Outbreak News Today

In a follow-up on the monkeypox situation in Nigeria in 2018, health officials continue to report sporadic cases of monkeypox since the beginning of 2018. For the period of November 14 – December 13, 2018, the Nigerian CDC saw fifteen new suspected monkeypox cases, of which six confirmed cases were recorded in five states (Rivers -1, Bayelsa -2, Delta […]The post Nigeria continues to report monkeypox appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Last summer, Slovakian health officials reported on a measles outbreak in the eastern town of Drahňov in Michalovce District in the Kosice Region. Yesterday, the Public Health Service of the Slovak Republic reported (computer translated) on a measles epidemic in Trebišov district, also in the eastern part of the country. Since September 2018, 105 measles cases have been reported in […]The post Slovakia: Measles outbreak in Trebišov district appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Three confirmed measles cases have been reported in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, according to a release from ISAUDE Chairman of the Board of Directors, Herberto Jesus (computer translated). The three cases have an epidemiological link, thus is considered an outbreak, he noted, The patients include three adults–two female and one male. One of the cases has a […]The post Measles outbreak reported in Madeira appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A five-year-old boy died Saturday in a Santo Domingo hospital from rabies, the fourth such case of the year in the Dominican Republic, according to a El Comercio report (computer translated). The child, who entered the Robert Reid Cabral Children’s Hospital ten days ago, remained in an induced coma and yesterday his condition began to worsen, […]The post Rabies: 4th human death recorded in the Dominican Republic this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) situation in the United States among certain at-risk populations (homelessness, using illicit drugs) really got it’s start in mid- to late 2016 in Michigan and California. Since that time, the number of cases in these high-risk groups grew in numbers and spread to a number of states. By the end of […]The post Hepatitis A in the US: More than 10,000 cases reported to CDC in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Florida state health officials have reported an increase in measles cases in the state in 2018 compared to 2017, according to available data. The Florida Department of Health saw 14 total measles cases this year with 11 of them acquired in the state. The remaining three cases were acquired outside the US. Of the 11 […]The post Florida reports increase in measles in 2018, Most acquired in state appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An American providing care for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is headed to the University of Nebraska Medical Center after a possible exposure. According to Nebraska Medicine, the individual currently is not showing symptoms; however, should any symptoms develop, the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit would be activated and […]The post Possible Ebola exposure to arrive in Nebraska appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The biotech company, Valneva announced this month about the promising work and progress on two vaccine candidates–the mosquito borne virus, chikungunya and Lyme disease. On today’s show I am joined by Valneva President and CEO, Thomas Lingelbach to discuss the latest on these vaccine candidates. Related: Neglected Tropical Diseases: Chagas disease and schistosomiasis Lyme bacteria […]The post Chikungunya and Lyme vaccine candidates with Valneva CEO Thomas Lingelbach appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On the final show of the year, I do my annual year in review with a look at the top 10 most important infectious disease news stories of the year, in my opinion of course. In addition, I unveil the top podcast of 2018 from Outbreak News Interviews (as far as downloads) and the top […]The post Outbreak News This Week Radio Show: 2018 Year in Review appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in Hillsborough County, FL, county health officials report that through Dec. 20, a total of 83 cases and 75 Locally acquired cases of hepatitis A were reported. The 83 cases reported to date in 2018 is dramatically higher than the total cases reported in the county from 2013-2017 […]The post Hillsborough County sees dozens of hepatitis A cases in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pangasinan is a province on the western area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf and South China Sea, some 163 km or 100 miles north of Manila. Pangasinan struggled with weather issues like typhoons this year that led to much flooding and increased cases of leptospirosis and dengue in 2018. According to the Provincial […]The post Philippines: Dengue fever and leptospirosis up in Pangasinan in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Santa Cruz County, CA health officials are reporting a spike in pertussis, or whooping cough since October and it is widespread throughout the county. To put it perspective, since October 2018 many more people have been infected with whooping cough than in all of 2016 and 2017 combined. Health officials are working with schools, families, and […]The post Pertussis spike reported in Santa Cruz County, CA appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Dec. 22 through Dec. 28: 5. Lyme bacteria persister forms, antibiotics and essential oils with Dr. Ying Zhang My interview with Dr Ying Zhang with Johns Hopkins was the top post of last week. This