Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (412): surfaces, pregnancy, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- South KoreaBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine the extent of air and surface contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 4 health care facilities with hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.MethodsWe investigated air and environmental contamination in the rooms of 8 COVID-19 patients in 4 hospitals. Some patients were in negative-pressure rooms, and others were not. None had undergone aerosol-generating procedures. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis – Germany (03): (BW, BY)
Tick-borne Encephalitis -- GermanyThe Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is reporting (computer translated) an increase in cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) year to date in Germany.Through 7 Sep [2020], 535 cases have been reported; which is an increase of 14 percent over the same period in 2018, a record year for TBE in Germany.Of the cases, 89 percent (477) have been reported from Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria states in southern Germany.Health officials suggest the increase may be due to the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed disease, dog – UK: (England) RFI
Undiagnosed -- United KingdomA fresh outbreak of a killer dog disease has flared a few miles from the corgi-loving Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where several pets have died in recent years. Cases of seasonal canine illness, SCI, which hits dogs walked in woodland, have been reported to Haven Vets surgery in Great Yarmouth.The outbreak has raised fears that a new epidemic is breaking out across Britain's woods, parks, and even gardens this autumn.SCI usually strikes from September to November, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Koi herpesvirus disease – Slovakia: (TA) carp, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- SlovakiaInformation received on [and dated] 22 Sep 2020 from Dr. Jozef Bires, Director and Chief Veterinary Officer, State Veterinary and Food Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Bratislava, SlovakiaSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 31 Jul 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 31 Jul 2020Report date: 22 Sep 2020Date submitted to OIE: 22 Sep 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 23 Jul Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Epizootic hemorrhagic disease – USA (02): (NY) deer
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease -- United StatesWhite-tailed deer are dying in Purgatory Swamp near Goshen. They're dying in Putnam County too, near Cold Spring and Nelsonville. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is also testing remains of deer from 4 other locations in Orange, Ulster and Dutchess counties for a viral disease called epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD).It's transmitted by biting midges (also called no-see-ums or "punkies"), affects only white-tailed deer and cannot Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kazakhstan: (SH) cattle, human
Anthrax -- KazakhstanAn anthrax outbreak is reported in Shymkent. 2 brothers were taken to the hospital in a serious condition. Both have cutaneous form of anthrax, Astana TV channel reported. The men were taking care of cattle at their farm.Epidemiologists tested the cattle and the test results for anthrax were negative.More than 20 people contacted the men. They all remain under medical observation."We assume some of kind of slaughter is the source of infection. Anthrax is transmitted from animals, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Infectious hematopoietic necrosis, trout – North Macedonia: (CA) OIE
Other Animal Disease -- Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)Information received on [and dated] 21 Sep 2020 from Dr Zoran Atanasov, Director Food and Veterinary Agency, Food and Veterinary Agency, Food and Veterinary Agency, North Macedonia, Skopje, [North Macedonia]SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 1 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Sep 2020Report date: 21 Sep 2020Date submitted to OIE: 21 Sep 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (22): Africa, US travel alert
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownThe World Health Organization (WHO) reported today [21 Sep 2020] that the ongoing measles outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is showing a sustained decline in new cases and deaths-reporting 245 suspected cases and 1 death during the week ending 6 Sep 2020.WHO reminds while the declining trend in this long-standing measles outbreak is to be welcomed, this is dependent on continuing vaccine program efforts, without which cases will rebound.Major infant vaccine Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (411): monoclonal Ab, conval. plasma, pooled saliva, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesHealthcare staff are at increased risk of COVID-19, thus putting themselves, their families, and their patients at risk. This increased risk negatively affects patient and staff mortality and morbidity (physical and mental). Furthermore, the need to isolate if either infected or exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2 (SARS-CoV-2) limits the ability of the UK NHS to deliver care when staff are absent from work. This potentially represents one of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease – Russia (02): (VL) poultry, OIE
Newcastle Disease -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 21 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: 8 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Sep 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 28 May 2020Manifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: Newcastle Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (47): Congo DR (EQ)
