Disease

Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria - Update

The growing Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has killed 101 people, as West Africa battles to contain a flare up of the virus, according to data from the nation's health authorities released Saturday.

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) statistics show that reported cases of the haemorrhagic disease -- both confirmed and suspected -- stood at 175 with a total of 101 deaths since August.

While health authorities assure Africa's most populous country of more than 170 million they have the virus under control, there are fears the actual scale of the outbreak is under-reported.

The outbreak of Lassa fever was only announced in January -- months after the first case of the disease happened in August -- with subsequent deaths reported in 10 states, including Abuja.

In neighbouring Benin at least nine people have died in a Lassa outbreak, with a total of 20 suspected cases, health authorities said Tuesday.

The number of Lassa fever infections in West Africa every year is between 100,000 to 300,000, with about 5,000 deaths, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lassa fever belongs to the same family as Marburg and Ebola, two deadly viruses that lead to infections with fever, vomiting and, in worse case scenarios, haemorrhagic bleeding.

Disease

Lassa Fever – Nigeria - Update

The National IHR Focal Point of Nigeria has notified WHO of different outbreaks of Lassa fever occurring in the country.

Between August 2015 and 23 January 2016, 159 suspected cases of Lassa fever, including 82 deaths, were reported across 19 states. Investigations are ongoing and a retrospective review of cases is currently being performed; therefore, these figures are subject to change.

Zika virus infection – Dominican Republic

On 23 January 2016, the National IHR Focal Point for the Dominican Republic notified PAHO/WHO of 10 laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus infection.

Typhoid in South Africa - Update

The small outbreak of typhoid fever that was reported in Gauging has now spread to the Western Cape. Three cases of typhoid fever have been reported in the Western Cape, the provincial health department said on Thursday.

Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease in India

Less than a week after Bareilly reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) which killed more than a dozen head of cattle, 26 cattle in the Pinahat area of Agra are suspected to have died of the disease.

Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria - Update

Three persons have been confirmed dead with over 200 others currently under observation following the outbreak of Lassa fever in Rivers State, the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Theophilus Odagme has said.

Disease

Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus – China

On 8 January 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 2 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus.

Lassa Fever in Nigeria - Update

Echoes of the Ebola Virus Disease that ravaged six West African countries from March 2014 are reverberating in Nigeria as Lassa fever, also a viral disease, begins laying a trail of deaths across the country.

With officially recorded cases now 93 with 41 deaths, the Federal Government has announced plans to set up an inter-ministerial committee from which ideas would come, as in the case of EVD, that would "deliver a final blow on Lassa fever and other related diseases."

Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia

Between 29 November and 17 December 2015, the National IHR Focal Point for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified WHO of 4 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 2 deaths.

Globally, since September 2012, WHO has been notified of 1,625 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including at least 586 related deaths.

Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus – China

Between 30 December 2015 and 2 January 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 2 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus.

Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria

The Taraba State Government has confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

One person has died and two others quarantined and their blood samples have been taken to Irrua Specialists’ Hospital in Edo State for further confirmation.

The fever spreads when people get infected with the Lassa Virus after exposure to infected rodents, while person to person transmission occurs through direct contact with the sick person. Residents were called on to avoid contact with rats especially in the areas where the outbreak occurred.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical Depression Ida is located about 1155 mi...1855 km ENE of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...NW or 325 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.

Typhoon Dujuan is located approximately 323 nm south-southeast of Kadena AB, Japan and is tracking south-southeastward at 04 knots.

Tropical Storm Niala is located about 325 mi...525 km se of Hilo Hawaii and about 535 mi...865 km se of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...50 mph...85 km/h. Present movement...NW or 325 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.

Invest 92E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for tropical development.

Invest 92E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for tropical development.

Invest 98L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for tropical development.

