Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (06): animal reservoir, intermediate hosts
Coronavirus -- ChinaAbstract--------Recently a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has emerged from Wuhan, China, causing symptoms in humans similar to those caused by SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Since SARS-CoV outbreak in 2002, extensive structural analyses have revealed key atomic-level interactions between SARS-CoV spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) and its host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which regulate both the cross-species and human-to-human transmissions of SARS-CoV. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed pneumonia – Afghanistan: (BD) fatal, children, RFI
Pneumonia -- AfghanistanAt least 35 people including women and children have died in the past few weeks due to pneumonia outbreak in Badakhshan Province in the northwestern mountainous area, the provincial health department confirmed.Dr Noor Khawari, head of the provincial public health department, said [Sat 15 Feb 2020] that the people had died in the Wakhan district, a remote area surrounded by high and impassable mountains.He said that 15 of the dead were children, calling malnutrition and cold Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (05): China, global, Taiwan fatality, WHO
COVID-19 -- ChinaAt 04:00 on [16 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported 2048 new confirmed cases and 105 new deaths (100 in Hubei, 3 in Henan, and 2 in Guangdong). 1563 suspected cases were added.On the same day, 1425 cases were cured and discharged, 28 179 close contacts were released from medical observation, and 628 severe cases were reduced.As of 24:00 on [16 Feb 2020], according to reports from 31 provinces Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (16): global (WPV1, cVDPV2) Philippines, Pakistan
Polio -- PhilippinesNew wild poliovirus isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 5Environment: 12Others: 0New cVDPV isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 17Environment: 9Others: 1 Headlines- A time-limited working group has been put together to manage and coordinate GPEI's activities to enable a rapid and effective rollout of nOPV2. - With the evolving public health emergency associated with the increase in new emergences of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, a draft decision Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Australia (02): (NS) sheep
Anthrax -- AustraliaThe NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) yesterday [13 Feb 2020] urged producers to vaccinate their livestock following confirmation of the 1st case of anthrax for 2020.The detection occurred on the NSW Central Tablelands on a property with no previous record of anthrax. The affected animals were ewes having not been vaccinated for anthrax.Biosecurity measures at the affected property, including stock movement restrictions and the vaccination of remaining livestock, were Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Phosphine gas poisoning – France: fatal
Poisoning -- FranceFour of the 7 sailors of the Dolphin cargo ship were victims of aluminum phosphide poisoning on Thu 13 Feb 2020, 60 miles (110 km) southwest of Lanveoc (Finistere). One of them died. The other 3 were transferred to the Cavale Blanche hospital in Brest in serious condition.At around 6:30 p.m. on Thu 13 Feb 2020, the 88-meter Bahamas-flagged vessel set sail from Sables-d'Olonne (Vendee) to Hull (England) to alert the Cross Corsen (Coast Guard at Corsen Point, Brittany) to the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis – USA: (MT) elk
Brucellosis -- United StatesState officials say the livestock disease brucellosis has been found in elk in southwestern Montana's Ruby Mountains, the latest evidence the disease continues to slowly spread among wildlife in the Yellowstone region.Two elk tested positive for exposure to the disease during recent sampling by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.State Veterinarian Marty Zaluski says it's the 1st time brucellosis has been found in the mountain range east of Dillon. The 2 infected animals Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (08): Moldova (HI) domestic, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- MoldovaInformation received on [and dated] Thu 13 Feb 2020 from Dr Vitalie Caraus, head of the Animal Health and Welfare Department, National Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, MoldovaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 11 Feb 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Feb 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 13 Jan 2020Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lumpy skin disease – India (01): (KL) cattle, spread
Lumpy Skin Disease -- IndiaCapripox virus, or lumpy skin disease [LSD], which infected at least 265 animals in the district [Kochi, Kerala] until now, has left dairy farmers here worried. However, Laiby Paulin, district animal husbandry officer, sought to allay fears, saying the outbreak has been contained. "The newer cases show only mild infection," she said.She said the disease was 1st reported at Valayanchirangara, 7 km [4.3 mi] from Perumbavoor, on 11 Jan 2020. "This is the 1st time the disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Nocardioform placentitis – USA: (KY) horse
