Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Die-off, seal – USA: (ME) undiagnosed
Undiagnosed -- United StatesMarine mammal experts are at a loss to explain why a large number of harbor seals have turned up dead on beaches in southern Maine this summer [2018].The most recent cluster of deaths was reported [Mon 13 Aug 2018] when the carcasses of 11 harbor seals, mostly pups, were discovered on Bayview and Kinney Shores beaches in Saco. Those beaches are situated between Ocean Park and Ferry Beach State Park.In the past 2 days, more than 30 dead harbor seals have washed ashore on Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – Zimbabwe (02): (MI) waterborne
Typhoid -- Zimbabwe5 people have died, while 350 others have tested positive for typhoid in Gweru, the 3rd largest city in Zimbabwe. Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said residents who contracted the waterborne disease are being treated at various clinics across the city.The disease was initially thought to be confined to 4 villages of the city, in the oldest, largest, and most-run down high-density suburb of Mkoba. However, Dr Parirenyatwa said it has spread to all parts of the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (16): (UP)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaThe deadly encephalitis has claimed 103 lives since January this year [2018], while hundreds of patients are undergoing treatment at Baba Roghav Das Medical College [Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh/UP] official sources said on [Sun 12 Aug 2018].They said that in 2014 until August, 249 had died; in 2015 the numbers were 135; in 2016 it was 200; and last year [2018], 182 patients had died til August.Sources said that the number of patients was increasing gradually while there Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (90): Malaysia (SA) H5N1, poultry, comment
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- MalaysiaThe article referenced in the comment made by Mod.TTM in ProMED-MBDS posting http://promedmail.org/post/20180809.5956160 provides useful information on the avian influenza situation in Malaysia.The abstract of the article indicated:"Malaysia has experienced avian influenza virus (AIV) outbreaks over the past 3 decades. Four waves of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) took place in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2017. The 1st epidemics of HPAI H5N1 subtype occurred Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – Germany
Pests — Germany
PRO/AH/EDR> Marijuana, canine – USA: (OR)
Poisoning -- United StatesAfter Oregon legalized marijuana for recreational use, the number of pets poisoned by pot has risen.Recently, U.S. authorities has been looking into the health benefits marijuana can bring to pets suffering from seizures, anxiety, and other illnesses. Studies show many pet owners have turned to marijuana to treat their pets. However, the increase in pet pot poisoning cases in Oregon may dissuade U.S. authorities from allowing veterinarians to prescribe pot-based treatments Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (12): (CA) more cases
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesDuring the week of 3-9 Aug 2018, the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed 16 additional cases of virulent Newcastle disease [vND] in backyard exhibition chickens in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, California.Over the past few weeks, the response team intensified its efforts and identified additional cases of vND within existing disease-control areas. Affected flocks are quickly being Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – USA (08): (MO) cluster, unclear source
Salmonella -- United StatesThe number of cases of salmonellosis in Perry County, Missouri increased after it was 1st detected on Mon 6 Aug 2018. According to the Perry County Memorial Hospital, there are now 37 cases of _Salmonella_ infection. Ages of those affected ranged from 2 to 68 years.The hospital said the cases came through the emergency room and through the physician offices. According to the hospital, 3 people have required acute hospital admission, 2 short-term hospital observation, and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed hemorrhagic fever – Brazil: (MG) fatal, RFI
Hemorrhagic Fever -- BrazilIn the face of the situation, the prefecture appointed a task force to deal with the matter. The group is made up of representatives from several secretariats that visit homes and schools, especially at points considered to be at risk, to alert the population.Understanding the case----------------------The 1st confirmed case of the disease was a 24-year-old young woman. She died on [30 Jun 2018] after admission to the São João Hospital with body pain and high Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – China (06): (NM) bovine, human
Anthrax -- ChinaEight people were allegedly infected with anthrax in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region due to a suspected outbreak of the sheep and cattle disease, which has killed 9 cows. Authorities in Horqin district, Tongliao, announced on [Sun 12 Aug 2018] that since [7 Aug 2018], 9 cows have died in Shengli village, which were diagnosed with an alleged anthrax infection, the Xinhua News Agency reported on [Mon 13 Aug 2018].The 8 infected people were taken to a hospital for treatment Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – Pakistan (06): multidrug resistance, spread, travel alert
