Outbreak News Today

New Zealand In New Zealand, health officials have confirmed 72 measles cases since the beginning of the year, including 23 that required hospitalization. More than half the cases were reported from Canterbury, while nearly two out of 10 cases were from Waikato. The majority of cases have occurred in children, adolescents and young adults aged […]The post Measles: New Zealand and Australia updates appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

It was recently reported that a polio worker in Pakistan was shot and killed while he was supporting polio eradication and immunization efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. The victim has been identified as Mr Wajid Ali of the Kamali Union Council of Tehsil Haleemzai in Mohmand District. This tragic incident drew condemnation from UN health […]The post Pakistan polio worker killed, WHO condemnation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Valneva SE, a biotech company developing and commercializing vaccines for infectious diseases with major unmet needs, announced today it will present on its Lyme disease and chikungunya vaccine candidates on April 16th, 2019 at the 19th World Vaccine Congress in Washington, D.C. Valneva’s Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Lingelbach, will provide an update and discuss next […]The post VALNEVA to Present on Lyme and Chikungunya Vaccine Candidates at the 19th World Vaccine Congress appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles situation in Ottawa, health officials have reported an additional case in a person that traveled internationally. The two cases are NOT connected. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is working closely with local health care providers and hospitals to contact individuals and families who may have been exposed to the infectious case. […]The post Canada: Additional measles case reported in Ottawa, Exposure locations appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) in Philadelphia confirmed two additional mumps cases in students yesterday, bringing the total to three. The Daily Pennsylvanian reports that Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé said that the three cases at Penn are not related to each other. All three students are no longer in isolation and are no longer contagious, Dubé said. […]The post Penn reports more mumps in students appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has reported 13 measles cases year-to-date in 2019. Of the 13 cases, there are 11 outbreak cases–7 in Ocean County residents and 4 in one Monmouth County household. This household has a direct epidemiologic link to the outbreak community in Ocean County. Between October 2018 and January 2019, […]The post New Jersey reports 13 measles cases year to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Martin County, Florida are reporting 16 hepatitis A cases as of today. The Health Department is investigating the possible modes of transmission. Officials are utilizing local, regional and state resources in this investigation. An investigation includes interviews with confirmed cases to gather lifestyle information, including food histories, that can help to pinpoint common links. […]The post Florida: Hepatitis A outbreak grows in Martin County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health is reporting an pneumococcal disease outbreak in people working the shipyards in Vestnes municipality. Since January this year, nine people working in the shipbuilding industry in Møre og Romsdal have been hospitalized with severe pneumococcal disease. These are confirmed with the same bacterial strain. The patients have been treated and discharged. In addition, […]The post Norway: Outbreak of pneumococcal disease reported in shipbuilding industry appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Ireland health officials are reporting an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), prompting calls for the public of the importance of using condoms to protect against STIs. According to the publication of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) 2018 report on STIs today, provisional data indicate a 7% increase in STIs in 2018 compared to 2017, the predominant […]The post Ireland reports 7 percent increase in sexually transmitted infections appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The CDC recently reported 465 measles cases in 19 states across the country, including seven outbreaks. This is the second-greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000. Assistant Professor at Syracuse University’s Falk College, Brittany Kmush, Ph.D. says the anti-vaccination trend is “dangerous” and parents’ fears about vaccinations are “unwarranted”. “This trend […]The post Anti-vaccination trend is ‘dangerous’ and parents’ fears about vaccinations are ‘unwarranted’: Syracuse professor appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Oxiris Barbot issued an order to the residents and those who work or attend school in the neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York who has not been vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to be vaccinated. People who demonstrate they are immune from […]The post New York City health commissioner orders vaccination amidst measles outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A research team led by scientists from NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has determined how several antibodies induced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a herpesvirus that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with certain cancers, block infection of cells grown in the laboratory. They then used this information to develop novel vaccine […]The post Epstein-Barr virus vaccine: Making progress appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nigerian health officials reported an addition 16 Lassa fever cases during the most recent week, including two fatalities. The new confirmed cases were reported from five states – Edo(6), Ondo(4), Bauchi(2), Taraba(2) and Plateau(2) with the new deaths in Bauchi(1) and Taraba (1) states. During the first quarter of 2019, 526 confirmed cases in 21 […]The post Nigeria Lassa update: 16 confirmed cases, two deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas reported this week (computer translated) on an additional African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The outbreak occurred on a farm in Yecheng County. This resulted in the death of 39 pigs out of a farm of 341. Immediately after the outbreak, the Ministry of Agriculture and […]The post ASF outbreak reported in Xinjiang Uygur appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

