Outbreak News Today

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed marketing of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) to detect Ebola virus antigens (proteins) in human blood from certain living individuals and samples from certain recently deceased individuals suspected to have died from Ebola (cadaveric oral fluid). The OraQuick Ebola Rapid Antigen Test is the first rapid diagnostic test […]The post Rapid Ebola testing: FDA allows marketing of OraQuick Ebola Rapid Antigen Test appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The incidence of reported cases of tickborne diseases in the United States has significantly increased in recent years. It is expected to continue to grow as tick species expand their geographical reach and new tick-transmitted pathogens emerge, raising the potential for serious human illness and death. A new strategic research plan from the National Institutes […]The post Tickborne diseases: NIH unveils strategic research plan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Antibiotic resistance is a one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Army scientists have developed a new weapon to combat super-bugs, which could protect Soldiers and fight resistance. Bacteriophage, a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria, kill bacteria through different mechanisms than antibiotics, and they can target specific strains, making them an […]The post Bacteriophages, superbugs and the US soldier appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Federal health officials report investigating a Salmonella Oranienburg outbreak linked to contact with pet turtles. To date, 21 people have been infected with the outbreak strain from 13 states, including seven requiring hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. Interviews with ill people indicate that contact with pet turtles is the likely source of this […]The post Pet turtles linked to latest Salmonella outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The world’s largest measles outbreak has hit a couple of grim milestones, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported 203,179 cases of measles from all 26 provinces of the country, including 4,096 deaths. UNICEF says children under the age of five represent 74 percent of […]The post DRC measles outbreak: More than 200K cases, 4,000 deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The growing appetite for animal protein in developing countries has resulted in a smorgasbord of antibiotic consumption for livestock that has nearly tripled the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in disease-causing bacteria easily transmitted from animals to humans, according to a recent report in the journal Science. Researchers from ETH Zurich, the Princeton Environmental Institute (PEI), and […]The post Antibiotic resistance in food animals nearly tripled since 2000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Cornerstone Premium Foods of Syracuse, New York is recalling a specific lot of product containing frozen blackberries (noted below) due to the potential of being contaminated with Norovirus. FDA testing of frozen blackberries was reported to have tested positive for Norovirus. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. Consumption of product contaminated with Norovirus may cause […]The post Norovirus prompts recall of frozen blackberries appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Malaysia Ministry of Health released an update on the rabies situation in Sarawak today. The rabies outbreak in Sarawak that was declared on July 1, 2017 is now entering its third year. The number of pet bites in dogs and cats is still high, averaging from 40 to 60 cases a day, […]The post Malaysia: Rabies situation in Sarawak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Hawaii state health officials received notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a laboratory-confirmed case of angiostrongyliasis, or rat lungworm disease, in an adult visitor to Hawai‘i Island. This is the seventh case reported in 2019–This includes three residents and four visitors all of which likely contracted the disease […]The post Hawaii reports 7th rat lungworm case of 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In yet another tragic report on syphilis in babies, or congenital syphilis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in the Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Surveillance Report, 2018 a total of 1,306 congenital syphilis cases reported in 2018; the most since 1995. The case rate spiked 40 percent in one year […]The post Congenital syphilis: US reports most cases since 1995 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bavarian Nordic A/S announced today the initiation of the first-in-human trial of MVA-BN® WEV, a prophylactic vaccine candidate against the equine encephalitis virus – a rare, but potentially deadly illness. The program, which is funded by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Project Manager for Chemical, Biological, Radiation, and Nuclear Medical (JPM CBRN Medical) […]The post Equine Encephalitis Virus Vaccine: Bavarian Nordic Announces Initiation of Phase 1 Clinical Trial appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In an update on the dengue fever situation in Guam, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) now reports nine confirmed cases of locally acquired dengue infection since Sept. 11, 2019, and six confirmed cases of imported dengue infection since April 2019. DPHSS, along with partner agencies, and the Guam community, […]The post Dengue cases