Posts Tagged ‘West Nile virus’
Posted by feww on November 14, 2018
IN PROGRESS…
TIA [September 24, Confidential 10]
TNWG [October 22, Confidential 10]
MIRR [Nov. 14, Confidential10]
FIRE-EARTH MIU – 111402
Nominated Groups:
FIRE-EARTH Report:
Paralyzing Illness AFM in kids: CDC Confirms 90 Cases
At least 90 kids in 27 states have been diagnosed polio-like neurological condition acute flaccid myelitis, aka AFM, so far this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported. The reported total includes 18 new cases since last week. CDC is also investigating an additional 162 cases for potential AFM infection.
In October, health officials in 26 states told NBC News they were investigating or had reported 87 cases of AFM.
About Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare but serious condition. It affects the nervous system, specifically the area of the spinal cord called gray matter, which causes the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak. This condition is not new. However, the large number of AFM cases reported since 2014, when we first started our surveillance for this condition, is new. The risk of getting AFM varies by age and year. We have seen increases in AFM cases every two years since 2014 and mostly in young children. Still, CDC estimates that less than one to two in a million children in the United States will get AFM every year. Since 2014, most patients (more than 90%) had a mild respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before they developed AFM. All patients tested negative for poliovirus. We are working closely with national experts to better understand the possible causes of AFM and update our information on treatment. [CDC]
Symptoms
Most people will have sudden onset of arm or leg weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes. Some people, in addition to arm or leg weakness, will have:
- facial droop/weakness,
- difficulty moving the eyes,
- drooping eyelids, or
- difficulty with swallowing or slurred speech.
Numbness or tingling is rare in people with AFM, although some people have pain in their arms or legs. Some people with AFM may be unable to pass urine (pee). The most severe symptom of AFM is respiratory failure that can happen when the muscles involved with breathing become weak. This can require urgent ventilator support (breathing machine). In very rare cases, it is possible that the process in the body that triggers AFM may also trigger other serious neurologic complications that could lead to death. [CDC]
Diagnosis
AFM is diagnosed by examining a patient’s nervous system in combination with reviewing pictures of the spinal cord. A doctor can examine a patient’s nervous system and the places on the body where he or she has weakness, poor muscle tone, and decreased reflexes. A doctor can also do an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to look at a patient’s brain and spinal cord, do lab tests on the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around the brain and spinal cord), and may check nerve conduction (impulse sent along a nerve fiber) and response. It is important that the tests are done as soon as possible after the patient develops symptoms. [CDC]
AFM can be difficult to diagnose because it shares many of the same symptoms as other neurologic diseases, like transverse myelitis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. With the help of testing and examinations, doctors can distinguish between AFM and other neurologic conditions. [CDC]
Learn more about the type of information that helps to determine if a patient has AFM or not.
Possible Causes of AFM
Certain viruses are known to cause AFM including enteroviruses, such as poliovirus and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), and West Nile virus. Since 2014, most patients with AFM (more than 90%) had a mild respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before they developed AFM. All patients tested negative for poliovirus. Most patients had onset of AFM between August and October, with increases in AFM cases every two years since 2014. At this same time of year, many viruses commonly circulate, including enteroviruses, and will be temporally associated with AFM. [CDC]
We detected coxsackievirus A16, EV-A71, and EV-D68 in the spinal fluid of four of 404 confirmed cases of AFM since 2014, which points to the cause of their AFM. For all other patients, no pathogen (germ) has been detected in their spinal fluid to confirm a cause. When a pathogen (germ) is found in the spinal fluid, it is good evidence that it was the cause of a patient’s illness. However, oftentimes, despite extensive testing of AFM patients, no pathogens are found in the spinal fluid. This may be because the pathogen has been cleared by the body or it is hiding in tissues that make it difficult to detect. Another possibility is that the pathogen triggers an immune response in the body that causes damage to the spinal cord. We are searching for what triggers AFM in some children who have had a fever and/or respiratory illness compared to most children who don’t get AFM. [CDC]
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for AFM, but a neurologist may recommend certain interventions on a case-by-case basis. For example, neurologists may recommend physical or occupational therapy to help with arm or leg weakness caused by AFM. CDC is researching prognosis of AFM victims.
Prevention
Since we don’t know the cause of most of these AFM cases or what triggers this condition, there is no specific action to take to prevent AFM.
Certain viruses are known to cause AFM including enteroviruses, such as poliovirus and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), and West Nile virus. [CDC]
Laboratory engineered virus?
See full report. [FEWW -ER05]
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[Presented by FIRE-EARTH Science – MIU.]
- Full presentation available via FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.
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Latest FIRE-EARTH DIRECTIVES, ALERTS, FORECASTS, BULLETINS and MESSAGES available via FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: 111402, AFM, CDC, EV-A71, FIRE-EARTH Report, laboratory engineered virus, poliovirus, West Nile virus | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on October 16, 2018
IN PROGRESS…
TIA [September 24, Confidential 10]
C&M02 [October 10, Confidential 6]
Peacock 02 [October 14, Confidential 10]
Nominated Groups:
FIRE-EARTH Report: Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)
Summary Background:
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) affects the nervous system, specifically the area of spinal cord called gray matter, causing the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak. Increases in cases starting 2014 is unprecedented. Possible causes of AFM include viruses, environmental toxins, and genetic disorders. Most of the cases reported to CDC have been in children. [CDC]
“[In the US,] the increase in AFM cases in 2014 coincided with a national outbreak of severe respiratory illness among people caused by enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). Among the people confirmed with AFM, CDC did not consistently detect EV-D68 in every patient,” said the CDC.
Health officials in 26 states have told NBC News they are investigating or have reported 87 cases of AFM so far this year.
- Report issued by FIRE-EARTH Science (MIU), available via FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.
Latest FIRE-EARTH DIRECTIVES, ALERTS, FORECASTS, BULLETINS and MESSAGES available via FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.
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Posted in News Alert | Tagged: 101602, Acute Flaccid Myelitis, AFM, EV-A71, EV-D68, FIRE-EARTH Report, FIRE-EARTH Science, MIU, West Nile virus | 1 Comment »
Posted by feww on September 27, 2017
All Groups
FIRE-EARTH ALERT: Mosquitoes
[Issued by FIRE-EARTH Science Team and affiliated colleagues.]
- Details via FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: 092701, Dengue fever, drug-resistant malaria parasites, EEE, Mosquito-borne disease, Mosquito-borne illness, Mosquito-borne infectious diseases, viruses, West Nile virus, Zika | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on January 1, 2014
MASS DIE OFF of BIRDS
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Unprecedented wintertime outbreak of West Nile virus caused mass die off of birds: Officials
An unusual wintertime outbreak of West Nile virus in Utah killed at least 27 bald eagles in December and more than 20,000 water birds since November, said the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Officials discovered the dead or dying birds in northern and central Utah. The sick bald eagles, which died during treatment, all displayed similar symptoms including head tremors, seizures, paralysis in the wings, and weakness in legs and feet.

