Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (54): Greece (MH) pelican, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- GreeceSummaryReport type: immediate notificationStarted: 22 Mar 2021Confirmed: 26 Mar 2021Reported: 1 Apr 2021Reason for notification: recurrenceLast occurrence: 12 May 2017Causal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5N8Nature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratoryThis event pertains to the whole country.New outbreaks (1)Outbreak location 1: Regional Unit of Serres, Lake Kerkini, Irakleia, Central Macedonia, Macedonia and TraceStarted: 22 Mar Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Toxic spill – USA: (FL) phosphogypsum, evacuations
Environmental -- United StatesA state of emergency has been declared in Florida after a leak from a large pond of toxic wastewater in Tampa Bay.More than 300 homes in the area have been ordered to be evacuated, and a motorway near the Piney Point reservoir has been closed off. Residents were sent a text alert telling them to leave home immediately.Officials said the 77-acre (31-hectare) reservoir holds millions of gallons of water containing phosphorous and nitrogen from an old phosphate plant. The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (124): surge, variants, bacterial superinfections, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownWHO region (no. countries/territories):Total confirmed cases (new cases in last 24 hours) / Total deaths (new deaths in last 24 hours)---------------------------------Western Pacific Region (19): 1 944 836 (17 887) / 31 755 (31)European Region (61): 45 677 590 (251 110) / 977 933 (3698)South East Asia Region (10): 15 108 425 (101 997) / 221 387 (862)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 7 654 232 (43 353) / 160 058 (561)Region of the Americas (54): 56 403 124 (241 084) / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Campylobacteriosis – USA: (WA) unpasteurized milk, alert, recall
Campylobacter -- United States"In the context of the prevailing trend toward more natural products, there seems to be an increasing preference for raw milk consumption as raw milk is associated with several perceived health benefits that are believed to be destroyed upon heating. However, many human pathogens can be isolated from raw cow milk. The prevalence of foodborne pathogens in raw cow milk varies, but their presence has been demonstrated in many surveys and foodborne infections have been repeatedly Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (30): Guinea
Ebola -- GuineaA case of Ebola has been diagnosed in Guinea, a health agency spokesman said on Fri 2 Apr 2021, resetting a count that had begun last week to declaring the country free of the virus.The case was detected on Thu 1 Apr 2021 in the southeastern town of Soulouta, less than 20 km (12 miles) from where the current outbreak began in February 2021. "It is still unclear if this is a contact case. Investigations are ongoing," the spokesman said.A total of 15 people have tested positive for Ebola Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (123): postvaccination transmission, CIDRAP, South Asia, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownWHO region (no. countries/territories):Total confirmed cases (new cases in last 24 hours) / Total deaths (new deaths in last 24 hours)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Western Pacific Region (19): 1 926 893 (14 191) / 31 724 (39)European Region (61): 45 402 003 (275 728) / 973 824 (3898)South East Asia Region (10): 15 006 448 (94 908) / 220 525 (728)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 7 610 879 (46 175) /159 497 (536)Region Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (53): Algeria (BT) wild bird, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- AlgeriaSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationStarted: 22 Feb 2021Confirmed: 24 Feb 2021Reported: 30 Mar 2021Reason for notification: RecurrenceLast occurrence: 21 Feb 2021Causal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5N8Nature of diagnosis: Clinical, necropsy, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Outbreak location 1: Oued Taga, BatnaStarted: 22 Feb 2021Ended: 22 Feb 2021Epidemiological unit: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (06): Congo DR, Pakistan (SD)
Measles -- DR CongoMeasles is once again on the rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The recent upsurge in cases -- more than 13 000 since 1 Jan 2021 -- is a major source of concern for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).Between 2018 and 2020, the worst measles epidemic ever recorded in DRC tore through the country. In just 2 years, more than 460 000 children contracted the disease and nearly 8000 died from it. Three-quarters of them were under 5.At the time, MSF deployed emergency teams in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – USA (02): (OR,AR) domestic, wild
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesThe Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has confirmed rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in a feral domestic rabbit found dead in Milwaukie, a suburb of Portland [Oregon].RHDV2 is a viral disease, causing sudden death in rabbits. The virus is highly contagious among rabbit populations and can spread through contact with infected rabbits, meat, fur, or materials coming into contact with them. RHDV2 poses no human health risk. The virus only infects rabbits.On Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (122): vaccines, prior HCoV infection, CIDRAP, Brazil, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownBackground: Children have a low rate of COVID-19 and secondary severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) but present a high prevalence of symptomatic seasonal coronavirus infections.Aim: We tested if prior infections by seasonal coronaviruses (HCoV) NL63, HKU1, 229E or OC43 as assessed by serology, provide cross-protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods: We set a cross-sectional observational multicentric study in pauci- or asymptomatic children hospitalised Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian vacuolar myelinopathy – USA: toxic cyanobacteria
