Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH> Vitamin D toxicity – USA: canine, pet food recall
Food-related toxin -- United StatesTwo types of dry dog food have been recalled after 3 separate reports from pet owners indicated their pets were suffering from vitamin D toxicity as a result of eating the food. Natural Life Pet Products is voluntarily recalling Natural Life Chicken and Potato dry dog food in 8 states, and Nutrisca is voluntarily recalling its Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food nationwide.An investigation into the matter found that a formula error led to the products containing too Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (66): Americas (USA) equine
West Nile Virus -- United StatesCalifornia animal health officials have confirmed another equine case of West Nile virus (WNV). So far this year [2018], there have been 11 confirmed cases of WNV in California horses."On 2 Nov 2018, a 1 year old grade mare in Sacramento County with unknown vaccination history and displaying neurologic signs was confirmed positive for West Nile virus," the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) said in a statement on its website. "The mare was euthanized Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (29): China (CN) domestic, spread
African Swine Fever -- Chinahttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-swinefever/china-confirms-african-swine-fever-in-top-pig-region-sichuan-idUSKCN1NL06MChina's agricultural ministry confirmed on Fri [16 Nov 2018] the 1st outbreak of deadly African swine fever [ASF] in the south west province of Sichuan, the country's top pig-producing region, raising the likelihood of a major impact to pork supplies in coming months. The outbreak was found on a farm of 40 pigs in Yibin city, in Sichuan's south Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Asia (28): China (JL) 1st rep in wild boar, RFI
African Swine Fever -- China1. UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). African swine fever threatens People's Republic of China (6 Mar 2018). FAO Animal Health Risk Analysis - Assessment, Issue no. 5. Rome, FAO; .2. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW). African swine fever -- scientific opinion (published 14 Jul 2015).EFSA Journal 2015; 13(7): 4163;.- Mod.ASMaps of China: and .][See Also:African swine fever - Asia (27): Japan ex China, contaminated Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (55): global (WPV, cVDPV)
Polio -- PakistanNew 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: 3Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 85Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2017: 96HeadlinesSummary of new viruses this week:- Afghanistan: 1 wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) positive environmental sample.- Pakistan: 4 WPV1 positive environmental samples.- Papua New Guinea: 1 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (133): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, international
Ebola -- DR Congo- 2 additional probable cases have been confirmed;- 2 confirmed cases were removed (duplicates) - 16 deaths of confirmed case deaths were removed (duplicates, listing errors) News of the responseSupport-------The transit center of Beni was inaugurated this Thu 15 Nov 2018. Located opposite the office of the head of the health zone, this 16-bed transit center will isolate all suspected cases waiting for laboratory results. Only laboratory confirmed cases will be transferred to the Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Taenia ovis – New Zealand: (BP) ovine, canine role
Other Animal Disease -- New ZealandSheep measles is a disease that won't disappear any time soon. The roaming of untreated dogs defaecating on pasture grazed by sheep and feeding off raw sheep meat has an important part to play in the disease. Sheep measles is the common name given to lesions in sheep and goats caused by an "intermediate stage" of a tapeworm parasite. They are seen as hard white cysts either on the surface or deep in muscle tissue. The blemishes in sheep meat can result in downgrading Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Mumps update (08): Malaysia (SL) Ireland (GY)
Mumps -- MalaysiaAfter 14 students, aged between 10 and 12, came down with mumps, 6 classrooms at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Sentosa in Rawang [Gombak district, Selangor] were ordered to be closed for 2 weeks. All 14 pupils received outpatient treatment at an area hospital and are reported to be in a stable condition, said Selangor health director Datuk Dr Khalid Ibrahim. The shuttered classes are now undergoing cleansing and disinfection measures to control the infection, he added.Dr Khalid said mumps Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis – USA (06): (WY) bovine
Brucellosis -- United StatesWyoming state veterinarian, Dr Jim Logan, has been notified by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory that there is a new case of brucellosis in a cattle herd in Teton County, which is in the Wyoming brucellosis designated surveillance area (DSA). Serologic testing at both laboratories has shown reactor level results on 5 animals from one herd. Further testing, including bacterial culture, will be conducted to confirm serology Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Newcastle disease – Sweden (02): (VG) poultry, epidemiology, genotype
Newcastle Disease -- SwedenPoultry producers have been reminded of the risks of pigeons spreading Newcastle disease (ND) following a disease outbreak in Sweden. The Swedish outbreak was reported last month [October 2018] at a large commercial farm on the western coast, which held 5000 laying hens. Presence of ND, which led to egg drop and eggs without shells but no increase in mortality, was caused by a virulent avian avulavirus type-1 (formerly Avian Paramyxovirus-1), according to PCR and gene sequencing.Sweden Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (132): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, vaccine, plans
