Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Methanol poisoning – Iran: counterfeit treatment for COVID-19
Poisoning -- IranStanding over the still body of an intubated 5-year-old boy wearing nothing but a plastic diaper, an Iranian healthcare worker in a hazmat suit and mask begged the public for just one thing: Stop drinking industrial alcohol [methanol, the most common industrial alcohol] over fears about the new coronavirus.The boy, now blind after his parents gave him toxic methanol in the mistaken belief it protects against the virus, is just one of hundreds of victims of an epidemic inside the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Africa: ecological niche model
Anthrax -- Worldwide/Unknown_Bacillus cereus_ biovar _anthracis_ (Bcbva) is an emergent pathogen causing anthrax in West and Central African countries. It shares multiple bacteriological and genomic characteristics with _Bacillus anthracis_, the gram-positive bacterium causing anthrax in mammals worldwide. However, Bcbva has been isolated only in tropical humid forested environments in Africa; thus, we attempted to characterize its potential distribution and the differences with _B. anthracis_ using Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (59): global, cruise ship, more countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- United States2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 093 / 81 171 / 81 218 / 81 285 / 81 340 / 81 394 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 8961 / 9037 / 9137 / 9241 / 9332 / 9478 / 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 / USA2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 59 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (58): Belgium, cat, clinical case, RFI
COVID-19 -- BelgiumQ. Can pets infect humans if they have been in contact with infected persons?A. It is known that the environment of COVID-19 patients can be highly contaminated. Pets that live together with infected persons are highly exposed to the virus. So far, only 3 cases are known (2 dogs in Hong Kong and one cat in Belgium) where the pet has been infected by humans. The dogs did not show any disease symptoms, and the cat had transient respiratory and digestive disorders. So far, there is Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (57): global, re-using PPE, DR Congo, more countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- United States2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 093 / 81 171 / 81 218 / 81 285 / 81 340 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 8961 / 9037 / 9137 / 9241 / 9332 / 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 / USA2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 59 138 / 63 927 / 69 176 / 74 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (36): Hungary (BK) poultry, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- HungaryInformation received on [and dated] 26 Mar 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: 22 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 25 Mar 2020Report date: 26 Mar 2020Date submitted to OIE: 26 Mar 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 31 Jan Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (56): China (Hong Kong) animal, dog, final serology positive
COVID-19 -- ChinaA spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (Thu 26 Mar 2020) that the latest positive serology test results of the Pomeranian that previously tested weak positive for COVID-19 virus proved that the dog has been infected with the virus.Virus isolation was performed on previous samples taken from the Pomeranian with a negative result, indicating that no live virus was retrieved. This is in line with the amount of virus genetic material Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Asia: China (YN)
Hantavirus -- ChinaA man in China has died after testing positive for the hantavirus, according to Chinese state media. Global Times reported the patient, a migrant worker from southwestern Yunnan Province, died while traveling on a chartered bus to Shandong Province for work on Monday [23 Mar 2020].There is more than one strain of hantavirus, some more harmful than others, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no approved cure or vaccine against hantaviruses Read more [...]
