RSOE EDIS - Emergency and Disaster Information

Vehicle Accident - North-America - Canada

2013-05-21T10:02:17-07:00

EDIS Number: VI-20130521-39320-CAN
Date / time: 21/05/2013 17:00:55 [UTC]
Event: Vehicle Accident
Area: North-America
Country: Canada
State/County: Province of Saskatchewan
Location: Jansen
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: Moderate

Description:

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd said five tankers containing oil derailed on Tuesday morning near Jansen, Saskatchewan, and one of the cars is leaking crude, the third spill for the company in two months. Ed Greenberg, a spokesman for Canada's No.2 railway, said the cars containing Western Canadian crude were on an eastbound mixed-freight train. The company does not yet know how much spilled from the leaking tanker, but Greenberg said the oil has been contained at the site of the derailment. "One of the cars did leak some product but there is no assessment of how much escaped," he said. The derailment, which is being investigated by Canada's Transportation safety board, comes after one of CP's trains derailed near Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, in late March, spilling 360 barrels of Canadian crude. A second, 400-barrel spill came less than a week later when a train carrying crude tankers and other freight cars derailed in northern Ontario. A boom in North American oil production has prompted a huge rise in crude-by-rail transport as output has outgrown the existing pipeline network. The spill may again prompt concerns about the environmental risks of shipping crude on railways. Hunter Harrison, the railway's chief executive, said earlier this month that CP was investing in new technology to limit derailments on the company's rail network in Canada and the United States. The company does not yet know when the line will be returned to service. Greenberg said trains can be rerouted around the derailment. Jansen is 148 kilometers southeast of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Biological Hazard - Africa - Niger

2013-05-21T09:59:43-07:00

EDIS Number: BH-20130521-39319-NER
Date / time: 21/05/2013 16:54:34 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Africa
Country: Niger
State/County: Department of Tillaberi
Location: [Mangaize Refugee Camp]
Number of Deads: 7 person(s)
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

The United Nations refugee agency said that they are working to contain a cholera outbreak in Niger in a refugee camp for people fleeing the conflict in Mali. Melissa Fleming, the chief spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said in a statement on Tuesday that a total of seven people have died from cholera in recent weeks. They include two refugees who died in the Mangaize camp, currently housing 15,000 refugees in the Tillaberi region of Niger, located close to the Malian border. On May 11, the government of Niger declared a cholera epidemic. Last year, a total of 110 people died throughout Niger. This year’s epidemic could be worse because of the concentration of refugees. Niger is currently housing some 50,000 Malian refugees, said the statement.

Vehicle Incident - Europe - Ukraine

2013-05-21T08:58:29-07:00

EDIS Number: VIV-20130521-39318-UKR
Date / time: 21/05/2013 15:57:11 [UTC]
Event: Vehicle Incident
Area: Europe
Country: Ukraine
State/County: Donetska Oblast
Location: [Donetsk Airport]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: Moderate

Description:

A Russian ATR-42 turboprop passenger plane made an emergency landing early Tuesday at Donetsk airport in eastern Ukraine without casualties, local authorities said. The UTair airline-operated plane, en route from Donetsk to Moscow, encountered a technical problem shortly after taking off, and made a safe emergency landing at 6.30 a.m. local time (0330 GMT), the Donetsk airport press service said. Passengers would fly to Moscow by another plane, it said. On mid-February, a plane bound for Donetsk from the southern city of Odessa with 52 people aboard crashed while landing at Donetsk airport, killing five people.

Biological Hazard - North-America - USA

2013-05-21T07:46:43-07:00

EDIS Number: BH-20130521-39317-USA
Date / time: 21/05/2013 14:45:33 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Alabama
Location: Fairhope [Mobile Bay]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

Hundreds of redfish and catfish are floating on the surface of Mobile Bay. Scientists say it appears they've been dead for several days, now they're starting to wash up along the Eastern Shore near Mullet Point. "The first thing you worry about is if it's a major fish kill and is it affecting the entire bay," said a resident. So, why are these fish dying? Some researchers say it's hard to tell because the fish have been dead for a while so they're not easy to test. Dr. Bob Shipp, who teaches marine sciences at the University of South Alabama, has his own thoughts about what's happening in Mobile Bay. "Normally these fish kills are associated with low oxygen levels, especially in the summer when the water gets hot and it loses it's oxygen," Shipp says. But, right now Dr. Shipp doesn't believe that's what's causing the deaths. In the meantime those living near Mullet Point are having to deal with the problem. One homeowner tells News 5 more than 15 redfish washed up at her home Saturday. While the answer is unclear, Dr. Shipp believes it could be a virus that's killing the fish.

