Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Namibia (05): (KU) livestock, human
Anthrax -- NamibiaThe Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia has reported a suspected anthrax outbreak in Opuwo District, Kunene Region, located in the far north-west part of the country.The outbreak was originally recognized in late October 2018 when 4 patients presented at the district hospital with wounds (skin lesions) and swelling on various parts of their bodies. It was established that these case-patients had either handled carcasses of dead goats or consumed the meat.As of 21 Nov Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (140): DRC (North Kivu, Ituri) cases, summary, preparedness
Ebola -- DR CongoThis Sun 25 Nov 2018, Beni's Vision Theater Group has put its art to the service of the Ebola response. Through a series of comedy and tragedy sketches, the actors spoke of the danger of Ebola virus disease for the entire community, the incivility that drives some people to threaten the health workers doing their job, and finally the unfolding of a dignified and secure burial. The theater group has already organized sessions in the districts of Kalinda, Kuka, and Ngongolio [North Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne pathogens – USA
Tick-borne disease -- United StatesIn 2017, state and local health departments reported a record number of cases of tickborne disease to CDC, 59 349 cases, up from 48 610 in 2016.Reported tickborne diseases, U.S. / 2016 / 2017Lyme disease (confirmed and probable) / 36 429 / 42 743Anaplasmosis/Ehrlichiosis** / 5750 / 7718Spotted fever rickettsiosis*** / 4269 / 6248Babesiosis**** / 1910 / 2368Tularemia / 230 / 239Powassan virus / 22 / 33------------------------Total / 48 610 / 59 349 *Unless stated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Vaccinia virus – Brazil: equine
Other Animal Disease -- BrazilAfter several pox outbreaks in horses and donkeys in Brazil, researchers are still working to understand how the equids got the vaccinia virus, why humans don't seem to get it from equids, and why some equids get it in a population and others don't.Scientists eradicated smallpox, caused by the variola virus, in the 1980s using a similar virus that caused pox in horses, cows, and rodents. Unfortunately, that similar virus -- vaccinia -- could very well have started its Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – fractional vaccine dosing, Nigeria, Netherlands ex Gambia/Senegal
Yellow Fever -- Worldwide/UnknownAccording to a study today in the Annals of Internal Medicine, fractional dosing of the yellow fever vaccine offers recipients protective antibodies for up to 10 years without a booster dose.The results could inform the use of fractional dosing in preventive vaccination campaigns, and not just outbreak settings. In related news, Nigeria is vaccinating millions of people after 9 people recently tested positive, and Dutch officials report an imported yellow fever case.The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Schistosomiasis – Myanmar (04): (RA)
Schistosomiasis -- MyanmarThe Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports reported earlier this month [November 2018] (computer translated) that of the nearly 1000 suspect schistosomiasis cases tested in Rakhine state, 520 were _Schistosoma mansoni_ IgG (Elisa) positive.In addition to Rakhine, some people with schistosomiasis were detected in Shwe Kyin of Bago region and Inn Lay of Shan state.Prevention, treatment and diagnosis for schistosomiasis is a collaboration between the WHO, the Chinese CDC, and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – USA (09): (AZ) rising incidence, women, congenital
Syphilis -- United StatesThere is currently a statewide outbreak of syphilis in Arizona, a bacterial infection that is usually spread by sexual contact. Medical providers are seeing the largest increase of syphilis cases in women and newborns.A pregnant woman can pass syphilis to her unborn child, which is called congenital syphilis. Congenital syphilis can lead to problems with the skin, eyes and brain, stillbirth or infant death. Up to 40 percent of untreated syphilitic pregnancies result in stillbirth Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Scrub typhus – India (05): (WB) fatal, susp.
