Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> African horse sickness – Thailand (02): (NR,CB,PK) spread, st pending
African Horse Sickness -- ThailandThe number of horses killed by a viral disease called African horse sickness [AHS] in Pak Chong district of the north eastern province [Nakhon Ratchasima] has risen to 146. Provincial livestock development office chief Pasawee Somjai said on Saturday [4 Apr 2020] that 13 other horses also had severe symptoms. There have been no reports of deaths in other districts, he added [but see commentary]. Earlier, tests confirmed that 73 horses in Pak Chong had died of AHS, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> COVID-19 update (79): research update
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownOnce SARS-CoV-2 is introduced in a long-term care skilled nursing facility (SNF), rapid transmission can occur.Following identification of a case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a healthcare worker, 76 of 82 residents of an SNF were tested for SARS-CoV-2; 23 (30%) had positive test results, about half of whom were asymptomatic or presymptomatic on the day of testing.Symptom-based screening of SNF residents might fail to identify all SARS-CoV-2 infections. Asymptomatic Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (04): April 2020
Not Yet Classified -- Worldwide/UnknownLi Wenliang, a face to the frontline healthcare worker. The first doctor to notify the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2, (COVID-19), outbreak.Eskild Petersen, David Hui, Davidson H Hamer, Lucille Blumberg, Lawrence C Madoff, Marjorie Pollack, et al.Int J Infect Dis. 2020; 93(Apr): 205-207.Is Africa prepared for tackling the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic. Lessons from past outbreaks, ongoing pan-African public health efforts, and implications for the future.Nathan Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (78): countries with high local transmission
COVID-19 -- United StatesRegarding health monitoring related to the spread of the new coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2] on the national territory, there are 119 827 total cases. At the moment 85 388 people are positive for the virus; 19 758 people have recovered. There are 28 741 patients hospitalized with symptoms, 4068 are in intensive care, and 52 579 are in home isolation.There have been 14 681 reported deaths, however, this number can only be confirmed after the Istituto Superiore di Sanita has established Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (77): global, polio vacc on hold, new countries, WHO
Polio, COVID-19 -- Worldwide/Unknown2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 470 / 81 518 / 81 554 / 81 589 / 81 620 / 81 639 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 9661 / 9786 / 9887 / 9976 / 10 062 / 10 156 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 1000 cases with community spread)------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 11 / ... / 76 / ... / 142 070 / 164 248 / 188 530 / 215 081 / 245 066 / 277 161 / USA2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (38): India, poultry, wild bird, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- IndiaInformation received on [and dated] Thu 2 Apr 2020 from Dr Atul Chaturvedi, secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, New Delhi, IndiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 3 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Mar 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 3 Sep 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (06): Brazil, monkey, conservation concern
Yellow Fever -- BrazilIn April 2018, workers with the Associacao Mico-Leao-Dourado, a Brazilian non-governmental organisation [NGO] dedicated to the protection of the golden lion tamarin, found one of the endangered primates, apparently sick and unable to climb trees, lying on the forest floor in Aldeia, some 80 km (50 mi) north east of Rio de Janeiro city. The following day, field staff searched for the animal but could not find it within the sprawling tropical forest. But later that month, the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (76): China (HU) animal, cat, owned, stray, seropositive
COVID-19 -- ChinaCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread worldwide. Previous studies suggested cat could be a potential susceptible animal of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we investigated the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cats by detecting specific serum antibodies. A cohort of serum samples were collected from cats in Wuhan, including 102 sampled after COVID-19 outbreak and 39 prior to the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (75): China (Hong Kong) cat, OIE
COVID-19 -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 3 Apr 2020 from Dr Thomas Sit, chief veterinary officer/assistant director (inspection & quarantine), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong, Hong Kong (SAR-PRC)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 30 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 31 Mar 2020Reason for notification: emerging diseaseMorbidity: 1 (scale 0 to 5)Mortality: 0 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (74): countries with high local transmission
