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Thousands of brown howler monkeys killed by yellow fever in federally-protected reserve in SE Brazil
“Yellow fever, a virus carried by mosquitoes and endemic to Africa and South America, has robbed the private, federally-protected reserve of its brown howlers in an unprecedented wave of death that has swept through the region since late 2016, killing thousands of monkeys,” according to a report.
“The way yellow fever has spread also concerns Brazilian health officials. As of mid-March 2017, they have confirmed more than 400 human cases of the disease, mostly in Minas Gerais, causing nearly 150 human deaths. The Brazilian Ministry of Health is investigating another 900 possible cases and concern is mounting that it will spread to cities, threatening many more people.”
Brazilians consume 7.5 liters of pesticides per year— highest per capita consumption rate in the world
“Around 70 percent of food consumed by Brazilians is contaminated by agrochemicals,” said researcher Karen Friederich of the Brazilian Association of Collective Health.
Friederich delivered the findings of her research during a lecture at the Health Movement Forum, revealing that Brazilians consume nearly 7.5 liters of pesticides per year—the highest per capita consumption rate in the world.
At least one-third of agrochemicals used in the Brazil are banned in the European Union and the United States because of their impacts on human health and the environment, she stated.
“The cases of contamination are not well documented, but they affect a large portion of the population, generating reproductive changes, birth defects and effects on the immune system,” Friederich said.
The number of reported cases of human intoxication by pesticides more than doubled, from 2,178 in 2007 to 4,537 in 2013, Brazil’s Health Ministry reported.
“In 2014, Brazilian health agency ANVISA, which is in charge of evaluating pesticide residues in food, found that of 1,665 samples collected, ranging from rice to apples to peppers, 29 percent showed residues that either exceeded allowed levels or contained unapproved chemicals,” the report said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported last year that glyphosate, a key ingredient used in many herbicides and pesticides, “probably causes cancer.”
3rd adult died from Zika virus: Brazil health ministry
Brazil health authorities have confirmed the death of a third adult from Zika virus infection.
The latest reported victim was a 20-year-old woman, who suffered from lupus, arthritis and alcoholism. Her compromised immune system was unable to fight the ZIKV infection.
The three deaths occurred one each in the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte, the northern state of Para, and the city of Sao Luis, capital of the northern state of Maranhao.
Authorities believe the infection may have already killed up to 76 babies in Brazil, all of whom died with microcephaly after their mothers had contracted Zika.
However, they are still investigating whether Zika can cause microcephaly. Of the 4,000 or so reported cases of microcephaly, only 17 were linked to Zika, while 709 other cases have been ruled out.
Evidence of Zika Virus Infection in Brain and Placental Tissues from Two Congenitally Infected Newborns and Two Fetal Losses — Brazil, 2015
The following are field notes from Brazil on ZIKV infection posted in the latest issue of CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that is related to dengue virus and transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, with humans acting as the principal amplifying host during outbreaks. Zika virus was first reported in Brazil in May 2015 (1). By February 9, 2016, local transmission of infection had been reported in 26 countries or territories in the Americas.* Infection is usually asymptomatic, and, when symptoms are present, typically results in mild and self-limited illness with symptoms including fever, rash, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis. However, a surge in the number of children born with microcephaly was noted in regions of Brazil with a high prevalence of suspected Zika virus disease cases. More than 4,700 suspected cases of microcephaly were reported from mid-2015 through January 2016, although additional investigations might eventually result in a revised lower number (2). In response, the Brazil Ministry of Health established a task force to further investigate possible connections between the virus and brain anomalies in infants (3).
Since November 2015, CDC has been developing assays for Zika virus testing in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. In December 2015, FFPE tissues samples from two newborns (born at 36 and 38 weeks gestation) with microcephaly who died within 20 hours of birth and two miscarriages (fetal losses at 11 and 13 weeks) were submitted to CDC, from the state of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil, for histopathologic evaluation and laboratory testing for suspected Zika virus infection. All four mothers had clinical signs of Zika virus infection, including fever and rash, during the first trimester of pregnancy, but did not have clinical signs of active infection at the time of delivery or miscarriage. The mothers were not tested for antibodies to Zika virus. Samples included brain and other autopsy tissues from the two newborns, a placenta from one of the newborns, and products of conception from the two miscarriages.
FFPE tissues were tested by Zika virus reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the nonstructural protein 5 and envelope genes using general methods for RT-PCR (4), and by immunohistochemistry using a mouse polyclonal anti-Zika virus antibody, using methods previously described (5). Specific specimens from all four cases were positive by RT-PCR, and sequence analysis provided further evidence of Zika virus infection, revealing highest identities with Zika virus strains isolated from Brazil during 2015. In the newborns, only brain tissue was positive by RT-PCR assays. Specimens from two of the four cases were positive by immunohistochemistry: viral antigen was noted in mononuclear cells (presumed to be glial cells and neurons within the brain) of one newborn, and within the chorionic villi from one of the miscarriages. Testing for dengue virus was negative by RT-PCR in specimens from all cases.
For both newborns, significant histopathologic changes were limited to the brain, and included parenchymal calcification, microglial nodules, gliosis, and cell degeneration and necrosis. Other autopsy tissues and placenta had no significant findings. Tests for toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and HIV were negative in the two mothers who experienced miscarriages. Placental tissue from one miscarriage showed heterogeneous chorionic villi with calcification, fibrosis, perivillous fibrin deposition, and patchy intervillositis and focal villitis, while tissue from the other miscarriage had sparsely sampled normal-appearing chorionic villi.