Ebola -- DR CongoKey figures and facts- IOM [International Organization for Migration] strengthens the system for monitoring and controlling population movements in Equateur.Statistics since the beginning of the epidemic- 124 cases reported including 118 confirmed and 6 probable- 40 affected health areas, spread over 12 health zones- 59 cured- 50 deaths including 44 confirmed and 6 probable- 31 179 people vaccinated since the start of the responseOverview of the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Scrub typhus – India (03): (NL) fatal
Scrub Typhus -- IndiaAn outbreak of scrub typhus, a bacterial disease, has claimed the lives of 5 people in Nagaland's Noklak district bordering Myanmar, officials said. More than 600 others tested positive for the disease but recovered after treatment.Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, spreads to people through bites of larval mites. The symptoms include fever, headache, and body ache. The district's Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), C Phuniang, said Noklak has had to grapple with the disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (22): Germany (BB) wild boar, spread
African Swine Fever -- GermanyA further 7 cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been confirmed in wild boar in the eastern German state of Brandenburg, Germany's federal agriculture ministry said on Monday [21 Sep 2020].The new cases follow 13 others confirmed in wild boar, not farm animals, the ministry said. The new discoveries bring the total confirmed cases to 20 since the 1st one on 10 Sep 2020.[Byline: Michael Hogan]--communicated byMary Marshall[A map showing the locations of the "outbreaks" Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (410): ACE inhibitors and ARBs, WHO COVAX plan, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownIn this 4th monthly update of our living review (1), we searched MEDLINE (Ovid) weekly from [4 to 31 Aug 2020] using the same search strategy as described in the original review. We did not limit the search by language. This search update yielded 82 results (de-duplicated), and after an independent dual-review process, we identified 24 new studies meeting our inclusion criteria -- 19 observational studies, 4 meta-analyses, and 1 systematic review (2-25).New evidence------------Findings Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed diseases, tea – Nepal: (eastern)
Undiagnosed -- NepalTea farmers in eastern Nepal never had a yield this low. First, diseases such as leaf curl and black tip attacked the crops. Already struggling with rising pest infestations, then heavy rainfall across much of the country swept away a portion of the crop.So far in 2020, Nepal has seen a 30-40% decline in its tea harvest compared with a year ago, according to the National Tea and Coffee Development Board (NTCDB). Short bursts of intense rainfall have become more common, water-logging Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – Singapore (02): domestic rabbit, RHDV2 1st rep, OIE
Hemorrhagic Fever -- SingaporeInformation received on [and dated] 17 Sep 2020 from Dr Him Hoo Yap, Chief Veterinary Officer, Director General, Animal & Veterinary Service, National Parks Board, Singapore, SingaporeSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Aug 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Sep 2020Reason for notification1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: rabbit hemorrhagic disease virusSerotype: RHDV2Nature of diagnosis: clinical, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ricin – USA: (Washington, DC) package
Poisoning -- United StatesRicin is a poison from the husks of castor beans, which are the seeds from the castor oil plant commonly found in nature. Castor oil, a strong laxative, is made by removing the husks and crushing the seeds, which have several other medicinal and manufacturing uses as well. Ricin is part of the waste produced when these products are made.How deadly is ricin?--------------------Weapons-grade ricin is produced in tiny particles that can be inhaled. The smaller the particles Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, elephant – Botswana (03): toxic algae
Other Animal Disease -- BotswanaToxins in water produced by cyanobacteria killed more than 300 elephants in Botswana this year [2020], officials said on Monday [21 Sep 2020], announcing the result of an investigation into the deaths which had baffled and alarmed conservationists.Cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms common in water and sometimes found in soil. Not all produce toxins, but scientists say toxic ones are occurring more frequently as climate change drives up global temperatures.Cyril Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza – Italy: (LZ) horse, st not typed, OIE
Equine Influenza -- ItalyInformation received on [and dated] 18 Sep 2020 from Dr Silvio Borrello, Chief Veterinary Officer, Food Safety and Collegial Bodies for Health Protection, [Ministry of Health], Department for Veterinary Public Health, Rome, ItalySummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 13 Jul 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Jul 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 10 May 2019Causal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (409): masks, scientist gender, USA airline travel, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesAs SARS-CoV-2 continues its global spread, it's possible that one of the pillars of COVID-19 pandemic control -- universal facial masking -- might help reduce the severity of disease and ensure that a greater proportion of new infections are asymptomatic. If this hypothesis is borne out, universal masking could become a form of "variolation" that would generate immunity and thereby slow the spread of the virus in the United States and elsewhere, as we await a vaccine.One Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – Singapore: domestic rabbit, RHDV2, 1st rep