Fever -- PakistanAn ongoing outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever in Pakistan that has triggered the level 2 alert can be controlled by sensitizing public and health professionals on following preventive measures religiously and offering vaccination particularly to the population at risk. The US CDC has already issued a travel alert saying anyone heading to Pakistan should take extra care of food and water and get vaccination against typhoid. The CDC said the XDR typhoid strain Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Myxomatosis – Spain (02): hare, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- SpainInformation received on [and dated] 9 Aug 2018 from Dr Valentín Almansa, [Director General of Health of the Agricultural Production, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment], Madrid, SpainSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of star of the event: 20 Jul 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 4 Aug 2018Reason for notification: unexpected change in the distribution or increase in morbidity or mortality of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed die-off, fish – USA: (NM) oxygen depletion susp
Animal Die-off -- United StatesThe New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is investigating a fish die off at Quemado Lake, following reports earlier this week [week of 6 Aug 2018] that fish in the lake were dying.The die-off affected multiple species including tiger muskies, goldfish, grass carp, crayfish, and fathead minnows and is being attributed to low oxygen levels."Due to recent weather patterns across the state, including drought and high temperatures, die-offs have also been noted in the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (66): Congo DR (NK) cases, response
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (18): (NC, VA)
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesAnother case of eastern equine encephalitis [EEE] has been reported, this time in Carteret County.Carteret County Department of Human Services said in a press release that an 8-year-old mare was euthanized after contracting EEE. At least 3 other cases have been discovered in eastern North Carolina: 2 horses in Onslow County and a donkey in Duplin County. No human cases have been identified in the state this year [2018].According to the Centers for Disease Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – China (04): (HL) human cases conf.
Anthrax -- ChinaFourteen cutaneous anthrax cases have been confirmed in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, local authorities said on Fri 10 Aug 2018. One of the 14 patients was cured and discharged from hospital, the information office of the provincial government told a press briefing. The epidemic is under control, and the patients have been under effective treatment, it said.Local authorities are examining the pathogens. A total of 818 sheep in the affected and high-risk areas in Huanan Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Swine influenza – USA (02): (MI) swine
Influenza -- United StatesAn outbreak of a deadly virus is closing down an attraction at a local county fair. Organizers are figuring out how pigs were infected with swine flu at the Shiawassee County Fair.Closed signs and fencing cloak the Shiawassee Fair's Swine Barn with not even one pig in sight. That's because on Thursday night [9 Aug 2018], Fair Manager Ric Crawford and barn superintendents noticed that a group of pigs started looking sick, some of them even spiking 105 F [40 C] fevers, triggering Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (35)
Hepatitis -- United StatesSince [Tue 1 Aug 2017], the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) has identified 1276 cases of acute hepatitis A, a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. An increase in cases since [Tue 1 Aug 2017], primarily among homeless people and drug users, prompted declaration of a statewide outbreak in November 2017. Viral sequencing has linked several outbreak-associated cases in Kentucky with outbreaks in California and Utah.The DPH is working closely with the Centers Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (50): Americas, Europe
Measles -- Brazil[1] Brazil[2] USA (South Carolina, Georgetown County)[3] USA (Michigan, Oakland and Washtenaw counties) travel associatedEurope-----[4] Ireland[5] Italy: vaccine******[1] BrazilDate: Tue 7 Aug 2018Source: Precision Vaccinations [edited]The Brazil Health Ministry website reported there have been 1053 measles cases and 5 deaths, as of 2 Aug 2018. This negative news is a significant increase from the 20 Jul 2018 Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) report, which Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (35): (Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, El Salvador) OPV3, RFI
