Outbreak News Today

A study led by a University of Manitoba researcher has brought science one step closer to using the chickenpox virus to develop a vaccine against HIV. “Varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, may hold the key to inducing the human body to produce a safe, long-lasting, protective immune response to HIV,” said Dr. Kelly MacDonald, professor […]The post Using the chickenpox virus to develop a vaccine against HIV appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Selangor State Health Department reported yesterday that a number of residents of Tanjung Sepat, Kuala Langat District, Selangor presented with fever and joint pain. The Kuala Langat District Health Office has conducted active case detection and as of January 31, 2019, 14 patients with symptoms of Chikungunya have been detected and testing ordered. Of these, 11 patients […]The post Chikungunya: 11 cases diagnosed in Selangor, Malaysia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Australian company, Mayne Pharma announced this week that their antifungal drug, TOLSURA™ (SUBA®-itraconazole) 65mg capsule, will be launched in the United States. TOLSURA is a new formulation of itraconazole indicated for the treatment of systemic fungal infections including blastomycosis (pulmonary and extrapulmonary), histoplasmosis (including chronic cavitary pulmonary disease and disseminated, non-meningeal histoplasmosis) and aspergillosis (pulmonary and extrapulmonary, […]The post Antifungal drug, TOLSURA™, now available in the US 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: Man’s legs ‘turning to stone’ after contracting parasitic infection from bug bite A Pakistani man has been left bedridden after a painful infection has caused his legs to swell up to over 100 pounds. Shahid Hussain, 38, said it started about five […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Elephantiasis, Indonesia dengue death toll appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Omar Aray, director of the Anzoatiguense Health Institute (Saludanz), said that more than 300 people, mostly children, have entered several health centers in the metropolitan area of Anzoátegui state, presenting symptoms of fever, vomiting and diarrhea, according to a Cronica Uno report (computer translated). Aray said that in the last five days, about 380 people, mostly children, […]The post Amebiasis outbreak reported in northeastern Venezuela appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

La Fuente in Renton More than two dozen people have been sickened with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea linked to La Fuente in Renton, WA, according to King County health officials. Officials are investigating an outbreak of 28 norovirus-like illnesses from one meal party who became ill after consuming food and beverage from La Fuente on January 25, […]The post Norovirus: Suspect cases in Renton, WA; Confirmed cases at the University of Virginia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Ukraine health officials reported an additional 3,279 measles during the fourth week of the year (1,350 adults and 1,299 children), bringing the total to 11,757 people from December 28, 2018 to January 25, 2019. In addition, another measles fatality was reported, bring the total to six, including two children. The highest rates of morbidity are in Lviv (a […]The post Ukraine measles update: Nearly 12,000 cases in first month of 2019, MOH calls on the media’s help appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new study has identified the master regulator that maintains a healthy gut and limits damage by parasitic whipworms. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and collaborators have revealed that the interleukin 10 receptor (IL-10R) is critical to prevent uncontrolled whipworm infection in mice and a damaging immune response in the gut. The study, published […]The post Whipworm: Interleukin 10 receptor (IL-10R) is critical to prevent uncontrolled infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a disease caused by parasitic worms. More than 200 million people are infected worldwide. In terms of impact this disease is second only to malaria as the most devastating parasitic disease. Schistosomiasis is considered one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). All people are at risk from cryptosporidiosis. It […]The post The Parasitology interviews, Part 3 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the measles outbreak in Clark County, WA, health officials reported an additional three confirmed cases since yesterday, bringing the total to 41 since the beginning of the year. In addition, officials are investigating 15 suspect cases. 40 of the cases are in children 18 years and younger and 37 were unvaccinated. […]The post Measles outbreak in Vancouver area: 41 confirmed and 15 suspect cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Merck announced this week that V114, the company’s investigational 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) caused by the vaccine serotypes in pediatric patients 6 weeks to 18 years of age. V114 is also under development for the […]The post Merck’s 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In our continuing coverage on the hantavirus outbreak in Chubut Province of Patagonia in southern Argentina, the outbreak had prompted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a notice for people traveling to the region. The World Health Organization reported last week that between 28 October 2018 – 20 January of 2019, a […]The post Argentina: Hantavirus outbreak prompts travel alert appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

