Outbreak News Today

In a follow-up on a report last month on echovirus 30 (E30) increases in Norway, European health officials put out a report recently describing an increase in several countries of northern Europe. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), preliminary data shows 259 E30 detections from Denmark (38), Latvia (1), the Netherlands (85), […]The post Echovirus 30: Increase in cases reported in Northern Europe appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. In fact, it is the most deadly tickborne disease in the United States with 3,000-5,000 cases of RMSF and other spotted fever rickettsioses reported annually in the US, including 5-10 deaths and substantially more severe cases. This has […]The post CDC publishes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever ‘toolkit’ for providers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Rwandan government says 154 cows have died of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) since the confirmation of the outbreak early in June. In a RVF situation update issued on Friday, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources said the outbreak in the east in now under control following a countrywide vaccination program. The government said […]The post Rift Valley Fever outbreak killed 154 cows in Rwanda appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

G & C Raw, of Versailles, OH is recalling 30 1–lb containers of Pat’s Cat Turkey Cat Food and 40 2-lb containers of Ground Lamb Dog Food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in animals eating the products. Furthermore, there is risk to humans […]The post Raw pet food recalled due to Listeria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Liberian government has reported eleven new suspected cases of measles from at least eight counties. According to the Liberia Early Warning Disease Surveillance Bulletin for the week ending July 29, the new cases came from River Gee, Grand Bassa, Maryland, Sinoe, Lofa, Grand Cape Mount and Grand Kru counties. “Three specimens were collected and […]The post Liberia reports 11 new cases of measles appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A uniquely designed experimental vaccine against Zika virus has proven powerful in mice, new research has found. A team led by researchers at The Ohio State University has developed and tested a vaccine that employs an uncommon two-pronged approach to fighting the virus, which is spread by mosquitos and is most serious for pregnant women […]The post Zika virus: VSV-based vaccine is highly promising in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The National Department of Health of Papua New Guinea (NDOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) today announced a case of polio in a 3-year old boy from Mulitaka, Laigam District in Enga Province. The case is the third in the country, following confirmation of two cases from Lae, Morobe Province in June and July […]The post Papua New Guinea: New polio case reported in different province appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Nepal Epidemiology and Disease Control Division reported that as of Aug. 1, there has been 105 scrub typhus cases reported in the country in just the past two months. Twenty cases have been recorded in Chitwan District, 14 cases in Nawalparasi and 10 cases in Palpa. The number of cases compare to last year when 168 […]The post Nepal: More than 100 scrub typhus cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A recent study by Johns Hopkins researchers look at the flu and what may explain why men recover faster. The study published in the journal Biology of Sex Differences demonstrates increased amounts of a lung-healing protein called amphiregulin (AREG) could be the reason why men recover from influenza more quickly than women. Public health physician and vaccinologist, […]The post Flu, amphiregulin and faster recovery in men appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the dengue fever situation in Thailand in 2018, the Bureau of Epidemiology, MoPH, Thailand is reporting a total of 37793 cases were reported from all 77 provinces through July 30 this year. Health officials are reporting 45 dengue related fatalities. Provinces reporting the highest morbidity rates include Nakornpathom, Phuket, Phichit, Tak and Krabi. Nearly half […]The post Thailand dengue update: Nearly 38,000 cases in 7 months appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Michigan Michigan state and local health officials have identified two confirmed cases of influenza A in individuals with exposure to swine at the Fowlerville Family Fair in Livingston County. The fair took place July 23-28, and several pigs from the fair tested positive for swine flu on July 27. Further laboratory testing is underway to determine […]The post Possible ‘swine flu’ cases investigated in Michigan, California appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Last week I reported on a Wisconsin man who contracted a very serious infection with the bacterium, Capnocytophaga canimorsus and quickly went into septic shock. It is suspected he contracted the bacterium from a dog lick. The latest news on his condition was he had all four limbs amputated. So what is Capnocytophaga? Joining me […]The post What is Capnocytophaga? