Outbreak News Today

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) gave an update on the hepatitis A outbreak in the northeastern part of the state recently and we see since February 2018, 36 cases of Hep A have been reported as part of an outbreak, with a majority of cases in Clay and Greene counties. Cases have also been […]The post Hepatitis A outbreak in Northeast Arkansas appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Measles Sixty-one cases of measles have been confirmed in 13 counties of Liberia amid fresh outbreaks of Lassa fever, Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), neo-natal tetanus, meningitis and yellow fever. In its latest Liberia Weekly Epidemiology and Surveillance Bulletin, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the cases were confirmed in the Maryland, Grand Kru, Nimba, Montserrado, […]The post Liberia: Sixty-one suspected measles cases reported amid fresh Lassa fever, AFP and yellow fever outbreaks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) disease for the season. Additionally, a pool of mosquitos has tested positive for WNV in Grand Forks. “This first human infection is being reported earlier than what we usually see in North Dakota,” said Jenny Galbraith. “People […]The post North Dakota reports 1st human West Nile virus case in Ramsey County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) have started clinical trials of an oral drug that is deemed to be less toxic to the kidneys during the treatment of cryptococcus meningitis. The research project seeks to find out if the test drug, Fluconazole, can replace Amphotericin B, an intravenous drug presently used as a […]The post Kenya starts trials of new drug for treatment of cryptococcal meningitis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

El Salvador Minister of Public Health, Violeta Menjívar, said that there is an epidemic outbreak of typhoid fever that has affected some 26 municipalities in the country. Deputy Minister Julio Tobles Ticas with the El Salvador Ministry of Health and Social Assistance (Minsal) was more specific saying they have registered 644 suspected cases of typhoid […]The post El Salvador reports typhoid epidemic, hundreds of suspected cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Rift Valley fever (RVF) situation in Wajir County, Kenya, an additional person has died from the viral disease, bringing the death toll to six, according to local media. Rift Valley Fever is mosquito-borne virus that is endemic in parts of Africa. It primarily infects animals like sheep, cattle and goats […]The post Kenya Rift Valley fever death toll now 6 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Japanese encephalitis situation in Taiwan, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced 7 new Japanese encephalitis cases confirmed in Taiwan last week. The new cases include one each in Daya District, Taichung City, Xizhou Township, Changhua County, Puzi City, Chiayi County, District, Guiren District, Tainan City, Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City, Xiaogang […]The post Japanese encephalitis cases rise to a dozen in Taiwan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning patrons of the Honeygrow restaurant of a possible measles exposure. On Friday, health officials were notified of an individual with a laboratory confirmed measles infection. People may have been exposed to measles if they were at Honeygrow restaurant located at 70 E. Lake St. on June 12th from […]The post Chicago health officials warn of possible measles exposure appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. recently announced the voluntary recall of a limited quantity of 6 oz., 12 oz. and 28 oz. vegetable trays containing fresh broccoli, cauliflower, celery sticks, carrots, and dill dip sold to select retailers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Del Monte was notified by state agencies of […]The post Del Monte recalls vegetable trays linked to Cyclospora outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Research at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) has found that information available online can provide unreliable information based on old, ‘weak’ scientific studies. The study ‘Fake news or weak science?‘ is published in open-access journal Frontiers in Immunology. Researchers carried out a search for ‘vaccines autism’ and then analysed the results for the top 200 […]The post Google search for info on vaccines and autism: ‘A pollution of the health information available to the public with misinformation that can potentially impact on public health’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With an additional 351 confirmed and probable dengue fever cases in the past week, the total cases now stand at 4,604 since the beginning of the year. The epidemic continues in the West and the South. Since the beginning of the year, 94 dengue cases have been hospitalized (including 10 people for severe dengue fever). Dengue is […]The post Reunion dengue epidemic update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture has recently confirmed an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in cattle in three districts of East Province: Ngoma, Kirehe, and Kyonza. Rift Valley Fever is mosquito-borne virus that is endemic in parts of Africa. It primarily infects animals like sheep, cattle and goats and it can have an economic […]The post Rift Valley fever outbreak confirmed in Rwanda appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Missouri state and local health officials issued a health advisory due to the hepatitis A outbreak in the southeast part of the state. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has reported 127 confirmed outbreak cases of hepatitis A virus infection since Sep. 2017. Hepatitis A infection is a vaccine-preventable illness. The primary means […]The post Missouri issues hepatitis A health advisory appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Escherichia coli O26 outbreak in France, between February and May 2018, several children with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), some of whom were infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O26 bacteria with the same characteristics, were identified by the National Center for reference E. coli and its associated laboratory (Institut Pasteur, Paris, […]The post France E. coli O26 outbreak update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers with the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) shows that two types of bacteria that can cause diarrhea in humans ( STEC and Campylobacter) are common in dairy goat farms and dairy sheep farms, according to a RIVM press release (computer translated). In the animal study, 181 […]The post Netherlands study finds STEC and Campylobacter found in dairy goats and dairy sheep, shows importance of pasteurization appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) is responding to Lassa fever outbreak in the country. Cases of Lassa fever are on the increase in the Lassa belt (Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa Counties. Four (4) new confirmed cases have been reported, from Bong (2), Grand […]The post Liberia responds to Lassa fever outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS), a deadly disease of bats, has been detected on bats in South Dakota for the first time. The fungus was detected on one western small-footed bat (Myotis ciliolabrum) and four big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in Jackson County at Badlands National Park on May 10, 2018, during proactive WNS […]The post White-nose syndrome fungus detected on bats in South Dakota for the first time appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Deschutes County, OR are reporting a confirmed case of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in a woman, prompting local health officials to remind residents to take precautions to prevent exposure to the virus. Local media report the woman who contracted the virus died earlier this week. Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that may […]The post Hantavirus case confirmed in Oregon appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reported recently on a domestic cluster of measles. The cluster affected a 10-month old boy and his 42-year-old father, who resided in Futian, Shenzhen. The boy presented with fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis on May 17 and rash on May 21. He came to Hong Kong […]The post Hong Kong reports domestic cluster of measles appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A East Carolina University (ECU) researcher received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to study how the bacteria that causes Lyme disease moves. In order for the bacteria to survive in the host and be transmitted to new hosts, they have to be able to move. Bacterial motility — their ability to move — relies on flagella, […]The post Lyme research: East Carolina University researcher receives NIH grant to study Borrelia motility appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has identified the first case of human West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Los Angeles County for the 2018 season (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena as cases identified in those cities are reported by their local health departments). A resident of the San Gabriel Valley […]The post Los Angeles County reports 1st human West Nile virus case of 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Alberta health officials are reporting a spike in gonorrhea cases in the South Zone early in 2018, an issue that officials find very concerning. Between January and March of 2018, 11 cases of gonorrhea were documented in the South Zone; which is two more than were reported in all of 2017. This increase is prompting […]The post S. Alberta reports increase in gonorrhea appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Cyclospora outbreak in the upper-Midwest, health officials from both Wisconsin and Minnesota are reporting increases in cases of the parasitic infection. In Wisconsin, the bulk of the 98 Cyclospora cases reported this year have been in the past couple weeks. Health officials say dozens of cases are being reported daily […]The post Cyclospora update: Dozens of cases reported in Minnesota and Wisconsin appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has issued an appeal for 7,879,764 Swiss Francs in emergency funding to support emergency responses to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a statement issued on June 14, the IFRC said the funding would enable it to deliver humanitarian […]The post Red Cross seeks millions to fund emergency response to DR Congo Ebola virus outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Purdue University researchers have identified a new compound that in preliminary testing has shown itself to be as effective as antibiotics approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat life-threatening infections while also appearing to be less susceptible to bacterial resistance. The compound, called F6, has been potent against antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant […]The post MRSA: New compound, F6, potent against antibiotic-resistant pathogens appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation has confirmed a new outbreak of measles with 19 confirmed cases registered in the Koinadugu north of the country. There is a high risk of the disease spreading beyond Sierra Leone because the affected district lies on the border with Guinea. Ministry of Health Chief Medical Officer […]The post Measles: New outbreak confirmed in Sierra Leone appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