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesBreinlinger S, Phillips TJ, Haram BN, et al. Hunting the eagle killer: A cyanobacterial neurotoxin causes vacuolar myelinopathy. Science. 2021 Mar 26; 371(6536): eaax9050. doi: 10.1126/science.aax9050. PMID: 33766860; .- Mod.PMBHealthMap/ProMED map:United States: ][See Also:Avian vacuolar myelinopathy - USA: (FL) http://promedmail.org/post/20160519.42332512011----Avian vacuolar myelinopathy - USA (GA, SC) http://promedmail.org/post/20111231.37172003----Avian vacuolar Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Ireland (02): O26
E. coli -- IrelandPublic health officials in Ireland are searching for the source of an _E. coli_ O26 outbreak in part of the country. The Department of Public Health Mid-West of the Health Service Executive (HSE) is investigating the outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing, enterohemorrhagic _E. coli_ (EHEC) that has affected 1 setting in a region that includes Clare, Limerick, and North Tipperary. EHEC, also known as Verotoxigenic _E. coli_ (VTEC), caused the outbreak among young children in recent weeks.It Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Typhimurium – USA (02): songbird source, CDC
Salmonella -- United StatesCDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Typhimurium infections in people. Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that contact with wild songbirds and bird feeders is likely making people sick in this outbreak.Epidemiologic data------------------As of 30 Mar 2021, a total of 19 people infected with the outbreak strain of _Salmonella_ Typhimurium have Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (09): Philippines (NS) spread
African Swine Fever -- PhilippinesThe provincial task force on African swine fever [ASF] in Northern Samar is on alert for unusual swine deaths after reporting its 1st ASF case in Lope de Vega town on Tuesday [30 Mar 2021].Provincial veterinarian Jose Luis Acompanado, vice chairman of the ASF task force in the province, said they would continue blood sample collection within 7 km [4.3 mi] of the affected area in Barangay Bonifacio."Active surveillance is crucial in determining the extent of ASF outbreak Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (52): UK (England) poultry, LPAI H5N3, OIE
Avian Influenza -- United KingdomSummaryReport type: immediate notificationStarted on: 12 Mar 2021Confirmed on: 26 Mar 2021Reported on: 28 Mar 2020Reason for notification: RecurrenceLast occurrence: 7 Jan 2020Causal agent: Low pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5N3Nature of diagnosis: laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of outbreaks: Total outbreaks: 1Outbreak location 1: Cheshire West and Chester, EnglandStarted on: 12 Mar Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (121): Pfizer clinical trial for children, Brazil, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- BrazilThe Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is extremely effective in young adolescents, perhaps even more so than in adults, the companies reported on Wednesday -- a finding that could ease the return to normalcy for millions of American families. No symptomatic infections were found among children aged 12 to 15 who received the vaccine in a recent clinical trial, the drug makers said; the children produced strong antibody responses and experienced no serious side effects.Depending Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (29): Congo DR (NK)
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (08): USA (MD), guidelines
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesLaurel Park canceled racing for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday [26-28 Mar 2021] after the Maryland Jockey Club was informed Thursday [25 Mar 2021] evening by Maryland State Veterinarian Dr. Michael Odian that a horse at Pimlico has tested positive for the equine herpesvirus (EHV-1). The horse had been isolated for 72 hours prior to the positive test. In a statement issued by the Maryland Jockey Club Friday afternoon [26 Mar 2021], the suspension of live racing at Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (120): Russia, animal, vaccine
COVID-19 -- RussiaRussia has registered the world's 1st vaccine against COVID-19 for animals, the country's agriculture safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said on Wednesday [31 Mar 2021].Russia already has 3 coronavirus vaccines for humans, the most well-known of which is Sputnik V, named after Sputnik, the world's 1st satellite launched by the Soviet Union.The vaccine for animals, developed by a unit of Rosselkhoznadzor, was named Carnivac-Cov, the watchdog said."The clinical trials of Carnivac-Cov, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Encephalitis, bear – USA: (NV, CA) novel circovirus
Encephalitis -- United StatesWildlife officials in California are worried about a strange ailment that appears to strip young bears of their fear of humans - and also is causing fatal brain inflammation. The mystery disease has shown up in Nevada and California, starting in 2014.Dr. Brandon Munk, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Senior Wildlife Veterinarian spoke with CBS News about the mystery illness in bears: "Someone opened the trunk and it climbed in the trunk, and that Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Canada (02): (ON) smoked fish, risk, recall