Ebola -- DR Congo- The response was successfully coordinated, said General Luis Carrilho, United Nations police adviser, at the Beni response headquarters on Wed 14 Nov 2018. The meeting focused on the issue of security by the Congolese National Police, in collaboration with that of MONUSCO [Mission de l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en République démocratique du Congo], for the health workers in the response to the Ebola epidemic. General Carrilho reiterated Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Crayfish plague – Ireland: (WH) white-clawed crayfish
Plague -- IrelandAll water users along the River Shannon are being urged to take precautions after confirmation of an outbreak of crayfish plague on a stretch of the Al River. This river is one of the main tributaries to the River Shannon in Athlone [County Westmeath] and flows westerly, entering the Shannon downstream of the weir. A small number of dead freshwater crayfish were reported on the river last week [week of 5 Nov 2018]. DNA analysis by the Marine Institute has now confirmed that crayfish Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Myxomatosis – Portugal (02): (EV) hare, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- PortugalInformation received on [and dated] 14 Nov 2018 from Dr Bernardo Fernando, [General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development], Lisbon, PortugalSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of star of the event: 28 Oct 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Nov 2018Reason for notification: listed disease in an unusual host speciesCausal agent: Myxoma virusNature of diagnosis: laboratory (advanced), necropsyThis Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (70): Europe, Pacific, Americas
Measles -- UkraineOver the 1st week of November 2018, 489 people got sick with measles, according to the press service of Lviv regional Lab Center: "In Lviv region, during one week (1-7 Nov 2018), 489 cases of measles, including 373 cases with children under the age of 17 or 76% and 116 cases with the adults (23.7%) were spotted," the message said.Children aged from 5-9 made the vast majority of those infected; 78% of them were not vaccinated. 323 people were hospitalized. As we reported, since the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ross River virus – Australia (02): (NS)
Ross River Virus -- AustraliaNSW [New South Wales state] Health has warned people to protect themselves against mosquitoborne diseases as the weather warms up and people move outdoors. Medical entomologist at NSW Health Pathology, Dr Cameron Webb, said the warmer weather was a time for increasing mosquito activity and it was important to prepare against diseases carried by them such as Ross River and Barmah Forest virus.There were 9 official notifications of Ross River virus in NSW Between 28 Oct-3 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (56): (WV,TN)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesNumber of cases 1774 Demographics------------Age range 12-86 Median age 37 Male 1069 (60.3%) Hospitalizations 914 (51.5%) Deaths 5 Risk factors ------------Co-infection with hepatitis C (information available for 1384 cases) 824 (59.5%) Co-infection with hepatitis B (information available for 1384 cases) 153 (11.1%) Reports illicit drug use (information available for 1517 cases) 1135 (74.8%) Homeless 194 (10.9%) --communicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH> American foulbrood, apis – New Zealand: (WK) control initiatives
Other Animal Disease -- New ZealandThe Waikato Domestic Bee Association (WDBA) is calling on all Hamilton [Waikato] beekeepers to help rid the city of the hive-destroying American foulbrood disease (AFB). An AFB infection causes death of the honey bee (_Apis mellifera_) larvae. The disease is in almost all countries where honey bees are found.The AFB bacterium produces resistant, long-lived spores and an infected beehive will usually be killed by the disease. The infection can be present in a beehive Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (39): Africa (South Africa ex Zimbabwe)
— South Africa
PRO/AH/EDR> Pneumonia, ovine – USA (04): (WY) wild ungulates, alert
Pneumonia -- United StatesSigns of bighorn sheep were scattered inches away from the cliff edge: Dirt packed down from where they slept, round droppings, and a still-pungent smell. The animals themselves were gone, melting away into distant layers of mountain and rock.Steve Kilpatrick, a retired biologist now leading the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, was in the mountains on the border of Grand Teton National Park in August [2018] surveying sheep as part of an annual effort to keep tabs on its dwindling Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Acute flaccid myelitis – North America (02): (USA)
Other Human Disease -- United States"Most patients will have sudden onset of limb weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes. Some patients, in addition to the limb weakness, will experience facial droop/weakness, difficulty moving the eyes, drooping eyelids, or difficulty with swallowing or slurred speech. Numbness or tingling is rare in patients with AFM, though some patients have pain in their arms or legs. Some patients with AFM may be unable to urinate. The most severe symptom of AFM is respiratory Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian pox – New Zealand: song bird