Polio -- Papua New GuineaPoliovirus weekly update as of Wed 8 Aug 2018, World Health OrganizationNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 13Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 1Total number of cVDPV cases in 2018: 22Total number of cVDPV cases in 2017: 96Headlines- In Papua New Guinea, a 3rd case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) has been confirmed, from a newly-infected Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Foodborne illness – Afghanistan: (LA) RFI
Foodborne Illness -- AfghanistanAt least 350 people, including women and children, have been poisoned after eating food at a funeral reception in the Dawlat Shah district of eastern Laghman Province, an official said on Thursday [9 Aug 2018].Sarhadi Zwak, the governor's spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the incident took place in Masmuti village of the district on Wednesday [8 Aug 2018]. He said 350 people were poisoned after consuming food at the funeral gathering and were immediately transported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (15): (AS)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaJapanese encephalitis (JE) continues in Assam, with one more person succumbing to the disease in Dibrugarh on Wednesday [8 Aug 2018], thus taking the death toll in the state to 66 this year [2018]. So far, 324 individuals have tested positive to the disease, and another 874 persons have been diagnosed with acute encephalitic syndrome (AES) this year.A report appearing in The Times of India stated that with all efforts to control the spread of JE having proved futile Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (48): Panama (LS) comment
Hantavirus -- PanamaWe agree with the moderator stating that Choclo is the only one of the 3 hantaviruses known to be endemic in Panama that causes HPS (hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome) or "hantavirus fever". However, "hantavirus fever," or rather "a fever induced by hantavirus" ("una fiebre por virus hanta"), as mentioned in the 11 Aug 2018 edition of La Prensa/Provincias, should also include the 1st hantaviral pathogen isolated in the New World, being rat-transmitted Seoul virus (SEOV) (LeDuc Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Infectious hematopoietic necrosis, trout – Macedonia: (AV,KH) OIE
Other Animal Disease -- Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)Information received on [and dated] 10 Aug 2018 from Dr Zoran Atasanov, director, Food and Veterinary Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Former Yug. Rep. of Macedonia, Skopje, Former Yug. Rep. of MacedoniaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 18 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 18 Jun 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 2 May 2018Manifestation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – China (04): (HL) ovine, human, susp
Anthrax -- ChinaAnthrax may have been transmitted to a resident of Huanan County in Heilongjiang Province after the person came into contact with sheep that had died of unknown causes at a farm, local authorities said. After receiving the report of the sheep deaths on Tuesday [7 Aug 2018], the county's animal epidemic prevention and control center launched an emergency response.Experts believed that the sheep may have been infected with anthrax, according to a statement released by the county's publicity Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foodborne illness – Peru (02): (AY) fatal, wake, comment
Foodborne Illness -- PeruThe outbreak of fatal illness at a funeral wake in Peru has several elements suggestive of bongkrekic acid poisoning. A similar event reported in Mozambique in 2015 was related to consumption of pombe (a fermented corn-based brew) at a funeral in Mozambique. Bongkrekic acid is produced by _Burkholderia gladioli_ pv. _cocovenenans_, which grows in corn flour. Further details of that outbreak are available at .Steve BergerTel Aviv Medical Center[I appreciate Dr Berger sharing Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (65): Congo DR (NK) cases, vaccines
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH/EDR> Guinea worm – Angola: first case
Guinea Worm -- AngolaDisease surveillance confirms the presence of dracunculiasis in Angola. The World Health Organization (WHO) has received confirmation of a human case (29 Jun 2018) of dracunculiasis (guinea worm disease) in Angola -- a country not known to have had any cases in the past."The patient is an 8 year old girl from Cunene Province. Signs of worm emergence in April this year [2018] were characteristic of guinea worm disease and the worm appeared identical to _Dracunculus medinensis_," Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cyclosporiasis – USA (09): CDC
Foodborne Illness -- United StatesHighlights:Case count: 436States: 15Deaths: 0Hospitalizations: 20Recall: NoOn 26 Jul 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed analysis of an unused package of romaine lettuce and carrot mix distributed to McDonald's by the Fresh Express processor in Streamwood, IL. The analysis confirmed the presence of cyclospora in that mix. On 27 Jul 2018, FDA informed Fresh Express of these results.Fresh Express reported to FDA that the carrots in Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cyclosporiasis – United Kingdom ex Mexico
