Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Measles update (02): Pakistan (BA)
Measles -- PakistanA measles outbreak in Chaman [Killa Abdullah District, Balochistan] has left 3 children of a family dead, ARY News reported on Sunday [17 Jan 2021].According to the levies sources, the measles outbreak is being reported in several villages of Tooba Achakzai in Chaman.Acting on the situation, District Health Officer, Rafique Mengal has sent special teams to the infected areas to control the epidemic.Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the measles virus. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (22): Russia (LN) St. Petersburg, animal, cat
COVID-19 -- RussiaScientists of St. Petersburg's Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza have conducted a genetic study of the SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in a cat for the 1st time [sic; see comment] in Russia, discovering that the strain is identical to the one circulating in Russia, the institute reported on Thursday [14 Jan 2021]."Within the framework of the Coronavirus Russian Genetic Initiative (CoRGI), scientists of the Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza of the Russian Healthcare Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (21): health systems, vaccines, variants, skin, 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): 1 253 191 (12 824) / 22 147 (230)European Region (61): 30 302 258 (219 615) / 661 614 (5833)South East Asia Region (10): 12 430 476 (30 500) / 190 688 (450)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 5 309 701 (29 130) / 127 388 (397)Region of the Americas (54): 40 922 526 (372 931) Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (02): Kenya, vaccine stockpile
Ebola -- KenyaKenya will get access to 500 000 doses of Ebola vaccine that can be used in case of an outbreak. No Ebola case has ever been reported in Kenya, but there is always a risk because of outbreaks in neighbouring countries.The 0.5 million doses have been secured by Gavi, the vaccine alliance that is also procuring vaccines for Covid-19.Gavi said the stockpile will be accessible free of charge if there is an outbreak. The country will also receive funding to conduct immunisation in case of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (20): animal, deer, experimental infection
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownThe origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing the global coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, remains a mystery. Current evidence suggests a likely spillover into humans from an animal reservoir. Understanding the host range and identifying animal species that are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection may help to elucidate the origin of the virus and the mechanisms underlying cross-species transmission to humans. Here Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (19): variant, Americas PAHO, vaccine, 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): 1 240 368 (12 746) / 21 917 (161)European Region (61): 30 080 083 (250 027) / 655 597 (5768)South East Asia Region (10): 12 399 976 (29 875) / 190 238 (522)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 5 280 571 (27 761) / 126 991 (410)Region Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa: Kenya (IS, GA) goat, sheep, OIE
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaInformation received on [and dated] 15 Jan 2021 from Dr. Obadiah Nyaga Njagi, Director of Veterinary Services, Directorate of Veterinary Services, State Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nairobi, KenyaSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 19 Nov 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Jan 2021Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 21 Mar 2019Manifestation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Mycobacterium pinnipedii – Australia: (SA) sea lion
Tuberculosis -- Australia- A sea lion on Kangaroo Island [South Australia] was found to have died from tuberculosis- The disease can be passed on to humans but only with very close contact- Scientists who wrote a paper on the discovery hope it prompts more researchAn animal scientist wants more Australian sea lions tested for tuberculosis after one of the creatures was found to have died from the disease on Kangaroo Island.The 3-year-old juvenile sea lion was found dead on a beach at Kingscote in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Miami – USA: FDA, RFI
Salmonella -- United StatesA new _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Miami outbreak has been announced by the FDA in their CORE Table []. The only information we have is that 48 people are sick. No food or establishment has been identified. We don't know the patient age range, where the patients live, illness onset dates, or if anyone has been hospitalized. A traceback investigation has been launched._Salmonella_ outbreaks in the past few years have been linked to dried wood ear mushrooms, backyard Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Skin rash – USA: (MT) prison, scabies susp
Scabies -- United StatesOfficials at Crossroads Correctional Center in Shelby confirm with NBC Montana that several inmates have experienced various forms of a skin rash that they are currently presuming out of an abundance of caution to be scabies.They add there has not yet been a definitive clinical diagnosis.Thus far 9 inmates have been treated for the rash.Officials add, skin conditions such as these are a common occurrence in correctional facilities of all types and sizes, and our staff are Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> White nose syndrome, bats – North America: USA (MT)
