Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (98): Congo DR (NK, IT) case update, protection, WHO
Ebola -- DR CongoDays of the dead city in Beni and Butembo- This Thu 27 Sep 2018, the governor of the province of North Kivu, Julien Paluku, participated in the daily meeting of the coordination of the response to Beni and visited the CTE. He encouraged the teams and reminded them that they had all the support of the provincial government.- In Butembo, the dead city day was lifted, and all commercial activities in the city resumed, allowing the response to resume field activities.Collaboration of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (45): global (Nigeria, Somalia, Papua New Guinea)
Polio -- NigeriaNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 18Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 10Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 53Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2017: 96Headlines- 2 cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) are reported from Niger, linked to an ongoing cVDPV2 outbreak in neighbouring Nigeria.Summary of newly reported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kazakhstan (02): (EK) bovine, OIE
Anthrax -- KazakhstanInformation received on [and dated] 26 Sep 2018 from Dr. Tursyn Kabduldanov, Deputy Chairman, Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision, Ministry of Agriculture, Astana, KazakhstanSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 16 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 21 Sep 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 11 Apr 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: _Bacillus Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed febrile illness – Sudan (03): (KA) chikungunya conf.
Chikungunya -- SudanThe chikungunya epidemic is now spreading in the rural areas of Kassala locality, multiple sources told Radio Dabanga.At least 25 chikungunya patients reportedly died in Kassala during the past 3 days. The El Hassan and El Hussein cemetery east of Kassala and the graveyard west of El Gash are daily witnessing burials of chikungunya victims.According to medical doctor and university professor Tajeldin Mohamedein the disease has entered the epidemic stage. He pointed out that chikungunya Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Feline panleukopenia – USA (02): (TN)
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesThe Sullivan County Animal Shelter euthanized 60 cats and kittens last week eek of 17 Sep 2018 due to feline panleukopenia, county officials said [Mon 24 Sep 2018].That bad news unfolded as the shelter was battling a separate issue in the cat room: a flea infestation among some kittens. The shelter had announced the cat room would be closed [Wed 19 Sep 2018] for deep cleaning due to the flea situation. While preparation was underway for the clean up, shelter workers Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed renal disease – USA (FL): CKDU
Chronic/Non-Infectious Disease -- United StatesThe tropical sun was beating down on Homestead, a city on the southern tip of Florida, when Valerie Mac, a nurse-scientist and occupational health specialist from Emory University, pulled her van into the driveway of a small vegetable farm. Its owner, Isidoro Quezada, walked out to greet her, his arms caked with dirt and his face streaked with sweat and grime.Mac and her 2 research assistants followed Quezada into his home, where they sat him down to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (15): Republic of Congo
Yellow Fever -- Republic of CongoOn Thursday [27 Sep 2018], the government of the Republic of Congo will begin what it calls a robust and coordinated response against the yellow fever outbreak recorded in some parts of the country. The planned response follows the health ministry's warning last month [August 2018] of "an emerging event of epidemic proportions."According to the head of the government's epidemics unit, Lambert Kitembo, 186 suspected cases of yellow fever have been detected this year Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (25): USA (VA, MD) equine
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesA Quarter Horse stallion residing at a small private farm in Frederick County, Virginia has tested positive for equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1)."The horse had not been off the farm in several months," the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported on 23 Sep 2018. "There was no exposure to horses outside of the farm. The farm is under quarantine, and temperatures of the resident horses are Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bluetongue – Europe (02): UK ex France, bovine, st pending
Bluetongue -- United KingdomThe contagious animal disease bluetongue [BT] has been found in 2 cows imported to the UK from France, health officials have revealed.The virus was discovered in cattle brought to north Yorkshire from central France -- where BT has been spreading -- by experts at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Pirbright Institute.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said action was now being taken to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (44): Americas, USA (NY) equine
West Nile Virus -- United StatesThe New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets confirmed 5 more cases of West Nile virus in 2018, according to the Equine Disease Communications Center.A 4-year gelding from Ft. Edward (Washington County) was euthanized on 6 Sep 2018 after falling on 3 Sep 2018. A 9-year old gelding from Lyndonville (Orleans County) is recovering. A 10-year old mare from Canandaigua (Ontario County); a 5-year mare from Lowville (Lewis County), and an 18-year old gelding from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (98): USA (CA) poultry, LPAI H7N3
Avian Influenza -- United StatesUS Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials have confirmed a 2nd outbreak of low-pathogenic H7N3 avian flu in a California turkey flock in the same county--Stanislaus--as one [outbreak] reported a week ago, according to a World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) report yesterday [Wed 19 Sep 2018].The commercial operation, located in Stanislaus County, houses 35 000 turkeys susceptible to the virus. Officials detected the H7N3 strain as part of routine pre-slaughter Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervids – USA (14): (WY) new hunt area
