Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Mycoplasma gallisepticum – Canada: (SK) songbirds
Conjunctivitis -- CanadaA few cases of conjunctivitis, also known as the bacteria that causes pink eye, has been found in Saskatoon birds.The infection is fairly common among birds but doesn't tend to spread quickly until the winter months. "What happens is in the winter time, birds have the tendency to come to feeders more often for the easy pickings of food, so the spread of the disease is more common," said Jan Shadick, executive director of Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation."It takes one bird Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – China: (Inner Mongolia) 2019
Plague -- ChinaPatient A. The index case (Patient A) was a 43-year-old male herdsman. On 25 Oct 2019, the day after working the soil on his farm, he had sudden onset of fever (40 C [104 F]), with chills, vomiting, chest pain, breathlessness, and cough with blood-tinged sputum. He reported no swollen lymph nodes. He sought treatment in a local county hospital, where he was admitted and stayed for 2 days. On 27 Oct 2019, his condition deteriorated, and he was transferred to League Central Hospital Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed pneumonia – China (HU) (07): official confirmation of novel coronavirus
Coronavirus -- ChinaA few days ago, on the issue of the pathogenic identification of unexplained viral pneumonia epidemic in Wuhan, the reporter interviewed Xu Jianguo, the leader of the preliminary assessment of pathogenic test results and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He said that the expert group believed that the pathogen of this unexplained case of viral pneumonia was initially determined to be a new coronavirus.Question 1: At present, what progress has been made in the pathogenic Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (01): CDC
Hepatitis A -- United StatesState / Case total / Hospitalizations n (%) / Deaths / Outbreak start date / Current through date / Av. weekly cases since last postTotal / 29 804 / 18 143 (61%) / 302 / -- / 6 Jan 2020 / 202 States with an ongoing outbreak -------------------------------------------Alabama / 203 / 116 (57%) / NR / 1 Sep 2018 / 10 Dec 2019 / 8Arizona / 599 / 479 (80%) / 8 / 1 Nov 2018 / 2 Jan 2020 / 0 Arkansas / 447 / 234 (52%) / 3 / 7 Feb 2018 / 3 Jan 2020 / 1Colorado / 322 / 232 (72%) Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (03): India (CT) poultry, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- IndiaInformation received on [and dated] 8 Jan 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: 7 Dec 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 23 Dec 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 2 Sep 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Sudan: (SF)
Diphtheria -- SudanIn a follow-up on the diphtheria outbreak in Alsunta locality in South Darfur State, Sudan, the Ministry of Health in South Darfur State is now reporting 80 cases of confirmed diphtheria, including 10 deaths in Alsunta locality, according to [a] 3 Ayin report (computer translated).Health authorities [attribute] this recent resurgence of diphtheria cases in this locality to the prolonged absence of primary healthcare services, which manifested in the closure of some health facilities Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (03): United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) poultry, suspected, RFI
Avian Influenza -- United KingdomThe authorities are investigating a suspected case of a notifiable bird disease on a poultry farm in County Fermanagh. It was discovered 4 days ago [4 Jan 2020] when a vet became concerned about increased mortality among the broiler birds.Tests are being run to see if it is bird flu or another disease called Newcastle disease. It will be several days before final results are back. Restrictions have been put in place on the farm as a precautionary measure.The Department Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed pneumonia – China (06): (HU) Hong Kong surveillance, USA CDC alert
Pneumonia -- ChinaSince [31 Dec 2019], the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health has received reports of a total of 30 cases under the enhanced surveillance system with recent travel history to Wuhan, Hubei (as of [7 Jan 2020], 12:00 noon).[The first 21 cases were reported in Undiagnosed pneumonia - China (04): (HU) Hong Kong surveillance http://promedmail.org/post/20200106.6874277]Case no.: Date of report / Gender / Age / Source of reporting / Name of hospital / Positive laboratory Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (01): Asia, Americas, Europe, research
Influenza -- Bangladesh- If you get very sick, are pregnant, or are 65 years or older, or are otherwise at high risk of flu-related complications, call your doctor. You might need antiviral drugs to treat flu.- Stay at home and rest.- Avoid close contact with well people in your house so you won't make them sick.- Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to prevent fluid loss (dehydration).When caring for people who have the flu---------------------------------------- Avoid being face to face Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed pneumonia – China (HU) (05): novel coronavirus identified
Coronavirus -- ChinaChinese scientists investigating a mystery illness that has sickened dozens in central China have discovered a new strain of coronavirus, a development that will test the country's upgraded capabilities for dealing with unfamiliar infectious diseases.The novel coronavirus was genetically sequenced from a sample from 1 patient and subsequently found in some of the others affected in the city of Wuhan, according to people familiar with the findings. Chinese authorities haven't concluded Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (02): Nigeria
