Outbreak News Today

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported this week that officers assigned to O’Hare International Airport, International Mail Facility (IMF) intercepted packages containing prohibited medical drug kits arriving from the United Kingdom. On March 17, 2020, CBP officers intercepted shipments containing “Test Kits” for various viruses and diseases to include COVID-19. Not […]The post Fake COVID-19 tests seized at O’Hare, Chicago joins the State of Illinois in issuing a Stay at Home order appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Louisiana Department of Health on Saturday evening confirmed four additional deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the total to 20. The deaths of an 83-year-old Orleans Parish resident, a 50-year-old Orleans resident, a 77-year-old Jefferson Parish resident and a 90-year-old Orleans Parish resident were reported. All aside from the 83-year-old individual had underlying medical conditions. […]The post Louisiana coronavirus deaths rise to 20 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Italy Ministry of Health reported an additional 6,557 COVID-19 cases and an additional 794 deaths in the past 24 hours. This brings the country’s total to 53,588 cases and 4825 deaths. Lombardy region in Northern Italy has reported 25,515 cases and 3,095 deaths alone, for a case fatality of more than 12%! New restrictions […]The post Italy COVID-19 cases, deaths skyrocket: New restrictions imposed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews New Jersey state health officials reported an additional 442 new positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the state total to 1,327. In addition, there are now 16 deaths reported in New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 107, directing all residents to stay at home until further notice. The order provides for […]The post New Jersey COVID-19 death toll now 16, Governor Murphy announces statewide stay at home order appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews New York State health officials report the number of coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases have risen to 10,356 through Saturday afternoon. New York City accounts for for 60 percent of the state’s total (6,211) followed by Westchester County (1,387), Nassau County (1,234) and Suffolk County (662). New York has reported 60 deaths […]The post New York COVID-19 cases top 10K, ‘What you need to know’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) are now reporting 307 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Saturday, including 19 deaths. Quezon City (14.3%), San Juan City (8.8%) and Pasig City and Makati City, each accounting for 6.2% of cases, are the cities reporting the most cases nationally. In addition, DOH announced the acquisition of […]The post Philippines COVID-19 cases top 300, More labs testing appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Polio The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reported this week on a case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) in Malaysia. The case reported in Sabah province makes it the first case in 2020. The total number of cases reported in 2019 remains three. COVID-19 The Ministry of Health reported an additional […]The post Malaysia reports 1st polio case of 2020, 153 additional COVID-19 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Georgia state health officials are now reporting 485 coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases to date, including 14 deaths (nearly a 3 percent CFR). To date, Fulton (88), Bartow (54), Cobb (47) and Dougherty (44) counties have reported the most cases. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) reports epidemiologists are on-call 24/7 […]The post Georgia health officials report 14 COVID-19 deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) in Switzerland reported the number of coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly. The latest numbers show the country has seen 5,544 cases to date, including 56 deaths (1% CFR). Government officials call on the population to take responsibility: stay at home. The Federal […]The post Switzerland: COVID-19 cases top 5500, Meetings of more than five people in public spaces are prohibited appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials in Costa Rica report 113 confirmed coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases as of Friday. Positive cases have been reported in 27 cantons (plus seven unknown) in six provinces: San José, Heredia, Guanacaste, Alajuela, Cartago and Limón. Puntarenas continues without cases. Caeas were reported in 97 adults, 9 older adults and 7 […]The post Costa Rica COVID-19: Cases top 100, First deaths reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Pakistan reported five additional wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases during the past week, bringing the total to 30 in 2020 to date. The five new cases include two in Khyber Pakhtoon and one each in KPTD, Balochistan and Sindh. Including the two confirmed cases this year in Afghanistan, the global total is 32. […]The post Pakistan polio total rises to 30 year to date, Polio workers pitching in with COVID-19 surveillance appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews New York State health officials reported an additional 2,950 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 7,102. 4,408 cases are reported in New York City. In addition, 42 total deaths have been reported. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he is signing the “New York State on PAUSE” executive order, […]The post COVID-19 in New York: Nearly 3,000 more cases reported, ‘New York State on PAUSE’ executive order issued appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews On Friday, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 130 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the country total to 1,030. Out of the 130 new cases reported today, a total of 48 cases were related to the tabligh assembly cluster at the Jamek Seri Petaling Mosque. In addition, a third death was reported. The […]The post Malaysia COVID-19 cases top 1,000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Partnering with five leading in vitro diagnostics manufacturers, an interdisciplinary team of scientists and physicians at UC San Diego Health and University of California San Diego School of Medicine today announced that the UC San Diego Center for Advanced Laboratory Medicine (CALM) is significantly ramping up testing for COVID-19, projecting a capacity to complete 1,000 […]The post COVID-19: UC San Diego partners with 5 leading diagnostics manufacturers to boost testing appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has found its way to Africa and to date, 34 of the 54 countries in the African continent have reported cases–Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Seychelles, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, […]The post COVID-19 in Africa: Nigeria, South Africa appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Georgia Esoteric and Molecular Laboratory at the Medical College of Georgia Department of Pathology has developed a novel, accurate coronavirus test that can tell patients if they are infected within about two hours instead of waiting typically days to hear from remote testing facilities. “We want patients and physicians in our community to have […]The post Coronavirus testing: Georgia researchers develop 2-hour test appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews On Thursday, California State Public Health Officer, Sonia Angell, MD issued an order requiring all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors like grocery stores, pharmacies and banks. The order […]The post California COVID-19: Statewide, mandatory STAY AT HOME order issued, Case count now 675 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Up to $2.86M has been awarded to a research team including Penn State scientists to develop a new oral antibiotic to treat multidrug-resistant gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria that have developed resistance to all but one existing antibiotic. The research team includes Penn State Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Kenneth Keiler, the U.S.-based […]The post Penn State researchers awarded $2.86M to develop a new oral antibiotic to treat multidrug-resistant gonorrhea appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Brazil Ministry of Health reported today that the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 case count has risen to 621. In addition, six deaths are now reported–in São Paulo (4) and Rio de Janeiro (2). The cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo already register cases of community transmission by coronavirus. On […]The post Brazil COVID-19 outbreak: 621 cases, 6 deaths; Lab testing appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today that 25 additional people are infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O103 linked to clover sprouts. This brings the outbreak total to 39 cases in six states (Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, Florida, and Utah). Two people have been hospitalized. On March 16, 2020, Chicago […]The post E. coli O103 outbreak linked to clover sprouts: 39 cases in six states appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo continue to make moves in the state to limit COVID-19 exposure and attempt to bring economic relief to residents as the outbreak in New York increases at a rapid pace. Cuomo today signed an executive order mandating businesses that rely on in-office personnel to decrease their in-office […]The post New York COVID-19 cases top 4,000, Mortgage relief, In-office workforce appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Spain’s Ministry of Health continue to report large numbers of COVID-19 cases. The latest numbers put the country at nearly 18,000 total cases and more than 800 fatalities. The Autonomous Community of Madrid has seen 6,777 cases, followed by Catalonia (2,702), Basque Country (1,190) and Andalusia (1,008). Following the recommendations of the WHO, the […]The post Spain: Coronavirus cases top 17K, Ministry of Health works on advancing diagnostics appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The number of deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 in Italy has surpassed Hubei, China today, the location of the initial epicenter. According to Italian health officials, Italy recorded 5,322 new cases and 427 deaths today. This brings the outbreak total in the country to 41,035 total cases and 3,405 […]The post Italy COVID-19 death count surpasses Hubei, China appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Puerperal sepsis, also known as childbed fever, is the leading cause of maternal deaths. In this novel study in The American Journal of Pathology, published by Elsevier, scientists report on the discovery of group A streptococcus (GAS) surface proteins involved in female reproductive tract infections such as puerperal sepsis that may pave the way to developing vaccines and […]The post Female group A streptococcus genital tract infections: New research shows promise for new vaccines and treatments appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Malaysia Ministry of Health (MOH) reported an additional 110 new coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the country total to 900. The death toll remains at two. Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Johor has reported the most cases. According to preliminary investigations, out of the 110 new cases reported today, […]The post Malaysia reports 110 additional COVID-19 cases, total now 900 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new study led by the University of Washington finds dramatic increases in the abundance of a worm that can be transmitted to humans who eat raw or undercooked seafood. Its 283-fold increase in abundance since the 1970s could have implications for the health of humans and marine mammals, which both can inadvertently eat the […]The post Anisakis parasite: 283-fold increase in abundance since the 1970s appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An experimental vaccine designed to protect against many flu virus strains has yielded promising results in an efficacy trial. NIAID investigator Matthew J. Memoli, M.D., designed and led the trial, which involved administering one or two doses of the experimental vaccine or a placebo injection to healthy adults. All the volunteers were later exposed to […]The post Universal Flu Vaccine Candidate: Promising Results in Efficacy Trial appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday the USNS Comfort will be deployed to New York harbor and is expected to arrive in April. The 1,000-bed hospital ship has 12 fully-equipped operating rooms and will significantly increase New York’s hospital surge capacity. The Governor is also meeting with leadership of the Army Corp of […]The post New York reports additional 1,000 COVID-19 cases, USNS Comfort will be deployed to New York harbor appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has risen to 227, as of Wednesday, according to the health ministry (Kementerian Kesehatan). Most of the positive cases have been reported in Jakarta. The 227 positive cases are reported from some 1,600 people examined. 19 deaths have been recorded. In response, the Indonesian government set […]The post Indonesia reports rising COVID-19 cases, Government prepares 227 hospitals for COVID-19 patient Care appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Nigerian CDC reported an additional 51 confirmed Lassa fever cases during the week ending March 15, bringing the total for the first 11 weeks of 2020 to 906. During the same period in 2019, the African country saw 495. The new confirmed cases were reported from 12 States (Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, […]The post Lassa fever: Nigeria reports 51 additional confirmed cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials in Italy are reporting an additional 475 deaths due to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 2,978 at of Wednesday. This is only about 150 less than what has been reported in Hubei, China. The COVID-19 case total has increased to 35,713 with Lombardy region reporting […]The post Italy coronavirus death toll nears 3,000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Los Angeles County health authorities confirmed 50 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has identified 144 cases across all areas in LA County, so everyone should be aware and practice social distancing. Public Health is investigating these cases and will notify close […]The post COVID-19 in Los Angeles County: 50 new confirmed cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Malaysia Ministry of Health (MOH) reported an additional 117 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the country total to 790. According to preliminary investigations, out of the 117 new cases reported today, 80 cases were related to the tabligh assembly cluster at the Petek Jamek Seri Petaling Mosque. To date, a total of […]The post Malaysia COVID-19 outbreak: 790 total cases, 80 additional linked to Petek Jamek Seri Petaling Mosque appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) reported in an update that the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 case count in the country has risen to 202 as of Wednesday. The death toll is now 19, health officials report. Quezon City, San Juan City and Makati City are reporting the most cases to date, […]The post Philippines COVID-19 cases top 200, DOH launches COVID-19 emergency hotlines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Costa Rica Ministry of Health reports as of Tuesday, 50 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, with an age range of 10 to 87 years. There are 24 women and 26 men, of whom 44 are Costa Rican and 6 are foreigners. Positive cases are registered in 19 cantons of five provinces: San […]The post Costa Rica COVID-19 cases reach 50, Soccer championship canceled, Calls not to hoard food appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Federal health officials report investigating a norovirus outbreak onboard Royal Caribbean International vessel, Grandeur of the Seas. The outbreak on the March 7–March 19, 2020 voyage has sickened 83 passengers and six crew members, who developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Specimens have been collected, tested onboard, and found to be positive for […]The post Norovirus outbreak reported on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Italy Ministry of Health is reporting that the total COVID-19 cases in the country now stands at 31,506. The death toll has also risen to 2,503. Lombardy (16,220), Emilia Romagna (3,931), Veneto (2,704), Piemonte (1,897), Marche (1,371) and Toscana (1,053) regions have seen the most cases to date. Elsewhere in Europe, the […]The post Italy COVID-19 epidemic tops 30K cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is stable for several hours to days in aerosols and on surfaces, according to a new study from National Institutes of Health, CDC, UCLA and Princeton University scientists The New England Journal of Medicine. The scientists found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detectable in […]The post COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2 is stable for several hours to days in aerosols and on surfaces appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) reported an additional 120 cases Tuesday, bringing the