Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Measles update (46): Americas, Asia, Indian Ocean, Europe
Measles -- ArgentinaBetween epidemiological week (EW) 1 and EW 28 of 2018, 2472 confirmed measles cases were reported by 11 countries in the Region of the Americas: Antigua and Barbuda (1 case), Argentina (5 cases), Brazil (677 cases), Canada (19 cases), Colombia (40 cases), Ecuador (17 cases), Guatemala (1 case), Mexico (5 cases), Peru (3 cases), the United States (91 cases), and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (1613 cases). --Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteur Marianne Hopp[See URL above Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Defective drug (valsartan) & vaccines (rabies DTaP) – China (02): recalls
Vaccine Complication -- ChinaTaking time out from his trip to Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China was determined to clean up the scandal-ridden industry, ordering local authorities to conduct an investigation immediately and release the findings to the public "on time" to ensure social stability. "The violations by Changchun Changsheng Bio-technology are serious and appalling," state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying, as police in Changchun took the company's chairwoman Gao Junfang Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Varicella update (12): Colombia (Medellin)
Chicken Pox -- ColombiaQuarantine was declared in Bellavista prison because of a varicella outbreak. The authorities are currently assessing the inmates and measures are taken, aiming to avoid additional cases.In the last few hours, 460 inmates from ward 16 in Bellavista prison were placed into quarantine after a varicella outbreak had been detected, which led to placing 7 inmates under isolation conditions.Mr. Jorge Carmona, a human rights attorney, declared that this measure had upset the inmates' Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Russia (02): (TU) bovine
Anthrax -- RussiaInformation received on 23/07/2018 from Dr Nikolay Vlasov, Deputy Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Moscow, RussiaSummaryReport type: Immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 09/07/2018Date of confirmation of the event: 22/07/2018Report date: 23/07/2018Date submitted to OIE: 23/07/2018Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 12/2016Manifestation of disease: Clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Defective drug (valsartan) & vaccines (rabies DTaP) – China: multicountry recalls
Vaccine Complication -- ChinaAuthorities in China have ordered an investigation into a vaccination scandal as panic grows over product safety. Last week [week of Sun 15 Jul 2018] vaccine maker Changsheng Biotechnology Co was found to have falsified production data for its rabies vaccine. The firm has been ordered to halt production and recall rabies vaccines. There has been no evidence of harm from the vaccine, but the scandal has sparked a huge outcry in China.Changsheng, which suspended trading Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Murine typhus – USA (03): (TX) increasing cases
Typhus -- United StatesResearchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston say the number of typhus cases in Galveston County already has equaled the total for all of 2017.The bacterial infection, likely spread by fleas on rats and opossums, once was thought eradicated in Galveston County. While rarely fatal, people can become extremely sick with pain and fever.The Galveston County Health District reports 17 people with the infection so far this year. After years with no instances, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine distemper, wildlife – USA (03): (NY) raccoon, alert
Canine distemper -- United StatesAuthorities have revealed that raccoons in Central Park [New York City] have been dying from a viral outbreak of an infectious disease that makes them act like "zombies." It is believed that 26 raccoons found dead in the park since 24 Jun [2018] were infected with canine distemper virus, which is contagious to dogs if they have not been vaccinated against it, officials told the New York Post.Symptoms of distemper include unusual tameness, disorientation, appearing Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (87): Denmark (East) wild bird, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- DenmarkInformation received on [and dated] 19 Jul 2018 from Dr Per Starcke Henriksen, Chief Veterinary Officer, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Glostrup, DenmarkSummaryReport type: Immediate notification Date of start of the event: 8 Jul 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Jul 2018Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 15 Apr 2018Manifestation of disease: Clinical Read more [...]
