Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Zimbabwe: (MA) domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ZimbabweInformation received on [and dated] 14 Feb 2019 from Dr Unesu Hildah Ushewokunze-Obatolu, Principal Director, Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, Harare, ZimbabweSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 21 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 13 Feb 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 24 Dec 2015Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (17): Saudi Arabia (RI) Oman, RFI
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the past 2 days since the last update [12 Feb 2019], there have been a total of 2 newly confirmed cases, 2 fatalities, and 2 recoveries reported by Saudi Arabia. In addition, there have been 5 cases previously listed as on home isolation that were changed to hospitalized, and 6 additional cases whose transmission classification was changed from the initial report.Information on newly confirmed cases:[1]Date of confirmation report: 13 Feb 2019Case no.: 19-1836MERS in Wadi Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed disease, potato – India: (AS)
Undiagnosed -- IndiaThousands of acres of farmland with potato in Lakhimpur [district] are witnessing an abnormal growth of produce. Farmers who have been growing potatoes for generations say they have never experienced such a crop failure, nor have they heard of such a thing from the past.The tiny size of the potatoes was preceded by the shrinking of the potato plants after the spreading of the leaves, finally leading to its complete withering. A farmer says that the entire potato plantation gets Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza – UK (03): (England, Scotland) horse, EIV H3N8 Florida clade 1
Equine Influenza -- United KingdomDr Richard Newton of the Animal Health Trust (AHT) has spoken amid rising instances of a virulent strain among the general horse population. The BBC has learned that 8 times as many flu cases have been reported among UK horses in the 1st 6 weeks of 2019 as in the whole of last year [2018]. Racing resumed on Wednesday [13 Feb 2019] after a 6-day shutdown."What we worry about is that the racing network is highly connected," said Newton, AHT head of epidemiology and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Australia (02): (QL) cattle, susp.
Anthrax -- AustraliaA suspected case of anthrax at a Granite Belt property is being investigated by Biosecurity Queensland. Several cattle at a Pyramids Road property at Eukey have died as a result of the suspected outbreak, with official results due to be released tomorrow [Fri 15 Feb 2019].Biosecurity Queensland has not confirmed the deaths were a result of anthrax, simply saying "at this stage the cause is unknown." However, the reported property owner, or someone known to the property owner, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Treponeme-associated hoof disease – USA: (ID) elk, 1st rep.
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesA new disease has been confirmed in an elk harvested near Whitebird, Idaho last year [2018]. This is the 1st confirmed case of Treponema associated hoof disease (TAHD), a disease that "is caused by a spirochete bacterium that causes hoof abnormalities and lameness in elk," in the state, Local News 8 reports.Previously found in elk within Washington and Oregon, the disease is not widespread yet; however, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is working Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bluetongue – Europe (04): France, cattle, BTV-8, congenital
Bluetongue -- FranceSeveral departments have informed us about numerous cases of calves born blind and dying within a few days.These cases would have started to appear concomitantly in mid-December [2018] (at least 1 department had found such clinical signs on calves since 2016). [On affected farms], 2-15 percent of the newborn calves were affected.According to the analyzes carried out in departmental laboratories (positive PCRs on blood samples from calves) and Maisons-Alfort's LNR-ANSES (positive Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Cassava brown streak viruses – DR Congo: coinfections
Other Plant Disease -- DR CongoCassava brown streak disease (CBSD) caused by _Cassava brown streak virus [CBSV] and _Ugandan cassava brown streak virus_ [UCBSV] is one of the most important diseases affecting cassava in East and Central Africa. CBSD caused by UCBSV was officially reported for the 1st time from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2012 [see ProMED-mail post http://promedmail.org/post/20130508.1698543]. DRC is on the "front" of the westward-spreading pandemic of CBSD. If CBSV Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (17): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summaries, research, response
Ebola -- DR CongoVaccination - Since the start of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 78 464 people have been vaccinated--Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall- Tue 12 Feb 2019. Epidemiological situation report, DRC Ministry of Health>[in French, machine trans., abridged, edited]The epidemiological situation of the Ebola virus disease in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri dated 10 Feb 2019:- Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 819, of which Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa: Kenya
Rift Valley Fever — Kenya
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (10): China (HN) domestic, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 13 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: 4 Feb 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Feb 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 5 Jan 2019Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Anthrax vaccination, human: potential single dose
