Outbreak News Today

New drugs in the early stages of development by pharmaceutical companies could have an extra benefit – the ability to cancel out the HPV virus, which can cause cervical cancer and other skin conditions. Scientists at the University of Leeds and University of Birmingham whose research focuses on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) say many people […]The post Crucial role of protein which could stop HPV virus infection discovered appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 14 additional cases, bringing the outbreak total to 98. Three more states have reported ill people: Mississippi, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. To date, 22 states have been affected. Forty-six people out of 87 with […]The post E. coli outbreak: CDC says outbreak strain causes more severe illness, more hospitalizations appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Plague is endemic in Madagascar, with hundreds of cases reported annually. Plague season typically lasts from Sept to April each year and the 2017-2018 season was quite remarkable. By the end of April 2018, some 2,671 cases of the plague had been recorded since the first case of the plague season was reported in August […]The post Madagascar: A huge plague season ends, here are the latest numbers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Patients with meningococcal infection generally develop symptoms including a high temperature, vomiting and a stiff neck… but they might also just have a bad stomach ache. This can be so severe that they are sometimes wrongly operated for appendicitis. Teams from the Institut Pasteur and the Department of Pediatrics at Bicêtre Hospital (AP-HP) decided to […]The post Meningococcal meningitis: Abdominal pain should be seen as a warning sign appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Ukrainian health officials reported (computer translated) 1070 measles cases during the last week– 507 adults and 563 children–making it the most cases reported in a week since the outbreak started in 2017. The rapid increase in the number of illnesses in the last week has been associated with flare-ups in the Volyn, Lviv, Transcarpathian, Chernihiv, and […]The post Ukraine reports more than 1,000 measles cases in a week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a news report on a Hungarian scientist who was accidentally exposed to Ebola virus, health authorities (computer translated) say the scientist was exposed on April 13 at the National Public Health Institute (OKI) National Security Laboratory while working with the lethal virus in the biosafety level-4 laboratory while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. The […]The post Hungary: Scientist accidentally exposed to Ebola while in the laboratory; No symptoms to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

As part of its strategic plan to eliminate Cholera in Uganda, Ministry of Health is set to roll out the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) in Cholera prone districts. The districts that will benefit from this plan – also known as Cholera hotspots are; Hoima, Buliisa, Pakwach, Nebbi, Kasese, Ntoroko, Zombo, Moyo, Busia, Namayingo and Arua. […]The post Health officials to roll out oral cholera vaccine in May appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An anthrax outbreak that began last month in Rhino Camp refugee settlement in Arua District has now sickened 19 people, including one fatality, according to a Daily Monitor report. The disease has now spread to Odupi and Pawor sub-counties and there is fear that it will spread to Ogoko, Omugo, Bileafe, Uriama and Okollo sub-counties […]The post Uganda: Anthrax outbreak infects 19, kills one in Arua District appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A publication in Nature Partner Journals (npj) Vaccines indicates that post-exposure prophylaxis with LepVax, IDRI’s leprosy vaccine candidate, not only appears safe but, unlike BCG (a tuberculosis vaccine that provides some protection against leprosy), alleviates and delays the neurologic disruptions caused by Mycobacterium leprae infection in nine-banded armadillos. This is an important finding because armadillos are the only other host […]The post Leprosy vaccine candidate, LepVax, provides effective pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis of M. leprae infection in animals: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in the Kansas City, MO area, state and local health officials are working to notify individuals who may have been exposed to measles in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Currently, there are 10 cases of measles among Missouri residents identified as part of an ongoing measles investigation. Known locations […]The post Kansas City measles outbreak: 10 cases in ongoing investigation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) said it has confirmed two cases of measles in New Haven County. The two infected individuals are children under 12 months of age who reside in the same household, travelled internationally and acquired their infections outside of the country. DPH is collaborating with local partners to identify contacts […]The post Connecticut reports two measles cases acquired outside the US appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Division of Public Health (DPH) has identified four more cases of the mumps in Delaware as part of its ongoing investigation of an outbreak among attendees at two multi-cultural dances in New Castle County, bringing the total number of mumps cases in 2018 to 19. At least 11 of the 19 persons with mumps […]The post Delaware mumps outbreak increases by 4 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) did not cross the species barrier to infect cynomolgus macaque monkeys during a lengthy investigation by National Institutes of Health scientists exploring risks to humans. CWD is a type of brain-damaging and fatal prion disease found in