Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Russia: (PR) porcine, st O, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 11 Jan 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: 1 Jan 2019Date of confirmation of the event: 10 Jan 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 3 Apr 2018Manifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal agent: Foot and mouth Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Tunisia: (JE, KS) bovine, ovine, st O, spread, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- TunisiaInformation received [and dated] on 10 Jan 2019 from Dr. Malek Zrelli, [Director General, General Directorate of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture], Tunis, TunisiaSummaryReport type: Follow-up report no. 1Date of start of the event: 15 Dec 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Dec 2018Report date: 10 Jan 2019Date submitted to OIE: 10 Jan 2019Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 26 May 2017Manifestation of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (04): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, WHO, travel, treatment
Ebola -- DR Congo- Since the beginning of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 58 085 people have been vaccinated, including 19 783 in Beni [North Kivu], 11 793 in Katwa [North Kivu], 6746 in Butembo [North Kivu], 5611 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 2283 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 1740 in Komanda [Ituri], 1663 in Mandima [Ituri], 1272 in Oicha [North Kivu], 1285 in Goma [North Kivu], 791 in Vuhovi [North Kivu], 750 in Masereka [North Kivu], 735 in Kyondo [North Kivu], 700 in Lubero [North Kivu], 599 in Mutwanga Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – USA: ex Pakistan, multidrug resistance, CDC 2018
Typhoid -- United StatesChatham-Stephens K, Medalla F, Hughes M, et al. Emergence of Extensively Drug-Resistant Salmonella Typhi Infections Among Travelers to or from Pakistan -- United States, 2016-2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019;68:11-13. DOI: In February 2018, a typhoid fever outbreak caused by _Salmonella enterica_ serotype Typhi (Typhi), resistant to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolones, and 3rd-generation cephalosporins, was reported in Pakistan. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Malawi (02): (MA) hippopotamus, last cases?
Anthrax -- MalawiThe anthrax death toll [in hippos] in Liwonde has risen to 48 from 45, and officials say the situation is now under control. Director of parks and wildlife Brighton Kunchedwa says that, although the death toll has risen by three, the situation on the ground is that everything is under control. "We have managed to contain the disease. Death is not a daily occurrence as was the case before. There has not been an outbreak of anthrax outside the Liwonde National Park," Kunchedwa said.Anthrax Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (03): global (Mozambique), Pakistan 2018
Polio -- MozambiqueNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2019: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 29Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 1Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2019: 0Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 101Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2017: 96Headlines- During the 4-day visit to polio endemic countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan, WHO Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – Canada: (BC) bovine, new strain
Bovine TB -- CanadaCanada's latest outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in domestic cattle involves a strain of TB bacteria not related to any previously seen in Canadian livestock or wildlife.Culture testing of bacteria taken from a cow confirmed as TB-positive in November [2018] shows it's "not related to past cases of bovine TB in Alberta or British Columbia [BC] or anywhere else in Canada," the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said on [Wed 9 Jan 2019].The agency also said on [Wed 9 Jan 2019] it has Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (04): Belgium (LX) wild boar, spread conf
African Swine Fever -- Belgium"Two cases of boars positive for African swine fever were detected between Meix and Sommethonne [Gaume municipality, Luxembourg province, Wallonia region]", a few hundred meters from the French border, confirms René Collin, the Walloon Minister of Agriculture. It is therefore outside the buffer zone, which will be extended over part of the 'enhanced observation area', to the southwest. A meeting with the French authorities is scheduled for Thu 10 Jan 2019.--Communicated Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (01): WHO global update, H3N2, oncology ward, 2017
Influenza, Influenza H3N2 -- 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 slowly.- In North America influenza activity continued to increase overall with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 predominating.- In Europe, influenza activity increased, with both Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Acute flaccid myelitis – North America (01): USA, update