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaFigure 1 [map]. Randomised distribution of confirmed Lassa fever cases in Nigeria as [of] 15 Dec 2019.Figure 2 [map]. LGAs with confirmed Lassa fever cases in Nigeria as [of] 15 Dec 2019.Figure 3 [graph]. Epicurve of Lassa fever Confirmed Cases (810) in Nigeria - week 01-50 2019Figure 4 [graph]. Weekly trends of Lassa fever confirmed cases in Nigeria, week 1 2016-week 50 2019.Figure 5 [graph]. Confirmed Lassa fever cases in Nigeria with state-specific case fatality rates (CFR) Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe (02): (MI) cattle, human cases
Anthrax -- ZimbabweA deadly anthrax outbreak has hit Gokwe North district in the Midlands province, with farmers losing large herds of cattle while several people were reportedly hospitalised after eating infected meat.Midlands veterinary officer Munyaradzi Chigiji confirmed the development and said his department had since moved in to put the outbreak under control. "We have had great losses of livestock to date, and our tests confirmed that it was anthrax. Farmers have lost huge numbers of cattle Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (01): Latvia, wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- LatviaInformation received on [and dated] 7 Jan 2020 from Dr. Maris Balodis, Chief Veterinary Officer & Director General, Food and Veterinary Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Riga, LatviaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 2 Jan 2020Date of confirmation of the event: 2 Jan 2020Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 30 Dec 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed pneumonia – China (HU) (04): Hong Kong surveillance
Pneumonia -- ChinaHealth experts warned the public on Monday [6 Jan 2020] not to drop their guard over the unidentified outbreak of viral pneumonia in central China, even though the health authorities have ruled out highly contagious viruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or bird flu. On Monday [6 Jan 2020] the local health authorities in Wuhan said that work to identify the virus, which has so far infected 59 people in the city, was continuing, but that SARS, Middle East Respiratory Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – USA (02): (AK) home canned salmon
Botulism -- United StatesA jar of home-canned salmon sent an Anchorage man to the hospital with a life-threatening illness for a week this summer [2019], according to state epidemiologists.The man ate the salmon on 19 Aug 2019 and the next day reported feeling lightheaded. His vision and speech began to blur as his face weakened, according to an epidemiology bulletin. He went to the hospital and was immediately treated for botulism.The illness is rare but occurs with higher per-capita frequency in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (02): Poland (LU, WP) poultry, HPAI H5N8, spread
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- PolandSummary of the epizootic situation associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry during the period 31 Dec 2019-3 Jan 2020.Based on the results of tests received from the national reference laboratory for avian influenza, i.e. the National Veterinary Institute - National Research Institute in Pulawy, a total of 7 new outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 have been confirmed in poultry during the said period, of which 3 were in 2019 and 4 in 2020.Outbreak No. 2019/1 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel Orbivirus – USA: (FL) farmed deer
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesAbstract--------We report the detection and gene coding sequences of 3 novel _Orbivirus_ species found in 6 dead farmed white-tailed deer in the United States. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new orbiviruses are genetically closely related to the Guangxi, Mobuck, Peruvian horse sickness, and Yunnan orbiviruses, which are thought to be solely borne by mosquitos. However, 4 of the 6 viruses analyzed in this work were found as co-infecting agents along with Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (01): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, WHO, summary, anthropology
Ebola -- DR Congo- 4551 people were vaccinated, until 2 Dec 2019, 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, 261 027 people have been vaccinated;- Approved on 22 Oct 2019 by the Ethics Committee of the School of Public Health at the University of Kinshasa and on 23 Oct 2019 by the National Ethics Committee, the 2nd vaccine, called Ad26.ZEBOV/MVA-BN-Filo, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (02): Pakistan (KP, BA, SD)
Polio -- PakistanAs many as 5 more cases of polio have been reported from Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the tally for the year 2019 to 128.Sharing details of the new cases, an official of the National Institute of Health (NIH) said that 2 cases each were reported from Sindh and Balochistan and one from KP."Cases of Sindh have been reported from districts of Qambar and Mirpurkhas. They are: a 24-month-old female, who is a resident of Qambar, and a 48-month-old female from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed pneumonia – China (HU) (03): updates, SARS, MERS ruled out, WHO, RFI
