As quoted in ProMED:

Regarding recent outbreaks of human metapneumovirus infection in Saskatchewan, a large number of prevalence surveys have been published for newer respiratory tract viruses in Canada. The following are abstracted from the GIDEON Database

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV)
4.1 percent of adults with community-acquired pneumonia (2005 publication)
9.5 percent of respiratory specimens from the community and 25 percent of outbreaks – median age 24 months (Calgary, 2007 publication)
14.8 percent of patients with acute respiratory tract infection (4 provinces, 2001 to 2002 influenza season)
8 percent of acute lower respiratory tract infections (Montreal, 2001)
3.9 percent of pediatric inpatients and outpatients (Alberta, 2002 to 2003)
6 percent of children below age 3 years hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections (Quebec, 2001 to 2002)
4 percent of adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (Edmonton, 2008 publication)
(more…)

Although botulism is commonly associated with canned foods and vegetables, tomatoes are rarely implicated. A single botulism outbreak among 116 listed in the GIDEON database is ascribed to tomatoes. In fact, only three papers could be identified through a a PubMed search using the terms “tomatoes” and “botulism.” [1-3] Interestingly, two of these papers originated in Russia, the country which reported the most recent outbreak in ProMED.

One explanation for the relative rarity of botulism in tomatoes is related to the acidity of this vegetable. A lowered pH is thought to act through two mechanisms: enhanced susceptibility of C. botulinum spores to heat sterilization, and inhibition of germination of surviving spores. [4]

1. PopugailaVM, et al. Cases of botulism caused by preserved tomato juice. Gig Sanit 1972; 37:97-199
2. Shtein A, et al. Cases of botulism caused by domestically preserved tomatoes. Vopr Pitan 1969; 28: 92-93
3. Loufty MR,. et al. An outbreak of foodborne botulism in Ontario. Can J Infect Dis 2003; 14:206-209.
4. Bacterial food poisoning and botulism, in: Wilson GS, Miles A. Toply and Wilson’s Principles of Bacteriology, Virology and Immunity, 6th ed, London, Edward Arnold, 1975. pp. 2104-2105.

Also quoted in ProMED.

Steve quoted in ProMED:

Recent outbreaks of mumps in Moldova illustrate the fact mumps rates in this region have been erratic for the past 3 decades, but appear to be declining slowly. See graph.