Outbreak News Today

In one of the most foolish things I’ve seen in a while, French animal-rights activist and anti-specist, Aymeric Caron said, “People should not kill mosquitoes but allow them to take blood donations”?! Even other activists say he’s gone too far. Never mind the great number of pathogens–malaria, yellow fever, dengue and a slew of others. […]The post Anti-specist says don’t kill mosquitoes, It’s a mother trying feed her future children appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A week ago, an opinion piece was published in Newsday entitled, A bold plan against tick borne disease, which states that a national public -private strategy is needed. Joining me today is the co-author of the article, Holly Ahern, Holly is an associate professor of microbiology at SUNY Adirondack. A bold plan against tick-borne diseases […]The post Lyme and other tickborne diseases: ‘We need a national public-private strategy’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Vietnam has spread significantly since the first outbreak was reported on 19 February 2019. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported last week that a total of 62 provinces/cities reported outbreaks, about 3,700,000 pigs have died from the disease or been […]The post African swine fever in Vietnam: 62 provinces and cities affected, 3.7 million pigs culled appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews An Ohio woman has been left without her limbs following a rare bacterial infection contracted from a lick from her dog. According to a Fox 8 Cleveland report, Marie Trainer and her husband just returned from a Caribbean trip and were greeted by their dogs and doctors suspect they might have accidentally […]The post Ohio woman contracts Capnocytophaga infection, loses arms and legs appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Dr Brett Sutton, Chief Health Officer of Victoria, Australia issued a health alert as three confirmed measles case have been identified in Victorian residents who have returned from overseas travel. Two cases were infectious while attending public places. Date Time Location Onset of symptoms up to Saturday 20 July 4pm – 6.30pm […]The post Australia: 3 new measles cases reported in Victoria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the dengue epidemic in Bangladesh, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) says the total cases reported this year through Aug. 4 is 24,804. In July, a record 15,359 people were infected with dengue, much more than any full year since dengue records were first kept […]The post Bangladesh dengue outbreak nears 25,000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kris Newby’s book, Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons has sparked a lot of chatter, approving and critical, including being the impetus of legislation in Congress. In this podcast, I look at what some critics have said about this thesis and how Newby responds. I also take a look at New […]The post Lyme disease: A military experiment gone wrong? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The number of dengue fever cases in Sri Lanka has reached 34,078 through Aug. 2, according to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Epidemiology Unit. Twenty-one percent of the cases have been reported in Colombo, which has seen 7,260 cases. Gampaha (4,917), Galle (3,397) and Kalutara (2,967) follow, respectively. While the MOH does […]The post Sri Lanka: Colombo reports more than 7,200 dengue cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Japan Ministry of Health reported (computer translated) that a woman suspected of contracting Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), has tested negative for the virus. In Saitama Prefecture, the woman in her 70s who had a history of staying in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and had symptoms of fever after returning […]The post Tokyo woman tests negative for Ebola appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the dengue fever outbreak in Honduras, the Ministry of Health reported Friday that the case count is now at 42,300, including 59 fatalities, according to a Telesur TV report (computer translated). More than 9,000 severe dengue cases have been reported to date. The number of cases to date […]The post Honduras dengue outbreak: 42K cases in 2019 to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bangladesh is experiencing the worst dengue outbreak, which has spread to all 64 districts in the country. In July 2019, there were more cases reported than in any full year. In this podcast, I look at the situation a little closer, the numbers, the serotypes, and the protests and criticisms of the government response. […]The post Bangladesh: A Record Dengue Season appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials in New Brunswick, Canada are investigating an outbreak of seven confirmed cases of legionellosis in the Greater Moncton area. “Public Health is investigating to determine potential sources of legionella bacteria,” said Dr. Cristin Muecke, deputy chief medical officer of health. “Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend individuals who become […]The post Canada: Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Moncton, New Brunswick appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The one year anniversary of the 10th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has come and past and things aren’t looking much better. According to the DRC Ministry of Health, Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 2,713 with 1,823 deaths as […]The post Ebola update: 4 cases in Goma, 85 cases average reported weekly over last 6 weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Roundworm infections can be reduced significantly simply by improving the treatment and quality of drinking water in high risk regions, according to an international team of researchers led by Tufts University. The discovery emerged from a two-year study, published in PloS Medicine, which examined the effects of water quality, sanitation, handwashing and nutritional interventions on […]The post Ascaris infections reduced 18 percent with improved water treatment: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A novel experimental vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of severe respiratory illness in the very young and the old, has shown early promise in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The candidate, DS-Cav1, was engineered and developed by researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the […]The post Experimental RSV vaccine prompts antibody surge appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Texas animal health officials reported 16 additional vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) during the past week. All cases of VSV had been found on equine premises until July 30, 2019 when the first case of VSV was confirmed in cattle in Gonzales County. An additional 65 suspect cases were also identified. The Texas Animal […]The post Texas reports 16 additional Vesicular Stomatitis cases in past week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Wild poliovirus type 1 With three additional wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases reported in the past week, this brings the total for 2019 through the end of July to 59, nearly double the 33 total cases seen in all of 2018. In Afghanistan, one WPV1 case has been reported in the past […]The post Polio update: WPV1 cases in 2019 nearly double last year, Myanmar reports 3rd cVDPV1 case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews This year in Europe, 33 human West Nile virus (WNV) infections have been recorded, with the bulk of the cases seen in Greece. Through Aug 1, Greece has reported 25 of the 33 cases, followed by Romania, Hungary, France and Italy. Of the 25 WNV cases in Greece, 17 being neuroinvasive cases and […]The post Greece reports two West Nile virus deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Earlier this week, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball warned consumers in Columbia County and the surrounding area not to consume unpasteurized raw milk from Foundation for Ag Integrity dba Churchtown Dairy due to possible Listeria Monocytogenes contamination. Foundation for Ag Integrity dba Churchtown Dairy is located […]The post New York: Listeria monocytogenes contamination in raw milk in Columbia County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials with the Busan City Government in southeastern South Korea are reporting an hepatitis A outbreak linked to a local, unnamed restaurant, according to a Korea Times report. Officials say 64 people who ate at the restaurant between mid-June and early July were infected and salted clams (jogae jeotgal) are suspected as the […]The post South Korea: Hepatitis A outbreak linked to Busan restaurant appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Tacloban City Health officials in Tacloban City have reported some 750 dengue fever cases through July 26, including eight deaths. Despite the surge in cases this year, officials say the situation is “still manageable”. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez said there is no need to declare a state of calamity in the city. “Usually, […]The post Philippines: Tacloban reports 750 dengue cases, Bicol issues ‘code blue’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Auckland Regional Public Health Service has reported 305 measles cases through Aug. 2, while nationally more than 400 cases have been seen, according to ESR surveillance. The number of measles cases in the city have been rising quickly lately seeing an average of 8 cases daily. The disease surfaced in Auckland in late March […]The post Auckland measles cases top 300 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF) reported this week that Yemen has eliminated lymphatic filariasis as public health problem, making them the second country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) to achieve this. Yemen’s success comes after almost two decades of tremendous efforts of sustained elimination […]The post Yemen: Lymphatic filariasis eliminated as a public health problem appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Two confirmed cases of sylvatic plague in black-tailed prairie dogs at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge were reported Wednesday prompting the closures of several areas at the refuge and in Commerce City, CO. “Plague in prairie dog colonies is common in Colorado and can be managed safely with insecticide to kill […]The post Plague prompts closure of several areas at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Ulster County, NY health officials announced yesterday of a resident who passed away earlier this week from the Powassan virus, a rare and often serious disease spread by infected ticks. This is the first known case of an individual diagnosed with the Powassan virus in New York State this year. The resident, who […]The post Powassan virus death confirmed in Ulster County, NY appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In Philadelphia Thursday, Health Commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley, declared that the ongoing outbreak of Hepatitis A in Philadelphia is a public health emergency. To date in 2019, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Division of Disease Control, has confirmed 154 reports of acute Hepatitis A disease compared to an expected 3 reports as […]The post Philadelphia: Hepatitis A outbreak prompts public health emergency declaration appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Since the beginning of the year, Florida has seen 2,034 hepatitis A cases, nearly double the total cases from 2014-2018 (1175). While the Department of Health issued a Public Health Advisory last November, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees declared a Public Health Emergency to address the increase in Hepatitis A cases in Florida. […]The post Hepatitis A: Public Health Emergency issued in Florida appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists using an experimental treatment have slowed the progression of scrapie, a degenerative central nervous disease caused by prions, in laboratory mice and greatly extended the rodents’ lives, according to a new report in JCI Insight. The scientists used antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), synthetic compounds that inhibit the formation of specific proteins. Prion diseases occur when normally […]The post Experimental treatment slows prion disease, extends life of mice appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus, a mosquitoborne flavivirus, is the most common vaccine-preventable cause of encephalitis in Asia. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated recommendations from it’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the JE vaccine. Joining me today to discuss JE, the vaccine, travel and the updated recommendations is […]The post Japanese encephalitis and the new vaccine recommendations appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The number of dengue fever cases and deaths continue to rise in Singapore. According to the latest National Environment Agency (NEA) data, 8946 cases have been reported through July 31–about five times more than the total number of dengue cases reported in the same period last year. In addition, the dengue death total […]The post Singapore dengue outbreak: Nearly 9000 cases through July appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Federal and state health officials are reporting an additional 34 ill people in this outbreak in the past two weeks, bringing the Salmonella outbreak total to 127 cases in 33 states. Twenty-six people were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The multidrug-resistant Salmonella infections have been linked to contact with pig ear dog treats. […]The post Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella outbreak linked to pig ear dog treats tops 100 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews It’s been one year since this current Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was declared in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and more than 2,600 confirmed cases, including more than 1,800 deaths have been reported in parts of Ituri and North Kivu provinces. Yesterday, a one-year-old girl became the third patient to test […]The