Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Monkeypox – Africa (02): Central African Republic (HK)
Monkeypox -- Central African RepublicA crisis committee has been revitalized in response to the monkeypox outbreak, being supported by WHO and partners. An isolation unit has been set up in Bria hospital, where the 3 patients are being treated, supported by the NGO IMC. The contacts of these cases are being monitored. Standard case definition for monkeypox has been disseminated to facilitate identification of cases and awareness about prevention is ongoing in the community and on the local community Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (22): South America
Yellow Fever -- BrazilBetween January 2016 and 13 Mar 2018, 7 countries and territories of the Region of the Americas reported confirmed cases of yellow fever: the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, and Suriname. The number of human cases and epizootics collectively reported in this period in the Region of the Americas is the highest observed in decades.Since the 16 Feb 2018 Epidemiological Update on Yellow Fever published by the Pan American Health Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (23): Chile (AI,RM)
Hantavirus -- ChileA 24 year old woman was taken in an emergency from the City of Coyhaique to the Las Condes Clinic in Santiago as a newly diagnosed hantavirus infection case and is in a serious condition. The young woman, who presented with symptoms including dizziness, was taken to a health facility in the area.Dr Rodrigo Diaz, program chief of the Las Condes Clinic, stated that the patient seems to have [hantavirus] cardiopulmonary syndrome that led to respiratory failure. The attending physician Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Varicella update (05): USA (IL) India (OR)
Chicken Pox -- United StatesThe Rockford Public School District announced today [14 Mar 2018] that there is a confirmed case of varicella, more commonly known as chickenpox, at Rolling Green Elementary. A letter sent home to parents this week says students at the school may have been exposed to the person with chickenpox but that the person is no longer in school and is receiving treatment. The letter encourages parents to watch their children for chickenpox symptoms and to contact their doctor if Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Camel pox – Israel: (HD) 2016
Other Animal Disease -- IsraelErster E, Melamed Sh, Paran N, et al. First diagnosed case of camelpox virus in Israel. 2018; doi:10.3390/v10020078. Abstract--------An outbreak of a disease in camels with skin lesions was reported in Israel during 2016. To identify the etiological agent of this illness, we employed a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of lesion material revealed the presence of an orthopox-like virus, based on its characteristic brick Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Angiostrongylus cantonensis – Taiwan
Other Human Disease -- ChinaThe Centers for Disease Control (CDC Taipei) said [on Fri 16 Mar 2018] that 5 Thai migrant workers have been found to be suffering from parasites that can cause meningitis or even blindness after eating raw snails. According to a CDC statement, 9 Thai migrant workers ate raw snails on [26 Feb 2018], and 6 of them started experiencing fevers, headaches, and stiffness. They then sought medical treatment on [4 and 5 Mar 2018], and 5 of them were found to have parasites known Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis – Syria: ((ID,HL,HM)
Leishmaniasis -- SyriaThis month [March 2018], a medical organization documented about 35 000 cases of infection with leishmaniasis in the countrysides of Idlib, Aleppo, and Hama governorates, in northern and central Syria. Leishmaniasis is a disease that affects the skin or internal organs. It is caused by the leishmania parasite and is transmitted by the bite of sandflies.The head of the leishmaniasis department in the Mentor organization, Dr Mohammad al-Omar, told SMART that 2 kinds of leishmaniasis Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Stem & bulb nematode, garlic – Indonesia ex China
Other Plant Disease -- IndonesiaIndonesia has impounded more than 200 tonnes of garlic. The garlic was imported from China in mid-February [2018] and after arriving at Jakarta's port was shipped to the island of Sumatra, the country's Agriculture Ministry said.Despite being certified as free of pests in China, samples of the shipment contained _Ditylenchus dipsaci_, a microscopic worm that infects onions and garlic. [The] Ministry stated, "This could be very damaging to our garlic farming."--communicated Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Leaf curl viruses, tomato & cucurbits – Italy: (SC)
Other Plant Disease -- ItalySicily is strategic for the country's agriculture, but currently has to deal with at least 2 major problems.Salvatore Davino, University of Palermo, says, "First the New Delhi virus [_Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus_; ToLCNDV], which first appeared in Sicily in 2015 [ProMED-mail post http://promedmail.org/post/20160327.4121164]. It started with cucurbits, the virus then moved to tomatoes after around 4 years. We are currently monitoring tomato crops."Another great problem Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (56): South Korea, HPAI H5N6, poultry, spread
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- South KoreaThe Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs confirmed the highly pathogenic H5N6 strain of avian influenza in chickens at 3 poultry farms in Pyeongtaek and Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, and Asan, South Chungcheong Province [on] Sunday [18 Mar 2018].Authorities culled more than a million chickens from these farms over the weekend -- 800 000 chickens in Gyeonggi Province and 450 000 in South Chungcheong Province -- within a 3 km [2 mile] radius of where the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (55): UK (England) wild bird, HPAI H5N6
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- United KingdomThe Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Lincolnshire Trading Standards have issued a warning after cases of bird flu were discovered on farmland near Bourne. DEFRA has confirmed that H5N6 -- a subtype of the species Influenza A virus -- was discovered in 2 greylag geese and 2 wild pheasants, which were found dead on farmland near Bourne on [28 Feb 2018]. A Lincolnshire Trading Standards spokesman said: "DEFRA conducts regular checks Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (21): Brazil, Europe
Yellow Fever -- BrazilExecutive summaryConclusions-----------In September 2017, the Ministry of Health in Brazil declared the end of the 2016-2017 yellow fever outbreak in the country. The upsurge of human cases since December 2017 and the continuous non-human primate epizootics since September 2017 indicate a continued or resumed increase in yellow fever virus circulation in Brazil. Since January 2018, most of the yellow fever cases have been reported from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Read more [...]
