Outbreak News Today

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Madagascar, the Ministry of Public Health (MoH) of Madagascar has reported 19,539 measles cases and 39 deaths since October 2018. Cases were reported from 66 of 114 total districts in all 22 regions of Madagascar. According to a WHO release this week, the outbreak has spread to densely populated […]The post Madagascar measles update: 20,000 cases since October appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Last week we learned of the emergence of yet another mosquito-borne virus. It’s called Madariaga virus and the human cases were confirmed in several schoolchildren in Haiti–the first time reported in the northern Caribbean. The cases were documented in a study in the journal, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Joining me to discuss Madariaga virus, the study and […]The post Madariaga virus with Dr Glenn Morris appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Earlier this month, the pioneer in epidemic risk modeling, Metabiota, unveiled its predictions for the industries that are most likely to be impacted by a healthcare crisis in the year ahead. I was joined by Metabiota’s director of epidemiology, Patrick Ayscue, DVM to discuss these 2019 predictions. Related: The Global Virome Project: Providing timely […]The post Top 3 industries that will be impacted by epidemics in 2019 with Metabiota’s Dr Patrick Ayscue appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in the Vancouver, Washington area, an additional two confirmed cases were reported in children, bringing the outbreak total to 16. In addition, five additional suspected cases are being investigated. All the cases were in children and at least 14 of the cases were not vaccinated. In addition to […]The post Washington: Clark County measles outbreak rises to 16 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 1986, an estimated 3.5 million human Guinea worm disease cases annually in 21 countries in Africa and Asia. Yesterday, the Carter Center reported that the annual case tally has dropped to 28 in 2018, a slight drop from 2017 (30). During 2018, 17 human cases of Guinea worm disease were reported in Chad, 10 in South Sudan, […]The post Guinea worm cases down slightly in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles situation in Clark County, Washington, health officials are now reporting 14 confirmed cases and three suspected cases, all among children. One child required hospitalization for their illness. The bulk of the children are under the age of 10 and 13 of the cases were not vaccinated. The 14th case’s vaccination […]The post Measles outbreak affects 14 in Vancouver area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pampanga Northwest of Manila in the Philippine province of Pampanga, health officials have declared the province malaria-free. “Pampanga is now included among the provinces in the country without any case of this kind of illness,” DOH Regional Director Cesar Cassion said Tuesday. Nationally, the country has recorded a significant decline in cases in the past […]The post Philippines: Pampanga declared malaria free, No meningococcemia outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, Acurx Pharmaceuticals announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track designation for ACX-362E, an investigational new treatment for Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI). ACX-362E is a novel, oral antibiotic that recently entered Phase 1 development. ACX-362E is a novel, first-in-class, orally-administered antibacterial. It is […]The post Investigational Clostridium difficile infection treatment granted Fast Track designation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A type of mosquito that transmits malaria has been detected in Ethiopia for the first time, and the discovery has implications for putting more people at risk for malaria in new regions, according to a study led by a Baylor University researcher. The mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, normally is found in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and […]The post Malaria mosquito vector, Anopheles stephensi, seen in Ethiopia for 1st time appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bird flu outbreaks among flocks, pig disease outbreaks like African swine fever. We see this in the news frequently enough. Have you ever wondered what is done with the carcasses of the dead and culled animals on livestock farms and how well do these methods protect the public health? Joining me today to shed some […]The post Animal outbreaks on farms: How do they dispose of the carcasses? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

From NSW Health: With summer in full swing, parents are being urged to take precautions around untreated or poorly treated water to protect children from deadly amoebic meningitis. NSW Health’s Director of Environmental Health, Dr Richard Broome, said the amoeba that occurs in warm natural surface waters and soil causes infection which is rare but […]The post Naegleria fowleri: Australian officials issue warning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here is a look at some interesting infectious disease and health news reported across the globe: Canada-wide Hep A and Hep B vaccine shortage A Canada-wide shortage of hepatitis A and B vaccines is a major cause for concern for those planning a getaway to warmer climes. Maleeha Sheikh reports. Listen here Pioneering Surgery Restores Movement to […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Canada vaccine shortage, AFM surgery appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Biotech company, Valneva announced today the signing of a new $59 million contract with the U.S. government Department of Defense for the supply of its Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine IXIARO® . Valneva’s Japanese encephalitis