This undated photo released by the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Northern Utah shows a bald eagle that was brought into the center for treatment, but eventually died. Credit: Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah/via AP.
The eagles most probably contracted the disease after preying on sick or dead water birds, namely Eared Grebe [Black-neck Grebe], that were infected by the West Nile virus, according to Leslie McFarlane, a Utah wildlife disease coordinator.
“This is really kind of undocumented. Eagles have been known to feed on birds infected with West Nile virus but the transmission hasn’t happened on this large of a scale. And the total number of birds we’re talking about is on a grand scale that may not have been seen before,” she said.
“Some 20,000 of the water birds have died in and around the Great Salt Lake since November in an outbreak that may be a record in North America, McFarlane said. Initial testing suggested an infectious bacterial disease such as avian cholera caused the deaths, but findings released on Tuesday showed West Nile virus was the culprit,” said a report quoting McFarlane.
The fall is quite long in Utah, and provides for an extended breeding season for mosquitoes into late October, she said; however, it may be impossible to determine whether grebes contracted the disease in the state, or were infected by West Nile virus migrating there.
Up to 1,200 bald eagles migrate to wintering grounds in Utah each year, and the death toll could rise, said McFarlane.
Posted in environment, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, Global Disasters 2014, Significant Event Imagery, significant events | Tagged: bald eagle, Black-neck Grebe, Eared Grebe, Mass die-off, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, water birds, West Nile virus | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on October 25, 2012
219 deaths caused by WNV infections in the U.S. (YTD)
As of October 23, 2012, five thousand two hundred and one [4,725 cases tabulated] human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC ArboNET from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- About 35% of the total cases were reported from Texas.
U.S. Update: West Nile virus (WNV) activity reported to ArboNET

Neuroinvasive disease cases comprise 51% of the reported total for the year with the remaining 49% recorded as nonneuroinvasive disease cases. Five hundred and sixty two WNV presumptive viremic blood donors (PVDs) have been reported at this time, CDC said.

