Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Mumps update (01): USA
Mumps -- United StatesWith most of the media focused on the ongoing measles outbreaks around the world, another vaccine-preventable, infectious disease has reached 5 [US] states during 2019.As of 6 Feb 2019, the states of Georgia, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin have reported mumps cases during 2019.These state-based news reports have yet to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who has not yet issued a mumps outbreak report for 2019.During, 2018, the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Porcine reprod. & resp. syndrome – Laos: (LP,PH) OIE
Blue Ear -- LaosInformation received on [and dated] 8 Feb 2019 from Dr Somphanh Chanphengxay, Director General, Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, LaosSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 28 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 4 Feb 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: October 2010Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Porcine Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – Israel: (HZ) cattle, M. caprae, ex Portugal, OIE
Bovine TB -- IsraelInformation received on [and dated] 8 Feb 2019 from Dr. Tamir Goshen, Acting Director, Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Beit Dagan, IsraelSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 5 Feb 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 5 Feb 2019Report date: 8 Feb 2019Date submitted to OIE: 8 Feb 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: September Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Europe: laboratory management
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- Worldwide/UnknownBackgroundCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is considered an emerging infectious disease threat in the European Union. Since 2000, the incidence and geographic range of confirmed CCHF cases have markedly increased, following changes in the distribution of its main vector, _Hyalomma_ ticks.AimsTo review scientific literature and collect experts' opinion to analyse relevant aspects of the laboratory management of human CCHF cases and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> West Nile virus (04): Asia (Pakistan) blood donors
West Nile Virus -- PakistanResearchers who detected the West Nile virus (WNV) in Pakistan for the 1st time are calling for urgent coordinated surveillance to assess its distribution in the country of the virus known to cause deadly neurological disease.Spread by mosquitoes, WNV infection is generally asymptomatic. But in about 20% of cases, fever, headache and vomiting develop; less than 1% of these cases lead to potentially fatal neurological complications. The virus causes inflammation of the brain Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (04): Viet Nam, pneumonia cases susp., RFI
Pneumonia — Vietnam
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (15): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summaries, local news
Ebola -- DR Congo- Cases of Ebola virus disease have recently been reported in the Congolese national army in Butembo town. A total of 2 soldiers, from the Oicha health zone and working at Butembo airport, were identified as confirmed cases of Ebola on 12 Jan 2019. The 2 soldiers spent 5 days at the ETC, recovered and were discharged.- Apart from these 2 confirmed cases, there were 3 suspected cases for which the laboratory tests were negative.- In addition, on 4 Feb 2019, 6 police officers were Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (03): Americas (Brazil) human
West Nile Virus -- BrazilThe State Health Secretariat of Piaui (SESAPI) confirmed this Friday [8 Feb 2019] the occurrence of another human case of neurological disease in the state caused by West Nile virus. (WNV). The case is a young man resident of the rural zone of Picos, who suffered from acute flaccid muscle paralysis in 2017. The patient was admitted to the University Hospital of the UFPI in Piaui, where the standard protocol for the diagnosis of neuroinvasive diseases issued by SESAPI was Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (09): China, Mongolia, domestic, spread, control, FAO
African Swine Fever -- China[Items 2, 3, and 4 include new data, added since the previous update of 1 Feb 2019; references omitted. The next update is expected 15 Feb 2019]. The following includes mainly new data, added since 11 Jan 2019. For the included Chinese references*, please refer to the source URL. - Mod.AS]1. OverviewChina: Anhui, Heilongjiang, Henan, Jilin, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanxi, Yunnan, Hunan and Guizhou, Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Qinghai, Guangdong and Gansu Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (02): Brazil (PR, SP)
