Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Hand, foot & mouth disease update (16): UK (England)
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease -- United KingdomA mom claims that her 10-month-old daughter developed a rash that covered her whole body while in the waiting room at Basildon Hospital [Essex, England] on 24 Nov 2018. "She had a rash on every part of her body. She had a rash in her ears and eyes," the woman, of Laindon [Essex], said.The young mother was told her daughter had hand foot and mouth disease [HFMD] and was sent home that night with medicine. The woman took her daughter back to the hospital Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria, avian – UK: (England) penguin, zoo colony MALARIA, AVIAN – UNITED KINGDOM: (ENGLAND) PENGUIN, ZOO COLONY
Malaria -- United KingdomA safari park is to permanently close its penguin enclosure after several birds died following a 2nd outbreak of malaria. Longleat in Wiltshire said a number of Humboldt penguins had died after contracting the avian strain of the disease from mosquitoes.Avian malaria cannot be passed on to humans, but the park has decided to close Penguin Island to visitors. The safari park described it as "a difficult decision".Longleat said it had put measures in place to protect the birds Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – USA (02): (PA) pet rabbit, RHDV, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesInformation received on 12 Dec 2018 from Dr Jack Shere, Deputy Administrator Chief Veterinary Office r, USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services, USA United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of AmericaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 Nov 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Dec 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 5 Oct 2018Causal agent: Rabbit hemorrhagic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (113): Iran (EA) HPAI, poultry, H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- IranInformation received on [and dated] 11 Dec 2018 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: 15 Nov 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 18 Nov 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> Equine herpesvirus – USA (26): (PA) equine
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Health placed a barn under quarantine after 2 horses tested positive for EHV-1.According to the Equine Disease Communications Center, on 7 Dec 2018, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg, PA confirmed equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy in a horse with hind limb ataxia, which tested positive for EHV-1 (G-strain).As of 10 Dec 2018, 2 horses were affected, and both horses have been euthanized Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (39): China (QH) domestic swine, spread
African Swine Fever -- ChinaChina's agriculture ministry said on Wed [12 Dec 2018] that 2 new African swine fever [ASF] outbreaks were confirmed in Sichuan and Qinghai provinces.The new case in the city of Bazhong in Sichuan killed 19 of 117 pigs present on a farm, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement on its website.The case in the city of Xining in Qinghai killed 14 of 69 pigs present on a farm, it added.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail [Qinghai, China's northwestern Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st I:4, 5,12:i,- – Denmark: pork
Salmonella -- DenmarkOfficials in Denmark are investigating a salmonellosis outbreak with 32 cases and 19 hospitalizations. Initial information points to fresh pork as the source. Infections with _Salmonella [enterica_] monophasic Typhimurium have been reported to the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) since mid-October [2018]. _Salmonella_ monophasic Typhimurium is often found in pigs.The outbreak was discovered on 16 Nov 2018 and is being investigated by SSI, [National Food Institute - DTU], and Fødevarestyrelsen Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (71): Africa (Tunisia)
West Nile Virus -- TunisiaWest Nile Virus (WNV) is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family _Flaviviridae_. WNV infection is a non-contagious disease, primarily transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes of the genus _Culex_.WNV is endemic in Tunisia. Since 1997 till 2012, 3 major upsurge of WNV cases were reported in the country. From the beginning of 2018 till last week of November [2018], a total of 377 suspected cases of West Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Echinococcus multilocularis – France: (NC)
Other Human Disease -- FranceFive cases of French patients with alveolar echinococcosis were identified in the departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais [Hauts-de-France region].This parasitic disease from foxes, is caused by a tapeworm that lays eggs in the intestines of the fox. They later appear in his feces and they survive 2 months in nature and can settle on a vegetable or on the fur of a dog.Often, alveolar echinococcosis is detected late. Pain in the liver, swelling of the abdomen, are signs Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (148): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summaries, WHO, outbreak, children
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]).- 3 contacts of a confirmed case of Beni had moved to Kisangani [Tshopo province] before being vaccinated. A vaccination team was then sent to Kisangani to vaccinate these 3 contacts, who are still asymptomatic to date and therefore non-contagious, as well as 10 additional members of their family living in Kisangani as contact contacts. It Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (70): Europe, ECDC update
West Nile Virus -- HungaryBetween 30 Nov and 6 Dec 2018, EU Member States reported one human West Nile virus infection in Hungary. The most recent onset date reported by Hungary was from week 45, 5-11 Nov 2018. 18 cases were reported by EU neighbouring countries, all by Turkey, with the most recent date of onset reported from week 38, 17-23 Sep 2018. In 3 areas in Turkey human cases were reported for the 1st time. All other human cases were reported from previously affected areas. 3 deaths were reported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Severe fever w/ thrombocytopenia synd. – East Asia (02): Japan (MZ)
Fever -- JapanA veterinarian at an animal hospital in Japan's Miyazaki prefecture was tired with fever in August 2018 and went into hospital after she treated a cat with poor health. The cat was diagnosed with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome [SFTS] by the veterinary school at Miyazaki University. The referral hospital identified SFTS virus in the vet's blood sample. The vet recovered from the disease and left the hospital.Additionally, a veterinary nurse from the same animal hospital Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (66): Argentina (CH) conf.
