Zoonotic Diseases

Diseases discussed here have a history of use as an agent for biological warfare, either in the U.S. or abroad. Its use may have been experimental or actual, and any detrimental consequences upon humans, animals or the environment may have been intentional or not, depending on the circumstances, the point in time, and the nature of the disease.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

BRUCELLOSIS, BOVINE - USA (04): (TEXAS)

***************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 21 Mar 2011
From: Randall Levings [edited]


[re: ProMED-mail Brucellosis, bovine - USA (03): (TX) 20110320.0881]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Responding on behalf of USDA-APHIS [US Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] Veterinary Services: Thank
you for referencing the information in the TAHC posting. Additional
information your subscribers might find useful:

Culture and genotyping at the USDA's National Veterinary Services
Laboratories (NVSL) have confirmed the isolates in this case to be
_Brucella abortus_, biovar 1, and to have a variable number tandem
repeat (VNTR)/multiple loci VNTR analysis (MLVA) profile not shared by
other isolates in the NVSL database.

--
Randall Levings


[We are grateful to Dr Levings for responding with information that
is very helpful. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Brucellosis, bovine - USA (03): (TX) 20110320.0881
Brucellosis, bovine - USA (02): (TX) 20110316.0834
2009
----
Brucellosis, swine hunters - USA (02): (TX) hunters 20090920.3303
2008
----
Brucellosis, bovine - USA (TX): not 20080202.0427
2003
----
Brucellosis, cattle - USA (Texas) 20031002.2479
2000
----
Brucellosis, goats - USA (Texas) 20000216.0208
1999
----
Brucellosis, goats - USA (Texas) 19991213.2157]
.................................................tg/lm/mj/lm
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and its associated service providers shall not be held
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BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS, CERVID - USA: (MICHIGAN)

*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Thu 17 Mar 2011
Source: Cheboygan Daily Tribune [edited]



For the 1st time, 2 Cheboygan County deer tested positive for bovine
tuberculosis [TB] during the 2010 tests.

"We had a couple of positive deer in Cheboygan County," said Steve
Schmitt, Department of Natural Resources lead wildlife veterinarian.
"That's the 1st time we've actually tested positive deer in Cheboygan,
but we've suspected some positive deer were there."

[Byline: Mark Spencley]

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[The state of Michigan can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail
interactive map at . Cheboygan County can
be seen on the map at
.

This county is currently outside of the zone where Michigan is trying
to eradicate TB. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Bovine tuberculosis, bovine - USA: (IN) 20110301.0670
2010
----
Bovine tuberculosis, bovine - USA (07): (MI) 20100909.3246
Bovine tuberculosis, cervid - USA: (MI) 20100418.1265
Bovine tuberculosis, bovine - USA (02): (MI) 20100325.0948
2008
----
Tuberculosis, cervid - USA (MI) 20080304.0897
2005
----
Tuberculosis, bovine, human ex cervid - USA (MI )20050112.0102
2003
----
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (MI) (02) 20030606.1392
2000
----
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (Michigan) 20001001.1695
Tuberculosis, deer - USA (Michigan) 20000515.0761
Tuberculosis, bovine, deer - USA (Michigan) 20000426.0630
1999
----
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (Michigan) (02) 19990522.0840
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (Michigan) (02) 19990519.0822
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (Michigan) 19990517.0803
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (Michigan) 19990110.0033
1998
----
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (Michigan) 19980923.1899
Tuberculosis, deer/cattle transfer - USA (Michigan) 19980625.1179
Tuberculosis, deer - USA (Michigan) (02) 19980405.0627
Tuberculosis, deer - USA (Michigan) 19980316.0487]
.................................................sb/tg/lm/mj
*##########################################################*
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Friday, March 18, 2011

New Zoonotic Diseases on the Rise

http://www.webmd.com/news/20080220/new-infectious-diseases-on-the-rise

8,000 Mallard Ducks Die off in SD

See Aspergilloaia (Avian phumoni)as wmd; http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/intro/bio_fungi.htm


ASPERGILLOSIS, AVIAN DIE-OFF - USA: (SOUTH DAKOTA) DUCKS
********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Tue 15 Mar 2011
Source: Rapid City Journal [edited]



Moldy corn suspected in duck die-off near Pierre
------------------------------------------------
Thousands of mallard ducks found dead in small warm-water ponds near
Pierre are believed to have died from a respiratory disease tied to
exposure to moldy corn, state and federal wildlife specialist said
Tuesday [15 MAR 2011].

