ones die, one after the other. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis – Botswana: (SR) cattle, OIE
Brucellosis -- BotswanaInformation received on [and dated] 5 Jun 2019 from Dr Letlhogile Modisa, Director, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Gaborone, BotswanaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 9 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 5 Jun 2019Report date: 5 Jun 2019Date submitted to OIE: 5 Jun 2019Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 23 Oct 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths – Dominican Republic: travelers
Undiagnosed -- Dominican RepublicDominican government officials released more-detailed autopsy results on Thursday [6 Jun 2019] for 3 American tourists who died at adjacent beach resorts owned by the same hotel company during the last week of May 2019.All 3 victims experienced eerily similar symptoms and internal trauma before their deaths, according to a news release from Dominican authorities. Pathologists said autopsies showed the 3 had internal hemorrhaging, pulmonary edema, and enlarged hearts.Toxicology Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease – USA (12): possible genetic predisposition
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesSome deer are more susceptible to chronic wasting disease that is spreading through herds of white-tailed deer across much of the United States, according to researchers, who have identified a panel of genetic markers that reliably predict which animals are most vulnerable to the contagious neurological disorder."The genetic variants making a deer less susceptible to chronic wasting disease are in much lower frequency in the East, likely because they weren't Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – Israel (02): (HZ) cattle, vaccination, control
Leptospirosis -- Israel[URL not yet available]In the summer of 2018, leptospirosis disease broke out in cattle herds grazing in the southern Golan Heights. At the same time, the disease also affected people who bathed in the streams of the southern Golan and in the Jordan River.The Ministry of Health reported 500 human cases during 2018, compared to 10 in 2017. Clinical cases and mortality, confirmed by positive serology for leptospirosis, were reported in dogs, which entered the streams in the said Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (53): Saudi Arabia (SH, QS)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the period since the last update (MERS-CoV (51): Saudi Arabia (RI,NJ,QS) http://promedmail.org/post/20190528.6491342) there have been 2 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection in Saudi Arabia and 5 outcomes of previously confirmed cases (4 recoveries and 1 death).Information on newly confirmed cases (2):[1]Date of confirmation report: 9 Jun 2019Case No: 19-1927MERS from Qusaiba city: 55-year-old male from Qusaiba city, Qassim regionContact with camels: UnknownCase Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (52): Congo DR (NK, IT), new UN emergency Ebola coordinator
Ebola -- DR Congo- This Sat 8 Jun 2019, an Ebola conference was organized for UAC students in Butembo. The students had the opportunity to ask all their questions about the disease and about the response mechanisms to the teams present at the conference. They talked about vaccines, response strategies, and how to manage the disease. Several Ebola conferences are organized in the different universities of Butembo to inform the students who will, in turn, raise their awareness.Situation of providers Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (02): (BR)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaAs many as 14 children have died due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in the district, while over a dozen are admitted in hospitals with high fever and other symptoms of the infection.Sunil Shahi, Superintendent of Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), told ANI, "We have received 38 patients so far; most of them have a deficiency of glucose in their blood. Of these, 2 have also tested JE [Japanese encephalitis] positive; the overall casualty till now Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Mumps update (09): USA (FL) quarantine
Mumps -- United StatesThe Alachua County Health Department is warning residents that there are 12 confirmed cases of mumps, primarily from college students at the University of Florida."This is a little more than usual," says Steve Orlando, University of Florida spokesman.Alachua County normally receives around 2 reported cases a year, and UF believes more students could be infected."So, it's curious because these are individuals who are vaccinated, and that's what we are seeing nationwide," says Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (17): WHO global update, Asia, North America, Pacific, vaccine
Influenza -- Worldwide/UnknownInformation in this report is categorized by influenza transmission zones, which are geographical groups of countries, areas or territories with similar influenza.Summary------------- In the temperate zones of the southern hemisphere, influenza detections increased overall.- In Australia and New Zealand influenza detections were predominantly influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses.- In South Africa, predominantly influenza A(H3N2) viruses were detected.- In South Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (14): Asia, Pacific, Africa, Australia
Dengue — Worldwide/Unknown
PRO/AH> African swine fever (02): global economic impact
African Swine Fever -- Worldwide/UnknownIn the coming weeks, bacon sandwich eaters in Newcastle and dairy farmers in California may find their pockets hit by developments thousands of miles away. The culprit is an outbreak of African swine fever [ASF] that is sweeping through Asia, leading to the culling of millions of pigs in China and Vietnam, in what one expert calls the world's biggest animal disease outbreak to date. The USA and the UK are watching keenly. Denmark has built a 43-mile border Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – Europe (04): (UK) nosocomial, fatal, meat sandwiches
Listeriosis -- United KingdomThree hospital patients have died in an outbreak of _Listeria_ linked to pre-packed sandwiches. Public Health England (PHE) said the victims were among 6 patients affected in England and the deaths occurred in Manchester and Liverpool.Sandwiches and salads linked to the outbreak have been withdrawn, and supplier The Good Food Chain has voluntarily ceased production. The BBC has approached The Good Food Chain for comment.Two of the patients who died were being treated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Acquired equine polyneuropathy – Iceland: 1st case, nutrition etiology susp.
