Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Foodborne illness – Mexico: (MR) clenbuterol poisoning susp
Foodborne Illness -- MexicoOfficials in a Mexican state have issued a warning after suspicions that more than 50 people fell sick from eating meat contaminated with clenbuterol.Health services in Morelos called on people to remain vigilant for the physical symptoms resulting from consuming meat with clenbuterol. A total of 54 people from 6 municipalities are affected, and one person is in a stable condition in hospital.Clenbuterol has been used as a food additive in some livestock feed to promote Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (20): Africa (Congo DR), Niger climate, immune suppression
Measles -- DR CongoThe Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday [25 Aug 2020] declared the end of a 25-month outbreak of measles that claimed the lives of more than 7000 children aged under 5. The outbreak was countered by vaccination on a massive scale, in which millions of children and infants were immunised."For the past month, we are able to say that this epidemic has been eliminated from across our territory," health minister Eteni Longondo told a press conference. "We can say that measles Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (59): Australia (VI) turkey LPAI H5N2, chicken HPAI H7N7
Avian Influenza, Avian Influenza H5N2 -- AustraliaVictorian egg farm Farm Pride Foods (ASX: FRM) has confirmed the loss of a third of its productive hen flock due to outbreaks of bird flu impacting 2 farm facilities in the Lethbridge area.The company 1st confirmed an outbreak of the H7N7 (HPAI) avian influenza virus at a Lethbridge farm 2 weeks ago, announcing its livestock would be depopulated in line with AUSVETPLAN, a nationally agreed-upon strategy for the response of emergency animal disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (57): Russia (OM) HPAI H5, poultry, OIE
Avian Influenza -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 25 Aug 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: 11 Aug 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 13 Aug 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 20 May 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: highly Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis, cutaneous – Algeria: (western)
Leishmaniasis -- AlgeriaThe incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis, a skin infection transmitted by bites from a species of fly (sandfly), in the western region has been growing steadily for several years, notes a bulletin from the Oran Regional Health Observatory (ORS). The recently published document, which traces the evolution of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the western region, indicates that the incidence of this disease has risen from 0.6 per 100 000 inhabitants in 2014, to 2.8 per 100 000 inhabitants Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (58): Taiwan (YL) chicken, HPAI H5N2, OIE
Avian Influenza -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 24 Aug 2020 from Dr Wen-Jane Tu, chief veterinary officer, deputy director general, Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Taipei, Chinese Taipei [Taiwan]SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 8 Aug 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Aug 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 20 Mar Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (375): 2nd infections susp, molecular epidemiology, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstract--------SARS-CoV-2 has caused a severe, ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 in Massachusetts with 111 070 confirmed cases and 8433 deaths as of August 2020. To investigate the introduction, spread, and epidemiology of COVID-19 in the Boston area, we sequenced and analyzed 772 complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes from the region, including nearly all confirmed cases within the first week of the epidemic and hundreds of cases from major outbreaks at a conference, a nursing facility, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (10): Europe (Spain) horse
West Nile Virus -- SpainThe [Regional Government of Andalusia] announced this Sunday [23 Aug 2020] that the mosquitoborne West Nile virus has been detected in 19 horses. The outbreaks have been detected in the Provinces of Sevilla, Huelva, and Cadiz.Specifically 2 in Cadiz (one in Puerto Real and another in Jerez de la Frontera), 5 in Huelva (2 in Almonte, and one each in Moguer, San Bartolome and Gibraleon); and 12 in Sevilla (4 in Lebrija, 3 in Los Palacios, 3 in Dos Hermanas, 2 in Las Cabezas Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (374): animal, ferret, research, epidemiology
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownIn the current study, the researchers selected ferrets as an animal model to study SARS-CoV-2 transmission, because these domestic mammals are widely used in laboratories to study experimental infection and clinical outcomes of human diseases caused by respiratory viruses.During the initial period of COVID-19 pandemic in the New England area (March 2020), the researchers performed a rapid response study to evaluate possibilities of human to animal spillover and onward Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (373): Hong Kong 2nd infection, plasma therapy, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- ChinaArturo Casadevall, chair of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said the FDA decision resolves "a major health equity issue". Casadevall, who proposed the treatment strategy in a [27 Feb 2020] Wall Street Journal op-ed, shared 4 key points with GHN this morning:"Plasma was already freely available provided that physicians registered with the FDA under the prior mechanism known as the extended access protocol. [But] it was Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Shigellosis – China: (AH) waterborne
