Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (31): Uganda, bovine, OIE
Rift Valley Fever -- UgandaInformation received on [and dated] Fri 7 Sep 2018 from Dr Anna Rose Ademun Okurut, acting commissioner, Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Entebbe, UgandaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 8 Aug 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 10 Aug 2018Report date: 7 Sep 2018Date submitted to OIE: 7 Sep 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: December Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Cuba: (HO) hotel guests
Salmonella -- CubaThe UK newspaper the Daily Mail reported yesterday [3 Sep 2018] that at least 60 British tourists have had to undergo intravenous antibiotic treatment during the current year [2018] after suffering from _Salmonella_ infections while in Cuba. All these tourists became infected after staying in hotel facilities on the island and reported that hygiene conditions around food were not the best. "There were always flies flying over the food; the meat and fish were on the buffet tables Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Turkey (05): (BT) bovine
Anthrax -- TurkeyTurkey has been hit by a new anthrax outbreak in the southeast, as a district in Turkey's southeastern province of Bitlis has been quarantined after 81 cows died over a week because of anthrax, Cumhuriyet newspaper said on Thursday [6 Sep 2018], citing a Milli Gazete [Turkish newspaper] report. All cattle in the Gunkiri district in Bitlis have been vaccinated, and local authorities have said the animals in surrounding areas will also be vaccinated as a precaution against an outbreak. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Uganda (07): (AX) livestock, human
Anthrax -- UgandaAnthrax has hit Arua district again, with one person admitted to Pawor Health Center III in Palabok parish, Pawor subcounty in Arua district after being diagnosed with anthrax. The disease has also reportedly claimed 18 animals in the same area. Dr. Willy Nguma, the Arua District Veterinary Officer, says the disease has engulfed the entire Nile belt from Pakwach district. Dr. Nguma says the outbreak has also been reported in Rhino Camp, Rigbo, Uriama and Odupi subcounties. He attributes Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Ukraine (02): low vaccination rate
Diphtheria -- Ukraine[...] 4 cases of diphtheria have already been reported in Ukraine [in 2018]. Experts say this might be the beginning of a new outbreak, TSN reports.Epidemiologists say measles is a smaller disaster, whereas the major one will begin with an outbreak of diphtheria: "Imagine we have only 19% of children of those born in 2016 protected from diphtheria. If there are cases, how [easily do] you think the disease will spread? It's only one year, and we have such 10 years."The last time Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (40): (KY, WV)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesNumber of cases 1109DemographicsAge range: 12-82Median age: 37Male: 666 (60.1 percent)Hospitalizations: 588 (53 percent)Deaths: 2Risk factorsCo-infection with hepatitis C (information available for 951 cases): 584 (61.4 percent)Co-infection with hepatitis B (information available for 951 cases): 108 (11.4 percent)Reports illicit drug use (information available for 928 cases): 727 (78.3 percent)Homeless: 132 (11.9 percent)--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Date Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza (25): USA (NY) ex Middle East, A (H3N2) conf, not MERS-CoV
Influenza H3N2 -- United StatesSaudi Arabia's Ministry of Health and the Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) unit, WHO/EMRO, continues to monitor the progress of influenza data entry on the regional platform, EMFLU Network. Based on that, a weekly report for the influenza situation in Saudi Arabia is generated.Three of the influenza sentinel surveillance sites are within the Hajj premises. The overall activity is low (see ).--Abdullah AssiriAssistant deputy minister for preventive healthSaudi Arabia[Many Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (34): Saudi Arabia (QS) clarification
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaHuman MERS activity in Saudi Arabia increased in the last few days, specifically in Qaseem region. Sporadic cases were reported from different hospitals in the region. They were not healthcare related and not epidemiologically linked, except one case that we think acquired MERS in a dialysis unit. This case shared one dialysis session with another case that had a respiratory illness but was MERS-negative initially and later proved to be MERS-positive.Infection Control Rapid Response Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Trichinellosis – Argentina (03): (LP)
Trichinosis — Argentina
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Newport – USA (02): (KS) church dinner, tomatoes
Salmonella -- United StatesThe Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Doniphan County Health Department continue to investigate an outbreak associated with an election day Indian taco dinner at the Highland United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Highland, Kansas, on [Tue 7 Aug 2018]. A survey was launched on [Fri 10 Aug 2018] to collect illness and exposure information from those that attended the dinner.As of [Fri 31 Aug 2018], 115 persons have completed the survey, 69 have reported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Scrub typhus – India (04): (MH, MP)
