Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (33): South Africa, HPAI H5N8, penguin; Iraq, HPAI H5N8, poultry
Avian Influenza H5N8 -- South AfricaSouth Africa's agriculture ministry today [19 Feb 2018] reported highly pathogenic H5N8 avian flu outbreaks involving Western Cape province sea birds, including African penguins that will be treated for their illnesses because of their endangered status.In a statement, officials said 7 birds from 6 sites on the province's coastline have tested positive for the virus. One of the birds has survived, and the treatment protocol involves nutrition, hydration, vitamins, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Piscine reovirus – North America: USA, Canada, salmon
Other Animal Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownA sample of Atlantic salmon that escaped after a fish farm's net pen collapsed last summer [2017] tested positive for a contagious and harmful virus, according to findings released by the Wild Fish Conservancy on Thursday [15 Feb 2018].An independent lab at the University of Prince Edward Island found all 19 salmon donated from different sources were infected with Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV), a virus it says can cause heart and skeletal muscle inflammation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
Other Human Disease -- Worldwide/Unknown1. Allen JH, de Moore GM, Heddle R, Twartz JC. Cannabinoid hyperemesis: cyclical hyperemesis in association with chronic cannabis abuse. Gut. 2004; 53(11): 1566-70; available at 2. Habboushe J, Rubin A, Liu H, Hoffman RS. The prevalence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome among regular marijuana smokers in an urban public hospital. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2018; doi: 10.1111/bcpt.12962]******[2] Background [excerpts]Date: Tue 20 Feb 2013Source: Current Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Mumps update: USA
Mumps -- United StatesAccording to the Department of Health and Human Services, there are 215 confirmed cases and 33 probable cases [of mumps in Anchorage].An epidemiologist for the state of Alaska says since 2012, it's seen a 98.7 percent increase in cases. "We are definitely concerned." Dr Amanda Tiffany said [Wed 14 Feb 2018]. "In the 5 years prior to 2017 when our outbreak began, Alaska saw 3 mumps cases, so the fact that we are now reporting 248 cases is concerning."Most of those cases during Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli EHEC – Canada: cheese, 2013, 60 day rule
E. coli -- CanadaCurrie A, Galanis E, Chacon PA, et al: Outbreak of _Escherichia coli_ O157:H7 infections linked to aged raw milk gouda cheese, Canada, 2013. J Food Protect 2018; 81(2): 325-31Abstract--------Between 12 Jul and 29 Sep 2013, 29 individuals in 5 Canadian provinces became ill following infection with the same strain of _Escherichia coli_ O157:H7 as defined by molecular typing results. 5 case patients were hospitalized, and 1 died. 26 case patients (90 percent) reported eating Gouda cheese Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Stem rust, wheat – UK: Digalu strain, 1st rep
Other Plant Disease -- United KingdomFarmers and scientists must prepare for the potential re-emergence of a crop pathogen, following the discovery of a single wheat plant infected with stem rust - the first confirmed case in the UK in over 60 years. Dr Diane Saunders and Dr Brande Wulff, John Innes Centre, led a global team [that] showed that the UK strain belongs to the Digalu race, which was responsible for a devastating outbreak of stem rust in Ethiopia in 2013, and smaller outbreaks in Sweden, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lumpy skin disease – Europe: Balkans 2017, vaccination, control
Lumpy Skin Disease -- GreeceOutbreaks of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the Balkan region fell dramatically by 95 percent from 7483 in 2016 to 385 in 2017. The figures confirm that vaccination of cattle -- recommended by EFSA in 2016 -- is the most effective way to contain the disease.A report published today [19 Feb 2018] by EFSA gives an update on the occurrence of LSD and the effectiveness of vaccination. It also analyses the risk factors for its spread in southeastern Europe. The report is based Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis – India: (JK)
Hepatitis -- IndiaResidents of Haripora, Kangan in Ganderbal district [Jammu and Kashmir] today [18 Feb 2018] complained of an "outbreak of jaundice" in the area, claiming "several people including children have contracted the water borne disease." As per locals scores of people including children of the area have fallen sick showing symptoms [of jaundice]."We are living in a constant fear of an epidemic outbreak as many people in our area are suffering of jaundice due to the consumption of contaminated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza D, equine – USA
Equine Influenza -- United StatesResearchers at South Dakota State University (SDSU) found antibodies against influenza D in blood samples from horses in the Midwest collected in 2015 and 2016. Cattle are the primary reservoir for influenza D, which was 1st isolated from a diseased pig in 2011.Horses can become infected with influenza D. South Dakota State University researchers found antibodies against 2 strains of influenza D in blood samples from horses in the Midwest."It's nothing we need to Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (12): Chile (AR, AI) Argentina (BA) Panama (LS)
