Outbreak News Today

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) today reports the death of a 42-year-old McKinley County woman has died of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). This is the second case of HPS confirmed in New Mexico in 2019 and the first death. NMDOH conducted an environmental investigation at the woman’s home to help reduce further risk to others. Hantavirus Pulmonary […]The post Hantavirus: New Mexico reports 1st death of 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews On Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a number of bills, including two important health care bills–Infectious Disease Elimination Programs and Alzheimer’s Disease. Infectious Disease Elimination Programs The Drug Policy Alliance said Florida took a major step toward protecting the health and dignity of people who use drugs with Governor Ron DeSantis’s signature of […]The post Florida: Gov. DeSantis signs bills: Infectious Disease Elimination Programs, Alzheimer’s Disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Outbreaks of Cryptosporidium (Crypto) in the United States increased an average 13% each year from 2009-2017, according to a report published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Crypto, a parasite, is spread through the poop of infected humans or animals. People can get sick after they swallow the parasite in contaminated water or food or […]The post Cryptosporidium outbreaks up 13 percent each year from 2009-2017: CDC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since its discovery in 1999, Nipah virus has been reported almost yearly in Southeast Asia, with Bangladesh and India being the hardest hit. In a new study, published today in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, scientists used machine learning to identify bat species with the potential to host Nipah virus, with a focus on India – the site […]The post Nipah virus: Four additional Indian bat species were flagged as surveillance priorities appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On June 26, 2019, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, confirmed a finding of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection (Indiana serotype) on a premises in Sandoval County, New Mexico. Two horses on the premises have met the case definition of infection with compatible clinical signs and positive complement fixation test (CFT) titers […]The post Vesicular Stomatitis reported in two horses in Sandoval County, NM appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Jory Lange The Illinois Department of Public Health is investigating four cases of Legionnaires disease linked to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Three patients and an employee have been linked to the outbreak thus far. At this time, the IDPH has informed the public that it has dispatched their investigators to […]The post Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak at Advocate Christ Medical Center appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

California state health officials are urging all Californians to protect themselves from mosquito bites during West Nile virus (WNV) season, which extends from now through early fall. “West Nile virus activity in the state is increasing, so it is important to take every possible precaution to protect against mosquito bites,” said State Public Health Officer […]The post California reports increasing West Nile Virus activity, Issues warning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials in Sindh province have reported the 11th human rabies fatality in Karachi this year, primarily in children. The latest case is a 12-year old boy from Thatta died within an hour of his arrival at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) on Tuesday due to full-blown Rabies Encephalitis, officials said. The rabies […]The post Pakistan: 11th human rabies death reported in Karachi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials in Thunder Bay, Ontario have declared an HIV outbreak after a recent spike of cases in May and June were reported in the homeless/under-housed population in the city. Since January 1st, 8 cases have been reported with 2 additional cases under investigation. The total number of new HIV diagnoses in the […]The post HIV outbreak declared in Thunder Bay, Ontario appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited, a biotechnology company pioneering a new approach to synthetic vaccine development in the field of infectious diseases, today announced that it has signed an R&D agreement with the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) in Singapore to develop a fully synthetic vaccine against human viruses that cause Hand, Foot and […]The post Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease: Emergex Signs an R&D Agreement with IMCB to Develop a Vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The number of cryptosporidiosis cases reported in Pasco County, FL during the first half of 2019 is nearly what was seen in all of last year, prompting the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) to ask the public to take caution in swimming pools and water playgrounds. Cryptosporidium is a […]The post Pasco County, FL issues ‘crypto’ warning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Robert Herriman @infectiousdiseasenews 20 years ago this summer, West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in the Western Hemisphere, specifically in New York City. Today, WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States with some 50,000 human cases reported to date. Amazon Fire TV Edition|Toshiba In today’s show, I go […]The post West Nile virus in the US: 20 years ago in NYC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Robert Herriman @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the Japanese