Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Measles update (36)
Measles -- Ukraine"When universal routine immunisation in childhood improves and the virus is still in circulation, the disease will naturally move to the older age group who may be unimmunised or whose vaccine-derived immunity has begun to wane. At a time when the state is moving towards measles elimination, adult measles is a major concern," a senior health official said.Historically, measles has been a childhood disease. The epidemiological shift to older population presents new public health Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Amebic meningoencephalitis, primary – Pakistan (02): (SD)
Amoeba -- PakistanPeople in Karachi are in the grip of deadly infectious diseases at the moment as officials in Karachi said [Fri 17 May 2019] that a 34-year old man was infected with the lethal _Naegleria fowleri_ amoeba or the brain-eating bug and was struggling for life at a private hospital in the city._N. fowleri_ is a single-celled organism that can cause a rare infection of the brain called "primary amoebic meningoencephalitis", also known as PAM, which is usually fatal, officials said adding Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Thailand: increased incidence, congenital
Syphilis -- ThailandAs many as 249 babies were born with syphilis in Thailand this year [2019], according to the Public Health Ministry. "The babies were affected because their mothers were infected," the ministry's permanent secretary, Dr Sukhum Karnchanapimai, said yesterday [18 May 2019].Sukhum said that between 1 Jan and 13 May 2019, 3080 people of all ages were diagnosed with syphilis. Of them, 40.42 per cent are between 15 and 24 years old. Some 24.48 per cent of others are between 25 and 34 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Population declines, apis – Australia: native bees
Other Animal Disease -- AustraliaThe world's honey bees have been in steep decline for over a decade, with extraordinary losses in population witnessed across the globe resulting in a 30 percent loss of some honey bee colonies every year.Beekeepers across the US and Europe have reported these mass bee deaths, known as 'colony collapse' since 2006 and in the absence of any singular explanation, the disturbing decline was dubbed 'colony collapse disorder' or CCD.This was a shocking and frightening Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (47): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, situation, research
Ebola -- DR Congo- Investigations continue around the 1st confirmed patient in the Alimbongo health zone. According to the initial results, the patient was contaminated after participating in an unsecured burial of a family member who died in Katwa.Figures of the response------------------------ 119 652 vaccinated persons- 792 people vaccinated on 18 May 2019;- of those vaccinated, 32 577 are high-risk contacts, 58 347 are contacts of contacts, and 28 728 are front-line providers;- persons Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Black spot, citrus – Italy: ex Tunisia, intercept
Other Plant Disease -- ItalyCitrus black spot was detected in some shipments of citrus fruit imported by the European Union from Tunisia. "[This] confirms all our worries about the spread of this devastating disease in the Mediterranean and we require the immediate block of imports from Africa. Over the past few years, we have asked the authorities to implement stricter checks," explains Giovanni Selvaggi, Consorzio Arancia Rossa di Sicilia IGP [Sicilian blood orange growers' association]."We require Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (15): WHO global update, Australia, seasonal activity
Influenza -- AustraliaInformation in this report is categorized by influenza transmission zones, which are geographical groups of countries, areas, or territories with similar influenza transmission patterns.SummaryIn the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, influenza activity decreased overall.- In North America and Europe, influenza activity was low overall.- In North Africa, influenza detections were low across reporting countries.- In western Asia, influenza activity decreased overall, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Texas cattle fever tick – USA (02): (TX) cattle
Tick-borne disease -- United StatesTexas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) livestock inspectors discovered fever ticks on cattle originating from a Webb County premises during a routine voluntary inspection at a program dipping vat on 23 Apr 2019. The premises where the cattle originated has been placed under quarantine, and all cattle on the premises have started treatment."We are thankful for cattle producers' support in voluntarily inspecting their animals for fever ticks," said Dr. Andy Schwartz, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (48): Saudi Arabia (RI) WHO
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaFrom [9 through 30 Apr 2019], the National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported 9 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 3 deaths. Of the 9 cases reported, 5 were associated with ongoing clusters in 3 cities: 3 cases (including 1 death) in Alkhafji city in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia, 1 case in Alderb city in Jazan region, and 1 case in Alkharji city in Riyadh region of Saudi Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Africa (08): Namibia, update