Other Animal Disease -- New ZealandA potentially severe bird pox outbreak among Otago's waxeyes could cause deaths and spread to other avian species.In his Nature File column in last [Mon 8 Oct 2018] Otago Daily Times, Anthony Harris, of Otago Museum, asked readers if they had noticed growths on waxeyes.Afterwards he received 9 accounts from the public of what was "unmistakably" bird pox, or Avipoxvirus, he said. The correspondence was from Lawrence, Mosgiel, parts of Dunedin and Waitati, and seemed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (51): Ukraine, domestic swine, wild boar, update, OIE
African Swine Fever -- UkraineRovno: event started 4 Sep 2015. 29 outbreaks (submitted) reported to date (Tue 9 Oct 2018). The event is still continuing with the last follow-up report provided on 29 Aug 2018.Total animals affected:Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Killed and disposed of / SlaughteredSwine / 672 / 62 / 61 / 611 / 0Wild boar: _Sus scrofa_ (Suidae) / - / 17 / 4 / 13 / 0--Communicated by:ProMED-mail******[2] Kiev: domestic swineDate: Tue 9 Oct 2018Source: OIE, WAHIS (World Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Rubella – Japan
Rubella — Japan
PRO/EDR> Hand, foot & mouth disease update (09): Europe (Ireland ex Mallorca, Spain)
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease -- Ireland"Epidemics of EV71 infection have caused many fatalities from serious neurological complications in the Asia-Pacific region since 1997 and have become a serious public health problem in these areas. Among the diverse neurological complications of EV71 infection, brainstem encephalitis is the most critical neurological manifestation, because it can cause pulmonary hemorrhage leading to death. During EV71 epidemics, the neurological complications of EV71 infection Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Murine typhus – USA (07): (CA) Los Angeles county, more cases, RFI
Typhus -- United StatesLos Angeles [L.A.] county public health officials are warning residents of an outbreak of typhus while they investigate exactly where in downtown L.A. people are getting infected. There are now 57 cases detected, 9 associated with an outbreak in downtown L.A."Public Health is gathering additional information to determine the specific locations in downtown L.A. where the cases may have been," the County Public Health Department told L.A. Taco. "All of the cases associated with Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (50): wild; Czech Rep resolved, OIE; Belgium spread
African Swine Fever -- Czech RepublicInformation received on [and dated] 8 Oct 2018 from Dr Zbynek Semerad, Director General, State Veterinary Administration, Veterinary Administration, Prague, Czech RepublicSummaryReport type: Follow-up report No. 36 (Final report)Date of start of the event: 21 Jun 2017Date of confirmation of the event: 27 Jun 2017Report date: 8 Oct 2018Date submitted to OIE: 8 Oct 2018Date event resolved: 19 Apr 2018The event is resolved. No more reports will be Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (15): (CA) virulent strain, more cases
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesVirulent Newcastle disease [vND] has been confirmed at a live bird market. There are pastured poultry and identified additional cases of vND within existing disease-control areas. Affected flocks are quickly being euthanized. Together, these actions will help us prevent additional disease spread and eradicate the disease more quickly.USDA is announcing confirmed vND cases weekly. Cases are still being tested and confirmed as they are identified. If there is a finding Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (102): Bulgaria (PD) poultry, H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- BulgariaInformation received on [and dated] 8 Oct 2018 from Dr. Damyan Iliev, chief veterinary officer & deputy executive director, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Sofia, BulgariaSummaryReport type: immediate notification Date of start of the event: 3 Oct 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 3 Oct 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 28 Sep 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Classical swine fever – Brazil: (CE) swine, OIE
Classical Swine Fever -- BrazilInformation received on 8 Oct 2018 from Dr Figueiredo Marques Guilherme Henrique, Director, [Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply], Brasilia, BrazilSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 25 Aug 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Oct 2018Report date: 7 Oct 2018Date submitted to OIE: 8 Oct 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 20 Aug 2018Manifestation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Mycobacterium bovis – UK: (England) prisoners, 2017-2018, RFI
Bovine TB -- United KingdomBovine tuberculosis has infected 2 convicts at a prison in the latest example of the cattle disease jumping between species. The cases were diagnosed at Erlestoke prison, near Devizes in Wiltshire, in 2017 and 2018, said Public Health England (PHE)."PHE supported the investigation and advised on the screening of contacts in the community and in the prison," it added.The investigation could not find the source of the disease, which may be transmitted from cattle by eating Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (107): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, int'l donations, novel PPE suit