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesThe Wyoming Game and Fish Department confirmed a bull elk has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Elk Hunt Area 9. The elk was found dead near Corner Mountain Trail above the town of Centennial in Albany County. CWD has previously been documented in the surrounding elk hunt areas.To ensure hunters are informed, Game and Fish announces when CWD is found in a new hunt area. Additionally, Game and Fish follows the human health recommendation of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (44): Afghanistan, Pakistan violence
Polio -- AfghanistanA fresh infectious poliomyelitis case has been detected in Afghanistan, bringing the number of confirmed cases of polio virus to 15 so far this year [2018], the Afghan Public Health Ministry said [Wed 26 Sep 2018]."A new polio virus case was registered in Bagh-e-Shahr neighborhood, of southern Kandahar province recently," the ministry said in a statement. According to the statement, the paralyzed 2-year-old girl's family lives in an area where some locals do not allow health workers Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – USA: (OH) hares, rabbits, RHDV2 strain, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesInformation received on [and dated] 21 Sep 2018 from Dr. John Clifford, Official Delegate, Chief Trade Advisor, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of AmericaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 1 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 19 Sep 2018Reason for notification: new strain of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Rabbit hemorrhagic disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – UK (04): ex Nigeria, more details
Monkeypox -- United KingdomA 3rd person has been diagnosed with monkeypox in England, Public Health England have confirmed.The latest case is a health care worker who had cared for a patient at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in the north of England before they had been diagnosed.Earlier this month [September 2018], 2 people were reported to have been diagnosed with monkeypox in the UK in unrelated cases, with both having contracted the disease in Nigeria before traveling to England. One was a Nigerian Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (44): Europe (Germany) captive bird zoo, equine, OIE
West Nile Virus -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 25 Sep 2018 from Dr. Karin Schwabenbauer, Ministerial Director and Chief Veterinary Officer, Directorate of Animal Health, Animal Welfare, [Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture] (BMEL), Bonn, GermanySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 5 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 20 Sep 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (97): Congo DR (NK, IT) case update, unrest
Ebola -- DR CongoFollowing the violence that occurred this Sat 22 Sep 2018 in Beni, the civil society had called the population to respect 5 days of general strike to protest the violence. They demanded that all commercial activity and all activities of the response be halted during this period. On Tue 25 Sep 2018, the coordinator of the response, Dr. Ndjoloko Tambwe Bathe, and the mayor of the city of Beni invited the president of the civil society of Beni to explain the dangers of stopping the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Eurasia: China (NM) domestic, Belgium (LX) wild, spread RFI
African Swine Fever -- ChinaThere at least 13 countries so far that intend to stop importing pork from Belgium after the deadly African swine fever [ASF] outbreak was confirmed in the country. These include Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Belarus, Philippines, Mexico, Japan, South Africa, Singapore, Serbia, Uruguay, and Malaysia.In New Zealand, pig herders are demanding for the local government to halt pork products that are coming from Belgium to safeguard the country's pork industry. New Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Turkey (08): economic background
Anthrax -- TurkeyJust after the end of the Eid al-Adha religious holiday in August [2018], Turkey was gripped by a series of reports of an anthrax outbreak. The 1st came from a farm near Ankara, followed by reports from 6 other cities around the country, including Istanbul. Despite reassurances from government officials, people are still uneasy. Although the official number of cases has not yet been released, many people have been diagnosed with the disease and are undergoing treatment. This past Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed febrile illness – Sudan (02): (KA, ND) updates
Fever -- SudanOn [Sun 23 Sep 2018] the children's ward, laboratory, and pharmacy at Kassala Teaching Hospital were closed after two children vomited blood. One of the children died.On [Mon 24 Sep 2018], Prime Minister Moutaz Mousa visited several health centres in the eastern and western parts of Kassala, including Haiel Arab, Sikka Hadeed, and El Hidaya centre in El Khatamiya. He issued a decision to send 2 tons of pesticides and instructed the sanitation of the environment to be addressed.Adam Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (43): Europe, ECDC
West Nile Virus -- ItalyBetween 14 and 20 Sep 2018, EU Member States reported 186 human West Nile virus infections: Italy (92), Greece (32), Romania (33), Hungary (12), Croatia (11), Austria (2), Slovenia (2), and Bulgaria (2). This week, no human cases were reported by EU neighbouring countries.In 6 areas, human cases were reported for the 1st time: Croatia (2), Slovenia (2), Italy (1), and Greece (1). All other human cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (44): (MA,TN)
Hepatitis -- United StatesAn outbreak of the acute hepatitis A infection has killed one person and affected 65 Massachusetts residents who are experiencing homelessness and/or substance use disorder, officials said. Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver and can cause severe illness.The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued an alert about the outbreak on [Mon 24 Sep 2018], and is encouraging local health departments to work with clinical and community-based agencies that Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Potato mop-top virus – New Zealand: 1st rep (CA)
