Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (438): reinfection, mortality rates, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesA 25-year-old man from Reno, Nevada, had the 1st known US case of coronavirus reinfection, according to a report published Monday [12 Oct 2020] in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases. Pathogens from 2 genetically distinct strains had infected him weeks apart.Confirmed 2nd infections represent a sliver of the estimated 37 million coronavirus cases worldwide. A twice-infected Hong Kong patient was the 1st such case, followed by several others in Belgium and the Netherlands. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bluetongue – Europe (08): Bulgaria (SL) deer, serotype 4, OIE
Bluetongue -- BulgariaInformation received [and dated] on 9 Oct 2020 from Dr Damyan Iliev, Chief Veterinary Officer & Deputy Executive Director, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Sofia, BulgariaSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 9 Oct 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Oct 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: sub-clinical infectionCausal agent: Bluetongue virusSerotype: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (25): Europe (Bulgaria) crow, OIE
West Nile Virus -- BulgariaInformation received on [and dated] 9 Oct 2020 from Dr. Damyan Iliev, Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy Executive Director, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Sofia, BulgariaSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 9 Oct 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Oct 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 2 Oct 2018Manifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (66): Israel (HA), H5N8, poultry
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- IsraelA broiler breeder farm with 35 000 birds in Metzer (near Ma'anit, Central Israel) has been diagnosed with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8.The property has been quarantined, and movement controls are in place to stop any birds, eggs, and equipment from leaving the premises. A Restricted Area (3 km) [1.86 mi] is in place around the property, and a Control Area (10 km) [6.21 mi] across a wider area has also been created. The farm will be depopulated.--Communicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (437): animal, Netherlands, Denmark, mink, spread, control
COVID-19 -- NetherlandsI herewith would like to update you, based on article 1.1.6.1 of the TAHC of the OIE [see comment], about the situation with regard to the SARS-CoV-2 infection in mink in The Netherlands. Currently 62 [see comment] mink farms in the Netherlands have been infected. A total of 43 are located in the province of Noord Brabant, 17 in the province of Limburg and 2 in the province of Gelderland. On 25 farms the owner noticed clinical signs and reported the suspicion to the competent Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Zimbabwe: (MV) cattle, serotype not typed, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- ZimbabweInformation received on [and dated] 12 Oct 2020 from Dr. Josphat Nyika, Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, water and Rural Resettlement, Harare, ZimbabweSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 12 Oct 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Oct 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 28 Dec 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (436): infodemic, brain fog, China, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesA study of COVID-19 messaging on social media revealed misinformation from politicians, celebrities, and other prominent figures made up about 20 percent of claims but accounted for 69 percent of total social media engagement. Therefore, public health figures who have credibility must partner with social media influencers who have the reach. Harnessing the wide reach of local, regional, and national influencers from a wide swath of sectors both within and outside of the public Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Rubbery taproot disease, sugar beet – Serbia: cause
Other Plant Disease -- SerbiaRubbery taproot disease (RTD) of sugar beet was observed in Serbia for the 1st time in the 1960s. The disease was already described in neighbouring Bulgaria and Romania at the time, but it was associated with abiotic factors. In this study on sugar beet in Serbia, we provide evidence of the association between _Ca._ P. solani (stolbur phytoplasma) infection and the occurrence of typical RTD symptomatology. _Ca._ P. solani [CPa] was identified by PCR and sequence analyses Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Q fever – Australia (02): (NSW)
Q Fever -- AustraliaThe Western NSW [New South Wales] Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has issued a reminder about the effects of Q fever on farmers, and the importance of getting vaccinated. WNSWLHD Manager of Communicable Diseases and Immunisation, Ms. Susan Turcato, is strongly urging farmers and people who work with livestock to get vaccinated against Q fever to guard against being unable to work due to prolonged illness."Q fever is a bacterial infection carried by animals - such as cows, sheep Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (435): Nigeria, PEEP & proning, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- NigeriaCOVID-19 update (160): Nigeria, travelers http://promedmail.org/post/20201010.7850925. This is a recent update on the situation in Nigeria covered on the ProMED-EAFR (Anglophone Africa) network.See COVID-19 update (432): transmission and age, South Asia, WHO, global http://promedmail.org/post/20201010.7850554 for a summary of the ProMED-mail regional networks. - Mod.MPP]******[2] PEEP and prone positioning during early COVID-19 ARDSDate: Sat 10 Oct 2020Source: The Lancet Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> West Nile virus (24): Europe (Germany) ECDC updates
