Outbreak News Today

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Over the course of 2019, the landlocked African country of Burundi has seen a progressive increase in the number of malaria cases reported across the 46 districts of the country. The country of some 12 million people saw a cumulative total of 8,892,300 cases and 3,294 deaths in 2019. This is a 88 […]The post Malaria: Burundi reports an 88 percent increase in cases in 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on a report Saturday, officials in Ontario, Canada confirmed that the wife of the province’s first case of Wuhan novel coronavirus has tested positive for the virus at Ontario’s public health laboratory. Since arriving in Toronto with her husband, this individual has been in self-isolation. “We are working alongside Toronto Public […]The post 2nd confirmed 2019-NoCv case in Toronto appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today critical actions to advance development of novel coronavirus medical countermeasures. As with any emerging public health threat, the FDA will collaborate with interagency partners, product developers, international partners and global regulators to expedite the development and availability of medical products needed to diagnose, treat, mitigate and […]The post Novel coronavirus medical countermeasures: FDA announces key actions to advance development appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Merck announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a New Drug Application (NDA) for DIFICID® (fidaxomicin) for oral suspension, and a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for DIFICID tablets for the treatment of Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in children aged six months and older. DIFICID is a macrolide antibacterial […]The post Clostridioides difficile antibiotic, DIFICID, receives FDA approval for treating children aged six months and older appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Cambodia Ministry of Health reported in a press release (see below) the first confirmed case of novel coronavirus. The case was detected Monday in a 60-year-old Chinese man who arrived from Wuhan on last Thursday. Officials say three family members who accompanied him tested negative for the virus. Cambodia is just the […]The post Novel coronavirus case reported in Sihanoukville, Cambodia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials with Queensland Health are reporting a confirmed case of measles in Brisbane’s South. The individual spent time at the following locations while unknowingly being contagious. Flight Quantas QF 52 (Singapore to Brisbane) flight that arrived at Brisbane airport at 6 am on Friday 17 January 2020. In the Brisbane international airport area from […]The post Measles case reported in Brisbane appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new treatment developed by researchers at Aston University and Birmingham Children’s Hospital has been found to completely kill a bacterial infection that can be deadly to cystic fibrosis patients and other chronic lung conditions such as bronchiectasis. The findings, which are published in the journal Scientific Reports, show that scientists from Aston University, Mycobacterial Research […]The post Cystic fibrosis: New treatment found to kill Mycobacterium abscessus infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Taiwan The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced the fifth imported case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus infection (2019-nCoV) in Taiwan. The case is a 50-year-old female who resides in middle part of Taiwan. She went to Wuhan, China for work in the second half of October of 2019 and had neither history of […]The post Taiwan reports 5th imported novel coronavirus case, HKU experts estimate more than 40K cases in Wuhan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Australia The New South Wales Department of Health (NSW Health) reports three cases of novel coronavirus (2019-NoCv) today. Two other cases are under investigation. Two of the men have been to Wuhan, China. The remaining case, also a man, has had direct contact with a person who has been diagnosed with the new […]The post Australia: 2019 Novel coronavirus confirmed in three in NSW, Death toll rises to 80 in China appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) announced today that a Maricopa County resident has been diagnosed with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. The confirmed case is in a person who recently returned from travel to Wuhan, China. The patient is a member of the […]The post Arizona reports 2019 Novel Coronavirus case in Maricopa County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In this video update on the 2019 Novel coronavirus outbreak, the news keeps pouring in and in this video report we see the 4th 2019-NoCv case reported in the US–this time in LA County. Other important news includes the Chinese government reporting that new coronavirus is contagious during the incubation period, which is […]The post Novel coronavirus in Los Angeles and other updates appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Measles Thailand health officials reported 6,527 measles cases from 74 provinces in 2019. This includes 21 deaths due to measles. The three most common age groups are 0-4 years old (32.02%) 15-24 years (23.30%) 25-34 years (19.99%). Provinces with the highest incidence include Narathiwat, Pattani, Phetchaburi, Yala and Chiang Mai. Only three provinces […]The post Thailand infectious diseases 2019: Measles, dengue and melioidosis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Ministry of Health (MOH) said Sunday (computer translated) that from January 10, 2020 until January 26, 2020 at 12.00 noon, the