Outbreak News Today

Spokane County health officials report investigating a case of Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcal disease or meningitis, in a hospitalized female student who attends Sacajawea Middle School. “We never want to see any of our students or families have to go through something like this. We continue to keep this student and her family in our […]The post Spokane: Meningococcal meningitis case reported in Sacajawea Middle School student appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

CDC is issuing new guidance to clinicians for the treatment of severe malaria cases in the United States (U.S.). This change in treatment protocol is necessary because the only FDA-approved intravenous (IV) antimalarial drug in the U.S., quinidine, has been discontinued by the manufacturer and will no longer be available. As of April 2019, artesunate, […]The post Malaria treatment: Quinidine discontinued, Artesunate now first-line treatment for severe malaria in US appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Statens Veterinarmedicinska Anstalt, or National Veterinary Institute of Sweden (SVA) reported this week (computer translated) on the first Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) case in a 16-year-old moose in Norrbotten County. The animal was euthanized as it was walking in circles, emaciated and seemed to be blind. Samples from the brainstem were positive in the screening test […]The post Chronic Wasting Disease detected in Sweden moose appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Jory Lange An E coli O103 outbreak among Kentucky kids has been linked to “extensive exposure to fast food.” The Kentucky Department of Public Health issued a public health alert after identifying a sudden increase in E coli O103 food poisoning cases. 19 confirmed E coli O103 cases have been reported between March 5th […]The post E. coli O103 Outbreak Among Kentucky Kids Eating Fast Food appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Auckland, NZ have reported an additional measles case in a man in his 30s, bringing the total confirmed cases this year to 10. Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is following up with family, work or social contacts of this new case who may have been exposed to the virus. Medical Officer of […]The post Auckland measles tally now at 10 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Victoria health officials are reporting that syphilis infections in 2018 reached a record high and congenital syphilis has re-emerged in the southeastern state. A total of 1,372 cases of infectious syphilis were notified in Victoria, compared to 1,351 cases in 2017 and 1,134 cases in 2016. The majority of notified cases continue to occur in […]The post Australia: Congenital syphilis has re-emerged in Victoria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Henry Avocado Corporation is voluntarily recalling California-grown whole avocados sold in bulk at retail stores because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Henry Avocado is issuing this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution due to positive test results on environmental samples taken during a routine government inspection at its California […]The post Avocado recall prompted by Listeria risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public not to feed their pets three lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products raw dog food after samples from these lots tested positive for Salmonella. The FDA is issuing this alert because these three lots represent a serious threat to human and animal health: Darwin’s Natural Pet Products […]The post Salmonella alert issued over Darwin’s Natural Pet Products raw dog food appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Organ donation and transplantation has been a medical miracle in saving lives; however, the number of organs available are not nearly enough According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), 113,602 people need a lifesaving organ transplant. Donate Life America says another person is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes and […]The post Organ donation: A look at some bioethical issues with Sigrid Fry-Revere, JD, PhD appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture reported this week (computer translated) on three additional provinces having reported African swine fever (ASF). This brings the total 21 provinces reporting cases in the past five weeks, according to the Head of Epidemiology, Department of Animal Health (MARD), Nguyen Van Long. The disease has been seen in 447 communes, 84 […]The post Vietnam: African Swine Fever has spread to 21 provinces appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New York City health officials reported an additional 33 confirmed measles in the past week, bringing the outbreak total to 214 since October 2018. The new cases were reported in Williamsburg (31), Midwood/Marine Park (1) and Borough Park (1). Rockland County: State of Emergency declared over measles outbreak Most of these cases have involved members […]The post Brooklyn measles outbreak tops 200 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The human cost of not getting vaccinated is well known–measles, diphtheria and other outbreaks reported across the globe. All very unnecessary. The history of the success of vaccines is well documented- Nearly 200 million cases of polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, adenovirus, rabies and hepatitis A — and approximately 450,000 deaths from these diseases — were […]The post The cost of not getting vaccinated: The numbers can really add up! appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Michigan, state health officials have confirmed 22 total measles cases statewide since March 13, 2019. Oakland County has 21 cases and one case was a Wayne County resident. Infected individuals range in age from 11 to 63. The outbreak that began earlier this month is linked to an ill […]The post Michigan measles outbreak rises to 22 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Mayzent (siponimod) tablets to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease. “Multiple sclerosis can have a profound impact on a person’s life,” said Billy Dunn, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology Products […]The post MS drug, Mayzent, receives FDA approval appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) released a news release this week after learning of Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin’s statement about deliberately exposing his children to chickenpox. First, what Gov. Bevin said: “Every single one of my kids had the chickenpox,” Bevin said in an interview with WKCT, a Bowling Green talk radio station. “They […]The post IDSA: Matt Bevin supporting deliberate exposure of children to chickenpox ‘gravely concerning’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Rockland County, NY, County Executive Ed Day declared a county wide State of Emergency relating to the ongoing measles outbreak. Effective at the stroke of midnight, Wednesday, March 27, anyone who is under 18 years of age and unvaccinated against the measles will be barred from public places […]The post Rockland County: State of Emergency declared over measles outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in the Philippines, government officials have reported an additional 596 cases since the last update. Through Mar. 21, 23,563 measles cases have been reported, including 338 fatalities. CALABARZON (4838), NCR, or Metro Manila (4568) and Central Luzon (3761) regions have been most affected. To date, measles outbreaks have been […]The post Philippines measles update: Nearly 600 cases in 2 days appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reported an additional 26 hepatitis A outbreak cases during the past week, bringing the total to 2005. Of this total, 62 percent required hospitalization and seven deaths were recorded. Franklin (309), Butler (290), Montgomery (215) and Hamilton (143) counties have seen the most cases. ODH has declared a statewide community […]The post Ohio hepatitis A outbreak tops 2,000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in the Detroit-Oakland County, MI area, county health officials report the outbreak total has risen to 18 cases since Mar. 13. Nearly 1000 vaccination were given during the past three days as special vaccination clinics were made available. Health officials have updated the list of confirmed exposure locations: […]The post Measles in Oakland County, Michigan: Outbreak now at 18 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The death toll due to measles in Ukraine has risen to 14 this year, according to new data from the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. In addition, 2,179 people – 1,020 adults and 1 159 children contracted measles during the past week, bringing the outbreak total to 32,939 cases. After several weeks […]The post Ukraine measles death toll now 14 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has identified three cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection since December 2018 in individuals who were experiencing homelessness or who were using drugs. Public health is advising providers that all persons experiencing homelessness or using drugs should receive hepatitis A vaccine in […]The post New York City: Three cases of hepatitis A investigated appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Chili’s and Maggiano’s parent company Brinker International has updated its animal welfare standards to include a commitment to working toward elimination of the use of medically important antibiotics in its chicken supply chains, with exceptions for treatment and non-routine control of diagnosed illness. The change follows engagement with As You Sow on behalf of investors concerned about the threat of […]The post Chili’s and Maggiano’s Commit to Reducing Antibiotics in Chicken appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here’s a snapshot at some infectious disease outbreaks in Africa: Plague in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) The DRC Ministry of Health reported four deceased suspected cases of pneumonic plague identified retrospectively in the same family from Atungkulei Village, Mahagi District, Ituri Province. The cases were identified following an alert received from the Uganda Ministry […]The post Africa: Plague in DRC, Measles in Madagascar appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

El Paso County Public Health in Colorado have reported a dog that tested positive for rabies and say individuals and animals who have been exposed to the rabid dog have been assessed by health officials and are receiving preventative vaccination. This is the first reported case of a rabid dog in El Paso County since 1974. El […]The post Rabies: El Paso County, CO dog tests positive, 1st case since 1974 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nigerian health officials reported 23 new confirmed Lassa fever cases in the past week, bringing the outbreak total to 495 confirmed positive since the beginning of the year. The new case were reported from the following nine states: – Edo(8), Ondo(4), Ebonyi(3), Bauchi(3), Taraba(1), Imo(1), Enugu(1), Benue(1) and Kebbi(1). In addition, four new deaths in Edo (2), Benue(1) […]The post Nigeria reports 23 new Lassa cases in past week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Syphilis After reporting more than 5,500 syphilis cases in 2017 and more than 6,000 last year, the most cases in decades, 2019 is shaping up to be another rough year with the serious sexually transmitted infection. Through Mar. 10, Japanese health officials have reported 1,132 cases. Tokyo and Osaka have reported the most cases with […]The post Japan syphilis cases top 1000, Vaccine-preventable diseases rise appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

