Outbreak News Today

Here is a look at some interesting infectious disease and health news, opinion and research reported across the globe: Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis, resurgence of vector-borne diseases, and implications for spillover in the region In the past 5–10 years, Venezuela has faced a severe economic crisis, precipitated by political instability and declining oil revenue. Public health […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Venezuela vector-borne diseases, Effectiveness of the influenza vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to the Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo, 167 measles cases have been reported through Feb. 10, making it the worst measles outbreak in the country in 10 years. Mie and Osaka prefecture’s have been hit the hardest with 49 and 47 cases, respectively. Asahi Shimbun reports, The high numbers in Mie Prefecture were triggered by […]The post Japan reports measles outbreak, Worst in a decade appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Twice annually, the World Health Organization (WHO) organizes consultations with an advisory group of experts to analyse influenza virus surveillance data generated by the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), and issues recommendations on the composition of the influenza vaccines for the following influenza season. On Thursday, WHO announced the recommended composition of […]The post 2019-2020 northern hemisphere flu vaccine: Recommendation for the A(H3N2) component has been postponed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Jory Lange The New York Department of Health is investigating a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at Promenade Assisted Living Facility in Guilderland, New York. Two people have been infected with Legionella bacteria. One of them has died. According to the Albany County Health Department, water tested positive for Legionella bacteria at the Promenade Assisted Living […]The post Legionnaires’ Outbreak at Promenade Assisted Living Facility Legionnaires’ Outbreak Turns Deadly appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Val Thorens in the French Alps, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) reports that at least 39 cases have been reported since January, according to a Le Parisien report (computer translated). Two children under one year old were affected. All the others are people aged 19 to 40, […]The post Val Thorens measles outbreak grows to 39 cases: ARS appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Leprosy has a history that has spanned centuries and societies across the globe. Yet, it continues to be a problem — even in the modern era. Sufferers from the chronic and infectious skin disease still face the social stigma and lack of medical care that people have endured since the origins of the disease itself. […]The post Leprosy: It continues to be a problem in the modern era appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Pat Walker Health Center at the University of Arkansas issued a campus health advisory after the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) identified three confirmed cases and one suspected case of mumps on the University of Arkansas (UA) at Fayetteville campus in the last few weeks. Those who may have been exposed have receive additional communication […]The post University of Arkansas issues health advisory: Mumps on campus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The measles outbreak in Madagascar has grown to a total of 68,912 cases since October, including 926 deaths, the World Health Organization in Madagascar reports (computer translated). This has prompted health officials to stage a planned three-phase vaccine response that targets more than 5 million children from 6 months to 9 years of age. After the first […]The post Measles vaccination campaign in Madagascar, Cases climb to 69,000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

After reporting nine confirmed measles cases in all of 2018, state health officials have reported eight in just the first six weeks of 2019. Through Feb. 14, four cases have been reported in Harris County, while one each has been confirmed in Bell, Denton, Galveston and Montgomery counties. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread […]The post Texas measles case count at eight as of mid-February appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the salmonella outbreak linked to three Angkor Bakery stores in South Australia, health officials report today that the number of cases of Salmonella linked to this outbreak has risen to 51, including 19 people who required hospitalization. In addition, the investigation into the outbreak reveals the likely source of contamination was related […]The post Salmonella outbreak rises to 51 cases in South Australia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Chagas is a potentially deadly parasitic disease caused by the microorganism, Trypanosoma cruzi. It is transmitted to humans by insects known as kissing bugs, as well as via blood transfusions, organ transplants, during pregnancy and childbirth, and by consuming contaminated foods. In Yucatan state, Mexico, health officials are reporting an increase in the parasitic disease during the […]The post Chagas disease: Two dozen cases reported in Yucatan state, Mexico in one week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the increase in hepatitis A cases in New Hampshire, the DHHS Division of Public Health Services’ (DPHS) Bureau of Infectious Disease Control reports additional cases in the state.80 As of today, health officials say the case count has risen to 19 since November. Eight out of 10 people required hospitalization. No deaths […]The post Hepatitis A: New Hamphire reports additional cases 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: Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 – Papua New Guinea On 26 June 2018, an outbreak of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) was declared in Papua New Guinea following laboratory confirmation of cVDPV1 isolation in two […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Papua New Guinea polio, Ebola vaccine for pregnant women appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Chinese officials have reported another African swine fever outbreak, this time in Laiwu District, Jinan City, Shandong Province. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (computer translated), of a farm with 4,504 pigs 17 of the animals were infected and three pigs were killed. Since the first cases last August, China has now reported more than 100 cases […]The post China: African swine fever reported on Shandong province farm appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nigerian health officials continue to report monkeypox cases 18 months after the index case reported in September 2017. In January this year, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) six new suspected Monkeypox cases were reported in 4 states (Bayelsa – 2; Rivers- 1; Bauchi – 1; Lagos- 1; Borno – 1; Delta – 1) out of […]The post Nigeria reports more monkeypox in January appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

