A search of the Gideon database reveals 973 country-specific notes (244,226 cases) which detail one or more outbreaks of E. coli gastroenteritis. [1,2]

Recreational water was specified as the vehicle in only 16 (1.6% of total) outbreaks, involving 244 patients (0.10% of total) – in chronological order, as follows:

1991 – U.S.A. 59 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection (21 cases) and Shigella sonnei infection (38 cases) associated with a lakeside park in Oregon.
1993 – U.K. 6 cases (3 HUS, 1 fatal) associated with paddling pools.
1993 – Netherlands. 4 cases of HU.S.A.due to E. coli O157:H7 associated with a swimming pool.
1995 – U.S.A. E. coli O157:H7 infection associated with a lake in Illinois. {p 8618543}
1996 – U.S.A. 18 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection in Georgia associated with a swimming pool.
1997 – Finland. 14 cases of E. coli O157:H7 associated with a swimming beach in Alavus. This was Finland’s first outbreak of O157:H7 infection.
1997 (publication year) – U.S.A. 12 cases of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection associated with a fresh water lake at a county park.
1997 – U.S.A. 8 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection associated with recreational water at a lake resort in Missouri.
1998 – U.S.A. 31 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection associated with recreational water – 26 cases at a water park in Georgia and 5 cases at a lake in Minnesota.
1999 – U.K. 14 cases of E. coli O157 infection (one fatal) among visitors to a beach in South Devon
1999 – U.S.A. 37 cases (8 hospitalized, 3 HUS) of E. coli O157:H7 infection associated with a recreational lake in Washington State
1999 – U.S.A. 3 cases of Escherichia coli O157:NM (nonmotile) associated with recreational exposure to lake water.
1999 – U.S.A. 11 cases (3 HUS) of E. coli O121 infection associated with a lake in Connecticut.
2004 – Canada. An outbreak 10 cases (confirmed probable of E. coli O157:H7 infection associated with a children’s spray park in British Columbia.
2005 – U.S.A. 2 hospitalized cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection associated with a lake in Minnesota.
2011 – U.S.A. 15 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection associated with a water park in Alabama.

(primary references are available on request)

References:
1. Gideon www.GideonOnline.com (internal search function (key words: coli, recreational, swimming, lake, fountain, beach)
2. Berger SA. Escherichia coli Diarrhea: Global Status, 2011. 139 pp, 148 graphs, 1316 references. Gideon e-books. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/escherichia-coli-diarrhea-global-status/

The following chronology of Travel-related and Cross-border outbreaks of E. coli gastroenteritis is abstracted from the Gideon e-book series. [1,2] (Primary references are available on request)

Travel-related outbreaks:
1976 – An outbreak (386 cases) of diarrhea due to Salmonella, Vibrio, Shigella, ETEC and EIEC was reported among passengers of a cruise ship following a visit to Haiti.
1981 – An outbreak (98 cases) of diarrhea due to Salmonella, Vibrio and ETEC was reported among passengers of a cruise ship following a visit to Mexico.
1997 – An outbreak was reported among tourists from Finland, Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom, who acquired E. coli O157 infection (3 with HUS) at a resort hotel in the Canary Islands. No cases were registered in the local population.
1999 – An outbreak (5 cases, 2 HUS) of E. coli O157 infection was reported among British tourists in southern Turkey.
2002 – An outbreak (2 confirmed, 8 suspected cases) of E. coli O157 infection among school staff and pupils from England occurred during a visit to France. The probable source was salad prepared from Belgian cucumbers.
2004 – An outbreak (107 cases) of E. coli O111 infection was reported among Japanese students on tour in Korea.
2004 – An outbreak (9 verified and 3 secondary cases) of E. coli O157 infection was associated with an international sporting event.
2004 – An outbreak (3 cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection on Okinawa, Japan was ascribed to contaminated ground beef supplied to military personnel from the United States.
2005 (publication year) – An outbreak (24 cases) of EAggEC infection was reported among Cambodian tourists in Japan.
2005 – An outbreak (10 confirmed, 5 suspected cases) was reported among Scottish tourists returning from resorts in Turkey.
2006 to 2007 – 41.9% of American travelers to Mexico developed diarrhea – 33.9% due to LT-EHEC
2007 – An outbreak (3 cases, 2 confirmed) of E. coli O157 infection was reported among Scottish tourists returning from Turkey.
2009 – An outbreak (14 cases) of E. coli O157 infection was reported among British travelers to Spain.