After reporting 16 new Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases on Mar.22 and 23, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) health ministry officials now put the outbreak total over 1,000 cases. Six new cases were reported on Mar. 22–3 in Katwa, 1 in Butembo, 1 in Vuhovi and 1 in Oicha and 10 on Mar. 23–4 […]The post Ebola: 2nd largest outbreak tops 1000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In this 2015 interview from the radio show, I talk to the owner at TickEase, Inc., Daniel “Tick Man Dan” Wolff who gives a primer on ticks, including tick prevention and removal. Visit Dan’s website for more information on ticks and the TickEase tweezer at TickEase.com. Tick Man Dan says check yourself for ticks and, “Don’t Neglect […]The post Ticks with Daniel ‘Tick Man Dan’ Wolff appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the Ten threats to global health in 2019 and among the ten is vaccine hesitancy. WHO states: Vaccine hesitancy – the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines – threatens to reverse progress made in tackling vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective ways of avoiding disease […]The post Vaccine hesitancy, social media and a federal role in vaccines? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Arkansas continue to report a hepatitis A outbreak, particularly in the northeast counties. Since February 2018, 303 cases and at least 3 deaths have been reported as part of this outbreak. Greene, Clay, Poinsett and Craighead counties have reported the most cases. The hepatitis A outbreaks in all 18 affected states are among injection […]The post Arkansas hepatitis A outbreak tops 300 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Dengue in Calabarzon Health officials in the Calabarzon region report intensifying its anti-dengue campaign as numbers rise in the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon provinces. The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) reports some 5,616 cases of dengue fever with 18 deaths in the region through March 16, 2019. Cavite has reported the most cases with 1,788, followed by Batangas with 1,248; […]The post Philippines: Dengue in Calabarzon, Chickenpox in Iloilo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A Multnomah County and a Clackamas County resident have been diagnosed with the measles. The two cases stem from an outbreak that began in Marion County, where two people have tested positive for measles. This outbreak is unrelated to a large outbreak that began in Clark County, Wash. in January. The Clackamas County resident had previously visited a […]The post Oregon: Two additional measles cases in Multnomah and Clackamas County residents appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) is confirming the first case of measles in Bexar County. This case is associated with the case of measles from Guadalupe County reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services on March 6, 2019. The last recorded case of measles in Bexar County was in 2007. This […]The post Measles case reported in San Antonio, 1st case in Bexar County in 12 years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

“The scale of this crisis is staggering” -Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC ), Elhadj As Sy On March 14, 2019, Tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall near Beira City in the central part of Mozambique. The storm caused heavy rains, strong winds, and severe flooding in Mozambique, […]The post CDC: ‘US residents should avoid nonessential travel to Beira City, Mozambique’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Jory Lange The CDC has declared the ground beef Salmonella food poisoning outbreak from JBS Tolleson ground beef products over. On October 4, 2018, JBS Tolleson recalled 6.9 million pounds of ground beef products. On December 4, 2018, JBS Tolleson recalled an additional 5.2 million pounds of ground beef products. Here is a summary […]The post Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak Involving JBS Tolleson Finally Ends appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) on Luzon island, Philippines are reporting an increase in typhoid in the region. According to the Department of Health-CAR, 681 cases were recorded in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the 289 cases in the first quarter of 2018. Geeny Anne Austria Nurse V of DOH-CAR says data shows an […]The post Baguio reports increase in typhoid appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported two additional Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases Thursday, bringing the cumulative number of cases is 993, since the beginning of the epidemic. The two new confirmed cases were reported in Mandima and Masereka. In addition, seven new EVD fatalities were reported bringing that total to 621. […]The post Ebola outbreak in DRC closing in on 1000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The dengue fever outbreak that began on the island of Reunion last year this time continues to grow into 2019, according to health