Yellow Fever -- BrazilDuring 2019, the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo has reported 12 new cases of yellow fever virus, including 6 deaths, said the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).Historically, yellow fever virus transmission is at its highest between December and May each year, the PAHO said on 25 Jan 2019.This is important news since over 6 million people visited Brazil during 2018, says the World Tourism Organization.And, protection from the yellow fever is important since about 15% of people Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (13): Saudi Arabia (RI, QS, JF), Oman
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the past 2 days, there have been a total of 13 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection reported by Saudi Arabia.Information on newly confirmed cases (13):[1]Date of confirmation report: 7 Feb 2019 Case no.: 19-1804MERS in Buraidah city: 35-year-old male in Buraidah city, Qaseem regionContact with camels: NoCase classification: Secondary, household contactCurrent status: Hospitalized[2]Date of confirmation report: 7 Feb 2019 Case no.: 19-1805MERS in Riyadh Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (12): global (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Niger)
Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 2Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2019: 2Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 33New cVDPV cases reported this week: 1Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2019: 0Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 103HeadlinesSummary of new viruses this week:- Afghanistan - One case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1)- Pakistan - One case of WPV1 and 6 WPV1-positive environmental samples- Niger - One case of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (09): Americas, Asia, Indian Ocean, Europe, worldwide, vaccine
Measles -- United StatesThese successes don't mean the measles is gone or that the virus has become weak. Far from it. Seeing the virus up close and personal over all these years and knowing what happens when it runs rampant in an infected host gives me such respect for this minuscule "little bag of destruction" whose genetic material is 19 000 times smaller than ours. It's also ironic how losing sight of the disease because of the success of vaccination has brought new societal challenges.What's Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> West Nile virus (02): Europe, ECDC update, Italy Usutu detection
West Nile Virus — Worldwide/Unknown
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (03): (CA)
-- United StatesTY moved from Hacienda Heights, CA, to Norco, CA, last summer to pursue "the dream of having horses and chickens." Now that virulent Newcastle disease [VND] has been discovered in Horsetown USA [Norco, CA], the thought of her chickens possibly having to be put down to halt the virus' spread "makes me sick," TY said. "They're my babies."TY was among 225 mostly worried people who jammed Norco's Nellie Weaver Hall on Tuesday night, 5 Feb 2019, to learn details about the deadly disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (05): Kuwait (FA) HPAI, pet birds, H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- KuwaitInformation received on [and dated] 6 Feb 2019 from Dr Ali Al-Qattan, Deputy of Director General of Animal Wealth, Animal Wealth, Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Safat, KuwaitSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 31 Jan 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 28 Dec 2016Causal agent: highly pathogenic influenza A Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (06): (KY,WV,OH)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesAge range: 3-86Median age: 37Male: 1360 (59%)Hospitalizations: 1152 (50%)Deaths: 12Risk factors------------Co-infection with hepatitis C (information available for 1770 cases): 1001 (56.6%)Co-infection with hepatitis B (information available for 1770 cases): 180 (10.2%)Reports illicit drug use (information available for 1952 cases): 1403 (71.9%)Homeless: 226 (9.8%)--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Date / Cases / New cases per week23 May 2018 / 106 / -29 Jun Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza – UK: (England) horse
Equine Influenza — United Kingdom
PRO/PL> Bacterial leaf streak, maize – Brazil: 1st rep (PR)
Other Plant Disease -- BrazilBacterial leaf streak of corn, caused by _Xanthomonas vasicola_ pv. _vasculorum_, was recently reported in the US [ProMED-mail post http://promedmail.org/post/20160906.4467551] and Argentina [and] has reached epidemic levels in some US states. In April 2018, diseased corn in the state of Parana [Brazil] [showed] leaves with translucent yellow to brown interveinal lines with irregular margins. Older symptoms on highly susceptible corn hybrids were coalescing long lesions Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease – USA (03): (MO) deer
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesDeer contaminated by chronic wasting disease (CWD) have made their way into Stone and Taney counties. CWD is a deadly illness spread from deer to deer through direct contact with soil, food and water contaminated through feces, urine, saliva or carcasses of infected deer.During the summer and fall deer hunting season of 2018, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) tested more than 28 000 deer for CWD. From those thousands of collected tissue samples, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, cattle – USA: (AL)
