Outbreak News Today

Officials with the Okinawa Prefectural Government reported Thursday that there are a total of 65 people who contracted the measles since the outbreak started on March 20, 2018. This has prompted tourism officials to advise travelers to ensure they are vaccinated against measles–“If you plan to visit Okinawa, we recommend you to get the vaccination before your travel. Please also […]The post Okinawa reports 65 measles cases in a month appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Eastern Kansas The measles outbreak in eastern Kansas is continuing to be investigated. Since March 8, 2018, 18 cases have been identified – 14 Johnson County residents, 3 Linn County residents and 1 Miami County resident. Current information does not link this outbreak to the Missouri cases. If a person has visited one or more […]The post Measles update for eastern Kansas, KC Missouri appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department reports recent cases of acute hepatitis A occurring in Kanawha and Putnam counties have been linked to an ongoing, multistate Hepatitis A outbreak. Since January, more than 20 cases of Hepatitis A have been confirmed in Kanawha and Putnam counties. Prior to this outbreak, Janet Briscoe, KCHD director of epidemiology, called […]The post Hepatitis A cases in Charleston area linked multistate outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District have reported several viral meningitis cases, prompting an alert to the public to be alert to the symptoms. Twelve people were diagnosed with viral meningitis, relatively common illness, all caused by an enterovirus, and were hospitalized as a result. Director Public Health, Curtis Gregory, said the first person became unwell in […]The post Viral meningitis cases prompt alert in Illawarra, New South Wales appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the meningococcal disease C outbreak in Fiji that was declared one month ago, The Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoHMS) is reporting a total of 46 cases from January 1st to April 12th , 2018. Of these, 22 cases are laboratory confirmed, and 24 are either suspected or probable cases. All cases […]The post Fiji meningococcal disease C outbreak update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A Rice University study predicts that this fall’s flu vaccine — a new H3N2 formulation for the first time since 2015 — will likely have the same reduced efficacy against the dominant circulating strain of influenza A as the vaccine given in 2016 and 2017 due to viral mutations related to vaccine production in eggs. […]The post Flu vaccine: Rice study predicts 2018 flu shot will have 20 percent efficacy appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

North Dakota health officials reported today that the number of syphilis cases reported in the state has increased significantly in the past year. According to newly published data, 78 cases were reported in 2017, a 28 percent increase over the previous year. “When it comes to protecting your sexual health, it’s important to know the […]The post North Dakota reports 28 percent increase in syphilis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Many European countries lack a comprehensive policy to eliminate viral hepatitis as a major public health threat, according to a patient group-based survey implemented in 25 countries. The Hep-CORE study was coordinated by ISGlobal – an institution supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation – and led by the European Liver Patient’s Association. In 2016, viral […]The post Hepatitis: Many European countries not ready to stop public health threat–Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to chopped romaine lettuce, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting an additional 18 cases in the investigation. 53 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 16 states. Alaska, Arizona, California, Louisiana, and Montana have been added […]The post E. coli O157:H7 outbreak: 18 additional cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced five new measles cases confirmed in Taiwan, including 4 cases related to the recent cluster. For the fifth case, the source is still under investigation. The disease onset dates for the cases is between April 13-14. They are employees of two different airlines. As of today, a total […]The post Taiwan reports a dozen measles cases in recent cluster appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles situation in Kansas City, Missouri (HERE and HERE), news station KCTV5 is reporting that local health officials say that the measles count in the city has grown to four confirmed cases. More details about the cases and where the public may have been exposed is to be released later today by The […]The post Kansas City measles cases rise to 4 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a health update today from Kim L. Miller, MD, Executive Director, University Health Services at the University of Cincinnati, two confirmed and one suspected mumps cases have been reported on the school’s West Campus in the last two weeks. Symptoms of mumps may include fever, headache, fatigue and swollen, tender salivary glands under the ears or jaw and […]The post University of Cincinnati reports two confirmed mumps cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

