Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (61): Congo DR (NK) WHO, cases, response
Ebola -- DR CongoOn 1 Aug 2018, an Ebola virus outbreak was declared in Nord Kivu, after 4 out of 6 samples from patients affected by an 'unknown disease' tested positive. This outbreak is the 2nd one in DRC since the beginning of 2018, and comes barely one week after the last Ebola virus outbreak in Equateur province was officially declared over. The current outbreak is located some 2500 km [approx. 1550 mi] from Equateur province and any connection is unclear. However, initial tests identified Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (33)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesSince March 2018, the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health has reported an increase in the number of confirmed cases of acute hepatitis A virus [infection]. As of 3 Aug 2018, health officials have reported 791 outbreak cases. While cases have been reported in 2 dozen counties, the bulk of the cases are reported in 2 counties -- Kanawha (416) and Cabell (167). 6 out of 10 people required hospitalization and 2 deaths were reported.This increase in cases has primarily been Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Pneumonia, ovine – USA (03): (UT,NV) bighorn sheep
Pneumonia -- United StatesAfter a health scare this week [30 Jul-5 Ago 2018] with bighorn sheep in Zion National Park [south west Utah], scientists are monitoring the health of our local [Nevada] herd. The population was hit hard by pneumonia just a few years ago.Waiting for bighorn sheep to make their way into Hemenway Park in Boulder City [Nevada] takes patience, but during the summer they rarely disappoint. Visitors were joined by Doug Nielsen with the Nevada Department of Wildlife, monitoring Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – East Africa (08): Uganda, WHO
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- UgandaThe source WHO document [for the Outbreak News Today article] at [item 2 below] states 2 confirmed cases, 42 contacts, (not 42 suspected cases): "On 13 Jul 2018, a case of CCHF was confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in a 30 year old female, originally from Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo, living in Katojo Camp in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. She presented with a 4 day history of fever and a bleeding diathesis on 7 Jul 2018."By Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Angiostrongylus cantonensis – USA (03): (TX)
Other Human Disease -- United StatesA rare parasitic infection has been found in people in 8 states, several that don't share borders, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, calling into question just how uncommon rat lungworms really are.Rat lungworm infection, which in extreme cases can cause meningitis in humans, was detected in 16 people between 2011 and 2017 and confirmed in 12, according to a CDC report released Thursday [2 Aug 2018] that acknowledged researchers Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Capnocytophaga infection – USA: (WI) quadruple amputation
Other Human Disease -- United StatesA 48-year-old man with a history of good health and who has spent his life around dogs was forced to have all of his limbs amputated after contracting a rare blood infection that likely came from his own pooch. The man of West Bend, WI landed in the emergency room last month [June 2018] with what he thought was the flu, Fox 6 Now reported."It hit him with a vengeance," his wife, told the news outlet. "Just bruising all over him. Looked like somebody beat him up Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (15): (NC) equine
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesThe North Carolina Department of Agriculture has confirmed eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in an unvaccinated yearling donkey jenny in Duplin County, the Equine Disease Communication Center reported on 30 Jul 2018.A viral disease, EEE affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to equids by infected mosquitoes. Clinical signs of EEE include moderate to high fever, depression, lack of appetite, cranial nerve deficits (facial paralysis, tongue Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (14): (AS)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaAt least 4 persons died of Japanese encephalitis (JE), while 22 others suffering from JE have been admitted at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital and other private medical centres within the past 72 hours, said sources from the office of the Joint Director of Health Services on Thursday [2 Aug 2018].The 4 victims all hail from different areas of Jorhat like Dhekorgorah, Melang Bali Chapori, Mariani and Deberapara.The District Malaria officials distributed DDT, bleaching Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Varicella update (13): USA (SC)
Chicken Pox -- United StatesVaricella cases have spiked in Gaffney, South Carolina, with 5 cases in just 2 days."My brother had them 1st, and he was 2," said Gaffney Mom of her chickenpox case at age 5. "My grandmother said to put 2 of us in the bath together with betadine." She said her soon-to-be son Jackson gets his vaccines soon."I just knew that it was the right thing to do," she said of vaccinations. "Do what's necessary to keep your child and others safe."It's something Carolina Pediatric Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (88): Viet Nam, HPAI H5N6, poultry, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- VietnamInformation received on [and dated] 3 Aug 2018 from Dr Dong Pham Van, director general, chief veterinary officer, Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hanoi, Viet NamSummary: Report type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 28 Jul 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 3 Aug 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 19 Feb 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (60): DR Congo (NK) case update, response, risk
