Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia
Between 22 and 27 January 2016, the National IHR Focal Point for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified WHO of 5 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia
Between 22 and 27 January 2016, the National IHR Focal Point for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified WHO of 5 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
Tropical Storm 27w (In-Fa), located approximately 481 nm southeast of Andersen AFB, is tracking west-northwestward at 16 knots.
Tropical Depression Twenty-One-E Forms in the Eastern Pacific off the Mexican Coast.
NewsBytes:
Saudi Arabia - The death toll in the floods has risen to twelve after heavy rains lashed western and central Saudi Arabia. Flash floods rushed through the second city of Jeddah after a line of thunderstorms turned wadis into rivers and alleyways into raging torrents. Heavy rains also lashed western, northern and central parts of Saudi Arabia, including the cities of Mecca, Medina, Hail and Arar.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
Typhoon 27w (In-Fa), located approximately 158 nm west-southwest of Pohnpei, is tracking westward at 10 knots.
Invest 90E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for tropical development.
NewsBytes:
India - India has deployed the army and air force to rescue flood-hit residents in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, where at least 71 people have died in the floodwaters.
Saudi Arabia - Heavy rain and flash floods in Saudi Arabia along its Red Sea coast has killed five people.
Britain - A new storm system brings gusts of 80mph that topple trees, close roads and bridges and cripple transport networks while heavy rain threatened further flooding. Temperatures in some areas plunged to -6C bringing snow and arctic gales.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
Tropical Cyclone Chapala (tc) 04a, located approximately 90 nm west of Mukalla, Yemen, is tracking northwestward at 03 knots.
Invest 98E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for tropical development.
NewsBytes:
Spain - Severe flooding in Spain has claimed the lives at least four people. Four elderly residents died near the Sio River, which burst its banks and inundated a retirement home in the town of Agramunt.
Saudi Arabia - A heavy flash flood has claimed the lives of at least six people in Saudi Arabia as meteorologists predicted eight years of rain in just two days over the Arabian Sea associated with tropical cyclone Chapala.
Kenya - Three residents of the Talek area, near the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok county, Kenya, died on Monday after being swept away by floods.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
Tropical Depression Twenty is located approximately 366 nm east-northeast of Saipan, and is tracking northwestward at 10 knots.
Invest 90E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for tropical development.
Invest 93L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for tropical development.
Invest 94L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for tropical development.
Invest 95L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for tropical development.
NewsBytes:
Saudi Arabia - A crane collapse caused by a lightning storm at Mecca's Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of at least 107 people and injured 238 others. A worker at the mosque told the AFP news agency that he saw the massive construction crane fall after being hit by the storm.
Utah, USA - State officials said seven people were killed and six others missing when two cars were washed away by a flash flood Monday.
Novel Coronavirus - Saudi Arabia - Update
The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has notified WHO of an additional laboratory-confirmed case of infection with the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Outbreak of tree disease
The first outbreak of ash dieback disease in mature trees in Wales has been discovered in Carmarthenshire. Known as Chalara, the tree disease had previously been found in recently planted saplings at 19 sites across Wales. The disease has decimated ash trees across England, with very few mature specimens remaining.
Novel Coronavirus - Saudi Arabia
The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has reached Tunisia, killing one man and infecting two of his relatives, while Saudi Arabia has reported another death and three new cases.
A World Health Organization (WHO) expert has expressed concern that guest workers in the Middle East could carry the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) to India and the Philippines.
Wild poliovirus in the Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is currently experiencing an outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1). A four-month-old girl near Dadaab, Kenya, developed symptoms of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) on 30 April 2013. Two healthy contacts of the child tested positive for WPV1. They are the first laboratory confirmed cases in Kenya since July 2011. Investigation into this outbreak is ongoing.
In addition, a case of WPV1 in Banadir, Somalia was confirmed on 9 May 2013.
Novel coronavirus infection - update
The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has informed WHO of an additional two laboratory-confirmed cases with infection of the novel coronavirus (nCoV).
Foot and Mouth Outbreak in Kazakhstan
Quarantine measures have been imposed in the east of the country following the confirmation of a foot and mouth disease outbreak in the village of Akshoka.