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesWhen a Lexington-area spike in foal deaths caused by nocardioform placentitis 1st hit the news at the end of January [2020], there was considerable anecdotal chatter in the Bluegrass region that the number of equine abortions, stillborns, and neonate euthanizations might be higher than what is being reported by the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL), the main entity that tracks such cases.Two weeks ago, when TDN 1st reported on the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (04): China, global, Thailand, cruise ships, WHO
-- ChinaAt 04:00 on [15 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported 2009 new confirmed cases, 219 severe cases, and 142 death cases (139 in Hubei, 2 in Sichuan, 1 in Hunan), with 1918 new suspected cases.On the same day, 1323 cases were cured and discharged, and 29 788 close contacts were lifted from medical observation.As of 24:00 on [15 Feb 2020], according to reports from 31 provinces (autonomous regions, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine ephemeral fever – Australia (QL, NS, NT) cattle
Other Animal Disease -- AustraliaCattle in areas of Queensland, New South Wales [NSW], and the Northern Territory that have been exposed to solid rain over the past month are already being impacted by heavy external parasite and disease challenges.Three-day sickness, or bovine ephemeral fever [BEF], is being reported across wide areas of central, northern, and southern Queensland, and buffalo fly populations have exploded in many areas fortunate enough to get rain since mid-January [2020]. Heavier Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (08): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summaries, WHO, conference
Ebola -- DR Congo- 12 233 people were vaccinated, as of 7 Feb 2020, with the 2nd vaccine Ad26.ZEBOV/MVA-BN-Filo (Johnson & Johnson) in the 2 health areas from Karisimbi to Goma;- Since the start of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018 with the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, 293 958 people have been vaccinated.Surveillance at entry points----------------------------- A 28-year-old woman, contact never seen and at high risk on the 16th day of follow-up, was intercepted at the PK5 checkpoint in Beni in North Kivu. This Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Typhimurium – USA: pet turtles
Salmonella -- United StatesThe CDC is investigating, along with the help of local public health officials, a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella_ Typhimurium associated with small pet turtles. This particular _Salmonella_ Typhimurium outbreak, associated specifically with small pet turtles with shells less than 4 inches, began in July 2019 and is ongoing. The CDC states that this investigation is different than the October 2019 outbreak.Public health officials are aiding investigations by using the Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Melioidosis – Brazil: (PI)
Melioidosis -- BrazilGiven the laboratory confirmation of 5 human cases of melioidosis (ICD-10 A24.4) that occurred in the state of Piaui in 2019 (including one death), the FMS Health Surveillance Directorate recommends Hospital Infection Control Commissions, to the Hospital Surveillance Centers, public and private microbiology laboratories, infectious disease specialists, pulmonologists, microbiologists, biochemists and physicians in general who are attentive, immediately report any case with a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, poultry – Philippines: (NC) RFI
Undiagnosed -- PhilippinesAn unknown disease has killed several fighting cocks in Barangay Rosary Heights 1 [Cotabato City] in the past few days.Among those killed by the disease were 5 cocks at Mangga Boys game farm. The animals all died inside their cages and showed symptoms like swollen head, blindness and severe flu.[RC], one of the gamefowl owners, said the chickens had colds and fever, and became weak."We noticed that the unknown disease has led to death of fighting cocks starting last week. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Africa (04): South Africa (NW)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- South AfricaA 56-year-old was admitted at the Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital on Saturday [8 Feb 2020] with a history of tick bite followed by flulike symptoms including headaches and fatigue.The North West Health Department says while no active bleeding was noted, treatment was started immediately.Crimean-Congo fever, also known as Congo fever/haemorrhagic fever, is a disease caused by a tick-borne virus with a case fatality rate of 10% to 40%.Transmission to humans Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (02): USA (NY, NE, TX) horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesFive horses in Barn 29 at Saratoga Harness Track, in Saratoga Springs, New York, have shown signs of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), including fever, mild coughing, and mild nasal discharge. On 28 Jan 2020, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) and New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) officials received laboratory test results on one of the horses, which indicated an active EHV-1 infection. None of the horses are exhibiting neurologic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (03): China, global, Egypt, influenza surveillance, WHO