Hemorrhagic Fever -- SingaporeA highly infectious and contagious animal disease that wasn't known to be present in Singapore has been reported in local rabbits.The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) of the National Parks Board (NParks) has confirmed the 1st detection of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) in local pet rabbits on 16 Sep [2020]. The virus that causes RHD was detected in samples from pet rabbits submitted by a veterinary clinic, said AVS:"Based on investigations so far, there may be Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (408): children, Al Jazeera, 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): 573 120 (4177) / 12 548 (68)European Region (61): 5 149 121 (67 200) / 229 408 (737)South East Asia Region (10): 5 973 186 (101 199) / 100 406 (1405)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 2 199 096 (16 298) / 57 256 (372)Region of the Americas (54): 15 333 470 (118 360) / 524 527 (2655)African Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (62): Kazakhstan (NK) poultry, wild bird, HPAI H5, OIE
Avian Influenza -- KazakhstanInformation received on [and dated] Wed 16 Sep 2020 from Dr Tursyn Kabduldanov, Deputy Chairman, Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision, Ministry of Agriculture, Nur-Sultan, KazakhstanSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 5 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Sep 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: highly pathogenic influenza A virusSerotype: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – USA (03): (IN) grocery store, RFI
Salmonella -- United StatesA cluster of salmonellosis cases has been linked to a West Lafayette grocery store, according to the Tippecanoe County Health Department.Customers of La Aldea Grocery Store who have eaten or drunk products from the store between 7 and 17 Sep 2020 and are experiencing symptoms of salmonellosis should call the Tippecanoe County Health Department at 765-423-9222, ext 1. Those symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps._Salmonella_ bacteria are typically transmitted Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Canada (02): (ON) recreational area
E. coli -- CanadaHamilton Public Health is confirming an _E. coli_ outbreak at Valens Lake Conservation Area. The city's public health unit says there are 7 confirmed cases at the Puslinch-area conservation area, with one of the cases involving a Hamilton resident. Public health says most of the confirmed cases involve children under the age of 12._E. coli_ is transmitted most commonly through consumption of contaminated food or water. Common symptoms of the bacteria can include diarrhea, fever, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Trichinellosis – Argentina: (CB)
Trichinosis -- ArgentinaThe Ministry of Health of Cordoba have reported 12 cases of trichinosis in 2 towns of the province, prompting a warning about the risks of consuming or buying pork of doubtful origin or without the corresponding sanitary inspection.In the town of El Tio, 11 cases were reported, whose source of infection identified is the consumption of home-made pork products. The remaining case is domiciled in Santa Ana, unrelated to the previous cases and for which the source of infection Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (407): in-flight transmission, wildlife research, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownTo assess the role of in-flight transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), we investigated a cluster of cases among passengers on a 10-hour commercial flight. Affected persons were passengers, crew, and their close contacts. We traced 217 passengers and crew to their final destinations and interviewed, tested, and quarantined them. Among the 16 persons in whom SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected, 12 (75%) were passengers seated in business Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (406): animal, Netherlands (LI), Denmark (ND), farm mink, spread
COVID-19 -- NetherlandsAt a mink farm in Meijel (municipality of Peel en Maas) with approximately 6500 mother animals, contamination with SARS-CoV-2 has been established. The infection came to light from the 'early warning', the monitoring system in which animals are tested for the virus every week. The holding will be cleared as early as possible.A total of 54 mink farms in the Netherlands have now been declared infected.For more information, see the last letter to the House of Representatives about Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (21): Germany (BB) wild boar, spread
African Swine Fever -- GermanyThe National Reference Laboratory for African swine fever (ASF) at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) has so far confirmed 13 cases of ASF in wild boar in Brandenburg. The 1st case on 10 Sep 2020 was detected in a carcass of a 2- to 3-year wild sow in the district of Spree-Neisse; the other 12 cases in wild boar were detected near the municipality of Neuzelle in the district of Oder-Spree and thus in the demarcated infected area designated by the Land Brandenburg. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (405): rapid tests, European surge, eyeglasses, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United StatesZeng W, Wang X, Li J, et al. Association of Daily Wear of Eyeglasses With Susceptibility to Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection [published online ahead of print, 2020 Sep 16]. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020; 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.3906; --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Key points-----------"Question. What is the association between the daily wear of eyeglasses and susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?"Findings. In Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Nerve agent poisoning – Russia (03): Novichok