Cross-border outbreaks:
1983 – Outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness associated with eating imported French Brie cheese occurred in the United States. The responsible organism in this case was a strain of Escherichia coli serotype O27:H20 which produced a heat-stable toxin.
1996 – Outbreaks (3 outbreaks, one fatal case) in the United States and Canada were caused by unpasteurized apple juice.
2006 – An outbreak (205 cases, 30 HUS, 3 fatal) of E. coli O157:H7 infection from contaminated California fresh spinach involved 26 states. An additional suspect case was reported in Ontario. The outbreak strain was identified in feral swine in the area of spinach production.
2006 – An outbreak (21 cases) of sorbitol fermenting E. coli O157 infection was reported in England and Scotland.
2007 – An outbreak (45 cases, 1 HUS, 0 fatal) of E. coli O157:H7 infection involving 8 states (40 cases) and Canada was caused by contaminated beef patties.
2007 – Outbreaks (50 cases, 0 HUS) of E. coli O157 in the Netherlands (41 cases) and Iceland (9 cases) may have been related to contaminated iceberg lettuce.
2008 – An outbreak (23 cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection was reported among university students in the United States was ascribed to contaminated iceberg lettuce. Ten additional cases outside of the University were epidemiologically-linked to the outbreak, including 2 suspected cases in southern Ontario.
2010 – Outbreaks (260 cases in 11 outbreaks) of Norovirus and EHEC infections in Denmark were caused by contaminated lettuce imported from France.