Hantavirus -- ArgentinaThe rural hospital in Epuyen in Chubut province [in southern Argentina] has reported 3 new suspected cases of [a] hantavirus [infection], progressing well, according to the establishment doctors.It should be noted that Epuyen has already registered 5 confirmed cases positive for hantavirus [infections], one of which was fatal, certificated by the Institute of Infectious Diseases "Carlos Malbran."--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts[The previous ProMED-mail post Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (62): (KY,WV)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesNumber of cases 2018Demographics------------Age range 12-86Median age 37Male 1195 (59.2%)Hospitalizations 1035 (51.3%)Deaths 5Risk factors------------Co-infection with hepatitis C (information available for 1564 cases) 910 (58.2%)Co-infection with hepatitis B (information available for 1564 cases) 167 (10.7%)Reports illicit drug use (information available for 1710 cases) 1251 (73.2%)Homeless 212 (10.5%)--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Date / Cases / New Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Acute flaccid myelitis – North America (11): USA, update
Other Human Disease -- United StatesHealth officials say Michigan has its 1st confirmed case this year [2018] of a mysterious paralyzing illness called acute flaccid myelitis.The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced on [Wed 5 Dec 2018] it was notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the state has a confirmed case in a child in Wayne county including Detroit and some suburbs.A total of 7 suspected cases in Michigan are under investigation. Officials have said Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Chlorotic leaf roll, apricot – Hungary
Other Plant Disease -- HungaryResearchers and agronomists from Hungarian institutions have joined forces in an attempt to save the country's remaining apricot trees. As elsewhere in Europe -- most notably in France -- apricot trees are threatened by a phytoplasma disease called chlorotic leafroll, or witches' broom by its popular name.The disease has been a major concern in Hungary since the early 2000s and current research focuses on two possibilities: creating apricot trees resistant -- or at least Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> Obituary: Dionisio Jose Herrera Guibert
Other Human Disease -- United StatesOn [4 Dec 2018], the global field epidemiology community lost a visionary leader, nurturing mentor, fierce champion and generous friend. It is with unspeakable sadness that the TEPHINET Secretariat announces the passing of our director, Dr. Dionisio Jose Herrera Guibert.Always with a ready smile, and always willing to listen and help, Dr. Herrera -- or "Dio," as he was affectionately known -- was, to most of his colleagues, a friend first and a coworker second. Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (38): China, wild boar, domestic swine, control, RFI
African Swine Fever -- ChinaChina's agriculture ministry said on Monday [10 Dec 2018] it will ban pig farming in areas inhabited by wild boars to prevent the spread of highly contagious African swine fever [ASF].China, the world's top pork producer, has reported more than 80 outbreaks of ASF across the country since early August [2018], leading to the culling of hundreds of thousands of pigs.The ministry said that a strain of the virus found last month [November 2018] in a wild boar was different Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola Update (147): DR Congo (NK, IT) cases, preparedness
Ebola -- DR CongoVaccination- Continued wide-belt vaccination (or ring plus) in Otomaber (in Komanda Health Zone) and Aloya (in Mabalako Health Zone)- Since vaccination began on 8 Aug 2018, 43 449 people have been vaccinated, including 18 441 in Beni, 6966 in Katwa, 4792 in Mabalako, 4096 in Butembo, 2092 in Kalunguta, 1663 in Mandima, 769 in Vuhovi, 750 in Masereka, 700 in Lubero, 633 in Komanda, 599 in Mutwanga, 521 in Oicha, 434 in Bunia, 355 in Tchomia, 274 in Musienene, 241 in Kyondo, and 63 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (58): global (Afghanistan, Congo DR, Nigeria), risk
Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 1Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 28Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 6Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 97Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2017: 96Headlines- The circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak in Syria, which was 1st detected in 2017, has been successfully stopped. The announcement came at the heels of an Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Sooty mould, mango – Rwanda: (ES)
Other Plant Disease -- RwandaFarmers in Rwamagana District [Eastern Province] have expressed concern over a disease that has attacked their mango plants. Sooty Mould is recognisable by black fungi on the leaf surfaces. In severe cases the trees will turn completely black due to the presence of mould over its entire surface of twigs and leaves. Some parts of Kayonza District, especially those neighbouring Rwamagana, are also affected.Farmers predict that production is likely to dwindle compared to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Pakistan (21): (KP)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanCongo virus has been detected in Booni Chitral district after a butcher of Afghan nationality has been tested positive. Two butcher shops in the area have been sealed and the butchers and family members asked to undergo testing for the virus. Of note, butchery and bread baking (Tandoor nan bai) jobs are taken up by Afghan nationals.Residents of the area immediately expressed their fear and demanded from the government to send special medical teams to Booni Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever: vertical transmission
Rift Valley Fever -- Worldwide/UnknownCynthia M. McMillen, Nitin Arora, Devin A. Boyles, Joseph R. Albe, Michael R. Kujawa, Jeffrey F. Bonadio, et al. Rift Valley fever virus induces fetal demise in Sprague-Dawley rats through direct placental infectionAbstractRift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infections in pregnant livestock cause high rates of fetal demise; miscarriage in pregnant women has also been associated with RVFV infection. To address how RVFV infection during pregnancy causes detrimental Read more [...]