Hailstorm - Europe - Poland

2013-05-21T07:11:30-07:00

EDIS Number: HS-20130521-39316-POL
Date / time: 21/05/2013 14:10:20 [UTC]
Event: Hailstorm
Area: Europe
Country: Poland
State/County: Masovian Voivodeship
Location: Radom
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: Heavy

Description:

Over fifty houses were damaged on Monday night as a hailstorm wreaked havoc near the city of Radom, central Poland. Witnesses from the village of Jedlinsk told Polish Radio that a gale, followed by an intense hailstorm, lasted just a few minutes. However, over 50 roofs in the area were significantly damaged, as were power lines and trees. Although the storms were at their most intense in the vicinity of Radom, several other parts of Poland were affected by the extreme weather. Severe storms struck the Pomeranian region on the Baltic coast, likewise the southern Swietokrzyskie region. All in all, firemen were called to the scene of 340 separate incidents across Poland.

Vehicle Accident - Asia - India

2013-05-21T05:45:56-07:00

EDIS Number: VI-20130521-39315-IND
Date / time: 21/05/2013 12:45:05 [UTC]
Event: Vehicle Accident
Area: Asia
Country: India
State/County: State of Uttar Pradesh
Location: Kanpur
Number of Deads: 11 person(s)
Number of Injured: 30 person(s)
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: Moderate

Description:

Police say a bus has collided with a truck in northern India, killing 11 people including seven members of a wedding party. Police officer S.K. Awasthi says 30 other people were injured in the accident Tuesday and were hospitalized near Kanpur, 220 kilometers (135 miles) south of New Delhi. He said the wedding party was traveling in the truck, but the bride and bridegroom were traveling separately. The cause of the accident was not immediately known. India has the world’s deadliest roads, with more than 110,000 people killed each year. Most accidents are blamed on reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and aging vehicles.

Snow Storm - North-America - Canada

2013-05-20T22:29:40-07:00

EDIS Number: SS-20130521-39314-CAN
Date / time: 21/05/2013 05:28:56 [UTC]
Event: Snow Storm
Area: North-America
Country: Canada
State/County: Province of Ontario
Location: Gander
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

While Ontarians were lounging on beaches and barbecuing on the Victoria Day weekend, Newfoundlanders were digging out after a freak snowstorm buried parts of the province under about two feet of snow. According to accuweather.com, Gander tallied a heavy, wet snowfall of 69 cm between Saturday morning and Sunday night. "Of this amount, 46 cm fell within only 12 hours on Sunday," the site said. "The snow depth reached at least 55 cm on Sunday and still stood at 51 cm on Monday morning." Normal snowfall for the province for the month of May is 13 cm, according to Environment Canada. The highest snowfall for all of May was 49 cm, set in 1972. Accuweather says an Atlantic storm, tapping cold air off the Labrador Sea, triggered the record snowfall.

Biological Hazard - North-America - USA

2013-05-20T22:21:27-07:00

EDIS Number: BH-20130521-39313-USA
Date / time: 21/05/2013 05:20:03 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of New Hampshire
Location: Hanover
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

A warning to pet owners in the Upper Valley - be on the lookout for rabid animals. Police in Hanover New Hampshire were recently notified about two raccoons that came into contact with family pets.  The raccoons were euthanized and sent to the state lab.  In both cases the animals tested positive for rabies. "They should be careful. They should make sure their animals are vaccinated against rabies.  They should keep them restrained if they can.  If they are going to let the dog outside, either keep a close eye on it in the yard or keep it on a leash of some sort so it can't wander off," said Hanover Police Lt. Michael Evans. In both cases, police say the pet were vaccinated. Police say they have seen rabies cases flare up in the past in the area, but they the disease eventually runs its course.

