Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/PL> Late blight, potato – Malawi: (DE)
Other Plant Disease -- MalawiDedza [district] potato farmers [are] reeling under heavy losses after their crop was devastated by late blight disease which drastically reduced the quality and quantity of their yield.[A] research technician for International Potato Centre (CIP) in Dedza concurred with the farmers saying the just ended [2018] growing season has been bad for potato farming due to the disease. He said the situation was worsened by the fact that many farmers use poor quality seeds [tubers] Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – Israel (03): (HZ) streams, German tourist, early patient
Leptospirosis -- IsraelWe hereby would briefly report findings of a patient with severe leptospirosis whom we have treated in Tübingen, Germany, at the Tropenklinik Paul-Lechler-Krankenhaus in June 2018 after having returned from a trip to Israel. He might have been the 1st patient of this leptospirosis-outbreak. Unfortunately, he has still not fully recovered.The patient, a 51-year-old previously healthy man, had travelled as a leader of a tourist group to Israel from 22 May to 3 Jun 2018. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine influenza – USA (04): (MI) H3N2
Influenza H3N2 -- United StatesCases of canine influenza (H3N2) have been diagnosed in over 30 states. Michigan has recently started seeing cases of this infectious disease. Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine has treated some of these ill dogs. Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter, and other rescues and shelters in the area, have started preventative protocols to help reduce the spread of this virus. H3N2 has similar signs to "kennel cough" and other upper respiratory illnesses. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza – Colombia (ST,QD)
Equine Influenza -- ColombiaThe ICA established cleaning and disinfection measures for facilities and barns, as well as the notification of all cases with unusual respiratory signs.The Umata [municipal agricultural technical assistance units], health service, the guilds, and clubs that promote equine production should carry out epidemiological surveillance, to detect eventual cases of influenza type A in a timely manner.The entry and exit of equidae destined for concentrations is prohibited. "The Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Mildews, grapevine – France (02): comment
Other Plant Disease -- FranceIf it is definitely downy mildew; maybe they should relax the rules on using phosphonic acid based products in grapes early in the season. This is old chemistry but effective and doesn't leave the heavy metals residues in the soil associated with years of using Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate) or copper oxychloride. It's allowed in some countries not in others.Potassium phosphite is a very effective fungicide on oomycetes. It is available in some countries as a foliar Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever- Asia (03): China (HE, HL), spread
African Swine Fever -- ChinaChina found its 2nd case of African swine fever (ASF) on [Thu 16 Aug 2018] at a slaughterhouse owned by WH Group Ltd's Chinese unit, stirring concerns about the spread of the deadly infection across the world's largest pig herd.Some 30 hogs died of the disease at the slaughterhouse in Zhengzhou in central Henan province, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement. The pigs had traveled thousands of kilometers from a farm in Jiamusi city in China's Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Powassan virus encephalitis – USA (04): (NY)
Encephalitis -- United StatesA rare, sometimes fatal tick-borne virus has been confirmed in Dutchess County, [New York]. Allison Kaufman, county public health advisor, said a case of the virus [infection] was confirmed in late July [2018]. The person who contracted the virus reportedly had been ill since June [2018], Kaufman said. It is the 2nd confirmed case of the virus in 2018; the 1st was confirmed in Columbia County in June [2018]."I think residents need to keep in mind this is a very serious Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (10): Nigeria
Yellow Fever -- NigeriaKatsina health authorities have begun vaccinating 150 000 people in the council area of Danja in the wake of a recent outbreak of yellow fever. The campaign in reaction to the outbreak is expected to protect some 154 131 people, ages 9 months to 45 years.Underway since last week [week of 6 Aug 2018], the campaign is expected to conclude by [Sat 18 Aug 2018]. It comes after the Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy by 2026, launched in April [2018] by the World Health Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (28): Uganda
Rift Valley Fever -- UgandaChristine Mandella, the Kabale District health officer, said they are on high alert to respond to any suspected cases of any hemorrhagic fever including Ebola.There is a suspected case of Rift Valley fever in the Kabale district. The suspect is a male hawker who is based in Kabale town but hails from Mitooma district. He is currently admitted in the isolation ward at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.Sister Christine Akurut, the principal nursing officer at the hospital, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (36): Papua New Guinea (EH)
Polio -- Papua New GuineaIn a follow-up on the polio situation in Papua New Guinea, a new polio case was reported this week by the National Department of Health of Papua New Guinea (NDOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in a 22-month old girl from Eastern Highlands Province.This is the 4th case in the country, following confirmation of 2 cases from Morobe Province in June and July 2018 and a case from Enga in early August [2018].The girl had an onset of paralysis on [Sun 8 Jul 2018]. Based Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (51): Americas, Europe
Measles -- United StatesA teenager visiting Alaska on a cruise ship last week [week of 6 Aug 2018] had the measles, health officials say, prompting concern that passengers may spread the rarely-seen disease further.A group of passengers who may have contacted the patient disembarked in Seward, [Alaska], from the Norwegian Jewel on [Mon 13 Aug 2018]. On [Tue 14 Aug 2018], the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services warned healthcare providers to look out for measles symptoms like rashes, runny Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – USA (12): (NYC)
Pests -- United StatesNew York City health officials announced a recently recognized invasive tick species now found in parts of the United States was [identified] for the 1st time in New York City.The tick, _Haemaphysalis longicornis_, also known as the longhorned tick, was found in the southern section of Staten Island. The tick is primarily found on livestock and wild animals, and has not been shown to transmit disease in the United States."While it has been reported that the longhorned tick has Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (45): Americas (USA) beaver, human exp.
