Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Spring viremia of carp – Italy: (VN) OIE
Other Animal Disease -- ItalyInformation received on [and dated] 27 Jul 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 notificationDate of start of the event: 19 Jun 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Jul 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 2004Manifestation of disease: Clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (23): Americas (USA) bat
Rabies -- United StatesThere have been 9 confirmed rabid bats in San Bernardino County including 4 within the past 2 weeks [2nd half of July 2020] in Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Apple Valley. San Bernardino County Public Health is urging the public to protect themselves and their pets from interactions with unfamiliar, stray or wild animals."Rabies is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms begin," stated Dr. Erin Gustafson, County Interim Health Officer. "It is important to seek medical attention Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Vesicular stomatitis – USA (12): cattle, horse, alert
Vesicular Stomatitis -- United StatesVesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a reportable animal disease, has been found in 7 states in 2020: Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas [now also in Arkansas; see [4] below]. As VSV may spread throughout the Midwest and mountain states, livestock owners, especially those with horses, should be looking for signs.VSV is a viral disease primarily affecting horses, also cattle, and occasionally swine, sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (04): USA, horse
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesThe Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) confirmed 2 horses in Suffolk were euthanized after testing positive for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). Both horses were tested for EEE after presenting with acute neurological signs.The 1st horse tested positive for EEE on 14 Jul 2020 and the 2nd horse tested positive on 15 Jul 2020.Sometimes called sleeping sickness, EEE is a mosquito-borne illness that causes inflammation or swelling of Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Stem rust, wheat – Ireland: (CW)
Other Plant Disease -- IrelandSymptoms of what is believed to be stem rust disease were found in untreated plots of winter wheat at 4 sites at Oak Park Crop Research Centre [of Agriculture and Food Development Authority Teagasc] in Carlow. Teagasc's Dr Steven Kildea says it is the 1st time he has seen the disease in the field in his 15-year career. "The disease that has been in Ireland before, however it is quite some time since it has been detected." The fact the disease was only found in untreated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lumpy skin disease – Nepal (02): (MO, CH, RT) cattle, 1st rep, OIE
Lumpy Skin Disease -- NepalInformation received on [and dated] 29 Jul 2020 from Dr Banshi Sharma, Director General, Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kathmandu, NepalSummary:Report type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Jun 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 27 Jul 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: lumpy skin disease virusNature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory (basic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (337): Al Jazeera, USA, travel, selected countries, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownIn areas where the outbreak is worsening, officials must reinstate stay-at-home orders until numbers improve for at least 2 weeks, the brief said. Such a decision will be disruptive, it acknowledged, and therefore leaders must prioritise clear and transparent communications to convey to the public the motivations and anticipated timelines for the closures.Other recommendations included bolstering supplies of personal protective gear and diagnostic testing kits at healthcare Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Norway: hemolytic uremic syndrome, fatal
E. coli -- NorwayThe Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), or Folkehelseinstituttet, reported the 1st death in a child from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) from E. coli in more than a decade. The child, from Oslo municipality, was under 2 years of age. The source of the infections was not published.Hilde Marie Lund, with the NIPH, said deaths in children related to HUS caused by EHEC infection are very unusual. In fact, the last death was reported in 2009, Dr Lund noted.In 2019, 511 cases Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (36): Congo DR (EQ)
Ebola -- DR CongoEvent descriptionThe Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is escalating further, with 23 health areas in 7 health zones affected. Since our last report (weekly bulletin 29), another 9 additional confirmed EVD cases have been reported, with 9 new deaths, one of which was is a man who had returned 2 negative PCR results before dying of complications of EVD. One new confirmed case was reported on 25 Jul 2020, the wife of a man who Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (49): Philippines (PM) poultry, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- PhilippinesInformation received on [and dated] 29 Jul 2020 from Dr Ronnie Domingo, Officer-In-Charge, Chief Veterinary Officer, Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture, Manila, PhilippinesSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 6 Jul 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 10 Jul 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 9 Mar 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Foodborne illness – Jordan: (BA) shawarma