Other Human Disease -- United StatesIn an update today [7 Jan 2019], the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded 7 new cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), bringing the total for 2018 to 193 confirmed cases, the most of any year since the CDC began tracking the mysterious illness in 2014.To date, 39 states have recorded cases, a number that has not changed since the CDC's previous update on [31 Dec 2018]. Texas has reported the most cases, 25, followed by Colorado (16), and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (02): (OH, IN, FL)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesThe Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and affected local health departments are investigating an increased number of hepatitis A cases in Ohio. ODH has declared a statewide community outbreak of hepatitis A after observing an increase in cases linked to certain risk factors since the beginning of 2018. Outbreaks of hepatitis A are occurring in several states across the USA, including neighboring states of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and West Virginia.Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza – Nigeria: (SO) serotype pending, OIE
Equine Influenza -- NigeriaInformation received on [and dated] 7 Jan 2019 from Dr Olaniran Alabi, Director, Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, ABUJA, NigeriaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 Dec 2018Date of pre-confirmation of the event: 5 Jan 2019Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Equine influenza virusSerotype: PendingNature Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Potato yellow blotch virus – UK: new potyvirus
Other Plant Disease -- United KingdomIn 2008 a [potato] breeding line (99m‐022‐026) growing in the UK (Scotland), displaying unusual yellow symptoms on the foliage that could have been mistaken for _Potato aucuba mosaic virus_, _Potato mop top virus_ or _Tobacco rattle virus_ (TRV), was further investigated to identify the causal agent. A new species of the genus _Potyvirus_ infecting potatoes, with the proposed name Potato yellow blotch virus (PYBV), was discovered. The infected plants Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa: Nigeria, WHO
Yellow Fever -- NigeriaOn 22 Nov 2018, the World Health Organization was informed of a cluster of suspected yellow fever (YF) cases and deaths in Edo State, Nigeria. Edo State is located less than 400km [250 miles] from Lagos on a dense population movement axis between Lagos and South-Eastern Nigeria. Edo State is also a known endemic area for Lassa fever, which was initially suspected as causing the outbreak. From 22 Sep through 31 Dec 2018, a total of 146 suspected, 42 presumptive positive, and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – USA: (WY) feline
Plague -- United StatesLaboratory testing at the University of Wyoming has recently confirmed a Johnson County cat was infected with plague, according to the Wyoming Department of Health. No human cases have been identified at this time.The cat's home is in Kaycee, and the animal is known to wander outdoors. The illness was confirmed by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory in Laramie. State health officer Dr. Alexia Harrist points out plague is a serious bacterial infection which can be deadly Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (04): Saudi Arabia (MK)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaOne Newly confirmed case of MERS-CoV infection reported from Makkah region in the past 24 hours.Date of confirmation report: 9 Jan 2019Case No: 19-1780MERS in Jeddah city: 75-year-old male in Jeddah city, Jeddah regionContact with camels: NoCase classification: Primary, Community acquiredCurrent status: Hospitalized--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[This newly confirmed case is the 4th case of MERS-CoV reported by Saudi Arabia since 1 Jan 2010. The 3 prior cases reported Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update: Africa, Asia
Diarrhea -- KenyaCholera continues to represent a major public health concern in Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR). From January to December 2018, approximately 37 565 cases and 443 cholera-related deaths were reported in the region with an average CFR of 1.2%. These cases emerged from 10 out of the 21 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR).In 2018, the cholera burden in ESAR was markedly heterogeneous, with Zimbabwe accounting for the highest case load at 28.8% (10 807 cases), Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (02): DR Congo, cVDPV, WHO, China, vaccine challenges
Polio -- DR CongoAs of October 2018, genetically-linked circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) isolates were detected in 2 cases from Haut-Katanga province (Mufunga-Sampwe district) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The 1st case was a 11-year old child who experienced onset of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) on [6 Oct 2018]. The 2nd case was a 29-month old child who experienced onset of symptoms on [7 Oct 2018], and is a known contact of the 1st case. The isolated viruses are Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Syria: (HM) cutaneous
Leishmaniasis -- SyriaYears of conflict and damage to the infrastructure in Hama have contributed to creating an environment where the parasitic skin disease Leishmaniasis can spread within the local communities. The disease, known locally as the 'Aleppo Boil', is spread by the bite of infected sand-flies that thrive in the piled-up waste and damaged sewers in the streets of Hama.UNICEF, with its partners, is helping fight Leishmaniasis through awareness-raising campaigns in 13 of the most affected Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Porcine epidemic diarrhea – North America: Canada (AB) 1st report