deer, elk and moose; in humans, prion diseases can take more than a decade […]The post Chronic wasting disease not transmissible to macaques: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists examining the genome of Egyptian fruit bats, a natural reservoir for the deadly Marburg virus, have identified several immune-related genes that suggest bats deal with viral infections in a substantially different way than primates. Their research, published online today in the journal Cell, demonstrates that bats may be able to host viruses that are pathogenic […]The post Marburg virus: Study of bat natural immunity may shed light on human disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Thirteen suspected cutaneous anthrax cases have been treated at a Visakhapatnam hospital in the past week and medical officials say the patients are all stable. A spokesperson with King George Hospital said it was believed that the victims belonging to a local village, contracted the infection after reportedly eating the meat of a dead cow a week ago. The […]The post India: More than a dozen people treated for cutaneous anthrax in Andhra Pradesh appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Diphtheria As of 14 April 2018, the local health authorities reported a total of 1,584 suspected diphtheria cases including 85 associated deaths (CFR=5.4%). The diphtheria outbreak has affected 195 districts from 20 governorates. At governorate level, Ibb and Sana’a are the most affected governorates. Children (<5 years of age) represent 20% of suspected diphtheria cases […]The post Yemen diphtheria and cholera update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New York City health officials announced Wednesday that they are investigating three Legionnaires’ disease cases in three connected buildings at Co-op City in the Bronx. One person has died and to others in connecting buildings have been treated and released from the hospital. Health officials urged residents of these buildings to seek treatment if they experience symptoms […]The post Bronx: Legionnaires’ disease cases being investigated in Co-op City appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

U.S. Army Public Health officials from Fort Campbell are investigating possible mumps cases among a Fort Campbell family and are working to notify personnel who may have been exposed, officials said April 24. “Blanchfield Army Community Hospital sent lab results to the Tennessee Department of Health to determine if the case is mumps positive and […]The post Fort Campbell health officials report possible mumps cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Minnesota Department of Health together with local public health departments in Freeborn and Winona counties are warning people about recent potential exposure to confirmed measles at two locations in southeastern Minnesota. The warning comes after MDH learned April 23 that a non-Minnesota resident with confirmed measles traveled through Minnesota from another state and may […]The post Potential measles exposure in southeastern Minnesota appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the investigation into the E. coli outbreak in Edmonton, Alberta Health Services (AHS) Environmental Public Health has determined the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 is linked to certain pork products sold and distributed by The Meat Shop at Pine Haven. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a Food Recall Warning for […]The post Edmonton E. coli outbreak: Certain pork products linked appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with Hamilton College in Clinton, NY are reporting a norovirus outbreak on campus. More than two dozen students have become sick with symptoms consistent with the virus, according to the Student Health Center. Samples that were laboratory tested were confirmed positive for norovirus. Facilities Management personnel began disinfecting residence hall bathrooms and common areas Wednesday […]The post Hamilton College reports norovirus outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

During the past week, the number of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce grew by 31 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This brings the total cases to 84. Twenty-one percent of the cases (18) have been reported in Pennsylvania, the most from any state, prompting the Governor Wolf administration to […]The post Colorado, Georgia, and South Dakota now report E. coli O157:H7 cases in multistate outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Philippines Department of Health (DOH), together with the City Government of Parañaque, today officially launched the National Ligtas Tigdas Supplemental Immunization Activity (SIA) to halt the ongoing transmission of measles especially among unvaccinated children and pregnant women. The Philippines is currently experiencing an increasing trend of measles cases based on the latest report from […]The post Measles: Vaccination campaign launched in Metro Manila appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Minnesota state health officials are reporting an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in 2017, prompting calls for sexually active people and those who inject drugs to get tested at least yearly. The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) annual sexually transmitted disease (STD), HIV and hepatitis surveillance report shows the number of new chlamydia, gonorrhea and […]The post Minnesota reports significant increases in syphilis, gonorrhea; Officials urge frequent testing for people at heightened risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s podcast we are going to finish up talking about human lice. On the last podcast we looked at head and body lice and we’ll tackle pubic lice or crabs on today’s show. It doesn’t matter what’s your status in life, crabs can be found on anyone, anywhere. The pubic louse, Phthirus pubis, is typically […]The post