Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – Madagascar: bubonic
Plague -- MadagascarFrom 1 Jan 2021-11 Mar 2021, at least 21 confirmed cases of bubonic plague have been confirmed in Madagascar; 8 of these cases were reported since 1 Mar 2021 in Amoron'i Mania (Ambositra and Manandriana). Since the start of the year [2021], 37 suspected cases have been reported, affecting multiple regions, including Alaotra-Mangoro, Analamanga, Haute Matsiatra, and Itasy. Roughly 9 deaths have been associated with this disease activity. This represents the most complete data available Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (46): Niger (NI) poultry, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- NigerGeneral informationReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 12 Mar 2021Date of confirmation of the event: 15 Mar 2021Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 19 Sep 2017Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5N1Nature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratoryThis event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Outbreak Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Foodborne illness – Madagascar: sea turtle meat, fatal
Foodborne Illness -- MadagascarIn December 1994, a mass food poisoning through ingestion of turtle affected about 60 persons on the northeastern coast of Madagascar. The prevailing clinical signs were digestive (nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, acute stomatitis) and might persist during several weeks. The poisoning attack rate was 48% with a lethality of 7.7%. Such [an] accident, even if rare in Madagascar, requires a structured organization to control sea products poisoning and to set up adequate prevention Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (106): 3rd wave, 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): 1 752 133 (8777) / 30 730 (67)European Region (61): 42 058 698 (233 900) / 923 427 (3316)South East Asia Region (10): 14 080 960 (49 211) / 214 049 (402)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 7 053 434 (40 309) / 152 511 (484)Region Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (105): long COVID, variants, T Cell resp, S Asia, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstract---------ObjectiveTo characterize the symptom profile and time course in patients with long COVID, along with the impact on daily life, work, and return to baseline health.DesignInternational web-based survey of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases with illness lasting over 28 days and onset prior to June 2020.SettingSurvey distribution via online COVID-19 support groups and social mediaParticipants3762 respondents from 56 countries completed the survey. 1166 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths – Nigeria (02): (KN) flavored drink, chem poisoning, RFI
Undiagnosed -- NigeriaThe National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed the strange disease in Kano is caused by dansami food poisoning.NAFDAC director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday [17 Mar 2021].Before now, it was reported an outbreak of a strange infection had led to the death of 2 persons and the hospitalisation of 183 others in the state.The state ministry of health confirmed the affected patients Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Clubroot, oilseed rape – Canada: new strains
Other Plant Disease -- CanadaNine new strains of clubroot [of] canola have been discovered in Western Canada. [This] shows how important it is to build a multi-pronged strategy for protecting crops, not relying solely on canola bred to resist the disease, said University of Alberta's Keisha Hollman. The new pathogens in canola across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba [found] in 2017 and 2018 mean resistance breakdown, first discovered in 2013 [ProMED post http://promedmail.org/post/20150618.3447106], Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Lettuce necrotic leaf curl virus – France: 1st rep
Other Plant Disease -- France_Lettuce necrotic leaf curl virus_ (LNLCV, genus _Torradovirus_, family Secoviridae) has so far only been reported in the Netherlands in open field lettuce. It was the 1st torradovirus described from non-tomato host and, contrary to whitefly-transmitted tomato[-infecting] torradoviruses, aphids are its natural vectors.In October 2019, a symptomatic lettuce (JG3, cv. "Tregoney") was collected in an open field in southwestern France. Symptoms included stunted and deformed Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> COVID-19 update (104): surge, Europe, variants, vaccines, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe B.1.1.7 variant is very likely to cause more severe illness than pre-existing SARS-CoV-2 variants, according to new research published in Nature (1) reference below].The research team at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine analysed the results of more than 2 million COVID-19 community tests in England between November 2020 and February 2021.Linking the test results to a comprehensive database of COVID-19 deaths, they estimated that B.1.1.7 infection Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (26): Congo DR (NK) Guinea
Ebola -- GuineaSince the last brief (9 Mar 2021), 1 new probable case, 2 new deaths, and 4 new recoveries of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Guinea. Cumulatively, 30 EVD cases, 15 deaths (CFR: 50%), and 8 recoveries have been reported from DR Congo (12 cases; 6 deaths; 2 recoveries) and Guinea (18; 9; 6). 7 healthcare workers are amongst the confirmed cases: DR Congo (2) and Guinea (5).- DR Congo updates: Since the last brief, 1 new Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (07): USA, horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe discovery of equine herpesvirus EHV-1 at Laurel Park has forced travel restrictions on horses at Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park."Effective immediately: No horses are allowed to ship out of Laurel or Pimlico, with the exception of Pimlico horses entered to run at Laurel," the Maryland Jockey Club tweeted Tuesday [9 Mar 2021] afternoon.The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association hosted a Zoom Q&A session Tuesday [9 Mar 2021] to discuss the situation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine rhinopneumonitis – Spain (05): (VC) EHV-1, horse, intl spread, Germany, Belgium