To the list of woes brought on by Venezuela’s economic and political turmoil, add one more: a crippled national vaccination program has resulted in record-high numbers in cases of measles, diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases — a growing public health crisis that now threatens the entire region. A new study by investigators from the University […]The post Vaccine-preventable diseases in Venezuela: A growing public health crisis that threatens the entire region appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Philippines reported a 367 percent increase in measles cases last year as vaccination rates plummet throughout the archipelago. Much of the drop in vaccinations are linked to the Dengvaxia scare in the country. The drop vaccination rates has prompted President Rodrigo R. Duterte to encourage parents not to let the scare over the controversial anti-dengue vaccine, […]The post Philippines health secretary: ‘We expect a rise in the number of vaccine-preventable diseases in the near future’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Biotech company, Valneva SE, announced today positive initial booster data and final Phase 1 data for its leading, unique Lyme disease vaccine candidate VLA15. To investigate whether a VLA15 booster will elicit an anamnestic response , Valneva amended its Phase 1 study protocol during 2018, adding a booster dose in a sub-cohort of the Phase 1 study […]The post Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate: Valneva reports positive initial booster data and final Phase 1 data appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Osceola County, FL have issued a rabies alert in response to a coyote that tested positive for rabies on January 29, 2019 in the Kissimmee area. All residents and visitors in Osceola County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. […]The post Florida: Rabid coyote prompts alert in Kissimmee appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With so much attention on the measles outbreak in the northwest, it became easy to overlook the measles outbreaks we were monitoring prior to the New Year. In Rockland County, NY, the outbreak total continues to rise and as of today, the total measles cases has reached 128 since late September. In Brooklyn, there have been […]The post Measles update: Rockland County, Brooklyn and Clark County, WA appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vaccinating laboratory mice with Streptococcus mitis bacteria prevents their virulent sibling, Streptococcus pneumoniae from infecting the mice. The research suggests that vaccination of humans with live S. mitis might offer protection from some of the many serotypes of S. pneumoniae that vaccines currently do not exist for. This pathogen is one of the most common causes of severe pneumonia, and can also cause […]The post Streptococcus mitis intranasal immunization protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae in mice appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District reported last week of a confirmed measles case that is linked to the University of Illinois. According to health officials, the following locations is the list of possible exposures to this case: The McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois is working with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District. The […]The post Measles case confirmed in Champaign area, University of Illinois issues alert appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Robert Niezgoda, MPH The York Teaching Hospital National Health Service Foundation has implemented visiting restrictions in response to a high level of norovirus transmission at York Hospital in order to ensure the safety of patients and staff. The increased number of cases has caused the closure of wards and has resulted in a decreased number […]The post Norovirus Outbreak at York Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom 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: Chief medical officer’s Lyme disease retweet likely violated policy — legal expert A recent tweet by Nova Scotia’s top doctor dismissing chronic Lyme disease as a pseudoscience supported by a cult following appears to violate the province’s social […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Lyme disease retweet, Tick salivary glands appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Clark County Public Health is continuing its measles outbreak investigation. Since Jan. 1, we have identified 36 confirmed cases and 12 suspect cases. Public Health has also identified one new location where people may have been exposed to measles. Here are the details of the confirmed cases: • Age • 1 to 10 years: 25 cases […]The post Clark County measles outbreak update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (MAFF) reported the seventh Classical swine fever outbreak since September 2018. According to the MAFF (computer translated), the outbreak was confirmed on a pig farm in Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture. The farm has 127 breeding pigs and 1,535 fattening pigs. Based on “Specific Animal Infectious Disease Control Guidelines on Hog […]The post Japan: 7th Classical Swine Fever outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) have launched the Pandemic Response Box to provide researchers with free access to 400 diverse compounds to accelerate the discovery of new treatments for life-threatening pandemic diseases. The Pandemic Response Box is a collection of structurally diverse antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal compounds – selected by disease experts […]The post Pandemic Response Box launched by MMV and DNDi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment wishes to report that laboratory testing at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has confirmed Dengue Type 3 in Antigua and Barbuda. The total number of Dengue cases seen