Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Die-off, seabird – USA: (AK)
Animal Die-off -- United StatesThe cause behind unusual bird behavior on Alaska's coastline has scientists on high alert. Beginning in May [2018], wildlife officials began receiving reports of dead and dying seabirds from the northern Bering and southern Chukchi seas, including in the vicinity of the Western Arctic National Parklands.National Park Service investigators found 100 carcasses in a 4-kilometer [about 2.5 mi] stretch of beach in late June [2018], most of which were murres along the coast Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Equine infectious anemia – USA (06): (GA)
Equine Infectious Anemia -- United StatesThe Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported on 6 Aug 2018 that 3 horses in Georgia have tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). "The Georgia Department of Agriculture has confirmed ... EIA in 3 horses in Lamar county," the EDCC said. "The positive horses were identified through surveillance for an EIA trace initiated in another state and were euthanized. The remainder of the herd is under quarantine pending following up testing in 60 Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Potomac horse fever, equine – USA (05): (MD) alert
Fever -- United StatesMaryland horse owners are advised to be on high alert after a pony in Frederick county died from Potomac horse fever last month [July 2018]. The Maryland Department of Agriculture said the pony, which was originally from the University of Kentucky's Equine Diagnostic Laboratory, fell ill on 26 Jul 2018 and died 4 days later. A necropsy of the pony was performed at the Frederick Animal Health Laboratory on 31 Jul 2018.The Department of Agriculture is urging horse owners -- especially Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Equine coronavirus – USA: (MA)
Coronavirus -- United StatesThe upcoming Massachusetts Morgan Horse Show at the Eastern States Exhibition [West Springfield], planned for 15-18 Aug 2018, has been canceled out of concerns for the horses after a recent case of a type of virus common among horses was linked to the fairgrounds. Instead, the Massachusetts Morgan Horse Show committee voted on [Sun 5 Aug 2018] to call the whole thing off for this year. The group is planning its return for the Eastern States again in 2019.According to a Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Peste des petits ruminants – Sierra Leone: (EA) ovine, caprine, OIE
Peste des petits ruminants -- Sierra LeoneInformation received on 9 Aug 2018 from Dr Francis AR Sankoh, director, Livestock Services Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bruxelles, Sierra LeoneSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 10 Jul 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 15 Jul 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: Jun 2016Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Peste des petits Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (17): (GA)
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesHealth officials in Georgia confirm a horse in Colquitt county has tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis [EEE]. "EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes," said Colquitt County Environmental Health county manager Lawanda Lovett.According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, symptoms in horses include fever, depression, lack of appetite, facial paralysis, tongue Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – China (03): (HL) ovine, human, susp
Anthrax -- ChinaA total of 255 sheep have been slaughtered following a suspected outbreak of anthrax in Jiamusi City, north east China's Heilongjiang Province. According to the Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center of Huanan County in Jiamusi, newly purchased sheep from the province's Qitaihe City died from suspected anthrax at a local breeding site.Huanan authorities promptly launched an emergency response plan, implementing a series of measures to disinfect the area and prevent the spread Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (28): Americas, WHO
Cholera -- Dominican RepublicEpidemiological update - cholera: 6 Aug 2018In 2017, a total of 13 803 suspected cases of cholera were reported on the island of Hispaniola: 13 681 cases (including 159 deaths) in Haiti and 122 cases (including 4 deaths) in the Dominican Republic.Although the number of cases reported in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic decreased in 2017 compared to 2016, there was a greater decline in the Dominican Republic given that the rate per 100 000 population decreased from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (63): Congo DR (NK) cases, vaccine, security, burial, genome
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – USA (04): (SD) bovine
Anthrax -- United StatesState veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven has confirmed the disease was diagnosed in a group of 300 unvaccinated yearling cattle in Butte County, in western South Dakota. Butte is the 4th county where anthrax has been diagnosed in 2018, following Clark, Bon Homme and Hamlin counties.Anthrax spores can survive indefinitely in contaminated soil, and the potential for outbreaks exists across South Dakota. Drought, floods and winds can expose anthrax spores to livestock.Anthrax can Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed illness – Mali (02): (MO): malnutrition
Undiagnosed — Mali