Ebola -- DR Congo- For several days, we have seen an upsurge in the number of confirmed cases in the city of Beni, which confirms the assessment that infected people who have escaped follow-up and vaccination are beginning to develop the disease. However, the increase in the number of alerts reported in the city of Beni reflects the strengthening of surveillance.- The factors contributing to this situation are mainly misinformation, non-collaboration of the population with the response teams, and Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Fungal diseases, peanut – USA: (GA)
Other Plant Disease -- United StatesSouth Georgia peanut crops [are being] destroyed by diseases called white mold and leaf spot. "Both are caused by fungi," said Bob Kemerait, University of Georgia. "It's an interaction of the wet year, the amount of disease that was already present from previous years, the ability to get fungicide in properly, and the selection of fungicide," he explained. "Yields are probably cut by 30 or 40 per cent. There is no recovery once it gets this bad."Specialists said Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (52): Africa (Tunisia)
West Nile Virus -- TunisiaAs of 30 Sep 2018, one case of death from West Nile virus infection was recorded from a total of 11 cases, 8 suspected and 3 confirmed, registered in Sousse-Masakin, and Kairouan governorates according to the director general of the center of reemerging diseases, MOH-Tunisia.--Communicated by:ProMED-mailviaProMED-MENA[West Nile fever a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the West Nile fever virus (WNV) which is a member of the genus _Flavivirus_ in the family Flaviviridae. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chikungunya (06): Africa (Sudan) mixed outbreak
Chikungunya -- SudanThe Federal Ministry of Health in recent times has informed WHO of an outbreak of chikungunya that has affected eastern states. To date, a total of 13 430 suspected cases were reported from the country, primarily from Kassala and Red Sea state. Samples have been tested both by PCR and by serology. A number of samples have also been tested positive for dengue fever.Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease. It can be easily be mistaken for other arboviral diseases such as dengue Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed diseases, dragon fruit – Viet Nam: (BU)
Undiagnosed -- VietnamDue to prolonged rainy weather, thousands of hectare of dragon fruit in the central Vietnamese province of Binh Thuan are struck with diseases.Farmers suffer huge losses. Nobody buys diseased fruit; consequently, farmers used fruit as animal feed. Currently, dragon fruits [are grown] on over 27 000 hectares in Binh Thuan; there are some exports to China.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Dragon fruit (also called pitaya, strawberry pear) is the common name for several cactus species Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Murine typhus – USA (06): (CA) city of Long Beach
Typhus -- United StatesLos Angeles County is warning its residents to look out for fleas that could be carrying typhus after more than 40 cases have been reported in the area in the last several months. "The Pasadena Public Health Department is reporting epidemic levels of typhus fever this year [2018]," the city said in a statement.Symptoms of typhus include fever and chills, body aches, muscle pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or rash on the chest, back, arms or legs.Typhus is typically Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (49): Belgium (LX) wild, spread, milit camp, epidem
African Swine Fever -- BelgiumTwo cadavers of wild boar, infected with African swine fever [ASF], have been found in the military camp 'Lagland' near Arlon [Luxembourg province] [see commentary].The boars had probably died in early September [2018], possibly as the 1st animals that became infected and spread the virus, according to 'De Standaard' [].To date, how the virus ended up in Belgium is a matter for speculation.Possible explanations are that wild boar ate contaminated food waste, or that Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (101): Germany, HPAI H5N8, eagle, 2016-2017
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- Germany1. Krone O, Globig A, Ulrich R, et al. White-tailed sea eagle (_Haliaeetus albicilla_) die-off due to infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, subtype H5N8, in Germany. Viruses. 2018; 10(9). pii: E478. doi: 10.3390/v10090478; available at .]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[In 2016 and 2017, HPAI H5N8 circulated throughout Europe, infecting poultry, wild and captive birds in several countries.The white-tailed eagle (_Haliaeetus albicilla_) is a very large Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – New Zealand (02): (CA) compost, potting soil, background
Legionnaires' -- New ZealandRates of legionellosis in New Zealand have increased sharply since 2005 and are currently more than twice those reported in Australia and the United States (1-2). See graph at .References----------1. Berger S. Legionellosis: Global Status, 2018. 134 pages; 111 graphs; 1427 references. Gideon e-books. .2. Berger S. Infectious Diseases of New Zealand, 2018. 496 pages; 240 graphs; 839 references. Gideon e-books. .3. Gideon e-Gideon multi-graph tool. .--Communicated by:Prof Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis – Pakistan: (PB) fatal
Hepatitis -- PakistanA man died of jaundice after battling for his life at a hospital. The increasing number of casualties has sent alarm bells ringing among health officials of the region. Doctors at the health facility told Express News that 3 patients suffering from jaundice were admitted to the hospital in critical condition. They said the patients were being provided treatment, but the condition of one of them quickly deteriorated and he died during the treatment.The victim was identified as Read more [...]
