Outbreak News Today

A 11-year-old resident of Irving who recently traveled to India is the first imported chikungunya virus (CHIKV) case in Dallas County, according to the Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS). CHIKV is transmitted to people through mosquito bites from Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These are the same mosquitoes that have been found to carry […]The post Texas: First case of imported chikungunya reported in Dallas County this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

South Carolina health officials are reporting that three people have been referred to their health care providers for consultation after being potentially exposed to rabies in Oconee County by a cow that tested positive for the disease. The exposures occurred while the victims were providing general care to the cow. After it was reported that the […]The post South Carolina: Possible rabies exposure linked to Oconee County cow appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Mosquito-borne illness is circulating throughout Tennessee and state health officials are urging the public to take preventive steps to avoid mosquito-borne diseases. This comes after reports of two West Nile virus (WNV) fatalities in Shelby County. “We all know mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance. Last year 30 Tennesseans were infected with West Nile virus and sadly, […]The post Tennessee: West Nile virus and La Crosse encephalitis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has confirmed a case of plague in a cat from Sheridan County. The cat’s home is in Big Horn and the animal is known to wander outdoors in the area. The illness was confirmed by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory in Laramie earlier this week. No human cases have been […]The post Plague confirmed in Wyoming cat appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the 2017 sexually transmitted diseases (STD) numbers which revealed a serious problem in the United States–STDs hit record highs in the country for the fourth year in a row. According to the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), this explosion in STDs is […]The post STDs in the US: ‘An additional $70 million annually is needed to kickstart an effective response’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Cholera is a remains a big problem in Africa with more than 150,000 cases, including more than 3,000 deaths reported in 17 countries in 2017. In addition, there has been a spike in cholera cases across Africa, with eight countries currently battling outbreaks this year. This has prompted African Health Ministers to pledge to implement key strategies for ending […]The post Ending cholera in Africa: Health minister’s pledge appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pennsylvania health officials are reporting increases in sexually transmitted infections (STI) and officials want everyone to be educated on the dangers of STIs and the importance of getting tested. The Department of Health reports cases of Chlamydia have increased by 25 percent from 2007 to 2017 and cases of Gonorrhea have increased by 17 percent during […]The post Syphilis cases up nearly 300 percent in Pennsylvania in past decade appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the possible measles exposure at Hershey Medical Center reported recently, Pennsylvania state health officials alerted residents of Gap, Paradise and Ronks, Lancaster County on Tuesday, that an individual with a suspected case of measles visited local stores and offices. “Over the weekend, we alerted residents that this patient visited the emergency department […]The post Measles exposure alert for Lancaster County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Nigerian government says 1,068 people have been infected following an outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) in at least 10 local government areas of Borno State. Borno State Commissioner for Health Haruna Mshelia said the disease was becoming an epidemic, with at least 25 critically ill patients admitted at three cholera treatment centres in […]The post Over 1000 infected in new Nigeria diarrhea outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A six year old mixed-breed beef cow in Florida has tested positive for atypical H-type Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today. This is the nation’s 6th detection of BSE. The animal never entered slaughter channels and at no time presented a risk to the food supply, or to human health in the United States, officials note. […]The post Florida cow is country’s 6th BSE case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced this week that the U.S. Senate has passed his amendment to the upcoming Health and Human Services (HHS) appropriations bill to increase by 12.15 percent FY2019 funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to combat Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Specifically, the bill […]The post Lyme disease funding amendment passes Senate, Will increase funding for 1st time in five years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reports there were 31,779 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis diagnosed in 2017, an increase from 29,716 reported in 2016. The most significant increase was found in the number of syphilis cases with an increase of 36.5 percent in one year. Reports indicate an increase of nearly 20 […]The post Oklahoma reports 36 percent increase in syphilis cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pinellas County, Florida health officials have identified four additional cases of measles in unvaccinated people since the first one was announced on Aug. 13. The number of cases in the county now stands at seven. Some of the patients are related and one reported