Scrub Typhus -- IndiaScrub typhus, a mite-borne disease, has gripped Nagpur and has claimed the lives of at least 12 people in the city. Over 55 patients have tested positive, including a 2-year-old girl who is currently being treated in the pediatric ICU at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Nagpur. The latest victim of scrub typhus was a 43-year-old of Madhya Pradesh, who died on [Sat 1 Sep 2018].A team from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been sent to the city to ascertain Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (83): Congo DR (NK) case update, Butembo fatalities
Ebola -- DR Congo-The Minister of health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, made a field trip to Beni Thu 6 Sep 2018. Accompanied by the director of the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, and Dr Njdoloko Tambwe Bathe, the coordinator of the response, participated in Radio Okapi's "Parole aux Auditeurs" interactive show in the Ndindi neighborhood, where they answered questions from the public about Ebola. The delegation then flew to Butembo, where they held a working Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> West Nile virus (30): Europe (Italy)
West Nile Virus -- ItalyAnother case in Piacenza, hit by West Nile virus [WNV]. The man, a 60-year-old resident in Val D'Arda, was hospitalized last August [2018] at the hospital in Parma - he was already in the Ducal city for other treatments - because of high fever. Fortunately, his condition has improved.This is the 2nd case in the province of Piacenza of the virus transmitted by mosquitoes a few days apart. The first involved a 78-year-old hospitalized at the Guglielmo da Saliceto hospital.WNV Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Pakistan (15): (KP)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanEmergency was declared in Khyber area after two persons died in Landi Kotal due to Congo fever [Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever; CCHF], doctors said.They said that S.K. was brought to the local hospital with high fever and was immediately shifted to Peshawar due to his critical condition. Later, he was taken to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad where he died. He tested positive for Congo fever, they added. Family sources said that S.K., a resident Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (17): China, H7N9, WHO
Avian Influenza H7N9 -- ChinaAlthough reporting of virus detection has declined in poultry and the environment, as long as the virus still circulates, even at low levels, further human cases can be expected. Currently available epidemiological and virological evidence suggests that this virus has not acquired the ability of sustained transmission among humans, thus the likelihood of human-to-human transmission of the A(H7N9) virus is low.WHO response and risk mitigation--------------------------------WHO Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (57): Africa, Americas, Europe, Pacific
Measles -- MauritiusMauritius health officials stating reporting sporadic measles cases in late-March 2018 and by mid-May [2018], the measles epidemic threshold was met.From March through late August [2018], 808 confirmed measles cases, including 3 deaths (case fatality ratio 0.4 percent), have been reported in Mauritius. 2 districts, Port Louis and Black River, have been the most affected.The 3 reported deaths occurred among immunocompromised adults, aged between 29 and 31 years.The National Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed nematodes, banana – Tanzania, Uganda
Undiagnosed -- TanzaniaBanana farms are shrinking and so are the numbers of healthy banana plants, partly due to nematodes. You will find uprooted banana plants, the majority with immature bunches and destroyed anchoring roots. The problem is widespread. Areas prone to nematodes include many parts of Unguja and Pemba [islands, Zanzibar archipelago, Tanzania] and mainland regions of Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Ruvuma, Mbeya, and Kagera. The disease is also causing havoc in Ugandan districts neighbouring Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed respiratory illness – USA (02): (NY) ex Middle East, influenza conf
Influenza -- United StatesThe patients hospitalized after arriving at John F Kennedy Airport [New York City] in a plane carrying sick passengers and crew have tested positive for influenza, according to a New York City official.About 100 people aboard Emirates Flight 203 from Dubai complained of illness, citing symptoms like cough and fever. Emirates said [Wed 5 Sep 2018] that 10 passengers "were taken ill."Eric Phillips, press secretary for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, said test results on Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (20): (UP)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaUttar Pradesh has seen a drastic fall in cases of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and Japanese encephalitis (JE) this year [2018], thanks to the concerted efforts of 6 state government departments, UP minister Sidharth Nath Singh said today [30 Aug 2018].There has been a sharp decline in AES cases this year [2018] compared to the number of patients admitted to the BRD Medical College Hospital in Gorakhpur with the disease last year [2017], he said."A total of 1427 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – Brazil: ocular, HIV-negative
Syphilis -- Brazil"Recent reports from different world regions suggest ocular syphilis is re-emerging, in parallel with an increasing incidence of the systemic infection globally. We conducted a large observational study of 127 persons consecutively treated for ocular syphilis at public medical centers in Brazil over a 2.5-year period ending July 2015. Of 104 individuals serologically tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 34.6% were positive. Ophthalmological evaluations included measurement Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (40): global (Papua New Guinea), IHR Committee