PRO> Syphilis, gonococcal disease, chlamydia – USA, UK, Australia (02): background
Chlamydia -- United StatesAs noted in the ProMED post, the incidence of gonorrhea, syphilis, and genital chlamydial infection is increasing in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia ().I have compared recent trends for these diseases in the following graphs, based on data from Gideon .Note that highest rates for all 3 conditions are consistently reported by the United States.See graphs at .--Communicated by:Prof Steve BergerGeographic MedicineTel Aviv Medical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Enteritidis – France: unpasteurized cheese
Salmonella -- FranceThe scale of a _Salmonella_ outbreak in France linked to raw milk cheese has jumped to more than 80 possible cases. Santé publique France, the national public health agency, said 83 people had been identified so far in the _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Enteritidis outbreak, which is up from 14 in the initial announcement. The cheese was also distributed to Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Italy. Belgium and Germany have issued recall notices.A total of 65 patients in France Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Classical swine fever – Russia (02): (PR) wild boar, OIE
Classical Swine Fever -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] 7 Dec 2018 from Dr Nikolay Vlasov, Deputy Head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance , Ministry of Agriculture, Moscow, RussiaSummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 31 Oct 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 8 Nov 2018Report date: 7 Dec 2018Date submitted to OIE: 7 Dec 2018Date event resolved; 7 Dec 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (76): Southeast Asia, Europe, Americas
Measles -- Worldwide/Unknown[1] Philippines (Western Visayas)Europe-----[2] London ex IsraelAmericas---[3] New York (Rockland County)[4] New Jersey (Ocean County)[5] Latin America and the Caribbean (Chile imported)******[1] Philippines (Western Visayas)Date: Fri 7 Dec 2018Source: Philippine News Agency (PNA) [excerpted, edited]The incidence of measles in Western Visayas has reached alarming levels with 170 cases and 3 suspected deaths recorded as of 6 Dec 2018 by the Department of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (69): Africa (Tunisia) equine, OIE
West Nile Virus -- TunisiaInformation received on [and dated] 7 Dec 2018 from Dr Malek Zrelli, Directeur General, Direction Generale des Services Veterinaires, Ministere de l'Agriculture, Tunis, TunisiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 12 Nov 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 5 Dec 2018Report Date: 7 Dec 2018Date submitted to OIE: 7 Dec 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 23 Nov 2015Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (61): (IN, AR, LA)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesHealth officials warn Hoosiers to take precautions against hepatitis A because of an ongoing outbreak both here and in other states. The State Department of Health has confirmed 698 outbreak-related cases since last November 2017. Indiana normally only sees about 20 cases in a 12-month period."Hepatitis A vaccine is available from healthcare providers and pharmacies as routine preventive care," said Teresa Krupka, public health nurse for the Hendricks County Health Department. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Concord – Israel: North America, tahini, alert, recall
Salmonella -- IsraelThe Israeli Ministry of Health has reported almost 40 cases of salmonella infection linked to tahini products that have also sickened 5 people in the USA. The Ministry of Health found a possible connection between the salmonella accumulation and tahini by Achdut with expiry dates 7 Apr 2019 through 21 May 2019.The agency again highlighted an earlier recall and advice, which told people not to consume tahini with those expiry dates of all weights and package variants that had been Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza, equine – USA: (WA)
Equine Influenza -- United StatesThere are 3 types of equine influenza virus vaccines currently marketed:- Inactivated vaccines:Each of these has been shown to be efficacious in providing protection against clinical disease and viral shedding when used appropriately. These vaccines frequently include multiple strains of equine influenza virus A2 representing the major circulating strains. Some of these vaccines also contain the A1 strain (now thought to be extinct), because this was part of their Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (47): Nigeria