cumulative number of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Patient-Under Investigation (PUI) cases; of which 14 are Malaysian nationals, eight Chinese nationals and one Jordanian. Out of the 23 cases of PUI, there is […]The post Malaysia novel coronavirus update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Below is a computer translated transcript of China’s National Health Commission press conference today (it’s a long read, but worth the time): Time: January 26, 2020 　　Location: Information Office of the State Council 　　Host: Deputy Director of the Information Bureau of the State Council Xi Yanchun Jun Jiabin 　　Guest: Director of the National Health Committee and […]The post China novel coronavirus: National Health Commission press conference transcript appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials with the Orange County (CA) Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that an Orange County, California case has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The case, a traveler from Wuhan, China, has been in contact with the HCA and […]The post California: Novel coronavirus case confirmed in Orange County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials with the Toronto-based Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre are reporting caring for a patient who has a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. On January 23, an adult male presented to the Sunnybrook Emergency Department with fever and respiratory symptoms. The patient was screened and in addition to […]The post Toronto: Novel coronavirus case treated at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Malaysia Ministry of Health has reported four confirmed imported novel coronavirus (2019-NoCv) cases through Jan. 25. According to health officials, three cases are family members of a 66 year-old male Chinese national from Wuhan who arrived in Singapore with his family Monday. They are the 65-year-old wife and their two grandchildren, ages […]The post Malaysia: 4 novel coronavirus cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) report intensifying efforts as increasing number of Lassa fever cases are reported across states in the country. As at the 24th of January 2020, 195 confirmed cases and 29 deaths had been reported in 11 states. Of the confirmed cases, 89% are from Ondo, […]The post Nigeria steps up Lassa fever response appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Ministry of Health of Castilla-La Mancha has reported a new outbreak of trichinosis in the province of Ciudad Real with 2 affected from a family of 9 people, the first outbreak of the year, according to a report in Animal Health (computer translated). It is reported the family members contracted the parasite […]The post Trichinosis cases reported in Central Spain appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews On Friday, Florida Senator Rick Scott called on the Trump Administration to declare the 2019 Novel coronavirus a national public health emergency. Scott said, “We have to get serious about the threat of coronavirus coming from China. I don’t trust Communist China to coordinate in a transparent and efficient manner when it comes to […]The post Florida Sen. Rick Scott: ‘We have to get serious about the threat of coronavirus coming from China’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Paraguay health authorities report starting off 2020 with a major dengue fever outbreak this far into January. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) through Epi week 2 of 2020, 6892 confirmed and probable cases have been reported. This number is higher than numbers reported by the Ministry of Health (computer translated) […]The post Dengue outbreak in Paraguay: DEN-4 predominant, President Abdo falls victim appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews China update The break-neck speed of the 2019-NoCv outbreak continues as China reported (computer translated) an additional 444 confirmed novel coronavirus cases, including 16 deaths. This brings the total to 1287 confirmed cases of pneumonia with new coronavirus infection in 29 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), including 237 severe cases and 41 deaths […]The post China coronavirus cases near 1300, Australia confirms first case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews France’s Ministry of Solidarity and Health reported (computer translated) Friday three confirmed cases of infection with the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The three patients, having stayed in China, are currently hospitalized in referral health establishments (ESR), one in Bordeaux and two in Paris. All the necessary isolation and hygiene measures have been taken. An in-depth […]The post France: Three 2019-nCoV cases confirmed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In 2019, we saw one of the worst years on record for dengue worldwide. Numbers were up in Asia, Africa and the Americas. Joining me today from London to look at the past year in dengue, the progress with vaccines and 2020 and beyond is Kamran Rafiq. Kamran is the Co-Founder and Communications […]The post Dengue in 2019, the vaccines and the quest for a World Dengue Day appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reports investigating three additional imported cases of novel coronavirus infection. This brings the total cases in Hong Kong to five. Information on the cases are as follows: The first case involved a 62-year-old female who lives in Wuhan, Hubei Province with good past health. According […]The post Hong Kong reports three additional imported cases of novel coronavirus infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the second of two nationally diagnosed novel coronavirus, or 2019-NoCv cases, city