White nose syndrome -- United StatesSamples taken in 6 eastern Montana counties this past summer [2020] have tested positive for the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) disease in bats.The presence of the fungus _Pseudogymnoascus destructans_ (Pd) does not necessarily confirm the presence of the disease, but biologists are closely monitoring the situation, and further sampling and testing will be conducted. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) staff is asking the public to report any Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (01): Eithiopia, Sub-Sahara Africa vaccination
Yellow Fever -- Worldwide/UnknownA yellow fever vaccination campaign targeting to reach 700 000 people in certain regions of Ethiopia has achieved 93% of its target amid the COVID-19 outbreak's challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Monday [11 Jan 2021].The vaccination campaign was conducted last November [2020] in the country's Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Region (SNNPR) and Oromia region.It aimed to put an end to the spread of a yellow fever outbreak that was Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (18): vaccine, SIREN study, snippets, China, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United KingdomAbstract--------BackgroundEfficacious vaccines are urgently needed to contain the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A candidate vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S, is a recombinant, replication-incompetent adenovirus serotype 26 (Ad26) vector encoding a full-length and stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.MethodsIn this multicenter, placebo-controlled, phase 1-2a trial, we randomly assigned Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (10): Cambodia (BA) poultry, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- CambodiaInformation received on [and dated] 14 Jan 2021 from Mr. Phannara Tan, Director General, General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Phnom Penh, CambodiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 5 Jan 2021Date of confirmation of the event: 11 Jan 2021Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 26 Apr 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (17): animal, China, origin, WHO experts mission
COVID-19 -- ChinaA panel of scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) arrived in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, on Thursday [14 Jan 2021] to cooperate with their Chinese peers in researching on the potential origin of the novel coronavirus.The WHO team underwent throat swabs and serum antibody tests for the coronavirus at the airport. They will go through the required quarantine procedures before conducting field work.During the quarantine period, the WHO experts and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bluetongue – Europe: Romania (GJ) cattle, serotype 4, OIE
Bluetongue -- RomaniaInformation received [and dated] on 14 Jan 2021 from Dr. Robert Viorel Chioveanu, President, Secretary of State, Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Services, National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, Bucharest, RomaniaSummaryReport type: Follow-up report No 1Date of start of the event: 27 Nov 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Jan 2021Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: Dec 2014Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (01): January 2021
Salmonella -- NigeriaPerspectives------------How useful is serology for COVID-19?Didier Raoult. IJID 2021;102:170-171Could SARS-CoV-2-induced lung injury be attenuated by vitamin D?Dongqiong Xiao, Xihong Li, Xiaojuan Su, Dezhi Mu,Yi Qu. IJID 2021;102:196-202The art of the possible in approaching efficacy trials for COVID19 convalescent plasmaDaniele Focosi, Albert Farrugia. IJID 2021;102:244-246COVID-19 in the least developed, fragile, and conflict-affected countries -- How can Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (09): France (LP) poultry, LPAI H5N3, OIE
Avian Influenza -- FranceInformation received on [and dated] 12 Jan 2021 from Dr. Loic Evain, [Deputy Director General, CVO, General Directorate of Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood, and Forestry], Paris, FranceSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 7 Jan 2021Date of confirmation of the event: 8 Jan 2021Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 3 Dec 2019Manifestation of disease: sub-clinical infectionCausal agent: Low Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (03): Latvia, wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- LatviaInformation received on [and dated] 12 Jan 2021 from Dr. Maris Balodis, Chief Veterinary Officer & Director General, Food and Veterinary Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Riga, LatviaSummaryReport type: follow-up report No 1Date of start of the event: 1 Jan 2021 Date of confirmation of the event: 1 Jan 2021Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 30 Dec 2020Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (16): vaccines, tracking variants, USA, travel, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesLike Moderna's, Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID vaccine uses messenger RNA, or mRNA, technology. In practice, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this "teaches our cells how to make a protein -- or even just a piece of a protein-- that triggers an immune response inside our bodies."The resulting immune response produces antibodies that help to protect people from becoming infected with the virus.When asked how quickly BioNTech could pivot if it turned out the existing Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease – North America (01): USA (WI) deer
