Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Infant botulism – USA (04): (TX)
Botulism -- United StatesA 5th case of infant botulism has been confirmed in East Texas. According to NET Health public information officer Terrence Ates, the case occurred in the Lindale area. Ates reported they were investigating the case in August [2019], but at the time they were awaiting confirmation. The case was confirmed in September [2019].Four cases were confirmed across East Texas in June [2019]: 2 in Troup, one in Mineola, and one in Tyler. In a follow-up investigation conducted by the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – USA (06): (MD) restaurant, hummus
Salmonella -- United StatesThe Maryland Department of Health is investigating a cluster of _Salmonella_ infections that have been linked to a local kabob chain restaurant. Since 10 Sep [2019], 8 of the 9 confirmed cases of salmonellosis reported eating hummus from Moby Dick House of Kabob, which has several locations in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. The exact cause of the infection has not yet been determined, and the investigation is ongoing.The chain has voluntarily stopped the sale of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (74): South Korea, domestic, spread, control, FAO
African Swine Fever -- South KoreaSouth Korea has ordered hundreds of soldiers manning the demilitarised zone (DMZ) on its border with North Korea to track and capture wild boars in a bid to prevent the spread of African swine fever [ASF], military officials said.South Korea confirmed its 7th case on Thursday [26 Sep 2019], just over a week after the virus was 1st detected, and prompted authorities to step up disinfection measures.The source of the outbreak has not been confirmed, but the virus has Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Paratyphoid fever – North Korea: (HN, PM) post typhoon
Fever, Salmonella -- North Korea1. Sood S, Kapil A, Dash N, et al.: Paratyphoid fever in India: an emerging problem. Emerg Infect Dis. 1999; 5: 483-4.2. Vollaard AM, Ali S, van Asten Hagh, et al.: Risk factors for typhoid and paratyphoid fever in Jakarta, Indonesia. JAMA. 2004; 291: 2607-15.A map of North Korea showing the location of these 2 adjacent provinces in the central part of the country can be seen at . - Mod.LLHealthMap/ProMED-mail maps:South Hamgyeong Province, North Korea: South Pyongan Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – Taiwan: ex Pakistan, multidrug resistance
Fever -- ChinaThe Taiwan Department of Disease Control (CDC) reported today (24 Sep 2019) the 1st imported case of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever in the country. The patient, a 30-year-old male, traveled to a number of countries during the incubation time including Pakistan, which has been battling an outbreak of XDR typhoid for several years. According to the results of genetic sequencing and drug-resistance gene comparison, the place where [the disease] was contracted was in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – UAI: (DU) restaurant, egg sauce
Salmonella -- United Arab EmiratesDubai Municipality has shut down a restaurant in Jumeirah after 15 people fell ill following an outbreak of _Salmonella_ infection, local media reported. An initial investigation revealed that the outbreak was likely caused by raw eggs served in a hollandaise sauce.Officials received a report that several people, including a child, fell sick with symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and vomiting after eating at the restaurant. They collected samples and conducted tests, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis E – Namibia (04)
Hepatitis E -- NamibiaHepatitis E cases in Namibia have risen to over 6305 cases in the entire country, health officials said Monday [23 Sep 2019]. Health Ministry director of research Phelomena Ochurus said there is a need for the country to be concerned, as cases are being reported on a weekly basis.According to statistics Ochurus provided, there have so far been 52 fatal cases since 2017, with pregnant women topping the list of deaths."Pregnant women are more susceptible, because when they are Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (76): global (Pakistan, Angola, Myanmar), ARCC certif.
