Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax fears – UK: (England) tannery concerns
Anthrax -- United KingdomA burial site underneath land earmarked for development in Yeovil could bring the risk of deadly disease contamination, according to local councils. A housing estate featuring 765 homes is planned to be built on land at the outskirts of the town. The redevelopment plans, to the north of Yeovil at Upper Mudford, also include a 65-bed care home, shops, a health centre, and a new primary school.A decision is expected to be made on the applications "in the coming months," according Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Mycobacterium bovis – UK (02): (Scotland) cat, pet food origin
Bovine TB -- United KingdomA Scottish family had to be tested for tuberculosis (TB) after their cats contracted a strain of the infection that can be passed to humans. [NT], 43, from Kirkintilloch, had been feeding her cats the wild venison flavour of Natural Instinct pet food, which is being investigated by Food Standards Scotland over a possible link to TB in cats. Her beloved tabby, Jax, was ill for 9 months before he was diagnosed with the bovine strain of TB, and sadly he passed away in March Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (48): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, WHO, response
Ebola -- DR Congo- 123 526 vaccinated persons;- 831 people vaccinated on 23 May 2019;- Of those vaccinated, 34 048 are high-risk contacts (CHR), 60 522 are contacts of contacts (CC), and 28 956 are front-line providers (PPL);- Persons vaccinated by health zone: 32 412 in Katwa, 25 048 in Beni, 15 798 in Butembo [total numbers can be seen at the source URL above];- The only vaccine to be used in this outbreak is the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, manufactured by the pharmaceutical group Merck, following approval Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (39): Pakistan, Nigeria, politics of health
Polio -- PakistanParalysis cases spiked after a vaccination drive was derailed by false rumors that dozens of children had collapsed and died.After serious setbacks in April [2019] led to a cluster of new polio cases, Pakistan is revamping its vaccination strategy in a renewed effort to wipe out the virus. The country is one of just 3 -- along with Afghanistan and perhaps Nigeria -- in which polio is still endemic. Eradication of the virus in Pakistan is crucial to the drive to rid the world of polio, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease – Russia (02): (PR) poultry, OIE
Newcastle Disease -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 24 May 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: 30 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 7 May 2019Report date: 24 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 24 May 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 7 Jan Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Infectious hematopoietic necrosis, trout – Austria: (KA) OIE
Other Animal Disease -- AustriaInformation received on [and dated] 20 May 2019 from Dr. Ulrich Herzog, Chief Veterinary Officer, Consumer Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Vienna, AustriaSummaryReport type: Immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 1 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 8 Apr 2019Report date: 20 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 20 May 2019Date event resolved: 7 May 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – Europe (03): Belgium (OV) L. pneumophila, cooling towers pos.
Legionnaires' -- BelgiumThe Flemish Agency for Health and Safety reported (computer translated) that 5 of the 17 company cooling towers tested were positive for the bacterium _Legionella_. Two companies reported high values of the organism. Officials remind us that this does not mean that the source of the infection is known. The samples will now be genetically tested. In the remaining 12 company cooling towers tested, 10 were negative and 2 had different kind than the _Legionella pneumophila_ that Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Red sea bream iridoviral disease – India: (KA) sea bass, 1st report, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- IndiaInformation received on [and dated] 23 May 2019 from Mr. Tarun Shridhar, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, New Delhi, IndiaSummaryReport type: Immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 18 Jan 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 15 May 2019Report date: 23 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 23 May 2019Date event resolved: 3 Feb 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Schistosomiasis – Myanmar (02): (RA)
Schistosomiasis -- MyanmarArakan state [now Rakhine state] has the largest outbreak of schistosomiasis cases among 14 states and regions in Myanmar, said Dr. Kyi Lwin, head of the Department of Public Health in Arakan State. "The outbreaks of schistosomiasis are still discovered here. Diarrhea is also prevalent here. Arakan has the most rampant cases of schistosomiasis in Myanmar," Dr. Kyi Lwin told the media in a campaign held on [21 May 2019] at U Ottama Hall in Sittwe to prevent schistosomiasis Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Babesiosis – USA: blood transfusion