vaccine is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of the disease for people who travel to, or live in, endemic areas. […]The post Valneva announces new contract with DOD to supply Japanese encephalitis vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Rabies is an acute viral infection that is transmitted to humans or other mammals usually through the saliva from a bite of an infected animal. It is also rarely contracted through breaks in the skin or contact with mucous membranes. It has been suggested that airborne transmission is possible in caves where there are heavy […]The post The Rabies Interviews appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 2018, Ukraine saw an astounding 54,000 measles cases and 16 fatalities. As 2019 begins, it appears the measles problem continues in Ukraine as health officials has already reported 5,059 measles cases from December 28, 2018 to January 11, 2019 and two death. In total, the highest rates in Lviv (a total of 930 people: 291 […]The post Measles continues strong in Ukraine in 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the expanded use of Adacel® (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine Adsorbed) to include repeat vaccination to help protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. It is now the first and only Tdap vaccine in the U.S. approved for a repeat dose in people 10 […]The post Adacel, Tdap vaccine, receives FDA approval for expanded use appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirms one case of measles in a person who visited the cities of Malibu, Santa Monica and Pasadena while infectious between December 26 to December 29. This person visited the following venues at the following times: Santa Monica Pier and the Blue Plate Taco restaurant […]The post LA health officials issue measles warning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Madariaga virus (MADV), or South American eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), has–until now– been found primarily in animals of South and Central America, with the first human outbreak occurring in Panama in 2010. Now, scientists writing in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases report the identification of MADV in eight children in Haiti in 2015 and 2016. Madariaga is […]The post Haiti: Madariaga virus reported in several children appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials on the Pacific island of Palau are reporting an outbreak of dengue fever. According to the Ministry of Health, the first ever laboratory confirmation of two cases with dengue serotype-3 were reported, prompting an health alert. In just the past week, authorities reported nine new cases bringing the outbreak total to 57 cases since […]The post Palau reports dengue outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Thailand reported thousands of chikungunya cases in the south last year and in just the first two weeks of 2019, 447 cases were already reported from 12 provinces- mostly from Phuket, Songkla and Pattani provinces. This has prompted it’s neighbors to take notice, including Malaysia. Monitoring at the international gateway between Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and […]The post Malaysia monitors chikungunya outbreak in Thailand appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles situation in New South Wales, Australia, health officials have reported four additional cases in the past week, bringing the total to seven in January. The fourth case was in a Sydney man who was a close contact of the case reported on 3 January has developed measles nine days after […]The post Measles: More cases reported in the Sydney area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here is a look at some interesting infectious disease and health news reported across the globe: Ten health issues WHO will tackle this year The world is facing multiple health challenges. These range from outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and diphtheria, increasing reports of drug-resistant pathogens, growing rates of obesity and physical inactivity to the health […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: WHO’s 10 issues in 2019, Ebola outbreak update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to the CDC, Naegleria fowleri (commonly referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba” or “brain-eating ameba”), is a free-living microscopic ameba, (single-celled living organism). It can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The ameba is commonly found in warm freshwater (e.g. lakes, rivers, and hot springs) and soil. Naegleria fowleri usually infects […]The post The Naegleria fowleri interviews appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the American health provider who had a possible exposure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nebraska Medicine officials say the individual completed the required 21-day monitoring period and did not develop symptoms of the disease and was released. According to Ted Cieslak MD, infectious diseases specialist with Nebraska Medicine and associate professor […]The post Individual monitored for Ebola released from Nebraska facility: Completed 21-day monitoring period, never developed disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Late last week, Tony Harrison of Gold Coast Snake Catcher on Australia’s east coast published an amazing video on Facebook of a call he had to retrieve a carpet python from a customer’s pool in Coolangatta. Amazed by what he found, Harrison said, “I’ve done this for 26 years and this is the worst I’ve ever seen.” […]The post Nike the ‘tick python’: Full recovery is hopeful appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The consumption of anthrax tainted meat has been linked to an outbreak of suspected Bacillus anthracis infections in Nzoka village, Momba district of the Songwe Region of