Outbreak News Today

In a follow-up on the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) situation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reports a second case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) for the month of December. The patient is a 45-year-old man from Sajir, who is hospitalized with the infection. He had camel contact, a […]The post Saudi Arabia reports 2nd MERS case of December appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced romaine lettuce that was harvested outside of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Barbara Counties in California after Nov. 23 doesn’t appear to be related to the current outbreak. In addition, hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine also doesn’t appear to be related to the current outbreak. A positive […]The post FDA narrows source of tainted romaine, 7 added to outbreak total appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has been notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that Michigan has a confirmed a second case of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in 2018. The confirmed case is a child from Oakland County. The state’s first AFM case was confirmed Dec. 5 and […]The post Oakland County child is Michigan’s second AFM case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Vermont Departments of Fish & Wildlife and Health report the bobcat that bit two women yesterday in Hartford, VT, and a third person the day before has tested positive for rabies. All of the individuals bitten are receiving post-exposure medical treatment, which can prevent rabies. Two women were attacked by a bobcat in Hartford […]The post Vermont: Bobcat that attacked three tests positive for rabies appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Colorado state health officials are reporting an increase in cases of syphilis in newborns, or congenital syphilis. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports a total of 18 cases of congenital syphilis from 2013 through October 2018, with an accelerating trend in recent years. In Colorado there was one case in 2013, rising to five in […]The post Colorado reports an ‘accelerating trend’ of congenital syphilis cases in recent years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Hernando County, FL reported today on a positive case of hepatitis A in a food service worker from the Zig Zag Scallop Restaurant located at 4417 Calienta Street in Hernando Beach. The Florida Department of Health in Hernando County (DOH-Hernando) says if you frequented this restaurant December 1 – 3, and have not […]The post Hernando Beach: Zig Zag Scallop Restaurant worker test positive for hepatitis A appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Del Monte Foods Inc. announced a recall of 64,242 cases of FIESTA CORN Seasoned with Red & Green Peppers due to under-processing. These deviations were part of the commercial sterilization process and could result in contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to life-threatening illness if consumed. It is important to note that […]The post Del Monte ‘Fiesta corn’ recall: Under processing, ‘ could lead to life-threatening illness’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since the first adenovirus cases were reported last month in students at the University of Maryland (UMD), including the death of freshman, Olivia Paregol, school officials report an increase in cases among the student population. According to Director, University Health Center, David McBride, MD yesterday, there have been 35 confirmed cases of UMD students who […]The post Adenovirus: Dozens of University of Maryland students test positive appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Benin health officials announced this week of three Lassa fever cases (2 confirmed, 1 probable) reported in the municipality of Parakou in Borgou Department in the northern part of the country. According to local press (computer translated), the department head of the department of public health, Dr. Emmanuel Obolli Job said the cases all come from the village […]The post Benin: Lassa fever cases confirmed in Parakou appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Erie County, NY health officials have confirmed that a recent international traveler treated at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital has been diagnosed with measles. This individual had visited multiple venues in Erie County, potentially exposing others to measles between December 4th and December 11th. Anyone who visited the following locations in Erie County may have been exposed […]The post Measles case confirmed in Buffalo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Beginning in late 2016, U.S. diplomats and family members stationed in Havana, Cuba, reported a number of sudden-onset symptoms, including dizziness, ear pain and tinnitus. They noted a high frequency, loud and very localized sound that sometimes followed them as they moved through a room. For the first time, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh […]The post Cuba: Pitt researchers describe acute findings in Americans stationed at U.S. Embassy Havana appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Dengue Thai health officials report from Jan. 1 through Dec. 10, 80,065 dengue fever cases have been recorded from all 77 provinces. 