NewsBytes:

Nigeria - Floods in Nigeria destroyed rice plantations that produce about 11 percent of what Africa’s biggest economy needs to meet this year’s consumption. Above-normal rainfall in the country’s northwest region caused the banks of the Sokoto and Rima rivers to overflow in the Sokoto and Zamfara states, flooding rice plantations and destroying about 626,250 metric tons of the staple. In the Kebbi and Jigawa states, a combined 635,000 hectares of low-land, rain-fed plantations have been affected. About 350,000 hectares of rice plantations spread across 12 local government areas in the state are totally submerged in flood water across Kebbi alone.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical Storm Malia is located about 250 mi...400 km NW of Maro Reef and about 165 mi...265 km NNE of Lisianski Island with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...NNW or 340 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.

Tropical Storm Ida is located about 965 mi...1555 km ENE of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...ESE or 105 degrees at 5 mph...7 km/h.

Tropical Depression Twenty-One is located approximately 910 nm southeast of Kadena AB, Japan and is tracking northwestward at 09 knots.

Invest 96C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for tropical development.

Invest 97L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for tropical development.

NewsBytes:

Nigeria - At least 2,000 houses in some parts of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria, have been submerged by flood as a result of a heavy rainfall. The flood was said to have been caused by an unusual heavy downpour that lasted for over 48 hours. The rainfall which started on Saturday night till Monday morning, caused massive floods at Abubakar Kigo road new extension, Barnawa, Ungwar-Rimi, Gonin-Gora, Karatudu, Kachia, Romi among others. More than 30, 000 people had been forced out of their homes following the incident.

Disease

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia

Between 6 and 11 September 2015, the National IHR Focal Point for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified WHO of 22 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. Three (3) of these reported cases are associated with a MERS-CoV outbreak currently occurring in a hospital in Riyadh city. Five (5) of these reported cases are associated with another MERS-CoV outbreak occurring in a hospital in Madinah city.

Chikungunya – Spain (update)

On 3 August 2015, WHO was notified by the National IHR Focal Point for Spain of a case of chikungunya infection in the city of Gandia, Valencian Community. The patient, a 60-year-old man, had no history of travel outside the European Region.

Cholera in Nigerian Camp

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the outbreak of cholera in one of the internally displaced persons camp in Borno state.

The disease outbreak started in a camp in Sanda Kyarimi in Borno state. Nine people have been killed from the disease outbreak. A total of 96 others – already treated and mostly discharged – were affected.

Disease

An outbreak of dengue fever on the Portuguese island of Madeira has worsened as infections of the mosquito-borne disease accelerated. Reported cases of the potentially lethal disease rose to 1,672 as of Nov. 18. The disease is spreading due to many holiday makers returning home. Cases have so far been diagnosed in Britain, mainland Portugal, Germany, Sweden and France. The epidemic is the first sustained outbreak of dengue fever in Europe since the 1920's.

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A coral disease outbreak along Kauai’s North Shore in Hawaii has been described as an epidemic by local scientists due to the large numbers of coral infected (59%). The disease appears to be caused by the large amounts of suspended solids in the water coming from nearby human habitation.

A diseased piece of rice coral is pictured below. This photo shows a cyanobacterial/fungal disease attacking a piece of coral — the black ring is the disease, and the white area is the coral’s dead skeleton.

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Cholera kills 3 in southern Nigeria. Three people died in the southwestern state of Osun after being infected. Another 42 people were hospitalized in different centers across the region.

Storms and Floods

Winter storm Athena hits New York and New Jersey where residents have been warned to evacuate their homes for the second time. 650 000 buildings remain without power one week after Hurricane Sandy struck, killing 106 people. 1 200 flights have been cancelled as Athena bring heavy snowfalls to already flooded areas. Utility companies are warning of further power outages. [This is the first 'named' winter storm since the Weather Channel decided to start naming powerful winter storms the same way tropical summer storms are named.]

 

Landslide in Zamfara, Nigeria kills 9. The tragedy occurred when miners were digging up gold at the water-logged informal mining sites in the area.

Storms and Floods

Over 100 villages are submerged by rampaging floodwaters from the overflowing Orashi and Sombrero Rivers in north-west areas of Ohaji/Egbema/Ndoni and Ahoada, River State, Nigeria.