PRO> Malaria – new drug: Tafenoquine
Malaria -- Worldwide/UnknownA new drug to treat malaria has been given the green light by authorities in the United States. The medicine is specifically for the recurring form of malaria -- caused by the parasite _Plasmodium vivax_ -- which makes 8.5 million people ill each year. This type of malaria is a challenge to get rid of because it can remain dormant in the liver for years before reawakening many times.Scientists have described tafenoquine as a "phenomenal achievement." Regulators around Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Reading – USA (02): raw turkey products
Salmonella -- United StatesCDC and public health and regulatory officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Reading infections linked to raw turkey products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) is monitoring the outbreak.Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Schistosomiasis – Myanmar
Schistosomiasis -- Myanmarand ProMED MBDSMore than 500 cases of schistosomiasis have been recorded in Rakhine and Inn Lay area [Inle, Shan State]. Treatment activities are being initiated in the affected areas, according to Dr. Than Tun Aung, Deputy Director General (Natural Disaster) from the Department of Public Health.Freshwater snails are the vector of schistosomiasis that infects humans and domestic animals. However, infected persons cannot transmit the infection to others.Dr. Than Tun Aung Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Algeria (03): bovine, st O, spread, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- AlgeriaInformation received [and dated] 19 Jul 2018 from Dr. Hachimi Karim Kaddour, Directeur des Services Veterinaires (CVO), Direction des Services Veterinaires, Ministere de l'Agriculture, du Developpement Rural et de la Peche, Alger, AlgeriaSummaryReport type: Follow-up report No. 2Date of start of the event: 20 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 22 Jun 2018Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 3 May 2015Date of current Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – USA (07): (CA) rising incidence, men, women, congenital
Syphilis -- United StatesThe number of syphilis cases in Shasta County is the highest they have ever been. Health professionals are warning sexually active men and women to get tested before they pass the disease on to others. "Very few cases were reported to us for many years but in the last few years syphilis has been really increasing. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease. It's become increasingly common here and it's affecting all kinds of people," County Health Officer, Andrew Deckert, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (86): Saudi Arabia (RI) HPAI H5N8
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- Saudi ArabiaThe Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture on Fri 20 Jul 2018 confirmed one case of avian flu in Al Azizya bird market in Riyadh.The ministry spokesman, Abdullah Abalkhail, said in a statement that the ministry took measures to control the spread of the disease when they detected the 1st case amongst ducks, who are suitable hosts of the ailment.Abalkhali warned bird owners and poultry business personnel to stay away from Al Azizya market until the sterilization Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Ireland (03): (GY) daycare
E. coli -- IrelandA creche (daycare center) in County Galway has been temporarily closed after an outbreak of _E. coli_ that resulted in the hospitalisation of 2 children.The HSE [Health Service Executive] had recently warned of an increase in cases of a type of _E.coli_ called Verotoxigenic _E. coli_ or enterohemorrhagic _E. coli_ (EHEC). It manifests as a serious form of gastroenteritis that can cause diarrhea, which may be bloody, and abdominal pain.Three children from the Galway creche were last Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis, cutaneous – Israel (02): spread
Leishmaniasis — Israel
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Australia (05): (QL) bovine
Anthrax -- AustraliaA case of anthrax in cattle was confirmed in the Dirranbandi-St George area [of Queensland] in early July 2018. This detection is the 4th incident in cattle in the region since 2016.Animal owners in southern Queensland -- particularly in the Dirranbandi to St George area -- should be alert to anthrax and the risks to human and animal health. Vaccination of livestock can prevent unnecessary livestock deaths. Talk to your private veterinarian about anthrax vaccination. Officials Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Peste des petits ruminants – Bulgaria (04): (YA) spread, assessment, OIE
Peste des petits ruminants -- BulgariaThe Bulgarian authorities have reported a case of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in sheep in the Yambol, Bulgaria, region, on the border with the Thrace region of Turkey. In a flock of 540 sheep and goats, 2 animals tested positive and one died, with disease confirmed by the European Union Reference Laboratory. This is the 1st occurrence of PPR in Bulgaria and in the EU.According to the disease report, the sheep and goats were co-grazing with 3 other flocks Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis, cutaneous – Israel: spread
Leishmaniasis -- IsraelA disease-spreading sandfly has been plaguing the central and northern West Bank as well as the Lower Galilee in recent months, prompting calls for increased government spending to address the threat. Sandflies found in Israel and the surrounding areas often carry a parasite called leishmania, which they contract from the rock hyrax, a small desert mammal native to the Middle East and Africa. People bitten by an infected sandfly develop leishmaniasis, an illness characterized Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (22): WHO global update, Namibia