Babesiosis -- United StatesThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just came out with strict new recommendations on screening for the parasite causing the tick-borne infection babesiosis. Medical screening has always been part of the blood donation process, but this month [May 2019] a new recommendation from the FDA includes wholesale testing of donor samples in certain areas of the country for the tick-borne infection babesiosis.Dr. Steven Sloan is the medical director of the blood bank at Boston Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Strangles – North America (06): USA (WA) horses
Strangles -- United StatesIn January of this year [2019], there were confirmed cases of equine strangles in Snohomish County, Washington. The Washington Department of Agriculture has confirmed on 15 May 2019, 2 horses on a property in the county were positive for strangles. Eight other horses were exposed on the property.A 4-year-old Arab gelding and a 4-year-old Arab mare on that property began showing clinical signs of strangles on 11 May 2019. Those signs included fever, nasal discharge and swollen Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease – Sweden (02): (NB) moose
Chronic Wasting Disease — Sweden
PRO/AH/EDR> Ficus toxicity – India: (KA) cattle
Other Animal Disease -- IndiaEven though the drought has not affected cattle in Thirthahalli taluk [administrative district], as is the case in other drought-affected taluks of Shivamogga district, the death of 2 heads of cattle at Araga village recently has set off alarms in the district. However, a thorough investigation conducted by the Obscure Disease Research Center, Shivamogga, has revealed they [the cattle] died after consuming the toxic _Ficus tsjahela_ leaves.This is not the 1st such incident Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Armenia (02): (LO) dog, OIE
Leishmaniasis -- ArmeniaInformation received on [and dated] 21 May 2019 from Dr. Hovhannes Mkrtchyan, head, Veterinary Inspectorate of the State Service for Food Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Yerevan, ArmeniaSummaryReport type: Immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 8 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 21 May 2019Date event resolved: 9 May 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (35): Viet Nam (HU) backyard, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- Worldwide/UnknownInformation received on [and dated] 20 May 2019 from Dr. Dong Pham Van, Director General, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hanoi, Viet NamSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 4 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 13 May 2019Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 11 Mar 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Lesotho: (MS) cattle, OIE
Anthrax -- LesothoInformation received on [and dated] 21 May 2019 from Dr Gerard Relebohile Mahloane, Director General of Veterinary Services, Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Maseru, LesothoSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 12 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 18 May 2019Report date: 21 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 21 May 2019Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 10 May Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Libya (02): (ZW) sheep, st pending, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- LibyaInformation received on 23 May 2019 from Dr Zakaria Mohamed Mustafa Elkhatal, Director General, National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal & Marine Wealth, Tripoli, LibyaSummaryReport type: follow-up report no. 1Date of start of the event: 25 Apr 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 3 May 2019Report date: 22 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 23 May 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 30 Dec Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Africa (09): Namibia, update
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- NamibiaThe Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia officially declared an outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) on [6 May 2019] after reporting a number of cases from different regions of the country.As of 15 May 2019, 7 suspected cases of CCHF were reported from 5 regions, including one laboratory confirmed case out of 7 samples tested and one death (case fatality ratio 14 percent).The Ministry of Health and Social Services detail the cases/locations Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – Denmark: ex Pakistan, multidrug resistance
Typhoid -- PakistanIn Denmark, typhoid fever is a rare infection in returning travelers with fewer than 100 cases in our laboratory during the past 20 years. On a global level, the WHO estimates between 11 and 22 million cases with 128 000 to 161 000 deaths annually [1]. Since November 2016, an outbreak of _Salmonella enterica_ serotype Typhi resistant to ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolones and ceftriaxone has been ongoing in the Sindh Province in Pakistan, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Lebanon: ex Syria, refugees, cutaneous
Leishmaniasis — Lebanon
