http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert.php Near realtime international Emergency and Disaster Information hu Disasters Database Copyright (C) RSOE EDIS 2004 havaria@rsoe.hu (RSOE EDIS) zsolt.boszormenyi@rsoe.hu (Zsolt Boszormenyi) http://hisz.rsoe.hu http://hisz.rsoe.hu/rss/rsslogo_01_04.jpg N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120203-34043-ESPEH-20120203-34043-ESP 03.02.2012 - 19:28:22 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in Europe / Spain. EDIS Number: EH-20120203-34043-ESP
Date / time: 03/02/2012 19:28:22 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Europe
Country: Spain
State/County: Province of Alicante
Location: Calpe
Number of Deads: 3 person(s)
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: 20 person(s)
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

Three British holidaymakers have died in an outbreak of legionnaires disease at a hotel in the Spanish resort of Calpe. The three unnamed Britons, aged between 73 and 78, were among more than 20 people to have contracted the disease at the Diamante Beach hotel. The deaths were confirmed over the last 24 hours, almost three weeks after Saga holidays was first informed of the outbreak at the four-star spa and convention centre. The regional government of Valencia confirmed on Friday that the first death had been on 26 January and another had come five days later. The latest death happened at the Clinica Benidorm hospital on Thursday. "The three dead were British and aged between 73 and 78," a spokesman said. A further 14 other people, ten of them British, were being treated for the disease. Confusion surrounded the date on which the legionella outbreak had been confirmed, with Saga saying it was first told about it on 14 January. The regional health department, however, said a preliminary test had failed to locate the bacterium that causes the disease. It did not publicly inform of the outbreak, which was confirmed by a second test, until Friday. Authorities ordered the disinfection of the hotel's water system, but said Diamante Beach had not broken maintenance rules.

Saga said a further three people remain in hospital in Spain. Five other people who recently stayed at the Diamante Beach had been treated in hospital in the UK though all but one have been discharged. "It was reported to us on Saturday 14 January that a customer who had stayed at the Diamante Beach hotel in Spain was being treated for pneumonia caused by legionella," a Saga spokesman said. "When that happened we immediately sent out a scientific expert to Spain and informed our guests there and offered to move them to a different hotel. "We also contacted people who had stayed at the hotel in the previous month telling them to contact their doctor if they were experiencing flu-like symptoms." Health authorities said the hotel had now been temporarily closed. "With the closure we have a guarantee that there will be no more contagion and we can then evaluate the measures taken with the rigour required by the situation." A spokesman for the hotel said it expected to reopen on Monday. Saga said the company eventually moved all clients to a new hotel after their expert conducted tests on water samples. A holidaymaker who died in his hotel room on 31 January had not said he was feeling sick and Saga had not originally known the cause of death, the spokesman said. "This is clearly a very upsetting time for families and staff. We have sent extra people to Spain to support them in any way we can," the spokesman added.

Saga will be offering compensation to the holidaymakers who contracted the bacterium and has suspended sending clients to the hotel. "We have done an inspection of the plumbing and made some recommendations to reduce possibilities of a further outbreak and they will need to make changes before we consider using it again." The Foreign Office said it was providing consular assistance to those affected by the outbreak and their families. Legionnaires' disease is caused by a bacterium usually found in standing water and can be contracted by breathing contaminated air. Older people as well as those with weak immune systems or lung problems are most susceptible.

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:30:01 +0100 Moderate http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=VI-20120203-34042-TWNVI-20120203-34042-TWN 03.02.2012 - 15:08:19 - Vehicle Accident event happened in Asia / Taiwan. EDIS Number: VI-20120203-34042-TWN
Date / time: 03/02/2012 15:08:19 [UTC]
Event: Vehicle Accident
Area: Asia
Country: Taiwan
State/County: Pingtung County
Location: [The area was not definied]
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: 2 person(s)
Damage level: Moderate

Description:

Two military pilots were rescued after their twin-seat trainer aircraft went down in the south of Taiwan during a routine training mission, the island's defence ministry said on Friday. The AT-3 trainer collided with a plane of the same type in Pingtung county at about 4 pm (0800 GMT), but the pilots managed to eject before it crashed, the ministry said in a statement. They parachuted to the ground with minor injuries and were rushed to a local hospital for treatment, it said. The ministry added that the other plane, which also carried two pilots, returned to base safely. The crash and similar incidents in the past have sparked calls for the US to sell the island new planes to replace its ageing fleet. Taipei applied in 2007 to buy 66 F-16 C/D fighters, which have better radars and more powerful weapons systems than the F-16 A/Bs currently in use, as a response to China's growing military muscle. But Washington last year announced that it will help the island upgrade the existing F-16 A/B jets instead.

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:09:26 +0100 Minor http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=VI-20120203-34041-VNMVI-20120203-34041-VNM 03.02.2012 - 15:03:35 - Vehicle Accident event happened in Asia / Vietnam. EDIS Number: VI-20120203-34041-VNM
Date / time: 03/02/2012 15:03:35 [UTC]
Event: Vehicle Accident
Area: Asia
Country: Vietnam
State/County: Ha Nam Province
Location: [Binh Luc District]
Number of Deads: 3 person(s)
Number of Injured: 4 person(s)
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: Minor

Description:

A groom, his mother and a cousin died on his wedding day after being hit by a north-south Thong Nhat SE13 train today in Binh Luc District, Ha Nam Province, some 60km south of Ha Noi. The accident occurred when the victims were crossing the railway, heading back to their car which was parked nearby. The victims were travelling with the bride from the northern province of Bac Giang to their home in Thai Binh Province. On the same day, a train crashed into a car injuring six people in Ha Noi's Dong Anh District. Four people who were seriously injured were taken to the Viet Nam – Germany Hospital. The accident was initially caused by the negligence of the car's driver when he drove over the railway crossing. A victim of a separate train-car collision in the central province of Quang Ngai on Wednesday was reported to have died the following day. That accident claimed three lives and left another three in hospital with severe injuries.

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:04:46 +0100 Moderate http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=WF-20120203-34040-USAWF-20120203-34040-USA 03.02.2012 - 08:25:29 - Forest / Wild Fire event happened in North-America / USA. EDIS Number: WF-20120203-34040-USA
Date / time: 03/02/2012 08:25:29 [UTC]
Event: Forest / Wild Fire
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Arizona
Location: [Coronado National Forest]
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:

It appears wildfire season has started. A spokesperson tells News 4 the "Bruno Fire" is burning on the southwest side of the Chiricahua Mountains. So far, the fire has burned about 100 acres and is burning about a half mile from the nearest structure. Those structures are not in imminent danger. A spokesperson tells us four engines are on the scene right now along with one hand crew. More resources will arrive tomorrow. The cause of the fire is under investigation as human caused because there were no reports of lightning in the area. A spokesperson for the Coronado National Forest says this just shows the conditions are ripe for fires to start and spread quickly.

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:26:09 +0100 Heavy http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=VI-20120203-34039-INDVI-20120203-34039-IND 03.02.2012 - 08:21:19 - Vehicle Accident event happened in Asia / India. EDIS Number: VI-20120203-34039-IND
Date / time: 03/02/2012 08:21:19 [UTC]
Event: Vehicle Accident
Area: Asia
Country: India
State/County: State of Assam
Location: [Bongaigaon-Guwahati train line]
Number of Deads: 3 person(s)
Number of Injured: 50 person(s)
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: Heavy

Description:

At least three people have been killed in a passenger train derailment in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam, officials say. The Bongaigaon-Guwahati train hit a vehicle on the track and several carriages derailed. Hospitals have been treating at least 50 passengers injured in the accident and rescue operations are continuing Train accidents in India have killed 1,220 people over the past five years, railway officials revealed recently. Friday morning's accident comes a day after Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi described the state-owned railway network as "sick" and in urgent need of an overhaul. The immense railway network connects every corner of the country, operating 9,000 passenger trains a day, carrying some 18 million people.

