Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Mbandaka – USA (02): breakfast cereal, alert, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesCDC continues to recommend people not eat and retailers not sell any Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal. It might be contaminated with _Salmonella_ and could make people sick. 27 more ill people from 19 states were added to this outbreak since the last update on 14 Jun 2018, and 2 more states -- Florida and Colorado -- reported ill people.As of 12 Jul 2018, 100 people infected with the outbreak strain of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Mbandaka have been reported from 33 states.States Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (29): (KY, IN)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesTotal Outbreak: 1094Hospitalizations: 628Deaths: 8--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[The cases in Kentucky continue to increase dramatically and have left Michigan, the 2nd highest state for hepatitis A cases, in the dust. Addressing the marginalized cohorts of humanity affected the most, including the homeless and substance abusers, by supplying adequate sanitation and living conditions as was done in the San Diego area is needed to deal with these outbreaks occurring in a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (41): Americas (USA) bat (CO), cat (LA), dog (TX), human exposure
Rabies -- United StatesMultiple people in Grand County recently received preventative treatment for rabies after they were exposed to a bat that later tested positive for the deadly virus, according to public health officials. The Grand County Public Health Department sent 5 bats for rabies testing, with 2 coming back negative, 2 pending and one positive. The positive bat was exposed to people during the night while they were sleeping, according to health officials. Representatives from the department Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (11): (NC) new case
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesA 2nd North Carolina horse has tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported [11 Jul 2018]. "On Wednesday, July 11 [2018], the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed ... EEE in a 13-year-old unvaccinated female chestnut draft mix located in Onslow County," the EDCC said. "This is the second case of EEE in North Carolina for 2018."A viral disease, EEE affects Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cyclosporiasis – USA (06): (IL, IA)
Other Human Disease -- United StatesNearly 100 cases of an intestinal illness have been connected to McDonald's salads throughout Illinois, the state's health department said Thursday [12 Jul 2018]. Around 90 cases of cyclosporiasis, caused by the microscopic _Cyclospora_ parasite, have been reported since mid-May [2018], according to the Illinois Department of Health."The initial investigation indicates a link to consumption of McDonald's salads produced for McDonald's restaurants," officials said Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, bovine – Zimbabwe: (ME) 2017, RFI
Undiagnosed -- ZimbabweThe future and sustainability of the cattle dung manure-fed biogas digesters hangs in the balance following widespread deaths of cattle in the Goromonzi district under mysterious circumstances. The community in Ward 4 is still puzzled by the situation, particularly when the responsible ministry for livestock development has failed to provide an explanation.Cornelius Chataika, the treasurer of the Domboshava Development Community Association (DDCA), said "About 90 percent of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, equine – USA: (HI) RFI
Undiagnosed -- United StatesWhen a wild horse wandered onto Big Island taro farmer Brad Mock Chew's property in Waipio Valley, he was shocked by what he saw: The animal could barely walk. "Their back hooves are splayed almost like a crab," Chew said. "Just for them to get up and move it takes a lot of effort."Nicole Olival of the horseback riding tour company Waipio on Horseback said several wild horses in the valley have shown the same symptoms. "It's obvious that there's something wrong with them. Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Chlorotic streak, sugar cane – Australia: new pathogen
Other Plant Disease -- AustraliaScientists at Sugar Research Australia (SRA) have named the organism responsible for chlorotic streak disease (CSD) in sugarcane, as part of a breakthrough that had been a scientific mystery for almost 90 years. The researchers identified the single-celled organism as a type of Cercozoa. The Cerozoon responsible for CSD is new to science and was given the name _Phytocercomonas venanatans_. The name means "swims in the veins" and refers to its method of movement and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (52): Congo DR, cases, health workers, W Africa survivor problems
Ebola -- DR CongoThe Ministry of Health and WHO continue to closely monitor the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Equateur Province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Until the outbreak is declared over, intensive surveillance, survivor monitoring and other response activities are ongoing to prevent, promptly detect and respond to potential resurgences of the virus.No new laboratory-confirmed EVD cases have been detected since the last case developed symptoms on [Sat 2 Jun 2018] (Figure Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (14): animal vaccination, FAO alert