This past Sunday on the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show, I had the opportunity to talk to founder of the Venezuelan Science Incubator, Alberto E. Paniz-Mondolfi, MD, PhD about the epidemics plaguing the country. In a follow-up on one such epidemic is malaria. The number being floated around unofficially by the Venezuelan Ministry of Health and […]The post Venezuela: Malaria cases top 1.3 million in 2018, according to Global health organizations appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Today, Dr. Thomas I. Nary, the Director of University Health Services at Boston College (BC) reported that laboratory tests from three patients treated early last week revealed the presence of norovirus. The confirmation comes after Nary said Friday several dozen students reported to University Health Services last week with symptoms related to gastrointestinal illness. He noted at the time there […]The post Boston College: Norovirus confirmed on campus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of hepatitis A outbreak cases reported in the Columbus, Ohio/ Franklin County has reached a level which hasn’t been seen in a quarter century, according to Columbus Public Health. Health officials report 247 cases, with 77 percent of cases reported in Columbus. Statewide, the outbreak total in Ohio has risen to 1,746 cases, […]The post Columbus, Ohio reports largest hepatitis A outbreak in 25 years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Donegal, the Ireland Health Service Executive (HSE) says the outbreak total has risen to seven. Measles is very infectious and the illness can have serious complications, especially for infants under 12 months and those with weakened immune systems. That’s why it is so important for anyone who […]The post Ireland: Donegal measles outbreak rises to 7 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vietnam Vietnamese media report that the Vietnam Department of Animal Health announced (computer translated) Tuesday that eight African swine fever (ASF), or swine cholera outbreaks in the two northern provinces of Thai Binh and Hung Yen. ASF virus was discovered in Hung Yens Hung Yen city and Yen My district, and Thai Binhs Hung Ha district. […]The post African swine fever: Vietnam reports 1st outbreaks, Guangxi province, China appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A commonly used medication, fluconazole, used to treat vaginal yeast infections, is linked to higher rates of miscarriage if used during pregnancy, found new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). While topical treatments are first line for pregnant women with fungal infections, oral fluconazole is often used during pregnancy. Researchers looked at data on 441 […]The post Fluconazole, a common yeast infection drug, linked to higher rates of miscarriage: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the mumps situation at a Houston, TX U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, ICE officials are now reporting 27 confirmed cases of mumps in detention facilities across the state. According to a Houston Public Media report, the cases are divided among Houston (13) and San Antonio (14) facilities. The Houston Contract Detention […]The post Texas: 27 mumps cases reported in ICE facilities appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Dengvaxia situation in the Philippines, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports permanently revoking the Certificates of Product Registration (CPR) of dengue vaccine Dengvaxia for the continued failure of manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. to submit post-approval commitment documents. FDA Director General Nela Charade G. Puno pointed out that Sanofi has shown […]The post Dengvaxia: Philippines FDA revokes CPR, ‘Sanofi has shown complete disregard of FDA rules’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Preventive Medicine Center are reporting increases in two infectious diseases in 2019–measles and dengue fever. Since the beginning of the year, the city has reported 6,733 cases of dengue, up by 249 percent compared to the same period last year with 1,931 cases. One death from dengue fever has been […]The post Vietnam: Measles, dengue up in Ho Chi Minh City appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Minnesota health officials report investigating four recent cases of Legionnaires’ disease associated with a Crookston area hotel. Four people who became ill between Jan. 22 and Jan. 27 all reported spending some time at the Crookston Inn and Convention Center prior to their illnesses. None of the ill people were overnight guests at the hotel, but […]The post Legionnaires’ disease cases linked to Crookston, MN hotel appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the cholera outbreak in Kampala, Uganda, health officials reported an update on the cholera outbreak that was declared in the Kampala area in early January. As of Feb. 10, 53 cholera cases, including three fatalities ave been reported across Kampala City and two other districts, Wakiso and Luwero. According to WHO, a […]The post Uganda: Cholera sickens dozens in Kampala area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The measles outbreak in the Philippines continues to rise at breakneck speed. Health officials on Saturday released some updated data which show the 2019 outbreak is some 250 percent higher than last year at this time. From Jan. 1-Feb. 16, the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) reports 8,443 measles cases, up from 4302 cases just […]The post Philippines measles outbreak: Cases and deaths double in one week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In some important infectious disease news out of Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated the world on the measles outbreak in Madagascar, To date, officials have reported 66,000 cases since the outbreak began last September. In addition, at least 922 measles-related fatalities have been reported among children and young adults. Madagascar measles outbreak a ‘grave […]The post Africa: Measles in Madagascar, Chikungunya in the Republic of Congo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Clark County, WA, health officials report two additional confirmed cases , bringing the total to 61, as of Sunday. Clark County Public Health name the following locations as possible exposure sites: Health care facilities: Sea Mar Medical Clinic East Vancouver, 19005 SE 34th St., Vancouver from 1:50 […]The post Measles outbreak tops 60 in Clark County 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: Four dead from MERS virus in Oman Four people died in the Sultanate after being infected with the Middle–East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV), the Ministry of Health announced. Read more Kenyan Children to Get 1st […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Oman MERS, Kenya malaria vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nunavut health officials reported on a trichinosis case in a resident of Sanikiluaq, prompting a health warning for that community. Trichinosis is an infection often caused by eating the roundworm in raw or undercooked polar bear meat. Health officials say if you have eaten any uncooked polar bear recently and are experiencing stomach pain, muscle pain, […]The post Nunavut: Trichinosis confirmed in Sanikiluaq appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is advising (computer translated) the public to ensure they are vaccinated if traveling to Japan due to outbreaks of measles and German measles (rubella). According to the latest data from the Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases through Feb. 3, Japan has reported 148 confirmed measles cases […]The post Taiwan warns travelers to Japan of measles, German measles appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

