Outbreak News Today

Earlier this month, English health officials reported two imported monkeypox cases in travelers from Nigeria. Today, Public Health England can confirm that a third individual has been diagnosed with monkeypox in England. This person was involved in the care of the case in Blackpool Victoria Hospital before monkeypox was diagnosed. This third case is now isolated to minimize the […]The post Monkeypox: 3rd case reported in England, This time a healthcare worker appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On August 26, we reported that West Virginia’s hepatitis A outbreak had topped 1,000 cases. Fast forward one month and the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health now reports 1,318 outbreak cases. In the current outbreak, more than half the cases required hospitalization and two deaths have been reported. About six out of 10 people infected […]The post West Virginia reports an additional 300 hepatitis A outbreak cases in past month appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the chikungunya outbreak in Kassala State, Sudan, the total cases of the mosquito-borne viral infection has topped 11,000, according to a Reuters report. This number is nearly double the number of cases approximately one week ago. “So far official statistics say that about 11,000 people were infected and there haven’t been […]The post Kassala: Chikungunya outbreak tops 11,000 cases in Sudan’s eastern state appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Assay Is Now Available in Mexico and Countries That Accept CE Mark Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (Ortho), a global leader of in vitro diagnostics, Monday announced the introduction of its next-generation Anti-T. cruzi assay, with CE Mark approval and approval for use in Mexico. Ortho’s VITROS® Anti-T. cruzi assay offers best-in-class sensitivity which is key to the early detection […]The post Chagas disease: Ortho Clinical Diagnostics launches New VITROS®Anti-T. cruzi Assay appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Every year, millions of people have vacations and business trips ruined when they succumb to “traveler’s diarrhea” during their journeys. A major cause of traveler’s diarrhea is bacteria called Enterotoxigenic E. coli, or ETEC. A joint effort between the University of Georgia and the University of Texas at Austin has discovered how ETEC works to cause […]The post Enterotoxigenic E. coli research to be used in an effort to develop a preventive vaccine for travelers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced Monday that Nova Scotia Limited has recalled Cabot brand Oysters from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. The oysters were distributed to Nova Scotia and Possibly Nationally and Quebec. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers, and food service establishments such as hotels and restaurants should not sell or use the recalled product […]The post Salmonella prompts oyster recall in Canada appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Penn State’s University Health Services (UHS) announced Monday that local health officials confirmed a single case of meningococcal meningitis at University Park. The patient, a Penn State student, has been treated for the infection and is currently recovering at Mount Nittany Medical Center. UHS is working closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to monitor the case. Close […]The post Penn State: Meningococcal meningitis case reported at University Park appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Congenital syphilis is a preventable condition that results from untreated syphilis during pregnancy. Potential consequences for the infected baby include stillbirth, neonatal death, blindness, deafness and skeletal deformations. Fetal transmission can occur during any trimester. Reported cases of congenital syphilis have more than doubled since 2013, according to the annual Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report […]The post Congenital syphilis more than double since 2013 in the US appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with Public Health England (PHE) reported on new data that shows the number of people in England diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) is at its lowest level since 1990. Following action by PHE, the NHS and others, there was a 38% drop in new diagnoses from the peak in 2011 to 2017 (from 8,280 to 5,102), with a […]The post England reports drop in TB cases, lowest level since 1990 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the invasive disease due to Streptococcus pyogenes situation in Argentina, additional fatalities have been reported, according to the Boletín Integrado de Vigilancia from the Ministry of Health (computer translated). As of week 37, eight deaths due to invasive infection by Streptococcus pyogenes or Group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) have been reported. Nationally, 23 […]The post Argentina reports additional invasive Streptococcus pyogenes deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

