Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (49): Cambodia (PY) conservation area, wild bird, HPAI H5N1
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- CambodiaThe death of birds recently discovered in Tuolporn Taley Boeung Sne protected area in Prey Veng province's Ba Phnom district was a result of bird flu caused by influenza A virus subtype H5N1 (A/H5N1), officials confirmed.Authorities have taken measures to stop the spread of infections but stopped short of ordering an evacuation of residents.In a letter addressed to Minister of Environment Say Sam Al and seen by The Post on March 28 [2021], Minister of Agriculture, Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Powdery mildew, wheat – Australia: new strain, DMI fungicide resistance
Other Plant Disease -- AustraliaNew South Wales [NSW] and Victorian growers are urged to be on alert following confirmation that difficulties experienced in 2020 controlling wheat powdery mildew are linked to resistance of the pathogen to demethylase inhibitor (DMI, Group 3) fungicides. Fungicide resistance was detected at frequencies ranging from 50 to 100 per cent. This marks the 1st time that resistance in wheat powdery mildew to DMIs has been detected in Australia.Researchers from the Fungicide Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (115): CAPA, long COVID, Astra-Zeneca, 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): 1 845 990 (14 365) / 31 311 (99)European Region (61): 43 948 445 (255 773) / 952 112 (3942)South East Asia Region (10): 14 548 384 (71 708) / 217 183 (418)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 7 360 700 (38 751) / 156 422 (462)Region of the Americas (54): 55 022 885 (222 213) / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Peste des petits ruminants – Algeria: (GL) goats, OIE
Peste des petits ruminants -- AlgeriaGeneral informationReport type: Immediate notificationStarted on: 1 Feb 2021Confirmed on: 2 Feb 2021Reported on: 25 Mar 2021Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 14 Mar 2020Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Peste des petits ruminants virusNature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratoryThis event pertains to a zone of the country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of outbreaks:Total outbreaks: 1Outbreak 1: Oued Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Q fever – Spain: (PV) recurrent, waste treatment facility, RFI
Q Fever -- SpainAt least 3 cases of Q fever have been confirmed among workers at the Biological Mechanical Treatment (TMB) plant located in the Bilbao area of Artigas, as this newspaper has learned. Two of the 3 affected have been hospitalized for several days at Galdakao and Cruces Hospitals, and a 4th employee is waiting for their infection to be confirmed, according to worker sources.The Occupational Health and Safety committee met yesterday [Thu 25 Mar 2021] with the company to explain the situation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Mauritius (02): (RO) cattle, st O, conf, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- MauritiusGeneral information:Report type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 10 Mar 2021Date of confirmation of the event: 25 Mar 2021Report date: 26 Mar 2021Reason for notification: recurrenceDate of previous occurrence: 20 Oct 2016Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: foot-and-mouth disease virusSerotype: ONature of diagnosis: clinical, necropsy, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Melioidosis – Australia: (QL)
Melioidosis -- AustraliaA soil and water-borne disease has killed 2 people and forced 4 others into hospital intensive care this year [2021] in far north Queensland, as cases nearly double since 2020. There have been 17 cases of melioidosis, which is typically found in muddy waters, across the Cairns and Hinterland region since 1 Jan 2021.Melioidosis is a potentially fatal bacterial disease found in contaminated water and soil, with outbreaks documented following extreme weather events.Far north Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (114): vacc COVID survivors vs uninfected, flu shots, India, 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): 1 831 252 (12 933) / 31 212 (96)European Region (61): 43 683 745 (270 451) / 948 065 (3471)South East Asia Region (10): 14 476 676 (69 546) / 216 765 (392)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 7 321 949 (41 539) / 155 960 (512)Region Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis – Czech Republic, 2020
Tick-borne disease -- Czech RepublicThe number of Czechs infected by tick-borne encephalitis rose to 854 last year [2020], which was 80 more than in 2019 and the highest number since 2012, according to the data of the National Health Institute (SZU) released Thursday [25 Mar 2021]. The VZP general health insurance company says the interest in vaccination against encephalitis has been growing. The number of tick-borne encephalitis cases was increasing since 2015 when the SZU recorded 355 of them, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – USA: (MI, SD) cattle
Bovine TB -- United StatesThe Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting a case of bovine tuberculosis (TB) confirmed to be present in a Cheboygan County beef herd, located in Michigan's Accredited Free Zone (AFZ). The case was found through routine surveillance testing, as required by the state's current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is Michigan's 81st cattle herd to be identified with bovine TB Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Meningitis, meningococcal – Nigeria: (SO) susp, fatal, schoolchildren, RFI
