Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (28): South Sudan (GB) WHO
Yellow Fever -- South SudanThe yellow fever outbreak in South Sudan was declared on 29 Nov 2018 in Sakure payam, Nzara county, Gbudwe state.Since the reporting of the outbreak, the Ministry of Health and partners have scaled up preparedness and response activities to mitigate and control possible spread. These activities entailed conducting follow up epidemiological; entomological; and laboratory investigations in addition to providing supportive clinical care to symptomatic cases by national rapid Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (16): (CA) commercial
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesAs of mid-November [2018], the outbreak had been eradicated from 9 areas in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura counties. That left 3 areas with mandatory euthanasia orders: Compton in Los Angeles county, Muscoy in San Bernardino county and in the Mira Loma area of Jurupa Valley in Riverside county. At that time, about 54 000 birds had been euthanized.Those 3 areas continue under mandatory euthanasia orders, with Perris added to during the week of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (32): seasonal, USA, Italy
Influenza -- United StatesLast year's [2017-18] severe flu season was marked by transmission of influenza A H3N2 more than any other strain. This year, the H1N1 strain that first emerged in 2009 is causing most illnesses."It's too soon to make any assessment about this season's [2018-19] severity, however since this H1N1 virus emerged in 2009, it has been associated with significant illness and severe illness among young children," CDC said. "At this point, most flu activity has been driven by illness Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (45): Taiwan ex China, tainted food
African Swine Fever -- ChinaAnother sample taken from a Chinese meat product intercepted by customs officials has tested positive for African swine fever [ASF], the Council of Agriculture (COA) said yesterday [Fri 21 Dec 2018], as it reaffirmed its resolve to prevent the virus from entering Taiwan. The sample in question came from confiscated yanpi, a type of wonton wrapper made from pork that is popular in China's Fujian Province, COA deputy minister Huang Chin-cheng said. Among 602 Chinese meat Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Classical swine fever – Japan (08): (AI) spread, wild boar
Classical Swine Fever -- JapanA wild boar captured on 19 Dec 2018 in the Aichi prefecture, in Inuyama city, was confirmed on 22 Dec 2018 as infected with hog cholera (classical swine fever [CSF]) virus. Since September [2018], the infection has expanded in the neighboring Gifu prefecture, but this is the 1st time it [has been] found in Aichi prefecture, across the prefectural border.According to officials, after the capture of the wild boar on 19 Dec 2018 in Inuyama city, a preliminary test conducted Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Peste des petits ruminants – Burundi (02): caprine, ovine, spread
Peste des petits ruminants -- BurundiA sheep and goat plague (also called peste des petits ruminants [PPR]) has killed 3337 goats in Burundi, the East African Community's (EAC) latest report shows. The plague is a highly contagious animal disease affecting small ruminants, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The virus can infect up to 90% of an animal herd and kill between 30% and 70% of infected animals.Some of the goats killed were among 5438 distributed by the government Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (153): Congo DR (NK,IT) vaccine
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 the beginning of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 50 489 people have been vaccinated, including 19 147 in Beni [North Kivu], 9519 in Katwa [North Kivu], 5428 in Butembo [North Kivu], 5261 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 2221 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 1663 in Mandima [Ituri], 1029 in Komanda Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (44): China (GD) domestic, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on (and dated) 19 Dec 2018 from Dr Zhang Zhongqui, director general, China Animal Disease Control Centre, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China (People's Republic of)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 Dec 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 19 Dec 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – France (03): O26, unpasteurized cheese, more cases
Foodborne Illness -- France1. Schmidt H, Geitz C, Tarr PI, et al. Non-O157:H7 pathogenic Shiga-toxin producing _Escherichia coli_: phenotypic and genetic profiling of virulence traits and evidence for clonality. J Infect Dis 1999;179(1):115-23; available at .2. Bettelheim KA. Role of non-O157 VTEC. Symp Ser Soc Appl Microbiol 2000;(29):38S-50S; abstract available at .- Mod.LLHealthMap/ProMED-mail map: France: .][See Also:E. coli EHEC - Europe: O80:H2, hybrid invasive pathogen, antimicrobial resistance Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Undiagnosed deaths, bovine – India (04): (OR) RFI
Undiagnosed -- IndiaOver 57 cattle were found dead at a village in Odisha's Ganjam district Thursday [20 Dec 2018], with experts suspecting that the animals were exposed to incessant rain triggered by Cyclone Phethai and affected by pneumonia.Veterinary officials went to Landajuali village under Aska block after being informed by local people about deaths of the cattle, which included 53 calves. "We suspect that the animals died of pneumonia, as they were exposed to heavy rain and chilly weather Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Die-off, seal – USA (04): (ME) phocine distemper virus
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesScientists have narrowed down the top likely cause of more than 1400 seal deaths across New England in recent months. But they say the "unusual mortality event" appears to be ending as cold weather sets in. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says the main pathogen found in the stranded seals was phocine distemper virus. It commonly affects seals and could affect pets, but can't be transferred to humans.NOAA says the peak months of the die-off Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Marburg virus disease – Sierra Leone: bat