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health reported today (computer translated) that some 33 deaths are suspected linked to the latest Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the country. The suspect deaths are from Mabalako (25), Mambasa (5) and Beni (3). In total, initial investigations by the surveillance teams reveal that community deaths […]The post Ebola update: 33 deaths suspected in new outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Transylvania Public Health has received more than 70 cases of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea reported by medical providers, as well as phone calls reporting similar symptoms in more than 200 people since Tuesday, July 31. Officials have received confirmatory laboratory tests from the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health. Of those people who were tested by […]The post Norovirus sickens dozens in Transylvania County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The prevalence of Lyme disease is increasing in the United States, spiking significantly between 2016 and 2017, and has spread to all 50 United States and the District of Columbia, according to a new study recently released by Quest Diagnostics. Based on more than six million de-identified laboratory test results conducted over the past seven years, the Quest Diagnostics […]The post Lyme disease reported in all states: California and Florida see largest increases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the hepatitis A outbreaks of four midwestern states battling the viral disease, we look at the numbers in West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan. West Virginia Since March 2018, the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health has reported an increase in the number of confirmed cases of acute hepatitis A virus. As […]The post Hepatitis A: West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Greek health officials have reported 21 additional confirmed human West Nile virus (WNV) cases during the past week, bringing the country total to 43 in 2018. Of the total, 35 presented with neuro-invasive disease (WNND, encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and eight (8) cases with mild symptoms (febrile syndrome). No deaths have been […]The post Greece reports 21 West Nile virus cases in past week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Brazil, the Ministry of Health reports the number of measles cases in the outbreaks in Amazonas and Roraima states now stand at 742 and 280, respectively as of Aug.1. Health officials say the outbreaks are related to importation. This was confirmed by the genotype of the virus (D8) that was identified, […]The post Brazil to begin measles, polio vaccination campaign Monday appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to the 12th annual Texas Lyceum Poll released this week, most Texans polled believe the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks. Seventy-six percent of people polled believe in the benefits of getting children vaccinated against diseases is greater than any perceived risks. Despite the poll results, Texas still has one of the highest rates of […]The post Texas: Most people believe the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Municipality of Maripipi, in the province of Biliran, Philippines was declared under state of calamity this week due to a chikungunya outbreak. As of Aug. 2, there were 101 cases of chikungunya reported in the city. The following villages have been hit the hardest: Binongto-an – 43, Ermita – 39 and Casibang – 4. Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by […]The post Philippines: Maripipi declared under state of calamity due to chikungunya outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning Friday concerning the long-term use of azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax) for prophylaxis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome to patients who undergo donor stem cell transplants because of the increased potential for cancer relapse and death. Results of a clinical trial found an increased rate of relapse in cancers affecting the […]The post Zithromax FDA warning: Increased risk of cancer relapse with long-term use after Donor Stem Cell Transplant appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Iowa health officials reported Friday on the first human West Nile virus (WNV) death in the state in 2018. The fatality was in an elderly adult from Central Iowa. In addition, a second case of human WNV infection has also been reported in a Palo Alto County adult male who has recovered. “West Nile virus is in […]The post Iowa reports 1st human West Nile virus death appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (computer translated) have reported the first outbreak of African swine fever in the country. 47 infected pigs were found dead in a local pig farm in Shenbei New District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. This is also the first reported case in East Asia. The virus was laboratory confirmed by the China […]The post African swine fever reported in China, First reported case in East Asia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 395 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection in people who consumed salads from McDonald’s restaurants; the cases were reported by 15 states. On July 26, 2018, FDA completed analysis of an unused package of romaine lettuce and carrot mix distributed to […]The post Cyclospora outbreak: 400 cases, FDA analysis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region announced today that North Korea (DPR Korea) and Timor-Leste were verified for eliminating measles. According to WHO, elimination of measles is achieved when the country interrupts transmission of indigenous virus for over three years. Based on an in-depth review of the data and reports provided by national verification committees, the […]The post North Korea eliminates measles appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles situation in Dublin, Ireland, the Ireland HSE reported four additional measles cases–two adults and two children. These four individuals are likely to have developed measles from contact with one of the two earlier cases at hospitals in Dublin. Dr Helena Murray, Specialist in Public Health Medicine said: “Measles can be a […]The post Dublin measles outbreak grows by four cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Reunion are reporting an additional 59 dengue fever cases from the week of July 16, bringing the outbreak total to 6,345 cases confirmed since the beginning of 2018 (including 5 imported from Polynesia, Brazil and Thailand). To date, 134 patients required hospitalization and one death has been assessed as indirectly related to dengue fever. […]The post Reunion dengue outbreak update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

French health authorities are reporting a decrease in measles cases in the country seeing around 20 cases weekly for the past several weeks. This follows reporting more than 100 measles cases weekly just a few short months ago. Since November 6, 2017, France has reported 2741 cases. Three deaths have been reported in 2018. 86 departments reported […]The post France measles outbreak decreasing appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Six out of twelve rat lungworm, or angiostrongyliasis cases confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2011-2017 in the continental United States (CONUS) were likely from autochthonous transmission in the southern United States, according to a MMWR report published today. Of the locally acquired cases that had no history of travel outside […]The post Rat lungworm: Half of cases in CONUS locally transmitted appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is one of the world’s largest mass gatherings. In 2018, Hajj will take place from about August 19 to August 24. Because of the crowds, mass gatherings such as Hajj are associated with unique health risks prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue travel […]The post CDC issues travel advisory for pilgrims going to the Hajj appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles situation in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the members of the committee of experts on measles, convened by the Ministry of Health of the Nation (computer translated), agreed on a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the response after the appearance of the third case of this disease and the circulation […]The post Argentina: Health experts agree on actions to intensify the surveillance of measles appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The diphtheria outbreak in Venezuela that began in July 2016 continues. 1,904 suspected diphtheria cases reported, including 164 deaths: 324 cases and 17 deaths in 2016, 1,040 cases and 103 deaths in 2017, and 540 cases and 44 deaths through the halfway mark of 2018. Of note, in 2016, cases were reported in 5 states (Anzoátegui, […]The post Venezuela: 22 states and Capital district report diphtheria cases since 2017 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 822 cases in week 30 of 2018, bringing the case total to 27,502 this year. The good news is Ukraine officials are reporting a 7 percent decrease in cases compared to the previous week. […]The post Ukraine: More than 27,000 measles cases in 7 months appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Man and dog – a relationship that is nearly as old as time itself. Protector of our homes, pulling our sleds, finding missing people in rubble after an earthquake, dogs have been invaluable to the human race. However, dogs are indeed animals and exposure to dogs has the potential for a plethora of infectious diseases. […]The post Infections You Can Get From ‘Man’s Best Friend’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The presence of the Asian, or longhorn tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, has been confirmed in Pennsylvania, according to state agriculture officials. The tick was discovered on a wild deer in Centre County. The longhorn tick is an invasive species that congregates in large numbers and can cause anemia in livestock. It can carry several diseases that infect […]The post Invasive Asian ‘Longhorn’ Tick Confirmed in Pennsylvania appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Obesity, which increases influenza disease severity, also extends by about 1.5 days how long influenza A virus is shed from infected adults compared to non-obese adults, according to a multi-year study of two cohorts of Nicaraguan households. The findings implicate chronic inflammation caused by obesity as well as increasing age as reasons for extended viral […]The post Flu: Obesity extends duration of influenza A virus shedding by 1.5 days appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Nigerian government has launched the Viral Hepatitis Health Facility Directory, an easily accessible public guide with information on the location of health facilities that provide Hepatitis treatment services. The directory was launched by Health minister Professor Isaac Adewode during an occasion to commemorate World Hepatitis Day. It occurs annually and across the globe on […]The post Nigeria launches national Hepatitis treatment services directory appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A West Bend, Wisconsin man had all his limbs amputated after contracting a serious bacterial infection from likely a mere dog lick. According to their GoFundMe page, the family of 48-year-old Greg Manteufel said he became ill in late June and fell into septic shock. The relatively rare infection with the bacterium, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, “hit him with a […]The post Capnocytophaga: Wisconsin man has limbs amputated following likely dog lick appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