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Pakistan (09) : (ICT) case, advice
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanA man has tested positive for the Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) at Pims. Pims media coordinator Dr Waseem Khawaja told Dawn that the patient arrived at the hospital a few days ago with complaining of fever and oral bleeding. He had the symptoms of Congo virus so blood samples were sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH) which tested positive for the disease. Dr Khawaja said the patient belonged to Murree and had cattle in his house. "It was Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (14): human-animal interface, WHO
Avian Influenza -- Worldwide/UnknownNew infections: since the previous update, one new human infection with an influenza A(H3N2) variant virus [has been] reported.Risk assessment: the overall public health risk from currently known influenza viruses at the human-animal interface has not changed, and the likelihood of sustained human-to-human transmission of these viruses remains low. Further human infections with viruses of animal origin are expected.International Health Regulations 2005 compliance: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Nipah virus – India (17): (KL) WHO
Nipah/Hendra Virus -- IndiaGovernment response- A multidisciplinary central team from the National Centre for Disease Control was sent to Kerala to investigate and respond, in close coordination with state government officials.- More than 2600 contacts were identified and followed up during the outbreak. All symptomatic contacts were investigated and tested for NiV.- Syndromic surveillance was enhanced in Kerala State. Hospital and community surveillance were also strengthened in Kerala. The Virus Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza (23): USA (MI,CA) swine origin H3N2v, human, swine, fair
Influenza H3N2 -- United StatesMichigan state and local health officials have identified 2 confirmed cases of influenza A in individuals with exposure to swine at the Fowlerville Family Fair in Livingston county. The fair took place [from 23 to 28 Jul 2018], and several pigs from the fair tested positive for swine flu on [27 Jul 2018]. Further laboratory testing is under way to determine if the flu viruses found in the swine and the ill persons are the same strain. Additional fair attendees are also Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (40): Nigeria (EN)
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaLassa fever disease has claimed one life in Enugu state. Commissioner for health, Dr Fintan Ekochin, confirmed the incident, on [Mon 6 Aug 2018]. "We had a case of Lassa fever, unfortunately, he died. It's a confirmed case. As we speak, no other case has been confirmed or suspected. So, we pray it ends as it has already happened. However, there is no cause for alarm. When we [detect] any case, we do the needful regarding those at high, medium, and low risk. So, a certain number Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (16): (FL) human, animal
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United States- Remove standing water where mosquitoes could lay eggs.- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.- Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.- For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne encephalitis – Czech Republic (BK)
Tick-borne Encephalitis -- Worldwide/UnknownThe reported number of cases of tickborne encephalitis in South Moravia [Jihomoravský in Czech] has more than tripled. By the end of July [2018], 38 cases of the potentially fatal disease had been reported, up from roughly a dozen in the 2 previous summers.There is no cure for encephalitis, but only about one in 4 Czechs have themselves vaccinated against it. The country has 5 times as many cases as in neighbouring Austria, where 90 per cent of the Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (27): Africa, Asia
Cholera -- Worldwide/Unknown1. Guerrant RL, Carneiro-Filho BA, and Dillingham RA. Cholera, diarrhea, and oral rehydration therapy: triumph and indictment. Clin Infect Dis. 2003;37(3):398-405; available at .2. Gregorio GV, Gonzales ML, Dans LF, and Martinez EG. Polymer-based oral rehydration solution for treating acute watery diarrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(2):CD006519. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006519.pub2; available at .3. Gore SM, Fontaine O, and Pierce NF. Impact of rice based oral Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (25): Rwanda, bovine, vaccination
Rift Valley Fever -- Rwanda1. Consultative Group for RVF Decision Support. Decision-support tool for prevention and control of Rift Valley fever epizootics in the Greater Horn of Africa. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010. 83(2 Suppl): 75-85. DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.83s2a03; .2. Anonymous. Risk-based decision-support framework for prevention and control of Rift Valley fever epidemics in eastern Africa. EU Collaborative Project, Seventh Framework Programme. 2015. (Grant Agreement no. 266327); .3. Mariner J. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (25): risk assessment, WHO