Marburg Fever -- Sierra LeoneMarburg virus, a deadly cousin of Ebola virus, has been found for the 1st time in bats in west Africa, US researchers said on Thursday [20 Dec 2018]. The discovery means Marburg is a threat in west Africa -- where a giant epidemic of Ebola infected 28 000 people and killed 11 000 of them in 2014-2016. The region is crisscrossed by roads and paths and people travel across borders to towns and cities, making it easier to spread outbreaks of infectious disease. Usually outbreaks Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (43): China, domestic, spread, FAO
African Swine Fever -- ChinaSince the China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MoARA) confirmed its 1st African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Liaoning Province on 3 Aug 2018, ASF has been detected [as of 21 Dec 2018] in 23 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities. More than 630 000 pigs have been culled in an effort to halt further spread.- Guangdong Province: On 19 Dec 2018, the 1st ASF outbreak for Guangdong Province was reported in a slaughterhouse with 50 pigs in Xiangzhou District, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – Australia (05): (VI) MSM
Hepatitis A -- AustraliaA preventable infection that turns sufferers yellow is making an "unusual" resurgence in Victoria, Australia, with health authorities reporting the state's worst outbreak of hepatitis A since the introduction of modern sewerage. Local cases of the highly contagious liver infection have typically been rare. Most of the 30 to 80 infections reported across the state each year are related to travelers returning from endemic countries where people are forced to live in less hygienic Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Peste des petits ruminants – Algeria: ovine, caprine, OIE
Peste des petits ruminants -- AlgeriaInformation received on (and dated) 20 Dec 2018 from Dr Hachimi Karim Kaddour, director of veterinary services (CVO), Directorate of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, Alger, AlgeriaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 23 Oct 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 25 Oct 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 20 Mar 2016Manifestation of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis – Czech Republic (02)
Tick-borne Encephalitis -- Czech RepublicMore than 690 people in the Czech Republic were infected with tickborne encephalitis between January and November this year [2018], which is more or less the same as for the whole of 2017. The figure is also the highest since 2006, according to data published by the National Institute of Public Health on Thursday [20 Dec 2018].The Czech Republic, along with the Baltic States, has the highest number of tickborne encephalitis cases in Europe. There is no cure Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Americas (04): PAHO/WHO update
Diphtheria -- ColombiaBetween epidemiological week (EW) 1 [31 Dec 2017-6 Jan 2018] and EW 49 [2 Dec-8 Dec 2018] of 2018, 3 countries in the region of the Americas (Colombia, Haiti, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) have reported confirmed cases of diphtheria. In Haiti and Venezuela, the outbreaks are ongoing.The following is a summary of the epidemiological situation in these countries:Colombia--------In Colombia: 8 confirmed cases, including 3 deaths, were reported this year [2018]; however, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (116): India (OR) poultry, wild bird, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- IndiaInformation received on (and dated) 15 Dec 2018 from Mr Tarun Shridhar, secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, New Delhi, IndiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 7 Dec 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Dec 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 5 Jun 2017Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Yemen (06): (AD)
Diphtheria -- YemenYemen is already suffering from a devastating civil war and widespread hunger. Now, circumstances caused by the conflict have also paved the way for diphtheria to thrive. The airborne disease kills one of every 10 patients even with medical treatment, and most victims in Yemen receive too little, too late. And although diphtheria has been eradicated in many parts of the world through vaccination, the public health crisis caused by Yemen's war has let this infection flourish there Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Contaminated stem cell – USA: infection, unapproved use
Other Human Disease -- United StatesThe only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved stem cell products are derived from umbilical cord blood, and their only approved use is hematopoietic and immunologic reconstitution (1). On 17 Sep 2018, the Texas Department of State Health Services received notification of _Enterobacter cloacae_ and _Citrobacter freundii_ bloodstream infections in 3 patients who had received injections or infusions of non-FDA-approved umbilical cord blood-derived stem cell Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (64): Belgium (LX) wild boar, spread, control, OIE
African Swine Fever -- LuxembourgFollow-up report no. 13 [a summary of data of all previous reports of the event]Name of sender of the report: Dr Jean-François HeymansPosition: director, Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC), Bruxelles, BelgiumDate submitted to OIE and reported: 17 Dec 2018Disease: African swine feverDate of start of the event: 9 Sep 2018Causal agent: African swine fever virusDate of confirmation of the event: 13 Sep 2018Reason: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (51): Saudi Arabia (RI)
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaIn the 2 days since the last update, there has been one newly confirmed case of MERS-CoV infection reported by Saudi Arabia and 2 recovery outcomes reported.Newly confirmed case:Date of report: Thu 20 Dec 2018Case no. 18 -1775MERS in Alkharj city: 47 year old male in Alkharj city, Riyadh regionContact with camels: yesCase classification: primary, community acquiredCurrent status: home isolationNewly reported recoveries (2)[1]Date of initial confirmation report: Read more [...]