West Nile Virus (WNV) cases in New Jersey are reaching record highs with a total of 31 human cases reported statewide so far this year — two of which were deaths associated with the virus among Bergen County residents. In 2012, the state reported its most cases in one year with 48. “The number of […]The post New Jersey reports most human West Nile virus since 2012 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Zimbabwe cholera outbreak, the Ministry of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe says the cholera outbreak that was officially declared earlier this month remains persistent. As of 21 September 2018, a total of 5891 suspected cases with 38 deaths (case fatality ratio 0.65%) have been reported from six provinces across the […]The post Cholera outbreak: Zimbabwe reports thousands of cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) issued a public health alert over a statewide hepatitis A outbreak. Since April 2018, 65 cases of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection have been reported. These cases are all individuals who have recent experience of homelessness, unstable housing, and/or substance use disorder. One person has died as a result of their infection. Of the […]The post Massachusetts Public Health Alert issued over hepatitis A outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on a report last week, the Press Trust of India reports the death toll of children from diphtheria at a municipal hospital in north-west Delhi has risen to 18. “A total of 18 children have died at the civic hospital so far, 17 of the patients were from outside Delhi and only […]The post Diphtheria death toll at Delhi hospital rises to 18 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two cases of monkeypox were confirmed in the UK on the 7 and 11 September 2018, in people with recent travel history to Nigeria, as you may recall. So what is the monkeypox situation in Africa year to date? The following information from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and European Centre for Disease Prevention […]The post Monkeypox in Africa in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials reported one new confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in a village at the shores of Lake Albert at the border to Uganda. This new confirmed case has been in contact with EVD in the city of Béni. Avoiding medical follow-up including vaccination in Béni, the person fled to Kasenye village in […]The post Ebola detected near Uganda border, Health Ministry says ‘No Ebola in Uganda’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Borno State Ministry of Health reported an additional 125 suspected cases of cholera on Friday, including two new fatalities in Jere and Ngala local government areas (LGA). This brings the total number of suspected cholera cases in the state to 2,283, including 40 associated deaths. Overall, Jere LGA has reported the most cumulative cases at nearly 900, followed […]The post Cholera in Borno State, Nigeria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In recent weeks, an increase in pneumonia cases were reported in the city of Brescia in Lombardy region. Other towns have also reported cases to include Carpenedolo, Montichiari, Asola and Remedello among others. According to officials with Regione Lombardia (computer translated) last week, more than 400 pneumonia cases have been reported, which 42 tested positive for the bacterium, Legionella. […]The post Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Lombardy region, Italy appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ukraine Health Ministry reports that through Sep. 21 (computer translated), 174 people have been sickened and 11 have died. This has prompted warnings and advice to the public on the issue of ingesting mushrooms. The most effective advice that will completely save you from mushroom poisoning – refuse to consume wild mushrooms. Absolutely contraindicated consumption […]The post Ukraine mushroom poisoning: Health ministry warning, advice appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Romania Ministry of Health reported (computer translated) an additional 19 meningitis / meningo-encephalitis with West Nile virus (WNV) have been confirmed in the past week, bringing the total cases for the year to 215. The new cases were reported in Bucharest (5), Iasi County (3), two cases each in Bacău, Bihor and Dolj counties and one […]The post Romania West Nile virus situation: 25 deaths to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Sept 15 through Sept 21: 5. Michigan: Severe respiratory illness cluster investigated in Upper Peninsula Making a reappearance into the top five posts in two weeks is the report on a cluster of severe respiratory infections linked to adenovirus in Michigan’s central Upper Peninsula (UP). 4. New polio cases reported […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Sept. 15-21 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Allegan County Health Department have confirmed an infection of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in an Allegan County resident. The individual was hospitalized in late August with a neurologic illness. This is the first human case reported in Michigan since 2016, when three people were infected. […]The post Michigan reports 1st human Eastern equine encephalitis case since 2016 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Friday on the first Heartland virus disease case in the state. The patient is a Kankakee resident. Likely spread by the Lone Star tick, more than 30 cases of Heartland virus disease have been reported in the Midwest and southern United States. “We’ve been seeing much warmer weather than usual for this […]The post Illinois reports 1st Heartland virus disease case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) is reporting 11 human West Nile virus (WNV) cases since August. Of the 11 cases, health officials say 10 are neuroinvasive cases. Eight neuroinvasive cases were residents >50 years of age, and the remaining two were an immunocompromised 49 year-old, and a healthy 35 year-old. All neuroinvasive cases were […]The post Philadelphia reports 11 human West Nile virus cases since August appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the plague situation in Madagascar, the Ministry of Health is now reporting plague has affected eight districts in the country–Central Highlands, Ambalavao, Ambatofinandrahana, Ambositra, Ankazobe, Fandriana, Miarinarivo and Antisirabe. In these eight districts, 16 suspect cases have