Polio -- Papua New GuineaNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 15Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 3 [4 if the case in Nigeria is counted]Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2018: 36Total number of cVDPV cases (all types) in 2017: 96HeadlinesSummary of new viruses this week: - Papua New Guinea - 3 new cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1). No new cases of wild Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (82): Congo DR (NK) case update, treatment
Ebola -- DR Congo- The district of Ndindi in Beni city has become the main focus of the epidemic at present concentrating 70 percent of the last 20 confirmed cases reported. This situation is linked to the resistance of the community in this district to collaborate with the health authorities. Some families have long hidden sick people, refused to allow health care providers to take patients to the Ebola treatment center (ETC), and refused to be vaccinated. Several violent incidents against medical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (12): China (HL) domestic swine, spread, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received [and dated] on 5 Sep 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: 1 Sep 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 5 Sep 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Brazil: (AL) canine, human
Leishmaniasis -- BrazilIn the 1st 6 months of this year [2018], Alagoas reported 63 cases of leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar in humans, a number 30 percent higher than what was reported during the entire year 2017. The disease is serious and can lead to death if not treated correctly.According to the State Secretary of Health (Sesau), there were 48 cases reported during the entire year 2017.The largest part of the reported cases of the disease in humans in the recent months was concentrated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – France (04): (PR) livestock vaccination
Anthrax -- FranceThe eastern French region of Hautes-Alpes [Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region] said [Mon 3 Sep 2018] it has begun vaccinating cows and sheep against anthrax after an outbreak of the fatal infection in the region. Anthrax has been detected in 23 locations, local authorities said in a statement, with 54 animals killed, mainly bovines.Vaccination doses for 5000 cows and 10 000 sheep have been rushed to the area to tackle the worst anthrax outbreak in France in nearly 20 years.Anthrax Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Mbandaka – USA (03): breakfast cereal, alert, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesCase count update-----------------Since the last update on 12 Jul 2018, 30 ill people have been added to this investigation. As of 30 Aug 2018, 130 people infected with the outbreak strain of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Mbandaka have been reported from 36 states.State / Case count------------------Alabama / 2Arizona / 3California / 11Colorado / 2Connecticut / 4Delaware / 1Florida / 3Georgia / 2Illinois / 1Indiana / 4Kentucky / 2Louisiana / 3Maine / Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed respiratory illness – USA: (New York),ex Middle East, flight, RFI
Respiratory Illness -- United StatesAn Emirates Airline flight was held in quarantine for a period at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport after a large number of passengers were reported feeling ill during the flight.The airline said in a statement that about 10 passengers on the flight from Dubai to New York had become ill on board. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] said the estimated number was about 100. Passengers and some crew complained of illness including Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis (09): USA, Italy, Australia, South Africa
Whooping Cough -- United StatesThe Alabama Department of Public Health [ADPH] is investigating an outbreak of pertussis, or whooping cough, in several facilities located in Jefferson and Shelby counties.According to the ADPH, 9 children have been confirmed as testing positive for the illness, with 22 people reported to have pertussis-like illness. These cases were reported after visiting facilities and events in Jefferson and Shelby counties.These are: Shades Valley Community Church in Jefferson Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – South Africa (15): fatal, ST6, end of outbreak
Listeriosis -- South AfricaAs of 14 Aug 2018, a total of 1064 laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases has been reported to NICD since [1 Jan 2017 (Figure 3 [all figures are available at the source URL above]). Most cases have been reported from Gauteng Province (58 percent, 612/1064) followed by Western Cape (13 percent, 139/1064) and KwaZulu-Natal (8 percent, 84/1064) provinces. Cases have been diagnosed in both public (64 percent, 683/1064) and private (36 percent, 381/1064) healthcare sectors. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza, equine – Colombia (02): st H3N8, OIE
Equine Influenza -- ColombiaInformation received on 31 Aug 2018 from Dr Luis Humberto Martinez Lacouture, Gerente General, Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA), Ministerio de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural, Bogota, ColombiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 18 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 28 Jul 2018Report date: 31 Aug 2018Date submitted to OIE: 31 Aug 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 3 May Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (95): Germany, Netherlands, domestic/wild birds, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- GermanyInformation received on [and dated] 4 Sep 2018 from Dr Karin Schwabenbauer, ministerial dirigentin and chief veterinary officer, Directorate of Animal Health, Animal Welfare, Bundesministerium fur Ernahrung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL), Bonn, GermanySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 31 Aug 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 1 Sep 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 18 May 2018Manifestation Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> West Nile virus (29): Europe (Croatia)