There is an increase in measles in Vancouver, but this time it’s not in Washington state. Health officials in Vancouver, British Columbia reported eight additional measles cases during the past week. This follows the single unrelated case reported on Feb. 7, bringing the total to nine cases reported in February in the city. Vancouver Coastal […]The post Canada: Vancouver reports 8 measles cases this past week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in the Philippines, the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported a dramatic increase in measles cases and deaths in less than a week. According to the most recent data from the beginning of the year through Feb. 13, a total of 6,921 cases of measles was reported in […]The post Measles cases skyrocket in the Philippines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Yangon Region Public Health Department have reported an increase in measles cases since the beginning of the year, according to a Myanmar media report. Through Feb. 4, 248 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles have been reported. This compares to 646 cases confirmed in the whole of 2018, which accounted for half the cases in the country […]The post Myanmar: Measles cases up in Yangon appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Utah public health officials say a hepatitis A outbreak that spanned nearly two years, infected 281 people, and killed three has ended. Bree Barbeau, epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health (UDOH), says no new cases have been reported in the past 100 days, which is two incubation cycles for hepatitis A. The outbreak began […]The post Hepatitis A: After two years, outbreak declared over in Utah appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Clark County health officials reported an additional six confirmed measles cases Saturday, bringing the outbreak total to 59 since the beginning of the year. One suspected case is still under investigation. Three of the total cases were adults and all the cases were either unvaccinated (52), undervaccinated (2) or unverified (5). People who visited the […]The post Washington: Six new measles cases reported in Vancouver area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Because of several factors to include the El Niño phenomenon, geographical conditions of the country and the natural cycle of the disease, Colombian health officials foresee continuing increases in dengue fever that started in October. Minister of Health and Social Protection, Juan Pablo Uribe Restrepo said, “You have to cut off the wings of dengue”. He is warning the country to […]The post Colombia: ‘Dengue epidemic this year could reach 120,000 cases’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Because of the circulation of yellow fever in the South and Southeast regions of the country, Brazil health officials are encouraging people who live or are going to travel to the region to get vaccinated against the virus. Although the South and Southeast states are already part of the vaccine recommendation area, all states still have coverage […]The post Brazil: Southern states encouraged to get yellow fever vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kentucky health officials reported Friday on a confirmed measles case in an unvaccinated child living in the region served by the Barren River District Health Department. The child recently traveled out of the country to an area where measles is endemic. The name of the country was not disclosed. The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) […]The post Kentucky: Confirmed imported measles case in Barren River District appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since the beginning of the year, the island of Reunion has seen a 10-fold increase in dengue fever cases as compared to the period in 2018, according to French health officials (computer translated). From Jan. 1 to Feb. 3, 476 locally transmitted cases have been reported, including 145 in the past week. During the same […]The post Dengue cases up in Reunion appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