West Nile Virus -- GermanyBetween [2 and 8 Oct 2020], EU Member States reported 28 human cases of WNV infection: Italy (11), Germany (7), Greece (5), Spain (3), and Romania (2). 2 regions in Germany (Meissen and Halle (Saale)) reported locally-acquired human cases of WNV infection for the first time through TESSy. All other cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, one death was reported by Romania. No human cases of WNV infection or deaths Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Toxic algae – Russia: susp., RFI
-- RussiaAround the same time that an unexplained event wiped out 95% of sea-dwelling life off the coast of Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka peninsula earlier this month [October 2020], a yellow foam covered an area of water so large it could be seen from space.That's the clue prompting some of Russia's leading marine biologists to blame the catastrophe on a harmful algae bloom, a rapid growth of naturally occurring algae that can produce toxins lethal for marine life and even humans."From my Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foodborne illness – China (03): (HL) aflatoxin, fatal
Poisoning -- ChinaSeven people have died after eating contaminated food during a family meal in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, local authorities announced on Sat 10 Oct 2020.The food poisoning occurred on 5 Oct 2020 when W, a resident in Jidong County, dined with 8 family members at home and had sour noodles, a local food made of fermented corn flour, which had remained frozen for a year.Police have ruled out homicide by poisoning since no toxic substances were detected from the extracts Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (28): Germany (BB) wild boar, spread
African Swine Fever -- GermanyOn Sat 10 Oct 2020, a search was applied in the ASF core zone in Markisch-Oderland by municipality personnel, hunters, farmers, police officers, fire fighters, and the technical relief organization. In the Oderbruch, drones with thermal imaging cameras were also used.A drone discovered a pack of wild boars on the Oder island in Kustrin-Kietz, reports the Markische Oderzeitung (MOZ) in its online edition. As can be seen on the drone's camera images, there are a total Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (21): (USA) horse
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesWe have just learned about the 1st reported case of a horse with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in the Upper Peninsula. The Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development released the following statement on Friday [2 Oct 2020]:"Today [Fri 2 Oct 2020], the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is confirming the discovery of EEE in a horse from Baraga County. Not only is this the 1st case of EEE being found in Michigan's Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (434): COVAX, viral Load, 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): 648 453 (4380) / 14 170 (99)European Region (61): 6 809 678 (123 684) / 245 991 (1160)South East Asia Region (10): 7 823 832 (82 273) / 125 842 (1081)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 2 585 780 (18 646) / 65 894 (418)Region of the Americas (54): 17 662 955 (150 202) / 585 834 (5645)African Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed hemorrhagic fever – South Sudan: (WB) RFI
Hemorrhagic Fever -- South SudanThree people have died of a mysterious haemorrhagic fever in South Sudan's Raja county of Western Bahr-el-Ghazal [Western Bahr-al-Ghazal] state, raising fears of an outbreak of Ebola. On Thursday [8 Oct 2020] evening, South Sudan's Ministry of Health said it is investigating the death of 3 people who had presented suspected symptoms of bleeding and fever and indicated that some 127 similar cases had been recorded since last week."On 3 Oct [2020], a woman in Sir Malaga Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – USA: (OK) women, congenital, IDU
Syphilis -- United StatesA syphilis outbreak in south-central Oklahoma creates yet another strain on the state's public health system. Public health providers juggle addressing the [COVID-19] outbreak, the worst pandemic in a century, the onset of flu season, and existing staffing issues.Over the past 6 months, we've gotten pretty familiar with terms we hadn't heard regularly before, like contact tracers and infectious disease intervention specialists. But they're not new. Before the coronavirus, Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia – Saudi Arabia: (JZ) goat
Other Animal Disease -- Saudi ArabiaResidents of a village in Abu Arish governorate, east of the Jizan region, complained about the incursion of a strange disease that transforms goats into skeletons before killing them; amid fears of transmission and expansion of the disease, [the residents] demanded vaccination.Samples were collected from sick goats about a week ago by the agriculture department, and results are indicative of infection with the highly contagious pleuritis, or what is known among Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (433): animal, Denmark (ND,MJ) farmed mink, spread, control