Hantavirus -- ChileA 44-year-old man died of a hantavirus infection, despite a negative rapid test done in the Hernán Henríquez Aravena Hospital.The deceased person had his residence in Tumaco but worked in the Aysen region. According to the confirmation by the Regional Health Ministerial Secretariat [SEREMI], he presented the 1st symptoms on 9 Feb [2018] but went to a health assistance center 2 days later. Later, he was admitted to the regional hospital in Tumaco where the hantavirus Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Listeriosis – South Africa (06): fatal, more cases
Listeriosis -- South AfricaThe country's listeriosis outbreak shows no sign of slowing down. In the last week alone, 57 people died from the food-borne disease, bringing the death toll to over 160. The source of the outbreak remains unknown.The manner in which food is prepared in businesses and in homes has been under the spotlight since the outbreak of the disease in December 2017. Fruit and vegetables must be washed well and meat cooked thoroughly.But awareness of the outbreak remains low. "Somebody Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (07): Asia (Yemen) WHO
Cholera -- YemenHighlights-----------Cumulative figures- The cumulative total from 27 Apr 2017 to 28 Jan 2018 is 1 051 789 suspected cholera cases and 2252 associated deaths, (CFR 0.21%); 1102 have been confirmed by culture.- 59.3% of deaths were severe cases at admission.- The total proportion of severe cases among the suspected cases is 16.2%. The national attack rate is 379.75 per 10 000. The 5 governorates with the highest cumulative attack rates per 10 000 remain Amran (889), Al Mahwit (848), Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st Typhimurium – USA: (IA, MN) chicken salad, alert, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesHealth officials have identified almost 100 sick people in Iowa and at least one in Minnesota in a multi-state _Salmonella_ outbreak investigation linked to chicken salad sold at Fareway stores.The company that supplied the deli chicken salad to Fareway Stores Inc. has not been revealed by the regional grocery chain, state officials or federal officials. As of tonight, 16 Feb 2018, the grocer, which has about 120 retail stores, did not have any information about the situation Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (12): Africa, Europe, North America, Pacific
Measles -- Niger[4] Brampton, CanadaPacific------[5] Philippines******[1] NigerDate: Tue 13 Feb 2018Source: The Nation [edited]The Niger state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Mustapha Jibril, has disclosed that the state has recorded 33 cases of measles and one case of yellow fever in the state this year [2018].According to him, the case of yellow fever was reported in Borgu local government area, adding that reactive vaccination campaigns have started in the local government and Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine Herpesvirus – North America (09): USA (AZ, ID, KY, NY)
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported [Tue 12 Feb 2018] that the Arizona Department of Agriculture has confirmed equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM; caused in this case by wild-type equine herpesvirus-1, or EHV-1) in a horse at Turf Paradise, a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racetrack in Maricopa County."The horse presented with neurologic signs on [Thu 8 Feb 2018], and was moved to a referral hospital," the EDCC stated. "One barn at Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (14): PAHO/WHO
Yellow Fever -- BrazilBetween January 2016 and January 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 12 Jan 2018 Epidemiological Update on Yellow Fever published by the Pan American Health Organization Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st I 4,[5],12:b:- and Newport – USA (02): frozen coconut, recall
Salmonella -- United StatesCDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the FDA investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections.Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that were part of this outbreak. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by CDC. DNA fingerprinting was performed on _Salmonella_bacteria isolated from ill people by using techniques called pulsed-field Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (13): Brazil
Yellow Fever -- BrazilFrom 1 July [2017], 118 people have been killed to the present date in Brazil by the yellow fever, out of a total of 407 cases infected by the disease throughout the country, said the Ministry of Health.The states with the highest death toll are Sao Paulo (46 fatalities and 183 confirmed cases), Minas Gerais (44 fatalities and 157 cases) and Rio de Janeiro (27 fatalities and 68 cases), said the ministry while reiterating that in the same period of 2017, the disease claimed 166 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Brucellosis – Oman: (JA) caprine, ovine, bovine
Brucellosis -- OmanA study conducted by Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) shows that goats and other [livestock] in Jebel Akhdar, Saham and some areas in Dhofar are infected by brucellosis - a disease caused by [the] bacteria Brucella.The study titled, 'A Novel Molecular Approach to Study Brucellosis in Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Camels in the Sultanate of Oman' shows that cattle in the area have been infected by brucellosis. In Jebel Akhdar, 11.4 per cent goats were found infected and in Saham one per Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Norovirus – South Korea (03): (KW) Winter Olympics
