Schmallenberg — United Kingdom
Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – Denmark: dates, alert, recall
Hepatitis A -- DenmarkSince the end of January 2018, the State Serum Institute has investigated a disease outbreak of hepatitis caused by hepatitis A virus infections, according to Fødevarestyrelsen (computer translated). The outbreak thus far includes 14 patients, 7 women and 7 men aged 17-79 years. Patients have become ill from December 2017 onwards. Patients are residents throughout the country and 13 have been hospitalized.Virus from 7 of the patients has been typed as type 3A, and for Read more [...]
PRO> Avian influenza (28): Ireland (TY) HPAI H5N6, wild birds
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- IrelandA white-tailed sea eagle found dead in Co Tipperary was carrying the only case detected in Ireland so far of a highly infectious strain of bird flu, it has been confirmed.The Department of Agriculture said on [Fri 9 Feb 2018] that tests had shown the type of avian flu found in the dead bird was a "highly pathogenic" strain previously confirmed in Britain and mainland Europe.Farmers were warned to take precautions after the eagle was found dead on [Wed 31 Jan 2018] but Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (08): Guinea
Lassa Fever -- GuineaAuthorities in Guinea announced the 1st death from Lassa fever in more than 2 decades [Thu 8 Feb 2018], heightening anxiety about another hemorrhagic fever in the West African country where an Ebola epidemic 1st emerged.The Ebola outbreak in late 2013 went on to kill more than 11 000 people in part because local authorities and the international community were slow to act when cases 1st popped up in a rural part of the deeply impoverished nation.In a government statement, health Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Meningitis – Spain: (MD) foodborne, raw cheese, recall, alert, RFI
Foodborne Illness -- SpainA total of 3 different cheeses manufactured in Spain have been withdrawn from store shelves after a reported case of meningitis in Madrid. The warning follows a case of a 39-year-old man being diagnosed with the disease after consuming raw sheep's cheese.The Beltza, Txuria and Gutizia raw sheep's milk cheeses are made by the Oihan Txiki Koop group in San Sebastian. The General Directorate of Public Health has recommended that if you have bought any of the products to get Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (10): Chile, (LI)
Hantavirus -- ChileThe O'Higgins Health SEREMI [Secretaría Regional Ministerial de Salud; local health ministerial unit] Epidemiological Unit confirmed the 2nd case of [a] hantavirus [infection], that is a 22-year-old youth who currently is in the intensive care unit of the San Fernando Hospital.As for the patient's health status, Hector Muñoz, advisor to the Epidemiological Unit, stated that "he is in good condition and progressing well." As for the locality where he was infected, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine parvovirus-hepatitis, vaccine associated – USA
Vaccine Complication -- United StatesEquine serum hepatitis, also known as Theiler's disease, has a serious and often fatal clinical course.Previous studies have reported the development of Theiler's disease after administration of equine serum products, with tetanus antitoxin currently having the most common association with the disease.A recent report in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emerging Infectious Diseases journal detailed the discovery, genetic characterization, and transmissibility Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Botulism, bovine – Australia: (NS)
Botulism -- AustraliaContaminated silage is being blamed for a recent case of botulism in which a number dairy cows died in the Shoalhaven.The South East Local Land Services said the cause of the infection at the commercial dairy had been diagnosed by the NSW Chief Veterinary Officer.Botulism is a relatively rare condition cropping up from time to time, particularly on dairies and in feedlots, with Local Land Services South Coast manager Paul Lyddiard, saying there was no public health risk from Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervid – USA (03): (IA)
Chronic Wasting Disease -- United StatesThe Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports the 1st confirmed case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a county outside of northeast Iowa.Widlife biologist Terry Haindfield says a doe taken in the 1st shotgun season tested positive for the disease. "In the southeast corner of Wayne County, Iowa. It's about 5 miles from the Missouri border," Haindfield says. He says Missouri has had positive tests for CWD that were about 50 miles from where the deer tested Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis – Guatemala: (GU) bakery
Salmonella -- GuatemalaThe Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare of Guatemala reported [Tue 6 Feb 2018], that the number of people intoxicated by an outbreak of salmonellosis detected in a bakery in the country's capital has risen to 115. A source from the portfolio confirmed that, although initially reported of 54 affected, the number has risen to 115 and added that no further details of this case can be given as it is under investigation.Health Minister Carlos Soto had previously indicated Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Equine herpesvirus – North America (07): USA (WA, VA, ID, WY, KY) equine
Equine Herpes Virus -- United StatesThe Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) reported [Tue 6 Feb 2018] that a King County facility has been quarantined after a horse tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).In an Ag Brief on the department's website, State Veterinarian Brian Joseph, DVM, said this case is unrelated to another recent EHV case in King County."This is a different strain of EHV-1 than the virus strain that lead to an earlier quarantine at a separate horse facility Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA (02): (TX) military medical center, staff, new case, RFI
