Outbreak News Today

At least 63 confirmed cases of malaria have been notified in the last four weeks in the epidemiological surveillance system, 75 percent of which correspond to the focus located in neighborhoods of Santo Domingo Oeste, according to a local media report (computer translated). As of the beginning of this month, 294 cases have been notified throughout […]The post Dominican Republic: Local malaria transmission in Santo Domingo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

UT Southwestern researchers today report the first use of CRISPR genome-wide screening to identify a gene that helps cells resist flavivirus infection. That nasty class of pathogens includes West Nile virus, dengue fever, Zika virus, and yellow fever. In a study published in Nature Microbiology, the team led by Dr. John Schoggins, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, […]The post The first use of CRISPR genome-wide screening to identify a gene that helps cells resist flavivirus infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

About a week after Texas Christian University (TCU) officials reported on a single mumps case in the community, Tarrant County, Texas health officials report additional mumps cases involving individuals at TCU. An exact number of cases has not been released as the health department says they do not release exact case numbers when the number of cases […]The post Mumps cases reported at TCU appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Minnesota state health officials have reported a third travel-related case of measles in the state in less than six weeks, prompting officials to urge Minnesotans to make sure they and their families are up-to-date on their measles vaccinations before they travel. Large measles outbreaks are occurring in several areas around the world, including Europe, the Middle East, […]The post Measles: Minnesota reports 3rd travel-related case in six weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, health officials are reporting a total of 3349 suspected cases (71 confirmed) including 32 deaths since the beginning of the outbreak on Sept. 1. This outbreak is evolving rapidly and affecting mainly Harare city (98% of all cases). The main affected areas in Harare are Glenview and […]The post Zimbabwe cholera outbreak update: ‘Evolving rapidly and affecting mainly Harare City’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An early-stage clinical trial testing the safety and immune-stimulating ability of an experimental nasal influenza vaccine in healthy 9- to 17-year-old children and teens has begun enrolling participants at a Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit (VTEU) site at Saint Louis University, Missouri. The VTEU is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part […]The post Experimental nasal flu vaccine tested in children and teens appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration health officials issued a dengue fever warning because of heavy and consistent rain in the capital city of more than 8 million. Some 6,000 people have been affected this year to date, including five deaths. On Monday, Governor Aswin Khwanmuang said dengue hemorrhagic fever is spreading in Nong Chok, Huai Khwang, Bang Kapi and […]The post Thailand dengue: Warning issued for Bangkok appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

George Mason University economics professor, Dr Walter Williams recently published an op-ed suggesting that illegal or undocumented immigrants are a source of infectious diseases in the country. Senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Amesh Adalja, MD responded to Dr Williams thesis with a countering op-ed. So the question is, does the […]The post Undocumented immigrants and the import of infectious diseases: A real health security risk to the US? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two new studies by scientists at Scripps Research are bringing Ebola virus’s weaknesses into the spotlight, showing for the first time exactly how human and mouse antibodies can bind to the virus and stop infection—not only for Ebola virus, but for other closely related pathogens as well. The research suggests antibodies like these could be […]The post Ebola research: Studies show how antibodies can bind to the virus and stop infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Brazil Ministry of Health reported last week that as of September 10, there are 1,673 confirmed measles cases nationwide. In Amazonas, there are 1,326, and in Roraima, 301. Another 7,812 remain under investigation. All are related to importation (the genotype of the virus (D8) that is circulating in the country is the same that circulates […]The post Brazil imported measles update: 1,673 confirmed cases nationwide appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The global number of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in 2018 has risen to 17 after new cases were reported in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In Pakistan, a new WPV1 case was reported in Sarki Tetara district, Charsada province. The case had onset of paralysis on 1 August. This brings the total number of WPV1 cases in 2018 […]The post New polio cases reported in Pakistan and Afghanistan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With the unusual, in fact, first time the viral disease monkeypox was reported not once but twice in England this past week, I thought it would be good to learn more about the disease. Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Epidemiology at the Yale schools of Medicine and Public health and author of the book, Animal […]The post Outbreak News This Week: Monkeypox, Florida mosquito-borne viruses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