Rift Valley Fever -- Worldwide/UnknownKajiado County government [Tue 10 Jul 2018] embarked on a massive vaccination exercise to curb spread of Rift Valley Fever [RVF] in the County.County Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Jackton Achola told KNA that the disease was quickly spreading in the County, hence endangering lives of thousands of livestock, as well as human beings who might end up consuming meat from affected animals."Following the heavy downpour that was experienced in the county during Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – USA (05): (CO) pneumonia
Tularemia -- United States1. Foshay L. Cause of death in tularemia. Arch Intern Med. 1937; 60(1): 22-38. doi:10.1001/archinte.1937.00180010025002; abstract available at .2. Thomas LD, Schaffner W. Tularemia pneumonia. Infect Dis N Am. 2010; 24(1): 43-55. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2009.10.012; abstract available at .Larimer County is located in the north central part of the state and can be seen on a map at . - Mod.LLHealthMap/ProMED-mail map:Larimer County, Colorado, United States: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kyrgyzstan (02): (DA) bovine, OIE
Anthrax -- KyrgyzstanInformation received on [and dated] Tue 10 Jul 2018 from Dr Kalysbek Jumakanov, Director Chief State Veterinary Inspector (CVO), State Inspectorate of Veterinary and Phytosanitary Security, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Bishkek, KyrgyzstanSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 26 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 28 Jun 2018Report date: 10 Jul 2018Date submitted to OIE: 10 Jul 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (40): Americas (USA), bat (KS), fox (AL) comment
Rabies -- United StatesDuring spring and summer months, wildlife encounters with humans occur with more frequency. Marianne Hudson, a state conservation outreach specialist, said any scent or presence of food left outside someone's garage or house will attract wild animals. "One of the easiest things we can do to keep wildlife in the woods is not to attract them either purposely or inadvertently," said Hudson. "Stinky trash cans, or food ... if it smells like trash, it will attract the animals." Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (29): global (Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan)
Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 1Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 12Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 1Total number of cVDPV cases in 2018: 14Total number of cVDPV cases in 2017: 96Headlines- A Disease Outbreak News (DON) notification was issued on [10 Jul 2018] on the Democratic Republic of the Congo's [DRC] 3 concurrent circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks.- Papua Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (42): Somoa, MMR vaccine recall
Measles -- SamoaSamoa has issued an immediate recall of the vaccine for mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) following the deaths of 2 infants who reportedly passed away just hours after receiving their shots. The 2 children, a boy and a girl, were both aged about 12 months. They were not related, came from different communities and were vaccinated on [Fri 6 Jul 2018] using the same batch of the MMR vaccine.Australian forensic experts will fly into the country tonight to help investigate the incident, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (10): (NC)
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesA 4-year-old quarter horse stallion in Richmond County was euthanized after contracting the 1st case of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis [EEE] in North Carolina this year. EEE is a mosquito-borne disease that is preventable in equine by vaccination.EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal. Symptoms include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Rocky Mountain spotted fever – USA (02): (WI) fatal
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever -- United StatesA La Crosse woman has died of a disease that is considered rare in the Midwest, health officials said. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the La Crosse County Health Department said [Tue 10 Jul 2018], that the death is the 1st documented from Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Wisconsin.Jo Foellimi, a La Crosse County public health nurse, says a tick bit the woman while she was camping in western Wisconsin in early May [2018]. The woman was diagnosed Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Virus & blast diseases, rice – Viet Nam: (Mekong Delta)
Other Plant Disease -- Vietnam_Rice ragged stunt virus_ (RRSV; genus _Oryzavirus_) has been reported to cause yield losses of up to 90 per cent in several Asian countries. Symptoms include ragged appearance of plants, twisted leaves, vein swelling, unfilled grains and severe stunting of plants. Its only way of spread is vector transmission by brown plant hoppers (BPH; _Nilaparvata lugens_). The insects transmit the virus in a persistent manner and remain infectious for life. Infected hoppers can Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Fungal diseases, apple – India: (JK)
Other Plant Disease -- India[Member of Legislative Assembly] Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami expressed serious concern over the outbreak of disease in apple crops in Kashmir and urged the Horticulture Department to take immediate action to control the situation. Intermittent downpours have badly affected the horticulture, especially in southern parts. The outbreak of diseases like scab, alternaria in apple crops has hugely affected the apple production. The growers are now facing upheaval as the Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Gastroenteritis – USA (03): (TN) zipline course
Norovirus — United States