in Antigua and Barbuda between April 2018 and January 25, 2019, is twenty-one of which six have been […]The post Antigua and Barbuda report confirmed dengue appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Robert Niezgoda, MPH Since June of 2018, a total of 1,531 cases of Hepatitis A have been confirmed in Ohio with additional cases continuing to be reported in areas of the state. Montgomery and Butler counties, in the Southwest part of the state, have reported more than 450 of the total number of reported cases. […]The post Hepatitis A Outbreak Continues in Ohio appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today announced that the pivotal Phase 3 trial of its dengue vaccine candidate met the primary efficacy endpoint. This first analysis of the Tetravalent Immunization against Dengue Efficacy Study (TIDES) trial showed that the company’s investigational live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine (TAK-003) was efficacious in preventing dengue fever caused by any of the four serotypes […]The post Dengue vaccine candidate proves efficacious in preventing any of the four serotypes of the virus 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: Unknown virus claims 64 lives in Indore, India An unknown virus has claimed 64 lives in and around the Indian city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh. As reported by the Indian newspaper, Times of India, the virus has […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Unknown virus in India, MERS in Oman, Jakarta dengue appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Sri Lanka health officials are reporting 4,825 dengue fever cases through the first four weeks of 2019, according to the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health. At least two dengue-related fatalities have been reported. This total is lower than the number of cases reported during the same period last year (7,278). Colombo has seen […]The post Sri Lanka reports nearly 5,000 dengue cases in January appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The chikungunya outbreak that began last year in southern Thailand continues into the first month of 2019 as country health officials report more than 1,000 cases through Jan. 28. According to the Bureau of Epidemiology, a total of 1075 cases were reported from 14 provinces during the first four weeks. No deaths have been reported. The […]The post Thailand chikungunya cases top 1,000 in January appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Twelve confirmed human yellow fever cases have been reported in São Paulo State, including six fatalities, according to the PAHO. Cases have been reported in the municipalities of Eldorado (9 cases) and one each in Jacupiranga, Iporanga, and Cananeia in the southern part of the state. “Human cases reported during the current 2018-2019 seasonal period in four […]The post Yellow fever: 12 cases reported in São Paulo, Is this the third wave? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Clark County health officials reported one additional confirmed measles case today, bringing the total cases to 35. In addition, 11 suspect cases are being reported. Nearly 89 percent of the confirmed cases were unvaccinated. Only one case was reported in an adult. Measles in Washington has spread and health officials urge immunization. Immunization is the best […]The post One additional measles case reported in Vancouver outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Madagascar, the outbreak case count has risen to 28,747 since early October. The vast majority of the outbreak cases have been reported in children. Of this total, 80 fatalities have been reported. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 55% of cases are either unvaccinated or of unknown […]The post Measles in Madagascar: 29K cases since October appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a continuation of the Parasitology interviews, here are five more: The Parasitology interviews, Part 1 Philippines reports 200,000 dengue cases in 2018, 31st Dengvaxia complaint filed over doctor’s death Measles: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declares a state of emergency CDC Health Advisory: Rifampin/Penicillin-Resistant RB51 Brucella from consuming raw milk Infectious disease news: Top 5 […]The post The Parasitology interviews, Part 2 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Last week, Clark County Public Health Director, Dr Alan Melnick said, “I don’t see this ending anytime soon”. He was of course speaking of the measles outbreak in the county. Over the weekend, health officials reported four additional confirmed measles cases, bringing the total to 34 since January 1st. Nine suspected cases are also under investigation. Thirty […]The post Measles outbreak: 34 confirmed cases in Vancouver area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host. There are three main classes of parasites that can cause disease in humans: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. On this post and […]The post The Parasitology interviews, Part 1 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Much of today’s show was dedicated to vaccine topics and a couple of important interviews. In the first half, I speak to the author of the excellent book, Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism: My Journey as a Vaccine Scientist, Pediatrician, and Autism Dad, Peter Hotez, MD, PhD. In addition to going through some news in the […]The post Outbreak News This Week: Vaccines 1-27-19 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: Monkey Fever in Shivamogga: Kyasanur’s ticking time bomb Reckless human forays into eco-sensitive forest areas and lax public health monitoring have led to a deadly outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease, or