Biological Hazard - Asia - Russia [Asia]

2013-05-20T20:17:26-07:00

EDIS Number: BH-20130521-39312-RUS
Date / time: 21/05/2013 03:16:17 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: Russia [Asia]
State/County: Chelyabinsk Oblast
Location: Chelyabinsk
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: 36 person(s)
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

About 66 pounds of cream puffs were removed from stores in the Russian Urals city of Chelyabinsk on Monday after a salmonella outbreak was reported there. "The police have found 12 outlets selling these products. About 30 kilograms [about 66 pounds] of cream puffs were removed from sale. A working group has been set up to find other outlets. An investigation is under way," a spokeswoman for the Chelyabinsk region police department told ITAR-Tass. ITAR-Tass said 36 people, including eight children, were hospitalized with salmonella poisoning in Chelyabinsk, two in serious condition. Local news sources said as many as 41 people have been sickened, ITAR-Tass reported. "All these people ate cream puffs sold in a shop at the Kurchatovsky district bazaar. Measures are taken to find out the manufacturer of these cream puffs," a spokeswoman for the city's health department told ITAR-Tass. An initial investigation into the source of the outbreak found the pastries were made by a company based in Kopeisk. Last year, more than 80 people became ill after eating products from the same company. The name of the company was not reported.

Vehicle Incident - Europe - France

2013-05-20T20:15:12-07:00

EDIS Number: VIV-20130521-39311-FRA
Date / time: 21/05/2013 03:14:12 [UTC]
Event: Vehicle Incident
Area: Europe
Country: France
State/County: Capital City
Location: Paris [Charles de Gaulle airport]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

A plane flying from Zurich to Philadelphia made an emergency stop on Monday at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport after four crew members fell sick, an airport official said. They were handed over to the emergency services and diagnosed as suffering from food poisoning, the official said, adding that no passenger was affected. The plane later left for Philadelphia, the official said, without giving the name of the airline involved.

Heat Wave - Asia - India

2013-05-20T20:10:36-07:00

EDIS Number: HT-20130521-39310-IND
Date / time: 21/05/2013 03:09:36 [UTC]
Event: Heat Wave
Area: Asia
Country: India
State/County: State of Gujarat
Location: [Gujarat-wide]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

The Metrological Department on Monday warned the "heat wave" conditions would continue in Saurashtra, Kutch and north Gujarat regions for the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, the temperature in parts of the state, including Ahmedabad, stayed a couple of degrees above normal. On Monday, Ahmedabad recorded a maximum temperature of 43.6 Celcius. The temperature has remained almost the same over the last few days. The temperature trends are similar all over the state, with major cities recording temperature similar to last week. Vadodara recorded 41 Celcius. Rajkot recorded 2 degrees above normal temperature at 43.3 Celcius while Bhuj stayed slightly above normal at 40.6 Celcius and Idar recorded 41.4 Celcius. Surat and Naliya remained comparatively cooler at 33 and 33.8 Celcius, respectively.

Tornado - North-America - USA

2013-05-21T07:24:50-07:00

EDIS Number: TO-20130521-39309-USA
Date / time: 21/05/2013 02:42:45 [UTC]
Event: Tornado
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Oklahoma
Location: Moore
Number of Deads: 91 person(s)
Number of Injured: 240 person(s)
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: Catastrophic

Description:

 A giant tornado, a mile wide or more, killed at least 51 people as it tore across parts of Oklahoma City and its suburbs Monday afternoon, flattening homes, flinging cars through the air and crushing at least two schools packed with children.  As the injured began flooding into hospitals, the authorities said many people remained trapped, even as rescue workers were struggling to make their way through debris-clogged streets to the devastated suburb of Moore, where much of the damage occurred. Amy Elliott, the spokeswoman for the Oklahoma City medical examiner, said at least 51 people had died, and officials said that toll was likely to climb. Local hospitals reported at least 145 people injured, 70 of them children. Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore was reduced to a pile of twisted metal and toppled walls, and on Monday evening rescue workers were still struggling to tear through rubble amid reports that dozens of students were trapped. At Briarwood Elementary School in Oklahoma City, on the border with Moore, cars were thrown through the facade and the roof was torn off.



