Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel coronavirus (42): China, global, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, WHO
SARS -- ChinaAt 04:00 on [11 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported that there were 2015 confirmed cases (1638 cases in Hubei), 871 severe cases (897 cases in Hubei), 97 deaths (94 in Hubei, 1 in Henan, Hunan, and Chongqing), and 3342 suspected cases (1685 in Hubei). On the same day, 744 new cases were cured and discharged (417 in Hubei), and 30 068 close contacts were lifted from medical observation.As of 24:00 on Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Enteritidis – Europe: Polish eggs
Salmonella -- Worldwide/UnknownBackground: _Salmonella_ spp. are a major cause of food-borne outbreaks in Europe. We investigated a large multi-country outbreak of _Salmonella enterica_ serotype Enteritidis in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA).Methods: A confirmed case was defined as a laboratory-confirmed infection with the outbreak strains of _S._ Enteritidis based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS), occurring between 1 May 2015 and 31 Oct 2018. A probable case was defined as laboratory-confirmed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Dublin – France: raw milk cheese, alert, recall, fatal
Salmonella -- FranceSalmonellosis has affected 13 people in France with a link to consuming a brand of raw milk cheese. They have been infected with the same strain of _Salmonella_ Dublin, according to the National Reference Center for _Salmonella_ at the Institut Pasteur.Sante Publique France and the General Directorate of Food (DGAL) have identified a link between eating raw milk Morbier cheese made by the company Jean Perrin, based in the Cléron commune of Doubs in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (24): China (SC) poultry, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] Tue 11 Feb 2020 from Dr. Huang Baoxu, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group, Animal Health and Epidemiology Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao, China (People's Rep. of)SummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 2 Feb 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Feb 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 13 Mar 2017Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (03): (CA) restaurant cluster
Hepatitis A -- United StatesSeveral cases of hepatitis A were confirmed in customers who ate in the same California restaurant, health officials said. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services announced [Fri 31 Jan 2020], that the patients ate at 555 East American Steakhouse on or around [24 Dec 2019], KABC-TV reports.The department did not disclose how many cases were diagnosed. The source of the illness is still under investigation, officials said.Hepatitis A can be transmitted through Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (23): Germany (BW) backyard poultry, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 10 Jan 2020 from Dr. Dietrich Rassow, Director for Animal Health and Animal Welfare, Chief Veterinary Officer, Directorate of Animal Health and Animal Welfare, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Berlin, GermanySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 6 Feb 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Feb 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 12 Jun Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Peste des petits ruminants – Morocco: (TC) goats, OIE
Peste des petits ruminants -- MoroccoInformation received on 7 Feb 2020 from Dr. Abderrahman El Abrak, Directeur des Services Veterinaires, Office National de Securite Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA), Ministere de l'Agriculture et de la Peche Maritime, Rabat, MoroccoSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 21 Jan 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Feb 2020Report date: 7 Feb 2020Date submitted to OIE: 7 Feb 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Tomato mottle mosaic virus, capsicum seed – Australia: interception
Other Plant Disease -- Australia_Tomato mottle mosaic virus_ (ToMMV), a _Tobamovirus_ species closely related to _Tomato mosaic virus_ (ToMV), _Tobacco mosaic virus_ (TMV), and the newly identified _Tomato brown rugose fruit virus_ (ToBRFV), was 1st reported in Mexico [and] has now been detected in China, USA, Spain, and Israel. The spread of the virus to new regions is potentially through seed, like other tobamoviruses. The virus is thought to pose a serious risk to capsicum (_Capsicum annuum_) Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel coronavirus (41): China, global, clinical pics, asymptomatic trans., WHO
Coronavirus -- ChinaAt 04:00 on [10 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported that 2478 new cases were confirmed (2097 in Hubei), adding 849 severe cases (839 in Hubei). There were 108 deaths (103 cases in Hubei and 1 each in Beijing, Tianjin, Heilongjiang, Anhui, and Henan) and 3536 suspected cases (1814 in Hubei).On the same day, 716 new cases were cured and discharged (427 cases in Hubei), and 26 724 close contacts Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel coronavirus (40): pangolin, possible intermediate host
Coronavirus -- ChinaResearchers in Guangzhou, China, have suggested that pangolins -- long-snouted, ant-eating mammals often used in traditional Chinese medicine -- are the probable animal source of the coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 30 000 people and is wreaking havoc worldwide.Scientists say that the suggestion, based on genetic analysis, seems plausible, but caution that the researchers' work is yet to be published in full. "This is an extremely interesting observation. Although Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (05)
