Disease

Legionnaires Disease Outbreak in Sydney, Australia

NSW Health is urging anyone who has visited the Town Hall area in the Sydney CBD and has symptoms such as fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath to see their doctor after an outbreak of legionnaires’ disease.

Four men are in hospital with the disease, which is thought to have been contracted from air-conditioning systems in central Sydney.

Cooling towers in the area are being inspected as outbreaks are often associated with contaminated air-conditioning systems in large buildings.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by a bacterial infection of the lungs that can develop after someone breathes contaminated water vapour or dust.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Lives and homes are in danger from an out-of-control bushfire in WA’s Great Southern region.

A watch and act alert has been issued for people in the Blue Vista and Steerdale estates in Hopetoun, in Shire of Ravensthorpe.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the accidentally lit fire was reported just before 2pm on Friday.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Two homes were destroyed and one was damaged in a bushfire that burned out of control at Mount Bolton, north-west of Ballarat, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) says.

The fire broke out mid-afternoon on Tuesday and burned through about 1,300 hectares in the area, much of it rural farmland.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 Earthquake hits south of Australia.

5.3 Earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.

5.2 Earthquake hits central California.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

A bizarre deep sea creature, which looks like a cross between a crocodile and a dolphin has washed ashore on the banks of an Australian lake. Australian Museum fish collector Mark McGrouther suspects it is a pike eel, native to deep waters on the east coast of Australia.

“I suspect it was caught and discarded by fisherman who got more than they bargained for when they tried to reel it in.” The pike eel is known to thrash around violently once hooked, damaging fishing equipment and forcing fishermen to cut their lines.

“They can grow up to 1.8 metres in length, but the angle of this photo makes it difficult to determine how large it is.” The pike eel has an elongated body and long slender jaws and large pointed teeth at the front of the lower jaw and on the roof of its mouth. They are nocturnal and known to travel as far as 100 metres deep in search of fish and crustaceans to feed on. The species is elusive as it typically resides in waters near the ocean floor at around 1,200 metres below sea level.

Disease

Parechovirus Infects 50 Babies in Queensland, Australia

An outbreak of a rare and potentially fatal virus has left 55 newborns sick, with most of the infected babies under three months old.

The respiratory and gastrointestinal infection parechovirus has swept through parts of Queensland, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast, leaving newborns with lethargy, diarrhoea, a temperature and a refusal to eat.

Last month, two infants from Toowoomba were almost killed by the virus and were left fighting for life in intensive care, with one even having her chest cut open and given painful spinal taps.

The virus initially broke out in Brisbane in September, but there have been reported cases on the Gold Coast, and in Toowoomba, Townsville, Mackay and Bundaberg

There is currently no specific treatment for the potentially fatal disease but doctors are trying to work on a vaccine.

Wildfires

Bushfire Incidence Increases in Australia

The number of bushfires per week in Australia increased by 40 per cent between 2008 and 2013, according to a new study, but experts say it is too early to link this to climate change.

However the modelling, which blends NASA satellite data on bushfires with a host of other environmental data, could be used by fire authorities in the future to predict whether a fire will ignite in any given area that week, said the study's authors.

NASA data, which gave the latitude, longitude and intensity of fires across the world, showed that in 2013 there were 4,595 fires per week across Australia.

The most seriously affected areas were tropical and subtropical areas in Queensland and Northern New South Wales, he said.

The researchers found there had been a 40 per cent increase in fires from 2008.

Wildfires

Birds of prey spread bush fires deliberately

Birds of prey in Australia are suspected of starting fires to drive their prey from undergrowth.

At least two raptors, the black kite and the brown falcon, have been seen swooping on smouldering twigs and embers, and carrying them on to unburnt ground, scientists have been told, in what would be the first case of animals deliberately using fire.

The birds swoop on small marsupials and large insects as they are flushed from the bush by the flames.

Bushmen, rangers and aboriginals have provided researchers with accounts of the birds starting fires in northern Australia.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Lives and properties remain under threat from an out-of-control bushfire in Western Australia’s South West. The size of the fire, which was reported on Sunday afternoon, is about 1100 hectares and the cause is unknown.

An emergency warning remains in place for south of Uduc in the Shire of Harvey including the Wokalup townsite, the Thornton Housing Estate and the Myalup Freshwater Lakes Estate.

About 300 firefighters are protecting houses and infrastructure and building and strengthening containment lines, while aerial support is assisting ground crews.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Australia - Port Lincoln is experiencing severe flooding after being hit by the remnants of Cyclone Stan more than 3,200km away. The city located on the Eyre Peninsula in the Australian experienced strong rainfall after ex-Cyclone Stan crossed the South Australian border last night. The rain has hampered drivers and businesses with reports that there was 50mm of rain recorded at 9am with an additional 20mm recorded at lunchtime.

