Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (244): lambda var S America, long COVID & children, Europe, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/Unknown1. Tada T, Zhou H, Dcosta BM, et al. SARS-CoV-2 lambda variant remains susceptible to neutralization by mRNA vaccine-elicited antibodies and convalescent serum. bioRxiv. 2021. 2. Acevedo ML, Alonso-Palomares L, Bustamante A, et al. Infectivity and immune escape of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest lambda. medRxiv. 2021. [Byline: Sanjay Mishra]--Communicated by:ProMED******[2] Long COVID in childrenDate: Wed 14 Jul 2021Source: Nature [edited]As COVID-19 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (04): Americas (Brazil)
West Nile Virus -- BrazilCosta ÉA, Giovanetti M, Silva Catenacci L, Fonseca V, Aburjaile FF, Chalhoub FLL, Xavier J, et al. West Nile Virus in Brazil. AbstractBackground: West Nile virus (WNV) was 1st sequenced in Brazil in 2019, when it was isolated from a horse in the Espírito Santo state. Despite multiple studies reporting serological evidence suggestive of past circulation since 2004, WNV remains a low priority for surveillance and public health, such that much is still unknown Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (26): Americas (USA) fox, bat, dog, human exp, cattle
Rabies -- United StatesA trip to a theme park now has 2 guests having to undergo [preventative] treatment for rabies.The Hampton-Peninsula Health District has alerted guests a rabid fox attacked 2 people at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg [Virginia], WTKR reported. A boy was bitten on 5 Jul 2021 by the fox and had to have 4 injections of rabies treatment. [Post Exposure Prophylaxis or PEP - Mod.TG] WTKR reported. He is OK.A man was also exposed to the fox. The fox was captured and died shortly after, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Food poisoning – Nigeria: (KW) deaths, susp cassava cyanide contamination
Poisoning -- NigeriaAnother tragedy struck in the Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State on [Tue 13 Jul 2021] as 3 members of the same family died of suspected food poisoning.It was gathered on [Wed 14 Jul 2021] the victims were from one of the communities in the Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state. According to information, the incident involved 5 siblings of the same parents after consuming a locally prepared yam flour meal (Amala).They were reportedly rushed to a hospital Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (22): Africa (Nigeria), Asia (India)
Cholera -- NigeriaThe Enugu State Ministry of Health has confirmed that there is a cholera outbreak in New Artisan Market, Enugu, which resulted in the death of 7 people, while 19 ill persons are identified with the symptoms of loose stool and vomiting.Confirming the cholera outbreak in the market, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, disclosed that the Ministry's rapid response team, upon receiving reports of the incident carried out an immediate investigation and "it was Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ehrlichiosis – Australia (03): (NT) ticks, dog
Pests -- AustraliaKey points:Ehrlichiosis was 1st detected in Australia last year in May [2020]Experts say the disease is now "endemic" across the Northern TerritoryThey say preventing ticks is the best way to protect dogsPatricia Powell's Staffordshire-cross, Leo, came close to death earlier this year -- and it isn't out of the woods yet. The 2-year-old dog became lethargic, thin and listless, deteriorating to the point that it was admitted to a pet hospital for a week for a blood transfusion. "I Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (18): India (AS) domestic, spread
African Swine Fever -- IndiaNearly 39 000 pigs have died of African swine fever (ASF) in Assam in the last 1.5 years, the Assembly was informed on Wednesday [14 Jul 2021]. In a written reply to a query by BJP MLA Chakradhar Gogoi, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Atul Bora said 38 700 pigs died due to ASF since its detection in the northeastern state in 2020.As many as 13 200 families have been economically affected as a result of the pig deaths, the minister said. However, the government Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot rot – Australia: (NS) sheep