Undiagnosed -- United StatesFarmers are still monitoring the impact of Hurricane Michael [October 2018] on their livestock. There have been reports of unexpected animal deaths in areas impacted by the storm -- including southeast Alabama, Georgia and Florida. A post on Facebook from a farm in Georgia raising questions about the deaths of animals has been shared over 4000 times and has more than 900 comments with farmers sharing their stories.Jamar Ivey, president of the Houston County Chapter of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bird die-off, seabirds – Netherlands: starvation
Animal Die-off -- NetherlandsDutch scientists have been left baffled after 20 000 dead or dying seabirds washed up on North Sea beaches in a phenomenon not seen for decades. The fish-eating guillemots have been washing up between the northern Wadden Islands and southwestern Zeeland -- all showing symptoms of severe starvation, a marine biologist said.However, the bird deaths are confined only to Dutch shores, with nothing reported in Belgium or Germany. Scientists are now planning a mass autopsy Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – USA (02): (AK) fermented whale flipper
Botulism -- United StatesState health officials said they are investigating a man's death and illnesses of 4 others possibly related to botulism following a New Year's Day dinner in Nome where fermented beluga whale flipper and other traditional Alaska Native foods were served. A "big concern" is the aged beluga flipper that has tested "preliminary positive" for a botulism toxin, said Louisa Castrodale, an epidemiologist with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. State officials are Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick survival – USA: (ME)
Tick-borne disease -- United StatesScientists say ticks can now survive in environments where they would have frozen to death 30 years ago. Scientists believe climate change and the bacteria ticks carry is helping extend their range. Researchers are tracking the ticks to see how to help protect the public and their pets from possible infections.It's a bitter cold February day but that's just the way Chuck Lubelcyzk and Libby Henderson like it. The vector ecologist and field biologist from Maine Medical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Classical swine fever – Japan (02): (NN, OS, SH) spread confirmed, OIE
Classical Swine Fever -- JapanInformation received on [and dated] 6 Feb 2019 from Dr. Norio Kumagai, Director, Chief Veterinary Officer, Animal Health Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tokyo, Japan.SummaryReport type: Follow-up report no. 15Date of start of the event: 3 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Sep 2018Report date: 6 Feb 2019Date submitted to OIE: 6 Feb 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (12): Saudi Arabia (RI, AS), secondary transmission
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the past 3 days since the last update, there have been a total of 7 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection and 2 recoveries reported from Saudi Arabia.Information on newly confirmed cases (8):[1]Date of initial confirmation report: Mon 4 Feb 2019Case No: 19-1797MERS in Wadi Aldwasir city: 39-year-old male in Wadi Aldwasir city, Riyadh regionContact with camels: NoCase classification: Secondary, healthcare-acquiredCurrent status: Hospitalized[2]Date of initial Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Announcements (02): International Year of Plant Health 2020
Pests -- Worldwide/UnknownThe UN Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO] and the International Plant Protection Convention Secretariat [IPPC] welcome the UN General Assembly proclaiming 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health. The year is expected to increase awareness among the public and policy makers of the importance of healthy plants and the necessity to protect them in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.Today, up to 40 percent of global food crops are lost annuall Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Gonococcal disease – UK (02): MDR, ceftriaxone/azithro, ex Spain susp, WHO, 2018
Gonorrhea -- United KingdomOn 7 Jan 2019, the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland notified WHO about 2 cases of extensive drug resistant (XDR) _Neisseria gonorrhoeae_ infection diagnosed in the United Kingdom.The 1st case, a heterosexual female who attended sexual health services in the United Kingdom in October 2018. She reported casual sexual contact with male United Kingdom nationals in Ibiza, Spain in September Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (09): Romania (CV) domestic, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- RomaniaInformation received on [and dated] 4 Feb 2019 from Dr Geronimo Raducu Branescu, President Secretary of State Chief Veterinary Officer, National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety, National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, Bucharest, RomaniaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 1 Feb 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 1 Feb 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Classical swine fever – Japan: domestic, further spread susp