PRO/AH> Canine distemper, wildlife – USA: (NY) raccoon, alert
Canine distemper -- United StatesMore than 90 reports of sick raccoons in Niagara county [New York] have been made so far this year [2018] and authorities are warning residents since dogs and cats that have not been vaccinated could be infected. The primary area of the outbreak of distemper -- a highly contagious viral disease -- is in Lewiston and Porter, though confirmed sightings have happened across the county, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office said [on Thu 15 Mar 2018].Pet owners should make Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Italy (02): (LZ) bovine, history
Anthrax — Italy
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (11): (KY, IN)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesAn outbreak of hepatitis A in Kentucky, centered in Jefferson County, has spread to more than 100 people, a significant increase in a state that typically sees about 20 cases per year.Confirmed cases have continued to grow since the outbreak was declared in November 2017, when there were 19 cases in Louisville. At the time, officials said common risk factors included homelessness or drug use. Since then, at least 2 employees in the food service industry have been added Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (18): USA, Asia, Europe, South America, WHO, PAHO
Measles -- United States[6] Ireland (Limerick)[7] South Wales[8] Serbia[9] Spain[10] Portugal ex FranceSouth America-------[11] Peru[12] Mexico[13] Brazil[14] WHO[15] PAHO******[1] Michigan, Detroit Metropolitan airport, ex IndiaDate: Wed 14 Mar 2018Source: Click on Detroit [edited]A case of measles was confirmed in Michigan, and it's the 1st case in the state this year [2018].According to health officials, a contagious person arrived at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) on 6 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pentavalent vaccine – India: DTP-Hib-hepatitis B vac., sudden unexplained deaths
Vaccine Complication -- India"Introduction: Immunization is one of the most effective public health tools available to prevent death and disease. Serious adverse events following immunization (AEFI) are rare. However, coincidental sudden‐infant‐death‐syndrome (SIDS) deaths do occur temporally associated with vaccination. In 2010, the Government of India (GoI) introduced a new standard operating procedure (SOP) to report AEFI. There have been stray newspaper reports of deaths soon Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Emergomycosis – North America
Histoplasmosis -- United StatesWe report 4 patients in North America with disease caused by _Emergomyces canadensis_, a newly proposed species of pathogenic dimorphic fungus. Affected persons were immunocompromised; lived in Saskatchewan, Colorado, and New Mexico; and had systemic disease involving blood, skin, cervix, lung, and lymph node. Two cases were fatal.Members of the recently described fungal genus _Emergomyces_ cause disseminated and often fatal disease in immunocompromised hosts (1,2). Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (10): USA
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesHorses from the farms in Montgomery, Calvery, and St. Mary's counties traveled to a Virginia farm at which horses tested positive for EHV-1.The Maryland Department of Agriculture has placed 3 facilities in the state under quarantine because horses residing there had traveled in late February 2018 to a Virginia farm at which horses tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported 9 Mar 2018."One farm in Montgomery Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Contaminated package – USA: (DC) fentanyl susp.