107 fatalities have been reported. The top five morbidity rate were from Nakornpathom (321.71 / 100,000 population.) Nakornsawan (258.31 / 100,000 population.) Nakornsrithamarat (245.96 / 100,000 population.) Nakornnayok (232.23 / 100,000 population.) Chiengrai […]The post Thailand dengue cases top 80,000, measles cases rise appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since our last report on the chikungunya outbreak, primarily in the southern provinces of Thailand one month ago, the number of cases has quadrupled from 538 to 2,143 cases through Dec. 10. No deaths have been reported. Thirteen provinces have seen cases with Songkla, Satun, Narathiwat, Pattani and Phuket reporting the greatest incidence. A Phuket news source […]The post Chikungunya rising dramatically in southern Thailand appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health (MOH) reports that the number of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases has reached 505 (457 confirmed/48 probable). Nearly 300 deaths have been recorded to date. Health alerts were issued for the city of Goma– An alert has been notified to the Rutshuru General Referral Hospital. The victim […]The post DR Congo Ebola outbreak tops 500 cases, Children severely affected appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to ground beef produced by JBS Tolleson, Inc., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 87 more ill people, including 32 who have been hospitalized. In total, 333 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 28 states. 91 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have […]The post Salmonella outbreak linked to ground beef: More cases, more states appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Black adolescents living in the United States tend to receive the influenza vaccine at significantly lower rates than their white and Hispanic counterparts, according to Florida State University researchers. A new study, led by former FSU graduate student Noah Webb, along with current graduate student Benjamin Dowd-Arrow and Associate Professors of Sociology Miles Taylor and […]The post Flu shots: Black youth receive the vaccine at significantly lower rates appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The University of Otago’s Student Health Services is encouraging students to be immunised against meningococcal disease over the summer break. There has been an increase in meningococcal disease in New Zealand over the past few years and an increase in cases at the University of Otago this year. In recent months a more virulent strain […]The post Meningococcal meningitis vaccine encouraged at the University of Otago appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The first study of the burden of listeria in pregnant New Zealanders and their babies has found reassuringly low rates of the infection – indicating food safety warnings are working to prevent unnecessary cases of miscarriage, still birth, and meningitis in babies infected in the womb. However in those who contract the infection, the consequences […]The post University of Otago researchers study burden of Listeria in pregnant women in New Zealand appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reported this week that 11 additional animals from a deer farm in Washington County tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). The farm was quarantined in March after a buck there tested positive. Since that time, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory completed CWD testing for 44 white-tailed deer and 16 elk. […]The post Chronic wasting disease cases detected on Wisconsin deer farm appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The most common human helminthic infection, Ascaris sp. have a worldwide distribution. Their highest prevalence is in tropical and subtropical regions, and areas with inadequate sanitation. The larvae and adult worms live in the small intestine and can cause intestinal disease. In this short educational video, I look at the Giant intestinal roundworm–it’s geography, morphology, life cycle, […]The post Ascaris lumbricoides appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the rubella outbreak in Japan, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases now reports 2,454 in 2018 year-to-date. This tops the 2012 outbreak. Tokyo has seen 834 cases, followed by Kanagawa with 342 and Chiba with 334. According to a Japan Times report, the government will offer vaccinations for men aged between 39 and 56 who […]The post Japan rubella outbreak grows: Vaccines offered to men 39-56 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the two most recent suspected human rabies cases in Sarawak province, Malaysia, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reports that on December 10, 2018, laboratory tests on samples from both cases have been confirmed positive for rabies. The 15th rabies case, a 64-year-old man died on December 11, 2018 at 6.43am and […]The post Rabies update: Both recent Sarawak cases have died appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

During the month of November, a total of 8 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) were reported globally (all from Saudi Arabia), including 2 associated death, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) MERS Situation Report. Officials say two of the cases were a secondary infection through household contact. The demographic and epidemiological […]The post Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) update for November appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kentucky state health officials are reporting more than 3,000 hepatitis A outbreak cases since Aug. 2017. As of Dec. 1, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) has identified 3,021 hepatitis A cases in the current outbreak. Half of these cases required hospitalization and 19 people have died. This is up from 2865 cases and […]The post Kentucky hepatitis A outbreak tops 3,000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the human plague situation in Madagascar this season, since early August, 124 cases of plague have been recorded with 91 bubonic form (73.4 %), 31 pulmonary form (25%), 1 septicemia case and one unspecified. A quarter of the cases a pulmonary originated from the plague form which can be transmitted from human […]The post Plague count grows in Madagascar appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a update on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Health Ministry is now reporting 498 cumulative cases (450 confirmed) and 285 deaths (237 confirmed). In the past six weeks, a significant increase in Ebola cases and deaths has been observed in Butembo and […]The post Ebola update: Case count nears 500, Increases reported in Butembo and Katwa appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