Incidence by state map data description: West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease incidence maps reflect surveillance reports released by state and local health departments to CDC’s ArboNET system for public distribution. Map shows the incidence of human neuroinvasive disease (encephalitis, meningitis, and/or acute flaccid paralysis) by state for 2012 with shading ranging from .01 to 0.24, 0.25 to 0.49, 0.50 to 0.99, and greater than 1.0 per 100,000 population.
Related Links
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012 | Tagged: CDC ArboNET, Climate change dividends, climate change fallout, climate change hazards, climate impact, global health catastrophe, Incidence by state map, neuroinvasive disease, West Nile virus, West Nile virus infection, West Nile virus infections, WNV, WNV activity | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on October 11, 2012
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,252 Days Left
[October 11, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
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SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,252 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History
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Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Exserohilum Rostratum
Several of the meningitis patients who received epidural steroid injections (medication injected into the spine), have had strokes related to the infection, according to CDC. The meningitis was found to be caused by fungi that are common in the environment but rarely cause infection.

Exserohilum is a common mold found in soil and on plants, especially grasses. Exserohilum can cause keratitis (eye inflammation), subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), osteomyelitis (bone infection), and sinusitis. (Source: CDC)
Fungal Meningitis Outbreak in the U.S.
- Case Count: 137 [October 10, 2012 5:45:00 PM EDT]
- States: 10
- Deaths: 12
West Nile Virus Infections
“Four thousand seven hundred and thirteen [4,713] human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC ArboNET [4,249 cases cited elsewhere on the CDC website] from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.” CDC reported.
- 168 deaths reported
- Cases reported from 47 states and District of Columbia
- More than 70 percent of the cases have been reported in 8 states: Texas, Mississippi, Michigan, South Dakota, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Illinois and California.
- Texas reported about 40 percent of all cases.
- The Dallas-Fort Worth area has reported 33 deaths, the highest number in the country.
- “The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday that health officials in Tarrant County, home to Fort Worth, may have vastly underreported cases of the serious neuroinvasive form of West Nile,” a report said.
WNV activity reported from 47 states and DC

West Nile virus (WNV) activity reported to ArboNET, by state, United States, 2012 (as of October 9, 2012).
U.S. Agri Disaster Areas
USAD has designated 64 counties across six states as agricultural disaster areas. The disaster list also includes independent city of Charlottesville in Virginia and Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana.
- In Montana and surrounding states—Idaho and the Dakotas—losses have been caused by “the combined effects of early spring frosts and freezes, drought, excessive heat, high winds, wildfires, insects, hail, lightning and tornadoes that began Jan. 1, 2012, and continues.”
- North Carolina counties were designated as disaster areas due to losses caused by excessive rain and flooding that occurred May 14-16, 2012.
- In Virginia disaster areas were declared due to losses caused by excessive rain, hail, high winds and lightning associated with a derecho.
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
GLOBAL WARNING
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, global health catastrophe | Tagged: Agri Disaster Areas, CDC, Dallas-Fort Worth, DFWED, Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, endocarditis, Environmental Disease, Exserohilum, foodborne disease, fungal meningitis, infectious diseases, keratitis, NCEZID, neuroinvasive, osteomyelitis, sinusitis, Tarrant County blood bank, ubcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, West Nile virus, West Nile virus infections, WNV, WNV activity | 2 Comments »
Posted by feww on October 1, 2012
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,262 Days Left
[October 1, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
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SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,262 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History
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Global Disasters/ Significant Events
More than 4,500 West Nile virus infections and 169 deaths reported in 47 states and D.C.
As of October 1, 2012 more than 4,500 human West Nile virus infections including 169 deaths [numbers to be confirmed] have been reported this year in the following states:
- Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

As of October 1, 2012, a total of 47 states and D.C. have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. At least four thousand five hundred (4,500) human West Nile virus infections including 169 deaths [numbers to be confirmed] have occurred, so far this year. The reported WNV cases include 51% neuroinvasive disease cases (such as meningitis or encephalitis).
Footnote: The map displays white areas that represent no WNV activity reported, light green areas that represent any WNV activity* , dark green circles that represent disease cases, and dark green triangles that represent presumptive viremic blood donors.
* Includes WNV human disease cases, presumptive viremic blood donors, veterinary disease cases and infections in mosquitoes, birds, and sentinel animals.
† Presumptive viremic blood donors have a positive screening test which has not necessarily been confirmed.
Map shows the distribution of WNV activity* (shaded in light green), human infections (dark green circles), and presumptive viremic blood donors (dark green triangles) occurring during 2012 by state. If West Nile virus infection is reported from any area of a state, that entire state is shaded. Source: CDC/ Vector-Borne Diseases
Non-human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC ArboNET from the following states:
- Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Other Disasters/ Significant Events
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
GLOBAL WARNING
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, global health catastrophe | Tagged: Alaska, Alberta, carrying capacity, chickenpox, Deadly New Virus, E coli outbreak, encephalitis, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, Human History, mass dieoffs, meningitis, N.C. deer, neuroinvasive disease, Overshoot, West Nile infection, West Nile virus, West Nile virus infections, whitetails, WNV, WNV activity, XL Foods | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on September 18, 2012
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,275 Days Left
[September 18, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
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SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,275 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History
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Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Pakistan: Monsoon Rains
- Monsoon rains have left about 1,000 people killed or injured, destroying more than 15,000 homes, and damaging thousands more, across Pakistan since August 22.
See also: Cloudbursts Kill Dozens in India
United States: West Nile Virus (WNV) – [UPDATED Sept 20, 2012]
- As of September 18, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. At least three thousand five hundred and seven human West Nile virus infections including 134 deaths [to be confirmed] have been reported to CDC ArboNET from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
West Nile virus (WNV) activity reported to ArboNET, United States, 2012 (Sept 18, 2012)