Measles -- United StatesSolano County Public Health is investigating a case of the measles, health officials confirmed Friday [7 Feb 2020]. The patient is a "young" resident of Solano County.Health officials are now coordinating with places where exposures may have occurred along with notifying those who may have been exposed to the infection. The city where the individual lives has not been disclosed.There were 1282 cases of the measles in the US in 2019 across 31 states. This year [2020], the US Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel coronavirus (39): China, global, false negative NAT tests, WHO
Coronavirus -- ChinaChina's ability to control a rapidly spreading coronavirus epidemic is under further strain amid fears that a key test used to confirm new cases is failing to catch large numbers of people with the disease. Problems with so-called nucleic acid tests (NATs) widely used to identify the presence of the previously unknown pneumonia-causing virus make it likely that many infections are going uncounted even as the number of confirmed cases continues to spiral.Authorities are still struggling Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tuberculosis – Armenia: (ER) zoo, camelid, OIE
Tuberculosis -- ArmeniaInformation received on [and dated] Thu 6 Feb 2020 from Dr Georgi Avetisyan, head, Food Safety Inspection Body of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, e ARM Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, ArmeniaSummaryReport type: immediate notification Date of start of the event: 30 Jan 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 31 Jan 2020Report date: 6 Feb 2020Date submitted to OIE: 6 Feb 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (15): Pakistan (KP, SD)
Polio -- PakistanAs many as 4 new cases of polio have been reported from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), taking the tally for the current year [2020] to 12.Though just 39 days of 2020 have passed, Pakistan has already equaled the total number of cases for 2018, in which only 12 cases were reported.An official of the National Institute of Health (NIH) said on condition of anonymity that the cases of Sindh were reported from Badin and Kambar, while both cases of KP were reported from Lakki Marwat Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Norovirus – Europe: oysters
Norovirus -- Worldwide/UnknownAlmost 200 people have fallen ill after eating oysters in the United Kingdom in recent months. Since November 2019 there have been at least 180 reported cases of gastroenteritis associated with oyster consumption linked to multiple food outlets and oyster producers. A Public Health England spokeswoman told Food Safety News that norovirus had been identified as the cause of a number of these outbreaks."Public Health England is working with the Food Standards Agency and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (03): WHO global update, Asia, Americas, Europe
Influenza -- IndiaInformation 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, respiratory illness indicators and influenza activity remained elevated overall.- In North America, influenza activity remained elevated, [with] influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B viruses co-circulating.- In Europe, influenza activity continued to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel coronavirus (38): China, global, local transm, CFR, WHO
Coronavirus -- ChinaAt 04:00 on [8 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported that 2656 confirmed cases (2147 cases in Hubei) were newly added, 87 severe cases (52 cases in Hubei) were newly added, and there were 89 deaths (81 in Hubei, 2 in Henan, 1 each in Hebei, Heilongjiang, Anhui, Shandong, Hunan, and Guangxi), and 3916 suspected new cases (2067 in Hubei).On the same day, 600 new patients were discharged from hospital Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (14): global (WPV1 Pakistan, cVDPV2 DRC, Angola)
Polio -- PakistanNew wild poliovirus isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 8Environment: 0Others: 0New cVDPV isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 14Environment: 1Others: 1Headlines- The WHO Executive Board is currently holding its 146th session at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. Among many others, polio is one of the topics of discussion; take a look at the report by the director-general on polio eradication.- Would you like to improve your knowledge on polio in an interactive way? A Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis update (02): USA (MN,PA,OR), Canada (NT)
Whooping Cough -- United StatesMinnesota health officials have confirmed an infant death related to pertussis, also known as whooping cough. The infant was diagnosed with pertussis in August 2019 and died in November [2019] after being hospitalized for 3 months. The last pediatric death related to pertussis in Minnesota was in 2013."We were extremely saddened to hear that this child passed away," Kristen Ehresmann, director of infectious disease at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), said in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human: China (Hong Kong) H9N2
