Outbreak News Today

Media accounts in India are reporting a Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode, Kerala State. Several fatalities have been reported, including three from one family. On Sunday evening Kerala Health Services Director Dr R L Saritha said, “Today, we got the confirmation report from National Institute of Virology, Pune. We had sent four samples to the institute and three of […]The post India: Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, Health minister sends multi-disciplinary team appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bay Area Lyme Foundation, a leading sponsor of Lyme disease research in the United States, brought together scientists, philanthropists, celebrities and patients for the sixth annual LymeAid, an event aimed at raising funds to make Lyme disease easy to diagnose and simple to cure. This year’s benefit dinner and concert raised more than $1 million, of which […]The post LymeAid 2018 Raises $1.1 Million for Lyme Disease Research appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 2011, the FAO / WHO Expert Committee developed a ranking of parasites transmitted by foods of importance in world public health, which included some two dozen parasites. The Parasitology Section of the Institute of Public Health of Chile (ISP) looked at five of these foodborne parasites for the period of 2012-2016 (computer translated)–this includes cysticercosis, […]The post Chile: Foodborne parasites of importance in public health appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Ziyad Brothers Importing is voluntarily recalling certain lot codes of Ziyad Brand Tahini because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was distributed nationwide and is sold in 8, 16, and 32 ounce and half gallon jars. The jars are labelled “Tahini Sesame Paste.” Lot codes and use by/expiration dates are printed on […]The post Ziyad Brand Tahini recalled due to Salmonella risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has detected virulent Newcastle disease in a small flock of backyard exhibition chickens in Los Angeles County. The detection has been confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This is the first case of virulent Newcastle disease, previously […]The post Newcastle Disease confirmed in the US for the first time in 15 years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vaccines The World Health Organization (WHO) Friday sent more than 35 immunization experts to Mbandaka, an urban centre with a population of more than 1 million people, where at least one Ebola case has been confirmed. “These well-trained teams will vaccinate and also follow up on the people who received the vaccine, whether in Mbandaka or in […]The post Ebola: Immunization experts to Mbandaka, Canada provides humanitarian assistance appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Outbreaks of human and animal anthrax have been reported in the Arua, Kween and Kiruhura districts of Uganda, according to Dr Juliet Sentumbwe, Director Animal Ressources, Department of Livestock, Health and Entomology, OUG Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in Entebbe. Goats, sheep and cattle have been affected by the outbreaks. The UN Children’s Fund says ten […]The post Anthrax in Uganda: Suspected outbreaks in Arua, Kween and Kiruhura districts appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Chickenpox is being reported in increasing numbers in the northern regions of Vietnam. According to the Vietnam National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (computer translated), the Infectious Diseases Department at the Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi has received hundreds of adults with chickenpox, including dozens of severe complications such as multiple skin infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, leading […]The post Chickenpox: 100s of adult cases reported in northern Vietnam appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak on the island of Okinawa, officials with the Okinawa prefectural government put the case count at 99 as of May 16. The outbreak began on Mar. 20, which has been linked to an imported case from Taiwan. The outbreak has since spread to Aichi and Kanagawa prefectures and Tokyo. […]The post Okinawa measles outbreak nearly 100 since March appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, this week confirmed the finding of the Haemaphysalis longicornis tick (otherwise known as the East Asian or Longhorned tick) in Virginia. The tick appeared on an orphaned calf on a beef farm in Albemarle County. In late 2017 H. longicornis was found initially in New Jersey. No known direct link exists from the Virginia […]The post Longhorned tick found on cattle on a Virginia farm appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Friday, May 18, 2018, Governor Christopher T. Sununu proclaimed May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in New Hampshire. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness, as an estimated 200,000-400,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. The Governor’s proclamation encouraged residents and visitors to practice Lyme disease prevention strategies. According to a survey […]The post New Hampshire: Lyme Disease Awareness Month proclaimed by Gov Sununu appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