UN health officials report that the Lassa fever situation seems to be increasing in parts of Nigeria. In the week ending Dec. 2, ), 13 new confirmed cases were reported from five states: Ondo (8), Edo (2), Gombe (1), Kano (1) and Plateau (1). There were three new deaths, one each, in Edo, Gombe and Plateau […]The post Lassa fever transmission activity appears to be increasing in Nigeria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

African-Americans with moderate or severe sleep apnea are twice as likely to have hard-to-control high blood pressure when their sleep apnea goes untreated, according to a new study funded mainly by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health. The findings, which researchers say may partially explain why […]The post Moderate or severe sleep apnea doubles risk of hard-to-treat hypertension in African-Americans appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A second confirmed case of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a condition that causes muscle weakness, was reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The child, in the Sarpy/Cass Health Department jurisdiction, was hospitalized and later released. Nebraska’s first confirmed case of AFM was reported in late November also in the Sarpy/Cass […]The post Nebraska reports 2nd AFM case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the mumps outbreak at the Lewis University Romeoville campus, Will County Health Department (WCHD) officials are recommending that medical providers and hospitals throughout the county take full precautions if someone enters their offices with typical mumps symptoms. These would especially include swollen salivary glands around the ears, mouth, and neck areas; in addition to […]The post Illinois: Will County officials advise on mumps testing, 3rd MMR vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Closest ever to its goal of stopping Polio virus circulation, Pakistan starts the last nationwide door to door Polio vaccination campaign of the year from 10th December. During these days, over 270,000 frontline workers will go door to door to ensure 38.7 million children aged 0 – 5 years receive polio vaccines that will protect […]The post Polio vaccination: Pakistan starts last ‘door-to-door’ campaign of 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The National Campaign for Vaccination against Measles, Rubella and Polio, in addition to vitamin A dose has been launched in all areas of Libya Saturday. The campaign lasts for seven days until the 15th of December and aims to vaccinate around 2.75 million children against measles, rubella and 1.5 million children against polio. All children […]The post Libya launches measles, rubella and polio vaccination campaign appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Getting an annual flu shot can save heart failure patients’ lives, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation. Flu season usually begins in the fall and runs through the spring, with cases often peaking during the winter months. Annual flu vaccination is regarded as a safe, low-cost way to reduce flu-related deaths […]The post Annual flu shot can save heart failure patients’ lives: Research appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Uruguay health officials reported the first human leishmaniasis case in a minor from Salta, according to a news release Wednesday (computer translated). The sandfly vector was first found in the country in 2010 and canine infections had been reported prior to this human case. According to the minister of the area, Jorge Basso, the patient is in […]The post Uruguay reports 1st human leishmaniasis case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A person with a previous diagnosis of possible acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) by the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) has been confirmed as a case of AFM by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The child was hospitalized in October and has been released. This is the first case of AFM confirmed […]The post North Dakota reports 1st confirmed AFM case of 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Portugal, 26 measles cases have been laboratory confirmed in these regions early November. The Observador reports (computer translated) that one outbreak of 19 confirmed cases in Cascais originated from a case imported from Ukraine. There is also another outbreak in Oeiras with five confirmed cases , originating in a case imported from […]The post Portugal: Measles update in Lisbon and Tagus Valley appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Malaysia health officials report two (2) new cases of rabies suspected in humans in Sarawak. A suspect is still in the treatment and observation of a medical specialist at the Sarawak General Hospital (HUS). While one suspected case has passed away on 7 December 2018 during treatment at HUS. Both suspected cases are still waiting for […]The post Rabies: Two suspected human cases reported in Sarawak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s show I look at the ins and outs of Medicare for All, a single payer, government health insurance program