Novel coronavirus infection - update
Two healthcare workers are among six new novel coronavirus (nCoV) cases reported in Saudi Arabia since late yesterday, suggesting that the virus might have spread from infected patients to hospital staff members.
CDC Released West Nile Virus Data for USA
A total of 5,674 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 286 deaths, were reported to CDC from 48 states (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). Of all West Nile virus disease cases reported, 2,873 (51 percent) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis, or acute flaccid paralysis). The dates of illness onset (when the patients’ illness began) ranged from March through December 2012.
Saudi Arabia Novel Coronavirus - Update
The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has informed WHO of an additional three laboratory confirmed cases of infection with the novel coronavirus (nCoV).
Incurable Citrus Disease Threatens Florida's Orange Crop
Florida's orange crop, the largest in the world after Brazil's, may not survive an incurable disease that threatens to wipe out citrus groves throughout the United States.
The disease, known as "citrus greening" or huanglongbing, is caused by a bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. The bacteria are spread from tree to tree by a tiny insect called the Asian citrus psyllid.
A tree affected by citrus greening may not show symptoms for years. Eventually, however, the leaves turn yellow and fall, while the tree's fruit fails to mature, falling to the ground prematurely before the tree slowly dies.
Sri Lanka Floods
Heavy torrential rains over the past few days have left 90,000 people affected by floods in Sri Lanka's Western province around the capital Colombo, but there was no cyclone threat, authorities said.
Bangladesh
Cyclone injures 100 people in B'baria. A devastating cyclone damaged more than hundreds of houses and injured more than 100 people in the district Wednesday while lightning strikes claimed the lives of at least four people.
Other News:
Heavy sandstorm in Al Qasseem, Saudi Arabia has turned day into night. The sandstorm reduced visibility and brought traffic to a standstill.
A state of disaster is declared due to flooding in 19 counties in Michigan, USA.
Cyclonic storms with lightning and rains have claimed the lives of at least seven people in Tripura, India. At least 20 people were injured by lightning strikes.
At least three people died when a house collapsed due to heavy rain in Hunan Province, China.
Flash floods in Gampaha, Sri Lanka
Flash floods in Wattala and Gampaha, Sri Lanka have affected about 480 people with 81 families living in four evacuation centers.
Flooding in New Zealand
Flooding and landslips reported at State Highway 1 between Blenheim and Seddon. Weld and Dashwood Passes are worst affected by the floods.
MetService New Zealand has recorded more than 500 lightning strikes in Central New Zealand last night including about 100 in Wellington alone.
Heavy rainfall has also caused flash flooding in Wellington, Christchurch and Marlborough. Air New Zealand has suspended all flights out of Wellington Airport.
Other News:
Heavy rainfall has caused flooding in Asheville, North Carolina, USA downing trees and power lines.
Death toll rises to 25 in Saudi Arabia's floods.
Fever hits thousands in parched California farm heartland
California and federal public health officials say valley fever, a potentially lethal but often misdiagnosed disease infecting more and more people around the nation, has been on the rise as warming climates and drought have kicked up the dust that spreads it.
Saudi Arabia reports 3 more novel coronavirus cases
The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has informed WHO of an additional three laboratory confirmed cases of infection with the novel coronavirus (nCoV).
China Bird Flu - Update
Three more people in China have died from severe respiratory infections from the H7N9 virus, pushing the number of deaths so far to 27. Two new cases have also been reported.
Saudi Arabia reports 7 new novel coronavirus cases
Saudi Arabia's health ministry has reported that five Saudis have died of novel coronavirus (nCoV) infections in the past few days, and two more case-patients are in intensive care.
Newcastle Disease Outbreak in Kazakhstan.
The country's concerned veterinary authorities have reported an outbreak of Newcastle disease in East Kazakhstan.
Second outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Tibet
Over 500 head of cattle have been culled in the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Tibetan capital region of Lhasa in central Tibet.
Tropical Cyclone Zane
TC Zane is expected to hit far northern Queensland tonight or early tomorrow bringing a dangerous storm tide, heavy rain and winds up to 160km/h. But the weather bureau has cancelled a cyclone warning for parts of Queensland's Cape York after Tropical Cyclone Zane weakened rapidly overnight into a tropical low.