This report describes evidence of a link between Zika virus infection and microcephaly and fetal demise through detection of viral RNA and antigens in brain tissues from infants with microcephaly and placental tissues from early miscarriages. Histopathologic findings indicate the presence of Zika virus in fetal tissues. These findings also suggest brain and early gestational placental tissue might be the preferred tissues for postmortem viral diagnosis. Nonfrozen, formalin-fixed specimens or FFPE blocks are the preferred sample type for histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemistry, and RT-PCR can be performed on either fresh frozen or formalin-fixed specimens. To better understand the pathogenesis of Zika virus infection and associated congenital anomalies and fetal death, it is necessary to evaluate autopsy and placental tissues from additional cases, and to determine the effect of gestational age during maternal illness on fetal outcomes.
Suggested citation for this article: Martines RB, Bhatnagar J, Keating MK, et al. Notes from the Field: Evidence of Zika Virus Infection in Brain and Placental Tissues from Two Congenitally Infected Newborns and Two Fetal Losses — Brazil, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65(Early Release):1–2. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6506e1er
Australians authorities echo warning to travelers planing to visit 22 countries affected by ZIKV
Australian health experts report mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV), linked to brain damage in thousands of babies in Brazil, has already been discovered in Australia in travelers returning from South America, said a report.
For the virus to spread, however, it would require specific species of mosquitoes to act as a vector. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, one such vector, is currently found only in far north Queensland.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued new advice warning Australians, particularly pregnant women, to reconsider plans to travel to 22 countries affected by the virus, including many in South and Central America, and the Pacific island nation Samoa.
[FIRE-EARTH Models show more than one million incidences of ZIKV infections may have occurred worldwide since October 2015. —Editor]
The new travel advice comes in response to a warning by the World Health Organisation that Zika virus is now likely to spread to all countries in South, Central and North America except Canada and Chile. [Blog Moderators have not found any evidence to confirm either PAHO or WHO has issued a warning to this effect. This appears to be media sensationalism at best, or a desperate ruse designed for phishing more information from independent sources. —Editor]
At least 3,893 suspected cases of microcephaly had occurred in Brazil as of January 22, 2016, or over 30 times more than in any year since 2010 and equivalent to 1 to 2 per cent of all newborns in the state of Pernambuco, one of the worst-hit areas, said WHO.
ZIKV was first detected in a monkey in Zika forest near Lake Victoria, Uganda, in 1947.
Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly. Microcephaly is not a common condition. State birth defects tracking systems have estimated that microcephaly ranges from 2 babies per 10,000 live births to about 12 babies per 10,000 live births in the Unites States.
Countries that have past or current evidence of Zika virus transmission
AFRICA: Angola*, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt*, Ethiopia*, Gabon, Gambia*, Kenya*, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone*, Somalia*, Tanzania*, Uganda and Zambia*.
AMERICAS: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname and Venezuela.
OCEANIA/PACIFIC ISLANDS: Cook Islands, Easter Island, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
ASIA: Cambodia, India*, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan*, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam*.
[*For these countries, the only evidence of Zika virus transmission is from studies that detected Zika virus antibodies in healthy people. These studies cannot determine where the people were infected or if they were infected with Zika virus because the antibodies may have resulted from infections with other closely related viruses, such as dengue virus.]
ZIKV spreading in Brazil, reported in 19 countries as of January 4 —ECDC
At least 19 countries are reporting local transmission of confirmed Zika virus infections (ZIKV) in the nine months to 4 Jan 2016, reported the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Those countries are
Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, New Caledonia, Puerto Rico, Panama, Paraguay, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Vanuatu and Venezuela.
ZIKV in Brazil
The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Brazil is concerned about a possible association between the Zika virus outbreak and increased numbers of babies born with microcephaly (smaller than expected head size).
Brazil reported its first case of ZIKV in May 2015. The virus has since spread rapidly, causing infections in many Brazilian states and other countries in Latin America. The association of Zika virus infection and microcephaly and is still under investigation, said MOH.
Microcephaly in Brazil
Starting in October 2015, the Brazilian MOH received reports of an increase in the number of babies being born with microcephaly. The number of microcephaly cases are roughly 10 times higher than what the country normally sees in a year.
There are no published reports of increased numbers of microcephaly associated with other similar viral (i.e. flaviviral) diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
ZIKV in Puerto Rico
On December 31, the Puerto Rico Department of Health reported the first locally acquired case of Zika virus infection in Puerto Rico. Zika was confirmed in a resident of Puerto Rico with no known travel history. Health officials in Puerto Rico are monitoring for other cases of Zika virus infection, said CDC.
Zika: Coming To America Through Mosquitoes, Travel, and Sex —Forbes
“…The latest two [viruses] that hit the U.S., chikungunya and dengue, are painful and bad enough — and dengue can kill people who are infected more than once. Zika adds an added nasty punch of perhaps causing microcephaly, a birth defect where babies are born with abnormally small skulls and brains, and often have developmental abnormalities…” (Stone, 1/4).
On Dec. 10, officials in Panama announced the country’s first case of locally acquired ZIKV , which raised the number of countries in the Americas with reported cases of the infections to at least 10
On Dec. 1, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert concerning the Yellow Fever. Cases had already been reported in Brazil, Chile (on Easter Island), Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela.
