Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Schistosomiasis: infection enhances HIV transmission
HIV/AIDS, Schistosomiasis -- ZambiaBackgroundWe examined relationships between schistosome infection, HIV transmission or acquisition, and all-cause death.MethodsWe retrospectively tested baseline sera from a heterosexual HIV-discordant couple cohort in Lusaka, Zambia with follow-up from 1994-2012 in a nested case-control design. Schistosome-specific antibody levels were measured by ELISA. Associations between baseline antibody response to schistosome antigens and incident HIV transmission, acquisition, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (27): USA (IN) equine
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesOn [Wed 26 Dec 2018], the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported veterinarians have diagnosed one case of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), in LaGrange County, Indiana. In addition, 2 other horses on the same property exhibited similar clinical signs."On 19 Dec 2018, the Indiana State veterinarian confirmed equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy in a 9-year-old Belgian mare in LaGrange Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (157): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summaries, response, USA (NE)
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, 53 613 people have been vaccinated. [The numbers are the same as the previous 2 days since no new vaccinations were able to be administered. - Mod.LK]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall[See URL above to read report including table with cases by province and map of the history of Ebola.Some Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Pythiosis – USA (03): (VA) equine, Chincoteague pony deaths
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesAuthorities have euthanized the last 4 wild ponies on a Virginia island that were diagnosed with a fungus-like disease known as "swamp cancer."The Salisbury Daily Times reports a total of 7 wild Chincoteague ponies have died since October [2018]. Officials announced the most recent deaths of 4 ponies on Friday [28 Dec 2018].Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company spokeswoman Denise Bowden said in a Facebook post the ponies "received the very best care money could Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – USA (26): (ND, TN)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesThree deer taken during this year's [2018's] deer gun season have tested positive for chronic wasting disease [CWD]. Two of the deer were taken in unit 3-F-2, known to have CWD, while the 3rd was taken in Divide, which was previously considered disease free.CWD is a fatal disease of deer, moose, and elk that can cause long-term population declines if left unchecked.Since 2009, 14 CWD-positive deer have been found in North Dakota, and all previous cases were Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (65): (KY, WV, AL)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesNumber of cases: 2137DemographicsAge range: 3-86Median age: 37Male: 1260 (59%)Hospitalizations: 1072 (50.2%)Deaths: 12Risk factorsCo-infection with hepatitis C (information available for 1633 cases): 946 (57.9%)Co-infection with hepatitis B (information available for 1633 cases): 171 (10.5%)Reports illicit drug use (information available for 1816 cases): 1301 (71.6%)Homeless: 219 (10.2%)--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Date / Cases / New cases per week23 Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Israel (13): (HZ) st O, spread, vaccine valency
Foot and Mouth -- Israel1. Foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] serotype O has been confirmed in a ranging beef cattle herd in Kibbutz Ortal, Golan Heights. This strain is similar to the one identified in other recent outbreaks.2. In the fattening beef cattle of Kibbutz Shamir, Upper Galilee, 30 clinical FMD cases were observed in a group of 300 fattening male calves. This group was vaccinated a month ago.An FMD outbreak in December [2018] is unusual and concerning. Farmers and practitioners are advised Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (47): China, domestic, spread, FAO
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, a total of 98 ASF outbreaks [see comment] have been detected in 23 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities. More than 706 000 pigs have been culled in an effort to halt further spread.Guangdong Province: ASF outbreaks occurred in one farm with 6027 pigs in Jingxia Village, Jiulong Township, Huangpu District, Guangzhou Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Algeria (08): (EB) ovine, suspected, control, vaccination
Foot and Mouth -- AlgeriaThe governor of the El Bayadh province has issued a decision to close livestock markets across the country's territory for a month to avoid sheep and goats from contracting foot and mouth disease [FMD], according to the same official. Governor Mohamed Jamal Khanfar told APS that the decision taken Wednesday [26 Dec 2018] evening is a preventive measure to avoid and prevent the spread of the disease among cattle herds.For his part, the state director of the agricultural interests Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (17): (CA)
