Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Meningitis, meningococcal – Niger (02): counterfeit vaccines, alert
Meningitis - Neisseria -- NigerThe National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) [Nigeria] alerts the public, especially the health care providers, on the circulation of fake MencevaxTM ACWY and MencevaxTM ACW vaccines circulating in the Niger Republic. The Health Authorities of the Republic of Niger issued an alert on the fake vaccines discovered during routine inspections of the pharmacies in Niamey, the Niger Republic on [14 Mar 2019].The lot number of the fake MencevaxTM Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Schistosomiasis – Myanmar: (RA)
Schistosomiasis -- MyanmarThe transmission of schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever and bilharzias, has been reported in Inle of Shan State and Shwegyin Township in Bago Region, Rakhine State, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports.From October 2016 to June 2018, 302 people were infected with schistosomiasis.Dr. Than Tun Aung, Deputy Director-General of the Public Health Department said: "The ministry has stepped up its efforts to control the spreads of schistosomiasis as the cases are Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Equine influenza – UK (08): (England) horse, EIV H3N8 Florida clade 1, spread
Equine Influenza -- United KingdomVaccination and biosecurity remain crucial in controlling equine flu outbreaks across the UK, the Animal Health Trust (AHT) has reminded owners.There have now been 61 confirmed cases since the start of the year [2019], with the outbreak following the expected pattern."We are certainly hopeful that events raising their game and requiring vaccination will have had a positive effect on reducing transmission," an AHT spokesman told H&H."But the continued testing Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis – Norway: cattle
Tick-borne Encephalitis -- NorwayTick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is recognized as the most important zoonotic tick‐transmitted virus in Europe. TBEV is mainly transmitted to humans through bites from TBEV‐infected ticks (_Ixodes ricinus_ and _Ixodes persulcatus_). However, alimentary infection after consumption of unpasteurized milk and cheese from domestic ruminants has been reported. There is little information about TBEV in ruminants in Norway. The objectives of this study Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (02): (LA) horse
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesMosquito season has officially arrived in Louisiana and along with it 2 potentially fatal diseases. West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) are prevalent in Louisiana and can cause death in horses.So far, 5 horses have died from EEE across Louisiana, the majority of which could have been prevented with vaccination. WNV and EEE are both viral diseases that cause encephalitis and meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Western equine encephalitis – Mexico: (NA) equine, OIE
Western Equine Encephalitis -- MexicoInformation received on 29 Mar 2019 from MVZ Joaquin Braulio Delgadillo Alvarez, Director General de Salud Animal, Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) Secretaria de Agricultura, Ganaderia, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentacion, Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganaderia, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentacion, Mexico, MexicoSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 18 Feb 2019Date of confirmation Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (09): WHO global update, N. America, antiviral resistance
Influenza -- Worldwide/UnknownSummaryIn the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, influenza activity continued to be reported.- In North America, influenza activity continued, but in recent weeks influenza A(H3N2) was the dominant virus, followed by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09.- In Europe, influenza activity decreased across the continent, with two-thirds of countries still above baseline for influenza-like illness activity. Influenza A viruses co-circulated.- In North Africa, influenza activity Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (26): China, Viet Nam, domestic, spread, control, FAO
African Swine Fever -- ChinaChina:Since the China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) confirmed its 1st African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Liaoning Province on 3 Aug 2018, a total of 114 ASF outbreaks have been detected in 28 provinces/autonomous region/municipalities. Around 1 000 000 pigs have been culled in an effort to halt further spread.Viet Nam:Since the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) confirmed its ASF outbreaks on 19 Feb 2019, a total of 556 outbreaks Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (08): USA (AZ) horse, EHV-1
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported [28 Mar 2019] that another horse in Maricopa County, Arizona, has been diagnosed with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).A 20-year-old Quarter Horse mare developed severe neurologic signs on 25 Mar 2019 and was ultimately euthanized, the EDCC said. Test results confirmed EHV-1 infection on [27 Mar 2019].The Arizona Department of Agriculture said Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Strangles – North America (05): Canada (NB), USA (RI) horse
Strangles -- CanadaThe Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System has reported that a horse has tested positive for strangles in New Brunswick.On 13 Mar 2019, a provincial veterinarian was called out to examine a horse with an abscess. Due to the location of abscess and clinical signs, the veterinarian was suspicious of strangles and swabbed the abscess. Laboratory confirmation on [19 Mar 2019] revealed _Streptococcus equi equi_ (strangles). There are several other horses on the premise.This latest Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Classical swine fever – Japan (05): (GF, AI) domestic, wild boar, oral vacc.
