Outbreak News Today

By Marcos Vinicius Malveira de Lima The number of confirmed cases of toxoplasmosis in Santa Maria, in the Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul, rose to 569, according to a report released Monday (June / 2018) by the municipal and state health departments. According to the document, of the confirmed cases, 50 are pregnant women. […]The post Brazil: Santa Maria reports 569 confirmed cases of toxoplasmosis, of which 50 are pregnant women appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nigeria and Africa on track to eradicating poliomyelitis, according to Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole during an announcement at the African Regional Commission for Certification for Poliomyelitis Eradication (ARCC) meeting in Abuja. “Our decision to host this meeting today is anchored on our resolve to liberate Nigeria and indeed Africa from the scourge of poliomyelitis. […]The post Nigeria reports no polio in 22 months, on track to eradicating the disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At least 10 people have died of cholera in a new outbreak that has affected 60 more people in the Niger State of central Nigeria. In a short statement, the Niger State government health department said the outbreak is confined to the Bida local government area. Most of the patients are admitted at two hospitals […]The post Ten dead, 60 hospitalized as fresh cholera outbreak hits Nigeria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an increase in cholera, acute watery diarrhoeas, measles, undiagnosed influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory illness in Somalia in 2018. In its latest epidemiological country report, the WHO said of the 4,835 disease outbreak alerts received since December last year, 671 were confirmed as true. “The highest […]The post Disease burden haunts Somalia as multiple outbreaks spread appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with provincial and territorial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in nine provincial and territorial jurisdictions with cases of human illness linked to poultry, including frozen raw breaded chicken products. Currently, there are 68 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis […]The post Canada salmonella outbreak grows: 68 cases in nine provinces appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Hawai‘i Departments of Health (DOH) & Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) say that the three tragic deaths of endangered Hawaiian monk seals on O‘ahu due to toxoplasmosis is very sad and could have been entirely preventable. Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson said, “The only thing certain about toxoplasmosis is that there are far more […]The post Toxoplasmosis: Death of monk seals ‘entirely preventable’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Media in Wales are reporting a rare case of cowpox infection in a 15-year-old boy from the Wrexham-Cheshire border. This is the first such case in Wales in over a decade. Apparently, the boy contracted the viral disease, which presented as lesions on his hands and later to his arms and feet, after feeding calves. He was […]The post Wales teen contracts rare cowpox infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Wake County, NC health officials have reported a confirmed measles case in an individual that showed symptoms of the disease over the weekend after returning from international travel. People may have been exposed to measles at the following locations, dates and times: WakeMed Physician Practices in the WakeMed Garner Healthplex Friday, June 8 from 11 a.m. […]The post North Carolina: Measles case confirmed in Wake County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the category of something “flying under the radar”… Remember several months ago when the much of the media (one example) was covering the study published in November 2017 issue of American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene that reported hookworm disease in rural, Lowndes County, Alabama? In April 2018, the Alabama Department of Public Health released a […]The post Alabama: Health officials say recent study ‘fails to prove hookworm infection’ appeared first on 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.