Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – USA (04): (AK) Anchorage, MSM, HIV, smartphone apps
HIV/AIDS -- United StatesThe purpose of this Public Health Advisory is to raise awareness about an increase in the number of syphilis cases reported during the first quarter of 2018. To date, there have been 20 confirmed cases and 2 probable cases of infectious syphilis reported in 2018. By comparison, annual case counts were 20, 20, and 21 for 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively.Most (80 percent) of the cases in 2018 occurred in Anchorage; 90 percent were in males; and ages ranged from 2063 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Acute flaccid myelitis – North America: USA (CO)
Other Human Disease -- United States"Most patients will have sudden onset of limb weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes. Some patients, in addition to the limb weakness, will experience facial droop/weakness, difficulty moving the eyes, drooping eyelids, or difficulty with swallowing or slurred speech. Numbness or tingling is rare in patients with AFM, though some patients have pain in their arms or legs. Some patients with AFM may be unable to urinate. The most severe symptom of AFM is respiratory Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Australia (02): (QL) bovine recurrence
Anthrax -- AustraliaGraziers in Southern Queensland are urged to vaccinate their livestock against anthrax following another case near St George, a year since about 80 head died on a local property.Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner said only a small number of cattle had died in the recent case. "Our officers moved quickly to contain the disease on that individual property by immediately restricting all movement of livestock on and off that location," he said. "The owners Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – USA (03): (WI) HIV, cluster, mostly young men, MSM
HIV/AIDS, Syphilis -- United StatesContrary to the attention grabbing headlines recently, there were not 125 people with syphilis and/or HIV in the social network investigated last year [2017] by staff at the City of Milwaukee Health Department.Buried in the most recent reports are the accurate numbers showing that of 127 people identified in the social network by disease intervention specialists, 76 had positive tests for syphilis and/or HIV().127 people linked in a social network investigation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Die-off, seal – Chile: disease and climate change susp.
Animal Die-off -- ChileMorris Animal Foundation-funded researchers uncovered several key factors contributing to a die-off of South American fur seal pups, including mites, pneumonia and sea surface temperature. The findings, published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases, help scientists better understand the link between environmental factors and health."Disease often is the forgotten piece in the conservation puzzle," said Dr. Kelly Diehl, Senior Scientific Programs and Communications Adviser at Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> HIV, gonococcal disease – USA: (PA) cluster susp
HIV/AIDS, Gonorrhea -- United StatesPennsylvania officials have reported an alarming increase in sexually transmitted infections [STIs] in a county outside of Pittsburgh as local health experts say young people are more promiscuous than ever.Beaver county saw a 300 percent increase in HIV and 34 percent increase in gonorrhea among 15- to 24-year-olds in 2017 compared to 2016, and the trend has continued into 2018, according to the alert released early this month.Rates of STIs in the US have increased Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (52): Sweden (BL) wild bird, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- Worldwide/UnknownInformation received on [and dated] 14 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 (final report)Date of start of the event: 24 Feb 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Mar 2018Report date: 14 Mar 2018Date submitted to OIE: 14 Mar 2018Date event resolved: 24 Feb Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – Namibia: (OT) Vienna sausage, susp ex South Africa
Listeriosis -- NamibiaNamibia has registered its 1st case of listeriosis since the beginning of the epidemic in neighboring South Africa which has killed at least 183 people in the country, the Namibian Ministry of Health said today [13 Mar 2018]."A 41-year-old man was diagnosed with listeriosis at the private Catholic hospital in Windhoek on [12 Mar 2018]," Namibian Health Minister Bernard Haufiku said in a statement. "This is the 1st case of listeriosis in Namibia since the beginning of the epidemic Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Varicella update (04): South Asia (Sri Lanka) university closure
Chicken Pox -- Sri LankaAll faculties of the Uva-Wellassa University [in Badulla, Sri Lanka] have been closed until further notice due to an outbreak of chickenpox among the student population.Dozens of students staying at the university's hostels have already become infected with the highly contagious disease.As such, a university official stated that a decision has been taken by the university administration to close down the university as a precaution in order to prevent the spread of the viral Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (15): Asia (Lebanon) canine, OIE
Rabies -- LebanonInformation received on 13 Mar 2018 from Dr Elias Ibrahim, Veterinarian Animal Resources Director, Animal Resources Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Beirut, LebanonSummaryReport type: immediate notification Start date: 23 Feb 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 27 Feb 2018Report date: 9 Mar 2018Date submitted to OIE: 13 Mar 2018Reason for notification: Recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 1995Manifestation of disease: 1995Causal agent: Rabies Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Elephantiasis, banana – Colombia: phytoplasma
