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.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Philippines Department of Health reported an additional 3,637 new confirmed COVID-19 cases Saturday, bringing the outbreak total to 213,131. Of the 3,637 new cases, 1,648 were reported in Metro Manila. The death toll now stands at 3,419 with the addition of 94 fatalities today. A group of government officials, including Health Secretary […]The post COVID-19 in the Philippines: 3,637 new confirmed cases, 553-bed quarantine facility in Laguna appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Ebola The World Health Organization (WHO) African regional office said Friday that there has been an additional confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case reported in the current and 11th outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since 1976. The new case is from Bikoro and in this case, a new death. […]The post DRC: More Ebola and plague cases reported, End of measles epidemic declared appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New research suggests that children can shed SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, even if they never develop symptoms or for long after symptoms have cleared. But many questions remain about the significance of the pediatric population as vectors for this sometimes deadly disease, according to an invited commentary by Children’s National Hospital doctors that […]The post COVID-19: Asymptomatic children can shed SARS-CoV-2 for weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Singapore government has now reported more than 27,000 dengue fever cases through Aug 28 in this record setting year after recording around one thousand cases during the past week. In addition, 20 deaths have been recorded to date. In addition to educating the general public on the prevention of dengue fever, the […]The post Singapore dengue outbreak tops 27,000, Government outreach to schools appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Costa Rica Ministry of Health reported 1,193 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the country total to 38,485 confirmed cases. 411 people are hospitalized, 140 of them in intensive care with an age range of 13 to 83 years. Ten additional COVID-19 related deaths were reported, bringing the the total to 407. […]The post Costa Rica COVID-19: Outbreak update, Guidelines for antibody tests appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Toronto Public Health has received a positive laboratory report identifying Toronto’s first reported case of West Nile virus for 2020 in an adult resident. West Nile virus is an infection transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. While the risk of getting infected in Toronto is currently low, Toronto Public […]The post Toronto officials report 1st human West Nile virus case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In Finland, the Institute of Health and Welfare reports number of new coronavirus infections remains relatively small at national level. While the number and incidence of cases have risen compared to the low figures at the beginning of July, they have remained stable over the past three weeks. The increase in the number and incidence of […]The post Finland COVID-19 cases stable over past three weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

As part of its ongoing efforts to fight COVID-19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today broadened the scope of the existing emergency use authorization (EUA) for the drug Veklury (remdesivir) to include treatment of all hospitalized adult and pediatric patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, irrespective of their severity of disease. In May 2020, the FDA […]The post COVID-19: FDA broadens EUA for remdesivir appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A CDC study looking at more than 80,000 adult patients hospitalized with flu over eight seasons found that sudden, serious heart complications were common, occurring in 12% of patients, or 1 in 8. “Previous to our study, there had been suggestions between the link, but our study shows just how common it is,” said lead […]The post Influenza and serious heart conditions link is strong: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a mosquito-borne illness, has been detected in 11 horses in 8 South Carolina counties in the Lowcountry, Midlands, and Pee Dee regions from July 10 to August 21, 2020. South Carolina counties in which the virus has been […]The post Eastern Equine Encephalitis: 11 horses in 8 counties since July appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

South Carolina health officials report that a bobcat located near Hassie Road and Mossy Point Court in Marion, S.C., tested positive for rabies. One pet was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. “Keeping your pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccination is the easiest way to protect you […]The post South Carolina: Bobcat tests positive for rabies in Marion appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An international study reveals how future climate change could affect malaria transmission in Africa over the next century. Malaria is a climate sensitive disease; it thrives where it is warm and wet enough to provide surface water suitable for breeding by the mosquitoes that transmit it. For more than two decades now, scientists have suggested […]The post Malaria transmission patterns could emerge due to climate change: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Children and teenagers are less likely than adults to develop severe Covid-19 or die from the disease, according to the world’s largest study of hospital patients with Covid-19. Obesity, Black ethnicity and being under one month old are factors that increased the risk of a child being admitted into intensive care with the condition, the […]The post COVID-19 Study: Children and teenagers are less likely than adults to develop severe disease or die appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