"Numerous neighborhoods were completely leveled," Sgt. Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police Department said by telephone. "Neighborhoods just wiped clean." He said debris and damage to roadways, along with heavy traffic, were hindering emergency responders as they raced to the affected areas. A spokeswoman for the mayor's office in Moore said emergency workers were struggling to assess the damage. "Please send us your prayers," she said. Brooke Cayot, a spokeswoman for Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City, said 58 patients had come in by about 9 p.m. Another 85 were being treated at Oklahoma University Medical Center in Oklahoma City. "They've been coming in minute by minute," Ms. Cayot said.



Keli Pirtle, a spokeswoman for the National Weather Service in Norman, Okla., said the tornado touched down at 2:56 p.m., 16 minutes after the first warning went out, and traveled for 20 miles. It was on the ground for 40 minutes, she said. It struck the town of Newcastle and traveled about 10 miles to Moore, a populous suburb of Oklahoma City. Ms. Pirtle said preliminary data suggested that it was a Category 4 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado strength on a scale of 0 to 5. A definitive assessment will not be available until Tuesday, she said. Moore was the scene of another huge tornado, in May 1999, in which winds reached record speeds of 302 m.p.h. Television on Monday showed destruction spread over a vast area, with blocks upon blocks of homes and businesses destroyed. Residents, some partly clothed and apparently caught by surprise, were shown picking through rubble. Several structures were on fire, and cars had been tossed around, flipped over and stacked on top of each other.



Kelcy Trowbridge, her husband and their three young children piled into their neighbor's cellar just outside of Moore and huddled together for about five minutes, wrapped under a blanket as the tornado screamed above them, debris smashing against the cellar door. They emerged to find their home flattened and the family car resting upside down a few houses away. Ms. Trowbridge's husband rushed toward what was left of their home and began sifting through the debris, then stopped, and told her to call the police. He had found the body of a little girl, about 2 or 3 years old, Ms. Trowbridge said. "He knew she was already gone," Ms. Trowbridge said. "When the police got there, he just bawled." The storm system continued to churn through the region on Monday afternoon, and forecasters warned that new tornadoes could form.



An earlier storm system also spawned several tornadoes across Oklahoma on Sunday. Several deaths were reported. Russell Schneider, the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said the risk of tornadoes throughout the region remained high going into Tuesday. Some parts of Moore emerged seeming untouched by the tornado. Bea Carruth, who lives about 20 blocks from where the storm struck, said her home and others in her neighborhood appeared to be fine. Ms. Carruth had ridden out the tornado as she usually does, at her son's house nearby, the hail pounding away on the cellar where they had taken shelter. Tornadoes have long been a part of life in Moore, she said, and a few times a year, in a well-worn ritual, she goes into her son's cellar when the sirens go off. In 1999, the last time a storm this size struck, Ms. Carruth again was lucky and the home she lived in then was spared. She ended up buying an empty plot of land where a house destroyed by that tornado once stood. Her house now sits on that plot.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 5 on 2013-05-21 at 14:24:34.
Situation Update No. 4 on 2013-05-21 at 10:25:20.
Situation Update No. 3 on 2013-05-21 at 05:18:05.
Situation Update No. 2 on 2013-05-21 at 04:48:04.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2013-05-21 at 03:27:28.

Vehicle Accident - Asia - Turkey

2013-05-20T22:19:46-07:00

EDIS Number: VI-20130520-39303-TUR
Date / time: 20/05/2013 09:01:29 [UTC]
Event: Vehicle Accident
Area: Asia
Country: Turkey
State/County: Province of Nevsehir
Location: [Cappadocia region]
Number of Deads: 3 person(s)
Number of Injured: 24 person(s)
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

An official says a hot air balloon has crashed in central Turkey, killing one person and injuring 24 others on board. Hasan Unver, the mayor of Nevsehir province, told NTV television that the balloon was flying above volcanic cones of the Cappadocia region when it crashed on Monday. He said none of the injured passengers were in serious condition. There was no information on the passengers' nationalities. Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination famed for its volcanic cones called "fairy chimneys" and subterranean cities carved out of soft stone.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 2013-05-21 at 05:19:33.

