Archive for Global Disease Alerts
PRO/AH/EDR> Rift Valley fever – South Sudan (03): (EL)
Rift Valley Fever -- South SudanNo. / Summary of Cases / Total1 / New suspect cases (deaths) - week ending 4 Feb 2018 / 62 / Cumulative suspect cases (deaths) in - Health Facilities / 2- Community / 243 / Total number of suspect cases on admission / 04 / Cumulative suspect cases discharged / 85 / Number of health workers affected / 06 / Number of domestic animal events- I. Abortion in goats / 1- II. Abortion in sheep / 1- III. Domestic animal abortions / 2- IV. Dead goats (with bleeding into tissues) Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Kyasanur Forest disease – India (06): (MH) case numbers
Kyasanur Forest Disease -- IndiaA deadly outbreak has sparked a warning to tourists after a dangerous infection known as Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) spread to hundreds of people in India leaving 19 dead, a watchdog has warned. The virus, which is in the same family as yellow fever and dengue fever, is believed to be spreading from an outbreak that started in 3 villages in Sindhudurg.The report from watchdog Rospotrebnadzor [Russian Federal Service for Consumer Protection and Human Welfare] said: Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (07): Nigeria
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaThe Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, has said the current outbreak of Lassa fever has affected 15 states with 105 laboratory confirmed cases, 3 probable cases, and 31 deaths.Adewole, who made this known at the Emergency National Council of Health in Abuja on [Mon 5 Feb 2017], said that in 2018 alone, Nigeria recorded 77 cases of Lassa fever.According to him, the cases were in Bauchi, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Ebonyi, Rivers, Imo, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (25): Iran (GI) HPAI H5N6, new strain, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- IranInformation received on [and dated] 5 Feb 2018 from Dr Alireza Rafiepoor, Head of Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO), Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO), Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, Tehran, IranSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 31 Jan 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 4 Feb 2018Reason for notification: New strain of a listed disease in the countryCausal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza [AI] virusSerotype: H5N6Nature Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Streptococcus group A, scarlet fever – UK: (England, Wales) increased cases
Scarlet Fever -- United KingdomPublic Health England announced infections have shot up over the past 3 weeks and almost doubled since the start of 2018. There were 735 cases of scarlet fever in England and Wales during the week ending on [28 Jan 2018]. The infection, most common among children aged between 2 and 8 [years old], causes symptoms such as rashes, fever, "strawberry tongue", and sore throats. Dr Theresa Lamagni, from Public Health England, said: "While current rates are nowhere near those Read more [...]
PRO/ALL> New in IJID (02): February 2018
Other Human Disease -- Worldwide/UnknownReviewsSystematic review of seroepidemiological studies on Japanese encephalitis in the Republic of Korea Young June Choe, Anne-Frieda Taurel, Joshua Nealon, Han Seok Seo, Hee Soo KimInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 67, February 2018, Pages 14-19Environmental cleaning and disinfection of patient areasMichelle Doll, Michael Stevens, Gonzalo BearmanInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 67, February 2018, Pages 52-57Original Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (05): human-animal interface, WHO
Avian Influenza H5N6, Avian Influenza H7N9, Influenza H1N1, Influenza H3N2 -- ChinaNew infections: Since the previous update, new human infections with avian influenza A(H5N6) and A(H7N9) viruses, and influenza A(H1N1)v and A(H3N2)v viruses were reported.Risk assessment: The overall public health risk from currently known influenza viruses at the human-animal interface has not changed, and the likelihood of sustained human-to-human transmission of these viruses remains low. Further human infections Read more [...]