This morning, I was a guest for a segment on the Venezuela health and outbreak crisis on the Captain’s America: Third Watch with Capt. Matt Bruce. During the ~7-8 minute segment, I discussed the outbreaks of the vaccine-preventable diseases, measles and diphtheria and the vector-borne disease, malaria affecting Venezuela and other countries in the region. […]The post Venezuela outbreaks: Interview on the Captain’s America: First Watch appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Information Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China reported (computer translated) an African Swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Linzhi City, Tibet Autonomous Region. The outbreak resulted in the death of 55 pigs. Since the first outbreak of ASF reported in Asia (China), three other countries have reported outbreaks-Vietnam, Cambodia and Mongolia. The […]The post African swine fever reported in Tibet Autonomous Region appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported today that they are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A in southern Idaho. Since the beginning of the year, 12 cases have been reported. This compares with eight cases reported in all of 2018. Epidemiologists are working to determine possible links between the cases and are encouraging people in […]The post Idaho reports hepatitis A outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The measles outbreak in Michigan continues to grow as state health officials now report 41 confirmed cases since Mar. 13. The bulk of the cases are reported from Oakland County, while one case each has been confirmed in Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The Washtenaw County Health Department is hosting a walk-in vaccination clinic April 9, 9 […]The post Michigan measles outbreak eclipses 40 cases in less than a month appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Federal agricultural officials are reporting the presence of virulent Newcastle disease (VND) in a small flock of pet chickens in Coconino County, Arizona. This is the first case of VND in Arizona and is believed to be connected to the current outbreak of virulent Newcastle disease in California, as tests show the virus is almost identical to the […]The post Arizona: Virulent Newcastle Disease detected in Coconino County chicken flock appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Rabies The lethal diseases remains a major public health issue in the Philippines as health officials reported a total of 1,176 human rabies cases from Jan. 1, 2014 to June 30, 2018, averaging about 250 fatalities annually. The hardest hit regions include Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Soccsksargen. Health officials contribute the high number of human rabies cases to vaccinated […]The post Rabies in the Philippines, Central Visayas dengue situation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) are reporting the death of ten buffaloes at Lake Nakuru National Park, according to Kenyan media reports. Anthrax infection is the suspected cause of the die-off of the animals. “We have taken surveillance action and everything now is under control as our veterinary doctors are on the ground vaccinating the buffaloes […]The post Anthrax suspected in deaths of buffaloes in Lake Nakuru National Park appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Keeping in line with national numbers, Iowa state health officials have reported an increase in some sexually transmitted infections (STI). According to 2018 data from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), 4839 gonorrhea cases were reported, representing an 28.3 percent increase from 2017. It is unclear if the increases are due to increased access […]The post Iowa reports 28 percent increase in gonorrhea cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since 2014, some media and radio personalities have attributed the increase in Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) cases in the US to immigrant children from Central America. The latest was a segment last week on the Savage Nation with Michael Savage, a very popular talk radio program. What is EV-D68 and is it an imported disease from […]The post Enterovirus D68: ‘No evidence it’s an imported disease’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