As of September 18, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. At least three thousand five hundred and seven (3,507) human West Nile virus infections including 134 deaths have resulted from WNV infection across 35 states, so far this year. The reported WNV cases include 52% neuroinvasive disease cases (such as meningitis or encephalitis). Source: CDC/ Vector-Borne Diseases
Footnote: The map displays white areas that represent no WNV activity reported, light green areas that represent any WNV activity* , dark green circles that represent disease cases, and dark green triangles that represent presumptive viremic blood donors.
* Includes WNV human disease cases, presumptive viremic blood donors, veterinary disease cases and infections in mosquitoes, birds, and sentinel animals.
† Presumptive viremic blood donors have a positive screening test which has not necessarily been confirmed.
Map shows the distribution of WNV activity* (shaded in light green), human infections (dark green circles), and presumptive viremic blood donors (dark green triangles) occurring during 2012 by state. If West Nile virus infection is reported from any area of a state, that entire state is shaded.
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
GLOBAL WARNING
Posted in environment, global deluge, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, global health catastrophe, global heating | Tagged: carrying capacity, encephalitis, Human History, mass dieoffs, meningitis, Monsoon rains, neuroinvasive disease, Overshoot, Pakistan Monsoon, West Nile infection, West Nile virus, WNV | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on September 6, 2012
2,280 West Nile cases and 87 deaths reported in 2012: CDC
WNV cases have climbed by 71 percent and the deaths by 89 percent since August 21, 2012.
- WNV cases include 54% neuroinvasive disease cases and 46% nonneuroinvasive disease cases. Three hundred and thirty five WNV presumptive viremic blood donors (PVDs) have been reported as of September 4, 2012, CDC said.
- About 71 percent of the cases this year have been reported in six states: Texas (45%), South Dakota (6%), Oklahoma (6%), Mississippi (6%), Michigan (5%) and Louisiana (4%).
Epidemic/Epizootic West Nile Virus in the United States

At least 87 people have died from WNV infection in the U.S. so far this year. The 2,280 reported WNV cases include 1,069 (54%) neuroinvasive disease cases and 924 (46%) nonneuroinvasive disease cases. Three hundred and thirty five WNV presumptive viremic blood donors (PVDs) have been reported as of September 4, 2012, CDC said.
Data table [Sourced from CDC]
Two thousand two hundred eighty (2,280) human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC ArboNET from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Non-human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC ArboNET from the following states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
CDC Links
Previous Entries
Related Links
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, global health catastrophe, global heating | Tagged: acute flaccid paralysis, carrying capacity, encephalitis, neuroinvasive, PVDs, West Nile, West Nile encephalitis, West Nile infection, West Nile meningitis, West Nile meningoencephalitis, West Nile outbreak, West Nile virus, WN meningitis, WNV | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on August 25, 2012
West Nile Cases Surge in Louisiana
Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) have confirmed 53 new human cases of the West Nile infections, marking 145 reported cases and 9 deaths so far this year.
At least 31 of the new cases are neuroinvasive disease, which infects the spinal cord and brain and can lead to death, LDHH reported.
- United States is in the midst of “one of the largest West Nile outbreaks ever seen,” said Dr. Lyle Peterson, director of vector-borne infectious diseases section at CDC.
- About 1,331 reported cases of the disease have occurred in 38 states including about 640 Neuroinvasive disease cases, leading to at least 46 deaths so far this year.
- Nine other states have reported “some activity.”
- Texas, the worst-hit state, has reported 641 cases with 24 deaths so far this year.
- Since 1999, more than 30,000 people in the United States have been infected with West Nile virus. Occasionally, a person infected with the mosquito-borne disease may develop more severe symptoms including “West Nile encephalitis,” “West Nile meningitis” or “West Nile meningoencephalitis.” CDC reported.
- The 1,331 cases thus far in 2012 is the highest number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the third week in August since West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999.
- About 75 percent of the cases have been reported from 5 states (Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Oklahoma) and almost half of all cases have been reported from Texas.
- About 13,000 of the individuals who have been reported as being infected West Nile virus since 1999 have been seriously ill, and more than 1,200 have died, CDC said.
WNV Infection Causes Kidney Disease
WNV infection causes serious and lasting kidney damage, according to a new report by Baylor College of Medicine. Researchers found that 4 in 10 patients had varying stages of kidney disease caused by WNV infection.
About 45,000 people in Houston area have been infected with the virus, many of whom are unaware of it, the report said.
West Nile virus (WNV) activity reported to ArboNET, by state, United States, 2012 (as of August 21, 2012)