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:22:11 +0100 Moderate http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=AV-20120203-34038-USAAV-20120203-34038-USA 03.02.2012 - 04:41:55 - Avalanche event happened in North-America / USA. EDIS Number: AV-20120203-34038-USA
Date / time: 03/02/2012 04:41:55 [UTC]
Event: Avalanche
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Alaska
Location: [Juneau Region]
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:

There have been more than a dozen reported natural avalanches around Juneau in the past 24 hours, and avalanche danger still remains high, according to a city official. “Avalanche danger is high at this time and will remain high for the next 48 hours, even though some paths have shed,” City and Borough of Juneau Avalanche Forecaster Tom Mattice stated in an urban avalanche advisory. No injuries or damages have been reported in any of the slides, which began Wednesday afternoon. The first avalanche reported was on Sunshine Path up the Perseverance trail basin. Berhands Path above Berhands Avenue was reportedly the next to go around 4 p.m. The Berhands avalanche probably had the most mass of the dozen, Mattice said. It stopped below Judy Avenue and above Troy Avenue, and stayed north of the closed road gates without affecting any residents. “Everything’s stopping short of structures and houses which is good,” Mattice said in a phone interview. Mt. Juneau’s Bathe Creek Path near the Cope Park area also saw an avalanche around that time. White Path just north of Wickersham Avenue slid either Wednesday night or Thursday morning, and another avalanche large enough to reach the tide line ripped down the side of Mount Roberts and across Thane Road at midnight, blocking all traffic.

A Department of Transportation & Public Facilities crew cleared the road by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, and it is now back open to the public. Exact figures on the depth and width of the Thane Road avalanche were not available, but Mattice guessed it was about 20 feet deep and about 100 to 150 yards wide. Another eight to nine avalanches slid on Thursday morning. Mattice said this series of avalanches was nothing out of the ordinary and was probably caused by a brief spike in warmer temperatures midday Wednesday, on top of recent snowfall, rain and high winds. “The combination of these events was enough to lead us into a direct action avalanche cycle,” he said. “The snowpack had reached maximum load capacity and the direct affect of the new snow, warming, and wind kicked off a natural avalanche cycle.” When temperatures rise above freezing, Mattice says it loosens “the glue” that holds the snowpack together. Or, to use a metaphor, “When it goes above freezing, its turns the ice cube into a Slurpee, and things move a lot easier.” The high avalanche danger advisory is to remain in effect until 7 p.m. Friday since more avalanches are expected. A high wind warning issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect until Friday afternoon. It calls for gusts of wind up to 60 mph, and perhaps higher along coastlines.

“The greatest indicator of avalanches is other avalanches,” he said. A joint release from the city and the U.S. Forest Service urged people to avoid traveling in avalanche prone areas, the backcountry and trails for the next 48 hours. Areas of note include, but are not limited to, the Flume, Perseverance, Mount Roberts, Mount Juneau, Dan Moller and Dupont trails. “Backcountry danger is also quite high!” Mattice wrote in the advisory. “I don’t think you would find me skiing in the backcountry today folks... Take a day to hide away ... and live to ski another day.”

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:42:54 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120203-34037-INDBH-20120203-34037-IND 03.02.2012 - 04:36:58 - Biological Hazard event happened in Asia / India. EDIS Number: BH-20120203-34037-IND
Date / time: 03/02/2012 04:36:58 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: India
State/County: State of Orissa
Location: Padampur
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:

After Tiroda and Amgaon, bird flu epidemic seems to have spread to other tehsils of Gondia district. About 71 chickens have been reportedly found dead in Padampur village in last 48 hours. However, neither the animal husbandry nor the health department seems to be taking any cognisance of it. On the contrary, the veterinary doctors are snubbing the villagers for reporting these deaths saying that it could spread scare in the region. It was thought that after guardian minister Anil Deshmukh's meeting with the doctors of health and animal husbandry departments on January 26, the district administration will take the issue seriously. However, with the recent deaths of chickens, matters have deteriorated further. Chickens dead belonged to Sitabai Bhanadarkar (17), Bajirao Bhandarkar (6), Rajiya Sheikh (25), Jaya Gadpandae etc. Some crows were also found dead in Borkanhar village. Sources said that a team of employees of health and animal husbandry went to Amgaon on February 1, 2012 for vaccination of immunity against bird flu. However neither the assistant director of animal husbandry, Gondia Dr CB Moharkar nor any other officer or doctor in the office could be contacted regarding the position of the epidemic in the district.

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:37:43 +0100 Large http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=FL-20120203-34036-AUSFL-20120203-34036-AUS 03.02.2012 - 04:32:29 - Flood event happened in Australia / Australia. EDIS Number: FL-20120203-34036-AUS
Date / time: 03/02/2012 04:32:29 [UTC]
Event: Flood
Area: Australia
Country: Australia
State/County: State of New South Wales
Location: [North Moree, Yarraman, Gwydirfield, Pallamallawa, Wee Waa and Bendygleet]
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: 2200 person(s)
Damage level: Large

Description:

More than 2200 people have spent the night in evacuation centres across northwest New South Wales as flooding that has affected the region for 10 days shows no sign of easing. About 1600 people were evacuated from homes in North Moree, Yarraman, Gwydirfield and Bendygleet last night, with the Mehi River forecast to burst its banks this morning. Most were being accommodated at the Police Community Youth Club in South Moree. A further 680 people left their homes in Pallamallawa and Biniguy, east of Moree, as the Gwydir River flooded. About 1650 residents may be asked to leave their homes in Wee Waa early on Friday as the Namoi River threatens to flood. As of last night there were 9000 people isolated by floodwaters across NSW. "The situation on the north coast looks like easing, although we are continuing to monitor the situation," a State Emergency Service spokesman said. "The northwest is a real focus at the moment." The SES performed 11 flood rescues yesterday, including a number of medical evacuations. NSW Police took more than 80 calls at its flood public information and inquiry centre.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell and Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner were due to tour flood-affected parts of Moree this morning. The Mehi River near Moree is expected to swell up to levels not seen since 1976. SES spokesman Andrew Richards said there's a predicted flood peak in Moree of about 10.6 metres at about 9am (11am NZT) today with the Mehi River forecast to burst its banks. "That's the equivalent to the 1976 flood there in Moree," Richards said. "It's not quite the record but it's almost the record." Gordon McKay, NSW Flood Warning Centre manager at the Bureau of Meteorology, said the flood peak at Moree was expected to be the biggest concern today. He said the flooding could be worse than it was 1976 because the flood depth in parts of town would be higher. "A lot of the flood is actually going through town rather than past the gates," McKay said. "In Moree houses are flooded and there will also be some commercial buildings affected." Meanwhile the federal government has announced that disaster funding will be made available in Tenterfield, Greater Taree, Moree, Narrabri and Gwydir local government areas.

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:39:04 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120203-34035-NZLBH-20120203-34035-NZL 03.02.2012 - 04:17:57 - Biological Hazard event happened in Australia / New Zealand. EDIS Number: BH-20120203-34035-NZL
Date / time: 03/02/2012 04:17:57 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Australia
Country: New Zealand
State/County: Northland
Location: Upper Hutt [Hutt River]
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:

Greater Wellington and Regional Public Health want people to take care around the Hutt River due to the risk from potentially toxic blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria). Moderate growth of blue-green algal mats has been recorded in the Hutt River at Poets Park and Silverstream this week and mats are starting to detach and wash up on the rivers edge. In other parts of the Hutt River the amount of algae remains low but could increase quickly if warm, dry weather continues. Hutt River users, particularly those with dogs, should keep a look out for blue-green algal mats and avoid contact with them if present. Blue-green algae, which are naturally present in many New Zealand waters, grow in dark brown or black coloured mats on rocks in the river bed. Some produce toxins that can be fatal to livestock and to dogs. Dogs are particularly susceptible to exposure because they like to scavenge near water. Contact with algae toxins may also cause vomiting, diarrhoea and skin irritations in humans. “Despite the wet summer we’ve had so far it’s now warm and dry enough for rapid algae growth to occur. This is typically the time of year when there’s increased growth of blue-green algae because river flows and levels are usually lower and there’s less frequent rain to flush the algae away,” Greater Wellington Senior Environmental Scientist Summer Greenfield says. Local councils have posted signs at key access points along these rivers to warn people of the risk. Up-to-date information on blue-green algae growth across the region is at www.gw.govt.nz/current-warnings.