of Chicago health officials say the local patient, a woman in her 60s who recently returned to Chicago from Wuhan, China, is in stable condition and remains hospitalized. “We’re pleased that the patient is doing well and […]The post Chicago health officials: 2019-nCoV patient in stable condition and hospitalized appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today confirmed the second infection with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States has been detected in Illinois. The patient recently returned from Wuhan, China, where an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by this novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December 2019. The patient […]The post Illinois: 2nd travel related novel coronavirus case reported in the US appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) have reported the first wild poliovirus 1 (WPV1) case of 2020 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. Pakistan also saw an additional case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is included with the 2019 numbers, bringing the total in Pakistan last year to 136. Additionally, four WPV1-positive […]The post Pakistan reports 1st wild poliovirus case of 2020 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists have detected Marburg virus in fruit bats in Sierra Leone, marking the first time the deadly virus has been found in West Africa. Eleven Egyptian rousette fruit bats tested positive for active Marburg virus infection. Research teams caught the bats separately in three health districts. The presence of Marburg virus, a close relative to […]The post Marburg virus: Scientists detect virus in Sierra Leone fruit bats appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Novel coronavirus epidemic situation The Chinese government reported recently (computer translated) that as of Jan. 23, the National Health and Health Commission has received a total of 830 confirmed cases of pneumonia of new coronavirus infection in 29 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), including 177 severe cases and 25 deaths, including 24 cases […]The post Novel coronavirus epidemic situation, US State Dept. says do not travel to Hubei appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Lassa fever case count and death toll continues to rise in Nigeria this January. The Nigerian CDC reported an additional 81 confirmed Lassa cases during the week ending Jan. 19, bringing the case tally for 2020 to 163 to date. In addition, 10 more deaths were reported that week. Nigeria has seen […]The post Nigeria reports increasing confirmed Lassa fever cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Ten months after the catastrophic Haiti 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck in January 2010, a cholera outbreak was confirmed in Haiti. V. cholerae serogroup O1, biotype Ogawa was identified as the strain. Since that outbreak began in October 2010, some 820,000 people were affected and 9,792 died. In some spectacular news today, UN health officials […]The post Haiti: One year cholera free appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials in Vietnam are reporting (computer translated) two positive 2019-NoCv cases. According to Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son, two male Chinese patients, a father and son, are being treated at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Officials say the 66-year-old father came to the country from Wuhan on […]The post Vietnam reports two novel coronavirus cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews China cities shut down In what is being called unprecedented, Chinese officials have essentially put the city of Wuhan, with the population of 11 million, on lock down. According to officials (computer translated): On January 23, 2020, the city’s urban bus, subway, ferry, and long-distance passenger transportation will be suspended; for no special […]The post 2019-nCoV: Wuhan shut down, Not a Public Health Emergency of International Concern appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) reported today the confirmation of a imported case of novel coronavirus infection in the city-state. The individual is a 66 year-old male Chinese national from Wuhan who arrived in Singapore with his family Monday. He is currently warded in an isolation room at the Singapore General Hospital […]The post Singapore confirms imported case of novel coronavirus, CDC says avoid all nonessential travel to Wuhan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the measles situation in American Samoa, government officials report a 12th confirmed case, with three suspected cases with laboratory results pending. All the cases have been reported on the island of Tutuila. Rash onset date for last laboratory confirmed measles case: December 31, 2019. Outbreak Declaration will be lifted […]The post American Samoa measles count now 12 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Macao Health officials in Macao reported (computer translated) a confirmed second case of new coronavirus in a 66-year-old male tourist from Wuhan. He was detected by the health bureau quarantine staff as having fever and temperature when entering Macau through the checkpoint yesterday. At 38.7 degrees, he was rushed to the special emergency […]The post Novel coronavirus update: 2nd case in Macao, Emergency Committee undecided appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Just as Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber this year announced his Lyme disease diagnosis, bringing new attention to the illness, a University of Guelph research lab has published a paper intended to improve testing, treatment and patient prognosis. The paper, which is likely the most comprehensive scientific review of the