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.

A new study led by a Tulane University researcher and recently published in the journal, Lancet Infectious Diseases, could change the way doctors treat the common, sexually transmitted parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis. Joining me today to talk about trichomoniasis and the new study is the lead author, infectious disease epidemiologist at the Tulane University School of Public Health and […]The post Trichomonas vaginalis treatment: New research shows multi-dose metronidazole is better in women appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a pretty rare case, researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha describe a Salmonella serogroup C infection reported in a breast implant in a woman who recently traveled to Mexico and contracted traveler’s diarrhea. The case report is published in the journal, JPRAS Open. Five months after the breast augmentation, the 34-year-old woman traveled to Cancun, Mexico, […]The post Salmonella: Infection reported in breast implant, linked to traveler’s diarrhea appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Punjab government, with technical support from the World Health Organization Country Office for India launched a micro strategic plan to eliminate malaria from the state by 2020 last month. At a meeting chaired by Mr Brahm Mohindra, Health Minister, Government of Punjab, senior officials of the state government, including Mr Satish Chandra, Additional Chief […]The post India: Punjab launches malaria elimination plan with 2020 as the goal appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the chikungunya outbreak in Kassala State, Sudan, government officials in Kassala report an increase in cases of 23 per cent in a week, according to a local media account. Kassala state government reported one week ago that 10,900 people were infected in the state during the past weeks. The most recent tally […]The post Chikungunya cases up 23 percent in one week in Sudan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vietnam, along with Palau and Wallis and Futuna eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region Monday. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Regional Director Dr Shin Young-soo marked the accomplishment by presenting certificates to representatives from Palau, Viet Nam, and Wallis and Futuna during the WHO […]The post Lymphatic filariasis: Vietnam eliminates it as a public health problem appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region (WHOWPRO) announced Monday that Malaysia became the first country in the region to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Dr Shin presented Malaysia’s Minister of Health, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, with a certificate of elimination during the session of the WHO […]The post Malaysia becomes 1st country in WHO-WPRO to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

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, according to research being presented at IDWeek 2018. The study, which is the first to look at overall outpatient antibiotic prescribing, analyzed more than half a million prescriptions from 514 outpatient clinics. […]The post Antibiotic overprescribing: Nearly half of outpatient prescriptions written without infection diagnosis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The tick-borne disease, Powassan virus was reported for the first time in Cayuga County, according to local media report. Powassan virus can cause symptoms ranging from a mild flu-like illness to life-threatening neurologic disease. Signs and symptoms of Powassan infection can include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, and memory loss. Long-term neurologic problems may occur. Long-term sequelae occurs […]The post Powassan virus reported for the first time in Cayuga County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Monkeypox The Ministry of Health and Population in the Central African Republic declared a new outbreak of monkeypox in Mbaiki health district, located in the south-western part of the country at the beginning of the month. The latest event was detected on 26 September 2018 when a cluster of three case-patients (from one family) in […]The post Monkeypox and hepatitis E outbreaks reported in the Central African Republic appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

This year marks the centenary of the 1918 influenza pandemic, the worst flu outbreak in recorded history. A new study into the human, viral and societal factors behind its severity provides valuable lessons that could save lives in future pandemics. Publishing in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, the authors warn that while the world is […]The post Lessons from the 1918 flu pandemic: How to prepare for future pandemics appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Therapy dogs help ease stress in young patients with cancer, but can spread methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), putting vulnerable kids at risk for a serious infection. Cleaning the dogs with special antibacterial shampoo and wipes reduces MRSA carriage and helps keep the kids safe, suggests a first-of-its-kind study presented at IDWeek 2018. The therapy program […]The post Preventing MRSA spread from therapy dogs to vulnerable populations appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Paraguay Ministry of Health reported that it’s been 10 weeks since the last confirmed dengue fever case had been recorded in the country. The last confirmed cases were reported during epidemiological week 29 (July 15 to 21) in Caaguazú. For the year, Paraguay health officials have seen 3,413 total confirmed cases, including 15 fatalities. The predominate […]The post Paraguay: No confirmed dengue cases reported in 10 weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

It was a huge news week in infectious disease and we cover some of the biggest stories here on the show today. I go over the odd report on a father-to-son HIV transmission in a very atypical way. The study was published in the journal, AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. Another unusual report came from researchers […]The post Outbreak News This Week: October 7, 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

