Outbreak News Today

The parasitic disease schistosomiasis is one of the developing world’s worst public health scourges, affecting hundreds of millions of people, yet only a single, limited treatment exists to combat the disease. Researchers at the Morgridge Institute for Research are searching for potential new targets by probing the cellular and developmental biology of its source, the […]The post Schistosoma researchers ‘ah-ha’ moment appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Giardiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by the parasite Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia or Giardia duodenalis). It is the most common intestinal parasite found in humans in the United States. Globally, it infects nearly 2% of adults and 6% to 8% of children in developed countries and nearly 33% of people in developing […]The post Giardia: The most common intestinal parasite found in humans in the US appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported recently on the tick-borne disease situation in the country (computer translated), and the data shows that case numbers of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and acute Lyme disease are up during the first half of the year, prompting health officials to talk to the public about prevention and treatment of tickborne […]The post Switzerland reports increased numbers of tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme disease cases so far in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The current whooping cough vaccine was universally adopted in the US in 1996 to replace the original vaccine based on killed Bordetella pertussis because of a stronger safety profile. The new formulation was found to be effective in preventing whooping cough during vulnerable stages in the lifespan but the kind of pertussis vaccine used to prime the […]The post Pertussis: Type of vaccine used to prime immune system permanently skews immune response appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Saint Louis County Department of Public Health is emphasizing the importance of sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and testing as reports of syphilis rise in the county. “Safer sex practices are vital for preventing the contraction and spread of syphilis and other STIs,” said Dr. Fredrick Echols, Director of Communicable Disease Control Services for […]The post St. Louis health officials advise on safer sex practices, testing as syphilis numbers rise appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Saje Natural Wellness is warning customers not to use Splish Splash Gentle Baby Wash, 8.5 fl. oz. and 1.7 fl. oz. (found in the Wee and Well Gentle Baby Care Kit) as it may contain the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The product being recalled is: Brand Name & Product Name Product SKU Package Size Lot Number Expiry […]The post Saje Splish Splash Gentle Baby Wash recalled due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Government of Uganda has rolled out Rotavirus vaccine into the Routine Immunization Schedule to protect children under five years of age from diarrhea. This is the 11th vaccine that is provided free to infants and children at all health facilities and selected community outreaches within the country. Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of diarrhea […]The post Rotavirus vaccine rolled out in Routine Immunization Schedule in Uganda appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) cases have simultaneously been confirmed in two districts in the western region of Uganda, with further investigation of another case in third district going on. The first case-patient was a 47-year-old male from Kanyatsi village in Munkunyu sub-county, Kasese District, whose main occupation was as a butcher. He fell ill on […]The post Rift Valley fever outbreak in western Uganda appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Today the FDA announced the availability of a revised final guidance: “Revised Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Zika Virus Transmission by Blood and Blood Components.” This revised guidance replaces the August 2016 guidance, which recommended universal nucleic acid testing for Zika virus of individual units of blood donated in the U.S. states and territories. The revised […]The post Zika testing in blood donations: FDA announces revised guidance appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At least 15 people have died and 1,569 have contracted Hepatitis E in Namibia since the disease outbreak was confirmed in the capital Windhoek in December 2017. According to information from the Ministry of Health, the deceased included six pregnant women among other categories from the Havana and Goreangab informal settlements. The outbreak has since […]The post Namibian Hepatitis E outbreak spreads appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has scaled up support to help the Nigerian government eliminate over 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) that remain endemic in the country. The projects are meant to help the country achieve the goals set in its 2012 NTD roadmap which prioritized 3 diseases for control, 5 for elimination and 2 […]The post Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) haunt Nigeria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Maryland health officials released the following statement concerning Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections linked to imported crab meat from Venezuela: “The Department is investigating a cluster of Vibrio infections in individuals who reported eating “fresh” (non-pasteurized) crab meat—from a plastic tub—with a label indicating that it is imported from Venezuela. The imported crab meat is sold under […]The post Maryland reports Vibriosis cases linked to Venezuelan crab meat appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Snohomish County, WA have confirmed a measles infection in a member of a large group of foreign minors visiting multiple states in the U.S. as a part of a summer program. The Snohomish Health District’s Communicable Disease and Surveillance team is also monitoring the health status of other individuals in the family who were exposed and […]The post Measles case confirmed in Snohomish County, Washington appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On July 3, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported on the following: The Florida Department of Agriculture has reported the following 14 confirmed cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) occurred in June, 2018. 