COVID-19 -- DenmarkMink breeders are so dissatisfied with the authorities' handling of the killing of their mink that they are now suing the state. The purpose is both to ensure better financial compensation and to ensure a fair process for the killing of the minks.[One of the mink breeders] was directed to kill his herd due to the government's plan to reduce infection among the hard-hit North Jutland farms. He feels so badly treated by authorities and politicians that he is therefore now, together Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (432): transmission and age, South Asia, 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): 644 073 (3431) / 14 071 (154)European Region (61): 6 676 012 (109 749) / 244 754 (950)South East Asia Region (10): 7 741 559 (82 284) / 124 761 (1129)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 2 567 134 (21 666) / 65 476 (493)Region of the Americas (54): 17 512 753 (127 250) / 580 189 (3282)African Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick, geographic expansion – USA: (MA)
Pests, Tick-borne disease -- United StatesLone star ticks -- and thousands of their larvae -- have overrun the town of Aquinnah [on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts], biologist and tick expert Richard Johnson told Aquinnah selectmen at their meeting onWednesday [7 Oct 2020] following reports that showed a high incidence of tick-borne disease in the town this year [2020].In a letter that went out last week, the town board of health reported 13 new cases of tickborne illnesses since April of this year Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Namibia: (KE) cattle, not typed, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- NamibiaInformation received on [and dated] 6 Oct 2020 from Dr Albertina Shilongo, acting chief veterinary officer, Division of Epidemiology, Import/Export Control and Training, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Windhoek, NamibiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 25 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 28 Sep 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 12 Feb 2020Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Peste des petits ruminants – Libya: (JF) sheep, goat, OIE
Peste des petits ruminants -- LibyaInformation received on [and dated] 7 Oct 2020 from Dr Zakaria Mohamed Mustafa Elkhatal, director general, National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal and Marine Wealth, Tripoli, LibyaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 5 Oct 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 21 May 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive mosquito – USA (09): (CA)
Pests -- United StatesEven as the Sacramento Valley cools down, the yellow fever mosquito is being discovered in traps in new areas. Some were found this week near Cresta Park in the Arden Arcade area, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District announced on Wednesday [7 Oct 2020].This aggressive day-biting pest, formally known as _Aedes aegypti_, can carry not only yellow fever but also Zika virus, dengue and chikungunya [viruses]. While mosquitoes breed more quickly during the heat Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (431): saliva antibodies, remdesivir, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesAbstract--------While the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 has been extensively studied in blood, relatively little is known about the antibody response in saliva and its relationship to systemic antibody levels. Here, we profiled by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) IgG, IgA, and IgM responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (full length trimer) and its receptor-binding domain (RBD) in serum and saliva of acute and convalescent patients with laboratory-diagnosed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (430): animal, USA (UT) mink
COVID-19 -- United StatesThousands of minks at Utah fur farms have died because of the coronavirus in the past 10 days, forcing 9 sites in 3 counties to quarantine, but the state veterinarian said people don't appear to be at risk from the outbreak. The COVID-19 infections likely were spread from workers at the mink ranches to the animals, with no sign so far the animals are spreading it to humans, said Dr Dean Taylor, the state veterinarian, who is investigating the outbreak. "We genuinely don't Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (27): Germany (BB) wild boar, spread
African Swine Fever -- GermanyThe National Reference Laboratory FLI has confirmed 3 additional ASF [African swine fever]-infected wild boars in the core zones. The one found in MOL [Markisch-Oderland] was heavily decomposed; this cadaver is estimated to have been lying there 4 weeks before being discovered. Total number of ASF cases in Germany is now 53.communicated by:Sabine ZentisCastleview English LonghornsGut Laach, D-52385 Nideggen, Germany[Since the 1st discovery of ASF-infected wild boars Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (429): long term effects, neuro, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesWith more than 30 million documented infections and 1 million deaths worldwide, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues unabated. The clinical spectrum of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) 2 infection ranges from asymptomatic infection to life-threatening and fatal disease. Current estimates are that approximately 20 million people globally have "recovered"; however, clinicians are observing and reading reports of patients with persistent Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed death, horse – USA: (NC)
