Outbreak News Today

In response to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a small but growing population of children are not getting vaccinated, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) released the following statement today: Tracking rates of childhood vaccination across the United States, data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday […]The post Childhood vaccines: IDSA statement on new CDC data appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers have developed techniques to detect Lyme disease bacteria weeks sooner than current tests, allowing patients to start treatment earlier. The findings appear in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. The authors include scientists from Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Harvard University, Yale University, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, FDA, Centers for Disease Control […]The post Lyme disease: New techniques can detect an active infection than current tests appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) this week administered the first vaccine in a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a Marburg vaccine candidate in healthy adult volunteers. The WRAIR study evaluates the VRC-MARADC087-00-VP vaccine, developed by the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) of the National Institute of Allergy […]The post Marburg vaccine: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research begins phase 1 clinical trial appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reports an additional case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) in the past week, from East Sepik. Onset of paralysis was on 1 August. This brings the total number of cases in 2018 to 15. In addition, two VDPV1 […]The post Papua New Guinea: 15th circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus case reported in current outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reports investigating a cluster of invasive Burkholderia cepacia infection affecting nine persons who had a history of injecting drugs. The affected persons involved eight males and one female aged 46 to 69, who were admitted to Caritas Medical Centre from February 2017 to August 2018 respectively for management. Among […]The post Hong Kong investigates invasive Burkholderia cepacia cluster appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the chikungunya outbreak in Kassala state, Sudan, the Kassala state Ministry of Health reported that the total number of people infected with chikungunya fever was 15,944 cases as of Oct. 11., as reported in a Radio Dabanga article. Four additional fatalities were also reported. The report also states that in Jebeit […]The post Sudan: More chikungunya in Kassala appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

During their final debate for the Oregon’s Governor’s seat last week, one of the topics addressed was vaccines. Democratic Incumbent Governor Kate Brown squared off with her Republican challenger, state representative and physician Knute Buehler were asked in a recorded question from an Oregon resident–how much leeway parents should have in exempting their children from medically […]The post Topic: Vaccines at Oregon Governor’s debate appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Vietnam Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in coordination with Lao Cai People’s Committee and international organizations co-organized the conference “Rabies prevention and control in key provinces” and the World Rabies Day response meeting on “Rabies, sharing the message. Saving lives” in Lao Cai city, Lao Cai province. In recent years, […]The post Vietnam rabies conference reveals objectives, Reports 67 human rabies deaths to date in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Bolivia Ministry of Health reported this week that 13 military personnel were infected with hantavirus in the military camps of the Joint Task Force of the Yungas, including one death and two cases requiring intensive care. This has prompted health officials to send a team to the region. “In the three points of Inca Huara, Siguana Chico […]The post Hantavirus outbreak sickens 13, killing one in Bolivia military camp appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s show, I look at some various topics popular in the infectious disease news circles including Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). This story has dominated the news this cycle ever since the cases out of Minnesota were reported. Since then, cases from Texas, New York, Washington, Colorado and others have made the headlines. Earlier this […]The post Outbreak News This Week Radio Show 10-14-18 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Yala Provincial Public Health Office in southern Thailand are reporting a measles outbreak that has affected hundreds. According to the National News Bureau of Thailand, 341 people have been infected and five have died since the outbreak began in September. 93 people in Yaha district were found to have contracted the disease, the highest number […]The post Measles outbreak in Yala Province, Thailand appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri was first discovered in the 1960s by Dr. Malcolm Fowler and Dr. Rod Carter in Australia. Several hundred cases have been documented worldwide with few survivors. According to an El Pais report Saturday (computer translated), a 10-year-old girl from the province of Toledo has recovered from the first case recorded in Spain […]The post Spain reports Naegleria fowleri survivor: Report appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A multi-country research team set out to determine the distribution of Taenia saginata in the Americas in a recent study published in the journal, Parasites and Vectors. Taenia saginata is a zoonotic tapeworm that is of economic importance in countries where cattle are kept. Taeniosis causes only a few, if any, mild symptoms in humans, and bovine cysticercosis is […]The post Taenia saginata in the Americas: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

