Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (18): Pakistan (BA) RFI
Polio -- Worldwide/UnknownA fresh case of polio has surfaced from Duki district of Balochistan. According to sources in the provincial health department, an 18 month old boy from Killi Babran of Duki fell victim to the virus that was diagnosed in him on Friday [8 Jun 2018] morning.Sources in the health department said [the boy] was administered the anti-polio vaccine only once during the last 6 months. He was not found present at home 5 times during the polio drive.This is the 3rd case of polio virus Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Kenya (03): (WJ) camel, human, OIE
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaInformation received on [and dated] 8 Jun 2018 from Dr Obadiah Nyaga Njagi, director of veterinary services, Directorate of Veterinary Services, State Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nairobi, KenyaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 3 Jun 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 6 Jun 2018Report date: 8 Jun 2018Date submitted to OIE: 8 Jun 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Adelaide – USA: pre-cut melon
Salmonella -- United StatesCDC, public health, and regulatory officials in several states, and the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] are investigating a multistate outbreak of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Adelaide 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 Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New IJID (06): June 2018
Tuberculosis, Antimicrobial resistance, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis E, Mycobacteria, non-TB, HIV/AIDS, Schistosomiasis, Meningitis, Diphtheria, MERS, Sexually Transmitted Infection, Other Human Disease, Diarrhea, Scrub Typhus, Tularemia -- EthiopiaEditorialThe preventable tragedy of diphtheria in the 21st centuryInt J Infect Dis. 2018 (June); 71: 122-123.LH Blumberg, MA Prieto, JV Diaz, MJ Blanco, B Valle, C Pla, et alPerspectiveHealthcare worker exposure to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Pakistan (07): (BA)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- PakistanThis year's [2018] 3rd case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Karachi was reported late on Tuesday night [5 Jun 2018] after an 18 year old patient was admitted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC). Speaking to The Express Tribune, JPMC executive director Dr Seemin Jamali confirmed that the patient tested positive for CCHF, commonly known as Congo virus. "The patient hails from Quetta [Balochistan]," she said, adding that he was bleeding Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Meningitis, meningococcal – Kazakhstan (02): fatal, RFI
Meningitis - Neisseria -- KazakhstanEpidemiological situation on meningococcal infection:Since the beginning of 2018, 59 cases of meningococcal infection have been registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan, including 21 cases among children under 14 years of age. 13 of them have died: Almaty -- 6 cases; in Almaty region -- 4 cases; in South Kazakhstan -- 2 cases; and in Kyzylorda region -- 1 case.The situation is under the control of the Ministry of Health.--communicated by:Irene Lai, MDInternational Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – Kenya (02): (WJ) susp
Rift Valley Fever -- KenyaIn Wajir, 2 more people have died of suspected Rift Valley fever (RVF) bringing death toll to 4 as panic grips the county.Wajir county's chief health officer Noor Sheikh Mohamed said the 2 deaths occurred outside the local referral hospital but have not independently verified the report. "We cannot exactly confirm the 2 deaths, but we have sent a team on the ground for confirmation since the area has low network connectivity and the victims died away from our facilities," Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (30): Congo DR, cases, WHO, action
Ebola -- DR CongoYesterday [7 Jun 2018], the DRC's Ministry of Health said a team of Chinese experts was arriving today in Kinshasa to assist the Congolese health authorities and reportedly bringing an experimental Chinese Ebola vaccine to health authorities, according to STAT today [see items [3] and [4] below]. To date, DRC has approved only the use of Merck's vaccine.Finally, yesterday The Lancet published a letter by US experts who suggested that, although costly, using rapid diagnostic tests Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (11): Nigeria (PL)
Monkeypox -- NigeriaThe Plateau State Government has confirmed that the state has recorded 2 positive cases of monkeypox in Shendam Local Government Area of the state. Dr Kunden Deyin, the state commissioner for health, told the News Agency of Nigeria on [Thu 7 Jun 2018] in Jos that the 1st case recorded was imported from Port-Harcourt, as the victim came in from Rivers for treatment.According to the commissioner, the infected victim eventually infected his brother and both of them were treated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive mosquito – USA (02): (FL)
Undiagnosed -- United States1. Sardelis MR, Turell MJ, Andre RG. Laboratory transmission of La Crosse virus by _Ochlerotatus j. japonicus_ (Diptera: Culicidae). J Med Entomol. 2002; 39(4): 635-9; abstract available at .2. Sardelis MR, Turell MJ, Andre RG. Experimental transmission of St Louis encephalitis virus by _Ochlerotatus j. japonicus_. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2003; 19(2): 159-62; abstract available at .3. Sardelis MR, Dohm DJ, Pagac B, Andre RG, Turell MJ. Experimental transmission of eastern Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (30): Americas, USA (MN) bat, comment