In light of the circulation of yellow fever in several areas of the Region, and in the context of the ongoing El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization ( PAHO/WHO) advises Member States to establish and maintain the capacity to detect and confirm cases of yellow f ever and keep health professionals up to date to enable them to identify suspected cases and manage cases properly, especially in areas at risk for yellow fever. In addition, M ember States are advised to maintain high vaccination coverage in at risk populations.
INTRODUCTION [ECDC]
Zika virus disease is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Zika virus (ZIKV) which causes in general a mild febrile illness with maculo-papular rash. Aedes mosquitoes are considered as main vectors. Before 2007, viral circulation and a few outbreaks were documented in tropical Africa and in some areas in Southeast Asia. Since 2007, several islands of the Pacific region have experienced outbreaks. In 2015, ZIKV disease outbreaks were reported in South America for the first time. ZIKV disease is now considered as an emerging infectious disease.
A significant increase of patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) was reported during the 2014 outbreak in French Polynesia. A similar increase along with an unusual increase of congenital microcephaly was observed in some regions in north eastern Brazil in 2015. Causal relationships are currently under investigation.
Zika virus (ZIKV) disease is caused by a virus from the Flavivirus genus, Flaviviridae family, from the Spondweni group.
It was first isolated in 1947 from a monkey in the Zika forest, Uganda, then in mosquitoes (Aedes africanus) in the same forest in 1948, and in a human in Nigeria in 1952. There are two ZIKV lineages: the African lineage and the Asian lineage which has recently emerged in the Pacific and the Americas. [1,2]
CLINICAL FEATURES AND SEQUELAE
The incubation period ranges between approximately three to 12 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
Most of the infections remain asymptomatic (between 60 to 80%).
Disease symptoms are usually mild and the disease in usually characterised by a short-lasting self-limiting febrile illness of 4–7 days duration without severe complications, with no associated fatalities and a low hospitalisation rate.
The main symptoms are macular or papular rash, fever, arthralgia, non-purulent conjunctivitis/conjunctival hyperaemia, myalgia and headache. The maculo-papular rash often starts on the face and then spreads throughout the body. Less frequently, retro-orbital pain and gastro-intestinal signs are present.
Auto-immune, neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly in foetuses and newborns from mothers possibly exposed to ZIKV in the two first trimesters of the pregnancy were notified during recent Zika disease outbreaks (French Polynesia and Brazil). Further evidence is needed to establish a causal link between these neurological/neurodevelopmental impairments and infections with ZIKV.
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Serological surveys in Africa and Asia indicate a most likely silent ZIKV circulation with detection of specific antibodies in various animal species (large mammals such as orangutans, zebra, elephants, water buffaloes) and rodents.
The knowledge of geographical distribution of ZIKV is based on results of serosurveys and viral isolation in mosquitoes and humans, and with reports of travel-associated cases and very few published outbreaks. Before 2007, the areas with reported ZIKV circulation included tropical Africa and Southeast Asia.
An outbreak was reported on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) from April to July 2007 [3]. This was the first outbreak of ZIKV identified outside of Africa and Asia. Between 2013 and 2015, several significant outbreaks were notified on islands and archipelagos from the Pacific region including a large outbreak in French Polynesia. In 2015, ZIKV emerged in South America with widespread outbreaks reported in Brazil and Columbia [1,4,5].
TRANSMISSION
Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. It has been isolated from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and experimental infections show that this species is capable of transmitting ZIKV.
Other Aedes mosquito species (notably Ae. africanus, Ae. albopictus, Ae. polynesiensis, Ae. unilineatus, Ae. vittatus and Ae. hensilli) are considered as potential vectors of ZIKV. These species bite during the day (especially in mid-morning and between late afternoon and twilight).
Additional modes of transmission have been identified. Perinatal transmission can occur most probably by trans-placental transmission or during delivery when the mother is infected. Sexual transmission was reported in two case reports.
There is a potential risk of ZIKV transfusion-derived transmission.
Brazil warns against pregnancy amid surge in ZIKV birth defects
States of Emergency have been declared in six Brazilian states after a surge in the number of suspected microcephaly among the newborn linked to Zika virus (ZIKV).
In Pernambuco State, about 1,000 cases have been reported. In Rio de Janeiro, about 400 pregnant women are suspected of having Zika infection. About 3 dozen related infant deaths are being investigated.
Brazilian health authorities are advising would-be parents not to get pregnant, especially in the country’s northeast. The advice follows research that have linked the potentially deadly virus Zika, a mosquito-borne infection, to newborn microcephaly—a neurological disorder that can result in a severe birth defect in which the brain fails to develop properly and the head is much smaller than normal.
“Microcephaly can be caused by genetic factors, infections, or injuries. In recent years, there have been between 150 and 200 cases in Brazil per year. As of 30 November, more than 1,200 cases had been reported in 10 states, all of which have also reported Zika virus infections, says Ana Maria Bispo de Filippis, head of the flavivirus laboratory at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.”
However, the number of suspected infections have now doubled to more than 2,400 cases and spared to 20 Brazilian states (compared with 147 cases last year).
Storms kill at least a dozen, injure dozens more, leave trails of destruction across the U.S. South
Gov. Haslam approved the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s recommendation to go to a Level III State of Emergency, after storms moved across the state Wednesday night, killing at least two people.
Gov. Deal declared a state of emergency in Georgia for Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens counties through January.