Flash floods and forest run-off caused by tropical depression Gaemi have ravaged several areas in Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces, Thailand, affecting thousands of residents and damaging vast agricultural areas. Several hours of heavy downpours on Monday night resulted in flash floods hitting three districts of the central part of Kanchanaburi province. Tambon Nong Phai in Dan Makhamtei district was the worst hit, with floodwaters rising to 1-2 metres. Tropical Storm Gaemi has weakened to a tropical depression.

Storms and Floods

Typhoon Jelawet moves towards Taiwan after ravaging Japan.

Tropical Storm Maliksi forms in the western Pacific near the Marianas Islands and moves towards Japan.

Tropical storm Gaemi forms in the western Pacific near the Philippines and is expected to hit the central coast of Vietnam Wednesday before moving on to Thailand.

Several people have been killed and thousands displaced after heavy rains in Beletweyne in central Somalia's Hiiraan Region caused the Shabelle River to burst its banks.

More than 76,000 victims of the devastating floods in Nigeria that hit about 200 communities in five local government areas of Anambra State are being evacuated by the military from their homes to relief camps in Onitsha and Nteje.

Storms and Floods

Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains in northeast India have claimed at least 26 lives, with eight other people missing. Nearly one million people have been displaced in Assam state alone, many sheltering in camps or beside roads.

As River Niger continues to overflow its banks due to the release of dam water from Cameroon, farmlands in Ibaji and other communities in Kogi East senatorial districts of Kogi state, Nigeria have been submerged.

Storms and Floods

Floods in northern Cameroon kill at least 30 people, affect more than 26000.

Massive Floods Kill At Least 70 in Nigeria. About 12,000 people have been displaced by flood disaster that ravaged many communities in Kano and Jigawa states where no fewer than 400,000 farmlands and 36,000 houses have been destroyed by the floods.

Tropical storm Nadine was located about 490 mi. [790 km] WSW of the Azores.

Category 1 Hurricane Lane was located about 1180 mi. [1895 km] WSW of the southern tip of Baja California. Lane should weaken into a tropical storm today and further weakening is expected on Wednesday. No threat to land.

Typhoon Sanba Reaches Vladivostok, Russia, floods the city's streets.

Storms and Floods

Tropical depression “Karen” has intensified a into tropical storm in Mindanao in the Philippines.

Tropical Storm Nadine forms in the Atlantic, located About 995 Miles East-Northeast of the Lesser Antilles.

Tornado confirmed west of Kingston, Ottawa, Canada.

More heavy downpours cause floods as rivers overflow their banks in Nigeria. A flood alert has been issued for the immediate evacuation of all communities along the plains of River Niger. 1 000 homes were destroyed by floodwaters in Makurdi.

Floods triggered by monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across Pakistan. Government officials have confirmed 89 deaths so far, while unofficial statistics reported over 100 casualties across the country.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storm Leslie slowly moves past Bermuda, bound for Canada.

Hurricane Michael was located about 1020 mi [1640 km] WSW of the Azores. No threat to land.

Floods in Nigeria kill 137, displace thousands.

A small tornado hit an area north of Montreal on Saturday as part of a storm that left more than 90,000 homes and businesses without power.

Violent windstorm kills 4 in north-east Oklahoma, but it was no tornado.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storm Kai-tak [Helen] is expected to bring more rain to an already drenched Philippines before heading towards China.

At least 28 people have been killed in floods in Nigeria's Plateau State.

Tornado hits Riverside County, Southern California, USA.

 

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storm Ernesto forms in the Atlantic near the Windward Islands.

The death toll from Typhoon Saola in the Philippines and Taiwan climbs to 44.

Typhoon Damrey hits southern China. 2 deaths reported and 770 000 people evacuated.

Floods and landslides displace 3 000 people in Taraba, Nigeria.

 

Floods

Flooding in Jos in central Nigeria kills at least 35 people.

 

Aircraft Accidents

A passenger plane has crashed in Lagos, Nigeria after experiencing engine troubles. All 153 people on board were killed. A day of national mourning was declared in Nigeria.

An air tanker has crashed while fighting a wildfire in Utah, USA. Both pilots on board were killed.