week it ranks as #5. In the podcast, Dr Zhang talks about […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Dec. 22- Dec. 28 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New York health officials issued a warning this week about the potential dangers of consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk and other dairy products after resident was recently diagnosed with a Brucella RB51 infection. New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center Laboratory, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, confirmed the infection. The individual […]The post New York: Brucella RB51 infection prompts warning about raw milk from Lancaster County, PA appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A black bear found dead in Hyde County has tested positive for rabies — the first known case of a rabies positive black bear in the state, according to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Johnny Dale, of Fairfield, contacted the Commission on Dec. 17 after finding the yearling male bear dead at his game feeder. […]The post Black bear tests positive for rabies in Hyde County, 1st known case in NC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Southern Nevada Health District confirmed an imported measles case in an international traveler. This is the first confirmed case of measles in Clark County since 2015. The patient is a previously vaccinated adult with a history of international travel. Health officials note that the measles vaccine is highly effective; however, some people may not […]The post Las Vegas: Imported measles case reported, 1st confirmed since 2015 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New Jersey state health officials issued a public health alert today due to potential exposure at Newark Liberty International Airport. On Dec. 24, 2018, an international traveler who has been confirmed to have measles — a highly contagious disease — arrived in Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport on a flight from Brussels. The […]The post New Jersey: Measles warning issued at Newark airport appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A teen from South Australia acquired measles while traveling in Southeast Asia and then visited a number of locations in Golden Grove and Modbury while infectious, prompting a health warning today. SA Health’s Acting Communicable Disease Control Branch Director, Dr Ann Koehler, said the 15-year-old girl is recovering at home. “Measles is highly contagious among people […]The post Measles warning issued in South Australia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on a report from August concerning an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid outbreak in Pakistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported today that health officials say the outbreak that began in Nov. 2016 has now grown to more than 5,200 XDR cases in Sindh province. Health authorities report that approximately seven out of 10, or 3,658 […]The post Pakistan drug resistant typhoid outbreak tops 5,000: WHO appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the dengue fever outbreak in Senegal, the Ministry of Health and Social Action announced this week (computer translated) that the dengue epidemic that started in mid-September is now over. Health officials said no additional cases have been reported since Dec. 1. Since Sept. 19, 342 confirmed cases were reported in the country, […]The post Senegal declares end of dengue epidemic appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Madagascar, local media reports (computer translated) the outbreak case total has risen to 15,049 cases since Oct. 1. About 65% of these cases were reported in the Analamanga region. 48 districts in Madagascar are affected by the measles epidemic during the last three months, six of which recorded […]The post Madagascar measles outbreak grows, 2/3 of cases from Analamanga region appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Barry-Eaton District Health Department have confirmed that the Legionella bacteria has been detected in the water supply of the Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital in Hastings. At least two cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been identified in patients at the hospital; however, it is unknown if they are directly connected to the issue with the […]The post Michigan: Legionella found at Hastings hospital appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

California state health officials are reporting that for the fifth year in a row, the number of infants born with congenital syphilis has increased. Tragically, following the national trend, health officials say the number of cases increased from 33 cases in 2012 to 283 cases in 2017. 71 of the infants were stillbirth during this period with 30 stillbirths […]The post California reports increase in congenital syphilis for 5th straight year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials on the South Pacific islands of New Caledonia have declared an epidemic of dengue fever after reporting some 100 cases since November. A dengue epidemic was originally declared on 22 February 2018 as cases skyrocketed through the spring and summer months, tapering off during the fall. According to health officials (computer translated), 1,997 dengue cases have been […]The post New Caledonia reports rise in dengue fever appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Global health care company, Sanofi, announced Wednesday that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the pediatric hexavalent combination vaccine, VAXELIS™ . VAXELIS was developed as part of a joint partnership between Sanofi and MSD (Merck) for use as a