total in the country to 673. According to preliminary investigations, out of 120 new cases reported today, a total of 95 COVID-19 positive cases were related to the tabligh assembly cluster at the Jamek Seri Petaling Mosque. To date, 12 […]The post Malaysia COVID-19 cases rise by another 120, total now 673, first two deaths recorded appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today announced that The Lancet published two papers related to Takeda’s dengue vaccine candidate (TAK-003), reporting on results from the 18-month analysis of the ongoing pivotal Phase 3 Tetravalent Immunization against Dengue Efficacy Study (TIDES) trial and results from the final 48-month analysis of the Phase 2 DEN-204 trial. The analyses are consistent with previously reported safety, immunogenicity and efficacy […]The post Takeda’s Dengue vaccine candidate: The Lancet publishes papers from two studies appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Spain’s Ministry of Health reported another 2,000 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the country total to 11,178. The coronavirus related fatalities close in on 500 with 491 officially reported. Madrid and Catalonia account for more than 6,000 of Spain’s cases. The Ministry of Health also reported that they started the distribution […]The post Spain COVID-19 cases top 11,000, 1 million masks distributed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

This week, March 15-21 is National Poison Prevention Week 2020. What is poison control and what is the role of Poison control centers? Joining me today to answer these questions and more is Dr. Mazda Shirazi. Dr Shirazi is associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, a clinical toxicologist and serves as the […]The post Poison Control Centers: Fielding calls on everything from snakebites to coronavirus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that emerged in the city of Wuhan, China, last year and has since caused a large-scale COVID-19 epidemic and spread to more than 70 other countries is the product of natural evolution, according to findings published today in the journal Nature Medicine. The analysis of public genome sequence data from SARS-CoV-2 and […]The post The COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic has a natural origin, scientists say appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews A total of 33 positive cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are registered in Venezuela, after 16 new infections were confirmed this Monday. “All cases are imported: 28 are from Europe and five from Cúcuta (Colombia). Of the 33 cases, 18 are women and 15 are men, “stated the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, from […]The post Venezuela: President Maduro announces country enters ‘social quarantine’, 33 positive cases of COVID-19 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews On Sunday, Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez announced that a curfew will be put in place on the island from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily until at least March 30. Only those going to or leaving work, or in an emergency situation, will be allowed out. Retailers, gas stations, grocery stores and […]The post Puerto Rico reports 5 COVID-19 cases, Curfew imposed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Undetected cases, many of which were likely not severely symptomatic, were largely responsible for the rapid spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, according to new research by scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The findings based on a computer model of the outbreak are published online in the journal Science. The researchers […]The post China COVID-19: The explosion of cases was largely driven by individuals with mild, limited, or no symptoms who went undetected appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews COVID-19 The Brazil Ministry of Health reported Monday that the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Brazil rose to 234. The capitals Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo have already registered cases of community transmission, when the source of the contamination is not identified. With this, the country enters a new phase […]The post Brazil COVID-19 and dengue fever updates appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took two additional significant diagnostic actions during the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) by issuing Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) to: Hologic for its Panther Fusion SARS-COV-2 Assay, and Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) for its COVID-19 RT-PCR test. “Staff at FDA have been working nonstop to expedite the review and […]The post COVID-19 testing: Hologic’s Panther Fusion SARS-COV-2 Assay, LabCorp’s RT-PCR test issued EUAs from FDA appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Finally, some good news has emerged about the novel coronavirus that has spread to about 50 countries across the world. Chinese professors report in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics that it doesn’t appear that the viral infection is transmittable from pregnant mothers to newborns at birth. The study is the second out of China within the last […]The post Chinese case study suggests COVID-19 is not transmitted from pregnant mothers to newborns appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Italy Ministry of Health reported an additional 3,233 coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases and 349 deaths in the past 24 hours. This brings the lockdowned country to 27,980 total cases and 2,158 deaths. Only Hubei, China has reported more COVID-19 fatalities. The region of Lombardy, by far the hardest hit area, […]The post Italy COVID-19 death toll tops 2,000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.