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesDuring the week of 14-20 Dec 2018, the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed 17 additional cases of virulent Newcastle disease (vND) in Riverside County, California. This includes 16 cases in backyard exhibition birds [a euphemism for fighting cocks - Mod.JH] and one commercial case (which we previously announced on 15 Dec 2018) [posted on ProMED-mail: Newcastle disease, poultry - USA (16): (CA) commercial Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Malaria – Uzbekistan: WHO certified malaria-free
Malaria -- UzbekistanThe World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Uzbekistan as malaria-free, confirming the end of the country's half-century-long battle for malaria elimination within its borders. Uzbekistan has become the 2nd country in 2018 to be certified malaria-free -- Paraguay was certified in June -- marking another milestone on the road to ending the disease for good."Malaria No More commends the government of Uzbekistan for its resilience and determination to eliminate malaria once Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (50): Benin (LI)
Lassa Fever -- BeninMinister of health Benjamin Hounkpatin confirmed on Wednesday [26 Dec 2018] 4 new cases of Lassa haemorrhagic fever in Benin, including one in Cotonou. This occurred in the period from 15-26 Dec 2018.In the case of Cotonou, a 28-year-old (has been infected). His case was detected on 24 Dec [2018], but his illness commenced the previous week. He had a fever, a cough, a cold, and fatigue. Due to the persistence of the cough and cold, and with the appearance of traces of blood in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – Europe (07): Norway
Listeriosis -- NorwayOfficials with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health report seeing an increase in listeriosis cases in December [2018], prompting a warning for high-risk groups.According to an official notice Friday [21 Dec 2018] (computer translated), 6 cases were reported this month [December 2018] when the country typically sees 1-2 cases a month.Four of the 6 patients reported in December [2018] are from Hedmark and Oppland. Health officials are working to identify if there is a common Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (62): (Nigeria, Niger) cVDPV2
Polio -- NigeriaNew 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: 2Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 100Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2017: 96Summary of new viruses this week:- Nigeria - 1 new cVDPV2 case in Yobe province and Gujba district;- Niger - 1 new cVDPV2 case in Diffa province and Bosso district.Officially reported wild Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (80): Europe, Pacific, Asia, Americas, Middle East
Measles -- PortugalThe Health Administration Institute (IASAUDE) confirmed today [28 Dec 2018] that there are 3 cases of measles in Madeira, Portugal, admitting that it is an outbreak. "[A total of 3] cases of measles were confirmed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira with [an] epidemiological link between them, confirming the existence of an outbreak," IASAUDE said in a statement.According to this report, the 3 cases are adults -- 2 females and 1 male -- who presented a benign evolution of the disease Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis (11): USA, Australia
Whooping Cough -- United StatesPublic health officials are warning Santa Cruz County residents of a recent uptick in whooping cough cases. The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency reports that there have been 66 confirmed whooping cough cases since 1 Sep [2018]."The number of local pertussis (whooping cough) cases has increased dramatically in recent months," health officials said in a news release. Most of the cases came from school outbreaks, according to the release. Officials didn't say how Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (118): India (BR) backyard, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- IndiaInformation received on (and dated) 28 Dec 2018 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 Nov 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 19 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> MERS-CoV (52): Saudi Arabia (RI) WHO
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaFrom [31 Oct 2018] through [30 Nov 2018], the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) National Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported 8 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 2 deaths.MERS-CoV cases reported between [31 Oct 2018 and 30 Nov 2018]MERS-CoV cases reported between 31 October and 30 November 2018*Case no: Date of reporting to WHO / Region of residence / Age / Sex / Healthcare worker / Co-morbidities / Exposure Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – Pakistan (07): multidrug resistance, WHO
Typhoid -- PakistanIn January 2017, the Government of Pakistan initiated a public health response to the increasing number of XDR typhoid fever cases in Sindh province. The resulting activities included the following: Community and school awareness campaigns on safe hygiene and sanitation practices were carried out in Hyderabad, including specific health education on hand hygiene, use of safe drinking water, and environmental sanitation. Water purification and sanitation activities were implemented, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (117): Viet Nam (DC) backyard, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- VietnamInformation received on [and dated] 27 Dec 2018 from Dr. Dong Pham Van, Director General, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hanoi, Viet NamSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 21 Dec 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Dec 2018Reason for notification: Reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 24 Sep 2017Manifestation of disease: Clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (156): DR Congo (NK, IT) cases, unrest