Botulism -- CanadaNorth Shore Specialty Foods is recalling Kolapore Springs smoked trout from the marketplace because it could permit the growth of _Clostridium botulinum_ bacteria, which can produce the toxin causing botulism. No illnesses have been reported to the company in connection with the consumption of this product.The recalled products include Kolapore Springs Smoked Trout, sold in variable-size packages. The UPC number printed on the label is 6 27987 16383 4. All best-before dates are Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Canada: (QC) walrus meat, risk, alert
Botulism -- CanadaDuring 1985-2005, a total of 91 laboratory-confirmed outbreaks of foodborne botulism occurred in Canada; these outbreaks involved 205 cases and 11 deaths. Of the outbreaks, 75 (86.2%) were caused by _Clostridium botulinum_ type E, followed by types A (7, (8.1%)) and B (5, (5.7%)). Approximately 85% of the outbreaks occurred in Alaska Native communities, particularly the Inuit of Nunavik in northern Quebec and the First Nations population of the Pacific coast of British Columbia. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (02): O157
E. coli -- United StatesWe investigated 2 outbreaks of an unusual gastrointestinal illness that affected at least 47 people in Oregon and Michigan in February through March and May through June 1982. The illness was characterized by severe crampy abdominal pain, initially watery diarrhea followed by grossly bloody diarrhea, and little or no fever. It was associated with eating at restaurants belonging to the same fast-food restaurant chain in Oregon (P less than 0.005) and Michigan (P = 0.0005) and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (51): France (ND) wild bird, HPAI H5N1, OIE, 1st rep
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- FranceSummaryReport type: immediate notificationStarted on: 17 Mar 2021Confirmed on: 26 Mar 2021Reason for notification: new strain in the countryReported on: 27 Mar 2021Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5N1Nature of diagnosis: necropsy, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of outbreaksTotal outbreaks: 1Outbreak location: Dragey, Avranches, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (06): Trinidad & Tobago
Yellow Fever -- Trinidad & TobagoCitation: Hill SC, Sahadeo NSD, Gyan L, et al.: Genomic characterisation of sylvatic yellow fever virus epizootic in Trinidad. Virological.org. 2021.Summary: A non-human primate (red howler monkey; _Alouatta seniculus_) was found positive for yellow fever virus (YFV) in Trinidad in February 2021. This represented the 1st detection of YFV in the country since 2009. Rapid sequencing of the virus genome at the University of the West Indies demonstrated that this Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (119): Chile, indoor transmission risk, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownWHO region (no. countries/territories):Total confirmed cases (new cases in last 24 hours) / Total deaths (new deaths in last 24 hours)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Western Pacific Region (19): 1 887 403 (13 997) / 31 471 (56)European Region (61): 44 561 071 (162 778) / 961 435(3630)South East Asia Region (10): 14 763 347 (66 932) / 218 604(453)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 7 475 714 (39 596) / 157 852 (482)Region Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (118): animal, China, origin, WHO mission, report
COVID-19 -- ChinaFrom the very beginning of the pandemic WHO has stressed the need to understand the origin of the virus in order to better understand the emergence of new pathogens and possible exposures.Throughout 2020, WHO continued to discuss with China and other Member States the need to study and share information around the virus origins.The World Health Assembly resolution of May 2020, which was adopted by all Member States, cited "as part of the One-Health Approach to identify the zoonotic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (117): transmission, diagnosis, Philippines, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- PhilippinesWu P, Liu F, Chang Z, et al. Assessing asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic and symptomatic transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2, Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2021; ciab271, Abstract--------"Background: The relative contributions of asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic and symptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 have not been clearly measured although control measures may differ in response to the risk of spread posed by different types of cases."Methods: We collected detailed information on Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Announcements (02): OIE – WAHIS, new animal health data system
Not Yet Classified -- Worldwide/Unknown"At a time when the world is facing an unprecedented pandemic, the importance of animal disease surveillance has become evident. To support countries maintaining global transparency and reporting matters of animal and public health, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) launches the leading most technologically advanced reference platform for animal disease and veterinary capacities reporting - the World Animal Health Information System (OIE-WAHIS)".Paris, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Viet Nam: (BI)