There has been a decrease in the number of dengue fever cases recorded nationally in the last 6 weeks. The number of cases in all Divisions is now at levels that is expected during this time of the year. Therefore, the Ministry has announced the end of the dengue fever outbreaks that were declared earlier […]The post Fiji declares end of dengue outbreaks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Infections with bacteria resistant to carbapenems, a group of highly effective antibiotics, pose a significant threat to patients and healthcare systems in all EU/EEA countries, warns ECDC in a Rapid Risk Assessment. Resistance to carbapenems has been reported with increasing frequency and geographical spread since the beginning of the 1990s. The global rise of carbapenem […]The post Europe: Officials warn of the rise of carbapenem resistance, ‘We should be very concerned’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the Kentucky hepatitis A outbreak, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) has now reported 761 outbreak cases, including 467 hospitalizations as of June 2. In addition, 6 hepatitis A related deaths have been reported. 433 cases have been reported in Jefferson County. In November 2017, Kentucky health officials identified an […]The post Kentucky hepatitis A outbreak: 761 cases, 6 deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, has launched a clinical trial of an investigational vaccine designed to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The Phase 1 study will enroll a small group of healthy adult volunteers to examine the safety of an experimental intranasal vaccine and […]The post RSV vaccine Phase 1 study to begin appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka infections linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. To date, there have been 73 ill people reported from 31 states, including 24 people who have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal is a […]The post Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak sickens dozens, linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak situation in England, health officials report between 1 January 2018 and 31 May 2018 there have been 587 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England. Cases were reported in most areas with London (213), the South East (128), West Midlands (81), South West (62), and Yorkshire and Humberside (53) […]The post England measles count nears 600 in first five months appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has ramped up support for over 500,000 children affected, or are at risk of contracting the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In a statement, the UNICEF said apart from the daily risk of infection, children in the affected areas are haunted by the fear […]The post UNICEF ramps up support for 500 000 children at risk of contracting Ebola in DR Congo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A study published today in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows the effectiveness of the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) vaccine for infants whose mothers receive the vaccine during pregnancy. The “Effectiveness of Prenatal Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis Vaccination in the Prevention of Infant Pertussis in the U.S.” study led by Sylvia Becker-Dreps, MD, MPH, associate […]The post Tdap vaccine given during pregnancy reduces occurrence of infant pertussis: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Rabies kills 22 people in Mulanje The Malawian government says 22 people have died of rabies since the confirmation an outbreak in the Mount Mulanje province since July last year. Mount Mulanje Provincial Chief Veterinary Officer Taurayi Mbengo said 1 600 cases of infectious dog bites have been reported in the same period. The disease […]The post Rabies kills 22 people as resurgent FMD and cholera outbreaks hit Malawi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The West Africa nation of Ghana has formally adopted the Inactive Polio Vaccine (IPV) as the routine agent of immunization against polio for children under 5 years of age. The IPV has replaced the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) which has been used as the mainline protective and treatment agent in Africa and the rest of […]The post Ghana stops using Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) as routine treatment agent appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Columbia County health officials reported on a confirmed Powassan virus case and the patient is recovering, according to a New Channel 13 report. This is the first case reported in Columbia County. On average, New York sees one or two cases a year, according to the state Department of Health. Four cases were diagnosed across the state in 2017. […]The post Powassan virus case confirmed in Columbia County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

