Disease

Typoid and Diarrhoea in Zimbabwe

Approximately 50 000 cases of diarrhoea have been reported in Zimbabwe in 2016 alone, with 30 deaths resulting from the deadly epidemic, the country's ministry of health and child care has revealed.

The health ministry disclosed that 48 843 cases of diarrhoea had been recorded since the beginning of 2016, with 10 604 of these having been reported last week, along with 8 deaths. 312 new cases of suspected typhoid were reported last week, with one death having been reported.

The revelation comes just one month after reports indicated that a deadly outbreak of typhoid fever had hit the country's capital, Harare.

Disease

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

Between 27 December 2015 and 13 January 2016, 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.

Globally, since September 2012, WHO has been notified of 1,630 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including at least 586 related deaths.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – United Arab Emirates

Between 11 and 14 January 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of the United Arab Emirates notified WHO of 2 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 1 death.

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

On 18 January 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 1 additional laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus.

Typhoid in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s capital city Harare has been rocked by a typhoid outbreak and authorities have deployed medical experts to determine the magnitude of the spread of the disease.

A report in Zimbabwe’s state-owned Herald newspaper on Wednesday said since last Friday health authorities in that country had confirmed three cases in Glen Norah, two in Hopley and one in Hatfield.

Swine Flu Outbreak in Eastern Europe

An outbreak of swine flu has killed 72 more people and is putting thousands more lives in danger as the deadly virus continues to spread across eastern Europe.

Up to 40,000 people are expected to contract the disease in the Ukaine capital Kiev, where residents are covering their faces with masks or scarves.

Schools have been closed for more than a week and some public gatherings have been banned as authorities struggle to head off the outbreak.

The Ukrainian health ministry has confirmed 72 swine flu deaths, of which 47 were in the past week.

The number of fatalities in areas of the Donetsk region held by pro-Russian rebels could be as high as 300, according to the intelligence service.

The virus has spread to many former Soviet countries, reaching epidemic levels in St Petersburg, Russia, where at least 30 people have died.

At least 18 people have also died in Armenia.

The respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1, can be spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing.

El Salvador issues Pregnancy Advisory - Zika Virus

As worries intensify about the Zika virus due to its association with a rare paralysis syndrome and rise of birth defect called microcephaly, health officials are taking drastic measures to stop the disease.

In a stunning development in El Salvador, health officials have advised all women of reproductive age to delay pregnancy until 2018 due to concerns about possible birth defects linked to the virus. Earlier this month, the El Salvador Health Department disclosed they had found 492 Zika cases.

The spokeswoman for El Salvador health department confirmed they are advising women from becoming pregnant but have not issued any official guidelines or policy statements.

The El Salvador advisory comes after thousands of children in Brazil were born with a dangerous birth defect called microcephaly, where head and brain are not fully developed. In Brazil, the government has called in the military to assist with a nationwide push to eradicate the virus. The health minister said that the military and civil defence services would be called in to help health workers combat the virus, which is spread my mosquitoes.

Disease

Anthrax Outbreak in Zimbabwe

An anthrax outbreak has been reported in Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South Province with 36 people getting infected and at least 45 head of cattle dying, amid fears that contaminated meat could have been sold to butcheries in Bulawayo.

The disease, which can be fatal if not treated, can be transmitted through eating the meat of infected animals.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical Storm 27w (In-Fa), located approximately 250 nm southeast of Andersen AFB, is tracking west-northwestward at 12 knots.

Tropical Storm Rick is located about 400 mi...640 km WSW of Manzanillo Mexico and about 485 mi...780 km S of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 295 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.

NewsBytes:

Zimbabwe - At least three people died by the severe hailstorm in Bulilima district of Zimbabwe. Two people died on their way home from School while the other drowned in a flooded pit latrine at the school.

Washington State, USA - A severe storm in Washington state has claimed lives of three people and left about 185,000 homes and businesses without power.

Disease

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

Between 17 and 24 October 2015, the National IHR Focal Point for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified WHO of 12 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 1 death.

Guinea records new cases of Ebola

Three more people in Guinea have been infected with the Ebola virus, a senior health official said on Wednesday, further dampening hopes of an imminent end to the world's worst recorded outbreak of the disease.

The three were infected in Forecariah in western Guinea from the family of a woman who died of Ebola and whose body was handled without appropriate protection.

In all, nine sick people are being treated at centres throughout the country and most are connected to the dead woman.

Zimbabwe runs out of money to contain outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease

Zimbabwe has run out of money to vaccinate millions of domestic animals to curb the spread of Foot and Mouth and protect against Newcastle Disease, acting Agriculture Secretary John Gondo said.

“We are in the process of vaccinating over 1.5 million cattle and 8 million chickens for FMD and Newcastle Disease, but the challenge is that there’s no money to buy more vaccine from Botswana”.

South Africa, which borders an affected area, has raised pressure on Zimbabwe to prevent further transmission of the disease, which could have an impact on beef exports.

Disease

Typhoid in Syria

Typhoid has broken out among residents of the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, the United Nations said on Wednesday, warning of further disease outbreaks unless aid reached the camp because of the appalling conditions there.

Eleven cases of typhoid were confirmed by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), which gained access to residents from the Yarmouk camp for the first time since June in nearby Yalda, where it carried out more than 200 medical consultations.

Typhoid is contracted by drinking or eating contaminated matter and symptoms include nausea, fever, and abdominal pain. Untreated, the disease can lead to complications in the gut and head which can kill up to one in five patients.

Foot and Mouth Disease - Zimbabwe

International beef exports remain suspended for nearly 15 years due to continued outbreaks of the foot and mouth disease across the country. Government efforts to eradicate the disease have proved fruitless.