been reported in one month, including four fatalities. Five of the cases have been […]The post Plague reported in eight Madagascar districts appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The South Dakota Department of Health is investigating 14 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease that have been reported in people who reside or traveled to Sioux Falls. All 14 cases were hospitalized and 1 died. The patients are ages 36-80 years, with a median age of 57 years. South Dakota typically sees between 8 and […]The post Sioux Falls: Legionnaires’ disease cases investigated, CDC help requested appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Honduras Ministry of Health reported recently (computer translated) that more than 5,000 mumps cases have been seen in the country this year to date. The most affected municipalities include Cortés, which has been hit the hardest reporting the bulk of the cases (3,788) followed by Metropolitanas de San Pedro Sula (855 cases), Yoro (416) and Francisco Morazán (69 cases). […]The post Honduras reports more than 5,000 mumps cases this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of human West Nile virus (WNV) cases in Massachusetts has increased to 24 with the addition of ten additional cases reported Friday. “We’ve seen four times more West Nile virus human cases this year in the Commonwealth than last year,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “It is important that we […]The post Massachusetts reports 4 times more human West Nile virus this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Lyme borreliosis is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia that are transmitted by a bite from a tick of the genus Ixodes. Scientists from the Institut Pasteur used mice to study the transmission of bacteria by ticks infected with various European and North American species of Borrelia. They found evidence of rapid bacterial transmission […]The post Lyme: Rapid bacterial transmission following a tick bite shown in European study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new study has shed light on the mechanisms underlying the progression of prion diseases and identified a potential target for treatment. Prion diseases are a group of fatal neurological disorders that includes Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (“mad cow disease”). They are caused by the spread of “prions”, which are altered forms of […]The post Prion diseases: BU researchers define possible molecular pathway for neurodegeneration, targets for treatment appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City announced Thursday of the death of a Fellow due to severe dengue. In a statement by Executive Director, Julius Lecciones, MD, “We had an upsurge of acute dengue cases since May of this year with one doctor contracting dengue. “This month unfortunately, we had five doctors getting ill as […]The post Dengue takes the life of Philippine Children’s Medical Center physician, others sickened appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Chicago city health officials are investigating two laboratory-confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in two individuals who both stayed at Embassy Suites located at 600 North State Street in Chicago. At this time, it is not known whether the Embassy Suites was the source of the bacteria that caused the two people to become sick. Potential […]The post Chicago officials investigate Legionnaires’ disease cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new outbreak of a rare but preventable eye infection that can cause blindness, has been identified in contact lens wearers in a new study led by UCL and Moorfields Eye Hospital researchers. The research team found a threefold increase in Acanthamoeba keratitis since 2011 in South-East England. Reusable contact lens wearers with the eye infection are […]The post Acanthamoeba keratitis: Threefold increase in South-East England since 2011 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Georgia and Virginia are investigating a multistate outbreak of psittacosis occurring at two poultry slaughter plants owned by a single corporation. Chlamydia psittaci, the type of bacteria that causes psittacosis, was detected by a laboratory test in 10 people. Additional illnesses in workers at the two plants have been identified, although have not been confirmed by […]The post Psittacosis outbreak reported among poultry plant workers in Georgia and Virginia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two Delhi, India government hospitals have reported a dozen diphtheria deaths in children over the past two weeks, according to a local media report. Eleven children have died in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation-run Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital and one child died in the Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Hospital. Most of the admitted children […]The post Delhi: 12 diphtheria deaths reported in two weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta stated today that the first cases of human West Nile virus infection for 2018 were reported in two adults residing in Onondaga County. After being hospitalized in local hospitals earlier this month, both were discharged in stable condition, and are recovering at home. West Nile virus is spread […]The post Central New York: Two Human Cases of West Nile Virus reported in Onondaga County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

September is Sepsis Awareness Month and according to the CDC, 1 in 3 people who die in a hospital have sepsis. 250,000 Americans die from sepsis each year. Joining me to talk about sepsis diagnostics, treatment, recovery and more is Dr. Amy Sprague. Dr Sprague is the Patient Safety Manager at the Roudebush VA Medical […]The post Sepsis awareness with Dr Amy Sprague appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