More than 8000 mallards and a few pintail ducks were collected by
personnel from the state Game, Fish & Parks (GF&P) Department and the
US Fish and Wildlife Service in late January [2011] about 16 miles [26
km] northwest of Pierre. After examining some of the birds, federal
wildlife disease specialists concluded that some died from
aspergillosis, a respiratory infection caused by inhaling spores of
the aspergillus fungi.

Other ducks seem to have died from respiratory infections caused by
similar types of fungi, biologists said. Human are not considered
susceptible to the disease unless they have immune system disorders.
Exposure also may cause allergic reactions in some.

The ducks are believed to have been exposed to the fungi while
feeding on moldy corn in a silage pile at a livestock feedlot near the
small ponds they were using after nearby Lake Oahe froze up, said Andy
Lindbloom, GF&P regional game manager in Pierre.

The biggest pond, which is fed by an artesian well, is on private
land. Birds also were found on small open-water beaver dams on public
land in the area. Lindbloom believes the birds were exposed to
infectious spores from a certain area in the silage pile, then
concentrated on the ponds where they died.

"Our belief is that there was probably a hot spot in that grain,"
Lindbloom said Tuesday [15 Mar 2011]. "We believe most of that grain
is gone."

Ice fishermen on the Okobojo Creek arm of Lake Oahe notified GF&P
after finding more than 350 dead ducks on the ice, Lindbloom said. The
following day a landowner reported finding dead ducks on an open
artesian pond on his property about 3 miles [5 km] away.

"We picked up 7000 plus ducks at the well and pond," Lindbloom said.
"And we picked up another 500 or 600 at the smaller ponds that also
seemed to have the warmer water."

There was an aspergillosis-related die-off of mallards near Oahe Dam
in 1985, but it only involved a "couple hundred" ducks, Lindbloom
said. The recent die-off was unusually large but it isn't likely to
have any effect on duck hunting or the overall mallard population.

Duck hunters in South Dakota typically kill 250 000 or more ducks a
year, many of them mallards. And hundreds of thousands of mallards
gather on the Missouri River during the fall migration, with many
moving back and forth from Lake Oahe to private grain fields nearby.

Typically, that doesn't cause a problem. But this winter [2010-2011]
wasn't typical. Once Lake Oahe froze up and deep snow covered grain
fields, ducks concentrated on the smaller open ponds and fed at the
silage pile. Scott Larson, a field supervisor with the wildlife
service in Pierre, said most of the ducks that died were probably
migrating mallards that would have kept moving south if the open-water
ponds hadn't been available. "There was a little open water there, and
when they couldn't use the river they concentrated there," he said.

And because heavy snow covered grain fields, the silage pile was an
enticing food supply, he said.

"We think part of it was the snow cover. That didn't allow the
mallards to feed anywhere else but that one grain pile," he said.

After cleaning up the duck carcasses, which were later buried,
wildlife crews tried to scare ducks away from the area by using
propane cannons and other hazing devices. Despite that, at least 1000
ducks have continued to use the area.

But the die-off seems to be over, based on surveys of the area,
Larson said. "We've been up there a few more times and haven't found
anything else," he said.

Warmer weather has melted snow and opened up grain fields. And birds
also will be moving with the spring migration.

The extent of the recent die-off was unusual, Lindbloom said. "It was
pretty unique," he said. "Waterfowl has been using that area for a
long time and this is the 1st large die-off we know about. We don't
have any reason to believe it could become an annual occurrence or
anything." Even so, wildlife specialists will work with the private
landowners to monitor the area of the die-off this spring, and again
when the birds return next fall [2011].

[Byline: Kevin Woster]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[Aspergillosis is a disease produced by the mold _Aspergillus_ spp.
The mold is often found in grain substrates. Any of the molds that
produce toxic products may be found in "hot spots" within the grain.
The mold may or may not be evenly distributed in the grain, but the
presence of mold does not indicate there is a toxin being produced.
Neither does the absence of mold indicate that there is an absence of
toxin. Consequently, the grain located in the grain pile may have had
a micro environment in only one location within the grain pile that
was favorable for the production of the toxin.

Of interest is that ducks are highly susceptible to these toxins with
very small amounts causing high mortality. The growth of this mold is
encouraged when harvest of the grain is under wet conditions. This
grain pile was left outside and had been wet by the snow and rain so
it was a perfect media for the mold.

Aspergillosis is a common fungal infection in birds producing a
respiratory illness. Birds are commonly exposed to the spores of this
fungus but only develop the respiratory disease when the correct
conditions are present. Aspergillosis may be stress induced from a
variety of stresses, including such things as pre-existing illness or
malnutrition, environmental changes, shipping, reproduction, a change
in food sources, and a host of other situations. In the case of the
ducks, migration is clearly a stressful situation, draining the birds
of energy due to long flights, and the weather may have played a role
as well.

