Brazil: Hepatitis A
The largest city in the Americas, São Paulo, Brazil is reporting a dramatic increase in hepatitis A cases this year according to data released by the Municipal Health Secretariat earlier this week. According to a local media report, between January 1 and September 16 of this year, the city recorded 517 cases of hepatitis A.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Pennsylvania, USA - A severe thunderstorm hammered western Pennsylvania Thursday evening, bringing with it flash flooding that shut down low-lying roads throughout the area. Severe thunderstorms walloped the Pittsburgh area Thursday afternoon and evening. The storms downed wires and trees and flooded roads across Allegheny County when it hit just after 4 p.m., according to initial reports.
India - Several northeastern states are taking stock of the situation following incessant rains over the last three days, which have triggered flash floods and landslides. The swollen Khawthlangtuipui river has submerged over 350 houses in Tlabung sub-division in Lunglei where eight persons died after flash floods caused by heavy rainfall wrecked havoc yesterday. Officials estimated that over 2,000 families were affected by the floods. The whole of south Mizoram - Serchhip, Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Siaha districts and eastern Champhai district bordering Myanmar remained cut off from the rest of the country for the third day today due landslides at many places. Around 10 buildings have submerged in the swelling waters of the Tlawng river. In Assam, the districts of Lakhimpur, Darrang and Hailakandi have been hit by floods affecting nearly 14,000 people in 39 villages there.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 Earthquake hits central Peru.
5.3 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits Krygyzstan.
5.1 Earthquake hits Tajikistan.
5.1 Earthquake hits near the coast of southern Peru.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Caucasus, Russia.
5.0 Earthquake hits eastern Sichuan, China.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the South Pacific: Tropical cyclone 18p (Donna), located approximately 318 nm north of Port Vila, Vanuatu, is tracking westward at 05 knots.
NewsBytes:
Missouri, USA - Flooding along the Meramec River near St. Louis has closed one major interstate and is threatening a second and hundreds of smaller roads and highways. That would cut off thousands of workers from getting to work and school. More than 200 homes have been damaged, and St. Louis County's emergency management chief says another 1,500 are in harm's way. The Meramec and other rivers in Missouri and Illinois rose sharply after significant rain in the past few days.
Louisiana, USA - A rainstorm dumped over 10 inches of rain in less than four hours on parts of Avoyelles, flooding homes, businesses and farmland throughout the parish. Approximately 100-125 homes were flooded and several roads were closed.
Lake Ontario, USA - The Lake is at its highest level in 24 years, roughly 20 inches above average, because of near-record spring rains. Waves are crashing over breakwalls and flooding hundreds of properties along the lake's southern and eastern shores. Owners of lakeside homes are piling sandbags against the floodwaters.
Colombia: Leishmaniasis outbreak
Health officials have issued an epidemiological alert for the city of Neiva, located in south central Colombia due to a leishmaniasis outbreak, according to a La Nacion report (computer translated). The alert, issued on Apr. 26, came after a number of people became infected, including a four-month-old baby who died from the parasitic infection. In addition, of the approximately 1000 dogs from the street tested for the parasite, 500 turned out infected. The infected dogs were sacrificed, according to the report.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 26 April-2 May 2017
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were less than 10 small events at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 26-27 April, the first eruptions at that crater since 26 July 2016. During 28 April-1 May there were 16 events, of which two were explosive, ejecting tephra up to 800 m from the crater. One of the explosive events, at 1101 on 28 April, generated an ash plume that rose 3.2 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on PVMBG observations and satellite images the Darwin VAAC reported that during 26-27 and 29-30 April ash plumes from Ibu rose 1.5-1.8 km (5,000-6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, NE, and N.
Kambalny | Southern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate levels of activity at Kambalny continued during 21-28 April. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 26 April and 2 May ash plumes from Langila drifted E and NE at an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l.
