Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (07): (FL) equine
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesAfter 2 horses in the past 2 weeks tested positive for a mosquito-borne illness, health officials in Nassau County issued a warning to residents who could be at risk.Since the beginning of the year [2018], 4 horses have tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) infection in Nassau County, including 2 in the past 2 weeks.One sentinel chicken also tested positive for EEEV in 2018.Officials said the risk of transmission to humans has increased, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (23): USA (WA) equine
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe Washington State Veterinarian's Office has quarantined a King County facility after a horse tested positive for non-neuropathogenic EHV-1.The Washington State Veterinarian's Office has received a report of a case of non-neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in a King County horse, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported on 13 Jun 2018."The horse is in isolation, and the facility is currently under quarantine," the EDCC said. "Strict equine Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – USA (03): (TX)
Equine Infectious Anemia -- United StatesEquine infectious anemia (EIA) has been reported in multiple horses in Texas. EIA has been confirmed in Bastrop, Dallas, Kaufman and Wilson Counties in Texas.On 8 Mar 2018, Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) reported a confirmed equine infectious anemia (EIA) case in Bastrop County to the EDCC. Since that time, 2 additional horses from the quarantined premises were confirmed positive for EIA. The positive horses were euthanized, and the premises will remain Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis – India (02): (KL) party refreshments
Hepatitis -- IndiaUse of adulterated ice is rampant in juice parlours in Kozhikode district. The number of people with jaundice symptoms in Thalakkulathur grama panchayat in Kozhikode district is going up as the Health Department suspects that the "welcome drink" served at a private party had led to the outbreak. 23 more people were diagnosed with jaundice on Sat 16 Jun 2018, taking the total number of affected persons to 84. Health officials claimed that only those who had the welcome drink at the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st. Agona – EU: multi-year, multi-country outbreak
Salmonella -- United KingdomPublic Health England, using whole genome sequencing, has connected 115 cases of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Agona since 2014 to other European cases, but the source of the outbreak remains elusive. Most of the _S._ Agona illnesses in the United Kingdom occurred in the past 2 years; there have been 53 so far in 2018, with 37 in 2017. The 1st cases from the specific strain of the bacterium were reported in April 2014.Denmark, Finland and Ireland are among other European Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Rotavirus – Australia: (NT)
Rotavirus -- AustraliaThere have been 23 cases of rotavirus reported across the NT in the past few weeks, mostly children."Since late May 2018, there have been 23 cases reported, mostly in children from Central Australia, but further spread is likely," Centre for Disease Control Director Dr Vicki Krause said."Rotavirus can cause fever, vomiting and watery diarrhea. It is spread when objects, hands or foods contaminated with small amounts of feces from those infected find their way to the mouths of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Vibrio parahaemolyticus – USA: (AL) soft tissue infection
Vibrio vulnificus -- United StatesA Robertsdale woman has tested positive for _Vibrio vulnificus_ [see moderator comments that follow - Mod.JH] after she contracted the flesh-eating bacteria from Fairhope Municipal Beach.Baldwin County Public Health Department has confirmed they are working 2 cases of _Vibrio vulnificus_ this year [2018], including Hallman's. One of those cases began Wednesday [13 Jun 2018].Hallman spoke on News 5 to warn everybody about the dangers that are in the water. "If I didn't Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Rwanda (03): (ES) bovine, spread, animal vaccination
Rift Valley Fever -- RwandaThe Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) has announced that a Rift Valley fever [RVF] outbreak has killed a total of 99 cows and caused 452 abortions in the districts of Kirehe, Ngoma, Kayonza, and Rwamagana in the Eastern Province.According to MINAGRI, the disease, caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, 1st appeared in the Eastern province on 18 May 2018.The disease affects animals (like cows, sheep, goats), and humans. The ministry says that laboratory Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Ebola update (37): DR Congo, cases, response
Ebola -- DR CongoThe current Ebola outbreak is happening in 3 health zones in Democratic Republic of the Congo's Equateur Province: Wangata, Bikoro, and Iboko. This revised Emergency Appeal will support 400 000 of the most vulnerable people in these areas for 6 months and will also undertake preparedness and prevention work in Equateur's 4 neighbouring provinces.SnapshotThe outbreak was confirmed on 8 May 2018. By 14 Jun 2018, 66 cases -- 38 confirmed as Ebola Virus disease -- had been reported, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (19): (UT, AZ) O157, 2017
