Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Varicella update (17): USA (NC) USA-Mexico border
Chicken Pox -- United StatesThe chickenpox outbreak that in late October [2018] started at a private school isn't over, according to [Buncombe] county health officials, who say the virus has sickened people outside of the school.In addition to the 37 Asheville Waldorf School students who contracted chickenpox in the weeks following the 1st case, 4 people in the community have become ill, according to the Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.State health officials have deemed this Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (143): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, response
Ebola -- DR CongoWomen have a central place in communities in North Kivu. They are not only the pillars of households but they are also important economic actors thanks to their numerous commercial activities. Thus, in order to strengthen community engagement, it was decided to further feminize the Ebola response by directly involving women leaders in several activities of the response. Training workshops for representatives of women's associations were held in Beni and Butembo. For one month, these Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Japan (02): rising incidence, heterosexual women & men, urban
Syphilis -- JapanThe [annual] number of syphilis cases in Japan hit 6000 for the first time in 50 years this month [November 2018], and officials are rushing to nip the epidemic in the bud ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The problem is they have no idea what's causing it.According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, as of 19 Nov [2018], there have been 6096 cases of the sexually transmitted disease in the country [in 2018], the 1st time that number broke 6000 since 1970.The highest Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe (04): (MI) bovine, human
Anthrax -- ZimbabweA deadly anthrax outbreak has ripped through the Midlands province with cases being reported in Gokwe North and South districts, where herds of cattle have been wiped out and human cases have also been recorded.Midlands veterinary services officer Munyaradzi Chigiji confirmed the development. He told NewsDayWeekender that samples to be tested to ascertain the cause of livestock deaths have since been sent to the department's laboratories in Harare. "I can confirm that lately there Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Malawi (02): (CT) bovine, not typed, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- MalawiInformation received on [and dated] 29 Nov 2018 from Dr Patrick Chikungwa, director of Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Lilongwe, MalawiSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 27 Oct 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 14 Nov 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Malawi (02): (MA) hippopotami
Anthrax -- MalawiThe government has banned consumption of bush meat in the southern region after a bacterial disease killed 28 hippos in Liwonde, raising fears more water animals might be affected.The director of Parks and Wildlife Brighton Kunchedwa said the number of hippos killed due to the bacterial disease, anthrax, has risen from 22 to 28 this week [week of 26 Nov 2018]."Preliminary laboratory tests show that the hippos were affected by anthrax, [and] this is why we are suspending the sale Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Schistosomiasis – USA: (UT) canine
Schistosomiasis -- United StatesThe Mill Creek Animal Hospital recently diagnosed 3 cases of canine schistosomiasis in dogs in Moab, Utah. A parasitic worm found in freshwater, reported mostly in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states, causes the disease, also known as "snail fever," announced the hospital on social media last week.Dr. Scott Dolginon on Tue 27 Nov 2018 told the Times-Independent that 2 of the dogs died and a 3rd is recovering."One dog had a long history of illness," said Dolginon, the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (63): epidemiology, EFSA, control, EU
African Swine Fever -- Worldwide/UnknownThe European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published an update on the epidemiological situation of African swine fever (ASF) in Europe. In the latest report, experts assess the effectiveness of different measures that can be taken when a case of ASF is detected in an area that was previously disease-free and is far from affected areas.Using a simulation model, they concluded that early detection, coupled with the application of measures such as quick removal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Israel (10): (HZ) bovine, st O, spread, wild boar susp
Foot and Mouth -- IsraelFoot and mouth disease (FMD) cases suspected in the beef cattle herd of Kibbutz Kfar Szold, Upper Galilee, have been confirmed. The disease involves a group of pregnant heifers that were vaccinated a month ago. Quarantine measures have been applied in the region.FMD has also been suspected in Banias, in the beef cattle herd owned by Kubbutz Shenir. [The distance between Banias and Kfar Szold is less than 5 km (3.1 miles).]Sickness in wild boar has been reported from several Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Bolivia: (LP)
Leishmaniasis -- BoliviaThe Departmental Health Service (SEDES) of La Paz reported yesterday [30 Nov 2018] that this year [2018], to date, 1101 positive cases of leishmaniasis have been reported. "We have 1101 cases reported and confirmed with a laboratory in the department of La Paz," said Gunder Gutierrez, head of the SEDES vector-borne diseases program. He recommended that people take preventive measures if they visit endemic areas, such as using repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing and avoiding Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (73): WHO, Europe, Pacific, Middle East, USA, South America