Rabies -- United StatesIn 1944, Pennsylvania logged nearly 1000 rabies cases, with the vast majority involving dogs. Rabid dogs were a health threat all over the world.With rabies vaccine for dogs and better efforts to control stray dogs, rabies plummeted, and for decades Pennsylvania's annual case count numbered in the low single digits. That began to change around 1980, when raccoons from the south were imported to Virginia for hunting, according to David Wolfgang, Pennsylvania's state veterinarian.Some Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Malaria – India (03): (Delhi)
Malaria -- IndiaWith 37 fresh cases of malaria reported last week [week of 6 Aug 2018], the number of cases have reached to 244 this year, according to a report released by South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on [Mon 13 Aug 2018]. However, out of these, 109 cases belonged to neighbouring states.According to Dr Atul Kakkar, Vice Chairman, Department of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, with the capital already seeing a significant rise in the cases of malaria this year [2018], the threat of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis – Switzerland (03)
Tick-borne Encephalitis -- SwitzerlandA record 272 cases of infections with tick-borne [TBE] encephalitis have been reported in Switzerland over the past 12 months, according to the Federal Office of Public Health. Compared with the same period in 2016/2017, this is an increase of 3 cases.The office says the number of serious cases also reached record levels, to 5.39 per 100 000 people from 1.42 per 100 000 people in 2015.The number of doctor's appointments because of tick bites and bacterial infections Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Sweden: RFI
E. coli -- SwedenThe number of _E. coli_ infections has increased since July [2018] to a national outbreak, the Swedish Television SVT reported on [Tue 14 Aug 2018], citing Swedish Public Health Agency. "We have identified around 50 cases and there will be more. This is the biggest outbreak that we have had for a long time," epidemiologists Anders Tegnell from the Public Health Agency told the Swedish news agency TT. _E. coli_ can cause bloody diarrhea and in some severe cases even complications Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed disease, rice – Guyana: (ES)
Undiagnosed -- GuyanaRice farmers in West Coast Demerara in Region 3 [Essequibo Islands-West Demerara] have encountered a very strange development in some plots. It is a disease which looks like "root worms or root rot" but it has significant immunity against all known insecticides and this is what sends fear into all rice farmers. Nothing seems to stop the progression of this disease.Rice emerges with a pale yellow colour, then it changes rapidly after application of fertilizer at 18-21 days old Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza (24): USA (MI,CA) swine origin H1N2v, fair, conf
Influenza -- United StatesThe Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reporting that influenza A (H1N2)v has been identified as the strain that sickened 2 attendees of the Fowlerville Family Fair following exposure to swine. Respiratory samples from ill individuals were sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for additional testing, after initially testing positive for influenza A at the MDHHS Laboratory last week [week of 30 Jul 2018]. This H1N2v strain Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Tdap vaccination during pregnancy – USA: no increased autism in offspring
Not Yet Classified -- United States"Background. Increasing vaccination of pregnant women makes it important to assess safety events potentially linked to prenatal vaccination. This study investigates the association between prenatal tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in offspring."Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study of mother-child pairs with deliveries January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014 at Kaiser Permanente Southern California Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (10): (NYC) more cases, fatal, cooling tower
Legionnaires' -- United StatesA legionnaires' outbreak that sickened 27 people and led to one person's death has been traced to a housing complex in Upper Manhattan [New York City].The _Legionella_ strain found in the tower matched the strain found in 6 patients affected by the cluster, the health department said.The cooling tower at The Sugar Hill Project, at 898 St Nicholas Ave, near West 155th Street, was the likely source of the cluster found in Washington Heights, the city's Health Department Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (69): Congo DR (NK,IT) cases, Uganda NOT, WHO response
Ebola -- DR CongoAccording to the latest situation report published by the WHO, a total of 990 contacts are under surveillance in Mabalako (790), Beni (141), and Mandima (59) health zones as of [11 Aug 2018]. Of these, 129 are healthcare workers. So far, 8 healthcare workers have contracted the virus, and 1 has died.Today [15 Aug 2018] the WHO detailed the surveillance and preparedness plans underway in the DRC and Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Burundi -- the countries most likely to experience Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (49): Panama (LS, CC)