Extensive (100 cases or more) outbreaks:
1969 (publication year) – An outbreak (418 cases hospitalized) of E. coli O86:B7 gastroenteritis was reported in India.
1974 – An outbreak (106 cases) of infantile diarrhea caused by enteropathogenic E. coli 0111:B4 was reported in Turkey.
1975 – An outbreak (2,200 cases or more) of E. coli O6:K15:H16 infection at an American National Park was attributed to contaminated drinking water.
1981 – An outbreak (282 cases) of E. coli gastroenteritis was reported among personnel at a hospital in the United States.
1987 – An outbreak (650 cases) of E. coli O111:B4 infection was reported at a school complex in southern Finland.
1988 – An outbreak (670 cases) of E. coli O164:H- infection was associated with consumption of “Godofu (Sasayuki tofu).”
1988 – An outbreak (256 cases) of gastroenteritis in Japan was ascribed to Escherichia coli O167:H9; a second outbreak (174 cases, 14 HUS) of hemorrhagic colitis associated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 was reported in a Japanese kindergarten.
1989 – An outbreak (243 cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection in the United States resulted in 2 cases of HUS and 4 deaths.
1991 – An outbreak (521 cases, estimated) of verotoxin-producing E. coli infection was reported in the Canada.
1992 – An outbreak (64,699 clinical cases) of E. coli O157 infection was reported in Swaziland. The source of the outbreak was drinking water contaminated by infected cattle. This was the first known outbreak in Africa.
1992 to 1993 – An outbreak (732 cases, 151 hospitalized, 4 fatal) of hemorrhagic colitis due to Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the United States was traced to contaminated hamburger meat.
1993 – An outbreak (2,697 cases) of enteroaggregative E. coli infection in Japan was caused by contaminated school lunches.
1993 – An outbreak (121 cases) of ETEC infection in the United States was associated with salads served at a lodge buffet.
1995 to 1996 – An outbreak (100 cases, 29 HUS, 0 fatal) of E. coli O157 infection was reported in Sweden.
1996 – An outbreak (108 cases, 4 fatal) of E. coli O157 diarrhea was reported in Central African Republic. This was the first description of E. coli O157 in central Africa.
1996 – Outbreaks (17,877 cases, 12 fatal) of VTEC O157 were reported in Japan.
1996 – An outbreak (512 confirmed cases, 151 hospitalized; 34 HUS or TTP; 22 fatal) in Scotland was traced to meat from a local butcher; a second Scottish outbreak (711 cases) of Campylobacter and E. coli O157 infections was caused by contaminated water.
1997 to 1998 – An outbreak (298 cases) of bloody diarrhea due to E. coli O157, Shigella and amebiasis was reported in the Cameroon.
1998 – An outbreak (144 cases) of ETEC infection was reported in Iceland.
1998 – An outbreak (4,000 cases or more) of enterotoxic E. coli infection in the United States was associated with potato salad; and a second American outbreak (142 cases) was ascribed to coleslaw served at a restaurant.
1998 – An outbreak (175 military personnel and 54 civilians) of ETEC infection in Israel was associated with contaminated water.
1998 – An outbreak (157 cases, 4 HUS) of E. coli O157:H7 infection in the United States occurred when waste (from deer and elk) contaminated a municipal water supply. {p 11971769}
1999 – An outbreak (149 cases, total) of mixed E. coli O157 (126 cases, 11 HUS, 2 fatal) and Campylobacter (43 cases) infection in the United States was caused by contaminated well water at a fairgrounds.
1999 – An outbreak (114 confirmed cases) of E. coli O157 infection (28 hospitalized; 3 HUS) in England was caused by contaminated milk from a local dairy.
1999 – An outbreak (329 cases, 22 hospitalized) of E. coli O157:H7 infection in the United States was traced to contaminated beef eaten during a party at a cow pasture; an unrelated American outbreak (281 cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection was associated with a pig, steer and ostrich roast.
1999 – An outbreak (125 suspect cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection was reported in Canada. A petting zoo was implicated as the source for infection; a second outbreak (143 cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection in Canada was caused by contaminated salami.
1999 – An outbreak (177 fatal cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection was reported in China.
1999 (publication year) – An outbreak (132 cases) of E. coli 0169 infection was reported in Japan; and a second outbreak of (126 cases) of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O118:H2 infection at a junior high school was associated with consumption of salads.
2000 – An outbreak (1,346 cases, 65 hospitalized, 27 HUS, 6 fatal) of E. coli O157 and Campylobacter infections in Canada was ascribed to contaminated drinking water.
2000 – An outbreak (181 cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection (including 6 HUS, none fatal) was reported among school children and their contacts in Spain. Sausages were identified as the source.
2000 – An outbreak (1,304 cases – 58 confirmed) of E. coli O157:H7 infection due to barbecued beef was reported following an outdoor event in Japan; a second outbreak (842 cases – 87 confirmed) of E. coli O157:H7 infection was reported in a hospital and home for the aged; and a third outbreak (743 cases – 15 confirmed) of E. coli O157:H7 infection in a Japanese hospital.
2000 – An outbreak (1,521 cases) of presumed ETEC infection in Mexico was caused by sewage overflow.
2001 – An outbreak (264 cases) of E. coli O157 infection from contaminated meat was reported in Japan; and a second food-borne outbreak (195 cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection was reported in the country.
2002 (publication year) – An outbreak (162 cases) of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in Canada was related to exposure to goats and sheep at a fair.
2002 – An outbreak (113 cases, 4 fatal) of E. coli O157 infection was reported in a hospital and a nursery home in Japan; a second Japanese outbreak (123 cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection involved a hospital and home for the aged; and a third outbreak (328 cases) caused by heat stable ETEC-producing E. coli O25 was related to contaminated box lunches.
2003 – An outbreak (141 cases) of E. coli O26:H11 infection in Japan was ascribed to contaminated food.
2003 – An outbreak (463 cases, 56 fatal, 32 confirmed) of E. coli O157 infection was reported among children in Kenya.
2004 – An outbreak (111 cases) of ETEC infection caused by three serotypes of E. coli was reported among employees of a company in the United States; and a second American outbreak (130 cases) of ETEC infection was associated with a sushi restaurant.
2005 – An outbreak (401 cases) of E. coli O6:H16 food poisoning involved two prisons in Japan.
2005 – An outbreak (135 cases, 11 HUS) of E. coli O157 infection in Sweden was related to contaminated lettuce.
2005 – An outbreak (160 cases, 1 fatal) of E. coli O157 infection affecting over 40 schools in Wales was ascribed to contaminated meat.
2006 – An outbreak (205 cases, 30 HUS, 3 fatal) of E. coli O157:H7 infection from contaminated fresh spinach was reported in the United States.
2006 – An outbreak (217 cases) of Salmonella anatum and ETEC infections among guests at a high school dinner in Denmark was caused by contaminated pesto.
2007 – An outbreak (467 cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection was reported at a school refrectory in Japan; and a second outbreak (314 cases) of E. coli O157:H7 infection was reported in a Japanese restaurant.
2007 – An outbreak (117 cases) of gastroenteritis at a camp site in Romania was caused by Salmonella enteritidis and EPEC.
2007 to 2008 – An outbreak (1,000 cases) in Finland of gastroenteritis related to contaminated drinking water included cases of STEC infection.
2008 – An outbreak (341 cases, 26 HUS, 1 fatal) of E. coli O111 infection was associated with a restaurant in the United States.
2009 – An outbreak (235 cases) of E. coli O157 infections in Canada was associated with onions served in a restaurant.