Other Animal Disease -- AustraliaIncreasing footrot infections in some New South Wales (NSW) sheep areas have led to the formation of a new producer-led steering committee to help develop a plan to fight the spread. NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) today [12 Jul 2021] announced the new NSW Footrot Steering Committee (FSC) will provide ongoing oversight and strategic direction to the NSW Footrot Management Program.Incoming chair of the NSW Footrot Steering Committee, Derek Schoen, said the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – USA: (TX) ex Nigeria
Monkeypox -- United StatesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed on 15 Jul [2021] a case of human monkeypox in a US resident who recently traveled from Nigeria to the United States. The person is currently hospitalized in Dallas. CDC is working with the airline and state and local health officials to contact airline passengers and others who may have been in contact with the patient during 2 flights: Lagos, Nigeria to Atlanta Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (243): Olympics, Africa, MIS-C possible causes, 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): 3 875 342 (26 044) / 58 726 (338)European Region (61): 57 472 767 (130 355) / 1 200 672 (1068)South East Asia Region (10): 36 400 628 (126 002) / 520 095 (2086)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 11 644 006 (56 411) / 224 702 (582)Region Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – USA: (TX) cervid
Anthrax -- United StatesTexas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials received confirmation of anthrax in a captive white-tailed deer herd on a Val Verde County premises on Sun 11 Jul 2021. This is the first anthrax case in Texas this year.The premises is located in the south central portion of the county, north of Comstock, and has been quarantined. TAHC rules require proper disposal of affected carcasses on the premises prior to release of the quarantine."The TAHC will continue to closely monitor Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (12): O121, CDC
E. coli -- United StatesThe CDC is working with other public health agencies to investigate an 11-state outbreak of _E. coli_ O121 infections. As of 15 Jul 2021, a total of 15 patients had been confirmed with infections, a CDC spokesperson told Food Safety News. No other information from the agency was available for release.The Food and Drug Administration reported on 14 Jul 2021 that it was investigating an _E. coli_ O121 outbreak involving 15 patients, but the agency did not release any other details Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st. Typhimurium – USA (04): prepackaged salad, alert, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesFast FactsIllnesses: 8Hospitalizations: 0Deaths: 0States: 2Recall: NoInvestigation status: ActiveThe CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the FDA are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella_ Typhimurium infections. Epidemiologic and traceback data show that BrightFarms brand Sunny Crunch salad may be contaminated with _Salmonella_ and may be making people sick.As of 14 Jul 2021, 8 people infected Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (12): China (SC) H5N6
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- ChinaJust over 7 years ago (May 2014) we saw a report from Sichuan, China of the first known infection by HPAI [highly pathogenic avian influenza] H5N6 avian influenza in humans. At the time, H5N1 and (LPAI) [low pathogenic avian influenza] H7N9 were the biggest avian flu threats, with H10N8 and H9N2 (which is still very much with us) pulling up the rear. While H5N1 has declined markedly since 2015, and China's massive poultry vaccination program, which began in 2017 has -- Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – India (04): (OR) human, livestock, control study
Anthrax -- IndiaBhubaneswar's Regional Medical Research Centre has started a study across 14 blocks in Odisha's Koraput for coordinated interventions to check animal-to-human transmission of anthrax. The study is likely to be completed by end of next year [2022]. It will test the effectiveness of public health interventions to check the disease transmission in Koraput, the epicentre of anthrax in Odisha. Of the 30 districts of Odisha, 19 are reported as endemic for human anthrax. In all 19 districts, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Streptococcus equi – Europe: (Belgium) meningitis, horse exposure, ex Myanmar
Meningitis -- BelgiumAbstract--------"Invasive infection with Lancefield group C streptococci in humans is extremely rare, with the vast majority of clinical isolates belonging to _Streptococcus dysgalactiae_ subsp. _equisimilis_. We report a case of meningoencephalitis in a 69-year-old man caused by _Streptococcus equi_ subsp. _equi_, a microbe that causes strangles in _Equus caballus_ (i.e., the horse). This is only the 4th infection with this subtype of the central nervous system (CNS) reported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Sheep pox & goat pox – Russia (03): (KT) sheep, OIE