Other Animal Disease -- IcelandThe 1st cases of acquired equine polyneuropathy (AEP) have been confirmed in Icelandic horses. The disease 1st appeared in Scandinavia around 25 years ago, but has only now been confirmed in Iceland. Despite extensive research, its cause is unknown.AEP is not a contagious disease, and there is no evidence that it is hereditary, according to a press release from the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST). The disease is believed to be linked to hay, as the horses Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foodborne illness – Uganda (02): fatal, cereal susp.
Foodborne Illness — Uganda
PRO/PL> Tomato brown rugose fruit virus – Belgium: NOT, corr
Other Plant Disease -- BelgiumOn behalf of the Belgian horticultural industry, we would like to ask for a correction on [the post referenced above]. This quote [in the source - Mod.DHA] lead to questions about the presence of the virus in Belgium from different organisations, including the phytosanitary services. To date we have no knowledge of the presence of the virus in Belgium.We have contacted the person who is cited in this article, Richard Lewis. See below an email from him that the quote, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – Israel: (HZ) environment, susp.
Leptospirosis -- IsraelAfter the last summer's [2018] panic, streams on the Golan Heights have again been found contaminated. A total of 5 streams on the Golan Heights have been found contaminated according to tests conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH). They are the Zaki stream, Yehudiya, Meshushim stream, the Majrasa estuary, and the El Al stream. The MOH is trying to calm the public, emphasizing that this is not a leptospirosis problem but other infections [see commentary].In the streams where Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (40)
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownThe US measles epidemic has surpassed 1000 cases, health officials said, marking the highest level in nearly 27 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its count on Wednesday [5 Jun 2019], saying 1001 illnesses have been reported since the beginning of the year [2019].Most are from outbreaks in New York in Orthodox Jewish communities. The nation last saw this many cases in 1992, when more than 2200 were reported."The Department of Health and Human Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foodborne illness – Uganda: fatal, cereal susp.
Undiagnosed, Foodborne Illness, Food-related toxin -- UgandaTwo federal agencies in the USA are part of efforts to find the source of food poisoning in Uganda that led to 4 deaths. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are involved in the investigation of the outbreak that occurred in March and April [2019].The World Food Programme (WFP) previously reported 3 people died and hundreds more were admitted to health centers in the Karamoja region Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – USA (02): (NY)
Tick-borne disease -- United States1. Wormser GP, McKenna D, Piedmonte N. First recognized human bite in the United States by the Asian longhorned tick, _Haemaphysalis longicornis_. Clin Infect Dis. 2019. pii: ciz44; abstract available at 2. Pritt BS. _Haemaphysalis longicornis_ is in the United States and biting humans: Where do we go from here?. Clin Infect Dis. 2019. pii: ciz451. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciz451.An image of this tick can be seen at the source URL above. - Mod.TYHealthMap/ProMED map of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (49): China (Hong Kong) domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 5 Jun 2019 from Dr. Thomas Sit, chief veterinary officer / assistant director (Inspection & Quarantine), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong, Hong Kong (SAR - PRC)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 31 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 31May 2019Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (44): WPV1, cVDPV2, WHO, nOPV2
Polio -- PakistanNew wild poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 3Environment: 16New cVDPV poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 1Environment: 1Headlines- This week, the world's largest conference on gender equality and the health, rights, and well-being of girls and women is happening in Vancouver, Canada. Women are truly delivering a polio-free world. The GPEI proudly recognizes women's valuable contributions in the fight against polio. For more information on women on the frontlines, Read more [...]