Hantavirus -- PanamaHealth authorities in Los Santos province have confirmed 6 new cases of hantavirus [infection] in one week, bringing a total of 61 cases in the region so far in 2018.The authorities assure the public that these are expected case numbers given the increase in the [transmission] cycle of the disease.[Byline: Thays Domínguez]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts[The number of cases of hantavirus infection continues to increase in Los Santos province. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (34): Switzerland ex French Guiana
Yellow Fever -- SwitzerlandA 47-year-old man of Swiss nationality contracted yellow fever in French Guiana. He was diagnosed last weekend by the Institut Pasteur. The fact that he had been present in French Guiana for 4 months without having apparently left it makes it very likely that he contracted the virus in the department, and more precisely in the area of the County Bridge.In a message addressed to certain health professionals, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) details the situation: "A new Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Red tide – USA (03): (FL)
Algae -- United StatesIn southwest Florida, toxic algae blooms have painted its normally bright blue coastal waters a rusty red. This so-called red tide has killed hordes of marine animals and is entering its 10th month of existence, making it one of the longest-lasting cases documented to date.Red tides occur across the globe and are caused by a variety of algal species. The microorganism behind Florida's outbreak is _Karenia brevis_, a marine dinoflagellate that releases brevetoxins, neurotoxic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – Israel (02): (HZ) recreation, streams, background
Leptospirosis -- IsraelThe following background information on leptospirosis in Israel is abstracted from Gideon and the Gideon e-book series (1,2). Primary references are available from the author.Leptospirosis is most common in agricultural settlements of the Galilee, during the months of June to September. Reported disease incidence reached a peak of 81 cases in 1962, but has since decreased considerably; 48 cases were reported during 2002 to 2008 - including 20 travel-related cases (15 of these Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kyrgyzstan (03): (OH) human, livestock
Anthrax -- KyrgyzstanA total of 13 people were hospitalized with suspected Siberian anthrax in Kara-Kuldja district of Osh region, the chief doctor of the regional General Practice Center Chynara Karmyshakova told Turmush... [more][This story is by subscription and I have found nothing else on Google. Osh is one of the oldest cities in the world. - Corr.SB]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts******[2]Date: Wed 15 Aug 2018, 6:31 PMSource: Trend News Agency [edited]An Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Small hive beetle infestation, apis – Swaziland: (HH) 1st rep, OIE
Pests -- SwazilandInformation received on [and dated] 14 Aug 2018 from Dr. Roland Xolani Dlamini, Director of Veterinary and Livestock Services, Veterinary and Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture , Mbabane, SwazilandSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 2 Aug 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 13 Aug 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: _Aethina tumida_ Nature of diagnosis: suspicionThis event Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia (02): China (LN) genotyping, epidemiology
African Swine Fever -- China[References deleted]From mid-June 2018, all of the pigs fed table scraps in a farm near Shenyang city in Liaoning province suffered from acute clinical and pathological signs, including high fever, dullness, generalized reddening of the skin, obvious enlargement of the spleen, and congestion and generalized hemorrhage of the lymph nodes, heart, spleen, and kidney. All of the 400 pigs died within one month after the 1st clinical signs appeared and the farm was abandoned. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> White nose syndrome, bats – North America (07): (GA) update
White nose syndrome -- United StatesDeadly and fast-spreading, the disease named for the snow-white fungus sometimes found on the muzzles and skin of affected bats has killed millions of bats in North America. That toll, estimated at 5.7 million to 6.7 million bats in 2011, is rising.White-nose, often called White nose syndrome (WNS), was documented in Georgia in 2013. The state Department of Natural Resources [DNR] has been working since to track and slow the advance of the disease and gauge its Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – China (07): (NM) human, bovine susp
Anthrax -- ChinaLocal authorities said [Tue 14 Aug 2018] that 20 people have been confirmed to be infected with cutaneous anthrax in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Cases of cattle deaths from unknown causes in Shengli Village, Horqin district in the city of Tongliao, have been reported as of last week [week of 6 Aug 2018]. Cutaneous anthrax is usually contracted when a person with a cut or sore on their skin comes into direct, unprotected contact with anthrax spores on a sick or dead Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive mosquito – Spain: (AS)