References:
1. Berger SA. Escherichia coli Diarrhea: Global Status, 2011. 139 pages, 148 graphs, 1,316 references. Gideon E-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/escherichia-coli-diarrhea-global-status/
2. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the World, 2011. 987 pages, 383 graphs, 12,492 references. Gideon E-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-world/

Recent cross-border oubreaks belie the fact that salmonellosis activity in the United Kingdom has actually declined in recent years. In fact, since 1997, reporting rates for England, Scotland and Wales have been similar to the lower figures which had existed in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The following data are extracted from the Gideon e-book series. [1-3]

The following chronlogy of earlier international salmonellosis outbreaks (not including clusters among tourists) is extracted from reference [4]:

Outbreaks involving two or more countries (primary references available on request)
1973 (publication year) – An international outbreak of Salmonella agona infection was reported.
1973 to 1974 – An outbreak (80 cases in the U.S. and 39 in Canada) of Salmonella Eastborne infection was caused by contaminated chocolate.
1982 – An outbreak (245 cases) of Salmonella napoli infection in England and Wales was caused by contaminated chocolate bars imported from Italy.
1991 – An outbreak (400 cases or more) of Salmonella poona infection in the United States and Canada was caused by contaminated American and Central American cantaloupe.
1995 – An outbreak (27 cases in the U.K.) of Salmonella agona infection was caused by a savoury snack imported from Israel.
1995 – An outbreak ( 242 cases, approximate) in the United States and Finland of Salmonella serotype Stanley infection was traced to Alfalfa sprouts.
1996 to 1997 – An outbreak (22 cases) of S. enterica serotype Anatum infection was caused by contaminated dried formula milk – resulting in 13 cases in England, 4 Scotland, 4 France and 1 Belgium.
1997 – An outbreak of S. livingstone infection was reported in Western Europe – several of the cases were acquired abroad, notably in Tunisia.
1997 – An outbreak (24 cases) of Salmonella serogroup Saphra infection in California was associated with imported Mexican cantaloupe.
1997 to 1998 – An outbreak of Salmonella Newport infection associated with contaminated cured ham was reported in the United Kingdom and Finland.
1998 – Outbreaks of Salmonella blockley infection were reported in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Finland and the United Kingdom – smoked eel implicated in some countries.
1999 – An outbreak (275 cases) of Salmonella paratyphi B infection was reported among European tourists who visited Turkey during the summer of 1999.
1999 – An outbreak (400 cases or more, 21 hospitalized) of Salmonella muenchen infection from orange juice affected 25 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces (22 cases).
2000 – Outbreaks of Salmonella typhimurium DT204b infection (total 396 cases) which may have been related occurred in Iceland, England and Wales, the Netherlands, Scotland and Germany. Contaminated lettuce was implicated.
2000 to 2001 – An outbreak (168 cases, total) of S. enteritidis phage type 30 infection (157 cases in Canada, 11 in the United States) was caused by contaminated raw almonds.
2000 to 2002 – Outbreaks (148 cases, total) of Salmonella poona infection (47 cases in 2000, 50 in 2001, 58 in 2002) from imported Mexican cantaloupe were reported in multiple American states and Canada.
2001 – Outbreaks of Salmonella typhimurium DT 104 infection caused by a batch of imported Turkish halvah were reported in Australia and Sweden. Contaminated halvah was also identified in Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom.
2001 – An outbreak (99 total cases) of Salmonella Stanley infection in Australia (60 cases) and Canada (33 cases) was associated with contaminated peanuts imported from China.
2001 – An outbreak of Salmonella oranienburg due to contaminated German chocolate affected several European countries.
2001 – An outbreak (303 cases) of Salmonella enteritidis anaerogenic PT 14b infection was reported among Norwegian, Finish and Swedish tourists returning from Crete and Karpathos. The probable source was contaminated poultry.
2001 – An outbreak of Salmonella Schwarzenground infections in Denmark and the United States was traced to contaminated chickens in Thailand.
2003 – Outbreaks of Salmonella Montevideo infection in Australia and New Zealand were caused by contaminated sesame seed products (Tahini and Halva) imported from Egypt and Lebanon.
