Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Cryptosporidiosis – UK: (England) pet shop
Cryptosporidium -- United KingdomA suspected outbreak of a parasitic disease at a Teesside pet centre has left 3 workers needing hospital treatment. Two people have been discharged, but one woman is still recovering in hospital.Staff became unwell last week [week ending 8 Apr 2018] after treating sick lambs in an isolation unit at Pet Mania on Portrack Lane, Stockton. The cause of the illness is thought to be the parasite _Cryptosporidium_, which can lead to symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus (02): Europe (Greece) reemergence, 2017
West Nile Virus -- Greece- The Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the HCDCP (Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention) share the results of human, animal, and vector surveillance with each other and with regional and local public health authorities, local veterinary services, municipalities and local health units.- There are a multisectoral committee for the prevention and management of tropical diseases (including WNF) and 2 multisectoral working groups: for vector-borne diseases Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne relapsing fever – Israel: spelunkers, tourists
Tick-borne disease -- IsraelIn 2017, several cases of relapsing fever in Texas were reported among cave workers. The Israeli equivalent of the disease is in fact known as "cave fever," with most cases reported among tourists in caves. [1,2]Notably, an American tourist acquired "cave fever" in Israel in 1988. The regional pathogen, _Borrelia persica_ is found in approximately 10 percent of caves and is transmitted by _Ornithodorus tholozani_, an argassid ("soft") tick. The annual incidence has remained Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (30): USA (NM)
Hantavirus -- United StatesIt's still unclear how a young Albuquerque mother contracted [a] hantavirus, but health officials are warning spring is when the cases surge.The woman, 27, was diagnosed in February [2018]. She died this week, despite months of treatment.Hantavirus is spread through exposure to the droppings and urine of certain infected rodents. The most common in New Mexico are deer mice [_Peromyscus maniculatus_], which have a white belly. However, the CDC says the white footed mouse Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (28): Brazil
Yellow Fever -- BrazilBrazil has confirmed 1157 [yellow fever] cases and 342 deaths during the period 1 Jul 2017 - 17 Apr of this year [2018]. During the same period last year [2017], there were 733 confirmed cases and 241 deaths.The Ministry of Health this Thursday (19 [Apr 2018]) updated the information sent in by the state secretariats of health about the yellow fever situation in the country. During the monitoring period (from 1 Jul 2017 - 17 Apr 2018) there were 1157 confirmed cases of yellow Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – USA (07): (WI)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesThe Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that a wild deer has tested positive for chronic wasting disease in Oneida County, in the Crescent Township.As required by law, this finding will renew Oneida County's existing baiting and feeding ban for another 3 years. Additionally, this positive case will renew the 2-year baiting and feeding ban in Langlade County.The CWD-positive 1-year-old doe was harvested on a disease surveillance permit issued Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola update: Hungary (BU), laboratory exposure
Ebola -- HungaryA Hungarian laboratory worker has been isolated at a Budapest hospital after accidental exposure to the deadly Ebola virus but has shown no symptoms so far, health officials said on [Fri 20 Apr 2018].The accident happened a week ago [Fri 13 Apr 2018] and the employee was under observation in a special unit in the hospital, the national health institute OKI said.The World Health Organization said it had sent an experimental vaccine and other treatments [2 unlicensed drugs] which had Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (25): WHO Nigeria
Lassa Fever -- Nigeria[The 1st section of this report is a verbatim copy of the 15 Apr 2018 Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Situation Report posted by ProMED-mail on 17 Apr 2017 (see Lassa fever - West Africa (24): Nigeria http://promedmail.org/post/20180417.5753166) and will not be repeated here. - Mod.TY]From the beginning of the outbreak in January 2018 to the week ending 18 Feb [2018], the number of weekly reported Lassa fever cases increased from 10 to 70 cases. From late-February to early Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Canada (05): (AB) O157, restaurant, fatality
E. coli -- CanadaAlberta officials are investigating an outbreak of _E. coli_ that has sickened 34 people, including 11 who were hospitalized and one person who likely died from the bacterium. Alberta Health Services says 21 of the lab-confirmed cases are linked to Mama Nita's Binalot restaurant in Edmonton late in March 2018. Officials say they aren't sure of the source of the 13 other cases.Dr. Chris Sikora, medical officer of health, says the outbreak is extremely complex, and Alberta is working Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (26): Europe, Pacific, Asia, USA
