Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (01): Americas (USA) avian, grouse, conservation concern
West Nile Virus -- United StatesWisconsin's 1st confirmed cases of West Nile virus in ruffed grouse were reported [Tue 15 Jan 2019] by the state Department of Natural Resources.The DNR said that West Nile was confirmed in 3 of 16 grouse tested so far. The DNR said the results are still preliminary because another 238 grouse samples remain to be tested.The agency is testing both sickly grouse that were turned in to wildlife officials and grouse blood samples submitted by hunter volunteers in the field.Wildlife Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (03): (KY, WV, OH)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesIn November 2017, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) identified an outbreak of acute hepatitis A. The increase in cases observed in Kentucky was well over the 10-year average of reported hepatitis A cases. Several cases have been infected with HAV strains genetically linked to outbreaks in California, Utah and Michigan. Similar to hepatitis A outbreaks in other states, the primary risk factors remain illicit drug use and homelessness. A contaminated food source Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (02): Nepal (KT) poultry
Avian Influenza -- NepalThe following information was submitted by an EpiCore Surveillance Project member.The suspected farm was visited by a team from the animal health sector at Dadapauwa-6, Ramkot of Nagarjun municipality (GPS coordinates: N 27.719571, E 85.254101). [The farmer reported that] in a population of 3000 broiler chickens, some birds started to show clinical signs of respiratory problems from 2 Jan 2019. From 3 Jan 2019 birds started to die and by 11 Jan 2019, a total of 744 birds had Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Kyasanur Forest disease – India (04): (KA) monkey, susp
Hemorrhagic Fever -- IndiaAnother 4 monkeys were found dead in different parts of Udupi district on [Mon 14 Jan 2019]. With this, the total number of monkeys that have died in the district since [8 Jan 2019] has gone up to 22.District Health and Family Welfare Officer Rohini told The Hindu here that 2 monkeys were found dead in Belve, while a monkey each was found dead in Kandlur and Hosmar.The department concerned had still not received any report on the viscera of the dead monkeys sent to the Viral Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed disease, tomato – Iraq: (BA)
Undiagnosed -- IraqA "dangerous disease" has hit the country's tomato produce. The epidemic seems to have hit in the southeastern [province] of Al-Basra [and] has caused thousands of tonnes of tomatoes to turn rotten. The reason for the epidemic is still unknown.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[A number of tomato diseases have been reported from the region, many of them can also affect potatoes and other solanaceous crops. Rotting of tomato fruits, both pre- and postharvest, can be due to a number of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (03): Nigeria (KW)
Yellow Fever -- NigeriaKwara Commissioner for Health Alhaji Usman Rifun-Kolo disclosed that a yellow fever case has been confirmed in Agunji in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara. According to him, the patient is a farmer from Kebbi State, resident in Agunji District.He noted that the state Ministry of Health is already in touch with traditional leaders to brief them on the outbreak of the disease.The commissioner added that samples have also been taken from the residence to confirm whether Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, bovine – USA: (FL, GA) feed sup, RFI
Undiagnosed -- United StatesFlorida authorities are investigating sudden deaths among cattle in parts of Florida and Georgia. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services this week received multiple reports related to acute deaths in cattle. These deaths are being investigated by both the Division of Agricultural Environmental Services and the Division of Animal Industry. Local law enforcement agencies and veterinarians have also been involved in the ongoing investigation.While the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (03): Denmark (SL) wild bird, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- DenmarkInformation received on [and dated] 15 Jan 201918 from Dr Per Starcke Henriksen, Chief Veterinary Officer, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Glostrup, DenmarkSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 22 Dec 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 14 Jan 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 19 Sep 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Madariaga virus – Haiti: 1st rep, 2015-2016
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- HaitiAbstract--------Madariaga virus (MADV), also known as South American eastern equine encephalitis virus, has been identified in animals and humans in South and Central America, but not previously in Hispaniola or the northern Caribbean. MADV was isolated from virus cultures of plasma from an 8-year-old child in a school cohort in the Gressier/Leogane region of Haiti, who was seen in April 2015, with acute febrile illness (AFI). The virus was subsequently cultured Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Norway: (central) salted preserved fish, alert, recall
Botulism -- NorwayA traditional Norwegian fish dish has been recalled due to a link with a case of botulism. Torpet Fiskeoppdrettsanlegg AS recalled rakfisk due to suspicions that consumption can cause botulism. Rakfisk is a traditional Norwegian fish dish made from trout or char, salted and then fermented for up to a year before being eaten without cooking. The withdrawal applies to all varieties of the product that the company produced in 2018.Rakfisk was sold via various market stalls in Trondelag, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (05): Nigeria cVDPV, Pakistan environmental samples, RFI