encephalitis situation in Taiwan this year, the Disease Control Agency reported yesterday (computer translated) of three additional cases, reminding the public in high-risk areas like homes near pigs and paddy fields to strengthen their anti-mosquito prevention and to vaccinate themselves and their children. According to […]The post Taiwan reports 3 additional Japanese encephalitis cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Guilford County Department of Health is reporting the ninth confirmed case of animal rabies in 2019 yesterday. The most recent case involved a fox found on Ashton Court in Greensboro. Officials remind the public that North Carolina law requires that all domestic pets (cats, dogs and ferrets), whether living inside or outside, age four months or […]The post Rabies: 9th animal case reported in Greensboro, NC area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to a Deseret News report yesterday, a migrant boy who had been detained at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection camp came to Utah with typhoid fever last month. The child was hospitalized with a severe case in Salt Lake County soon after arriving in Utah. He was treated and fully recovered and released […]The post Typhoid identified in migrant boy in Utah: Media report appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials with the Benton-Franklin Health District in Kennewick, WA reported on the investigation of a norovirus outbreak linked to a local restaurant. According to the timeline, health officials received the first reports over President’s Day weekend and at the conclusion of the investigation, 26 patrons of 3 Eyed Fish, a wine bar […]The post Norovirus sickens dozens in outbreak linked to bar drinks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New Zealand, like many countries around the globe, are seeing rising syphilis cases and intend to curb the increases with a new National Syphilis Action Plan rolled out today. Syphilis has been increasing in New Zealand every year since 2012. We are now also seeing cases of congenital syphilis in New Zealand – a condition that […]The post New Zealand syphilis cases rise, concern over congenital syphilis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Recently, Spanish media reported (computer translated) on several chikungunya cases in Icelandic tourists after having spent a vacation in Alicante. Iceland’s Directorate of Health confirmed this report (computer translated) stating, Recently, news has emerged that four of the Icelanders who stayed in Alicante in Spain recently infected Chikungunya virus. Three individuals reside in […]The post Iceland confirms chikungunya in travelers to Spain appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pinellas County health officials are advising the public to take caution in swimming pools and water playgrounds because of the risk of Cryptosporidium, aka “Crypto”. In 2014, DOH-Pinellas witnessed more than 200 reported cases of Crypto in Pinellas County. As of mid-June this year, 27 cases have been reported. Cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic infection that can […]The post Crypto: Pinellas County health officials caution public appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Robert Herriman @infectiousdiseasenews On today’s show, I look at a couple of surveys/polls that question people on the thoughts and beliefs about vaccines. The Wellcome Global Monitor surveyed over 140,000 people from more than 140 countries and I share some of the findings. In addition, the American Osteopathic Association commissioned a similar, albeit smaller […]The post France has the lowest levels of trust in vaccines globally appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Health officials with NHS Mid Essex are reporting an outbreak of invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS) infections among elderly people receiving treatment for wounds in care homes and in their own homes. To date there have been 32 cases of invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS) in Braintree District, Chelmsford City and Maldon […]The post Invasive Group A streptococcus outbreak reported in Essex, England appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new risk assessment model for the transmission of Ebola accurately predicted its spread into the Republic of Uganda, according to the Kansas State University researchers who developed it. Caterina Scoglio, professor, and Mahbubul Riad, doctoral student, both in the Mike Wiegers Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Carl R. Ice College of […]The post Kansas State University researchers develop model that predicted Ebola spread in Uganda appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

HudsonAlpha scientist gets grant to study the on-off switch for gene implicated in Alzheimer disease A grant from the BrightFocus Foundation will bring $200,000 to the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology with the goal of better understanding one of the key genes implicated in causing Alzheimer disease. Nick Cochran, PhD, was awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship Award from the Alzheimer’s […]The post Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research updates appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews New York City New York City health officials reported an additional 14 measles cases in the Brooklyn/Queens area outbreak during the past week. This bringing the outbreak total to 609 since Sept. 2018. The latest cases were reported in Williamsburg (8), Borough Park (3), and one each in Crown Heights, Sunset Park […]The post NYC measles outbreak tops 600 cases, Rockland County’s emergency order renewed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health and their colleagues at the University of Texas at Austin and the National