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (46): China (GZ) domestic, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 21 May 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: 17 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 18 May 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 3 Feb 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (37): Pakistan, Nigeria
Polio -- NigerNew wild poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 2Environment: 7 [8?]New cVDPV poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 1Environment: 3Officially reported wild poliovirus cases as of 21 May 2019--------------------------Total global cases in 2019: 24 (compared with 8 for the same period in 2018)- Total in endemic countries in 2019: 24 (compared with 8 for the same period in 2018)- Total in non-endemic countries in 2019: 0 (compared with 0 for the same period in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Myanmar: (ML) bovine, OIE
Anthrax -- MyanmarInformation received on 25 May 2018 from Dr. Ye Tun Win, Chief Veterinary Officer Director General, Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Nay Pyi Taw, MyanmarSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 4 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 24 May 2018Report date: 25 May 2018Date submitted to OIE: 25 May 2018Date event resolved: 14 May 2018Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Scrub typhus – India (03): (KL)
Scrub Typhus -- IndiaStaff of the Health Department distributed preventive medicines among residents of a tribal colony at Karassery grama panchayat in Kozhikode district on [Wed 22 May 2019] after lab results confirmed that the death of one of the residents there was due to scrub typhus, a disease caused by the bacterium _Orientia tsutsugamushi_.According to sources, the patient, 65 [years of age], of Mayangal colony in the panchayat [village] had died on [4 May 2019] after undergoing treatment Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Europe: Germany
Hantavirus -- GermanyMore and more people are catching the harmful hantavirus. There have already been more than 200 registered cases in Baden-Wurttemberg in 2019, compared with only a dozen or so in the same period last year. Those infected experience flu-like symptoms, which in more severe cases can lead to kidney failure and lung disease.The number of cases in Stuttgart has risen particularly sharply. The regional council announced on 15 May [2019] that so far this year 211 cases have already Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Southern tomato virus – UK: 1st rep
Other Plant Disease -- United KingdomA new and previously unrecorded outbreak of '_Southern tomato virus_' (STV) has been reported in the UK. The virus has been previously reported around mainland Europe for some years.The virus (which displays symptoms akin to ToBRFV [_Tomato brown rugose fruit virus_]/PepMV [_Pepino mosaic virus_]) does not seem to be very damaging to tomato plants and is thought to be seed borne. Where outbreaks occur the virus is not easily mechanically moved so removal of affected Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – Europe (02): Belgium (OV)
Legionnaires' -- BelgiumAn additional patient, the 19th, was admitted to the hospital in Flanders, [East Flanders province] suffering from legionellosis.This case comes in addition to the 18 others who have been exposed to _Legionella_ bacteria in the Evergem area [East Flanders], right next to Ghent, and who developed legionnaires' disease, a lung disease that is not transmitted from human to human.Of the total of 19 patients, 2 men died: one Monday night [20 May 2019] and the other [Wed 22 May Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria – Algeria, Argentina: WHO certified malaria-free
Malaria -- AlgeriaAlgeria and Argentina have been officially recognized by WHO as malaria-free.The certification is granted when a country proves that it has interrupted indigenous transmission of the disease for at least 3 consecutive years.Contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito, malaria remains one of the world's leading killers, with an estimated 219 million cases and over 400 000 malaria-related deaths in 2017.Approximately 60% of fatalities are among children aged under 5 years. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Amebic meningoencephalitis, primary – India: (KL) fatal
Amoeba -- India1. Sood A, Chauhan S, Chandel L, Jaryal SC. Prompt diagnosis and extraordinary survival from _Naegleria fowleri_ meningitis: A rare case report. Indian J Med Microbiol 2014; 32(2):193-6; .2. Jain R, Prabhakar S, Modi M, Bhatia R, Sehgal R. _Naegleria_ meningitis: a rare survival. Neurol India 2002; 50(4): 470-2; .There have been 5 well-documented survivors in North America: one in the US in 1978, one in Mexico in 2003, 2 additional survivors from the US in 2013, and one from the US Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (23): USA (CO)
Hantavirus -- United StatesThe 1st confirmed Colorado case of hantavirus in 2019 has recently been reported, according to Northeast Colorado Health Department Public Information Officer Alicea Einspahr.Einspahr said in a press release this serves as a good reminder that the virus is found throughout the state, including in Northeast Colorado.Human cases infrequently occur however, the illness is severe and potentially life-threatening if not identified early.Hantavirus is a respiratory disease carried Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (49): Saudi Arabia (RI) secondary case