NSW Health now report a total of 167 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis since the strain was first detected in May 2018. The outbreak is linked to contaminated eggs. The ongoing investigation into the outbreak have resulted in the following products to be recalled: Southern Highland Organic Eggs 300g (6 pack) and Southern Highland Organic Eggs 700g (12 pack). The Best Before dates on […]The post Australia: NSW salmonella cases reach 167 cases linked to eggs appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since 2014, some media and radio personalities have attributed the increase in Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) cases in the US to immigrant children from Central America. The latest was a segment last week on the Savage Nation with Michael Savage, a very popular talk radio program. What is EV-D68 and is it an imported disease from […]The post Infectious disease news brief: ‘No evidence that Enterovirus D68 is an imported disease’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Malaysia health officials reported ( computer translated) more than 38,000 dengue fever cases through April 6. Of this total, 59 fatalities have been reported. Nearly six out of 10 cases have been reported from Selangor state, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Johor. There are reports of the future release of Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes to try to […]The post Malaysia dengue total tops 38,000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two cases of mumps have been confirmed on the University Park campus, according to the Penn State University Health Services (UHS) Friday. The affected students have been isolated in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania Department of Health protocols and recommendations, and UHS staff is now identifying those who have been in […]The post Mumps confirmed at Penn State appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At least twenty-two people from Tegat Village in Molo were admitted at the Nyayo hospital in Elburgon, with residents fearing they may have contracted anthrax after consuming milk from a sick cow, according to a Citizen TV report. Elburgon assistant commissioner Naftali Korir says 18 people have been treated and discharged. The area veterinary officer has […]The post Suspected anthrax outbreak in Kenya appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hidalgo County health officials announced Friday they are investigating several posiible and confirmed mumps cases. In a press conference Friday, Director Eddie Olivarez said they have confirmed one mumps case and are investigating up to nine potential cases. Confirmation of the potential cases should be available soon. Olivarez stressed that there is no established link between the […]The post Texas: Health officials investigate mumps cases in Hidalgo County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Maryland state health officials are advising the public of a possible measles exposure in Baltimore County after authorities confirmed a measles case. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) says anyone who visited 4000 Old Court Road in Pikesville, MD on Tuesday, April 2 in Baltimore County that they may have been exposed to measles. Possible exposure times were from 9 a.m. […]The post Baltimore area: Measles case confirmed, Possible exposure in Pikesville appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the leptospirosis outbreak among Guyana Manganese Inc. (GMI) workers, local media report a second Chinese worker has died after falling sick. Both fatalities were found to have died due to hemorrhagic pneumonia as a result of leptospirosis, according to post mortem examinations. At least a dozen workers at the Manganese operation in Region One have fallen ill recently. The […]The post Guyana update: 2nd Chinese worker died from leptospirosis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Canadian health officials report investigating an outbreak of Salmonella infections involving six provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. As of April 5, 2019, there have been 63 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis illness investigated in the following provinces: British Columbia (23), Alberta (10), Saskatchewan (8), Manitoba (10), Ontario (10) and Quebec (2). Individuals became sick between November […]The post Canada: Salmonella outbreak reported in six provinces appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Indiana state health officials are reporting a confirmed measles case in the northeast part of the state. The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is working with local health departments and healthcare providers in LaGrange and Steuben counties to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the patient while infectious and to prevent further […]The post Measles case confirmed in Indiana, Exposure risks also in Texas, MIchigan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The hepatitis A outbreak in Florida is growing and in this news brief I look at the latest numbers and talk about the vaccine.The post Infectious disease news brief: Florida Hepatitis A outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Dr. Bernhard Wiedermann with the George Washington University School of Medicine was on C-SPAN Saturday morning to discuss measles and the outbreak and take questions from the viewing audience. How contagious is measles? Answer: Very Measles outbreak: 5 more cases in SE Michigan, Vaccine clinic today in Southfield New Jersey measles outbreak in Ocean County […]The post The rise of measles in the US: Dr. Bernhard Wiedermann on C-SPAN appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On this Infectious disease news brief, I look at the hepatitis A outbreak in Florida.The post Infectious disease news brief: Hepatitis A in Florida appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week of Mar. 30 through Apr. 5: 5. Hedgehogs linked to six additional Salmonella cases The CDC reported six additional Salmonella Typhimurium in the current multistate outbreak linked to hedgehogs. 