North and South Dakota have been two of the most affected states by West Nile virus (WNV) in 2018 with a combined 232 human cases reported through last week. South Dakota The South Dakota Department of Health has reported 124 human WNV cases through Sept. 12, of which, 43 people required hospitalization. Two deaths have […]The post West Nile virus in the Dakotas appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Ukraine, the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reports an additional 439 measles cases during the first week of September–203 adults and 236 children. Since the beginning of the year, 30,744 people have become ill with measles – 12,608 adults and 18,136 children. […]The post Ukraine measles update: 30,744 cases in 2018 to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

European health officials reported an additional 150 human West Nile virus cases during the past week, bringing the total human cases to 948 this year. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the number of cases are up three-fold compared to previous years. Of the 150 recent cases, the breakdown by […]The post Europe: Compared to previous years, West Nile fever case numbers have increased 3-fold appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here are the top five posts on Outbreak News Today for the week Sept 8 through Sept 14: 5. Papua New Guinea: First polio case reported in Port Moresby The report covered the first circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) case in Papua New Guinea’s capital city. Since this report, additional cases have been reported in the country, bringing the […]The post Infectious disease news: Top 5 posts for the week Sept. 8-14 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vancouver Coastal Health is warning anyone who went to the Skookum Festival, visited Noodlebox Mount Pleasant or the Outdoor Community Block Party, or used public transit in Vancouver at specific times, about a possible measles exposure. An individual who attended the festival as well as other events and locations, has been confirmed to have measles, […]The post Vancouver: Measles warning for attendees of Skookum Festival appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Uganda More than 1,000 animals have died following the outbreak of anthrax in Arua District, including two human fatalities, according to Uganda news source, Daily Monitor. Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe laboratory analysis has confirmed the outbreak of the disease. District veterinary officer, Dr Willy Nguma said 28 people were infected including the two deaths. The […]The post Anthrax outbreaks in Uganda and Turkey appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported this week that two major Cyclosporiasis outbreaks appear to be over. First is the multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to Del Monte Fresh Produce Vegetable Trays which was first announced on June 15. As of September 5, 2018, CDC was notified of 250 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection […]The post Cyclospora outbreaks appear to be over: CDC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week approved Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk) injection for intravenous use for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukemia (HCL) who have received at least two prior systemic therapies, including treatment with a purine nucleoside analog. Lumoxiti is a CD22-directed cytotoxin and is the first […]The post Hairy cell leukemia treatment, Lumoxiti, receives FDA nod appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed two cases of EEE from the Regional Municipality of Niagara on September 12th, 2018. Both horses were unvaccinated and had no travel history. One horse is recovering from depression and ataxia with supportive treatment. The other horse was euthanized following the development of sudden and severe […]The post Ontario: More Eastern Equine Encephalitis reported in Niagara horses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Leptospirosis infections, caused by Leptospira bacteria, occur in people and animals around the world, but different strains of the bacteria may vary in their ability to cause disease and to jump between species. Now, researchers reporting in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases have for the first time described the characteristics of the Leptospira variants that infect cattle in Uruguay. Leptospirosis is most […]The post Leptospira variants that infect cattle in Uruguay appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Denver Public Health reported on Twitter this week the first human West Nile virus (WNV) case of the year. To date, Colorado has seen 47 WNV cases with Larimer County reporting the most at 12. WNV is a potentially serious disease carried by mosquitoes. People get WNV after being bitten by an infected mosquito or handling […]The post Denver reports 1st human West Nile virus case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At least two out of every 10 people living with HIV/Aids in Uganda are resistant to anti-retroviral drugs, a local health research institute has found. Presenting the findings of a study conducted to determine the pattern and impacts of ARV drug resistance, the Uganda Virus Research (UVRI) Institute said pre-treatment resistance is more common and […]The post Two out of 10 Ugandan HIV patients develop ARV drug resistance appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said today that six weeks into the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the overall situation has improved since the height of the epidemic; however, significant risks remain surrounding the continued detections of sporadic cases within Mabalako, Beni and Butembo health zones in North […]The post