Elephantiasis -- Colombia[In] Colombia, banana is severely affected by elephantiasis disease (BED), first reported in 1911 in Suriname. BED has significantly lowered both yield and commercial value of the cultivars 'Gros Michel' (AAA) and 'Dominico Harton' (AAB). Yield reductions of 9 to 71.6 per cent have been reported in the Department of Valle del Cauca during 2016 and 2017. BED causes an overgrowth of the pseudostem-rhizome junction generating longitudinal and transverse ruptures that lead to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (20): Chile (LL)
Hantavirus -- ChileThe Los Lagos Health SEREMI [Regional Health Ministerial Secretariat], Sofia Torres, confirmed a new case of a hantavirus infection in the region, which brings to 6 the number of infected individuals, one of whom died.This 6th case is a 13-year-old boy who presented with symptoms over the past weekend in the Puerto Montt Hospital, where he was then sent to the Roberto del Rio Hospital in Santiago.The boy was in stable condition in that hospital in the capital and is being constantly Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Panleukopenia, feline – Australia (02): (VI)
Parvovirus -- AustraliaCat owners in the Bendigo area are urged to keep an eye out for signs of a potentially fatal illness having struck at least one cat in the city.Bendigo Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr Max Tori said a cat from Kennington suffering feline panleukopenia virus, also known as feline parvovirus, was brought into the clinic on Monday [12 Mar 2018].Fortunately, the owners of the Kennington cat picked up on their pet's illness quickly, and the cat was responding well to treatment, but Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed toxic agent – UK (02): (England) nerve agent
Poisoning -- United KingdomFormer spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned by a military-grade nerve agent of a type developed by Russia, Theresa May has told MPs.The PM (Prime Minister) said it was "highly likely" Russia was responsible for the Salisbury attack.The Foreign Office summoned Russia's ambassador to provide an explanation.Mrs. May said that if there is no "credible response" by the end of Tuesday [13 Mar 2018], the UK would conclude there has been an "unlawful use of force" Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Kyrgyzstan
Botulism -- KyrgyzstanA total of 14 people, including 4 children, were hospitalized after a mass botulism food poisoning outbreak in southern Kyrgyzstan, the Health Ministry said [Tue 13 Mar 2018]. It said 3 of them are in a serious condition. An epidemiological investigation has been conducted and all patients have received the botulinum antitoxin.The first case of food poisoning in the city of Uzgen in the Osh region was reported on [Sun 11 Mar 2018]. According to preliminary data, the poisoning Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (51): Pakistan (PB) captive bird zoo, HPAI H5N8, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- PakistanInformation received on 13 Feb 2018 from Dr Javed Iqbal Khan, Assistant Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Islamabad, PakistanSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 26 Jan 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 2 Feb 2018Reason for notification: new strain of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Highly pathogenic influenza A virusSerotype: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Austria: (Vienna) outdated pork spread
Botulism — Austria
PRO/EDR> Measles update (17): Asia, Pacific, Africa, Europe
Measles -- PhilippinesA nationwide campaign continues in Somalia to protect millions of children against the potentially deadly effects of measles. WHO, UNICEF, national and local health authorities aim to reach more than 4.7 million children aged from 6 months-10 years during the overall campaign.This week, the campaign targets 2.7 million children in the southern and central states, along with 1.1 million children in Somaliland. The vaccinations will be available at health centres and temporary Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (50): Bhutan (SJ) backyard poultry, HPAI H5N1, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- BhutanInformation received on [and dated] 13 Mar 2018 from Dr Tashi Samdup, Director General, Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu, BhutanSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 6 Mar 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 11 Mar 2018Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 16 Oct 2016Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (14): Asia (Kazakhstan) feline, OIE
Rabies -- KazakhstanInformation received on 13 Mar 2018 from Dr Samat Tyulegenov, Director General, RSE "National Reference Center for Veterinary" of the Committee of veterinary control and supervision, Ministry of Agriculture of Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, KazakhstanSummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Start date: 12 Jan 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 30 Jan 2018Report date: 12 Mar 2018Date submitted to OIE: 13 Mar 2018Date event resolved: 12 Mar 2018Reason for Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – South Sudan (08): (EL) animal, human, WHO, FAO