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- NamibiaHealth minister Kalumbi Shangula announced at a press conference in Windhoek yesterday [Wed 15 May 2019] that of the 6 reported cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), only one had tested positive for the fever, while 3 were found to be negative. The results of the remaining 2 cases are still pending.Shangula said a 54-year-old woman from Onethika B Village in the Olukonda constituency, who had since recovered and was discharged on 11 May [2019], Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (44): China, Viet Nam, domestic, spread
African Swine Fever -- ChinaA man in a white protective suit parked a dump truck at the edge of a dusty pit and unloaded a pile of pink carcasses. They tumbled to the ground just as a 2nd truck arrived with another batch.The scene at a Hong Kong landfill this week was part of a government effort to kill and dispose of 6000 pigs from a slaughterhouse where one of them had been found to have African swine fever [ASF].It was the latest turn in an outbreak that has decimated pig herds in the Chinese Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Argentina: commercial hummus, homemade preserves
Botulism -- ArgentinaA case of foodborne botulism occurred in Slovakia in 2015. _Clostridium botulinum_ type A was isolated from 3 nearly empty commercial hummus tubes. The product, which was sold in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, was withdrawn from the market, and a warning was issued immediately through the European Commission's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). Further investigation revealed the presence of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) subtype BoNT/A3, a very rare subtype implicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Mycobacterium bovis – UK: (England) cats, pet food origin
Bovine TB -- United KingdomA batch of raw pet food produced by the British company Natural Instinct has been identified as the probable cause of a rare outbreak of feline tuberculosis (TB) that infected 13 cats last year [2018] in the United Kingdom [see commentary regarding additional cases].The Camberley-based company confirmed to the VIN News Service today [15 May 2019] that it is working with Britain's Food Standards Agency as part of a related investigation into its now-discontinued "Wild Venison" Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Mayaro virus – Americas (02): Brazil (RJ)
Other Human Disease -- BrazilA new threat to public health haunts the state of Rio de Janeiro: Scientists at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) have discovered that a virus with symptoms similar to those of the chikungunya virus [infection] may precipitate an epidemic in the Southeast.Both have similar characteristics, such as disabling intense joint pains that last for months. There is no vaccine or any specific treatment.Laboratory tests have shown that the Mayaro virus can be transmitted Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – USA (03): proactive surveillance
African Swine Fever -- United StatesThe US Department of Agriculture (USDA) within weeks will begin testing sick and dead pigs for a hog virus that has killed herds across Asia in an effort to minimize devastation if the disease enters the USA, the agency said on Thursday [16 May 2019].Increased testing aims to help US officials detect cases of African swine fever quickly so they can contain the disease. African swine fever kills almost all pigs infected, though it is not harmful to people. There Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease – USA (10): (CA) biosecurity
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesAs agriculture officials ramp up the battle against the poultry-killing Newcastle disease outbreak in Southern California, state Veterinarian Annette Jones has issued a directive that state, county and city workers avoid poultry areas in an effort reduce spread of the highly contagious virus. When such visits are unavoidable because of a public-health threat, a strict protocol -- including biosecurity clothing -- is detailed in the guidelines issued by Jones last Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Braenderup & Montevideo – USA: live poultry
Salmonella -- United StatesCDC and public health officials in several states are investigating multistate outbreaks of _Salmonella_ Braenderup and _Salmonella_ Montevideo infections linked to contact with backyard poultry.Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of these outbreaks. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health laboratories coordinated by CDC. DNA fingerprinting is performed on _Salmonella_ bacteria isolated from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (21): USA (WA)
Hantavirus -- United StatesA Grant County resident is recovering from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome [HPS], the 1st case of hantavirus [infection] in the state this year [2019]. The hantavirus illness was confirmed by laboratory testing on Friday [10 May 2019] at the state Public Health Laboratory. The individual is expected to survive and is recovering at home.Hantavirus [causes] a rare illness caused by a virus found in the urine, droppings, and saliva of infected rodents. Deer mice are the only Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (19): (KY)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesThe death toll has risen to 57 in Kentucky's hepatitis A outbreak, which has fallen from its peak but still hasn't been wrestled under control, according to the state's latest weekly report. Kentucky's deaths account for one-third of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said are at least 170 deaths nationally from hepatitis A outbreaks, which since 2016 have spread to 22 states, largely among the homeless population and drug users. The contagious liver disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax (02): global, model map