Ebola outbreak: Overall situation has improved but significant risks remain appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and other chronic health disorders. Up to 90 percent of individuals with sleep apnea are undiagnosed and a large number of them are African-Americans. A new study by investigators at Brigham and Women’s Hospital looked at […]The post Sleep apnea in African Americans: Prevalent and undiagnosed according to study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New Mexico state health officials are recommending that certain persons who received any type of injection related service, including a vampire facial, at the VIP Spa (located at 809 Tijeras Avenue, NW Suite B, Albuquerque) come to the Midtown Public Health Office located at 2400 Wellesley Dr NE in Albuquerque this week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for HIV, hepatitis […]The post Vampire facials, blood-borne infection warning and a Albuquerque spa appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Victoria health officials are calling on the public to start talking about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), to get tested and to seek treatment following reports of huge increases in the past 10 years. ‘The last decade has seen record increases in STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, here and across Australia,’ Deputy Chief Health Officer […]The post Australia: Gonorrhea, syphilis cases surge in Victoria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pueblo County health officials are reporting the first human tularemia case of 2018. The patient is an adult. It is not reported on how the individual contracted the bacterial infection or their condition. “Pueblo residents are advised that tularemia causing bacteria may be present in some of the mammals, especially rabbits, rodents, and hares, and […]The post Tularemia: Pueblo County reports 1st human case this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Oakland County health officials were alerted Thursday that an attendee of the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, MI has a confirmed case of hepatitis A and was ill while attending the festival on September 1. It is strongly recommended that those attending and working the festival on September 1 and September 2 get a hepatitis […]The post Michigan: Hepatitis A exposure at the Renaissance Festival in Holly appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Milwaukee health officials are reporting the appearance of the first probable human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this year, prompting a push to remind the public to protect themselves against mosquito bites. “Although summer is winding down, it is important remain vigilant about preventing mosquito bites, said Commissioner of Health Jeannette Kowalik. “The risk […]The post Milwaukee reports 1st human West Nile virus case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) officials today confirmed 102 cases of hepatitis A have been reported in Nashville since December 2017. MPHD continues to work with the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), as well as other Metro Departments and community organizations in response to the outbreak. Work continues to reach three at-risk groups. Those at […]The post Nashville hepatitis A outbreak tops 100 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At least 700 deaths and 8,800 new tuberculosis (TB) related infections were recorded in Namibia in the year 2017, the Ministry of Health has reported. Addressing the recent launch of a parliamentary caucus on TB in the capital Windhoek, Deputy Health Minister Juliet Kavetuna said 800 of the 8,800 new infected cases were children under […]The post Namibia records 8,800 new TB infections in 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The death toll in the ongoing cholera outbreak in the Zimbabwean capital Harare has risen to 25 amid fears of the disease further spreading, a global charity organization has said. In its latest epidemiological and emergency response update issued on September 13, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the deaths […]The post Zimbabwe cholera death toll rises to 25 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae at the Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus that began several weeks ago has grown to a dozen neonatal infections, including six deaths. According to the provincial heath department, the hospital’s neonatal unit currently houses a total of 70 babies, 19 of whom are “new admissions in the newly sanitised area”. “There […]The post South Africa: Klebsiella pneumoniae outbreak at Gauteng hospital appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On 11 September, two additional polio cases were reported from Eastern Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea, bringing the outbreak total to 12. The distribution of confirmed cases is as follows: four in Eastern Highlands, three in Morobe, two in Enga, two in Madang and one in the National Capital District. Papua New Guinea’s National Department […]The post Papua New Guinea polio outbreak rises to 12, Vaccination campaign expanded to cover all children aged up to 15 years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials in Delhi, India are reporting 48 scrub typhus cases treated in four large hospitals in Delhi (Safdarjung hospital, Sir Ganga Ram hospital, Moolchand Medicity and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)) since July, according to a local media report. “The number of infection goes up during the monsoons every year. Between January and July this year, […]The post India: Dozens of scrub typhus cases reported in Delhi hospitals this summer appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Recent