Outbreak News Today

The decline in vaccination rates across communities has led to the resurgence of diseases like measles and mumps, and recent outbreaks have demonstrated the importance of an integrated infection prevention response, according to new research presented at the 45th Annual Conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). In a 2017 measles […]The post Infection prevention: Measles and mumps outbreaks demonstrate the importance of an integrated response appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Idaho state health officials are reporting on the first confirmed human case of plague identified in the state since 1992. A child in southern Idaho’s Elmore County is currently recovering from the bacterial disease. Health officials say it is not clear whether the child was exposed to plague in Idaho or during a recent trip to Oregon. Plague […]The post Plague: Idaho reports first confirmed human case in decades appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the final podcast in our short series on malarial parasites, we’re look at the two less common species–P. malariae and P. ovale. In addition, we will spend some time talking about the so called “monkey malaria”or the more common than we thought, Plasmodium knowlesi. Joining me is out go-to parasitology expert, author, Rosemary Drisdelle. […]The post Malaria series: Plasmodium malariae, P. ovale and the monkey malaria- Plasmodium knowlesi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers from the Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases, Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in a study published in PLoS One last week looked at the clinical manifestations of reported Lyme disease cases in Ontario, Canada: 2005-2014. Here are some of the findings: During the study period, 1,230 cases due […]The post Canada: Study looks at clinical manifestations of Lyme disease in Ontario appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hepatitis A outbreaks have struck a number of cities and states since the beginning of 2017 to include San Diego and other areas of California, Detroit and other areas of Michigan, Kentucky,especially Louisville, Utah and West Virginia. In fact, since Jan 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received more than 2,500 reports of […]The post Hepatitis A: CDC received 2,500 reports since 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Charity organisation Caritas Congo Asbl has donated two mobile vehicle units for active tuberculosis screening to facilitate the outreach programmes of the National Tuberculosis Control Program (PNLT) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a statement, the organisation said the two vehicles were handed over to the PNLT directorate in Kinshasa by its executive secretary […]The post DR Congo gets two new mobile testing units for TB appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Norwegian government has provided the World Health Organisation (WHO) emergency response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo with ‘Epi-Shuttle’ single-patient units that are designed for the safe transportation of patients to isolation wards, while offering emergency treatment services. In a statement, the Norwegian government said medical preparedness and swift responses […]The post Norway donates Epi-Shuttle patient isolation units to DRC Ebola response appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is currently investigating a case of apparent wound botulism in a 21-year-old female from Doña Ana County. The suspected source of infection is contaminated black tar heroin. The patient injected black tar heroin under the skin, also known as “skin popping.” The woman is currently hospitalized. This […]The post New Mexico investigates suspect wound botulism case due to black tar heroin injection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Costa Rican government issued a health, or sanitary alert Monday due to the increase in the number of imported malaria cases reported from Nicaragua, Panama, and parts of South America and Africa, according to a Nacion report (computer translated). According to Daniel Salas, director of the Directorate of Health Surveillance of the Ministry of Health, […]The post Costa Rica issues malaria health alert appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Despite efforts to eradicate it, syphilis is on the rise. Until now, most health agencies focused on treating infected people and their sex partners but new discoveries may make a vaccine possible, UConn Health researchers report in the 12 June issue of mBio. The World Health Organization estimates that 10.7 million people between the ages of […]The post Syphilis: UConn researchers identify exterior proteins on the bacteria that could serve as vaccine targets appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of confirmed and compatible measles cases in the Philippines has increased in 2018 to date despite the launching of a measles vaccination campaign earlier this year. As of May 20, the Philippines has seen 3,644 total lab confirmed (921) and compatible measles cases, while in 2017, 1,224 cases were reported, according to a WHO […]The post Philippines reports increase in measles in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today on the ongoing measles outbreak in Brazil. From 1 January through 23 May 2018, there were 995 reported cases (Amazonas State, n=611, and Roraima State n=384). Of these cases, 114 have been laboratory confirmed (30 in Amazonas and 84 in Roraima), including two deaths. Eighty three cases were discarded […]The post Brazil measles outbreak update, many confirmed cases reported among Venezuelans appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Caito Foods is voluntarily recalling fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and fresh-cut mixed fruit containing one of these melons, produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Use or consumption of products contaminated with Salmonella may result in serious illness. It can also produce serious and […]The post Fresh cut melon recalled due to Salmonella risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) reported last week on a possible case of the tickborne viral disease caused by Bourbon virus in an adult resident of St. Louis County. The individual has recovered. While initial testing was negative for Heartland and Bourbon virus, due to clinical symptoms and in an abundance of […]The post Missouri officials investigate possible Bourbon virus case in St. Louis County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