More than four million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis; however, more than 50 percent of them do not know it. To help increase awareness, Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to proclaim May as Hepatitis Awareness Month. Michiganders […]The post Michigan Governor Snyder proclaims May as Hepatitis Awareness Month appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a case of rat lungworm disease in a toddler from Central Oahu. The child became ill earlier this month and was hospitalized. DOH conducted a detailed investigation and laboratory results confirmed evidence of the rat lungworm disease parasite (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) in the child’s spinal fluid. This is […]The post Hawaii confirms 1st rat lungworm case on Oahu in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Newton County Health Department continue their investigation into a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened approximately 70 individuals. The initial outbreak was reported on May 4th due to illness among attendees at a closed, invitation only event held in Newton County on April 28th. During the process of investigating this event, the caterer that […]The post Georgia: Dozens sickened with Salmonella linked to Newton County event appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Canadian health officials reported this week that the norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters from British Columbia appears to be over. A total of 176 cases of gastrointestinal illness linked to oyster consumption were reported in three provinces: British Columbia (137), Alberta (14), and Ontario (25). No deaths were reported. Individuals became sick between mid-March and […]The post Canada norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters over appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported Friday that Romania and France lead EU/EEA countries this year in measles. The highest number of cases to date in 2018 were in Romania (2,712), France (2,173), Greece (1,948) and Italy (805) respectively. Twenty two deaths have also been reported by these countries in 2018. Additionally, […]The post Measles in Europe: Significant outbreaks continue appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Thursday, Andre Mama Fouda, Cameroon’s Public Health Minister issued a press statement saying human monkeypox cases have been reported in Njikwa, Momo Division, in the North West Region and Akwaya, Manyu, in the South West Region. Health officials report epidemiological surveillance recorded cases on Apr. 30. The few cases were later confirmed on May 14. According to the […]The post Cameroon reports human monkeypox infections in the southwest appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the mumps situation at Texas State University in San Marcos, the Hays County Health Department reports four students at the school have tested positive for mumps as of Wednesday. Three are roommates and we have not been able to identify a link between those three and the fourth student. Three students were tested due […]The post Texas State Univ. mumps update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), health officials now report a cumulative total of 45 EVD cases including 25 deaths (case fatality rate = 56%) from three health zones in Equateur Province. 12 previously identified suspected cases were laboratory confirmed for EVD including one case […]The post More Ebola cases confirmed, Not a Public Health Emergency… yet appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A major route toward creating effective vaccines against dengue virus and Zika involves the E protein that covers the surface of each viral particle. If we could develop strong antibodies against this E protein, then that would be the crux of a formidable vaccine – based on the important fact that the 180 E proteins […]The post Zika and dengue vaccine stumblingblock: Human body temperature appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Venezuela. The country is experiencing outbreaks of infectious diseases, and adequate health care is currently not available in most of the country. In addition to breakdown of the medical infrastructure, Venezuela is experiencing shortages of food, water, electricity, medicine, and medical supplies that […]The post CDC warns against non-essential travel to Venezuela: Outbreaks, breakdown of the medical infrastructure appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a report a little more than a month ago, Thailand health officials recently reported the number of dengue cases has topped 10,000 for 2018. Since the beginning of the year through May 15, a total of 10,446 cases were reported from 77 provinces (morbidity rate was 15.97 / 100,000 population). There […]The post Dengue cases top 10,000 in Thailand appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reported this week circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3) is confirmed in Somalia, following isolation of the virus from four environmental samples collected between 8-22 March, from two environmental sites in Banadir province. This follows confirmation of a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in the Horn of Africa, with the […]The post Horn of Africa: Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus detected in environmental samples appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A third of treated recreational waterborne disease outbreaks (such as pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds) during 2000 through 2014 occurred in hotel pools or hot tubs, according to a report published today in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Cryptosporidium (also known as “Crypto”), Pseudomonas, and Legionella caused most of the outbreaks in swimming venues in the United States during […]The post Crypto, Pseudomonas and Legionella responsible for most outbreaks in swimming venues appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Alberta health officials issued a public health alert this week in response to a lab-confirmed measles case in an individual that visited several public settings in Edmonton, while infectious. Individuals who were in the below noted locations on the dates and in the time-periods specified, may have been exposed to measles: May 8, 2018 Exposure location: Northgate […]The post Edmonton health alert issued over confirmed measles case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials expressed concern over over the most recent development on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today. A new confirmed case, the third, has been reported in Wangata, one of the three health zones of Mbandaka, a city of nearly 1.2 million people in Equateur Province in […]The post Ebola confirmed case in a city- ‘The arrival of Ebola in an urban area is very concerning’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