Avian Influenza -- ChinaA 7 year old boy in Hong Kong has been infected with H9 bird flu, adding to the health woes in a city already fearing a wider outbreak of the deadly coronavirus. The boy was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital's isolation ward. The Centre for Health Protection on Friday [7 Feb 2020] confirmed that the boy's nasal swab tested positive for the strain of avian flu, with the subtype still to be determined. The boy had recently returned to the city from mainland China.The centre Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (22): China (HN) poultry, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 5 Feb 2020 from Dr Huang Baoxu, secretary of the Party Leadership Group, Animal Health and Epidemiology Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao, China (People's Rep. of)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Jan 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 1 Feb 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 5 Jun 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis – Belgium ex Thailand
Japanese Encephalitis -- BelgiumWe would like to report a case of Japanese encephalitis in a 14 year old Belgian girl who had travelled with her family (total 8 persons) to Khao Lak, Phang Nga province, Thailand, on 20 Dec 2019 for a short holiday. During the following 10 days, she undertook day trips to Krabi, Similan Islands, Phi Phi Islands, Krasom, and Amphoe Kapong.On 30 Dec 2019, 11 days after arrival in Thailand, symptoms began with fever, headache, fatigue, and difficulty in swallowing. On Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel coronavirus (37): China, global, cruise, clinical, WHO
Coronavirus -- ChinaAt 04:00 on [7 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported that 3399 newly diagnosed cases (2841 in Hubei) and 1280 severe cases (1193 in Hubei) were newly added. There were 86 deaths (81 in Hubei, 2 in Heilongjiang, 1 in Beijing, Henan, and Gansu), and 4214 suspected cases (2073 in Hubei).On the same day, 510 cases recovered and were discharged (298 cases in Hubei), and 26 702 close contacts were lifted Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (07): Greece (MC) domestic, 1st rep, OIE
African Swine Fever -- GreeceInformation received on [and dated] 6 Feb 2020 from Mrs Chrysoula Dile, head, Animal Health Directorate, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, GreeceSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 5 Feb 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 5 Feb 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory (basic and advanced), necropsyThis Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Africa (03): Mali (MO) fatal
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- MaliTransmission to humans of CCHF occurs "either through tick bites or through contact with the blood or tissue of infected animals, during or immediately after slaughter", according to the World Health Organization (WHO).Human-to-human transmission of the disease "may occur as a result of direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or body fluids of infected people," the organization said. The hemorrhagic fever virus causes death in 10% to 40% of cases. The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (02): Indonesia (BA) conf
African Swine Fever -- IndonesiaHundreds of pigs have died from African swine fever [ASF] in Bali, authorities said on Wednesday [5 Feb 2020], marking the Indonesian holiday island's 1st recorded outbreak, after the virus claimed some 30 000 hogs in Sumatra. Ida Bagus Wisnuardhana, Bali's agriculture and food security agency chief, said that nearly 900 pigs succumbed to swine fever since mid-December [2019]. "The results are positive for African swine fever," Ida told reporters, referring to tests Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (09): Nigeria
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaKey pointsTable 1: Summary of current week (5) indicatorsSuspected cases: 531Confirmed cases: 104Probable cases: 0Deaths: 6Case fatality rate (CFR): 5.8%Number of states affected: 15Local government areas (LGAs) affected: 39Table 2: Cumulative data compared with previous year (weeks 1-5)Suspected cases- 2019: 794- 2020: 1226Confirmed cases- 2019: 294- 2020: 365Deaths for confirmed cases- 2019: 52- 2020: 47CFR%- 2019: 17.7%- 2020: Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Leaf spot & crown rot, strawberry – USA: (FL)
Other Plant Disease -- United StatesFlorida strawberries are being attacked by an aggressive fungus. Experts say _Pestalotiopsis_ is not a new fungus, but this seems to be a "different species". It's reported to be a lot more progressive than what has been seen before.One grower lost as many as 80 acres. Wish Farms said it has been widespread since Christmas [2019]. "At this point, we've lost about 40% of the crop; we've just abandoned the fields because it got so bad." They said it mainly affected Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (06): Greece (MC) domestic, 1st outbreak
African Swine Fever -- GreeceGreece detected its 1st case of African swine fever [ASF] at a breeding farm in the north of the country this week, agriculture ministry officials said on Thursday [6 Feb 2020].The infected pig was found in a small farm in Serres, a region of northern Greece close to the border with Bulgaria and North Macedonia, the ministry said, adding that the trade of pork meat from the area had been banned.--communicated by:Sabine ZentisCastleview English LonghornsGut LaachD-52385 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel coronavirus (36): China, global, incubation, airport screen, WHO
Coronavirus -- ChinaAt 04:00 on [6 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported 3143 newly confirmed cases (2447 in Hubei), and 387 newly recovered cases (184 in Hubei), which were [discharged] on the same day. There were 26 762 close contacts under medical observation. 962 new reports of severe cases (918 in Hubei), 73 new cases of death (69 in Hubei, 1 in Jilin, Henan, Guangdong, and Hainan), and 4833 suspected cases (2622 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Toxoplasmosis – USA: (HI) seal