Polio -- Nigeria[This information was excerpted from a larger article mentioning Lassa fever cases and a yellow fever case in addition to this cVDPV case occurring in Kwara state. - Mod.MPP]The government has confirmed an outbreak of circulating vaccine derived polio virus (cDVPV), which claimed the life of 2-year-old girl.Speaking on Tue [15 Jan 2019] during a news briefing, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Usman Rifun-Kolo, disclosed that an outbreak of circulating cDVPV in a Fulani Camp Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Seneca Valley virus – Brazil: swine, feed
Other Animal Disease -- BrazilThe Iowa-based Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) announced last week an outbreak of Seneca Valley [virus] A (SVA) in Brazil. The disease has been found in pigs of all ages, but initial cases were located in finishing pigs, said the SHIC.A previous outbreak of the disease in Brazil in the autumn and winter of 2014-15 preceded an occurrence of the disease in the US in 2015, the center said.The center is working to understand the risk presented from the outbreak in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Strangles, equine – New Zealand
Strangles -- New ZealandMillions of dollars' worth of high-class bloodstock remains stranded in New Zealand after a deadly strangles outbreak halted the movement of horses bound for Hong Kong.Owners who have bought racehorses out of New Zealand have been left waiting for as long as 7 months as authorities seek to contain the outbreak, which saw a peak of 4 horses from the 30-strong batch test positive to the respiratory infection.Strangles is a highly contagious infection that causes a horse's lymph Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (03): China (GS) domestic swine, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 15 Jan 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: 7 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 13 Jan 2019Reason for notification: first occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Australian bat lyssavirus – Australia: (NS) human exposure
Rabies -- AustraliaA warning has been issued following a surge in people being bitten and scratched by flying foxes infected with a virus like rabies. A spike in the number of incidents in the Newcastle area has led New South Wales health experts to issue a bat attack alert. The extremely hot weather seen across Australia this is week is making the bats irritated and aggressive, the ABC reported.Authorities say the number of bites and scratches is unprecedented, with public health physician David Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Enterobacter huaxiensis & chuandaensis – China: new pathogen sp., bacteremia
Sepsis -- China"_Enterobacter_ strains 090008T and 090028T were recovered from the blood of 2 different patients at West China Hospital, Chengdu, PR China in 2017. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and multi-locus sequence analysis of the rpoB, gyrB, infB and atpD housekeeping genes revealed that the 2 strains were distinct from any previously known species of the genus _Enterobacter_. Both average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (isDDH) values between Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Xylella, lavender – Portugal: 1st rep (PO)
Xylella Fastidiosa -- PortugalThe 1st positive result of _Xylella fastidiosa_ in Portugal, already confirmed by the French Reference Laboratory (ANSES), was communicated to the DGAV (General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Sciences). The plants were found in an ornamental bed of the genus _Lavandula dentata_ (French lavender) in a zoo in Porto district during the national xylella monitoring programme and showed no symptoms of disease.Work will continue to survey and collect samples of host plants Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (02): China (JS) domestic swine, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 14 Jan 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: 6 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Jan 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 17 Oct 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – USA (01): (IA)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesFourteen tissue samples from wild Iowa deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease [CWD], bringing the total deer testing positive for CWD in Iowa to 44. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is waiting for results on follow-up tests for 2 suspect samples that could raise the total positives for the year [2018] to 16. The deer tissue was collected primarily during the fall from hunter-harvested and road-killed deer.The way that this disease moves, these Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Habronemaisis: equine, periocular, research
Conjunctivitis -- Worldwide/UnknownVerhaar N, Hermans H, van Rooij E, van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MS and Ensink J. Case series: periocular habronemiasis in five horses in the Netherlands," was published in the Veterinary Record. Vet Rec. 2018 Jun 30;182(26):746. doi: 10.1136/vr.104265. Epub 2018 Apr 25. Abstract available at:[Byline: Christa Lesté-Lasserre]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts[The article does a good job of explaining the parasite and the problems it causes. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (01): USA (NY) equine
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets confirmed equine herpesvirus in 3 horses in 2 counties, according to the Equine Disease Communications Center.A Paint mare from Erie County that exhibited ataxia and falling was confirmed positive for EHV-1 via nasal swab PCR test the week ending 11 Jan 2019.The mare and all other horses on the farm are quarantined. Biosecurity measures and temperature monitoring are in place. No horses have left the farm Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (04): Argentina (CH)