14 cases in just one month. It has been a very heavy year for “Triple E” in the Sunshine state during the […]The post Florida reports dramatic increase in Eastern Equine Encephalitis this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers have identified a protein that powers the virulence of the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, opening the possibility of a new target for antibiotics and, even better, a vaccine. The findings, published this week in PLOS Pathogens, are especially important since the microbe, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is considered a “superbug” because of its resistance to all classes of […]The post Oregon State researchers identify novel route to Gonorrhea vaccine, new antibiotic appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Libya National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in a recent report, recorded 80 cases of measles in various Libyan cities, prompting the health ministry to issue a health alert. The first case, believed to be from a child from the illegal immigration shelters began in the area of Qatrun before the emergence of other cases in the cities […]The post Libya reports measles outbreak, alert issued appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Governor Tom Wolf bolstered funding to protect Pennsylvanians from Lyme disease, Zika Virus, and West Nile Virus as part of the recently signed budget. Increases to both the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Health (DOH) will go towards improving mosquito and tick surveillance and education about the diseases associated with these […]The post Pennsylvania budget includes increased funding to battle Lyme, Zika and West Nile virus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with Public Health – Seattle & King County report investigating a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak that has sickened four and hospitalized one to date. The outbreak has been linked to two eateries on the Nintendo of America campus in Redmond (I Love Sushi and Sodexo’s Café Mario). According to health officials, since early this month, two King […]The post Washington: E. coli outbreak linked to Nintendo eateries appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Earlier this week, former Texas Congressman and retired physician, Dr Ron Paul and his co host, Daniel McAdams did a show on the Ron Paul Liberty Report on state mandated, or compulsory vaccines and the latest on the Dr Bob Sears case. I’ve been a big supporter of Dr Paul for many years and agree […]The post Ron Paul is against compulsory vaccinations: Why I disagree appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

North Dakota’s state veterinarian is reminding livestock producers to vaccinate their animals against anthrax. Dr. Susan Keller says that with the precipitation which has fallen in much of the state, conditions are right for the disease to occur. Anthrax is responsible for recent deaths in two South Dakota cattle herds. Eight cows in Clark County, […]The post North Dakota state vet: Conditions right for anthrax in animals appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

For the first half of the year, Singapore health officials reported 21,675 hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases. This is an increase of more than 4,000 cases, or 23 percent compared to the same period last year (17,661). In all of 2017, 33,710 HFMD cases were reported. The number of HFMD cases reported to MOH fluctuates from […]The post Singapore reports 23 percent increase in hand, foot and mouth disease in first half of 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has confirmed a case of cholera (V. cholerae O1 Ogawa, CTX+) in a passenger’s stool sample who traveled on Korean Air flight KE656, which flew in from Mumbai, India to Incheon International Airport recently. Upon confirmation of the cholera bacteria, the respective public health center in […]The post South Korea reports 1st imported cholera case of 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Norway Institute of Public Health reports investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal bacteria, Yersinia enterocolitica O:9. To date, 18 people from several counties have been diagnosed with the infection. Patients are between 13 and 60 years old and 60 percent of them are women. They are residents from Troms, Oslo, Akershus, Trøndelag, Vestfold, Rogaland, Nordland, Hordaland and Møre […]The post Yersinia enterocolitica outbreak sickens 18 in Norway appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Survival International, an organization that champions tribal peoples around the world, reported recently on a measles epidemic that has hit Amazon tribe, Yanomami, on the Brazil-Venezuela border. To date, 23 measles cases have been seen at the hospital since March and as Survival notes, the isolated tribe has little immunity and outbreak has the potential to kill hundreds of […]The post Yanomami tribe hit by measles outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hologic, Inc. announced this week that its Panther Fusion® MRSA assay has received CE-mark in Europe. This assay, the latest in a growing menu of Panther Fusion® and Aptima® assays, brings full automation, efficiency and excellent assay performance to MRSA screening. The Panther Fusion system retains all the key benefits of the Panther platform, including full sample-to-result […]The post MRSA screening: Hologic’s Panther Fusion® assay CE-mark in Europe appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on a report earlier this week of a confirmed measles case in the Portland area, the first case in four years, the Multnomah County Health Department confirmed a second case on Friday. An individual diagnosed Friday, July 6 had been in close contact with an individual diagnosed with measles on June 27. Multnomah County Communicable […]The post Oregon: 2nd measles case confirmed in Multnomah County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