Toxoplasmosis -- United StatesWildlife officials have determined that a sick female Hawaiian monk seal, Pohaku, under its care is suffering from toxoplasmosis. Following test results, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials determined that Pohaku is suffering from the parasitic infection often spread into the environment via feral cat feces. "Despite aggressive treatment, she is very lethargic, a sign that the infection is causing pain and severe inflammation throughout her Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> BSE, cattle – Switzerland: (SZ) atypical L-type, OIE
BSE -- SwitzerlandInformation received on 5 Feb 2020 from Mr Hans Wyss, chief veterinary officer, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, Swiss Federal Veterinary Office, Liebefeld Berne, SwitzerlandSummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 29 Jan 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 3 Feb 2020Date of event resolved: 3 Feb 2020Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: March 2012Manifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (04)
Measles -- AustraliaTwo new measles cases have been diagnosed, and warnings have been issued for Melbourne Airport. On Wednesday [5 Feb 2020], Victoria's chief health officer, Dr Brett Sutton, confirmed a baby boy and a man in his 20s were recently diagnosed. Those diagnosed had travelled to Melbourne Airport from Nepal and the Philippines. The cases are unrelated, and both patients are recovering at home.Research has found that having measles can have long-term effects on people's immune systems, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Argentina: pickled meat, susp, alert, recall
Botulism -- ArgentinaAuthorities in Argentina are investigating 2 suspected cases of foodborne botulism linked to a brand of pickled wild boar. The National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT) reported those ill are associated with eating "Escabeche de jabali" 400 g [14 oz] of the "Fatto in casa" brand with a date of 1 Jul 2020, produced by Norma Coatti.A 27 year old woman and a 30 year old man are affected, and both needed hospital treatment.An inspection of the production Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Tomato brown rugose fruit virus – Spain: 1st rep (AN)
Other Plant Disease -- SpainOn 24 Jan [2020], the Regional Ministry "officially" declared the existence of _Tomato brown rugose fruit virus_ (ToBRFV) in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. A total of 6 glasshouses in the province of Almeria have been infected with ToBRFV, not previously known to be present in Spain.A sample was taken in relation to a possible virus infection in a glasshouse tomato crop and the presence of ToBRFV was suspected. The material was then sent to the National Reference Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (04): Brazil (SC)
Yellow Fever -- BrazilSanta Catarina has another confirmed case [the 2nd] of yellow fever [YF] in humans. The information was confirmed by the secretary of state for health (SES) this Mon 3 Feb 2020. The patient is admitted to the Nereu Ramos Hospital, in Florianopolis, a reference infectious disease unit in Santa Catarina.The diagnosis of the disease [as yellow fever] was confirmed by the Central Laboratory of Public Health (LACEN/SC)on Sunday [2 Feb 2020]. The 40 year old man, resident of Jaragua Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (03): USA (CO)
Hantavirus -- United StatesChand S, Thapa S, Kon S, Johnson SC, Poeschla EM, Franco-Paredes C, et al. Hantavirus infection with renal failure and proteinuria, Colorado, USA, 2019. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020;26(2):383-385. AbstractIn North America, hantaviruses commonly cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Clinical descriptions of hantavirus-associated renal disease in the Americas are scarce. Herein, we discuss the case of a 61 year old man whose predominant manifestations were acute kidney injury Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Iceland: RFI
Botulism -- IcelandA case of botulism has been confirmed in Iceland for the 1st time since 1983. The Public Health Institute of Iceland (Landlaeknir) revealed an adult began experiencing symptoms on 12 Jan 2020 with the illness confirmed a week later. Local health authorities, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (Mataelastofnun) and Matis, a government owned, non-profit, research company, are trying to find the source of the poisoning with no evidence as yet pointing toward food available Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel coronavirus (35): China, global, health workers, cruise, WHO, RFI
Coronavirus -- ChinaFrom [4 Feb 2020] to [5 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported 3694 new confirmed cases, 261 new cured cases, and 21 365 close contacts who were released from medical observation on the same day. There were 640 new severe cases, 73 new deaths (70 in Hubei Province, 1 in Tianjin, 1 in Heilongjiang, and 1 in Guizhou), and 5328 new suspected cases.As of 24:00 on [5 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (21): Viet Nam (QN) backyard, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- VietnamInformation received on [and dated] 4 Feb 2020 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: 18 Jan 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Jan 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 15 Nov 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