“Following severe weather that resulted in flooding, damage to roads and properties and downed trees, the state is working to ensure the affected counties have access to the resources necessary for response efforts,” said Deal.
Gov. Bryant has declared a State of Emergency in seven Mississippi counties after storms pummeled the state late Wednesday..
Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Prentiss and Tippah counties have all reported damage, at least six dead and more than 40 injuried.
Macon County North Carolina issued a state of emergency after the storm caused severe flooding across the area.
An unknown number of people were injured after the storm overturned planes at a local airport northwest of the state, said reports.
A large tornado, one of at least 3 dozens, landed in Mississippi and raked along a 240-km trail to Tennessee.
SPC received hundreds of severe weather reports including 39 tornadoes, as of posting. Tornadoes left trails of destruction across multiple states: Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Illinois.
Beijing air pollution worsens significantly
Air pollution index (AQI) in China hit a high of 592 on Friday and persisted at 562, as of posting.
[The EPA’s revised breakpoints for the upper end of the hazardous air pollution band, AQI of 401 – 500, is equivalent to PM2.5 concentration of 350.5 – 500 μgm−³ averaged over a 24-hour period. —Editor]
There’s apparent confusion among officials concerning the severity and duration of the smog events, on the one hand, and the extent of willpower exercised by government to shoo away the potentially deadly pollution, on the other. The official news agency, Xinhua, wrote:
Even though Beijing has lifted the red alert for severe pollution, the capital city will remain in haze for a few more days. [How dare smog worsens “even though” the authorities have downgraded the pollution warning to the lowest level. Ed.]
The Beijing municipal heavy pollution emergency response headquarters issued a blue alert for heavy pollution in the city on Thursday afternoon, saying smog will hit central Beijing and southern suburbs on Thursday night. It called on residents in these areas to take protective measures.
“Red” represents the most severe warning level on China’s four-tier warning system, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
In addition to Beijing, at least 50 other cities in northern and eastern China have issued air pollution alerts for potentially deadly smog this week.
Brazil records six fold increase in microcephaly: Report
Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease (Zika) are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eye. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week, according to CDC.
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus related to yellow fever, dengue, West Nile, and Japanese encephalitis viruses. In 2007 ZIKV caused an outbreak of relatively mild disease characterized by rash, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis on Yap Island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. This was the first time that ZIKV was detected outside of Africa and Asia. The history, transmission dynamics, virology, and clinical manifestations of ZIKV disease are discussed, along with the possibility for diagnostic confusion between ZIKV illness and dengue. The emergence of ZIKV outside of its previously known geographic range should prompt awareness of the potential for ZIKV to spread to other Pacific islands and the Americas. [Edward B. Hayes/CDC]
Zika may be responsible for an “unprecedented epidemic in Brazil and is quickly spreading through Latin America may be responsible for a spike in severe birth defects,” said a report.
Brazilian government has warned that the virus could be responsible for a dramatic rise “in cases of microcephaly, a severe birth defect in which the brain fails to develop properly and the head is much smaller than normal. Children with microcephaly frequently have developmental delays, learning disabilities, impaired motor function, and seizures.” However, the connection remains to be proven.
“Microcephaly can be caused by genetic factors, infections, or injuries. In recent years, there have been between 150 and 200 cases in Brazil per year. As of 30 November, more than 1200 cases had been reported in 10 states, all of which have also reported Zika virus infections, says Ana Maria Bispo de Filippis, head of the flavivirus laboratory at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.”
Brazil’s northeastern state of Pernambuco has recorded at least 487 microcephaly cases so far this year, compared with an average of 10 cases per year between 2010 and 2014, said the report.
“The virus has been found in the amniotic fluid of two fetuses diagnosed with microcephaly via ultrasound. It has also been found in tissues of a baby with microcephaly that died shortly after birth. It seems that in some cases the virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus directly, says Patricia Garcez, a neurodevelopment expert at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It’s possible that the virus then attacks brain cells, she says. If that happens during the key phases of brain development in the first 3 to 4 months of pregnancy, the overall size of the brain would be dramatically reduced, leading to microcephaly.”
Additionally, health authorities in French Polynesia reported “17 cases of unusual central nervous system birth defects following a Zika outbreak there in 2013 and 2014.”
Unpreventable and Untreatable!
There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika. When traveling to countries where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes have been reported, travelers should protect themselves from this disease by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites.
Geographic Distribution
Outbreaks of Zika virus disease (or Zika) previously have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Zika virus likely will continue to spread to new areas. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil. [CDC]
Countries that have past or current evidence of Zika virus transmission (as of December 2015)
Source: CDC
Countries that have past or current evidence of Zika virus transmission
AFRICA: Angola*, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt*, Ethiopia*, Gabon, Gambia*, Kenya*, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone*, Somalia*, Tanzania*, Uganda and Zambia*
ASIA: Cambodia, India*, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan*, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam*
AMERICAS: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay and Suriname
OCEANIA/PACIFIC ISLANDS: Cook Islands, Easter Island, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu
*For these countries, the only evidence of Zika virus transmission is from studies that detected Zika virus antibodies in healthy people. These studies cannot determine where the people were infected or if they were infected with Zika virus because the antibodies may have resulted from infections with other closely related viruses, such as dengue virus.
The event, strongest of a dozen aftershocks to occur in the region, followed a powerful earthquake doublet that struck Peru-Brazil border region about 31 hours earlier.
