Ebola — DR Congo
Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Australia (03): (SA) alfalfa sprouts
Salmonella -- Australia"After a series of outbreaks associated with sprouts in the mid-1990s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published guidelines in 1999 for sprouts producers to reduce the risk of contamination. The recommendations included treating seeds with an antimicrobial agent such as calcium hypochlorite solution and testing spent irrigation water for pathogens. From 1998 through 2010, 33 outbreaks from seed and bean sprouts were documented in the United States, affecting 1330 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Peste des petits ruminants – Bulgaria: (YA) first case
Peste des petits ruminants -- BulgariaRegional Governor of Haskovo Stanislav Dechev has called a meeting of the Regional Epizootic Commission in relation to an outbreak of ovine rinderpest found in the Yambol region, said the press office of the Regional Administration in Haskovo. The emergency meeting will be held today [21 Jun 2018] at 2.30 p.m. in the Small Hall of the Regional Administration. An outbreak of plague of small ruminants was found in the municipality of Bolyarovo, Yambol region, and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (22): Asia (Yemen, Saudi Arabia)
Cholera -- YemenThe map at this URL lists the total number of suspected cholera cases through 10 Jun 2018 to be 1 107 144.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Date / Cases / Deaths2017----8 May / 1360 / 2514 May / 11 000 / 18021 May / 29 300 / 31527 May / 51 832 / 47130 May / 65 300 / 5326 Jun / 96 000 / 74614 Jun / 140 116 / 98921 Jun / 179 548 / 120528 Jun / 231 364 / 143930 Jun / 240 000 / 15007 Jul / 297 438 / 170613 Jul / 332 600 / 175920 Jul / 368 207 / 182829 Jul Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, serotype Adelaide – USA (02) : pre-cut melon, increased cases
Salmonella -- United StatesCase count update:Since the last update on 8 Jun 2018, 10 more ill people were added to this outbreak. As of 18 Jun 2018, 70 people infected with the outbreak strain of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Adelaide have been reported from 7 states.State / Case CountIllinois / 7Indiana / 11Kentucky / 1Michigan / 38Missouri / 10Ohio / 2Tennessee / 1Total / 70Illnesses started on dates ranging from 30 Apr 2018 to 3 Jun 2018. Ill people range in age from less than 1 year to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Chile: (BI) bovine
Anthrax -- ChileAt least 10 cattle have died in Cobquecura due to an outbreak of anthrax or "la mancha" disease this fall [it is Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. - Mod.MHJ]. According to Soy Chile, the outbreak would have cost the lives of about 10 head of cattle. Officials of the Local Development Program (Prodesal) - part of the Institute of Agricultural Development (Indap) - would have been vaccinating the animals in the area even before these cases appeared.Claudio Campos, technical director Read more [...]
PRO> Usutu virus – Europe: France
Other Animal Disease -- FranceThe 1st case of human infection with Usutu virus was diagnosed in France, in Montpellier, in a man in his 30s. Transmitted by the bite of the _Culex_ mosquito, this virus attacks the nervous system.There are already dengue, zika and chikungunya virus [In France]. Now here is Usutu virus, just as dangerous, and also transmitted by the bite of a mosquito.This 1st case of human infection has been detected in France by the Inserm team from Montpellier. The patient, in his Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis C – Canada: (ON) possible dental clinic spread
Hepatitis C -- CanadaThe Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is renewing its call for patients of an Orillia dental clinic to get tested for hepatitis C. The health unit says 2 people, including a child, have tested positive for hepatitis C. The patients were tested after an advisory was issued in February [2018] about [this dentist's] practice. The health unit issued the advisory over concerns about equipment cleaning and sterilization."We're more concerned than we were in February [2018]. What Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (24): (KY,TN,MO)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesThe Kentucky Department for Public Health has announced that Kentucky now has 832 cases of hepatitis A and 6 deaths related to the outbreak. A total of 52 Kentucky counties have reported outbreak-associated cases, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health.They said that similar to outbreaks in other states, the primary risk factors for acute hepatitis A have been homelessness and illicit drug use.From 1 Aug 2017 to 9 Jun 2018, the number of outbreak-associated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – USA (04): (IL) wild rabbit, human
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 .- Mod.LL][See Also:Tularemia - USA (03): (IL) wild rabbit http://promedmail.org/post/20180619.5863284Tularemia - USA (02): (KY) sentinel rabbit infected, alert Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (37): Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia
Measles -- CanadaLiberia: 2930 cases, 14 deaths, 0.5 percent CFREvent description-----------------Liberia has been experiencing recurrent measles outbreaks since the beginning of 2018. In week 23 (week ending 10 Jun 2018), a total of 61 new suspected measles cases (with no deaths) were reported from 13 out of the 15 counties in the country, compared to 72 new cases reported in week 22 [week ending 3 Jun 2018]. 23 blood specimens collected from the suspected cases have been shipped to the National Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (03): Kenya