Atlantic Ocean - Global Weather Oscillations says the 2016 - 2017 Atlantic hurricane season will be the strongest in over 4 years. GWO has issued the most accurate predictions of any organization over the past 7 years, and says - unlike the past three hurricane seasons that were dominated by hostile atmospheric conditions that subdued hurricane activity since 2013, and during the 2015 El Niño season - The next few years will be in a “Climate Pulse Hurricane Enhancement Cycle” that will provide very favourable conditions for development of tropical storms and hurricanes.

Argentina - An invasion of poisonous snakes washed downriver in recent floods forced authorities to close beaches to summer holidaymakers in northern Argentina, officials said Monday. Floodwaters in the Rio Plata and Rio Parana carried a species of water lily and with it countless crawling, slithering creatures, south to beaches at the mouths of those rivers near Buenos Aires.

United Kingdom - Village suffers 'biblical' non stop rain for 81 DAYS and even the livestock are 'depressed'. Rain has fallen every day in the Welsh village of Eglwyswrw since October 26 and residents, farmers and their animals are all fed up.

Australia - Darling Downs residents have been warned to brace for a massive storm and 'super cell' expected to reach the region tomorrow, bringing with it damaging weather conditions. Higgins Storm Chasers have issued a warning with a surface and upper trough bringing large hail, up to 8cm in diameter, damaging winds over 90 km/hr, heavy rain with flash flooding and frequent lightning. The system will peak on Friday as a very potent storm set up.

USA - Winter storm in Midwest; tornadoes punch Deep South - Heavy snow and high winds continued to sweep across much of the Midwest with near-blizzard force on Tuesday, causing highway closures in Nebraska and flight cancellations in Colorado. Nasty weather also hammered the South, with tornado warnings issued in Mississippi and Alabama. At least two tornadoes hit Mississippi.

Ethiopia - 'Fish Rain' in Dire Dawa. Unusual fish-rain occurred on Sunday at 11; 30 pm in Dire Dawa City Eastern part of Ethiopia for a few minutes both in rural and urban areas. This typically happens when a cyclone offshore sucks up water from the ocean along with fish and deposits the moisture as rain over land.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

California, USA - California was battered by winds as high as 115mph: At least one person was killed and thousands were left without electricity as a powerful storm prompts warnings of flash floods and mudslides. The heavy rain brought traffic to a near-standstill on LA freeways and forecasters said tornadoes were possible.

Australia - In Western Australia, Tropical Cyclone Stan brought strong winds and heavy rain to the Pilbara, while a weak monsoon has arrived in the Top End. Stan has since dissipated over land. Meanwhile, a man was killed near Bundaberg in southern Queensland after his car was washed away by floodwaters, just moments after he let his brother out to check on water levels. In south-east NSW, destructive winds during thunderstorms destroyed several homes at Forbes Creek, about an hour east of Canberra.

Indonesia - Flash flood in Situbondo district, East Java destroyed houses Sunday morning after Silowogo river overflew following the heavy rain. The flash flood affected at least 28 houses in Silowogo, 15 houses in Sumberanayar and 100 houses in Melandingam Wetan village in the Bungatan district. Heavy rain also caused landslides in several areas in Agam District, West Sumatra.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Scotland - According to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), heavy rainfall during early Wednesday has led to significant flooding in parts of the area, particularly from the rivers Teviot and Jed in the south west parts of the area. Around 600 people have been evacuated from low-lying parts of Hawick after severe flood warnings were issued in the area.

Gaza - Scores of Palestinian families in Rafah were evacuated yesterday after their homes were flooded by rainwater.

Australia - A freak thunderstorm has wreaked havoc on Geelong, leaving cars submerged in floodwaters and houses inundated. More than double the month’s average rainfall of 31mm pelted Avalon in just one hour, with the day’s total reaching 72mm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The bureau said the afternoon’s rainfall was “equivalent to a one-in-100-year event”.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

A baby kangaroo is on the slow road to recovery after surviving a ferocious bushfire in Western Australia.

Wildfires - South Africa

A deadly blaze aboard a train sparked a wildfire in Cape Town Thursday, as strong winds and high temperatures also sent flames ripping through vineyards in South Africa's prime winelands.

A body was found in one of two burnt-out carriages on the commuter train after it made an emergency stop near Fish Hoek village on Cape Town's southern peninsula, police said.

Water-bombing helicopters and fire crews were battling to prevent the blaze reaching nearby houses.

Helicopters were also in action in the Cape's scenic winelands, where fires have raged in the Simonsberg area since Tuesday.