three dose series in children from 6 weeks through 4 years of age (prior to the […]The post Six disease combo vaccine, VAXELIS, receives FDA nod appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Metro North Public Health Unit has confirmed a case of measles in an adult male on Brisbane’s north side, according to a Metro North Hospital and Health Service Facebook page post. The man is believed to have contracted measles while travelling overseas. He was infectious from 16 December to 25 December whilst visiting the following locations: […]The post Brisbane: Measles alert issued appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Alabama state health officials report investigating a hepatitis A outbreak in Jackson County in the northeastern part of the state. This outbreak may have spread to surrounding counties. Persons at highest risk for hepatitis A include users of illegal substances, homeless persons, and men with same sex partners. “We are in the early stages of […]The post Alabama: Increase in hepatitis A cases in Jackson County, Vaccination encouraged appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the initial outbreak report of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in Japan in September, the first in 26 years, the Ministry of Agriculture reports (computer translated) reports a sixth farm outbreak of the year. The outbreak was confirmed on a pig farm in the city of Seki in Gifu Prefecture. The outbreak affected nearly […]The post Japan reports 6th Classical Swine Fever outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Florida is the latest state to record a confirmed case of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a condition that affects the nervous system, specifically the area of the spinal cord called gray matter, which causes the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 182 confirmed […]The post Florida reports 1st acute flaccid myelitis case, Nationally cases continue rise appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis, a serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and can cause severe brain damage. Meningococcal meningitis is fatal in 50% of cases if untreated. Though cases of meningitis occur throughout the world, large, recurring epidemics affect an extensive region of sub-Saharan […]The post Meningitis: Nigeria issues tips as dry season begins appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

It’s that time again to go over the past year and determine what I believe are the most important infectious disease and outbreak news stories. Every year this is a difficult task and 2018 is no different. Not everyone will be on board with my list, and that’s OK. So let’s take a look at […]The post 10 Most Important Infectious Disease Stories of 2018: Outbreak News Today appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Sri Lanka health officials saw a big decrease in dengue fever cases in 2018, compared to the massive situation last year. As you may recall, Sri Lanka saw a record year for dengue fever in 2017 reporting more than 186,000 cases. Good news is that as we come to the close of 2018, the Sri […]The post Sri Lanka reports decrease in dengue, increase in leptospirosis in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Three quarantines for Strangles have been reported in different counties in Florida after horses tested positive for the bacterial infection. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the following counties are experiencing quarantines: On December 20th, 2018, one premises in Marion County was placed under quarantine after one horse presented with clinical signs of […]The post Horses: Three Florida counties report Strangles appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Philippines health officials are reporting that the measles cases in the province of Quezon are now controlled. Health authorities said that as of 18 December, reports of measles cases in General Nakar in Quezon province had reached 107 cases. Cases were noted to increase in May this year. Most cases were aged four months to 38 […]The post Philippines: Quezon measles situation controlled appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)– a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries – affect more than one billion people and cost developing economies billions of dollars every year. Populations living in poverty, without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors […]The post Neglected Tropical Diseases: Chagas disease and schistosomiasis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hepatitis C is a virus (HCV) which can cause serious liver disease. In the early stage of infection, some people will have symptoms of illness including fever, nausea, abdominal pain, or jaundice; however, many persons will not have any symptoms at all. The virus is spread from exposure to an infected person’s blood. Exposure can […]The post Hepatitis C in the US: Nine states account for half of all cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Michigan state health officials reported the first influenza-associated pediatric death of the 2018-2019 flu season in a child from Osceola County who was infected with influenza A/H1N1. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Friday, seven flu-related pediatric deaths have been reported to date. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) says the […]The post Michigan reports 1st pediatric flu death of season, Flu activity elevated nationally appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