disease microbiology, gives researchers an […]The post Lyme disease research to help researchers and clinicians better understand the complex disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials with the University of North Carolina’s Campus Health are reporting a confirmed case of mumps in a UNC-Chapel Hill student. The dates the student may have been infectious were January 11 through the 18. The risk to the general population of contracting mumps from this student is low. Symptoms from exposure to […]The post North Carolina: Mumps case confirmed at UNC-Chapel Hill appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Florida Department of Health saw an additional 40 outbreak hepatitis A (HAV) cases during the past week, bringing the total to 4,046 cases since Jan. 2018. This also puts the case tally for 2020 to over 100. Health officials say the number of reported hepatitis A cases more than doubled from 2016 […]The post Florida reports 40 additional hepatitis A cases in past week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England released a statement today concerning the novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan City, China. Officials say that starting today, enhanced monitoring will be in place from all direct flights from Wuhan to the UK. The enhanced monitoring package includes a number of measures to provide advice to […]The post Novel coronavirus: Enhanced monitoring will be in place from all direct flights from Wuhan to Heathrow, London appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reports investigating a highly suspected imported case of novel coronavirus infection. According to the CHP, the case involved a 39-year-old male who lives in Wuhan with good past health. He developed fever and blocked nose since yesterday (January 21). He travelled from Wuhan to Shenzhenbei […]The post Hong Kong officials investigate ‘ highly suspected’ imported novel coronavirus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Fully vaccinating children reduces the risk of hospitalization associated with influenza by 54%, according to a study by researchers at the University of Michigan, the Clalit Research Institute, and Ben-Gurion University in Israel. The study, published in the December 2019 issue of the journal Clinical Infectious Disease, is one of the few studies worldwide that has tested […]The post Flu vaccination: Fully vaccinating children cuts hospitalization in half, according to researchers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews After a “bad dengue year in 2019”, Philippines health officials have declared the epidemic “over”. Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III made the announcement today. Duque said that cases of, as well as deaths due to dengue decreased in the last few months. Through Dec. 21, the cumulative number of cases was […]The post Philippines DOH declares dengue epidemic ‘over’, more than 400K cases reported in 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials are reporting the first confirmed novel coronavirus case in Macao (computer translated). According to the release, a female passenger from Wuhan came to Macao via Gongbei Port on the 19th of this month, and went to the Earl General Hospital for medical treatment on the 21st. She was diagnosed with a […]The post Novel coronavirus case reported in Macao, 9th case reported outside China appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Thailand Public Health Ministry reported (computer translated) during a teleconference today on two additional confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the country. The two patients include the first Thai resident, a a 73-year-old woman who recently returned from Wuhan City, China. She is currently being treated at a hospital in Nakhon Pathom. The […]The post Thailand reports 1st Thai patient with coronavirus, country total now 4 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Federal health officials reported today of the first confirmed case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States in the state of Washington. The patient, age 35, recently returned from Wuhan, China. The patient returned to the United States from Wuhan on January 15, 2020. The patient sought care at a medical facility […]The post Novel coronavirus reported in traveler in Washington State, Health screening to begin in Atlanta, Chicago appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials with the Guangdong Provincial Health Committee are reporting (computer translated) three additional pneumonia cases confirmed positive for the novel coronavirus (2019-NoCv). bringing the total in the province to 17. The three new cases were reported from the following cities: Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Zhanjiang. All three cases (1 male, 2 female) had […]The post China coronavirus: More cases confirmed in Guangdong province appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the novel coronavirus (2019-NoCv) situation in Shanghai, China, a city with a population of some 24 million, city health officials report (computer translated) four additional confirmed cases, bringing the total in the city to six. The new patients include three males and one female. Among them, 3 cases had a […]The post Shanghai novel coronavirus tally up to 6 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews For the first time in 20 years, Brazil health authorities are reporting (computer translated) a confirmed case of Brazilian hemorrhagic fever. During this period, there were four cases in humans, three cases acquired in a wild environment in the state of São Paulo and one due to infection in a laboratory environment, in […]The post Brazilian hemorrhagic fever case reported in São Paulo state appeared first on Outbreak News Today.