One thousand three hundred thirty-one (1,331) human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC ArboNET from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
- South Korea. Reactor No. 1 at the Ulchin nuclear power plant located in South Korea’s North Kyongsang province stopped operating on Thursday for “unknown reasons,” the Yonhap news agency reported.
Related Links
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, global drought, global ghg emissions, global health catastrophe, global heating, global precipitation patterns | Tagged: Baylor College of Medicine, carrying capacity, South Korea, Ulchin nuclear power plant, West Nile, West Nile encephalitis, West Nile infection, West Nile meningitis, West Nile meningoencephalitis, West Nile outbreak, West Nile virus, WNV | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on August 23, 2012
Drought disaster declared in 100 additional counties across 13 states
Fifteen counties in Nebraska have been declared agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by drought, excessive heat and high winds that began March 1, 2012, and continues, USDA reported.
- Those disaster areas are (primary disaster areas) Gage, Johnson, Nuckolls, Richardson, Jefferson, Nemaha, Pawnee and Thayer counties; (contiguous disaster areas) Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Lancaster, Otoe, Saline and Webster counties.
Nine counties in bordering states of Kansas and Missouri also designated as natural disaster areas because they are contiguous.
- Kansas: Brown, Doniphan, Jewell, Marshall, Nemaha, Republic and Washington counties.
- Missouri: Atchison and Holt counties.
Drought disaster areas have also been declared in California, Nevada and Utah.

U.S. Drought Disaster Map as of August 22, 2012.
- California. USDA has also designated 6 counties in California and one in bordering Nevada as natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. Those counties are Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mono and Tuolumne in California, and Douglas County in Nevada.
- Utah. USDA has designated nine counties in Utah as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. Those counties are (primary disaster areas) Beaver, Iron and Piute counties; (contiguous disaster areas) Garfield, Millard, Washington, Kane, Sevier and Wayne counties.
- Idaho. USDA has designated 17 counties in Idaho as natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by drought, excessive heat and high winds that began Jan. 1, 2012, and continues.
The Idaho disaster designation also includes 9 counties in 4 bordering states.
- Montana: Beaverhead, Gallatin and Madison counties.
- Nevada: Elko County.
- Utah: Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties.
- Wyoming: Lincoln and Teton counties.
- Kansas. USDA has designated 5 counties in Kansas as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by drought, excessive heat, high winds and wildfires that began Jan. 1, 2012, and continues. Those counties are (PDA) Marshall County; and (CDA) Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Riley and Washington counties.
- Indiana. USDA has designated 5 counties in Indiana as natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
- Ohio. Darke County in Ohio also designated as natural disaster area because it is contiguous.
- Georgia. USDA has designated 12 counties in Georgia as natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
- Tennessee. USDA has designated 13 counties in Tennessee as natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
- United States. The number of reported West Nile cases nationwide has tripled, with at least 1,118 reported so far this year, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported.
- Seventy-five percent of the cases have been reported in five states—Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas—with more than a half in Texas.
- “We are in the midst of one of the worst West Nile virus outbreaks ever seen in the U.S.,” Lyle R. Petersen, director of the Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases at CDC, told reporters.
- West Nile virus have caused at least 41 fatalities, so far this year.
- Texas has reported 640 West Nile infections and at least 22 deaths this year.
- Dallas County, where the mayor declared a health emergency last week, accounts for 270 cases and at least 11 deaths.
- Ohio. The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Ohio in the area affected by severe storms and straight-line winds during the period of June 29 to July 2, 2012.
- The worst affected areas are in the counties of Adams, Allen, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Champaign, Clark, Coshocton, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Meigs, Miami, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Putnam, Shelby, Van Wert, and Washington.
- Oklahoma. The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma in the area affected by the Freedom Wildfire during the period of August 3-14, 2012.
- California. California Governor has declared a state of emergency in 3 Northern California counties—Plumas, Shasta and Tehama—due to raging wildfires.
- Wildfires have destroyed dozens of homes and threaten hundreds more, forcing evacuations and road closures.
- Ponderosa Fire, which had already consumed about 25,000 acres, destroying more than 85 homes and other structures, was threatening the small community of Mineral, south of Lassen National Volcanic Park.
- The blaze has already forced about 3,500 people to flee their homes in Tehama and Shasta counties, north of Sacramento.
- The fire is threatening more than 500 homes and businesses
- Chips Fire in Plumas County has scorched about 100 square miles since late July and threatens more than 900 homes.
- Idaho. USDA has designated 34 counties in Idaho as natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the combined effects of hail, excessive rain, frost and freezes that occurred from Jan. 1 – July 25, 2012.
The Idaho disaster designation also includes 9 counties in 6 bordering states.
- Washington: Two counties.
DROUGHT DISASTER
- United States. Drought conditions continue worsening in key farm states, with 63.20 percent of Continental U.S. experiencing Moderate to Exception Drought condition (D1 to D4 on the U.S. Drought Monitor).