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaAccording to doctors at the Siaya County Referral Hospital, the 20-year-old man was brought to the facility bleeding from several orifices and exhibiting other symptoms of the disease [Rift Valley fever]. He had been referred to the hospital from a health centre in Uriri village in Alego Usonga, where he had been undergoing treatment for one week. The county director of health, Samwuel Omondi, said samples taken from the man and sent to the Kenya Medical Research Institute Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa (02): Kenya
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaMandera is on high alert over outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) that has claimed 4 lives in the neighbouring Wajir County.County Public Health officer, Abukar Abdi Sheikh while speaking to the press on [Tue 19 Jun 2018] said the County government has put intervention measures to curb an outbreak of the killer disease. The measures have been up scaled especially in Kuttullo, Mandera South and Mandera West Sub-counties and also Wajir.Last [Fri 15 Jun 2018], 5 blood samples Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (07): (HI) fatal, nosocomial
Hospital-Related Infection -- United StatesThe State Health Department is investigating 4 cases of _Legionella_ infection, a [type of pneumonia], all treated at Queen's Medical Center.It [_Legionella_] went airborne from [contaminated] water through spraying, misting, and splashing.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] is also on board, trying to find out whether exposure came from inside [nosocomial] or outside the hospital [community-acquired].People with weak immune systems are Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (10)
Japanese Encephalitis — India
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (39): Congo DR, cases, response, facilities, treatment, research
Ebola -- DR CongoIn related news, 2 experts with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, writing in The Lancet [see report below], weighed in on the outbreak response, applauding the DRC for acting quickly and for using VSV-EBOV in a ring program that targets contacts."The response to the current outbreak in DRC has been rapid at the national, continental, and international levels. The DRC Health Minister, Oly Ilunga Kalenga, has led his country's response with pragmatism and expediency, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Kenya (02): (VI) bovine, quarantine
Anthrax -- KenyaA quarantine on cattle in the county has been extended by a month to contain an outbreak of anthrax. Agriculture Executive Paul Mbuni said movement of animals would remain banned to give veterinary officers time to wipe out the disease.He told traders who were demanding the re-opening of animal markets to be patient, adding that the disease was still in some parts of the county [Vihiga county, in the former Western Province]. "Traders selling cattle will have to wait for another month Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (19): Latvia (SD) domestic
African Swine Fever -- LatviaA 2nd outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) among domestic pigs this year [2018] has been registered in a farm in western Latvia, the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service said.The latest ASF outbreak has been registered in Strautini farm in Kursisi county [Saldus district]. The Food and Veterinary Service said it was taking the appropriate measures to contain the disease. The 4 pigs in the infected farm will be culled, and an epidemiological investigation has been launched Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed febrile illness – India: (UP) fatal, children, RFI
Fever -- IndiaThe death of 5 people, including 4 children, following an 'unknown' disease in a village in Nagram [Uttar Pradesh] over the past week has left the health department in a fix.The cause behind the deaths is yet to be ascertained. On [Sun 17 Jun 2018], a team of doctors and experts from KGMU [King George's Medical University, a medical school located in Lucknow] and the office of the chief medical officer visited Amwa Murtizapur [Muratjapur] village and took samples.The victims were said Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (12): China, H7N9
Avian Influenza H7N9 -- ChinaCoined 'Disease X', a new strain of bird flu -- H7N9 -- has sparked fears of a major outbreak among scientists, having already infected more than 1600 people.Symptoms of infection include fever, coughing, shortness of breath, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and organ failure. The virus has already killed 623 people within China.At this time, the H7N9 can't be spread between humans -- and can only be contracted from contact with birds. However, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Eastern Africa: (Tanzania) alert
