Outbreak News Today

My first guest on the new YouTube program, Outbreak News TV is public health scientist, infectious disease expert and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, or CIDRAP at the University of Minnesota, Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH. Dr. Osterholm, who has been a guest on the podcast and radio show several times, […]The post CIDRAP Director, Michael Osterholm, PhD on Outbreak News TV appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Florida is one of some sixteen states that have declared a hepatitis A outbreak in recent years and since Jan. 2018, state health officials have reported some 736 outbreak cases. In December, Florida state health officials issued a health advisory and noted at that time the Tampa Bay and Orlando metropolitan areas were particularly hard hit. The […]The post Hillsborough County hepatitis A cases top 100 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hong Kong health officials reported a record high number of dengue fever cases in 2018. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) recorded 163 cases, higher that 30 to 124 cases per year from 2008 to 2017. Among the 163 cases, 134 (82.2%) cases were classified as imported infections while 29 cases were local infections. The three countries […]The post Dengue fever: Hong Kong reports record number in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in San Luis Obispo County announced yesterday they are investigating a suspected bacterial meningitis death. A student living in San Luis Obispo and attending Cuesta College has died from presumed bacterial meningitis. Laboratory testing to confirm this diagnosis is underway. The Public Health Department is working with local hospitals, Cuesta College and people close […]The post Bacterial meningitis fatal case investigated in Cuesta College student appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Lyme disease is an infection transmitted by the bite of a tick. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment helps reduce the risk of further symptoms developing. Laboratory tests check for antibodies in the blood however Lyme disease antibodies may first appear six to eight weeks after a person has been bitten by a tick. Early laboratory […]The post Lyme disease: If bull’s eye rash is present, diagnose it says UK agency appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hawai‘i state health officials reported the first angiostrongyliasis, or rat lungworm disease case of 2019 in an adult resident from East Hawai‘i. The individual became ill in January and was hospitalized in early February for treatment of their symptoms. Laboratory testing though Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) State Laboratories Division confirmed the individual’s infection. In addition, health […]The post Rat lungworm: Hawaii reports 1st case of 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reported three confirmed measles cases in January in people who had travelled to the Philippines during the incubation period. The patients include Filipino women, ages 38-40 who were born in the Philippines with unknown measles vaccination status. All three patients stayed in different parts of the Philippines […]The post Hong Kong reports 3 imported measles from the Philippines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Novartis announced this week the approval of Egaten® (triclabendazole) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of fascioliasis in patients six years of age and older. Egaten is the only FDA-approved drug for people with the parasitic disease. “Novartis has a long-standing commitment to addressing global health challenges and supporting disease […]The post Fascioliasis drug, Egaten receives FDA approval appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the measles outbreak in the New York City metro area, eleven additional confirmed cases of measles have been reported in the Rockland County and Brooklyn areas this past week. In the Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn, five additional cases were reported in the Williamsburg neighborhood and one in Borough Park, bringing the […]The post New York: 11 additional measles cases confirmed, ‘This is a totally preventable disease!’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Representatives from the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines reached out to the public in a forum to encourage and stress the importance of vaccinations. President of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Mario Panaligan noted, “This is the latest numbers […]The post Measles: Philippines medical experts stress vaccination appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

South Carolina health officials report that an employee of City Billiards tested positive for hepatitis A. Customers who ate there between January 22 and February 5 could have been exposed to the virus. This is the second case of hepatitis A diagnosed in an Aiken-area food handler in February. At this time, the Department of Health […]The post South Carolina: Hepatitis A outbreak declared in Aiken County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Salmonella Deputy Chief Medical Officer of South Australia Health (SA Health), Dr Nicola Spurrier, said they are investigating a cluster of Salmonella cases linked to three Angkor Bakery stores in the northern suburbs. There has been 11 confirmed cases of Salmonella reported to SA Health in people who have eaten Vietnamese rolls from the three bakeries. […]The post South Australia: Salmonella outbreak linked to Angkor Bakeries, 2nd measles case confirmed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Public health