Ebola -- DR CongoSince the declaration of the epidemic on Wed 1 Aug 2018, several rapid response teams from the Ministry of Health have been sent to the city of Beni and the health zone of Mangina, epicenter of the current epidemic of Ebola.The case that alerted the provincial health authorities is that of a 65-year-old woman living in Mangina who had been hospitalized at the Mangina Reference Health Center (CSR) a few days before being discharged in mid-July 2018. She died at home a few days later. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Infant botulism – USA: (TX)
Botulism -- United States1. Underwood K, Rubin S, Deaker T, Newth C: Infant botulism: A 30-year experience spanning the introduction of botulism immune globulin intravenous in the intensive care Unit at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Pediatrics 2007; 120(6): e1380-5; available at .2. Pifko E, Price A, Sterner S: Infant botulism and indications for administration of botulism immune globulin. Pediatric Emerg Care 2014; 30(2): 120-4; quiz 125-7. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000000079; abstract available Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lumpy skin disease – Europe (03): Georgia, bovine, OIE
Lumpy Skin Disease -- United StatesInformation received on [and dated] 3 Aug 2018 from Dr Lasha Avaliani, Head of Animal Especially Dangerous Infectious Diseases Supervision and Risk Analysis Division, Veterinary Department, National food Agency, Tbilisi, GeorgiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 26 Jul 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 1 Aug 2018Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 5 Jul 2017Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Algeria (05): bovine, st O, topotype EA-3, spread
Foot and Mouth -- AlgeriaThe number of cattle affected by foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] since the inception of the epizootic on [Thu 21 Jun 2018] reached 190 cases in 10 provinces, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture.The 10 provinces where these cases have been recorded are Tizi-Ouzou, Bouira, Bejaia, Setif, Tipaza, Medea, Oum El Bouaghi, Bourd Bou Arreridj, Chlef, and Blida.The affected cattle were slaughtered, according to the same communication from the Ministry of Agriculture, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (15): Asia, Europe, Australia, vector, vaccine
Dengue -- AustraliaDeadly dengue fever has been wiped out for the 1st time across an entire city in Australia, following the release of millions of anti-virus modified mosquitoes. Anti-dengue mosquitoes were released in Townsville, Australia in 2014. No cases have been recorded in the Queensland city, which has around 167 800 residents, since the pests' release. This is compared to 54 dengue cases between 2010 and 2014.A total of 4 million mosquitoes were infected with Wolbachia bacteria over 2 years. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed fever – Uganda (07): (MD) RFI
Fever -- UgandaA 14-year-old boy in Mubende district succumbed to a strange disease on Thursday [2 Aug 2018] following a severe headache and vomiting.According to a press release from ministry of health, 16 suspected similar cases have been reported, with 8 deaths within Kibalinga sub-county."There were 7 picked for analysis at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, and 5 patients were isolated in Mubende hospital. Their condition is stable," reads the press release.Samples sent to the laboratory Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lumpy skin disease, bovine – Kazakhstan: (QS) vaccine source susp, RFI
Lumpy Skin Disease -- KazakhstanSigns of a disease similar to nodular dermatitis [lumpy skin disease, LSD] have been recorded in cattle in the Amangeldy district of the Kostanay [Qostana] region. In the veterinary department of the Kostanay region, this was explained as a post-vaccination reaction after the application of a live vaccine, a MIA Kazinform correspondent reported.As informed by Bauyrzhan Beket, head (acting) of the Veterinary Department of Kostanay region, as of this year [2018], the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Potomac horse fever, equine – USA (04) (KY)
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesEighteen cases of Potomac horse fever (PHF) have been reported thus far this year [2018] in Kentucky [through Tue 24 Jul 2018].The 1st confirmed case of Potomac horse fever (PHF) diagnosed in Kentucky during calendar year 2018 was reported on [Fri 1 Jun 2018]. The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR testing and compatible clinical symptoms observed.Historically, Kentucky's PHF cases are 1st detected later in the year (mid-July), and our thought is that the early detection Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – USA (07): cheese dip, risk, recall