PRO/AH> COVID-19 update (55): global, cruise ships, Congo DR, ECDC, more countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- China2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 093 / 81 171 / 81 218 / 81 285 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 8961 / 9037 / 9137 / 9241 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 1000 cases with community spread)-------------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 59 138 / 63 927 / 69 176 / 74 386 / Italy2 Feb 2020: 11 / ... / 76 / ... / 33 546 / 46 145 / 54 867 / 68 421 / USA2 Feb 2020: 1 / ... / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Botulism – USA (03): pet food recall
Botulism -- United StatesSummary:Company announcement date: Thu 19 Mar 2020FDA publish date: Mon 23 Mar 2020Product type: animal & veterinary, pet food, foodborne illnessReason for announcement: potential for _Clostridium botulinum_Company name: IcelandicPlus LLCBrand name: Icelandic+Product description: whole capelin fish pet treatsCompany announcement:Out of an abundance of caution, IcelandicPlus LLC of Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania (PA), is recalling its capelin pet treats because some of the Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (03): World TB day 2020
Tuberculosis -- Worldwide/UnknownCommemorating World TB Day 2020: "IT'S TIME" -- It's time to End the Global TB EpidemicSimon Tiberi, Giovanni Battista Migliori, Jeremiah Muhwa Chakaya, Tereza Kaesava, ..., Eskild PetersenInt J Infect Dis. 2020; 92(S); Mar 2020, S1-S4Precision and personalized medicine and anti-TB treatment: Is TDM feasible for programmatic use?Jan-Willem C. Alffenaar, Onno W. Akkerman, Hannah Yejin Kim, Simon Tiberi, Giovanni Battista MiglioriInt J Infect Dis. 2020; 92(S); Mar 2020, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (54): global, Italy vs UK, more countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- Italy2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 093 / 81 171 / 81 218 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 8961 / 9037 / 9137 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 900 cases with community spread)-------------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 59 138 / 63 927 / 69 176 / Italy2 Feb 2020: 11 / ... / 76 / ... / 33 546 / 46 145 / 54 867 / USA2 Feb 2020: 1 / ... / 84 / ... / 28 768 / 35 136 / 42 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (35): Europe, poultry, wild, HPAI H5N8, LPAI H6N1
Avian Influenza H5N8, Avian Influenza -- Worldwide/UnknownSituation assessment--------------------Germany reported an outbreak of HPAI H5N8 in breeding turkeys on 21 Mar 2020, in the Aurich region, in the north-west of the country, close to border with the Netherlands. The affected premises is a large turkey breeder farm with 10 579 birds. Of these, 130 were reported to have died from disease, and the remaining birds were culled. Following an outbreak in a backyard poultry holding on 12 Mar 2020 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – Uganda: (ZO) ex DR Congo, 2019
Plague -- UgandaPlague, an acute zoonosis caused by _Yersinia pestis_, is endemic in the West Nile region of northwestern Uganda and neighboring northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (1-4). The illness manifests in multiple clinical forms, including bubonic and pneumonic plague. Pneumonic plague is rare, rapidly fatal, and transmissible from person to person via respiratory droplets. On 4 Mar 2019, a patient with suspected pneumonic plague was hospitalized in West Nile, Uganda, 4 days Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (53): research updates
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownWHO---If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection.China------ People at moderate risk *of infection: surgical or disposable mask for medical use. People at moderate risk of infection include those working in areas of high population density (eg, hospitals, train stations), those have been or live with somebody who is quarantined, and administrative staff, police, security, and couriers whose work Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (52): global, comorbidities, advice, cruises, more countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- China2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 81 093 / 81 171 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 8961 / 9037 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 800 cases with community spread)-------------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 59 138 / 63 927 / Italy2 Feb 2020: 11 / ... / 76 / ... / 33 546 / 46 145 / USA2 Feb 2020: 1 / ... / 84 / ... / 28 768 / 35 136 / Spain2 Feb 2020: 10 / ... / 130 / ... Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Blast & undiagnosed rust, wheat – Bangladesh: (RP)