Shigellosis -- ChinaHundreds of people in eastern China have been infected with bacteria that can cause dysentery after drinking contaminated water, state media said Monday [24 Aug 2020], prompting the closure of a local water plant. Nearly 500 people in the rural town of Baoyi -- about 550 km (342 mi) west of Shanghai -- have developed fever and diarrhoea since late last week.A report by the local government published Sunday [23 Aug 2020] found they have been infected with the shigella bacterium, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Uganda (02): (RZ) livestock, wildlife, human
Anthrax -- UgandaThree people suspected to have contracted anthrax in Rubirizi district have died, triggering panic among residents on 4 landing sites on Lake Edward. The deceased [are] all residents of Kisenyi in Katuguru Sub County.Dr Henry Mugaya, the Rubirizi district veterinary officer, says although they are yet to confirm that the 4 [sic] were killed by anthrax, [the disease] has claimed over 30 goats and 15 sheep since they often graze with buffaloes, hippos and water bucks in Queen Elizabeth Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Epizootic hemorrhagic disease – USA: (MT) deer, susp
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease -- United StatesSeveral people [have] reported dead or dying white-tailed deer, along with a few antelope, to [Montana] Fish Wildlife and Parks [FWP] over the last few weeks [August 2020]. FWP says biologists are still waiting for test results to come back, but early indications suggest patterns and symptoms similar to epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD).EHD is an infectious, sometimes fatal virus that is usually spread by a virus-carrying gnat or midge. Many animals Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (372): microRNAs, genetics, selected countries, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- South KoreaCurrently, there is no vaccine available for SARS-CoV-2. Research has focused on understanding virus pathogenicity and, importantly, on restoring and enhancing patients' immunity. Researchers are now considering innovative approaches, such as the use of human microRNAs (miRNAs).MiRNAs are vital players in the body's immune defense against viruses. They are short, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression through their complementary pairing with specific messenger RNAs of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive mosquito – Africa
Other Human Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownFor this year's [2020] World Mosquito Day, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called attention to the "worrying" spread of _Anopheles stephensi_ -- an urban mosquito that spreads quickly in human-made habitats.According to CDC, in recent years _A. stephensi_ has spread from its native habitat of Southern Asia to Eastern Africa, where its arrival in Djibouti was followed by a "startling increase" in urban malaria cases. "The simultaneous Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (41): Congo DR (EQ) WHO
Ebola -- DR CongoThe number of cases in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached 100, a near 2-fold increase in a little over 5 weeks.This latest outbreak, DRC's 11th, was declared on 1 Jun 2020 in Equateur Province. A cluster of cases was initially detected in Mbandaka, the provincial capital. The outbreak has since spread to 11 of the province's 17 health zones. Of the 100 cases reported so far, 96 are confirmed and 4 are probable. Forty-three people Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Campylobacteriosis – Sweden
Campylobacter -- SwedenPublic health officials in Sweden have noted an increase in the number of people falling ill with _Campylobacter_ infections this month [August 2020]. The rise coincides with an increase in _Campylobacter_ in broiler flocks since the end of July [2020], according to Folkhalsomyndigheten (Public Health Agency of Sweden). This agency, regional infection control units, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Livsmedelsverket (National Food Agency), Swedish Board of Agriculture, and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – Canada: (ON)
Hepatitis A -- CanadaThe local Health Unit is seeing an increase in the number of cases of hepatitis A in the South River, Sundridge and Burk's Falls areas and so is planning clinics to vaccinate to help stop the spread.Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver, usually spread by eating or drinking something contaminated with the feces of someone with the virus. A partner with hepatitis A can also spread the virus through sexual activities or through sharing drug use equipment. At this time, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (371): remdesivir vs standard care, countries, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownImportance: Remdesivir demonstrated clinical benefit in a placebo-controlled trial in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its effect in patients with moderate disease is unknown.Objective: To determine the efficacy of 5 or 10 days of remdesivir treatment compared with standard care on clinical status on day 11 after initiation of treatment.Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized, open-label trial of hospitalized patients with confirmed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (09): Europe, ECDC update, Spain
