Wildlife

Measles Virus Kills 100 Dolphins off Italian Coast

A viral strain that causes measles in humans has killed more than 100 striped dolphins that have washed up along Italy’s western coast from Tuscany to Calabria, as well as the island of Sicily so far this year.

The country’s National Institute of Marine Sciences said that the death rate among the striped dolphins has dropped abruptly this month, possibly indicating the outbreak has run its course.

The epidemic mostly affected young dolphins under the ages of 15 to 20 years.

Disease

The number of U.S. cases of West Nile virus rose by 19 percent in the latest week, slowing slightly from its earlier pace but still putting this year on track to be the worst outbreak since 2003. So far this year, 3,142 cases have been reported to federal health officials as of Sept. 18, up from 2,636 reported the week before.

An outbreak of measles has been reported from the Uganda-Kenya border region. 3 children have died, dozens more infected.

Disease

Measels cases continue to be reported in New South Wales, Australia where 78 cases have occurred this year. Communities have been urged to immunise.

Disease

Measels outbreak in Cork, Ireland.

Disease

Measels outbreak in Merseyside, near Liverpool in the U.K. More than 200 cases have been confirmed.

Egypt's foot and mouth disease outbreak has spread to Gaza, endangering the entire MIddle East.

Disease

The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a travel advisory for Nigeria due to an ongoing lassa fever outbreak. Lassa fever is a haemorhragic fever.

Measels outbreak in Rayagada, India kills at least 9 children.

Leptospirosis outbreak in Fiji following the severe floods kills at least 20 people.

An outbreak of bovine TB in a herd of alpacas in England has led to the culling of 500 animals. The disease is thought to have been spread by badgers which urinate in the fields occupied by the alpacas.