Norovirus -- South KoreaTwo Swiss athletes are the first at the Winter Olympics confirmed to have contracted norovirus, which has affected hundreds of people in Pyeongchang.The Swiss Olympic delegation said in a statement on [Fri 16 Feb 2018] that the 2 athletes had shown signs of the highly contagious virus "in the past several days," and that they no longer had symptoms after receiving care. It said they were sequestered in private rooms and were not staying at the Olympic Village. The statement Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (06): Africa, Asia, Oceania
Cholera -- Worldwide/Unknown1. Guerrant RL, Carneiro-Filho BA and Dillingham RA. Cholera, diarrhea, and oral rehydration therapy: triumph and indictment. Clin Infect Dis. 2003;37(3):398-405; available at .2. Gregorio GV, Gonzales ML, Dans LF and Martinez EG. Polymer-based oral rehydration solution for treating acute watery diarrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(2):CD006519. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006519.pub2; available at.3. Gore SM, Fontaine O and Pierce NF. Impact of rice based oral rehydration Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Toxic coffee – Malaysia: (PP) methamphetamine
-- MalaysiaThe urine and blood samples of 2 more victims who experienced fatigue and dizziness after drinking premixed coffee were found positive for syabu. [Syabu is an amphetamine derivative used in the form of a crystalline hydrochloride. - Mod.TG]Penang police chief Datuk A. Thaiveegan said the results were obtained last week [week of Sun 4 Feb 2018] but the police were still waiting for the chemistry department to produce results of the coffee samples.He said so far, test results of blood Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Sporotrichosis – Australia: (WA)
Sporotrichosis -- AustraliaA warning has been issued after an increase in cases of the fungal infection sporotrichosis, also known as rose gardener's disease or mouldy hay disease, in the South West during recent months. There have been 11 cases diagnosed in the region, mostly in the Margaret River area, according to WA Country Health Service South West Population Health Unit.The fungus lives throughout the world in soil, plants, and decaying vegetation, and outbreaks have been documented in the Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (32): Cambodia (PY) poultry, HPAI H5N1, spread
Avian Influenza H5N1 -- CambodiaA moratorium on the movement of chickens, dead or alive, has been put into effect in a commune of Prey Veng's Ba Phnom district after a chicken sample tested positive for avian influenza H5N1, the provincial Department of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries said today [Thu 15 Feb 2017].The infected bird originated from Prey Phdao village and was one among 100 tested from Sdao Korng commune, according to department director Ouk Samnang, who said that the Ministry of Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (08): (WY)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesThe Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) and the Casper-Natrona County Health Department continue to investigate a growing Natrona County hepatitis A outbreak that began in October 2017. Since then, 14 cases have been confirmed among Natrona County residents, which is a significant increase over the usual total for Wyoming. Previously, the long-term average statewide was 2 cases annually with the last reported local hepatitis A infection in 2012."While some of the Natrona Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia – Slovakia: (BC) OIE
Equine Infectious Anemia -- SlovakiaInformation received on [and dated] 13 Feb 2018 from Dr Jozef Bires, Director and Chief Veterinary Officer, State Veterinary and Food Administration , Ministry of Agriculture, Bratislava, SlovakiaSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 12 Feb 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 12 Feb 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 6 Mar 2017Manifestation of disease: sub-clinical infectionCausal Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Psittacosis – China: (HK)
Psittacosis -- ChinaThe Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating 2 linked cases of psittacosis, a bird-borne disease.The 1st case involves a previously healthy 51-year-old woman who developed fever, cough, shortness of breath and malaise beginning in late January 2018. She was admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital on 11 Feb 2018 and was transferred to the intensive care unit for further management on the next day. Her condition subsequently improved and she was transferred Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Lymphatic filariasis – Côte d'Ivoire
Filariasis -- Cote d'Ivoirehttps://www.7sur7senegal.com/Cote-d-Ivoire-74-districts-sanitaires-touches-par-la-maladie-elephantiasis_a8912.html [Edited]In a recent PNLMTN-CP [Programme National de Lutte contre les Maladies Tropicales Négligées à Chimiothérapie Préventive/national programme for the control of neglected tropical diseases through preventive chemotherapy] Secretariat report on tropical disease training in Côte d'Ivoire, 74 out of 83 health districts Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (08): Americas (USA) fox, susp., human exposure