There is some great public health news coming out of Paraguay–Country officials report they received news that the effort made for several years is paying off–The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Paraguay as having eliminated malaria. In 2016, WHO identified Paraguay as one of 21 countries with the potential to eliminate malaria by 2020. Through the […]The post Paraguay is certified malaria-free: First South American country to eradicate the disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

After reporting 99 confirmed measles cases since March, Okinawa health officials have declared an end to the outbreak. In a message from the Director General Department of Public Health and Medical Care for the Okinawa Prefectural Government, Yasushi Sunagawa, the director states: On March 20, 2018, the existence of a measles patient was reported, making it the first […]The post Okinawa declares end to measles outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the cholera outbreak in the Nigerian state of Adamawa may mutate into a West African regional public health hazard unless urgent measures are taken to suppress it locally and prevent it spreading across the border into Cameroun. In its latest epidemiological report on the Adamawa cholera outbreak, the WHO […]The post Nigerian cholera outbreak may spread into Cameroon, says WHO appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At least 1 200 new cancer cases are confirmed in Botswana annually, and yet the country has only one centre for comprehensive cancer treatment, President Mokgweetsi Masisi has said. Speaking at the ‘Happy Hearts’ cancer fund-raising and awareness dinner hosted recently by the Cancer Association of Botswana in Gaborone, Masisi said the world has to […]The post Case overload strains Botswana’s single cancer treatment facility appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kenyan health authorities in the north-eastern Wajir County have banned the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and the consumption of meat and milk following a localised outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) that has killed at least 4 people and 40 domestic animals. The RVF outbreak has killed 4 people and at least 40 domestic animals, […]The post Rift valley fever kills 4 people, 40 animals in north-eastern Kenya appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Sri Lanka health officials have reported an increase in the number cases of the bacterial disease, leptospirosis during the first five months of 2018. From Jan-May 2017, authorities reported 1,022 cases; however, for the same period in 2018, 1,525 cases were reported. The districts seeing the most leptospirosis cases year-to-date include Kalutara, Ratnapura, Moneragala and Gampaha. For Colombo district […]The post Sri Lanka reports increase in leptospirosis cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Malaysia Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) reported this week on the current Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) situation, which shows an increase in the number of cases. In fact, the number of cases in most states has surpassed the alert level. As of May 26, 2018, the number of cases reported was 21,644 […]The post Malaysia reports increase in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers from the University of Mauritius have shown that factors such as family size, type of diet, multi-usage of towels, among other factors, impact the growth of pathogens on kitchen towels, potentially causing food poisoning. The research is presented at ASM Microbe, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, held from June 7th […]The post Kitchen towels and the factors that contribute to the growth of potential pathogens appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to recommendations published in April 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated recommendations on management and reporting of Shigella infections that have been treated with ciprofloxacin or azithromycin and resulted in possible clinical treatment failure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to identify an increasing number of Shigella isolates that […]The post Shigella infections treated with ciprofloxacin or azithromycin: CDC recommendations updated appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the Republic of Kazakhstan, 60 cases of meningococcal infection have been registered since the beginning of 2018, including 21 cases among children under 14 years. 13 of them ended with death: Almaty – 6 cases, in Almaty region – 4 cases, in South Kazakhstan – 2 cases and in Kyzylorda region – 1 case, according to […]The post Kazakhstan Health Ministry: 60 meningococcal infections year to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