Novel Swine Enteric Coronavirus -- CanadaFor the 1st time, the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) virus has been discovered in Alberta. On [Tue 8 Jan 2019], Alberta Pork reported on their website the virus, which causes diarrhea and vomiting in pigs, has been found on a 400-head hog operation in the province.They say the virus is spread by the fecal-oral route, with the most common source being infected feces coming onto the farm from various surfaces that can transmit the disease. The virus can also Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Kyasanur Forest disease – India (02): (KA) human, monkey, update
Hemorrhagic Fever -- IndiaHigh fever, body pain, head ache, bleeding from nose, mouth, and any other parts of the body. After fever for one or 2 weeks, encephalitis, fever, tightness of the throat, headache, and vomiting is noticed."Awareness about the monkey fever will be done through meeting with public in areas of Kundapur and Hebri. If people come across death of monkey, the same should be informed to the health department immediately," said the DMO of Udupi district.Precautions to be taken against Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (02): India (BR, OR) zoo and wild birds, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- IndiaInformation received on [and dated] 7 Jan 2019 from Mr. Tarun Shridhar, secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, New Delhi, IndiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 15 Dec 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Dec 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 5 Jun 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (03): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, summaries
Ebola -- DR Congo- Since the beginning of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 56 866 [corrected number from MoH] people have been vaccinated, including 19 619 in Beni [North Kivu], 11 526 in Katwa [North Kivu], 6476 in Butembo [North Kivu], 5550 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 2283 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 1684 in Komanda [Ituri], 1663 in Mandima [Ituri], 1222 in Oicha [North Kivu], 1166 in Goma [North Kivu], 791 in Vuhovi [North Kivu], 750 in Masereka [North Kivu], 719 in Kyondo [North Kivu], 700 in Lubero [North Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Severe fever w/ thrombocytopenia synd. – South Korea: poss. aerosol transmission
Fever -- South KoreaJaeyoung Moon (a1), Hyeokjin Lee (a2), Ji Hoon Jeon (a3), Yejin Kwon. Aerosol transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus during resuscitation.AbstractWe investigated potential nosocomial aerosol transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) with droplet precautions. During aerosol generating procedures [in the hospital], SFTSV was be transmitted from person to person through aerosols. Thus, airborne precautions should be added Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever: vertical transmission, comments, details
Rift Valley Fever -- Worldwide/UnknownThe mosquito-borne virus that causes Rift Valley fever may severely injure human fetuses if contracted by mothers during pregnancy, according to new research.In a study published last month [December 2018] in the journal Science Advances, researchers used infected rats and human fetal tissue to discover how the virus targets the placenta. Results showed that the virus may be even more damaging to fetuses than the Zika virus, which set off a global crisis in 2015 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (01): Nepal (KT), poultry susp, RFI
Avian Influenza — Nepal
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (01): Iran (MN) HPAI, poultry, H5N8, spread, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- IranInformation received on [and dated] 5 Jan 2019 from Dr. Alireza Rafiepoor, head of Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO), Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, Tehran, IranSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Dec 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 24 Dec 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 30 Jan 2017Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – India: (OR) elephant calf, susp
Anthrax -- IndiaThe death of a male elephant calf in Similipal [Mayurbhanj district, Odisha] continues to be shrouded in mystery with forest officials coming up with different versions. The carcass of the male calf was found in TL-5 under Badamahulia beat of Badabalipusi section within Kedumunduli range 2 days back. While the tusks were intact, there were no injury marks on the decomposed carcass. While a forest officer on conditions of anonymity said anthrax could be the cause of the elephant's Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Die-off, fish – Australia: (NS) oxygen depletion susp
Animal Die-off -- AustraliaHundreds of thousands of fish have been killed along a stretch of the Lower Darling River in New South Wales in a 2nd major incident which has led some experts to fear whole populations of local native fish have been wiped out.Residents near the Menindee Lakes are reporting what is the 2nd major fish kill along a 20 km [about 12.4 mi] stretch of water near Weir 32.An incident before Christmas [2018] saw an estimated 10 000 fish die.Locals have been posting photos of dying Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (03): Chile (LG) ex Argentina (CH)