Measles -- UkraineReported measles cases spiked in 2017, as multiple countries experienced severe and protracted outbreaks of the disease. This is according to a new report published today [29 Nov 2018] by leading health organizations. Because of gaps in vaccination coverage, measles outbreaks occurred in all regions, while there were an estimated 110 000 deaths related to the disease.Using updated disease modelling data, the report provides the most comprehensive estimates of measles trends over Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Concord – USA: tahini, alert, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesTotal 5 Illnesses started on dates ranging from 16 Jun 2018 to 18 Oct 2018. Ill people range in age from 17 to 52 years, with a median age of 30 years. Sixty percent of ill people are male. Of the 5 people with information available, no hospitalizations or deaths have been reported.WGS analysis did not predict any antimicrobial resistance in _Salmonella_ bacteria isolated from 3 ill people. Testing of clinical isolates using standard antibiotic susceptibility testing methods Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (15): (WI) nosocomial
Legionnaires' -- United StatesA total of 4 UW [University of Wisconsin] Hospital patients have developed Legionnaires' disease, an unusual cluster of the potentially fatal bacterial infection likely caused by a recent move to reduce water flow when demand is low, a hospital official said Wednesday [28 Nov 2018].Of the 4 patients, 3 remain at the hospital in fair condition, said Dr. Nasia Safdar, the hospital's medical director of infection control. She said they have other medical problems that may Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Scabies – USA (02): (HI) hospital outbreak
Scabies -- United StatesA spokesperson for the Kona Community Hospital on the Big Island said an outbreak of scabies was confirmed on Monday [19 Nov 2018]. The hospital says it is working with the Hawaii State Health Department. Officials did not say how many people were infected with scabies but reported in a statement: "We did implement procedures and protocols per our policies for any infectious outbreak. Our interim chief nurse executive and infection prevention director have been coordinating Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hand, foot & mouth disease update (15): Netherlands (St. Eustatius)
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownSt. Eustatius is currently experiencing an outbreak of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), St. Eustatius Health Department official Gerwin Schobbe said. He said the disease is highly contagious and is usually contracted by children, but adults can also become infected.HFMD is caused by the coxsackievirus, which is usually in a person's urine, saliva, and intestines. Children contract the virus easily because they sometimes put toys in their mouth that Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> Obituary: Abdelali Benkirane, ProMED-MENA/EAFR/FRA Animal Health Moderator
Other Human Disease — Worldwide/Unknown
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria – Congo DR: (NK)
Malaria -- DR CongoPeople are catching Ebola when seeking out treatment for malaria -- experts say there have been 8 times more malaria cases this year [2018] than last [2017] in North Kivu, and aid workers are proactively handing out drugs and mosquito nets to 450 000 residents. In addition, experts say people suffering from Ebola and malaria are becoming mixed up, making it more difficult to control the fast-spreading virus.The number of people catching malaria has spiked this year [2018] in the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Malawi: (MA) hippopotami, OIE
Anthrax -- MalawiInformation received on 29 Nov 2018 from Dr. Patrick Chikungwa, Director of Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Lilongwe, MalawiSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 10 Oct 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 29 Nov 2018Report date: 29 Nov 2018Date submitted to OIE: 29 Nov 2018Reason for notification: First Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> PRO/AH/EDR>Undiagnosed die-off, whale – New Zealand: strandings
Animal Die-off -- New ZealandA total of 51 pilot whales have died after becoming stranded on a beach on the Chatham Islands off New Zealand, the BBC reports. The mass stranding means more than 200 whales have died in separate incidents over the past week [24-30 Nov 2018] in the region.New Zealand's Department of Conservation says between 80 and 90 whales were found to have become stranded in Hanson Bay on Thursday [29 Nov 2018]. Several dozen managed to refloat themselves, but 50 were found dead Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – USA (18)
Pests -- United StatesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Thu 29 Nov [2018] that a dangerous tick capable of spreading diseases in humans and animals has been found in the United States.The tick is indigenous to eastern China, Japan, eastern Russia, and Korea and was introduced in Australia, New Zealand, and several island nations in the western Pacific region. Called _Haemaphysalis longicornis_, or the Asian longhorned tick, the CDC said it can lead to hemorrhagic fever, Lyme disease, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (33): 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 in 83 villages/the smallest available admin units in 20 provinces/autonomous region/municipalities. More than 570 000 pigs have been culled in an effort to halt further spread.Tianjin Municipality: ASF outbreak occurred in one farm with 361 pigs in Ninghe District [in Chinese, ].Hubei Province: ASF outbreak Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Acute flaccid myelitis – North America (10): USA (NE)