Scrub Typhus -- IndiaCity based doctors and virologists suspect that the nature of larval mites, a kind of insect [that] causes diseases like scrub typhus, might have changed, as a result of which they are now found within the city. Earlier, the insects were only found in forest areas.Two persons from Ultadanga's Basanti Colony area reportedly died of scrub typhus in November [2018], triggering panic among other residents of the area. The disease is spread among people through the bites of infected Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (57): Asia (Lebanon) human, animal
Rabies -- LebanonAbstractThe status of rabies as a neglected disease has made its eradication rather challenging in different parts of the world despite the availability of a successful vaccine. Lebanon, in particular, is a country endemic to the disease with several cases of rabies deaths reported over the past 30 years. The risk of rabies, however, has taken a new turn over the past few years in Lebanon with 2 emerging situations that have made the control of the disease rather challenging: the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (111): China (YN,JS) poultry, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- ChinaInformation received on 22 Nov 2018 from Dr Zhang Zhongqui, director general, China Animal Disease Control Centre, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China (People's Rep of)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 28 Oct 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 20 Nov 2018Report date: 21 Nov 2018Date submitted to OIE: 22 Nov 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 15 Sep Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (32): China (BJ) domestic swine, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on 24 Nov 2018 from Dr. Zhang Zhongqui, director general, China Animal Disease Control Centre, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China (People's Rep. of)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 20 Nov 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 23 Nov 2018Report date: 23 Nov 2018Date submitted to OIE: 24 Nov 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Coral reef kills – Caribbean: (St Maarten)
Not Yet Classified -- Saint Martin [France/Netherlands]The Nature Foundation St Maarten has recently established the presence of 'tissue loss disease' on several local coral reefs. The disease is a relatively new issue that has been plaguing coral reefs in the Atlantic Basin for the last few months. The coral reef disease manifests itself through the creation of white blotches on stony coral, eventually leading to the loss of tissue and eventual death in the coral colony. The disease affects 20 different Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (23): China (JS) H5N6
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- ChinaThe Chinese National Health Commission reported on an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Jiangsu. This brings the total cases to 23 in China since 2014.The case involved a 10-year-old girl from Suzhou in Jiangsu. She developed symptoms on [29 Oct 2018] and was hospitalized on [3 Nov 2018]. She is now in a serious condition. Avian influenza is caused by those influenza viruses that mainly affect birds and poultry, such as chickens or ducks.Clinical presentation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (67): Europe, ECDC update
West Nile Virus -- ItalyIn 2018, as of 15 Nov 2018, EU Member States have reported 1491 human cases in Italy (569), Greece (309), Romania (277), Hungary (214), Croatia (53), France (25), Austria (20), Bulgaria (15), the Czech Republic (5), Slovenia (3), and Cyprus (1). EU neighbouring countries reported 557 human cases in Serbia (415), Israel (128), and Kosovo* (14). To date, 171 deaths due to West Nile virus infection have been reported by Greece (45), Italy (42), Romania (42), Serbia (35), Kosovo* Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Asian greening, citrus – Argentina: (ER) alert
Other Plant Disease -- ArgentinaThe government of Entre Rios declared a phytosanitary emergency due to Huanglongbing (HLB) and urged producers and authorities to adopt and / or strengthen control, prevention, and surveillance tasks throughout the provincial territory. Authorities detected the presence of the HLB vector insect, _Diaphorina citri_, in commercial fields and in urban areas. HLB could affect 36 000 hectares [88 958 acres] devoted to [citrus] production in the province.The statement added Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (56): Global, (Papua New Guinea, DR Congo, Nigeria) cVDPV
Polio -- Papua New GuineaNew 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: 6Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 90Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2017: 96HeadlinesSummary of new viruses this week: - Afghanistan - 5 wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) positive environmental samples. - Pakistan - 1 WPV1 positive environmental sample. - Papua New Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Zika virus (11): India
Zika virus -- IndiaFollowing India's 1st outbreak of Zika infections in Rajasthan in September 2018, Madhya Pradesh has now reported a 2nd one, with 6 districts affected.The virus has been linked to birth defects in 5-15 percent of children of infected mothers. Such birth defects include an abnormally small head (microcephaly), eye damage, shortened muscles and joints, and hearing damage. This is why the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that in areas with ongoing Zika transmission, pregnant Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (47): Saudi Arabia (RI, QS) WHO
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaFrom [16 through 30 Oct 2018], the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) National Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported 4 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 1 death.MERS-CoV cases reported between 15 and 30 Oct 2018:Case no.: Date of notification to WHO / Region of residence / Age / Sex / Health care worker / Comorbidities / Exposure to camels / Camel milk consumption / Contact with a MERS-CoV cases / Date of symptoms Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (71): Europe, Americas, Southeast Asia, Pacific