Legionnaires' -- United StatesA Brooke Army Medical Center staff member was confirmed to have [legionellosis] on [Tue 6 Feb 2018], BAMC spokesman Robert Whetstone said [Wed 7 Feb 2018]. The staff member works in Building 15 and follows 2 previous cases reported in August [2017]. Because there were 2 or more cases of Legionnaires' disease reported at the same facility within 365 days, it was considered an outbreak, per the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Guidelines, Whetstone said in a statement."The Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Namibia: (OH)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- NamibiaThe Ministry of Health and Social Services yesterday [Tue 6 Feb 2018] confirmed one case of Crimean Congo fever in the country. The medical superintendent at the Windhoek Central Hospital, Dr David Uirab, told New Era that a 23-year-old man is being kept in isolation at Windhoek Central Hospital because the disease is highly contagious.The man, who has a history of tick bite, was transported from Gobabis and is from a nearby village in the area. The man is Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (04): Asia, Pacific, vaccination, research
Dengue -- Worldwide/UnknownOn [Fri 2 Feb 2018], Filipino authorities tied at least 3 deaths to the 2016 deployment of Dengvaxia, the world's 1st dengue fever vaccine, Reuters reported.Vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur admitted in November [2017] that the vaccine, Dengvaxia, might increase the odds of severe illness in inoculated children who had not previously been infected with the dengue virus. Over 800 000 children were injected with the vaccine, and a panel of experts formed to investigate Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Chikungunya (02): Kenya, Italy research
Chikungunya -- KenyaAbstract--------We report partial molecular characterization of isolates from an autochthonous chikungunya virus [CHIKV] cluster in the Latium [Lazio] region of Italy. E1 sequences from 3 patients differ substantially from sequences from the 2007 outbreak in Italy and lack the A226V substitution associated with increased viral fitness in the _Aedes albopictus_ mosquito vector.[Discussion]------------Further, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis that included 42 available CHIKV Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Zika virus (04): Americas, research, observations
Zika virus -- Worldwide/UnknownAbstract--------The association between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and severe birth defects in infants has led to worldwide attention focused on the mechanisms of the disease and the prevention of future exposure. Surveillance efforts around the world continue with the goal of identifying and monitoring all potentially exposed women and their newborns. For infants who were born with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) and their families, an uncertain future awaits. Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Chlorine gas exposure – India: (WB)
Poisoning -- IndiaAt least 50 people including kids have fallen ill after inhaling poisonous chlorine gas which leaked from a drum inside a factory in Howrah's [West Bengal] Ghushuri on Monday morning [5 Feb 2018]. The incident took place near Jagannath ghat in Belur sparked panic among locals. People felt a burning sensation in their eyes following the leakage. Some of the nearby schools were shut down due to the incident. After being informed, fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and threw Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Norovirus – South Korea: (KW) Winter Olympics
Norovirus -- South KoreaOrganizers of the PyeongChang [Gangwon province] Winter Olympics said [Thu 8 Feb 2018] 128 cases of norovirus infections have been confirmed, with no athlete having been affected following the outbreak in the Olympic host city earlier in the week.Citing data from the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention, PyeongChang said 128 cases had been confirmed as of [Thu 8 Feb 2018], with 42 new cases on Thursday alone.Of the 42 new cases, 34 are members of civil security Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Asian greening, citrus – China
Other Plant Disease -- ChinaCitrus greening disease caused a drop of 70-80 per cent for Gannan [Gansu Province] navel oranges. Since 2012, these areas have suffered from a widespread outbreak of citrus greening disease.China's major [citrus] production area has already moved north. The main advantage is that the weather is relatively cold, which limits the spread of citrus greening disease. Farmers have gradually deepened their understanding of this disease. They are able to adopt effective management.The Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (07): (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Congo DR)
Polio -- PakistanNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 2Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 3Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 1Total number of cVDPV cases in 2018: 0Total number of cVDPV cases in 2017: 92HeadlinesSummary of newly-reported viruses this week:- Afghanistan: 2 new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) from Kandahar, and 1 new WPV1 positive environmental sample from Kandahar. - Pakistan: 2 new WPV1 Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Undiagnosed dieback, cocoa – Nigeria: southwest
Undiagnosed -- NigeriaCocoa farms in southwestern Nigeria, the country's main growing region, have been bit by outbreaks of a fungal disease identified as dieback, which causes plants to wither and die."The trees are drying off from their tops and progressively through the stems and down to the roots," said a farmer, adding that about 125 neighboring plots were also affected. The Cocoa Farmers Association has received reports that about 2500 cocoa trees have the disease in Ogun state. The estimated Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Hepatitis A – USA (06): (CA)
Hepatitis A -- United StatesA hepatitis A outbreak has been declared for the homeless in Monterey County.According to a press release sent by the Monterey County Health Department, health officials have diagnosed 9 people who have a history of homelessness with hepatitis A since October [2017]. Those diagnosed did not travel outside of the county and are assumed to have transmitted the disease within the homeless and illegal drug use communities in the county, according to the press release.County Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Botulism – Brazil: (PE, SP)