Floods in Saudi Arabia
Floods in Saudi Arabia have claimed the lives of at least 13 people. Four are still reported to be missing.
Flight services were disrupted at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh.
It is believed to be the heaviest rainfall experienced by the desert kingdom in more than 25 years.
Other News:
Flooding in Kasese, Uganda-Flooding in Kasese, Uganda has claimed four lives.
Flooding in Ironwood, Michigan, USA.
Winter Storm Achilles is expected to bring 6 - 9 inches of snow by Thursday morning from Colorado to Wisconsin, USA.
Global Alert Over Deadly Bat Virus
Experts on infectious diseases have warned people to stay away from bats worldwide after the recent death of an eight-year-old boy bitten in Australia.
The boy last month became the third person in the country to die of Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), for which there is no effective treatment.
The boy was bitten during a family holiday to Queensland in December 2012, but did not tell his parents.
Three weeks later he began to suffer convulsions, abdominal pain and fever, followed by progressive brain problems.
Doctors frantically tried to establish what was wrong and on day 10 of his admission the lyssavirus was detected.
He fell into a coma and died on February 22.
The warning to avoid bats around the world was issued not just because of the danger posed by the animals themselves, but due to the risk, however remote, that the virus could be spread between humans.
Human to human transmission of lyssaviruses has not been well documented, but it is theoretically possible.
Novel Coronavirus Infection - Update
The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has informed the WHO of another new confirmed case of infection with the novel coronavirus (nCoV).
Novel Coronavirus - Update
The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has informed WHO of a new confirmed case of infection with the novel coronavirus (NCoV).
Mine mudslides in Pueblo Nuevo, Ecuador
-At least 12 killed and 20 others injured in Ecuador mudslides. Heavy rain in a gold-mining community in southern Ecuador caused mudslide.
-Mudslide happened after six hours of torrential downpours.
-Mudslides have destroyed houses and blocked roads in Pueblo Nuevo. Natural disaster area can only be reached by helicopter.
-Around 200 soldiers and policemen are working in rescue operations.
A heavy hailstorm has hit parts of southern Asir province, Saudi Arabia.
Tornadoes in central Queensland, Australia
-At least five tornadoes hit Queensland coastal towns, injuring 17 people.
-Burnett Heads and nearby Bargara have been declared as natural disaster areas.
-Tornadoes in Bundaberg district destroyed around 150 homes.
-About 2 000 people have been ordered to evacuate in Gladstone.
-Flood warnings have also been issued for the Calliope, Boyne, Baffle and Kolan Rivers.
-Australian weather bureau has predicted heavy rain and destructive winds for Brisbane of up to 125km/h until Monday
Flooding across Mozambique
-At least 36 people have been reported to be killed in recent Mozambique floods.
-A total of 26 persons have died in Gaza alone.
-Floods caused by torrential rains in South Africa and Zimbabwe that swelled the Limpopo river has displaced nearly 67,995 Mozambicans.
-Floods have damaged several bridges, roads and schools in capital Maputo.
-Some days ago, Mozambique officials had evacuated 55,000 people from flood disaster zone.
-Mozambican and South African military helicopters and boats have rescued 12,000 families.
Tropical Cyclone Garry
-As of 09:00 UTC, TC Garry was located 470 nm west-southwest of bora bora.
-A storm warning has been cancelled and a gale warning has been issued Cook Islands.
Landslide in Jayapura, Indonesia
-Heavy rains killed two in Lampung, Indonesia. One person died in a landslide disaster in Jayapura, Papua, 4 other injured.
The World Health Organization is keeping a close eye on a disease outbreak in Saudi Arabia caused by a new virus in the same family as the one that caused the SARS outbreak that killed 800 people worldwide in 2002.
About 20 cows owned by villagers in Karisalpatti in Rediyarchathiran union in Dindigul district, India have succumbed to a suspected outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the past week causing panic among the people, who are dependent on the animals for subsistence.
The US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are warning consumers not to eat Trader Joe's Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter because it is “possibly linked” to a salmonella outbreak.
