Volume: 232, Published: 19 July 2023

Afghanistan: Outbreak of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

Date: 13 July 2023; Disease: CCHF; Location: Multiple locations, Afghanistan

A total of 54 new cases of CCHF (30 cases were confirmed positive by PCR) and 9 new deaths were reported during the last week. This brings the total number of CCHF cases to 494 from 32 provinces since the beginning of 2023. Three additional CCHF associated deaths were added to cumulative deaths which were reported sporadically from 2 provinces. This brings the total number of CCHF associated deaths to 47 (CFR=9.5%) from the beginning of 2023. The CCHF associated deaths were reported from 16 provinces (Kabul (19), Balkh (6), Takhar (5), Parwan (3), Jawzjan (2), Kandahar (2), and 1 from each of the following provinces: Badakhshan, Baghlan, Faryab, Ghazni, Kapisa, Khost, Kunduz, Paktya, Sar-e-pul and Wardak provinces). Read more at WHO.

Indonesia: Two residents experiencing Anthrax symptoms, suspected transmission from goats

Date: 16 July 2023; Disease: Anthrax (Suspected); Location: Gunungkidul, Indonesia

Two residents of Semuluh Padukuhan, Ngeposari Village, Semanu, Gunungkidul, Special region of Yogyakarta are experiencing symptoms similar to anthrax. Livestock and Animal Health Service authorities had traced and taken soil samples from the slaughter site.  Residents experiencing similar to anthrax had slaughtered goats. According to the media, there have been no reports of anthrax in the area. Test results have not arrived yet. Red more at Kompas (Indonesian).

Philippines: African swine fever (ASF) state of calamity declared in Bataan

Date: 13 July 2023; Disease: ASF; Location: Bataan, Philippines

A state of calamity has been declared in Bataan due to the outbreak of ASF. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution declaring the state of calamity, which Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III approved on 9 July. The governor said 25 percent of hog farms in the province were affected by the swine disease. At least 333 pigs in 17 hog farms were found positive for ASF while another 287 pigs have been tested. As of 4 July, the Bataan provincial veterinary office said ASF cases had been detected in the towns of Hermosa, Morong, Orion, Pilar and Samal. In a radio interview, Bataan provincial veterinarian said that 240 pigs were recently culled. Read more at Philstar.

India: Rabies confirmed in a stray dog bite incident in Kerala

Date: 13 July 2023; Disease: Rabies; Location: Anchuthengu, Kerala, India

A stray dog diagnosed with rabies bit a four-year-old girl while she was playing outside her house. The child, critically injured, is currently receiving treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. Subsequently, it was confirmed that the dog that attacked her was infected with rabies. Shortly after the incident, the dog died and was buried without undergoing any medical examination. Upon protest by locals, authorities exhumed the dog's body for test samples. The health department promptly vaccinated approximately 10 individuals who had direct contact with the child, including those who intervened to save her from the dog attack. The child continues to receive treatment at the Medical College Hospital. Read more at Janam Online.

Philippines: More African swine fever (ASF) events reported from Negros Occidental

Date: 12 July 2023; Disease: ASF; Location: Negros Occidental, Philippines

Eighteen more cases of ASF were recorded in Negros Occidental, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) confirmed, citing laboratory test results. The specimens were from taken from Barangay 6 (13 positive cases), Barangay Linao (two) and Barangay Binicuil (one), all in Kabankalan City. Two other cases were recorded in Hinigaran town, one each from barangays Gargato and Cambaog. As of 10 July, the province’s hog mortalities reached 16,361 or close to 10 percent of Negros Occidental’s hog population of 164,334, data from the Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) showed. Read more at Panay News.

India: Girl in Kollam Kerala infected with Brucellosis

Date: 12 July 2023; Disease: Brucellosis; Location: Kollam, Kerala, India

A seven-year-old student from Kadakkal in Kollam has tested positive for Brucellosis, a bacterial infection that spreads from animals to people. The girl was admitted to Sree Avittam Thirunal Hospital (SAT) Hospital with a severe fever, increased platelet count and a swollen face. She later tested positive for the bacterial infection. A doctor shared that she is stable at present and her health is being monitored. She added that the infection is mostly found in cattle, and at times humans who are in close contact with animals or animal products also catch the infection. The infection is lifethreatening if not treated on time. Meanwhile, district epidemiologists collected samples from the cow owned by the family and the tests showed no presence of Brucellosis in the cattle. Read more at New Indian Express.

Bhutan: Dagana farmers lose two cattle in a month due to lumpy skin disease (LSD)

Date: 11 July 2023; Disease: LSD; Location: Dagana, Bhutan

Within four months, 482 farmers in Dagana lost 59 cattle to LSD. With no immediate solution to address the outbreak, farmers are worried about losing more cattle. A resident of Tashiding, who lost a milking cow and a calf said that the loss of livestock has impacted his milk production. He is one of the daily contributors of milk to the processing unit in the gewog. Two of his three milking cows had been affected. “With no concrete medication against the disease, I feel helpless.” He said, “Based on the instruction from the gewog and livestock officials, the cattle affected have been isolated. However, the condition has not improved.” Another cattle holder from Gozhi said that five of his cattle are affected by the disease, with a low rate of recovery. Read more at Kuensel Online.