Other Plant Disease -- BangladeshBoth wheat and rice blast are caused by the fungus _Pyricularia oryzae_ (synonym _Magnaporthe oryzae_). Although the pathogens are currently classified as the same species, the wheat blast pathogen is a genetically distinct population (referred to as _P. oryzae_ Triticum population) and does not cause disease in rice. Over 50 species of grasses and sedges can be affected by related fungal strains, each of which generally appears to affect only a limited number of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (34): Germany (NI) poultry, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 21 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: 20 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 20 Mar 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 12 Jun Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (51): global, more countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/Unknown2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 80 860 / 80 881 / 80 894 / 80 928 / 80 967 / 81 008 / 81 054 / 81 093 Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 8236 / 8320 / 8413 / 8565 / 8652 / 8799 / 8897 / 8961 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 500 cases with community spread)---------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 24 747 / 27 980 / 31 506 / 35 713 / 41 035 / 47 021 / 53 578 / 59 138 / Italy2 Feb 2020: 11 Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (08): Poland (LB) domestic pig, commercial farm
African Swine Fever -- PolandFor the 1st time, African swine fever [ASF] has also hopped onto a large domestic pig farm in Western Poland, affecting over 23 700 pigs. It is the largest affected pig farm since Poland started reporting ASF outbreaks in 2014.The outbreak was discovered on 18 Mar 2020, and the confirmation was given on Sat 21 Mar 2020, according to the German agricultural title Top Agrar []. The report has already been filed in the European Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS) and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (50): China (Hong Kong) dog, 2nd case PCR positive, OIE
COVID-19 -- ChinaInformation received on 21 Mar 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: 18 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 20 Mar 2020Report date: 20 Mar 2020Date submitted to OIE: 21 Mar 2020Reason for notification: emerging Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Asia: Pakistan (SD)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanA Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) case was reported at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) here on Saturday.Executive Director, JPMC, Dr Seemin Jamali, while talking to PPI, said a 40-year-old man, a resident of Pak Colony, was reported in the emergency department with Congo fever related complications. She informed that the patient is a butcher by profession and he is patient with a positive PCR CCHF.She informed that the patient was first Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pneumococcal disease – France: (PR) Marseille, shipyard workers
Pneumonia -- FranceCassir N, Pascal L, Ferrieux D, Bruel C, et al.Abstract----------We report the 3rd outbreak of pneumococcal pneumonia within one year among workers in European shipyards. During January and February 2020, 37 cases of pneumonia were identified in a shipyard in Marseille, southeastern France. Outbreak control measures were implemented, including a mass vaccination campaign with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine targeting all shipyard workers. Given the high mobility of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (03): O103, sprouts, CDC
E. coli -- United StatesCDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of _E. coli_ O103 infections linked to clover sprouts. As of 17 Mar 2020, 39 people infected with the outbreak strain of _E. coli_ O103 have been reported from 6 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from 6 Jan 2020 to 2 Mar 2020. Ill people range in age from 1 to 79 years, with a median age of 28. 53 percent of ill people are female. Two people have been Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria – Rwanda: rice farming
Malaria -- RwandaRice farming is a priority crop in Rwanda but working in the flooded fields means 10 hours a day exposed to mosquitoes.Rwanda's tens of thousands of acres of bright green, grassy rice fields present a paradox for the landlocked East African country. The crop is a dietary staple for virtually every family here, and it brings in a good chunk of the country's GDP. So, the government is embarking on an aggressive campaign to produce even more. But the waterlogged fields where the grain Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria – India: (DL)
Malaria -- IndiaWith 4 new cases reported last week, the number of patients suffering from malaria has reached 19 this year [2020].Last year [2019], not even a single case of malaria was reported [up to the same] time. According to SDMC [South Delhi Municipal Corporation], mosquito-breeding has been reported in at least 118 households, and 393 legal notices have been issued this year [2020].There have been 15 prosecutions of individuals by the civic bodies up to 29 Feb 2020. At least 22 cases of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (49): global, POS test approved, ILI surv, more countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- China2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 80 860 / 80 881 / 80 894 / 80 928 / 80 967 / 81 008 / 81 054 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 8236 / 8320 / 8413 / 8565 / 8652 / 8799 / 8897 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 500 cases with community spread)-------------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 24 747 / 27 980 / 31 506 / 35 713 / 41 035 / 47 021 / 53 578 / Italy2 Feb 2020: 11 / ... Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – UK: epidemiology 2009-2017
