Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (20): USA (VA, ND) equine
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported on 18 May 2018 that the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) confirmed equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in one horse at a sport horse farm in Fauquier County on 16 May 2018.Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy is the neurological form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1)."The horse 1st showed mild neurologic signs on 10 May 2018 and was admitted directly into isolation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Nipah virus – India (03): (KL) conf.
Nipah/Hendra Virus -- IndiaA man [father of the family], 62, has lost 3 members of his family while he and his son's fiancée are battling for life after being infected in Kozhikode district's Changaroth village between 5-19 May [2018] from what was then termed as a mystery disease.The infection, which since then is believed to have caused 12 deaths in Kerala, has been identified as Nipah virus infection, a rare disease that spreads from animals and has never been reported in the state before.The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed mortality, rabbit – Israel: RFI
Undiagnosed -- Israel[Not yet available on-line]Since [13 May 2018], exceptionally high mortality has been reported from several rabbit-keeping facilities, mainly on children's petting farms and in schools throughout the country. We are informed that the mortality has been observed in young and adult rabbits, usually without clinical signs except for apathy and lack of movement during several hours prior to death. The mortality rate is very high in the affected facilities.The circular includes a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Glanders, equine – India (04): (UP) control
Glanders -- India1. Elschner MC, Neubauer H, and Sprague LD. The resurrection of glanders in a new epidemiological scenario: a beneficiary of "global change". Curr Clin Microbiol Rep. 2017; 4(1): 54-60; abstract available at .2. Van Zandt KE, Greer MT, and Gelhaus HC. Glanders: an overview of infection in humans. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2013; 8: 131; available at .- Mod.ASMaps of India: and Baghpat district is located in western Uttar Pradesh ().][See Also:Glanders, equine - India (03): (MP), Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – New Zealand (04): (MA) RHDV2, rabbit, OIE
Hemorrhagic Fever -- New ZealandInformation received on [and dated] 15 May 2018 from Dr Tony Zohrab, Policy and Trade Branch, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New ZealandSummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 6 Apr 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 12 May 2018Reason for notification: new strain of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virusSerotype: RHDV2Nature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory (basic Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (05): May 2018
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis D, Zika virus, Chikungunya, Scrub Typhus, Diarrhea, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Other Human Disease -- Burkina FasoEditorialHealthcare-associated sepsis and the role of clean hands: When we do not see the trees for the forestInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 70, May 2018, Pages 101-103Alexandra Peters, Sarah Masson-Roy, Didier PittetOriginal ReportsEvaluation of _Mycobacterium tuberculosis_-specific antibody responses for the discrimination of active Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (11): Asia, Pacific, WHO update, persistence in semen
Dengue -- Sri LankaNorthern hemisphere-------------------Cambodia--------As of 17 Apr 2018, a total of 408 suspected dengue cases have been reported in Cambodia. In weeks 14 and 15 [2-15 Apr 2018], there were 45 and 48 new suspected dengue cases, respectively. In weeks 14 and 15, the total number of reported dengue cases was below the 3 year-threshold (2015-2017) for the same period.China-----As of 31 Mar 2018, a total of 19 dengue cases were reported in China. The number of reported cases is Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Trachoma – Nepal: WHO, eliminated as a public health problem
Trachoma -- NepalIn 1996, WHO launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020 (GET2020). With other partners in the Alliance, WHO supports country implementation of the SAFE strategy (Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotics to clear infection, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement to limit transmission) and strengthening of national capacity through epidemiological assessment, monitoring, surveillance, project evaluation and resource mobilization.Elimination Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (13): Hungary (SZ) wild boar, OIE
African Swine Fever -- HungaryInformation received on [and dated] 18 May 2018 from Dr Lajos Bognar, Deputy State Secretary Chief Veterinary Officer, Food Chain Safety Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Budapest, HungarySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 14 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 16 May 2018Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed diseaseCausal agent: African swine fever virusNature of diagnosis: laboratory (advanced)This event pertains Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (16): Honduras, seasonal