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownHackney medics have moved to address a recent outbreak of measles in the borough with a programme of vaccinations which has seen 500 children immunised against the disease.The programme is seeking to address concerns over low vaccination figures for north-east Hackney, against a background of declining figures for innoculations across the borough generally.There were 38 confirmed cases of measles in Hackney as at 19 Nov 2018.Healthwatch Hackney director Jon Williams said: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Non-tuberculous mycobacteria – USA: (FL) tattoo, 2015
Mycobacteria, non-TB -- United States"BACKGROUND. On 29 Apr 2015, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) was notified by a local dermatologist of 3 patients with suspect nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection after receiving tattoos at a local tattoo studio.METHODS. DOH-Miami-Dade conducted interviews and offered testing, described below, to tattoo studio clients reporting rashes. Culture of clinical isolates and identification were performed at the Florida Bureau Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (139): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, WHO, news, control
Ebola -- DR CongoSince the beginning of vaccination on 8 Aug 2018, 34 839 people have been vaccinated, including 16 832 in Beni [North Kivu] . . .[Any type of game is a good approach to attract people's attention, especially when awards are offered. - Mod.LK]- Fri 23 Nov 2018. Epidemiological situation report, DRC Ministry of Health [in French, machine trans., edited]-The epidemiological situation of the Ebola virus disease in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri dated 22 Nov 2018:Since the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (63): Chile (LI)
Hantavirus -- ChileThe Health SEREMI [Regional Health Ministerial Secretariat] of the O'Higgins region, Rafael Borgono, reported on a case of [a] hantavirus [infection] detected recently. "Today [23 Nov 2018] we had confirmation from the Institute for Public Health (ISP) of a 24-year-old man from the Rengo community who is the 4th case of [a] hantavirus [infection] so far in the O'Higgins region this year [2018]. This will be the 1st case in this summer season; the other 3 cases were between January Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa Fever – West Africa (46): Nigeria
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaHighlights- In the reporting week 46 (12-18 Nov 2018), 3 new confirmed cases were reported from Edo (1) and Ondo (2) states with one new death.- From 1 Jan-18 Nov 2018, a total of 3086 suspected cases have been reported from 22 states. Of these, 562 were confirmed positive, 17 probable, 2507 negative (not a case).- Since the onset of the 2018 outbreak, there have been 144 deaths in confirmed cases and 17 in probable cases. Case fatality rate (CFR) in confirmed cases is 25.6 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Enteritidis – Sweden
Salmonella -- SwedenSwedish officials are investigating a national outbreak of salmonellosis that has sickened 33 people. Local counties, Livsmedelsverket (National Food Agency) and Folkhalsomyndigheten (Public Health Agency) are working together to investigate the illnesses and identify the source of infection.The outbreak of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Enteritidis with multiple locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) type 2-10-7-3-2 was detected by Folkhalsomyndigheten's monitoring Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Israel (09): (HZ) bovine, st O, spread, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- IsraelClinical foot and mouth disease (FMD) cases, reported from a beef cattle herd grazing in the Mas'ada forest [Golan Heights, Odem forest reserve], have been confirmed positive. Quarantine measures have been imposed on the herd's site and a 10-km [6.2-mile] (radius) zone around it. All cattle breeders should be reminded of the need to complete, at the earliest opportunity, the annual FMD vaccination of all cattle.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Mas'ada is a Druse village, situated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Trypanosomiasis – Netherlands: ex Malawi
Trypanosomiasis — Netherlands
PRO/AH/EDR> Sarcoptic mange, bear – USA (02): (VA)
Scabies -- United StatesOver the past couple of years, the number of black bears with mange has continued to rise in Virginia. The 1st cases of mange in black bears in Virginia were found in the 1980s. Sarcoptic mange is a parasitic disease that allows sarcoptic mites to bury underneath the skin, causing an extreme inflammatory immune response to the animal. Infected bears physically cannot eat enough to consume sufficient calories to help sustain themselves while also fighting off the disease.Peach Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (22): Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, vaccine, serotypes
Dengue -- NepalThis article presents the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations on the use of dengue vaccine excerpted from the WHO position paper on dengue vaccine -- September 2018, published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record. This position paper replaces the July 2016 WHO position paper concerning the 1st licensed dengue vaccine, CYD-TDV. The position paper presents new evidence that became available in November 2017. A retrospective analysis of data from clinical trials, using a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (138): Congo DR (NK, IT) cases, response, vaccine RFI