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:19:09 +0100 Minor http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=VIV-20120203-34034-USAVIV-20120203-34034-USA 03.02.2012 - 04:09:09 - Vehicle Incident event happened in North-America / USA. EDIS Number: VIV-20120203-34034-USA
Date / time: 03/02/2012 04:09:09 [UTC]
Event: Vehicle Incident
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of New York
Location: [Elmira-Corning Regional 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: Minor

Description:

No one was injured when a twin-engine plane carrying UPS cargo made a crash-landing Thursday morning at the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport. The Ameriflight plane's landing gear failed as it touched down around 7:30 a.m. Thursday at the Big Flats airport. It wasn’t immediately clear if the landing gear failed to extend or if it collapsed on impact. The plane landed on its belly, setting off a Level 3 Alert -- the airport’s severest alert level. The pilot was the only person on the plane, which was towed from the scene around 10 a.m., airport manager Ann Crook said. After the plane was moved to a hangar, the airport was able to reopen the runway. Crook said the incident had little impact on airport operations. She said one commercial Delta flight was delayed about 10 minutes because of the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident. The airport, Big Flats and Sikorsky fire departments responded to the scene, as did the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office.


]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:09:49 +0100 Heavy http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=SS-20120202-34028-JPNSS-20120202-34028-JPN 02.02.2012 - 11:36:26 - Snow Storm event happened in Asia / Japan. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: SS-20120202-34028-JPN
Date / time: 02/02/2012 11:36:26 [UTC]
Event: Snow Storm
Area: Asia
Country: Japan
State/County: MultiPrefectures
Location: [Prefectures of Aomori, Yamagata and Niigata]
Number of Deads: 56 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: Heavy

Description:

Heavy snow and blizzards hit areas along the Sea of Japan on Wednesday, with the weather agency warning of continued heavy snowfall through Thursday to Friday. More than 4 meters of snow had accumulated in Aomori city's Sukayu hot spring area by Wednesday, while some areas of Yamagata and Niigata prefectures had snow over 3 meters deep, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. In Semboku, Akita Prefecture, three people were found in a state of cardiac arrest after they were caught in an avalanche while taking a bedrock bath at a hot spring inn, and all subsequently died. Etsuko Kusakai, 63, from Yokohama, Yuzuru Saito, 59, from Semboku, and Yoko Masukawa, 65, from Tokyo, were confirmed dead later, the police said. Three tents set up for the bedrock baths on the premises of the Tamagawa Onsen inn were crushed and covered with snow to a depth of about 1.5 meters, according to the police and the inn. According to the Akita Local Meteorological Observatory, snowfall of 115 centimeters was recorded at an observation point near the inn as of 6 p.m. Wednesday. Winds measured up to 132.48 kilometers per hour in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, 116.64 kph in Cape Erimo in Hokkaido, 109.80 kph in Akita, the capital of Akita Prefecture, and 101.88 kph in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, the weather agency said.

In Aomori Prefecture, several hundred vehicles were stranded on Route 279 after a 40-km section from Nobeji to Mutsu was closed as a truck and a bus could not ascend a slope at the town of Yokohama amid snowstorm around 5 p.m. Wednesday, causing a traffic jam, according to local authorities. There were no reports of injuries. Early Thursday, Aomori Gov. Shingo Mimura asked the Maritime Self-Defense Force to send a disaster relief mission, while the town offered refuge to some 150 people stranded within the cars by opening nearby schools and assembly halls. The weather agency said that snowfall will peak Thursday and continue through Friday along Sea of Japan coastal regions from northern to western Japan, as well as in mountain areas on Shikoku Island. Up to 80 cm of snow is expected in the 24 hours through Thursday evening in the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions, 60 cm in the Kinki and Chugoku regions, 50 cm in the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions, and 20 cm in Shikoku. The agency also warned of high waves of up to 8 meters through Thursday in the sea off northern Japan and the Hokuriku region on the Sea of Japan side of central Japan.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 2 on 2012-02-03 at 04:38:08.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-02-03 at 04:08:26.
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:38:22 +0100 Large http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=VI-20120202-34026-PNGVI-20120202-34026-PNG 02.02.2012 - 04:29:21 - Vehicle Accident event happened in Indonesian archipelago / Papua New Guinea. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: VI-20120202-34026-PNG
Date / time: 02/02/2012 04:29:21 [UTC]
Event: Vehicle Accident
Area: Indonesian archipelago
Country: Papua New Guinea
State/County: Bismarc Sea
Location: [En route from Kimbe (West New Britain Province) to Lae (Morobe Province)]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: 110 person(s)
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: 219 person(s)
Damage level: Large

Description:

A ferry is believed to have sunk in bad weather off Papua New Guinea with as many as 350 people on board, its operator said, adding that some survivors have been found. Star Ships said it lost contact with the MV Rabaul Queen at about 6am on Thursday (2000 GMT Wednesday) while travelling between Kimbe and Lae in the east of the Pacific nation. "Bad weather, I think (it is) believed to have sunk," Star Ships spokesman John Whitney said, adding that there were up to 350 on board.
(There are) survivors. At the moment rescuers from Australia are at the site. No fatalities have been reported yet." Australia's foreign office said it "has responded to a request for assistance by arranging for aircraft to overfly the area, and will respond to other requests". "The shipping company advises that they do not believe that there were any foreigners on board, but our High Commission (embassy) is seeking to confirm this, including whether any dual nationals may have been affected," a foreign office spokeswoman said. "The government of Papua New Guinea is managing the response to this incident. Local rescue efforts are currently under way." PNG's National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) said the ship had capsized but it was awaiting more details from officials at the site. "We don't have any accurate information as yet, a search and rescue team went out early this morning but they haven't got back to us yet," a spokeswoman said. Martin Mosi, head of the National Disaster Centre, said two helicopters and a ship had been dispatched to search the area in addition to the two search and rescue vessels sent out by the NMSA. He was awaiting word on casualties. Mosi said it was "very difficult to say" what the cause may have been. "Is it weather, is it overloading or is it something to do with the vessel itself? We do not know but that will certainly come to light very soon," he added. Star Ships, among PNG's largest passenger ship operators, runs regular services to the nation's outlying islands including to New Britain's Kimbe, a popular dive site that attracts tourists from across the world.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 2 on 2012-02-03 at 04:20:41.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-02-02 at 10:30:59.
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:21:40 +0100 Heavy http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=FL-20120202-34024-AUSFL-20120202-34024-AUS 02.02.2012 - 04:08:48 - Flood event happened in Australia / Australia. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: FL-20120202-34024-AUS
Date / time: 02/02/2012 04:08:48 [UTC]
Event: Flood
Area: Australia
Country: Australia
State/County: State of Queensland
Location: [Mitchell, Roma, St George and Charleville]
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:

A disaster situation has been declared for the town of Mitchell in western Queensland, with flood levels predicted to hit nine metres. Premier Anna Bligh says the declaration gives police and emergency service agencies the power to order people out of their homes if they refuse to go voluntarily. "The situation at Mitchell, situated on the Maranoa River between Charleville and Roma, continues to be managed by local disaster management groups," the premier said. "There is currently water in one property and the river continues to rise." An emergency flood alert has been issued for Mitchell residents with people in low lying areas advised to consider self evacuation to higher ground or emergency centres. Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said more heavy rain was expected across parts of inland Queensland on Thursday. "This continued rainfall could potentially worsen any existing flooding or cause localised flash flooding," he said. Mr Roberts said an emergency alert was also issued in Charleville on Wednesday night, where Bradleys Gully peaked at 1.75 metres at around 2am (AEST) but waters rose less than expected. "I am advised that all but three families are expected to be back in their homes by the end of today," he said.