Influenza -- NamibiaInformation in this report is categorized by influenza transmission zones, which are geographical groups of countries, areas, or territories with similar influenza transmission patterns.Summary-------Influenza detections continued to increase in southern Africa and in recent weeks started to increase in South America. However, influenza activity remained at inter-seasonal levels in Australia and New Zealand. In the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere influenza activity returned Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (45): Europe, Americas, Africa
Measles -- United KingdomGeneral practitioners (GPs) are being urged to be vigilant for measles, particularly in people returning from European hotspots such as Italy, France, Greece, Romania and Russia. There have been nearly 600 recorded cases of measles in England alone this year [2018] -- more than throughout 2017 -- and most were caught abroad, but what are the risks? And how can travellers, adults and children protect themselves?Risk, or rather perception of risk, is an odd thing when it comes Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (30): global, WPV, cVDPV, vaccine reaction, fatigue
Polio -- AfghanistanAfter the declaration of eradication of wild poliovirus type 2 in 2015, all countries using oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) switched from using trivalent OPV (tOPV) (containing vaccine virus types 1, 2, and 3) to bivalent OPV (bOPV) (containing types 1 and 3) in April 2016 (1). Vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs), strains that have diverged from the live vaccine virus during prolonged circulation, can emerge rarely in areas with inadequate OPV coverage and can cause outbreaks of Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (11): (CA) more flocks
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesThe United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed 5 additional cases of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard exhibition chickens in California -- 2 in Los Angeles county, one in Riverside county, and 2 in San Bernardino county.A complete list of confirmed cases is available on our website at .Since [18 May 2018], USDA has confirmed 62 cases of vND in backyard birds in California, 54 in San Bernardino county, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (53): Congo DR, cases, surveillance, action
Ebola -- DR CongoScientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), have discovered a new set of broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in the blood of Ebola survivors, which proved protective against disease caused by _Zaire_, _Bundibugyo_, and _Sudan_ ebolaviruses. The findings were published today in the journal Immunity.In the study, the researchers analyzed plasma from 17 Ebola survivors and found that 2 survivors produced antibodies that bound Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Trichinellosis – Argentina: (CB) homemade sausage
Trichinosis -- ArgentinaIn the town of Canals in Córdoba province in central Argentina, an outbreak of the parasitic infection, trichinosis, has sickened at least 45 people, according to local media reports. 6 people required hospitalization and no cases were considered serious. The outbreak has been linked to the consumption of salamis and sausages that came from an authorized [sic. I think this should be "unauthorised". - Mod.SH] slaughter, according to the Cordovan government.Officials Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – Pakistan (05): multidrug resistance, spread
Typhoid -- PakistanAntibiotic resistance is a major problem in _Salmonella enterica_ serovar Typhi, the causative agent of typhoid. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates are prevalent in parts of Asia and Africa and are often associated with the dominant H58 haplotype. Reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones is also widespread, and sporadic cases of resistance to 3rd-generation cephalosporins or azithromycin have also been reported. Here, we report the 1st large-scale emergence and spread of a novel Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (18): Uganda
Rift Valley Fever -- UgandaAn outbreak of Rift Valley fever and Crimean Congo fever has been reported in Ankole, [Uganda]. According to reports, the fever is spreading in the districts of Mbarara, Ibanda, Kirihura, and Isingiro. By press time, 3 people had been reported dead at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.According to Dr Rose Muhindo, a physician at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, in the past 2 weeks [the hospital] received 5 patients with normal medical symptoms such as headache, chest Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Vibrio vulnificus – USA: (FL) fatal
Vibrio vulnificus -- United StatesA Florida man died from a "flesh-eating" bacterium after eating bad oysters, according to officials. The Florida Department of Health said that the 71 year old man in Sarasota, [Florida], died following his seafood meal on 8 Jul 2018 at a local restaurant.His death came 2 days after he ate oysters containing the "flesh-eating" bacterium known as _Vibrio vulnificus_, which can be found in raw shellfish, according to news station WWSB. The illness is rare but can also Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis (08): Australia, USA, Canada, Dominican Republic