Russian Federation: African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak

Date: 14 July 2023; Disease: ASF; Location: Troitsko-Nikol'skoe, Russian Federation

One pig in a backyard pig farm died of ASF out of 3 susceptible pig population. Read more at WOAH. Similarly one wild boar was confirmed positive for ASF and died in the incident. Read more at WOAH.

Russian Federation: Sheep pox and goat pox reported

Date: 13 July 2023; Disease: Sheep pox and goat pox; Location: Axenovo, Russian Federation

Sheep pox and goat pox was reported in batch of 20 domestic sheep while one sheep died of the disease. The backyard farm had 241 animals. Read more at WOAH.

Similarly the disease was reported in a backyard sheep farm in Artel where 1 animal died out of 118 susceptible animal population. Read more at WOAH.

Poland: Influenza A(H5N1) in cats

Date: 16 July 2023; Disease: Influenza A(H5N1); Location: Poland

The IHR National Focal Point of Poland notified WHO of unusual deaths in cats across the country. As of 11 July, 47 samples have been tested from 46 cats and one captive caracal, of which 29 were found to be positive for influenza A (H5N1). Fourteen cats are reported to have been euthanized, and a further 11 died, with the last death reported on 30 June. The source of the exposure of cats to the virus is currently unknown and epizootic investigations are ongoing. Sporadic infection of cats with A(H5N1) has previously been reported, but this is the first report of a high numbers of infected cats over a wide geographical area within a country. As of 12 July, no human contacts of A(H5N1) positive cats have reported symptoms, and the surveillance period for all contacts is now complete. Read more at WHO.

UN-led task force issues guidance on addressing unprecedented outbreaks of Avian Influenza in wildlife

Date: 13 July 2023

The Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds – co-convened by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – has sounded the alarm on the current near-global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the unparalleled scale of mortality among wild birds. Among other recommendations, the Task Force urges countries to consider HPAI as a conservation issue and avoid culling measures. It also calls for a One Health approach to ensure appropriate cross-sectoral attention to human, animal and environmental health. Read more at FAO (Full text PDF) and CMS.

Ongoing avian influenza outbreaks in animals pose a risk to humans

Date: 12 July 2023

The current outbreaks of avian influenza have caused devastation in animal populations, including poultry, wild birds, and some mammals, and harmed farmers’ livelihoods and the food trade. Although largely affecting animals, these outbreaks pose ongoing risks to humans. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) are urging countries to work together across sectors to save as many animals as possible and to protect people.  Avian influenza viruses normally spread among birds, but the increasing number of H5N1 avian influenza detections among mammals—which are biologically closer to humans than birds are—raises concern that the virus might adapt to infect humans more easily. In addition, some mammals may act as mixing vessels for influenza viruses, leading to the emergence of new viruses that could be more harmful to animals and humans. FAO, WHO and WOAH have been convening experts to review the situation, monitoring the rapidly evolving nature of the virus, and updating recommendations for curbing its spread, in addition to working with countries in preparedness and response, and facilitating collaboration across countries and sectors. The spread of the virus to five continents speaks to the need for global cooperation and alertness to protect animals, people and economies. Read more at WHO.

APHIS releases research on SARS-Cov-2 transmission in white-tailed deer throughout the U.S.

Date: 11 July 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released national research from its first year of studies and sampling of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for active infection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. These studies show that SARS-CoV-2 is likely to have spread widely within the U.S. white-tailed deer population. Additionally, our research shows that SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted from humans to deer, mutated, and was potentially transmitted back to humans. This research is helping us understand if cervids, such as white-tailed deer, are acting as a host or “reservoir species,” meaning an animal host where the virus can survive and potentially change. While experts are still learning about SARS-CoV-2 in animals, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus to humans. Read more at USDA.

Nepal: Fast-spreading cattle disease threatens food security

Date: 6 July 2023

Many farmers, especially from the rural regions, have not been able to plough their fields to transplant paddy as their oxen have fallen sick with lumpy skin disease (LSD). Many small farmers have suffered winter crop losses and are short of cash to rent tractors. Thousands of Nepali farmers across the country use cattle to plough their paddy fields, and the spread of LSD at the busiest time of the year has caused immense distress among them. Experts have warned of a possible drop in the paddy harvest and dairy output which may trigger food insecurity this year. They say that the country is already grappling with high inflation, and a decrease in agricultural production could hurt people in the low income bracket. LSD has come as a double whammy to Nepali farmers who are being battered by a myriad of problems like low productivity, shortage of farm hands, scarce chemical fertilizers, lack of irrigation and heat waves. Read more at The Kathmandu Post.

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