TruPet, LLC of Milford, OH, is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Boost Me Mighty Meaty Beef Topper Meal Enhancer because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall is limited to 400 cases of the product, as identified below. The following affected “Boost Me” products were distributed in the continental USA […]The post Salmonella risk prompts recall of Boost Me Mighty Meaty Beef Topper Meal Enhancer appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Switzerland have reported a dramatic increase in the bacterial infection, tularemia last year with a growing number of incidents with tick bites has been recorded over the past few years. According to a Swiss Info report, 130 confirmed cases of tularemia were reported last year. This is four times more than usual. The authorities […]The post Switzerland reports big increase of tularemia in 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At least three human anthrax cases have been reported in north-central China, including one fatality, according to a RFA report (computer translated).The outbreak of cutaneous anthrax is reported in two towns of Zhongwei City, Ningxia region where the patients had consumed tainted cow and mutton. The two surviving patients are currently hospitalized and stable. Upon discovery of the […]The post Anthrax kills one, sickens two others in Ningxia, China appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. today announced the Company was notified after the close of business on April 13, 2018, by Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, Indiana, of a voluntary egg recall. The eggs involved in the recall have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup and were distributed from Rose Acre Farms’ Hyde County, North Carolina, facility […]The post Publix recall of Grade A Extra Large Eggs appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Less than a month after UK health officials reported on the first global report of HLAziR N. gonorrhoeae which is also resistant to ceftriaxone, health officials in Australia issued an alert over two recent cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea- one diagnosed in Western Australia and one in Queensland. According to Professor Brendan Murphy, Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, evidence suggests that […]The post Australia reports two gonorrhea ‘superbug’ cases: Alert issued appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A study by scientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health finds New York City house mice carry bacteria responsible for mild to life-threatening gastroenteritis in people, and some of these bacteria may be resistant to antibiotics. Findings appear in the journal mBio. The researchers collected 416 […]The post NYC house mice: Study reveals they carry several disease-causing pathogens, some of which may be resistant to treatments appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 2017, four countries in the Region of the Americas—Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela—reported confirmed diphtheria cases. In 2018 as of epidemiological week (EW) 14 of 2018, four countries in the Region—Brazil, Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela—have reported suspected and confirmed diphtheria cases. The following is a summary of the […]The post Diphtheria in the Americas: Brazil, Colombia, Haiti and Venezuela appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An 81-year-old woman died on February 26 in the municipality of Apolo, north of La Paz, due to a plague of bubonic plague and thus confirms the first case of this type of disease in 2018, according to a La Razon report (computer translated). Health officials perform the active search for rodents and evaluated homes in […]The post Bolivia reports 1st bubonic plague case of year north of La Paz appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Can medical marijuana help to fight the opioid epidemic? Many believe that it can. But a new study finds that people who use medical marijuana actually have higher rates of medical and non-medical prescription drug use–including pain relievers. The study appears in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, the official journal of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), published […]The post Study: People who use medical marijuana more likely to use and misuse prescription drugs appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Infants in some of the world’s poorest regions are vulnerable to a common worm parasite infection and their treatment should become a priority, according to a study. Regular testing and treatment of pre-school children for snail fever – known as schistosomiasis or bilharzia – would reduce the spread of the disease, while promoting childhood health […]The post Schistosomiasis study: ‘Young children can develop clinical disease quickly, but existing diagnosis methods and treatments are effective’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Rose Acre Farms recall of some 207 million eggs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup infections linked to the eggs. There have been 23 people reported sick from nine […]The post Salmonella: 23 people sickened in nine states linked to shell eggs appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the mumps outbreak in New Castle County, Delaware, The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is confirming two additional cases of the mumps, as part of its ongoing investigation of an outbreak among attendees at two multi-cultural dances in New Castle County. This brings the total number of mumps cases to 15. […]The post Delaware reports additional mumps cases, Outbreak total now 15 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in the Czech Republic are reporting an increase in measles cases so far in 2018. For the first two months of the year, 29 cases have been reported, according to a local media report (computer translated). Principal hygienist Eva Gottvald explains that there are 23 infected patients in Prague, five in the Liberec region and […]The post Czech Republic: Measles increase due to ‘insufficient vaccination’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Japanese health officials are reporting a measles outbreak on the island of Okinawa. According to an NHK-World report, more than 50 cases have been confirmed so far prompting fears of spread to other parts of the country. The outbreak in Okinawa began in March when a tourist from Taiwan tested positive for the disease. All measles […]The post Japan: Measles outbreak reported in Okinawa appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in East Kansas, The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has reported an additional confirmed measles case in Johnson County. This brings the outbreak total to 16 ( 13 Johnson County residents, 2 Linn County residents and 1 Miami County resident). Health officials note that this outbreak is not […]The post Additional measles case reported in Johnson County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Ukraine, the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (computer translated) has reported 9091 measles cases – 3270 adults and 5821 children since the beginning of 2018. In addition, seven fatalities due to complications of measles have been reported this year–five children and two adults. […]The post Ukraine reports more than 9,000 measles cases in first three months of 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN) reported Friday (computer translated) on a norovirus outbreak linked to the consumption of mussels of Galician origin in the Valencian Community. Officials say 39 people have been affected by the outbreak. The implicated product details are as follows: Product: frozen cooked mussel of Galician origin. Product […]The post Spain norovirus outbreak linked to consumption of mussels of Galician origin appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the norovirus outbreak linked to the consumption of British Columbia raw oysters, The Public Health Agency of Canada reported today that a total of 126 cases of gastrointestinal illness linked to oyster consumption have been reported in three provinces: British Columbia (92), Alberta (9), and Ontario (25). No deaths have been reported. Individuals […]The post Norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters rises to 126 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