Equine Herpes Virus -- SpainAlready 12 horses died because of the EHV-1 outbreak in Valencia. According to the latest FEI updates, 8 horses are German.Three German horses died in Valencia. In Germany, another 4 horses died, related to the EHV-1 outbreak in Valencia.--Communicated by:ProMED from HealthMap Alerts******[2]Date: Wed 17 Mar 2021Source: Horsetalk [edited]The official toll of the European EHV-1 outbreak is now 17, with the deaths of 3 more horses in Germany, 2 in Belgium, and an Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Libya
Leishmaniasis -- LibyaThe Libya Health Ministry says that the country has seen some 5000 cases of the parasitic disease leishmaniasis in the past 6 months, according to a media account."There are currently 5000 patients who are being treated," said Ahmad al-Qarari, who heads the centre for disease control at the health ministry of Libya's UN-backed unity government.--Communicated by:ProMED[We assume that these are cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). CL is caused by the protozoan _Leishmania_ Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (103): variants, Papua New Guinea, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- BrazilThe SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Brazil was mainly driven by the B.1.1.28 and B.1.1.33 lineages that likely emerged in February 2020 before becoming the dominant variants in most regions by October 2020.Since then, genomic studies revealed the emergence of 2 rapidly spreading variants (P.1 and P.2) within the B.1.1.28 lineage that harbor mutations in the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein.Lineage P.1, which was first described in January 2020, is considered a variant of concern Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (45): UK, Croatia, seal, fox, wild bird, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- United KingdomSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 21 Nov 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 26 Jan 2021Ended on: 12 Feb 2021Reason for notification: unusual host speciesReported on: 15 Mar 2021Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5N8Nature of diagnosis: laboratory (advanced)This event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of outbreaks:Total Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – USA (03): (CO) sporadic foodborne cases
Botulism -- United StatesThe [COVID-19] pandemic brought a rise in home canning and food preservation as evidenced by a scarcity of canning supplies on store shelves and from online retailers, perhaps driven by a bountiful harvest by those who planted home gardens in the spring during the early lockdown period.The Journal-Advocate reports improperly canned food is behind at least some of the several cases of confirmed and suspected foodborne botulism that the Colorado Department of Public Health Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (102): China, origin, farmed wild animals susp.
COVID-19 -- ChinaA member of the World Health Organization [WHO] investigative team says wildlife farms in southern China are the most likely source of the COVID-19 pandemic.China shut down those wildlife farms in February 2020, says Peter Daszak, a disease ecologist with EcoHealth Alliance and a member of the WHO delegation that traveled to China this year [2021]. During that trip, Daszak says, the WHO team found new evidence that these wildlife farms were supplying vendors at the Huanan Seafood Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (101): USA, UK variant, animals
COVID-19 -- United StatesThe United Kingdom variant (B.1.1.7) of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, has been detected for the 1st time in a dog and a cat from the same household in Brazos County, Texas as part of a study led by researchers at Texas A&M University.The 1st reported finding of the B.1.1.7 human variant virus in any animal worldwide, this detection of the UK variant in animals in a natural household setting reinforces the importance of having procedures in place to monitor the Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed disease – Nigeria: fatalities, RFI
Undiagnosed -- NigeriaAt least 3 people died, and over 183 were hospitalized in the northwestern city of Kano after taking expired and poisonous fruit drinks, officials said Tue 16 Mar 2021.The Kano State commissioner for health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, said the outbreak has spread to about 13 local government areas.Speaking to reporters, Tsanyawa said the incident occurred when the patients took expired citric acid powdered drinks. He said the outbreak affected 284 people, adding 101 have been Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (03): (NJ) fatal
Legionnaires' -- United StatesThe New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases in Union County. The Department is aware of 14 confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease, including one death, among individuals who live in or spend time in the county.The cases were reported to the Department between [3 Feb and 26 Feb 2021]. The Department is working with the local health departments in Union County to investigate this cluster. The individual who died Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (44): Hungary, Taiwan, wild bird, H5N8, H5N5, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- HungarySummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 1 Mar 2021Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Mar 2021Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 22 Dec 2020Manifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5N8Nature of diagnosis: Laboratory (advanced)This event pertains to a defined zone within the country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (03): March 2021