Other Human Disease -- United StatesA child in the Sarpy/Cass Health Department area had the 1st confirmed case of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in Nebraska. AFM is a condition that causes muscle weakness. The child was hospitalized and later released. The case was reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).One additional suspected case, also in the Sarpy/Cass Health Department jurisdiction, is undergoing further testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (30): WHO global update
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 started to increase although overall influenza activity remained low. Increased influenza detections were reported in some countries of South-East Asia and Central America. In the temperate zones of the southern Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Ebola update (142): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, WHO, suspect, response
Ebola -- DR Congo- Field teams often face difficult situations. The many incidents, including physical and verbal abuse, are often caused by groups of youth who are hostile to the response activities. To remedy this, several leaders of these youth groups have been trained and hired by psycho-social care teams to support safe and dignified vaccination and burial activities in Katwa. These young people include those who broke into a morgue last week [week of 19 Nov 2018] stealing the body of a person Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (24): South Sudan (Gbudwe) WHO
Yellow Fever -- South SudanThe Ministry of Health has declared a yellow fever (YF) outbreak today (Thu 29 Nov [2018]) in Sakure, Nzara County, Gbudue state (formerly Western Equatoria state).The declaration was preceded by a briefing meeting with His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, the president of South Sudan, to gain a high-level political support, commitment, and advocate for improved access to the affected area.Addressing a press conference in Juba, Hon. Ms Awut Deng Acuil, the acting minister Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – UK (02): (England) pet rabbit deaths
Other Animal Disease -- United KingdomVets have issued a warning to pet owners after a disease known to kill rabbits "swiftly and suddenly" was detected in Swanwick. Vets4Pets, in Nottingham Road, Somercotes, has asked rabbit owners to ensure their pets are properly vaccinated following an outbreak of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease in the area.The highly contagious virus has been described as a swift and sudden killer and often gives little warning at all. In some cases, rabbits have been known Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed disease, livestock – Sudan: (ED) capripox disease susp, RFI
Undiagnosed -- SudanCattle owners in East Darfur have made complaints about the emergence of a smallpox-like virus among their cattle. The state's veterinary departments have not yet been able to verify the complaints.A number of cattle owners complained about what they called smallpox infections among livestock, sheep in particular, and pointed to the lack of medicine in the veterinary pharmacies in the state.However, the East Darfur minister of animal resources, El Fadil Khalfiya, has denied the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (64): Chile (CO, NB)
Hantavirus -- ChileThe 1st case of [a] hantavirus [infection] was confirmed for the Coquimbo region by the Public Health Institute.This case is a 39-year-old agricultural worker who died in the Antonio Tirado Lanas Hospital in Ovalle. The individual began to feel the symptoms of the virus, was hospitalized, and died later. Samples were sent to Santiago, where the presence of the hantavirus in his body was confirmed.The infection was acquired in a rural sector between Ovalle and Monte Patria. Health Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (57): global (Afghanistan, Niger)
Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 27Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 1Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 91Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2017: 96HeadlinesSummary of new viruses this week:- Afghanistan - advance notification of 1 wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case and 6 positive WPV1 environmental samples.- Pakistan - 2 WPV1 positive Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (12): December 2018
HIV/AIDS, Other Human Disease, Ebola, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Hepatitis B, Dengue -- Worldwide/UnknownWorld AIDS Day 2018Overcoming 'purview paradox' to make way for the effective implementation of PrEP in preventing HIV transmissionShui Shan Lee, Eskild PetersenInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 77, December 2018, Pages 105-106HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in South East Asia: A focused review on present situationKin Wang To, Shui Shan LeeInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Rubella – Japan (03): cases, vaccine