Botulism -- BrazilThe lawyer's daughter said that the Sanitary Surveillance took milk and a soy cheese from the patient's home to try to determine the origin of the bacteria that caused the disease. According to the health department, the material was sent to Adolfo Lutz for analysis and the results are awaited.[Byline: Rita Magalhães]--Communicated by:ProMED-mailviaProMED-PORTpromed-port@promedmail.org[It is unclear, but not unreasonable to think that the 2 outbreaks in separate Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Glanders, equine – India (02): (GJ)
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 at2. 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.ASGujarat State, India: ][See Also:HealthMap/ProMED-mail map:Glanders, equine - India: (UP), spread Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Namibia: (Etosha Natl Park) wildlife, dust bathing risk
Anthrax -- NamibiaAnthrax in herbivorous wildlife and livestock is generally assumed to be transmitted via ingestion or inhalation of _Bacillus anthracis_ spores. Although recent studies have highlighted the importance of the ingestion route for anthrax transmission, little is known about the inhalational route in natural systems. Dust bathing could aerosolize soilborne pathogens such as _B. anthracis_, exposing dust-bathing individuals to inhalational infections. We investigated the potential role Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Syphilis – USA: congenital, rising incidence
Syphilis -- United StatesNewborn syphilis cases have shot up in the United States in recent years, so an expert panel is reaffirming the need to screen all pregnant women for the infection.Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can be passed from pregnant women to their babies -- in what doctors call congenital syphilis. Since 2012, U.S. government figures show, congenital syphilis has nearly doubled. In 2016, 628 cases of congenital syphilis were reported -- the highest rate since 1998.If Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (27): Israel, Taiwan HPAI H5N8, Afghanistan, HPAI H5, OIE, RFI
Avian Influenza H5N8, Avian Influenza -- IsraelInformation received on 7 Feb 2018 from Dr Shlomo Garazi, Chief Officer for Import and Export of the Veterinary Services, Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, BET DAGAN, IsraelSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 30 Jan 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 7 Feb 2018Reason for notification: recurrence a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: 14 Feb 2017Manifestation Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Psittacosis – Argentina: (ER)
Psittacosis -- ArgentinaThe Ministry of Health, through the Epidemiology Department, has provided preventive measures to avoid new cases of psittacosis, after 2 families developed the disease in 2 different sites of Entre Rios (Paraná and Gualeguaychú).Psittacosis is an acute infectious disease produced by the bacterium _Chlamydophila psittaci_, found in secretions of many birds, which transmit the infection to humans through inhalation, entering the respiratory tract and lodging the Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (03): Americas, research, observations
Dengue -- United StatesCases by Country / Week updated / Probable / Conf. / Virus type / DHF severe / DeathsNorth AmericaUSA / 52 [w/e 29 Dec 2017] / 0 / 348 / D? / 0 / 0Central America and MexicoBelize / 52 [w/e 29 Dec 2017] / 2960 / 47 / D? / 2 / 0Costa Rica / 52 [w/e 29 Dec 2017] / 5561 / -- / D 1,2 / 0 / 0El Salvador / 52 [w/e 29 Dec 2017] / 4300 / 232 / D2 / 7 / 0Guatemala / 49 [w/e 8 Dec 2017] / 4116 / 1378 / D 1,2,3,4 / 71 / 14Honduras / 52 [w/e 29 Dec 2017] / 5217 / 0 / D 1,2,3 / 126 / Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Carbapenem-resistant organisms – New Zealand: (Auckland) nosocomial, burn center
Antimicrobial resistance -- New ZealandCarbapenem-resistant organisms have been detected in 3 patients at the National Burns Centre, based at Middlemore Hospital. Admissions to the National Burns Centre in south Auckland have been limited after a "highly unusual" multi-drug resistant organism infected 3 patients.The 1st case - which is thought to have been acquired overseas - was detected in a patient at the centre on [10 Dec 2017]. Infection control measures were put in place, but a 2nd Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Africa (03): Nigeria (BO) vaccination campaign
Yellow Fever -- NigeriaThe World Health Organisation (WHO) says it targets to immunise 1.2 million people against yellow fever in Borno.Mr Terna Nomhwange, the WHO Country Representative and National Surveillance Officer, said this while speaking with newsmen at the inoculation centre in Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDPs) in Maiduguri.According to Nomhwange, about one million doses of vaccines have been provided for the exercise in the 288 wards of the 25 selected local government areas Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever – Americas (11): Brazil monkeys
Yellow Fever -- BrazilThe Ministry of Health reports that there is no confirmed record of urban yellow fever in the country. The case of yellow fever in São Bernardo do Campo (SP) is being investigated by a team from the State Secretariat of Health of São Paulo (SES/SP), which includes patient history and mosquito capture to identify the form of transmission in the region. It should be noted that the patient lives in the urban area and possibly works in the rural area. Any statement Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Influenza (06): WHO global update, universal vaccine
Influenza H3N2, Influenza, Influenza H1N1 -- Worldwide/UnknownSummary-------Influenza activity remained high in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere while in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere activity was at inter-seasonal levels. Worldwide, influenza A accounted still for the majority of influenza detections but influenza B (mostly from the Yamagata lineage) increased in recent weeks.Up to now, the majority of countries which are in the influenza season, reported influenza like Read more [...]