U.S. Drought Map – August 21, 2012. Source: US Drought Monitor.
Related Links
Drought – Recent Links
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, global drought, global heating, global Temperature Anomalies, global temperatures | Tagged: Agri Disaster Area, California disaster areas, Chips Fire, Creek County, Dallas County, drought 2012, drought disaster, Drought Disaster 2012, drought disaster areas, Freedom Wildfire, Lassen National Volcanic Park, Nevada drought disaster, Ohio disaster, Oklahoma Disaster, Ponderosa fire, Texas, U.S. Drought Disaster, U.S. Drought Map, Utah drought disaster areas, West Nile, West Nile virus, wildfire | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on August 18, 2012
Oregon declares a statewide state of emergency due to ‘imminent threat of wildfire’
Oregon Gov Kitzhaber has declared a statewide State of Emergency due to ‘the imminent threat of wildfire,’ after extreme fire danger and red flag warnings were issued for much of the state.
- A wildfire has scorched about 85,000, threatening at least 200 structures and prompting evacuation orders for residents near Lakeview.
- The Barry Point Fire, sparked by lightning on Monday August 6, is located about 22 miles southwest of Lakeview, OR on the Fremont-Winema National Forest and private lands.
- Another Wildfire, Ten Mile Complex Fire, consisting of the Ten Mile fire (10,000 acres), and the Banana Lake Fire(5,000 acres), also sparked by lightning, is reportedly 90 percent contained.
- The Holloway Fire, a Mega Wildfire, has scorched 700 square miles along the Nevada-Oregon state line, more than half of it in Oregon.
- Other wildfires in the state include the Fort Complex fire, three blazes burning together from California into SW Oregon, the Waterfalls 2 fire near Warm Springs, and the Butte fire in Douglas County.
‘Thunderstorms this weekend in the Pacific Northwest, particularly western Washington through Oregon into northern California and Nevada, will be capable of abundant lightning with little or no rain. Given the very dry fuel conditions, lightning has the potential to start new wildfires across the region,’ NWS said.
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
- Texas, USA.Dallas Mayor has declared a state of emergency and ordered aerial pesticide spraying in Dallas following a surge in the cases of the West Nile virus which have killed at least 26 people nationwide this summer.
- Dallas County has reported more than 200 infections, which have resulted in at least ten deaths.
- About 450 human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in 2 dozen Texas counties, with at least 16 fatalities attributed to the infections.
- In Houston, 95% of mosquitoes tested carry the virus.
- See also: Forest Fires Force Thousands to Evacuate in Canary Islands
2012 West Nile virus update: as of August 14
At least 43 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 861 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including at least 26 deaths, have been reported to CDC. Of these, 59% were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as meningitis or encephalitis) and 41% were classified as non-neuroinvasive disease.
More than 80 percent of the cases have been reported from six states (Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and California) and almost half of all cases have been reported from Texas, CDC reported.
West Nile virus (WNV) activity reported to ArboNET, by state, United States, 2012 (as of August 14, 2012)