Monkey Fever, in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, disrupting […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Kyasanur Forest Disease, TB vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Southwest Georgia Public Health District have reported two people in Atlanta have been treated for measles in the past month, according to a local media report. No details on the patients are available. Director for Public Health in Southwest Georgia Doctor Charles Ruis said children who are not vaccinated are at the highest […]The post Atlanta: Two measles cases treated this month, according to report appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with NSW Health report with the recent two additional confirmed measles cases, the total cases seen since Christmas is up to 11. NSW Health is warning passengers on an international flight to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles, after a man in his early fifties, who acquired the infection while visiting family in […]The post Australia: Measles tally rises to 11 in NSW appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On the same day that Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency over the measles outbreak, Oregon health officials confirmed a case in Multnomah County in the northwest part of the state. The Oregon Health Authority is working with Multnomah County and other Oregon and Washington agencies to notify individuals of their potential exposure and […]The post Measles in Oregon: Case confirmed in Multnomah 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: LSTM and Imperial College Researchers design new anti-influenza drugs Researchers at LSTM and Imperial College London have designed drugs which could help combat any potential new flu pandemic, by targeting the receptors of the cells by which the […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: New anti-influenza drugs, Leishmaniasis in Sindh appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Thirty-one passengers onboard Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking Sea January 18–28, 2019 voyage, according to federal health officials. 31 of 925 passengers (3.35%) presented with diarrhea and vomiting, To date, no etiology has been identified. Officials will board the ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on January 28 to conduct an epidemiologic investigation and environmental health assessment and evaluate the […]The post Cruise news: GI outbreak onboard Viking Ocean Cruises vessel, Viking Sea appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice this week for the country of Kazakhstan. Health officials in Kazakhstan have reported an outbreak of measles. CDC officials say travelers to Kazakhstan should make sure they are vaccinated against measles with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Specifically: Make sure you are fully vaccinated […]The post Travel advisory for Kazakhstan: Measles outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Dengue 2018 After reporting a slight decrease in dengue fever cases in 2017, it looks like in 2018, more than 200,000 cases will be reported once again. From 1 January to 8 December 2018, a total of 199,271 dengue cases have been reported nationwide. There were 144,915 cases during the same period in 2017. Looking back at […]The post Philippines reports 200,000 dengue cases in 2018, 31st Dengvaxia complaint filed over doctor’s death appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With the measles outbreak in the Clark County area of Washington state growing, now up to 30 confirmed cases and several suspected, Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency on Friday. In his proclamation, Inslee notes that a State of Emergency exists in all counties in the state of Washington, and direct the plans and procedures of the […]The post Measles: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declares a state of emergency appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a story from last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory over the third Brucella RB51 infection since mid-2017. The current investigation is associated with the third known case of brucellosis from Brucella RB51 in a New York resident who who drank raw milk purchased from Miller’s Biodiversity Farm […]The post CDC Health Advisory: Rifampin/Penicillin-Resistant RB51 Brucella from consuming raw milk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Jan. 19 through Jan. 25: 5. South Africa issues alert for travelers to the southern African region South African health officials issued a warning for travellers returning from the southern African region because of the risk of a number of infectious diseases that could be […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Jan. 19- Jan. 25 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The ancient bacterial infection, Leprosy, while declared ‘eliminated’ as a public health problem at a global level in 2005 by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005, it is still not gone and around 220,000 new cases are reported globally each year. More the half the cases are reported in India, while other high-burden countries include Brazil and Indonesia. On […]The post World Leprosy Day 2019: ‘Ending discrimination, stigma and prejudice’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of confirmed measles cases reported in the Clark County, WA outbreak rose to 30 and another nine suspect cases, according to local health officials. Almost all the cases are in children. Twenty-six of the cases were not vaccinated and the other four are unverified. Clark County Public Health Director, Dr Alan Melnick said, […]The post Measles outbreak jumps to 30 confirmed cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.