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the 4 days since the last update (see MERS-CoV (48): Saudi Arabia (RI) WHO http://promedmail.org/post/20190518.6475362), there have been 2 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection reported and one newly reported fatality in a previously confirmed case.Information on newly confirmed cases (2)[1]Date of confirmation report: 19 May 2019Case No: 19-1918MERS from Alkharj city: 22-year-old female from Alkharj city, Riyadh regionContact with camels: NoCase classification: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis update (05): USA
Whooping Cough -- United StatesA baby in California has died after contracting whooping cough, officials said, marking the 1st such death in Orange county in more than a decade. A news release posted on [Thu 18 Apr 2019] by the county's health officials did not identify the child or list the baby's age. "We are deeply saddened by this loss of life and send our condolences to the family," Dr Nichole Quick, interim county health officer, said in the news release.The health department counted 171 cases Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – USA (03): (WI, MN) vegetable tray
Salmonella -- United StatesPublic health officials are investigating an ongoing multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis linked to consumption of certain Del Monte vegetable trays. To date, 3 people in Wisconsin and one in Minnesota, have reported becoming sick after consuming a Del Monte vegetable tray purchased from a Wisconsin or Minnesota Kwik Trip, according to a news release.Patients reported becoming ill between 13 and 27 Apr 2019. It is possible additional illnesses will be reported due to the Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – USA (02): (MA) food worker, imported
Fever -- United StatesA cook at Kelly's Roast Beef in Saugus, Massachusetts is sick with _Salmonella_ Typhi, a bacteria which causes typhoid fever. The restaurant confirmed the information Tue 21 May 2019. The illness is rare in the United States, but more common in some developing nations. Kelly's says the employee had just returned from out of the country."We were coming to have clams, roast beef, the usual," said a customer, one of the many regulars showing up unaware that the restaurant temporarily Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Diphyllobothrium latum – France: (BT)
Other Human Disease -- FranceLovers of sushi, maki, sashimi, and other raw fish, beware of your stomach! 7 cases of fish tapeworm, better known as tapeworm [ProMED presumes it is _Diphyllobothrium latum_], have been reported in 2 years by the Rennes hospital in Ille-et-Vilaine [Brittany].An exceptional number of cases was counted between July 2016 and September 2018, especially since no case had been detected for at least 20 years.The infection is acquired by "eating raw or marinated fish which contains Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (22): Bolivia (TR)
Hantavirus -- BoliviaTarija Departmental Health Services (SEDES) reported a new case of hantavirus [infection] in Padcaya municipality. The number of patients with this illness is within what is expected, because this season is when more people acquire the disease. Epidemiological surveillance is continuing in Arce province. The person who acquired this illness is male and is under medical care until his recuperation.The head of the Epidemiological Unit of SEDES, Claudia Montenegro, stated that the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine piroplasmosis – USA: (TN) horses
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesThe state veterinarian's office is investigating an outbreak of equine piroplasmosis [EP] in a group of racing quarter horses in the midstate [Tennessee, USA].22 horses have tested positive for EP in 5 locations within Bedford, Rutherford, and Williamson counties. The horses are all under quarantine and being treated.EP is a blood parasite affecting equines. The disease is not contagious to humans. Although it can be transmitted through infected ticks, it is more Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe (05): (MN) wildlife, under control
Anthrax -- ZimbabweAnthrax - Zimbabwe (07): (MN) human, wildlife, contained http://promedmail.org/post/20170906.5298609Anthrax - Zimbabwe (06): (MN) human, wildlife http://promedmail.org/post/20170511.5028820Anthrax - Zimbabwe (05): (MN) wildlife http://promedmail.org/post/20170505.5015961Anthrax - Zimbabwe (04): (MN) wildlife http://promedmail.org/post/20170504.5013992Anthrax - Zimbabwe (03): (MN) wildlife, human death http://promedmail.org/post/20170421.4985924Anthrax - Zimbabwe (02): (MN) wildlife, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (20): (PA)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesPennsylvania's Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine has announced that the state has declared a hepatitis A outbreak with 171 cases in 36 counties. According to the map provided by the Department of Health, Allegheny and Philadelphia counties are hit the hardest with anywhere between 31-50 cases.The counties hit hardest by this outbreak are Philadelphia and Allegheny, but we have seen an increase of cases throughout much of the state," Dr. Levine said. "We are taking Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe (06): (MN) wildlife, comment