post Ebola outbreak 1 year anniversary, 3rd case in Goma appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) urges residents and visitors to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure by avoiding contact with wild and stray animals. Three individuals in Escambia County, Florida recently suffered racoon bites. FDOH-Escambia advises against feeding or attempting to feed all wild and stray animals. […]The post Raccoons: Escambia County reports 3 people suffering bites appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is reporting a hepatitis A outbreak, joining surrounding states and others across the country in fighting this national epidemic. “An outbreak occurs when we see an increased number of cases greater than what is normally expected over time,” said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. “Since […]The post Mississippi the latest state to report hepatitis A outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Last week in the journal, mBio, a team of experts issued a new call to action, urging state and federal entities to immediately fund research and develop new diagnostic tests targeting chronic wasting disease, or CWD. Joining me to discuss this issue is the director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research […]The post Chronic Wasting Disease: A Call to Action appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Novel imaging biomarker could track interventions on coronary artery disease Researchers have found that anti-inflammatory biologic therapies used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis can significantly reduce coronary inflammation in patients with the chronic skin condition. Scientists said the findings are particularly notable because of the use of a novel imaging biomarker, the perivascular fat […]The post Psoriasis therapy linked to reduced coronary inflammation in patients with the skin condition appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Ukrainian health officials are calling on the public to support the Vaccinated – Means Protected campaign as immunization numbers are much below where they should be. In Ukraine, the vaccination coverage of this infection is extremely low: only 70% of children are vaccinated, and even fewer adults are vaccinated. In 2018, every second […]The post Ukraine diphtheria and tetanus vaccination campaign: ‘Vaccinated – Means Protected’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Measles cases in Ukraine have slowed considerably in recent weeks; however, officials say they will start increasing again after school starts in September. The Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported 214 measles cases during the past week- 110 adults and 104 children. From 19 to 26 July the […]The post Ukraine: Measles cases slow, Expected to increase when school starts appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews North Carolina agriculture officials reported the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) of the year in the state in a four-year-old, unvaccinated mare in Cumberland County. The horse was euthanized. EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal. Symptoms include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head […]The post North Carolina reports Eastern Equine Encephalitis case in Cumberland County horse appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed a finding of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection (Indiana serotype) on an equine premises in Tillman County, Oklahoma on July 29. The seven year old horse presented with oral lesions, erosions at commissures of the mouth on July 24 when the owner had the […]The post Vesicular Stomatitis reported in Oklahoma horse appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New cases of tick-borne Lyme disease in the UK may be three times higher than previous estimates suggest, and might top 8000 in 2019, based on these figures, concludes research published in the online journal BMJ Open. Lyme disease is a bacterial (Borrelia) infection passed on through the bite of an infected tick. It has become […]The post Lyme disease in the UK: New cases might top 8,000 in 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews A hepatitis A outbreak has been declared in Washington state after a number of cases have been reported in several counties. The affected population is people who are living homeless or who use drugs. To date, the outbreak includes 13 confirmed cases: nine in Spokane County, two in King County, one in Snohomish […]The post Hepatitis A outbreak declared in Washington appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Negros Occidental Health officials in the province are reporting a 43 percent increase in dengue fever cases through July 20 this year. To date, 4,230 cases have been reported, compared to 2,948 during the same period in 2018. Kabankalan City has seen the most cases with 596. Province-wide, 27 deaths have been recorded, […]The post Philippines dengue: Negros Occidental cases up 43 percent, Eastern Samar under state of calamity appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The dengue fever epidemic in Vietnam has exceeded 100,000 cases in the first seven months of 2019. According to Suckhoe Doisong report (computer translated), the country has recorded over 105,000 cases of dengue fever since the beginning of the year, including 10 deaths. This has prompted the Health Ministry to set up 8 inspection […]The post Vietnam dengue cases top 100K through July appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Onondaga County health officials are reporting that a fox in Onondaga County has tested positive for rabies. Three residents were exposed to rabies as a result of an encounter with the rabid fox; however, there are no human cases of rabies in Onondaga County. Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta said, “This […]The post Onondaga County: Three people exposed to rabid fox appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak linked to the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) reports 11 lab-confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease and 55 probable cases of Legionnaires’ disease related to this outbreak through July 29. No deaths have been reported. Probable cases are people who had […]The post Sheraton Atlanta Legionnaires’ disease: 11 confirmed, 55 probable outbreak cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials with the Texas Animal Health Commission have reported anthrax on four new premises in the past week, including one each in southeast Crockett County, south Sutton County, northwest Uvalde County and northeast Val Verde County. Val Verde County is the fifth Texas county to report anthrax this year. To date, 14 premises […]The post Texas: Anthrax reported in 5th county appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), health ministry officials report 120,635 total cases through July 7. 2,162 measles deaths have been recorded. In the most recent week alone, 2,125 measles cases including 60 deaths have been reported from 23 of the 26 provinces of […]The post DRC measles outbreak surpasses 120K cases, 2,000 deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.