E. coli -- United StatesOn 26 Jun 2017, a hospital in southern Utah notified the Utah Department of Health of Shiga toxin-producing _Escherichia coli_ (STEC) [also referred to as enterohemorrhagic _E. coli_ - EHEC - Mod.LL] O157:H7 infections in 2 children from a small community on the Arizona-Utah border. Both children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, characterized by hemolytic anemia, acute kidney failure, and thrombocytopenia and died within a few days of illness onset. Over the next few days, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (21): global (Pakistan, Venezuela) PAHO update
Polio -- PakistanSituation summary-----------------The following is an updated information on the case of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) with detection of Sabin type 3 vaccine poliovirus, previously reported in the PAHO/WHO Epidemiological Update of [8 Jun 2018] (*).The case is a 34-month-old male, unvaccinated, resident of an indigenous community in Delta Amacuro [Orinoco Delta], Venezuela, with paralysis onset on [29 Apr 2018]. The clinical-epidemiological investigation carried out indicated that Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Malaria – Paraguay: WHO certified malaria free
Malaria -- ParaguayWith free universal health services in Paraguay and a strong malaria surveillance system, malaria cases were detected early, investigated promptly, and classified correctly.Dedicated elimination strategy------------------------------After reporting its last case of malaria in 2011, Paraguay launched a 5-year plan to consolidate the gains, prevent re-establishment of transmission, and prepare for elimination certification. Activities centred on strengthening epidemiological Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cyclosporiasis – USA: (WI, MN)
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesThe Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Minnesota Department of Health, and local health departments are investigating an increase of _Cyclospora_ infections.To date, 11 ill patients in Wisconsin and 3 in Minnesota have reported purchasing a vegetable tray from a Wisconsin or Minnesota Kwik Trip location before their illness. The La Crosse, Wisconsin-based Kwik Trip, and Kwik Star is a chain of convenience stores founded in 1965 with locations throughout Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> European foulbrood, apis – Europe: Romania (CJ) OIE
Other Animal Disease -- RomaniaInformation received on [and dated] 15 Jun 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: 14 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 31 May 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 28 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Kenya (04): (WJ)
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaMarsabit County residents have been warned against use of animal products following a ban on slaughter of animals in Wajir County due to a Rift Valley fever outbreak.Speaking during a crisis meeting on Thursday [14 Jun 2018], county director for public health Adano Kochi said that one out of 2 samples that had been sent to Kemri [Kenya Medical Research Institute] came back positive for RVF.Mr Kochi said a 15-year-old boy who lost his life was not suffering from RVF as per Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Mbandaka – USA: breakfast cereal, alert, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesCDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Mbandaka infections.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 food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by CDC. DNA fingerprinting is performed on _Salmonella_ bacteria isolated from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – China (07): (SX) st. O, cattle, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 12 Jun 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: 27 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Jun 2018Report date: 12 Jun 2018Date submitted to OIE: 12 Jun 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: March Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (36): Europe, South America, Africa
Measles -- United KingdomActions implemented include:- Roraima and Amazonas states have started a vaccination campaign that targets 6-month-old infants through 49-year-old age groups.- Intensified epidemiological surveillance through active and retrospective institutional case finding, contact tracing, and monitoring of contacts has been implemented.- A strengthened laboratory network- A risk communication strategy has been implemented.- Training of health care workers in case management.WHO risk Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (33): Armenia (KT) canine, OIE
Rabies -- ArmeniaInformation received on 8 Jun 2018 from Dr. Hovhannes Mkrtchyan, Head, Veterinary Inspectorate of the State Service for Food Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Yerevan, ArmeniaSummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Start date: 4 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Jun 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Rabies virusSerotype: Not typedNature of diagnosis: laboratory Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (36): Congo DR, cases, threat, assistance
Ebola -- DR CongoWith intensive efforts under way to identify any potential remaining Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the health ministry yesterday [13 Jun 2018] reported 10 more suspected cases, according to the latest update.Illness totals fluctuate day to day as tests rule out earlier cases and more suspected illnesses are reported, but no confirmed cases have been tallied since 2 Jun 2018. According to the DRC health ministry, 6 of the 10 new suspected cases are in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Powassan virus encephalitis – USA (02): (NY)