One of the keys to bringing a viral outbreak under control is rapid detection and diagnosis, which depend on the availability of fast, low-cost, easy-to-use tests that don’t require labs or expensive equipment to process them. Scientists at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and collaborators in the United States, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone […]The post CRISPR-based tests detects Lassa and Ebola in real-time appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Getting sick with the mosquito-borne Zika virus makes people more vulnerable to developing dengue disease later on, and to suffering from more severe symptoms when they do get sick from dengue, finds a new study published online today in the journal Science. The study, which drew on data from two cohorts of Nicaraguan children who […]The post People with antibodies to Zika virus are more vulnerable to severe infection with certain types of dengue appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for the first antigen test where results can be read directly from the testing card, a similar design to some pregnancy tests. This simple design is fast and efficient for healthcare providers and patients and does not need the use of an analyzer. “This […]The post COVID-19 antigen test receives EUA, Similar in design to some pregnancy tests appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the Salmonella illness outbreak linked to peaches, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says as of August 27, a total of 78 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 12 states. 23 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been reported. Epidemiologic […]The post Salmonella outbreak to peaches update, More recalls appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Saint Lucia Ministry of Health and Wellness has continued to provide updates over the past few weeks to the public on the significant increases in trends of dengue viral infection. These increasing trends now constitute an outbreak. This means the numbers currently being reported exceed the numbers expected, and as such this warrants an […]The post Saint Lucia: Dengue fever outbreak declared appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region reported two additional Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Équateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This brings the outbreak total to 104 (100 confirmed and four probable). The death toll remains at 44. The number of health areas that have reported at least one confirmed […]The post Ebola outbreak: Two additional cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With COVID-19 vaccine development moving at a rapid pace, the American Medical Association (AMA) is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work more closely with the physician community to develop a plan for further education and transparency surrounding COVID-19 vaccine candidates. In a letter sent to the FDA, the AMA notes that it is […]The post AMA Strongly Urges FDA to Ensure Transparency in COVID-19 Vaccine Development to Promote Vaccine Confidence Among Physicians, Public appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A review of COVID-19 studies reveals a troubling connection between two health crises: coronavirus and obesity. From COVID-19 risk to recovery, the odds are stacked against those with obesity, and a new study led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill raises concerns about the impact of obesity on the effectiveness of a […]The post Coronavirus and obesity: Greater risk for complications appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Sri Lanka Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Unit has reported 25,795 dengue fever cases through today, a total lower than the 35,294 cases seen during the first seven months of 2020, when Sri Lanka reported more than 105,000 cases for the year. Colombo has reported the most cases with 3,675, while Kandy has […]The post Sri Lanka: Dengue cases down in first half of 2020 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Peru’s Ministry of Health (Minsa) is now reporting 607,382 confirmed COVID-19 cases, the sixth highest count in the world, of which 414,577 people have completed their period of home isolation or were discharged from a health facility. The country’s death toll has reached 28,001, the 9th most globally. The health ministry also announced […]The post Peru: COVID-19 testing is 2nd highest in Latin America, Case count tops 600,000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Philippines health authorities reported an additional 5,277 COVID-19 cases today, putting the country’s case tally over the 200,000 mark (202,361). The majority of the newly announced cases were from the National Capital Region (NCR), or Metro Manila with 3,157 cases, Laguna with 403 cases, Negros Occidental with 304, Rizal with 237, and Cavite […]The post Philippines COVID-19 outbreak tops 200,000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Intravacc, a global leader in translational research and development of viral and bacterial vaccines, has partnered with American, Buffalo, NY, based Therapyx, to further develop and optimize the world’s first prophylactic vaccine against gonorrhea, NGoXIM. For this Therapyx received a $ 2.8 million Phase IIB grant in the US and has chosen to partner with Intravacc […]The post First Prophylactic Gonorrhea Vaccine Developed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials from the Mongolian National Center for Zoonotic Diseases are reporting (computer translated) three additional suspected cases of the bubonic plague in Uvurkhangai province. Three members of a family are affected–mother and her two children–after eating marmot meat recently. Officials say the patients are currently hospitalized. Year to date in Mongolia, 16 […]The post Bubonic plague in Mongolia: 3 suspected cases in one family appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials in Thailand reported an additional 508 chikungunya cases in the past week, bringing the total cases through Aug. 24 to 7396 from 69 provinces. Chanthaburi, Uthai Thani, Lamphun and Rayong provinces saw the highest incidence. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. In […]The post Chikungunya: Thailand cases top 7000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hostess Brands is expanding its voluntary recall of certain Hostess® Raspberry Zingers® because the product may develop mold prior to the best by date. The expanded recall applies to the following Raspberry Zinger® products: Product Description: Item UPC: Batch: Best By Dates: Hostess Raspberry Zingers (Multi-Pack fresh) 888109110604 H062424000 H062524000 H062624000 H062724000 H070724000 H070824000 […]The post Hostess Raspberry Zingers recalled due to mold potential appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin increases heart risk, finds global study The combination of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM) has been linked to significant cardiovascular risks, including mortality, in the largest safety study ever performed on both HCQ and HCQ+AZM. This network study, led by the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics community, was recently published in Lancet […]The post Hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19: Two different studies appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers around the world are racing to find a COVID-19 vaccine to eliminate the need for social distancing, mask wearing, and