Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Mercury poisoning – Uganda: (BU) gold miners, alert
Poisoning -- UgandaThere are 3 forms of mercury: elemental mercury, inorganic mercury, and organic mercury.Elemental mercury is also known as metallic mercury, liquid mercury, liquid silver, and quicksilver, and is an extremely heavy, odorless, silver-colored liquid. Mercury exists as a natural element in the earth's crust. Since this is the most likely form of mercury to which these children were exposed, this comment is confined to the toxicity of elemental mercury. There are several sources of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (15): Nigeria (ON)
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaBetween January and February [2019], 15 people died of Lassa fever in Ondo state, south west Nigeria, while 102 persons are infected, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said. "As at Thursday [21 Feb 2019], 102 people have tested positive for Lassa fever this year [2019]," chairman of the medical association in Ondo, Dr Wale Oke, told NAN in Akure."82 people in January [2019], and 20 people so far in February [2019] [have tested positive], apart from 15 deaths recorded in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (02): Kenya (MU,NN) cattle, sheep, OIE
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaInformation received on [and dated] 28 Feb 2019 from Dr Obadiah Nyaga Njagi, director of veterinary services, directorate of veterinary services, State Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nairobi, KenyaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 25 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 27 Feb 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 30 Jul 2018Manifestation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Antibiotic Resistance – Europe: (salm, campyl, E. coli, MRSA) ECDC, EFSA, 2017
MRSA, Antimicrobial resistance -- Worldwide/UnknownAn analysis of human isolates from 19 EU nations, plus Iceland and Norway, found that 57.7% of _Campylobacter jejuni_ -- the commonest _Campylobacter_ species identified -- were resistant to ciprofloxacin, and 45.4% were resistant to tetracyclines. Resistance to erythromycin was low (2%).In Cyprus, Portugal, Spain, Lithuania, and Estonia, resistance to ciprofloxacin was from 80% to 96.5%. In addition, 8 of 17 countries saw a statistically significant Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Tanzania (04): (KL) cattle, human
Anthrax -- TanzaniaKilimanjaro regional commissioner, Anna Mghwira, yesterday [27 Feb 2019] confirmed that 2 people died and 8 others had been hospitalised following an anthrax outbreak in Moshi district. Addressing reporters [in Moshi] RC Mghwira said 8 people are receiving treatment in 2 different hospitals, whereby 5 were admitted at Kilema Mission Hospital in the district and 3 others were referred to the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi municipality. She said that the victims are Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe (03): (MA) pig, prison farm
Anthrax -- ZimbabweThe Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has recorded an anthrax outbreak at its Mutare Farm Prison which officials said can manage to contain [sic]. The disease is said to have killed pigs at the farm prison.ZPCS Manicaland spokesperson Mr Liberty Mhlanga said they discovered the outbreak at their farm some time 2 weeks ago. He said they took the affected pigs into quarantine in a bid to contain the outbreak. "We have recorded an anthrax case on [6 Feb 2019]," said Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (14): Pacific, Europe, North America
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownGovernor Jesus Crispin C Remulla declared a state of calamity due to the measles outbreak that caused a number of deaths and cases in Cavite. Cavite, with 8 districts comprising 7 cities and 16 municipalities, is the country's most populous province. Afflicted by the measles virus are babies and children. Dr Nelson Soriano, Cavite's provincial epidemiologist, citing the update report, confirmed that at least 9 measles deaths and 424 cases have been recorded in the province's Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – Fiji: cattle
Bovine TB -- FijiAround 250 cattle have been slaughtered so far this year [2019] due to tuberculosis [TB]. Director of animal health and production Avinesh Dayal has confirmed that the majority of the infected animals were from farms in the Central Division.Dayal says that in the past, the ministry concentrated mostly on dairy farms, but this year [2019] is a bit different. "Basically, we are going Fiji-wide now, and we are testing both the large and small farms. This is just to see the spread and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (17): Indonesia, WHO
Polio -- IndonesiaOn [12 Feb 2019], a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) has been confirmed in Papua province, Indonesia. Two genetically-linked VDPV1 viruses were isolated from a child with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) with onset of paralysis on [27 Nov 2018] and in a healthy community contact, a child whose stool sample was collected on [24 Jan 2019]. The location of this healthy child, with the VDPV isolation, is in a remote village, approximately 3-4 km [1.8-2.5 mi] away Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (13): Russia (LN,KN) wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 25 Feb 2019 from Dr Nikolay Vlasov, deputy head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture, Moscow, RussiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 22 Feb 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 24 Feb 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 24 Dec 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (10): Pakistan (Islamabad) wild bird, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- PakistanInformation received on [and dated] 26 Feb 2019 from Dr Khurshid Ahmad, animal husbandry commissioner, Government of Pakistan, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Islamabad, PakistanReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 2 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 15 Feb 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 2 Feb 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: highly Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Chikungunya (02): Americas, Africa, Asia