Eight hundred sixty-one (861) human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC ArboNET from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.
Non-human WNV Cases
Non-human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC ArboNET from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
- Louisiana, USA. Gov Jindal has declared a state of emergency for Plaquemines Parish due to encroaching salt water, which is threatening drinking water in the New Orleans area.
- “Due to the Mississippi River’s low water levels, salt water has been moving far upriver and was at the outskirts of New Orleans by Wednesday, nearly 90 miles north of the mouth of the Mississippi,” said a report.
- High levels of sodium and chloride have been detected in Plaquemines Parish’s drinking water.
Links to Recent Wildfires
Related Links
Drought – Recent Links
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, global drought, global heating, global Precipitation, global Temperature Anomalies | Tagged: Barry Point Fire, CDC ArboNET, Dallas state of emergency, extreme fire danger, Fort Complex fire, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Holloway Fire, Lakeview, Myrtle Grove, neuroinvasive disease, New Orleans, Oregon state of emergency, Oregon wildfire, Plaquemines Parish, Red Flag Warnings, state of emergency, Ten Mile Complex Fire, Waterfalls 2 fire, West Nile virus, Western US wildfire, wildfire | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on August 12, 2012
Disaster Calendar – 12 August 2012
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,312 Days Left
[August 12, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,312 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
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Soaring heat spurs more forest fires across Canary Islands forcing thousands to flee their homes
A new round of forest fires consumed hundreds of hectares on Tenerife and La Gomera islands, two of Spain’s Canary Islands, located off the coast of Africa.
- At least 4,000 people were evacuated.
- The new blazes have consumed a total of about 1,000 hectares on both island.
- Since last week, wildfires have consumed about 4,000 hectares on Canary Islands.
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
- East Azerbaijan province, Iran. Death toll from the two strong earthquakes that struck NW Iran on August 11 has climbed to about 300, with more than 5,000 people injured.
- The quakes affected about a 1,000 rural communities, destroying or severely damaging 150 villages.
- Many of the mountains villages are hard to reach by road.
- About 36,000 people were evacuated to emergency shelters, news media reported officials as saying.
- About 70 aftershocks have struck the area, as of posting.
- Texas, USA. Dallas County officials have declared a state of emergency due to rapid rise of West Nile virus infections.
- Dallas County has reported 181 infections, which have resulted in at least nine deaths.
- More than 431 human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in northern Texas with at least 12 fatalities attributed to the infections.
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, global drought, global earthquakes, global heating, global Temperature Anomalies | Tagged: Canary Islands, Canary Islands fires, Dallas County, earthquake, Earthquakes 2012, East Azerbaijan province, forest fires, infectious diseases, Iran Earthquake, La Gomera, Mosquito-borne infectious diseases, North Texas, Tenerife, Texas, West Nile virus | 3 Comments »
Posted by feww on June 19, 2012
Death toll exceeds 200 in AES outbreak in Bihar, eastern India
An outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) has claimed at least 200 lives in India’s eastern state of Bihar since May, reports quoting government sources said.
State health officials in Bihar have identified 10 districts where the mosquito-borne disease has spread. Most of the dead are children.
The disease has killed thousands of people in India since the late 1970s, reports said.
Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, which can be caused by a bacterial infection, e.g, bacterial meningitis, spreading directly to the brain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of a brain with encephalitis. It has resulted in a large lesion (orange). Source: NHS/UK
Acute viral encephalitis
Acute viral encephalitis is most often caused by a viral infection from a large list of viruses that include rabies virus, herpes simplex virus (the virus that causes cold sores and the sexually transmitted infection, STI, genital herpes), poliovirus, measles virus, JC virus, West Nile Virus, mumps, varicella zoster virus (the virus which is responsible for chickenpox in children and shingles in adults), and rubella.
Exposure to viruses can occur through
- Breathing in respiratory droplets from an infected person
- Contaminated food or drink
- Mosquito, tick, and other insect bites
- Skin contact (Source A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia and others
Other causes may include an allergic reaction to vaccinations, autoimmune disease, bacteria, such as Lyme disease, complication of an existing infectious disease such as syphilis and tuberculosis, parasitic infestations, such as malaria, roundworms, cysticercosis, and toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients and other people who have a weakened immune system, or the effects of cancer.
For a list of other acute infections and symptoms click HERE.
Other Global Disasters, Significant Events
- Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect from 1 pm Wednesday to 6 am EDT Friday for New Castle-Mercer-Gloucester-Camden-Northwestern Burlington-Chester-Montgomery-Bucks-Delaware-Philadelphia- including the cities of Wilmington, Trenton, Glassboro, Camden, CherryHill, Moorestown, Mount Holly, West Chester, Norristown, Doylestown, Media and Philadelphia. NWS has forecast Heat Index Values of up yo 103ºF (39.4ºC).
- Arizona and California. An Excessive Heat Watch remains in effect through Friday for east-central, southwest and south-central Arizona deserts and lower deserts of far southeast California. Cities include the Phoenix Metro area, Yuma, El Centro, Casa Grande, Wickenburg, Parker and Blythe. NWS has forecast temperature high of up to 115ºF (~46ºC).
- North Carolina.A wildfire that is burning in Croatan National Forest has grown to 10,800 acres, a fire official said.
- “Ash has been falling from the sky in areas near the forest, and high levels of particle pollution have spurred two agencies to issue alerts. The National Weather Service has issued a Code Red Air Quality alert for Craven County until 8:15 PM on June 19. And the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued a Code Red Air Quality Action Day for Craven, Jones, and Pamlico Counties,” said a report.
Up-to-date weekly average CO2 at Mauna Loa
- Week of June 10, 2012: 396.37 ppm (1-year increase: 2.75 ppm)
- Weekly value from 1 year ago: 393.62 ppm
- Weekly value from 10 years ago: 375.41 ppm
Recent Mauna Loa CO2
- May 2012: 396.78 ppm (1-year increase: 2.62 ppm; 10-year increase: 21.13 ppm; 50-year increase: 75.77 ppm)
- May 2011: 394.16 ppm
- May 2002: 375.65 ppm
- May 1962: 321.01 ppm
The graph shows recent monthly mean carbon dioxide measured at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii.