Botulism -- United StatesA Taco Bell dip is being recalled because it can cause an extreme form of food poisoning. Kraft Heinz voluntarily recalled about 7000 cases of Taco Bell's Salsa Con Queso Mild Cheese Dip on Tue 24 Jul 2018. Officials said anyone who has the dip at home should return it for a refund or toss it out. Do not eat the dip, even if it doesn't look or smell spoiled.The dip showed signs of product separation, which can allow for the growth of _Clostridium botulinum_ (_C. botulinum_), Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Foodborne illness – USA: (OH) fast food restaurant, RFI
Foodborne Illness -- United StatesHundreds of people have fallen ill after eating at a Chipotle Mexican Grill in Ohio, and now the fast food chain is facing several lawsuits because of it. Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the outbreak, but Chipotle closed the said branch on [Mon 30 Jul 2018] "out of an abundance of caution," a spokesperson said. As of writing, nearly 700 people have reported getting sick or seeking medical care after eating at the Chipotle branch in question. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – East Africa (07): Uganda (NG, Nakivale) WHO update
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- UgandaThe World Health Organization (WHO) says 42 suspected cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) have been detected in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda. In its latest epidemiological analysis, WHO said the first case, involving a female who came from Rwanda through the Democratic Republic of Congo, was confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute on 18 Jul [2018]."She presented with a 4-day history of fever and a bleeding diathesis Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (59): Congo DR (NK) case update, risk, response, treatment
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st. Agona – EU (03): Spanish cucumbers
Salmonella -- Worldwide/UnknownA total of 17 food isolates matching the _Salmonella_ outbreak strain linked to 147 illnesses were detected earlier this year [2018] in 4 plants of one company and the site of a different firm in the UK. The _Salmonella_ Agona food isolates were found to be closely genetically related to the human strains. They were from cucumbers sampled during processing, before and after washing (11 isolates), and 6 were found in ready-to-eat food (RTE) products containing cucumbers. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Sandiego, subsp IIIb – USA: pasta salad, alert, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesSince the last update on 18 Jul 2018, 58 ill people have been added to this investigation. This includes 6 people who have been infected with a strain of _Salmonella enterica_ subspecies IIIb, and 2 people infected with this strain and with the outbreak strain of _Salmonella_ Sandiego at the same time.As of 30 Jul 2018, 79 people infected with the outbreak strains of _Salmonella_ Sandiego (71 people), _S. enterica_ subspecies IIIb (6 people), or both (2 people) have been Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Asia: China (LN) domestic swine, 1st report, OIE
African Swine Fever -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] Fri 3 Aug 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 Aug 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 3 Aug 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: Clinical, laboratory Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (32): global (DR Congo, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea), cVDPV
Polio -- DR CongoNew 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: 6Total number of cVDPV cases in 2018: 21Total number of cVDPV cases in 2017: 96Summary of new viruses this week: - Democratic Republic of Congo, 4 new circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases- Nigeria, 1 new cVDPV2 case- Papua New Guinea, 1 new cVDPV type 1 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – USA (07): (CO, OR) beaver, marmot, corr
Tularemia -- United StatesA ProMED-mail Rapporteur and Sylvia Miller DVM of Miller Farm & Veterinary Service in Washington state, USA, have pointed out that Crater Lake on Teton Pass, where the dead marmot was found, is located in the state of Wyoming, not in Oregon.The state of Wyoming can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map at . A Wyoming county map can be seen at .We thank the ProMED-mail Rapporteur and Dr Miller for bringing this to our attention and apologize for any Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (32): Latvia (SD) domestic
African Swine Fever -- LatviaThe biggest outbreak of African swine fever [ASF] since 2014 just took place in Latvia, with a flock of 15 570 domestic pigs affected at a farm in Saldus, western Latvia.The Food and Veterinary Service told the press that operations at the Druvas Unguri pig farm have been suspended and a zone of quarantine set across the perimeter.Precise reasons of the outbreak are being investigated.This is the 8th outbreak of the dangerous porcine disease in Latvia this year [2018], Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine anaplasmosis – Croatia: (SM) 1st report, OIE
Anaplasmosis -- CroatiaInformation received on [and dated] 2 Aug 2018 from Dr Damir Tudan, assistant to minister, chief veterinary officer, Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate, CRO Ministry of Agriculture, Zagreb, CroatiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 10 Jul 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 2 Aug 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: _Anaplasma marginale_Nature of diagnosis: laboratory (basic, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Non-TB mycobacteria – Australia: (NS) M. chimaera, nosoc, fatal, heater-coolers