Polio -- PakistanNew wild poliovirus cases isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 4Environment: 8Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2019: 82Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 33New cVDPV isolates reported this week:AFP cases: 6Environment: 2Others: 9Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2019: 86Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 104Headlines- The Global Polio Eradication Initiative and the Pakistan Polio Programme are looking for innovative Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – Canada (03): (BC)
Other Animal Disease -- CanadaRabbit owners are being warned to keep a close eye on their pets after haemorrhagic disease was confirmed once again on Vancouver Island [British Columbia, BC].Rabbit owners on southern Vancouver Island are being warned to take extra precautions with their pets after the reemergence of a deadly virus in the Capital Regional District.The Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations says rabbit hemorrhagic disease was recently detected in 2 dead feral rabbits.It Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Marek's disease, poultry: research
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesMarek's disease virus is ubiquitous in poultry, and recent research indicates highly virulent strains can persist for years on farms.On one Iowa farm, for example, strains collected in 2011 and 2013 were closely related to an isolate that caused disease in 1999, according to a scientific article. That article, "Identification of Marek's disease virus genes associated with virulence of US strains," was published [11 Jun 2019] in the Journal of General Virology Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (75): Philippines, WHO, no new confirmed cases
Polio -- PhilippinesOn [19 Sep 2019], the Philippines declared an outbreak of polio. Two cases have been reported to date, both caused by vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2). Environmental samples taken from sewage in Manila on [13 Aug 2019] and a waterway in Davao on [22 Aug 2019] have also tested positive for VDPV2.The 1st case was confirmed on [14 Sep 2019] following testing by the National Polio Laboratory at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, the Japan National Institute of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Typhimurium, monophasic – Sweden
Salmonella -- SwedenAuthorities in Sweden are investigating a national outbreak of monophasic _Salmonella_ Typhimurium, which has affected almost 40 people.Folkhalsomyndigheten (Public Health Agency of Sweden) reported that the source of the infections is still unknown. During September [2019], there was an increase in the number of cases of salmonellosis. The outbreak was identified, thanks to Folkhalsomyndigheten's microbial surveillance program. The latest date of illness onset is 6 Sep [2019].To Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (27): USA (MI) wolf
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesA Mexican gray wolf pup at Binder Park Zoo has died from eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV or EEE). The pup died the 1st weekend in September [2019]. The zoo announced Tuesday [2 Sep 2019] it had received test results confirming the disease as the cause of death.Test results are pending on a 2nd wolf pup that died the following day, but that pup had been previously diagnosed with a congenital liver abnormality, which may have played a role in its Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (73): South Korea, domestic, spread
African Swine Fever -- South KoreaSouth Korea reported 3 new suspected [outbreaks] of African swine fever (ASF) on [Wed 25 Sep 2019], adding to concerns over the potential spread of the deadly animal disease despite massive disinfection efforts, Yonhap news agency reported.According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 2 suspected cases were reported at farms on Ganghwa Island in Incheon, around 60 km [about 37 mi] west of Seoul,The ministry confirmed the 5th ASF [outbreak] in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (92): Congo DR (NK,IT,SK) cases, summaries, response
Ebola -- DR CongoOpening of an enlarged ring of vaccination around 2 confirmed cases on 19 and 21 Sep 2019 in the health area of Madidi in Mambasa in Ituri.Another satellite ring was opened at the Kitatumba General Referral Hospital in Butembo health zone in North Kivu around the case notified on 22 Sep 2019. This case started the illness in the Kasindi health area in Mutwanga, North Kivu.- The Expanded Program of Vaccines has received 4320 doses of vaccine at the national level;- Since vaccination Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Epizootic hemorrhagic disease – USA (03): (TN) deer
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease -- United StatesState wildlife officials are alerting the public to a disease outbreak among the Middle Tennessee deer population after receiving reports of diseased carcasses in scattered areas.The timing and details of many of the reports have led Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency [TWRA] personnel to believe that deaths are being caused by hemorrhagic disease -- a fairly common blood-borne illness caused by a sector of flies known broadly as biting midges, sand gnats, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Belgium: (WV) school, egg-based sauce
Salmonella -- BelgiumA _Salmonella_ outbreak that sickened almost 200 people at a Belgian school was likely caused by eggs used to make a tartar sauce, according to authorities. The Agency for Care and Health (Zorg en Gezondheid) and Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) investigation detected _Salmonella_ in the freshly prepared tartar sauce. Findings from an online survey of students and teachers also reached the same conclusion on the source.The Agency for Care and Health had Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Foodborne illness – China: (GD) school, RFI
Foodborne Illness -- China99 students from a kindergarten in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong remain hospitalized with suspected foodborne illness, local authorities said Mon 23 Sep 2019.The municipal health bureau in the city of Dongguan said that 103 people, including the 99 children, are still being treated following a "possible foodborne disease outbreak." An earlier statement from the city's market supervision bureau said that 242 children and 12 adults from Montai International Kindergarten Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Madariaga virus – Argentina: (CC)
Other Human Disease -- ArgentinaViruses transmitted by mosquitoes are emerging in the Americas. To historic dengue in recent years have been added Zika and chikungunya [viruses], 2 pathogens that before were restricted only to Africa. Madariaga has now been added to that list [of viruses new in the Americas].Researchers from the Instituto de Medicina Regional of the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (IMR-Unne) and from the Instituto de Virologia, and J. M. Vanella of the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (74): Pakistan (KP) Philippines (Zambagoan Peninsula) susp.