Aspergillosis may be suspected based on clinical signs, which likely
were not observed in the wild birds. However, a necropsy is the most
definitive diagnosis and is the best given the case of the wild birds.
- Mod.TG]

[The area mentioned can be seen via the HealthMap/ProMED-mail
interactive map of South Dakota at . -
Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
2009
----
Aspergillosis, avian - USA: (WA) 20091108.3864
2006
----
Undiagnosed die-off, mallard ducks - USA (ID)(03): aspergillosis
20061220.3573
Undiagnosed die-off, poultry - Trinidad (02): Aspergillosis
20060112.0109]
.................................................sb/tg/mj/dk
*##########################################################*
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and its associated service providers shall not be held
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or archived material.
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Thursday, March 17, 2011

AVIAN INFLUENZA (29): JAPAN (CHIBA), POULTRY

*******************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


[1]
Date: 13 Mar 2011
Source: AP [edited]


Avian influenza infection was confirmed Sunday [13 Mar 2011] among
chickens at a poultry farm in Chiba city, marking the 1st such case
in the Kanto region centering on Tokyo, the Chiba prefectural government said.

Local authorities began culling about 35 000 birds at the farm and
restricted the movements of another 869 000 birds being raised within
a 10-km radius of the farm in question.

"This is a very severe situation, as damage from the huge earthquake
is also serious," Chiba Gov. Kensaku Morita said at a press
conference, referring to the powerful quake that struck northeastern
and eastern Japan on Friday [11 Mar 2011].

A total of 4 birds were found dead at the Chiba farm on Friday and
Saturday [11-12 Mar 2011], and a genetic test confirmed that 4 out of
7 birds checked were infected by a highly pathogenic strain of bird
flu virus, local government officials said.

Chiba is Japan's 2nd-largest chicken egg producing prefecture.

--
Communicated by:
Merritt Clifton
Editor, Animal People
P.O. Box 960
Clinton, WA 98236



******
[2]
Date: 16 Mar 2011
Source: 21 Food & Beverage Online [edited]



The Department in Chiba-ken reported on 13 Mar 2011 a chicken farm
infected with highly infectious bird flu virus in Chiba city after
genetic examination. This is the 1st time a bird flu epidemic has
been confirmed in Kanto region.

The department in Chiba-ken said that dead chickens were discovered
on the farm on 11 Mar 2011. A veterinarian reported that 4 out of 7
dead chickens had a positive reaction upon examination. After genetic
testing, it was confirmed on 13 Mar 2011 that they were infected with
the highly infectious H5 bird flu virus.

Chiba-ken set up bird flu countermeasure headquarters immediately. It
slaughtered 35 000 chickens on this farm and forbade the shipping of
chickens and eggs from 24 chicken farms near the chicken farm in question.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[OIE has issued a series of reports on avian influenza in Japan
()
with the latest update from 16 Mar 2011
()
involving diagnoses in a peregrine falcon (1), tufted duck (1),
pochard (1), and 3 N.O.S. Check the OIE site for further details.

To find Chiba, go to:
. It is in central
Japan on the east coast. - Mod.MHJ]

[see also:
Avian influenza (18): Japan (MZ, ME) poultry 20110221.0566
Avian influenza (13): Japan (OT) poultry 20110204.0401
Avian influenza (11): Japan (KS, AI, MZ), poultry, wild birds 20110203.0391
Avian influenza (10): Japan (AI), poultry 20110129.0349
Avian influenza (08): Japan (MZ), H5N1, poultry, wild birds 20110125.0303
Avian influenza (06): Japan (FS), H5N1, wild birds 20110121.0245
2010
----
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (07): Japan 20101227.4562
Avian influenza (64): Japan (TY) HPAI H5, OIE 20101221.4492
Avian influenza (58): Japan (SM) HPAI H5N1 20101206.4366
Avian influenza (56): Japan (SM) HPAI H5, OIE 20101202.4330
Avian influenza (55): Japan (SM) susp, RFI 20101130.4303]
...................................dk/mhj/msp/dk

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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

HANTAVIRUS UPDATE 2011 - AMERICAS (13): USA (OREGON)

What is it? https://sites.google.com/a/luther.edu/pandemic-viruses/vector-team-hanta/daniel-coffield

Often mis-diagnosed; http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/10/30/eveningnews/main527537.shtml


****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 14 Mar 2011
Source: StatesmanJournal.com, Associated Press (AP) report [edited]



[A] hantavirus has been confirmed as the cause of death of a Deschutes
County resident in central Oregon.