limits on interpersonal gatherings. In a new study, a computer simulation model found that if 75 percent of the population gets vaccinated, the vaccine has to have an efficacy (ability to protect against infection) […]The post COVID-19 vaccine will have to be at least 80 percent effective to achieve a complete ‘return to normal’: Model appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of Nature’s Menu® Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their […]The post Dog food recall: Nature’s Menu brand pulled due to Salmonella risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) saw another 1,000 total monkeypox cases in the past month, rising from 2,591 cases on July 5 to 3,567 on August 9, according to the World Health Organization. The monkeypox death toll in DRC has also risen to 132 through Aug. 9. WHO notes that one […]The post Monkeypox in DRC rises by another 1,000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Nigeria has been declared free of wild poliovirus as has the entire African continent, according to UN health officials. Dr Walter Kazadi Mulumbo, WHO Nigeria Country Representative, said, “WHO rejoices with the people and government of Nigeria and acknowledges that wild polio-free certification is undoubtedly the greatest public health triumph in the annals […]The post Nigeria declared free of wild poliovirus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

More than 32 million children under the age of five vaccinated in 130 districts across Pakistan during the immunization campaign. In addition to the polio drops, children (aged between 6-59 months) received Vitamin A supplements during the campaign started on 13 August. According to the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, a total of […]The post Pakistan polio vaccination: More than 32 million children reached across the country appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bavarian Nordic A/S announced topline results from the pivotal Phase 3 study of the freeze-dried formulation of its MVA-BN® smallpox vaccine. The Phase 3 lot-consistency study was agreed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the only Phase 3 study required to support licensure of the freeze-dried formulation. The liquid-frozen formulation of the vaccine […]The post Smallpox vaccine: Bavarian Nordic announces topline results from study on freeze-dried formulation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The risk of transmitting the livestock virus PPRV, which threatens 80 percent of the world’s sheep and goats, increases with certain husbandry practices but not herd size. A new study, led by researchers at Penn State, investigated how transmission of PPRV might change at different scales and identified specific husbandry practices associated with increased odds […]The post Sheep and goat plague virus: New research identifies livestock husbandry practices that increase transmission risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Chinese health officials are reporting a shigellosis outbreak in Shou County, Anhui province. Some 493 cases have been reported since Aug. 20. At least 293 people were hospitalized. Officials suspect to outbreak is linked to flooding from the Yangtze River which polluted drinking water. The Shou County government said that in order to […]The post Shigella outbreak sickens nearly 500 in Anhui province, China appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews COVID-19 The Uganda Ministry of Health reported Sunday that the country registered the highest number COVID-19 cases at 318 in a single day. The breakdown of the cases is as follows: • Amuru Prisons: 154 (153 inmates, 1 prison staff) • Contacts and Alerts (136) : Kampala -65, Kiryandongo-14, Gulu-9, Mbarara-9, Kitgum-8, Arua-8, […]The post Uganda: COVID-19 single day high, Yellow fever vaccination campaign, Suspected anthrax appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials in the Transcarpathian region in southwestern Ukraine have reported three cases in children of meningococcal disease, with one fatality being reported. Infectious disease physician, Viktor Petrov said on his Facebook page (computer translated), Increased interest in coronavirus significantly diverts our attention from other, no less dangerous infectious diseases like meningococcal disease. He also […]The post Ukraine: 3 meningococcal infections reported in Transcarpathia, ‘The problem with the availability of vaccines in our region is more acute than ever’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The New Zealand Ministry of Health reported nine new cases of COVID-19 Monday (eight confirmed cases and one probable case.) One confirmed case is an imported case picked up in MIQ at the Four Points by Sheraton in Auckland at routine testing around day 12. The person who has tested positive is a […]The post New Zealand COVID-19 update, Auckland will stay at Alert Level 3 through Sunday appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Philippines health officials reported an additional 2,378 COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the country total to 189,601. The Metro Manila area accounted for 1,022 of the cases, while Cebu saw 196 cases, Cavite with 132 cases, Laguna with 128 cases and Rizal with 115 cases. Approximately 91.5 percent of the cases are mild, 6.1 […]The post Philippines report an additional 1000 COVID-19 cases from Manila area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) today for investigational convalescent plasma for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to fight COVID-19. Based on scientific evidence available, the FDA concluded, as outlined in its decision memorandum, this product may be effective […]The post COVID-19: FDA issues EUA for convalescent plasma as potential treatment appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews On January 24, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) declared a Lassa fever outbreak. By May 10, the country had reported their 1,000th case–the largest Lassa fever outbreak ever reported in any country, ‘anywhere in the world’. Since early May, Nigerian health officials have reported 61 confirmed Lassa fever cases. In the […]The post Nigeria: Lassa fever cases drop significantly in recent months appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The California Department of Health issued a health advisory last week due to increasing reports of the multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO), Candida auris (C. auris). State and local health officials have say an increasing number of C. auris cases reported in southern California in recent months. Personal protective equipment (PPE) conservation strategies and […]The post California reports increase in Candida auris cases, Health advisory issued appeared first on Outbreak News Today.