Rift Valley Fever -- South SudanThe Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries have declared a Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreak today [12 Mar 2018] in Yirol East, Yirol West, and Awerial Counties of Eastern Lakes state.The declaration was preceded by a joint high-level advocacy mission led by the Minister of Health, Dr Riak Gai Kok. The mission, comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (05): (FL) spa, pool, hot water heater
Legionnaires' -- United StatesAccording to a report completed by the Florida Department of Health, the growth of _Legionella_ bacteria was found in a hot water heater at the fitness area of IslandWalk.Testing was also done on the community swimming pool and spa but returned negative results.Despite the negative finding, the health department says it believes the pool and spa area are where people came in contact with the bacteria.13 people tested positive for the disease in late February Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Eastern equine encephalitis – USA (02): (FL) equine, avian
Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- United StatesThe Florida Department of Health in Levy County (DOH-Levy) today [8 Mar 2018] issued a mosquito-borne illness alert for Levy County. A case of eastern equine encephalitis [EEE] has been confirmed in a flock of Emus in the Bronson area, and there is a heightened concern residents could become ill.EEE is spread to horses and humans [and emus] by infected mosquitoes, including several _Culex_ species and _Culiseta melanura_.Symptoms of EEE disease often appear Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – Finland: 1st case, moose
Chronic Wasting Disease -- FinlandChronic wasting disease (CWD) has been found in a moose, or European elk (_Alces alces_), for the 1st time ever in Finland.The disease was diagnosed in Kuhmo in a 15-year old moose, having died naturally. The results of the analyses carried out by Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira have been verified by an EU reference laboratory. Species of the deer family, known as "cervids," can suffer from chronic wasting disease, and it is always fatal. The disease is not known Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (08): Somalia, cVDPV environmental samples
Environmental, Polio -- SomaliaCirculation of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been confirmed in Somalia; 3 cVDPV2s strains were isolated from environmental samples collected on [4 and 11 Jan 2018], in Banadir province (Mogadishu). These latest isolates are genetically linked to cVDPV2 strains collected from environmental samples in the same province on [22 Oct 2017 and 2 Nov 2017].No associated cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) have been detected.Public health responseSince detection Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax, bovine – Argentina (02): (BS) alternative disposal of carcasses
Anthrax -- ArgentinaTechnique: Controlled CoverObjective: To dispose of the animal killed by anthrax at the same place where its death occurred.Avoidance of the dispersal of spores of B. anthracis capable of surviving in the environment, and able to infect a new susceptible animal.Adressed at: Rural veterinariansBasics------Complete the survey for the usual bacterial flora present in the rumen and intestines of cattle and the environment with _B. anthracis_, the pathogenic flora causing of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (18): Nigeria (BA)
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaIn Bauchi state, 2 people have been confirmed dead following the scourge of Lassa Fever. The Director General, Primary Health Care Development Agency, Pharmacist Adamu Ibrahim Gamawa told [this to] Daily Post in Bauchi.He added that about 26 cases of Lassa Fever had also been reported with 4 people confirmed [who were] affected already.Gamawa stressed that this followed the Agency's decision to review the primary healthcare service from January to March, 2019Gamawa noted that Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis, cutaneous – Austria: ex Malta
Leishmaniasis -- AustriaWhile especially leishmaniasis was quite common in the early 20th century in Malta, there were hardly any cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis at the end of the century. For the last years the incidence has been stable with about 3 to 4 cases of visceral leishmaniasis, VL, per year (1).In 2012, 3 VL and no CL cases were reported (2). All cases of leishmaniasis are caused by _L. infantum_ in Malta, transmitted from dogs to humans by _Phlebotomus perniciosus_. The 2 identified zymodemes Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies – Zimbabwe: (Hwange Natl Park) wild dog
Rabies -- ZimbabweOn a recent, gloomy winter night at the Painted Dog Conservancy in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park [Matabeleland North], the matriarch of one of the strongest packs of African wild dogs in the country, succumbed to rabies; she was the last of her kin to do so, after the preventable disease killed her family earlier in the week. Rabies, while fairly common in domestic dogs throughout Asia and Africa, can take out entire wild populations of African cape or "painted" dogs -- a prospect Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – South Sudan (07): (EL)
Rift Valley Fever -- South SudanThe outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) continues to evolve in Eastern Lakes state, South Sudan, with another county affected. As of 9 Mar 2018, a total of 40 cases and 4 deaths have been reported from Yirol East (37 cases, 4 deaths) and Yirol West (3 cases, no deaths) counties. Of these, a total of 6 confirmed, 3 probable, and 12 suspect RVF cases (with pending laboratory results) have been reported. Of the suspected cases, 19 were considered as non-cases following Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (48): Mexico (GJ, QE) poultry, HPAI H7N3, OIE
