Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/ALL> 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/AH> Equine herpesvirus – Germany: (BY) EHV-1, horse
Equine Herpes Virus -- GermanyWe are currently advising in 2 outbreaks of EHV-1 infection (Equid Herpesvirus-1) with cases of myelopathy (EHM) in the wider Munich area (Munich is the capital of Bavaria in the South of Germany).The 2 outbreaks are likely not inter-related; no common denominator. The distance between the 2 is 80 km [approx. 50 mi]; one outbreak is in the southwest of Munich, the other in the west of Munich.Both outbreaks are in riding boarding facilities with a mixed horse population; Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis: USA, Panama, fatal
Whooping Cough -- United StatesMarin County has been hit by a recent spike in cases of pertussis, better known as whooping cough. Marin County Health Department says there have been 241 confirmed cases of the sickness, which is the highest number the county's seen in 8 years."It's bad. Luckily, my kids are vaccinated, but that doesn't mean other kids aren't at risk," said SG, a parent in the area. The contagious respiratory infection primarily affects young children. Whooping cough starts out like Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (09): Nigeria: (ON)
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaThe Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owo, Ondo State, is said to have run out of bed spaces to accommodate victims of the Lassa fever outbreak in the state.Investigation carried out by SaharaReporters showed that the disease which has been ravaging the state for almost 2 weeks, has found its way into Akure, the state capital. Although the outbreak had been reported in border cities of the northern senatorial district of the state, such as Edo and Kogi, sources at the FMC in Owo Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – USA: ready-to-eat pork patties, end of outbreak
Listeriosis -- United StatesThe US Centers for Disease Control reports that an outbreak of _Listeria monocytogenes_ infections linked to pork products produced by Long Phung Food Products appears to be over.On [20 Nov 2018], 165368 C Corporation of Houston, Texas, doing business as Long Phung Food Products, recalled ready-to-eat pork products because they might have been contaminated with _Listeria_ bacteria.Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled products from Long Phung Food Products. The full list Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Zika virus (01): Americas, Asia research, observations
Zika virus -- MexicoAbstract-------Here we propose a strategy allowing implementing efficient and practicable large-scale seroepidemiological studies for Zika Virus (ZIKV). It combines screening by a commercial NS1 protein-based Zika IgG ELISA, and confirmation by a cytopathic effect-based virus neutralization test (CPE-based VNT). In post-epidemic samples from Martinique Island blood donors (a population with a dengue seroprevalence above 90 percent), this strategy allowed reaching specificity and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Central venous catheter infection – USA: (AR) new Mycobacterium sp, saline flush
Hospital-Related Infection -- United States[A patient] used to travel once a week from his home in Dumas for chemotherapy treatments at Arkansas Cancer Institute. [The 56-year-old patient] had been going to the Pine Bluff clinic for about a year for treatment of his multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of the plasma cells. It had been going "all right," he said. He'd gotten to know the other patients a little, and it was more convenient than going all the way to Little Rock [Arkansas]. Until August Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Atypical myopathy, equine – Czech Republic: newborn foal, fatal, 2014
Other Animal Disease -- Czech RepublicThink atypical myopathy -- an often-deadly muscle disease of British and European horses caused by a toxin found in sycamore seeds -- only affects grazing horses eating the seeds by mistake? Think again. Researchers recently published a study describing what they believe to be the 1st reported case of a newborn foal in the Czech Republic dying due to atypical myopathy complications."It was surprising for the owner as well as for the veterinarian, but atypical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – USA: (FL) horse
Equine Infectious Anemia -- United StatesTrack officials announced Thursday [31 Jan 2019] they have quarantined Barn 3 at Gulfstream Park after an unidentified horse tested positive for equine infectious anemia, or swamp fever, as it is commonly known.Gulfstream Park general manager Bill Badgett said all remaining horses in the barn have tested negative for local veterinarians, although all must pass similar testing administered by representatives from the Division of Animal Industry for the state Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (11): Pakistan (FATA)