Polio -- PakistanPunjab: Lahore / 4 Jhelum / 1Sindh: Karachi / 3 Larkana / 1 Hyderabad / 2Khyber Pakthunkhwa: Bannu / 22 Hangu / 2 DI Khan / 1 Shangla / 1 Torghar / 6 Lakki Marwat / 4 Charsadda / 1 Bajour / 1 Khyber / 1 North Waziristan / 8 South Waziristan / 1Balochistan: Jaffarabad / 1 Killa Abdullah / 3 Quetta / 1Gilgit Baltistan: - / -AJK: - / -Pakistan Polio Cases: 64The HealthMap/ProMED map of Pakistan can be found at .A good map Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Aujeszky's disease – Finland: (NK) wild boar, 1st report, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- FinlandInformation received on 24 Sep 2019 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 notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 6 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 23 Sep 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Aujeszky's disease virusNature of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (63)
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownEpidemic Intelligence Center Deputy Director Guo Hung-wei yesterday [17 Sep 2019] gave an update on the 1st case of measles imported from New Zealand at a news conference at the Centers for Disease Control in Taipei.A man in his 20s living in southern Taiwan who visited New Zealand with his family from 14-24 Aug 2019 developed a fever on 1 Sep 2019 and sought medical attention at clinics 3 times before he developed a rash and sought treatment at a hospital on 5 Sep 2019 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – Netherlands (02): (GE)
Pests -- NetherlandsA Hyalomma tick, commonly referred to as a giant tick, was found in Wageningen. This is the 3rd specimen of this type of tick, which can carry dangerous diseases like Crimean Congo virus and spotted fever, to be found in the Netherlands this year [2019]. The other sightings were in Drenthe and in the Achterhoek in July 2019.This latest giant tick was found on a pony in Wageningen, according to Omroep Gelderland. It was previously thought that the Netherlands is too cold for the Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Undiagnosed lethal disease – Norway (04): dog, spread
Undiagnosed -- Norway1. Latest news: Since [Mon 23 Sep 2019], the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has received 2 new reports on dogs with similar symptoms of disease. The cases are from Akershus and Hordaland.These are cases that have been reported directly to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and not as feedback via the survey sent to veterinarians. So far, an estimated 43 dogs with similar symptoms of disease have died.The Norwegian Food Safety Authority's survey shows that almost 90 different Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – USA (06): caviar, risk, recall
Botulism -- United StatesRoland Foods has recalled 6 batches each of its red lumpfish caviar and black lumpfish caviar because they might be contaminated with botulism. "Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled," Roland Foods' website recall notice says. "The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing found that the product experienced a processing issue."Botulism can kill. As Roland Foods warns, it can also cause weakness, dizziness, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (26): USA (OH, MI) horses, humans
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesA potentially deadly virus being spread by mosquitoes has made its way to Ohio. Eastern equine encephalitis, or "Triple-E", has killed 3 people in Michigan. Health officials in Ohio are closely monitoring the spread of the virus.Stephanie Green boards 36 horses at her Shoo Fly Stables in Fairfield County. She says her horses are like her children, which is why she takes no chances with their health. "Horses are very susceptible to a lot of different diseases, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel porcupine fungal disease – USA: (ME, MA, NH)
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesA debilitating, often fatal fungal disease has been discovered in wild North American porcupines in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, according to the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire (UNH).UNH pathologists found that 12 wild porcupines taken to wildlife rehabilitators in Maine and Massachusetts with what appeared to be mange were actually infected with a disease caused by a common fungal organism found in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Antibiotic resistance (07): incr., food animals in emerging economies, 2000-2018
Antimicrobial resistance -- Worldwide/UnknownA landmark international study, just published in Science [1], charts an alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food animals in emerging economies around the world. Food animals' resistance rates to antibiotics commonly used in raising them -- and in treating diseases in humans -- are as high as 60% in some cases, according to the report. Left unchecked, it could mean the potential loss of animal proteins and farmer incomes. It could also negatively Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – North America (25): USA (CT, MA, MI) human
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesA person diagnosed with eastern equine encephalitis [EEE] earlier this season has died, and a 2nd case of the disease has been confirmed in Connecticut this season.The Department of Public Health confirmed an adult from East Lyme who was hospitalized with eastern equine encephalitis in late August [2019] has died.DPH also confirmed a 2nd human case has been confirmed in an adult resident of Old Lyme.EEE is a rare disease, but 30 percent of people who catch Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (34): CDC
