Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (02): Panama WHO 2018 review
Hantavirus -- PanamaThe Panama Ministry of Health has reported an increase in cases of hantavirus infection in Los Santos Province, Republic of Panama, to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). Between 1 Jan - 22 Dec 2018, a total of 103 confirmed cases of hantavirus [infections] have been reported at the national level, 99 of which were reported in Los Santos Province. In Los Santos Province, 51 cases were classified as hantavirus fever (HF) without pulmonary Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kenya (02): (ME) livestock, human
Anthrax -- KenyaResidents of Nkururu village in Mitheru ward of Maara constituency are now calling on the government to move with speed to tame the outbreak of anthrax in the region, which they say is costing the lives of scores of people. They are hoping that the county government will send health officers on the ground to help treat anthrax disease, which is increasingly affecting people every day.Residents say that out of the 800 people in the village, not less than 200 had visited health centers, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – East Africa: Uganda (MZ)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- UgandaMedical officials have confirmed an outbreak of Crimean-Congo fever in Masindi District in Western Uganda. The disease has been confirmed in Kikingura village in Bwijanga Sub County."There is a health worker who died at the end of December 2018, and the blood sample tested positive for the haemorrhagic fever," said Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the senior public relations officer at the Ministry of Health.He said the deceased was given a supervised burial by medical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Kyasanur Forest disease – India: (KA) human
Kyasanur Forest Disease -- IndiaAn outbreak of Kyasanur Forest disease [KFD], also known as monkey fever, has been reported in some villages of Shivamogga district, following which authorities have taken measures, including vaccination, to combat it, a health official said on Thursday [3 Jan 2019].A team of doctors and paramedics was deputed to the affected areas, and a door-to-door verification was on to identify people affected by KFD, Shivamogga District Surveillance Officer (DSO) Dr B S Shankarappa Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe: (MW) bovine, human
Anthrax -- ZimbabweAt least 8 people are reportedly receiving treatment after consuming meat infected with anthrax in Zvimba. Sources privy to the development alleged that the disease has affected several cattle in the area, which is home to the former president Robert Mugabe. The affected people are from Kasanze and Chirau villages under Chief Chirau.Last year [2018], following reports of the suspected anthrax cases, the government availed USD 30 000 towards the purchase of drugs and management Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (02): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summaries
Ebola -- DR Congo- Since vaccination began on 8 Aug 2018, 55 102 people have been vaccinated , including 19 486 in Beni [North Kivu], 10 987 in Katwa [North Kivu], 6216 in Butembo [North Kivu], 5423 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 2258 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 1663 in Mandima [Ituri], 1458 in Komanda [Ituri], 1076 in Oicha [North Kivu], 942 in Goma [North Kivu], 791 in Vuhovi [North Kivu], 750 in Masereka [North Kivu], 700 in Lubero [North Kivu], 659 in Kyondo [North Kivu], 599 in Mutwanga [North Kivu], Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Peste des petits ruminants – Algeria: (ET) ovine, caprine, spread
Peste des petits ruminants -- AlgeriaA total of 6 cases of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) were discovered and confirmed during the past week in the locality of Ain Kheyar (wilaya of El Tarf), reported the APS on Friday [4 Jan 2019], citing the director Agricultural Services (ASD).The results of analyzes of samples taken from sheep in Ain Kheyar, from the alert given, confirmed that 6 head of sheep are suffering from PPR, said Kameleddine Benseghir. In the same context, he said that a suspicion Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (02): Kenya, animal reservoir, camel, serosurveillance, genotyping
MERS -- KenyaWe describe the 1st genome isolation of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Kenya. This fatal zoonotic pathogen was 1st described in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2012. Epidemiological and molecular evidence revealed zoonotic transmission from camels to humans and between humans. Currently, MERS-CoV is classified by the WHO as having high pandemic potential requiring greater surveillance. Previous studies of MERS-CoV in Kenya mainly focused on site-specific and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Ricin – USA: (WA) possible public exposure