Anthrax -- Worldwide/Unknown_Bacillus anthracis_ is a spore-forming, Gram-positive bacterium responsible for anthrax, an acute infection that most significantly affects grazing livestock and wild ungulates, but also poses a threat to human health. The geographic extent of _B. anthracis_ is poorly understood, despite multi-decade research on anthrax epizootic and epidemic dynamics; many countries have limited or inadequate surveillance systems, even within known endemic regions. Here, we compile a Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Black sigatoka, banana – Reunion Island: 1st rep
Other Plant Disease -- Région d'outre-mer de Réunion, France_Pseudocercospora fijiensis_, the causal agent of black Sigatoka disease of banana (Musa spp.) (BLSD), is considered to be the major economic threat for banana cultivated for export. The disease has a worldwide distribution throughout the humid tropical regions and has been previously reported in the southwest Indian Ocean area: in 1993 in Mayotte and Comoros islands, in Mauritius in 1996 and in Madagascar in 2000.In December Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Concord – USA: tahini, alert, recall request
Salmonella -- United StatesThe United States Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella_ Concord illnesses linked to "Karawan Tahini and Halva" brand tahini imported from Israel.The FDA has been working with the state of New York and New York City. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tested samples of Karawan tahini and found that the product Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (16): USA (AZ) horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesHerpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (the neurologic form).In many horses, the 1st or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected. In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include cough, decreased appetite, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (36): global, Iran environmental, Pakistan
Environmental -- IranNew wild poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 4Environment: 5New cVDPV poliovirus reported this week:AFP cases: 0Environment: 0Headlines- On 9 May 2019, the WHO received notification of the detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) from an environmental sample collected on [20 Apr 2019], in Seestan and Balochistan province, Iran. The virus collected is an environmental sample only, and no associated cases of paralysis have been detected. Genetic sequencing confirmed it Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Influenza A, poultry: Belgium (WV), A(H3), low pathogenicity
Influenza -- BelgiumA total of 35 farms in Belgium have been affected by a [strain] of avian influenza that is harmless to humans, the country's agriculture department says. Since the beginning of April [2019], several poultry farms, mainly located in West Flanders, have been affected by a bird flu virus.The Federal Minister for Agriculture Denis Ducarme emphasises that the virus in question is 'completely harmless to human health'. Moreover, the virus in question - bird flu virus of the H3 type Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (29): Europe, Asia (Norway ex Philippines) human, dog
Rabies -- NorwayThe family and relatives of Birgitte Kallestad wanted to say goodbye to the young woman under sheltered and private frames.At 1:00 p.m. today [Wed 15 May 2019], the 24-year-old was buried in the upbringing municipality of Fjell in Hordaland."Intangible to all of us, her goodness became her path. Nevertheless, according to Birgitte's heart, it is now possible to give a gift to the Animal Protection. It's a great way to honor her memory," priest Maria Tveiten said in the memorial in Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (05): May 2019
Other Human Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownNeurosyphilis: Concordance between cerebrospinal fluid analysis and subsequent antibiotic strategy for patients undergoing evaluation of a diagnosis of neurosyphilisO.C. Smibert, S. Abbinga, D.W. Spelman, A.W.J. JenneyInt J Infect Dis., Volume 82, May 2019, Pages 73-76The need for an antibiotic stewardship program in a hospital using a computerized pre-authorization systemBuket Erturk Sengel, Huseyin Bilgin, Beyza Oren Bilgin, Tolga Gidener, Simge Saydam, Aslıhan Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Herpesvirus, zoo elephant – USA: (IN)
Herpes -- United StatesThe Indianapolis Zoo says their 13-year-old male African elephant, Kedar, has tested positive for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV).The Zoo started testing the blood of each elephant twice a week after 2 elephants, Nyah and Kalina, died in March [2019]. Lab and pathology tests confirmed both elephants had EEHV, which is a virus that causes fatal hemorrhagic disease in elephants, mainly Asian elephants.The Zoo says they are bringing the full force of knowledge and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (46): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, response
Ebola -- DR Congo114 553 Vaccinated persons:- 486 people vaccinated on 12 May 2019.- Of those vaccinated, 30 816 are high-risk contacts (CHR), 55 294 are contacts of contacts (CC), and 28 443 are front-line providers (PPL).- Persons vaccinated by health zone: 30 886 in Katwa, 24 064 in Beni, 14 006 in Butembo.- The only vaccine to be used in this outbreak is the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, manufactured by the pharmaceutical group Merck, following approval by the Ethics Committee in its decision of 19 May Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kenya (09): (NK) wildlife, discussion