international travel. These are the measles cases reported in Pinellas County since […]The post Pinellas County measles outbreak rises to 7 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new travel alert yesterday for Brazil due to an outbreak of measles. As of August 4, 2018, health officials in Brazil have reported over 5,000 cases of measles, of which more than 1,000 are confirmed. The majority of cases continue to be reported in the states […]The post CDC travel alert: Measles in Brazil appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hong Kong health officials reported the 27th locally acquired dengue fever case yesterday in a 47-year-old female patient with underlying illnesses. It is reported that she lives in Tsui Chuk Garden in Wong Tai Sin. The patient had no travel history during the incubation period. She had visited Lion Rock Park during the incubation period but could not […]The post Hong Kong: Additional local dengue case, Scientific Committee on Vector-borne Diseases meets appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak in Malaysia this year, health officials have reported a 127 percent increase in cases over 2017 for the same period. From Jan.1 – Aug. 25, 2017, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 24,398 cases. During the same period this year, health officials report 55,391 […]The post Hand, foot and mouth disease cases up 127 percent in Malaysia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Watertown, MA biopharmaceutical company, Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced Monday that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval of XERAVA™ (eravacycline) for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI). In clinical trials, XERAVA was well-tolerated and achieved high clinical cure rates in patients with cIAI, demonstrating statistical non-inferiority to two widely used comparators – ertapenem and meropenem. […]The post Antibiotics: Xerava receives FDA approval for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, a division of Pfizer Inc., is voluntarily recalling one lot of Children’s Advil® Suspension Bubble Gum Flavored 4 FL OZ Bottle because of customer complaints that the dosage cup provided is marked in teaspoons and the instructions on the label are described in milliliters (mL). Pfizer concluded that the use of the product with an unmatched […]The post Children’s Advil recalled: Unmatched dosage cup has a chance of being associated with potential overdose appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Highlights Last year, the number of STD diagnoses reported to CDC surpassed the previous record set in 2016 by more than 200,000 cases 2017 marks the fourth consecutive year of STD increases Since 2013, gonorrhea diagnoses increased 67 percent overall, and syphilis diagnoses increased 76 percent Nearly 2.3 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis […]The post Sexually transmitted infections in the US: ‘We are sliding backward’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of Rubella, or German measles cases in Japan has increased this year, particularly in the Tokyo metropolitan area, prompting calls for vaccination in the country. According to the Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases, as of last week, 184 rubella cases have been reported in Japan, scores more cases than reported last year. The […]The post Japan reports rise in Rubella cases, prompting calls for vaccination appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The City of Houston Health Department announced that they are investigating a suspect measles case in a toddler that recently traveled overseas. This case is currently pending laboratory confirmation. There is no news on the vaccination status. Health officials say measles is very rare in the city with less than one case being reported annually […]The post Houston officials investigate suspected measles case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A relatively new advanced degree is now available at select institutions for Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS), or Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), and that’s the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS). Texas State University Program Chair for the Clinical Laboratory Science Program, Rodney Rohde, PhD joins me on the show to talk about this exciting new degree for […]The post Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) with Dr Rodney Rohde appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A woman from Kent County, Delaware has died from rabies, the first such fatality since 1941, according to a wdel.com report. The woman, who lived west of Felton, was taken to a Delaware hospital in late July after becoming ill. She was taken to a Pennsylvania hospital for further treatment and died last week. The report does not […]The post Rabies: Delaware reports 1st human death in decades appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Algerian Ministry of Health says two people have died and 139 others have been hospitalised as a new cholera epidemic spreads through the country. Addressing a press conference in the capital Algiers on Saturday, ministerial Director-General (Preventable Diseases) Jamal Furar said the outbreak was confined to four states. “The cases were in the four […]The post Two killed, 139 hospitalized as cholera outbreak spreads in Algeria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Namibian Ministry of Health has warned members of the public against shaking hands in order to minimize the spread of the Hepatitis E virus. At least 24 people have died and 3 000 suspected cases have been reported since the outbreak was detected in the capital Windhoek in December last year. Of these, 462 […]The post Hepatitis E death toll rises to 24 