PRO> Vaccine logistics – Vanuatu: (TF) drone delivery
Polio, Tuberculosis -- VanuatuA baby on a small Pacific island has become the 1st person given a vaccine delivered by a commercial drone. UNICEF arranged for the drone to be flown some 40 km (25 mi) across rugged mountains in Vanuatu that otherwise take hours to cross. About 20% of children in Vanuatu don't receive important vaccinations because the supply is too difficult. The UN children's organisation hopes that drone delivery will in the future be of vital importance in remote areas."Today's Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foodborne illness, undiagnosed fatalities – India (02): (KA) chemicals found
Foodborne Illness -- IndiaThe death toll in the food poisoning case at a temple in Chamarajnagar district has gone up to 15, with traces of substances dangerous to humans found in the prasad (offering) served to the affected, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said.Samples of prasad were collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory, and traces of organophosphate and monocrotophos that are dangerous to humans have been found in the food, Parameshwara said. Parameshwara, who holds the Home Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Buruli ulcer – Australia (04): (QL)
Other Human Disease -- AustraliaHealth authorities have issued a fresh warning for a flesh-eating ulcer infection after 2 new cases were identified in Far North Queensland. The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service told 9News.com.au in a statement that the 1st contraction of the "Daintree ulcer" was identified on Nov 14 [2018] and involved a person living in the town of Mossman. The 2nd case was found on Nov 24 [2018] and involved a person who lives in Daintree."In both cases, there was Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – USA (25): (NE)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesThe presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer has been detected for the 1st time in North Central Nebraska in Keya Paha County as well as in Valley County in the central part of the state. The Nebraska Games and Parks Commission conducted chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling operations at deer check stations in some of its management units during the November [2018] firearm deer season.There were 131 positives from 1208 deer sampled in the Pine Ridge, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (152): Congo DR (NK,IT)
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 the start of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 49 384 people have been vaccinated, including 19 060 in Beni [North Kivu], 9018 in Katwa [North Kivu], 5335 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 5314 in Butembo [North Kivu], 2221 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 1663 in Mandima [Ituri], 919 in Komanda [Ituri], Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Piscine reovirus – North America (03): USA (WA) salmon
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesThe Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife [WDFW] considers the exotic strain of PRV [piscine orthoreovirus ] to be an unacceptable risk to native stocks of Pacific salmon. Under the conditions of its permit, Cooke Aquaculture Pacific was required to destroy the fish at its Rochester, Thurston county, hatchery facility.For the 2nd time, Cooke Aquaculture Pacific has destroyed 800 000 juvenile Atlantic salmon after testing required by the Washington Department Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (23): (MH)
Japanese Encephalitis -- India[Maharashtra] has recorded 108 cases [of Japanese encephalitis], mainly in endemic districts, in the past 11 months, as against 30 recorded throughout 2017. Culex mosquitoes, which feed on animal blood, especially pigs [and ardeid birds (herons, egrets and bitterns)], are the main vector of the disease [virus]."Of the 108 Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases diagnosed in Maharashtra so far this year [2018], 6 were symptomatic and needed immediate treatment. The remaining Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (78): Europe, Americas, Africa
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownThe event in question was Tampere's Pyhan Ristin (Sacred Cross) Catholic Parish church mass on 25 Nov 2018. It was attended by more than 100 people, including children. Pirkanmaa Hospital District doctor Kirsi Valve, a specialist in infectious diseases, confirmed that the infected individual who caught the measles in Poland was at the church event. The cases came to light when 2 vaccinated individuals contracted high fevers and came down with skin rashes. The unvaccinated Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (42): China (GD) domestic, spread