There were 959 probable and confirmed cases of Lyme disease reported in Ontario in 2017. This was three times higher than the 5-year (2012–2016) average of 313, according to surveillance published in the Canadian Communicable Diseases Report (CCDR). Data for confirmed and probable Lyme disease cases with episode dates from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2017, […]The post Lyme disease in Ontario: ‘A marked increase’ in 2017, Trend is likely to continue appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Rajasthan Health Department is reporting 55 cases of Zika virus infection in Jaipur as of Saturday. The first case was confirmed on September 23 in the city’s Shastri Nagar area. All cases are from the western Indian state of Rajasthan’s capital and some of these victims are migrant workers from eastern states like Bihar. This is the […]The post Zika cases rise in Jaipur appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Ukraine health officials reported (computer translated) an additional 554 measles cases (157 adults and 397 children) during the week ending October 6. This brings the total cases to date to 32,489 (13,013 adults and 19,476 children). In addition, 14 people died of complications of the measles: four adults and ten children. Most people suffered from measles in […]The post Ukraine measles update: 32,489 cases year-to-date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The National Center for Microbiology of the Carlos III Health Institute confirmed recently (computer translated) the first known documented autochthonous dengue transmission in Spain. Two people living in the Region of Murcia had confirmed cases and third case, who resides in the Community of Madrid is pending confirmation. The two confirmed cases have been discharged and are […]The post Spain reports 1st local transmission of dengue fever appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Wyoming state veterinarian, Dr. Jim Logan, has been notified by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory that there is a new case of Brucellosis in a cattle herd in Park County which is in the Wyoming Brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area. Serologic testing at both laboratories has shown reactor level results […]The post Wyoming: Brucellosis reported in Park County cattle herd appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Oct. 6 through Oct 12: 5. Antibiotic overprescribing: Nearly half of outpatient prescriptions written without infection diagnosis Research presented at IDWeek 2018 shows clinicians prescribed antibiotics without an infection-related diagnosis nearly half of the time and one in five prescriptions were provided without an in-person visit. […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Oct. 6-Oct. 12 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an Ebola update in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the outbreak total climbed to 205 confirmed and probable cases (170 confirmed and 35 probable). According to the WHO, the worrisome security situation in Beni, the epicenter of the epidemic, has contributed to the rise in Ebola cases since September. “The recent increase […]The post Ebola cases top 200 in DRC: ‘Worrisome’ security situation in Beni contributed to rise in cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New York State Department of Health is advising parents/guardians, other caregivers and health care providers to be aware of the signs and symptoms of enterovirus EV-D68, which has now been confirmed in39 children in New York State. The Department’s Wadsworth Laboratory is the only laboratory in the state that can confirm EV-D68. Results are […]The post New York confirms dozens of enterovirus D68 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Philippines’ highly politicized response to newly-reported risks of a dengue vaccine led to a dramatic drop in public trust in vaccines overall, according to new research published in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. Led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the study measured the impact of the Dengvaxia crisis on overall vaccine […]The post Philippines Dengvaxia controversy results in dramatic drop in public vaccine confidence appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a report two weeks ago about a New Jersey man who was reportedly infected by the “brain-eating amoeba”, Naegleria fowleri while surfing in a wave pool at BSR Cable Park’s Surf Resort in Waco, Texas, the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District (WMCPHD) reported Friday that results of environmental sampling conducted by the Centers […]The post Naegleria fowleri follow-up: Amoeba detected at BSR Cable Park and Surf Resort appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) reported on an update of the food poisoning outbreak suspected linked to laksa that shows 19 new cases, bringing the total to 80, including two deaths. The breakdown of cases is as follows: 31 cases in Perak [including two (2) death cases], 25 cases in Kedah and 24 cases in […]The post Malaysia: Food Poisoning outbreak linked to laksa grows to 80 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on reports of flea-borne typhus in southern California HERE, HERE and HERE, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (Public Health) reminds residents to take action to protect themselves from flea-borne typhus by using flea control products on pets and avoiding wild or stray animals. Typhus is endemic in Los Angeles County and, in […]The post Flea-borne typhus in Los Angeles County: 63 cases reported countywide appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year in the United States, about 9.4 million people get ill from 31 known foodborne germs. These illnesses lead to about 56,000 hospitalizations and 1,350 deaths. According to a recently released annual summary from the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS), 839 foodborne disease outbreaks were reported to […]The post Norovirus and Salmonella outbreaks most common in 2016: CDC summary appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Israeli Health Ministry reported today (computer translated) on a imported monkeypox case in an Israeli who lives and works in the Port Harcourt area of southern Nigeria. The man got sick about a week after his return and was diagnosed today according to a report from Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Hospital. This follows two imported monkeypox cases […]The post Israel: Health officials report imported monkeypox case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