Paul Birch from the Flood Warning Centre says the Maranoa River will peak on Thursday afternoon but should start falling again overnight. "Evacuating those low lying areas of Mitchell is certainly a good idea," he said. "Upstream at Forestvale and particularly Currawong it's now above the 1990 flood which is a big one for there. "At this stage it looks like Mitchell will get to about 8.5 metres - Currawong is currently at 9.3 metres and if it gets to 9.5 that means water will get into houses at Mitchell." Mr Birch said the water levels were expected to peak for half a day then fall fairly quickly. "Mitchell is just on the edge of the heavy rain which is falling to the southwest at the moment but falls of more than 100mm in the next 24 hours are possible." While flood levels in Charleville are expected to reach six metres in the next couple of days, the FWC said the water levels should remain well below the flood levee height. In response to a call from the Local Disaster Management Group, an extra 16 rescue personnel have been sent to Charleville, St George and Augathella. The Bureau of Meteorology says the heavy rain should ease before the weekend. "The good news is we'll see a significant easing on Friday afternoon," forecaster Michelle Berry said. "Over the weekend there'll be isolated shower activity, so thankfully we'll see the conditions easing quite a lot." Ms Berry said the heaviest rain on Thursday was expected around Mitchell, St George, Roma, Charleville and Blackall.

"Those areas will see the heaviest falls today, and also through the central west through Longreach." Balonne Shire Council mayor Donna Stewart said St George, on the Balonne River, was braced for floodwaters flowing down from Mitchell. Ms Stewart said some residents at Dirranbandi, about 80km south of St George, were isolated by floodwaters. "There's people isolated from floodwaters from around Christmas time when we had a small flood," Ms Stewart said. "The people on the flood plain below St George (on the lower Balonne River), they get isolated very quickly and frequently in seasons like this." She noted there was far less water in the Balonne River than in March 2010 when a major flood inundated St George. "It's a different set of circumstances ... we have to watch things closely and make a prediction in the next 24 hours. "We will open our disaster plan this morning." Just before noon (AEST), the Maranoa Regional Council said the Maranoa River at Mitchell was at 8.5 metres, exceeding the Mitchell flood of 1990, when the river peaked at 8.2 metres. It is predicted to peak in Mitchell at 8.7 metres at 1pm today, but this may be affected if further rain falls, the council says. Maranoa River at Currawong was at 9.3 metres and rising.

Maranoa Mayor Robert Loughnan said emergency SMS messages, and landline calls, were being made encouraging Mitchell residents to self evacuate. "The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting 100mm of rainfall in the Mitchell area over the next 24 hours," he said. "With the river rising today it is expected that some properties are likely to be affected." The Warrego Highway is closed between Roma and Amby. The Bungil Creek at Roma was at six metres and rising slowly. The Balonne River at Surat was at 10.15 metres and falling.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-02-03 at 04:29:58.
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:30:06 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=CE-20120201-34022-HUNCE-20120201-34022-HUN 01.02.2012 - 18:21:55 - Complex Emergency event happened in Europe / Hungary. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: CE-20120201-34022-HUN
Date / time: 01/02/2012 18:21:55 [UTC]
Event: Complex Emergency
Area: Europe
Country: Hungary
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: N/A

Description:

Hungary's emergency services are preparing for a possible snow and blizzard alert on a scale last seen in 1987. Gyorgy Bakondi, head the national disaster management authority, said on Wednesday that if the national meteorological service forecasts snow cover of at least 30 cm in the next 24 hours then the authority will issue an alert. The authority on Wednesday held a preparatory meeting with county police chiefs, disaster management directors and government offices in order to coordinate steps required to protect the public from the adverse weather conditions expected. Bakondi said the last time such an alert was introduced was 25 years ago in 1987. The weather service forecast temperatures to drop further in the next few days and reach minus 15 to minus 20 degrees Celsius in certain parts of the country, he said. Heavy snowing and blizzards are also forecast, he added. National police chief Jozsef Hatala said a total of 28 people have frozen to death in Hungary since October last year.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-02-03 at 04:13:50.
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:14:03 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=CW-20120201-34013-ITACW-20120201-34013-ITA 01.02.2012 - 14:00:20 - Cold Wave event happened in Europe / Italy. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: CW-20120201-34013-ITA
Date / time: 01/02/2012 14:00:20 [UTC]
Event: Cold Wave
Area: Europe
Country: Italy
State/County:
Location: [Northern regions]
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:

Serie A games Bologna v Fiorentina and Siena v Catania were cancelled Wednesday because of snow and freezing temperatures, the Italian football league said. Leaders Juventus on Tuesday also had their away game to Parma postponed due to heavy snowfall. Six games remain to be played Wednesday and one Thursday as cold and snow are forecast across Italy. No problems have been reported about the game that champions AC Milan play Wednesday at Rome side Lazio. Milan lie second one point behind Juve after 20 rounds of games.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-02-03 at 04:15:24.
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:15:33 +0100 Heavy http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=CW-20120131-33997-RUSCW-20120131-33997-RUS 31.01.2012 - 18:17:12 - Cold Wave event happened in Europe / Russia [Asia]. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: CW-20120131-33997-RUS
Date / time: 31/01/2012 18:17:12 [UTC]
Event: Cold Wave
Area: Europe
Country: Russia [Asia]
State/County:
Location: [Eastern region]
Number of Deads: 64 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: Heavy

Description:

In Moscow, 15 people froze to death at the weekend, some because of exposure while intoxicated, city hall officials said. Overnight temperatures were -23 Celsius. All schools in Russia's central Siberian Khanty-Mantaisky region were closed because of daytime temperatures of -30 Celsius. Heavy snowfall in Russia's Kuban region, in the foothills of the Caucasian Mountains, left 17,800 people without power and closed airports and major highways. Overnight snow accumulation was 35 centimetres at some locations.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-02-03 at 17:55:51.
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:56:08 +0100 Heavy http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=CW-20120131-33994-SCGCW-20120131-33994-SCG 31.01.2012 - 18:12:57 - Cold Wave event happened in Europe / Serbia. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: CW-20120131-33994-SCG
Date / time: 31/01/2012 18:12:57 [UTC]
Event: Cold Wave
Area: Europe
Country: Serbia
State/County:
Location: [Statewide]
Number of Deads: 5 person(s)
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: 2 person(s)
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: Heavy

Description:

In the Balkan state of Serbia the death toll was thought to be five, with temperatures as low as -21 degrees Celsius in the town of Kragujevac, 120 kilometres south of Belgrade. A state of emergency was in effect in 14 municipalities still combating the effects of a massive snowstorm that deposited a thick layer of now-frozen snow. Several remote villages were left without electricity for days, local reports said.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 4 on 2012-02-03 at 14:59:22.
Situation Update No. 3 on 2012-02-03 at 04:14:49.
Situation Update No. 2 on 2012-02-02 at 17:04:41.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-02-01 at 15:34:50.
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:59:54 +0100 Large http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=CW-20120131-33993-UKRCW-20120131-33993-UKR 31.01.2012 - 18:11:00 - Cold Wave event happened in Europe / Ukraine. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: CW-20120131-33993-UKR
Date / time: 31/01/2012 18:11:00 [UTC]
Event: Cold Wave
Area: Europe
Country: Ukraine
State/County:
Location: [Statewide]
Number of Deads: 63 person(s)
Number of Injured: 720 person(s)
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: Large

Description:

In Ukraine, the cold led to more than 600 people being treated for frostbite and hypothermia within three days, according to officials. Nearly 24,000 people sought shelter during the same three days, and at least 30 people have died.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 6 on 2012-02-03 at 04:14:23.
Situation Update No. 5 on 2012-02-02 at 17:05:47.
Situation Update No. 4 on 2012-02-01 at 17:32:36.
Situation Update No. 3 on 2012-02-01 at 15:40:01.
Situation Update No. 2 on 2012-02-01 at 14:20:32.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-01-31 at 18:20:08.
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:14:29 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120130-33972-CYMEH-20120130-33972-CYM 30.01.2012 - 13:05:57 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in Caribean Area / Cayman Islands. EDIS Number: EH-20120130-33972-CYM
Date / time: 30/01/2012 13:05:57 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Caribean Area
Country: Cayman Islands
State/County: Grand Cayman
Location: George Town [Camana Bay]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: 15 person(s)
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

Government officials have confirmed that at least 15 people were brought down with food poisoning just hours after attending this year’s Taste of Cayman event at Camana Bay on Saturday evening. Patients began arriving at the Cayman Islands hospital after attending the food festival complaining of diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps from around midnight on Saturday night. Dr Kiran Kumar said the food poisoning symptoms came 4 to 6 hours after consumption of food at the event. Officials have not yet been able to trace the source of the poisoning or the bug responsible for making people sick. It is understood that most of the patients recovered quickly and were released from hospital without adverse consequences. Public health officials believe that at least a dozen more people were taken ill but did not seek treatment. CNS has also contacted the Department of Environmental Health to ascertain how food safety and hygiene standards are managed at the event and is awaiting a response. The annual food extravaganza organized by the Cayman Islands tourism Association attracted more than 5000 people this year.

]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:30:08 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120130-33968-AUSBH-20120130-33968-AUS 30.01.2012 - 09:43:14 - Biological Hazard event happened in Australia / Australia. EDIS Number: BH-20120130-33968-AUS
Date / time: 30/01/2012 09:43:14 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Australia
Country: Australia
State/County: State of Western Australia
Location: [Pilbara coastal regio]
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:

Irukandji Jellyfish have been reported in Pilbara coastal waters and people considering ocean-based activities including swimming, snorkeling, fishing and even launching boats should take care. Local fisherman Beau Cartledge reported seeing the jellyfish on January 20 to the Department of Fisheries. “On Friday morning, just after seven, a mate of mine and I were at the Back Beach boat ramp when my mate first saw all these little jellyfish,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it before, it looked like a blanket of jellyfish that kept on going. “I’ve lived up here for so long, so I knew what kind of jellyfish they were and how dangerous they can be. “We decided to ring the fisheries immediately and post a status on Facebook to make as many people aware as possible.” Mr Cartledge said that because of the school holidays he was aware that a higher number of people would be visiting the area and would hate for anyone to be stung. “To an untrained eye, people may not be aware just how dangerous the Irukandji Jellyfish can be,” he said. “A kid may have jumped straight in and that could be it.

Shire of Roebourne Chief Executive Officer Collene Longmore said the Irukandji Jellyfish was very small, not much bigger than a match head, but its sting could be extremely unpleasant and painful, even deadly. “They are related to the larger box jellyfish, which are also found in the coastal waters of the North West,” Ms Longmore said. “Irukandji stings may be barely noticeable at first, however symptoms gradually become apparent and then more and more intense in the following five to 120 minutes (30 minutes on average).” Irukandji syndrome includes an array of systemic symptoms including severe headache, backache, muscle pains, chest and abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, sweating, anxiety, hypertension, tachycardia and pulmonary edema. Irukandji are present in the North West all year round, although they are more predominant from November through to April.

]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:29:56 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120130-33967-INDEH-20120130-33967-IND 30.01.2012 - 07:49:23 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in Asia / India. EDIS Number: EH-20120130-33967-IND
Date / time: 30/01/2012 07:49:23 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: India
State/County: State of Tamil Nadu
Location: Sivaganga
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: 12 person(s)
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: 90 person(s)
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

At least 12 girl students staying in the government hostel for Backward Classes at Piranmalai in Sivaganga district were admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here on Sunday after they complained of fever and related problems. Doctors at the GRH said the students were suffering from fever, dysentery and frequent vomiting. “The students are kept under observation. Only after examining their blood and urine samples, we will be able to give a proper report,” said a senior doctor of the hospital. Around 90 students are staying in the government hostel. On Friday, two of them complained of fever and vomiting with symptoms of dysentery. Within 10 hours, more students fell ill and the number rose to 12. “We immediately rushed the students to the Primary Health Centre at Piranmalai. As the hospital did not have facilities to treat all the students, we brought them to the GRH,” said the hostel warden. The warden said the students might have acquired infection due to the sudden climate change. When contacted, District Backward Class officer Gunasekaran said this is the first time such an incident was reported in the hostel. ”We have informed District Collector U Sagayam about the incident and requested necessary measures to provide proper treatment to the students,” he said.

]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:29:48 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120130-33965-AUSBH-20120130-33965-AUS 30.01.2012 - 07:33:17 - Biological Hazard event happened in Australia / Australia. EDIS Number: BH-20120130-33965-AUS
Date / time: 30/01/2012 07:33:17 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Australia
Country: Australia
State/County: State of Victoria
Location: [Port Phillip 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:

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has ruled out an oil spill as the cause for the mysterious brown sludge that made life hazardous for swimmers in Port Phillip Bay over the weekend. The discolouration is instead believed to have been a result of a suspected marine algal bloom. Algal blooms are considered common over summer due to a mixture of hot weather and heavy rain. The DSE issued a warning to swimmers to steer clear of the bloom and as a result most of the 36 bay beaches are listed on the EPA website as unsafe for swimming. “It is not believed to be an oil spill,” the DSE regional communications adviser Brigid Ennis said. “The community is being warned to avoid contact where suspected algae blooms are evident and anyone who observes this substance should avoid contact with it.” The substance first appeared on bay beaches on Sunday, January 29 with the DSE deploying a helicopter to locate the substance and determine what it is. Several sites from Daveys Bay in Mt Eliza to McCrae were identified as being affected by the brown, discoloured water.

]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:29:41 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120130-33956-NGAEH-20120130-33956-NGA 30.01.2012 - 03:43:55 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in Africa / Nigeria. EDIS Number: EH-20120130-33956-NGA
Date / time: 30/01/2012 03:43:55 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Africa
Country: Nigeria
State/County: River State
Location: Port Harcourt
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 Rivers Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker, on Wednesday 25 Jan 2012 announced an outbreak of lassa fever in the state. He saidin Port Harcourt that two persons, including a female youth corpsmember, had been reported dead from the disease. Parker explained thatthe victims were serving in the state, but travelled to their homes in Edo and Ebonyi during the Christmas celebration, where they developed symptoms of the fever and eventually died. He said the state government had launched an enlightenment campaign to sensitise the people to the need to take necessary precautions against the disease. Parker said the government had received reports of "pockets of occurrences" of lassa fever in seven states, including Edo and Ebonyi. "What we are doing now is to alert the people to the outbreak of the disease. "The fever is caused by the urine of a species of rat and mistakenly, when such enters the food we eat, it can be contracted. "We want the people to be environmentally conscious and report to the nearest health centre, any symptoms of the disease, while they should avoid self medication." "Being a cosmopolitan area, it is possible that rats are found in trucks that bring food to the state. People should wash their fruits and vegetables with water before consumption." The commissioner said officers from the Ministry of Health had been sent to various communities to inform the people about the disease and educate them on what to do once the symptoms are detected in their areas. "We are not taking chances, and we want to be pro-active in our approach to this development." He said the government had in stock available drugs to treat the fever.