Hantavirus -- ArgentinaThe Ministry of Health in Chubut province confirmed 3 more deaths from [a] hantavirus [infection] on [9 Jan 2019], meaning the current death toll from the outbreak has reached 9 people.Those who lost their lives were 2 women and a 16-year-old, reported La Nación, all of whom were being treated in Esquel hospital [Chubut]. One of the women was the daughter and sister of 2 people who have already died from the outbreak which started in the small town of Epuyen, near the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Pneumonia ovine – USA (05): (UT) bighorn sheep
Pneumonia -- Worldwide/UnknownThe Division of Wildlife Resources has found that a herd of bighorn sheep on Antelope Island [Utah] has somehow contracted a devastating respiratory disease and is dying off.About 150 animals were counted among the herd last year [2018]. But KSL-TV reports biologists on [Wed 9 Jan 2019] flew over the island and found only 26 sheep left.Division of Wildlife Resources spokesman Mark Hadley says, "This disease has taken all of the sheep," and there are no vaccinations or Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (05): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, challenges, diagnostics, news
Ebola -- DR Congo- Since the start of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 58 956 people have been vaccinated , including 19 855 in Beni [North Kivu], 12 153 in Katwa [North Kivu], 6746 in Butembo [North Kivu], 5686 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 2283 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 1774 in Komanda [Ituri], 1663 in Mandima [Ituri], 1435 in Goma [North Kivu], 1272 in Oicha [North Kivu], 854 in Karisimbi [North Kivu], 791 in Vuhovi [North Kivu], 750 in Masereka [North Kivu], 735 in Kyondo [North Kivu], 700 in Lubero [North Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (04): Pakistan (FATA)
Polio -- PakistanAnother polio case has been reported from Bajaur district as the number of polio cases has risen to 6 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), Islamabad notified the polio case from Bajaur district of the tribal districts.The National Institute of Health isolated wild polio virus from the stool sample of a 30-month-old child from the village of Sheikhan, UC Tali, Tehsil Salarzai, Bajaur District.A stool sample from the child was collected on [27 Dec Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> VIM-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa – USA ex Mexico, medical tourism, alert
P. aeruginosa -- United StatesRecently, some US residents returning from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico were diagnosed with infections caused by an antibiotic-resistant form of _Pseudomonas aeruginosa_ bacteria.All of the travelers with this particular infection had an invasive medical procedure performed in Tijuana. Most (but not all) of them had weight-loss surgery. About half of those infected had their surgery done at the Grand View Hospital.Based on information provided by the CDC, the Mexican Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Kyasanur Forest disease – India (03): (KA) human, monkey, update
Kyasanur Forest Disease -- IndiaThe outbreak of Kyasanur Forest disease [KFD], also known as monkey fever, in Malnad region of the district [Shivamogga] is showing no signs of abating, as 4 cases have now been reported from Tirthahalli taluk. The earlier cases were reported in Sagar taluk.With this, the total number of KFD cases in the district since December 2018 has reached 62, of which 58 cases are from Aralagodu Gram Panchayat limits in Sagar taluk. Six persons from Aralagodu died during this Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Paralytic shellfish poisoning – New Zealand
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning -- New ZealandThe Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in New Zealand has extended a public health warning against collecting shellfish in the Northland east coast region due to a reported illness.The affected area now covers from North Cape (Outo) south to Cape Karikari (Whakapouaka) and includes Parengarenga, Houhoura and Rangaunu Harbours.One illness was noted in someone who consumed shellfish collected from Rarawa Beach. MPI is sampling and testing shellfish from Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Norovirus – Europe: (UK, Ireland) oysters
Norovirus -- United KingdomAuthorities in the United Kingdom and Ireland are investigating a foodborne outbreak suspected to be caused by norovirus in live oysters.The oysters are thought to have come from Ireland and been purified in the UK, and it is believed they are no longer on the market.Harvesting records and purification operations at the unnamed implicated business in Ireland have been checked with nothing proving that oysters harvested at the time were contaminated.A number of people fell Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (01)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaCitation: Vasanthapuram Ravi, Shafeeq Keeran Shahul Hameed, Anita Desai, Reeta Subramaniam Mani, Vijayalakshmi Reddy, et al.: Dengue virus is an under-recognised causative agent of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES): Results from a 4-year AES surveillance study of Japanese encephalitis in selected states of India. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2019. doi: .Highlights- Dengue virus is one of the 3 most common agents identified in acute encephalitis syndrome Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Diarrheal shellfish poisoning – Namibia: (ER), alert