Poisoning -- RussiaThe nerve agent used to poison Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was detected on an empty water bottle from his hotel room in the Siberian city of Tomsk, suggesting he was poisoned there and not at the airport as first thought, his team said on Thursday [17 Sep 2020]. Navalny fell violently ill on a domestic flight in Russia last month [August 2020]and was subsequently airlifted to Berlin for treatment. Laboratories in Germany, France, and Sweden have established he was Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (17): Americas, USA (CA,FL,KY) horse
West Nile Virus -- United StatesOn [27 Aug 2020], officials at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed a 5-year-old Paint mare in Riverside County with West Nile virus (WNV). She began experiencing clinical signs of ataxia (loss of control of limb and bodily movements), facial twitching, and muscle fasciculations (twitching) on [17 Aug 2020]. The mare, who was unvaccinated, is reported as recovering.This is California's 6th confirmed case of WNV in 2020. Confirmed positive Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kyrgyzstan (06): (NA) cattle, OIE
Anthrax -- KyrgyzstanInformation received on [and dated] Thu 17 Sep 2020 from Dr. Kalysbek Jumakanov, Director Chief State Veterinary Inspector (CVO), State Inspectorate of Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Security, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Bishkek, KyrgyzstanSummary report type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 2 Sep 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Sep 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 9 Sep Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Lumpy skin disease – India (05): (MP) cattle, spread
Lumpy Skin Disease -- IndiaMadhya Pradesh [MP] government has banned transportation of bovines, their sale and mingling in animal fairs, and mating without a test for the next 2 months as a viral disease -- lumpy skin disease -- has affected at least 15 000 such animals in at least 10 districts of the state bordering Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Measures are being taken to contain the spread of the disease, government officials said.The animal husbandry department and Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (404): US FDA, genome analysis, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstract--------Background. COVID-19 has become a global pandemic not long after its inception in late 2019. SARS-CoV-2 genomes are being sequenced and shared on public repositories at a fast pace. To keep up with these updates, scientists need to frequently refresh and reclean datasets, which is ad hoc and labor-intensive. Further, scientists with limited bioinformatics or programming knowledge may find it difficult to analyze SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Objective: To address Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis – China (02): (GS) 2019
Brucellosis -- ChinaA total of 3245 people have tested positive for brucellosis as of Monday [14 Sep 2020], in Lanzhou, Northwest China's Gansu Province, according to an investigation report into the brucellosis antibody positive event in Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute that occurred in December 2019. The report was released by the Health Commission of Lanzhou on Tue 15 Sep 2020, stating that compensation will be carried out in batches in October 2020 to effectively protect people's health Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Asia (07): Pakistan (Punjab)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanA Congo-virus patient from Sheikhupura [Punjab] died in the Mayo Hospital on Friday [11 Sep 2020]. A spokesperson for the Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) said a butcher had been under treatment at the Mayo Hospital for the last 5 days. P&SHD Secretary Capt (Retd) Muhammad Usman said the department had traced 15 people who had been in contact with the victim. He added the deceased had caught the virus from animals.--Communicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (16): Europe, ECDC, Spain
West Nile Virus -- Worldwide/UnknownBetween [4 and 10 Sep 2020], EU Member States reported 14 human cases of WNV [West Nile virus] infection, all by Greece. All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, 3 deaths were reported by Greece. No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from EU neighbouring countries.On [3 Sep 2020], German public health authorities reported the 1st human autochthonous WNV infections in Germany during Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Paralytic shellfish poisoning (02): Philippines (SM) mussels, fatal
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning -- PhilippinesTwo children died and 4 other family members were downed by suspected paralytic shellfish poisoning in the island town of Daram in Samar [Eastern Visayas], according to the Department of Health (DOH-8) Wednesday [16 Sep 2020].An 8-year-old boy and his 3-year-old brother manifested symptoms of food poisoning after eating green mussels (tahong) for lunch on Tuesday [15 Sep 2020] in Barangay Bagacay of said town.The victims experienced numbness, vomiting, Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Tungro disease, rice – India: (AR)
Other Plant Disease -- IndiaMore than half of the total area under wet rice cultivation in East Siang [district] has been infested by the white-backed planthopper, the brown planthopper, and the green leafhopper [associated with] rice tungro virus, leading to yellowing of standing crops. According to [a] District Agriculture Officer, of the total 6920 hectares [about 17100 acres], 3500 hectares [about 8649 acres] have been affected. The damage assessment is being carried out.Plant protection scientist Read more [...]