Hepatitis A -- United StatesState / Case total / Hospitalizations n (%) / Deaths / Outbreak start / Current through / Av. weekly cases since last post--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total / 26 013 / 15 643 (60%) / 262 / --- / --- / 265States with an ongoing outbreak --------------------------------Alabama / 142 78 (55%) / NR / 1 Sep 2018 / 4 Sep 2019 / -- Arizona / 575 / 454 (79%) / 8 / 1 Nov 2018 / 19 Sep 2019 / 8 Arkansas / 412 / 209 (51%) / 3 / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (46): Taiwan (KH) duck, HPAI H5N5, new strain, OIE
Avian Influenza -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 23 Sep 2019 from from Dr. Wen-Jane Tu, Chief Veterinary Officer, Deputy Director General, Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Taipei, Chinese TaipeiSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 9 Sep 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 13 Sep 2019Reason for notification: New strain of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Highly pathogenic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC, Salmonellosis – Latvia: schools
Salmonella -- LatviaOfficials in Latvia are investigating 40 _Salmonella_ and Shiga toxin-producing _E. coli_ illnesses with mostly children affected. A total of 36 children and 4 employees of educational institutions are ill, according to the Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC).Salmonellosis has been laboratory confirmed in 9 children with symptoms of acute intestinal infection thought to have occurred from [9 to 11 Sep 2019]. Patients have been recorded at Levina and Tornisi Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Herpesvirus, zoo elephant – INDIA: (OR)
Herpes -- IndiaThe death of 4 elephants within a month inside Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar has now emerged as a major concern for animal lovers as well as the State government. As there is no proven method of treating Elephant endotheliotrophic herpes virus, assistance from experts from Assam and Kerala is being sought to contain further outbreak, informed Forests and Environment Minister Bikram Arukh on [Sat 21 Sep 2019].Arukh further informed that out of the total 8 elephants at Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Brown rot, orange – India: (MH)
Other Plant Disease -- IndiaNagpur [district] oranges are succumbing to a fungal infection brought on by excess rain. Some farmers are quoting an 80% loss of the produce already being harvested. ICAR [Indian Council of Agricultural Research] said that there has been a 40-50% dip in production due to a fungal infection called `phytophthora palmvora.' "The atmospheric humidity is around 90-95%. Such conditions favour the growth of this fungus."[ICAR] said the fungus is invading developing fruits and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Burkholderia cepacia – China: (Hong Kong) chlorhexidine product, renal patients
Burkholderia cepacia -- ChinaHong Kong health officials continue their investigation into a cluster of _Burkholderia cepacia_ complex infection linked to Kam's KS-MED solution for wound care.To date, a total of 181 patients were known to be affected; many are renal patients. Officials report prepacked aqueous chlorhexidine product tested positive for _Burkholderia cepacia_ complex by the Hospital Authority.Based on the findings, health officials urge members of the public not to use the product, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st. Enteriditis – UK: eggs
Salmonella -- United KingdomDozens of people have been made ill after eating British eggs contaminated with one of the most dangerous forms of _Salmonella_, the Bureau can reveal, despite government assurances that the risk had been virtually eliminated. There have been at least 100 cases recorded in the past 3 years, and 45 since January [2019], in a major outbreak that health officials have traced back to contaminated eggs and poultry farms.Despite outbreaks of this strain occurring for more than Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A and E – India: (PB) waterborne
Hepatitis -- IndiaA 2-member team from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has arrived in Bathinda to take stock of the outbreak of jaundice cases in 2 villages that have till now reported 165 patients and one death. The team comprising Dr Hemlata and Dr Hema Gogia will visit Harraipur village, where hepatitis A has been reported, and Rama Mandi, where hepatitis E infection has been reported.Harraipur started reporting the cases from 5 Sep 2019, while in Rama Mandi, [illness] started from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (61): Saudi Arabia (RI)
MERS -- Saudi Arabia[This update covers the period from 10 Aug 2019 to today (22 Sep 2019), for which I apologize for the delay in posting events of August 2019. - Mod.MPP]During the period 10 Aug 2019 through today, 22 Sep 2019, there have been a total of 6 newly confirmed cases. Outcome reports on 4 of these 6 cases are available as well as an additional 3 outcomes reported during this period. Reported outcomes included 6 recoveries and 2 deaths. Details are provided below:[1]Date of confirmation Read more [...]