Meningitis -- NigeriaOne student (name withheld, has died) was feared dead, while over 30 others were hospitalised from a suspected meningitis that hit Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Sokoto.Confirming the incident, Sokoto State Director of Public Heath, Dr. Abdulrahaman Dantsoho, said they actually got the information, adding that they admitted, treated and discharged 30 students of the school. He, however, said no student died from their records, except the only lady that was reported Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (05): Africa
Cholera -- NigeriaThe Osun State Police Command says at least 3 people have been confirmed dead in Ede area of the state after contracting cholera.The spokesperson of the force, SP Yemisi Opalola, who disclosed this to reporters on Tuesday [23 Mar 2021] in Oshogbo, also denied rumors that they were killed by food poisoning. She said there was no truth in the allegation that the food was poisoned by some people, all beggars, in the Oke-Gada area of Ede. SP Yemisi said a preliminary police investigation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (113): Africa, Yemen, schools, remdesivir, 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): 1 818 355 (11 116) / 31 116 (82)European Region (61): 43 403 111 (256 686) / 944 129 (3706)South East Asia Region (10): 14 407 130 (62 949) / 216 373 (395)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 7 280 410 (37 424) / 155 448 (453)Region Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (06): Eurasia, Armenia (KT) dog, OIE
Rabies -- ArmeniaReport type: immediate notificationStarted on: 12 Feb 2021Confirmed on: 12 Feb 2021Reported on: 22 Mar 2021Ended on: 15 Feb 2021Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseLast occurrence: 8 May 2020Causal agent: rabies virusSerotype: otherNature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory (basic)This event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of outbreaks:Total outbreaks: 1Outbreak location: commercial organization, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Strangles – North America (03): USA (FL) horse
Strangles -- United StatesA pony at a boarding facility in Martin County, Florida, was the 11th confirmed equine strangles case reported in Florida so far this year [2021]. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reported a confirmed case of equine strangles at a boarding facility in Martin County.A 6-year-old pony had onset of clinical signs on [19 Mar 2021], including swollen lymph nodes. The pony was confirmed positive on [23 Mar 2021]. The unvaccinated pony is affected and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (48): Netherlands, Austria, wild bird, HPAI H5N4, H5, OIE
Avian Influenza -- NetherlandsSummaryReport type: immediate notificationStarted on: 4 Mar 2021Confirmed on: 4 Mar 2021Reason for notification: new strain in the countryReported on: 19 Mar 2021Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5N4Nature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Outbreak location 1: Harlingen, FrieslandStarted on: 4 Mar 2021Epidemiological Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (112): new double mutation variants, AstraZeneca, 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): 1 807 245 (9620) / 31 034 (81)European Region (61): 43 099 204 (207 424) / 939 941 (3944)South East Asia Region (10): 14 344 181 (56 811) / 215 978 (448)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 7 235 154 (35 606) / 154 875 (493)Region Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (08): China (XJ) domestic, spread
African Swine Fever -- ChinaChina reported an outbreak of African swine fever [ASF] in Xinjiang region, the agriculture ministry said on Wednesday [24 Mar 2021].The outbreak occurred on a farm in Yili prefecture with 466 pigs, and 280 pigs died, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement, adding that the remaining pigs had been culled.[Byline: Min Zhang and Shivani Singh]--Communicated by:ProMED[Yili (Ili), an autonomous prefecture for Kazakh people, is one of 5 autonomous Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, elephant – Botswana: (Moremi Game Reserve) toxic algae susp
Algae -- BotswanaDozens of elephants have died under mysterious circumstances in Botswana months after hundreds were killed by ingesting toxic microorganisms.Preliminary investigations into the fresh wave of deaths have ruled out anthrax and bacterial infections, the environment ministry said on Wednesday [24 Mar 2021] as the death toll this year rose to 39.The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism also ruled out suspicions of poaching as the tusks of the elephants Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (27): Congo DR, USA
Ebola -- DR CongoWhen the Democratic Republic of Congo's largest-ever outbreak of Ebola first emerged in the north-east of the country in 2018, it appeared that it would remain small and relatively isolated.A government that had successfully contained 9 previous outbreaks since Ebola was first identified in the country in 1976, first looked set to beat back the one which erupted in North Kivu province.Having just successfully declared an end to an outbreak in the north-western Equateur province after Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (04): China (GX) H5N6, fatal