Anthrax -- Worldwide/UnknownWeir GM, MacDonald LD, Rajagopalan R, et al. Single dose of DPX-rPA, an enhanced-delivery anthrax vaccine formulation, protects against a lethal _Bacillus anthracis_ spore inhalation challenge. npj Vaccines, 4: 6 (2019); Abstract--------Anthrax is a serious biological threat caused by pulmonary exposure to aerosolized spores of _Bacillus anthracis_. Biothrax® (anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA)) is the only Food and Drug Administration-licensed vaccine and requires 5 administrations Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Liberibacter solanacearum – Tunisia (1st report), Finland
Other Plant Disease -- TunisiaIn 2014-2016 symptoms similar to those associated with the presence of 'Ca. L. solanacearum' [Lso] (EPPO A1 List, Solanaceae haplotypes) were observed in [several] governorates. Symptoms including leaf curling, yellowing, bronze and purplish discoloration, stunting of plants and roots, and proliferation of secondary roots, affected 20 to 40% of the carrots in some plots and caused significant yield losses. Symptoms were observed both in fields sown with locally produced Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine distemper, wildlife – USA (02): (TX) raccoon, alert
Canine distemper -- United StatesDallas Animal Services has reported an increase in distemper cases among raccoons, particularly in the western part of the city.Distemper is a deadly virus that shows signs similar to rabies. Although it cannot spread to humans and cats, the illness can spread to dogs through the environment and the air.According to animal services, the increase in cases among raccoons have been seen in the 75208 and 75211 zip codes.Animal services says unvaccinated dogs are at the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – UK: (England) pet rabbit deaths
Other Animal Disease -- United KingdomThe veterinary profession is being urged to be on red alert for rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease (RVHD) type 2 after an outbreak killed 6 rabbits.Tameside Veterinary Clinic in Ashton-under-Lyne is calling for owners to vaccinate their pets against the virulent strain of RVHD after 5 rabbits died and a 6th had to be euthanised.The latest victims belonged to Pennine Pen Animal Rescue in Oldham, where staff have been left "devastated" from the death of 6 out of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (10): Belgium (LX) wild boar, origin investigated
African Swine Fever -- BelgiumMeanwhile, the Belgian authorities in Luxembourg province have arrested 2 men in the context of the African swine fever outbreaks in Belgium. The arrest followed the interviewing of 4 of them last [Wed 6 Feb 2019]. In the context of the investigating authorities, officially no further statements have been made about the arrests.It has been confirmed that 1 of these 4 persons interviewed is a forestry ranger, employed by the Public Service of Wallonia (SPW). The Walloon Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – Pakistan: multidrug resistance
Fever -- PakistanAn outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid in Sindh, including Karachi, is rapidly getting out of control, as over a dozen deaths have been reported from different parts of the province due to the bacterium that is resistant to most known antimicrobials.However, Dr Zafar Mehdi of the Sindh Health Department told The News on Wed 6 Feb 2019 that only 4 people -- 3 children and an elderly person -- have died due to XDR typhoid in the province since its outbreak was reported Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Vibriosis – USA: climate change
Vibrio, noncholera — United States
PRO/EDR> Melioidosis – Australia: (QL)
Melioidosis -- AustraliaOne person is dead and another 10 are sick from flood-related illnesses in Townsville following a once-in-a-century monsoonal deluge. The cause is melioidosis, which stems from floodwaters that are heavily contaminated with dirt and bacteria, Queensland Health's Julie Mudd says in a statement on Tue 12 Feb 2019. "Given the scale of the flooding, we are expecting to see increasing numbers of a range of infections, not just melioidosis," Dr Mudd said.Melioidosis and many infections Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (07): (KY,WV,OH)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesNumber of Cases 2324 Demographics --------------------Age Range 3-86 Median Age 37 Male 1371 (59%) Hospitalizations 1160 (50%) Deaths 12 Risk Factors ----------------Co-infection with Hepatitis C (Information available for 1784 cases) 1010 (56.6%) Co-infection with Hepatitis B (Information available for 1784 cases) 182 (10.2%) Reports Illicit Drug Use (Information available for 1971 cases) 1415 (71.8%) Homeless 228 (9.8%) --Communicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (16): Saudi Arabia (RI, NJ)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the past 24 hours since the last update [11 Feb 2019] there have been 9 newly confirmed infections with the MERS-CoV reported from Saudi Arabia; 1 death and 1 recovery of previously reported cases; and 2 transmission classification changes of previously reported cases.Information on newly confirmed cases:[1]Date of confirmation report: 12 Feb 2019 Case No: 19-1827MERS in Wadi Aldwasir city: 37-year-old female in Wadi Aldwasir city, Riyadh regionContact with camels: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Italy: B anthracis antibiotic susceptibility 1984-2017