The last four complete years of the Mauna Loa CO2 record plus the current year are shown. Data are reported as a dry air mole fraction defined as the number of molecules of carbon dioxide divided by the number of all molecules in air, including CO2 itself, after water vapor has been removed. The mole fraction is expressed as parts per million (ppm). Example: 0.000400 is expressed as 400 ppm. In the above figure, the dashed red line with diamond symbols represents the monthly mean values, centered on the middle of each month. The black line with the square symbols represents the same, after correction for the average seasonal cycle. The latter is determined as a moving average of SEVEN adjacent seasonal cycles centered on the month to be corrected, except for the first and last THREE and one-half years of the record, where the seasonal cycle has been averaged over the first and last SEVEN years, respectively. [Source: NOAA/ESRL]
Recent Global CO2
- April 2012: 394.01 ppm (1-year increase: 2.18 ppm)
- April 2011: 391.83 ppm

The graph shows recent monthly mean carbon dioxide globally averaged over marine surface sites. The Global Monitoring Division of NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory has measured carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases for several decades at a globally distributed network of air sampling sites [Conway, 1994]. A global average is constructed by first fitting a smoothed curve as a function of time to each site, and then the smoothed value for each site is plotted as a function of latitude for 48 equal time steps per year. A global average is calculated from the latitude plot at each time step [Masarie, 1995]. Source: NOAA/ESRL
- Typhoon GUCHOL and TS TALIM

Source: SSEC
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
Posted in Climate change dividends, climate change fallout, climate disasters, climate extremes, global deluge, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, global health catastrophe | Tagged: Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, acute infection, AES, Arizona heat watch, autoimmune disease, Bihar, California heat watch, CO2 increase, Code Red Air Quality, Croatan National Forest, current CO2, Encephalitis outbreak, Excessive Heat Warning, Excessive Heat Watch, Global CO2, Global CO2 emissions, Global CO2 levels, Herpes simplex virus, India, JC virus, Lyme disease, North Carolina, North Carolina wildfire, Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic, Rabies virus, Tropicat Storm TALIM, TS TALIM, typhoon GUCHOL, Varicella zoster virus, viral Encephalitis, weekly average CO2, Weekly average CO2 at Mauna Loa, West Nile virus | 1 Comment »
Posted by feww on August 22, 2011
Monsoons Rains, Strong Storms and Severe Flooding Continue to Wreak Havoc Globally
Disaster Calendar 2011 – August 21 Entry
[August 21, 2011] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,669 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History
- Louisiana, USA. The White House has declared the State of Louisiana a major disaster area because of widespread inland flooding during the period of April 25 to July 7, 2011.
- Parishes sustaining severe damage to infrastructure included Assumption, Avoyelles, Concordia, East Carroll, Lafourche, Madison, Point Coupee, St. Charles, St. James, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Tensas, Terrebonne, and West Feliciana.
- Thailand. At least 37 people have been killed in flood-related incidents triggered by Tropical Storm Nock-ten since July 25, the country’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported.
- Dominican Republic. Death toll from the ongoing cholera outbreak in the Dominican republis has climbed to at least 109, reports said.
- West Bengal, India. Flood related death toll in India’s eastern West Bengal state has climbed to at least 47, reports said. The epic flooding has affected about 3 million people, destroying or damaging more than 160,000 homes.
- Karachi, Pakistan. Death toll in Karachi’s latest wave of violence, which started 4 days ago, has climbed to at least 73, reports said.
- Peshawar, Pakistan. Death toll from human bombing of a mosque in the Ghundi area of Peshawar has risen to at least 52, reports said.
News Links
Official Reports
Related Links
Posted in global deluge, global disasters | Tagged: 2011 Disaster Calendar, 2011 Disasters, first wave of collapsing cities, Global Disasters, Louisiana major disaster, Pakistan violence, Thailand flooding, West Bengal flooding, West Nile virus | Leave a Comment »