Other Plant Disease -- New ZealandBiosecurity NZ said today it was working with Potatoes NZ to respond to a detection of Potato mop-top virus (PMTV). "If wide-spread, [it] could cause some productivity issues." Potato tubers from 2 properties in the Canterbury region [South Island] had tested positive for the virus. Further sampling was under way in the region. This is the first time the virus has been found in New Zealand.Potatoes NZ's Chris Claridge said the affected potatoes were from the Innovator Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> Announcements: ProMED-mail anniversary award 2018
Not Yet Classified — United States
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – Madagascar (05)
Plague -- MadagascarIn an update on the plague situation in Madagascar, the Ministry of Health is now reporting plague has affected 8 districts in the country-Central Highlands, Ambalavao, Ambatofinandrahana, Ambositra, Ankazobe, Fandriana, Miarinarivo and Antisirabe. In these 8 districts, 16 suspect cases have been reported in a month, including 4 fatalities. A total of 5 of the cases have been laboratory confirmed. Of the 5 confirmed cases, 2 were classified as bubonic plague and 3 as pulmonary Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (43): (KY, WV)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesNumber of Cases 1318 Demographics - Age Range 12-82 - Median Age 37 - Male 786 (59.6%) - Hospitalizations 687 (52.1%) - Deaths 2 Risk Factors - Co-infection with Hepatitis C (Information available for 1069 cases): 629 (58.9%) - Co-infection with Hepatitis B (Information available for 1069 cases): 121 (11.3%) - Reports Illicit Drug Use (Information available for 1132 cases): 874 (77.2%) - Homeless 149 (11.3%) --Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Date / Cases / New Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Malaria – Sudan: (ND) refugee camps
Malaria -- SudanPeople in the camps for the displaced in North Darfur complain of the spread of malaria."There is no home free of malaria in Zamzam camp," a community leader reported to Radio Dabanga. "The same is true for the camps of Abu Shouk, Tawila, Kassab, Fata Borno, and Kabkabiya."The sheikh said that the disease, spread by mosquitoes, "appears to be more widespread than during the last rainy seasons". He added that most displaced people cannot afford to buy medicines anymore. "With these Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (42): Europe (Germany) captive bird, OIE
West Nile Virus -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 24 Sep 2018 from Dr Karin Schwabenbauer, Ministerial Director and Chief Veterinary Officer, Directorate of Animal Health, Animal Welfare, [Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture] (BMEL), Bonn, GermanySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 10 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 19 Sep 2018Report date: 24 Sep 2018Date submitted to OIE: 24 Sep 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies – Americas (49): Colombia (MA) vampire bat, cattle, alert
Rabies -- ColombiaAn alert on the risk posed by new outbreaks of wild rabies was launched by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), mainly in the department of Magdalena, where suspected cases have been detected in the municipalities of Santa Ana, Zona Bananera, Santa Marta, Guamal, and San Sebastian de Buenavista.Caracol Radio Station spoke with Juan Pablo Velasquez, director of ICA's national wild rabies program, who said that rabies is transmitted by the bite of vampire bats and explained Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (96): Congo DR (NK,IT) case update, unrest
Ebola -- DR Congo- Field activities were suspended in Beni this Sun 23 Sep 2018, following clashes between rebels and the Congolese armed forces. Many residents of the city of Beni took to the streets on Sunday to protest the growing insecurity in the area. The field activities of the riposte will resume as soon as calm returns to the city.Vaccination------------ Since vaccination began on 8 Aug 2018, 11 417 people have been vaccinated , including 4056 in Mabalako [North Kivu], 3652 in Beni [North Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed febrile illness – Sudan: (KA,ND) RFI
Fever -- SudanUnder the Twitter hashtag [] a discussion of local and international humanitarian aid workers started to report a non-verified case number of about 100 000 patients and 119 deaths. While some reports speak of "hemorrhagic fever" no specific symptoms are given. Previous media reported a chikungunya outbreak (), while others such as point to severe forms of dengue fever. However, nobody reported symptoms, laboratory tests conducted and confirmed, differential diagnoses, etc. However, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – Israel (07): (HZ) human, animal, environment, epidemiology
Leptospirosis -- IsraelAbstract:We report preliminary findings of a large outbreak of human leptospirosis with 36 confirmed/probable and 583 suspected cases from June-August 2018, linked to contaminated water bodies in Northern Israel. There was a travel-associated case in Germany; additional cases are being investigated in other countries. The presumed chain of transmission, implicating wild boar and cattle, raises multiple challenges for risk assessment, risk management and risk communication currently Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Brazil (02): disease burden, children
Leishmaniasis -- BrazilAbstract:BackgroundThe study presents estimates for the burden of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (CML) in Brazil and its 27 federated units using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2016.MethodologyWe report the incidence, years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD), and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for leishmaniasis in Brazil from 1990 to 2016. The metrics are presented as age-standardized rates Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – UK: (England) RHDV2 strain susp.