More than 50 Dartmouth College students have been admitted to Dick’s House, or Dartmouth’s Health Service with the viral infection, hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), according to the student newspaper. The Dartmouth College Health Service states on their webpage—Hand Foot and Mouth disease is circulating in the Upper Valley and links to the CDC HFMD site. […]The post Dartmouth reports dozens of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease cases in students appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever found in every pharmacy. However, it is also the No. 1 cause of acute liver failure in the United States. In the liver, acetaminophen is converted into a new compound that covalently binds to proteins at an amino acid called cysteine. These covalent binding events are known to contribute […]The post Acetaminophen: How it causes liver failure appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of cholera cases reported in Hispaniola is down this year compared to 2017. In 2017, a total of 13,803 suspected cases of cholera were reported on the island of Hispaniola: 13,681 cases (including 159 deaths) in Haiti and 122 cases (including 4 deaths) in the Dominican Republic. To date in 2018, a total of […]The post Cholera cases down in Hispaniola appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Washington State Department of Health and four local public health agencies are investigating reports of five children hospitalized for sudden onset of paralysis of one or more limbs. The Department of Health is working with experts in neurology from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). All cases […]The post Washington: Health officials investigate five possible acute flaccid myelitis cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed the first death due to West Nile virus (WNV) for the 2018 season in Los Angeles County. The patient, a resident of the San Fernando Valley area, was hospitalized in early September and died from WNV- associated neuro-invasive disease. A total of 38 […]The post LA County: First West Nile Virus Death Reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Japanese National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported for the second year in a row more than 5,000 syphilis cases in the country. With 88 cases reported the last week of September, health officials put the case tally at 5,081. In all of 2017, Japan saw 5,534 syphilis cases, the first time that happened in more […]The post Syphilis in Japan: Case count tops 5,000 for second year in a row appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Balamuthia mandrillarisis a free-living ameba that can cause a serious encephalitis infection of the brain. It is thought to enter the body when soil containing Balamuthia comes in contact with skin wounds and cuts, or when dust containing Balamuthia is breathed in or gets in the mouth. More than 200 cases of Balamuthia infection have been diagnosed worldwide and according to […]The post Balamuthia, neti pots and a unique case report appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A novel vaccine designed to protect people from both Lassa fever and rabies showed promise in preclinical testing, according to new research published in Nature Communications. The investigational vaccine, called LASSARAB, was developed and tested by scientists at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia; the University of Minho in Braga, Portugal; the University of California, San […]The post Lassa fever and rabies vaccine shows promise in animal testing appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New York City health officials report that the cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in the Lower Washington Heights cluster has increased by two, bringing the total to 16, as of Oct. 10. In addition, local media report one death has been reported linked to this cluster. “The Health Department has identified a second cluster this season of […]The post Legionnaires’ Disease leaves one dead in Lower Washington Heights cluster appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to previous reports from Minnesota and Colorado and a number of other states, The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting nine recent reports of sporadic, clinically diagnosed cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) IDPH is working with the health care providers to collect necessary information to send to the Centers for Disease Control […]The post Illinois reports 9 recent acute flaccid myelitis cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bazzini LLC of Allentown, PA out of an abundance of caution, is recalling 4,000 pounds of Roasted and Salted Colossal Natural, Super Colossal Natural and Rams Head Natural In Shell Pistachios received from one of its suppliers because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. NO OTHER BAZZINI PISTACHIOS OR BAZZINI PRODUCTS ARE IMPACTED OR PART OF THIS […]The post Salmonella risk prompts pistachio recall appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Over the course of six flu