]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:29:13 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120127-33936-AUSBH-20120127-33936-AUS 27.01.2012 - 07:37:26 - Biological Hazard event happened in Australia / Australia. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: BH-20120127-33936-AUS
Date / time: 27/01/2012 07:37:26 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Australia
Country: Australia
State/County: State of Victoria
Location: [Melbourne Region]
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 commercial duck farm northwest of Melbourne has been quarantined following the detection of bird flu. The Department of Primary Industries has said it is a low pathogenic subtype of avian influenza, and not a risk to the wider community. It was detected during routine tests. Chief veterinary officer Andrew Cameron said the virus was relatively harmless. “But we do not want to take the risk it could linger in bird populations and mutate overtime to a more virulent strain,” Dr Cameron said. Arrangements were being made to humanely destroy the ducks to prevent further spread of the disease. “There is no effective treatment of birds to eliminate the infection, so this is the only effective approach to eradicating the infection,” he said. The virus detected was not the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus affecting poultry and humans throughout much of Asia.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-01-30 at 04:02:53.
]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:03:09 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120127-33934-NZLBH-20120127-33934-NZL 27.01.2012 - 06:07:44 - Biological Hazard event happened in Australia / New Zealand. EDIS Number: BH-20120127-33934-NZL
Date / time: 27/01/2012 06:07:44 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Australia
Country: New Zealand
State/County: Southland
Location: [Hurunui River in North Canterbury]
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 health warning has been issued after potentially toxic algae was found in the Hurunui River in North Canterbury. The Canterbury District Health Board says people and animals, particularly dogs, should avoid the river downstream of the Hurunui Bridge on State Highway One until the warning about the algae, benthic cyanobacteria, has been lifted. Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink said the algal mats can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. Exposure may cause skin rashes, nausea, stomach cramps, tingling and numbness around the mouth and fingertips, Pink said. He said if anyone experiences any of these symptoms they should visit their doctor immediately and let the doctor know if they have had contact with dark brown/black algal mats or water in this area. No one should drink the water from the river at any time, Pink said. Boiling the water from the river does not remove the toxin. Animals should be taken to a vet immediately if they come into contact with the contaminated water. Environment Canterbury is monitoring the site and the public will be advised of any changes in water quality, Pink said. The algae appears as dark brown/black mats attached to rocks along the riverbed. It occurs naturally but can increase rapidly during warmer months. The algae often has a strong musty smell and algal toxin concentrations can vary over short periods with changing environmental conditions. Although high river levels will remove the algal bloom, detached mats can accumulate along the shore and increase the risk of exposure to toxins.

]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:54:06 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120127-33933-INDBH-20120127-33933-IND 27.01.2012 - 04:13:21 - Biological Hazard event happened in Asia / India. EDIS Number: BH-20120127-33933-IND
Date / time: 27/01/2012 04:13:21 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: India
State/County: State of Andhra Pradesh
Location: [Srikakulam region]
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 district administrations of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam have issued a bird flu alert in the wake of avian influenza cases in Odisha. The administrations of the three coastal districts have also appealed to the public, particularly poultry farmers and non-vegetarians, to take precaution. A senior Animal Husbandry Department officer said they have started making all possible efforts to stop migration of crows, parrots and cranes, besides poultry chicken, from Odisha. The district administrations have asked the departments concerned, including Animal Husbandry, to report bird deaths. The departments have also been instructed to start culling infected birds, if needed, and bury them in pits with adequate safeguard. Strict instructions were also issued to poultry farms in the region. Three rapid response teams from Hyderabad would arrive here by month-end to spread awareness among people, particularly poultry farmers.

]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:54:02 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120126-33920-SWZBH-20120126-33920-SWZ 26.01.2012 - 08:29:44 - Biological Hazard event happened in Africa / Swaziland. EDIS Number: BH-20120126-33920-SWZ
Date / time: 26/01/2012 08:29:44 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Africa
Country: Swaziland
State/County:
Location: [Lubulini and Lavumisa]
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:

Farmers have been advised to be aware of a pest that is ravaging maize. Ministry of Agriculture Plant Protection Unit’s Boniface Makhubu said the pest; armyworm (umgundzatjani) has been located around Lubulini and Lavumisa. He said the armyworm eats maize leaves thereby retarding its growth. “Once this pest affects the maize, there can be no yield as it is dangerous. The harvest is greatly affected. “Farmers, especially those planting maize must be careful as there is no prevention for this,” he said. Makhubu said the worm affected maize at any stage. He said the pest was caused by a silver grey moth which lays eggs that later mature into worms. Makhubu said there had been no reports from other areas of the country but warned the public to conduct pest surveillance so as to detect the worm’s outbreak. He said the recent winds were a major cause of this outbreak. “This is because they carried the moth that produces it. To avoid further spreading to other parts of an affected maize plant, farmers are advised to spray the area that has not been affected so as to avoid spreading,” he said. Makhubu said also, farmers could cultivate a one-metre band in the affected field to avoid spreading. He said the pesticides to use were carbaryl, fastac and others.

]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:55:18 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120125-33914-IDNEH-20120125-33914-IDN 25.01.2012 - 14:27:25 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in Indonesian archipelago / Indonesia. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: EH-20120125-33914-IDN
Date / time: 25/01/2012 14:27:25 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Indonesian archipelago
Country: Indonesia
State/County: West Java
Location: Mekarsari [Tangerang]
Number of Deads: 1 person(s)
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: 1 person(s)
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

MR, 18, a patient who was suspected of having contracted the H5N1 virus died on Wednesday at Tangerang General Hospital after being treated for five days in an isolation room at the city-run hospital. “The patient died at about 12:30 p.m. from respiratory failure,” said hospital spokesman Achmad Muchlis. Muchlis said that the patient was a resident of Mekarsari village in Panongan, Tangerang. “As of today, we can not officially confirm that his death was related to the avian flu virus,” he said, adding that laboratory tests on the patient were negative. When The Jakarta Post arrived at the hospital, the isolation room where MR had been treated was locked. According to Muchlis, the remains of the patient had been brought home by his family. MR suffered a high fever for six days. He was treated at the private Sari hospital in Karawaci last Wednesday. As his condition worsened, the hospital referred him to Tangerang General Hospital on Saturday.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 2 on 2012-01-28 at 11:29:04.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-01-26 at 04:16:41.
]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:29:21 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120122-33879-CHNEH-20120122-33879-CHN 22.01.2012 - 16:25:40 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in Asia / China. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: EH-20120122-33879-CHN
Date / time: 22/01/2012 16:25:40 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: China
State/County: Province of Guizhou
Location: Guiyang
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:

The mainland authorities say a man has died of H5N1 bird flu in Guizhou province, and they have notified the Centre for Health Protection in Hong Kong. The centre said the patient was a 39-year-old man who developed symptoms on January 6 and was admitted to hospital the same day. The man did not report having been in contact with poultry before the onset of symptoms. Last month, a 39-year-old man in Shenzhen died after being diagnosed with bird flu. The authorities there said at the time that he hadn't had any direct contact with poultry during the previous month. But a specialist in infectious diseases, Doctor Lo Wing-lok, said poultry should still be suspected as the probable source of infection.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 2 on 2012-01-24 at 03:48:44.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-01-23 at 04:15:39.
]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:21:16 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120120-33867-OMNEH-20120120-33867-OMN 20.01.2012 - 21:00:37 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in Africa / Oman. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: EH-20120120-33867-OMN
Date / time: 20/01/2012 21:00:37 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Africa
Country: Oman
State/County: Muhafazat al Buraymi
Location: [Al Buraimi Hospital]
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:

An official at the Ministry of Health said here yesterday that an expatriate woman died of hemorrhagic Congo fever at Al Buraimi Hospital. The official pointed out that the woman reported at the hospital last Wednesday and that the hospital took all necessary procedures in such cases of dangerous communicable diseases, but the woman died in the midnight due to her late arrival at the hospital. The official explained that haemorrhagic Congo fever is a shared type of disease that occurs to animals and then gets transferred to human beings by bugs, but not from the consumption of meat or by inhaling air in common areas. The Omani epidemic detection teams continue to take precautions in this respect, while at the same time liaising with the departments concerned like the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, said the official. The official, who stressed the limited spread of the disease in the Sultanate, urged members of the public not to make a big issue of such cases in social websites without quoting the official departments and checking the facts.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-01-23 at 04:13:36.
]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:13:49 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120120-33861-SOMBH-20120120-33861-SOM 20.01.2012 - 16:29:07 - Biological Hazard event happened in Africa / Somalia. EDIS Number: BH-20120120-33861-SOM
Date / time: 20/01/2012 16:29:07 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Africa
Country: Somalia
State/County: Shabeellaha Dhexe region
Location: [Bossaso coastal area]
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:

Three tonnes of dead fish washes up on Bossaso's shore on Tuesday, Radio Garowe reports. Abdiwahid Mohamed Jo'ar Director General of the Ministry of Fishery in Puntland who spoke to media stated that the dead fish that washed up on Bossaso's shore is a result of toxic dumping in Somali waters. Mr. Jo'ar who has been very outspoken against the toxic dumping in Somali waters told reporters that authorities are investigating this matter. Reports about piracy suggest that toxic dumping along with illegal trawling in Somali waters has led many fisherman to join piracy due to a lack of work on the coast of Somalia. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah a Mauritanian diplomat and former UN special envoy to Somalia told AFP in July 2008 that illegal fishing and waste dumping in Somali waters is a disaster for the Somalia environment. He added, "I am convinced there is dumping of solid waste, chemicals and probably nuclear waste." Somalia has the longest coast in Africa and has huge number of commercial fish species.

]]> Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:21:01 +0100 Moderate http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=VA-20120119-33842-CRIVA-20120119-33842-CRI 19.01.2012 - 14:32:27 - Volcano Activity event happened in Middle-America / Costa Rica. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: VA-20120119-33842-CRI
Date / time: 19/01/2012 14:32:27 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Activity
Area: Middle-America
Country: Costa Rica
State/County: Cordillera Central
Location: [Turrialba 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: Moderate

Description:

The alert for the Turrialba Volcano is back following Wednesday's activity that included the expulsion of ash and a slight tremor. The activity was confirmed by the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico Nacional (Ovsicori) that constantly monitors the volcano. The spewing of ash and debris and the tremor was confirmed by areas residents. OVSICORI experts are on site analyzing the causes of this new outpouring of ash that lasted some 20 minutes. In addition, the experts are involved in flyovers of the area. The Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE) - national emergency commission - is keeping a "green" alert for the area surrounding the volcano, waiting on word of the OVISCORI experts and those of the Red Sismológica Nacional before upgrading the alert. The OVISCORI, is an interdisciplinary research institute of the Universidad Nacional (UNA) - National University. Its mission is volcanic and seismic monitoring to document, analyze and interpret these processes and to disseminate this knowledge to contribute to society to risk prevention and mitigation of disasters they create.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 2 on 2012-01-27 at 04:07:17.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-01-20 at 04:10:46.
]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:55:26 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120119-33840-INDEH-20120119-33840-IND 19.01.2012 - 11:19:08 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in Asia / India. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: EH-20120119-33840-IND
Date / time: 19/01/2012 11:19:08 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: India
State/County: State of Arunachal Pradesh
Location: [East Kameng district]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: 30 person(s)
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

With the detection of at least 30 cases, measles outbreak has been reported in remote villages of East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The worst affected villages in the district are Namchar Bagang and Soshi Bagang, around 17 kilometres from Chayangtajo, the circle headquarter, official sources said here today. To remain isolated from other infected people, villagers have been forced to take shelter at makeshifts accommodations in the deep forest, they said. A voluntary health camp was held at Chayangtajo on Sunday and a team of doctors also went to various villages and gave medications to infected children. The team would visit every household to reach out to all the villagers, sources informed. Suspicious cases of malaria and viral cough were also detected, said Dr B Gara of General Hospital, Naharlagun. Sources say anti-measles vaccination campaign team is yet to reach the headquarters, and in the interior areas it is worse as children are not vaccinated against the dreaded viral disease. Even the Measles Catch-Up Campaign 2011 which was launched from 28 November last, across the state, is yet to begin in the district, officials added.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-01-20 at 04:12:15.
]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:19:59 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120119-33839-VNMEH-20120119-33839-VNM 19.01.2012 - 06:45:53 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in Asia / Vietnam. EDIS Number: EH-20120119-33839-VNM
Date / time: 19/01/2012 06:45:53 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: Vietnam
State/County: Province of Can Tho
Location: Can Tho 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:

Vietnam has recorded its first human bird flu death in nearly two years, and although the victim worked at a duck farm the H5N1 virus has yet to be found in poultry there, officials said on Thursday. Test results confirmed that an 18-year-old man died of the disease on Monday after being hospitalized a day earlier, said Dang Thi Thanh of southern Kien Giang province's health department. She said the man was working at a duck farm in neighbouring Can Tho City when he fell sick with a high fever and breathing problems. His house has been disinfected and those who were in contact with him remain under surveillance. No sick or dead poultry have been reported on the two farms where the man worked or among neighboring flocks, but samples have been collected for analysis and the farms have been disinfected, said Huynh Thi Khai Hoan, an animal health officer in Can Tho City. However, many of the ducks on the farms where the man worked had already been sold. H5N1 rarely infects humans and usually only those who come in direct contact with diseased poultry, but experts fear it will mutate into a new form that passes easily from person to person. Other human bird flu cases have been reported recently in Cambodia, Indonesia, Egypt and China. The World Health Organization says globally there have been 341 human deaths from 578 confirmed bird flu cases since 2003. About 60 of those deaths occurred in Vietnam. Before Monday, Vietnam had not seen a human bird flu death since April 2010, according to the Ministry of Health's Preventive Medicine Department.

]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:20:02 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120118-33829-BTNBH-20120118-33829-BTN 18.01.2012 - 12:03:20 - Biological Hazard event happened in Asia / Bhutan. EDIS Number: BH-20120118-33829-BTN
Date / time: 18/01/2012 12:03:20 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: Bhutan
State/County: Mongar Dzongkhag
Location: Kumadzong village
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:

For the past two weeks, people in the remote Kumadzong village of Gongdue gewog in Mongar have been eating beef every day. On January 13, the villagers reported to the gewog livestock extension office in Daksa, which is about 3 hours walk from the village that 11 cows had died in their village since December 31 last month. An anthrax outbreak is suspected to have killed all 11 cows that belonged to five households. After the livestock extension officer visited the village, the carcass of the 11th cow was buried. Villagers told the officer that they had consumed the first 10. They have so far not reported with any illness. Gongdue gewog’s extension officer Arun Thapa said anthrax causes sudden death in cattle without prolonged sickness. The animals also bleed from their mouth, nose and rectum. These were seen in the last carcass.

“The sample could not be tested because of a lack of testing equipment in the centre but the disease is now control,” he said. “No new cases have been reported.” Another 30 cows belonging to all five households in the village were also given antibiotics to prevent the disease from spreading in the locality. Mongar’s livestock officer Dorji Wangchuk said this is the first time an anthrax outbreak was reported in the district. Anthrax is a disease that primarily affects herbivorous mammals. Humans generally acquire the disease from infected animals or as a result of occupational exposure to contaminated animal products. Anthrax bacteria can survive in the environment by forming spores. In its most common natural form, it creates dark sores on the skin, from which it derives its name. Anthrax is Greek for coal.