Manam | Papua New Guinea : RVO reported that periods of Strombolian activity at Manam’s Southern Crater were observed during 24-30 April, and roaring and rumbling was heard. Explosions were also heard and sometimes followed by detectable shock waves. Most incandescent tephra fell back into the crater but some were deposited in the SW and SE valleys. Strombolian activity declined for a period on 25 April, and only dense gray ash plumes were seen rising from the crater. Activity was lower during 26-27 April. Strombolian explosions returned on 28 April; some of the explosions were strong and rattled nearby houses. One strong explosion and banging was heard at the Bogia Government Station. A period of moderate to moderately-high Strombolian activity was detected during 0200-0330 on 30 April. A small pyroclastic flow traveled down the SW valley, stopping around 200 m a.s.l. Scoria (up to 40 mm in diameter) and ash fell on the E side of the island in Abaria and Boakure.
Poas | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 30 April-1 May seismicity at Poás was characterized by volcano-tectonic events, long-period events, and low-amplitude tremor. A larger event was recorded at 0621 on 1 May, though there was no other confirmation of an eruption.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 116.0 degrees Fahrenheit (46.7 degrees Celsius) in Nawabshah, Pakistan.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 99.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 72.8 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.
Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.
Wildfires - South Africa
A blaze which started in the Du Toitskloof mountains in Paarl in the Western Cape in the early hours of Tuesday morning has already ripped through about 250 hectares of land, destroying nine cottages and two guest houses along the way, fire services have confirmed.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.2 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.1 Earthquake hits central Peru.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 26 October-1 November 2016
Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea): Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 28-29 October ash plumes from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.
Colima | Mexico: Based on satellite images, the Washington VAAC reported that on 30 October an ash plume from Colima rose to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.
Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia): Based on analyses of satellite imagery, information from PVMBG, and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 26 October-1 November ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and E.
Cleveland | Aleutian Islands, Alaska: The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) lowered the alert level to "yellow" after no activity has been detected at the volcano since its last eruption on 24 Oct (a small explosion). According to AVO, "recent satellite views indicate that the lava dome emplaced in late May was mostly destroyed in the explosion and has been replaced with a deep pit within the summit crater."
100 Million Suffer Food-Water Shortages From El NIño
One of the strongest El Niños on record has left nearly 100 million people in southern Africa, Asia and Latin America with acute food and water shortages since late last year.
The ocean warming has also made many populations vulnerable to diseases such as Zika, according to various governmental, U.N. and relief agencies.
UNICEF warns that nearly 1 million children in eastern and southern Africa are suffering from “severe acute malnutrition” after two years of drought, preceding the current near-record El Niño.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network said in a statement that rainfall in southern Africa “has so far been the driest in the last 35 years.”
Millions of other people in various parts of the world have suffered from heat waves, water shortages and wildfires since El Niño’s weather disruptions emerged in mid-2015.
El Niño's warmth is fading across the Pacific, but its influence on the world's weather will linger for months.
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.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 Earthquake hits the Bouvet Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
S Pacaya (Guatemala): During our visit at the volcano this morning, the first direct observation of the crater was possible following a period of 5 days of bad weather. When we climbed the crater rim, we observed violent, continuous lava spattering from the central vent on an intra-crater cinder cone inside Mackenney crater. Activity was fairly regular in intensity, but went through alternating periods of stronger and weaker overall strength, lasting 10-20 minutes each. During the strongest phases, some stronger spattering events, resembling strombolian explosions (except that this activity was continuous), lava bombs were ejected to heights of 150-200 m, i.e. well above the crater rim, but mostly fell back inside. Only few fresh (days to few weeks old) bombs were seen on or near the (eastern) crater rim. Around the main vent at the bottom of the the approx. 100 m deep crater, a small intra-crater cinder cone, about 15 m tall, has formed, obviously containing a small boiling lava lake in its main vent. A small secondary vent is located at the eastern side of the cone and also showed spattering occasionally, mainly during phases of elevated activity at the main vent. Parts of the crater floor have been covered by presumably fresh lava flows.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.0 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
6.0 Earthquake hits Fiji.
6.0 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.4 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.3 Earthquake hits offshore Maule, Chile.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.0 Earthquake hits the South Indian Ocean.