Pubic Lice: They Don’t Call Them Crabs For Nothing appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Missouri health officials advised the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) of a confirmed measles case who exposed Iowans to the highly contagious disease at locations in Des Moines and Ankeny. The infectious individual from Missouri traveled through Iowa and visited the following locations. Anyone who was in the locations at the referenced dates and times […]The post Iowans warned of possible measles exposure in Des Moines and Ankeny appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New York State Department of Health announced this weekend that two tourists from Europe who have been confirmed to have measles visited a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brooklyn on April 15th and toured two separate Watchtower facilities in Orange and Putnam counties on April 16th and April 17th potentially exposing others to measles. The risk […]The post New York: Potential measles exposure at several Jehovah’s Witness facilities appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the outbreak of illnesses at Western Connecticut State University, University President John B. Clark announced today that Norovirus was identified as the source of the illness that sickened more than 100 students. Clark said the common areas on both the Westside and Midtown campuses have been cleaned to standards set by the Centers for […]The post Norovirus implicated in Western Connecticut State University outbreak: More than 100 sickened appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Many soldiers returning from combat bear visible scars, or even lost limbs, caused by blasts from improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. However, some servicemen also return with debilitating hidden injuries — the loss of all or part of their genitals. Now, the Johns Hopkins reconstructive surgery team that performed the country’s first bilateral arm transplant […]The post 1st total penis and scrotum transplant performed on Afghanistan vet appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

OC Raw Dog, LLC of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, is recalling approximately 1,560 lbs of Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulation which was manufactured on 10/11/2017 with a lot number 3652 and a use by date of 10/11/18. We are voluntarily recalling because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause severe and […]The post Raw dog food recalled due to potential contamination with Listeria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will purchase an anthrax treatment for $25.2 million from Elusys Therapeutics Inc. of Pine Brook, New Jersey, as part of the department’s ongoing national preparedness efforts. “Protecting the American people from 21st century threats, such as […]The post Anthrax antitoxin purchased for Strategic National Stockpile appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Congo Since mid-March, the Congo Ministry of Health reported a suspected cholera outbreak in Likouala Department, located in the northern part of the country. In a related event, health authorities in Plateau Department reported increasing cases of acute watery diarrhea in Mpouya District in the central part of Congo. As of 19 April 2018, a total of […]The post Cholera outbreaks reported in Congo and Zimbabwe appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The measles outbreak in Okinawa, that was triggered by an imported case from Taiwan in late-March, has grown to 71 cases, according to an update from the Okinawa Prefectural Government today. More than half the cases have been reported from Naha and Nago. How contagious is measles? Answer: Very Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can […]The post Measles in Okinawa: Outbreak cases rise to 71 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with Public Health France reported nearly 400 confirmed or probable dengue cases in the past week, bringing the outbreak total to 1388 indigenous cases reported since 1st January 2018. The current epidemic could continue to intensify in the coming weeks. The population is not immune to dengue fever (only 3.1% of blood donors, tested for dengue in 2008, […]The post Dengue epidemic in Reunion Island: 400 cases reported in one week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An outbreak of unknown etiology has sickened dozens on the campus of Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) and to date the source of the outbreak has not been pinpointed. University spokesman Paul Steinmetz says between 40 and 50 students became sick beginning Thursday. School officials can only say that illness is manifested with symptoms of vomiting […]The post Western Connecticut State University outbreak sickens dozens appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles cluster in Taiwan, health officials report additional cases over the weekend. The Disease Control Department announced Saturday (computer translated) the addition of two confirmed cases of measles in the country, one of which is a woman in her 40s in the north. Another confirmed case was associated with this measles cluster […]The post Taiwan measles case count rises appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the E. coli outbreak linked to a Filipino restaurant in Edmonton, Alberta Health Services (AHS) Environmental Public Health reports expanding its investigation into the source of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7, beyond cases directly linked to an Edmonton restaurant late last month. The number of lab-confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 has […]The post Edmonton: E. coli outbreak investigation expanded, One death reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the wound botulism situation linked to injecting black tar heroin in San Diego County, health officials are reporting three additional