Rabies -- United StatesThe moderator commented: "Never, but NEVER pick up a sick bat. In fact leave sick and dead bats alone. Leave it to the state wildlife folk to come and collect it for testing. Not all sick bats have rabies but many of the diseases that they suffer from you do not want to share."Excellent advice, but there is little more to be said, which we summarized in this article:This is the most important part of the what-to-do-if-you-see-a-bat-on-the-ground advice: "Practically unknown Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed hemorrhagic fever – Uganda (03): (MW) children, malaria conf
Malaria -- UgandaWe defined a suspected case as onset of high grade fever and red/black/brown/maroon coloured urine with any of the following: loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, anemia, jaundice, headache, vomiting, palpitation, sweating and painful urination.We actively searched for suspected cases in Bugobero HCIV [health centre IV] and some of the affected communities. We reviewed current and past medical records for the suspected cases (deceased inclusive) whenever Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (05): Americas (Brazil) equine, OIE
West Nile Virus -- BrazilInformation received on [and dated] 6 Jun 2018 from Dr Figueiredo Marques Guilherme Henrique, director, [Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply], Brasilia, BrazilSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 25 Apr 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 4 Jun 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: West Nile fever virusNature of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (29): Congo DR, cases, MSF, antivirals
Ebola -- DR CongoEbola is back. The disease that killed more than 11 000 people in West Africa just a few years ago has returned, striking the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Last week [week of 28 May 2018], intervention with a new vaccine was initiated to help contain the outbreak, adding another tool to a response that is exponentially better than it was 4 years ago. But we are not out of the woods. No matter how long this Ebola outbreak continues, the world faces critical tests in its Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (32): Sierra Leone
Lassa Fever -- Sierra LeoneThe surveillance supervisor of the Lassa Fever Unit at the government hospital in Kenema, Lansana Kanneh, said the rate of Lassa fever infection in the Kenema district is increasing at an alarming rate. In 2017, in Kenema District, the Lassa Fever Unit recorded 17 cases and 11 died. From January to May 2018, 18 cases have been recorded and 7 have died. He said the unit is expecting more cases.Kanneh attributed the high rate of death to delayed arrival at the hospital. He Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis – Viet Nam
Japanese Encephalitis -- VietnamIn all, 37 severe cases of encephalitis--meningitis are being treated at the Department of Infectious Diseases of Viet Nam National Children's Hospital, reported Phu Nu Viet Nam (Viet Nam Women) newspaper. Of all these cases, 2 children were diagnosed with the deadly Japanese encephalitis, a contagious [infectious] disease carried by mosquitoes. Both were not vaccinated properly, or possibly not at all.A 13 year old from Hai Duong Province was hospitalised after suffering Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (22): (KY,NC)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesThere is a hepatitis A outbreak in Louisville. The outbreak was declared in November of 2017. As of [Tue 5 Jun 2018], there have been 432 cases and 3 deaths associated with this outbreak. The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness continues to work to control an outbreak of acute hepatitis A that has centered in the city's homeless, people with unstable housing, and among those who with any illicit drug use (not just injecting drug use).Hepatitis A is Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (17): Venezuela, cases conf. global (Pakistan), RFI
Polio -- VenezuelaNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 1New cVDPV cases reported this week: 0Type of Virus: 2017 / 2018 (to date) / new this weekWPV: 22 / 10 / 1cVDPV: 96 / 5 / 0Summary of newly-reported viruses this week: Pakistan: 1 new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) caseAfghanistan: 1 new WPV1-positive environmental sampleAfghanistan - No new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) have been reported this week. The total number of WPV1 cases in 2018 remains 8. - 1 new Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (04): (CA) more cases
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesThe United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed 3 additional cases of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard birds in San Bernardino County, California.A complete list of confirmed cases is available on our website at .Virulent Newcastle disease has not been found in commercial poultry in the United States since 2003. --communicated by:ProMED-mail[The count today is as follows for the 13 outbreaks to date:17 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Sarcoptic mange, bear – USA: (PA)
Scabies -- United States[ProMED-mail regrets the delay in posting]Pennsylvania's black bear population is experiencing a mange epidemic, and a Penn State research team will work with the state Game Commission to gain a better understanding of the disease and develop strategies to manage it.Mange is a highly contagious skin disease carried by parasitic mites that results in hair loss and sometimes emaciation and death. It has afflicted mammals around the world for centuries and likely much longer. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other- India (06): (HP)
Japanese Encephalitis -- IndiaThe Centre [source does not specify further. - Mod.SH] on [Tue 5 Jun 2018] confirmed the outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in Himachal, with 2 children from Solan district testing positive for the mosquitoborne viral infection of the brain.Both children are currently in Indira Gandhi Medical Hospital, Shimla. One, a 3 year old boy from Dharampur is critical and on ventilator support. The other, a 6 year old boy from Dhalli is also under intensive care. Altogether, 7 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (16): (TN) raw milk