trends show that primary reason for the measles outbreak, affecting several European countries, is the decline in vaccination coverage, for which mainly the ‘spread of anti-scientific theories’ can be blamed. However, it turns out it is not the only one. A new study conducted by Bocconi scholars Veronica Toffolutti, Alessia Melegaro and David Stuckler, […]The post Italy: Public health cuts ‘strongly linked’ to the resurgence of measles, according to study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Leptospirosis is a disease spread by animal urine. People get infected when they come in contact with urine of infected animals or with urine-contaminated water, soil, or food. We’ve seen recent news reports of increases in leptospirosis cases in countries like the Philippines and India due to recent storms and the subsequent flooding. To look at […]The post Leptospirosis: Risk, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, have become a significant health issue in the United States. It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, with 80 percent of the cases of moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea undiagnosed. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA when left untreated can lead a multitude of health disorders. […]The post Sleep apnea: Symptoms, diagnosis and the CPAP machine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child care has declared the ongoing cholera outbreak in the capital Harare a state of national emergency as the death toll rose to 20. Over 2,300 suspected cases have been reported in Harare since the outbreak was confirmed on September 1. The number of infected is expected to rise […]The post 20 dead, 2,300 suspected cases as Zimbabwe cholera outbreak spreads appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officials are trying to find out whether anyone was exposed to a pair of rabid bats that were left by an unidentified woman last week at a veterinary facility in St. Paul. On Thursday, Sept. 6, two dead bats were dropped off at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center […]The post Minnesota: Health officials seek woman, others who may have been exposed to rabid bats appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the two imported monkeypox cases from Nigeria reported in the past week in England, Nigerian health officials (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control- NCDC) report they are working with the UK’s public health agency; Public Health England (PHE), the public health departments in the affected states and other partners in Nigeria to […]The post Nigeria working with the UK on monkeypox investigation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers have identified how a viral protein, which plays a major role in causing deadly Nipah and Hendra virus infections, targets a critical function in human cells to suppress immune responses and promote fatal disease. The research team found the viral protein, called W protein, binds to two specific proteins in the host cell, importin […]The post Nipah and Hendra viruses: How a viral protein promotes fatal disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Three people have died and dozens more sickened as leptospirosis surges in Central Luzon since July 1. According to local media, from July 1 through Aug. 31, 128 people have been infected due to animal urine contaminated flood waters. A southwest monsoon and four tropical depressions are the cause of the flooding of the region in recent […]The post Leptospirosis kills three in Central Luzon since July appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County (DOH-Brevard) issued a rabies alert for the Friday Road, Fleetwood Place area in Cocoa. This is in response to a stray cat that tested positive on 9/07/2018. All residents and visitors in Brevard County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are […]The post Florida: Rabies alert issued in Cocoa appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Taiwan health officials are advising the public to pay attention to food sanitation when traveling to areas where typhoid is endemic after reporting a typhoid cluster, the first of the year (computer translated). The cluster includes a new immigrant woman and her eldest son, visited Indonesia from Aug. 6 to Aug. 19. The husband and youngest son, who […]The post Taiwan reports imported cluster of typhoid appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By: Candess Zona-Mendola of MakeFoodSafe As Metro Health continues to investigate the food poisoning outbreak linked to Pasha Mediterranean Grill, the agency has reported that 347 cases have now been linked – with 18 confirmed diagnosis of Salmonella infection and 12 hospitalizations. The health agency confirms that they are contacting everyone who is calling in […]The post Pasha Mediterranean Grill Outbreak, Case Count Reaches 347 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles and polio vaccination campaign in Brazil, more than 10 million children from one to less than five years old were vaccinated with 20.8 million doses of polio and measles. However, the 95% target has not yet been reached, health officials note. Preliminary data from the Information System of the National […]The post Brazil measles vaccination campaign reaches 10 million appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ukraine Ministry of Health reported an additional botulism death in a man from the Kherson region, the eighth botulism fatality of the year. The probable cause of botulism is smoked homemade fish, which he and his wife eaten the day before. The woman is currently hospitalized for her illness in a severe resuscitation unit. […]The post Ukraine reports 8th botulism death of 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.