KTVZ-TV in Bend reports the Deschutes County Health Department
announced the death on Monday [14 Mar 2011]. No other details were
available. Officials said it was the 16th case of hantavirus
[infection] confirmed in Oregon since 1993 and the 4th in Deschutes
County.

Although rare in the United States, [hantaviruses] can cause lung
problems which can be fatal if not treated.

The disease [virus] is carried primarily by rodents, especially the
deer mouse [_Peromyscus maniculatus_]. The most common human exposure
occurs during cleaning and working in spaces that have been inhabited
by mice, such as garages, sheds, barns, and crawl spaces.

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[Although not specified, the hantavirus involved in this fatal case is
most likely Sin Nombre virus. Its rodent host is the deer mouse
_Peromyscus maniculatus_. It would be of interest to know the details
concerning the individual and the circumstances under which the
infection was acquired.

An image of _Peromyscus maniculatus_ can be accessed at
.

Maps showing the location of Oregon in northwestern USA can be
accessed at
and
. Deschutes County in central Oregon can
be located on the map at .
- Mod.TY]

[see also:
Hantavirus update 2011 - Americas (05): USA (NM) 20110124.0289
Hantavirus update 2011 - Americas: Chile, USA 20110106.0077
2010
----
Hantavirus update 2010 - Americas (24): Chile, USA, susp 20100509.1509
2009
----
Hantavirus update 2009 - Americas (12): USA, pediatric 20091223.4323
Hantavirus update 2009 - Americas (11): USA (CA) 20091214.4245
Hantavirus update 2009 - Americas (10): USA (NM) 20090918.3281
Hantavirus update 2009 - Americas (08): USA (NM, AZ) 20090708.2452
Hantavirus update 2009 - Americas (06): USA (NM) 20090511.1753]
...................................ty/mj/dk
*##########################################################*
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Monday, March 14, 2011

Mystery Disease Plagues Uganda

UNDIAGNOSED DISEASE - UGANDA (02): (KITGUM)
*******************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 29 Nov 2310
Source: AllAfrica, The New Vision (Uganda) report [edited]



Uganda: strange disease spreads to Kitgum
-----------------------------------------
The mysterious disease affecting Agago and Abim districts has
reportedly spread to Kitgum. The [Ugandan] Health Ministry yesterday
[28 Nov 2010] said the disease had not been identified yet, but
medical officers had been giving people "supportive treatment". Dr
Issa Makumbi, the Ministry's head of disease surveillance, said the
Entebbe-based Centre for Disease Control was today [29 Nov 2010]
expected to release results from samples received last week.

In the middle of this month [November 2010], Ministry officials,
quoting preliminary laboratory results, identified the disease as
amoebic dysentery. Yesterday [28 Nov 2010], the ministry put the
death toll in Kitgum at 5. But Sr Grace Ogwang, the Kitgum district
disease surveillance officer, said 8 people died of the disease in
Kitgum. This brings the death toll in the 3 districts to 36. The
disease has also reportedly spread to Pader.

The Kitgum victims included a mechanic who was hurriedly buried at
the Kitgum Hospital cemetery on [Sun 28 Nov 2010] under the strict
supervision of medical personnel from the World Health Organisation.
Ogwang said [the deceased] had travelled to Wol in Agago district a
week before his death. He is suspected to have contracted the disease
there. Ogwang warned people against getting into contact with the
bodies of victims and to avoid handshakes, communal handwashing, and
sharing of food.

[Byline: Anne Mugisa, David Labeja]

--
Communicated by:
Thomas James Allen


[Since the previous press report from the region, the outbreak of
this unidentified disease has spread to include Kitgum and the
overall death toll has in creased from 32 to 36. 8 of the fatalities
have occurred in Kitgum. No further information is available yet
regarding the nature of the disease, other than that initially
amoebic dysentery was suspected, rather than any form of haemorrhagic
disease as rumoured previously. A precise diagnosis is awaited.

The districts of Kitgum, Abim, and Agago in the Northern Region of
Uganda can be located on the map at
.
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Uganda can be accessed at
. - Mod.CP]

[see also:
Undiagnosed disease - Uganda: Acholi, RFI I20101129.4297]
...................................cp/mj/dk

*##########################################################*
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Monday, March 7, 2011

AVIAN INFLUENZA (28): ISRAEL (JUDEA AND SAMARIA) H5N1

*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 7 Mar 2011
Source: Circular 2011/4/a, Veterinary Services & Animal Health,
Israel [in Hebrew, trans. & summ. Mod.AS, edited]
less.htm?NRMODE=Published>


Avian influenza suspected in Rosh Zurim; preliminary notification
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Avian influenza H5 has been diagnosed in a turkey farm in the Kibbutz
Rosh Zurim, district BetLehem, province of Judea and Samaria. The
affected farm includes 13 400 birds. Quarantine measures and
surveillance have immediately been applied.