Foodborne Illness -- United StatesEast Tennessee Children's Hospital said [Tue 5 Jun 2018] it has treated "close to 10" children, all younger than 4, for a "serious outbreak" of _Escherichia coli_-caused illness over the past 10 days. The Knox County Health Department has confirmed 2 likely sources of the outbreak are unpasteurized milk and farm animals.Most of the ill children are known to have consumed raw milk from a local cow-share dairy, French Broad Farm in Knox County, the health department Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (78): China (LN) poultry, HPAI H7N9, OIE
Avian Influenza H7N9 -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 6 Jun 2018 from Dr Zhang Zhongqui, director general, China Animal Disease Control Centre, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China (People's Rep of)Summary:Report type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 22 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 30 May 2018Reason for notification: new strain of a listed diseaseManifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease – Israel (05): (HZ) bov, gt O/ME-SA/PanAsia-2(QOM-15)
Foot and Mouth -- IsraelWRLFMD website published the genotyping results of 4 FMD virus samples collected from grazing beef cattle in Gazit, north eastern Israel. The following results are drawn from the report addressing virus sample ISR/1/2018.Location of origin: Kibbutz GazitCountry of origin: IsraelDate of collection: 5 Apr 2018Host species: cattleSerotype: OTopotype: ME-SALineage: PanAsia-2Sublineage: QOM-15Sequence length: 633Harvest date of material: 26 Apr 2018Received for sequencing: Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Mosaic disease, cassava – Cambodia: 1st rep (RO,TB)
Other Plant Disease -- CambodiaKer Munthivuth, Department of Plant Protection [of Cambodia], said the ministry has acknowledged presence of the [cassava mosaic] virus in Cambodia. "We confirm that the cassava mosaic disease is present in Ratanakkiri and Tboung Khmum provinces, but there is no sign of the virus in the western provinces that share a border with Thailand," he said."After we found the virus in Ratanakkiri and Tboung Khmum, the ministry issued a statement to farmers with guidelines to Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (12): Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe, WHO, vacc
Dengue -- BangladeshNorthern hemisphere-------------------CambodiaAs of 15 May 2018, a total of 694 suspected dengue cases have been reported in Cambodia. In weeks 18 and 19, there were 81 and 99 new suspected dengue cases, respectively. In weeks 18 and 19 [30 Apr-13 May 2018], the number of reported dengue cases has increased compared to the previous week, above the alert threshold level.ChinaAs of 30 Apr 2018, a total of 25 dengue cases were reported in China. The number of reported cases is Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Strangles, equine – Canada (03): (NB)
Strangles -- CanadaA preventive vaccine followed by a booster is available for about 65 USD. It doesn't work in the midst of an outbreak, but many horses north of Fredericton have been getting it, according to Wanamaker. She said it's about 60 or 70 per cent effective. "It won't stop the disease," said Wanamaker. "It will at least reduce the severity of the clinical signs, and hopefully the horse won't maybe have as high of a fever, the abscesses may not appear, things like that."Wanamaker recommends Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Australia (04): (QL) cattle, susp confused with pimelea toxicity
Anthrax -- AustraliaVets fear the recent spate of deaths [attributed to] pimelea in the south west may have actually been caused by anthrax and are warning all producers in the affected Maranoa and Balonne area to burn all carcases as a precaution.Speaking publicly for the first time since three major anthrax incidences at St George and Dirranbandi, local vet Libby Price, who was first on the scene of each case, questioned if some deaths put down to pimelea should have been further investigated. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (29): Americas, USA (MN) bat, human exposure
Rabies -- United StatesPrinted posters and social media helped state health officials get medical attention to a previously unknown woman who touched a rabid bat this week. Minnesota Department of Health public health veterinarian Dr Joni Scheftel said the woman -- who's not being identified -- picked up the bat after it fell from a tree [Wed 30 May 2018] evening near Como Lake in St Paul. Scheftel said the woman had been running near the lake and touched the animal when she saw another person trying Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis (07): USA
Whooping Cough -- United StatesThe Cerro Gordo County [Iowa] Department of Public Health is investigating several cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, in the county. According to a press release, the department of health has positively identified 7 cases.Those cases were identified in the Mason City Community School District and the McDonald's south restaurant. The department of health is continuing to investigate and is working with the Mason City school district and McDonald's to protect the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Myiasis, ovine – UK: blowfly strike, seasonal
Myiasis -- United KingdomA severe case of blowfly strike has been reported in Dorset in which 50 per cent of a lamb group have been hit by the disease, according to an interactive map chronicling the UK's 1st blowfly strikes of 2018. The interactive map, produced by Elanco Animal Health and NADIS (National Animal Disease Information Service), highlights areas hit with blowfly strike in real-time, aiming to deliver an immediate warning system for farmers, vets and industry professionals.The 1st reported Read more [...]