Foodborne Illness -- JordanA 5-year-old child is dead and 700 other people have been hospitalized in Jordan with mass food poisoning after eating shawarma at a restaurant in the town of Ain al-Basha, north of the capital Amman, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday [29 Jul 2020].Investigations revealed that the meat and chicken shawarma had been prepared without using a refrigeration unit in an "unhealthy environment and without adhering to the health requirements and the minimum levels of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lumpy skin disease – Kyrgyzstan: (YK,CU) cattle, 1st rep 2019
Lumpy Skin Disease -- KyrgyzstanAccording to the veterinarians of the Jayyl [district, Chuy region], the 1st signs of [lumpy skin] disease [LSD] were detected in the Ak-Suu and Tup districts of the Ysyk-Kol region. After that, isolated cases were noted in Ysyk-Ata, Alamudun, and Sokuluk districts of Chuy oblast. Outwardly, nodular dermatitis looks like a skin-nodular rash. The disease is accompanied by fever, edema of the subcutaneous connective tissue and organs, the formation of skin nodes, damage Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (336): countries, collateral damages, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- United States- WHO has published an interim guidance on Considerations for implementing mass treatment, active case‐ finding and population-based surveys for neglected tropical diseases in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The document proposes a 2-step approach: a risk-benefit assessment, to decide if the planned neglected tropical diseases activity should proceed, and a review of a list of precautionary measures, to decide how the planned activity should be implemented.- Ethiopia Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cyclosporiasis – USA (05): salad mix
Other Human Disease -- United StatesThe Center for Disease Control is reporting 641 cases of _Cyclospora_ across 11 states, including Pennsylvania, that are connected to bagged salad mixes.The CDC reports 2 _Cyclospora_ cases related to the recalled products in Pennsylvania as [24 Jul 2020]. The locations of the cases were not disclosed in the CDC's data. The CDC says that it is specifically examining salad ingredients (iceberg lettuce, carrots, red cabbage) for the purposes of its investigation. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foodborne illness – Nepal: (JA) fatal, mushrooms, susp.
Foodborne Illness -- NepalA child has died and 7 persons have fallen ill after consuming poisonous mushrooms in Kushe Rural Municipality-1 of Jajarkot district.The deceased has been identified as AC, 3-year-old daughter of a local.Those fallen ill are TBC (50), LC (30), KC(30), NS(9), DC(12), AC (14), and PC (14), according to ward chair Harichandra Basnet. He said the deceased and those who have fallen ill belong to 3 families who had consumed the mushrooms brought from the forest.[Byline: Dinesh Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – USA (02): (NM) bubonic
Plague -- United StatesThe New Mexico Department of Health [NMDOH] is reporting the state's 1st human plague case of 2020. Officials said a Santa Fe County man in his 60s has been diagnosed with bubonic plague."This is a reminder that even during a pandemic, other infectious diseases are out that that can still put your health at risk," NMDOH Secretary Kathy Kunkel said. "All New Mexicans need to be aware of the risks for contracting diseases like plague and take the necessary precautions to avoid Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (335): Viet Nam, clinical manifestations, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- VietnamThe 1st new case -- patient 416 -- was a 57-year-old man who sought medical care on [20 Jul 2020] for flu symptoms. He is now on a ventilator and, according to doctors quoted in local media, in a critical condition. Contact tracing identified more than 100 people who had interacted with the man, but all returned negative tests.However over the weekend [25-26 Jul 2020], 3 more cases were confirmed, including one 17 year old from neighbouring Quang Ngai province who had travelled Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Impatiens necrotic spot virus, lettuce – Greece: 1st rep, emerging
Other Plant Disease -- GreeceVirus-like disease symptoms were observed in 4 fields of lettuce in 3 regions of central and south-eastern Greece. In all cases, the disease affected 30-40% of the plants. Symptoms consisted of brown ringspots, necrotic lesions, vein necrosis, and leaf distortion resembling those associated with tospovirus infections.Samples [were tested] for the presence of _Tomato spotted wilt virus_ (TSWV), _Tomato chlorotic spot virus_ (TCSV), _Impatiens necrotic spot virus_ (INSV), Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Fungal foot rot, rice – India: (HR)