State health officials in Wisconsin and Minnesota are reporting an increase in the parasitic infection, cyclosporiasis, prompting an investigation. To date, 11 ill patients in Wisconsin and three in Minnesota have reported purchasing a vegetable tray from a Wisconsin or Minnesota Kwik Trip location prior to their Cyclospora illness. The Del Monte vegetable trays sold at Kwik […]The post Cyclospora cases in Wisconsin and Minnesota linked to Del Monte vegetable trays appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new study has found that the majority of residents in a rural village of Vietnam harbored multi-drug-resistant (MDR), colistin-resistant E. coli bacteria. Colistin is typically used as a last-resort treatment when there are no other therapy options available. The research is presented at ASM Microbe, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, held from […]The post Multi-drug-resistant (MDR), colistin-resistant E. coli bacteria pervasive in Vietnam village appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since the confirmation of the first measles case in mid-2017 through the beginning of May, there were 2,154 confirmed measles cases; 727 in 2017 and 1,427 to date this year. The outbreak is ongoing with cases reported in 17 states and the Capital District. Most of the suspected cases have come from the state of Bolivar, […]The post Measles: Venezuela reports more than 2,000 cases in past year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Venezuelan Society of Public Health reported this week (computer translated) the following worrying information: From an unofficial, reliable source, it was known of the existence of at least 4 cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) identified in Delta Amacuro state, Venezuela in the La Playita del Volcán, Juan Millán Parish, of the Tucupita Municipality whose inhabitants belong to […]The post Acute flaccid paralysis due to suspected polio unofficially reported in Venezuela: Society of Public Health appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Venezuelan regional newspaper, El Impulso reported this week in an investigative report (computer translated), an outbreak of the bacterium, Serratia marcescens among children admitted at Agustín Zubillaga Pediatric Hospital in Barquisimeto, Lara state, in northwestern Venezuela. According to the report, between January and March of 2018, there were 28 confirmed cases of severe infection by the bacteria (mostly […]The post Venezuela: Serratia marcescens kills 11 children at Barquisimeto hospital appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since the beginning of May 2018, thirteen cases of an unusual salmonella type (S. Typhimurium MLVA 2-17-NN-211) have been identified by the Public Health Authority’s microbial monitoring program, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, aka Folkhalsomyndigheten (computer translated). The type has so far been identified in seven counties in persons reported to be infected […]The post Sweden investigates outbreak of ‘unusual’ salmonella type appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Romanian health officials reported an additional 109 measles cases from the period of Jun 4-Jun 8 in 14 counties and in Bucharest, according to a National Center for Communicable Disease Control and Control report (computer translated). This brings the number of confirmed cases since 2016 to 13,871. In addition, 55 measles related fatalities were reported during this […]The post Romania measles cases continue to climb appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting 60 cases from five states– Illinois (6), Indiana (11), Michigan (32), Missouri (10), and Ohio (1). The CDC investigation indicates pre-cut melons, including fruit salads, are a likely source of this multistate outbreak. Thirty-one people have been hospitalized. The CDC has indicated there have been […]The post Salmonella sickens dozens in the Midwest, linked to pre-cut melons appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in Louisville, KY, city health officials report 432 cases and 3 associated deaths since the outbreak was declared in Nov. 2017. The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness continues to work to control an outbreak of acute hepatitis A that has centered in the city’s homeless, […]The post Louisville hepatitis A outbreak: Hundreds of cases, 3 deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in Nashville, TN, Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) officials today reported two new hep A cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 16 since December 2017. Large hepatitis A outbreaks have occurred since early 2017 in several states, including ongoing outbreaks in California, Utah, Kentucky, Indiana and […]The post Hepatitis A: Additional cases confirmed in Nashville appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since the first Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) was confirmed in San Bernardino County, California on May 24, a total of a dozen have been reported in the county. Virulent Newcastle disease has not been found in commercial poultry in the United States since 2003. The first case was reported in Los Angeles County on May 17, followed […]The post Newcastle disease: A dozen cases confirmed in San Bernardino County in past two weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

French health officials are reporting 368 additional dengue fever cases during the most recent week, bringing the outbreak total on the island of Reunion to 4292 laboratory confirmed or probable cases since the beginning of the year. Eighty-two people required hospitalization and 10 people were diagnosed with severe dengue. The average age of these hospitalized cases is […]The post Reunion dengue outbreak continues with 368 additional cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the dengue fever situation in Thailand, the Bureau of Epidemiology, MoPH, Thailand is reporting (computer translated) a total of 14,973 cases from 77 provinces through June 4. This is an increase in about 4,500 cases in the past two weeks. In addition, four more dengue-related deaths have been reported bringing the total […]The post Thailand dengue update, Phuket continues to be hardest hit province appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today filed a complaint against Innovative BioDefense, Inc. of Lake Forest, California, and Colette Cozean, the company’s president and chief executive officer, to prohibit them