After the confirmation on Friday 7thSeptember 2018 of the first case of human monkeypox in England, Public Health England (PHE), as part of their response, engaged Bavarian Nordic to assist in the supply of its IMVANEX® smallpox vaccine, which is approved in the European Union. The vaccine has now been used to vaccinate healthcare workers treating […]The post Monkeypox: Smallpox vaccines delivered to UK for healthcare workers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A team of researchers at the University of Cologne’s Faculty of Medicine and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) has achieved a scientific breakthrough in the accelerated diagnosis of multi-resistant hospital pathogens. Using a novel immunochromatographic method, the researchers detected bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotic group carbapenemes within 20 to 45 minutes […]The post New test procedure accelerates the diagnosis of multi-resistant hospital pathogens: German researchers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kentucky state health officials have reported two additional hepatitis A (HAV) fatalities during the past two weeks, bringing the death toll to 14. Since the outbreak was declared last November, Kentucky has seen 1,701 cases in 72 percent of the state’s counties. Of this total, 952 cases required hospitalization. Jefferson County has reported the most […]The post Kentucky reports additional hepatitis A deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the rubella situation in Japan in 2018, the Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases now puts the case tally at 496 through the first week of September. Chiba Prefecture and Tokyo have seen the most cases with 122 and 146 cases, respectively. This compares to less than 100 cases reported during the same period […]The post Japan reports 500 rubella cases year to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Duval and Nassau counties reported additional human West Nile virus (WNV) cases, prompting the issuance of mosquito-borne illness alerts on Monday. The Florida Department of Health in Duval County has reported a fourth confirmed human case of WNV, and the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County reported the second human WNV case. WNV […]The post West Nile virus: Six human cases reported in Jacksonville area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The seasonal flu is caused by different subtypes of Influenza A virus and typically leads to the death of half a million people each year. In order to better understand this virus and how it spreads, University of Minnesota Medical School researchers took a closer look at the cells inside the lungs. What they discovered […]The post Influenza virus doesn’t replicate equally in all cells: Minnesota researchers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Town of Hampton are winding down their investigation into an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in Hampton, NH. A total of 18 individuals have been confirmed to have Legionnaire’s disease associated with Ashworth Avenue and […]The post New Hampshire Legionnaires’ disease outbreak winds down: 18 cases reported to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Madagascar Ministry of Health reported (computer translated) yesterday of nine suspect cases of human plague, including two deaths in four regions since August 1. The deaths include a pneumonic plague case from Ambalavao and a bubonic plague case from Ankazobe. Health Ministry official, Manitra Rakotoarivony said the nation is at the official start of plague season […]The post Plague resurfacing in Madagascar appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Islamic Republic of Iran prepared a dossier on the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem which provided information on the current epidemiological situation of trachoma in the country and the systems for identifying and managing patients with Chlamydia trachomatis. Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness and one of 20 neglected […]The post Iran eliminates trachoma as a public health problem appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

US federal health officials reported today that 2,173 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis were reported by 33 states in people who became ill during May–August without a history of international travel during the 14-day period before illness onset. At least 150 people were hospitalized; no deaths were reported. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says although this […]The post Cyclospora: CDC reports 2,173 domestically acquired cases since the spring appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Tom Inglesby, MD, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security commented today on the National Biodefense Strategy released by the Trump Administration earlier today: “I am impressed by the scope of the effort. It’s the first national strategy that encompasses natural, deliberate, and accidental biological threats, and that addresses threats to humans, animals, and plants. It […]The post Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security on the National Biodefense Strategy appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Sudan Federal Ministry of Health has reported more than 6,200 chikungunya cases in the current outbreak in Sudan’s northeastern state of Kassala, according to a Radio Danaga report last week. However, the health sector says the number of people affected is much higher than official numbers. Kassala State Governor Adam Jamaa says seven chikungunya […]The post Chikungunya outbreak in Kasala State, Sudan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.