West Nile Virus -- SpainBetween 14 and 20 Aug 2020, EU Member States reported 34 human cases of WNV [West Nile virus] infection: Italy (17), Greece (11), and Spain (6). One case was reported from the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Italy, which had not been affected in previous transmission seasons. All other cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, no deaths were reported. No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Africa (05): Senegal (DK)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- SenegalOn 12 Aug [2020], health officials reported a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) case in Senegal. The case was detected as part of the epidemiological surveillance system in the country. The patient is a 27-year-old woman living in the Pikine district in Dakar.At the time of diagnosis, she presented with a fever with hemorrhagic signs (gingivorrhagia [bleeding from the gums], metrorrhagia [irregular uterine bleeding]). Investigations by a multidisciplinary Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Asia (06): Iran, update
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- IranCrimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has claimed 5 lives in the country since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (21 Mar [2020]), director of zoonotic diseases management office at the Ministry of Health has said.Behzad Amiri said that over the past 5 months, 38 people have been diagnosed with the disease but were cured and survived death.Last year, 119 persons were diagnosed with Crimean-Congo fever in the country, of whom 11 died, he regretted, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Europe (03): Spain (CL)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- SpainNational Microbiology Center of Majadahonda (Madrid) with the 'Carlos III' Health Institute (computer translated) has confirmed the presence of the Crimean-Congo virus in the samples sent corresponding to a male who died on Tue 11 Aug [2020] at the Complex University Assistance of Salamanca.The 69-year-old patient had been admitted to the ICU of the Salamanca Clinic on Mon 10 Aug [2020], after going to the Hospital 'Nuestra Senora del Castanar' in Bejar, due Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Porcine reprod. & resp. syndrome – North America: USA (WA) imported
Blue Ear -- United StatesWashington state has confirmed its 1st case of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) diagnosed in pigs illegally imported into the state. It is the 1st time the disease has been found in Washington, according to a release from the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association.The disease manifests with clinical signs of reproductive impairment or failure in breeding animals and respiratory disease in pigs of any age. The release states PRRS is the most economically Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (08): Middle East (Israel)
West Nile Virus -- IsraelMosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus were recently found in the Arava and Gilboa regions of Israel, according to a statement by the Environmental Protection Ministry on Wednesday [19 Aug 2020]. The Environmental Protection Ministry asked the Eilot and Gilboa regional councils to monitor the situation and carry out immediate pest control if necessary.The virus-carrying mosquitoes were found during standard monitoring operations by the ministry in July [2020].West Nile Virus Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Scrub typhus – India: (WB)
Scrub Typhus -- IndiaAs many as 7 people, including children, from various parts of Murshidabad have been affected by scrub typhus in the past 48 hours. Around 9 people from the districts have so far been admitted to the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital, out of which 5 are children. This has become a concern for the Health department.Taking a note of reports of scrub typhus from some parts of Murshidabad, the state Health department has directed the district health officials to be alert and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (370): USA severe illness risk, saliva vs DNS vs ANS, 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): 438 513 (6300) / 9741 (119)European Region (61): 3 909 981 (32 935) / 215 781 (334)South East Asia Region (10): 3 383 904 (74 917) / 65 314 (1102)Eastern Mediterranean Region (22): 1 790 071 (13 172) / 47 549 (359)Region of the Americas Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (56): South Africa (WC) ostrich, LPAI H7, OIE
Avian Influenza -- South AfricaInformation received on [and dated] 21 Aug 2020 from Dr. Bothle Michael Modisane, Chief Director, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Animal Production and Health, Pretoria, South AfricaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 15 Jul 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 31 Jul 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 21 May 2019Manifestation of disease: subclinical infectionCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (369): India CHWs face shields, social distancing, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- IndiaThe transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is believed to be predominantly through respiratory droplets from infected persons in close proximity to uninfected persons, (1) although airborne transmission may also play a role. (2,3) Face shields have been proposed to prevent transmission in the community, (4) but data are lacking. We describe transmission in a community setting before and after the use of face shields.MethodsBeginning [3 May 2020], Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Vine decline syndrome, kiwi fruit – Italy: (LZ)
