Outbreak News Today

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Cases of chikungunya have been rising rapidly in Chad in the past weeks, suggesting a heavy vector load in the city of Abéché, the most affected area of the country. In a follow-up on the chikungunya outbreak in Chad, the World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting a total of 10,631 cases as of […]The post Chad chikungunya cases rapidly rising appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reported investigating a case of human infection of rat Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in an 89-year-old woman from Ngau Chi Wan. The patient had presented with anorexia, abdominal pain and jaundice. She was referred by a private doctor to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah […]The post Hong Kong officials report rat Hepatitis E virus infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Dallas County health officials reported the first two West Nile virus related fatalities of the year in Dallas residents. Both individuals were diagnosed with neuroinvasive disease. “Our first two deaths in Dallas County this year due to West Nile Virus are reminders of the seriousness of West Nile Virus disease and the importance […]The post Dallas: First West Nile virus deaths reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Philippines health officials reported 1,383 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the overall tally to 238,727. Half the number of new cases were reported from the Metro Manila area and Laguna. The Department of Health (DOH) notes that only 88 out of 115 laboratories submitted data Monday. 15 additional COVID-19 related deaths were reported. […]The post Philippines reports 1,383 new COVID-19 cases, ‘Flattened the curve’ achieved appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The India Ministry of Health reported nearly 91,000 COVID-19 cases Monday, putting the country total to 4,204,613, bypassing Brazil to become the country with the second most cases. For several weeks, Indian health officials have reported the highest daily COVID-19 counts. India surpassed the 2 million case mark in early August and 3 […]The post India passes Brazil for COVID-19 cases, Congress points fingers at Modi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has reported an increase in Vibrio vulnificus infections in the first eight months of 2020. To date, 37 cases have been reported, more than double the cases from the same period in 2019. Epidemiological investigations of five patients who died from Vibrio vulnificus infection […]The post South Korea reports a doubling of Vibrio vulnificus cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Colombia Ministry of Health recorded 8,065 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total in the country to 666,521. Colombia has now seen the sixth most COVID-19 cases in the world, following the US, Brazil, India, Russia and Peru. The Capital District has recorded to most cases, about one third of the country’s […]The post Colombia now records the 6th most COVID-19, Health ministry to start seroprevalence study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced today that they have identified the first case of human West Nile virus in 2020. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced that they have found West Nile virus activity in the mosquito population in 16 of the 67 counties in the state, including all […]The post Philadelphia officials report 1st human West Nile virus case of 2020 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Wisconsin health officials reported first human death from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in 2020 in a woman in her 60’s who had been living in Chippewa County. This is the second human case of EEE in state so far this year, and the first resulting in a death. “We are very sad to […]The post Wisconsin reports 1st EEE death in Chippewa County woman appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Ansa Health and Wellness reports (computer translated) a locally transmitted dengue fever infection in an individual from a rural village in the Veneto region of Italy. The 54 year old patient is believed to have contracted the virus after a relative who traveled to Indonesia in was diagnosed July. The individual did not […]The post Italy reports dengue local transmission in the Veneto region appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews For the first time in several months, New Zealand health officials have recorded a COVID-19 fatality, in fact, two have been reported in as many days. On Friday, health authorities reported the death of a man at Middlemore Hospital, linked to COVID-19. The man in his 50s was part of the August Auckland cluster. The […]The post New Zealand records two COVID-19 deaths in Auckland appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews During the past week, Brazil and India both surpassed the 4 million COVID-19 case mark, only following the United States as far as total cases. Brazil The Brazil Ministry of Health reported an additional 51,194 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, putting the country total to 4,092,832 confirmed cases, currently 2nd in […]The post COVID-19: Brazil and India eclipse the 4 million case mark appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Results from two early-phase Russian non-randomised vaccine trials (Sputnik V) in a total of 76 people are published this week in The Lancet, finding that two formulations of a two-part vaccine have a good safety profile with no serious adverse events detected over 42 days, and induce antibody responses in all participants within 21 days. […]The