Other Plant Disease -- IndiaSeed-borne fungal disease bakanae has hit large areas of paddy crop in Karnal [district]. Farmers fear it may affect the productivity and reduce the yield. "The fungal disease has attacked my basmati crop, although I used fungicide," said a farmer, adding that he had approached the authorities for its remedy. [Another] progressive farmer said the same adding that it had affected around 4 acres [1.6 ha] of 1509 variety of the crop. He said it might lead to a huge loss.An Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (334): animals, Netherlands, mink, spread, UK, cat, 1st case, OIE
COVID-19 -- Netherlands1. Have any investigations (epidemiological or laboratory) been carried out to investigate the animal or environmental source of the virus?- According to investigations conducted by the Chinese health department, most of the early human cases originated from a wild animal market in Wuhan, and the 2019-novel coronavirus virus strain (2019-nCov) that caused the human epidemic was isolated in environmental samples collected from the market. At present, investigations are being Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Epizootic ulcerative syndrome, fish – Malawi: (MC) 1st rep, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- MalawiInformation received on [and dated] 24 Jul 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: 16 Jun 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 17 Jul 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – UK: (Northern Ireland) wild rabbit
Other Animal Disease -- United KingdomA virus which is potentially deadly to rabbits has been discovered in animals in Northern Ireland. Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) was detected in samples from 2 rabbits which were submitted for testing on [23 Jun 2020]. Testing was carried out by the government-supported Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).While the disease is contagious between rabbits, it cannot be spread to humans.Neil Reid, a senior lecturer in conservation biology at Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (05): Europe (Germany) owl, zoo, OIE
West Nile Virus -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 23 Jul 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: 20 Jul 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Jul 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 6 Nov Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (333): North Korea, serology, selected countries, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- North Korea1. GeurtsvanKessel CH, Okba NMA, Igloi Z, et al. An evaluation of COVID-19 serological assays informs future diagnostics and exposure assessment. Nat Commun. 2020; 11(1): 3436. Published 2020 Jul 6. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-17317-y; .2. Lisboa Bastos M, Tavaziva G, Abidi SK, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of serological tests for covid-19: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2020; 370: m2516. Published 2020 Jul 1. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2516; .3. Duong YT, Wright CG, Justman J. Antibody Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (35): Congo DR (EQ)
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed disease, cabbage – North Korea: (HN)
Other Plant Disease -- North KoreaA vegetable farm in Chongpyong County [South Hamgyong province] suffered from poor crop yields due to pests and disease. The farm produces cabbage and cucumber, but the cabbage began rotting from the roots and falling apart due to damage from an unidentified disease, along with pests. The farm was only able to meet 40% of its production target.The farmers attempted to salvage the situation on their own, but were ultimately unable to do so. [They] requested that authorities Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – New Zealand: (BP) fatal
Listeriosis -- New ZealandAuthorities in New Zealand are looking into 3 recent _Listeria_ cases to see if they are linked and to find a source of the infections.While investigations are underway to find the vehicle of infection for the reported cases in Tauranga, a city in the Bay of Plenty region, officials cautioned that often a source cannot be identified for individual cases.The 3 cases, aged in their late 70s to 90s, were notified to Toi Te Ora Public Health between [12 and 20 Jul 2020]. All Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Cucurbitacin toxin, zucchini – UK
-- United KingdomRogue zucchini seeds are suspected to be behind several cases of illness in England.Zucchinis, also called courgettes, contain a naturally occurring compound. When this is at a high enough level, it can lead to symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.Four families in Castle Acre, Norfolk reported feeling unwell after eating produce they had grown, according to the BBC.The Sun newspaper reported a woman needed hospital treatment after being poisoned by courgettes she had grown. They Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Mansonella perstans – Spain: imported
Other Human Disease -- SpainAbstractBackground_Mansonella perstans_ infection can be considered one of the most neglected tropical infectious diseases. Very few studies have reported on the clinical picture caused by infection with this nematode. Therefore, our study was aimed to describe the clinical patterns and treatment of imported _M. perstans_ infection by migrants from Africa.MethodsThe present study evaluated a large cohort of migrants who have been diagnosed, examined and treated for imported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (332): Amazon, USA, selected countries, WHO, global