Sheep/Goat Pox -- RussiaSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationStarted: 4 Jul 2021Confirmed: 11 Jul 2021Reported: 14 Jul 2021Reason for notification: RecurrenceLast occurrence: 16 Jun 2021Causal agent: Sheep pox virus and goat pox virusNature of diagnosis: Clinical, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaksSummary of outbreaksTotal outbreaks (2)Outbreak location 1: Sophino, Nerekhskiy rayon, KostromaStarted: 5 Jul 2021Epidemiological unit: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (15): Germany (BB) 1st report in domestic pig
African Swine Fever -- GermanyFor the 1st time, African swine fever (ASF) was found in domestic pig populations nationwide. These are holdings in the Brandenburg districts of Spree-Neisse and Märkisch Oderland. The state of Brandenburg announced this in a press release late on Thursday evening (15 Jul 2021).The 2 animal holdings affected were closed by the responsible veterinary authorities and the necessary measures were initiated. The virus was initially detected by the Berlin-Brandenburg Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Black sigatoka, banana: new strains, DMI fungicide resistance
Other Plant Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownThe fungus _Pseudocercospora fijiensis_ causes black sigatoka [BS] of banana, which is the most damaging leaf disease of bananas worldwide. An analysis of 592 isolates from 7 banana-producing countries on 3 continents shows how _P. fijiensis_ is evolving to insensitivity to azole fungicides due to the heavy use of pesticides. The results underscore the need to develop alternative disease control methods and new banana varieties. Cavendish bananas represent Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease – USA: (CA) deer
Adenovirus -- United StatesThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has confirmed outbreaks of adenovirus hemorrhagic disease in deer in several northern California counties and is asking California residents to help curb the spread by not feeding wild animals, and reporting potential cases to the department."Providing attractants for deer -- food, salt licks, or even water - is against the law for good reason," said Dr Brandon Munk, senior wildlife veterinarian with CDFW's Wildlife Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Foodborne illness – India (07): (KA) fatal, finger millet susp, RFI
Foodborne Illness -- IndiaFour persons of a family died while doctors are trying to save one person, following suspected food poisoning at Isamudra village near Bharamasagar in Chitradurga taluk [Karnataka]. The deceased are [TN, 45, his wife SN, 40, his mother Gi, and daughter Ra, 16. The son Rl, 21], is undergoing treatment in Davanagere.They had ragi mudde (finger millet balls), rice, and sambar [lentil and vegetable stew] for dinner on 12 Jul 2021. Within half an hour, they had erratic bowel Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – USA (09): (WY) domestic, wild rabbits
-- United StatesRabbit Disease Identified in WyomingMore than 80 wild and domestic rabbits across 9 Wyoming counties have died as a result of a highly contagious and lethal rabbit hemorrhagic disease called RHDV2.While wildlife officials continue to track the disease, it is not considered an epidemic yet, according to Sara DiRienzo, a public information officer for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.Department officials tracked Wyoming's rabbit population as the disease surfaced in 10 other Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (15): global (cVDPV2), Nigeria
Polio -- NigeriaNew wild poliovirus isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 0Environment: 0Others: 0 New cVDPV isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 4Environment: 6Others: 10Summary of new WPV and cVDPV this week (AFP cases and ES positives):- Nigeria: 1 cVDPV2 case and 2 cVDPV2 positive environmental samples- Senegal: 2 cVDPV2 cases and 2 cVDPV2 positive environmental samples- Sierra Leone: 1 cVDPV2 positive environmental sample- Somalia: 1 cVDPV2 positive environmental sample- Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> COVID-19 update (242): inc. cases and deaths, hosp resources, infec. rates, 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): 3 849 298 (24 361) / 58 388 (270)European Region (61): 57 327 765 (113 098) / 1 199 601 (1093)South East Asia Region (10): 36 196 974 (48 163) / 516 608 (711)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 11 587 414 (54 206) / 224 106 (564)Region Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Typhimurium – USA (03): FDA