Diphtheria -- United KingdomGower CM, Scobie A, Fry NK, Litt DJ, et al.Abstract--------Background. Diphtheria is a potentially fatal disease caused by toxigenic strains of _Corynebacterium diphtheriae_, _C. ulcerans_, or _C. pseudotuberculosis_.Aim. Our objective was to review the epidemiology of diphtheria in the United Kingdom (UK) and the impact of recent changes in public health management and surveillance.Methods. Putative human toxigenic diphtheria isolates in the UK are sent for species Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (08): Americas (USA, Canada) cat, dog, fox, skunk, human exp
Rabies -- United StatesThe Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reported today [13 Feb 2020] 4 people have been referred to their healthcare providers after being potentially exposed to rabies by a stray cat testing positive for the disease.The potential exposure occurred 10 Feb 2020 when the victims were potentially exposed by a black and white stray cat near the Celanese Road exit off Interstate 77 in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The stray cat was submitted to DHEC's laboratory for Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (48): global, cruise ships Australia, more countries, WHO
COVID-19 -- China2 Feb 2020: 17 187 / ... / 80 024 / ... / 80 860 / 80 881 / 80 894 / 80 928 / 80 967 / 81 008 / Mainland China2 Feb 2020: 15 / ... / 3726 / ... / 8236 / 8320 / 8413 / 8565 / 8652 / 8799 / South KoreaCountries with major activity (more than 500 cases with community spread)-------------------------------------------------------------------------2 Feb 2020: 2 / ... / 1694 / ... / 24 747 / 27 980 / 31 506 / 35 713 / 41 035 / 47 021 / Italy2 Feb 2020: 1 / ... / 84 / ... / 7845 / 9942 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (47): research
COVID-19 -- Worldwide/UnknownBackground: No therapeutics have yet been proven effective for the treatment of severe illness caused by SARS-CoV-2.Methods: We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label trial involving hospitalized adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, which causes the respiratory illness COVID-19, and an oxygen saturation (SaO2) of 94% or less while they were breathing ambient air or a ratio of the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) to the fraction of inspired oxygen Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (09): China (HE) domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on 17 Mar 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: 9 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 13 Mar 2020Report date: 17 Mar 2020Date submitted to OIE: 17 Mar 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza – USA (02): (IA,NE) horse
Equine Influenza -- United StatesAn attending veterinarian reported equine influenza was confirmed in one horse in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, on [28 Feb 2020]. The 6-year-old Appaloosa gelding had onset of clinical signs on [25 Feb] 2020 including coughing, fever, and nasal and ocular discharge. The unvaccinated gelding was alive at the time of reporting. On the premises, 5 other horses were suspected with equine influenza and 20 others were exposed.It was noted at testing the confirmed gelding Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkey die-off, India: (KA) uterine infection, RFI
Animal Die-off -- IndiaA disease keeps spreading among the monkey population. A large number of female monkeys died at Vettikkattiri taking the death toll to 11. Veterinary surgeon Dr. David Abraham said that the cause of death was due to pus formation in the uterus. The doctor clarified that although humans would not be infected with this, it is better to avoid contact with these animals.As monkeys do not have contacts with each other, it is unlikely that it could spread among their habitats. The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – USA (02): (MN) restaurant, advisory
Listeriosis -- United StatesOn Tuesday, [10 Mar 2020], The Minnesota Department of Health issued a health advisory in relation to a _Listeria_ outbreak along Highway [94]. The advisory was directed specifically to local and tribal health departments, hospitals, clinics, other facilities and any other healthcare providers. The advisory was not issued to the public as the outbreak is not believed to be linked to any products currently on the market.The advisory notes that Minnesota experiences approximately Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (33): USA (NC) poultry, LPAI H7N3, OIE
Avian Influenza -- United StatesInformation received on [and dated] 16 Mar 2020 from Dr Mark Davidson, associate administrator, USDA-APHIS, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of AmericaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 10 Mar 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Mar 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 30 Aug 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: low pathogenic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe (11): contaminated meat in markets
Anthrax -- ZimbabweMahusekwa villagers who are into cattle farming told 263Chat how they have been losing cattle on a daily basis due to anthrax adding that they are no longer consuming beef due to the outbreak. "You eat beef in Harare because you don't know the real situation here. Cattle are dying daily when the situation was bad, you could wake up only to find 5 or 6 cattle lying down in the kraal. Butchery owners would then come, and sometimes dig it up, skin it and carry the meat to Harare, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (46): global, comment, cruise ships, more countries, WHO