African Swine Fever -- ChinaChina's most populous and one of the more well-known provinces, Guangdong, has reported its 1st outbreak of African swine fever [ASF]. In doing so, it is the 23rd province to report an outbreak of the viral disease.Rumours about Guangdong being affected had already dominated the web for a few days, but on [Wed 19 Dec 2018] it was confirmed: African swine fever was found in a slaughterhouse in Zhuhai city, which literally is around the corner of the autonomous region of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (49): Africa
Diarrhea -- SomaliaHighlights:- There was an increase in the number of AWD/Cholera cases reported from 18 in week 47 to 32 in week 48.- No new deaths were reported in week 48.- A cumulative total of 6637 cases including 45 deaths have been reported since December 2017.- The cholera outbreak has been contained in 4 regions, but active transmission is still reported in Banadir region.- A total of 5579 received oral cholera vaccination between [17 and 21 Nov 2018] in 5 villages of Hudur by using the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st. Coeln – Austria
Salmonella -- AustriaAustrian authorities are investigating an increase in cases of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Coeln. In August and September [2018], cases caused by the pathogen _Salmonella_ Coeln cluster type (CT) 1768 occurred in several Austrian provinces. The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) said the accumulation of infections indicates a possible transmission through food but there is currently no indication as to the source of the outbreak.This year [2018], 72 cases Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Acute flaccid myelitis – Europe: UK
Other Human Disease -- United Kingdom- Tests for enterovirus infection are typically only undertaken on individuals admitted to hospital with conditions such as chest infections and meningitis. Although enterovirus infection is not notifiable, PHE receives reports of confirmed enterovirus infection from NHS laboratories, and offers specialist typing for very serious cases - including children with AFP.- A total of 12 cases of AFP have been associated with an enterovirus. EV-D68 has been detected Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Israel (12): (HZ) bovine, boar, gazelle, st O, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- IsraelInformation received [and dated] on 18 Dec 2018 from Dr Shlomo Garazi, chief officer for import and export of the veterinary services, Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bet Dagan, IsraelSummaryReport type: follow-up report No. 4Date of start of the event: 5 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Sep 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 16 Jul 2018Manifestation of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Acute flaccid myelitis – North America (12): USA, update
Other Human Disease -- United StatesThe Michigan Department of Health and Human Services [MDHHS] has confirmed a case of a mysterious paralyzing illness in an Ottawa County child. The MDHHS says it was notified of 2 more cases of acute flaccid myelitis [AFM] in children in Macomb and Ottawa counties, bringing Michigan's confirmed case count to 4, with 5 additional cases being investigated."Four cases is incredibly high. I think I found one another year and a suspected case another year, this is not Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria – India (05): (KL) P. falciparum, macaque
Malaria -- IndiaDixit J, Zachariah A, Sajesh PK, et al. Reinvestigating the status of malaria parasite (_Plasmodium_ sp.) in Indian non-human primates. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2018; 12(12): e0006801; .Recent molecular phylogeny of plasmodium infecting primates suggests that the principal malaria causing pathogens in humans (_P. falciparum_, _P. vivax_, _P. malariae_, and _P. ovale_) are related to plasmodium infecting non-human primates and have multiple, independent evolutionary origins. _P. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (60): Pakistan, negative impact of social media
Polio -- PakistanAfter a campaign launched against polio vaccinations on social media, a 25 [per cent] increase in refusals was recorded during the recent polio campaign in the federal capital, which started [10 Dec 2018].A 2 month old girl was vaccinated on [30 Nov 2018] in Tehsil Ghazi. She fell sick and died in Haripur on [2 Dec 2018]. The incident was reported in the media, and it was alleged that she died due to the polio vaccine. The story was shared widely on social media, after which the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (151): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, background
Ebola -- DR Congo- Continued wide-belt vaccination (or ring plus) in Otomaber (in Komanda health zone, Ituri) and Aloya (in Mabalako health zone, North Kivu).- Continued immunization of primary care providers in the Goma health zone [North Kivu].- Since vaccination began on 8 Aug 2018, 48 781 people have been vaccinated, including 19 060 in Beni, 8858 in Katwa, 5335 in Mabalako, 5144 in Butembo, 2208 in Kalunguta, 1663 in Mandima, [for the remaining vaccination figures, see the source URL above].- Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (61): global (Nigeria), comment on social media