Rift Valley Fever -- TanzaniaTanzania on [Mon 18 Jun 2018] issued an alert following an outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Kenya and Rwanda. Mary Mashingo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, said the government has instructed district, municipal and city councils to ensure that the public is well informed on the disease, which has killed 6 people in Kenya."We're fully aware of the outbreak of the disease and we've put in place all measures to ensure that our people Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – India (08): (JH) human, caprine
Anthrax -- IndiaA fresh anthrax outbreak has caused a scare in Khanjaloya Kadamtoli village under Pakartand block, where 2 tribals have been found infected with the life-threatening disease.The fatal disease anthrax has again shown signs of comeback in Jharkhand's Simdega district, as 2 individuals were tested positive on Monday [18 Jun 2018]. Both are being treated in the district hospital.Over 200 cases of anthrax were reported from the district in the last 2 years, out which 11 succumbed to the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Botswana: (NC) bovine, serotype pending, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- BotswanaInformation received on [and dated] 15 Jun 2018 from Dr. Letlhogile Modisa, Director, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Gaborone, BotswanaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 9 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 15 Jun 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 19 Mar 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Foot-and-mouth disease virusSerotype: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Kenya (06): (WJ)
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaAn outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in North Eastern counties has left at least 13 people dead. Hundreds have survived the haemorrhagic disease that leaves victims bleeding from most parts of their bodies including the eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Blood is also passed through patients' faeces and urine. A week ago, Marsabit County residents were cautioned after the disease broke out in neighbouring Wajir. Those who died are said to have consumed infected meat. Samples Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cyclosporiasis – USA (03): additional states
Foodborne Illness -- United StatesTwo more states--Iowa and Michigan--have reported _Cyclospora_ infections linked to Del Monte prepackaged vegetable trays, lifting the number of affected states to 4 and the illness total to 78, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a [15 Jun 2018] announcement.In a related development, Del Monte Fresh Produce on [15 Jun 2018] announced a voluntary recall of vegetable trays sold at some retailers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (81): UK (N Ireland) wild bird, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- United KingdomInformation received on [and dated] 15 Jun 2018 from Dr Christine Middlemiss, Chief Veterinary Officer, DEFRA, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London, United KingdomSummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 14 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 15 Jun 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 23 Apr 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – USA (03): (IL) wild rabbit
Tularemia -- United StatesA wild rabbit found [13 Jun 2018] in Tinley Park [Cook county] has tested positive for tularemia. Cook County Animal and Rabies Control urges residents to avoid touching live or dead wildlife.Tularemia is a disease of animals and humans caused by the bacterium _Francisella tularensis_. Rabbits, hares, and rodents are especially susceptible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The bacterium is present in some wildlife in northeast Illinois. Some animals, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chlamydia psittaci, equine abortion – Australia: (NS) research
Chlamydia -- AustraliaA bird-borne pathogen has been linked to a cluster of equine abortions in New South Wales, Australia.A pathogen carried by birds has been linked by Australian researchers to a cluster of equine abortions in New South Wales.The researchers found a smoking gun when they examined the potential role of the bacterium _Chlamydia psittaci_ in the abortions.While birds are the major reservoir, it is capable of infecting humans, horses, and other mammals.The strain linked to the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Kenya (05): (WJ) WHO
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaOn 8 Jun 2018, the Ministry of Health (MoH) for Kenya confirmed an outbreak of Rift Valley fever. The 1st patient was admitted to a hospital in Wajir County in northeastern Kenya on 2 Jun [2018] with fever, body weakness, and bleeding from the gums and mouth. The patient reported having consumed meat from a sick animal; the patient died the same day. On 4 Jun [2018], 2 relatives of the index patient were admitted. Blood samples were collected and sent to the Kenya Medical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Mozambique: (TE, NM) bovine, st pending, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- MozambiqueInformation received on [and dated] 18 Jun 2018 from Dr Americo Da Conceicao, national director, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Maputo, Mozambique.SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 Apr 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 11 May 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Foot and mouth disease virusSerotype: pendingNature of diagnosis: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Neospora caninum, canine – USA: (NC) parasite