Classical Swine Fever -- JapanJapan's central government has disclosed its decision to cull about 2400 pigs on Fri [29 Mar 2019] following confirmation of 2 more [outbreaks] of [classical] swine fever [CSF] at the farms in the region. "It is extremely difficult to foresee when the outbreak will wind down," Farm Minister, Takamori Yoshikawa, told a news conference, referring to the epidemic.Concise News learned that the Aichi prefectural government reported the 15th and 16th [outbreaks] of CSF, also Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bluetongue – Europe (07): BTV-8, cattle, Belgium, Germany, France, congenital
Bluetongue -- BelgiumSince our last outbreak assessment on 21 Jan 2019, Germany has reported a further 22 outbreaks of BTV-8 in southwestern Germany, now totalling 52 outbreaks since 1 Dec 2018 [map at source URL]. These were identified as part of a surveillance programme in this region. Outbreaks in the southwestern regions along the borders with France and Switzerland were not unexpected, given the circulation in those countries in the past few months, but the more recent reports from Germany encroached Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Mumps update (06): USA (PA) outbreak update
Mumps -- United StatesA mumps outbreak that began at Philadelphia's (PA) Temple University in February [2019] has snowballed, with the city's health department now reporting 106 cases associated with the flare-up. University officials say the vast majority of students involved had been immunized previously with the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.So why are so many still appearing on campus with the mumps' signature swollen cheeks?James Garrow, a spokesperson for the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Africa (02): South Africa (NC)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- South AfricaA well-known Kimberley man [ME] is being treated for Congo fever in the isolation unit at the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. He is the 2nd patient to be diagnosed with Congo fever in South Africa this year [2019]. The other case is in the Free State.According to [ME]'s wife, [SE], the 58-year-old started feeling ill on Sunday [24 Mar 2019]. "We went away for the weekend and when we came home my husband, who enjoys generally good health, began to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Kyasanur Forest disease – India (13): (KA) fatal
Kyasanur Forest Disease -- IndiaA 60-year-old woman from Aralagodu Gram Panchayat limits in Sagar taluk [sub-district] who was suffering from Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, died in a private hospital at Manipal in Udupi district on [Tue 26 Mar 2019].The deceased was a resident of Kaalamanji village. She was suffering from high fever and joint aches, and was admitted to the government general hospital in Sagar on [21 Mar 2019]. Her blood samples tested positive for KFD.As Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (04): (NY) assisted living facility, persistent Legionella
Legionnaires' -- United StatesThe _Legionella_ bacteria that caused an outbreak in February [2019], sickening 2 residents of the Promenade at University Place Assisted Living facility [see ProMED-mail post Legionellosis - USA (02): (NY) fatal, assisted living facility http://promedmail.org/post/20190223.6332765], killing one of them, has been found to match samples from a 2012 outbreak when the building, on Route 20 in Guilderland, was a Best Western Hotel. [See ProMED-mail post Legionellosis - USA: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (08): Americas
Dengue -- Worldwide/UnknownCases by Country / Week updated / Serotype / Total / Conf. / Severe / DeathsNorth AmericaUSA / 11 [w/e 15 Mar 2019] / D? / 58 / 58 / 0 / 0Central America and MexicoBelize / 10 [w/e 8 Mar 2019] / D? / 401 / 52 / 0 / 0Costa Rica / 9 [w/e 1 Mar 2019] / D1,2 / 358 / 0 / 0 / 0El Salvador / 11 [w/e 15 Mar 2019] / D2 / 1662 / 222 / 20 / 0Guatemala / 4 / [w/e 25 Jan 2019] / D2 / 435 / 0 / 17 / 2Honduras / 11 [w/e 15 Mar 2019] / D1,2,3,4 / 3665 /Mexico / 11 [w/e 15 Mar 2019] / D Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chytrid fungus, frog: global conservation impact
Other Animal Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownA frog-killing fungus is responsible for the decline of more species than any other pathogen on record, a global analysis has found. The study, published on 28 Mar [2019] in Science, reveals that chytrid fungi have caused the decline of at least 501 amphibian species worldwide from 1965 to 2015, including 90 that have become extinct.Other well-known pathogens such as the bat disease white-nose syndrome or West Nile virus, which kills birds, have affected just Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (38): Saudi Arabia (RI, SH) WHO
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaInfection with MERS-CoV can cause severe disease resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Humans are infected with MERS-CoV from direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels. MERS-CoV has demonstrated the ability to transmit between humans, especially from close unprotected contact with infected patients. So far, the observed non-sustained human-to-human transmission has occurred mainly in healthcare settings.The notification of these additional cases does not change Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (32): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, summary, WHO, public trust, economics