Mycobacteria, non-TB -- Australia"The TGA has received reports for _m. chimaera_ contamination of 4 Stöckert 3T Heater-Cooler System (3T) devices manufactured after September 2014. The investigation into these recent reports is under way. The root cause has not yet been identified."The TGA had previously received reports for _M. chimaera_ contamination of Stöckert 3T devices manufactured before September 2014, as reported in our previous web statement below. All patient infections have Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (26): Americas (USA) toxigenic O141, 2017
Cholera -- United States_Vibrio cholerae_ serogroups O1 and O139 are toxigenic strains associated with epidemic cholera; however, other _Vibrio cholerae_ serogroups, such as O75 and O141, can also produce cholera toxin, leading to a cholera-like illness identified as vibriosis (1). Cholera and vibriosis are more common in the Gulf Coast region of the USA and are related to exposure to coastal water sources and consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish. Persons typically become ill approximately Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – UK: (England) canine, 2016-2017, epidemiology
Bovine TB -- United Kingdom_Mycobacterium bovis_ can cause tuberculosis (TB) in social mammals including lions, cattle, and man, but canine infections are considered rare. In 2016/17 we investigated a _M. bovis_ TB outbreak in a pack of approximately 180 Foxhounds within the bovine TB Edge Area of England. We employed a combination of immunological tests including an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) and a serological assay (DPP VetTB, Chembio). Test‐positive hounds were euthanased and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (58): Congo DR (NK) outbreak, Ebola Zaire confirmed
Ebola -- DR CongoOn Thu 2 Aug 2018, the minister of health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, visited Beni and Mangina, North Kivu province, accompanied by a team of 12 experts from the Ministry of Health and officials from different partner agencies, including WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and MONUSCO, to assess the situation and needs in the field. The delegation from Kinshasa was welcomed in Beni by the governor of North Kivu Province, the provincial minister of health, the mayor of the city, and the general Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (48): Americas, Europe
Measles -- VenezuelaAccording to the latest epidemiological update from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), emitted on [Fri 20 Jul 2018], a total of 2472 confirmed cases of measles have been reported from 11 countries in the Americas so far this year. The majority of the cases occurred in Venezuela (1613 cases) and Brazil (677), followed by the United States (91), Colombia (40), Canada (19), Ecuador (17), Argentina (5), Mexico (5), Peru (3), Antigua and Barbuda (1) and Guatemala (1).Data Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Zika virus (08): Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, research, observations
Zika virus — United States
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (08): August 2018
HIV/AIDS, Mycobacteria, non-TB, Gastroenteritis, Staph, Hepatitis E, Other Human Disease -- MozambiqueReviewsAntimicrobial resistance in the context of the Syrian conflict: Drivers before and after the onset of conflict and key recommendationsInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 73, August 2018, Pages 1-6Aula Abbara, Timothy M. Rawson, Nabil Karah, Wael El-Amin, James Hatcher, Bachir Tajaldin, Osman Dar, Omar Dewachi, Ghassan Abu Sitta, Bernt Eric Uhlin, Annie SparrowConsequences Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (23): Uganda, animal, control
Rift Valley Fever -- UgandaIbanda district authorities have banned livestock movement in 5 sub counties following an outbreak of rift valley fever. The affected include Keihangara and Kicence sub counties, Igorora town council and Bufunda division in Ibanda Municipality. Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis that primarily affects animals but also has the capacity to infect humans. Infection can cause severe disease in both animals and humans. One person from Keihangara Sub County succumbed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – USA (07): (CO, OR) beaver, marmot
Tularemia -- United StatesA dead beaver found in the Lily Lake area of Rocky Mountain National Park has tested positive for tularemia, an uncommon but serious infectious disease, Kyle Patterson with RMNP said in a release.Tularemia is often spread through insects and ticks or by handling infected or dead animals, like rabbits, beavers and other rodents.The disease can also be spread to humans and can cause serious symptoms like fever, chills, joint pain, muscle aches and chest pain. In early stages, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – USA (11): (PA)
Pests -- United StatesThe presence of an invasive and dangerous species of tick has been confirmed in Pennsylvania.Tests by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa have confirmed the presence of the Asian or longhorn tick, discovered on a wild deer in Centre County. It is known to carry several diseases that infect hogs and cattle [and humans] in Asia. So far, ticks examined in the U.S. do not carry any infectious pathogens.Easily confused with other tick species, including the Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Infant botulism – USA (02): (TX) comment