Not Yet Classified -- Worldwide/UnknownEditorial---------COVID-19 vaccines under the International Health Regulations -- We must use the WHO International Certificate of Vaccination or ProphylaxisEskild Petersen, Daniel Lucey, Lucille Blumberg, Laura D. Kramer, Seif Al-Abri, et al.IJID 2021;104:175-7Perspectives------------Antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance in the COVID-19 era: Perspective from resource-limited settings.Mentor Ali Ber Lucien, Michael F. Canarie, Paul E. Kilgore, et al.IJID Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (100): antibodies, vaccine, Thailand, Cambodia, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- ThailandBut uptake by patients and physicians has been low in the United States, where some therapies have been authorized for months.Two clinical trials suggest that specific antibody treatments can prevent deaths and hospitalizations among people with mild or moderate COVID-19 -- particularly those who are at high risk of developing severe disease.One study found that an antibody against the coronavirus developed by Vir Biotechnology in San Francisco, California, and GSK, headquartered Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Rapid decline, apple – USA
Other Plant Disease -- United StatesSince 2013, a condition now named rapid apple decline (RAD) for its sudden onset has caused apple trees to quickly deteriorate and die across North America. Researchers at Cornell AgriTech teamed up to explore potential causes of RAD, such as pathogens, insects, cold weather injury, and root system interactions. While their findings revealed no direct above-ground causes, they noticed that a weaker root system could potentially contribute to the decline."So very Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (99): China, animal reservoir, wildlife sale, pork supply impact
COVID-19, African Swine Fever -- ChinaAn outbreak of a deadly pig disease may have set the stage for Covid-19 to take hold in humans, a new analysis has suggested. African swine fever (ASF), which 1st swept through China in 2018, disrupted pork supplies, increasing the potential for human-virus contact as people sought out alternative meats.Pork is the main meat source in the Chinese diet. The ASF outbreak had spread across most of China by the 4th quarter of 2019.The dramatic drop in pork supply, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (05): Pakistan (SD), Americas, US
Measles -- PakistanSituation SummaryIn 2021, between epidemiological week (EW)1 and EW 6, one country and one territory in the Region of the Americas have reported confirmed cases of measles: Brazil with 54 confirmed cases and French Guiana with 2 confirmed cases. Currently, only Brazil is reporting active outbreaks of measles, this event constitutes a hazard for other countries and territories in the Region of the Americas.In 2020, a total of 9 countries in the Region of the Americas have reported Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Black spot, citrus – Europe ex China, intercepts
Other Plant Disease -- ChinaThe EU had rejected a total of 30 shipments of citrus fruits from 3rd countries in January and February [2021] because they contained pests. All of these shipments came from Tunisia (18) and China (12). Citrus detections entering from China contained, among other harmful pests, _Phyllosticta citricarpa_ fungus [citrus black spot] or fruit flies. Harmful organisms detected from Tunisia were mealybugs. However, it should be noted [that] Tunisia has detected the presence Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (05): Brazil (SC) human, monkey
Yellow Fever -- BrazilIn addition to the zoonotic [monkey] cases, now there are 2 confirmed human cases of yellow fever. The 1st was registered in January [2021], who was a 40 year resident of Taio in the region of Alto Vale do Itajai. The 2nd was confirmed in March [2021], a 62-year-old man, resident of Aguas Mornas, in Grande Florianopolis. Neither had registration of yellow fever vaccination.Yellow fever is an acute infectious disease. The principal symptoms are abrupt febrile onset, chills, intense Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (98): transmission, long COVID, vaccine reactions, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstract--------In 2019-2020, the COVID-19 pandemic spread to over 200 countries in less than 6 months. To understand the basis of this aggressive spread, it is essential to determine the transmission rate and define the factors that increase the risk of transmission. One complication is the large fraction of asymptomatic cases, particularly in young populations: these individuals have viral loads indistinguishable from symptomatic people and do transmit the SARS-CoV-2 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (43): Kuwait (JA) HPAI, poultry, H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- KuwaitSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 7 Mar 2021Date of confirmation of the event: 8 Mar 2021Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 8 Nov 2020Manifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: highly pathogenic influenza A virusSerotype: H5N8Nature of diagnosis: laboratory, necropsyThis event pertains to the whole country.New outbreaks (1)Summary of outbreaksTotal outbreaks: Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Cutaneous & renal glomerular vasculopathy, canine – UK (02): (England) dog