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/Unknown- The COVID-19 pandemic has affected older people disproportionately, especially those living in long-term care facilities. WHO has published a policy brief on preventing and managing COVID-19 across long-term care services.- Evelyn Narki Dowuona, a health worker at the Ga East Municipal Hospital in Accra, Ghana, speaks with WHO on the challenges of managing COVID-19.- WHO has released a set of practical steps for implementing the prescriptions of the WHO Manifesto for Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (22): Americas (USA) cat, raccoon, fox, human exp
Rabies -- United StatesTwo people were exposed to a rabid cat found in the Midlands, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) said Thursday [16 Jul 2020]. The cat -- with wounds of unknown origin -- was found 24 Jun 2020, DHEC officials said in a news release. The animal was discovered near John G. Richards Road and Cottage Lane in the Liberty Hill area of Kershaw County, according to the release.The people have been told to seek medical care, health officials said.DHEC Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (05): Congo DR
Monkeypox -- DR CongoSince the beginning of the year through 5 Jul [2020], the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported a total of 2591 suspected monkeypox cases and 97 deaths. This includes 115 cases and 4 deaths recorded during the week ending 5 Jul [2020].In 2019, DRC saw 5288 monkeypox cases, including 107 deaths (CFR: 2%) from 133 health zones in 19 provinces.The World Health Organization says one major challenge to the current emergency include acquiring the required funding to respond Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Vesicular stomatitis – USA (11): (KS) horse, cattle
Vesicular Stomatitis -- United StatesIn its 16 Jul 2020 situation report, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed 4 new positive and 7 new suspect premises in Kansas with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV).Counties with affected premises now include- Butler (1 new suspect equine premises),- Cowley (1 new confirmed positive cattle premises; 3 new suspect equine premises),- Miami (1 new suspect equine premises),- Montgomery (2 new confirmed positive cattle premises; 3 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (03): USA (VA, FL) horse
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesThe Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) confirmed 2 horses in Suffolk were euthanized after testing positive for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). Both horses were tested for EEE after presenting with acute neurological signs.The 1st horse tested positive for EEE on 14 Jul 2020, and the 2nd horse tested positive on 15 Jul 2020.Sometimes called sleeping sickness, EEE is a mosquito-borne illness that causes inflammation or swelling of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (24): Philippines, Indonesia, spread
African Swine Fever -- Philippines[Circulated by mail; due to COVID-19-related teleworking of the FAO HQ staff, the updates will be uploaded into the website once the situation is improved].1. The Philippines:Since the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed the 1st ASF outbreak started in July 2019, ASF have been confirmed on Luzon and Mindanao Islands. On Luzon Island, according to the government news agency quoting the Samahan ng Industriya at Agrikultura (SINAG) chairman Rosendo So, some 380 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Myxomatosis – Finland: (US) wild rabbit, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- FinlandInformation received on [and dated] 24 Jul 2020 from Dr. Taina Aaltonen, Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy Director General, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Helsinki, FinlandSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of star of the event: 5 Jul 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 22 Jul 2020Reason for notification: First occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: Myxoma virusNature Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine piroplasmosis – Finland: (KH) OIE
Other Animal Disease -- FinlandInformation received on [and dated] 24 Jul 2020 from Dr. Taina Aaltonen, Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy Director General, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Helsinki, FinlandSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 1 Jun 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Jun 2020Date submitted to OIE: 24 Jul 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 1985Manifestation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – Congo DR (07): (IT) clusters, fatal, WHO
Plague -- DR CongoThe health zone of Rethy in Ituri Province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has seen an upsurge of plague cases since June 2020. The 1st case, a 12-year-old girl, reported to a local health center on 12 Jun 2020 experiencing a headache, fever, cough, and an enlarged lymph node. She died on the same day, and further deaths from the community due to suspected cases of plague were subsequently reported. From 11 Jun 2020 through 15 Jul 2020, 6 of 22 health areas have been affected Read more [...]