Hantavirus -- ChileThe Seremi de Salud [Regional Health Ministerial Secretariat] of Los Lagos has confirmed this year's [2019] 1st case of infection by hantavirus in the Chilean region.The patient, a female employee of the Health Service of Chile, was taken to Santiago after it was confirmed that she had been infected with the virus in Epuyén, Argentina, which is located 4 hours from Palena. The woman resides in the city of Palena, in the Los Lagos Region, and remains hospitalized in the Puerto Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (02): Togo (KA)
Lassa Fever -- Worldwide/UnknownThe Togo government confirmed last week [week of 1 Jan 2019] a Lassa fever case reported in Doufelgou district [Kara region] in the north of the country, according to a Agence de Presse Africaine report (computer translated).This was a hemorrhagic fever case according to officials.Lassa fever is a rare but potentially life-threatening viral hemorrhagic disease. The risk of infection is low but can occur if someone comes into contact with an infected person's blood Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Mengla virus – China: (YN) bat
Hemorrhagic Fever -- ChinaAbstract--------Filoviruses, especially Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV), are notoriously pathogenic and capable of causing severe haemorrhagic fever diseases in humans with high lethality. The risk of future outbreaks is exacerbated by the discovery of other bat-borne filoviruses of wide genetic diversity globally. Here we report the characterization of a phylogenetically distinct bat filovirus, named Mengla virus (MLAV). The coding-complete genome of MLAV shares Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Flavescence doree, grapevine – Switzerland: (GE)
Other Plant Disease -- SwitzerlandThe NPPO of Switzerland recently informed EPPO that for the 1st time, grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma (EPPO A2 List) was found in a nursery on the northern side of the Alps on a single grafted young _Vitis_ plant. The nursery is located in the Canton of Geneva. Tracing-back studies are ongoing to determine the possible origin of this infection. Official phytosanitary measures are being taken to eradicate the pathogen.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Flavescence Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease – USA: (ID) columbids
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesAs reports of mourning and Eurasian collared dove die offs in the Kuna area [Ada county] filter in to Fish and Game offices, forensic testing on several dead birds from the area has pinpointed the cause of death as pigeon paramyxovirus, a strain of paramyxovirus that is common to pigeons and doves.Similar dove die offs were recently reported in the Idaho city area, while a large pigeon die off occurred during summer [2018] in Mountain Home due to a different strain Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (03): Belgium (LX) wild boar, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- BelgiumInformation received on [and dated] 7 Jan 2019 from Dr Jean-Francois Heymans, director, Animal Health and Safety of Products of Animal Origin, Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC), Bruxelles, BelgiumSummaryReport type: follow-up report no. 16Date of start of the event: 9 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 13 Sep 2018Report date: 7 Jan 2019Date submitted to OIE: 7 Jan 2019Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (03): Saudi Arabia (RI)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the period since the last update on Fri 4 Jan 2019, there has been one newly confirmed case of MERS-CoV infection and one recovery reported.Information on newly confirmed case:Date of confirmation report: 7 Jan 2019Case no: 19-1779MERS in Riyadh city: 33-year-old male in Riyadh city, Riyadh regionContact with camels: noCase classification: secondary, household contactCurrent status: home-isolationOutcome reportDate of initial confirmation report: 26 Dec Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (01): Nigeria
Lassa Fever -- Nigeria- In the reporting week 52 [24-31 Dec 2018] 22 new confirmed cases were reported from Edo(9), Ondo (6), Bauchi (5), and Taraba (2) states with 5 new deaths in Ondo( 2), Bauchi (2) and Taraba (1) states, and one probable case from Ondo state- From 1 Jan-31 Dec 2018, a total of 3498 suspected cases have been reported. Of these, 633 were confirmed positive, 20 probable, 2853 negative (not a case)- Since the onset of the 2018 outbreak, there have been 171 deaths in confirmed cases Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Russia: (YN) genomic strain identifications
Anthrax -- RussiaAbstract--------This article describes _Bacillus anthracis_ strains isolated during an outbreak of anthrax on the Yamal Peninsula in the summer of 2016 and independently in Yakutia [Sakha] in 2015. A common feature of these strains is their conservation in permafrost, from which they were extracted either due to the thawing of permafrost (Yamal strains) or as the result of paleontological excavations (Yakut strains). All strains isolated on the Yamal share an identical genotype belonging Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis, cutaneous – Libya: (MS)
Leishmaniasis -- LibyaHealth officials in Bani Walid municipality [Misratah district] in northwest Libya are reporting an outbreak of the disfiguring parasitic disease, leishmaniasis, according to a local media report.[So far,] 290 cases have been reported although it is not clear when this upsurge of cases began.The report notes that Director of the Office Ayman al-Hawadi said that the disease has become a nightmare for residents in Bani Walid, especially in the absence of medical treatment, calling Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (02): Pacific, Europe, Americas, Middle East, comment