Influenza -- HondurasHonduras has registered 10 deaths and 172 cases of influenza A, with 22 new infections confirmed in the last hours, reported today [18 May 2018] the national coordinator of Health Surveillance, Homer Mejía.He also noted that 9 of the deceased patients had "more than one underlying disease, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease." He added that the majority of these infections occurred in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, the 2 most important cities of the Central Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (13): case update, prevention
Ebola -- DR Congo20 May 2018 Congo DR: The return of Ebola: Death toll rises to 26 in Democratic Republic of Congo as deadly fever reaches city of more than one million amid warning it could hit 8 more countries.[The Ebola death toll in the Congo DR has risen to 26, with 8 neighbouring countries also at risk as the deadly disease plagues the region. The country's health ministry announced another death this morning, with 4 new cases of the deadly disease confirmed.The World Health Organisation declared Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Nipah virus – India (02): (KL) conf
Nipah/Hendra Virus -- IndiaBarely 12 hours after the deaths of 3 members of a family near Perambra in Kozhikode district of Kerala were confirmed as a result of Nipah virus infection, 8 more people died after showing similar symptoms in Kozhikode and Malappuram, sparking panic among locals in the region."We got the report from the National Institute of Virology, Pune, on Sunday night [20 May 2018], confirming Nipah virus infection in the blood samples of the 3 persons who had died initially. Now, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Nipah virus – India: (KL) susp
Nipah/Hendra Virus -- IndiaThe Health Department is on high alert in the district after the death of 3 members of a family at Perambra [Kozhikode district, Kerala] due to fever over the past fortnight.Excise Minister TP Ramakrishnan, who is the Minister in charge of the district, held meetings with senior officials on [Sat 19 May 2018] to take stock of the situation.Sources in the department said that a man, 26, another, 28, who are brothers, and a woman, 50, their paternal aunt, of Panthirikkara Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – Sweden: (VG) fatal, mashed potatoes, recall, RFI
Listeriosis -- SwedenProducts from a food producer in western Sweden have been recalled after they were linked to a deadly outbreak of [listeriosis].There have been 4 deaths in Västra Götaland in western Sweden that experts have linked to the _Listeria_ bacteria. Experts at the Centre for Communicable Disease Control (Smittskydd) stressed that all those who passed away were elderly people or affected by other illnesses. In other words, they said it was impossible to confirm that listeriosis, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Armenia: (AV) foodborne
Foodborne Illness -- ArmeniaThe investigation into a foodborne incident in Armenia's Armavir province continues. The suspected cause -- food poisoning -- has been confirmed through lab tests. Salmonellosis has been discovered in all victims.63 from the overall 88 victims of the food poisoning have already been treated and discharged. The healthcare ministry says they confirm that the cause was food poisoning. Earlier, the state service for food safety has dispatched agents to Armavir province to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (12): update, USA, response
Ebola -- United States[1] Epidemiologic situation[2] WHO External Situation Report 3[3] IOM report [International Organization for Migration report]United States------[4] US response[5] CDCResponse-----[6] Vaccine[7] Congo River: Ebola super highway[8] Community******[1] Epidemiologic situationDate: Sat 19 May 2018Source: Minister of Health Press Release [edited]- A total of 46 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, including 21 confirmed, 21 probable Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (28): Liberia
Lassa Fever -- LiberiaLiberian authorities on Wednesday [16 May 2018] confirmed that 22 deaths have been recorded across the country following the outbreak of Lassa fever since January [2018].In a statement, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia said the West African country had seen an increase in the outbreak with 81 suspected cases recorded so far.However, 67 out of the 81 suspected cases tested negative following laboratory examination, according to the statement.Lassa fever is a viral Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – USA: (VA)
Pests -- United StatesThe National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, this week [week of Sun 13 May 2018] confirmed the finding of the _Haemaphysalis longicornis_ tick (otherwise known as the East Asian or Longhorned tick) in Virginia. The tick appeared on an orphaned calf on a beef farm in Albemarle County.In late 2017 _H. longicornis_ was found initially in New Jersey. No known direct link exists from the Virginia farm to the area in New Jersey where the first ticks appeared on a sheep Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> African swine fever – Europe (12): Moldova (TA), domestic, OIE
African Swine Fever -- MoldovaInformation received on [and dated] 15 May 2018 from from Dr Vitalie Caraus, Head, Sanitary and Veterinary Surveillance Division, National Food Safety Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, MoldovaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 10 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 11 May 2018Reason for notification: First occurrence of a listed diseaseManifestation of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – Italy: (ER) EHV-1, OIE