officials in France are reporting a measles outbreak in Val Thorens located in the town of Belleville, Savoie. To date, five measles cases have been confirmed and another 20 suspect cases are under investigation. The cases are primarily in young adults working at the winter sports resort. In addition, the Scottish and Belgian health authorities reported […]The post France: Measles outbreak reported in Val Thorens appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Philippines Department of Health in the Eastern Visayas are reporting a 2-times increase in dengue fever cases during the first five weeks of 2019 compared to last year. According to the data, the number of cases in the region from Jan. 1 to Feb. 9 totals 1,169 cases, compared to the 561 cases recorded in the same period […]The post Samar, Leyte report increases in dengue fever appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of congenital syphilis cases in Arizona in 2018 reached 53, a significant increase from previous years–2017 (31), 2016 (16), 2015 (14) and 13 in 2014 and 2013. This also accounted for an increase in baby deaths due to the dangerous sexually transmitted infection. Last year, Arizona health officials reported 10 deaths, a more […]The post Congenital syphilis in Arizona: 53 cases in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Tennessee is one of some 16 states that are dealing with an outbreak of hepatitis A that have occurred primarily among persons who use injection and non-injection drugs, and/or persons who are homeless, and their close direct contacts. According to the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), 841 outbreak cases have been reported since Dec. 2017. This […]The post Tennessee hepatitis A outbreak doubles since November appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the dengue fever outbreak in Jamaica, local media report that Portfolio Minister Dr Christopher Tufton told Parliament this week that the number of dengue cases now stands at 1,166 suspected, presumed, or confirmed cases with dates of onset in 2019. This compares with the 1,023 suspected and confirmed cases reported in all of […]The post Jamaica dengue: Six confirmed deaths to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In our continuing coverage of the measles outbreak in Ukraine, the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported the eighth measles fatality of the year in an adult. Of the eight measles-related deaths this year, two were in children. In 2018 measles took 16 lives in Ukraine. Officials also note that during the 6th […]The post Ukraine: 8th measles death of 2019 reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) has joined forces with multiple government agencies to tackle the ongoing measles outbreak in several regions of the country. “The Department of Health is working side by side with other government agencies in quickly responding to mitigate the Measles outbreak. This government is conducting a massive information dissemination and […]The post Measles outbreak response: Multiple agencies working together appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Oman Ministry of Health has reported the 6th Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection of the year, according to a MOH Twitter post today. MOH officials say the patient has been given the necessary medical treatment. Earlier this month that two patients died of MERS-CoV. بيان من #وزارة_الصحة حول حالة جديدة من متلازمة الشرق الأوسط […]The post Oman reports 6th MERS case, Saudi Arabia cases continue to climb appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Earlier this month, we reported on a hepatitis A outbreak update for Kentucky. In that report, Kentucky health officials put the death toll in the outbreak at 25. However, according to new data released for week 5 of 2019, we see a 15 death increase to 40 total since the outbreak began. According to the […]The post Kentucky hepatitis A death toll jumps to 40 after review appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s show, I want to continue my discussion with experts on the measles situation in the US and vaccines and the antivaccine movement. But I also want to look at the Ebola outbreak in DRC. Joining me today to look at these issues and more is Rob Cohen, MD. Dr. Cohen is a physician, […]The post Measles, vaccines and Ebola with Dr Rob Cohen 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: New Tuberculosis Drug May Shorten Treatment Time for Patients A new experimental antibiotic for tuberculosis has been shown to be more effective against TB than isoniazid, a decades-old drug which is currently one of the standard treatments. Read […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: New tuberculosis drug, HPV transmission appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The scale of the measles outbreak in Madagascar is of grave concern, as is its geographical spread-World Health Organization In a follow-up on our coverage of the measles outbreak in Madagascar, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports from Sep. 3, 2018 to Feb. 5, 2019, a total of 53,459 measles cases were recorded (lab confirmed and […]The post Madagascar measles outbreak a ‘grave concern’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The spike in Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections in Saudi Arabia continues with the kingdom’s health ministry reporting seven additional cases yesterday, bringing the total cases for the year to 50. The town of Wadi Aldwasir has been hit particularly hard reporting 30 cases in just the past two weeks. Oman has reported five MERS […]The post MERS in Saudi Arabia and Oman appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Outbreaks of measles are currently being reported in Washington state, Oregon, Texas and New York. In fact, the CDC reported that in 2018, 349 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 26 states and the District of Columbia. This is the second-greatest number of annual cases reported since measles was eliminated in the U.S. in […]The post The importance of vaccines with Dr. Libby Richards appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