Ebola -- DR Congo- On Thu 27 Dec 2018, protesters vandalized facilities inside the Beni Transit Center compound where suspicious cases awaiting laboratory test results are being handled. This was not the Ebola treatment center [ETC] in which confirmed cases are treated and isolated.- The extent of the material damage is being evaluated. The tents in which the teams in charge of dignified and safe burials meet were partially burned. Protesters also stole some chairs, tables and tarpaulins at the Transit Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (33): WHO global update, Georgia, India
Influenza -- 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, although overall influenza activity remained low. Increased influenza detections were reported in some countries of Southern and South-East Asia. In the temperate zones of the southern Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease – Bulgaria: (BR) wild bird, OIE
Newcastle Disease -- BulgariaInformation received on [and dated] 23 Dec 2018 from Dr Damyan Iliev, Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy Executive Director, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Sofia, BulgariaSummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 19 Dec 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 19 Dec 2018Report date: 23 Dec 2018Date submitted to OIE: 23 Dec 2018Date event resolved: 20 Dec 2018Reason for notification: recurrence Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Bacterial blight, hazelnut – Portugal: 1st rep (AV)
Other Plant Disease -- PortugalThe NPPO [National Plant Protection Organization] of Portugal recently informed EPPO of the 1st record of _Xanthomonas arboricola_ pv. _corylina_ (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. At the request of a farmer, an inspection was carried out by the official services in a hazelnut orchard (_Corylus avellana_ cv. Fertil de Coutard) located in [Aveiro district].Symptoms of a bacterial infection were detected on approximately 25% of the trees (from a total of 208 trees), and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Radiation, bovine – Japan: (FS), long-term exposure
Environmental -- JapanHaving disregarded a state instruction to kill cattle left behind in areas near the crisis-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, some local farmers have been struggling to keep about 430 cows within a 20 km [12.4 mi] radius of the complex exposed to radiation.The instruction was issued 2 months after fuel meltdowns at the plant in northeastern Japan were triggered by a massive earthquake and a tsunami on 11 March 2011, for about 3500 cows kept within the area adjacent to the Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (46): China (GD, FJ), spread, Taiwan alertness
African Swine Fever -- ChinaAfrican swine fever [ASF] has spread to several southern Chinese provinces, with severe and swift outbreaks that have led to the culling of scores of pigs in a country that is considered to be the world's largest consumer and producer of pork. The disease was 1st detected in the northernmost regions of China in early August [2018]. The virus has now spread to Guangzhou City in Guangdong Province -- the southernmost province on the mainland. According to a [25 Dec 2018] Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis – USA (08): (PA) bovine, human
Brucellosis -- United StatesOfficials with Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture are asking consumers to discard certain dairy products purchased from a farm in Lancaster county.Unpasteurized cow's milk or dairy products from Miller's Biodiversity Farm in Lancaster county should immediately be discarded, according to a news release from the agency. The warning comes after officials in New York warned Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture (PDA) that raw milk products purchased at the farm may Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Tunisia: bovine, ovine, st O, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- TunisiaInformation received on [and dated] 24 Dec 218 from Dr Malek Zrelli, [Director General, General Directorate of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture], Tunis, TunisiaSummaryReport 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: 26 May 2017Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Foot and mouth disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (155): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, response
Ebola -- DR Congo- Continued wide-belt vaccination (or ring plus) in Otomaber (in Komanda Health Zone) and Aloya (in Mabalako Health Zone)- Continued immunization of primary care providers in the Goma Health Zone. - Since vaccination began on 8 Aug 2018, 52 630 people have been vaccinated, including 19 348 in Beni, 10 303 in Katwa, 5745 in Butembo, 5313 in Mabalako, 2258 in Kalunguta, 1663 in Mandima, 1177 in Komanda, 931 in Oicha, 884 in Goma, 791 in Vuhovi, 750 in Masereka, 700 in Lubero, 659 in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Zika virus (12): Americas, Africa, Pacific, Asia research, observations