Whooping Cough -- AustraliaThe number of whooping cough cases across Greater Geelong has risen, prompting calls for adults to get their booster shots. There have been 55 cases in the Geelong region so far this year [2018], slightly more than the 51 recorded at the same time last year [2017].Barwon Health says the booster vaccine can help stop the spread of the infection. Health officials say one in every 200 babies who contract whooping cough will die, and immunisation is the best way to reduce the Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – USA (11): (WI)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesThe recent discovery of chronic wasting disease [CWD] in a deer at a breeding farm near Goodman in Marinette county prompted the Florence county board on [Tue 17 Jul 2018] to impose moratoriums both on importing any cervids -- deer, elk, moose, or caribou -- into the county and establishing or expanding any cervid game farms in the county.The board also will begin the process of crafting an ordinance so the moratoriums will have some "teeth," board chairwoman Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (25): Africa, Asia
Cholera -- Nigeria1. 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 rehydration Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Norway: O157, RFI
E. coli -- NorwayHealth officials in Norway are reporting an _Escherichia coli_ O157: H7 outbreak that has sickened 6 people since June 2018. The 6 patients reside in different counties: Akershus, Oslo, Vestfold, Hordaland, and Trondelag. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health is cooperating with the municipal health service, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, and the Veterinary Institute to investigate whether the patients may have a common source of infection.Interviews are being conducted Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Strangles, equine – USA (04): (NY)
Strangles -- United StatesA case of strangles has been reported in New York state according to the Equine Disease Communications Center. According to the site: racing officials and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets have quarantined Barn 19 as a precaution at the Finger Lakes Race Track along with one training stable in Ontario County, New York.The affected horse became clinically ill on [10 Jul 2018], after leaving Finger Lakes Race Track 2 days earlier. Both quarantined premises Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – USA (09): (NY)
Pests -- United StatesWhile hiking, working, or spending time in wooded areas:- wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect against ticks other biting insects;- check for ticks often while outdoors and brush off any ticks before they attach;- perform a full body check multiple times during the day, as well as at the end of the day to ensure that no ticks are attached;- consider use of repellents containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535, following label instructions.If you have been bitten by a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Novel coronavirus, bat – Myanmar
Coronavirus -- MyanmarTo prevent the next pandemic, pinpoint it at the source. That's the idea behind PREDICT, a global surveillance program that has spent almost 10 years hunting for new viruses that could spill over from vulnerable wildlife to humans. Now, PREDICT researchers in Myanmar have hit pay dirt [achieved their objective. - Mod.SH] with a never-before-seen virus that infects wrinkle-lipped bats--a virus in the same family as the ones that cause SARS and MERS.The Myanmar virus is the 1st Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (10): (CA) more flocks
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesThe United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed 2 additional cases of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard exhibition chickens in California -- one in Riverside County and one in San Bernardino County [- confirmed on 17 Jul 2018].A complete list of confirmed cases is available on our website at .[Since May 18, USDA has confirmed 57 cases of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard birds in California, 52 in Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Downy mildew, grapevine – Cyprus: (PA)
Other Plant Disease -- CyprusAgriculture minister Costas Kades said officials will visit Paphos region to evaluate the damage caused to grapes infected by downy mildew, following complaints filed by farmers. Following the evaluation, compensation to be paid to farmers would take into account their attempts to limit the damage caused by the downy mildew.Wine producers say his [2018] season's grapes have been affected by the disease due to high levels of humidity. The main variety of grape affected Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Tomato chlorosis virus – Netherlands
Other Plant Disease -- NetherlandsThe Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has, in the outbreak investigation of the _Tomato chlorosis virus_ (ToCV), found 7 companies affected by the quarantine disease. These are added to the 11 companies that had already been discovered. The investigation has been completed, Rob Hageman, NVWA, reports, "But we continue to carefully monitor the situation."During this outbreak investigation, which started at the end of February [2018] and ended Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Strep. Group B – Singapore: serotype III, ST283, invasive, foodborne, raw fish
Strep -- SingaporeSubject: _Streptococcus agalactiae_ [Group B streptococcus] ST283, which caused a foodborne outbreak of invasive sepsis in Singapore in 2015, is widespread in humans and aquaculture in South East Asia.Background: In 2015, Singapore had the 1st reported foodborne outbreak caused by the group B streptococcus (GBS) _Streptococcus agalactiae_. It was sequence type (ST) 283, acquired from fish, and, remarkably, affected adults without co-morbidities. Previously, ST283 had only been reported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (12): (FL,NC) case, comment