While the last shipments of romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region were harvested on April 16, 2018 and the harvest season is over, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still reported 23 additional E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce in the past week. Newly reported cases are people who became sick two to […]The post E. coli sickens 23 more in outbreak linked to romaine lettuce appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Measles is currently affecting several French regions and the rapid increase in the number of cases since the beginning of the year may give rise to fears of another major epidemic throughout the country. After decreasing between 2012 and 2016, the number of measles cases has increased significantly since November 2017. This situation is the […]The post More measles in France: ‘This situation is the result of inadequate vaccination coverage’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Ian M. Mackay, PhD What is HTLV-1? HTLV-1 is a human delta retrovirus assigned to the genusDeltaretrovirus, species Primate T-lymphotropic virus 1 [5]. It was first described in 1980.[10] Soon thereafter Japanese researchers identified endemic virus, especially in southwestern Japan.[8,9] These viruses infect a cell and make new DNA from their RNA genetic blueprint using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase.[7] This DNA […]The post Human T-Lymphotropic Virus type 1 (HTLV-1): a primer appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In our continuing coverage of the 2018 dengue epidemic on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion off the African coast, French health officials reported an additional 388 biologically confirmed and probable cases in the past week, bringing the total cases to 2980 confirmed or probable cases reported since the Jan. 1. Of this total, 65 people required hospitalization […]The post Reunion Island dengue outbreak: Nearly 3,000 cases reported to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new rabies test developed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) could mean people exposed to potentially rabid animals could forego the weeks-long regimen of shots to prevent the deadly disease. The new test, designed for use in animals, can more easily and precisely diagnose rabies infection, according to a study published […]The post Rabies: CDC develops new rapid test, Could lead to fewer shots appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The first European-wide genomic survey of gonorrhoea has mapped antibiotic resistance in this sexually transmitted disease throughout the continent. Researchers at The Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance (CGPS), the Wellcome Sanger Institute, European Centre for Disease Control, and their collaborators also showed that using DNA sequencing data they could accurately determine antibiotic resistance and identify […]The post Europe: Open genomic database of gonorrhea established, Could help doctors monitor emerging resistance appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) announces since 2012, rates of syphilis among both men and women have been steadily increasing in Los Angeles County and in California. Cases in women rose by 50% from 2016 to 2017, affecting individuals in almost every area of the county. Most notably, more pregnant women […]The post Los Angeles: Congenital syphilis cases increase in recent years, More rigorous screening recommended appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to an interview on the dwarf tapeworm, Hymenolepsis nana last week, this week we look a related cestode, the rat tapeworm. Hymenolepis diminuta is a tapeworm that occurs throughout the world. Its principal definitive hosts are rodents. Nevertheless, in rare instances, it can infect humans, typically by accidental ingestion of infected arthropods, often grain beetles. […]The post Grain beetles and rat tapeworms appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A recent CDC MMWR report shows that providers treated 81% of patients diagnosed with gonorrhea using CDC’s recommended dual therapy. While encouraging, nearly 1 in 5 patients were treated with a different regimen, signifying room for improvement. Antibiotic resistance is making gonorrhea much harder to treat. Recommended treatment involves a combination of two drugs, an injection of […]The post CDC warns that gonorrhea monotherapy could accelerate antibiotic resistance appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Community and Public Health has recently confirmed another case of measles in Christchurch. This case is related to the current South Island measles outbreak, which has now infected 15 people. Investigations have found that this most recent case visited a number of stores and other places while infectious. Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton, […]The post Christchurch measles case prompts health warning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

