Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – USA (06): (CA) congenital, rising incidence
Syphilis -- United StatesSexually transmitted diseases (STD) have made an alarming resurgence across the United States, where 2016 saw a record 2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, including 628 cases of congenital syphilis. But California, the most populous US state, stands out for its willingness to tackle the crisis head-on, with cases of the 3 ailments up 45 per cent in 2017 from 5 years ago.30 babies were stillborn amid 300 reported cases of congenital syphilis, more than in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (10): Cameroon
Monkeypox -- CameroonLevel: AdvisoryLocation: CameroonCategory: MonkeypoxLatest update: increased cases and more areas affected. At least 16 people in Cameroon are thought to have monkeypox, a disease that hasn't been reported in the nation since 1989. Cases have been reported in 3 different areas.Initial investigations show the 1st person infected in the current outbreak may have had contact with a gorilla before becoming ill. People can contract the virus from an infected animal. They may be bitten Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (26): Congo DR, border controls, bat reservoir
Ebola -- DR CongoWhen hunting for the source of a zoonotic disease outbreak, scientists first work to identify the species that harbor that particular pathogen. These species are called reservoirs. Half of all carnivores are reservoirs of zoonotic disease, as well as some 20 per cent of nonhuman primates and roughly 10 per cent of rodent and bat species.For many zoonotic pathogens, the main nonhuman reservoirs are relatively well known: dogs, foxes, bats, and cats for rabies; rodents for Lassa and Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (03): (CA) more cases
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesThe United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [has] 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.Samples from the flocks were tested at the California Animal Health & Food Safety Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – USA (09): (WI)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesThe Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has quarantined a deer farm in Dane County and an elk farm in Richland County due to chronic wasting disease (CWD). This is a result of the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, IA confirming on [31 May 2018] that samples from a 15 year old whitetail doe and a 2 year old elk cow were positive for CWD.The 10 acre Dane County deer farm has 6 whitetail deer that have been registered with DATCP Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Infant botulism – Canada: cases spike
Botulism -- CanadaIt is a rare illness caused by food contaminated with _Clostridium botulinum_ bacterial spores. The spores germinate and grow in the infant's large intestine and produce a neurotoxin. It affects infants exclusively because adults and children more than 12 months old have more good bacteria in their gut that can help to prevent spore germination and release of the toxin. Botulism can also occur in adults who have altered gut flora or if the toxin has already been produced on contaminated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – France (02): O26, unpasteurized cheese, more cases
Foodborne Illness -- France1. Schmidt H, Geitz C, Tarr PI, et al. Non-O157:H7 pathogenic Shiga-toxin producing _Escherichia coli_: phenotypic and genetic profiling of virulence traits and evidence for clonality. J Infect Dis 1999; 179(1): 115-23; available at .2. Bettelheim KA. Role of non-O157 VTEC. Symp Ser Soc Appl Microbiol 2000; (29): 38S-50S; abstract available at .- Mod.LLHealthMap/ProMED-mail map of France: .][See Also:E. coli EHEC - France: O26, unpasteurized cheese, alert, recall Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Belgium (02): (WV,OV) school lunch
Salmonella -- BelgiumIn a follow-up on the salmonellosis outbreak among schoolkids in Flanders, Belgium, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA) now reports 225 children suspected of becoming ill due to salmonella contamination in 38 schools in East and West Flanders.Salmonellosis was laboratory confirmed in 129 children from 26 different schools; it is also strongly suspected in other children since they have similar symptoms. The only common denominator is the caterer.AFSCA Read more [...]