COVID-19 -- United StatesRegarding health monitoring related to the spread of the new coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2] on the national territory, there are 115 242 total cases. At the moment 83 049 people are positive for the virus; 18 278 people have recovered. There are 28 540 patients hospitalized with symptoms, 4035 are in intensive care, and 48 134 are in home isolation.There have been 13 915 reported deaths, however, this number can only be confirmed after the Istituto Superiore di Sanita has established Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (73): global, cruise ships, new countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/Unknown2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 470 / 81 518 / 81 554 / 81 589 / 81 620 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 9661 / 9786 / 9887 / 9976 / 10 062 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 1000 cases with community spread)------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 11 / ... / 76 / ... / 142 070 / 164 248 / 188 530 / 215 081 / 245 066 / USA2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 97 689 / 101 739 / 105 792 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (15): Nigeria
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaKey points----------Table 1: Summary of current week (13), cumulative from epiweeks 1-13, 2020, and comparison with previous year (2019)Current week (13) [23-29 Mar 2020) / Cumulative weeks 1-13 / Cumulative 2019 weeks 1-13Suspected cases: 182 / 4194 / 2034Confirmed cases: 19 / 951/ 526Probable cases: 0 / 14 / 15Deaths: 1 / 185 / 121Case fatality rate (CFR [%]): 5.3 / 19.5 / 23.0Number of states affected: 8 / 27 / 21Local government areas (LGAs) affected: 14 / 126 / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (38): Hungary (CS) poultry, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- HungaryInformation received on [and dated] 1 Apr 2020 from Dr Lajos Bognar, deputy state secretary chief veterinary officer, Food Chain Safety Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Budapest, HungarySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 29 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 31 Mar 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 31 Jan 2020Manifestation of disease: sub-clinical infectionCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (12): Ukraine, domestic, wild boar, update, OIE
African Swine Fever -- UkraineZaporozhe: event started on [26 Mar 2019]. A total of 3 outbreaks (submitted) reported to date [2 Apr 2020]. The event is continuing with the last follow-up report no. 3 provided on [15 Jan 2020].Total animals affected:Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Killed and disposed of / SlaughteredSwine / 11 273 / 249 / 249 / 11 024 / 0Wild boar / - / 3 / 3 / 0 / 0--communicated by:ProMED-mail******[2] Chernigov: wild boar Date: Mon 27 Jan 2020Source: OIE, WAHIS Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (72): countries with high local transmission
COVID-19 -- United StatesRegarding health monitoring related to the spread of the new coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2] on the national territory, there are 110 574 total cases. At the moment 80 572 people are positive for the virus; 16 847 people have recovered. There are 28 403 patients hospitalized with symptoms, 4035 are in intensive care, and 48 134 are in home isolation.There have been 13 155 reported deaths, however, this number can only be confirmed after the Istituto Superiore di Sanita has established Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (71): global, Taiwan, new countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/Unknown2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 470 / 81 518 / 81 554 / 81 589 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 9661 / 9786 / 9887 / 9976 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 1000 cases with community spread)------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 11 / ... / 76 / ... / 142 070 / 164 248 / 188 530 / 215 081 / USA2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 97 689 / 101 739 / 105 792 / 110 574 / Italy2 Feb 2020: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (10): China (Inner Mongolia) domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 1 Apr 2020 from Dr Huang Baoxu, secretary of the Party Leadership Group, Animal Health and Epidemiology Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Qingdao, China (People's Rep of)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 27 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 30 Mar 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 25 May 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Silicosis – Bangladesh: (RP) stone workers, fatal
Respiratory Illness -- BangladeshThe stone-crushing workers in Patgram upazila are left to suffer, as most are too poor to afford treatment for an irreversible lung disease, silicosis, which is their occupational hazard. Silicosis is a disease caused by silicon poisoning, a common side effect of working in stone-crushing yards. The workers breathe in the silica dust while working in the yards, and the silicon settles in their lungs, slowly solidifying their respiratory systems. Patgram is dotted Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (70): China (Hong Kong) cat, pets & stock
COVID-19 -- ChinaSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the infectious disease COVID-19, which was 1st reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Despite the tremendous efforts to control the disease, COVID-19 has now spread to over 100 countries and caused a global pandemic. SARS-CoV2 is thought to have originated in bats; however, the intermediate animal sources of the virus are completely unknown.Here, we investigated the susceptibility of ferrets and animals in close Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Libya: (TR) sheep, st A, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- LibyaInformation received on [and dated] 31 Mar 2020 from Dr Zakaria Mohamed Mustafa Elkhatal, director general, National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal & Marine Wealth, Tripoli, LibyaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 11 Feb 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 15 Mar 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 12 Jun 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (69): countries with high local transmission, China asymptomatic