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (13): (UP)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaWith 135 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) -- which manifests itself in the form of brain fever -- Lucknow district has the maximum number of cases of the deadly disease this year [2018] among 48 districts of the state where it is reported. This is 15 times more than the number of cases last year [2017].The data maintained by the health department from 1 Jan - 6 Jul this year [2018] records 11 AES deaths in Lucknow. Apart from this, 6 cases of Japanese encephalitis Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (23): Saudi Arabia, WHO, RFI
MERS -- Saudi ArabiaHighlights:- At the end of June 2018, a total of 2229 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including 791 associated deaths (case-fatality rate: 35.5%) were reported globally; the majority of these cases were reported from Saudi Arabia (1853 cases, including 717 related deaths with a case-fatality rate of 38.7%).- During the month of June [2018], a total of 4 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS were reported in Saudi Arabia including Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (26): Romania, spread, EFSA scientific opinion
African Swine Fever -- RomaniaUntil May this year [2018], in Romania the occurrence of African swine fever (ASF) appeared to be limited to a few cases in Satu Mare county, close to both the Ukraine and Hungary borders.Predominantly, the figures shared from Tulcea county, close to the Black Sea, appear worrisome. In total, 249 [outbreaks] of ASF have been reported between that date and now. This included mostly backyard farms, a national park, one slaughterhouse, and one large professional farm.The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chlamydia caviae: community-acquired pneumonia
Pneumonia -- Worldwide/Unknownvan Grootveld R, Bilsen MP, Boelsums TL, et al. _Chlamydia caviae_ Causing Community-Acquired Pneumonia: An Emerging Zoonosis. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2018 Jul 9. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2304. [Epub ahead of print]Abstract--------We describe a case of community-acquired pneumonia due to _Chlamydia caviae_ in a patient with no direct animal exposure, raising questions about the zoonotic reservoirs and potential transmission routes. Genotyping of _Chlamydia_ isolates Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (85): France (IF) poultry, LPAI H7N7, OIE
Avian Influenza -- FranceInformation received on [and dated] 9 Jul 2018 from Dr. Loic Evain, [Deputy Director General, CVO, General Directorate of Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood, and Forestry, Paris, FranceSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 6 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 11 Jun 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 25 Jan 2017Manifestation of disease: sub-clinical infectionCausal agent: Low Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (06): (CA) more cases
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesThe United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed 4 additional cases of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard exhibition chickens in California - one in Riverside County and 3 in San Bernardino County.A complete list of confirmed cases is available on our website at .--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[This brings the total to 43 outbreaks with 40 in San Bernadino County, 2 in Riverside County, and the index outbreak Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – USA (04): (MD)
Equine Infectious Anemia -- United StatesA horse stabled in Montgomery County, Maryland, has tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). The positive horse was discovered during a routine wellness examination by a private veterinarian and was confirmed positive on [9 Jul 2018] by the National Veterinary Services Lab, in Ames, Iowa. The infected horse will be euthanized.The Maryland State Veterinarian's office has placed the farm under a 60-day investigational hold order. The department will Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Silvering disease, sugar beet – Netherlands
Other Plant Disease -- NetherlandsThe IRS [Dutch Institute of Sugar Beet Research] and knowledge centre for sugar beet cultivation has received beet [samples] affected by [the] rare silvering disease. Diagnostics have revealed beets [are] affected. Beets with this syndrome have only been found sporadically in the Netherlands. Beet growers in Belgium have been dealing with silvering for a number of years.The seed-borne bacterium _Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens_ pv. _betae_ causes the disease. The main Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (13): Uganda, WHO
Rift Valley Fever -- UgandaOn [29 Jun 2018], the Uganda Ministry of Health notified WHO of an outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Isingiro and Kasese districts, all located in the western region of the country. On [28 Jun 2018], 2 unrelated simultaneous cases were confirmed, one in each district. The 1st case-patient was a 47-year-old male from Kanyatsi village in Munkunyu sub-county, Kasese District, whose main occupation was as a butcher. He fell ill on [20 Jun 2018] with symptoms of fever and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Albania: (DB) bovine
Anthrax -- AlbaniaThe Nodular Dermatosis [outbreak of Lumpy Skin disease] has not yet passed, and Mat shows another cattle disease. It is about Anthrax, for which the 1st case was noted.According to "Balkanweb", the case was recorded in the village Frankth of the Komsi Administrative Unit in the Municipality of Mat. Immediately after that, residents urgently sought the vaccination of their cattle.Meanwhile, the veterinarian of the Veterinary Service at the Agriculture Office Mat, Selman Kurti, said Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – Canada (03): (AB) equine