MERS -- Worldwide/UnknownGlobal summary--------------Between 2012 and [30 Jun 2018], 2229 laboratory confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection were reported to WHO, 83 per cent of whom were reported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (figure 1. Epidemic curve of MERS-CoV human cases as of [30 Jun 2018] [see URL above]). In total, cases have been reported from 27 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, the United States of America, and Asia (table Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed illness – Mali (MO) fatal, RFI
Undiagnosed -- MaliThe mysterious illness reported in Mondoro in Douentza Cercle [Mopti region] has been confirmed by the non-governmental organisation [NGO] Médecins Sans Frontières. According to the NGO, 204 cases of the disease, including 161 in Douna and 43 Tiguila have been recorded. According to Dr Patrick Inengé samples have been taken from some patients because this pathology has already caused numerous deaths.According to local officials, this pathology has already killed Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (34): Nigeria, cVDPV, WHO
Polio -- NigeriaOn [5 Jun 2018], a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak was confirmed in Sokoto state, Nigeria. From [30 Jan 2018] through 23 May 2018, 10 environmental samples collected from 2 collection sites all tested positive for genetically-related VDPV2 viruses. No associated cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) have been detected with this cVDPV2.Nigeria is also affected by an ongoing separate cVDPV2 outbreak. A cluster of cVDPV2 was detected in Yobe state from Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Malaria – India (02): (Delhi)
Malaria -- IndiaWith 34 fresh cases reported last week [week of 30 Jul 2018], the total number of malaria cases has reached at 207 according to data released by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on [Mon 6 Aug 2018]. Out of 207 cases of malaria diagnosed, 93 patients belong to neighbouring states.Civic bodies also reported breeding of mosquitoes from nearly 77 272 households in the national capital this year till [4 Aug 2018], according to the civic bodies, which are grappling with the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (12): Europe (Greece)
West Nile Virus -- GreeceGreek health officials have reported 21 additional confirmed human West Nile virus (WNV) cases during the past week, bringing the country total to 43 in 2018. Of the total, 35 presented with neuro-invasive disease (WNND, encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and 8 cases with mild symptoms (febrile syndrome). No deaths have been reported.In Europe, since the beginning of the 2018 transmission season, as of 2 Aug 2018, 111 human cases have been reported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (62): Congo DR (NK) WHO, response, genetics
Ebola -- DR CongoThe province of North Kivu is among the most populated provinces, with 8 million inhabitants. It shares borders with 4 other provinces (Ituri, South Kivu, Maniema, and Tshopo) as well as with Uganda and Rwanda. The subregion has been experiencing intense insecurity and worsening humanitarian crisis, with over 1 million internally displaced people and a continuous efflux of refugees to the neighbouring countries, including Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania.--communicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Babesiosis, bovine – Romania: (CJ) OIE
Babesiosis -- RomaniaInformation received on 7 Aug 2018 from Dr Geronimo Raducu Branescu, president secretary of state chief veterinary officer, National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety, National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, Bucharest, RomaniaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 11 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 11 Jun 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed disease Date of previous occurrence: 2004Manifestation of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (34): (KY,AR)
Hepatitis A -- 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 the homeless 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/AH> African swine fever – Europe (33): Moldova (CH) domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- MoldovaInformation received on [and dated] 7 Aug 2018 from Dr Vitalie Caraus, head of the Sanitary Veterinary Surveillance Department, Sanitary and Veterinary Surveillance Division, National Food Safety Agency, National Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, MoldovaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 31 Jul 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 1 Aug 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (89): Malaysia (Sabah) H5N1, poultry, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- MalaysiaInformation received on 6 Aug 2018 from Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Bin Hassan Nizam, deputy director general (veterinary health), Department of Veterinary Services, Division of Livestock Resources & Technology Development, Putrajaya, MalaysiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 27 Jul 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 30 Jul 2018Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 1 Apr 2017Manifestation Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Norovirus – USA (05): (NC,WA)
Norovirus -- United StatesTransylvania Public Health has received confirmatory laboratory tests from the NC State Laboratory of Public Health. Of those people who were tested by their medical providers, a majority were positive for norovirus. We believe this outbreak was caused by being exposed to a highly-contagious virus in a public place.Although more information is continuing to come in, Transylvania Public Health has received more than 70 cases of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea reported by medical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Romania: (BT) porcine, OIE