During the past week, European health officials reported 50 additional human West Nile virus (WNV) infections. The cases were reported from Greece (22), Romania (19), Hungary (7), Bulgaria (1) and the Czech Republic (1). EU neighbouring countries reported 30 cases, all in Serbia. 18 fatalities were reported by Greece (8), Romania (6), Serbia (3) and the Czech Republic […]The post Europe West Nile virus: Cases so ‘far exceed’ the total number in previous five years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The zoonotic parasite, Giardia duodenalis (syns. G. lamblia and G. intestinalis), has been widely reported in humans and animals. Infection has been widely reported in domestic (e.g. goats, pigs, cats, rabbits, dogs and calves) and wild animals (e.g. chipmunks, chinchillas, red foxes, lizards, aquatic birds, boars and rhesus macaque) in Asia, Europe, Australia, North America and Africa. A new […]The post Giardia reported for the 1st time in bamboo rats in China appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An international research team led by a scientist at the University of California, Riverside, has for the first time identified individual types of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, that are specifically linked to HIV infection. The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, concludes that a person with any HPV type, more than one HPV type, or high-risk […]The post Individual HPV types linked to HIV infection: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ministry of Health of Somalia announced today 30 new cases of cholera and no deaths for the week ending Sept. 23, bringing the outbreak total to 6394, including 42 associated deaths (case-fatality rate 0.7%) since the beginning of the current outbreak in December 2017. Of 276 stool samples collected since the beginning of this year and […]The post Somalia cholera outbreak update: 6,394 cases, including 42 associated deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

This week, the Papua New Guinea National Department of Health, with support from WHO, UNICEF and other partners released a report on the key accomplishments and highlights from of the response operations to mark the 100 days since the Government of Papua New Guinea launched the Emergency Response to the Polio Outbreak. Papua New Guinea confirmed […]The post Papua New Guinea polio update: 100 day summary appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is investigating six cases of a rare condition called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) that occurred since mid-September in Minnesota children. MDH disease investigators are working aggressively with health care providers to gather information about the cases. The department is also in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and […]The post Minnesota: Acute flaccid myelitis cases investigated across state appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Senate passed Wednesday by a vote of 98-1 major bipartisan legislation to combat the deadly opioid epidemic across the country. It passed the House of Representatives last week 393-8. The bipartisan package, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, passed the Senate and the House and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The package […]The post Opioid epidemic: Senate passes the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to the report of an outbreak of flea-borne typhus in downtown Los Angeles, The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) is reporting epidemic levels of typhus fever this year. In 2018, 20 Pasadena residents have been confirmed to have typhus fever, well above the expected one to five cases per year. “Typhus fever is a […]The post Typhus: Pasadena reports epidemic levels in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Sept 29 through Oct 5: 5. Madagascar plague: Bubonic and pneumonic cases confirmed As of 27 September 2018, a total of 25 cumulative cases including five community deaths (case fatality ratio 20%) have been reported. Four of the five deaths were reported among confirmed cases; three in […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Sept. 29-Oct. 5 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By: Jory Lange A second cluster of Legionnaires’ disease victims has been reported in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood. On Friday, the New York City Health Department reported that eight New Yorkers in lower Washington Heights have been hospitalized with Legionnaires’ Disease within the last five days. No one has died. This is the second Legionnaires’ […]The post New York City: Second Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Reported In Washington Heights appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living ameba that causes rare, nearly always fatal disease in humans and animals worldwide. B. mandrillaris has been isolated from soil, dust, and water. Initial entry of Balamuthia into the body is likely via the skin or lungs. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, there has been 109 case reports […]The post Balamuthia infection linked to nasal irrigation: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Massachusetts health officials reported an additional nine human West Nile virus (WNV) cases Friday, bringing the total to 38 for the year. This breaks the previous record of 33 human cases reported in 2012. “The forecast includes some warm fall temperatures,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “Mosquitoes might still be active and […]The post Massachusetts West Nile virus: Most cases ever recorded in a single year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Working Cow Homemade Ice Cream, Inc. of St. Petersburg, FL is conducting a voluntary recall of No Sugar Added Vanilla and No Sugar Added Chocolate ice cream manufactured in three-gallon tubs during the month of May 2018. The recall is being conducted due to a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious […]The post St. Petersburg, Florida: Working Cow Homemade Ice Cream recalled due to potential Listeria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a supplemental application for Gardasil 9 (Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant) expanding the approved use of the vaccine to include women and men aged 27 through 45 years. Gardasil 9 prevents certain cancers and diseases caused by the nine HPV types covered by the vaccine. “Today’s […]The post HPV vaccine: Gardasil 9 approved for use in women and men aged 27 through 45 years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the news of a Syracuse University student who contracted bacterial meningitis, the Onondaga County Health Department confirmed the isolated case of serogroup B meningococcal meningitis. The individual, who was hospitalized, has since been discharged and is recovering at home. The student’s close contacts, who are at increased risk of infection from this […]The post Meningococcal meningitis: Syracuse student tests positive for serogroup B appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new study led by an infectious disease epidemiologist at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine could change the way doctors treat a common sexually transmitted disease. Professor Patricia Kissinger and a team of researchers found the recommended single dose of medication isn’t enough to eliminate trichomoniasis, the most common curable STD, […]The post Trichomoniasis: 7-day-dose metronidazole should be the preferred treatment in women appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is reminding Carbon County residents to take steps to prevent tularemia after an infected animal was found recently locally. A dying squirrel found in Rawlins recently tested positive for tularemia, a disease that can be serious and potentially deadly for humans. Wyoming Game and Fish Department staff submitted the […]The post Wyoming: Tularemia reported in Carbon County squirrel appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Niger health officials the first cases of this most recent cholera outbreak in early July, and since that time, the outbreak has ballooned to thousands of cases that have spread to multiple regions of the country. As of 1 October 2018, 3692 cases (14% of these were cases in Nigerian residents seeking care in Niger) […]The post Niger cholera outbreak spreads to other regions of the country appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The South Sudanese Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) have started setting up sentinel surveillance sites to determine the extent of Rotavirus infections among children in the capital Juba. In a statement, the WHO said information gathered from the surveillance exercise will help government in planning for a reduction of the country’s […]The post South Sudan rolls out Rotavirus sentinel surveillance sites appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising consumers and retailers not to eat, serve, or sell recalled ready-to-eat deli ham produced by Johnston County Hams, Inc. The ham is linked to a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. According to the investigation to date, four people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from North Carolina […]The post Listeria outbreak linked to Deli ham sickens four in two states, kills one in Virginia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