Other Plant Disease -- ItalyAccording to the agricultural organisation Confagricoltura Latina, a root disease of kiwi fruit is spreading in the province of Latina [Lazio region]. The region has 12 000 hectares [about 29 650 acres] of kiwi cultivation. Roots of affected plants rot for as yet unknown reasons. According to cautious estimates, 10% of the plants have been lost and half the harvest may be destroyed. There is little scientific knowledge about the disease so far. Trade associations, therefore, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – North America (03): USA (TX) horse
Equine Infectious Anemia -- United StatesAcute-----When horses are exposed to EIAv, they may develop severe, acute signs of disease and die within 2 to 3 weeks. This form of the disease is the most damaging and the most difficult to diagnose because the signs appear rapidly, and often only an elevated body temperature is noted. 1/5 of a teaspoon of blood from a horse with acute EIA contains enough virus to infect a million horses. Clinical signs of acute infectiousness are rather nonspecific; in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (25): India (ML) domestic
African Swine Fever -- IndiaVergne T, Guinat C and Pfeiffer DU. Undetected circulation of African swine fever in wild boar, Asia. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Oct. DOI: 10.3201/eid2610.200608Abstract--------African swine fever is a growing threat to the livestock industry. We examined data indicating that in most countries in Asia, most notified events were related to farm outbreaks; meanwhile, only a few wild boar cases were reported. We hypothesize the virus circulates unnoticed in wild boar populations Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Enteritidis – USA: FDA, peaches, alert, risk
Salmonella -- United StatesThe FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella_ Enteritidis infections potentially linked to bagged peaches sold at ALDI stores in multiple states. The peaches are in Wawona-brand 2-pound, clear plastic bags sold in ALDI stores from 1 Jun 2020 until present. Based on information collected from ill persons, CDC has identified bagged peaches from ALDI stores as a likely source of _Salmonella_ Enteritidis infections. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (368): testing, countries, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United KingdomBackground----------WHO has called for increased testing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but countries have taken different approaches and the effectiveness of alternative strategies is unknown. We aimed to investigate the potential impact of different testing and isolation strategies on transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).Methods-------We developed a mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission based on infectiousness and Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Late blight, potato – Russia: (SL)
Other Plant Disease -- RussiaRosselkhoznadzor [Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance] warns of the threat of potato contamination with late blight in Sakhalin. The branch in [the] region notifies that in the southern part manifestations of potato late blight have been noted. The development of the disease is facilitated by the weather conditions prevailing in the region -- high humidity and sharp drops between day and night temperatures.The specialists of the department recommend Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (40): Congo DR (EQ)
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Turkey: (TB) cattle, human, susp
Anthrax -- TurkeyA neighborhood in northern Turkey was placed under quarantine over suspicion of an anthrax outbreak among livestock. Local authorities declared a quarantine for Yemisli in the Surmene district of the Black Sea province of Trabzon on Tuesday [18 Aug 2020]. An unspecified number of people fell ill after eating meat from a bull suspected of having the disease. An investigation is underway.The local branch of the general directorate of food and control said in a written statement that Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Campylobacteriosis – New Zealand
Campylobacter -- New ZealandLindsay Farm is recalling raw drinking milk in New Zealand after one person needed hospital treatment for a _Campylobacter_ infection. Rachel Eyre, Hawke's Bay medical officer of health, said illness from the raw milk was campylobacteriosis, but more tests were being undertaken by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) to identify the strain. Dr. Eyre said a Hawke's Bay resident needed hospital treatment after becoming sick on 4 Aug 2020 but has since Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Newport – USA, Canada: CDC, PHAC, onions, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesLatest outbreak information:- Since the last case count update on 7 Aug 2020, an additional 229 ill people have been reported in this outbreak, including 9 from 4 new states: Arkansas, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Texas.- On 12 Aug 2020, cheese dips and spreads were recalled from the following stores: Kroger, Kroger Mid-Atlantic, Kroger Delta Division, Fry's Food Stores, Fred Meyer, and Smith's.- A total of 869 people infected with the outbreak strain of _Salmonella_ Newport Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Malawi (03): (CK) cattle, not typed, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- MalawiInformation received on [and dated] 15 Aug 2020 from Dr Patrick Chikungwa, Director of Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Lilongwe, MalawiSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 7 Aug 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 14 Aug 2020Report date: 15 Aug 2020Date submitted to OIE: 15 Aug 2020Reason for notification: Read more [...]