Biological Hazard - North-America - USA

2013-05-18T21:16:31-07:00

EDIS Number: BH-20130519-39294-USA
Date / time: 19/05/2013 04:15:31 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Montana
Location: Gallatin City
Number of Deads: 1 person(s)
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

 A Gallatin County woman has died after contracting Hantavirus, according to the Gallatin City-County Health Department. The woman in her 20s is the 10th person reported to have died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in Montana since 1993. This is the first Hantavirus-related death in Montana in 2013. This is one of two recently reported cases in the state. The other is a man in his 40s from Carbon County. Both persons appear to have been recently exposed to rodents. The health department points out that Hantavirus is not transmitted from person to person. The greatest risk is associated with exposure to rodent feces in closed, dry areas.

Volcano Activity - North-America - USA

2013-05-20T20:11:20-07:00

EDIS Number: VA-20130514-39235-USA
Date / time: 14/05/2013 03:26:54 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Activity
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Alaska
Location: [Pavlof Volcano]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

Tremors were detected at Pavlof Volcano, 625 miles southwest of Anchorage, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory. Satellite imagery showed the mountain was "very, very hot," said John Power, the U.S. Geological Survey scientist in charge at the observatory. The aviation alert level for Pavlof was raised from "yellow" to "orange." A major ash emission could threaten international flights. Pavlof is 37 miles from the community of Cold Bay, which was notified of the new activity that began about 8 a.m. Monday. Because of clouds, the volcano was not visible to the village of 100. The volcano last erupted in 2007, but residents there said that eruption had no impact on Cold Bay, likely because the winds blew any ash fall away. Ash clouds were visible to residents, however.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 4 on 2013-05-21 at 03:11:16.
Situation Update No. 3 on 2013-05-20 at 08:39:12.
Situation Update No. 2 on 2013-05-17 at 04:38:26.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2013-05-16 at 03:16:32.

Biological Hazard - Asia - China

2013-05-13T05:00:33-07:00

EDIS Number: BH-20130513-39233-CHN
Date / time: 13/05/2013 11:59:26 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: China
State/County: Tibet Autonomous Region
Location: [Mainling County]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

Southwestern China's Tibet Autonomous Region has reported an outbreak of the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus in poultry, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) announced on Monday. Thirty-five chickens at a farm in a village in Mainling County of Nyingchi Prefecture showed symptoms of the suspected avian flu and died last Tuesday, according to the ministry. The National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory on Monday confirmed that the virus was H5N1 bird flu after testing samples collected at the farm, the MOA said. Local authorities have sealed off and sterilized the infected area, where a total of 372 chickens have been culled and safely disposed of in order to prevent the disease from spreading, according to the MOA. Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a contagious disease of animal origin caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. It can be fatal to humans.

Biological Hazard - North-America - USA

2013-05-12T20:07:33-07:00

EDIS Number: BH-20130513-39227-USA
Date / time: 13/05/2013 03:05:45 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Arizona
Location: Tucson [Linda Vista Trail]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: 5 person(s)
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

Five hikers, including a 6-year-old boy, were attacked by bees Sunday morning as they hiked Linda Vista Trail, near North Oracle Road and East Calle Concordia. The boy was stung more than 100 times by the bees, and the other four hikers, all male, were estimated to be stung more than 150 times, said Deputy Jesus Banuelos, a Pima County Sheriff's Department spokesman. The child was alert and responsive during the rescue, Banuelos said. "It appears the bees came out of nowhere and attacked them," said Banuelos. Golder Ranch Fire District firefighters called the sheriff's department shortly before 10 a.m. requesting assistance in the rescue, Banuelos said. Three deputies arrived within eight minutes with bee suits and began hiking up the trail to reach the group who were on a rock formation, making it difficult for rescuers to reach them, Banuelos said. A medical helicopter assisted the deputies by hovering over the area where the hikers were, and the chopper also helped disperse the bees, said Banuelos. When deputies reached the rock formation, they gave the bee suits to the hikers, who were still being stung by the bees, Banuelos said. The chopper could not land in the rough terrain. The boy was carried out and taken by ambulance to University of Arizona Medical Center-University Campus. Two others were taken to Oro Valley Hospital, and the other two refused to be taken to a hospital, said Banuelos. Everyone was reported to be in stable condition. Southern Arizona Rescue Association and Golder Ranch Fire District firefighters assisted in the evacuation. Deputies cleared the scene at 11:20 a.m. This is among several bee attacks in the Tucson-area and Southern Arizona in recent weeks. One climber died last week from a bee attack.