PRO/PL> False smut, rice – India: (TN)
Other Plant Disease -- IndiaThe Andhra Ponni (BPT 5204) [rice variety] has been affected by false smut in certain parts of [Tiruchirappalli] district [Tamil Nadu]. The disease has been due to the continuing foggy conditions. Although the Agriculture Department has been repeatedly advising farmers against raising Andhra Ponni, many farmers continue to go for the variety as it fetches a better price.[The] farmers wing of the Tamil Maanila Congress demanded that the government ban the sale of the seeds Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (09): Europe, Caribbean, Central America
Measles -- United KingdomMeasles are on the rise with more cases reported in Essex than this time last year [2017]. There were 183 suspected cases of measles reported in England and Wales.There have been 6 cases of measles reported in the county this January [2018], compared to 4 in the same period last year [2017].In the 4 weeks of the month (up until 28 Jan 2018), there were 6 suspected cases of the viral illness reported to Public Health England (PHE) in the area.Four cases were reported in 2016 Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Varicella update (01): USA (NY)
Chicken Pox -- United StatesA Cato-Meridian High School student was determined to have a probable case of chickenpox, the district has announced.A letter explaining the situation was posted Fri [2 Feb 2018] on the Cato-Meridian Central School District's website. The illness was not confirmed through laboratory analysis, but was diagnosed by the unnamed student's medical doctor. The letter, from district Superintendent Terry Ward and Cayuga County Health Department Public Health Director Kathleen Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Panleukopenia, feline – Australia: (VI)
Other Animal Disease -- AustraliaCat owners are being urged to vaccinate their pets against a rare and potentially deadly virus outbreak in Melbourne.The highly-contagious feline panleukopenia virus, commonly referred to as feline distemper, has been confirmed in a handful of stray kittens, and the RSPCA is urging cat owners to keep their pets' vaccinations up to date."The virus is not contagious to humans or any other animals, however, it can be spread to other cats through the clothing and shoes Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Koi herpesvirus disease – South Africa: (NL) OIE
Other Animal Disease -- South AfricaInformation received on [and dated] 2 Feb 2918 from Dr Bothle Michael Modisane, Chief Director, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Animal Production and Health, Pretoria, South AfricaSummaryReport type: immediate notification (Final report)Date of start of the event: 27 Oct 2017Date of confirmation of the event: 10 Nov 2017Report date: 2 Feb 2018Date submitted to OIE: 2 Feb 2018Date event resolved: 27 Jan 2018Reason for notification: recurrence Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (24): UK (England) HPAI H5N6, wild birds
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- United Kingdom1/ 0/ No positive birds reported/ 02/ Dorset/ Mute swan, pochard, Canada goose/ 313/ Warwickshire/ 1/ Tufted duck, great crested grebe; great black-backed gull, herring gull/ 133/ Hertfordshire/1/ greylag goose, gulls (common;herring), ducks (Aylesbury; tufted;mallard), unspecified/ 194/ West Yorkshire/ 1/ Tufted duck/ 14/ Rutland/ 1/ Mallards, Moorhen/ 94/ Greater London/ 1/ Mute swans/ 2Please see Mod.CRD's commentary in posting Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Epizootic ulcerative syndrome, fish – South Africa: (Kruger Natl Park) OIE
Other Animal Disease -- South AfricaInformation received on [and dated] 2 Feb 2018 from Dr Bothle Michael Modisane, chief director, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Animal Production and Health, Pretoria, South AfricaSummaryReport type: immediate notification (final report)Date of start of the event: 10 May 20176Date of confirmation of the event: 15 Aug 2017Report date: 2 Feb 2018Date submitted to OIE: 2 Feb 2018Date event resolved: 10 Aug 2017Reason for notification: recurrence Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Bovine tuberculosis – Armenia: (ER), zoo, camelid, OIE
Bovine TB -- ArmeniaInformation received on [and dated] 1 Feb 2018 from Mr Hovhannes Mkrtchyan, Head, Veterinary Inspectorate of the State Service for Food Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Yerevan, Armenia.SummaryReport type: immediate notification (Final report)Date of start of the event: 15 Jan 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 16 Jan 2018Report date: 1 Feb 2018Date submitted to OIE: 1 Feb 2018Date event resolved: 23 Jan 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Staph. aureus (MRSA) – Japan: human-to-horse transmission