PRO/AH> White nose syndrome, bats – North America (04): (WY) 1st rep
White nose syndrome -- United StatesA bat captured at the Fort Laramie National Historic site [Goshen county, Wyoming] 16 May 2018 was confirmed to be carrying the fungus responsible for white nose syndrome [WNS]. The fungus is believed responsible for killing millions of bats in the eastern and mid-western United States. It first appeared in New York state in 2006. Scientists believe humans brought the "_Pseudogymnoascus destructans_" (Pd) fungus from Eurasia to the US.University of Wyoming biologists Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Blight diseases, coffee & vegetable crops – Kenya
Other Plant Disease -- KenyaIt has been raining in [Kenya] since March [2018], adding more pressure on farming. Crop farmers are grappling mainly with blight and bacterial wilt. The diseases have attacked coffee, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. Even as they save on irrigation water, the farmers have to invest heavily in pesticides. The 2 diseases are a huge threat to the crops because they lead to 100 per cent loss if not checked.The blight has attacked coffee in main production areas in central Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (15): O157, romaine lettuce, more cases, fatal
E. coli -- United StatesCase count update-----------------Since the last update on 16 May 2018, 25 more ill people [have been] added to this outbreak.As of 30 May 2018, 197 people infected with the outbreak strain of _Escherichia coli_ O157:H7 have been reported from 35 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from 13 Mar 2018 to 12 May 2018. Ill people range in age from 1 to 88 years, with a median age of 29. Sixty-eight per cent of ill people are female. Of 187 people with information available, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (30): Liberia
Lassa Fever -- LiberiaTolbert Nyenswah, Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, says Liberia has reported 73 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 13 confirmed.At the beginning of May [2018], the Margibi County Health Team declared a health emergency following 2 confirmed cases of Lassa fever deaths in less than a week.The newly assigned county health officer, Dr. Myers Pajibo, told a press briefing that the 2 cases involve a 56-year-old male and a 35-year-old female, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – USA (05): (VA)
Pests -- United StatesAn invasive and exotic tick species native to China, Japan, and Australia has officially been identified in Warren County.Known as the longhorn tick, the Virginia Department of Agriculture confirmed its presence in the county on Thursday [31 May 2018] when the arachnid was found on locally owned horses. This marks the 2nd confirmed identification of the tick in the Commonwealth [of Virginia]; the 1st came weeks ago in Albemarle County, where one was found on a calf.The Virginia Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Murine typhus – USA (02): (CA)
Typhus -- United StatesCounty health officials are urging pet owners who let their animals outside to remember to protect their pets -- and themselves -- from fleas after a county resident has recovered from a relatively rare but potentially deadly form of typhus.County public health officials said a North Park [San Diego County, California] woman was hospitalized in May [2018] but has fully recovered after contracting murine typhus, a bacterial disease.It is most commonly spread by fleas that feed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Iran (04): case numbers, response
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- IranAccording to the Fars News Agency from 31 May 2018 ():"Mohammad Mahdi Goya, head of the Iranian CDC, denied the deaths of 10 people from CCHF, saying that since the beginning of the current year [2018], 24 people have suffered from the disease, and 2 died. One of them was a 72-year-old man with a background blood disorder. He added that the person was in one of the rural areas of Bandar Abbas and was under treatment for a week and eventually died the previous Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Nipah virus – India (12)
Nipah/Hendra Virus -- IndiaA soldier who passed away in Kolkata on 25 May [2018] was not infected by Nipah virus, the Army's Eastern Command has said citing test reports.The soldier was a native of Kerala, where more than 10 people have succumbed to the Nipah virus, and resumed duty at Fort William of the Eastern Command on 13 May [2018] after a month-long visit to his home state.He was admitted at the Command Hospital with fever on 20 May 2018 and passed away on 25 May 2018."On 29 May [2018] the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Iran (03): case numbers, RFI
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- IranCrimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has caused 10 deaths in Iran since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (21 Mar 2018), Fars reported on Wed 30 May 2018.CCHF is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus. The disease outbreak normally occurs in spring, and it becomes more severe with the beginning of the livestock breeding season.In spite of receiving the best medical care, in general, 10 percent of the patients affected by the virus Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Malawi: (NN) bovine, st. pending, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- MalawiInformation received on [and dated] 1 Jun 2018 from Dr Patrick Chikungwa, Director of Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Lilongwe, MalawiSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 24 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 24 May 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (39): USA (CA)
Hantavirus -- United StatesHealth officials in Placer County say a Tahoe-area resident died after contracting [a] hantavirus.According to a statement from county health officials, rodents at the home where the resident lived and worked were the likely source, health officials said.They said the public is not at risk from the source tied to the resident's death."We are very sorry to announce that [a] hantavirus was involved in this tragic death of one of our community members," said Placer County Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (08): Nigeria
Yellow Fever -- NigeriaIn a bid to eliminate yellow fever in the country, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it had vaccinated over 2 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno and surrounding communities since February [2018]. The organisation's Communications Officer, Ms Charity Warigon, made this known in a statement in Abuja on [Fri 1 Jun 2018].She stated that the campaign, which would run through 2018, was aimed at vaccinating 25 million Nigerians in different parts of the country, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – USA (02): (OR) suspected
Equine Infectious Anemia -- United StatesThe Oregon Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Laboratory detected a presumptive positive equine infectious anemia horse during routine Coggins testing on [Tue 29 May 2018]. Confirmatory testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratory is in progress. ODA is proceeding with preliminary disease control actions.The presumptive positive horse is a 7-year-old quarter horse mare currently housed at the Grants Pass Downs Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (20): Saudi Arabia (NJ), susp family cluster
MERS — Saudi Arabia
PRO/AH/EDR> Alkhurma virus – Mediterranean basin ticks