COVID-19 -- ChinaRegarding health monitoring related to the spread of the new coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2] on the national territory, there are 105 792 total cases. At the moment 77 635 people are positive for the virus; 15 729 people have recovered. There are 28 192 patients hospitalized with symptoms, 4023 are in intensive care, and 45 420 are in home isolation.There have been 12 428 reported deaths, however, this number can only be confirmed after the Istituto Superiore di Sanita has established the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (68): global, naval ship, new countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- Sierra Leone2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 470 / 81 518 / 81 554 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 9661 / 9786 / 9887 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 1000 cases with community spread)------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 11 / ... / 76 / ... / 142 070 / 164 248 / 188 530 / USA2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 97 689 / 101 739 / 105 792 / Italy2 Feb 2020: 1 / ... / 84 / ... / 80 110 / 87 956 / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (37): Germany (ST) poultry, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 31 Mar 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: 27 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 31 Mar 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 26 Sep Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> COVID-19 update (67): research
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownThe vaccine is called VPM1002 and was developed by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin. In a large-scale study, several clinics in Germany are to test whether the tuberculosis vaccine also works against Covid-19. This has been announced by the Max Planck Society (MPG).In particular, older people and healthcare workers should be vaccinated. The vaccine "could thus help to bridge the time until a vaccine that is specifically effective Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Oceania (02): Papua New Guinea (SL) domestic, 1st rep, OIE
African Swine Fever -- Papua New GuineaInformation received on [and dated] 30 Mar 2020 from Dr Ilagi Puana, chief veterinary officer, Veterinary Services, National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA), Port Moresby, Papua New GuineaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 5 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 25 Mar 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> Obituary: Jacques Acar, ISID co-founder, former president
Not Yet Classified -- FranceCOVID-19 has just claimed an enormously important victim. The world has lost an infectious disease giant, struck down by this apocalyptic virus. It was on his return to France, after a final congress in the United States, that Jacques Acar was hospitalized on [Sat 20 Mar 2020] and became the victim of a rapid evolution of disease which would prevail a week later. After a life entirely dedicated to the fight against microbes, it was a virus that took him.Jacques Fouad Acar Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (66): countries with high local transmission
COVID-19 -- United StatesRegarding health monitoring related to the spread of the new coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2] on the national territory, there are 101 739 total cases. At the moment 75 528 people are positive for the virus; 14 620 people have recovered. There are 27 795 patients hospitalized with symptoms, 3981 are in intensive care, and 43 752 are in home isolation.There have been 11 591 reported deaths, however, this number can only be confirmed after the Istituto Superiore di Sanita has established Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (65): global, vaping, new country, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/Unknown2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 470 / 81 518 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 9661 / 9786 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 1000 cases with community spread)------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 11 / ... / 76 / ... / 142 070 / 164 248 / USA2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 97 689 / 101 739 / Italy2 Feb 2020: 1 / ... / 84 / ... / 80 110 / 87 956 / Spain2 Feb 2020: 10 / ... / 130 Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Citrus canker – Iraq: 1st report