Classical Swine Fever -- JapanJapanese authorities were battling to contain swine flu on Wed (6 Feb 2019) after the virus was detected at multiple sites in central Japan.Japanese soldiers and local government officials began slaughtering around 6600 pigs at a farm in Toyota City in Aichi prefecture following the confirmation of an outbreak of swine fever, also known as hog cholera, there.Since January [2019], the farm has shipped pigs to 6 facilities in Nagano, Gifu, Aichi, Shiga, Mie, and Osaka Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis – Switzerland (02)
Tick-borne Encephalitis -- SwitzerlandOnly 2 Swiss cantons are not considered "at-risk" zones for tick-borne diseases, the Federal Office of Public Health has announced. Vaccination is recommended.Following a recent government call for mass vaccinations against the debilitating tick-borne encephalitis [TBE] disease, the health office said on [Mon 4 Feb 2019] it considered the entire country -- except cantons Geneva and Ticino -- to be at risk.In a press release (French [also available in German and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (14): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, summaries, WHO, Lancet
Ebola -- DR Congo- Since the beginning of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 74 096 people have been vaccinated, including 20 473 in Beni [North Kivu], 18 362 in Katwa [North Kivu], 8126 in Butembo [North Kivu], 6008 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 2686 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 2200 in Komanda [Ituri], 2074 in Goma [North Kivu], 1821 in Oicha [North Kivu], 1663 in Mandima [Ituri], 1157 in Karisimbi [North Kivu], 1133 in Kayina [North Kivu], 953 in Vuhovi [North Kivu], 920 in Masereka [North Kivu], 892 in Kyondo Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (08): Belgium (LX) wild boar, transboundary fencing
African Swine Fever -- BelgiumThe count of wild boar in Belgium that contracted African Swine Fever (ASF) has risen to 405. So far, no infected boars have been found outside the inner zones in southern Belgium.The latest count by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) shows that in the last week of January [2019], 13 new ASF-infected boar were found; 11 carcasses, and 2 infected boar got shot by hunters.As can be seen on the map [see in comment] so far, all outbreaks have been confirmed in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa: Central African Republic
Monkeypox — Central African Republic
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (03): China (HN), H9N2, 2018
Avian Influenza -- ChinaAn additional human H9N2 avian influenza case was reported in Mainland China. According to officials, the case was reported in a 2 year-old boy from Changde City, Hunan Province. This is the 7th case reported in China in 2018.In most human cases of H9N2 avian flu, the associated disease symptoms have been mild and there has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Influenza A(H9N2) viruses are enzootic in poultry populations in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (08): worldwide, Americas, Asia, Pacific, Indian Ocean
Measles -- United StatesAccording to a new report published by the CDC on 30 Jan 2019, Venezuela had contributed 68 percent (5525/8091 cases) of the measles cases reported in the Americas and most of the measles-related deaths (73/85).World-----Australia: Measles cases were reported in New South Wales, Sydney, and Perth.England: A warning has been issued regarding a measles outbreak in Greater Manchester.Georgia: Minister of IDPs [Internally Displaced Persons], Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Acute flaccid myelitis – North America (02): USA (NE), research
Other Human Disease -- United StatesBowers JR, Valentine M, Harrison V, et al. Genomic analyses of acute flaccid myelitis cases among a cluster in Arizona provide further evidence of enterovirus D68 role. MBio. 2019; 10(1). pii: e02262-18; The availability of a rapid and EV-D68 specific assay can be quite helpful, especially when early AFM cases are reported. Use of rapid tests during an outbreak investigation can help confirm or rule out this frequent cause of AFM. - Mod.UBA][See Also:Acute flaccid Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> BSE, cattle – Poland: (DS) atypical L-type, OIE
BSE -- PolandInformation received on [and dated] 4 Feb 2019 from Dr Pawel Niemczuk, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, POL Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Varsovie, PolandSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 31 Jan 2019Report date: 4 Feb 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: March 2013Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