My first guest on the new YouTube program, Outbreak News TV is public health scientist, infectious disease expert and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, or CIDRAP at the University of Minnesota, Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH. Dr. Osterholm, who has been a guest on the podcast and radio show several times, […]The post Pandemic flu, vaccine-preventable diseases and more with CIDRAP Director, Michael Osterholm, PhD on Outbreak News TV appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is warning the public of a fake flyer claiming to be from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which states: “Educate before you vaccinate” and lists a group of “known vaccine side effects” without providing references or citing any sources (see flyer HERE). The flyer lists […]The post Vaccine misinformation: Maine health officials warn fake CDC flyer appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Just days after measles outbreaks were declared in several regions of the archipelago including the National Capital Region (NCR) of Metro Manila, health officials reported some updated data. Philippines health officials reported today that the measles outbreak this year, linked in large part to vaccine hesitancy, has taken 70 lives since January 1. The Epidemiology […]The post Measles outbreak in the Philippines: 4,300 cases, 70 deaths; MMR shortage or Dengvaxia scare? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Houston Health Department confirmed seven mumps cases at an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Houston. All seven individuals are adult detainees who were detained during their infectious period. There is no evidence the disease was transmitted to anyone outside of the facility. “Since these individuals were isolated inside the facility […]The post Mumps: 7 cases confirmed at Houston ICE facility appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Jan. 28, the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services declared a leptospirosis outbreak for the Central Division. In an update on the outbreak, Fiji media now reports 98 cases since the beginning of the year, including four deaths. The bulk of the cases have been reported in people ages one to 29. Leptospirosis is […]The post Fiji leptospirosis outbreak nears 100 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Thursday, a basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse between the Indiana Pacers and the Los Angeles Clippers was interrupted by a bat flying around the arena. This prompted Indiana state health officials to advise people at the game to contact their healthcare provider if they touched the bat. The Indiana State Health Department (ISDH) can be […]The post Indiana health officials issue rabies warning after bat interrupts Pacers game appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials in Dublin, Ireland have warned about a number of cases of mumps in the Dublin area recently, including some of the schools. Dr. David McGrath, Director of College Health Service at Trinity College wrote there had been some cases of mumps at the college over the past week or so. “I would encourage all of our College […]The post Mumps in Dublin, Ireland: Trinity College and Blackrock College appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An increase in infection with the tapeworm, Echinococcus, has been reported among cadets at the Suvorov Guards Military Academy in Ulyanovsk in western Russia, according to local media (computer translated). The head of the Main Military Medical Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Dmitry Trishkin said worms in the lungs were detected in 31 pupils, although officially the […]The post Russia: Echinococcus outbreak at Suvorov Guards Military Academy in Ulyanovsk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Department of Pediatrics Chair and Pediatric Oncologist, Dr. Andrew Kung was on C-SPAN Saturday morning to discuss pediatric cancer and President Trump’s call to boost pediatric cancer research funding by $500 million over the next decade. Dr. Kung also took calls from the audience. Great discussion.The post Pediatric cancer: Dr. Andrew Kung interview on C-SPAN appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Filarial worms are long thread like worms that live in the tissue and body cavities of vertebrates. Their eggs mature into tiny larvae called microfilariae. There are at least eight filarids that are of importance to humans with Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi being the most common. Transmitted by the bite of the tsetse flu […]The post The Parasitology interviews, Part 5 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the chikungunya situation in Selangor state, Malaysia, health ministry officials report for the period January 29 to February 7, 2019, as many as 23 cases have been confirmed as being infected with Chikungunya. The Ministry of Health has carried out inspection and prevention activities, so that on 7 February 2019, as many […]The post Malaysia: Chikungunya cases rise in Selangor appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The measles outbreak in the Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn increased by three cases in the past week, bringing the total to 67 confirmed cases since October. Sixty-five of the 67 cases were reported from the neighborhoods of Borough Park (38) and Williamsburg (27). Israel measles outbreak 2018: More than 3,000 cases The New York […]The post Brooklyn: Three additional measles cases reported in Borough Park and Williamsburg appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in Florida that started last year, state health officials reported 189 hepatitis A cases in 26 counties in January 2019. This past month, 56 (29%) cases were co-infected with chronic hepatitis B or C. Co-infection with more than one type of viral hepatitis can lead to more […]The post Florida hepatitis A outbreak continues: 189 cases in January appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials investigating contacts who may have been exposed to a lab confirmed case of measles. According to Region of Peel – Peel Public Health, people in the following areas of Pearson Airport on January 27, 2019 may have been exposed: Lufthansa flight LH-470, from Frankfurt to Toronto (Pearson Airport, arrival at 4:08 pm) Air Canada flight AC-834 or […]The post Possible measles exposure at Toronto airport appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador are reporting an increase in syphilis cases, prompting call to the public of the importance of safer sex practices, including the regular use of condoms and oral dams and routine testing for sexually transmitted infections. According to Eastern Health, 33 syphilis cases were reported in 2018. In addition, they saw the […]The post Canada: Syphilis cases up in Newfoundland and Labrador appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Jan. 26 through Feb. 1: 5. Roald Dahl 1988: Olivia and measles encephalitis The number 5 post of the week was a post from out of the archives about author, Roald Dahl’s words about the measles death of his daughter, Olivia. 4. Saudi Arabia reports increase in […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Feb. 2- Feb. 8 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reported Friday (computer translated) on a new African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in the Economic and Technological Development Zone of Yongzhou City, Hunan Province. Officials say the disease had been detected on a farm where 4,600 pigs were being raised. 171 of the pigs had died and 270 were found sick, […]The post African swine fever outbreak reported on Yongzhou, Hunan farm appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

As the measles outbreak in the Vancouver, Washington area continues to rise, 53 confirmed cases and seven suspect cases as of Friday with the bulk of the cases being unvaccinated, the Washington State House Committee on Health Care & Wellness held a public hearing on HB 1638, Promoting immunity against vaccine preventable diseases. In a nutshell, the bill states a philosophical […]The post Measles: Washington legislature holds public hearing for vaccine bill 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: WHO supports five countries to fight Lassa fever outbreaks With five countries in Western Africa reporting outbreaks of Lassa fever, the World Health Organization (WHO) has scaled up its efforts to support the region’s response to the disease. Read […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Lassa fever, US flu activity and MERS in Saudi Arabia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A novel, synthetic DNA vaccine developed at The Wistar Institute induces protective immunity against Mayaro virus (MAYV), a mosquito-borne infection endemic to South America, that has the potential to become a global emerging viral threat. Study results were published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Since its discovery in 1954, MAYV infections have been confined to the […]The post Mayaro virus DNA vaccine induces protective immunity appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the health ministry reported (computer translated) two new confirmed cases, bringing the total outbreak cases (confirmed and probable) to 800. In addition, three new confirmed cases deaths were reported, putting the total fatalities to […]The post Ebola outbreak reaches 800 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Newborns infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) can be appropriately treated with acyclovir, a drug typically prescribed to adults for the treatment of HSV infections. Acyclovir’s drug label now includes information for healthcare providers on recommended usage and dosage in newborns up to 3 months of age. The data that informed this label change came […]The post Newborn herpes: Acyclovir labeling provides drug dosing and use in newborns appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On this weekend’s show I look at several topics in the world of infectious diseases. The measles outbreaks here and abroad are a concern for many and I look at the latest from the US and the Philippines. I also do a segment of the various infectious disease risks related to dogs. In the second […]The post Measles, infections you can get from dogs and the cost of the rabies PEP appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles situation in Thailand, health officials have reported 613 cases from 47 provinces through Feb. 4. Of the total, 109 cases involved complications and two deaths were recorded. The provinces with the highest rates of cases include Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkla, Yala and Petchburi. More than 5,000 cases were reported in 2018, […]The post Measles in Thailand: 600 cases in first month appeared first on Outbreak News Today.