5.0 Earthquake hits Seram, Indonesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits Tajikistan.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 Earthquake hits the Owen Fracture Zone.
5.3 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.
5.2 Earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits central Turkey.
Dengue Fever in Hawaii
Four more people were diagnosed with dengue fever on Hawaii's Big Island today (Nov. 5), raising the number of locally transmitted cases to 19 people, according to the Hawaii State Department of Health.
Health officials say these "locally transmitted" cases are concerning because, although dengue has popped up sporadically in Hawaii before, in most previous cases, the disease was imported, meaning travellers brought it to the islands from elsewhere. In the new cases, people are contracting dengue from the bites of local mosquitoes.
Scarlet Fever Re-Emerges In Asia and Europe
Despite having been largely eliminated from countries for almost a century, outbreaks of the childhood disease known as scarlet fever (scarlatina) have been tracked in Europe and Asia in the past five years and is showing an increased resistance to antibiotic treatment.
Over the past five years there have been more than 5000 cases in Hong Kong (a 10-fold increase) and more than 100,000 cases in China. An outbreak in the UK has resulted in 12,000 cases since last year.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), scarlet fever can affect individuals from different age groups, but the disease is mostly seen in children between 5 years old and 12 years old.
Cholera - Tanzania
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) of the United Republic of Tanzania has notified WHO of new foci of cholera outbreaks in the country. As of 13 October, 13 regions have been affected, namely Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Pwani, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Iringa, Dodoma, Geita, Mara, Singida, Shinyaga, Mwanza and Zanzibar. As of 19 October, the cumulative number of cases is 4,835 cases, including 68 deaths. The region of Dar es Salam accounts for 72% of all reported cases (3,460). Zanzibar has reported 140 cases.
Hand, foot and mouth disease outbreak - USA
An outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease has been reported at Princeton University, affecting 13 students, according to a University spokesman.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
Hurricane Joaquin is located about 250 mi...400 km SW of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds...120 mph...195 km/h. Present movement...NE or 40 degrees at 20 mph...31 km/h.
Tropical Storm Mujigae is located approximately 252 nm east of Hanoi, Vietnam, and is tracking northwestward at 13 knots.
Tropical storm 23w (Choi-Wan), located approximately 905 nm east-northeast of Andersen AFB, Guam, and is tracking west-northwestward at 18 knots.
Tropical Storm Oho is located about 405 mi...655 km SSE of South Point Hawaii and about 605 mi...970 km SSE of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...NE or 50 degrees at 5 mph...7 km/h.
Tropical Depression Eight-C is located about 440 mi...710 km SSW of Johnston Island and about 1160 mi...1865 km SW of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...30 mph...45 km/h. Present movement...ESE or 110 degrees at 2 mph...4 km/h.
Invest 94E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for tropical development.
Invest 95E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for tropical development.
Invest 90L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for tropical development.
Invest 98C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for tropical development.
NewsBytes:
France - At least 16 people died when storms caused severe flooding on the French Riviera. His office said in a statement that The victims were found dead in the towns of Cannes, Biot, Golfe-Juan and Mandelieu-la-Napoule in the southeast of the country, following severe weather Saturday night. Three people were still missing. Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said the dead included people trapped in a parking lot, a campsite and a retirement home. Helicopters were searching for victims Sunday and 27,000 homes had no electricity.
Thailand - Heavy floods have hit Bangkok on Saturday after heavy rains. 11 areas of the city were flooded according to local authorities.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 Earthquake hits Pakistan.
5.3 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.3 Earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
5.2 Earthquake hits northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Kuril islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Liaoning, China.