Hemorrhagic Fever -- Saudi ArabiaIn a new study, researchers at Uppsala University and other institutions have identified genetic material from the recently identified Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus in the tick species _Hyalomma rufipes_. The discovery was made after thousands of ticks were collected from migratory birds captured in the Mediterranean basin. The results indicate that birds could contribute to spreading the virus to new geographical areas.The Alkhurma virus (a.k.a Alkhumra) was 1st Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (18): WHO global update, Maldives
Influenza -- MaldivesInformation 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 activity returned to inter-seasonal levels in most of the countries in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. Activity increased in some countries in tropical America. In the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere, influenza activity increased but remained below Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Nipah virus – India (10): (KL)
Nipah/Hendra Virus -- IndiaOn [Sat 19 May 2018], 3 deaths due to Nipah virus infection were reported in Kozhikode District, Kerala State, India. The 3 deaths occurred in a family cluster and a 4th death was subsequently reported in a health care worker who was involved in treatment of the family in the local hospital. Laboratory testing of throat swabs, urine and blood samples collected from 4 suspected patients has been conducted by the National Institute of Virology in Pune; 3 of the 4 reported Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canada geese, possible enteric pathogen reservoire
Gastroenteritis -- United StatesIn the early 20th century, Canada geese were considered endangered in the U.S. So in the 1950s and 1960s, birds from the Midwest were released in eastern and southern states to boost their numbers. The strategy worked too well. Populations grew exponentially in the 1990s and today millions of wild Canada geese are permanent residents in cities and towns across the U.S., constantly eating and depositing large amounts of feces in the habitat they share with humans.As Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Official animal disease status: countries/zones free, OIE
Classical Swine Fever, Peste des petits ruminants, BSE, Foot and Mouth -- ArgentinaOIE's official disease status can be issued for 6 priority diseases and are of major importance to OIE Members. Recognised by the World Trade Organization (WTO), as reference standards in the field of animal health, these official status reflect the level of transparency and quality of the Veterinary Services of the country, increase the value of its livestock sector and facilitate access to regional and international Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (23): Congo DR, cases, vacc. campaign targets, vaccine development
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (28): Americas, USA (AZ) wildlife
Rabies -- United StatesOfficials in Cochise County say they've seen a sharp rise in wildlife with rabies.The potentially deadly virus can infect any animal and is most commonly transmitted through bites.Most of the county's 15 cases so far this year [2018] have been found in skunks and foxes. The average number of cases has increased from a handful annually between 2011 and 2015 to around 40 per year since 2016.County health officials say people should vaccinate their pets and domesticated animals Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA (02): (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 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.No human cases of Newcastle disease have ever occurred from eating poultry products. Properly Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (06): (FL)
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesAn additional horse has tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, this month [May 2018] in Marion County.The county has now had 5 total cases of EEE reported this year [2018], 4 involving horses and one an emu. All animals were unvaccinated for EEE.Marion County remains under a mosquito-borne illness advisory due to the number of EEE cases identified locally. The risk of disease transmission from mosquitoes to humans through bites is increased.EEE Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (22): USA (ME)
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesA Standardbred horse at a private facility developed neurological signs on 10 May 2018 and was subsequently euthanized.The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported on 23 May 2018 that a horse from York County, Maine has been diagnosed with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1)."One Standardbred horse showed an onset of clinical signs on 10 May 2018, including acute neurologic signs rapidly progressing Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (22): Congo DR, cases, cures, domestic and international travel
Ebola — DR Congo
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (21): USA (TX, ND) equine
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported [Tue 29 May 2018] the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) confirmed equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM, the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1, EHV-1), in a Williamson County barrel racing horse on [Thu 24 May 2018].This is the 3rd EHM case diagnosed in Texas horses this month [May 2018]."The newly identified horse showed signs of nasal discharge and ataxia when evaluated by a local veterinarian Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (16): Global (Afghanistan), Pakistan
Polio -- AfghanistanHighlights----------- At last week's World Health Assembly (WHA), ministers of health and delegates reviewed progress being achieved through national emergency action plans in remaining endemic countries. Delegates noted that wild poliovirus transmission is now at the lowest ever levels in history.- To prepare for a polio-free world, Member States adopted a landmark resolution on poliovirus containment, and endorsed the 5-year strategic action plan on polio transition, which outlines Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (21): update
Hepatitis A -- United StatesTennessee is the most recent state to report an outbreak of hepatitis A, with Nashville claiming 14 confirmed cases since December 2017. Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Over the past 2 years, 6 other states have experienced outbreaks, and although demand for the vaccine outpaced supply earlier in 2018, there is enough supply to satisfy current needs, according to the CDC. California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Utah and West Virginia Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – South Africa: (NC) domestic swine, OIE
African Swine Fever -- South AfricaInformation received on [and dated] 30 May 2018 from Dr Bothle Michael Modisane, chief director, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Animal Production and Health, Pretoria, South AfricaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 23 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 25 May 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 10 Nov 2017Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – South Africa: (NP) bovine, st. SAT 2, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- South AfricaInformation received on [and dated] 30 May 2018 from Dr Bothle Michael Modisane, chief director, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Animal Production and Health, Pretoria, South AfricaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 23 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 25 May 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 8 Feb 2018Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Read more [...]