New evacuation orders issued amid fears of repeat mine disaster
Residents near the Samarco mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil, have been given new evacuation orders barely a week after the catastrophic collapses at two tailing pond dams unleashed a tsunami of toxic sludge, burying the community of Bento Rodrigues, leaving dozens dead or missing and hundreds displaced.
The twin dam bursts released at least 62 million cubic meters of toxic sludge, burying most of the Bento Rodrigues community in Mariana, and leaving more than 630 people homeless.
A state of emergency has now been declared in the Mariana region, and civil defense authorities have issued new evacuation orders amid fears for the safety of a third dam, reported the Agence France-Presse (AFP) Wednesday.
“Families are being relocated so that they are in greater security,” the Minas Gerais state official told AFP.
The mine is operated by Samarco Mineracao—a company jointly owned by two mining giants, Brazil’s Vale S.A., world’s third largest, and the Anglo-Australian BHP Billiton, Ltd., world’s largest mining company.
A state prosecutor, who specializes in environmental cases, has accused the mine operator of “negligence,” calling for Samarco to compensate the families of victims and the displaced, said the report.
DISASTERS CAUSED BY RAPID CLIMATE CHANGE EXTREME WEATHER MEGA DROUGHT CROP DISASTERS WATER FAMINE SCENARIOS 900, [500,] 444, 219, 117, 111, 100, 090, 067, 03, 02 .
Rio de Janeiro state experiencing “the worst water crisis in its history” —Environment Minister
The states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais facing “worrying” water crisis and must save water, according to Brazil’s Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira speaking in an emergency meeting in the capital, Brasilia.
“Since records for Brazil’s south-eastern region began 84 years ago we have never seen such a delicate and worrying situation,” she said.
In Rio de Janeiro state, the main water reservoir is empty for the first time since it was built, said the country’s Environment Secretary, acknowledging that the state faces “the worst water crisis in its history,” said a report.
Rising temperatures and diminishing rainfall have forced authorities to impose rationing in the worst affected areas, amid rolling power cuts, which are affecting up to five million people.
Minas Gerais saw a total of just 900mm of rain in 2014, less half the yearly average, severely affecting coffee beans production.
Rainfall Totals & Anomaly Patterns:Last 30 Days
During the last 30 days, below-average precipitation was observed over most of the Amazon Basin, and all of central and southeastern Brazil. Above-average precipitation was observed over southern Colombia, northern Peru, northeastern Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. Source: cpc/ncep/noaa
About 100 cities have imposed rationing, as water levels in 17 of the country’s 18 largest reservoirs fall below levels experienced during the last water crisis in 2001, said reports.
Water levels at the Cantareira system, a huge reservoir that provides water to about 22 million people in Sao Paulo and surrounding areas, have fallen to about 5 percent of the capacity, severely affecting hydroelectric generation, which provides up to 72 percent of the county’s electricity.
Rolling blackouts are hitting about a dozen cities amid high demand for refrigeration and air conditioning, as the daily temperatures soar above 35°C.
The national grid operator ONS cut power to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and several other major Brazilian cities last week, paralyzing the subway systems, said a report.
“Scientists have linked the shortage in rainfall to deforestation in the Amazon, which has led to higher temperatures and lower precipitation across much of Brazil. Ironically, much of the deforestation is driven by the agricultural sector, which is now also suffering under the extensive drought.”
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS STATE OF EMERGENCY EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT WATER FAMINE CROP DISASTERS SCENARIOS 444, 219, 111, 100, 090, 03, 02 .
Brazil’s biggest city running out of water after 9 months of exceptional drought
The governor of Sao Paulo has asked the federal government for permission to siphon the remaining water out of the main reservoir that supplies water to millions of residents in Sao Paulo city, AP reported.
More than 95% of the water in Sao Paulo’s main reservoir, the Cantareira system, has already gone. The reservoir provides water to about 6.7 million residents.
The drought, said to be Brazil’s worst ever, has also affected at least 30 other cities in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.
The affected regions received less than 30 percent of the normal rain during Brazil’s wet season that runs from December to February.
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS EXTREME RAIN EVENTS DEADLY FLOODS MAJOR DISASTER SCENARIOS 444, 023 STATE OF EMERGENCY .
Deadly Floods Kill Dozens, Destroy or Damage Thousands of Homes in Southern Brazil
Extreme Rain Events have triggered sever flooding in Brazil’s southern state of Parana since Monday, killing dozens of people and destroying or damaging about 6,500 homes. The floods have affected tens of thousands of people across 80 towns, officials said.
The floods have destroyed much of the public infra structure in the region, washing out roads and bridges and prompting authorities to declare states of emergency is multiple towns.
One of the worst affected towns is the state capital of Curitiba, one of a dozen cities hosting the 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil.
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS SEVERE HAILSTORM .
Sao Paulo Roads flooded as storm dumps “mountains” of hailstorm
A ferocious storm dumped more than 10cm of moisture in the form of large hail on Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city.
“Residents in Såo Paulo wondered at the ice balls that decorated their yards and gardens even up to early Monday,” reported AP. “Some told local news media that their children had never seen hail or played with ice before Sunday’s storm.”
However, the storm did very little to raise water levels at Såo Paulo’s reservoirs. The main reservoir has reportedly sunk below 10% of its capacity, the lowest level on record.
Under the circumstances, water rationing could be the only option left for the city of 22 million (metro population) just weeks ahead of the World Cup games in Brazil.