No unusual mortality has been detected in poultry farms 10 km [6 mi]
around the affected farm. Veterinarians, to whom the circular is being
electronically distributed, are called to alertness.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[The Israeli Veterinary Services have kindly provided the following
additional information, for which ProMED-mail is grateful:

"H5N1 has been confirmed by PCR. Virus isolation is pending. Out of
the 13 400 14 week old turkeys in the infected flock, about 1000
showed clinical disease, of which 200 died.

"The entire affected flock, as well as 2 additional turkey flocks on
the same farm (14 000 each, one 6 weeks old and the other 4 days old)
are to be immediately culled. An immediate notification has already
been submitted to the OIE".

A map showing the location of Rosh Zurim is available at
. - Mod.AS]

[see also:
Avian influenza (25): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, H5N1, OIE
20110306.0737
Avian influenza (24): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, H5N1 conf.
20110305.0719
Avian influenza (22): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, RFI
20110303.0695
2010
---
Avian influenza (30): Israel (HD), emu, OIE, resolved 20100515.1594
Avian influenza (26): Israel (HD), emu, OIE 20100507.1486
Avian influenza (36): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, RFI
20100522.1698
Avian influenza (31): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, RFI
20100519.1647
Avian influenza (30): Israel (HD), emu, OIE, resolved 20100515.1594
Avian influenza (28): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, susp. RFI
20100513.1562
Avian influenza (09): Israel (HA) update 20100203.0364
Avian influenza (08): Israel (HA) resolved, OIE 20100202.0355]
.................................................arn/mj/sh
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PROOF of MILITARY origins of H1N1 Swine Flu, Vaccine BIOWEAPON, and Baxt...

Pneumonia Plague & Joseph Moshe

Dengue, Croatia

DENGUE/DHF UPDATE 2011 (10)
***************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


In this update:
[1] Croatia
[2] Cases in various countries:

******
[1] Croatia (Peljesac peninsula)
Date: 3 Mar 2011
Source: Eurosurveillance, vol 16 No. 9. [summarized, edited]



Summary
After [providing] information about a dengue case in Germany acquired
in Croatia, health professionals and the public in Croatia were
alerted to assess the situation and to enhance mosquito control,
resulting in the diagnosis of a 2nd case of autochthonous dengue fever
in the same area and the detection of 15 persons with evidence of
recent dengue infection. Mosquito control measures were introduced.
The circumstances of dengue virus introduction to Croatia remain
unresolved.


Introduction

_Aedes albopictus_ was for the 1st time recorded in Croatia in 2004
in the area surrounding Zagreb. Within 2 years, _Ae. albopictus_ was
found on the entire territory of the Adriatic coast from northern
Istria to Dubrovnik in the south. According to routine monitoring of
mosquitoes and published articles, _Ae. albopictus_ is now permanently
established in the coastal but not yet in the continental areas of
Croatia.

Discussion
After France, Croatia is the 2nd country in Europe in which
autochthonous transmission of dengue infection has been shown, which
had not been recorded in Europe since the epidemic in Greece in 1925
to 1928.

The assumption that the German tourist acquired dengue fever in the
region of the Peljesac peninsula was confirmed by the identification
of a 2nd case of dengue fever in a local citizen who had not travelled
outside the area. Although the antigen was not confirmed by RT-PCR in
the acute serum of the patient, taken 6 days after illness onset, the
presence of specific IgM antibodies (IgG was negative) pointed to
acute infection. This was confirmed in a sample taken on day 19 of the
illness when IgM and IgG antibodies were found.

Of the 14 samples taken from the Croatian patient's neighbours, none
of whom had travelled outside Croatia, 9 were IgG-positive, and we
assume that these were relatively recent infections, because 7 of them
were also IgM-positive. Some of them reported having an influenza-like
disease in August and early September [2010]. Moreover, DENV-specific
antibodies were found in 5.4 per cent of the anonymous serum samples
collected in October 2010 by the laboratory that covers the area of
Peljesac and Korcula. In this panel, 5 of the 6 DENV-positive sera
showed borderline or positive values of IgM antibodies against DENV.
Based on the available serological and epidemiological data, we,
therefore, assume that a cluster of acute DENV infections occurred in
the area, most probably during August and September 2010.