Poisoning -- United StatesFire and corrections officials in the District of Columbia say over a dozen employees at the city's jail complex fell ill after a package that likely contained the powerful opioid fentanyl was opened.The Washington Post reported on Thu 15 Mar 2018 that 4 workers in the mail room were immediately taken to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and 3 decided to go later. Nine others were treated at the jail facility. Officials described the symptoms as relatively minor.Assistant Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (54): Sweden (UP) backyard poultry, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- SwedenInformation received on [and dated] 16 Mar 2018 from Dr Ingrid Eilertz, Chief Veterinary Officer Director and Head, Swedish Board of Agriculture Department for Animal Welfare and Health, Ministry for Rural Affairs, Jonkoping, SwedenSummaryReport type: immediate notification Date of start of the event: 11 Mar 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 15 Mar 2018Report date: 16 Mar 2018Date submitted to OIE: 16 Mar 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Gastroenteritis – India: (AP) waterborne, fatal, RFI
Gastroenteritis -- IndiaDistrict officials confirmed that at least 10 persons have died and over 900 have been hospitalized over the past week due to a gastroenteritis outbreak in the Guntur district of India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The gastroenteritis occurred due to contamination of drinking water supply in the town.According to the district officials, hospitals in the district have been flooded with patients complaining of vomiting, frequent motions and fever. A door to door survey Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Italy: (LZ) bovine, OIE
Anthrax -- ItalyInformation received on [and dated] 16 Mar 2018 from Dr Silvio Borrello, Chief Veterinary Officer, Food Safety and Collegial Bodies for Health Protection, Ministry of Health, Department for Veterinary Public Health, Rome, Italy Summary Report type: Immediate notification Date of start of the event: 10 Mar 2018 Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Mar 2018 Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed disease Date of previous occurrence: 10 Oct 2017 Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (22): Chile (VS) susp.
Hantavirus -- ChileA 16 year old youth, resident of Quilpue who is hospitalized in the Sótero del Río Hospital in Puerto Alto, is the 1st suspected case of hantavirus [infection] in the Valparaiso region so far this year [2018].The Institute of Public Health (ISP) will issue the information to confirm or discard if this case involves this disease or not. The Valparaiso Health SEREMI [Regional Health Ministerial Secretariat], Maria Graciela Astudillo, stated that, "we were informed about Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (53): Sweden (UP) poultry, HPAI H5N6
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- SwedenJust 2 days after Sweden reported their 2nd detection of HPAI H5N6 in wild terrestrial birds, the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) today [16 Mar 2018] announced their 1st outbreak in poultry by this recently reassorted virus. Bird flu has been found in a small backyard holding in Ã-sthammar Uppsala County. The virus was analysed by the National Veterinary Institute (SVA), and found to be HPAI H5N6. It is the 1st discovery of this AI type in poultry Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Enteritidis – Canada: frozen chicken products, alert
Salmonella -- CanadaWhy you should take note?-------------------------The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Enteritidis infections in 4 provinces with cases of human illness linked to poultry, including frozen raw breaded chicken products. The investigation is ongoing, and this public health notice will be updated on a regular basis Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st I 4,[5],12:b:- – USA (03): kratom, multiple serotypes
Salmonella -- United StatesSince the last update on [2 Mar 2018], 47 more ill people from 25 states were added to this investigation. As of [15 Mar 2018], a total of 87 people infected with outbreak strains of _Salmonella_ I 4,[5],12:b:- (50), _Salmonella_ Javiana (5), _Salmonella_ Okatie (16), or _Salmonella_ Thompson (16) have been reported from 35 states. States / Case Count--------------------Alaska / 1Alabama / 1Arizona / 4California / 6Colorado / 2Delaware / 1Florida / 3Georgia / 2Illinois Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Yemen (03): fatal, WHO, vaccination campaign, medical supplies
Diphtheria -- YemenThe World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and national health authorities have completed a large-scale vaccination campaign to control the spread of diphtheria in Yemen.The campaign targeted nearly 2.7 million children aged 6 weeks to 15 years in 11 governorates. It focused on locations reporting suspected cases of diphtheria and areas at high risk of spread of the infectious respiratory disease. More than 6000 health workers were mobilized during the campaign, including for Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (10): Congo DR, cVDPV
Polio -- DR CongoAuthors: Alleman MM, Chitale R, Burns CC, et al. [NOTE: Due to length of article, well worth reading in entirety, Tables, Figures and References have been omitted and can be found at the original URL above. - Mod.MPP]The last confirmed wild poliovirus (WPV) case in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had paralysis onset in December 2011 (1). DRC has had cases of vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) documented since 2004 [Table 1 - Number of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases with Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – Australia (03): fatal, cantaloupe, more cases