post Russia coronavirus vaccine trials: No serious adverse events and elicit antibody response appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that laboratory testing has confirmed the season’s fourth human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infection. The individual is a female in her 60s who was exposed to EEE in Plymouth County. Mosquito populations are declining and most EEE transmission to people occurs […]The post Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Massachusetts: 4th human case confirmed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews North Dakota agriculture officials said a confirmed case of anthrax was reported in cattle in Morton County. “Anthrax has been confirmed in cattle in a Morton County beef herd,” Dr. Susan Keller said. “Producers in past known affected areas and counties should consult with their veterinarians to make sure the vaccination schedule for […]The post Anthrax confirmed in cattle in Morton County, North Dakota appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Philippines Department of Health reported an additional 3,714 new COVID-19 cases today, including 1,797 in Metro Manila, 390 in Negros Occidental and 248 in Batangas. This brings the outbreak total to 232,072 in the Philippines. In addition, 49 new deaths were reported, bringing the country’s total fatalities caused by COVID-19 at 3,737. […]The post Philippines COVID-19: 3,714 new cases, No new strain reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Madera County health officials have reported a fatality from St. Louis Encephalitis Virus or SLEV. This is the first confirmed case in the state of California in 2020 and in Madera County since 1976. The case is a male in his 90s. “The risk for St. Louis Encephalitis remains low in Madera County, […]The post California: St. Louis Encephalitis death reported in Madera County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Glenn Laverack, PhD Learning to live with COVID-19 is officially a reality as the Director General of the World Health Organisation announced that the pandemic will continue until at least 2022. Lock-downs and quarantines, imposed without consultation or incentives, have been used in many countries. These have had a negative impact on people´s lives, […]The post Learning to live with COVID-19 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the arbovirus situation in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) for 2020 in a Wayne County resident. In addition to WNV, Eastern Equine encephalitis (EEE) virus is again circulating in Michigan, with 13 confirmed cases […]The post Michigan reports first human case of West Nile virus, EEE in horses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the dengue fever situation in the Philippines in 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) today disclosed that its initiative against dengue has lowered its number of deaths by as much as 78% from January 1 to August 15 this year. Dengue mortalities have significantly dropped from 2019 with 1,612 […]The post Philippines reports dengue deaths are down dramatically appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Florida Department of Health announced an additional human case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection reported this week in Palm Beach County. This bringing the total WNV cases to 18– 13 in Miami-Dade County, three in Palm Beach County, and two in Broward County. In addition, thirty-one asymptomatic positive blood donors have […]The post Florida West Nile virus: Additional case reported in Palm Beach County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Imagine a reusable face mask that protects wearers and those around them from SARS-CoV-2, is comfortable enough to wear all day, and stays in place without frequent adjustment. Based on decades of experience with filtration and textile materials, Georgia Institute of Technology researchers have designed a new mask intended to do just that — and […]The post Georgia Tech researchers redesign face mask, Comfortable and stays in place appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of certain dog food products due to levels of Aflatoxin that are potentially above the acceptable limit. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mold by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities. The potential for aflatoxin levels above the acceptable […]The post Dog food recalled due to potentially high aflatoxin levels appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has reported 10 Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) cases in horses from four counties — Montcalm, Clare, Newaygo and Kent counties since the first case was reported in Clare County on Aug. 11. EEE is a zoonotic, viral disease, transmitted by mosquitoes to both animals […]The post Michigan reports 10 Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases in horses in 3 weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Viet Nam Food Administration is reporting a botulism outbreak linked to Pate Minh Chay (computer translated). On August 19, 2020, the Department of Food Safety – Ministry of Health received a call from the Poison Control Center – Bach Mai Hospital saying that a couple of patients were transferred to the Center […]The post Vietnam: Botulism outbreak linked to pate appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of gonorrhea cases reported in England increased by 26 percent in 2019, according to a new report by Public Health England (PHE). Between 2018 and 2019, England saw gonorrhea cases rise from 56,232 to 70,936. Between 2018 and 2019, increases in gonorrhea were reported in: gay, bisexual and other men