Anthrax -- ItalyManzulli V, Fasanella A, Parisi A, et al. Evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of _Bacillus anthracis_ strains isolated during anthrax outbreaks in Italy from 1984 to 2017. J Vet Sci. 2019; 20(1): 58-62Abstract--------Anthrax, caused by _Bacillus anthracis_, is a non-contagious infectious disease that affects a wide range of animal species (primarily ruminants) including humans. Due to the often-fatal outcome in humans, quick administration of definitely effective Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (06): Europe, Asia, N. America, Australia, Japan research
Influenza -- CyprusThe schools were closed for the last 3 days of the week because of the number of cases of flu among students and employees.Lawrence county Schools Superintendent Jon Bret Smith told news outlets that Moulton Elementary School and Moulton Middle School would be closed Wednesday through Friday [6-8 Feb 2019].Smith said the school system is having trouble finding substitute teachers because of staff absences.School officials said families should use the 3 days off to recover from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine distemper, wildlife – USA: (LA) raccoon, alert
Canine distemper -- United StatesAn increase of reports of canine distemper in raccoons has prompted the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to issue a warning to affected areas, including Lafayette Parish. The outbreak has been reported from Lafayette to southeast Louisiana.Distemper has several similar symptoms to rabies, and include discharge from the nose and eyes, seizures, coughing, emaciation and unusual behavior. The virus is usually fatal.Though distemper does not affect humans, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (06): India (JH) crow, HPAI H5N1
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- IndiaThe authorities in Bokaro [Jharkhand] are rushing quick response teams to 9 blocks in the district in the wake of bird flu confirmation in Gomia.The state animal husbandry department had on [Sat 9 Feb 2019] said samples of dead crows sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, had tested positive for the H5N1 virus that is responsible for the highly infectious scourge in avian species.Besides Gomia, where crows began dropping dead Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Pakistan: (SD)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanThe city's [Karachi] 1st case in 2019 of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), commonly known as Congo virus, was reported on [Sun 10 Feb 2019] as a woman tested positive for the disease at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).The patient was identified as 35-year-old [TF], resident of Orangi Town. She is currently under treatment at an isolated ward of the JPMC."TF was brought to the JPMC with high grade fever and very low platelets count. Laboratory Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> PRO/AH/EDR>Zika, dengue viruses – South Pacific: horse, research
Dengue, Zika virus -- Collectivité spéciale de New Caledonia, FranceBeck C, Leparc-Goffart I, Desoutter D, et al. Serological evidence of infection with dengue and Zika viruses in horses on French Pacific Islands. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019; 13(2): e0007162; uncorrected proof available at --Communicated by:ProMED-mail[The majority of this research report focuses on numbers of affected horses; it does not clearly elucidate the clinical signs of the diseases in these animals. While the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (03): Brazil (PR, SP)
Yellow Fever -- BrazilBrazil is currently in the seasonal period for yellow fever, which occurs from December through May. The expansion of the historical area of yellow fever transmission to areas in the south-east of the country in areas along the Atlantic coast previously considered risk-free led to 2 waves of transmission (Figure 1), one during the 2016-2017 seasonal period, with 778 human cases, including 262 deaths, and another during the 2017-2018 seasonal period, with 1376 human cases, including Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Mayotte (02): increase in cases, human, cattle
Rift Valley Fever -- Région d'outre-mer de Mayotte, FranceSince the discovery of a 1st case in November 2018, Rift Valley fever (RVF) continues to circulate in the department of Mayotte. To date, 31 human cases of RVF have been reported by the CHM laboratory to the ARS Indian Ocean.RVF mainly affects domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats), but can occasionally infect humans. The Prefecture of Mayotte, in collaboration with the ARS Indian Ocean and the Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Australia: (NS) sheep
Anthrax -- AustraliaAt least 350 sheep have died from anthrax poisoning on a property near Nyngan. NSW [New South Wales] Department of Primary Industries confirmed biosecurity measures had been put in place on a Central West property after a large number of livestock deaths. These included restricted animal movements, vaccination of stock, carcass disposal and decontamination.This comes after a number of major outbreaks in southern Queensland recently, with 120 head of cattle killed from a soil disturbance Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (13): Pakistan (PB)
Polio -- PakistanFaisalabad has returned to the list of districts affected by poliovirus. One of the reasons seems to be a major decline in the targeting of children in the city.According to a recent survey, an average of 50% drop in immunisation coverage was reported in Faisalabad where poliovirus has been detected after over 2 years, lamented a senior official while talking to Dawn.He said that experts believed that the Punjab government's lack of interest towards combating the crippling disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (15): Saudi Arabia (RI,QS), WHO EMRO