More than three decades after the identification of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), scientists are still working to develop a preventative vaccine that could finally put an end to the epidemic for which there are nearly two million new infections each year. In a new study, published July 6 in The Lancet, a team of researchers […]The post Preventative HIV vaccine candidate: ‘Induced robust and comparable immune responses in human and monkeys’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Experts from the Regional Public Health Office located in Michalovce are closely monitoring the situation of measles in eastern Slovakia, according to the Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic (computer translated). Since the outbreak began at the end of May in the village of Drahňov, 101 cases of measles have been reported as of July 2. […]The post Measles outbreak in eastern Slovakia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) experts confirm one human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Oklahoma County. As we move further into the summer, OCCHD Public Health Protection Director Phil Maytubby said, “Residents should be vigilant by getting rid of any sources of stagnant water and always wear repellent containing DEET.” Check your property carefully. […]The post Human West Nile virus case confirmed in Oklahoma County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Iowa Department of Public Health, in collaboration with local public health partners reports investigating an increasing number of Cyclospora infections this year. Since the beginning of the year, 44 Cyclospora infections have been reported in 15 Iowa counties, with the bulk of the cases reported since mid-May. Five of the cases are associated with […]The post Iowa reports increase in Cyclospora cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Danish health authorities reported 94 imported malaria cases in 2017, a number roughly on a par with the level recorded in the past few years–about 100 cases per year. Compared with 2014, 2015 and 2016, the year 2017 recorded a lower occurrence of vivax malaria among refugees arriving to Denmark from Eritrea/Ethiopia. The same trend has […]The post Denmark reports 94 imported malaria cases in 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Duane Sands said there have been four laboratory-confirmed cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus also known as conch poisoning during the past few days. “The Ministry assures the public that it is monitoring these instances and, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, is taking the necessary steps to protect […]The post Bahamas: Four cases of Vibriosis, or ‘conch poisoning’ confirmed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

More than two years after reports of skyrocketing Zika rates surfaced worldwide, questions still loom about this complicated virus. Florida State University researchers are one step closer to finding answers. In an article published this week in the journal Stem Cell Reports, Professor of Biological Science Hengli Tang and his postdoctoral researcher Jianshe Lang take a deep […]The post New study examines cellular, molecular differences between dengue, Zika appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A plan agreed between the Brazilian Ministry of Health, states and municipalities, aims to eliminate hepatitis C in Brazil by 2030. The idea is to simplify diagnosis, expand testing and strengthen care for viral hepatitis. Hepatitis C is the most common form of hepatitis in Brazil with 11.9 cases per 100,000 reported in 2017. There are more […]The post Brazil: Health ministry launches plan to eliminate hepatitis C appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Derived from nature, a potential new drug to treat two life-threatening tropical diseases has been discovered as a result of collaboration between two Welsh universities. The team of researchers, led by Professor Andrew Westwell from Cardiff University, has successfully created a drug compound, from the goji berry plant, that is active against the parasites that […]The post Parasites: Welsh researchers create drug from goji berry plant that is active against schistosomiasis and fascioliasis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Multnomah County confirmed a case of measles in the Portland metro area last week and has worked with local partners to notify approximately 500 individuals of their potential exposure. The Health Department’s Communicable Disease Services team is also monitoring the health status of about 40 individuals who were exposed and are considered non-immune. Health officials […]The post Measles confirmed in the Portland area, Hundreds potentially exposed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Philippines health officials today declared a leptospirosis outbreak in the Metro Manila area as the number of cases have increased dramatically in recent weeks. From January 1 to July 3, 2018, a total of 368 leptospirosis cases, with 52 (CFR=14%) deaths, has been reported from Metro Manila. A sudden increase in the number of cases […]The post Philippines: Leptospirosis outbreak declared in Manila appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ireland Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised the public to take extra care when handling and preparing food following an increase in the number of Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) infections in recent weeks. VTEC are a specific group of the bacterium Escherichia coli. The commonest member of this group of bacteria in Ireland is E. coli O157:H7. E. coli O26 is the […]The post Ireland reports big increase in E. coli infections in recent weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Frozen corn and possibly other frozen vegetables are the likely source of an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes that has been affecting Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom since 2015. Experts used whole genome sequencing to identify the food source, which initially was thought to be limited to frozen corn. As of 8 June 2018, 47 cases […]The post Europe: Listeria outbreak linked to frozen corn update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Malawian government says at least 108 pigs have died following an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Nkhata Bay local government area. District Agriculture Development Officer Yaz Nyirenda told the Malawi News Agency that the department has since banned the slaughter of pigs and sale of pork and products until the outbreak […]The post Malawi: African Swine Fever outbreak kills 108 pigs appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Tanzanian government and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN-FAO) have launched a vaccination campaign to control rabies, a zoonotic disease that kills an estimated 1 500 people across the country annually. The vaccination roll-out follows reports of recurrent outbreaks of rabies among dogs and humans in the Moshi area of Kilimanjaro local […]The post Tanzania rolls out vaccination programme to control rabies appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Kenyan Health Ministry has banned the prescription of HIV-Aids frontline drug Dolugravir (DTG) amid suspicions that it could be linked to birth defects among positive women. In a memo addressed to all country health directors, Director of Medical Services Dr Jackson Kioko said pregnant and breastfeeding mothers already taking the drug can continue until […]The post Kenya bans use of HIV drug Dolutegravir by pregnant and breastfeeding women appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a report yesterday, the Counter Terrorism Policing Network have confirmed that the two people who have been taken ill in Amesbury have been exposed to the nerve agent Novichok. Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “We cannot underestimate the impact the shocking news of a second major incident in this part […]The post Novichok confirmed as cause of illnesses in Amesbury appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is investigating a suspect norovirus outbreak among employees and guests of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Local media reports that nearly 20 people have been sickened. As part of the investigation, health officials are conducting a survey to gather information and assist in determining the extent of illness. Norovirus is […]The post Las Vegas: Suspect norovirus illnesses at Westgate Resort & Casino investigated appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has issued a measles alert after a case was reported who travelled from India to Vancouver, B.C. on recent China Southern flights. Flight information: China Southern flight CZ 3028 from New Delhi to Guangzhou departing June 23 at 11:55 a.m. and arriving in Guangzhou on June 23 at 7:40 […]The post Measles alert issued for Vancouver appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Low polio vaccine coverage, especially in children under five years old, has sparked a red light in Brazil, according to health ministry officials. In a meeting with representatives of states and municipalities, the Ministry of Health warned that 312 Brazilian municipalities are covered by vaccines below 50% for poliomyelitis. The data was released by the […]The post Polio vaccine coverage low in hundreds of Brazil cities appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Wiltshire Police and partners have this evening declared a major incident after it is suspected that two people might have been exposed to an unknown substance in Amesbury. Emergency services were called to an address in Muggleton Road, Amesbury on Saturday evening (June 30) after a man and woman, both in their 40s, were found unconscious […]The post England: Major incident declared in Amesbury after two people found unconscious appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Mecklenburg County, NC health officials say that nearly half of the 100 attendees of an East Charlotte cookout last weekend have sought medical care for “complaints of stomach problems”. While health department officials have not publicized an etiology of the outbreak, local media reports that Shigella is the cause of the illnesses. Health neighborhood say those […]The post Charlotte: Dozens seek medical care for Shigella linked to birthday party cookout appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

San Diego County health officials are advising gay and bisexual men, homeless individuals, and people with compromised immune systems that they could be at an increased risk for the intestinal disease shigellosis. Last year, the County saw the highest number of cases in 20 years, including a disproportional increase in the gay and bisexual community and […]The post Shigella advisory issued in San Diego appeared first on Outbreak News Today.