Pests -- Spain"This finding shows once more the utility of the "Mosquito Alert" platform as a surveillance tool for early detection of invasive mosquitoes," highlighted the Director of the platform, Frederic Bartumeus."We remember from before the tiger mosquito [_A. albopictus_] that had been found and now it is _A. japonicus_, and we continue looking for the yellow fever mosquito [_A aegypti_]," added the director.One hopes that during the next months the experts will carry out more studies in the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leptospirosis – Israel: (HZ) recreation, streams, alert
Leptospirosis -- IsraelThe Israel Nature and Parks Authority has banned bathing in 2 rivers in the north of the country [Hazafon/Northern district] after over a dozen swimmers fell ill with symptoms feared to be leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can be fatal.The Zavitan and Zaki streams have both been placed off limits by the authority until further notice.Some 25 people, including 12 Israeli soldiers, have been hospitalized after displaying symptoms of the disease, according to Army Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> HIV – Viet Nam: (PT) contaminated medical equipment susp
HIV/AIDS -- VietnamHealth authorities in the northern province of Phu Tho, a 2-hour drive northeast of Hanoi, are investigating an HIV outbreak which they suspect is connected to unlicensed examinations offered by a private clinic.Health officials last month [July 2018] took blood samples from 500 residents in the remote commune to carry out a quick HIV test after 2 people died of HIV/AIDS disease and 4 new HIV cases were spotted in the commune between February and June [2018]. The blood test results Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (15): Europe (Romania)
West Nile Virus -- RomaniaIn a follow-up on the West Nile virus (WNV) situation in Romania, the National Center for Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control reported (computer translated) since the start of surveillance on [2 May 2018], 23 meningitis/meningo-encephalitis have been reported due to West Nile virus infection and a death in the case of a 79-year-old patient who had comorbidities.Officials say the cases in Romania are sporadic and there is currently no risk of an epidemic.In addition Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (91): Taiwan (PT, YL) poultry, HPAI H5, OIE
Avian Influenza -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 13 Aug 2018 from Dr Tai-Hwa Shih, Chief Veterinary Officer, Deputy Director General, Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Council of Agriculture Executive Yuan, Ministry of Agriculture, Taipei, Chinese TaipeiSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 12 Jan 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 17 Jan 2018Report date: 13 Aug 2018Date submitted to OIE: 13 Aug 2018Reason for notification: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (68): Congo DR (NK) WHO, Uganda cases, concerns, challenges
Ebola -- DR CongoIn a vaccination update, Tedros said 216 health workers have received the VSV-EBOV vaccine and that 20 people from the community have also been immunized.Health officials are hoping to speed up deployment of the vaccine, he said, adding that experienced immunization teams from Guinea arrived in Kinshasa yesterday and are expected to be on the ground in Beni and Mangina today [14 Aug 2018].So far, responders are sticking with the ring vaccination strategy, which targets contacts of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Panleukopenia virus, feline – Japan: (TK)
Other Animal Disease -- JapanEver since opening its 1st branch in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district in February 2015, Cat Cafe Mocha has become a hugely successful business for Japan's KI Corporation, expanding quickly throughout Japan with outlets in some of the city's most popular areas and also further abroad in locations like Osaka and Nagoya, all in its 1st 2 years.According to a statement released by KI Corporation on 2 Aug 2018, 2 cats at their Tachikawa branch were taken to a veterinary specialist Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed fever – Uganda (08): (KA) RFI
Fever -- UgandaAnother strange disease has been reported in the Western district of Kibaale, with symptoms similar to those of the 1st strange cases that were detected in Mubende district in the central region, about 70 km [45 miles] away (see Undiagnosed fever - Uganda (07): (MD) RFI http://promedmail.org/post/20180805.5948143).Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Ministry of Health's senior public relations officer, has confirmed that a 5-year-old girl presented with symptoms of vomiting and headache before Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (67): Congo DR (NK) cases, response, issues, research
Ebola -- DR CongoIn a statement yesterday [12 Aug 2018], the WHO said over a 2-day visit in the outbreak zone that was accompanied by the DRC health ministry, the group's leadership saw 1st-hand the complexities responders face in implementing Ebola activities in North Kivu province. They visited the city of Beni and the Mangina health area, the location of most confirmed cases reported so far.A range of armed groups are active in the area, creating challenging security issues for health teams who Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (70): Congo DR (NK) cases, recommendations, war, comment
Ebola — DR Congo