Botulism -- VietnamMiyashita S-I, Zhang J, Zhang S, Shoemaker CB and Dong M: Delivery of single-domain antibodies into neurons using a chimeric toxin-based platform is therapeutic in mouse models of botulism. Science Transl Med. 2021; 13(575): eaaz4197; DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz4197 "Abstract:--------Efficient penetration of cell membranes and specific targeting of a cell type represent major challenges for developing therapeutics toward intracellular targets. One example facing these hurdles Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza (05): USA (NC) swine origin H1N1v
Influenza -- United StatesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today [26 Mar 2021] reported a variant H1N1 (H1N1v) case, which involves a North Carolina resident who had daily contact with pigs.In its weekly FluView report, the CDC said the patient's sample was collected in 2020, but H1N1v wasn't identified until 2021. Thus, the case marks the nation's 1st case for 2020.An investigation found no instances of human-to-human transmission related to the case. The US reported its last Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – USA: (ID) wild rabbit
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesA devastating disease sometimes referred to as "rabbit Ebola" has been detected for the 1st time in Idaho, with state officials warning domestic rabbit owners to take precautions.Rabbit hemorrhagic disease, or RHD, is an incredibly deadly disease that's easily spread among rabbits. It isn't known to affect humans, livestock, or other species of pets.Two dead jackrabbits near the Boise Airport were confirmed to have tested positive for RHD Thursday night [25 Mar Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Take-all, wheat – UK: research
Other Plant Disease -- United KingdomConsidered the most damaging root disease of wheat worldwide, take-all control measures are limited. According to Rothamsted [Research Station] Dr Javier Palma-Guerrero, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of this disease."New sources of genetic resistance have been identified and are being transferred into wheat. And we now have a better understanding of the soil, rhizosphere and endosphere (plant interior) microbiomes and their association Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (28): Guinea
Ebola -- GuineaWim Van Damme, a researcher and infectious disease expert at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, who was not involved in the research, cautions that this method of transmission would be a very rare event. "There are more than 10 000 Ebola survivors in West Africa, and this is the 1st case, after 5 years," he said.He added that while many people think the infection was most probably a case of sexual transmission. "That is not for sure because the virus can remain present in Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hand, foot & mouth disease update – Australia: (QL)
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease -- AustraliaQueensland Health recently urged parents to watch out for hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) following dozens of cases that have been identified in the Far North.There have been more than 60 presentations of HFMD to Cairns Hospital's Emergency Department during the 1st 2 months of the year [2021], including 9 patient admissions.Tropical Public Health Services Cairns public health medical officer, Dr Annie Preston-Thomas, said the team was aware of at least 15 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Ireland: alert
E. coli -- IrelandThe Department of Public Health has reiterated the importance of hand hygiene, and effective well water treatment, following an outbreak of a powerful strain of _E. coli_. Public Health Mid West said it is presently managing an outbreak of enterohemorrhagic _E. coli_ (EHEC) of young children in a single setting. The bacterium can cause serious illness and also effects the elderly."We can confirm that it is currently under control, and we would like to reassure the public that these Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (49): UK (England) poultry, HPAI H5N8
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- United KingdomPoultry at a Staffordshire chicken farm are set to be culled after bird flu was confirmed at the site.A 10-km control zone has been set up around the farm north of Uttoxeter after the case was confirmed on Saturday [27 Mar 2021].Specific rules around the housing and movement of birds and eggs apply in this area, and records must be kept of anyone entering sites where poultry is kept.Extra rules apply to areas within 3 km of the affected farm.A government spokesman Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (116): Vaccine, Canada, variants, common cold, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- CanadaWHO region (no. countries/territories):Total confirmed cases (new cases in last 24 hours) / Total deaths (new deaths in last 24 hours)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Western Pacific Region (19): 1 859 851 (13 691) / 31 361 (49)European Region (61): 44 181 716 (224 366) / 954 651(2526)South East Asia Region (10): 14 619 886 (71 502) / 217 737 (554)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 7 392 128 (31 428) / 156 846 (424)Region of the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (07): Russia, Ukraine, domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- RussiaGeneral informationReport type: immediate notificationStarted on: 5 Mar 2021Confirmed on: 12 Mar 2021Reported on: 24 Mar 2021Reason for notification: 1st occurrence in a zone or a compartmentManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.Outbreak location: Magadan, Magadan gorsovet, Maga Buryatdan [Magadan Oblast]Date of start of the Read more [...]