Tanzania, according to Tanzanian news source, The Citizen. Four people have died and some 77 people were sickened after eating the suspect meat. Juma Irando, Momba District Commissioner, said the district leadership […]The post Tanzania anthrax outbreak: Dozens sickened, 4 dead appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The China Ministry of Agriculture reported today (computer translated) on an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak on a farm in Qingcheng County, Gansu Province in northwest China. This is the first outbreak recorded in Gansu and the 24th Chinese province affected by the epidemic. The outbreak occurred on a farm with 109 live pigs, infecting 44 of […]The post African swine fever in China: 1st outbreak in Gansu province appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have yet to call the etiology of what had sickened hundreds of passengers and crew on board the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas, the outbreak tally of people with gastrointestinal illness symptoms continues to rise. As of Saturday, federal health officials now put the count at […]The post Cruise ship outbreak nears 600 ill with suspected norovirus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s show, I touch on some Florida news to include the suspected norovirus outbreak onboard the Royal Caribbean vessel, Oasis of the Seas, which as of today has accounted for some 600 GI cases in passengers and crew. I also look at some year end data from the Sunshine state concerning hepatitis A, mosquito […]The post Outbreak News This Week Radio Show 1-13-19 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is estimating some 6,150,000 – 7,280,000 influenza cases in the 2018-2019 flu season as of Jan. 5. Officials say this accounts for 2,920,000 – 3,510,00 medical visits to date and 69,300 – 83,500 hospitalizations. The cumulative burden of influenza is an estimate of the number of people who have been […]The post Flu season in the US: Estimated 6-7 million cases to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 2018, Japanese health officials battled three infectious disease outbreaks of note– the vaccine-preventable diseases of measles and rubella and the sexually transmitted infection, syphilis. Measles While Japan saw 282 measles cases total, an outbreak in Okinawa that started in March 2018 accounted for more than one-third of the total annual cases (101). The outbreak began […]The post Japan 2018: Measles, rubella and syphilis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Brazil Ministry of Health reported this week (computer translated) on the measles situation in the country. From the beginning of 2018, until January 8 of this year, 10,274 cases were confirmed in Brazil. 12 fatalities have been reported. Currently, the country faces two outbreaks of measles: in Amazonas with 9,778 confirmed cases and in 355 […]The post Brazil imported measles outbreak tops 10,000 cases last year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here is a look at some interesting infectious disease and health news reported across the globe: Researchers at LSTM show that parasites from patients with cerebral malaria stick preferentially in their brains A team at LSTM with their collaborators in Malawi and Denmark have provided, for the first time, evidence which links the ability of red blood […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Cerebral malaria, Heroin vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Jan. 5 through Jan. 11: 5. Wyoming: Rare antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection reported in Cheyenne The number 5 post of the week is based on a report from the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) about a rare antibiotic-resistant infection (mcr-1) in a patient being treated in Cheyenne. 4. Japan […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Jan. 5- Jan. 11 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the gastrointestinal illness outbreak on the Royal Caribbean International’s vessel, Oasis of the Seas, federal officials have now put the outbreak total to more than 400 passengers and crew. As of Friday, 385 of 6,285 (6.12%) passengers and 17 of 2,169 (0.78%) crew members have been affected in the outbreak. To date, officials report the etiology […]The post Royal Caribbean cruise outbreak update: More than 400 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Rabies is a topic we report on on the website often and have discussed on the podcast several times. Last May, we reported on a human rabies death in a Virginia resident who traveled overseas, where she contracted it. Last week in the CDC publication, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report or (MMWR), they published a […]The post Rabies: The fatal Virginia case and some important lessons appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials in Alberta, Canada are reporting the first ever case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus. The case was reported in a 400-head hog operation in Alberta, according to Alberta Pork. Alberta Pork is working closely with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to fully investigate this outbreak and prevent the disease from spreading further. Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) […]The post Porcine epidemic diarrhea reported in Alberta for the 1st time appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Circulation of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been confirmed in Mozambique, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Officials report two genetically-linked circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) isolates were detected, from an acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) case (with onset of paralysis on 21 October 2018, in a six-year old girl with no […]The post Polio outbreak confirmed in Mozambique appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in England report investigating two antibiotic resistant gonorrhea cases. The cases show similar resistance patterns to the antibiotics (ceftriaxone and azithromycin) that are used as the first line treatment for gonorrhea. Both patients are heterosexual females with one case acquired in Europe and the other has links to Europe but was acquired in the UK. […]The post Drug resistant gonorrhea in the UK: Two cases being investigated appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