Measles -- GermanyThe vast majority of measles cases in Europe were reported in unvaccinated patients, and children younger than 2 years old were at a higher risk of dying from measles than older patients, according to research presented at the 28th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID).Presenting author Dr Emmanuel Robesyn of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm said they analysed data to support European states in reaching Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Schmallenberg virus – Europe (07): UK (N. Ireland), bovine
Schmallenberg -- United KingdomNorthern Ireland's 1st case of bovine foetal deformity due to Schmallenberg virus [SBV] in 2018 has been confirmed in a stillborn calf from a Co. Fermanagh herd.So far this year [2018], the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) has confirmed 29 cases of SBV in sheep in all 6 counties of Northern Ireland.SBV is not a notifiable disease in Northern Ireland. However, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) advises farmers to contact their Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick fever, bovine – Australia: (NS)
Other Animal Disease -- AustraliaNSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has advised tick fever has been diagnosed on 2 Mid North Coast properties.DPI Senior Veterinary Officer Paul Freeman said the outbreak south of Port Macquarie had resulted in more than 60 mortalities on one property and 2 mortalities on the 2nd."NSW DPI regulatory officers have identified cattle tick on several properties to date and will be examining cattle herds on adjoining properties to see if cattle tick are present," Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza D virus, bovine – USA
Influenza -- United StatesInfluenza type D could play a role in the bovine respiratory disease complex. The Influenza D virus (IDV) was 1st isolated from pigs in 2011 at the University of Minnesota. But while IDV can circulate in pigs, it generally affects cattle rather than pigs, says Ben Hause, PhD. Hause, who served on the team 1st identifying IDV, has studied the virus as a graduate student at South Dakota State University and as a faculty member at Kansas State University. He now serves as vice Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Meningitis – Australia: (NS) enterovirus
Meningitis -- AustraliaOfficials with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District have reported several viral meningitis cases, prompting an alert to the public to be alert to the symptoms. Up to 12 people were diagnosed with viral meningitis, relatively common illness, all caused by an enterovirus, and were hospitalized as a result.Director Public Health, Curtis Gregory, said the 1st person became unwell in late March [2018] and the others in early April [2018]."There have been no indications Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Malaria, avian – USA: (MI) songbirds, climate change
Malaria -- United StatesThe blood parasites that infect songbirds with avian malaria are far more diverse in Southwest Michigan than scientists knew, raising troubling questions about the spread of the disease and its impact on dozens of species of birds."Parasitism is a widely occurring interaction that drives ecological and evolutionary processes and has profound impacts on biological systems," according to a newly published study by scientists at Western Michigan University.And climate change Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (06): O157, romaine lettuce
E. coli -- United StatesInformation collected to date indicates that romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region could be contaminated with _E. coli_ O157:H7 and could make people sick. At this time, no common grower, supplier, distributor, or brand has been identified.Advice to Consumers:Do not buy or eat romaine lettuce at a grocery store or restaurant unless you can confirm it is not from the Yuma, Arizona, growing region.Unless the source of the product is known, consumers anywhere Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – Switzerland: 2017
Tularemia -- SwitzerlandRodent plague, a bacterial infection, (also called rabbit fever) is spreading among people in Switzerland. A growing number of incidents with tick bites has been recorded over the past few years. The Federal Health Office counted 130 confirmed cases of tularemia in 2017, according to Swiss public radio, SRF. This is 4 times more than usual.The authorities called on doctors to report all such cases. A decision on coordinated campaign measures will be taken later this year [2018]. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Norovirus – Japan: contaminated seaweed
Norovirus -- JapanOutbreak investigators in Japan have identified contamination in a seaweed production plant as the cause of 7 foodborne illness outbreaks that sickened almost 2100 people in 2017.The 7 foodborne norovirus outbreaks were all attributable to dried, shredded seaweed called nori, according to a report from researchers in Japan and published in recent days by the U.S. Centers for Disease control and Prevention.The outbreaks hit 4 remote areas as well as Tokyo. Norovirus GII.P17-GII.17 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Pacific oyster mortality syndrome – Australia: (SA)