popularized most recently by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and now a number of new progressives recently elected are carrying the mantle with Sanders. I discuss what the program is designed to cover (which is […]The post Outbreak News This Week Radio Show 12-9-18 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here’s a lesson for the next textbook on malaria: If at first you succeed, don’t rest on your laurels or become complacent. Put your head down and keep working. Public health officials in the Republic of Uzbekistan learned that lesson the hard way after they emerged victorious more than half a century ago in their […]The post Uzbekistan eliminates malaria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ISNTD) and Break Dengue (BD) have joined forces to form a global collective with the clear goal of reducing the burden of dengue around the world and devising ambitious action plans and collaborations to contribute to the fight against dengue in communities and countries where dengue is a public health […]The post ISNTD calls for World Dengue Day: Sign the petition appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to the World Health Organization, early analysis of campaign data points to a successful vaccination round in a polio-free country at risk of possible importation. In the last week of October, Djibouti’s Ministry of Health, working with WHO, UNICEF and other partners, successfully carried out the country’s first polio National Immunization Days (NIDs) since […]The post Africa: Djibouti’s mass polio vaccination campaign appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Singapore health officials report completing investigations into the food poisoning incident at Spize Restaurant located at River Valley Road. A total of seven food poisoning incidents were found to be linked to Spize Restaurant, involving 82 cases who had consumed food from the restaurant between 6 and 9 November 2018. 47 cases were hospitalized, and one […]The post Singapore’s investigation into a Salmonella outbreak at Spize Restaurant appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since the beginning of 2017, six countries and territories of the Region of the Americas reported confirmed cases of yellow fever: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and Peru. The number of human cases and epizootics reported in the Region of the Americas during this period is the highest in decades. In Brazil, yellow fever has […]The post Yellow fever in the Americas: Cases since 2017 the highest in decades, a look at Brazil appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Worcester Division of Public Health (WDPH) has issued a public health advisory concerning an outbreak of Hepatitis A, particularly among those experiencing substance use and/ or homelessness. WDPH, along with community partners, have been providing outreach, education and vaccinations to the affected population. To date, 206 individuals have been vaccinated. The outreach and vaccination […]The post Massachusetts: Hepatitis A advisory issued in Worcester appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) was notified this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that Michigan has a confirmed case of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). This marks the first confirmed case of AFM in Michigan in 2018. The confirmed case is a child from Wayne County. Seven suspect […]The post Michigan reports 1st Acute Flaccid Myelitis case in Wayne County child appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Fiji Health Ministry is reporting a typhoid outbreak in Naitasiri subdivision. To date, 31 confirmed typhoid cases have been reported and an additional 14 cases are classified as suspected at this time. The source of the outbreak is still under investigation. Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says the ministry is monitoring the situation–“We don’t want this out […]The post Fiji reports typhoid outbreak in Naitasiri appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in West Virginia, state health officials report the outbreak cases since March has topped 2,000. Through Dec. 7, 2,018 Hepatitis A outbreak cases have been reported, including 5 fatalities. Slightly more than half the cases required hospitalization (1035). Co-infections with hepatitis C and B, illicit drug use and […]The post West Virginia hepatitis A outbreak tops 2,000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With cases expected to rise over summer, NSW Health is warning people to be vigilant about the spread of cryptosporidiosis in swimming pools. It is important that people affected by diarrhoea avoid swimming for two weeks after their symptoms are resolved to avoid contaminating pools and spreading the infection. Dr Jeremy McAnulty, Director of Health […]The post Australia: NSW health issue cryptosporidiosis warning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Dec. 1 through Dec. 7: 5. Somalia cholera outbreak one year later Our number five post of the week reported on the latest on the cholera outbreak in Somalia, which has lasted one year now. 4. Schistosomiasis: Artemisia tea infusions just as effective as praziquantel for treatment […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Dec. 1- Dec. 7 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Enteroviruses are the cause of a number of infections including hand, foot and mouth disease, the common cold and most recently, the condition called Acute flaccid myelitis or AFM. What are enteroviruses, particularly enterovirus D68, what do we know about them and what research is being done? Joining me to answer these questions about enteroviruses […]The post Enterovirus D68, Acute flaccid myelitis and some of the research appeared first on Outbreak News Today.