Equine Herpes Virus -- ItalyInformation received on [and dated] 18 May 2018 from Dr Silvio Borrello, Chief Veterinary Officer, Food Safety and Collegial Bodies for Health Protection, Ministère de la Santé, Department for Veterinary Public Health, Rome, ItalySummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 29 Mar 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 29 Mar 2018Report date: 18 May 2018Date submitted to OIE: 18 May 2018Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (75): Nepal (Narayani) poultry, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- NepalInformation received on [and dated] 18 May 2018 from Dr Bimal Kumar Nirmal, Doctor, Department of Livestock Services, DGA open RR, NepalSummary:Report type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 3 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 15 May 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 10 Mar 2017Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virusSerotype: H5N1Nature Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (09): Cameroun
Monkeypox -- CameroonThe dreaded but rare viral zoonotic disease (from animal to man) caused by monkeypox virus has hit English speaking Cameroon, Andre Mama Fouda, Cameroon's Public Health Minister said on [Thu 17 May 2018].Going by a press release issued by the Minister, monkeypox was detected in Njikwa, Momo Division, in the North West Region and Akwaya, Manyu, in the South West Region. The release states that the epidemiology surveilance system had recorded cases of human monkeypox in late April Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (11): WHO, vaccination, response
Ebola -- DR Congo[1] WHO Statement from Emergency CommitteeVaccination-----------[2] Vaccination update[3] Vaccination of UN staff[4] Update summaryResponse--------[5] Bordering countries: alert[6] Response[7] Cost of response[8] Life in Ebola zone******[1] WHO Statement from Emergency CommitteeDate: Fri 18 May 2018Source: WHO [edited][Excerpts from] statement on the 1st meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding the Ebola outbreak in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies – Brazil: (PA) human
Rabies -- BrazilThe Para Health Department reported having reported 12 cases of human rabies in the state, including 6 deaths. So far, at least one case has been confirmed.According to the agency, a patient died yesterday afternoon [Tue 15 May 2018] at the Hospital Regional de Breves. Four children are hospitalized at Santa Casa de Misericordia in Belem and one at the Breves Regional Hospital, which also serves an adult with suspected illness. Most patients remain in a serious condition.By means Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease, poultry – USA: (CA) virulent strain
Newcastle Disease -- United StatesThe United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of virulent Newcastle disease in a small flock of backyard exhibition chickens in Los Angeles County, California. It is important to note that the presence of the disease is not a food safety concern. This is the 1st case of virulent Newcastle disease, previously referred to as exotic Newcastle disease, in the U.S. since 2003.No human cases Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Canine respiratory infectious disease – Italy: research, novel bufavirus, susp.
Other Animal Disease — Italy
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Uganda (05): livestock, human, OIE
Anthrax -- UgandaInformation received on [and dated] 18 May 2018 from Dr Juliet Sentumbwe, Director Animal Ressources, Department of Livestock, Health and Entomology, OUG Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, ENTEBBE, UgandaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 May 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 17 May 2018Reason for notification: Unexpected change in the distribution or increase in morbidity or mortality of a listed diseaseSummary Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (19): (MI, UT, IN)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesSince the beginning of the outbreak in August 2016, public health response has included increased healthcare awareness efforts, public notification and education, and outreach with vaccination clinics for high-risk populations. No common sources of food, beverages, or drugs have been identified as a potential source of infection. Transmission appears to be through direct person-to-person spread and illicit drug use. Those with history of injection and non-injection drug Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hand, foot & mouth disease update (04): China
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease -- ChinaOn [Wed 16 May 2018], the Anhui Provincial Health Planning Commission issued the report on the epidemic situation of infectious diseases in April. The report shows that in April the province reported a total of 38 918 cases of statutory infectious diseases. Among them, the number of reported cases of hand-foot-mouth disease [HFMD] in the province was 15 447 cases. The Anhui Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission reminded [the reader] that Anhui has entered Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (19): Asia (Syria)