It was announced Wednesday that Ghana has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to be validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating the eye disease. “It’s been 20 years since the global health community committed to eliminating trachoma worldwide” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Although there’s […]The post Ghana becomes the first sub-Saharan African country to eliminate trachoma appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Medicines Development for Global Health (MDGH) and the World Health Organisation Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) announced today that the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved moxidectin 8 mg oral for the treatment of river blindness (onchocerciasis) in patients aged 12 years and older. The FDA has also awarded MDGH […]The post River blindness drug, Moxidectin, receives FDA approval appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kellogg Company today announced it is voluntarily recalling 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of Kellogg’s® Honey Smacks® cereal because these products have the potential presence of Salmonella. No other Kellogg products are impacted by this recall. Kellogg launched an investigation with the third-party manufacturer who produces Honey Smacks immediately after being contacted by the Food […]The post Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal recalled due to Salmonella risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Gold Standard Diagnostics, Corp. announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a 510(k) clearance for its Borrelia burgdorferi IgG/IgM ELISA assay. The test is intended as an initial screening assay in the CDC recommended two-steps testing for evidence of antibodies against the Lyme disease bacteria. Both steps can be performed using the same blood sample. GSD’s […]The post Lyme assay receives FDA clearance appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the first five months of 2017, Philippines health officials recorded nearly 41,000 dengue fever cases. During the same period of 2018, officials are reporting a 7 percent decrease. From 1 January to 26 May 2018, dengue cases nationwide now reach 37,959. There were 195 deaths recorded. Most affected group belong to the 10-14 years old […]The post Dengue fever cases down slightly in the Philippines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Following reports from New Jersey last year and Virginia and West Virginia more recently, The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week that researchers have confirmed the presence of the Longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) in Benton County, Arkansas. The tick, which is native to East Asia, is known to carry and transmit both viral and bacterial tickborne diseases, […]The post Arkansas the latest state to confirm the presence of the Longhorned tick appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Animal viral diseases and spillover to humans results in some of the most important and devastating infections and outbreaks known to humans. My guest today looks at a number of these zoonotic diseases with superb storytelling interwoven with history, virology and public health. The name of the newly published book is titled Animal Viruses and […]The post Animal Viruses and Humans: A discussion with author, Dr Warren Andiman appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Botswana Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security has confirmed a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Ngamiland District, about 1,500 km north-west of the capital Gaborone. In a statement issued on June 13, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) said five cattle have since been quarantined after exhibiting suspicious symptoms consistent with […]The post Fresh FMD outbreak confirmed in north-western Botswana appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Toronto Public Health is advising anyone who consumed food or beverages at the Calii Love kiosk located at Union Station between May 14 and 29, and on June 8 and 9, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any of these dates, that they may have been exposed to hepatitis A. An […]The post Toronto: Officials warn of possible hepatitis A exposure for patrons of Union Station restaurant appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Kenya Ministry of Health reported this week on the outbreak situation in several counties throughout the country in 2018 to date to include cholera, measles, chikungunya and Rift Valley fever (RVF). Cholera A total of 4,954 cholera cases had been reported since the beginning of the year, including 75 deaths. Nineteen counties have been affected–Mombasa, […]The post Kenya reports on multiple outbreaks: Cholera, chikungunya and RVF appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with Consolidated Waterworks in Terrebonne Parish say that the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, has been detected in the Pointe-aux-Chenes area. The sample point that tested positive is at the very end of the distribution in Pointe-aux-Chenes, ACR #160 4260 Highway 665. Consolidated Waterworks reports that the amoeba was not detected on Island Road. The parasite found found […]The post Louisiana: Naegleria fowleri detected in Pointe-aux-Chenes water appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A Red Cross medical specialist team has been deployed to work as part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) emergency response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In a statement released on June 13, the IFRC said the team is made up of […]The post Red Cross medical experts join Ebola emergency response in DR Congo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ministry of Health in the West Darfur State of Sudan says 10 cases of measles have been confirmed in the region since the detection of the disease on June 2. West Darfur director of the Vaccination Department Abdallah Omar said the 10 patients were among 90 suspected cases that have since been isolated for […]The post Measles, undiagnosed fever outbreaks hit Sudan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.