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaHighlights- In the reporting Week 48 (26 Nov-2 Dec 2018), 13 new confirmed cases were reported from Edo (2), Ondo (8) Gombe (1), Plateau (1) and Kano (1) states with 3 new deaths in Plateau (1), Edo (1), and Gombe (1).- From 1 Jan - 2 Dec 2018, a total of 3229 suspected cases have been reported. Of these, 581 were confirmed positive, 17 probables, 2631 negative (not a case).- Since the onset of the 2018 outbreak, there have been 147 deaths in confirmed cases and 17 in probable Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – USA (23): (MN, ND)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesChronic wasting disease (CWD) has been in the news again this week with the report that a deer in Houston County in far southeast Minnesota tested "presumptive positive" for the disease.In a news release Wednesday (4 Dec 2018), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said confirmation was expected, which will mean the 1st confirmed case of CWD in Houston County since testing began in 2002.Now, it appears CWD also is making inroads in North Dakota, where Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (37): Taiwan & Thailand ex China, contaminated food
African Swine Fever -- ChinaA sample of China-produced pork sausages ditched by tourists at Kaohsiung International Airport was again found to have been contaminated with the African swine fever [ASF] virus, the Council of Agriculture announced Friday [30 Nov 2018]. The incident marks the 3rd time Taiwan has intercepted pork meat products carrying the virus following cases reported on 31 Oct and 13 Nov 2018.South Korea, Japan, and Thailand have reported similar cases over the past months, with sausages Read more [...]
PRO> West Nile virus (68): Americas (USA)
West Nile Virus -- United StatesWest Nile virus disease cases* and presumptive viremic blood donors by state: USA, 2018 (as of Sun 27 Nov 2018)West Nile virus disease cases by state 2018State / Neuroinvasive* / Non-neuroinvasive** / Total cases / Deaths / Presumptive viremic blood donors***Alabama / 15 / 14 / 29 / 0 / 4Alaska / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0Arizona / 21 / 0 / 21 / 3 / 0Arkansas / 5 / 2 / 7 / 0 / 0California / 128 / 54 / 182 / 7 / 24Colorado / 52 / 44 / 96 / 3 / 4Connecticut / 18 / 5 / 23 / 1 Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Viet Nam: (HN) porcine, control
Foot and Mouth -- VietnamA new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] has been reported among pigs in Hanoi's Ba Vi district. Local reports say 261 pigs belonging to 19 households in 6 communes of the district have been affected by the disease.The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Department of Animal Health has asked provincial authorities to kill the affected pigs. Local veterinary units have initiated vaccinations of cattle in the area and disinfected the infected farms with chemicals Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (146): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, commun., situation, women
Ebola -- DR Congo- Continued wide-belt vaccination (or ring plus) in the localities of Otomaber (located in the health zone of Komanda) and Aloya (in the health zone of Mabalako).- Since vaccination began on 8 Aug 2018, 41,817 people have been vaccinated.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteurs Kunihiko Iizuka and Mary Marshall[It is not clear what "wide belt" or "ring plus" vaccination protocol is, but most likely a wider swath of the population other than direct contacts and healthcare Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – India (03): (AR) mithun
Foot and Mouth -- IndiaThe Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development (AHV&DD) on Fri [7 Dec 2018] reported that 26 mithuns have died of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Papum Pare district since June [2018]. Stating that this FMD outbreak in Papum Pare is unprecedented, AHV&DD Director Dr. ND Minto in a release said 2957 animals have been either treated or vaccinated in the district so far.A total of 3 mithuns have died in Balijan, 5 in Tarasso, 12 in Sangdupota and Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (36): China, domestic swine, spread, control, 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 was detected [as of 7 Dec 2018] in 91 villages in 21 provinces/autonomous region/municipalities. More than 630 000 pigs have been culled in an effort to halt further spread.- Shaanxi Province: ASF outbreaks were reported in 2 districts in Xi'an City: on 3 Dec 2018 in Huyi District in a farm with 245 pigs [1*], and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis, gonococcal disease, chlamydia: USA, UK
Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea -- United States"In 2017, a total of 1 708 569 cases of _Chlamydia trachomatis_ infection were reported to the CDC, making it the most common notifiable condition in the United States. This case count corresponds to a rate of 528.8 cases per 100 000 population, an increase of 6.9% compared with the rate in 2016. During 2016-2017, rates of reported chlamydia increased among both males and females, in all regions of the United States, and among all racial and Hispanic Read more [...]