Såo Paulo is the largest city in the southern hemisphere and world’s 7th largest city by population.
EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT
SEVERE DROUGHT
WATER RATIONING .
Water rationing enters third week as cities across 11 Brazilian states impose penalties on waste
Water rationing, which began more than two week ago in cities across 11 Brazilian states, has now entered a new phase with authorities imposing penalties for water waste.
The water rationing has affected about 10 million people throughout the country.
Meanwhile, temperatures continue to set new records in many regions, including the northeast, where up to a million cattle have perished due to heat exhaustion.
Brazil is world’s 7th largest economy and leading exporter of beef, coffee, orange juice, soybeans and sugar.
Brazil 30-day precipitation anomaly (mm) for 23 Jan. – 21 Feb. 2014. Source: cpc.ncep.noaa
Death Toll Rises to 50 in Brazil Floods; 60,000 Displaced
Dozens of people are confirmed dead, and more than 60,000 others displaced due to severe flooding and landslides in Brazil’s southeast states of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo, authorities said.
At least 54 of the 79 municipalities in Espirito Santo (population: 4 million), have declared states of emergency. In Minas Gerais (population: 20 million), the authorities have declared states of emergency in at least 26 municipalities.
Extreme Rain Events in Espirito Santo have inundated roads, bridges and homes. The floods were the “worst ever” since record-taking began 90 years ago, said the Espirito Santo governor Renato Casagrande.
He called the week-long rainstorm “the worst natural disaster in thehistory of Espirito Santo.”
Most of the victims were buried in deadly torrents of mud and authorities say the death toll may rise. Landslides have also destroyed a large number of homes, roads and bridges, burying everything in their paths and leaving dozens of cities (Municipalities) are without electricity and drinking water.
Minas Gerais
In January 2012, Brazil’s southeastern state of Minas Gerais (pop: 20 million) declared a States of Emergency in 46 cities following sever flooding.
Flooding and mudslides triggered by extreme rain events in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais left at least 50 people dead, missing or injured and forced more than 10,000 people to flee their homes.
About 3,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged.
The disasters have affected at least 2 million people.
Rio de Janeiro
The state Civil defense authorities placed several municipalities in Rio de Janeiro under a state of maximum alert following widespread flooding.
The worst-hit area is the municipality of Nova Friburgo, located about 135 km from the state capital Rio de Janeiro [city.]
Google has committed “the biggest known data protection violations in history.” —Johannes Caspar, chief of data protection office in Hamburg, Germany.
Google’s Street View Program enables the company access to private Wi-Fi networks, intercepting personal data.
Street View Program is a KNOWN method for spying on the public. Given their record of mass deception, Google must be harvesting data via other means in addition to the NSA route.
Brazilian judges have given the U.S. Internet Goliath until Saturday to hand over private data collected through its Street View program, according to reports.
The decision by a court in Brasilia follows a complaint lodged by the Brazilian Institute of Computer Policy and Rights, said reports.
Google has photographed Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte and other major Brazilian cities.
Google is shaken but not stirred, so to speak, because the maximum fine for failure to comply with the court order is just $500,000.
Google has denied any link to the mass surveillance programs conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA), which is done on behalf of corporate America(!)
NSA targets for cyber-surveillance in Brazil included President Dilma Rousseff, and the state-run energy giant Petrobras, as well as tens of millions of ordinary Brazilians.
Whereas NSA is on record for admitting to large scale collection of metadata, Google’s surveillance programs include contents, physical addresses and just about every bit and byte of information transmitted through Wi-Fi and cable networks.
Google’s data collection programs run directly in at least 72 countries, and indirectly in dozens of other countries through the NSA and others.
“Google and other leading tech companies have expressed opposition to the creation of Brazil-based databases of local customer information, as proposed by Brasilia in a bid to combat foreign spying,” said a report.
Google was fined $7.0m for collecting people’s personal data without permission in 38 US states, earlier this year,
As a part of its settlement, Google also agreed to destroy emails, passwords, and web histories collected by Street View cars between 2008 and 2010, however, there is no way to enforce or verify compliance. In fact all of the stolen data may have already been integrated and plugged into untraceable programs.
Germany also fined Google for illegally recording information. Caspar, chief of data protection office in Hamburg, called the data theft “one of the biggest known data protection violations in history.”
In fact, Hamburg prosecutors had originally attempted to prosecute Google under criminal law, however they were forced to drop the case, prompting the data protection office to pursue it as an “administrative offense.”
Google has denied any link to the U.S. electronic mass surveillance[sic,] mainly conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA). But, the NSA data collection has a commercial format; the U.S. government and its officials have no direct use whatever for the data other than to hand it over to the U.S. corporations in return for financial favors including lucrative post-retirement positions in the “private” sector.
Typhoon KROSA: Google continues filtering information posted on FIRE-EARTH
PHAILIN Becomes a Super Cyclonic Storm: Google is not listing most of the images posted on FIRE-EARTH, or delay listing them for several days until they’ve lost their immediate relevance.
WIRED UK: Big tech companies plan to track you even more aggressively Biggest tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and a dozen others “are assembling new forms of online tracking that would follow users more aggressively… Microsoft is developing such a system, following, apparently, in the footsteps of Google.” October 15, 2013
Radiation levels near Fukushima hit 2-year high: [Google is not listing most of the images posted on FIRE-EARTH, or delay listing them for several days until they’ve lost their immediate relevance. Editor]
[Search the blog for dozens more posts and pages that make reference to Google’s criminal, unethical, and antisocial activities on and off the Internet. Editor]
State of Emergency Declared in Brazil’s Santa Catarina State
A major storm system has triggered severe flooding, displacing more than 20,000 people in southern Brazil’s Santa Catarina state.
