Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - Update

Between 27 and 30 June 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of the Republic of Korea notified WHO of 1 additional confirmed case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) alongside 2 additional deaths.

Liberia - Ebola Update

Liberian officials on Tuesday quarantined a neighbourhood near the capital city where a 17-year-old boy died of Ebola, a grim setback for the poor African country that was declared free of the deadly virus in May.

Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - Update

On 21 June 2015, 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.

Between 24 and 26 June 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of the Republic of Korea notified WHO of 6 additional confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) alongside 4 additional deaths.

To date, a total of 181 MERS-CoV cases, including 31 deaths, have been reported in South Korea.

Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Update

On 6 June 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of the Republic of Korea notified WHO of 9 additional confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

On 7 June 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of the Republic of Korea notified WHO of 14 additional confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), including 1 death.

Worst U.S. bird flu outbreak in history expands to Michigan

Michigan on Monday said Canadian geese in the state tested positive for a lethal strain of bird flu, bringing the worst outbreak of the disease in U.S. history to a 21st state.

Three young geese collected in Sterling Heights, Michigan, about 20 miles (30 km) north of Detroit, were infected with the highly pathogenic H5N2 flu strain, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Nationwide, more than 46 million chickens and turkeys have been killed by the disease or culled to prevent its spread. Most are in Iowa, the top U.S. egg-producing state, and Minnesota, the nation's top turkey-producing state.

Michigan is the 21st state to confirm a case of bird flu since late 2014 and the sixth to detect it only in wild or free-ranging bids, according to the department. Fifteen states have found the virus in poultry flocks.

Storms and Floods

Powerful typhoon Sanba lashed North and South Korea with strong wind and heavy rain Monday, killing at least one person, leaving dozens of others homeless and cutting power to many homes and businesses in the South. The storm is expected to make a final landfall in northern South Korea/Russia.

Storms and Storms

Tropical Storm Kristy is expected to create life-threatening surf and rip currents off the coast of southern Baja California and southwest Mexico over the next few days.

Floods could wipe out most of Niger's main rice harvest this year as rain-swollen rivers rose to 50-year highs across West Africa, spreading devastation. At least 81 people have been killed in Niger since annual rains caused flooding along the banks of the Niger River, raising its waters to their highest levels since the 1920s.

Super typhoon Sanba is headed for Okinawa and South Korea. The tropical cyclone is currently classed as a super typhoon. The previous super typhoon Bolaven caused widespread damage and fatalities across Japan and the Koreas earlier this year. Sanba is expected to approach Okinawa late Saturday or early Sunday local time before trudging on toward South Korea, according to projections from regional weather agencies. It is forecast to gradually weaken as it moves north.

Drought

Significant droughts have struck the food producing regions in USA, Russia, China and the Koreas, raising the prospect of higher commodity prices and localized food shortages, especially in the poorer developing nations.