Chikungunya — Mexico
PRO/AH> Equine influenza – France: (NC) horse, EIV H3N8 Florida clade 1 susp
Equine Influenza -- FranceFrance Galop released a statement on [Mon 25 Feb 2019] revealing an outbreak of equine flu at a yard in Lamorlaye, which forms part of the wider Chantilly training center. No details have been given as to the identity of the trainer, nor as to the number of cases or whether any infected horse had raced in recent days [for additional missing information, see comment].France's Réseau d'Epidémio-Surveillance en Pathologie Equine [RESPE] -- which monitors the spread Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (26): Saudi Arabia (MD,RI) WHO
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaOn [6 Feb 2019], the National IHR Focal Point of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified the WHO of an ongoing outbreak of MERS-CoV infection in Wadi Aldwasir city and one of its hospitals (referred to as Hospital A). Between [29 Jan 2019 and 13 Feb 2019], 39 cases of MERS-CoV infection, including 4 deaths, were reported. At the time of writing, this outbreak remains ongoing. Human-to-human transmission has occurred between the index patient and health care workers, patients in the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (09): Paraguay (CE) susp
Hantavirus -- ParaguayA 7 year old boy is currently hospitalized in the city [Capiatá] in the intensive care unit in the IPS Central Hospital, for [a] presumed hantavirus [infection]. The hospital director, Gabriel Aguilera, said that up to now this is the 1st known case in the city. The boy resides behind the ContiParaguay Company (CAPSA) at Kilometer 21 of the Mariscal-Estigarriba route. He was seen, along with his mother, in the local hospital last week for fever and was taken to the Previsión Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (19): China (HB) domestic, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 26 Feb 2019 from Dr Zhang Zhongqui, director general, China Animal Disease Control Centre, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China (People's Rep of).SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 22 Feb 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 24 Feb 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Classical swine fever – Russia: (PR) wild boar, OIE
Classical Swine Fever -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 25 Feb 2019 from Dr Nikolay Vlasov, deputy head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture, Moscow, RussiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 18 Feb 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 22 Feb 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 7 Dec 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: classical Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (18): Viet Nam (HP) domestic, spread
African Swine Fever -- VietnamHai Phong city has become the 3rd locality in Viet Nam to detect African swine fever [ASF]. The outbreak in Hai Phong was detected [Fri 22 Feb 2019] after a farmer in Chinh My commune, Thuy Nguyen district, reported that 35 of his pigs had died from the disease.Out of the 5 serum and viscera samples collected from the dead pigs 3 tested positive for ASF with the same pathogens as the outbreaks previously detected in the northern provinces of Thai Binh and Hung Yen, according Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (22): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, WHO, response
Ebola -- DR Congo- The Ebola treatment center (ETC) in Katwa, one of Butembo's health zones [North Kivu], was ransacked and set on fire on the night of [Sun 24 Feb to Mon 25 Feb 2019]. This fire resulted in the death of a nurse who was trying to escape (Read the communiqué of the Ministry of Health at [in French]).- These uncivil acts, perpetrated by unidentified individuals, began around 10 pm [Sun 24 Feb 2019]. For this purpose, the mayor of Butembo town, Sylvain Mbusa Kanyamanda, who condemned Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Liberibacter solanacearum – Finland, Germany, USA: new haplotypes
Other Plant Disease -- FinlandA new haplotype of '_Candidatus_ Liberibacter solanacearum' [Lso; EPPO A1 quarantine list] (haplotype U) has been described from Finland. It was found in the psyllid, _Trioza urticae_, and its host plant, _Urticae dioica_ (stinging nettle; Urticaceae). This is the first report of Lso in a plant that belongs to neither Solanaceae nor Apiaceae. It is not known if this haplotype poses a risk to crops in Europe (Haapalainen et al. Phytopathology 2018; 108: 925-934. ).An Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Chronic wasting disease – USA (05): (KS) deer
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesIn a continuing effort to monitor the prevalence and spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Kansas deer, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has collected and tested samples from 360 deer so far this year [2019]. 37 of those samples were confirmed positive. The targeted region for sampling deer taken by hunters this year was south western Kansas. However, sick or suspect deer observed in other parts of the state were also tested, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (25): Saudi Arabia (RI,QS)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the 2 days since the last update (23 Feb 2019) there have been a total of 3 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection, including 1 death, reported by Saudi Arabia. In addition, there were 3 recoveries of previously confirmed cases reported during this period.Information on newly confirmed cases (3):[1]Date of confirmation report: 24 Feb 2019Case no.: 19-1854MERS in Riyadh city: 24 year old female in Riyadh city, Riyadh regionContact with camels: noCase classification: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive mosquito: Congo DR (KN)