Ebola -- DR Congo- Due to a relatively well-developed road network, the population of North Kivu is very mobile and travels frequently from one health zone to another. This mobility is the main cause of reactivation of the epidemic in health areas where the transmission of the virus had already been stopped.- This is notably the case of Beni, which had no new confirmed cases between 21 Feb and 20 Mar 2019. Since 20 Mar 2019, the Beni outbreak has been reactivated after a person infected with the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Toxoplasmosis – Canada: ex USA (IL), undercooked deer meat
Toxoplasmosis -- CanadaQuebec's health ministry is reporting what it believes to be the 1st local outbreak of toxoplasmosis -- a parasitic disease that can severely affect pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems -- linked to the consumption of undercooked venison eaten outside the province.A bulletin published by the ministry notes that 5 people in a party of 10 hunters from Quebec fell ill after a 12-day hunting trip last November and December [2018] in the US. During the trip, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis, canine – USA: (WI) imported dogs
Brucellosis -- United StatesTwo of the 26 dogs having come from South Korea in February [2019] have tested positive for canine brucellosis. Those dogs and any dogs who have come in contact with them have been segregated and are being tested.Some of the dogs that have already been given to families have been placed in quarantine as well, HAWS [Humane Animal Welfare Society] says. In total, approximately 100 dogs are likely to require quarantine.Canine brucellosis is a reproductive disease in dogs Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA: (KY) O103
E. coli -- United States1. Schmidt H, Geitz C, Tarr PI, et al. Non-O157:H7 pathogenic Shiga-toxin producing _Escherichia coli_: phenotypic and genetic profiling of virulence traits and evidence for clonality. J Infect Dis 1999; 179(1): 115-23; available at 2. Bettelheim KA. Role of non-O157 VTEC. Symp Ser Soc Appl Microbiol 2000; (29): 38S-50S; abstract available at 3. Klein EJ, Stapp JR, Calusen CR, et al. Shiga toxin-producing _Escherichia coli_ in children with diarrhea: a prospective point-of-care Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Asian greening, citrus – Oman: 1st rep
Other Plant Disease -- OmanOmani citrus has faced various challenges over the past decades, of which the most important was witches' broom disease that killed nearly a million lime trees [ProMED-mail post http://promedmail.org/post/20141221.3047303].Dr Abdullah Mohammed al Sadi, Sultan Qaboos University, said that the research team noticed symptoms on limes in some areas of the country. "The symptoms are yellow veins, blotchy mottled patterns on leaves, small green fruits, lopsided fruits, half green Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (22): Pakistan (WPV1), Nigeria (cVDPV2), vacc. postponement
Polio -- PakistanNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 2Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2019: 8Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 33New cVDPV cases reported this week: 2Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2019: 4Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 104Headlines- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general and chair of the Polio Oversight Board, has issued a personal response to the extraordinary joint statement published in January Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (07): USA (AZ, CA) horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe EDCC [Equine Disease Communication Center] said the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA) reported a case of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM, the neurologic form of EHV-1) in a 16-year-old Yavapai County horse that began exhibiting neurologic signs on 22 Mar 2019. The horse was euthanized.Samples for "lab work (were) collected, and tests are pending," the EDCC said.Additionally, the ADA reported a case of EHV-1 in an 8-year-old Quarter Horse mare Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Mayotte (06): animal, human, control, epidemiology
Rift Valley Fever -- Région d'outre-mer de Mayotte, FranceSubject: Rift Valley Fever (RVF) situation in Mayotte, a French department in the Indian Ocean.Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis affecting ruminants and humans.1. Modes of transmission:- vectors (many species of mosquitoes), mainly;- direct contact with biological fluid;- ingestion of contaminated products (milk or meat not sanitized).2. BackgroundMayotte is at risk of exposure:- geographical proximity to many endemic countries Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – Europe (02): WGS, smoked fish, ex Estonia, fatal, 2016-19
Listeriosis -- EstoniaECDC has identified a microbiological link between an outbreak of 9 _Listeria monocytogenes_ ST1247 cases in Denmark and 9 additional cases reported between 2014 and 2018 in Estonia (2 cases) Finland (2), France (1) and Sweden (4).In Denmark, the outbreak investigation is led by Statens Serum Institut (SSI), the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the DTU Food Institute.Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis performed at the national level and by ECDC found all isolates Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Bluetongue – Europe (06): Belgium (LX) cattle, BTV-8, OIE