Other Animal Disease -- AustraliaThe federal government insists it is on top of Australia's biosecurity after a "very concerning" outbreak of oyster disease became the latest issue to threaten produce.Pacific oyster mortality syndrome [POMS] was detected in South Australia last week [week of 26 Feb 2018], joining fruit fly in Tasmania as a recent issue to hit the agriculture sector.Assistant Agriculture Minister Anne Ruston said the government had acted quickly to protect markets."Australia has a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – USA (06): (MO,WI)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesThe Missouri Department of Conservation [MDC] announces new cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) have been found in Perry (1) and Ste Genevieve (6) counties. 4 of these samples were harvested by hunters during the 2017 fall firearms season. 3 of these positives were taken during post season efforts in Ste Genevieve county by MDC staff and partner landowners to cull additional deer within the area of recent CWD cases. These new local cases are a part of the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tick-borne relapsing fever – USA: (TX) cave workers, 2017
Tick-borne disease -- United StatesCampbell SB, et al. Evaluating the risk of tickborne relapsing fever among occupational cavers -- Austin, TX, 2017. Presented at: Epidemic Intelligence Service conference; 16-19 Apr 2018; Atlanta.[Byline: Gerard Gallagher]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[Relapsing fever is a bacterial infection caused by certain species of the spirochete _Borrelia_. These organisms are able to periodically change their surface protein molecules to evade the host's immune response, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chikungunya (04): Americas, Africa, Asia, research
Chikungunya -- EcuadorAbstract--------Chikungunya virus caused an epidemic on Curaçao in 2014-2015. Infants are highly at risk for clinical syndromes as sepsis-like illness and central nervous system disease. Clinical recognition is important if laboratory tests, polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] are not available. The World Health Organization created criteria for identification of probable chikungunya virus. None of the studied infants met these Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Citrus canker – Australia: (NT)
Other Plant Disease -- AustraliaA contagious disease that destroyed more than half a million citrus trees in Queensland [in 2004; ProMED-mail post http://promedmail.org/post/20040712.1865] has been discovered in Darwin. Citrus canker has not been detected in the Northern Territory [NT] since the early 1990s.The NT Department of Primary Industry and Resources said it received a report of suspected citrus canker symptoms in 2 retail nurseries, and that the plants were removed and an investigation launched.Authorities Read more [...]
PRO/PL> White rot, garlic – China: (SD)
Other Plant Disease -- ChinaWhite Garlic Rot has occurred in different plantings in Shandong province, [causing] fear that over half of new garlic crops will be affected. The weather in recent weeks has been relatively warm and humid, ideal conditions for the rot to spread."Consequences for this year's [2018] harvest can be grave. Farmers could lose up to half or even more of their total garlic crop. If a plant is affected with the rot, the plant will not sprout," says Steven Zhou of export company Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine Herpesvirus – North America (14): (CA, CO) equine
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesA 17-year-old thoroughbred gelding from an Orange Country, California, facility has been diagnosed with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM, the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 [EHV-1]) after developing neurologic signs of disease, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) reported [Fri 13 Apr 2018]. "The gelding has been isolated and placed under quarantine," the CDFA's statement said. "Exposed horses will be monitored for clinical Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (08): Liberia, clarification
Monkeypox -- LiberiaThe Ministry of Health (MoH) received confirmed laboratory report from the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) of 2 cases of monkeypox from Maryland and Rivercess Counties in November [2017]. The confirmatory tests were conducted by the Center for Disease, Prevention and Control (CDC), Atlanta, USA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in mid-2017, no death was reported.Since January 2018, Liberia has recorded one suspected case and awaits result from CDC; no confirmed Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (08): Americas, research, observations
Dengue -- Worldwide/UnknownCases by Country / Week updated / Serotype / Total / Conf. / Severe North AmericaUSA / 14 [week ending 6 Apr 2018] / D? / 28 / 28 / 0Central America and MexicoBelize / 13 [week ending 30 Mar 2018] / D? / 294 / 9 / 0Costa Rica / 10 [week ending 9 Mar 2018] / D? / 373 / 0 / 0El Salvador / 13 [week ending 30 Mar 2018] / D? / 923 / 31 / 0 Honduras / 13 [week ending 30 Mar 2018] / D? / 1380 / 0 / 70Mexico / 14 [week ending 6 Apr 2018] / D 1,2,3 / 4863/ 283 / 34Nicaragua / 14 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – China: (NX) livestock, human
Anthrax -- ChinaAt least 3 human anthrax cases have been reported in north-central China, including one fatality, according to a RFA report (computer translated).The outbreak of cutaneous anthrax is reported in 2 towns of Zhongwei City, Ningxia region where the patients had consumed tainted cow and mutton. The 2 surviving patients are currently hospitalized and stable.Upon discovery of the cases, authorities quarantined the area and closed the livestock market.Anthrax is a serious infectious disease Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (14): WHO global update