Coronavirus -- ChinaAt 04:00 on [14 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported 2641 newly diagnosed cases, 849 severe cases, and 143 death cases (139 in Hubei and 2 in Henan). [In addition, there were deaths reported from Beijing and Chongqing - 1 each]. There were 2277 suspected cases added.On the same day [14 Feb 2020], 1373 new cases were cured and discharged, and 30 081 close contacts were lifted from medical observation.As Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Africa (01): Sierra Leone, domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- Sierra LeoneInformation received on [and dated] Tue 11 Feb 2020 from Dr. Amadu Tejan Jalloh, Deputy Director - Animal Health, Livestock and Veterinary Services Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Freetown, Sierra LeoneSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 20 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Nov 2019Report date: 11 Feb 2020Date submitted to OIE: 11 Feb 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (03): Americas (USA) cat, fox, otter, coyote, human exp
Rabies -- United StatesBy law, people who own a dog or a cat in West Virginia must get them vaccinated against rabies by the age of 6 months.The vaccine administered should be capable of providing immunity for 3 years, with a booster shot given 1 year after the initial vaccination and every 3 years thereafter.Officials urged people to keep themselves, their family and their pets safe by keeping their pets up to date on their vaccines. Make sure your animals' rabies vaccinations are current and avoid Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (02): China, global, reporting criteria, WHO
Coronavirus -- ChinaAt 04:00 on [13 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported an increase of 5090 confirmed cases, 2174 severe cases, and 121 death cases (116 in Hubei, 2 in Heilongjiang). Deaths were also reported 1 each in Anhui, Henan, and Chongqing), with 2450 new suspected cases.1081 new cases were cured and discharged on the same day, and 26 905 close contacts were lifted from medical observation.As of 24:00 on [13 Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Anthracnose, banana – Uganda: (Western) susp
Other Plant Disease -- UgandaThe government has confirmed an outbreak of [a] new and more deadly banana disease in western Uganda. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) says the fast-spreading disease is drying up banana plants and wilting fruits at a terrifying rate. The ministry also said there is as yet no known drug that can be used to stop the disease.Sources from affected areas say the disease started last month [January 2020], with Ntungamo and Kabarole being worst-hit Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed illness – India: (AS) children, fatal, RFI
Undiagnosed -- IndiaPeople of Karnamadhu village in Karimganj district are in panic mode due to a mysterious disease that has already taken the lives of 6 children. 3 of the children were from the same family.According to reports many more have been infected with the disease with symptoms of pain in the throat, fever and bleeding from the mouth, ultimately leading to death. Due to the fear of infection, children have been made to wear protective masks. So far around 25 people have been affected by Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (02): (FL) women, prison
Legionnaires' -- United StatesThe Coleman Federal Correctional Complex, a Bureau of Prisons [BOP] facility near Wildwood, Florida, is home to more than 6000 inmates, roughly 500 of them women. The Central Florida federal prison in the midst of a Legionnaires' disease outbreak has 5 more cases, and at least one case of scabies, too. But state health officials won't talk about what they're doing to alleviate the public health issue.Over the past 2 weeks, officials with the Coleman Federal Correctional Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Streptococcus, group A – Canada: (BC) emm6, homeless, IDU
Strep -- Canada"Between December 2016 and April 2017, two cases of invasive Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections were reported at a Canadian military training facility. An outbreak was declared and a field investigation was launched to characterize the outbreak and identify associated risk factors to limit transmission. Throat culture data from military personnel at the garrison were analyzed. Investigators tracked invasive GAS cases and non-invasive hospitalized GAS cases, and conducted site visits Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Kyasanur Forest disease – India (09): (KA) monkey, human
Hemorrhagic Fever -- IndiaAfter a monkey's death was reported in Hodanthe village of Sagar taluk on [Sun 9 Feb 2020], the NR Pura taluk has been put on high alert after 3 coffee plantation workers of Madabaru estate were tested positive for monkey fever.District's health department officials rushed to the spot to brief the estate workers about the preventive measures to be taken to check the disease. The team led by Dr Subhash had the target of administering anti-KFD (Kyasanur forest disease) virus Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> COVID-19 update (01): China, global, EVZD, reporting criteria, WHO
Coronavirus -- ChinaAs the world watches the rapid spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV [SARS-CoV-2]) outbreak, it is important to reflect on the lessons that can be learned from this and previous emerging zoonotic viruses (EZV) in a comparative and analytic way. Although the source of 2019-nCoV is yet to be confirmed, early findings suggest a high possibility of a bat origin[1]. There have been 6 major EZV outbreaks in the past 25 years caused by proven or suspected bat-borne viruses Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Iceland: (HO) dog, 1st report, ex Spain, OIE
Leishmaniasis -- IcelandInformation received on Mon 10 Feb 2020 from Dr Sigurborg Daoadottir, chief veterinary officer, Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, Ministry of Industries and Innovation, Selfoss, IcelandSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 15 Nov 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Dec 2019Report date: 10 Feb 2020Date submitted to OIE: 10 Feb 2020Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease on the countryCausal agent: _Leishmania_ Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Armenia: (ER) dog, OIE