2004 – Raw almonds contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis were recalled by the manufacturer from China, Taiwan, Democratic Republic of Korea, France, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
2004 – Ruccola lettuce contaminated with Salmonella Thompson was identified in Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
2005 – An outbreak (5 cases, total) of Salomonella enterica serotype Thompson infection (3 cases in Canada and 2 in United States) was caused by handling contaminated pet treats.
2005 – An outbreak (48 cases, total) of Salmonella stoubridge infection in Sweden (6 cases), Switzerland (3), Germany (2), Austria (5), United Kingdom (3) and France (27) was caused by unpasteurized French soft cheese.
2005 – An outbreak (178 cases) of Salmonella Goldcoast infection in Majorca affected tourists from Scotland (37), Ireland (6), Sweden (6), Norway (8), Denmark (3), Germany (20) and Finland (4).
2005 – An outbreak (22 cases) of Salmonella typhimurum DT 104 infection in Denmark was caused by raw beef carpacio imported from Italy.
2006 – An outbreak (13 cases) of Salmonella typhimurium infection in Sweden was caused by contaminated salami imported from Italy.
2007 – An outbreak (10 cases) of Salmonella typhimurium infection in Denmark (6 cases) and Norway (4 cases) was caused by imported Spanish sausage.
2007 – An outbreak (63 cases) of Salmonella senftenberg infection in England and Wales (51 cases), Denmark (11) and the Netherlands (2) was ascribed to contaminated basil imported from Israel. Subsequent testing of local batches of basil failed to demonstrate the organism.
2007 – An outbreak (45 cases, total) of Salmonella Weltevreden infections in Norway (19 cases), Denmark (19 cases) and Finland (7 cases) was associated with alfalfa sprouts distributed from Denmark. 2007 – An outbreak (354 cases) of Salmonella paratyphi B variant Java (Salmonella Java) infection in Netherlands (12 cases), Sweden (172), Norway (25), Ireland (9), Hungary (3), Finland (9), Denmark (40) and Austria (2) was ascribed to contaminated baby spinach.
2008 – An outbreak (59 cases) of Salmonella Litchfield infection in 16 American states (50 cases) and Canada (9 cases) was caused by contaminated melon from Honduras.
2008 – An outbreak (141 cases) of Salmonella serotype Agona infection in England (80 cases), Wales (10), Ireland (11) , Northern Ireland (1) , Scotland (31) Sweden (2), France (1) and Finland (1) was ascribed to contaminated commercial sandwiches.
2008 – An outbreak (74 cases) of Salmonella enterica serotype poona infection included 26 cases in Canada and 48 in the United States.
2008 – An outbreak (49 cases) of Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium U288 infection from contaminated pork products included 37 cases (4 fatal) in Denmark, 10 in Norway and 2 in Sweden.
2008 to 2010 – An outbreak (400 cases) of Salmonella typhimurium DT 191a infections in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland was related to pet reptiles which were fed with contaminated frozen mice. Subsequent outbreak cases (34) were reported in multiple American states in 2010.
2009 – An outbreak (137 cases) of Salmonella oranienburg infection included 38 cases in the United Kingdom, 85 in the United States, 7 in Canada and 7 in Scotland.
2009 – An outbreak (124 cases in the United States and 12 in Canada) of Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium infections was ascribed to possible contamination of shredded lettuce.
2010 – An outbreak (14 cases) of Salmonella urbana infection included cases in in Finland, the Czech Republic and Latvia.

1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the United Kingdom, 956 pp. 2010. Gideon e-book series. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-united-kingdom/
2. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Ireland and Northern Ireland, 433 pp. 2010. Gideon e-book series. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-ireland-and-northern-ireland/
3. Berger SA. Salmonellosis: Global Status, 237 pp. 2010. Gideon e-book series. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/salmonellosis-global-status/
4. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the World, 929 pp. 2010. Gideon e-book series. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-world/

In view of a massive ongoing outbreak in Manila, the following chronology of published large outbreaks (>50 cases) of leptospirosis was abstracted from GIDEON. Outbreaks known to be associated with heavy rains or flooding are denoted by * A number of additional outbreaks have been associated with floods, but without specific mention of case numbers. Thus, a major outbreak in Krasnodar (Russia) in 1997 followed local flooding; as did epidemics in China during 1962 to 1963, 1966, 1973 to 1974 and 1984.