South Dakota state health officials are reporting the first confirmed acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) case of 2018. This comes a month after the South Dakota Department of Health announced investigating a case. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided expert consultation to help verify the diagnosis. The case is an adult who experienced a mild respiratory […]The post South Dakota confirms 1st Acute Flaccid Myelitis Case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Ocean County, New Jersey, health officials reported Friday that the case tally is now 33, up from 24 cases just a few short days ago. New Jersey health officials are warning residents about the additional confirmed cases that could have exposed others to the infection while in Ocean […]The post Ocean County measles outbreak jumps to 33 cases, Brooklyn and Rockland County outbreak updates appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported this week that the total measles cases reported through mid-December is nearly 50,000 cases. New data shows (computer translated) that an additional 2,652 people were diagnosed – 893 adults and 1,579 children, bringing the total for the year to 49,518. In addition, a toddler from Odessa […]The post Ukraine measles tally nears 50,000, 16th death reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Dec. 15 through Dec. 21: 5. Syphilis transmitted through semen? Researchers from the University of Washington suggest that Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum can be present in semen at high enough concentration to transmit the disease. 4. Chagas: 14 infected in Tocantins, Linked to juice made from bacaba Health officials in Tocantins State, […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Dec. 15- Dec. 21 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health report seeing an increase in listeriosis cases in December, prompting a warning for high-risk groups. According to an official notice Friday (computer translated), six cases were reported this month when the country typically sees 1-2 cases a month. Four of the six patients reported in December are from […]The post Norway reports increase in Listeriosis in December appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health authorities in France are reporting (computer translated) two hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases in young children linked to the consumption of raw milk reblochon. The two children, both less than 3 years of age and living in the same region, tested positive for E. coli O26. Both ate raw milk reblochon – a type of cheese. This […]The post France reports two HUS cases, prompts recall of Reblochon appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) situation in Michigan, state health officials are reporting two additional cases involving children in Ottawa and Macomb counties. This brings the state total to four in 2018. The CDC had confirmed 165 cases of AFM in 36 states, mostly in children as of Dec. 14. AFM is […]The post Michigan reports two additional AFM cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Federal health officials reported Friday on an update on the multistate Salmonella Reading outbreak linked to raw turkey products and it shows an additional 52 ill people from 26 states and the District of Columbia have been added to this investigation since early November. This brings the total outbreak cases to 216 from 38 states and the District of […]The post Salmonella outbreak linked to raw turkey products: 50 additional cases, one death appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on Valneva’s Chikungunya vaccine candidate, the France based biotech company announced Friday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for VLA1553. VLA1553 is a monovalent, single dose, live-attenuated vaccine candidate for protection against chikungunya. Wolfgang Bender, MD, PhD, chief medical officer of Valneva, commented, “Chikungunya is a growing […]The post Chikungunya vaccine candidate receives FDA Fast Track Designation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Federal Tick-borne Disease Working Group recently released their first report to Congress about one year after the panel first convened. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) responded to the report in a letter that contained some criticisms of the report. What is the Federal Tick-borne Disease Working Group, what’s in the report and […]The post Lyme disease, the Federal Tick-borne Disease Working Group and an IDSA letter with Timothy Sellati, PhD appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Israel, the Ministry of Health put the measles case county 2,690, with the peak seen in October with 948 patients, in November there was a slight decrease with 893 patients, and in December there were 194 patients. Jerusalem District saw the bulk of the cases with 1,739. The […]The post Israel measles update: Case count declines, Another death reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Ocean County, NJ, the Ocean County Health Department now reports 24 confirmed cases as of today. In addition, 10 cases under investigation. Vaccination is encouraged and those children involved with exposure to a confirmed case may be subject to an order of exclusion, if unvaccinated. The Ocean County Health […]The post Measles outbreak in Ocean County NJ grows appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Halton Region Health Department is investigating a confirmed case of measles involving an adult in Burlington that has led to potential exposures in public settings in Halton Region and neighboring communities during the period of December 13 to 17, 2018. People who have visited any of the following locations may have been exposed to […]The post Canada: Measles case confirmed in Halton Region, Ontario appeared first on Outbreak News Today.