Poisoning -- United StatesThe Thurston County Sheriff's Office said a patient admitted to taking the poison ricin inside Providence St. Peter Hospital [Olympia, WA] Wednesday [2 Jan 2019] evening, potentially putting dozens of people at risk. "This is a public safety concern. When you go to the [emergency room] you might expect to catch the flu, you don't expect to be exposed to ricin," said a man who was inside the hospital at the time of the incident. The man asked to keep his name private because Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (01): Argentina (CH)
Hantavirus -- ArgentinaThe Chubut Ministry of Health stated the child who was admitted to the Epuyen Hospital 2 days ago and was taken to Bariloche as a suspected case of [a] hantavirus [infection], was confirmed as "positive" [for the infection] after tests done by the Malbran Institute; with this case, the number affected by this disease, which is transmitted by the long-tail mouse, increases to 14 including 5 fatalities.In the last part of the official announcement, the Chubut Ministry of Health Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles vaccine – India: (MH) adverse events, RFI
Vaccine Complication -- IndiaA one-year-old girl died on [Tue 18 Dec 2018], 3 days after she was administered the measles and rubella (MR) vaccination at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) at Nagpur in Maharashtra following a diagnosis of gastroenteritis, the Indian Express reported.According to district health officer Prashant Uikey, the minor, [AG], was vaccinated at Tumsar tehsil's Garra village on [Sat 15 Dec 2018], along with her 4-year-old brother [SG]. After receiving the vaccination, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed hemorrhagic fever – Sweden: ex Burundi
Hemorrhagic Fever -- SwedenMedical tests have cleared a man initially suspected of being infected with Ebola in Sweden. The man, who had recently traveled to Central Africa, made global headlines Friday [4 Jan 2019] and sent Swedish authorities into high alert after arriving at a local emergency department that morning with symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever, including vomiting blood.That emergency department -- at a hospital in Enkoping, which is about 80 km [50 miles] northwest of Stockholm -- Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (01): Saudi Arabia (RI)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaandDuring the period since the last update on Fri 28 Dec 2018, there have been a total of 2 newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection and one recovery reported by the Saudi MOH.Information on newly confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection (2 cases):[1]Date of confirmation report: 1 Jan 2019Case no: 19 -1777MERS in Riyadh city: 54-year-old male in Riyadh city, Riyadh regionContact with camels: noCase classification: primary, community acquiredCurrent status: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (01): global
Polio -- Worldwide/UnknownNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 29Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 0Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 100Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2017: 96Headlines- As of [1 Jan 2019], WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has taken over as the Chair of the Polio Oversight Board. Starting on [4 Jan 2019], accompanied by Dr. Al Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (01): (KY, TN)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesSome central Kentucky counties are continuing to see an upswing in hepatitis A cases. One of those counties is Fayette County. The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department says it has seen more than 85 cases in November and December 2018 alone, bringing the total to 124."I think it's finally just reached more momentum here in Lexington, especially among high-risk groups," commissioner of health Kraig Humbaugh said. "So 75% to 80% of our cases are folks who use substances, Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (01): January 2019