Rabies -- United StatesA fox attacked 3 people on [Tue 13 Feb 2018] at Saguaro National Park. One of those people is missing and officials want that person to immediately seek medical care for rabies. The incident was originally reported as a fox attacking a bicyclist along the Cactus Forest Loop in the Rincon Mountain District.Park spokesman Chief Ranger Ray O'Neil says that since it's rare for foxes to attack people, they are concerned that it might have been rabid. "It appears the fox may have Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonella, pet food – USA: recall
Salmonella -- United StatesA total of 4 pet food companies issued recalls after reports surfaced about contamination by salmonella after reports of pets dying or becoming ill.The recalls involve a variety of products, all surfacing in the last week [week of Sun 4 Feb 2018] after 6 pets died or were sickened. One was a kitten, but the types of the other pets were not disclosed. Also, 2 children became ill, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US, FDA).The 6 animal cases were connected Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Papua New Guinea: (MD) porcine, susp
Anthrax -- Papua New Guinea"Following earlier reports of anthrax in New Guinea (Gee 1938; Australian Mobile Veterinary Survey Unit 1946), it was described in 1964 as widespread in the highlands, with a further enzootic area of about 100 sq mi [approx. 260 sq km] in the Lumi area of West Sepik Province, and unconfirmed reports from the Ramu River mouth in Madang Province (Egerton and Rothwell 1964; Egerton 1965a). Egerton described anthrax as probably the most important bacterial disease of animals Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesviurs, equine (02): EHV-8, poss. association with abortion in mares
Equine Herpes Virus — Worldwide/Unknown
PRO/AH/EDR> Strangles, equine – USA: (MI)
Strangles -- United StatesThe Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed a case of strangles in an 8-year-old Quarter Horse mare from Wayne County. The horse is recovering and no quarantines were enacted.As of 26 Jan 2018, strangles was added to Michigan's reportable disease list, which can be found on . This is the first reported case of strangles in Michigan in 2018.The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) works to protect horses and the horse industry from the Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Coccidioidomycosis – Worldwide: outbreaks, epidemiology, 1940-2015
Valley Fever -- Worldwide/Unknown"Coccidioidomycosis causes substantial illness and death in the United States each year. Although most cases are sporadic, outbreaks provide insight into the clinical and environmental features of coccidioidomycosis, high-risk activities, and the geographic range of _Coccidioides_ fungi. We identified reports published in English of 47 coccidioidomycosis outbreaks worldwide that resulted in 1464 cases during 1940-2015. Most (85 percent) outbreaks were associated with Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (07): (CA, UT, MI)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesCases / Deaths / Hospitalizations580 / 20 (3.4 percent) / 398 (68.6 percent)--Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall[The southern California outbreak appears to be over related to the change in control paradigm taken by the public health officials.Cumulative case dataReport date / Cases / Hospitalized (percentage) / Deaths (percentage) / New cases per week5 Apr 2017 / 39 / 33 (85) / 1 (3)4 May 2017 / 80 / 66 (83) / 3 (4) / 1031 May 2017 / 133 / 103 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tularemia – USA: (CA) infected ticks
Tularemia -- United StatesSan Diego health officials on [Tue 13 Feb 2018] announced that ticks found in the region tested positive for [_Francisella tularensis_ the etiologic bacterium causing] tularemia, a potentially dangerous bacterial disease also known as "rabbit fever." The discovery prompted officials to urge the public to protect themselves and their pets from ticks when hiking or walking in grassy, backcountry areas, on trails and in the wild.Ticks are tiny, 8-legged parasites related to Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (07): seasonal, H1N1, research
Influenza -- ChinaA total of 6941 flu cases were confirmed among inbound passengers in December and January [2018], according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. It marked a yearly increase of 81.9 percent, the administration said.Chinese inspection and quarantine authorities require inbound tourists to notify symptoms such as fever and cough. Unlike cases of serious infectious diseases such as cholera, inbound passengers with flu do not require mandatory Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (11): Nigeria, WHO
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaThe World Health Organization is scaling up its response to an outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria, which has spread to 17 states and may have infected up to 450 people in less than 5 weeks.From the onset of the outbreak, WHO Nigeria deployed staff from the national and state levels to support the Government of Nigeria's national Lassa fever Emergency Operations Centre and state surveillance activities. WHO is helping to coordinate health actors and is joining rapid risk assessment Read more [...]