Salmonella -- United StatesThe following is from a list of outbreak investigations being managed by FDA's CORE Response Teams. The investigations are in a variety of stages, meaning that some outbreaks have limited information, and others may be near completion.A public health advisory will be issued for outbreak investigations that have resulted in specific, actionable steps for consumers to take to protect themselves. Please direct your attention to those pages for the most up to date information Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (21): Africa (Nigeria), Asia (India)
Cholera -- Nigeria"Background: There are an estimated 1.3-4.0 million cases of cholera and 20 000-140 000 cholera-related deaths worldwide each year. The rice-based cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) vaccine [manufactured as a powder from the transgenic rice - Mod.LL], MucoRice-CTB, is an oral candidate vaccine that does not require a cold chain, has shown efficacy in animal models, and could be of benefit in places where there is a paucity of medical infrastructure. We aim to assess the safety, tolerability, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (11): O121, FDA
E. coli -- United States1. Schmidt H, Geitz C, Tarr PI, et al. Non-O157:H7 pathogenic Shiga-toxin producing _Escherichia coli_: phenotypic and genetic profiling of virulence traits and evidence for clonality. J Infect Dis 1999; 179(1): 115-23; available at 2. Bettelheim KA. Role of non-O157 VTEC. Symp Ser Soc Appl Microbiol 2000; (29): 38S-50S; abstract available at 3. McCarthy TA, Barrett NL, Hadler JL, et al: Hemolytic-uremic syndrome and _Escherichia coli_ O121 at a lake in Connecticut, 1999. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Meningitis, meningococcal – UK: (England) decreased incid., 1st 3m, 2021 vs 2020
Meningitis – Neisseria — United Kingdom
Antimicrobial overuse, human (12): USA (WI) outpt. AB, RTI/resp. virus detections
PRO/AH/EDR> Lumpy skin disease – Asia (12): Laos, cattle, control, corr
Lumpy Skin Disease -- LaosThe Lao government has extended the ban on the import of cattle and other beef products due to an outbreak of lumpy skin disease [LSD], which is continuing to spread in various areas of the country.According to the local daily Vientiane Times on Tuesday [13 Jul 2021], measures have been introduced to monitor and control the spread of the disease and address the shortage of beef and buffalo meat so there is enough to meet the needs of consumers.The Department of Livestock Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Norovirus – New Zealand: (North Island) hospital outbreak
Norovirus -- New ZealandAn outbreak of [an intestinal infection due to] norovirus at Palmerston North Hospital has prompted tight controls on movements in and out of ward 24. MidCentral District Health Board chief medical officer Kelvin Billinghurst said the virus had spread rapidly in the ward, but at this stage, it appeared to be contained.There were 4 suspected cases and one confirmed case in the general ward. A total of 14 staff members were unwell with possible symptoms. The ward stopped admitting Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Sooty mould, mango – Egypt: (IS)
Other Plant Disease -- EgyptA disease called "black soot" struck the crops of mangoes. A member of the House of Representatives said that there were many complaints from mango growers about the threat of the disease. This year [2021], the disease [poses a danger]. The mango crop, especially in Ismailia governorate, suffered losses of 80% in the production of mangoes. The flowering rate of mango [trees] reached 0% in some gardens.The representative emphasized that the mango crop has been suffering Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis & Lyme disease – Latvia
Lyme Disease -- LatviaEach 5th tick, which has been investigated in the laboratory of the Latvian Infectology Centre, contains _Borrelia_ or the initiator of Lyme disease, Latvian Television reported [14 Jul 2021]. Only 2% of the ticks tested were infected with tick encephalitis [virus]. It doesn't mean that everyone who gets these ticks inevitably gets sick. But medics remind the public to be careful outdoors and take suitable precautions when in areas potentially containing ticks.727 ticks have Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lumpy skin disease – Asia (12): Laos, control