Undiagnosed -- ChinaOn [31 Dec 2019], the WHO China Country Office was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology (unknown cause) detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. As of [3 Jan 2020], a total of 44 patients with pneumonia of unknown etiology have been reported to WHO by the national authorities in China. Of the 44 cases reported, 11 are severely ill, while the remaining 33 patients are in stable condition. According to media reports, the concerned market in Wuhan was closed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Typhimurium, monophasic – Denmark: sausage, 2018
Salmonella -- DenmarkSeveral people part of a _Salmonella_ outbreak in Denmark tasted or ate raw or undercooked sausage, according to a recently published study. In November 2018, an outbreak of monophasic _Salmonella_ Typhimurium was detected. It sickened at least 49 people across the country.A traditional form of raw Danish pork sausage called medister sausage was believed to be the source of illnesses. Product samples were negative for _Salmonella_, and investigations at the production site did Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Javiana – USA: cut fruit
Salmonella -- United StatesCalifornia / 1Colorado / 1Connecticut / 1Delaware / 39Illinois / 1Minnesota / 1New Jersey / 12New York / 4 Pennsylvania / 34Virginia / 1Washington / 1-----------Total / 96Illnesses started on dates ranging from 15 Nov 2019, to 10 Dec 2019. Ill people range in age from less than 1 to 92 years, with a median age of 27 years. 51 percent of ill people are male. Of 41 ill people with information available, 27 were hospitalized for their _Salmonella_ infection. No deaths Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – USA: (TX) improperly stored cooked potatoes, fatal
Botulism -- United States1. Lee K, Gu S, Jin L, et al: Structure of a bimodular botulinum neurotoxin complex provides insights into its oral toxicity. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9 (10):e1003690. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003690; available at 2. Lee K, Gu S, Zhong X, Gu S, et al: Molecular basis for disruption of E-cadherin adhesion by botulinum neurotoxin A complex. Science 2014;344:1405-1410; abstract available at . - Mod.LLHealthMap/ProMED map available at:Texas, United States: ][See Also:2019----Botulism Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis E – Pakistan: (KP)
Hepatitis E -- PakistanHepatitis E is spreading rapidly in the Almas area of Ashiri Darra in Upper Dir, and over 60 patients have been diagnosed with the disease during the last one month. Those diagnosed with hepatitis E also include women and children. The local people have expressed grave concern over the outbreak of the epidemic and called upon the government to send health teams to the area to stop the disease from further spreading.The area people said hepatitis E has affected almost every Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (01): (IA) sprouts, alert, recall
E. coli -- United StatesSprouts Unlimited has initiated a recall of clover sprouts because of possible _E. coli_ O103 contamination. The clover sprouts were distributed to Hy Vee Food stores and Fareway Food Stores and used by Jimmy John's restaurants in Iowa."Sprouts Unlimited Inc. became aware of the potential contamination after receiving information from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Des Moines, IA, that a cluster of _E. coli_ O103 illnesses [had been] epidemiologically linked Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine distemper, wildlife – Estonia: fox
Canine distemper -- EstoniaCases of canine plague [from the translation of "koertekatku", Estonian for canine distemper] have been recently diagnosed in the Tallinn area, according to a report on ETV current affairs show Aktuaalne kaamera.According to the Estonian Wildlife Center (Eesti metsloomauhing), foxes are also carrying the disease. An infected [red] fox was spotted by a member of the public at Lake Harku, in the west of the city, and reported to the wildlife center, which captured the fox Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (01): global (WPV1, cVDPV2), Pakistan (KP, SD)
Polio -- PakistanNew wild poliovirus isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 6Environment: 11Others: 0New cVDPV isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 2Environment: 5Others: 0The Notes and highlights section has not been provided this week.[While the official report for this week doesn't highlight where virus isolations came from, the information is available on the WHO and GPEI websites, and in an attachment that accompanied this week's update]:Pakistan:- 6 AFP-associated WPV1 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (01): Saudi Arabia (SH)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaOn 26 Dec 2019, our last post of 2019 on MERS-CoV, we announced that "During the period 15-26 Dec 2019, there have been no newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection reported by Saudi Arabia." Subsequent to that, there was a case with date of onset 20 Dec 2019 that was reported, as well as outcomes including 2 fatalities.There have been no newly confirmed cases reported since the below case, including through today, Fri 3 Jan 2020.Information on newly confirmed case:Date of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed pneumonia – China (02): (HU) updates, other country responses, RFI