MRSA -- JapanWhen veterinarians diagnosed MRSA infection in hospitalized Thoroughbred racehorses at 2 veterinary hospitals in Japan not long ago, they wondered about the source of the infection. Such cases are tough to manage and lead to lost training days, all while posing a risk to human health.The veterinarians, who work for the Japan Racing Association (JRA), conducted a thorough investigation to determine the infection's origin. Taisuke Kuroda, DVM, PhD, presented their findings at the 2017 Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies (09): Asia (Israel) wildlife, spread (India) human, treatment modified
Rabies -- IsraelThe World Health Organization (WHO) has notified a rabies immunisation protocol developed by Omesh Bharti, 49, a government doctor in Himachal Pradesh, as the new global standard. The procedure, successfully tested on thousands of dog and monkey bite victims in the past 5 years, brings down the cost of treatment from Rs 35 000 [USD 545.65] to Rs 350 [USD 5.46] per patient!The existing treatment involved injecting patients with the rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) extracted Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Foot & mouth disease – Zimbabwe: (MW, ME) bovine, serotype not typed, OIE
Foot and Mouth -- ZimbabweInformation received on [and dated] 2 Feb 2018 from Dr Unesu Hildah Ushewokunze-Obatolu, principal director, Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, Harare, ZimbabweSummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 17 Jan 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 17 Jan 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous occurrence: Nov 2015Manifestation of disease: clinical diseaseCausal agent: Foot and mouth disease Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Scabies – Spain (02): (CT)
Scabies -- SpainSo far in 2018, there have been a total of 7 outbreaks of scabies, with 59 affected in the region, most cases health care workers.The Public Health Agency of Catalonia has declared a new outbreak of scabies at the Moisès Broggi Hospital in Sant Joan Despí (Barcelona), with 4 affected workers, in addition to 35 at Sant Joan Hospital in Reus (Tarragona).The secretary of the Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Joan Guix, released this data on Thursday [25 Jan 2018] at a Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Tuberculosis, MDR – Nepal
Tuberculosis -- NepalPatients who are clinically suspected of having tuberculosis [TB] are referred to Sukraraj Tropical & Infectious Disease Hospital to determine _Mycobacterium tuberculosis_ infection and rifampicin resistance by using GeneXpert MTB/RIF testing. Among 39 GeneXpert MTB/RIF-positive cases tested, 3 (about 8%) were found to be rifampicin-resistance positive from November 2017 through January 2018.According to the National Tuberculosis Center, Kathmandu, 45% of the population is Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Campylobacteriosis – USA (02): canine, human, CDC advisory
Campylobacter -- United StatesCDC, several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) investigated a multistate outbreak of multidrug-resistant _Campylobacter_ infections. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that contact with puppies sold through Petland stores were a likely source of this outbreak. This outbreak investigation is over. Illnesses could continue to occur because people may be unaware of the risk of _Campylobacter_ Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Vibrio vulnificus – Uruguay: fatal, alert
Vibrio vulnificus -- UruguayThe Ministry of Public Health (MSP) issued a statement through which it reports that it has detected cases of infection by the bacterium _Vibrio vulnificus_ in Montevideo, Canelones, and Maldonado [departments]. The State Secretariat assured that every year there are cases of this bacterium, but so far in 2018, 4 serious cases have been reported, of which 3 died. All of them had underlying illnesses."90 percent of these cases, in the world, are associated with the consumption Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Malaria – Southeast Asia: increasing artemisinin resistance
Malaria -- Worldwide/UnknownMalaria kills nearly half a million people a year, mostly children and pregnant women. Urgent action must be taken to stop the spread of drug-resistant malaria in Southeast Asia and potentially beyond, according to scientists.The outbreak of malaria in Cambodia, then Thailand, Laos and most recently Viet Nam, which is untreatable with the newest and best drugs we have, has alarmed experts. There have been calls for the World Health Organization to declare a public health Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis update (06): Global (Afghanistan)