For the first time in nearly a year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the travel advisory for Nigeria due to the Lassa fever outbreak. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control has declared an outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria on January 22 due to an increase in the number of […]The post Nigeria: Lassa fever cases remain high, CDC updates travel notice appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Feb. 9 through Feb. 15: 5. Vaccine misinformation: Maine health officials warn fake CDC flyer The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) warned the public of a fake flyer claiming to be from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which states: “Educate before you […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Feb. 9- Feb. 15 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

During 2013–2017, the national annual rate of reported primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis cases in the United States increased 72.7%, from 5.5 to 9.5 cases per 100,000 population. The highest rates of P&S syphilis are seen among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (collectively referred to as MSM), and MSM continued […]The post Heterosexual syphilis transmission and drug use, particularly methamphetamine use, are intersecting epidemics: MMWR appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Just a week or so after a norovirus outbreak sickened 38 passengers on the Viking Ocean Cruises vessel, Viking Sea, federal health officials are reporting a cruise ship outbreak onboard the Feb, 7-14 voyage of the Viking Star. Thirty-six of the 900+ passengers and one crew member were hit with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. […]The post Another Viking Cruises outbreak, this time on the Viking Star appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On this weeks episode of the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show, the entire hour was dedicated to the epidemic crisis going on in Venezuela. I was joined by infectious diseases pathologist and clinician at the IDB Biomedical Research Institute in Barquisimeto, Dr Alberto E. Paniz-Mondolfi. In one segment we discussed the dramatic malaria epidemic in the country. The country […]The post Malaria in Venezuela: ‘It’s prohibited to list malaria as a cause of death’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

This week, I had the opportunity to spend the whole hour on the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show with a physician who is in the “belly of the beast” of Venezuela. In this segment of the interview, infectious diseases pathologist and clinician at the IDB Biomedical Research Institute in Barquisimeto, Venezuela and founder of the Venezuelan […]The post Measles in Venezuela: Public health system in decay appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By: Jory Lange Since the CDC’s last update in late December, 63 more people have been infected with Salmonella Reading. 107 people have been hospitalized. 1 person from California has died. The Salmonella outbreak has been linked to raw turkey products. The CDC’s and FDA’s investigations reveal that raw turkey products from multiple different sources […]The post Raw Turkey Products Infect 279 People With Salmonella appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Venezuela’s tumbling economy and authoritarian rule have precipitated an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The country is now experiencing a more than 1 million percent inflation, healthcare is in crisis with the exodus of biomedical scientists and qualified healthcare professionals. More than 280,000 children are at risk for death from severe malnutrition and according to the last […]The post Venezuela epidemics: From measles to malaria with Dr. Alberto Paniz-Mondolfi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

For the first time since Feb. 2006, the archipelago of some 17,000 islands, Indonesia reported a polio case. This week, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) said a new circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) outbreak has been confirmed in Indonesia. Two genetically-linked circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) isolates were detected, from an acute flaccid […]The post Polio in Indonesia: 1st case in over a decade appeared first on Outbreak News Today.