Monkeypox, Hepatitis B, Other Human Disease, Tuberculosis, Zika virus, HIV/AIDS, Rubella, Measles, MRSA, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Chagas -- NigeriaEditorials and perspectivesMonkeypox -- Enhancing public health preparedness for an emerging lethal human zoonotic epidemic threat in the wake of the smallpox post-eradication eraEskild Petersen, Ibrahim Abubakar, Chikwe Ihekweazu, David Heymann, Francine Ntoumi, Lucille Blumberg, Danny Asogun, Victor Mukonka, Swaib Abubaker Lule, Matthew Bates, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (01): China, domestic, spread, FAO, Taiwan ex China
African Swine Fever -- ChinaSince the China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) confirmed its 1st African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Liaoning Province on 3 Aug 2018, 100 ASF outbreaks have been detected in 23 provinces/autonomous region/municipalities. More than 706 000 pigs have been culled in an effort to halt further spread.- Heilongjiang Province: ASF outbreak occurred on one farm with approximately 73 000 pigs in Mingshui County, Suihua City [1*].- Shanxi Province: ASF outbreak Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Rubella – Europe: Spain (AR)
Rubella -- SpainHealth officials in Spain are reporting an outbreak of rubella in the Aragon region in northeastern Spain, according to a local news source (computer translated).The outbreak that has affected 12 people in Zuera is the 1st seen since 2012 in the region. Spain achieved elimination status for rubella as of 2015, according to the World Health Organization.Rubella, also called German measles, is a disease spread by the coughs and sneezes of infected people. Symptoms include a rash and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (01): Ukraine, domestic, wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- UkraineKiev: event started 16 Oct 2016. 18 outbreaks (submitted) reported to date (Thu 3 Jan 2019). The event is continuing, with the last follow-up report provided on 28 Nov 2018.Total animals affected:Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Killed and disposed of / SlaughteredSwine / 11 500 / 60 / 60 / 11 440 / 0--Communicated by:ProMED-mail******[2] Donetsk: domestic swine and wild boarDate: Thu 3 Jan 2019Source: OIE, WAHIS (World Animal Health Information System) Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kenya: (ME) livestock, human
Anthrax -- KenyaThree people have been hospitalized in Chuka, Kenya, after eating tainted meat. The individuals are being treated for suspected anthrax and are in critical condition, according to a local news report. In addition, some 10 others were treated at other facilities and discharged. It is believed they ate anthrax-infected cow, and officials sent livestock officers to affected areas to investigate the situation.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail [In the December [2018] report on Meru Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chikungunya (01): Americas, Africa, Asia
Chikungunya — Worldwide/Unknown
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – USA: (MI) live poultry, mail-order hatchery
Salmonella -- United StatesHardy MC, Robertson SA, Sidge J, et al.In the USA, contact with live poultry has been linked to 70 _Salmonella_ outbreaks resulting in 4794 clinical cases since 2000 (1). Environmental sampling to confirm the outbreak strain at poultry hatcheries that supply backyard flocks is conducted infrequently during investigations; therefore, the source of the outbreak is rarely identified. On 12 Jun 2018, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services requested assistance Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (01): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summaries, Uganda
Ebola -- DR Congo-Since the start of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 54 153 people have been vaccinated, including 19 363 in Beni, 10 761 in Katwa, 5977 in Butembo, 5377 in Mabalako, 2258 in Kalunguta, 1663 in Mandima, 1388 in Komanda, 1009 in Oicha, 942 in Goma, 791 in Vuhovi, 750 in Masereka, 700 in Lubero, 659 in Kyondo, 599 in Mutwanga, 434 in Bunia, 394 in Musienene, 360 in Karisimbi, 355 in Tchomia, 167 in Nyankunde, 70 in Biena, 63 in Alimbongo, and 13 in Kisangani. The only vaccine to be used Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (01): Belgium (LX) wild boar, spread, OIE, RFI
African Swine Fever -- BelgiumInformation received on [and dated] 31 Dec 2018 from Dr. Jean-François 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. 15Date of start of the event: 9 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 13 Sep 2018Report date: 31 Dec 2018Date submitted to OIE: 31 Dec 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (01): Americas