in Namibia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health released updated numbers today on the 10th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the country since 1976 and as of Aug 26, a total of 111 cases of hemorrhagic fever were reported in the North Kivu region, 83 confirmed and 28 probable. Of the 83 confirmed […]The post Ebola outbreak update: 83 confirmed cases, Community talks help ease tensions appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists at Scripps Research have developed a urine diagnostic to detect the parasitic worms that cause river blindness, also called onchocerciasis, a tropical disease that afflicts 18 to 120 million people worldwide. Described in the journal ACS Infectious Diseases, the new, non-invasive test may provide an inexpensive method of determining in real time whether a person […]The post River blindness: Scripps Research scientists develop non-invasive urine test appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) called for rapidly increasing vaccination coverage to stop the spread of measles in Latin America and the Caribbean, since endemic transmission of the virus has been re-established in Venezuela. As of August 20, more than 3,500 confirmed cases and 62 deaths had been recorded in Venezuela. “It is vital […]The post PAHO calls for rapidly increasing measles vaccination coverage in Latin America appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hong Kong health officials reported two additional locally acquired dengue fever cases over the weekend, bringing the total to 26 in past couple of weeks. All the cases have either lived on or had visited the island of Cheung Chau, or had gone to the Lion Rock Park or Wong Tai Sin. This is the first […]The post Hong Kong reports more local dengue cases, largest outbreak since 2002 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) officials confirmed Thursday 83 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 update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Queensland Health is urging people to think before heading to an Emergency Departments (ED) for minor conditions as 32 per cent of ailments seen for can be treated by a General Practitioner (GP). Queensland Health’s Chief Clinical Information Officer Professor Keith McNeil said, “In the first six months of this year, more than 290,000 presentations were categorized […]The post Pimples, hiccups prompt dozens of Emergency Department visits in Queensland appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Uganda Ministry of Health (MOH) reported Saturday that a 32-year old female who died at Naguru Hospital died as a result of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), not Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), according to an MOH press release. Laboratory analysis on the blood sample sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) confirmed CCHF. The deceased first presented […]The post Uganda reports CCHF death, Ebola ruled out appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In May, Public Health England (PHE) declared a national measles incident. From Jan 1 through Aug 13, there have been 828 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England. Cases were reported in most areas with London (291), the South-East (169), South-West (138), West Midlands (85) and Yorkshire and Humberside (80) reporting the most cases. Measles in Europe: ‘We […]The post London measles total this year nears 300 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Influenza viruses typically circulate in the United States annually, most commonly from late fall through early spring. Most persons who contract influenza will recover without sequelae. However, influenza can cause serious illness, hospitalization, and death, particularly among older adults, very young children, pregnant women, and those with certain chronic medical conditions. Routine annual influenza vaccination […]The post Flu vaccine update and recommendations appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Public Health-Seattle and King County officials are reporting on a confirmed measles infection in a King County man who had recently traveled to Asia. Before he was diagnosed, he may have exposed others to the measles at Sea-Tac Airport and the waiting room of the Emergency Department of Harborview Medical Center during specific time periods. He […]The post Seattle: Possible measles exposure at Sea-Tac Airport appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania have announced that staff are in the process of notifying patients and visitors known to have been in or around the Emergency Department check-in area between 8:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Aug. 18 that they may have been exposed to the measles […]The post Pennsylvania: Possible measles exposure at Hershey Medical Center appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of hepatitis A cases in the outbreak in West Virginia has risen to 1,031 as of Friday. The outbreak has prompted the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Bureau for Public Health to request the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) technical assistance. “At the direction of Governor Jim […]The post West Virginia hepatitis A outbreak tops 1000 cases, CDC assistance requested appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a report earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an additional four human infections with novel influenza A viruses were reported by two states–California (2) and Ohio (2). All four persons were infected with influenza A(H1N2) variant (A(H1N2)v) viruses and became ill with respiratory symptoms in […]The post CDC reports four additional human infections with novel influenza A viruses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since