Cholera -- SyriaMore than 10 fatal cases of cholera have been registered in the IDP [internally displaced persons] camp near Deir ez-Zor rural area according to the local news network "Furat Post".The cause of the cholera outbreak is possibly related to contaminated water sources in the camp, which receives its water supply from water tankers previously used for other purposes.The network warned of the spread of infection among a larger number of people if preventive measures are not taken, through Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Mayaro virus disease – Canada: (AB) ex Peru
Other Human Disease -- Canada1. Esposito DLA, Fonseca BALD. Will Mayaro virus be responsible for the next outbreak of an arthropod-borne virus in Brazil? Braz J Infect Dis 2017: 21(5); 540-4; available at .2. Pabbaraju K, Wong S, Gill K, et al. Simultaneous detection of Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses by a multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay. J. Clin Virol 2016: 83; 66-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2016.09.001; available at .3. Calisher CH, el-Kafrawi AO, Al-Deen Mahmud MI, et al. Complex-specific immunoglobulin Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Mumps update (05): USA (IL, VA), New Zealand (OT)
Mumps -- United StatesAs per the Illinois Department of Public Health, 4 students studying at Western Illinois University have been reported to come down with cases of mumps."[Byline: Erryn Deane]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts[A Healthmap/ProMED of United States can be found at and of Illinois, United States:]******[2] United States (Virginia)Date: Tue 8 May 2018Source: Epi-X (Epidemic Information Exchange; edited; not open access)Health officials in Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Jordan: 2017, st O, genotyped, phylogenetics
Foot and Mouth -- Jordansequence // virus name // host // percentage Id. // No. ambig // serotype // topotype // lineage // sublineageviba_25914 // UAE/1/2015 // gazelle // 99.2 // 0 // O // ME-SA // Ind-2001 // eviba_23824 // SAU/10/2016 // bov // 99.2 // 0 // O // ME-SA // Ind-2001 // eviba_23808 // SAU/1/2016 // bov // 99.1 // 0 // O // ME-SA // Ind-2001 // eviba_26240 // SAU/18/2015 // bov // 99.1 // 0 // O // ME-SA // Ind-2001 // eviba_26244 // SAU/19/2015 // bov // 99.1 // 0 // O // ME-SA // Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update (10): urban case Congo DR, response, support
Ebola -- Worldwide/Unknown[2] WHO: Emergency Committee[3] MSF Response[4] Vaccine[5] Community alarm systemSupport-------[6] World Bank support ******[1] WHO: urban case Congo DRDate: Thu 17 May 2018Source: WHO [edited]WHO concerned as one Ebola case confirmed in urban area of Democratic Republic of the Congo--------------------------------------------------------------------------------One new case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has been confirmed in Wangata, one of the 3 health zones Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Zika virus (06) – Americas, Asia, research, observations
Zika virus -- Worldwide/UnknownCitationMead PS, Duggal NK, Hook SA, et al. Zika Virus Shedding in Semen of Symptomatic Infected Men. N Engl J Med. 2018;378(15):1377-1385. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1711038AbstractBackgroundZika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that has been linked to adverse birth outcomes. Previous reports have shown that person-to-person transmission can occur by means of sexual contact.MethodsWe conducted a prospective study involving men with symptomatic ZIKV infection Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – South Africa (13): fatal, ST6
Listeriosis -- South AfricaThe world's largest listeriosis epidemic is now under control because meat products from Enterprise and Rainbow Chicken have been recalled, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told the South African Parliament earlier this week [week 14 to 20 May 2018]."Since the recall, we have had fewer than 5 cases a week in the past 5 weeks compared to 40 a week before the recall," Motsoaledi told Parliament.According to South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Piscine reovirus – Canada: (BC) wild chinook at risk
Respiratory Illness -- Canada1. Di Cicco E, Ferguson HW, Kaukinen KH, et al. The same strain of _Piscine orthoreovirus_ (PRV-1) is involved with the development of different, but related, diseases in Atlantic and Pacific Salmon in British Columbia. Accepted for publication in FACETS on 23 Apr 2018. doi: 10.1139/facets-2018-0008The 1st cases of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI), were registered in 1999 in the Hitra/Frøya area of Norway. Since then, there have been an increasing Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – USA (05): (CA) congenital, rising incidence
Syphilis -- United StatesLos Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) announces since 2012, rates of syphilis among both men and women have been steadily increasing in Los Angeles county and in California. Cases in women rose by 50 percent from 2016 to 2017, affecting individuals in almost every area of the county. Most notably, more pregnant women have been diagnosed with syphilis and the number of cases of congenital syphilis has increased over the past 5 years, from 6 in 2012 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – South Africa: (Free State) livestock, OIE
Rift Valley Fever -- South AfricaInformation received on [and dated] 16 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: 28 Apr 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 16 May 2018Report date: 16 May 2018Date submitted to OIE: 16 May 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Invasive tick – USA (02): (VA) comment