PRO/AH> African swine fever – Europe (15): Ukraine, domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- UkraineInformation received on [and dated] 22 May 2018 from Dr Andrii Zhuk, 1st deputy head of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Production, International Cooperation of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, UKR Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, Kiev, UkraineSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 21 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 21 May 2018Reason for notification: recurrence Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (34): Europe, Asia, Pacific
Measles -- GermanyMeasles outbreaks continue to occur in a number of EU/EEA countries, with a risk of spread and sustained transmission in areas with susceptible populations. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) provided the latest situation update in its weekly Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) published on 18 May 2018 [].Since the previous monthly report published on [13 Apr 2018], updates are provided for 17 EU/EFTA countries. In 2018 and as of 17 May, most of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (27): Congo DR, cases, travel screening, children
Ebola -- DR CongoEffective exit screening helps prevent the exportation and spread of disease to other areas. During exit screening at international airports and points of entry, travellers will be assessed for signs and symptoms of an illness consistent with Ebola virus disease, or identified as contacts potentially exposed to Ebola virus disease.- travellers with a possible exposure to Ebola virus and who are sick should postpone international travel and seek immediate medical assistance if there Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis – Taiwan (03)
Japanese Encephalitis -- ChinaIn Taiwan, 2 people were recently diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis, bringing the number of cases in the country so far this year [2018] to 5, the [Taiwan] Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said on Tuesday [5 Jun 2018].The 2 recent cases of the mosquitoborne disease were in Kaohsiung and Chiayi and were confirmed after the patients sought medical attention on 27 and 28 May [2018], respectively, said CDC deputy director-general Philip Lo.It was found that the man in Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Potomac horse fever, equine – USA: (KY)
Fever -- United StatesKentucky animal health officials have reported the commonwealth's 1st case of Potomac horse fever (PHF) in a 4 year old thoroughbred filly from Bourbon County.E S Rusty Ford, equine operations consultant for the Kentucky state veterinarian's office, said in a statement that the filly presented on 1 Jun 2018 with profuse watery diarrhea, lethargy, and a fever of about 104 F [40 C]. The filly was isolated at a hospital, and PCR testing (fecal swab/feces) confirmed the PHF diagnosis. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Pakistan: (NW)
Leishmaniasis -- PakistanThe Mohmand Agency political administration has launched the 3rd phase of the campaign against leishmaniasis with help of Frontier Corps North Headquarters [HQ/FC]. After receiving 400 injections from the HQ/FC, the 3rd phase of leishmaniasis treatment campaign was launched in selected health facilities in the Mohmand Agency.A total of 282 patients, predominantly children, were treated on [Mon 28 May 2018] on the 1st day of the campaign. Moreover, as a preventive measure, Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Largemouth bass virus – USA: (PA) smallmouth bass
Other Animal Disease -- United StatesA college laboratory has solved what has been a maddening 13-year mystery: what killed so many of the prized smallmouth bass in the lower Susquehanna and Juniata rivers [Pennsylvania], beginning in 2005? The answer -- a shocker to Pennsylvania and federal investigators -- is largemouth bass virus. It's a disease that was known to be present in Susquehanna smallmouths but had been ruled out early on because it was thought it couldn't harm them.Turns out it can Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Asparagus virus 1 – Germany: survey & resistance breeding
Other Plant Disease -- GermanyThe potyvirus _Asparagus virus 1_ (AV-1) is the most important virus attacking garden asparagus worldwide. While the damage caused by AV-1 is often underestimated because of no visible symptoms on shoots or cladophylls, yield losses between 30 to 70 per cent have been reported. Furthermore, influence of virus infection on spear quality and susceptibility to other pathogens such as _Fusarium_ spp. was discussed intensively. It is currently estimated that European asparagus Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Infant botulism – Canada (02): cases spike, comment