West Nile Virus -- CroatiaA total of 26 people in Croatia have been diagnosed with the West Nile virus (WNV) this year [2018] and one has died, the Croatian Institute of Public Health announced on [Mon 3 Sep 2018].Since last week, the institute has received 10 new reports of the disease, which is most often transmitted by infected mosquitoes and birds. The victims all came from the northwest and eastern parts of the country.According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, by [30 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (47): Asia (Myanmar) human, canine
Rabies -- MyanmarA total of 18 people died from rabies in the 1st 8 months of this year [2018], a senior official of Yangon General Hospital said.Dr. Khin Theingi Myint, medical superintendent of the hospital, said the number of fatalities due to rabies from January to August [2018] only includes those who were treated at the hospital. That number could increase if other hospitals across the country are included in the total.If a person is infected with rabies, the chances of survival are slim, as Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Afghanistan (04) : update
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- Afghanistan- CCHF virus causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks.- CCHF outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 40 percent.- The virus is primarily transmitted to people from ticks and livestock animals. Human-to-human transmission can occur resulting from close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons.- CCHF is endemic in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asia.- There is no vaccine available for either Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Pakistan (14): (NW, SD)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanThe contagious Congo virus claimed the life of another young man on [Sun 2 Sep 2018], K.H., from Piro Khel village of Landi Kotal division, Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP). The death was the 2nd case of Congo virus in the region after the 1st case of S.S., a 20-years old young man, who died of virus in Islamabad hospital on [Sat 1 Sep 2018].According to the details, K.H.was admitted to Hayatabad medical complex initially, from where he was referred to Lady Reading Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Schistosomiasis – Myanmar (03): (RA)
Schistosomiasis -- MyanmarWorld Health Organization experts joined local officials from the Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports on a field visit to check out a schistosomiasis outbreak, reporting 828 suspected patients and 428 patients diagnosed with the disease, as of [20 Aug 2018], according to local media.Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms, released by freshwater snails.On [31 Aug 2018], Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe attended a review Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (33): Saudi Arabia: (QS) RFI
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaDate: Tue 4 Sep 2018Case no. 18-1746MERS in Buraidah city: 52-year-old male in Buraidah city, Qaseem region.Contact with camels: noCase classification: under investigationOutcome: hospitalized--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[I am wondering if there is an as yet undefined outbreak of MERS-CoV infection ongoing in Buraidah, Al Qasim region. This is now the 3rd case reported from Buraidah in 4 days, and the 4th case reported in Al Qasim in 4 days. In this case, there is clear Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – India (03): (KL) fatal, flooding
Leptospirosis -- IndiaAs tens of thousands of Keralites affected by last month's [August 2018] floods are busy cleaning up their slush-filled homes, a 2nd threat is haunting the state in the form of leptospirosis, commonly known as rat fever. 5 more deaths were reported due to rat fever on [Mon 3 Sep 2018], taking the toll from the disease over the past 5 days alone to more than 3 dozen.Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is transmitted chiefly through soil or water contaminated by the urine Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (30): Uganda
Rift Valley Fever -- UgandaThere is a confirmed outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Lyantonde district. The disease has already claimed 11 people and left several others in critical condition in 2 months, according to local authorities.Dr. Moses Nkanika, the Lyantonde District Health Officer-DHO, says there is a possibility that the victims consumed meat from infected cows, sheep and goats. He says 2 other patients died after being referred to Mabarara Regional Hospital. Nine of the deaths have Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive mosquito – USA (03): (MI)
Pests -- United StatesThe invasive Asian tiger mosquito [_Aedes albopictus], which is capable of spreading the Zika virus, has been found in Michigan, but officials emphasized that there is no evidence of Zika or other exotic virus-infected mosquitoes in Michigan or the United States this year [2018].Officials from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Wayne County Health Department announced that the mosquito was identified on 16 Aug [2018] in southern Romulus."Finding Read more [...]