Reference:
Gjenero-Margan I, Aleraj B, Krajcar D, Lesnikar V, Klobucar A,
Pem-Novosel I, Kurecic-Filipovic S, Komparak S, Martic R, Duricic S,
Betica-Radic L, Okmadzic J, Vilibic-Cavlek T, Babic-Erceg A, Turkovic
B, Avsic-Zupanc T, Radic I, Ljubic M, Sarac K, Benic N,
Mlinaric-Galinovic G. Autochthonous dengue fever in Croatia,
August–September 2010. Euro Surveill. 2011;16(9):pii=19805.

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[This report presents another example of the consequences of the
spread and establishment of an introduced dengue virus vector
mosquito, _Aedes albopictus_. It will not be surprising to see future
cases of locally acquired dengue and chikungunya virus infections when
these viruses are introduced into areas where there are relatively
abundant population of this mosquito. In the current focus above,
presumably dengue virus transmission has ceased with the onset of cold
weather.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Croatia showing the areas
mentions can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

******
[2] Cases in various countries: Philippines (Pangasinan), - Indonesia
(Jakarta), Saudi Arabia (Jeddah), USA (Miami, Florida), Honduras,
Brazil (Sorocaba, Sao Paulo state), Brazil (Bauru, Sao Paulo state),
Brazil (Araraquara, Sao Paulo state), Brazil (Itu, Sao Paulo state),
Brazil (Cambe, Parana), Brazil (Parana), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro
state), Brazil (Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro state), Brazil
(Amazonas), Brazil (Ceara), Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul)

- Philippines (Pangasinan). 1 Mar 2011. The numbers of those
afflicted with the [dengue] viral disease continue to climb in
Pangasinan province in the past 2 months according to the local office
of the Department of Health (DOH) today [1 Mar 2011]. The DOH reports
a total of 157 people have been found positive with dengue, resulting
in 3 deaths thus far.
.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Panagasinan, Philippines
can be accessed at . - Mod.TY]

- Indonesia (Jakarta). 4 Mar 2011. Since January to March 2011, the
dengue fever case in North Jakarta reached 485 or lower compared to
same period last year [2010] by 723 cases.


[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Saudi Arabia (Jeddah). 6 Mar 2011. In Jeddah, 33 cases of dengue
fever have been reported in the last 3 weeks, according to Health
Affairs Director Dr. Sami Badawood, adding that more infections were
likely in the coming weeks as the cool season comes to an end.
.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map showing the location of
Jeddah in Saudi Arabia can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- USA (Miami, Florida). 2 Mar 2011. The 2nd locally acquired case of
dengue fever in Miami-Dade County was confirmed Wednesday [2 Mar 2011]
by the county Health Department. The Health Department said the person
showed symptoms of the illness, and lab tests confirmed it was dengue.
The person has fully recovered from the symptoms, the health
department said. The 1st case of locally acquired dengue in Miami-Dade
was reported this past November [2010]. That person also fully
recovered.
.

[One cannot help but wonder if this 2nd case is the result of a
recent importation of dengue virus, or if virus transmission continues
to smolder in the Miami area. It would be helpful to know whether the
current case is due to a dengue virus similar to any of the previously
reported recent cases in Florida.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map showing the location of Miami
in Florida can be accessed at . -
Mod.TY]

- Honduras. 5 Mar 2011. The head of the Dengue Program of the
Honduras Ministry of Health, Roxana Araujo, reported today [5 Mar
2011] a "significant reduction" in dengue incidence that in 2010
produced the worst epidemic in 30 years with a total of 83 deaths. She
stated that since 1 Jan [2011] to date, 680 cases of classical dengue
fever have been registered, and during that same period last year
[2010], there were 2880. There are 5 DHF cases this year [2011], while
in the same period last year, there were 190, Araujo added.