Bluetongue -- BelgiumInformation received on [and dated] 28 Mar 2019 from Dr Jean-Francois Heymans, director, Animal Health and Safety of Products of Animal Origin, Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC), Bruxelles, BelgiumSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 14 Feb 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 19 Feb 2019Report date: 27 Mar 2019Date submitted to OIE: 28 Mar 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Zambia (03): (ES) cattle, serotype pending
Foot and Mouth -- ZambiaFoot-and-mouth disease [FMD] has broken out in Lundazi and Vubwi districts of Eastern Province. Eastern Permanent Secretary Buleti Nsemukila says that over 1000 animals have been infected with the highly contagious viral disease which affects livestock with split hooves.Dr. Nsemukila told journalists in Chipata this afternoon [Tue 26 Mar 2019] that government has since restricted the movement of animals in the region. He said that a total of 600 animals have been affected Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Stripe rust, wheat – Pakistan, India
Other Plant Disease -- PakistanWheat is currently under attack by yellow rust in Punjab. The disease has been reported from almost all wheat growing districts. First spotted in February [2019], the disease had affected 20 per cent of the crop within a month.Punjab's Pest Warning and Quality Control of Pesticides Dr Zafar Yab Haider said most of the crop varieties affected were either unapproved, or approved for sowing in Sindh rather than Punjab. New wheat varieties like FD-8 and Johar remained safe Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Die-off, turtle – USA: (FL) novel virus susp
Animal Die-off -- United StatesResearchers have identified a novel virus they suspect is killing 3 types of freshwater turtles in the St Johns River, mostly softshells.To keep tabs on the turtles' status, they're urging the public's help in reporting the ongoing die-off, which has so far killed an estimated 300 turtles."It's been ongoing since last March [2018]," said Michelle Kerr, a spokeswoman with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).That's when FWC 1st got reports from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (20): Nepal, wild bird, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- NepalInformation received on [and dated] 26 Mar 2019 from Dr Bimal Kumar Nirmal, Director General, Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal.SummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 17 Mar 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Mar 2019Report date: 26 Mar 2019Date submitted to OIE: 26 Mar 2019Date event resolved: 22 Mar 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (06): (CA) shows cancelled
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesPoultry show cancellations continue to be announced in response to the outbreak of virulent Newcastle disease (VND).Since May 2018, a VND outbreak has had a devastating impact on poultry populations in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. A recent case of VND was also discovered in Redwood City in Alameda County. Officials from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have been Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease – Sweden: (NB) moose, 1st case
Chronic Wasting Disease — Sweden
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (06): USA (IA) horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesAn Altoona horse barn is under quarantine for at least 2 weeks after a case of equine herpes virus was confirmed there Monday [25 Mar 2019].Iowa state veterinarian Dr. Jeff Kaisand said his office has confirmed the presence of EHV, which is a neurological disease in horses that can damage blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord.Kaisand said the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship cannot release the exact location.EHV doesn't pose a threat to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tetrodotoxin poisoning, puffer fish – Philippines: (CB)
Food-related toxin -- Philippines4. Cohen NJ, Deeds JR, Wong ES, et al: Public health response to puffer fish (tetrodotoxin) poisoning from mislabeled product. J Food Prot 2009; 72(4): 810-7 [abstract available at .5. FDA: Fish and fisheries products hazards and controls guidance. 4th ed. US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration; 2014. Available at .6. FDA: Exchange of letters between Japan and the US Food and Drug Administration regarding puffer fish. US Department Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (13): Americas, USA (CO, PA) dog, cow, human exposure
Rabies -- United StatesA dog in El Paso County, Colorado tested positive for rabies after its owner bypassed veterinarians and gave the animal the vaccine themselves.Initially, health officials were investigating the possibility the owner may have administered the vaccine to the dog themselves, instead of using a licensed veterinarian. If that was the case, depending on how the vaccine was handled, the vaccine may not have been as effective as one given by a vet.Later Thursday evening [21 Mar 2109], Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (37): Saudi Arabia (AS, RI, SH)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaSince the last update on 21 Mar 2019, (MERS-CoV (36): Saudi Arabia (NJ, AS, RI) http://promedmail.org/post/20190321.6379488), there have been a total of 3 newly confirmed cases reported by Saudi Arabia. In addition there were 7 recoveries reported during this period.Information on newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection (3)[1]Date of confirmation report: 25 Mar 2019Case No: 19-1883MERS in Khamess Meshait city: 61-year-old male in Khamess Meshait city, Aseer regionContact Read more [...]