Undiagnosed -- United StatesNew Hope Stables in North Carolina has had 4 horses die from a mystery illness that veterinarians cannot isolate or explain. Treasure, an 18 year old rescue horse used in the stable's lesson program, was the 1st horse afflicted and was originally suspected to be colicking when barn workers found him down on 23 Sep 2020. When the veterinarian arrived, however, it was apparent Treasure was not colicking, but the horse was experiencing gastrointestinal irritation. The gelding Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Anthrax – Russia (02): (YN) epidemiological model
Anthrax -- RussiaAbstract--------A recent outbreak of anthrax disease, severely affecting reindeer herds in Siberia, has been reportedly associated with the presence of infected carcasses or spores released from the active layer over permafrost, which is thawing and thickening at increasing rates, thus underlying the re-emerging nature of this pathogen in the Arctic region because of warming temperatures. Anthrax is a global zoonotic and epizootic disease, with a high case fatality ratio in infected Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (428): POC test, airborne trans, mitigation impact, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United States[Table, figure, and references are available at the source URL above.]Summary-------What is already known about this topic?Community mitigation measures can help slow the spread of COVID-19.What is added by this report?The number of COVID-19 cases in Arizona stabilized and then decreased after sustained implementation and enforcement of statewide and locally enhanced mitigation measures, beginning approximately 2 weeks after implementation and enforcement of mask mandates Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Italy: (SC)
Botulism -- ItalyMore than 30 people have needed hospital treatment in Italy for suspected botulism intoxication. The 35 patients seen at the emergency department of the Giglio Foundation hospital in Cefalu, a city in northern Sicily, had the same meal in a canteen. Currently, 24 patients are being looked after in 3 Sicilian hospitals, with 7 in intensive care and 4 under observation in an emergency room. Admissions started on Wed 30 Sep 2020.Those sick are workers from Toto Costruzioni Generali, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Liberia: (Grand Bassa) cattle, OIE
Anthrax -- LiberiaInformation received on [and dated] 5 Oct 2019 from Dr Joseph R N Anderson, director of Livestock/Veterinary Services, Animal Health Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Monrovia, LiberiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 29 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 29 Sep 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: _Bacillus anthracis_Nature of diagnosis: laboratory Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (65): Russia (KC) HPAI H5, poultry, spread, OIE
Avian Influenza -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 28 Sep 2020 from Dr Nikolay Vlasov, deputy head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture, Moscow, RussiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 18 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 23 Sep 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Myxomatosis – Finland (02): wild rabbit
Other Animal Disease -- FinlandIt is not yet certain where the myxoma virus came from in Finland or whether it can spread to hare and hare [sic]. In late summer [2020] the animal disease, which was first observed in Finland [in July 2020], is spreading in city rabbits in Espoo and western Helsinki.More than 30 wild rabbits have been brought to Korkeasaari Wildlife Hospital [to be euthanised because of] a [newly arrived] viral disease called myxomatosis. [As many as] 4 wild rabbits have been brought Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Toxic spill – Russia: (KQ) sealife, human
Environmental -- Russia50. Phenol. Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. 25. Wiley-VCH. 2003. pp. 589-604.60. Rehfuss, Marc, Urban, James. _Rhodococcus phenolicus_ sp. nov., a novel bioprocessor isolated actinomycete with the ability to degrade chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene and phenol as sole carbon sources. Systematic and Applied Microbiology 2005; 28 (8): 695-701; .61. Budavari, S, ed. The Merck Index: an encyclopedia of chemical, drugs, and biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (427): common cold, reinfection, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesSeasonal colds are by all accounts no fun, but new research suggests the colds you've had in the past may provide some protection from COVID-19. The study, authored by infectious disease experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center [URMC], also suggests that immunity to COVID-19 is likely to last a long time -- maybe even a lifetime.The study, published in mBio [see ref below], is the first to show that the COVID-19-causing virus, SARS-CoV-2, induces memory B cells, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis – Denmark
Tick-borne Encephalitis -- DenmarkIn the period from June to mid-August 2020, Statens Serum Institut [SSI] detected 3 tickborne encephalitis (TBE) cases in patients who, with great certainty, were bitten by ticks in Tisvilde Hegn and the surrounding areas, but beyond the area where the natural playground is located. In addition, a patient has become infected with TBE on the island of Falster.In 2019, Tisvilde Hegn and the surrounding areas were identified as a new TBE risk area. In the period from Read more [...]