Several farms have lost part of their grape crops, just as the harvesting season gets under way.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

At least one home was destroyed and another severely damaged in a bushfire burning on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula late yesterday.

Homes in Crib Point, near HMAS Cerberus naval base, were under threat last night and smoke could be seen from nearby Phillip Island and French Island.

More than 100 firefighters, with the support of 26 trucks and three firebombing aircraft, were battling the blaze.

All but one of Victoria’s fire districts face a total fire ban as temperatures to top 40C in some areas with strong northerly winds ahead of a gusty cool change.

Wildfires

Wildfires - South Africa

A fire in the Elgin area in the Western Cape has swept over more than 3,000 hectares of vegetation. Several structures have also been destroyed. The fire broke out on Saturday and has yet to be brought under control.

Wildfires - Australia

A fast-moving bushfire poses a possible risk to lives and homes in Western Australia’s South West.

A watch and act alert has been issued in the Shire of Boddington in Taree Forest Block as more than 50 firefighters work to contain the out of control blaze. People in an area bounded by Siding Road, Hotham River, Pinjarra-Williams Road, George Road and Pindalup Road have been advised to leave or prepare to actively defend their homes.

The fire, sparked by lightning, was reported at 10.30am on Sunday.

Smoke pall from more than 50 Tasmanian fires

Residents in parts of northern and western Tasmania have been warned of the dangers of smoke from dozens of bushfires.

More than 50 fires, sparked by lightning last week, are burning across the region, with most not threatening communities, the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) said on Sunday.

People with respiratory ailments should stay indoors with doors and windows closed, the TFS said.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Hurricane Pali is located about 1640 mi...2635 km SW of Honolulu Hawaii and about 1015 mi...1635 km SSW of Johnston Island with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...SSW or 205 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.

Subtropical Storm Alex is located about 560 mi...905 km SSW of the Azores with maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h. Present movement...NNE or 20 degrees at 18 mph...30 km/h.

Alex is just the fourth Atlantic named storm to form in January since record keeping began in 1851.

NewsBytes:

France - The avalanche on Wednesday claimed the lives of two teenage pupils and a Ukrainian man in the French Alps. 17 other school children were saved after a mammoth rescue effort.

Australia - A severe storm in Sydney has claimed the life of at least one person and injured another on Thursday afternoon. The fierce winds, rain and hail struck Sydney causing delays and diversions at Sydney Airport.

Mozambique - Flooding triggered by heavy rainfall has claimed the lives of at least three people in Pemba in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. In Natite, several buildings are underwater due to flash floods.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Bushfires continue to burn through Western Australia with lives and homes under threat in Cockburn, south of Fremantle, and towns in the south-west of the state.

Fire authorities have issued a watch and act for the towns Cookernup, in the shire of Harvey, and Waroona as strong winds are threatening containment lines.

WA bushfire damage has grown to 162 properties.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Two bushfires sparked by lightning in South Australia have been contained amid dangerous fire conditions across the state.

An estimated 414 farms and 30,853 hectares of agricultural land have been affected by the bushfires still burning in south-west Western Australia. A DAFWA spokesman said there was still limited access to the region and much of the extent of fire damage was still unknown, including the number of livestock lost. DAFWA South West regional director Neil Guise said with the bushfire continuing to burn in the region it was vital that farmers work closely with the department. Mr Guise said that farmers and landholders still required permits for vehicle access to affected regions.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Smoke produced from the deadly bushfires in Western Australia's South West can be seen clearly from space, with a NASA satellite capturing a stunning image of smoke billowing into the Indian and Southern Oceans.

The bushfire, believed to have been sparked by lightning, has killed two people and destroyed more than 143 buildings in the Shires of Waroona and Harvey, burning through 72,600 hectares.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Two people have died and more than a hundred homes have been destroyed in a huge bushfire, Australian authorities said Sunday, as firefighters battled to tame the out-of-control blaze.

The inferno -- which has razed about 71,000 hectares (175,000 acres) in Western Australia state -- is the most recent in a series of bushfires that have kicked off a hot summer season, with the latest deaths lifting the national toll to eight.

The two bodies were found in burnt-out houses in Yarloop, a historic mill town some 110 kilometres (70 miles) south of Perth that has been devastated by the bushfire -- one of the worst to hit the region in recent years.

The bushfire -- which is entering its fifth day after reportedly being started by a lightning strike -- has destroyed 143 properties including 128 homes in Yarloop, the state's Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) told AFP.

The blaze has a perimeter of about 226 kilometres and has yet to be contained, but the 250 firefighters battling the flames were hoping to take advantage of the cooler weather on Sunday.