Foodborne Illness -- United KingdomPublic Health England (PHE) is investigating an increase in cyclospora infections for the 4th successive year. Up to early August [2018], 57 cases had been reported in England, Scotland and Wales, of which 46 had traveled to Mexico.For cases for which information is known, people who were infected stayed at several different hotels in the Cancun and Riviera Maya regions, mostly on an all-inclusive basis. Officials say that suggests the source is likely to be a foodstuff Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (43): Asia (Mongolia) bovine
Rabies -- MongoliaOn 2 Aug 2018, 2 cases of rabies in cattle were recorded in Orkhon soum (administrative subdivision) in the northern Darkhan-Uul aimag (province). Samples from the sick animals were submitted to the aimag's Veterinary Hygiene Center laboratory, where rabies was confirmed on 6 Aug 2018.The Orkhon Soum Emergency Commission was convened to establish a restrictive regime, in prescribed areas, under the auspices of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Mr Gankhuu, deputy director Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Venezuela: more cases
Diphtheria -- VenezuelaThe diphtheria outbreak in Venezuela that began in July 2016 continues. A total of 1904 suspected diphtheria cases have been reported, including 164 deaths: 324 cases and 17 deaths in 2016, 1040 cases and 103 deaths in 2017, and 540 cases and 44 deaths through the halfway mark of 2018.Of note, in 2016, cases were reported in 5 states (Anzoategui, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro, Monagas, and Sucre), while in 2017 and 2018, 22 states and the Capital District have reported confirmed cases. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Spain: (CL) fatal
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- SpainA 74 year old man from Avila, Spain has died from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). He had been taking part in a hunting activity near the Badajoz town of Helechosa de los Montes, Spain.In Spain, CCHFV was first detected in hyalomma ticks from Caceres in 2010 and again in 2014 (Estrada-Pena et al, 2012; Cajimat et al, 2017). Subsequently, 2 autochthonous CCHFV cases were reported in August 2016, which resulted in the death of a 62 year old man Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (08): Americas (USA) equine, human
West Nile Virus -- United StatesMontana has recorded its 1st case of West Nile virus this year [2018]. The state veterinarian's office confirmed the virus in a horse in the Roundup area. Local veterinarian Maryrose Beasley says the horse had been weak and stumbling around.Beasley told the Billings Gazette she had previously treated horses with West Nile virus and recognized the signs. Beasley also advised horse owners to have their animals vaccinated against the virus.West Nile virus typically emerges Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (13): Europe (Serbia, Greece)
West Nile Virus -- SerbiaSince the beginning of the [2018] mosquito season, 9 deaths related to the West Nile virus have been reported in Serbia, 4 of them in the past week [1-7 Aug 2018], the Institute of Public Health of Serbia stated in a press release on [Tue 7 Aug 2018]. The release reads that the virus was confirmed in the population of mosquitoes in northern parts of Serbia, especially in Belgrade, where all 4 fatal outcomes occurred.The institute said that of 102 cases of West Nile infection Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (27): Uganda, Kenya, animal, spread
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaRakai veterinary specialists and leaders have closed 4 major cattle markets in the district following an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in neighbouring Isingiro district. Two people and 7 cows have already died of the fever. The closed markets include Ddyango and Kamuli in Kyalulangira and Kiziba sub-counties, respectively. Others are Kacheera and Lwamagwa livestock markets.Livestock farmers in Kyalulangira, under their umbrella body Nyekundire Farmers' Association, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (26): Rwanda, bovine, OIE
Rift Valley Fever -- RwandaInformation received [and dated] Fri 10 Aug 2018 from Dr Theogene Rutagwenda, director, Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority (RARDA), Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Kigali, RwandaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 18 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Jun 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: November 2017Manifestation of disease: clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (64): Congo DR (NK) cases, security, genome
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/EDR> Foodborne illness – Peru: (AY) fatal, wake, RFI
Foodborne Illness -- PeruAuthorities in Peru say at least 9 people have died from food poisoning following a funeral ceremony. Health officials said [on Tue 7 Aug 2018] that another 20 people were hospitalized with stomach pains and vomiting after a wake the previous day in the Ayacucho region of south-central Peru.Regional health director Jhon Tinco tells a local radio station that the victims reported eating a meat dish and consuming a drink of fermented corn called chicha.Tinco says health officials Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed hemorrhagic fever – Brazil (02): (MG) fatal, comment
Hemorrhagic Fever — Brazil