Zika virus, Malaria, Dengue, Yellow Fever, Chikungunya -- DR CongoT Bobanga, M Moyo, F Vulu, SR Irish. First report of _Aedes albopictus_ (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. African Entomology 26(1): 234-236 (2018) DOI: In January 2016, _Aedes albopictus_ adults were found in the Jardin Zoologique in central Kinshasa [Democratic Republic of Congo]. Subsequent visits found more adults and larvae at numerous sites in Kinshasa. The finding of _Ae. albopictus_ in Kinshasa is not Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – India (02): (TR) zoo deer
Anthrax -- IndiaFollowing up with the reports of veterinary experts, wildlife authority in Tripura has suspended the entry of tourists in Sepahijala zoo in West Tripura for a week apprehending the presence of anthrax infection among the animals residing there.According to report, a deer recently died in the zoo on [19 Feb 2019] and the carcass was sent to the laboratory of veterinary College. The [necropsy] report of the dead animal has been suspected of being contaminated with anthrax virus [sic] Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (17): China (YN,GX) domestic, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 25 Feb 2019 from Dr Zhang Zhongqui, director general, China Animal Disease Control Centre, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China (People's Rep of)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 Feb 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Feb 2019Report date: 22 Feb 2019Date submitted to OIE: 22 Feb 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 29 Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Die-off, Asiatic lion – India – India: (GJ)
Canine distemper -- IndiaMore than 200 lions and lion cubs died in the state [Gujarat] in the last 2 years [2017-18], the state government said in the assembly on [Fri 22 Feb 2019]. However, the government claimed that a majority of deaths were due to natural causes. Forest minister Ganpatsinh Vasava said in a written reply to a question by Congress MLA [member of legislative assembly] from Talala, Bhaga Barad, that 43 adult Asiatic lions died in the state in 2017, and 67 in 2018.According to the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (16): China (HB,NM) domestic pig, farmed wild boar
African Swine Fever -- China1. UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). African swine fever threatens People's Republic of China (6 Mar 2018). FAO Animal Health Risk Analysis - Assessment, Issue no. 5. Rome, FAO; .2. Bai MJ, Zou Y, Elsheikha HM, et al. _Toxoplasma gondii_ infection in farmed wild boars (_Sus scrofa_) in three cities of northeast China. Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2017; 14(7): 379-85. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2016.2260; and . - Mod.ASHealthMap/ProMED map available at:China: ][See Also:African Read more [...]
PRO/AH> West Nile virus (05): immunological factors
West Nile Virus -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstract--------West Nile virus (WNV) is a single-stranded RNA flavivirus and is a major cause of viral encephalitis worldwide. Experimental models of WNV infection in mice are commonly used to define acute neuroinflammatory responses in the brain. Alpha-synuclein (Asyn) is a protein of primarily neuronal origin and is a major cause of Parkinson's disease (PD), a disorder characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons. Both WNV and PD pathologies are largely mediated Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (07): WHO global update, seasonal, Asia, Europe, vaccine
Influenza -- Worldwide/UnknownInformation in this report is categorized by influenza transmission zones, which are geographical groups of countries, areas or territories with similar influenza transmission patterns.Summary-------In the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere influenza activity continued to increase.- In North America, influenza activity continued to be reported, with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 predominating.- In Europe, influenza activity increased and in most of the countries was Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> E. coli, enteroinvasive – USA: (NC) 2018
E. coli -- United StatesOn 2 Jul 2018, the North Carolina Division of Public Health was notified that approximately 3 dozen members of an ethnic Nepali refugee community had been transported to area hospitals for severe gastrointestinal illness after attending a potluck party on 30 Jun 2018. The North Carolina Division of Public Health partnered with the local health department and CDC to investigate the outbreak, identify the cause, and prevent further transmission. The investigation included molecular-guided Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Phytoplasmas, stone fruit – USA
Other Plant Disease -- United StatesPathogens similar to little cherry disease are found in peaches and nectarines. Premature yellowing, reddening and curling of leaves, and dieback could indicate Western X or pear decline phytoplasma."We looked at some very unhappy-looking peaches and nectarines and found a couple of phytoplasmas [in Washington state]," said Scott Harper, Clean Plant Center Northwest. He identified 2 phytoplasmas, Western X and peach yellow leaf roll phytoplasma, also known as pear Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Porcine epidemic diarrhea – North America (02): Canada (AB)
Other Animal Disease -- CanadaAlberta Pork says a 2nd case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) has turned up in this province. It is at a 600-head farrow-to-finish operation, but the producer group does not say in what part of the province it was detected. Alberta Pork and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry are working together on an investigation.The 1st PED outbreak in Alberta was detected in January 2019 at a 400-head farm [Porcine epidemic diarrhea - North America: Canada (AB) 1st report Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (03): (ND) hotel indoor water park susp.