who have sex […]The post Gonorrhea cases up 26 percent in England appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A team led by researchers at the George Washington University (GW) has established a controlled human hookworm infection (CHHI) model to accelerate the development of human hookworm vaccines. Investigators at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, with a $1.2 million grant from Wellcome Trust, are partnering with Institute René Rachou (IRR) in Brazil […]The post Vaccine researchers testing human hookworm vaccines in Brazil appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Rabies post exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, consists of a rabies vaccine series and human rabies immune globulin (HRIG). Kedrion Biopharma’s human rabies immune globulin, Kedrab, was FDA approved in 2017. And now for the first time, the safety of HRIG (Kedrab) was studied in children. Joining me today to discuss rabies, PEP and the pediatric […]The post Kedrab: 1st pediatric trial for Human Rabies Immune Globulin appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Wisconsin state and local health officials are reporting the first human case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus infection of the year. The patient is a female under the age of 18 who is a resident of Eau Claire County. EEE virus is a rare but potentially fatal disease that can affect people of […]The post Wisconsin: 1st human Eastern Equine Encephalitis case reported this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A Cambridge hospital has piloted the use of combined rapid point-of-care nucleic acid and antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection after researchers at the University of Cambridge showed that this approach was superior to virus detection alone for diagnosing COVID-19 disease. Point-of-care testing – in other words, testing patients as soon as they arrive at the […]The post Point-of-care nucleic acid and antibody testing combo increases COVID-19 detection: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Dutch media are reporting (computer translated) that poliovirus has been found in wastewater near where a large pharmaceuticals company makes vaccines. According to the report, the Healthcare Inspectorate (IGJ), which is investigating the case, says it is still unclear what the source is and whether employees have been exposed to the virus. All technical and […]The post Poliovirus found in sewage water in the Netherlands appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Thailand’s Bureau of Epidemiology reported and additional 2922 dengue fever cases during the past week, bringing the country total to 50,660 total (DHF, DSS and dengue fever) cases. In addition, four additional dengue related deaths were reported, bringing the death toll year to date to 36. The region with the highest rates of […]The post Thailand dengue cases top 50,000 this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Florida Department of Health reported one additional locally acquired dengue fever case in Monroe County this past week, bringing the total to 54 statewide (53 in Monroe County and 1 in Miami-Dade County). One case was reported in a non-Florida resident. The latest case was identified through retrospective case finding efforts to […]The post Florida dengue fever local transmission cases rise to 54 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Florida Department of Health reported an additional 7,569 new positive COVID-19 cases Aug 31, bringing the state total to 631,040. Since August 31, the death of one hundred eighty-seven Florida residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have been reported. The death total in the state now stands at 11,374. With a positivity […]The post Florida COVID-19: 20 straight days with less than 10 percent positivity, DeSantis cuts ties with Quest appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two recent studies were unable to rule out that H1N1 (“swine flu”) vaccination (“Pandemrix”) and seasonal influenza vaccination given to pregnant women might be associated with autism-spectrum disorder in the offspring. Now, a large study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, refutes any such association. Autism spectrum […]The post H1N1 vaccine in pregnant women not linked to autism: Swedish study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an additional 143 Salmonella Newport cases linked to red onions today, bringing the multistate outbreak total to 1,012 in 47 states. Half the cases are reported from 5 western states–California (122), Washington (117), Utah (110), Oregon (101) and Montana (63). 136 hospitalizations have been reported. […]The post Salmonella outbreak linked to onions tops 1,000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Russian Ministry of Health reported an additional 2976 confirmed COVID-19 cases today, putting the country over the 1 million case mark, the fourth country to do so (the US, Brazil and India are the others). Of the 1,000,048 total cases reported to date, the city of Moscow accounts for 263,059 cases. An […]The post Russia COVID-19 cases top 1 million, Recommendations for parents of schoolchildren appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported an additional locally transmitted dengue fever infection this week. The patient is a male in his 50s who lives in Zhongtaili, Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City, and developed fever, headache, joint pain and general weakness. He was diagnosed with dengue fever type 1 by the dengue […]The post Taiwan reports additional local dengue fever case in Taoyuan City appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Canadian