Anthrax -- RomaniaInformation received on [and dated] 7 Aug 2018 from Dr Geronimo Raducu Branescu, president secretary of state chief veterinary officer, National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety, National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, Bucharest, RomaniaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Jul 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 2 Aug 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 5 Oct Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Red tide – USA (02): (FL)
Algae -- United StatesA record red tide is occurring right now off the south west coast of Florida, and the effects on marine life are horrifying.A "red tide" is a sudden bloom of microscopic marine organisms, particularly certain phytoplankton and dinoflagellates that contain red or brown pigments. When such species reach sudden abundance, the water can appear any color from a pinkish-tan, to deep blood red. These species are often found near shore, and in places where fresh water flows off the Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Rosette disease, peanut – Ghana: (NP)
Other Plant Disease -- GhanaThere is an outbreak of the groundnut rosette disease in Gushiegu [district] in the Northern Region. The disease is caused by a virus that leads to stunting and distortion of the shoots of the plant. The disease [was] found in 10 communities and so far has affected 25 acres [about 10 ha] of groundnut farms. Some farmers [said] that the disease was fast spreading but they did not have any chemical to control it, there were many other farmers who were also struggling to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (24): Saudi Arabia, MoH reports
MERS -- Saudi Arabia[The Saudi MOH MERS-CoV webpages have been unavailable for the past several months, so regular updates on reports from their website have not been available. Updated information for the period 22 May 2018 through 6 Aug 2018 has just become available, and the following information comes from these updated pages. - Mod.MPP]As of today, 6 Aug 2018, there have been 1864 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV infection reported by the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) to Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (49): Americas, Europe, Asia
Measles -- BrazilBrazil's Health Ministry says more than 1000 people have been infected and 5 have died in a measles outbreak linked to cases imported from neighboring Venezuela. The ministry says on its website that 1053 cases of the disease have been reported so far in 2018. All but 31 of these cases have been registered in the northern jungle states of Amazonas and Roraima that share borders with Venezuela, where health services have collapsed amid political and economic turmoil. A total of 4 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (33): Papua New Guinea (EG)
Polio -- Papua New GuineaThe National Department of Health of Papua New Guinea (NDOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) today [Mon 6 Aug 2018] announced a case of polio in a 3 year old boy from Mulitaka, Laigam District in Enga Province. The case is the 3rd in the country, following confirmation of 2 cases from Lae, Morobe Province in June and July 2018.The confirmation was made on [Fri 3 Aug 2018] by the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory -- a WHO Collaborating Centre in Australia. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (24): Kenya, animal, spread, vacc, RFI
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaThe county government plans to vaccinate at least 70 000 cattle against Rift Valley fever [RVF] in Baringo South Constituency. The disease has so far killed over 500 livestock, mostly goats and sheep, at Kiserian in the past 2 months. This has left many families that rely on livestock without a source of livelihood.Baringo South veterinary officer Julius Cheruiyot yesterday [Sat 4 Aug 2018] said vaccination was started after samples taken to government laboratories were Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – France (02): (PR) bovine
Anthrax -- FranceThis is the 10th household spotted in the Hautes-Alpes. Health services, state services and farmers are puzzled, 'it is a head-breaker!'. Unlike "classic" epizootics, the disease comes from soils. "This is the place that is contaminated and it re-contaminates the animals. When a beast is found dead, we disinfect it, we treat [the soil] where we found it, but how do we know where exactly the animal has been eating and how far it reached?" explains René Degioanni. Indeed, anthrax Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Carbon dioxide exposure, acute, marine wildlife – UK: (SCT) research
Animal Die-off -- United KingdomScientists believe carbon dioxide from industry and land run off could cause irreparable damage to marine ecosystems. Their warning came after tests found acute levels of the gas cause starfish to dissolve.A team of marine scientists made the discovery during a 4-day experiment at Loch Sween on Scotland's west coast. They wanted to find out how whole marine ecosystems respond to short-term carbon dioxide exposure. Previously, tests had focused on the effect high levels Read more [...]