Legionnaires' -- United StatesNorth Dakota health officials say 3 people have contracted Legionnaire's disease linked to a hotel water park in Casselton [North Dakota].The 3 people became sick between last July [2018] and January [2019], and all 3 reported spending some time at the Days Inn of Casselton.The Health Department says anyone who spent time at the hotel this month [February 2019] and has become sick should see a doctor.Legionnaire's is a type of pneumonia caused by _Legionella_ bacteria. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (24): Saudi Arabia (MK, RI)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the past 24 hours since the last update (see MERS-CoV (23): Saudi Arabia (RI) MoEnvironment closes camel market http://promedmail.org/post/20190223.6331710), there have been 3 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection and 1 recovery reported by Saudi Arabia.Information on newly confirmed cases (3)[1]Date of confirmation report: 23 Feb 2019Case no.: 19-1851MERS in Makkah city: 41-year-old male in Makkah city, Makkah regionContact with camels: yesCase classification: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Classical swine fever – Japan (03): (GF, AI) wild boar, oral vaccination
Classical Swine Fever -- JapanThe Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries held a meeting in its headquarters on [Fri 22 Feb 2019] in order to study measures required to prevent the further spread of hog cholera [classical swine fever, CSF] in and by wild boars in the prefectures Gifu and Aichi.In view of the disease situation in wild boars, it was found necessary to address the disease by the application, for the 1st time in Japan, of oral vaccination in wild boars. The oral baits with the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed poisoning – France: chewing gum susp., RFI, correction, Tunisia
Poisoning — France
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – Australia: (VI) fatal, nosocomial
Listeriosis -- AustraliaAn elderly woman has died and there are fears thousands of others may be at risk following a _Listeria_ outbreak. A caller tipped off the Neil Mitchell program about the outbreak at the Dandenong South commercial food caterer, I Cook Foods, which was later confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services. The business has been shut down while health authorities investigate. "They have tracked it to facility, which provides meals on wheels," Heidi Murphy explained." Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA: (NY) fatal, assisted living facility
Legionnaires' -- United StatesThe investigation involves water sampling (final results are still pending) and interviews with staff from the facility to understand how the water system in the facility is currently being operated. No further cases of legionellosis have been reported at this facility.From 2010 to 2012, legionellosis was seen in 13 NYS residents and 6 residents from other states with exposure to the Best Western Hotel [which is what the building used to be.] Some cases were identified Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (21): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summaries, vaccine, WHO, reading
Ebola -- DR CongoA new confirmed case of Ebola was reported in Beni after 23 days without a case. It appears that the patient was infected after being exposed to bodily fluids from an Ebola-recovered case. A thorough investigation and sequencing of the virus are underway to determine the epidemiological link.Relocation of strategic coordination in Goma---------------------------------------------The Ebola strategic coordination move from Beni to Goma began this Fri 22 Feb 2019. The strategic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed poisoning – France: chewing gum susp., RFI
Poisoning -- FranceEleven cases of food poisoning have been reported at the college of Ezzahra city in the governorate of Sousse. The students bought chewing gum from the college refreshment bar. The product is suspected of causing this intoxication, assured regional director of health in Sousse Boujemaa Fourati.Fourati added in a statement to the correspondent of Mosaique FM in Sousse that students aged 13-14 were transferred in the afternoon of Wednesday [20 Feb 2019] to the emergency room of the Read more [...]