The Epidemiology module in GIDEON currently contains details of 8,910 Infectious Diseases outbreaks (Primary references are available on request)

Update: Reported in ProMED

A recent episode of E. coli infection in Ontario belies the fact that onions are only rarely implicated in food-related disease outbreaks. As of June 2009, 8,471 infectious diseases outbreaks have been included in GIDEON. Onions were involved in only seven (0.08%) of these:

1983 – United States – Botulism – 28 – sauteed onions
1996 to 1997 – United States – Hepatitis A – 90 – green onions
1997 – United States – Cryptosporidiosis – 54 – green onions
1998 – United States – Hepatitis A – 43 – green onions
2003 – United States – Hepatitis A – 170 – green onions
2005 – Russia – Yersinia pseudotuberculosis – 33 – cabbage and onion salads.
2006 – United States – E. coli O157 – 99 – either green onions or shredded lettuce

A case imported from India into the United States is the latest in a growing list of cross-border measles episodes. The following is a chronology of notable outbreaks reported during the past decade.

1998 – An outbreak (69 cases, 2 hospitalized, 0 fatal) in Tuvalu was ascribed to introduced cases among workers from Nauru.
1998 – An outbreak (33 cases) was linked to an infected visitor arriving to Alaska, United States from Japan.
1999 – An outbreak (75 confirmed cases) in Australia was traced to an index case from Indonesia.
2000 – Outbreaks (78 cases, total) in Canada were linked to travel in Mexico (6 cases), Bolivia (19 cases) and Belgium (25 cases).
2000 – An outbreak (992 cases, or 57% of all cases for the Americas region) in Haiti was thought to originated with imported cases from the Dominican Republic.
2000 to 2001 – An outbreak (1,062 cases, 0 fatal) was reported in Tanzania among refugees from Burundi.
(more…)

An ongoing outbreak in Denmark belies the fact that salmonellosis rates in Scandinavia have remained fairly constant during the past decade. In the attached graph rates for the United States are added for comparison. Some additional background data on salmonellosis in Denmark – source www.GideonOnline.com (more…)

A recent outbreak highlights the fact that New Caledonia has one of the highest rates of leptospirosis in the Pacific region (see graph). In fact, in these islands, Leptospirosis is more common than Salmonellosis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Gonorrhea and Tuberculosis (see graph).

The following background information regarding Leptospirosis in New Caledonia is abstracted from GIDEON:

Leptospirosis is most common in west coast cattle-farming areas and rural Melanesian settings

• Disease rates are highest in the Bourail area.
• Disease rates peak during March to May.

Notes:

1. An average of 4 fatal cases are reported yearly.
2. 57 cases were diagnosed during 1983 to 1985.
3. 239 cases were reported during 2001 to 2005. The principal serogroups were Icterohaemorrhagiae (69%), Australis (8%), Pyrogenes (6%)

58% of cattle are seropositive.

The principal reservoirs in this country are rodents, pigs, horses and cattle.

The principal species are Leptospira serovars. Icterohaemorrhagiae, tarassovi, pyrogenes, canicola, australis and pomona.

• Serovar tarassovi accounts for 22% of cases, icterohaemorrhagiae 18% and pyrogenes 17%.

Notable outbreaks:
1989 – An outbreak (144 cases, 6 fatal) was reported, with 41% of the cases caused by serovar icterohaemorrhagiae.

Update: Also mentioned in ProMED

346 INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND 7,316 OUTBREAKS INCLUDED IN NEW VERSION OF GIDEON ONLINE

– Features the most current information and decision support tools to assist medical professionals in diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases and bioterrorism agents–

LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 19, 2008 – GIDEON Informatics (www.gideononline.com) today announced a new version of its Web-based solution, with data on 346 infectious diseases, 7,316 outbreaks, 219 signs and symptoms and 80,000 medical notes. Providing comprehensive and accurate information on infectious diseases, GIDEON helps medical professionals worldwide improve the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
(more…)

We have found a wonderful distribution partner, EBSCO publishing (EP). This means that new institutional subscribers will sign up for GIDEON directly with EP. Based on their preference, current institutional subscribers can renew with GIDEON or EP. New and renewal individual subscriptions will still be handled by GIDEON.

Check out http://www.epnet.com/gideon for more information.

The press release: GIDEON and EBSCO Publishing partner to offer wider access to GIDEON (PDF).