Pneumonia -- ChinaThe Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health writes to update you on the latest situation of the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan of Hubei Province.According to the latest information available from the National Health Commission (NHC) on [3 Jan 2020], there were a total of 44 pneumonia cases with unknown cause detected in Wuhan since December 2019 (as of 8 am, [3 Jan 2020]). Among them, 11 cases (25%) were in serious condition and the remaining cases were Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Kyasanur Forest disease – India: (KA) human, monkey, effective control
Hemorrhagic Fever -- IndiaA slew of preventive measures taken by the Department of Health and Family Welfare against Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, has paid off as no positive cases have been reported in the State since July this year [2019].In the KFD season of 2018-19 (from September 2018 to June 2019), 14 people died in Karnataka because of this viral infection. Of them, 12 were from Shivamogga district. Of the 440 positive cases reported during this period, 341 were Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Late blight, potato – Africa: strain 33_A2, 1st rep (Nigeria)
Other Plant Disease -- NigeriaPotato (_Solanum tuberosum_) cultivation was introduced into Nigeria in the Jos Plateau [Plateau state] in the early 20th century. Nigeria is the 4th biggest producer of potato in sub-Saharan Africa.The late blight pathogen, _Phytophthora infestans_, has been present in Nigeria since at least 1978, but its severity in the Jos Plateau was reported to have increased dramatically in the 2012, 2013, and 2014 seasons. Favourable conditions for late blight and the importation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (01): Uganda (NO) human
Rift Valley Fever -- UgandaA 2nd fatal human Rift Valley fever (RVF) case in recent weeks was reported in Uganda. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the 2nd confirmed case of RVF was reported from Ntoroko district, Uganda.The individual was a 25-year-old male from the Democratic Republic of Congo who was living and working in Kimara Village, Butungama sub-county, in Ntoroko district, Uganda. The patient developed hemorrhagic symptoms on 5 Dec [2019] and despite treatment, the patient Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis update (01): USA, Canada
Whooping Cough -- United StatesSeveral confirmed cases of whooping cough have been reported in Harnett County. Rebecca Campbell, the school nurse at Western Harnett High School, alerted parents to the outbreak. According to an announcement sent out Monday [9 Dec 2019] night, there are several confirmed cases of the highly contagious infection.Students who have been directly exposed in class or on the school bus were sent home with a letter explaining what steps to take if they develop symptoms, which Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (01): Congo DR 2019, WHO
Monkeypox -- DR CongoSince the beginning of 2019, a cumulative total of 5060 monkeypox cases, including 103 deaths (CFR [case-fatality rate] 2%), were reported from 18 provinces. In week 49 (week ending 8 Dec 2019), 56 cases and one death were reported nationally.--Communicated by:Mary Marshall[It is curious that this many monkeypox (MPX) cases (5060) during 2019 did not come to our attention until now. MPX virus is endemic and widespread geographically in the DR Congo, with cases in 18 provinces; Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe: (ME) cattle, human cases
Anthrax -- ZimbabweThree people were diagnosed and treated for Anthrax in Mashonaland East's Bosha Clinic in Chikwaka after they had consumed the meat of a dead cattle the Herald reports. DVS chief director, Dr. Josphat Nyika revealed the incident and said they couldn't find a carcass for sample collection because people consumed all the meat.Suspicion of anthrax was consolidated by human contacts. There were 3 patients who were diagnosed of anthrax after they had consumed the meat of dead cattle. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (01): Poland (LU) poultry, H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- Worldwide/UnknownInformation received on [and dated] 2 Jan 2020 from Dr Bogdan Konopka, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, General Veterinary Inspectorate, Warszaw, PolandSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 30 Dec 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 31 Dec 2019Report date: 2 Jan 2020Date submitted to OIE: 2 Jan 2020Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 20 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA: (IL) vet home, updated water treatment, new case, RFI
Legionnaires' -- United StatesThe Illinois Department of Public Health is investigating a single new case of legionnaires' disease. Tuesday [31 Dec 2019], staff is revealing how policies helped them respond to this case they say: quickly and efficiently. They said for now, no other resident has been infected at the vets home, but they say they will continue to monitor for legionnaire's disease.Staff at the Illinois Veterans' Home in Quincy is on edge after a new confirmed case of legionnaires' disease. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed pneumonia – China (02): (HU) wildlife sales, market closed, RFI
Pneumonia -- ChinaThe World Health Organisation said it is in ongoing contact with authorities in China over an unidentified outbreak of viral pneumonia in the central city of Wuhan, amid concern it may have been transmitted from animals.Wuhan health authorities on Tuesday [31 Dec 2019] said 27 people - most of them stallholders at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market - had been treated in hospital, with 7 said to be in serious condition. Pathology tests were under way to try and identify the virus, Read more [...]