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Honduras can be accessed
at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Sorocaba, Sao Paulo state). 5 Mar 2011. The number of
confirmed dengue cases doubled in one week, putting the city health
authorities on alert. While a bulletin released by the Secretariat of
Health on 25 Feb [2011] indicated that there were 75 cases, a survey
made yesterday afternoon [4 Mar 2011] confirmed 148 cases in the city.
Only 17 are imported [from elsewhere].
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map showing the location of
Sorocaba, Saou Paulo state can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Bauru, Sao Paulo state). 4 Mar 2011. On Thursday [3 Mar
2011], the municipal Secretariat of Health reported 45 new locally
acquired dengue cases in Bauru, totaling 435 cases of the disease up
to now (432 locally acquired and 3 imported) in 2011. In just 3 days,
the city counted 156 new dengue cases, and the Secretariat expects
that this year [2011] will be an epidemic one. It is always worthwhile
to compare [the number this year] with 2010, when the number of
reported cases was 648, with 485 locally acquired and 47 imported.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Bauru in Sao Paulo state
can be accessed at . - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Araraquara, Sao Paulo state). 3 Mar 2011. An additional 33
dengue cases were confirmed in Araraquara. This year [2011], a total
of 146 people had the disease. Of these, just 2 were imported from
another city. The results of 129 reported cases are awaited.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map Araraquara in Sao Paulo
state can be accessed at . - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Itu, Sao Paulo state). 28 Feb 2011. The number of dengue
cases in Itu increased by 8. This week, the city recorded 4 more
locally acquired cases. With these, there are now 5 locally acquired
cases and anther 6 imported from other cities. The Itu Secretariat of
Health also reported that laboratory results from another 15
[suspected dengue cases] are awaited.
. [in
Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Itu in Sao Paulo state
can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Cambe, Parana). 4 Mar 2011. In Cambe, 853 dengue cases have
been registered with 26 cases [laboratory] confirmed.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of ICambe, Parana can be
accessed at . - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Parana). 3 Mar 2011. From January - 25 Feb [2011], Parana
reported 12 703 suspected dengue cases, with 2193 confirmed; 3 deaths
and 39 serious cases were reported. The Jacarezinho prefecture, in the
north of the state, declared an emergency situation, after 2 deaths
and 1253 reported [dengue cases]. This city is 2nd [in the state] in
the number of confirmed and suspected [dengue] cases. In the past 2
months [January and February 2011], Londrina has registered one death
and the most reported dengue cases in the entire state, with 4570.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Parana can be accessed
at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Rio de Janeiro state). 3 Mar 2011. Rio de Janeiro is under
a state of alert for dengue. As of this past Monday [1 Mar 2011], the
municipal Secretariat of Health has registered 3640 [dengue] cases in
the city from January - February [2011]. This is the greatest number
since the epidemic of 2008, when 240 deaths were confirmed in the
state.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY, edited]

[With 7 dengue deaths in the state from 1 Jan - 28 Feb [2011], the
number of deaths is more than double that of 2010, when there were 3.
.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Rio de Janeiro state can
be accessed at . - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro state). 4 Mar 2011. The city
is classified as one of "medium risk" [for dengue], said the city
Secretary of Health, Suely Pinto, this afternoon [4 Mar 2011]. There
are 35 cases of classical dengue fever and one of DHF. The reported
cases awaiting confirmation are 285, 2 of which are [suspected] DHF.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Volta Redonda, Rio de
Janeiro state can be accessed at . -
Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Amazonas). 3 Mar 2011. With 15 548 reported cases as of
Tuesday [1 Mar 2011], Brazil's state of Amazonas is going through its
3rd dengue epidemic -- the 2nd-worst in its history -- only surpassed
by the 19 000 [dengue virus infections] in 2001 when dengue [virus]
types 1 and 2 were circulating. As of 1 Mar [2011], there were 9
confirmed dengue deaths, all due to dengue [virus] type 1 and 2
[infections]. An additional 4 deaths are under investigation to
determine whether they were due to dengue [virus infections].
According to health authorities, dengue [cases] are increasing, with
230 cases reported daily, 98 per cent with classical dengue fever. The
epidemic is occurring in 2 municipalities, the capital city Manaus,
with 10 798 cases as of last Wednesday [2 Mar 2011], and Tefe.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map Amazonas can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Ceara). 3 Mar 2011. The number of dengue deaths in Ceara
reached 10. After the state Secretariat of Health reported that
number, the alert level increased, and the state runs a big risk of
suffering a new epidemic of the disease. According to the latest
bulletin, Ceara counted 3182 confirmed cases in 114 cities.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Ceara can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

- Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul). 1 Mar 2011. A possible dengue epidemic
is placing the units of the State Center for Health Surveillance on
alert. In recent days, there are now 288 reported cases in Rio Grande
do Sul, with 11 confirmed.
.
[in Portuguese, trans. Mod.TY]

[A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map Rio Grando do Sul can be
accessed at . - Mod.TY]

[see also:
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (09) 20110228.0665
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (08) 20110222.0579
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (07) 20110214.0498
Dengue/DHF update 2011 (04) 20110124.0292
2010
----
Dengue/DHF update 2010 (57) 20101115.4149]
.................................................sb/mpp/ty/msp/mpp
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information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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Friday, March 4, 2011

Bird Flu Appears in Palistine

AVIAN INFLUENZA (22): PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, WEST BANK, REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION
*******************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Thu 3 Mar 2011
Source: SMS message, distributed by Israel's Avian Health Network [in
Hebrew, trans. Mod.AS, edited]


An outbreak of HPAI H5N1 has been diagnosed in a turkey flock in the
village Silat al Harithiyah, West Bank, Palestinian Territories. The
flock is 75 days old with a very high mortality rate. Diagnosis was
carried out by PCR.