Polio -- AfghanistanNew wild poliovirus cases reported this week: 0- Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2018: 1- Total number of wild poliovirus cases in 2017: 22New cVDPV cases reported this week: 0- Total number of cVDPV cases in 2018: 0- Total number of cVDPV cases in 2017: 91HeadlinesSummary of newly-reported viruses this week: Afghanistan: - Advance notification has been received of 2 new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Kandahar province. These will be confirmed in next Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (23): China (Hong Kong) poultry, HPAI H5N6, OIE
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- ChinaInformation received on [and dated] 1 Feb 2018 from Dr Thomas Sit, Chief Veterinary Officer/Assistant Director (Inspection & Quarantine), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong, Hong Kong (SAR-PRC)SummaryReport type: immediate notificationDate of start of the event: 18 Jan 2018Date of confirmation of the event: 22 Jan 2018Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed diseaseDate of previous Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Salmonellosis, st. Agona – France (04): infant formula
Salmonella -- FranceFrench dairy group Lactalis could have been producing _Salmonella_-tainted baby milk since 2005, its chief executive was quoted as saying, adding the growing crisis was likely to cost the company hundreds of millions of euros.Lactalis has recalled 12 million tins in France and around the world after several babies were taken ill in 2017 after drinking _Salmonella_-contaminated milk produced at a factory in western France. French authorities have said there were 38 _Salmonella Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Measles update (08): Asia, Central America, North America, Europe
Measles -- Philippines[3] Guatemala ex GermanyNorth America-------[4] Canada[5] USA (Texas)Europe---[6] United Kingdom******[1] Philippines: immunizationDate: Mon 29 Jan 2018Source: Precision vaccinations [edited]The Philippines has been experiencing an extensive measles outbreak and is now taking action.In Davao City, located in the southern Philippines, Abdullah B. Dumama, Jr. MD, who is the Assistant Secretary of Health for Mindanao and Regional Director, announced a Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (09): USA, Canada
Hantavirus -- United StatesKerins JL, Koske SE, Kazmierczak J, et al. Outbreak of Seoul Virus Among Rats and Rat Owners -- United States and Canada, 2017. In December 2016, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS) notified CDC of a patient hospitalized with fever, leukopenia, elevated transaminases, and proteinuria. The patient owned and operated an in-home rattery, or rat-breeding facility, with approximately 100 Norway rats, primarily bred as pets. A family member developed similar symptoms Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Lassa fever – West Africa (06): Nigeria (DE, ON)
Lassa Fever -- NigeriaIn Nigeria this month [January 2018], 21 people have died from Lassa fever, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said on Wednesday [31 Jan 2018], in the latest outbreak in Africa's most populous nation."Since the beginning of 2018, 80 cases have been classified as: 77 confirmed cases, 3 probable cases with 21 deaths," the NCDC said on Twitter.Cases have been reported in 13 of 36 states, while 10 health care workers had been affected, it added.Lassa fever belongs to the same Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Population decline, apis – USA: (FL)
-- United StatesFlorida bee keepers are wondering what the future holds. The reason is bees are dying by the millions, and that could spell higher food prices."The honey bee population in Florida is really in a crisis," said Dave Hackenberg from Trilby, in Pasco County. His business is renting bee hives to farmers so the bees can pollinate crops. But for the last 10 years, the bee population has dwindled, and Hurricane Irma didn't help. "Irma probably took out 75 000 to 80 000 hives of bees. Just Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Zika virus (03): Americas, Asia, research, observations
Zika virus -- Worldwide/UnknownGuilherme Sousa Ribeiro, Mariana Kikuti, Laura B Tauro, Leile Camila J Nascimento, Cristiane W Cardoso, et al. Does immunity after Zika virus infection cross-protect against dengue?SummaryZika and dengue viruses are closely related flaviviruses, with immunological interactions and identical urban, mosquito-borne transmission.1 Therefore, the recent introduction of Zika virus into the Americas and large-scale exposure of a uniformly previously unexposed population could Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus – Americas (08): Chile (LL) susp.