Other Animal Disease -- United KingdomA veterinary practice has warned animal lovers of a deadly virus suspected of killing a number of rabbits.Elwood, Briggs and Turner Vets in Kirton, near Boston, has issued warnings on its Facebook page after a number of pet rabbit deaths.The Facebook post states: We have, unfortunately, seen a few cases lately that we suspect were the newest strain of viral haemorrhagic disease, VHD2/RHDV2. This viral infection usually leads to the death of pet rabbits. We now Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (95): Congo DR (NK, IT) case update, Uganda
Ebola -- DR CongoThe World Health Organization (WHO) said Fri [21 Sep 2018] that the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains active, with the cities of Beni and Butembo becoming the new hotspots.Substantial progress has been made to limit the spread of the disease to new areas, and the situation at Mabalako Health Zone in Mangina, North Kivu province, is stabilizing, WHO said in a statement.In the meantime, response teams continue to enhance activities to mitigate Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (59): PAHO
Measles -- Worldwide/UnknownSituation SummaryIn 2018, as of 21 Sep 2018, a total of 6629 confirmed cases of measles, including 72 deaths, have been reported in 11 countries of the Region of the Americas: Antigua and Barbuda (1 case), Argentina (11 cases), Brazil (1735 cases, including 10 deaths), Canada (22 cases), Colombia (85 cases), Ecuador (19 cases), Guatemala (1 case), Mexico (5 cases), Peru (21 cases), the United States of America (124 cases), and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (4605 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Sheep pox & goat pox – Russia (04): (TL) ovine
Sheep/Goat Pox -- RussiaAn outbreak of smallpox was recorded in a private subsidiary farm located in the village of Kuznetsy, Aleksinsky district, Tula region.According to the press service of the Rosselkhoznadzor Administration in Moscow, the Moscow and Tula oblasts, the owner of a backyard holding contacted the Yasnogorsk Inter-District Veterinary Association on [Thu 13 Sep 2018] to report the disease in sheep. At the time of the outbreak, the farm housed 20 goats and sheep. Based on the results Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Epizootic hemorrhagic disease – USA (03): (AZ) cervid, follow-up
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease — United States
PRO/AH/EDR> Alcohol poisoning – Malaysia: methanol
Poisoning -- MalaysiaPolice in Malaysia are investigating a case of alcohol poisoning that killed at least 21 people, with dozens more hospitalized, most of them citizens of Asian nations, officials said on Wednesday [19 Sep 2018].Cheap, homemade liquor is popular among poor, migrant workers in Muslim-majority Malaysia, which has high taxes on alcohol.A total of 57 cases of methanol poisoning had been reported in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, and its surrounding state of Selangor, Health Minister Dzulkefly Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (41): Americas (USA) equine
West Nile Virus -- United StatesThe Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, Wyoming Department of Health, and Wyoming Livestock Board have received reports of "significant" West Nile virus (WNV) activity in the state over the past 2 weeks, they announced on [Mon 10 Sep 2018].In addition to one human case being confirmed in Fremont County, official reported 7 cases of WNV in Wyoming horses residing in Campbell, Fremont, Goshen, Park, and Sheridan counties. They've also found WNV in a golden eagle, a Read more [...]