Avian Influenza -- MexicoInformation received on 10 Mar 2018 from MVZ Joaquin Braulio Delgadillo Alvarez, [director general of animal health, National Service of Health and Agrifood Quality (SENASICA), Ministry of Agriculture, Stockbreeding, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food], Mexico.Report type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 12 Feb 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 3 Mar 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 31 May Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (47): USA (TX) poultry, LPAI H7N1, OIE
Avian Influenza -- United StatesInformation received on [and dated] 9 Mar 2018 from Dr John Clifford, official delegate, chief trade advisor, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, United States of AmericaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 6 Mar 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 8 Mar 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 2017Manifestation of disease: Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Yemen (02): fatal, WHO, more cases
Diphtheria -- YemenA diphtheria outbreak has killed 73 people in war-torn Yemen since August [2017], according to the World Health Organization (WHO) on [Mon 12 Mar 2018]. In a statement, the UN agency said some 1294 suspected cases of diphtheria have been recorded in 20 of Yemen's 23 provinces. It listed Ibb and al-Hodeidah provinces in central and western Yemen as the hardest-hit by the disease.Diphtheria spreads as easily as the common cold through sneezing, coughing, or even talking, according Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Ratoon stunt, sugar cane – Australia: (QL)
Other Plant Disease -- AustraliaNorthern Queensland's cane industry is joining forces to combat ratoon stunting disease [RSD]. It has been known for more than 70 years, but continues to cost the industry through lost production and requires ongoing vigilance.Sugar Research Australia's Gavin Rodman said RSD could be managed by using disease-free planting material, keeping blocks free of volunteer cane and by good machinery hygiene. "Unfortunately, some of these practices are no longer being followed Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – New Zealand: more cases
Syphilis -- New ZealandMartin [fictitious name] has had syphilis 3 times. The first case put him in Dunedin hospital with a brain disease. The disease is caused by _Treponema pallidum_, a corkscrew-shaped bacterium that can be passed on through sex, and spread through the bloodstream. It may cause small ulcers around his genitals or mouth and then copper-coloured sores on hands and feet, but Martin (not his real name) does not recall. There may even have been no symptoms. The first Martin knew something Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabbit hemorrhagic disease – Canada (02): (BC) wild, RHDV2 strain, OIE
Other Animal Disease -- CanadaInformation received on [and dated] 8 Mar 2018 from Dr Jaspinder Komal, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, CanadaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 14 Feb 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Mar 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 24 Nov 2016Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Rabbit hemorrhagic Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (19): Panama (LS)
Hantavirus -- PanamaThe number of hantavirus [infection] cases in Los Santos province has increased to 13 cases, 4 with fever and 9 with [hantavirus] cardiopulmonary syndrome.Carlos Muñoz, epidemiology coordinator of the Ministry of Health in Los Santos, stated that the last 2 cases are a 25-year-old-man from La Concepción de Pocrí, and a 44-year-old woman from El Cacao in Tonosí.Muñoz stated that currently there are 4 hospitalized patients, 2 without assisted ventilation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (17): Liberia (MO, NI)
Lassa Fever -- LiberiaThe National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed 3 Lassa fever cases from 2 counties: Montserrado (2) and Nimba (1).All 3 confirmed cases have died. The 3 cases have undergone safe and dignified burials, and the county health teams are conducting contact tracing on both healthcare workers and community members who had high-risk (i.e. direct) contact with the patients during their symptomatic periods.No epidemiological link has Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – Singapore: Australian rockmelons, NOT
Listeriosis -- SingaporeHealth authorities say there is no link between a patient who was seen at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) for listeriosis and the consumption of contaminated rockmelons from Australia, according to preliminary investigations.The Ministry of Health (MOH) told The Straits Times on Friday [9 Mar 2018] that there is still no report of anyone here having contracted the bacterial disease as a result of eating the rockmelons, which have made 17 people ill in Australia and killed Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – South Sudan (06): (EL) livestock, RFI
Rift Valley Fever -- South Sudan1. WHO. Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreak -- Yirol East, Eastern Lakes State, Republic of South Sudan. Situation Report (Sitrep no. 8, 16 Feb 2018);.2. Biteye B, Fall AG, Ciss M, et al. Ecological distribution and population dynamics of Rift Valley fever virus mosquito vectors (Diptera, Culicidae) in Senegal. Parasit Vectors. 2018; 11(1): 27. doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2591-9;.3. Mariner J. Rift Valley Fever Surveillance. FAO Animal Production and Health Manual no. 21.Rome Read more [...]
