Archive for Global Disease Alerts
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 [...]
PRO/PL> Blast disease, wheat – Africa: 1st rep (Zambia)
Other Plant Disease -- ZambiaIn Zambia, wheat blast symptoms were observed for the first time on wheat (_Triticum aestivum_ L.) grown in Muchinga Province during the 2017-18 rainy season. Infected plants showed typical symptoms in a short span of time. Incidence of blast symptoms on nearly all wheat heads was high and ranged from 50% to 100%.A study was conducted to isolate and identify the causal pathogen using classical and molecular methods. Morphobiometry revealed conidia with characteristic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (64): Russia, H5N8, Kazakhstan, H5, poultry, spread, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- RussiaRussia and Kazakhstan have reported more highly pathogenic avian flu outbreaks in poultry, Russia's involving H5N8 and Kazakhstan's due to an H5 virus, according to the latest notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).In Russia, animal health officials have reported 4 more H5N8 outbreaks, all in backyard birds in earlier affected oblasts in the south western part of the country: Kurgan, Tyumen, and Omsk. The outbreaks began from 23 to 25 Sep 2020, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (23): Europe (Germany) horse, OIE
West Nile Virus -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 2 oct 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: 24 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 30 Sep 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/PL> ProMED-AMR, plants: antibiotic use in agriculture (02)
Other Plant Disease — United States
PRO/AH> Classical swine fever – Brazil: (PI) swine, OIE
Classical Swine Fever -- BrazilInformation received on [and dated] 2 Oct 2020 from Dr Marcos De Moraes, director, [Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply], Brasilia, BrazilSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 18 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 2 Oct 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 12 Nov 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: classical swine Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Angiostrongylus cantonensis – USA: (FL) introduced snails
Other Human Disease -- United StatesThe horntail snail, an invasive species that can spread rat lungworm disease which can cause death, coma, or paralysis in humans and animals, has been positively identified by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in Miami-Dade County.The horntail snail (_Macrochlamys indica_) was first discovered by a gastropod enthusiast in Coconut Grove who sent the unusual snail to the University of Florida [UF] for identification. This is the 1st time Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (22): Americas (Canada)
West Nile Virus -- CanadaA Lambton County [Southwestern Ontario] resident has tested positive for the West Nile virus, the 1st lab-confirmed human case this year [2020], Lambton Public Health said. Testing of mosquito pools in Petrolia and Oil Springs had already shown the virus was present.Ontario has had 24 human cases, which are often confirmed in late summer and early fall, late in the mosquito season.West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.The health unit Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hand, foot & mouth disease update – Viet Nam: (HC)
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease -- VietnamThe Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Ho Chi Minh City said that the city has recorded a total of 6358 hand-foot-mouth infection cases from the beginning of the year [2020], said Dr. Le Hong Nga from the center yesterday [2 Oct 2020].Hand, foot, and mouth disease has raised alarm in Ho Chi Minh City, with up to 640 new cases reported in the last week of September 2020, highest compared to previous months.Districts that documented a sharp increase Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – USA (06): (RI) sea moss products, risk, recall
Botulism -- United StatesThe Rhode Island Department of Health is warning of a botulism risk with products sold by a Cranston store.The Health Department is telling consumers to avoid juices, smoothies and sea moss gel from Health is Wealth Nutrition Center, which is located at 1674 Cranston Street. No health issues have been associated with the products, but the Health Department is nevertheless telling consumers to throw them out.Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal illness caused by a toxin Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (425): animal, Denmark (ND) farmed mink, spread, control
COVID-19 -- DenmarkDanish authorities said on Friday [2 Oct 2020] that as many as one million mink will have to be culled after coronavirus infections were found among animals at farms that breed the creatures for their fur.Denmark is the largest producer of mink in the world and had earlier culled animals at farms hit by the pandemic.Fresh outbreaks have been recorded at 41 mink farms, and another 20 are suspected to be infected, totaling up to one million mink, said the ministry of Environment Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (48): Congo DR (EQ)
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/EDR> Foodborne Illness – Egypt: (BH) wedding
Foodborne Illness -- EgyptEl Mahmoudeya Central Hospital, located in Egypt's Beheira Governorate, received on Thu 1 Oct 2020 134 people experiencing severe symptoms of food poisoning after eating at a wedding in the village of Ezbet al-Far. A number of families, including dozens of children, promptly reported to the hospital for treatment. All cases were successfully treated, according to the hospital's Director, Ashraf al-Qalfat.Among the patients that the hospital received, many presented with Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Canada: alfalfa sprouts, alert, recall