South Dakota health officials reported yesterday that a Brown County resident died of West Nile virus (WNV) associated causes, the state’s first WNV related death this season. The individual was in the 80 to 89 age group. To date this season, South Dakota has reported 10 cases of human WNV and three hospitalizations. CDC reports […]The post West Nile virus death reported in Brown County, SD appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Prince George’s County Health Department has confirmed the county’s first locally acquired human case of the West Nile virus of the 2018 season. It’s reported the person showed symptoms last month. Lab results later identified the West Nile virus as the cause. The person is currently under medical care. The West Nile virus is […]The post Maryland: 1st human West Nile virus case reported in PG County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Texas health officials are warning the public about the increased risk of Vibrio infections naturally found in coastal water. Most infections occur between May and October, when the warmer water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico promote the growth of these bacteria. People can become ill after eating raw or undercooked contaminated seafood, particularly oysters, or […]The post Texas warns public of Vibrio risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Just four months after Guinea worm disease in South Sudan was declared “transmission interrupted”, three people in the town of Rumbek have been diagnosed with the disease, the first cases in South Sudan for more than 18 months, according to a UK Telegraph report. Until these reported cases, the last diagnosis of the disease in South […]The post Guinea worm disease resurfaces in South Sudan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 58 more ill people in the outbreak, bringing the total number to 79 people from nine states. Eighteen people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Four more states reported ill people: Illinois, Kansas, […]The post Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad: More Salmonella cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Macau government officials reported this week (computer translated) on a human H9N2 avian influenza case in Guangdong Province. According to the report, the patient is a 24-year-old woman and currently lives in Shenzhen. Symptoms appeared on July 21 and were admitted to hospital on July 23. The condition is now mild. This is the third human case of H9N2 […]The post H9N2 avian influenza case reported in Guangdong Province, China appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Just days after the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak had been declared over in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the DRC health ministry and World Health Organization (WHO) report that preliminary laboratory results indicate a cluster of cases of Ebola virus in North Kivu province. The Ministry of Health of the Democratic of […]The post Ebola cluster reported in North Kivu appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the cholera outbreak that has affected Nigeria since the beginning of the year is now ‘under control’ at least 4 of the 17 affected local government areas. In its latest epidemiological situation analysis, the WHO said 367 new suspected cases and 4 deaths were reported in the Adamawa, Bauchi, […]The post WHO says Nigerian cholera outbreak ‘under control’ in 4 states appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported the outbreak of an unknown disease that has infected 25 people and killed an unknown number since it was reported on May 11. An outbreak notice from the World Health Organisation quoted the DR Congolese Ministry of Health saying the disease was confined to the Mabalako health […]The post WHO struggling to identify unknown killer disease in eastern DR Congo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Filarial worms are long thread like worms that live in the tissue and body cavities of vertebrates. Their eggs mature into tiny larvae called microfilariae. There are at least eight filarids that are of importance to humans and today we’ll be talking about two of them—Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. Joining me to discuss filariasis […]The post Filariasis: Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and their colleagues are a step closer to developing a broadly effective antibody treatment against the three major Ebola viruses that cause lethal disease in humans. Reporting July 17 in the journal Immunity, they describe the isolation of two potent monoclonal antibodies from human survivors of Ebola virus disease that, […]The post Vanderbilt team finds potent antibodies against three Ebola viruses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne human infection in England and Wales. As elsewhere in northern Europe, the spirochaetes (Borrelia burgdorferi) are transmitted by the hard bodied tick, Ixodes ricinus, commonly known as deer or sheep ticks. Lyme disease is monitored in England and Wales through routine surveillance. Cases of Lyme disease are not statutorily […]The post Lyme disease in England and Wales appeared first on Outbreak News Today.