Anthrax -- KenyaThere's been an anthrax outbreak in Kenya's Nakuru county. But it's not the 1st time. Nakuru seems to be a hotspot for these outbreaks. The Conversation Africa's Moina Spooner asked Bernard Bett and John Gachohi to shed light on the reasons for this.Why does Nakuru county have recurring outbreaks?Last month [April 2019] an anthrax outbreak killed more than 10 buffaloes in Lake Nakuru National Park, which is in Kenya's Rift Valley. This area is no stranger to outbreaks. In our research, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Botswana: (CH) elephant, OIE
Anthrax -- BotswanaInformation received on [and dated] 15 May 2019 from Dr. Letlhogile Modisa, Director, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Gaborone, BotswanaSummary:Report type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 9 May 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 15 May 2019Report date: 15 May 2019Date submitted to OIE: 15 May 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 30 Sep 2015Manifestation of disease: Clinical Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (14): Africa
Waterborne Illness -- KenyaThe outbreak of acute watery diarrhea (AWD) has killed 3 people in the North Gondar Tselemt area in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The 3 people who were getting medical treatment after acquiring AWD have passed away, according to the state broadcaster ETV. The report indicated that currently 151 people affected by AWD are also identified in 3 locations of Amhara region. Currently in North Gondar, Tselemt area, 90 people infected with AWD have been identified and are being Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hepatitis E – China: (HK) human, rat virus
Hepatitis E -- China"Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major public health concern in developing countries where the primary transmission is via contaminated water. Zoonotic HEV cases have been increasingly described in Europe, Japan and the United States with pigs representing the main animal reservoir of infection. We report an unusual acute hepatitis infection in a previously healthy man caused by a rat hepatitis E virus with a considerably divergent genomic sequence compared to other rat HEV strains. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Squirrel pox, red squirrel – UK: (England)
Other Animal Disease -- United KingdomSquirrel pox is spreading fast along the Solway coast, affecting the population of red squirrels in the area. The virus is carried by grey squirrels - they are not affected by the disease but are capable of contaminating native reds that are not immune.In recent weeks a number of red squirrels have died as a result of the disease. Those with pox [squirrel pox] resemble rabbits with Myxomatosis. A list of symptoms include skin ulcers, lesions, scabs, swelling Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (18): (FL, SC, NM)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesDespite giving out more than 6900 free hepatitis A vaccines last week [week of 6 May 20190], Florida saw its biggest weekly increase in new cases of the contagious liver disease. The Florida Department of Health reported an additional 92 hepatitis A cases during the week ending 11 May 2019, bringing the total since the beginning of 2019 to 1129 people. The 92 new cases -- 4 of them in South Florida -- represent the most reported in one week since the hepatitis A outbreak Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – Europe (01): Belgium (OV)
Legionnaires' -- BelgiumOne person has died from [legionellosis] in Evergem, [a municipality] near Ghent, after health authorities declared an outbreak of the bacteria in the region, which accelerated at the weekend. The patient died in Ghent's University Hospital on [Mon 13 May 2019] evening, The Flanders Agency for Care and Health announced in a statement.The agency has currently identified at least 16 cases after it was reported that 11 infected people had been admitted to the hospital late last Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (20): Argentina (JY)
Hantavirus -- ArgentinaHantavirus [infections]: 1 dead and 14 confirmed cases confirmed by the provincial Ministry of Health. The only fatal case is from the El Talar locality, [a young man] between 15 and 19 years of age. Of the cases, 2 were registered from rural areas in Palpala.- The government confirmed that a young man died of [a] hantavirus [infection]- There are another 14 cases that are progressing well.- The general concern is the large number of trash dumps that could lead to new cases.The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Africa (07): Namibia, RFI
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- NamibiaAn elderly man is dead and 4 more people have been isolated in different hospitals as a result of an outbreak of Congo fever [Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever] in Namibia. The 4 new cases have been admitted to hospitals for treatment and observation purposes in different regions across the country.Selma Robert, National Surveillance Officer on the spread of disease in the Ministry of Health confirmed that a 77-year-old man died as a result of the viral infection Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (09): Nepal (BK) H5N1, update
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- NepalThe Epidemiology and Disease Control Division says it is preparing to send specimens collected from the people who came in close contact with the person who died after contracting the H5N1 (bird flu) virus on [29 Mar 2019].The division, under the Department of Health Services, had formed a team of medical doctors and lab technicians to carry out an epidemiological investigation after the death of a 21-year-old from Kavrepalanchok district [Province Three] from the bird Read more [...]