from selling Zylast topical antiseptics with claims that they are effective against infection by pathogens such as norovirus, rotavirus, flu virus, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus […]The post Zylast hand sanitizer effective against MRSA, Ebola? FDA says not proven, complaint filed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Toronto health officials announced the investigation of a lab-confirmed case of measles in an adult who recently travelled abroad. Members of the public may have been exposed to measles in the following settings: • May 30 Ukraine International Airlines flight PS423 that departed from Boryspil International Airport in Kiev, Ukraine at 9:25 a.m. and arrived at […]The post Toronto investigates imported measles case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Ukrainian health officials reported yesterday that because of the large number of adults infected with measles this year, the government made the decision to fund free vaccines for adults at risk, according to the Ministry of Health. Since the beginning of the year, 40% of all patients are adults. In particular, it refers to the spread of […]The post Ukraine measles outbreak near 20,000 cases, 40 percent in adults appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Mucus and other airway secretions that are expelled when a person with the flu coughs or exhales appear to protect the virus when it becomes airborne, regardless of humidity levels, a creative experiment conducted by the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech discovered. The results, published in today’s issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases, refute […]The post Airborne flu virus protected by mucus: ‘Just as infectious at all humidity levels’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since the measles outbreak began in a daycare in Johnson County, Kansas in early March, 22 cases were confirmed, making it the largest measles outbreak in the Sunflower state in 30 years. Now after two incubation periods, or 42 days without a new case, Kansas health officials have declared the outbreak over. “We are happy and […]The post Kansas: Largest measles outbreak in three decades declared over appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials confirmed anthrax in one calf on a Jim Hogg County premises on June 1. This is the first anthrax case in Texas this year. The premises is located approximately 30 miles south of Hebbronville and has been quarantined. TAHC rules require proper disposal of affected carcasses and vaccination of […]The post Texas: Anthrax confirmed in Jim Hogg County calf, 1st case of 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Oscar Nkala Scientists at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) have come up with a new drug they believe is much safer and superior to Fansidar in the management of malaria among pregnant women. KEMRI Centre for Global Health Research chief researcher Dr Simon Kariuki described the new drug, known as Dihydroartemisin-piperaquine, as a […]The post Kenyan researchers test new anti-malarial drug for pregnant women appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Oscar Nkala The Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness has warned the public of ‘potential safety issues’ arising from the use of anti-retroviral drug Dolutegravir (DTG) among pregnant women. In a statement, the government said a new study suggests the drug can affect neural tube development during the early stages of conception. Neural tube […]The post Botswana warns of pregancy-threatening side-effects of ARV drug Dolutegravir appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a viral haemorrhagic disease where up to 40% of people developing it die, it is remarkable that doctors still do not agree whether the only recognized treatment, an antiviral drug called ribavirin, makes a difference. In a new Cochrane Review a team of authors at LSTM, along with colleagues in London, The Philippines and […]The post Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever: Is ribavirin an effective treatment? Researchers say they don’t know appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A Todd County blood donor is South Dakota’s first human West Nile virus (WNV) detection of the season, the state Health Department reported. The person is in the 30 to 39 age group. “This individual was not ill but was detected through the routine screening of blood donations that takes place to make sure the […]The post South Dakota: 1st human West Nile virus case reported in Todd County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that began in early April, WHO Deputy Director-General for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Peter Salama reported the number of cases as of June 4 is as follows: 37 confirmed cases, 14 probable cases and 7 suspected cases for a total of […]The post Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ebola update, Preventing spread appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville is reporting treating a number of children during the past ten days for infection with E. coli. The patients, numbering around 10, are all under four years of age. The Knox County Health Department said the following concerning the outbreak: Due to possible contamination with E. coli & out […]The post Knoxville: E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk from Mascot farm appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to the podcast last week, Malaria: A general introduction and Plasmodium vivax, I continue the series on the malaria species. On today’s show, Parasitology teacher and author, Rosemary Drisdelle, joins me to talk about the deadliest species of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum. P. falciparum can cause severe malaria because it multiples rapidly in the blood, and […]The post Plasmodium falciparum, cerebral malaria and blackwater fever appeared first on Outbreak News Today.