Rubella -- JapanGo to the URL above to see case numbers in IDWR Surveillance Data Table 2018 week 46 (12-18 Nov 2018).--Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteur Kunihiko Iizuka******[2] Rubella epidemic: Is vaccine enough? JapanDate: Sat 24 Nov 2018 Source: Yahoo Japan [translated, edited]Excerpts:Expansion of the epidemic of rubella continues. The cumulative number of patients reported by 11 Nov this year [2018] is 2032, exceeding 2000 for the 1st time in 5 years since the epidemic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – USA (08): (MI) cervids, alert
Bovine TB -- United StatesWildlife officials in Michigan are warning hunters to inspect their deer for a serious disease.The state's Department of Natural Resources says bovine tuberculosis was reported in 10 counties last year [2017], and managers are trying to eradicate the disease from white-tail deer in the state.So far in the 2018 hunting season, Michigan DNR has reported 5 cases in 4 counties.The DNR shared a photo of an infected deer's rib cage, showing white, bubble-shaped sores on the Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Acinetobacter – USA (02): (NJ) fatal, neonatal ICU
Acinetobacter baumannii -- United StatesNew Jersey officials say 2 premature infants with a bacterial infection have died. The Health Department is investigating the [_Acinetobacter] baumannii_ outbreak at University Hospital in Newark and said Tuesday [27 Nov 2018] that the infants had confirmed cases of the bacteria. They died last week and were not identified.A 3rd infant with the bacteria was previously reported to have died.The department says the 2 infants contracted the infection 6 weeks ago Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (62): Belgium (LX) wild boar, control
African Swine Fever -- BelgiumThe Walloon Minister of Agriculture, René Collin (CDH), proposes to halve the wild boar population in Wallonia within 2 years, writes L'Avenir today. He [Collin] is going to propose a series of measures that will soon completely change the wild boar hunt policy."In 2 years' time, we will reduce the wild boar population by 50% in Wallonia. And for this season, outside the area affected by swine fever, we will increase the hunting target by 30%, the minister announced Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (141): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, summary, WHO, challenges, response
Ebola -- DR CongoSince the start of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 36 612 people were vaccinated, including 17 465 in Beni [North Kivu], 5017 in Katwa [North Kivu], 4544 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 2630 in Butembo [North Kivu], 1788 in Kalunguta [North Kivu], 1663 in Mandima [Ituri], 732 in Masereka [North Kivu], 521 in Oicha [North Kivu], 434 in Bunia [Ituri], 359 in Vuhovi [North Kivu], 355 in Tchomia [Ituri], 355 at Mutwanga [North Kivu], 241 at Kyondo [North Kivu], 240 at Komanda [Ituri], 234 at Musienene Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Adenovirus – USA (06): (MD) fatal, university students, update
Adenovirus -- United StatesThe University of Maryland has confirmed that 3 more UMD [University of Maryland] students tested positive for adenovirus over the Thanksgiving break [22-25 Nov 2018].University health officials had previously been aware of 6 confirmed tests, one of which resulted in the death of a student from an adenovirus-related illness.The school has said that student well-being is a top priority, they acknowledge that mold can make people more susceptible to viral infections, but Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – China (14): (XJ) st O, porcine, spread
Foot and Mouth -- ChinaChina's agriculture ministry on [Tue 27 Nov 2018] reported an outbreak of O-type foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] on a pig farm in the country's northwestern Xinjiang region.The outbreak in Yining county, in Ili prefecture, infected 108 of 331 pigs on the farm, killing 46, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement.The other 285 pigs have been culled, it said.[Byline: Tom Daly; editing: Tom Hogue]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (72): Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia
Measles -- IsraelWinter AK, Wesolowski AP, Mensah KJ, et al. Revealing measles outbreak risk with a nested immunoglobulin g serosurvey in Madagascar. Am J Epidemiol. 2018; 187(10): 2219-26. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwy114; .- Mod.LKMaps of Madagascar: and ]******[4] Philippines (Sarangani)Date: Tue 27 Nov 2018Source: Tempo [edited]Local health personnel were dispatched to a remote mountain village in Malapatan [Sarangani province] town to contain a measles outbreak which killed at least 20 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (59): (KY, WV, OH)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesTotal Outbreak: 2769Hospitalizations: 1438Deaths: 17Last updated: 27 Nov 2018--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Date / Cases / Deaths / Average cases per week14 Apr 2018 / 352 / 3 / --28 Apr 2018 / 448 / 4 / 4825 May 2018 / 629 / 6 / 459 Jun 2018 / 832 / 6 / 10127 Jun 2018 / 969 / 6 / 537 Jul 2018 / 1094 / 8 / 8714 Jul 2018 / 1170 / 8 / 7621 Jul 2018 / 1221 / 8 / 5128 Jul 2018 / 1276 / 8 / 554 Aug 2018 / 1341 / 8 / 6511 Aug 2018 / 1425 / 9 / 8418 Aug 2018 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (23): Nigeria
Yellow Fever -- NigeriaHighlightsIn this reporting week 5 - 11 Nov 2018:- 85 suspected cases were recorded- One inconclusive case from Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River state recorded from the NCDC Central Public health laboratory Lagos- No new confirmed case from Institut Pasteur (IP) Dakar- Last confirmed case from IP Dakar was on 18 Oct 2018- A national yellow fever Incident Management System (IMS) Level 2 Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) is active- Phase 2b Yellow fever preventive Read more [...]