Powassan virus -- United StatesThe Columbia County Health Department has confirmed a case of Powassan virus [infection], a tick-borne illness, in a county resident.Dr. Ananthakrishnan Ramani, chief of infectious diseases and microbiology at Columbia Memorial Health, working with the state Health Department, reported the 1st case of the virus."The patient is recovering well," said Dr. Ramani, the medical director for the Columbia County Department of Health.Powassan virus [causes] is a rare viral Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine lice – USA: (NV)
Lice -- United StatesVeterinarians are warning Las Vegas dog owners tonight about a dog lice outbreak. Doctors say there's been an unusually high number of cases in the past month or so."(Dog) lice isn't very common to see, but when we have a lot of cases coming in, we do get concerned," said Dr. Taylor Parker with Lone Mountain Animal Hospital.Dr. Parker says Lone Mountain Animal Hospital is one of many animal hospitals across the valley seeing this issue."Dogs are coming in with a bunch of itching, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (33): Liberia
Lassa Fever -- LiberiaThe National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) has responded to the Lassa fever outbreak in the country.According to a release issued in Monrovia, cases of Lassa fever are on the increase in the Lassa belt (Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa Counties).In the country, 4 new confirmed cases have been reported: from Bong (2), Grand Bassa (1) and Nimba (1) since the last outbreak in May 2018. A blood specimen was collected and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Mycoplasma bovis, bovine – New Zealand (10)
Other Animal Disease -- New ZealandTwo more North Island farms have been confirmed as infected with the cattle disease _Mycoplasma bovis_. One is a Hawke's Bay beef farm and the other a dairy farm in Waikato.The cattle disease was 1st reported in July last year (2018) and these 2 confirmations bring the total number of infected farms to 38, with another 71 under restricted notices. Eleven previously infected farms have now been cleared.So far almost 24 500 cattle have been culled in the fight against Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria, avian – New Zealand: kiwi, fatal
Malaria -- New ZealandA deadly disease has ravaged the little spotted kiwi population in an Auckland sanctuary, killing more than 10 per cent of the endangered birds at the park.A total of 40 kiwi were moved to Shakespear Open Sanctuary in north Auckland in 2 batches, in March 2017 and in April 2018.Since then 5 birds have died of avian malaria, with 4 others dying of other causes.The 2017 kiwis were 10 females from Tiritiri Matangi Island and 10 males from Kapiti Island and all of the birds in 2018 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (23): CDC Health Alert Network
Hepatitis A -- United StatesHepatitis A infection is a vaccine-preventable illness. The primary means of hepatitis A virus (HAV) transmission in the USA is typically person-to-person through the fecal-oral route (i.e., ingestion of something that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person) (1). Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and jaundice. Although rare, atypical extra hepatic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Rwanda (02): (ES) bovine, spread, alert
Rift Valley Fever -- RwandaLocation: Ngoma, Kirehe, and Kyonza districts, Eastern province, RwandaEvent: The US Embassy in Kigali wishes to inform American citizens that the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture has recently confirmed an outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in cattle in 3 districts of Eastern province: Ngoma, Kirehe, and Kyonza.RVF is a viral disease that primarily affects animals but can also infect humans. While most human cases are relatively mild, a small percentage of patients develop Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (80): Russia (KS) poultry, HPAI H5, OIE
Avian Influenza -- RussiaInformation received on [and dated] on 13 Jun 2018 from Dr Evgeny Nepoklonov, Vice-minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Moscow, RussiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 7 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 9 Jun 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 13 Mar 2018Causal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5Nature of diagnosis: clinical, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (35): Congo DR, cases, response, WHO
Ebola -- DR CongoTwo of the new suspected cases are from Iboko health zone, which includes the Itipo health area, the remaining area of active transmission, according to a situation report yesterday [Tue 12 Jun 2018] from the World Health Organization (WHO). Two days ago the WHO's director-general and the DRC's health minister visited Itipo to assess the situation and support response operations. They also met with patients who recovered from Ebola and visited Itipo's new Ebola treatment center.In Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (18): Romania, domestic swine, wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- RomaniaInformation received on [and dated] 13 Jun 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: 9 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 10 Jun 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: Clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed deaths, caprine – India: (OR), RFI