Biological Hazard - North-America - USA

2013-05-12T08:47:05-07:00

EDIS Number: BH-20130511-39204-USA
Date / time: 11/05/2013 03:40:20 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of California
Location: [Cedar Grove Campground, Palomar Mountain]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

County environmental health officials urged campers and hikers to take simple steps to protect themselves Friday after routine monitoring and testing showed that a ground squirrel on Palomar Mountain had plague. The squirrel, which was trapped at the Cedar Grove Campground, marked the first case of plague found this year. Department of Environmental Health Director Jack Miller said it's not unusual to find plague in local mountains during warmer months - and that people could take simple steps to protect themselves from exposure. "The big thing is to avoid contact with squirrels and the fleas that they can carry," Miller said. "Campers should set up tents away from squirrel burrows, and hikers and campers should never feed squirrels and warn their children not to play with squirrels." Plague is a bacterial disease of wild rodents, but it can be transmitted to people by fleas that feed on the blood of a sick animal and then bite humans. There have been no locally acquired human cases of plague reported in San Diego County. The County routinely monitors flea populations and takes measures to control those populations at campgrounds when necessary to reduce the potential for people coming into contact with them. Plague Warning signs are posted in all areas where plague has been confirmed.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 2013-05-12 at 15:47:01.

Drought - Middle-America - Panama

2013-05-08T03:08:13-07:00

EDIS Number: DR-20130508-39158-PAN
Date / time: 08/05/2013 10:06:14 [UTC]
Event: Drought
Area: Middle-America
Country: Panama
State/County:
Location: [Statewide]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: Large

Description:

Panama on Tuesday ordered government offices and private businesses to slash their power consumption and temporarily closed schools in response to a drought that has sapped the country's hydroelectric energy supply. Opening hours for government offices will be reduced, while supermarkets, bars, cinemas, restaurants, casinos and other night spots would have to close between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Monday to Thursday, according to a statement from the president's office. Private businesses in the tropical Central American nation will also be forced to cut air-conditioning use by four hours a day, beginning Wednesday. It's unclear how long the rationing will last, though government officials say they would reconsider on Sunday how soon they could re-open schools. Panama, one of Latin America's fastest-growing economies, uses hydroelectric power to generate 60 percent of its electricity. But reservoirs are now low after months without rain. The Panama Canal, which transports about five percent of world trade, is unaffected by the power rationing because it produces its own energy, a spokeswoman said. The drought has killed hundreds of cattle, damaged crops, and caused some $200 million in losses in Panama. The government on Tuesday declared a drought emergency in four provinces, representing about a third of the nation's territory.

Volcano Eruption - North-America - Mexico

2013-05-17T09:38:40-07:00

EDIS Number: VE-20130508-39150-MEX
Date / time: 08/05/2013 02:39:57 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Eruption
Area: North-America
Country: Mexico
State/County: States of Puebla, State of Mexico, and Morelos
Location: [Popocatepetl volcano]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

An explosive eruption has started at Popocatepetl outside of Mexico City. The restless Mexican volcano has been producing steam-and-ash plumes intermittently over the past year, but tonight there is a significant ash plume accompanied by large incadescent blocks being thrown down the slopes of the volcano. Show the growing ash column and eventual explosion that occurred at 20:14 PM local time in Mexico.The ash plume has been spotted as high as 7.6 km / 25,000 feet heading to the southeast according to the latest Washington VAAC update. However, the first local reports put the ash plume at 3.2 km / 10,500 feet. Before this activity, CENAPRED had the volcano on Yellow-Level 2 alert status.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 7 on 2013-05-17 at 16:38:28.
Situation Update No. 6 on 2013-05-16 at 03:14:59.
Situation Update No. 5 on 2013-05-15 at 15:59:16.
Situation Update No. 4 on 2013-05-15 at 03:03:25.
Situation Update No. 3 on 2013-05-14 at 13:21:52.
Situation Update No. 2 on 2013-05-12 at 15:55:00.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2013-05-09 at 03:08:57.