Ebola -- DR Congo- The Minister of Health, Dr Oly Ilunga Kalenga, and the President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Corneille Nangaa, had a working session this Thu 22 Nov 2018 in the Cabinet of the Minister. A joint commission between the 2 institutions was set up to coordinate their activities in the areas affected by the Ebola epidemic during the election period. The teams have already begun the work of harmonizing the maps to identify the precise location of the polling Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (22): Nigeria (ED), Netherlands ex Gambia/Senegal
Yellow Fever -- NigeriaTwo persons have been confirmed dead from suspected cases of yellow fever in Edo state. It was gathered that the deaths occurred barely a week of the outbreak of strange ailments in some villages in Uhunmwode local government. Symptoms displayed by the victims included high fever, stomach pains, vomiting, and nose bleeding, among others.Edo state commissioner for health, Dr. David Osifo, confirmed that the outbreak debunked rumours about Lassa fever or Ebola outbreak. He said Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – USA (07): (WI) bovine
Bovine TB -- United StatesThe genetic testing of the organism isolated from the 1st cow, which was diagnosed with the disease at slaughter, showed it matched the DNA of a tuberculosis organism isolated from a worker who had been diagnosed with the disease when he was employed at the farm briefly in 2015.Testing of the cattle on the farm includes 3 tests, Konkle said, including a caudal fold skin test, which is the initial screening test. Any animals that are found to be "reactors" in this test are Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Peste des petits ruminants – Israel: (HZ) ovine, OIE
Peste des petits ruminants -- IsraelInformation received on [and dated] 22 Nov 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: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 Nov 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 20 Nov 2018Report date: 22 Nov 2018Date submitted to OIE: 22 Nov 2018Reason for notification: Recurrence of a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Sarcoptic mange, fox – USA: (CA)
Scabies -- United StatesAn outbreak of mange has killed over 100 endangered San Joaquin kit foxes, causing the squirrel population to increase at CSU [California State University] Bakersfield. To combat the rising population, the campus has employed several control methods, one of them being a carbon monoxide device.Michael Lukens, Interim Chief of Staff to the President of CSU Bakersfield, was able to provide further details on how the squirrels are controlled."The CSUB Grounds Department purchased Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Cyst nematodes, potato – India
Other Plant Disease -- IndiaThe West Bengal government has issued a blanket ban on importing seed potatoes, particularly from Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, owing to presence of potato cyst nematode (_Globodera rostochiensis_ and _G. pallida_). The notification followed a warning from the Union Agriculture and Farmers Department prohibiting movement of seed potato from these states to all other states and union territories due to the above mentioned disease."West Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Adenovirus (05): USA (MD) university
Adenovirus -- United StatesA student at the University of Maryland has died after suffering from a strain of the adenovirus, school health officials said.The school learned that a student was sick with the illness on [1 Nov 2018] David McBride, the director of the university's health center, said in a statement released [Tue 20 Nov 2018].Since then, 5 more students have been diagnosed with the adenovirus. On [Mon 19 Nov 2018], the health center learned that one of the specimens they sent to the Centers Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA, Canada: O157, romaine lettuce
E. coli -- United States******[1] CanadaDate: Wed 21 Nov 2018Source: Public Health Agency of Canada [edited]The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), and the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) to investigate an outbreak of _E. coli_ infections in Ontario, Quebec, and several U.S. states.In Canada, based on Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (14): (NC) casino
Legionnaires' -- United StatesNorth Carolina health officials are investigating several cases of legionnaires' disease in people who visited a western North Carolina casino resort.According to a news release from the Jackson County Department of Public Health and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians Public Health and Human Services on [Wed 21 Nov 2018], 3 cases of the disease are being investigated in people who visited the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina from May Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Angiostrongylus cantonensis – USA (07): (LA)
Other Human Disease -- United StatesAbstract--------"Rat lungworm (_Angiostrongylus cantonensis_), a parasitic nematode that can cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans, was 1st detected in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, in the mid-1980s and now appears to be widespread in the southeastern United States. We assessed the distribution, prevalence, and intensity of _A. cantonensis_ infection in New Orleans by examining lung biopsy samples of rodents trapped at 96 sites in 9 areas in Orleans Parish and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-bite fever – Nepal: (KT) erythema migrans-like lesion, high-grade fever
Fever -- Nepal1. Pun SB, Agrawal S, Jha S, et al. First report of Lyme disease in Nepal. JMM Case Rep. 2018; 5(3): e005128. doi: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.005128doi: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.005128; [available at ]--Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, MD, PhDClinical Research Unit,Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital,KathmanduNepal[Dr Pun is thanked for sending in this report.As many as 80 percent of patients develop erythema migrans, the characteristic feature of early Lyme disease, an expanding round or Read more [...]