Dengue -- Worldwide/UnknownCases by Country / Week updated / Serotype / Total / Conf. / Severe / DeathsNorth AmericaUSA / 50 [w/e 14 Dec 2018] / D? / 313 / 313 / 0 / 0Central America and MexicoBelize / 49 [w/e 7 Dec 2018] / D? / 1881 / 105 / 0 / 0Costa Rica / 45 [w/e 9 Nov 2018] / D1,2 / 2036 / 265 / 0 / 0El Salvador / 49 [w/e 7 Dec 2018] / D2 / 8148 / 789 / 18 / 1Guatemala / 45 [w/e 9 Nov 2018] / D1,2,3,4 / 6051 / 1802 / 67 / 18Honduras / 49 [w/e 7 Dec 2018] / D1,2,3 / 7345 / 0 / 870 / 3Mexico / Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (01): Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia
Measles -- Worldwide/Unknown[1] New York (Orange County)Africa------[2] Kenya (Wajir county)[3] Uganda (Kagadi District )Southeast Asia--------------[4] Thailand******[1] New York (Orange county)Date: Tue 1 Jan 2019Source: MidHudson News.com [edited]The Orange County Health Department had confirmed another case of measles, bringing the total to 7. That compares with 96 cases in neighboring Rockland County. [See URL for locations and times of possible exposure in Orange and Rockland Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Malawi: (MA) hippopotamus, more cases
Anthrax -- MalawiThe Department of Parks and Wildlife in Malawi says 45 hippopotamuses have died at Liwonde National Park since October [2018]. The hippos are dying due to an outbreak of anthrax at the national park, which is home to about 1900 hippos.According to director of parks and wildlife, Brighton Kumchedwa, 12 hippos have died since [5 Dec 2018]. However, Kumchedwa noted that the number of recorded deaths per day is now decreasing. "In the past, we could register 5 deaths daily, but now the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, elephant – Tanzania: RFI
Undiagnosed -- TanzaniaEight elephants have perished so far in the wake of the emergence of a strange disease that seems to affect only jumbos in the northern tourist circuit. Scientists at the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), based in Arusha, have taken up the case, saying the unidentified disease, as well as the death of large mammals, is the 1st to be experienced in Tanzania.Wildlife officers are just as baffled. Mr Joseph Meng'oro, the deputy wildlife officer at the Ngorongoro District Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (01): Americas, Dominican Republic (PN) human death
Rabies -- Dominican RepublicA 5-year-old boy died Saturday [29 Dec 2018] in a Santo Domingo hospital from rabies, the 4th such case of the year [2018] in the Dominican Republic, according to an El Comercio report (computer translated).The child, who entered the Robert Reid Cabral Children's Hospital 10 days ago, remained in an induced coma, and yesterday his condition began to worsen, presenting respiratory, cerebral, and cardiac failures, according to a hospital spokesman.The boy was bitten by a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed death, elephant – USA: (OH) herpesvirus, susp.
Herpes -- United StatesThe Columbus Zoo and Aquarium says an elephant born 3 weeks ago has died. The zoo says the female Asian elephant died Wednesday [26 Dec 2018] after a sudden illness. The small female calf was only 20 days old.The zoo's veterinary team says the elephant appeared sluggish Wednesday [26 Dec 2018] morning and was found to have an infection. The team gave her fluids, antibiotics and blood plasma from her mother. She initially seemed to rebound, but then her health declined again.The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Schmallenberg virus – Asia: Iran, equine, serology
Schmallenberg -- IranA recently discovered virus known to infect ruminants in parts of Europe might infect horses, as well: Researchers have just identified antibodies to the Schmallenberg virus, transmitted by flying insects, in 10 Iranian horses.They are the 1st horses worldwide to test positive for these antibodies, the scientists said.In screening for antibodies in cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as in horses, the researchers discovered, unexpectedly, that members of the equine species tested Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (17): Nigeria
Monkeypox -- NigeriaKey indictors / NumbersNew suspected cases in reporting month: 15New confirmed cases in reporting month: 6Total number of cases reported in 2018: 114Total confirmed cases in 2018: 45Total deaths in 2018: 1Confirmed health worker infection: 2Epidemiological summary- Nigeria continues to report sporadic cases of monkeypox since the beginning of 2018.- In the reporting month, 15 new suspected monkeypox cases were reported, out of which 6 confirmed cases were recorded in 5 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (158): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, response