Listeriosis -- AustraliaA Victorian man in his 80s has become the 5th person to die in a listeriosis outbreak after eating contaminated rockmelons [also known as cantaloupes]. A total of 3 Victorians and 2 people from New South Wales have died after consuming fruit linked to a farm in southern NSW. Victoria's deputy chief health officer, Dr Brett Sutton, said the latest death had been linked to the outbreak only after test results came back. "Sadly, the investigation has also confirmed that a miscarriage Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – South Africa (10): fatal, more cases
Listeriosis -- South AfricaA total of 11 more cases of listeriosis have been reported to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), but no more deaths so far. "No additional deaths have been reported since the last situation update [on 8 Mar 2018]," the NICD said on [Thu 15 Mar 2018]. So far, 183 people have died of the food-borne disease outbreak and 978 cases have been reported since January 2017.The NICD has been able to analyse data relating to some of the patients, in an effort Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Pneumonia ovine – USA: (AK) wild ungulates, alert
Pneumonia -- United StatesA bacterium long feared by sheep hunters and wildlife managers has been found for the 1st time among wild sheep in Alaska.The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced that _Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae_ -- often known as _M. ovi_ -- has been found in sheep killed last year [2017] by hunters in the Talkeetna Mountains area. The bacterium was also found in wild goats in the Kenai Peninsula.The bacterium is not native to Alaska. In the Lower 48 [states], it is blamed for contributing Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Trichinellosis – USA: (CA) domesticated wild boar, 2017
Trichinosis -- United StatesHeaton D, Huang S, Shiau R, et al. Trichinellosis outbreak linked to consumption of privately raised raw boar meat -- California, 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67(8): 247-9. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6708a3; available at ][Byline: Linda Larsen]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail[As discussed in the text pigs or wild boars exposed to the environment can become infected with _Trichinella_ spp and pass the infection to the consumer. In a situation where veterinary control of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Antibiotic resistance – China: colistin, mcr-4, mcr-5, pigs, poultry
Antimicrobial resistance -- China1. Chen L, Zhang J, Wang J, et al. Newly identified colistin resistance genes, mcr-4 and mcr-5, from upper and lower alimentary tract of pigs and poultry in China. PLoS One. 2018; 13(3): e0193957. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193957; available at .]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall[The following is the abstract from the journal article referenced in the news report above:"Antimicrobial resistance against colistin has emerged worldwide threatening Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Stewart's wilt, maize – Italy: (FV)
Other Plant Disease -- ItalyIn Italy, _Pantoea stewartii_ (EPPO A2 List) was detected during official surveys carried out in maize (_Zea mays_) fields in Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. In June 2017, a total of 8-10 symptomatic leaves were sampled from 1-5 maize plants growing in the same field (sample size varied according to the plant size). In August 2017, the identity of the bacterium was confirmed in symptomatic leaf samples.Further surveys are being carried out to determine the distribution of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> MERS-CoV (10): Oman, Saudi Arabia, WHO
MERS -- OmanOn [4 Mar 2018], the National IRH focal point of Oman reported 1 additional case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).The patient was a 74-year-old male Omani national, living in Batinah, who had symptom onset on [23 Feb 2018]. The patient had neither recently travelled nor had any contact with any person with respiratory symptoms or with a known MERS-CoV case. The patient took care of camels that were reportedly ill. The investigation of the patient's exposure in Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Silver scurf, potato – USA: increase
Other Plant Disease -- United States"I'm getting more questions about silver scurf at harvest," said Andy Robinson, North Dakota State and Minnesota Universities. Potato growers see the disease as a growing threat. Amanda Gevens, University of Wisconsin, also is seeing more silver scurf, a common potato disease found in all major production areas of the United States.Efforts to combat silver scurf are complicated by its close resemblance to black dot, another crop disease. "Sometimes you can't tell Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (09): Afghanistan (WPV), Congo DR (cVDPV)
Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 0Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 3Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 2Total number of cVDPV cases in 2018: 2Total number of cVDPV cases in 2017: 96Headlines- The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (SAGE) Polio Working Group recently met in Geneva, Switzerland, to review global progress against polio. The group reviewed and endorsed the main elements Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (21): Panama (LS)
Hantavirus -- PanamaAuthorities from the Ministry of Health (MINSA) in Los Santos province maintain a state of alert with the progressive increase in hantavirus [infection] cases.Recently, 2 new cases from Tonosi and Las Tablas districts have detected said Carlos Muñoz, MINSA epidemiologist in the province.So far this year [2018] there is a total of 15 cases.Muñoz indicated that these most recent patients are progressing well and are under observation.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from Read more [...]