Institutes of Health Vaccine Research Center have discovered an antibody that broadly inhibits multiple strains of pandemic norovirus, a major step forward in the development of […]The post Norovirus: UNC breakthrough brings us closer to a vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Some MRSA infections could be tackled using widely-available antibiotics, suggests new research from an international collaboration led by scientists at the University of Cambridge and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Since the discovery of penicillin, the introduction of antibiotics to treat infections has revolutionised medicine and healthcare, saving millions of lives. However, widespread use (and misuse) […]The post MRSA treatment: Research suggests widely-available antibiotics could be used appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A recent Harris poll reveal that more than two in five American adults (45 percent) say something has caused them to doubt vaccine safety. The spread of negative attitudes towards vaccines is a phenomenon deeply rooted in human psychology and amplified by social media, according to perinatal psychiatrist Rachel Shmuts, DO. “From an evolutionary perspective, […]The post Nearly half of American adults doubt vaccine safety as measles cases continue to rise appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the infectious disease situation in Mozambique since cyclone Idai struck some 100 days ago, government officials report on the latest on the cholera and malaria outbreaks. No cholera cases have been reported since May 30. The last case was reported in Nhamatanda district. A cumulative 6,768 cases and 8 deaths (CFR […]The post Mozambique: Cholera cases slow, malaria cases near 60K appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) reports confirmed Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in horses on a Kinney County premises on June 21, 2019. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the virus as the Indiana serotype. This is the first cases of VSV reported in the US this year. The horses were tested after the […]The post Texas reports 1st Vesicular Stomatitis cases in the US this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Glenn Laverack, PhD Disease outbreaks present a unique set of circumstances that require fast and innovative strategies to ‘think outside the box’ and to ‘think ahead’ to better work with communities. Disease outbreaks create fear and rumour in communities, often based on poor communication, cultural misconceptions and weak program delivery. A disease can move […]The post Ten things we now know about working with communities and disease outbreaks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have identified African swine fever virus (ASFV) proteins that can trigger an immune response in pigs. The team hopes to develop a vaccine using these proteins that is capable of protecting against the deadly disease. Published in Frontiers in Immunology, the study shows that when some pigs were challenged with a virulent strain […]The post African swine fever protein identified, hopes to develop a vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers have now shown that patients who are heavily colonized with Candida auris on their skin can shed the fungus and contaminate their surroundings. This finding provides an explanation for the extensive contamination that often occurs in healthcare facilities with C. auris outbreaks. These results can help inform infection control efforts. The research is presented at ASM Microbe, the […]The post Candida auris actively shed in the healthcare environment appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Georgia state health officials are reporting an additional confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated metro Atlanta resident who recently traveled overseas. The Department of Public Health (DPH) is notifying individuals who may have been exposed to the virus and may be at increased risk for developing measles. This is the seventh […]The post Georgia reports 7th measles case of the year in Atlanta resident appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The number of measles cases in Auckland, New Zealand has risen to 126 confirmed cases through Monday, according to the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS). Earlier this month, health officials changed the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination schedule for children due to the current outbreak. The first MMR vaccine has been […]The post Measles in Auckland rises to 126 cases in 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Robert Herriman @infectiousdiseasenews The CDC says every year, tens of thousands of Americans will get sick from diseases spread between animals and people. These are known as zoonotic diseases. Six out of every 10 infectious diseases in people are zoonotic, which makes it crucial that the nation strengthen its capabilities to prevent and respond […]The post The 8 Most Important Zoonotic diseases in the US appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Vyleesi (bremelanotide) to treat acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. “There are women who, for no known reason, have reduced sexual desire that causes marked distress, and who can benefit from safe and effective pharmacologic treatment. Today’s approval provides women with another treatment […]The post Vyleesi receives FDA nod to treat women with low sexual desire appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Out of an abundance of caution, UNFI is voluntarily recalling its 10 ounce packages of Woodstock frozen Organic Grilled Red Peppers because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes . Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune […]The post Recall due to Listeria risk: Woodstock Frozen Organic Grilled Red Peppers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By: Candess Zona-Mendola of MakeFoodSafe Five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) involving visitors to Grant’s Farm have been reported by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) this weekend. The health agency announced the outbreak just this week. The DHSS, along with the state and federal departments of agriculture and St. […]The post E. coli Outbreak Linked to Grant’s Farm appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vivaldi Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing advanced vaccines for seasonal and pandemic influenza, recently announced the publication of Phase 1 clinical trial results for its deltaFLU vaccine for protection against influenza H5N1, a strain with pandemic potential. The data published in the journal Vaccine show that Vivaldi’s deltaFLU H5N1 vaccine induced a superior antibody […]The post H5N1 influenza vaccine, deltaFLU, induced a superior antibody response appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Blood-pressure and glucose control may be effective in preventing heart block, a common form of arrhythmia, and the subsequent need for a pacemaker, according to a study by researchers at UC San Francisco. In an analysis of more than 6,000 Finnish patients, appearing online May 24, 2019, in JAMA Network Open, UCSF researchers found that more […]The post Blood pressure and glucose control may prevent common arrhythmia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nigerian health officials say there are no Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases in the country, debunking false messages being circulated on social media. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Abdullaziz Mashi Abdullahi, called on members of the public to disregard the rumor and discourage the circulation of any unverified information, which he said, could […]The post Nigeria says no Ebola in country, debunking false social media messages appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Los Angeles County health officials report investigating two LA County resident measles cases that recently traveled and became ill with measles shortly after returning to Los Angeles County, prompting the issuance of an advisory. Public Health is also looking to identify others who are at risk for measles and may have been exposed to these […]The post Los Angeles: Health officials issue measles advisory appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New research has demonstrated the presence of S. aureus in 40% of the cell phones of students sampled at a university. S. aureus is a common cause of hospital and community-based infections and is currently considered an important pathogen because of its level of antibiotic resistance. The research, conducted at the Western University of São Paulo, Brazil, is presented […]The post Staph aureus found on 40 percent of cell phones at one university: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Malaysia Ministry of Health is reporting a methanol poisoning cluster believed linked to counterfeit alcohol. For the period of June 11 to June 21, 2019, where three methanol poisoning clusters reported to the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Center (CPRC). The incidents involved 19 cases from the following states: Penang (8), […]The post Methanol poisoning cluster in Malaysia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Florida Department of Health in Martin County is encouraging vaccination and good hygiene to stop the spread of hepatitis A in the community. To date, 24 confirmed cases of hepatitis A have been reported in Martin County, including four deaths associated with complications from the virus. Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver disease primarily […]The post Hepatitis A: Martin County, FL officials urge vaccination appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the human Nipah virus case in Ernakulum district of Kerala state, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan told the Lower House of Parliament that out of 36 Pteropus species bats tested for Nipah, 12 (33 per cent) were found to be positive for anti-Nipah bat IgG antibodies, according to a Mathrubhumi report. […]The post Nipah: 12 bats test positive for the virus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) reported this past week on a confirmed anthrax case in a captive antelope on a premises in Uvalde County. This is the first such case in Texas this year. “The premises is located within the triangular area of Texas where anthrax is historically found in the soil,” said Dr. […]The post Texas: Anthrax confirmed in Uvalde County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Democratic Republic of the Congo The latest on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) shows seven new confirmed cases and 10 new confirmed deaths, according to the latest numbers released yesterday. Since the beginning of the epidemic last […]The post Ebola updates for DRC and Uganda, ‘Ebola is fake’ challenge appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Alma Pak of Alma, Georgia is recalling specific lots of product containing frozen blackberries 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 acute onset of symptoms of […]The post Norovirus prompts recall of frozen berries sold at Walmart and Save-A-Lot appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Multnomah County health officials are reporting an increase in HIV infections, after seeing declining numbers for a number of years. In the last 18 months, 42 new cases of HIV among people who report drug use as a risk have been identified in Multnomah County. Nearly half of the newly diagnosed cases […]The post Portland area reports increase in HIV cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.