in Guam rises to 15 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) validated China as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. China began implementing mass trachoma control in the late 1940s. In 1999, WHO held a national workshop on the assessment and management of trachoma, as it was thought to still be present in some parts […]The post China eliminates trachoma as a public health problem appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews After reporting the most measles cases since 1992, there was concern that the United States would lose it’s measles elimination status. Fortunately, with the recent announcement of the end of the outbreak in New York, that concern has passed. In the last year, the United Kingdom, Greece, Venezuela, and Brazil have lost their […]The post US holds on to measles elimination status appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

HR Wallingford is expanding its space-based early warning system for dengue fever from Vietnam to six other countries following an extension to its grant by the UK Space Agency. Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines and Sri Lanka will now benefit from the work to improve predictions of this debilitating disease in these emerging economies. […]The post Dengue fever: Space-based early warning system spreads from Vietnam to six more South-East Asian countries appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Bangladesh reported this week that the 2019 dengue fever outbreak has topped 90,000 cases. The annual figure never crossed 11,000 since the first dengue outbreak in the country in 2000. The unofficial number of deaths from dengue is now 158, official numbers reported stand at 81. […]The post Dengue outbreak tops 90,000 in Bangladesh appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region announced Monday that Kiribati has eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. “Congratulations to Kiribati on eliminating lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem,” said WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Takeshi Kasai. The achievement was do to years of effort by […]The post Lymphatic filariasis eliminated on Kiribati appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews With the news of some recent meningococcemia cases in Laguna and Batangas, Philippines health officials say the cases are sporadic and at this time there is no outbreak in the country. From January to September 21, 2019, the DOH Epidemiology Bureau has recorded 169 cases with 88 deaths (case fatality rate of 52%). […]The post Meningococcemia in the Philippines: There is no outbreak in the country according to DOH appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, FL reported the death of T-Bone, a one year old Masai giraffe. Last week, animal care staff noticed T-Bone was lethargic, uninterested in food and producing diarrhea. Veterinary staff analyzed his blood and feces, discovering evidence of higher than-normal quantities of gastrointestinal worms and anemia. He was immediately […]The post Brevard Zoo: T-Bone the Giraffe dies; Severe blood loss, parasites appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials with the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) are reporting an increase in syphilis cases prompting them to remind British Columbians to speak with their health care professional about testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially those with new sexual partners, or people who are pregnant. There were 919 new cases of […]The post Canada: BC reports increase in syphilis, 1st congenital syphilis cases in years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Robert Herriman @infectiousdiseasenews In this video, I countdown the top 10 deadliest viruses based on case fatality rate. Infectious disease news brief: Monkeypox in Singapore Polio, Pakistan, the progress and difficulties with WHO spokesperson, Oliver Rosenbauer Health promotion, disease outbreaks and public health with Glenn Laverack, PhD Medicine and the media with Amesh Adalja, MD […]The post Top 10 Deadliest Viruses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Infectious diseases know no personalities, status or other attributes that are sought after by people. No one is immune based on fame and fortune and this includes the mosquito borne viral disease, dengue fever. In the Philippines, local media report that the daughter of the President, Rodrigo Duterte, has been hospitalized with dengue […]The post Philippines President Duterte’s daughter contracts dengue appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews European health officials reported last week on a travel-associated case of a monkey malaria, Plasmodium cynomolgi, in a individual from Denmark. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the patient contracted the parasite during a visit to forested areas in peninsular Malaysia and Thailand during August-September 2018. ECDC report: […]The post Monkey malaria detected in Denmark traveler appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a report published on ProMED Mail from Ituri Province in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), officials from EcoHealth Alliance note a cluster of bubonic plague cases in the village of Omeyi in the Ongoyi health area. A family of four cases, including one fatality was reported […]The post Plague cluster reported in northeast DRC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Robert Herriman @infectiousdiseasenews In this video, I look at a public health situation the World Health Organization Emergency Committee says they are “gravely concerned” about and that’s the wild poliovirus increase reported in 2019. The situation in Afghanistan is not good and in Pakistan it’s particularly concerning. Will Nigeria and the African Region be […]The post Polio 2019: A disappointing step backwards appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Swedish health authorities, Folkhalsomyndigheten, are reporting that in the past two weeks, the number of people who have fallen ill with tularemia, or harpest, has decreased significantly and during the last week no more reports were received than during an average year. This is welcome news after a high year for tularemia cases […]The post Sweden tularemia cases decrease significantly after recording most cases in decades appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report significant increases in two tickborne diseases–anaplasmosis and babesiosis–so far in 2019. As of October 1, the CDC recorded 556 cases of anaplasmosis and 124 cases of babesiosis. That is an all-time annual high for babesiosis, and Maine is on track to surpass the […]The post Maine Tickborne Diseases: ‘Steep increases’ reported with anaplasmosis, babesiosis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Candess Zona-Mendola of MakeFoodSafe The Minnesota Department of Health announced this week an outbreak of E. coli illnesses linked to Acapulco Mexican Restaurant in Andover, Minnesota. The investigation appears to be ongoing, but the health agency contends that the outbreak is over. Minnesota Department of Health’s Information and Communications Officer Doug Schultz, Information and […]The post Minnesota E. coli outbreak linked to Acapulco Mexican Restaurant appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice this week for Pakistan due to the ongoing outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever. Health officials in Pakistan have reported an ongoing outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever that began in Hyderabad in November 2016. The strain of Salmonella Typhi does […]The post CDC issues travel alert for Pakistan due to XDR typhoid fever appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews New Hampshire state health officials issued a health alert Monday due to reports of the first congenital syphilis cases reported in six years and the rise in syphilis cases in the state. Authorities report three infants with probable congenital syphilis have been born to New Hampshire (NH) residents from May 2018 through September […]The post New Hampshire reports 1st congenital syphilis cases since 2013 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Ghana singer, Fantana, revealed Thursday on Twitter that she has come down with typhoid fever. According to the tweet: Fantana Army, I know I’ve been missing for days that’s because I’ve been sick with TYPHOID FEVER I’ll be back soon, Xoxo, Fantana Fantana in real life is called Francine Nyanko Koffi . She […]The post Ghana: Fantana reveals she has typhoid on Twitter appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador are reporting an E. coli outbreak in the province. The Department of Health and Community Services advises that there have been 22 confirmed cases of E.coli in the province this week, and Public Health officials within the department, as well as the regional health authorities are working […]The post Canada: E.coli outbreak reported in Newfoundland and Labrador appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A 5-minute soak in a 40% solution of household bleach decontaminated stainless steel wires coated with chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions, according to a new study by National Institutes of Health scientists. The scientists used the wires to model knives and saws that hunters and meat processors use when handling deer, elk and moose – […]The post Chronic Wasting Disease: Bleach inactivates the prion according to research appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials in Miami-Dade County, FL have reported three additional confirmed locally-transmitted dengue fever cases today, bringing the total in the county to eight. Two of the three local cases appear to be related. Florida has reported nine autochthonous dengue cases including one case reported in Broward County last month. Dengue is a virus […]The post Dengue fever: 3 more local cases reported in Miami-Dade County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews For the first time since 2017, New Mexico health officials have reported a human plague case. The confirmed case is reported in a 72-year-old man from Torrance County. The New Mexico Department of Health staff have gone door-to-door in the affected area to inform neighbors about plague and provided them with education to reduce […]The post Plague: New Mexico reports 1st human case of 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews While some parts of the country have been alerted to an increase in human Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) cases and deaths, the state that has seen the most human cases in the past decade has not reported a human case to date. From 2009-2018, Florida reported the most human EEE cases-13 out of […]The post Florida: No human EEE reported in 2019 to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced updated numbers related to the multistate outbreak of lung injury associated with use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Through Oct. 1, 1,080 lung injury cases associated with using e-cigarette, or vaping, products have been reported to CDC from 48 states and the […]The post Vaping lung injury cases top 