Polio -- PakistanPakistan on Saturday [2 Feb 2019] reported its 1st polio case of 2019 from northwestern Bajaur tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering with Afghanistan, an official said [FATA voted to merge with KP in May 2018 so we have referenced both - Mod.JH]. "Today the 1st polio virus case of the current year [2019] has been reported from Bajaur district, where the crippling virus paralyzed an 11-month-old child," Babar Atta, head of the polio eradication program of Pakistan, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (11): Saudi Arabia (RI)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaSince the last update on 31 Jan 2019, there have been a total of 6 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection reported by Saudi Arabia.Information on newly confirmed cases (6):[1]Date of confirmation report: 1 Feb 2019Case no: 19-1791MERS in AlKharj city: 31-year-old male in AlKharj city, Riyadh regionContact with camels: noCase classification: secondary, healthcare acquiredCurrent status: hospitalized[2]Date of confirmation report: 2 Feb 2019Case no: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (04): seasonal activity, Europe, Asia, Africa, N. America, vaccine
Influenza H1N1 -- GreeceAbstract--------The winter 2018/19 influenza season in Hong Kong has been predominated by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 as at January 2019. We enrolled 2016 children in 3 public hospitals in Hong Kong between [2 Sep 2018 and 11 Jan 2019]. Using the test-negative approach, we estimated high early season effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccine against influenza A or B of 90% (95% confidence interval (CI): 80-95% ) and 92% (95% CI: 82-96%) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09.--Communicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (08): Guinea (MM)
Lassa Fever -- GuineaGuinea's government has reported one case of a 35-year-old man with Lassa fever in the central town of Mamou, some 260-kilometers [162 mi] from the country's capital of Conakry.An investigative mission will be deployed to the region to support health authorities, the government said on [Sat 2 Feb 2019] in statement posted on the website of the National Health Security Agency. No other Lassa fever cases were reported.Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness, transmitted Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed bacterial wilt, black pepper – India: (KA)
Undiagnosed -- IndiaPepper growers are in distress as 'Soragu Roga' (Bacterial wilt) is affecting the crop. The pepper vines in most of the plantations in [Kodagu district] have started to rot due to excessive rain followed by disease. The pepper leaves have turned yellow, and seeds have started to wither. The disease, originating in the stem, gradually spreads to the vines.Even though the pepper crop was good this year [2018], the disease has dealt a big blow to the growers. The current type of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (13): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, assessment, preparedness
Ebola -- DR Congo- Since the beginning of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 72 248 people have been vaccinated, including 24 435 in Beni [North Kivu], 17 527 in Katwa [North Kivu], 8099 in Butembo [North Kivu], 6008 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 2686 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 2150 in Komanda [Ituri], 1981 in Goma [North Kivu], 1821 in Oicha [North Kivu], 1663 in Mandima [Ituri], 1157 in Karisimbi [North Kivu], 943 in Kayina [North Kivu], 877 in Vuhovi [North Kivu], 842 in Kyondo [North Kivu], 750 in Masereka Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Mayotte: increase in cases, humans, cattle
Rift Valley Fever -- Région d'outre-mer de Mayotte, FranceIn the Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique, sits the archipelago of Mayotte, a Department of France.Health officials have reported an increase in autochthonous Rift Valley fever (RVF) cases in the past 6 weeks. Since the 1st human case was detected on [Tue 11 Dec 2018], health officials have reported 19 human cases. Most of the cases were located in the western part of the island.Samples made on ruminants present Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis E – Namibia: (OH)
Hepatitis E -- NamibiaThe Ministry of Health and Social Services, together with other stakeholders in Gobabis, have been working around the clock to come up with the regional response plan that will mitigate effects of a hepatitis E outbreak in town. Since the 1st case was reported in December 2018 -- a pregnant woman who has since miscarried -- 6 other cases have recently been confirmed out of the suspected 25, and the figure keeps rising steadily.Most of the reported cases are coming from informal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Murine typhus – USA: (CA) Los Angeles County, more cases, not just homeless
Typhus -- United StatesTyphus -- an infectious disease spread by fleas -- is sweeping LA County, having infected a city hall prosecutor and more than 100 others. Officials recorded 124 cases of the disease in the county last year [2018], and there is no sign of the spread letting up. The outbreak has largely been seen as exclusively affecting homeless people.But today, [a] Deputy City Attorney revealed she was diagnosed in November [2018] -- blaming the fleas in her office at LA's City Hall. And Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (03): Africa, Asia, human, cattle, dog, counterfeit vaccine