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- ChinaHong Kong health officials are monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Guangxi in southern China. The case involved a 50-year-old man living in Hechi in Guangxi. He developed symptoms on [16 Feb 2021] and was admitted for treatment on [17 Feb 2021] due to severe pneumonia. The patient passed away on [2 Mar 2021].From 2014 to date, 30 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by China mainland health authorities.Avian influenza is caused by Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tula hantavirus – Germany (HH)
Hantavirus -- GermanyIf one of the 4 novel hantaviruses recently found in Turkey, namely Tula hantavirus (TULV) Palandoken indeed causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), as mentioned in the statement of Professor Mehmet Ali Oktem of Dokuz Eylul University's Medical Virology Department, this would be highly interesting, because the pathogenicity of TULV is still a matter of debate.The recent confirmation by RT-PCR of a TULV-induced HFRS case in France [1], confirms the pathogenicity of Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Blast disease, wheat – global epidemiology
Other Plant Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownWheat blast was originally detected in Brazil in 1985. In 2016, the 1st wheat blast beyond South America hit Bangladesh [ProMED post http://promedmail.org/post/20160411.4150953]. Less than 2 years later, Zambia was struck by the 1st wheat blast in Africa [ProMED post http://promedmail.org/post/20201006.7839169]. Until now, there has been no confirmation if the same pathogen strain had spread to all 3 continents or if these [outbreaks] were caused by endemic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (111): protease inhibitor, long COVID, surge, neut Ab, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/Unknown"Objective: Most SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected individuals never require hospitalization. However, some develop prolonged symptoms. We sought to characterize the spectrum of neurologic manifestations in non‐hospitalized COVID‐19 'long haulers'."Methods: This is a prospective study of the first 100 consecutive patients (50 SARS‐CoV‐2 laboratory‐positive and 50 laboratory‐negative individuals) presenting to our Neuro‐COVID‐19 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, pig – China: (NM) RFI
Undiagnosed -- ChinaChinese authorities are investigating scores of dead pigs found along a section of the Yellow River, according to a state-backed media report, turning the spotlight back on food and water safety in the country.Dozens of pig carcasses were discovered in the Inner Mongolia section of the country's 2nd-longest river, and some were rotting in the water, according to Banyuetan, a magazine run by state news agency Xinhua. Local authorities are investigating the source of the pigs and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (110): vaccines, neutralizing antibody, P1 variant, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United KingdomLate Monday [22 Mar 2021], the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) notified NIAID, BARDA [Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority], and AstraZeneca that it was concerned by information released by AstraZeneca on initial data from its COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial.The DSMB expressed concern that AstraZeneca may have included outdated information from that trial, which may have provided an incomplete view of the efficacy data.We urge the company to work Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Denmark (02): company dinner, jarred fish roe
Botulism -- DenmarkA product considered to be an alternative to caviar has been linked to a botulism outbreak in Denmark. The incident occurred after 6 people ate together at a company in early March 2021 in Southern Denmark. A total of 3 were hospitalized because of botulism and 2 other people reported mild symptoms.Agustson A/S, the producer, has recalled red fish roe because of a risk that some pots from the batch could contain toxins produced by _Clostridium botulinum_. The Statens Serum Institut Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Campylobacteriosis, Cryptosporidiosis – Norway: farm, unpasteurized milk
Foodborne Illness -- Norway"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> Yersiniosis – Sweden: imported iceberg lettuce, restaurant chain
Foodborne Illness -- SwedenAn outbreak of _Yersinia_ in Sweden has ended with iceberg lettuce as the suspected source of infection. From January until the beginning of February 2021, twice as many people fell ill with _Yersinia_ infection as did during the same period in a normal year.From 53 cases of _Y. enterocolitica_, 33 lived in Stockholm, Vastra Gotaland, and Halland. Isolates from 24 of these cases were typed by whole genome sequencing and 16 outbreak patients with clustered isolates of sequence Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (109): animal, Argentina, Italy, cat, dog, OIE
COVID-19 -- ArgentinaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationStart on: 26 Dec 2020Confirmed on: 10 Feb 2021Ended on: 30 Jan 2021Reported on: 18 Mar 2021Event status: ongoingReason for notification: emerging diseaseEvent morbidity (%): 1Event mortality: -Zoonotic potential: noDiagnostic details: laboratory testCausal agent: SARS-CoV-2New outbreaks (4)Outbreak location 1: Capital, Santiago del EsteroStarted on: 16 Jan 2021Ended on: 30 Jan 2021Epidemiological unit: otherTotal Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed neurological illness – Canada: (NB) fatal, RFI