Other Plant Disease -- IraqIn Iraq, citrus canker (_Xanthomonas citri_ pv. _citri_ - EPPO A1 List) was detected on tangerine (_Citrus reticulata_), lemon (_Citrus limon_), and sweet orange (_Citrus sinensis_) from different orchards in Diyala, Baghdad and Babylon Governorates.[Source paper: ]--communicated by:ProMED-mail[Citrus canker (CC) is caused by the bacteria _Xanthomonas axonopodis_ pathovar _citri_ (Xac; synonyms _X. campestris_ pv. _citri_, _X. citri_) or _X. a._ pv. _aurantifolii_ (Xaa), Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India: (BR)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaA child died due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in Bihar on Sunday (29 Mar 2020). "A child has lost his life due to acute encephalitis syndrome at Sri Krishna Medical College & Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur," Dr SK Shahi, SKMCH superintendent said.This is the 1st AES related death in the district this year [2020]. Last year [2019], over 140 children died due to AES in the district. As per official data, 121 deaths were reported at the government-run SKMCH, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Oceania: Papua New Guinea (SL) domestic, 1st outbreak
African Swine Fever -- Papua New GuineaThe multi-million pork industry in Papua New Guinea [PNG] is under threat with the African swine fever [ASF] now in the country. The [African] swine fever [virus] is a virus which causes a hemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in domestic pigs, killing pigs in large numbers as quickly as a week after infection.Found in Mendi, Southern Highlands Province, it's believed the disease was transported through carriers, including imported canned food. Southern Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (64): countries with high local transmission
COVID-19 -- United StatesRegarding health monitoring related to the spread of the new coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2] on the national territory, there are a total of 97 689 cases. At the moment 73 880 people are positive for the virus; 13 030 people have recovered. There are 27 386 patients hospitalized with symptoms, 3906 are in intensive care, and 42 588 are in home isolation.There have been 10 779 reported deaths, however, this number can only be confirmed after the Istituto Superiore di Sanita has established Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (63): global, lessons, new country, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/Unknown2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 093 / 81 171 / 81 218 / 81 285 / 81 340 / 81 394 / 81 439 / 81 470 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 8961 / 9037 / 9137 / 9241 / 9332 / 9478 / 9583 / 9661 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 1000 cases with community spread)------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 11 / ... / 76 / ... / 33 546 / 46 145 / 54 867 / 68 421 / 85 594 / 104 142 / 123 750 / 142 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Malawi: (NU) bovine, st. pending
Foot and Mouth -- MalawiNtcheu district director of agriculture, environment, and natural resources, Edward Katunga, has confirmed an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the district.According to Katunga, the highly infectious disease, which mainly affected cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, has affected Ndembo 2 Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Ganya in Sharpe Valley Extension Planning Area (EPA).So far, 7 cattle have clinically proven to be affected by the disease.[Byline: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – USA: (NM) rabbit
Other Animal Disease — United States
PRO/AH/EDR> Ricin – Germany: attempted attack
Poisoning -- GermanyA German court sentenced a 31-year-old Tunisian to 10 years in prison Thursday [26 Mar 2020] for planning a biological bomb attack with the deadly poison ricin.An Islamic State sympathizer, the perpetrator had ordered castor seeds and explosives on the internet in order to build the toxic bomb, a spokesman for the higher regional court in Duesseldorf said.He was found guilty of producing a biological weapon and of planning a serious act of violent subversion.His German wife, 43, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chikungunya (02): Americas, Asia
Chikungunya — Worldwide/Unknown
PRO/PL> Bipolaris leaf spot, maize – China: (SC) species survey
Other Plant Disease -- ChinaMany species of the genus _Bipolaris_ are important plant pathogens and often cause leaf spot, root rot, and seedling blight in an extremely wide range of hosts around the world. In recent years, maize leaf spot caused by _Bipolaris_ species has frequently occurred with complex symptoms and is becoming increasingly serious in Sichuan Province of China.To investigate the population diversity of _Bipolaris_ spp. and their corresponding symptoms in maize, 747 samples of maize Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (15): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, WHO, summaries, lessons
Ebola -- DR CongoA new research paper examining the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak in Africa could hold crucial insights for policymakers grappling with the novel coronavirus pandemic -- namely, the importance of public engagement and trust during health crises.The study (), co-authored by Darin Christensen, assistant professor of public policy in the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, shows that where people lack confidence in their health providers, they are less likely to seek testing and treatment Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African horse sickness – Thailand: (NR) 1st report, OIE, request for information
African Horse Sickness -- ThailandInformation received on [and dated] 27 Mar 2020 from Dr Sorravis Thaneto, director general, Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Bangkok, ThailandSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Feb 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 27 Mar 2020Report date: 27 Mar 2020Date submitted to OIE: 27 Mar 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: African horse sickness Read more [...]