Rabies -- MalawiAt least 19 people from Shaibu Village in Traditional Authority Mkanda in Mulanje have been recommended for rabies treatment after eating beef suspected to be from a rabid cow. Mulanje District Hospital Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response Coordinator Masilina Kausiwa Msamanyada said the hospital received reports from Village Headman Shaibu on 24 Jan 2019 that more than 130 people in his area ate beef suspected to be from an infected cow that was bitten by a rabid dog.Msamanyada Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Staph. aureus – UK: (Scotland) fatal, bacteremia, NICU, RFI
Hospital-Related Infection -- United KingdomA total of 3 cases of _Staphylococcus aureus_ blood infection [bacteremia] have been found in babies at [the neonatal unit] of Prince Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow [Scotland, UK]. Of the 3 cases, 2 babies were extremely ill due to their very early [premature] birth and have died, with the infection one of a number of contributing causes in both deaths. The 3rd premature baby who tested positive for _S. aureus_ required treatment for the bacterium Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – Norway: (TE) RHDV2, rabbit, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- NorwayInformation received on [and dated] 31 Jan 2019 from Dre Kristina Landsverk, chief veterinary officer, Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Brumunddal, NorwaySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 11 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 28 Jan 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 9 Jun 2017Causal agent: rabbit hemorrhagic disease virusSerotype: RHDV2Nature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Varicella update (01): USA (CO, VT)
Chicken Pox -- United StatesThere has been another chicken pox [varicella] outbreak at the immigrant detention center in Aurora, the 2nd in just 3 months. A detainee "pod," which is a prison housing unit consisting of individual cells, was quarantined for weeks after an outbreak in October [2018].Now 2 pods have been quarantined for 21 days because of the virus, said GEO Group spokesman Pablo Paez in an e-mail. Paez did not answer additional questions about why a 2nd outbreak had occurred, or what Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (07): Poland, wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- PolandInformation received on [and dated] 1 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: 2 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 2 Jan 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: December 2018Manifestation of disease: Clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Bluetongue – Europe (03): Switzerland (SO) sheep, BTV-8, 2018, OIE
Bluetongue -- SwitzerlandBluetongue, SwitzerlandInformation received on [and dated] 1 Feb 2019 from Mr. Hans Wyss, Chief Veterinary Officer, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, Swiss Federal Veterinary Office, Liebefeld Berne, SwitzerlandSummaryReport type: Follow-up report no. 14Date of start of the event: 19 Oct 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 23 Oct 2018Report date: 1 Feb 2019Date submitted to OIE: 1 Feb 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: March Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Reading – USA, Canada: raw turkey products, pet food
Salmonella -- United StatesWoody's Pet Food Deli is recalling 3 date codes of raw turkey pet food found by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to be contaminated with _Salmonella_. The agriculture department initiated testing after the Minnesota Department of Health identified a human case of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Reading linked to the pet food.Public health officials discovered during their investigation that Woody's Pet Deli raw turkey pet food was fed regularly to a pet in the household Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Staph. aureus (MRSA) – Malaysia: (KL) massage clients
MRSA -- MalaysiaSince June 2018, more than 20 customers have contracted a severe bacterial infection after visiting a massage parlour in KL [Kuala Lumpur], Oriental Daily reports. Out of the 20, 7 victims have expressed their grievances to the members of the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall (KLCAH) as well as the director of Malaysia's Public Service Department, Xue Fufeng. This was done so at a press conference on [28 Jan 2019, where the 7 victims brought their medical reports along.MRSA Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (07): Americas, Africa, Europe
Measles -- United StatesAccording to the Russian Health Ministry, those who have not been immunized account for the largest number of people diagnosed with measles. "The people who have not been vaccinated or have no information about vaccination (over 90%) account for the largest proportion of those diagnosed with measles. The proportion of children (55.4%) remains high; 90% of them are children who have not been vaccinated against measles," the ministry said.Children under one year of age are also Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (10): (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria) positive environ.
Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2019: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 33New cVDPV cases reported this week: 0Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2019: 0Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 102HeadlinesSummary of new viruses this week:- Afghanistan - 5 wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1)-positive environmental samples;- Pakistan - 10 WPV1-positive environmental samples;- Nigeria - 2 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (08): Argentina (CH) comment
Hantavirus — Argentina
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (10): Saudi Arabia (RI), secondary cases
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaSince the last update on 29 Jan 2019, there have been 3 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV reported by Saudi Arabia.Information on newly confirmed cases (3):[1]Date of confirmation report: 30 Jan 2019 Case No: 19-1788MERS in Buraidah city: 65-year-old male in Buraidah city, Qassim regionContact with camels: YesCase classification: Primary, community acquiredCurrent status: Hospitalized[2]Date of confirmation report: 31 Jan 2019 Case No: 19-1789MERS in Wadi Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (12): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summaries, preparedness, treatment
Ebola -- DR Congo- Since the beginning of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 69 827 people have been vaccinated, including 20 241 in Beni, 16 390 in Katwa, 7860 in Butembo, 6008 in Mabalako, 2626 in Kalunguta, 2080 in Komanda, 1911 in Goma, 1755 in Oicha, 1663 in Mandima, 1157 in Karisimbi, 877 in Vuhovi, 873 in Kayina, 842 in Kyondo, 750 in Masereka, 700 in Lubero, 599 in Mutwanga, 560 in Rutshuru, 527 in Nyankunde, 524 in Biena, 442 in Musienene, 434 in Bunia, 355 to Tchomia, 167 to Kirotshe, 125 to Nyiragongo, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Zambia (02): (NR) cattle, serotype A, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- ZambiaInformation received on [and dated] 29 Jan 2019 Dr. Yona Sinkala, Director, Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Lusaka, ZambiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Jan 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 1990Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: foot-and-mouth disease virusSerotype: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Whale strandings – North Atlantic: sonar, 1960-2004
Undiagnosed -- Worldwide/Unknownde Quiros YB, Ferbabdes A, Baird RW, et al. Advances in research on the impacts of anti-submarine sonar on beaked whales. The Royal Society Publishing 2019; 286(1895); .Abstract--------"Mass stranding events (MSEs) of beaked whales (BWs) were extremely rare prior to the 1960s but increased markedly after the development of naval mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS). The temporal and spatial associations between atypical BW MSEs and naval exercises were first observed Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Canada: (MB) increased incidence, methamphetamine use, 2018
Syphilis -- CanadaThe Winnipeg Regional Health Authority [WRHA] is sounding the alarm on sexually transmitted infections in the city, warning that cases of syphilis are on the rise.In 2018, the rate of syphilis in Winnipeg was 4 times higher than it was in 2017, according to the WRHA. Dr Pierre Plourde, medical officer of health with the WRHA, said these rates are the highest he's seen in 20 years. "We knew syphilis was on the increase, but this is unheard of," said Plourde.The WRHA is still trying Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (07): Argentina (CH)
Hantavirus -- ArgentinaWithin the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health of Chubut, the Undersecretariat of Human Rights, under the Ministry of Government, coordinated a working day at the local Epuyen Cultural Center, where the different emerging issues of the health contingency affecting the locality were addressed. The proposal arose from attitudes and behaviors that show negative beliefs, as well as forms of stigma and discriminatory practices in the community that transcend the theme of health Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease – Russia: (KD) poultry, OIE
Newcastle Disease -- RussiaInformation received on 29 Jan 2019 from Dr Nikolay Vlasov, Deputy Head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture, Moscou, RussiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 28 Jan 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 27 Dec 2016Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Newcastle disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Strangles, equine – USA (02): (WA) horses
Strangles -- United StatesIn Pierce County, Washington, one horse was suspected and later confirmed positive for strangles. Shortly after announcing a positive case of equine strangles in Stevens County, Washington, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported 2 cases of strangles in Pierce County, Washington.The attending veterinarian of the most recent cases reported that 2 horses were affected. The first was a 10-year-old Paint mare that had onset of clinical signs on [Sun 13 Jan 2019] Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Late blight, potato – Nigeria: (PL)
Other Plant Disease -- NigeriaLast year [2018] was tough for potato farmers in Plateau State, the country's main producer of potatoes. The rainy season aggravated the plight as blight, a potent potato disease, ravaged most farms. Crises and blight therefore led to a rapid rise in the cost of potato seeds [tubers].Seeds were expensive in 2018 because [of] crises [making] farmers unable to harvest their crops [and] the ravaging potato blight during the rainy season. [For] seed imported from Holland, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (05): vaccine effectiveness, comment