4. DRC reports 29 Ebola cases in two days The number 4 post of the week was on […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Mar. 30- Apr. 5 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Guyana have reported a leptospirosis outbreak among Guyana Manganese Inc. (GMI) workers Friday. According to authorities, two Chinese nationals have been treated and released, while another mining employee, who was also tested positive for leptospirosis, is in “critical but stable condition” . One individual died from complications associated with leptospirosis Wednesday night while undergoing treatment […]The post Leptospirosis outbreak in Guyana appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed 39 total measles cases statewide since the middle of March. Since the last update, five additional cases have been confirmed in Oakland County. Unvaccinated residents, or residents who are unsure of their vaccination status, should get vaccinated. The Oakland County Health Division is offering vaccination at their […]The post Measles outbreak: 5 more cases in SE Michigan, Vaccine clinic today in Southfield appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Florida Department of Health in Martin County reported Friday that since the beginning of the year there have been 13 confirmed cases in Martin County. The Florida Department of Health considers a community “high risk” when the confirmed number of cases reaches 5. Martin County reached high risk status with 5 confirmed cases […]The post Martin County, FL: Considered ‘High-risk’ for hepatitis A appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Prescribing prolonged courses of antibiotics for patients experiencing symptoms attributed to Lyme disease can lead to harmful health outcomes, says a new position paper by Canada’s infectious disease experts. The statement says Lyme causing Borrelia are reliably killed with recommended doses of antibiotics. However, says Dr. Todd Hatchette, President of AMMI Canada, for patients with […]The post Lyme disease: Prolonged courses of antibiotics can ‘lead to harmful health outcomes’, according to Canadian experts appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Jory Lange The CDC is investigating a multistate E coli outbreak. First detected in Kentucky, this E coli O103 outbreak has now spread to Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, and Virginia. Public health investigators have reported 36 E coli cases in Kentucky, 21 E coli cases in Tennessee, 8 E coli cases in Georgia, 5 E […]The post CDC Investigates Multistate E coli O103 Outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania government warned the public that as the weather gets warmer and you spend more time outdoors, be aware of ticks and Lyme disease. Pennsylvania has reported the ticks that carry Lyme disease and other infectious agents in all 67 counties and has reported at or near the top of all […]The post Lyme disease, ticks and the ecology with Richard Ostfeld, PhD appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On this weekends Outbreak News This Week Radio show, I spend the first half talking to World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson for polio eradication, Oliver Rosenbauer. During the interview, Mr Rosenbauer discusses some history on polio, including the introduction of the vaccine, the different vaccines and the purposes and differences and the situation and difficulties […]The post Polio eradication successes and struggles, Unusual infectious disease news appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Florida health officials reported an additional 265 hepatitis A cases in March, bringing the total cases for the first quarter of the year to 690. The outbreak total is now 1239 since it started in 2018. Eight cases have died as a direct result of hepatitis A infection. Since January 1, 2018, 97% of cases have […]The post Hepatitis A cases near 700 cases in Florida in 1st three months of 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the monkeypox situation in Africa in 2018, several countries are still reporting cases in 2019 according to World Health Organization numbers: Central African Republic Three cases, including one confirmed, were reported in Ippy in the week ending 3 March 2019. Since 2 October 2018, clusters of cases have been identified across […]The post Update: Monkeypox in Africa appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New Zealand health officials reported two additional measles cases during the past week from Waitemata, bringing the country total up to 67 cases since the beginning of the year. More than half the cases have been reported from Canterbury (39). Other health districts reporting cases include Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Southern and Manukau. 21 […]The post New Zealand measles 2019: Number of cases, vaccines and more appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the National Health Commission in China have reported the first human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) this year in Gansu. The male patient from Jiuquan, aged 82, has been hospitalized and is in serious condition. Since March 2013, there were a total of 1568 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) reported globally (in […]The post H7N9 avian influenza reported in Gansu, China: 1st human case of 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has reported at least nine confirmed measles cases in the current and second outbreak linked to Ocean County, according to a Patch report yesterday. The confirmed cases include seven in Ocean County and two in Monmouth County, Additional measles cases have been reported in the state; however, they are […]The post New Jersey measles outbreak in Ocean County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

There is an upsurge of measles cases in Hong Kong in 2019 with the occurrence of an outbreak at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) starting in March. With the addition of seven new cases Thursday, two being employees at HKIA, the total has grown to 50 cases, a number not seen in years. Of the […]The post Measles in Hong Kong rising, Continued spread possible appeared first on Outbreak News Today.