1,000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Vermont state health officials announced Thursday that the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has been identified for the first time in Vermont. Typically found in tropical/subtropical climates, this mosquito species is a known disease vector for Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses, infecting humans in countries where these diseases are present. The mosquitoes found […]The post Vermont: Aedes albopictus, or Asian Tiger mosquito found in state for 1st time appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the Legionella outbreak linked to the NC Mountain State Fair, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services now reports 124 cases of Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever (a milder form of infection) had been reported in people who attended or worked at the fair. According to preliminary […]The post North Carolina Legionella outbreak: Early reports from the investigation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In June, Philippines Health Secretary, Francisco Duque III predicted the 2019 dengue fever outbreak in the country would see 240,000 cases by the end of the year. Looking back, it appears Duque was being too conservative with his estimates. According to the most recent numbers from the Epidemiology Bureau of the Department of […]The post Philippines dengue outbreak surpasses 300,000 case mark appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) can cause some serious pathology. This mosquito borne virus has seen an increase this year in the US. We see an average of 7 human cases of EEE reported annually; however, there has been some 30 human cases to date in 2019. Massachusetts and Michigan account for more than 20 […]The post Eastern Equine Encephalitis with Steven LaRosa, MD appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The number of Legionnaires’ disease cases linked to the NC Mountain State Fair continues to grow at a quick pace. According to North Carolina health officials, as of Tuesday, 116 total Legionella infections have been reported, including 109 cases of Legionnaires’ disease and seven cases of the less serious Pontiac fever. One death […]The post Legionnaire’s disease: More than 100 cases reported in North Carolina outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Los Angeles County health officials report the first death due to West Nile virus (WNV) for the 2019 season. The patient, a resident of the South Bay area, was hospitalized and died from WNV-associated neuro-invasive disease. “West Nile virus continues to be a serious health threat to residents in Los Angeles County. We […]The post Los Angeles reports 1st West Nile virus death of 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the mumps outbreak at the College of Charleston, school officials report two additional cases yesterday, bringing the outbreak total on campus to five. Per S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control guidelines, College health officials are in the process of notifying the close contacts of people confirmed to have […]The post Mumps: College of Charleston outbreak rises to 5 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today about the fourth death due to Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) this year. The latest fatality has been confirmed in a Calhoun County resident. As of Oct. 2, EEE has been confirmed in nine people, with four fatalities. Cases are in Barry, Berrien, […]The post Michigan reports 4th EEE death appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that laboratory testing has confirmed the 8th horse infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus this year. The horse was stabled in the town of Spencer in Worcester County, a community already considered at high risk for EEE. “We continue to emphasize the need […]The post Massachusetts reports 8th horse EEE case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials in Western Australia are advising the public in the Perth metropolitan area of the risk of measles following five confirmed measles cases in people who live in the Rockingham area. Children and adults who have been inadvertently exposed are at risk of developing measles if they are not already immune. Individuals […]The post Measles: Cluster reported in Perth area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Marshall Islands According to an update from the Government of the Marshall Islands, to date there have been 607 suspect dengue fever cases (DEN-3 outbreak) of which 161 have been lab confirmed, including the 51 cases reported in the past week. All the cases have been reported in Ebeye (256) and Majuro (351) […]The post Marshall Islands, Yap dengue fever updates appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Putnam County (NY) health officials report the confirmation of a positive case of measles. The patient has been isolated to avoid spreading the disease further. Measles is a serious, highly contagious disease that can be spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. In rare cases it can be deadly. “Keep in mind […]The post New York: Measles case confirmed in Putnam County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) situation in Connecticut this year, state health officials announced the death of a third person with EEE this year. A East Haddam resident who died during the third week of September was confirmed today to have had Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by the Centers […]The post Connecticut reports 3rd human EEE death appeared first on Outbreak News Today.