Undiagnosed -- IndiaAn unknown disease has claimed lives of hundreds of goats in the MV-56 village under Kalimela block in Malkangiri district during the last 3 months [March - May 2018].The mass deaths have triggered fear among locals who are yet to recover from the mass pig deaths that occurred last year [2017] and particularly because most of them depend on goat farming as livelihood. "The goats fall sick for a few days and then succumb. We do not know the cause," said a villager.The district Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> White nose syndrome, bats – North America (05): (SD) 1st rep
White nose syndrome -- United StatesThe National Park Service says a fungus that causes a deadly disease of bats has been detected on bats in South Dakota for the 1st time.The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome was detected on 1 western small-footed bat and 4 big brown bats in Jackson County at Badlands National Park last month [May 2018]. The Rapid City Journal reports the fungus was detected during testing by the National Park Service Northern Great Plains Network and the University of Wyoming.White-nose Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (18): (TN) raw milk, more cases
Foodborne Illness -- United States"More than a dozen" children now have been treated at East Tennessee Children's Hospital [ETCH] for _E. coli_-related illness, officials confirmed [Thu 14 Jun 2018]. The latest patient was admitted to the hospital with a strain of _E. coli_ bacteria related to raw milk consumption, hospital spokeswoman Erica Estep told the USA Today Network-Tennessee.On [Tue 12 Jun 2018], the Knox County Health Department confirmed that 11 children, all under the age of 4, have been Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (32): Asia (Kazakhstan) canine, OIE
Rabies -- KazakhstanInformation received on [and dated] 13 Jun 2018 from Dr. Samat Tyulegenov, Director General, RSE "National Reference Center for Veterinary" of the Committee of veterinary control and supervision, Ministry of Agriculture of Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, KazakhstanSummaryReport type: immediate notificationStart date: 7 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 11 Jun 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – East Africa (05): Uganda (MD) alert
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- Uganda- 23 May 2018: a 35-year-old man from Nkoko sub-county in Kakumiro district dies at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital.- December 2017: a 9-year-old girl dies. 2 other people develop symptoms in Nakaseke and Luweero districts.- 2015: a 33-year-old male admitted to Mengo Hospital in Kampala tested positive for the infection.- September 2013: a female patient dies in Nansana on the outskirts of Kampala city. The Ministry of Health had just declared that the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (41): USA (OR)
Hantavirus -- United StatesDeschutes County Health Department officials confirmed a local woman died [Wed 13 Jun 2018] from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome [HPS], a disease [virus] transmitted through rodent droppings.The woman, 67, and her husband, lived in Redmond but also maintained a home in the 3 Rivers community in Culver [Jefferson county].According to a neighbor, she had come to the Culver home before Memorial Day to prepare for a family visit."They have a loft in their barn that they use for Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Plague – USA (02): (ID)
Plague -- United StatesPlague was confirmed this week in an Elmore county child. The child is recovering after receiving antimicrobial treatment. "Plague is spread to humans through a bite from an infected flea. People can decrease their risk by treating their pets for fleas and avoiding contact with wildlife," said Sarah Correll, DVM, Central District Health Department epidemiologist. "Wear insect repellant, long pants, and socks when visiting plague affected areas."It is not known whether the child Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (79): Bulgaria (DO) poultry, HPAI H5N8, spread
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- BulgariaAn outbreak of a virulent bird flu virus has spread to another farm in northeastern Bulgaria, the national food safety agency said on [Wed 13 Jun 2018].A 3-kilometer [2-mi] protection zone was set around the farm in the village of Donchevo [Dobrich] and the sale of eggs and the movement of domestic, wild, and other birds was banned within it, the agency said in a statement."All contaminated and contact birds in 2 of the farm halls will be culled in a humane manner," Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Stripe rust, wheat – Australia: (VI) new strain
Other Plant Disease -- AustraliaPlant pathologists identified new strains of stripe rust from samples sent in last year [2017] from Victoria. The new rust pathotype is believed to be the first [to overcome] the YR 33 gene which has formed an important part of plant resistance to stripe rust in several widely grown wheat varieties.It [also] marks the 1st time a new stripe rust pathogen has been identified [in Australia] for 7 years. While farmers are not expecting a high disease load this year [2018] Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (33): Americas, USA (MN) bat, comment