The flooding, hail and landslides have affected 71 counties, destroying or damaging scores of roads, bridges, and much of the state’s infrastructure, as well as thousands of homes.
The governor of Santa Catarina, Raimundo Colombo, has declared states of emergency in 50 of the state’s municipalities amid a major rainstorm that has been pounding the state since end of last week, said Com informações da Agência Brasil.
The emergency decree shall be in effect for 180 days, the governor’s office said.
Extreme Rain Events triggered widespread flooding in the city of São José (Santa Catarina), Sunday, September 22, 2013. Photo credit: Marcelo Bittencourt / Futura Press.
Suspected Tornado Kills 2, Injures 64 in Taquarituba city, São Paulo, Brazil
A suspected tornado hit the city of Taquarituba, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, about 320 km from the state capital, “partially destroying the municipality,” said a report.
The city (population: ~ 24,000) remains without power, the report said.
“Firefighters reported hat the “weather phenomenon” had destroyed more than 100 homes, as well as the industrial hub of the city and the highway.”
Wreckage of Taquarituba houses destroyed by a suspected tornado that swept through Brazilian state of São Paulo. Photo credit: Oslaim Brito/ Futura Press. More images…
EXCLUSIVE: Frosts devastated large areas of Brazil’s top sugar-cane states: Analyst
Vast areas in three of Brazil’s top sugar-cane states were devastated by severe early morning frosts on July 24 and 25, Datagro told Reuters.
The disaster occurred at a time when more than half of Brazil’s expected record 590-million-ton crop remains unharvested, said the report.
Some 65 million metric tons, or 18 percent of the unharvested cane was damaged by the frost, Datagro told Reuters.
“We don’t know how much of the affected … cane has been lost yet; we should know in about a week… In some cases the ratoons (young shoots) were hit and will need to be replanted, so the impact will carry over into next year’s crop.”
The worst affected areas were the states of Parana, Mato Grosso do Sul and Paranapanema Valley in Sao Paulo.
The brown rot setting in to the growing point of cane, indicates that the plant will loose its sugar content and die within a month. (Credit: Renee du Preez) via ABC Rural Au.
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,146 Days Left
[January 21, 2013] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,146 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 …
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Global Disasters/ Significant Events
State of emergency declared in Brazil’s Campo Grande as dengue fever infection becomes epidemic
Thousands of people have contracted dengue fever, a mosquito-born viral infection, in Brazilian cities of Campo Grande, in the southern state of Mato Grosso do Sul, and Vitoria, in Espiritu Santo state.
Thousands of suspected cases have been also been reported in Paraguay, especially across the border from Mato Grosso do Sul state, where the disease has killed about a dozen people.
Brazil health authorities say recent extreme rains events have increased the reproduction of the Aedes mosquito which transmits the potentially lethal disease.
Global Impact: The incidence of dengue fever infection continues growing globally, especially since 2009, putting at least half of the world’s population at risk.
Aedes aegypti, aka the yellow fever mosquito, is a vector for transmitting several tropical disease viruses including dengue fever, Chikungunya (CHIKV) and yellow fever.
This 2006 photograph depicts a female Aedes aegypti mosquito as she acquires a blood meal from her human host, the biomedical photographer, James Gathany, at the Centers for Disease Control. Dengue fever is caused by four virus strains spread by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. (Photo Credit: James Gathany/University of Notre Dame).
The M8.8 megaquake that struck the coast of Chile on February 27, moved the city of Concepcion at least 3 meters (10 feet) to the west, shifting other parts of South America, and places as far apart as the Falkland Islands and Fortaleza, Brazil, researchers say.
Initial measurements, produced from data collected by researchers from four universities and earthquake monitoring centers, as well as geophysicists on the ground in Chile, who depicted the power behind the Chilean megaquake, listed as the fifth-most-powerful instrumentally-recorded earthquake ever.
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina moved west by about 2.5cm (1 inch). And Santiago, the Chilean capital, moved about 28cm (11 inches) to the west-southwest. The cities of Mendoza and Valparaiso, located northeast of Concepcion, also moved by more than 13cm, and 27cm respectively.
This partial map of South America shows how far principal cities in Chile moved as a result of the February megaquake. Credit: University of Hawaii. Click Image to enlarge.
This map of South America shows movement of points on the continent as a result of the February megaquake. Credit: University of Hawaii. Click Image to enlarge
The megaquake occurred in a region of the Pacific Ocean which is known as the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” an area of major seismic activity. Major seismic stresses are caused because tectonic plates move press against each other at various fault zones, resulting in earthquakes which release built-up geologic stresses along these convergence zones.
The Chilean megaquake occurred where the Nazca tectonic plate subducted [plunged beneath] the neighboring South American plate.
Crash course on Win-Win Business formula for entrepreneurial companies and developing countries.
1. Hospitals (health authorities) and other industries in developed countries save lots of money by contracting out their hazardous waste disposal to “waste lieutenants” [“entrepreneurial” companies with no expert knowledge of waste disposal.] No questions asked.
2. The waste lieutenants make lots of money by outsourcing the disposal. [They simply ship them over to developing countries, were it is disposed of for a few dollars per ton.] No questions asked.