cases, bringing the total to six in the past month. According to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, five of the cases are men and have been confirmed […]The post Wound botulism: More cases reported in San Diego County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Indiana are urging residents to get vaccinated and take other steps to protect themselves from hepatitis A if they plan to travel to states that are experiencing outbreaks of the disease. Kentucky and Michigan have reported significant outbreaks of hepatitis A, a highly contagious viral infection of the liver. Kentucky has more than 300 […]The post Indiana reports increase in hepatitis A cases, vaccinations urged for travelers to other states appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in England are reporting an increase in measles cases in 2018, according to a Croyden Advertiser report. So far this year there have been 250 cases of measles reported (with at least 90 of those laboratory confirmed) in London – compared to 243 reported in the capital for the whole of 2017. The report […]The post Measles cases up in London appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the first global report of HLAziR N. gonorrhoeae which is also resistant to ceftriaxone in a United Kingdom man, Public Health England (PHE) reports investigating a UK case of Neisseria gonorrhoeae acquired in South East Asia which had high-level resistance to the 2 antibiotics, azithromycin and ceftriaxone, which are currently recommended for first-line […]The post Highly resistant gonorrhea case treated successfully with ertapenem appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the rabies situation in South Africa, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reports a total of six laboratory confirmed human cases of rabies in South Africa for 2018 to date. Four of these cases were reported from KwaZulu Natal Province where a resurgence of rabies has been reported. The remaining cases […]The post Human rabies cases rise to 6 in South Africa appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Measles In the latest update from the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) this week, officials now report since the beginning of 2017, 2591 measles cases, including three deaths. The highest frequency has been observed in South Greece. The outbreak mostly affects people of Greek nationality (mainly young Roma children, as well as Greek adults mainly […]The post Greece: Measles outbreak, West Nile reemergence appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its partners have successfully tested releasing sterile mosquitoes from drones as part of efforts to use a nuclear technique to suppress the insect that spreads Zika and other diseases. The IAEA, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has worked with the […]The post Mosquito control: Using drones to release sterile mosquitoes appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The use of intravaginal menstrual pads may be responsible for rare cases of menstrual toxic shock syndrome in women whose vaginas have been colonized by Staphylococcus aureus producing toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1). Menses can serve as a growth medium for S. aureus. The research is published April 20th in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal […]The post Tampon use continues to be associated with menstrual toxic shock syndrome: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At the request of the Ministry of Health (MOH), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has delivered a new batch of measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. Ministry officials report receiving 800,000 doses (computer translated). This is the second batch of vaccine delivered this year. In February, the MOH and UNICEF, given the urgent need, carried out an expedited […]The post Measles vaccine shipment arrives in Ukraine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Outbreaks of the fungal pathogen Candida auris (C. auris) in healthcare settings, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), may be linked to multi-use patient equipment, such as thermometers, according to research presented at the 28th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) [1]. Researchers examined one of the largest outbreaks of the emerging drug-resistant fungal […]The post Candida auris outbreak linked to multi-use thermometers in UK ICU appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The vast majority of measles cases in Europe were reported in unvaccinated patients, and children younger than two years old were at a higher risk of dying from measles than older patients, according to research presented at the 28th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID). Presenting author Dr Emmanuel Robesyn of the […]The post Measles serious threat for babies, toddlers, unvaccinated youths: ECDC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization (WHO) published the third report of its Expert Consultation on Rabies, which incorporates the latest recommendations on rabies immunization made in October 2017 by the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. The report provides updated guidance based on evidence and programmatic experience on the multiple facets of rabies prevention, […]The post Rabies: WHO report provides updated guidance on the multiple facets of prevention, control and elimination appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the first test to identify the emerging pathogenCandida auris (C. auris), which can cause serious infections in hospitalized patients. Specifically, the FDA permitted marketing for a new use of the BRUKER MALDI Biotyper CA system for the identification of C. auris, adding to the system’s already cleared uses for the identification […]The post FDA authorizes new use of test, first to identify the emerging pathogen Candida auris appeared first on Outbreak News Today.