Salmonella -- CanadaSunsprout / Micro - Greens Alfalfa / 100 g / 0 57621 13511 6 / All best before dates up to and including BBOCT13.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts[The number of cases and the serotype of the pathogen are not stated.A number of significant pathogens, including _Salmonella_, _Listeria_, and enterohemorrhagic _E. coli_, have been linked to transmission from ingestion of a whole variety of different kinds sprouts in the USA and elsewhere.The following is a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (424): air travel, India, CSF leakage, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownAlthough most COVID-19 cases have occurred in low-resource countries, little is known about the epidemiology of the disease in such contexts. Data from the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh provide a detailed view into SARS-CoV-2 transmission pathways and mortality in a high-incidence setting. Reported cases and deaths have been concentrated in younger cohorts than expected from observations in higher-income countries, even after accounting for demographic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (05): China (GD) H9N2, new case
Avian Influenza -- ChinaChinese officials report a human H9N2 avian influenza case in a 4-year-old girl from Guangdong province. The child was hospitalized in August 2020 with mild symptoms and has fully recovered.The investigation into the case shows the girl had contact with domestic poultry. No further cases were confirmed among the contacts of this case.The last case of H9N2 avian influenza was reported in May 2020. In 2020, 6 cases have been reported, all from China.Since 1998, 67 total cases Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (20): USA (MI) fatal
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesThe state says a Montcalm County resident has died from eastern equine encephalitis [EEE]. Officials didn't release additional details about the death on Friday [2 Oct 2020]."Our sympathies to the family and friends of this Michigan resident," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in a news release. "EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Asia (09): India (MH) Alert
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- IndiaA rare disease known as Congo fever has claimed its 1st victims in India.The Palghar district administration issued a Congo fever alert after neighboring Gujarat districts reported around 4 cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), feared to be spreading from animals to humans. The district administration has asked cattle feeders, meat sellers, and staff of the state animal husbandry department to watch out for symptoms that can cause the Congo fever. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Alaskapox: USA (AK) orthopoxvirus new species, 2nd rep.
Other Human Disease -- United StatesIn August [2020], a Fairbanks resident visited her doctor's office with a mysterious gray lesion on her left upper arm, along with shoulder pain, fatigue, and a fever.According to a report issued by the state Wednesday [30 Sep 2020], this woman was later diagnosed with the 2nd-ever known case of a new species of a double-stranded DNA virus called "Alaskapox," which comes from the same genus as smallpox.While very little is known about Alaskapox at this point, it Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Respiratory syncytial virus – Belgium: surveillance
Respiratory Syncytial Virus -- BelgiumCitation: Subissi L, Bossuyt N, Reynders M, et al.: Capturing respiratory syncytial virus season in Belgium using the influenza severe acute respiratory infection surveillance network, season 2018/19. Euro Surveill. 2020; 25(39): pii=1900627; DOI: .Abstract.BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of severe respiratory illness in young children (less than 5 years old) and older adults (greater than or equal to 65 years old), leading the World Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Jamestown Canyon virus – USA (05): (NH)
Other Human Disease -- United StatesThe New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday [2 Oct 2020] that an adult from Epsom has tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus. The diagnosis marks the 4th person in the state to test positive for the mosquito-borne disease, officials said. The arboviral risk level has been elevated to high for the Epsom community.The patient was hospitalized with a fever, abdominal and neck pain, and a headache. They have been discharged and are Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, horse – Kazakhstan: (QO) Gasterophilus spp susp, RFI
Undiagnosed -- KazakhstanHundreds of horses have died from an unknown disease in the Qyzylorda region, Channel One Eurasia reports. According to local residents, 200 horses died in the village."It started back in August [2020] and is still the case. It is not clear what they die from. We have been raising livestock for 50 years, but we have never seen anything like this, "said [KK], a resident of the Baikenzhe village.On average, an animal is sick for about 10 days, does not really eat, loses weight, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (27): Americas (USA) animal, human exp
Rabies -- United StatesA rabid raccoon in the Walking Horse Lane area is the 15th confirmed rabies case in White County for 2020.According to White County Environmental Health, on Tuesday [1 Sep 2020], a dog owner went outside when he heard some noise on his porch and discovered his dog fighting with a raccoon. The owner killed the raccoon and reported the incident to Environmental Health immediately. The raccoon was sent to the Georgia Public Health Lab in Decatur. The state lab shared confirmation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (21): Americas, USA (CA)
West Nile Virus -- United StatesTo date [30 Sep 2020], California officials have reported a total of 91 West Nile virus cases in people statewide. Of those, Los Angeles County Public Health said it has identified 27 local cases.West Nile virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental USA. Mosquito season is typically from March to late October or early November, and there are currently no vaccines to prevent or Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (20): Americas, USA (KY, CO) horse