San Antonio flu activity is on the rise and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) wants to help by giving away free flu vaccine. Currently, after a slow start, Metro Health is seeing flu activity levels consistent with an average flu season. No pediatric flu-related deaths have been reported. “Getting the flu vaccine […]The post San Antonio: Flu activity up, Metro Health giving away free flu vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Uganda Ministry of Health received a report of four suspected cholera cases on Jan. 5 who had been seen at Kirudu hospital with· diarrhea and vomiting, which had started on 4th January 2019. These suspected cholera cases were from Kabowa parish, Rubaga division. The health workers in Kirudu hospital immediately suspected cholera and gave them appropriate […]The post Uganda: Cholera outbreak in Kampala appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials are reporting some 277 passengers and crew onboard Royal Caribbean’s vessel, Oasis of the Seas, have fell ill with vomiting being the predominant symptom. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 266 of 6,285 (4.23%) passengers and 11 of 2,169 (0.51%) crew were sickened. While media reports state the cause of the outbreak as norovirus, […]The post Oasis of the Seas: 277 sickened on cruise, voyage cut short appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice for Tijuana, Mexico after some US residents who retuned were diagnosed with infections caused by an antibiotic-resistant form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. All of the travelers with this particular infection had an invasive medical procedure performed in Tijuana, CDC notes. Most (but not […]The post Travel warning: Drug-resistant Pseudomonas infections linked to surgeries in Tijuana, Mexico appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Measles Chile health officials announced (computer translated) the commencement of a vaccination campaign against measles as part of the prevention against the outbreak of imported cases. “It is important to say that today we are with an outbreak that is controlled, and to continue with this control from January 2 we started a vaccination campaign against measles […]The post Chile begins measles vaccination campaign, First hantavirus case confirmed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Chagas disease is a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. It is found mainly in endemic areas of 21 Latin American countries where infection is transmitted mostly by vectors to humans by contact with feces or urine of triatomine bugs (also known as “kissing bugs”). It effects tens of millions of people living in these areas. The Pan […]The post Chagas disease diagnosis and treatment: PAHO issues new guide appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Wyoming state health officials are reporting a rare antibiotic-resistant infection in a patient being treated at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center (CRMC). Testing on the patient from Laramie County reveals the bacterium causing the infection, an enterobacteriaceae, also included a rare antibiotic-resistant gene known as MCR-1. It does not appear the infection was acquired at the hospital. Dr. HooFeng […]The post Wyoming: Rare antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection reported in Cheyenne appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Singapore officials reported an increase in dengue fever cases in 2018, including an increase in cases during the past three weeks. According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), the total number of dengue cases reported in 2018 was 3,285, which is almost 20 per cent more than in 2017, but lower than the annual number […]The post Singapore: Dengue cases up in 2018, may see a surge in 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Ireland health officials are warning the public to be vigilant regarding meningococcal meningitis/septicemia as there has been a noted increase in meningococcal disease in the country in the last two weeks. Since the last week of December, 11 cases, including three fatalities have been reported. Provisional data on the strain types identified since week 52 2018 indicates […]The post Ireland issues warning over increase in meningococcal disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here is a look at some important infectious disease news reported across the globe: Did Charles Darwin Have Lyme Disease? During his lifetime, Charles Darwin complained of so many different ailments that it’s no small miracle the pioneering evolutionary biologist got any work done. Historians have struggled to understand the exact nature of his illness […]The post Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Charles Darwin and Lyme disease, DRC polio appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

There is a new medication that in one dose successfully protected nonhuman primates against a lethal infection of all strains of the deadly Ebola virus. The findings are now available in Cell Host & Microbe. Dr. Thomas Geisbert, a world-renowned Ebola researcher at The University of Texas Medical Branch, said that previous therapeutics typically were of […]The post Ebola drug: UTMB experimental treatment effective in single dose in animals appeared first on Outbreak News Today.