health officials have reported an additional 78 salmonella infections linked to red onions imported from the United States since Aug 21, bringing to outbreak total to 457. One individual has died, but it is not known if Salmonella contributed to the cause of death. The breakdown of cases by province is as follows: British […]The post Canada: Dozens of additional Salmonella cases linked to imported red onions reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The World Health Organization (WHO) African regional office reported two additional Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases Saturday in in Équateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, bringing the the total to 109 cases (103 confirmed and six probable) including 47 deaths (case fatality ratio 43.1%). To date, 34 health areas in 11 health […]The post DRC Ebola outbreak continues to show rising case numbers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews UN health officials are reporting a chikungunya outbreak in Chad, in north-central Africa. Between August 14 and 26, 6,163 cases and no deaths were recorded at the health facility level in the Abéché district in the border region to Sudan. The index case of the epidemic is a 62-year-old farmer who has spent […]The post Chikungunya outbreak reported in Chad, 6,000 cases reported in 2 weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Ukraine health officials reported recently that during the first eight months of 2020, the country has seen 16 salmonella outbreaks, including four in Zaporizhia oblast, two in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast and one each in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Zakarpattia, Kirovohrad, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Cherkasy oblasts and Kyiv. In total, 2402 salmonella cases have been reported, […]The post Ukraine reports 16 salmonella outbreaks so far this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

University of Idaho researchers are leading a nearly $6 million National Science Foundation (NSF) cooperative agreement, using large and complex data sets to improve prediction and response measures for tick-borne diseases. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report published in 2018, tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and […]The post Lyme Disease: University of Idaho leads research team studying movement of tick-borne disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nunavut communities, especially those in the Kitikmeot, have seen an increase in cases of Gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is passed through sexual contact. You can help prevent the spread of gonorrhea in your community by practising safer sex (like wearing a condom), getting tested, being mindful about your sexual partners […]The post Canada: Public Health Advisory issued, Increase in Gonorrhea cases in Nunavut appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The New Jersey Department of Health has reported the first two human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) of 2020. The first case was found in a male in his 40s from Essex County, which was reported earlier this month. A second case was confirmed in a male in his 70s from Monmouth […]The post New Jersey reports first two West Nile virus cases of year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

People living with Chagas disease without symptoms or signs of cardiac injury are at high risk of developing cardiomyopathy, a progressive heart disease, and the risk more than doubled among patients with acute infections, according to a new study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus. The study was […]The post Chagas disease: Risk of developing cardiac disease doubles for asymptomatic infections appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The World Health Organization (WHO) announced last week that the West African nation of Togo has eliminated human African trypanosomiasis or “sleeping sickness” as a public health problem, becoming the first country in Africa to reach this milestone. Togo’s achievement comes after more than two decades of sustained political commitment, surveillance and screening […]The post African sleeping sickness: Togo eliminates as public health problem appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at the University of Alberta are preparing to launch clinical trials of a drug used to cure a deadly disease caused by a coronavirus in cats that they expect will also be effective as a treatment for humans against COVID-19. “In just two months, our results have shown that the drug is effective at […]The post Antiviral used to treat cat coronavirus also works against SARS-CoV-2 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Saturday confirmed this year’s first positive detection of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a mammal. DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) responded to a report of a white-tailed deer – disoriented and walking in circles – in North Kingstown on […]The post Rhode Island: White-tailed deer is first EEE positive mammal of 2020 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The National Institute for Public Health Research (INSPI) in Ecuador is now reporting 112,906 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the first case was confirmed in the country on February 29. More than 80,000 patients have recovered to date and 6,537 people died. In Loja province, health officials report that a 105-year-old woman has recovered from […]The post Ecuador: COVID-19 cases top 112K, 105-year-old Loja woman recovers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.