Wildlife

Elephant Tramples Poacher in Zimbabwe

In a grim karmic twist, a suspected poacher illegally hunting African elephants was trampled to death by his prey in Charara National Park near Lake Kariba in northwestern Zimbabwe.

Populations of forest elephants have plummeted by 62 percent over the past 10 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

Storms and Floods

Floods in Argentina - Update

The death toll in the Argentinian floods has risen to 59.

Tornado in Tehama County, California

A tornado touched down near Gerber in Tehama County of California. The tornado touched down just before 7 p.m. south of Red Bluff and east of Interstate 5.

Flash Flooding in Redding, California

The National Weather service in Sacramento has issued a flash flood warning for Shasta county in Northern California including Redding. The weather service predicts that excessive run off from heavy rainfall would cause flash flooding in Redding, CA.

Other News:

Hailstorm in West Nicholson, Gwanda region in Zimbabwe has destroyed several houses. Hail damage roofs of at least 70 houses in Freda Mine alone.

Storms and Floods

Flooding in Queensland, Australia

-Floods in Queensland have killed four people. Two others are still missing.

-An emergency evacuation warning was issued in Bundaberg, north of Brisbane, Australia.

-Floods destroyed at least 40 houses in Bundaberg. -A statewide catastrophe has been declared.

-Bundaberg faces a monster flood powerful enough to knock over houses as Brisbane endures its second major flood in two years. Government expecting major flood damage in Bundaberg with the Burnett River running at 40 knots - so fast that rescue by boat will be very difficult and the force of the water is such that houses could be completely washed away. The Burnett River is expected to peak above 9.15m during late Tuesday or early Wednesday. "These are record floods. We are in uncharted territories."

-Queensland's telecommunications blackout is now STATE-WIDE with loss of phone, mobiles, internet and Triple Zero access from Coolangatta to the Cape. Telstra's fibre optic cables have been cut by floods causing IT systems to crash and wreaking havoc on airports, banks and shops in a meltdown likely to take days to fix. The number of lives lost in the deluge from ex-tropical cyclone Oswald has continued to rise, with the death toll standing at three people and hundreds of homes are under water.

-Yesterday at least five tornadoes hit Queensland coastal towns. Tornadoes in Bundaberg district destroyed around 150 homes.

-Australia weather bureau has predicted heavy rain and destructive winds for Brisbane of up to 125km/h until Monday

Landslides in Indonesia

-Landslide in Indonesia has killed 16 and injured 6 others.

-Two different landslides in western Indonesia were caused due to heavy rainfall. The first disaster occurred in Agam district of West Sumatra and the second in Kerinci district of Jambi.

- The landslide destroyed 20 houses in Nagari Sungai Batang village in Agam district of Indonesia.

-Rescuers are still searching body of 9 Indonesians in the natural disaster area.

-Landslide in Jayapura, Indonesia killed two people yesterday. Four others were injured.

-Landslides and flash floods are common natural disasters in Indonesia due to deforestation, logging and bad building practices.

Flash floods in Zimbabwe

-Heavy rainfall caused flash floods in Beitbridge District of Zimbabwe.

-Floods destroyed more then 12 houses in Mawale village. Floods have also affected Tshasvingo, Tshitulipasi and Chikwalakwala areas of Zimbabwe.

Storms and Floods

Flooding in Kruger National Park, South Africa

-Flooding has mainly affected the eastern entrance to Kruger National Park.

-The river near the Malelane gate has swollen and flooded Kruger National Park.

-The Crocodile bridge has also flooded. -Heavy rains have also flooded Carltonville, west of Johannesburg.

Avalanche in Glencoe, Scotland

-Three climbers are reported to be missing in Scotland.

-Avalanche hit Bidean nam Bian, Glencoe, Scotland at about 14:00.

-Two other climbers were rescued who are currently being treated in Belford hospital in Fort William.

-Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue teams along with police search and rescue dogs are searching the missing climbers.

Europe Hit By Blizzards

-Extreme winter weather swept across western Europe on Saturday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at London's main international airport and claiming several lives in Spain, Portugal, Scotland and France, including those of three Mali-bound soldiers.

-The frigid temperatures also caused delays and cancellations on major railway lines including the Eurostar train service, and transport authorities warned of further traffic disruptions with more blizzards forecast for Sunday.

Zimbabwe: Floods, Lightning Claim 124 Lives

-Eighty-six people have drowned while 38 others were struck by lightning across the country since the beginning of the rainy season. The heavy rains have also destroyed 180 houses in Tsholotsho, leaving most of the families homeless. In Beitbridge district, the rains have caused widespread damage to roads leaving some areas impassable.

-Major rivers in Gokwe such as Ume, Sesame and Sengwa were in flood. Several people were reportedly marooned on islands in some of them.

-People in the areas have been urged to desist from water-related activities along the rivers.

Wildlife

At least 19 elephants and two rhinos have died of thirst in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.

The disappearance of nearly half of South Florida rabbit species' habitat due to rising sea levels illustrates the mounting dangers of climate change, according to researchers. The Lower Keys marsh rabbit was once abundant along the chain of islands between Miami and Key West. But aerial photos from 1958 to 2006 show that 48 percent of its habitat has been lost due to sea level rise. Only a few hundred of the species survive on a few of the keys.

Disease

Typhoid outbreak in Harare and Chitungwiza in Zimbabwe after people once again start eating their own faeces.

 

Famine

A United Nations report finds more than 1.6 million people in Zimbabwe are living in famine conditions. Until 2000, when President Mugabe deliberately destroyed the country's means of food production so that he and his friends could seize white-owned farms for themselves, Zimbabwe was a breadbasket in Africa where famine was unknown.

 

Disease

A fresh cholera outbreak discovered in Chiredzi Town, Zimbabwe.