As of 13 May, there is a cumulative total of 41 cases, including 20 deaths (case fatality rate = 48.8%) and three healthcare workers from Bikoro (n=2) and Iboko (n=1). Of the 41 cases reported, two cases are confirmed ( Zaire ebolavirus species), 17 are suspected and 22 are probable. Bikoro Health Zone reported the […]The post Ebola case count update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A recently identified pig virus can readily find its way into laboratory-cultured cells of people and other species, a discovery that raises concerns about the potential for outbreaks that threaten human and animal health. Researchers at The Ohio State University and Utrecht University in the Netherlands collaborated to better understand the new virus and its […]The post Porcine deltacoronavirus a potential threat to humans: Ohio State researchers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A record number of Californians were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in 2017, according to a new report released by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). More than 300,000 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and early syphilis were reported: a 45 percent increase compared to five years ago. Particularly concerning, in 2017, there were 30 […]The post Sexually transmitted infections in California: Record numbers reported in 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists have discovered a trigger to a deadly chain of events that ends in amputations and death in patients with severe meningococcal disease. Their findings could now be used to help develop treatments to prevent such terrible outcomes for these patients. Infection from meningococcal bacteria is the leading cause of meningitis and septicemia in the […]The post Meningitis: Scientists a step closer to reducing loss of life and need for amputation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), since early April a total of 39 Ebola virus disease cases have been reported, including 19 deaths (case fatality rate = 49%) and three health care workers. Two probable cases (positive on rapid diagnostic test) were reported on 13 May 2018. Of […]The post Ebola death toll reaches 19, WHO Director-General visits Democratic Republic of the Congo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Public Health France and the national reference center for Escherichia coli (Pasteur Institute and Robert Debré Hospital, Paris) have identified seven cases of Escherichia coli infections , including six hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases in children under 3 years of age, according to health authorities (computer translated). Analysis of the samples from the sick children reveal the causative agent to […]The post E. coli outbreak sickens 7 children in France, linked to Reblochon cheese appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice recently for people traveling to Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, an area where malaria is not typically found, after a U.S. traveler contracted falciparum malaria while visiting there. The Osa Peninsula is at the southern part of Costa Rica bordering a part of […]The post Malaria in U.S. traveler to Costa Rica prompts travel warning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Every now and then I come across a article published on the “professional” social media platform, LinkedIn, that seems like a good fit for this website. So I’ll contact the author for permission to publish, or syndicate it on outbreaknewstoday.com. On Saturday, a post on antibiotics and antibiotic stewardship caught my eye as I skimmed […]The post My strange experience with a LinkedIn member this weekend: Childish behavior and a bruised ego? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced Saturday the investigation of a case of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection. The patient is a one-year-old boy with good past health. He has presented with fever, shortness of breath and wheezing since May 8 and was admitted to Tuen Mun […]The post Hong Kong reports invasive Hib infection in 1 year old appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) situation continues to be a serious public health problem in the Philippines as health officials reported 912 new HIV cases in March 2018. In fact, with a 140% increase in estimated annual new HIV infections from 2010 to 2016, UNAIDS said that the “the Philippines has become the country with the […]The post Philippines has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in Asia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Following the confirmation of a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last week, several African countries have taken steps to prevent Ebola from crossing their border and Nigeria is just one of several. Ebola in DRC: Outbreak update, Help on the way and why the DRC so often? The World Health Organization […]The post Nigeria issues Ebola public health advisory appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nigerian health officials announced Thursday the end of the emergency phase of the 2018 Lassa fever outbreak. The 2018 outbreak, the largest Lassa fever outbreak recorded in the country, accounted for 423 confirmed cases, including 106 deaths since January. However, in the last six weeks, there has been a decline in the number of new cases of Lassa […]The post Nigeria Lassa outbreak no longer in the ‘national emergency’ phase appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Angola have reported 21 cases of African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness in the past two weeks, according to a Agencia Angola Press report. The cases, reported in the municipality of Banga, Cuanza Norte province, were detected during the prospecting campaign held by the Provincial Department of the Institute of Combat and Control of Trypanosomiasis […]The post Sleeping sickness: 21 cases detected during prospecting campaign in Cuanza Norte, Angola appeared first on Outbreak News Today.