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaSummary-------- 2298 laboratory-confirmed cases reported since April 2012- 811 deaths reported since April 2012- 27 countries reported cases globally- 12 countries reported cases since April 2012 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region- 5 laboratory-confirmed cases reported from Oman in 2019Highlights----------- At the end of January 2019, a total of 2298 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including 811 associated deaths (case-fatality rate: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (16): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, vaccine, South Sudan, local news
Ebola -- DR Congo- Since vaccination began on 8 Aug 2018, 77 188 people have been vaccinated, including 20 512 in Beni [North Kivu], 19 391 in Katwa [North Kivu], 8601 in Butembo [North Kivu], 6076 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 2746 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 2321 in Goma [North Kivu], 2200 in Komanda [Ituri], 1844 in Oicha [North Kivu], 663 in Mandima [Ituri], 1283 in Kayina [North Kivu], 1272 in Kyondo [North Kivu], 1157 in Karisimbi [North Kivu], 1054 in Bunia [Ituri], 973 in Vuhovi [North Kivu], Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Angiostrongylus cantonensis – USA: (HI) introduced snail
Other Human Disease -- United StatesThe invasive semi-slug, _Parmarion martensi_, a known vector for rat-lungworm [RLW] disease, has been found in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island.Staff from the University of Hawaii-Hilo [UHH] Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy, or DKICP, recently confirmed a collection of the slugs from the northern Big Island district. "Inquiries of local residents further revealed multiple sightings in the area, indicating that this invasive pest has established in the Kohala Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Kyasanur Forest disease – India (07): (KA) monkey, human, fatal
Kyasanur Forest Disease -- IndiaA 75-year-old man from Thotadakoppa under Singanabidire Gram Panchayat in the [Thirthahalli] taluk [Shimoga district] has died of monkey fever, also known as Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) on [Fri 1 Feb 2019].The victim [LP] had contracted fever a few days back. He was admitted to Manipal Hospital 4 days back. On [Thu 31 Jan 2019], the doctors had confirmed LP was suffering from monkey fever.The monkey fever outbreak was reported at several villages under Mandagadde Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (05): Americas, USA (AL) multiple human exposures
Rabies -- United StatesFor people who have never been vaccinated against rabies previously, postexposure anti-rabies vaccination should always include administration of both passive antibody and vaccine.The combination of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and vaccine is recommended for both bite and nonbite exposures, regardless of the interval between exposure and initiation of treatment.People who have been previously vaccinated or are receiving preexposure vaccination for rabies should receive Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (04): Americas, USA (UT) bats, human death
Rabies -- United StatesFor people who have never been vaccinated against rabies previously, postexposure anti-rabies vaccination should always include administration of both passive antibody and vaccine.The combination of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and vaccine is recommended for both bite and non-bite exposures, regardless of the interval between exposure and initiation of treatment.People who have been previously vaccinated or are receiving preexposure vaccination for rabies should receive Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Alcohol poisoning – India: (UP) fatal
Poisoning -- IndiaTwo men have died after allegedly consuming poisonous liquor in Tarya Sujan of Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh. Bodies of the 2 deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination. Families of the 2 men alleged illegal liquor trade has been taking place in the area with the knowledge of local police. Police said disciplinary action will be taken if claims are found to be true.[As of this writing the cause of the deaths has not been released. - Mod.TG]--Communicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (14): Saudi Arabia (RI)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the past 2 days since the last update [8 Feb 2019] there have been 3 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection.Information on newly confirmed infections:[1]Date of confirmation report: 10 Feb 2019Case no.: 19-1817MERS in Riyadh city: 44-year-old male in Riyadh city, Riyadh regionContact with camels: NoCase classification: PrimaryCurrent status: Hospitalized[2]Date of confirmation report: 10 Feb 2019Case no.: 19-1818MERS in Riyadh city: 54-year-old male in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza – UK (02): (England) horse, EIV H3N8 Florida clade 1
Equine Influenza -- United KingdomAs the demand to get racing back in action increases, David Sykes, director of equine health and welfare at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), was able to issue more good news."At 9:00 a.m. Sunday [10 Feb 2019], I can say we haven't had any other positive tests except for those in the Don McCain stable; all tests have returned negative, up until when I was last in contact with the laboratory at 9:30 p.m.," he told Racing TV's Luck On Sunday programme."I can Read more [...]