Equine Infectious Anemia -- CanadaCanada's control program for equine infectious anemia (EIA) has made significant progress in reducing the prevalence of the disease in Canada. However, despite the best efforts of the horse industry and governments, EIA continues to be detected in Western Canada.Horse owners and owners of properties where horses commingle should take measures to protect their animals, particularly if they are purchasing or receiving animals from the areas where infected animals have Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (39): Americas (USA) fox, human exposure, susp
Rabies -- United StatesAccording to Police, a man was bitten by a fox [Sun 8 Jul 2018] in Robertsdale. Officers were called to a home on Mattingly Street around 1 pm. The victim said he was sitting on his porch when a fox bit his foot. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.About 2 hours later, police were called to East Chicago Street where a group of people said a fox was charging at them. Officers were able to capture the fox. It will be tested for rabies tomorrow.Robertsdale Police Department Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis – Algeria: (TO) unpasteurized cow's milk
Brucellosis -- AlgeriaNo less than 36 new cases of people with brucellosis have been registered in the province of Tizi Ouzou in the last 48 hours. These new cases are in addition to the 31 cases recorded at the beginning of June [2018]. The same observation must be made concerning the 2 balance sheets.Almost all cases of brucellosis recorded are concentrated in the Ouaguenoun Circle, a locality located 15 km northeast of the provincial capital. Indeed, out of the 36 cases lamented during the last Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – Sweden: Polish frozen strawberries
Hepatitis A -- SwedenThirteen people in Sweden have been infected by hepatitis A virus linked to frozen strawberries from Poland. Eleven confirmed and 2 suspected cases are reported from 4 Swedish counties, Skane, Blekinge, Kalmar and Gavleborg. Nine women and 4 men aged 11 to 92 are affected. The most recent person to fall ill had symptoms begin on 18 Jun 2018.The Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhalsomyndigheten), the National Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) and local authorities are involved Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Gastroenteritis – USA (02): (TN) zipline course
Gastroenteritis -- United StatesIn response to a survey sent out by health officials, at least 548 people reported gastrointestinal illness after visiting CLIMB Works in Gatlinburg, Tennessee since 15 Jun 2018. That number is likely a low estimate.According to Gail Harmon, East Tennessee regional assistant director with the Tennessee Department of Health, 2901 surveys were sent out to people who booked zip line tours online with CLIMB Works. As of Tuesday morning, 10 Jul 2018, 808 people had responded, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (28): (DR Congo, Papua New Guinea) cVDPVs, WHO
Polio -- DR CongoIn the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 3 different circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks have been detected in acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases. In February 2018, the government declared cVDPV2 to be a national public health emergency.The cVDPV2 strain initially detected and reported in June 2017 from Haut Lomami Province spread in late 2017 and early 2018 to Tanganyika and Haut Katanga provinces, respectively. The same virus was confirmed in Ituri Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Nipah virus – India (15): (AS, WB) fruit bats
Nipah/Hendra Virus -- IndiaA study report published in a recent edition of the Indian Journal of Medical Research says bats with nipah virus have been found in Assam's Dhubri and West Bengal's Cooch Behar districts.During the study, conducted from March till December 2015, 107 _Pteropus giganteus_ bats were captured from Assam and Bengal - 60 from Dhubri, 39 from Cooch Behar and 8 from Jalpaiguri district in Bengal. Tissue specimens of the 107 bats were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Vibrio parahaemolyticus – USA (02): (MD) imported Venezuelan crab meat
Vibrio parahaemolyticus -- United StatesThe Maryland Department of Health is warning consumers to avoid eating fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela because of potential risk of infection.The Department is investigating a cluster of _Vibrio_ infections in individuals who reported eating "fresh" (non-pasteurized) crab meat from a plastic tub with a label indicating that it is imported from Venezuela. The imported crab meat is sold under different brand names. Maryland crab products have not been Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis E – Namibia (10): more cases, fatal
Hepatitis E -- Namibia6. Naidu SS, Viswanathan R. Infectious hepatitis in pregnancy during Delhi epidemic. Indian J Med Res. 1957; 45(Suppl): 71-76.11. Patra S, Kumar A, Trivedi SS, Puri M, Sarin SK. Maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with acute hepatitis E virus infection. Ann Intern Med. 2007; 147: 28-33.12. Teo CG. Fatal outbreaks of jaundice in pregnancy and the epidemic history of hepatitis E. Epidemiol Infect. 2012; 140: 767-787.13. Devi SG, Kumar A, Kar P, Husain SA, Sharma S. Association Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (27): EFSA scientific opinion, comment