Volcano Activity - Indonesian archipelago - Indonesia

2013-05-06T06:52:14-07:00

EDIS Number: VA-20130506-39131-IDN
Date / time: 06/05/2013 13:51:08 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Activity
Area: Indonesian archipelago
Country: Indonesia
State/County: West Java
Location: [Papandayan volcano]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

Increased seismic activity was detected at the volcano and VSI raised the alert level to 3 out of 4 ("Siaga", "warning") yesterday. Sudden phreatic explosions could occur with little warning at the volcano and present a significant hazard to visitors to the crater, which is a popular tourist site due to its varied, intense hydrothermal activity and colorful active fumaroles.

Volcano Eruption - Pacific ocean - west - Vanuatu

2013-05-06T06:38:45-07:00

EDIS Number: VE-20130506-39129-VUT
Date / time: 06/05/2013 13:37:22 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Eruption
Area: Pacific ocean - west
Country: Vanuatu
State/County: Torba Province
Location: [Gaua Volcano]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

A short-lived eruption was reported at Gaua volcano on 30th April 2013. Ash emissions reached 10,000 ft altitude.

Volcano Activity - North-America - USA

2013-05-15T20:17:57-07:00

EDIS Number: VA-20130505-39111-USA
Date / time: 05/05/2013 03:47:41 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Activity
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Alaska
Location: [Mount Cleveland Volcano]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

Scientists say there were two or three minor explosions at Alaska's Cleveland Volcano on Saturday morning. The volcano in the Aleutian Islands is 940 miles southwest of Anchorage. The Alaska Volcano Observatory and U.S. Geological Survey say satellites detected a small, low-altitude ash cloud and elevated surface temperatures at the summit. The Federal Aviation Administration said there are no flight restrictions as a result. The volcano's most recent significant eruption began in February 2001 and featured three explosive events that sent ash clouds as high 39,000 feet above sea level. It also produced a rubbly lava flow and hot avalanche that reached the sea. The most recent minor ash emissions were observed in November 2012.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 2 on 2013-05-16 at 03:17:50.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2013-05-06 at 02:53:31.

Biological Hazard - Asia - China

2013-05-17T22:07:51-07:00

EDIS Number: BH-20130331-38689-CHN
Date / time: 31/03/2013 13:02:52 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: China
State/County: Multiple areas
Location: [Provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian and Capital City region]
Number of Deads: 36 person(s)
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: 131 person(s)
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

Two people in China have died after being infected with H7N9 avian influenza - a sub-type that had not previously been transmitted to humans - the government said Sunday. An 87-year-old man in Shanghai fell ill on February 19 and died on March 4, while a man aged 27 in the city got sick on February 27 and died on March 10, the National Health and Family Planning Commission said on its website. A 35-year-old woman in the eastern province of Anhui became ill on March 9 and is in critical condition, it said. All three initially suffered fever and coughs but later developed severe pneumonia and problems with breathing, according to the announcement. The three cases were confirmed Saturday to be infections with the H7N9 sub-strain after the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Preservation had separated it from body samples the day before, the commission said. The route of infection remained unknown although nothing unusual was detected among 88 people close to the victims, the commission said. The H7N9 strain had not been transmitted to humans before, it added. In a separate release, the commission said there are currently no vaccines against H7N9. China is considered one of the nations most at risk from bird flu because it has the world's biggest poultry population and many chickens in rural areas are kept close to humans. China has in the past been accused of covering up the extent of bird flu outbreaks, exacerbating fears when new cases are reported.