Poisoning -- NamibiaThe fisheries ministry has warned the public not to consume oysters and mussels produced at Walvis Bay, due to an outbreak of diarrhectic [diarrhetic, diarrheal] shellfish poisoning (DSP). As part of the national shellfish sanitation program, the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) recently tested oysters and mussels for biotoxins and discovered that the results revealed the presence of DSP, the ministry said in a media statement on Fri 11 Jan 2019. The ministry said it was not Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) – Sri Lanka: canine, 1st rep., preliminary, RFI
Trypanosomiasis -- Sri LankaA dog in Balangoda was found to have been infected by a parasitic disease known as trypanosomiasis. It was the 1st time that such a disease was detected in Sri Lanka, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Studies, Professor Ashoka Dangolla said.Some of the symptoms of this disease are fever, severe headaches, irritability, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, aching muscles and joints, and feeling sleepy and lethargic.The dog was found to be suffering from this disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Measles update (03): Europe, Americas, Asia, Africa, vaccine
Measles -- UkraineAddressing vaccine compliance problems is of particular relevance and significance to public health. Despite resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases and public awareness of vaccine importance, why is it so challenging to boost population vaccination coverage to desired levels especially in the wake of declining vaccine uptake? To understand this puzzling phenomenon, here we study how social imitation dynamics of vaccination can be impacted by the presence of imperfect vaccine, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (02): Asia, Pacific, Australia, research
Dengue -- Sri Lanka- 19 imported cases of dengue (4 cases of DENV-1, 1 case of DENV-2, 7 cases of DENV-4, and 7 cases of dengue serotype unknown) with travel history to Papua New Guinea were reported by Queensland Health (notifiable conditions data) for the period 1 Jan-9 Dec 2018 available at .Australia- Overseas acquired cases of dengue notified in Queensland in 2018 year to date[HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Australia: ]******[2] Mosquito repellent plantsDate: Thu 27 Dec 2018Source: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Morocco: (BK) bovine, serotype pending, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- MoroccoInformation received on [and dated] 10 Jan 2019 from Dr. Abderrahman El Abrak, [Director of Veterinary Services, National Office of Sanitary Safety of Food Products (ONSSA), Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries], Rabat, MoroccoSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 1 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Jan 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 13 Nov 2015Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (05): Eastern Mediterranean region, EMRO
MERS -- Worldwide/UnknownHighlights- At the end of December 2018, a total of 2279 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including 806 associated deaths (case fatality rate 35.3%), were reported globally; the majority of these cases were reported from Saudi Arabia (1901 cases, including 732 related deaths with a case fatality rate of 38.5%).- During the month of December [2018], a total of 5 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS were reported globally (all from Saudi Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bluetongue – Europe: Germany (RP) bovine, st 8, spread
Bluetongue -- GermanyBluetongue disease has reached Rhineland-Palatinate. Bluetongue of the serotype BTV-8 has been found on a cattle holding in the district of Trier-Saarburg according to the LUA. The initial result has been confirmed today [11 Jan 2019] by the national reference lab, FLI.This is the 1st confirmation of the disease since May 2009. The disease affects sheep and cattle but is not known to infect humans. The whole of Rhineland Palatinate state will be declared a restricted area, and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA: (CA) commercial flocks
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesThe US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed 8 Jan 2019 virulent Newcastle disease in a 2nd commercial poultry flock in California. The latest case is in a commercial layer flock in Riverside County, APHIS said, and the finding is part of an outbreak in southern California that began in May 2018 in backyard exhibition birds.Virulent Newcastle disease is not a food safety concern, the USDA said, and no human Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Germany: toxigenic, cutaneous, siblings, suspected ex Somalia
Diphtheria -- GermanyIn September 2018, a child who had returned from Somalia to Germany presented with cutaneous diphtheria [caused] by toxigenic _Corynebacterium diphtheriae_ biovar mitis. The child's sibling had superinfected insect bites harbouring also toxigenic _C. diphtheriae_. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed the same strain in both patients, suggesting very recent human-to-human transmission. Epidemiological and NGS data suggest that the 2 cutaneous diphtheria cases constitute the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Tanzania: (SO) bovine, human
Anthrax -- TanzaniaA total of 4 people died and more than 70 others were hospitalized as a result of anthrax or anthrax outbreaks in Momba district, southwestern Tanzania, a local health official said Thursday [10 Jan 2019]. Anno Maseta, a doctor in Momba district, confirmed that 78 Nzoka patients had been infected with the disease and that 4 of them had died. "So far, 4 people have died from bacterial disease; the remaining 74 are receiving treatment," he said.According to Juma Irando, District Read more [...]