--
Communicated by:
Nati Elkin

[For the location of the village Silat al Harithiyah in the northern
part of the West-Bank, Jenin district, about 3 km from the boundary
with Israel, see map at .

Official confirmation from the Palestinian authorities and
information on the disease-control measures applied are anticipated.

Israel's Avian Health Network is a semi-governmental institution
engaged in the diagnosis and control of poultry diseases. - Mod.AS]

[see also:
2010
----
Avian influenza (36): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, RFI
20100522.1698
Avian influenza (31): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, RFI
20100519.1647
Avian influenza (28): Palestinian Authority, West Bank, susp. RFI
20100513.1562]
.................................................arn/msp/mpp
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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************************************************************
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WEST NILE VIRUS, MOSQUITOES - USA: (LOUISIANA)

**********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 28 Feb 2011
Source: Nola.com (Times-Picayune online) [edited]



A case [sic] of West Nile virus has been found in a mosquito sample
tested in January [2011], providing significant information about how
the virus outlasts the winter, a recent St. Tammany Parish Mosquito
Abatement District report stated. [Detection or isolation of a virus
from a mosquito or mosquito pool is not referred to as a case. Case
refers to disease in humans or animals. The mosquitoes are infected,
but not "diseased." - Mod.TY]

A test sample returned positive for West Nile [virus], giving new
evidence that the virus cycles as normal during the winter months. The
virus was found in the mosquito _Culiseta inornata_, a species
normally active in the winter and early spring. This is the 1st time
the species has tested positive for West Nile [virus], the report
said. A total of 96 mosquito samples [pools] were tested for the virus
in January [2011], with one _Culiseta inornata_ pool returning
positive, the report said. A mosquito sample [pool] typically consists
of up to 50 mosquitoes that are tested as one unit.

According to Charles Palmisano, director of the mosquito abatement
district, the new evidence backs suspicions the virus actively cycles
[is transmitted] via infections between mosquitoes and birds instead
of lying dormant during the winter when cold temperatures slow
mosquito activity and development. "It's just another piece of the
puzzle to the question of what happens to the virus in the winter,"
Palmisano said. "While this indicates the (infection) cycle could be
continuing during the winter, we aren't sure what effect this could
have in late spring, early summer."

No human cases of West Nile have been reported this year [2011], and
once weather permits and adult mosquitoes become more active, the
district will begin spraying ditches in the parish to control the
mosquito population, Palmisano said. "The spring is a very important
time of year to hopefully have an impact on West Nile virus activity
for the entire year," Palmisano said. "Our thinking is that if we can
reduce the viral activity in the early spring, perhaps this will also
reduce its impact during the summer when human transmission is most
likely."

Through 21 Feb 2011, there have been no other positive findings for
West Nile [virus], Palmisano said.

About 90 percent of the people who contract West Nile will never
experience any symptoms and likely will never know they have the
disease, officials have said. Nearly all the rest will suffer from
West Nile fever, which has symptoms similar to the flu and is not
typically diagnosed as West Nile.

Only about one percent of patients who contract West Nile will
develop the neuro-invasive form of the disease, which can result in
brain or spinal swelling leading to permanent damage or death. People
who are at least 65 years old are the most likely to suffer
complications.

When a mosquito feeds on a bird infected with West Nile, the mosquito
can carry the virus and infect a person through a bite. It is not
transmitted from person to person.

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[West Nile virus (WNV) was isolated from _Culiseta inornata_ in the
USA from 2002 at least to 2008 as reported to the US CDC by the states
.
_Culiseta inornata_ has been shown in the laboratory to be infected by
and to transmit WNV. It primarily feeds on mammals and may be a
"bridge" vector transmitting the virus to humans and equine animals.

Reference:
Laura B. Goddard,* Amy E. Roth,* William K. Reisen,* and Thomas W.
Scott*. 2002. Vector competence of California mosquitoes for West Nile
virus. Emerg Infect Dis. 2002 December; 8(12): 1385-1391.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map showing the location of
Louisiana in the southeastern USA can be accessed at
. - Mod.TY]

[see also:
2008
----
West Nile virus update 2008 - Western Hemisphere (15) 20080814.2516]
.................................................sb/mpp/ty/msp/mpp
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
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