]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:20:15 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=BH-20120115-33786-INDBH-20120115-33786-IND 15.01.2012 - 07:04:50 - Biological Hazard event happened in Asia / India. EDIS Number: BH-20120115-33786-IND
Date / time: 15/01/2012 07:04:50 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: India
State/County: State of Orissa
Location: [Mayurbhanj District]
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:

Betanoti in Mayurbhanj district is in grip of a scare after preliminary reports on Saturday indicated that a poultry bird sample from the town had confirmed the presence of bird flu, official sources said. "We are awaiting the final report. I am leaving for Mayurbhanj tomorrow," Benudhar Das, director of veterinary services, told TOI. The presence of the virus has already been confirmed in Keranga (Khurda district), where the government continued culling of poultry birds for the third consecutive day on Saturday. Keranga is the only area in Odisha where presence of H5N1 has been confirmed. In all, 31,175 birds have been culled and 16,551 eggs and 197 kg of poultry feed have been destroyed during the exercise, official sources said. "We believe culling operations in Keranga will be over within a day or two," an officer said. Over 35,000 hens and ducks are expected to be culled in the district. Official sources said though Bhubaneswar reported the mysterious death of some crows, incidents of other such deaths from other parts of the state declined on Saturday. On Friday, 54 crow bodies were disposed, official sources said. "We are yet to get confirmation if the crow deaths were due to bird flu, but we are taking all measures to dispose off dead birds in a hygienic manner," an officer said. Officials said that the administration has started focusing on clearing the litter caused during the ongoing culling operation and sanitising the 19 villages spread over a three km radius from the epicentre.

]]> Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:38:22 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120112-33762-USAEH-20120112-33762-USA 12.01.2012 - 19:41:12 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in North-America / USA. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: EH-20120112-33762-USA
Date / time: 12/01/2012 19:41:12 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of New York
Location: LeRoy [LeRoy High School]
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: 17 person(s)
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A

Description:

A mysterious disorder which exhibits symptoms similar to Tourette's syndrome has affected twelve female students at the same high school. Administrators said on Wednesday night that all of the students affected at LeRoy High School, in New York, have been diagnosed and are being treated but they would not disclose exactly what they think the cause is. The students are said to all be suffering from verbal outbursts and involuntary twitches. Tourette's syndrome affects the body's brain and nervous system by causing tics - repeated, uncontrollable movements or involuntary vocal sounds. School administrators have insisted it is not a case of mass hysteria and that none of the girls are making the illness or symptoms up. On Wednesday night the school held a forum for concerned parents. About 150 people attended, demanding to know what was wrong with the students.

Dr Greg Young, with the NYS Department of Health, said: 'I can assure you these children have all been seen by professionals that have come up with answers and they are all being treated and they're actually doing pretty well.' He revealed that tics like this can be caused by a number of factors such as genetics, head trauma, drugs for ADHD and OCD and antihistamines. Through tests over the last few months, they have been able to rule out a number of environmental factors, infections, illegal drugs and carbon monoxide poisoning. According to WGRZ.com, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta has been consulted, along with Columbia University, as well as the Genesee County Health Department and the New York State Health Department. Dr Young assured parents that these cases have been seen nationwide and they come and go in individuals. He said that stress and anxiety can make them worse.

But most parents were left frustrated due to HIPAA (federal health privacy laws) which meant the doctors were limited in telling them what was causing the symptoms. Because of this and the limited number of cases in the small community, Dr Young said their hands were tied as they cannot comment on children's diagnosis. He said some of the students were already showing signs of improvement. Father of one of the students Jim DuPont said he is not satisfied with what the doctors or school administrators have told him. He said his 17-year-old daughter has missed almost every day of school in the last month. 'Now she has to be tutored,' he told WGRZ.com 'And I worry about her future. She's only 17. She can't even drive now. 'It's heartbreaking because you know her normal mannerisms.' He said his daughter is being treated by a neurologist, but still hasn't received a diagnosis. 'I'm talking about something that comes on in just a couple of weeks. These kids are totally normal, and the next thing you know their arms are swinging and they can't control themselves.'

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 2 on 2012-02-03 at 04:11:19.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-01-27 at 04:08:51.
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:12:21 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=EH-20120109-33721-IDNEH-20120109-33721-IDN 09.01.2012 - 08:42:38 - Epidemic Hazard event happened in Indonesian archipelago / Indonesia. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: EH-20120109-33721-IDN
Date / time: 09/01/2012 08:42:38 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: Indonesian archipelago
Country: Indonesia
State/County: Jakarta Raya
Location: Jakarta [Satya Negara Hospital]
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:

An Indonesian man aged 23 years old who was suspected of having infected by avian flu virus died at 22: 50 p.m. local time on Jan 7, an official said here on Monday. Dr. Dien Emawati, M Kes., head of Health Department at the Province of Jakarta, said that the patient was suspected of being infected by the virus as he was sick following the death of one of his pigeon a week before. "On Jan 3, he was treated in Satya Negara Hospital with sicknesses of high fever, queasy and faint with body temperature of 39.2 Celsius degree. He was suspected of having avian flu virus as his condition worsened with suffocation, and we found a contact factor with his dead pigeon," said Emawati. She said that the authorities of Jakarta province scrutinised fowls around the scene and destroyed chicken runs. "We also gave tamiflu (to prevent the spread of the flu) to the members of the victim's family," said Emawati. She added that the scrutiny will be intensified throughout Jakarta.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 2 on 2012-01-11 at 04:08:28.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-01-10 at 03:58:18.
]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:08:56 +0100 N/A http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=VA-20111214-33385-GRCVA-20111214-33385-GRC 14.12.2011 - 03:49:48 - Volcano Activity event happened in Europe / Greece. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: VA-20111214-33385-GRC
Date / time: 14/12/2011 03:49:48 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Activity
Area: Europe
Country: Greece
State/County: Aegean Sea
Location: [Kolumbo submarine volcano (About 8 km northeast of Cape Kolumbo, Santorini island)]
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:

At 19h22 GMT (21h22 local time), a 3.2 earthquake occurred at the little-known submarine volcano Kolumbos ca. 8 km NE of Santorini, Island, Greece. This marks one of the largest events in recent months. The submarine volcano whose peak rises to just 18 m below sea level, is located on the tectonically active SW-NE fault system across Santorini which confines most volcanic vents of the Santorini volcanic complex in the past 500,000 years. Kolumbus volcano last erupted in September 1650 following a year of frequent earthquakes. The eruption produced a large explosive pumice eruption, with ash fall recorded as far as Turkey, and built a temporary island. The main phase of the eruption triggered a devastating tsunami. Toxic gasses killed more than 25 people and hundreds of livestock on Santorini by suffocation (probably H2S). There is no reason to state that new activity from Santorini or Kolumbus is likely in a foreseeable future but on the other hand, there are very few data available, unfortunately, to judge the situation. We regret that the Greek monitoring institutes are not publishing more details about the ongoing activity. Access to important earthquake details such as as their depth, are not published (they are available for earthquakes in all the other regions in Greece, raising some suspect why not for Santorini...)

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 3 on 2012-01-29 at 16:17:15.
Situation Update No. 2 on 2012-01-03 at 04:17:22.
Situation Update No. 1 on 2011-12-27 at 19:16:47.
]]> Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:18:25 +0100 Catastrophic http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=DR-20111125-33154-MEXDR-20111125-33154-MEX 25.11.2011 - 04:04:48 - Drought event happened in Middle-America / Mexico. [Event details updated!] EDIS Number: DR-20111125-33154-MEX
Date / time: 25/11/2011 04:04:48 [UTC]
Event: Drought
Area: Middle-America
Country: Mexico
State/County: MultiStates
Location: [States of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Guanajuato and Zacatecas]
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: Catastrophic

Description:

Mexico is suffering its worst drought in the past 70 years, a dearth of rainfall that has forced the government to supply water to nearly 2.5 million people, the Social Development Secretariat said. The natural disaster is mainly affecting the northern states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Guanajuato and Zacatecas. Social Development Secretary Heriberto Felix Guerra, whose department is coordinating efforts to mitigate the drought, the most severe to hit Mexico since 1941, said it was "caused in large part by the climate change affecting the entire planet." The secretariat has implemented an emergency water plan, bringing 700 tanks with 10,000 liters of water to "the most remote and vulnerable communities," Felix Guerra said. All told, water has been distributed via 4,000 tankers to 1,500 communities across 12 Mexican states, benefiting 2.5 million people, the secretariat said. "Human beings come first. We must deliver all the assistance we can to people, who are the focus of our social policy," Felix Guerra said.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 2012-01-31 at 08:22:32.
]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:23:00 +0100