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesFor the 1st time, a wild deer from Shawano County has tested positive for chronic wasting disease.The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the doe was killed in the town of Germania during the recent gun deer season. DNR wildlife biologists say there are plenty of deer in the area, and a wild whitetail testing positive for CWD is not out of the question."Given the proximity to wild positives and some captive positives, we're going to continue to see Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Tomato brown rugose fruit virus – New Zealand: 1st rep
Other Plant Disease -- New ZealandEarly detection of _Tomato brown rugose fruit virus_ (ToBRFV) in a small seed lot has allowed quick action to be taken to contain and prevent any spread of the virus. In early December [2020], industry alerted Biosecurity New Zealand [BSNZ] to the presence of ToBRFV in seeds imported from Israel. Although these were imported with a phytosanitary certificate declaring them to be free of ToBRFV based on testing completed offshore, further testing identified a very Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (01): vaccine stockpile
Ebola -- Worldwide/UnknownThe World Health Organization, UNICEF, and 2 leading international health and humanitarian civil society organizations announced on Tuesday [12 Jan 2021] the establishment of a global Ebola vaccine stockpile to ensure rapid response to future outbreaks.Establishment of the stockpile was led by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision, which also includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Medecins Sans Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Venezuela: (AN)
Salmonella -- VenezuelaAbout 500 people have fallen ill in a _Salmonella_ outbreak in a Venezuelan state. The Anzoatiguense Institute of Health (Saludanz) reported 480 people had tested positive for _Salmonella_, mostly from the El Carmen and San Cristobal area of the Simon Bolivar municipality. In mid-December 2020, the agency revealed 240 children and adults had been affected and seen at different health centers after a significant increase in salmonellosis in November 2020.Investigations so far Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Maedi-visna – Paraguay: (CR) sheep, 1st rep, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- ParaguayInformation received on [and dated] 11 Jan 2021 from Dr Hugo Federico Idoyaga Benitez, [National Quality and Animal Health Service (SENACSA), Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Production], San Lorenzo, ParaguaySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 9 Dec 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 29 Dec 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Maedi-visna virusNature of diagnosis: laboratory Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (15): variants wastewater, Canada, decr. infective time, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- SwitzerlandAbstract--------The SARS-CoV-2 lineages B.1.1.7 and 501.V2, which were first detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa, respectively, are spreading rapidly in the human population. Thus, there is an increased need for genomic and epidemiological surveillance in order to detect the strains and estimate their abundances. Here, we report a genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in 48 raw wastewater samples collected from 3 wastewater treatment plants in Switzerland between [9 Jul Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Aflatoxin – North America (02): USA, Canada, pet food, recall extended
Poisoning -- United StatesWhen a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.Summary:Company Announcement Date: 11 Jan 2021FDA Publish Date: 11 Jan 2021Product Type: Animal & veterinary food & beverages, pet foodReason for Announcement: Aflatoxin levels exceed acceptable levelsCompany Name: Midwestern Pet Foods Inc.Brand Name: Sportmix, Nunn Better, ProPac, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (08): Hungary, Germany, poultry, wild/captive bird, H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- HungaryInformation received on [and dated] 11 Jan 2021 from Dr. Lajos Bognar, Deputy State Secretary Chief Veterinary Officer, Food Chain Safety Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Budapest, HungarySummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 4 Jan 2021Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Jan 2021Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 8 Jun 2020Manifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: Highly Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (14): immune response, serology, dengue coinfection, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- GermanyAbstract--------We investigated immune responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among a group of convalescent, potential blood donors in Germany who had PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. 60 days after onset of symptoms, 13/78 (17%) study participants had borderline or negative results to an ELISA detecting IgG against the S1 protein of SARS-CoV-2. We analyzed participants with PCR-confirmed infection who had strong antibody responses (ratio Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (13): animal, USA, zoo, gorilla