Influenza -- Worldwide/UnknownInformation 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 decreased in most of the countries in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, with exception of Eastern Europe where activity continued to increase. In the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere, influenza activity remained at inter-seasonal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (68): Togo (MA) poultry, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- TogoInformation received on [and dated] 18 Apr 2018 from Dr Batawui Komla Batasse, Director of [Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Breeding and Fisheries], Lome, TogoSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 27 Mar 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Apr 2018Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 24 Oct 2017Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Highly Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (25): Asia, Pacific, Africa, Middle East, Europe, USA
Measles -- ChinaA pilot and a flight attendant working for low-cost carrier Tigerair Taiwan on [Sun 15 Apr 2018] tested positive for measles, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said, adding that it is investigating whether the infections are associated with recent cluster cases.The 2 had come in contact with 2 other Tigerair flight attendants who had contracted the disease earlier this month [April 2018], the CDC said.The cluster cases were traced to a Taiwanese man who was infected with measles Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Potato spindle tuber viroid – Netherlands: epidemiology
Other Plant Disease -- NetherlandsIn 2014, potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) was identified in a potato clone originating from a breeding company in the Netherlands. This clone was submitted for micro propagation and tested for PSTVd. This initiated actions to track the infections. PSTVd was also found at a research institute. At both locations the viroid was eradicated.Additional surveys revealed no further infections [in seed potato lines] in the Netherlands. They included testing of each plant Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Blast disease, rice – Bangladesh: (RJ)
Other Plant Disease -- BangladeshFarmers in Sirajganj district [Rajshahi division] are worried of getting poor yield of [rice] crops due to blast attack, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Some 20 000 hectares [about 49 420 acres] have been affected by the disease in the last 3 days.DAE cancelled the leave of all staff in affected [areas] for bringing the situation under control as well as to protect the paddy fields from the attack.DAE said farmers did not put fertiliser Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Americas: PAHO epidemiological update
Diphtheria -- Worldwide/UnknownIn 2017, 4 countries in the Region of the Americas -- Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela -- reported confirmed diphtheria cases. In 2018 as of epidemiological week (EW) 14 of 2018, 4 countries in the Region -- Brazil, Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela -- have reported suspected and confirmed diphtheria cases.The following is a summary of the situation in each country with reported suspected and confirmed cases in 2018.In Brazil Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – USA (05): O157, romaine lettuce
E. coli -- United StatesAlaska / 1 Arizona / 3 California / 1 Connecticut / 2 Idaho / 10 Illinois / 1 Louisiana / 1 Michigan / 2 Missouri / 1 Montana / 6 New Jersey / 7 New York / 2 Ohio / 2 Pennsylvania / 12 Virginia / 1 Washington / 1 ------------Total / 53 Illnesses that occurred after 29 Mar 2018, might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill with _E. coli_ and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of 2 to 3 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Cysticercus bovis – Zimbabwe: bovine
Cysticercosis -- ZimbabweA leading meat processing firm in Bulawayo says most animals from communal farmers are being condemned and destroyed at slaughter point as they are infected with measles [bovine cysticercosis] due to poor hygiene, and farmers are losing a lot of money.A healthy environment remains critical in livestock farming, and farmers have been reminded of the importance of a hygienic environment to prevent diseases such as measles in animals that has cost farmers thousands of dollars, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis E – Namibia (06): (KH) fatal
Hepatitis E -- Namibia"Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is severe during pregnancy, with a pregnant case fatality rate around 30 per cent. In Bangladesh, plasma samples from 1100 women during the 1st trimester (TM) and 3rd TM of pregnancy and 3 months postpartum (PP) were tested for anti-HEV IgG. During this time, 40 women developed antibody responses to HEV. These seroconverters are classified as the cases (incidence = 46 infections per 1000 person-years). All except one seroconversion occurred Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Late blight, potato – India: strain Blue 13
Other Plant Disease -- IndiaWest Bengal State University [WBSU] have found 19 unique and highly aggressive variants of _Phytophthora infestans_. These variants are from the European 13_A2 [Blue 13] genotype and were responsible for the 2013-14 epidemic in West Bengal that shrank potato yield by 8000 kg per hectare.Pathogen diversity was found to be highest near international borders with Bangladesh and Nepal. Both regularly import potatoes. In 2012, the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Tularemia – Switzerland (02): 2017, commentary