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesA lethal parasite has been discovered in area canines by a local veterinarian, and its presence is troubling for animal doctors and pet owners.Dr. Michelle Cox, veterinarian and founder of Island Pet Veterinarian Hospital located in Cape Carteret, 1st examined [D] in November 2017, when the young canine had just celebrated its 2nd birthday. "[D's] owner came to see me with her 2-year-old dog," Cox recalls. "She was extremely distraught. Her dog had started to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola virus disease: challenges for wild animal meat trade
Ebola -- DR CongoFor 25 years, [PM] has earned a living buying and selling monkeys, bats, and other animals popularly known as bush meat along the Congo River. Standing on the riverbank in Mbandaka, a city affected by the deadly new outbreak of the Ebola virus, the father of 5 said that for the 1st time he's worried he won't be able to support his family."Since Ebola was declared, business has decreased by almost half. It's really, really bad," the 47-year-old said, hanging his head.Congo's latest Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola Update (38): DR Congo, cases, WHO, Oxfam
Ebola -- DR CongoEvent Description-----------------The Ministry of Health and WHO continue to closely monitor the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with cautious optimism. On 15 Jun 2018, 5 new suspected EVD cases were reported in Bikoro Health Zone. A total of 6 laboratory specimens (from suspected cases reported previously) tested negative. No new confirmed EVD cases and no new deaths were reported on the reporting date. Since 17 May 2018, no new confirmed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Cowpox – UK: (Wales), human, bovine source suspected, RFI
Other Human Disease -- United KingdomA 15-year-old boy has surprised doctors by contracting cowpox, a historical disease now so rare it has not been seen in Wales for more than a decade.The teenager, who lives on the Wrexham-Cheshire border, developed lesions on his hands after feeding calves.Public Health Wales said the last reported human case in Wales was some 10 to 15 years ago. Cowpox was more common in the 18th century when milking maids often caught it. The virus, which is not contagious from Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Typhoid fever – El Salvador
Typhoid -- El SalvadorThe epidemiological bulletin of the Salvador Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MINSAL) reported moderate activity of typhoid fever in 9 of the country's 262 municipalities.From January 2018 to date, 469 suspected cases of typhoid fever have been hospitalized, of which 346 have been confirmed by blood culture. In addition to the 9 municipalities moderately affected, there are 19 municipalities mildly affected and none severely affected. During the week of 4 Jun Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Fusarium wilt, lettuce – UK: (England)
Other Plant Disease -- United KingdomSymptoms of lettuce fusarium wilt have been identified at the existing outbreak sites [ProMED-mail post http://promedmail.org/post/20171030.5412370] in Lancashire [England] in May and June this year [2018]. No outbreaks apart from these sites have been reported so far in the UK.As the season progresses, it is important to monitor for suspected symptoms. Growers should first check for possible infection by cutting a few plants with suspect symptoms from top to Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cyclosporiasis – USA (02): (WI,MN)
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesA _Cyclospora_ illness outbreak tied to Kwik Trip stores has worsened, with about 50 people now having reported they were sickened from vegetable trays that contained broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip.Kwik Trip has entered into an agreement with the city of Oak Creek and Milwaukee county as a partner in emergency services. The city finalized the deal on [15 Aug 2018].Kwik Trip has removed the 6-ounce and 12-ounce trays from its stores, according to Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Nut rot, sweet chestnut – Australia
Other Plant Disease -- AustraliaChestnut growers have long battled nut rot, or _Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi_, [which] wiped out more than 40 per cent of the national crop 2 years ago [2016], costing the industry about AUD 5 million [about USD 3.72 million].Nut rot is the real nemesis. "[It] is an absolute pain to the industry," [an organic grower] said. "[2016] was an exceptionally bad year, probably the worst we've ever had. This year [2018] there's been patches of it emerging later on. It's not varietal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other – India (08): (BR)
Encephalitis, Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaThe deaths of 6 children suspected to be suffering from symptoms of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and Japanese encephalitis [JE] in a span of 48 hours has set off alarms in the [Bihar] health department.[In Muzaffarpur], 4 deaths from the Kejriwal Maternity Clinic and 2 from SKMCH [Shri Krishna Medical College And Hospital] have been reported from the intensive care unit (ICU) of the paediatrics wards. Currently, 11 children suspected to be afflicted Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed hemorrhagic fever – Uganda (05): (QD) comment