PRO/PL> Phytoplasma wilt, banana – Papua New Guinea: spread
Other Plant Disease -- Papua New GuineaBananas in the country are facing a real threat from what is called the 'banana wilt associated phytoplasma' disease. Acting Chief plant protection officer, David Tenakanai, said the local staple is facing a real threat. "We have noticed the problem in Sandaun Province, but it has now spread to Madang, towards Lae and we found patches of it in Milne Bay and Western Province.Similar to the Bogia coconut syndrome currently in Madang Province, it is spread by insects, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Tuberculosis, elephant – Zimbabwe: diagnosis, prevention and control strategies
Tuberculosis -- ZimbabweMorris Animal Foundation-funded researchers recently found approximately 17 percent of working African elephants at several Zimbabwe ecotourism facilities tested positive for tuberculosis antibodies. The findings are a red flag for researchers as infected elephants potentially can pass the disease on to humans and other species with which they come in contact, including wild elephants.Tuberculosis is a serious disease in elephants. Most cases are caused by _Mycobacterium tuberculosis_, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Encephalitis – India: (UP) AES due to scrub typhus
Scrub Typhus -- India1. Murhekar MV, Mittal M, Prakash JA, et al. Acute encephalitis syndrome in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India - Role of scrub typhus. J Infect Dis. 2016; 73: 623-6. 10.1016/j.jinf.2016.08.0142. Khan SA, Bora T, Laskar B, Khan AM, Dutta P. Scrub typhus leading to acute encephalitis syndrome, Assam, India. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017; 23(1): 148-50; .3. ProMED-mail post Japanese encephalitis & other - India (01): (AS) Archive no: http://promedmail.org/post/20170101.47338214. Kar A, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> HIV – India: (UP) wandering medical practitioner, shared needle, alert
HIV/AIDS -- IndiaPolice officials in northern India were searching on [Tue 6 Feb 2018] for a fake doctor suspected of infecting dozens of his patients with HIV by reusing a dirty syringe.The patients were treated by what is known as a "jhola chhaap doctor," a wandering medical practitioner whose only verifiable qualification (a chhaap is a trademark or official seal) is a jhola, the cotton shoulder bag from which treatments are dispensed.Most are untrained, and some of the cures they offer can be Read more [...]
PRO> Varicella update (02): USA (NY) background
Chicken Pox -- United StatesFor over 50 years, deaths due to varicella in the United States have exceeded deaths from measles, mumps, and rubella. The introduction of varicella vaccine during 1995-1996 was followed by a marked decline in mortality rates. [1,2]See graphs at [3]References----------1. Berger SA. Varicella-Zoster: Global Status, 2018.157 pages, 133 graphs, 927 references.Gideon e-books, 2. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the United States, 2018. 1220 pages, 496 graphs, 14 855 references. Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (26): UK (England) HPAI H5N6, non-poultry birds, spread
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- United KingdomBird flu has killed at least 30 swans from Queen Elizabeth's flock, with more expected to succumb to the disease, UK officials say."We are currently at the river recovering bodies of the dead swans," said David Barber, the official responsible for the Queen's swans. "This is the 1st time in my 24 years as Swan Marker that bird flu has hit the Thames -- naturally, we are all very upset about the situation."An alert was initially sent to the Department for Environment, Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – USA: (MI) fatal, low chlorine levels, Flint city water, 2014-15
Legionnaires' -- United States1. Zahran S, McElmurry SP, Kilgore PE, et al. Assessment of the legionnaires' disease outbreak in Flint, Michigan. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2018; 201718679; doi: 10.1073/pnas.1718679115; 2. Byrnea BG, McColma S, McElmurryb SP, et al. Prevalence of infection-competent serogroup 6 _Legionella pneumophila_ within premise plumbing in Southeast Michigan. mBio 2018; 9(1): e00016-18. doi: 10.1128/mBio.00016-18; abstract available at ]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Read more [...]