Other Animal Disease -- United KingdomAnderson Moores Veterinary Specialists confirmed today [Wed 10 Mar 2021] that there have been another 3 positive cases of the deadly disease in the UK. This includes a case in Knaresborough. A spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, we have to confirm a further 3 cases of Alabama Rot, also known as CRGV (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy). The cases were from Preston (Lancashire), Knaresborough (N.Yorkshire) and Poole (Dorset). In total, the UK has now seen Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Mauritius: (RO) bovine, susp. RFI
Foot and Mouth -- MauritiusThe veterinary service of the Ministry of Agro-Industry was notified of a suspected case of foot and mouth disease [FMD] in Rodrigues yesterday [Wed 10 Mar 2021] by the Agriculture Commission.Samples taken for analysis will be sent to the ANSES laboratory in France, thanks to the support and logistical facilitation of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).The International Organization of Epizootics (OIE) has also been notified of this suspected case. As a precautionary measure, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (97): testing, contact tracing, variants, immunity, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownBackgroundSensitive molecular diagnostics and correct test interpretation are crucial for accurate COVID-19 diagnosis and thereby essential for good clinical practice. Furthermore, they are a key factor in outbreak control where active case finding in combination with isolation and contact tracing are crucial.AimWith the objective to inform the public health and laboratory responses to the pandemic, we reviewed current published knowledge on the kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine distemper, wildlife – USA: (VA) raccoon, alert
Canine distemper -- United StatesSix raccoons picked up by Arlington County Animal Control in North Arlington in recent weeks have tested positive for canine distemper, the county said Thursday [11 Mar 2021].Five of the raccoons were removed from various neighborhoods in North Arlington over a 3 week period after showing neurological signs and symptoms, according to Animal Welfare League of Arlington spokeswoman Chelsea Jones. Those raccoons were euthanized due to their condition. The 6th raccoon Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – Israel: (HZ) cattle, M. bovis, spread
Bovine TB -- IsraelLast night [Wed 10 Mar 2021], Keshet 12 TV News magazine aired an article by Guy Varon, which covered the closure of [a family's] dairy operation in Kinneret colony, following the infection with bovine tuberculosis of their herd of nearly 200 cattle. In recent months we have accompanied the family and other affected dairy farms, helping them in dealing with the crisis that befell them. Among other things, we led the change in regulations to allow farms in a similar situation to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Enteritidis – Norway (02): German beef
Salmonella -- NorwayIn a follow-up on the salmonellosis outbreak reported across Norway, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has, in collaboration with the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, detected _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Enteritidis with the outbreak profile in a batch of beef imported from Germany.The imported batch of beef is used for, among other things, chop dough [Our investigations have failed to reveal what this is. - Mod.SH]. This product has been withdrawn from the market. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Australian bat lyssavirus – Australia (02): (SA) microbat, human exp
Other Animal Disease -- AustraliaWhen 7 year old Port Lincoln schoolgirl JF was bitten by a microbat, her mum KF's gut feeling was to go to the hospital. She was right to be concerned; bats can carry the deadly Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL), and the consequences could have been dire. JF had been bitten while collecting her bag at the end of the school day after the bat flew into a window and fell onto her hand. "There were 4 tiny little pinpricks on her hand," KF said. "You could barely even see Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, avian – North America (02): USA (CA) songbird
Salmonella -- United StatesThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reports more than 2000 songbirds have died in the state from 20 Dec 2020 through 8 Mar 2021 -- and the culprit is sitting in people's backyards. The agency determined the birds are contracting salmonellosis, a disease cause by salmonella bacteria, by sharing bird feeders with other infected avian species. Pine siskins, a species of finch that winters in California, are the primary species affected by the outbreak, along Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (25): Guinea, Congo DR (NK)
Ebola -- GuineaOutbreak update: Since the last brief (3 Mar 2021), 1 new confirmed case, 2 new deaths, and no new recoveries of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported in Nzerekore, Guinea. This represents a 91% decrease in the number of new cases reported this week compared with new cases reported in the last brief. Cumulatively, 29 EVD cases, 13 deaths (case fatality rate [CFR] 45%), and 4 recoveries have been reported from Democratic Republic of Congo (11 cases; 4 deaths; 2 recoveries) and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (96): HCWs, child mental health, Africa vaccines, 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): 1 694 716 (7465) / 30 076 (133)European Region (61): 40 640 050 (199 249) / 900 997 (3259)South East Asia Region (10): 13 819 871 (31 159) / 211 740 (257)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 6 793 641 (37 052) / 149 400 (442)Region of the Americas Read more [...]