Undiagnosed -- CanadaNews last week [week of 15 Mar 2021] that a cluster of cases of an unknown neurological disease has been found in New Brunswick immediately had residents of several communities on edge.First diagnosed in 2015, according to a Public Health memo sent this month [March 2021] to medical professionals, the disease appears to be concentrated in the Acadian Peninsula in northeast New Brunswick and the Moncton region in the southeast. 3 cases have been identified, and 5 people have Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed leaf curl & wilt, capsicum – India: (OR)
Undiagnosed -- IndiaRecently, farmers have undertaken capsicum cultivation in the area. However, leaf curling and wilting disease has suddenly affected the capsicum, [a] farmer said.Farm scientists held the farmers responsible for the disease. They said [they] could prevent the disease by treatment of the soil, seeds and saplings before cultivation. [An] agriculture scientist of Krushi Vigyan Kendra [agricultural extension centre] visited farmers. He said [they] could use neem cake powder or _Trichoderma Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (06): Poland (LB) domestic pig, commercial farm
African Swine Fever -- PolandPoland, for the 1st time this year [2021], confirmed an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pigs.The Veterinary Authority confirmed the outbreak on a farm in the Swiebodzin district of the Lubusz Voivodeship, just about 60 km [37.3 mi] from the German-Polish border. The direct distance to Frankfurt an der Oder is about 80 km [49.7 mi]. A breeding sow herd with almost 16 000 animals is affected. This is the 2nd largest outbreak since ASF was 1st detected Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (07): Malaysia (SA) wild porcine, spread
African Swine Fever -- MalaysiaThe African swine fever (ASF) virus has now spread widely among the vulnerable Bornean bearded pigs with at least 128 confirmed deaths.Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan in a statement here today [Wed 17 Mar 2021] said the government fears for the survival of the species, especially because the population of the Bornean bearded pigs is already declining."I am concerned the ASF will further decrease their population at a much faster rate," Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (47): Europe, wild bird, HPAI H5, H5N5, OIE
Avian Influenza -- Czech RepublicSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 4 Mar 2021Date of confirmation of the event: 11 Mar 2021Reason for notification: RecurrenceDate of previous occurrence: 3 Apr 2017Reported on: 18 Mar 2021Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5Nature of diagnosis: laboratory This event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of outbreaks:Total Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Murray Valley/Kunjin viruses – Australia: (NT) susp
Japanese Encephalitis -- AustraliaNT (Northern Territory) Health has issued a warning about mosquito borne diseases in the Top End following a fatal case of a mosquito-borne encephalitis presentation on the Tiwi Islands.While the specific mosquito-borne virus responsible remains unknown at this time, it is considered to most likely be Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus or Kunjin virus.MVE is a rare disease, but can be fatal. The symptoms can include severe headache, high fever, drowsiness, tremor, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (108): vaccines, nanopart., Europe, S Africa, AstraZeneca, WHO
COVID-19 -- United KingdomAs the international effort to vaccinate the population against COVID-19 gathers pace, the demand for vaccine doses that can be used in all countries and climates is enormous. Researchers from Cleveland Clinic [Ohio, USA] and Chungbuk National University [Cheongju, South Korea] have described a new vaccine candidate that triggers an immune response using antigens attached to nanoparticles, potentially bypassing the need for cold storage during delivery. They report their Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Foodborne illness – India (04): (TG) medical college
Foodborne Illness -- IndiaAn entire hostel of the Osmania Medical College, including 19 students who were admitted to the Gandhi Hospital on Mon 15 Mar 2021, have been affected by food poisoning. Other than the 19 students who were rushed to the hospital with severe symptoms, at least 50 others were being treated for mild symptoms.The incident came to light when Osmania Medical College Student Council head Sai Surender, a final year MBBS student, reported to the principal that several residents of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (107): variants, Olympics, India, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- IndiaWHO 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): 1 763 132 (10 867) / 30 782 (52)European Region (61): 42 260 060 (191 869) / 926 375 (2868)South East Asia Region (10): 14 130 838 (49 878) / 214 459 (410)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 7 091 557 (38 123) / 152 988 (477)Region of the Americas (54): 53 731 830 (195 428) / 1 293 491 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st. Hadar – USA: FDA, turkey products
Salmonella -- United StatesFederal officials are investigating a new multi-state foodborne illness outbreak with turkey products identified as the likely source. In a 4-word listing on its outbreak investigation table, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service revealed the outbreak: "_Salmonella_ Hadar, turkey suspect." A spokesman for the FSIS told Food Safety News this afternoon [Thu 18 Mar 2021] that additional details would have to come from the CDC.A spokeswoman from the CDC confirmed that Read more [...]