Lumpy Skin Disease -- LaosThe Lao government has extended the ban on the import of cattle and other beef products due to an outbreak of lumpy skin disease [LSD], which is continuing to spread in various areas of the country.According to local daily Vientiane Times on Tuesday [13 Jul 2021], measures have been introduced to monitor and control the spread of the disease and address the shortage of beef and buffalo meat so there is enough to meet the needs of consumers.The Department of Livestock and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kazakhstan: (QS) cattle, human
Anthrax -- KazakhstanThree people contracted anthrax in the Kostanay [Qostanay] region. They are now in the hospital. The disease was first detected in cattle in one of the livestock farms in the village of Prirechnoye, Denisovskiy district.More than 10 heads have already died, and quarantine has been imposed (on the area). Veterinarians have hygienically disposed the corpses of the dead animals. Also, the places where cattle were kept and died were disinfected. Vaccination against anthrax was urgently Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Europe: multiple serotypes, imported sesame seed products
Salmonella -- Worldwide/UnknownFive European countries have reported _Salmonella_ infections with at least some of them linked to tahini and halva from Syria. Up to 80 people may have been affected since 2019 in Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands with several types of _Salmonella_ being linked to the outbreak.Based on epidemiological information and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analyses, experts from the Robert Koch Institut (RKI) in Germany told Food Safety News that they consider Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – India (03): (TN) elephant
Anthrax -- IndiaA day after a cow elephant was found dead near Anaikatti due to anthrax, the Animal Husbandry Department has started efforts to vaccinate livestock against the infectious disease in the surrounding areas starting Wednesday [14 Jul 2021]. Following a request from the Coimbatore Forest Division, the department has formed 3 teams of livestock inspectors, led by Anaikatti, Madathur, and Thudiyalur veterinarians, to visit farms and houses in Sembukkarai and Mangarai and vaccinate the animals. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – Congo DR (04): (IT) fatal
Plague -- DR CongoSince the beginning of 2021, Ituri province in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported a total of 117 suspected cases of bubonic and pulmonary plague and 13 deaths (case fatality rate [CFR]: 11.1%) from 8 health zones. In Fataki health zone in the province, where plague has not been seen in at least 10 years, a total of 37 cases of bubonic and pulmonary plague with 12 deaths (CFR: 32.4%) [have been reported].Plague is endemic to the northeast areas of the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (241): South Africa, beta variant, vaccines, Netherlands, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownCOVID seroprevalence at the beginning of 2021 was 18.9% in 21 464 US patients who received dialysis, or roughly a rise of 15 percentage points compared with July 2020, according to a study yesterday [12 Jul 2021] in JAMA Network Open.The researchers looked at 21 464 patients who received dialysis from US Renal Care facilities in January [2021], excluding people who had received COVID vaccinations. Less than 1 in 5 (18.4%) had COVID-19 antibodies, which translated to an Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Foodborne illness – Turkey: (ZO, GA)
Foodborne Illness -- TurkeyA total of 43 people who ate at a wedding in Zonguldak were treated at the hospital on suspicion of food poisoning. After a while, 43 people who ate at a wedding in the district reported complaints such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting. The sick were taken to various hospitals in the city.It was learned that 43 people who were treated for food poisoning were in good health. It was reported that a sample of the food was taken while the investigation was started.--Communicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (14): Russia, domestic swine, wild boar OIE
African Swine Fever -- RussiaGeneral informationReport type: immediate notificationStarted: 30 Jun 2021Confirmed: 7 Jul 2021Reported: 9 Jul 2021Reason for notification: recurrenceLast occurrence: 10 Sep 2016Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.Outbreak location 1: Staraya Guta, Unechskiy rayon, BryanskDate of start of the outbreak: 30 Jun 2021Epidemiological unit: Read more [...]