South Africa just came out of a massive Listeria outbreak that sickened more than 1000 and killed more than 200. Associate Professor, Infectious Disease and International Medicine, USF Health, Sandra Gompf, MD joined me recently to discuss Listeria in this short podcast–who’s most at risk, the pathology, common sources of the bacterium and treatment. Gompf’s […]The post Listeria monocytogenes: Who’s most at risk, pathology and common sources appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered the role of an immune system double agent. This molecule, called USP18, can help curtail immune responses, but it can also open the door to bacterial infections, such as harmful listeria and staph infections. “I call the molecule a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing,’ ” says Namir Shaabani, PhD, a […]The post ‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’ in the immune system may make us vulnerable to bacterial infections appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By: Jory D. Lange, Jr. 14 people have been hospitalized in a Salmonella outbreak that has prompted a nationwide recall of ground beef products manufactured by JBS Tolleson, Inc. So far, the CDC has been notified of 57 people with Salmonella food poisoning in this outbreak. Illnesses have been identified in 16 states: Arizona (15 […]The post CDC Identifies 16 States Affected By Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) is reporting an endemic flea-borne typhus outbreak in downtown Los Angeles. Between July and September 2018, health officials identified nine cases of flea-borne typhus. The cases have a history of living or working in downtown Los Angeles and six of them have reported experiencing homelessness or living in interim housing […]The post Los Angeles reports outbreak of endemic flea-borne typhus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The National Institutes of Health have awarded a $10 million contract to the University of Montana to develop a new universal flu vaccine. The five-year award went to Dr. Jay Evans, director of UM’s Center for Translational Medicine and a research professor in the Division of Biological Sciences. The contract is titled “Development of TRAC-478: […]The post Universal flu vaccine: University of Montana awarded $10 million contract to develop appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By: Candess Zona-Mendola The FSIS and JBS Tolleson, Inc. announced today that there is another Salmonella outbreak and recall this year. This time, linked to ground beef products. According to the early notices, the investigation identified 57 Salmonella illnesses from 16 (currently unknown) states. Those who have confirmed illnesses have illness onsets from August 5, 2018 […]The post Salmonella outbreak linked to ground beef products, 6.5 million pounds recalled appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Three volunteers of the Red Cross Society were on Tuesday injured after being attacked while carrying out a safe burial of one Ebola victim in Butembo in the North Kivu area east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a statement issued on October 4, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies […]The post Red Cross workers attacked during safe burial of Ebola victim in DR Congo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By: Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease CDC Data Shows 128 Reported Cases in Past Three Weeks On Pace to Hit Nearly 1200 Cases in 2018, Outpacing 2017 Record New Yorkers continue to contract Legionnaires’ disease at a record-setting pace. Data recently released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than […]The post Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease Cases in New York State appeared first on Outbreak News Today.