Epidemic Hazard - Europe - United Kingdom

2013-05-10T21:07:42-07:00

EDIS Number: EH-20130306-38422-GBR
Date / time: 06/03/2013 03:36:28 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Europe
Country: United Kingdom
State/County: Wales
Location: [Swansea region]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: 1237 person(s)
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

A further twenty new cases of measles have been reported in the Swansea region, as the outbreak of the infection continues.  Last week, Public Health Wales urged parents to ensure their children had received their MMR vaccine, after revealing a total of 189 cases of measles had been diagnosed in people living in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board area since November.  At least one school, Parkland Primary in Sketty Park, has held a clinic offering vaccinations to staff and pupils. The outbreak includes cases in 32 secondary and primary schools and nurseries. Since last Friday, a further twenty have now been reported in the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot areas, bringing the total number of cases to 209.  The majority of these new cases are in the Swansea area, with a smaller number of cases reported across the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board area.



Dr Marion Lyons, Director of Health Protection for Public Health Wales, said: "Measles is a very contagious disease that will be contracted by 90 per cent of unvaccinated people who come into contact with cases.  All children who have not been fully immunised face a life-long risk of catching measles. "Many people who catch measles will have a fever, a rash and feel generally unwell. Not all of these signs and symptoms may show at once. Typically, people will be infectious from a few days before the onset of their rash until four to five days after the onset of the rash. "If your child is unwell and you suspect it is measles you should contact your GP. Your child should not attend school or nursery for four days after the rash starts. "Most people make a full recovery but there is a rare possibility of severe complications including serious eye disorders, deafness, brain damage and even death. "Measles can be prevented by use of the safe and highly effective measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. "Parents can easily protect their children by having them immunised with the MMR vaccine. After completing a two-dose course of MMR, 99 per cent of children will be protected against measles." Parents of all children aged between one and 18 who have not been fully vaccinated should contact their GP for advice and arrange vaccination as soon as possible. Vaccination is the only effective way of protecting against measles.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 13 on 2013-05-11 at 04:07:30.
Situation Update No. 12 on 2013-05-02 at 16:02:22.
Situation Update No. 11 on 2013-04-30 at 16:34:06.
Situation Update No. 10 on 2013-04-24 at 10:38:37.
Situation Update No. 9 on 2013-04-17 at 04:49:59.
Situation Update No. 8 on 2013-04-14 at 05:30:39.
Situation Update No. 7 on 2013-04-12 at 03:09:15.
Situation Update No. 6 on 2013-04-09 at 16:38:02.
Situation Update No. 5 on 2013-04-06 at 04:02:34.
Situation Update No. 4 on 2013-04-03 at 03:41:00.
Situation Update No. 3 on 2013-03-27 at 19:34:59.
Situation Update No. 2 on 2013-03-21 at 06:16:51.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2013-03-15 at 04:33:18.

Epidemic Hazard - Asia - Pakistan

2013-05-20T10:06:08-07:00

EDIS Number: EH-20130109-37772-PAK
Date / time: 09/01/2013 03:55:26 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: Pakistan
State/County: State of Punjab
Location: [Punjab-wide]
Number of Deads: 90 person(s)
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: 12082 person(s)
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

During a surveillance drive, 800 cases of measles were reported in different parts of Punjab, a majority of which were reported from Lahore, Punjab EPI Director Health Services Dr Tanveer Ahmed said on Tuesday. "Only one death, that of a five-year-old boy, Sohail, was reported in Gujranwala. On investigation, it was found that the boy was vaccinated but due some other reasons, he did not become immune to the disease," he said. "A majority of the patients who live in Lahore have actually migrated from Narowal, Sheikhupura and Kasur," he said. He said in a meeting of the health department, it was decided that the vaccination and surveillance drive should be escalated to control the disease. Dr Tanveer said measles vaccination was available in bulk to treat patients in all the hospitals of Lahore. However, he advised parents to get their children vaccinated to save them from the fatal disease.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 7 on 2013-05-20 at 17:05:47.
Situation Update No. 6 on 2013-05-16 at 03:18:50.
Situation Update No. 5 on 2013-05-01 at 03:15:41.
Situation Update No. 4 on 2013-04-24 at 10:39:28.
Situation Update No. 3 on 2013-03-25 at 03:55:38.
Situation Update No. 2 on 2013-01-24 at 04:18:29.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2013-01-21 at 03:48:28.