seasons, getting a flu shot reduced a pregnant woman’s risk of being hospitalized from flu by an average of 40 percent. The findings come from a multi-country, CDC-coauthored study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. This is the first study to show vaccination protected pregnant women against flu-associated hospitalization. Previous […]The post CDC study: Getting a flu shot reduced a pregnant woman’s risk of being hospitalized appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Japanese health officials reported an additional 134 rubella cases the last week of September, bringing the total cases this year to 952 according to data reported by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. This total is more than 10 times the total cases reported in 2017 (93). Tokyo alone has accounted for more than 300 cases […]The post Rubella cases top 900 in Japan, Tokyo accounts for nearly one third appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

South Australians, particularly pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, are advised not to consume pre-packed sliced silverside purchased from Drakes Supermarkets following the detection of Listeria in the product. SA Health’s Acting Executive Director of Public Health Services, Dr Chris Lease, said as yet there have been no cases of Listeria […]The post Australia: SA Health issue Listeria warning for silverside (beef) appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A first-ever vaccine designed to deliver a one-two-three punch against the main causes of traveller’s diarrhea worldwide may result from new research published by a University of Guelph chemist. Prof. Mario Monteiro says his novel three-in-one approach to developing a new vaccine could also save lives in developing countries, where it’s estimated that these three […]The post Traveler’s diarrhea: Researchers develop 3-in-1 vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pneumonia-causing bacteria can be spread through picking and rubbing the nose, according to new research published in the European Respiratory Journal. Pneumococcus, the bacteria that can cause pneumonia, is known to be spread through inhalation of airborne droplets containing the bacteria, for example in coughs and sneezes. This study is the first to show that transmission […]The post Nose picking can spread Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The University Health Service with the University of Michigan reported three mumps cases in students on the Ann Arbor campus. University Health Service is working with multiple campus partners, Michigan Medicine, and state and county public health authorities to identify, treat and prevent mumps. Mumps is an acute infectious disease caused by the mumps virus. […]The post Mumps cases reported in University of Michigan students appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

African swine fever virus threatens to devastate the swine industry and is positioned to spread throughout Asia. The virus has spread throughout the Caucuses region of Eastern Europe and was reported in China in August. It recently was detected in wild boar in Belgium. Kansas State University researchers and the Biosecurity Research Institute have several projects focused […]The post African swine fever: KSU researchers focused on stopping the spread and preventing it from reaching the U.S. appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Legionnaires’ disease cluster reported in Lower Washington Heights in northern Manhattan, New York City health officials report the case count has risen to 14. The Health Department is actively investigating these cases and is sampling and testing water from all active cooling tower systems in the area of the cluster. This is […]The post Legionnaires’ disease: Lower Washington Heights cluster rises to 14 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Colorado state health officials announced they are investigating an outbreak of viral infections with neurologic complications among young children. Year-to-date, Colorado has had 41 cases of enterovirus A71 infections associated with neurologic illness in children. In addition, as part of this outbreak, Colorado also has had 14 cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). Of the AFM cases, […]The post Colorado investigates acute flaccid myelitis cases, viral infections with neurologic illness in children appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the increases of flea-borne typhus in Los Angeles and Pasadena, The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services reports cases of flea-borne typhus in 2018 are already double that of past years, with 12 cases reported so far and several others under investigation. Health officials encourage residents to take steps to protect themselves […]The post California: Long Beach reports increase in flea-borne typhus, ‘already double that of past years’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Minnesota state health officials reported recently on a number of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) cases in children that occurred in the past month. What is acute flaccid myelitis and what is the situation in Minnesota? Joining me today to discuss this important topic is Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH. Dr Osterholm is the Director of the Center […]The post Acute flaccid myelitis in Minnesota: An interview with Michael Osterholm, PhD appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In late September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced reported cases of congenital syphilis have more than doubled since 2013. In Arizona, health officials report from 2016 to 2017, cases of congenital syphilis in Arizona nearly doubled, and are on track to double again this year (2016 – 16, 2017 – 30, YTD […]The post Arizona: Congenital syphilis cases set to double again this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.