the first human West Nile virus (WNV) case was reported in a young child from the Santé Sud region at the beginning of the month, Manitoba health officials have reported an additional six WNV cases. Three new cases have been identified in the Interlake-Eastern region, two in the Prairie Mountain region and one in the […]The post Canada: Manitoba reports seven human West Nile virus cases in August appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) has identified four persons with Legionella pneumonia, also known as Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially serious bacterial pneumonia. These individuals likely acquired Legionella at the end of July or early August, in the area of Ashworth Avenue, between Island Path and […]The post Legionnaires’ disease cluster reported in Hampton, New Hampshire appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services has received many calls in response to the press release issued Thursday afternoon, August 23, regarding cases of illness potentially associated with the McDonald’s Restaurant located at 2803 N. Main Street Extension in Jamestown. As of Friday afternoon, Public Health Nurses have interviewed 38 new individuals. […]The post New York: Food poisoning outbreak linked to Jamestown McDonald’s investigated appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Delaware public health officials report investigating an outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, in Kent County. The outbreak investigation began in June when the Division of Public Health (DPH) learned of cases occurring among the county’s Amish population. Pertussis is a reportable disease in Delaware, and notification to DPH of confirmed or suspected cases […]The post Delaware investigates pertussis outbreak among Amish population in Kent County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to the Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention (KEELPNO), from May 1, 2017 through Aug. 23, 2018, Greece recorded 3250 measles cases (1,880 being laboratory confirmed). Four deaths have been recorded. The highest frequency has been observed in South Greece. The outbreak mostly affects people of Greek nationality (mainly young Roma children, as well as Greek […]The post Measles in Greece tops 3,200 in 15 months appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An estimated 700,110 children under 5 years old will be vaccinated against polio in nine provinces of Papua New Guinea in August 2018. The National Department of Health (NDOH) is mobilizing 4,964 polio workers who will be deployed to 49 districts. In the six provinces of Enga, Chimbu, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Jiwaka and Hela, […]The post Polio vaccination campaign in Papua New Guinea update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The entire eligible population of Samoa will have been treated with the new triple drug regimen recommended by WHO for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis (LF), a disabling and disfiguring neglected tropical disease tomorrow. In 2017, WHO published guidelines on alternative mass drug administration (MDA) regimens to eliminate filariasis, in which IDA (that is, a combination […]The post Lymphatic filariasis: Samoa becomes the first country to implement the new triple drug regimen appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Minister of Health, Rodolfo Rocabado, said that everything is ready to develop the Vaccination Campaign against rabies this August 25 and 26 in the departments of Cochabamba and Beni. “This Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 we will carry out the rabies vaccination in Trinidad and Cochabamba so we hope to maintain or surpass the coverage […]The post Bolivia: Rabies vaccination campaign in Cochabamba and Beni departments appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) situation in California, the USDA has confirmed 117 cases of vND in backyard birds in California since mid-May: 84 in San Bernardino County, 16 in Riverside County, 16 in Los Angeles County and 1 in Ventura County. vND, formerly known as Exotic Newcastle Disease is a contagious and fatal […]The post Virulent Newcastle Disease update: 117 cases in four California counties appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Measles Massachusetts state health authorities confirmed a case of measles which was diagnosed at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center (LHMC) in Burlington this week. The individual, during their infectious period, was in a number of locations that could have resulted in exposures to other people (see below). Facility Location Dates and times Logan Airport Terminal B Boston […]The post Massachusetts: Measles case at Burlington hospital; 1st human West Nile virus cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Summary Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi infection) is increasingly recognized as a significant worldwide illness. This study provides insights into important immune mechanisms involved in Borrelia burgdorferi clearance in human Lyme disease. By studying B cell subsets in blood, robust plasmablast levels are found to predict more rapid resolution of clinical symptoms whereas poor plasmablast responses are associated with […]The post Lyme disease study: Robust B cell responses predict rapid resolution appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Loudoun County Health Department is informing people who were at two specific locations in Loudoun County on August 17 and August 20, 2018, that they may have been exposed to a person with measles. Health officials are mounting a coordinated effort to identify people who may have been […]The post Virginia: Possible measles exposure in Loudoun County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.