Zika virus -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstract--------Background. An intricate fetal-maternal immune crosstalk during pregnancy is essential for a healthy birth. Hence, the infection-induced alterations of maternal immunity often lead to adverse outcomes for mother and/or child. The emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in pregnant women has been associated with more than 3000 cases of microcephaly and nervous system malformations.Methods. To explore the potential correlation of ZIKV-induced alteration Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Classical swine fever – Japan (09): (GF) spread, wild, domestic, control
Classical Swine Fever -- JapanJapan's hog cholera [classical swine fever, CSF] epidemic spread further with a 6th case identified [Tue 5 Dec 2018] in the central part of the country, leading to the 1st dispatch of Ground Self-Defense Force [GSDF] troops and the launch of a crisis control unit by the central government.After tests confirmed the latest case of the contagious disease that has a high fatality rate at a pig farm in Seki, Gifu prefecture, the local government began culling 7547 pigs there. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (24): China (GD, GX) H9N2
Avian Influenza -- ChinaOn 20 Dec 2018, the World Health Organization officially notified 2 cases of human infection of avian influenza A(H9N2) in China, retrospectively confirmed.The 1st case is a 10-month-old girl from Yunfu, Guangdong province, whose disease started on 16 Oct 2018. The case was benign. She had a history of contact with live poultry. The 2nd case is a 3-year-old boy from Guilin, Guangxi[-Zhuang autonomous region] province, who contracted the disease on 10 Oct 2018. The patient Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Strangles, equine – USA (07): (FL)
Strangles -- United StatesThree quarantines for strangles have been reported in different counties in Florida after horses tested positive for the bacterial infection.According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the following counties are experiencing quarantines:On 20 Dec 2018, one premises in Marion County was placed under quarantine after one horse presented with clinical signs of strangles with a positive PCR test result. Six of the 93 quarantined horses on the property Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (65): Belgium (LX) wild boar, spread, France alert
African Swine Fever -- BelgiumIn Meix-devant-Virton, a Belgian border town not far from Thonne-La-Long [northeastern France], 10 carcasses of wild boar were found on Thursday [20 Dec 2018] on the Belgian side behind the installed fences in the so-called peripheral zone in front of a container park.On Monday [17 Dec 2018], another carcass was found not far from Gerouville [northwest of Meix-devant-Virton, 1.5 km [0.93 miles] from the French border]. This carcass was tested and found positive for African Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Trypanosomiasis – South Africa (02): ex Zambia, ex Malawi
Trypanosomiasis — South Africa
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (154): DR Congo (NK, IT) cases, election, women
Ebola -- DR CongoVaccination- Continued wide-belt vaccination (or ring plus) in Otomaber (in Komanda Health Zone) and Aloya (in Mabalako Health Zone).- Continued immunization of primary care providers in the Goma Health Zone.- Since vaccination began on 8 Aug 2018, 51 678 people have been vaccinated, including 19 240 in Beni, 10 049 in Katwa, 5605 in Butembo, 5283 in Mabalako, 2258 in Kalunguta, 1663 in Mandima, 1144 in Komanda, 861 in Oicha, 791 to Vuhovi, 754 to Goma, 750 to Masereka, 700 to Lubero, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (79): Middle East, Americas, Europe, Pacific
Measles -- IsraelAn 82-year-old woman died Wed [19 Dec 2018] in a Jerusalem hospital as a result of complications from measles. The woman was admitted with the disease in early December [2018] to Hadassah University Hospital Ein Karem. Some 2700 people have been diagnosed with measles in 2018 to date, with more than half of them from the Jerusalem region; the woman who died was Israel's 2nd reported death from measles.[Byline: Ido Efrati]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Marburg virus disease – Sierra Leone (02): bats, additional information
Marburg Fever — Sierra Leone
PRO/PL> Brown streak, cassava – Mozambique: reservoir hosts
Other Plant Disease -- MozambiqueCassava brown streak disease is the main constraint to cassava (_Manihot esculenta_) production in Mozambique. A survey was undertaken in 1999 in Zambezia and Nampula provinces; disease incidences in some fields reached 80% to 100%, and many of the main cassava cultivars were affected.A total of 120 leaf samples showing virus-like disease symptoms such as chlorosis, yellow spotting, deformation, mosaic, wilting, leaf curling and necrotic lesions were collected from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (67): Argentina (CH)
Hantavirus -- ArgentinaA 75-year-old man became the 4th victim of [a] hantavirus in a locality in the Epuyen mountains. The [cause of] death was confirmed by the provincial Ministry of Health. The virus, which infects rodents, took the lives of a 14-year-old adolescent, a 38-year-old woman and a 61-year-old municipal employee. Due to these cases, the province declared a health alert in the entire zone although this was discarded as an epidemic.The Esquel Program Area, a unit of the Chubut Ministry Read more [...]