Leishmaniasis -- ArmeniaInformation received on [and dated] Thu 6 Feb 2020 from Dr Georgi Avetisyan, head, Food Safety Inspection Body of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, e ARM Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, ArmeniaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Jan 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 25 Jan 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 30 Aug 2019Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – USA: (KY) student
Typhoid -- United StatesOn [Wed 5 Feb 2020], Briarwood Elementary School was notified by the Barren River District Health Department of a confirmed case of typhoid fever in one of their students. Briarwood Elementary School says, according to the CDC, _Salmonella_ Typhi is spread through sewage contamination of food or water, and through person-to-person contact.The Barren River District Health Department released the following statement on [Thu 6 Feb 2020]:"Barren River District Health Department Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease – North America (03): USA (IA), Canada (research)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesChronic wasting disease has been confirmed in wild deer from Woodbury, Winneshiek, Fayette, and Decatur counties this year [2020], bringing the total number of counties in Iowa where wild deer have tested positive to 8."We will schedule meetings in these areas in the next few months to discuss chronic wasting disease, our response, and the role hunters play in helping us to manage for this disease," said Tyler Harms, wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR.In Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (07): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, summaries, WHO guidelines
Ebola -- DR Congo- The Deputy General Coordinator of the response to the Ebola virus disease epidemic, Dr Justus Nsio Mbeta, participated on Mon 10 Feb 2020 in the meeting chaired by the Mayor of the city of Beni, on the development a contingency plan for the situation of displaced people from Mangina to Beni. This meeting took place in the presence of some delegates from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA);- the meeting was convened at the request of the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel coronavirus (42): China, global, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, WHO
SARS -- ChinaAt 04:00 on [11 Feb 2020], 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported that there were 2015 confirmed cases (1638 cases in Hubei), 871 severe cases (897 cases in Hubei), 97 deaths (94 in Hubei, 1 in Henan, Hunan, and Chongqing), and 3342 suspected cases (1685 in Hubei). On the same day, 744 new cases were cured and discharged (417 in Hubei), and 30 068 close contacts were lifted from medical observation.As of 24:00 on Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Enteritidis – Europe: Polish eggs
Salmonella -- Worldwide/UnknownBackground: _Salmonella_ spp. are a major cause of food-borne outbreaks in Europe. We investigated a large multi-country outbreak of _Salmonella enterica_ serotype Enteritidis in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA).Methods: A confirmed case was defined as a laboratory-confirmed infection with the outbreak strains of _S._ Enteritidis based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS), occurring between 1 May 2015 and 31 Oct 2018. A probable case was defined as laboratory-confirmed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Dublin – France: raw milk cheese, alert, recall, fatal
Salmonella -- FranceSalmonellosis has affected 13 people in France with a link to consuming a brand of raw milk cheese. They have been infected with the same strain of _Salmonella_ Dublin, according to the National Reference Center for _Salmonella_ at the Institut Pasteur.Sante Publique France and the General Directorate of Food (DGAL) have identified a link between eating raw milk Morbier cheese made by the company Jean Perrin, based in the Cléron commune of Doubs in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (24): China (SC) poultry, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] Tue 11 Feb 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: 2 Feb 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Feb 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 13 Mar 2017Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (03): (CA) restaurant cluster
Hepatitis A -- United StatesSeveral cases of hepatitis A were confirmed in customers who ate in the same California restaurant, health officials said. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services announced [Fri 31 Jan 2020], that the patients ate at 555 East American Steakhouse on or around [24 Dec 2019], KABC-TV reports.The department did not disclose how many cases were diagnosed. The source of the illness is still under investigation, officials said.Hepatitis A can be transmitted through Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (23): Germany (BW) backyard poultry, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 10 Jan 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: 6 Feb 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Feb 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 12 Jun Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, poultry – Philippines (02): (NC) comment