West Nile Virus -- United StatesDiagnostic testing conducted, reported on 29 Sep 2020 by the Equine Diagnostic Services in Lexington, Kentucky, confirmed a diagnosis of West Nile virus (WNV) affecting a 2nd Kentucky horse. The confirmation of disease is based on WNV-specific IgM antibodies being detected and compatible clinical signs with WNV.A 9-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse in Madison County, Kentucky, had onset of clinical signs on 21 Sep 2020 including lethargy, inappetence, proprioceptive Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (423): Parkinson's disease, MIS-A, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownThis Viewpoint discusses insights from basic science and clinical perspectives on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)/severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the brain, with a particular focus on Parkinson's disease. Major points include that neuropathology studies have not answered the central issue of whether the virus enters central nervous system neurons, astrocytes or microglia, and the brain vascular cell types that express virus Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Cysticercosis – Australia: (VI) autochthonous neurocysticercosis, 1st rep
Cysticercosis -- AustraliaA parasitic disease once confined to developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America has surfaced in a Melbourne woman who has never been overseas.The 25-year-old was found to have cysts on her brain after suffering migraines with 'visual aura' and blurred vision for 6 straight days. She was diagnosed with neurocysticercosis, a serious disease that causes symptoms including seizures, headaches, blindness, meningitis, and dementia -- and had to have brain surgery Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – China (02): (HB) human, source uncertain, susp
Anthrax -- ChinaOn 29 Sep 2020, the Disease Prevention and Control Center of Baoding's Mancheng District issued an "Important Alert from Baoding Municipality Mancheng District's Disease Prevention and Control Center Regarding Prevention of Anthrax."Recently, Baoding's Mancheng District received a notice from superiors that a patient in Xieyi Village of Shijing Township is suspected to have contracted anthrax. Currently, [the patient] is being treated in a hospital outside the city. The District Committee Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, cattle – Uganda: (LY) RFI
Undiagnosed -- UgandaLivestock farmers in Lyantonde district have appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to combat an outbreak of a strange disease in cattle.Dr. Ronald Bameka, the district veterinary officer, said the rare strain has killed more than 300 head of cattle. According to Bameka, the disease was first reported in April [2020] when several farmers lost cattle.The areas where it was prevalent at the time are Kaliiro village, Lyantonde town council, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (26): Poland, Bulgaria, domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- PolandInformation received on [and dated] 30 Sep 2020 from Dr. Bogdan Konopka, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, General Veterinary Inspectorate, Warsaw, PolandSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 12 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 15 Sep 2020Report date: 30 Sep 2020Date submitted to OIE: 30 Sep 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: Clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (25): Germany (BB) wild boar, spread, RFI
African Swine Fever -- GermanyThe ongoing intensive search for wild boar in the area of Germany affected by African swine fever (ASF) suggests the virus has been in the Brandenburg since early July [2020].The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) confirmed 2 more cases in wild boar in the Spree-Neisse district on Thursday [1 Oct 2020], taking the total number of confirmed outbreaks in Brandenburg to 40. [During the afternoon of Friday 2 Oct 2020, FLI tweeted: "6 more cases of ASF have been confirmed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (422): obesity & severity, cluster busting, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United States"Summary--------"The linkage of individuals with obesity and COVID‐19 is controversial and lacks systematic reviews. After a systematic search of the Chinese and English language literature on COVID‐19, 75 studies were used to conduct a series of meta‐analyses on the relationship of individuals with obesity-COVID‐19 over the full spectrum from risk to mortality. A systematic review of the mechanistic pathways for COVID‐19 and individuals with Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (08): DRC, WHO
Monkeypox -- DR CongoWHO is working with national authorities to obtain more information about cases and laboratory capacity. Investigation and confirmation of suspected cases will help to further understand the range of the virus in DRC.Technical support is being provided to the Ministry of Health to rapidly develop and implement a comprehensive response plan to strengthen surveillance at national and local levels, including further outbreak investigation and response activities.One major challenge Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Typhimurium – USA (02): hedgehog
Salmonella -- United StatesCDC and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Typhimurium infections linked to contact with pet hedgehogs.Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by CDC. DNA fingerprinting is performed on _Salmonella_ bacteria Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Exotic tick – USA: (RI)
Pests -- United StatesThe Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that 2 exotic species of Asian and Eurasian ticks have been detected for the 1st time on Block Island. The ticks were discovered by Dr Danielle M Tufts, then an associate research scientist at Columbia University, as part of a research program conducted by Dr Maria Diuk-Wasser's research group on Block Island since 2010. It was confirmed by DNA and morphological characteristics that they are ticks not Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Muenster – USA: bearded dragons
Salmonella -- United StatesCDC and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Muenster infections linked to bearded dragons.Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by CDC. DNA fingerprinting is performed on _Salmonella_ bacteria isolated from Read more [...]