Ebola -- DR Congo- Interruption of immunization in Goma, Beni, Butembo, Katwa, Komanda, and Mabalako following protests by the population.- Since vaccination began on 8 Aug 2018, 53 737 people have been vaccinated, including 19 363 in Beni [North Kivu], 10 761 in Katwa [North Kivu], 5875 in Butembo [North Kivu], 5377 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 2258 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 1663 in Mandima [Ituri], 1297 in Komanda [Ituri], 1009 in Oicha [North Kivu], 942 in Goma [North Kivu], 791 in Vuhovi [North Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (30): Nigeria
Yellow Fever -- NigeriaHighlights- In the reporting week 50 (10-16 Dec 2018), 13 new positive cases from Edo (9), FCT (3), and Ekiti (1) states were confirmed at WHO regional reference laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Dakar (IP Dakar).- From the onset of the outbreak in September 2017 to date, 3902 suspected cases have been reported from all 36 states and the FCT in Nigeria.- Of the 3295 samples that were collected and tested, 185 were presumptive positive in-country and were sent for confirmation to Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (81): Europe, Americas, Africa
Measles -- IrelandIn a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Madagascar, local media reports the outbreak case total has risen to 15 049 cases since 1 Oct 2018. About 65% of these cases were reported in the Analamanga region. During the last 3 months, 48 districts in Madagascar were affected by the measles epidemic, 6 of which recorded more than 400 cases.The district of Antananarivo Renivohitra has the highest number of cases with 8869 patients, followed by that of Ambato Boeny with 947 cases, Marovoay Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Meningitis, meningococcal – Nigeria (04): fatal, serogroup C
Meningitis - Neisseria -- NigeriaAs the dry season begins, we expect an increase in the number of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) cases in Nigeria. This is the 1st SitRep [situation report] for the 2018/2019 seasons.The National Technical Working Group for Cerebrospinal Meningitis has been improving [the] level of preparedness ahead of the 2018/2019 meningitis season. States in the meningitis belt were formally placed on alert on [8 Nov 2018].As at epi-week 50, 8 new suspected cases were reported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Infectious salmon anemia – Chile: (AI)
Other Animal Disease -- ChileChile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) has established zoning areas following the detection and outbreak of the ISA virus, infectious salmon anemia, at Rowlett 749 center in the Patagonia Aisen region.Officials from SERNAPESCA entered the farming centre to evaluate the sanitary and biosecurity conditions, checking on necropsies associated to the ISA disease, and thus re categorized the detection as an outbreak.Farming centre Rowlett 749, belonging Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (29): Zambia (LS) fake cards
Yellow Fever -- ZambiaFake World Health Organisation (WHO) yellow fever certificates of vaccination are being openly sold at Inter-City Bus Terminus in Lusaka to travellers who cannot afford to pay K450 [about USD 38] to get vaccinated.Because of the high cost of the vaccine, some travellers prefer acquiring the certificate from the bus terminus, where one can easily get the medical document for K50 [about USD 4].Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (58): Americas, USA (NC) bear
Rabies -- United StatesA black bear in coastal North Carolina tested positive for rabies this month [December 2018], making it the 1st known case of the fatal disease in a bear in state history, wildlife officials said.The year-old bear was lethargic and having trouble moving when [JD] spotted the animal at his game feeder in Fairfield on 16 Dec 2018. Just a day later, [JD] found the bear dead at the same location and called wildlife officials, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission said Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Sphingomonas koreensis, MDR – USA: (MD) nosocomial, fatal, contaminated water
Hospital-Related Infection -- United StatesIn 2016, a mysterious illness spread inside the National Institutes of Health's Clinical Center, the U.S. government's most prominent research hospital, in Bethesda, Maryland. Patients were somehow being sickened by an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria that practically never causes disease in humans. Two years later, a new study seems to finally have confirmed where this bug likely came from: the hospital's own plumbing.During a 6-month period in 2016, Read more [...]