officials in France (computer translated). During the most recent reportable week, health officials saw another 566 confirmed cases with the most activity reported in The Saint-Louis River, St. Louis and St. Peter’s communes. […]The post Dengue outbreak in Reunion: More than 500 additional cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here is a look at some interesting infectious disease and health news, opinion and research reported across the globe: NIH Statement on World Tuberculosis Day, March 24, 2019 Tuberculosis (TB) is the world’s leading infectious cause of death. In the 137 years since Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium that causes TB, as […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: World Tuberculosis Day, Amoebic meningoencephalitis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week of Mar. 9 through Mar. 15: 5. Philippines: Dengue cases top 40K in 1st two months of 2019 The number 5 post of the week was an update on the dengue outbreak in the Philippines. 4. Brucella outbreak in Villa Juárez, Mexico Four cases of brucellosis […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Mar. 16- Mar. 22 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory Friday concerning a possible rabies exposure. They report investigating the circumstances surrounding a rabid bat in the general area outside the Shaw House in Bangor on the weekend of March 16 and 17. The bat tested positive for rabies at Maine’s Health and Environmental […]The post Maine: Possible rabies exposure in Bangor linked to bat appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Alaska, in a recent report, discussed the botulism outbreak investigation from January 2019 in which several people were sickened and at least one person died. On January 2, 2019, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology (SOE) received report of three adults presenting to the Norton Sound Regional Hospital emergency department complaining of nausea, […]The post Botulism outbreak in Nome, Alaska: Beluga whale flipper identified as the source appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the mumps outbreak affecting Temple University and other areas in Philadelphia, Temple’s Student Health Services now report 16 Temple students have tested positive for mumps and 70 are listed as probable, since Feb. 28. Twice next week, Temple Student and Employee Health Services (SHS) will offer walk-in clinics at which the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella […]The post Philadelphia: Temple mumps update, Apparent case at Drexel appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Oakland County Health Division have reported a measles outbreak in the greater Detroit area and since Mar. 13, eight cases have been confirmed. Health officials advise if you were at the following locations on the dates and times listed below, you were at risk of being exposed […]The post Measles outbreak in the Detroit area: Eight cases in little over a week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On a recent episode of Outbreak News TV, international public health expert and author, Glenn Laverack, PhD spoke to me about the issue and challenges of dealing with disease outbreaks in slum settings. Blacker than Black: Failing to Reach Slum Communities in Disease OutbreaksThe post Disease outbreaks in slum communities appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization says during an Ebola epidemic, any unprotected handling of the bodies of infected patients who have died constitutes a biosafety hazard. The burial process is very sensitive for the family and the community and can be the source of community resistance or even conflict. On a recent episode of Outbreak News […]The post Ebola: Safe and dignified burials appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Sunday’s program I take a quick look at the chickenpox outbreak in Northern Kentucky, the lawsuit, Gov. Matt Bevin and “chickenpox parties”. A guest on the show a number of times, Dr Peter Hotez appeared on one of the largest podcasts out there–The Joe Rogan Experience, where they discussed infectious diseases, vaccines and autism […]The post Kentucky chickenpox, Peter Hotez on Joe Rogan and Huntington’s disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kingston Pharma, LLC of Massena, NY is recalling Lot KL180157 of its 2-fluid ounce (59 mL) bottles of DG™/health NATURALS baby Cough Syrup + Mucus” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Bacillus cereus/ Bacillus circulans. The recalled DG™/health NATURALS baby Cough Syrup + Mucus” bottles were distributed nationwide in Dollar General retail […]The post Bacillus contamination prompts recall of cough syrup appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Philippines health officials are reporting an additional 1571 measles cases during the past 5 days. From the beginning of the year through Mar. 19, 22,967 cases have been reported nationwide. In addition, the number of measles fatalities has risen to 333. Six regions have reported greater than 1000 cases to date-CALABARZON (4740), NCR, or Metro […]The post Philippines: Measles death toll now 333, Rizal reports dramatic increase in cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Disease outbreak and health emergency response is a massive undertaking and involves a number of stakeholders in different areas of expertise. One important part of the outbreak response is health promotion. Joining me today to talk about this topic is a leader in health promotion and empowerment and has a distinguished career for more than […]The post Glenn Laverack, PhD on Outbreak News TV appeared first on Outbreak News Today.