Hantavirus -- ChileA suspected case of [a] hantavirus infection involving a 39 year old man was detected in recent hours [of Wed 31 Jan 2018] in Osorno province.The warning signs of the case were several complaints of the patient who went to the San José Hospital with a high fever, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and headache.He then underwent an examination and a rapid test, that according to the Osorno Health Services, where positive for hantavirus [infection] symptoms [and positive rapid Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax – Zimbabwe (02): 2016, OIE
Anthrax -- ZimbabweI would like to make a clarification. In the latest report of anthrax in Zimbabwe I implied that there might be a measure of under-reporting. In fact Zimbabwe provides a wealth of data to OIE in their formal reporting to Paris. For 2017 there are only 6 months data on 11 outbreaks on the OIE website; the full record will not be available until this May or later. But 2016 saw 67 bovine outbreaks involving 178 cases distributed as follows: Manicaland (20 outbreaks, 43 cases), Mashonaland Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Legionellosis – Portugal: (Lisbon) nosocomial, RFI
Legionnaires', Hospital-Related Infection -- PortugalThe number of people infected in the latest [legionellosis] outbreak in Portugal climbed to 13 on [Wed 21 Jan 2018], the country's Directorate-General of Health (DGS) announced. The outbreak was first reported on [Sun 28 Jan 2018], with 4 cases detected at the CUF Descobertas Hospital in Lisbon.The number of infected has since risen to 13, of whom 9 are female and 3 are in intensive care.The hospital's shower system is thought to be the most likely Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Cryptococcus neoformans – USA: (CA) meningitis, immunocompet., marijuana smoker
Meningitis, Cryptococcosis -- United States1. Shapiro BB, Hedrick R, Vanle BC, et al. Cryptococcal meningitis in a daily cannabis smoker without evidence of immunodeficiency. BMJ Case Rep 2018; pii: bcr-2017-221435. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221435; available at: .2. Thompson GR 3rd, Tuscano JM, Dennis M, et al. A microbiome assessment of medical marijuana. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2017; 23(4): 269-70. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.12.001; available at: . - Mod.ML]--Communicated by:ProMED-mail from HealthMap Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – East Africa (03): Uganda (NK)
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever -- UgandaThe Health Ministry has admitted there was an outbreak after a 9-year-old girl from a village in the Nakaseke district tested positive for CCHF [Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever]. Now the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ugandan Ministry of Health have confirmed 9 cases of 2 strains of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). Of the cases confirmed, the Health Ministry said 4 have died from the disease, which can cause victims to bleed from their orifices -- including Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Botulism, avian – New Zealand: (WK/BP) waterfowl
Botulism -- New ZealandFish & Game in Rotorua [Waikato/Bay of Plenty] are appealing for the public's help in dealing with any further cases of avian botulism -- after receiving a report of the deadly waterfowl disease.Senior Fish & Game Officer Matthew McDougall says some swans are reported to have died from the disease at Lake Rotokawa. He says that with the extended period of hot and humid weather, more cases are likely to occur.Avian botulism can paralyse and kill birds. Outbreaks are Read more [...]
PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (22): South Korea (KG) HPAI H5N6, poultry, spread
Avian Influenza H5N6 -- South KoreaBird flu was recently detected on farms near Seoul; just weeks before the 2018 Winter Olympics will take place in South Korea.On [Sat 27 Jan 2018], South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that it had discovered a highly pathogenic strain of the H5N6 avian influenza near a chicken farm in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, about 25 mi [approx. 40 km] south of Seoul. Another pathogenic strain of the same virus was also recently detected in another Read more [...]
PRO/EDR> Pertussis (02): USA, Venezuela, New Zealand
Whooping Cough -- United StatesThose with Mesa County Public Health want to warn you of a local outbreak of pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Getting vaccinated or even washing your hands, can keep you one step ahead of contracting pertussis. However, once the disease is caught, it can spread extremely easily."We've had 22 cases of pertussis reported in Mesa county since the beginning of November [2017]," said Andy Tyler, Regional Epidemiologist with Mesa County Public Health. During the same Read more [...]