3. Shipping companies ask no questions! The bottom line is staying in business, whatever the moral cost.
4. The receiving agents often dump the hazardous waste in municipal dumps, or in any old quarry, mineshaft, dump they can find. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
5. The government in the exporting countries show concern whenever the news breaks out.
Brazil discovers 64 containers with 1,400 tonnes of hazardous UK waste shipped to three of its ports
Brazilian police said they found batteries, condoms, nappies and syringes among the waste which was shipped in illegally.
In a further discovery they found 25 containers with hospital waste from England.
Hazardous Hospital Waste. Source www. thehindubusinessline.com. Image may be subject to copyright.
“The finds were made in the port of Santos near to Sao Paulo and two other ports in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.” BBC reported.
“The authorities say they fear it may represent an attempt to use South America’s largest country as a dumping ground for hazardous waste in the way that has happened in other parts of the world, including Africa.”
“Public resentment over the issue increased when it was revealed that inside one of the containers was a collection of dirty toys with a note in Portuguese saying they should be washed before being given to ‘poor Brazilian children.'”
A third batch of containers were also discovered which reportedly included bags full of blood, and other dangerous hospital waste.
“Five companies have already been fined in Brazil but lawyers for the importers say they were deceived and believed they were being sent plastic for recycling.”
The authorities in Brazil suspect that two UK companies are involved in the export of hazardous waste.
Cattle rest in deforested jungle near Maraba, in Brazil’s central state of Para, May 3, 2009. Soon thousands of cows will be chewing pasture on the freshly cleared land in Brazil’s Amazon state of Para, just a tiny part of Brazil’s 200-million-strong commercial cattle herd, the world’s biggest, that makes it a beef superpower. More than 70 million are in the Amazon area, three for every person. This is where the industry has grown fastest in recent years, a trend activists say is due to cheap land, widespread illegal clearing and weak government enforcement. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker. Images may be subject to copyright.
Putting Amazon Jungles to Good Use (!)
“The Amazon has lost about a fifth of its forest in the past three decades and the rate of deforestation rose 69 percent in the 12 months to August 2008 as 8,147 sq km (3,145 sq miles) were cut down. It is expected to fall this year, partly due to the global economic crisis, but ecologists say government policies and market forces still drive deforestation.” Reuters said.
“Brazil is the world’s largest beef exporter and has the largest commercial cattle herd of 200 million, a third of which is in the Amazon region where loose laws and cheap land have helped its rapid expansion in recent years.
“The government has backed the industry in recent years with billions of dollars in financing and aims to double Brazil’s share of the global beef export market to 61 percent by 2018.
“It has acknowledged that cattle ranching is responsible for about 80 percent of Amazon deforestation.”
Enter Greenpeace
In a report titled “Slaughtering the Amazon” Greenpeace has accused the Brazilian government of being complicit in the destruction of Amazon jungles by way of providing financial backing for the beef industry, Reuters reported.
The report says that meat [and hide] that is exported by Brazil’s major meatpackers to Italy, U.S. and U.K., for making shoes, dog chews and ready-to-eat meals, often comes from ranches with recent illegal deforestation.
Brazil’s major meatpackers including JBS, Marfrig and Bertin are accused in the report of shipping the beef and hides thousands of miles south for additional processing before export.
“In effect, criminal or ‘dirty’ supplies of cattle are laundered through the supply chain to an unwitting global market,” it said. “Expansion by these groups is effectively a ‘joint venture’ with the Brazilian government.”
It’s NO good blaming it all on just Brazil, as Greenpeace has done, it’s the exponential growth economy and globalization that are ultimately responsible for the Amazon deforestation.
More drought and deluge, more flooding and landslide, just about everywhere!
This season, the extreme weather and rain events may be worse than the previous season, and the worsening pattern is expected to continue.
Brazil
People travel by boat in a flooded street in Trizidela do Vale, state of Maranhao, Brazil, Saturday, May 9, 2009. The flooding in northern Brazil is the worst in 20 years, and experts have warned river levels including the Amazon could hit records not seen since 1953 by June. (AP Photo/Andre Penner). Image may be subject to copyright. Residents walk on a street which was flooded by the Poti river in Teresina in the northeastern Brazilian state of Piaui May 8, 2009. According to Brazilian Civil Defense, floods and mudslides from months of heavy rains in northern Brazil have driven more than 214,000 from their homes and killed at least 38 people. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (BRAZIL ENVIRONMENT DISASTER). Image may be subject to copyright.
An aerial view of streets flooded by Tocantins river in Maraba, north of Brazil May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (BRAZIL ENVIRONMENT DISASTER). Image may be subject to copyright.
Flooding in the southern part of Brazil in November and December 2008 killed about 130 people and left another 40 missing.
Philippines
The Philippines rice production could suffer by as much as 10 percent this season.
Extensive flooding caused by Chan Holm. Image from Reuters Video. Image may be subject to copyright.
Typhoon Chan-Holm, the fifth to hit the Philippines this year, battered the northern Philippines tearing roofs off houses, destroying roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, and felled power lines in several provinces on the main island, Luzon. Heavy rains triggered extensive mudslides killing at least 15 people, officials said on Friday.
“Forecast second quarter national rice production was cut by more than 1 percent after Typhoon Kujira hit the central Philippines last weekend, killing 27 people.” Reuters reported.
Fire Earth 