COVID-19 -- United StatesMembers of the Gorilla Troop at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. On Wednesday [6 Jan 2021], 2 of the gorillas began coughing. Given current circumstances, San Diego Zoo Global initiated the process of testing fecal samples from the gorillas for SARS-CoV-2 through the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CA HFS). On [8 Jan 2020], the preliminary tests detected the presence of the virus Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (01): Pakistan (SD)
Measles -- PakistanA measles outbreak in the city of Jacobabad in Sindh province, Pakistan has left 2 children dead and many others hospitalized, according to a report in the news source, The News.As many as 20 children of village Lakhmir suffered serious complications of measles and were admitted to taluka Hospital Gharhi Hassan, Jacobabad.Two children, ages 1 and 7 died from complications due to measles.Vaccination with a measles-containing vaccine is the best way to make sure that you are Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (12): viral load, variants, Thailand, China, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- ThailandAbstract--------While several clinical and immunological parameters correlate with disease severity and mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infection, work remains in identifying unifying correlates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that can be used to guide clinical practice. Here, we examine saliva and nasopharyngeal (NP) viral load over time and correlate them with patient demographics, and cellular and immune profiling. We found that saliva viral load was significantly higher in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (07): India (KL), poultry, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- IndiaInformation received on [and dated] 9 Jan 2021 from Dr. Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, New Delhi, IndiaSummaryReport type: immediate notification Date of start of the event: 21 Dec 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 4 Jan 2021Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous recurrence: 30 Sep 2020Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, avian – North America: (Pacific Northwest) songbird
Salmonella -- United StatesThe Wildlife Rescue Association of British Columbia [Canada] is reporting a salmonella outbreak in pine siskins.They say increased reports of sick and dying birds have been noted across the Pacific Northwest, from Oregon to British Columbia.Any bird can be impacted by _Salmonella, however, pine siskins seem to be most vulnerable. This is potentially due to their social nature, flocking, and feeding in close association with each other making it easy for the disease to be Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Prion disease update: 2019, France, lab worker
CJD -- FranceA young lab technician in France developed a rare and fatal brain disease after she was accidentally exposed to prions, the infectious proteins causing "mad cow disease," according to a new report of the case.The accident happened in May 2010, when the technician was 24 years old and working in a prion research lab, according to the report, published Wed 1 Jul 2020 in The New England Journal of Medicine. She worked with samples of brain tissue from mice having been infected with a form Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Kyrgyzstan: (CU) cattle, susp.
Foot and Mouth — Kyrgyzstan
PRO/EDR> COVID-19 update (11): variants, China, neutralizing ab. regional, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- ChinaMutations arise as a natural by-product of viral replication.1 RNA viruses typically have higher mutation rates than DNA viruses. Coronaviruses, however, make fewer mutations than most RNA viruses because they encode an enzyme that corrects some of the errors made during replication. In most cases, the fate of a newly arising mutation is determined by natural selection. Those that confer a competitive advantage with respect to viral replication, transmission, or escape from immunity Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (02): WHO global update, antiviral
Influenza -- Worldwide/UnknownInformation in this report is categorized by influenza transmission zones, which are geographical groups of countries, areas or territories with similar influenza transmission patterns. Summary-------The current influenza surveillance data should be interpreted with caution as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has influenced to varying extents health seeking behaviours, staffing/routines in sentinel sites, as well as testing priorities and capacities in Member States. The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza: Brazil, swine origin H1N2v, WHO
Influenza -- BrazilOn 15 Dec 2020, the Brazil Ministry of Health reported the 2nd confirmed human infection with influenza A(H1N2) variant virus [A(H1N2)v] in Brazil in 2020. The case was a 4-year-old female who lives on a farm that also functions as a swine slaughtering area in Irati municipality, Parana state.On 16 Nov 2020, [a male patient] had illness onset with a fever, cough, coryza, headache, and dyspnea and was provided ambulatory care on the same day at Darcy Vargas Hospital. He was treated Read more [...]