La Crosse County health officials report experiencing an increase in reported Cryptosporidiosis cases. La Crosse County has had 4 cases of cryptosporidiosis during the past 2 weeks according to Carol Drury, RS, Environmental Health Manager with the La Crosse County Health Department. Four additional cases have been reported statewide associated with exposure from La Crosse County. The […]The post Cryptosporidium cases reported in La Crosse County, Wisconsin appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

While antibiotics have greatly reduced the dangers of ear infections, serious neurological complications, including hearing loss, facial paralysis, meningitis and brain abscess still occur, according to a report in the journal Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. The article was written by Loyola Medicine otolaryngologists Michael Hutz, MD, Dennis Moore, MD, and Andrew Hotaling, MD. Otitis […]The post Ear infections: Neurological complications still occur appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Mexican health officials are reporting (computer translated) three imported measles cases in Mexico City during the last half of March. The cases include a 39-year-old Italian woman who works at the Italian Embassy in Mexico, her unvaccinated infant (due to the age) and a 48-year-old caretaker of the child. All three were confirmed by the Institute […]The post Mexico City: Three measles cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A single foodborne outbreak could cost a restaurant millions of dollars in lost revenue, fines, lawsuits, legal fees, insurance premium increases, inspection costs and staff retraining, a new study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests. The findings, which will be published online on Apr. 16 in the journal Public Health […]The post The price tag of a foodborne outbreak can be in the millions for a restaurant: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in South Korea have issued a Tick Bite Alert Notice last week following the confirmation of the first Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) case of 2018. The case was confirmed in Jeju on April 9th. Officials advise the public to take the following measures in preventing tick bites: Wear appropriate clothing (long sleeved shirts, pants, etc.) […]The post South Korea reports 1st Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) case of 2018: Tick Bite alert issued appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the yellow fever vaccination campaign in Brazil, according to the Ministry of Health epidemiological bulletin published last week, the three states of Rio de Janeiro, Bahia and São Paulo are still well below the target of 95 percent. The coverage of the current campaign in Rio de Janeiro is 40.9%, Bahia is […]The post Brazil yellow fever vaccination campaign: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia well below the target appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Directorate General of Health (DGS) in Portugal reported Friday (computer translated) that the number of confirmed measles cases has risen to 108, up from 105 one week ago. In addition, 18 cases are still under investigation. All but one case was reported in adults with a good portion of the infected people with links to the […]The post Portugal measles cases rise to 108 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Through Apr. 9, 2018, Thailand health officials have reported 6,565 total dengue cases from 75 of the 76 provinces. Included in this number is nine dengue related fatalities. The 6,565 total cases can be broken down by dengue fever cases (3,878), dengue hemorrhagic fever (2,610 cases and 2 deaths) and dengue shock syndrome (77 cases […]The post Thailand dengue fever update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A cooperation agreement to facilitate and strengthen access to diagnosis and treatment for patients with Chagas and other diseases of public health interest was signed by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) English, the Ministry of Social Protection reports (computer translated). The agreement, signed within the framework […]The post Colombia: Agreement to guarantee comprehensive Chagas care appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. announced this week the successful completion of the Mutual Recognition Procedure (MRP) for market authorization of BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) in five Concerned Member States (CMS) within the European Union (EU), including Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the U.K., and France (where it will be marketed as BaciThrax™). Emergent filed the mutual recognition application based on the existing Marketing Authorization of BioThrax […]The post Emergent BioSolutions to expand market of anthrax vaccine, BioThrax, in Europe appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In Sindh province, Pakistan, 250 dengue fever cases have been reported since the beginning of the year. 235 of the cases, including one death has been reported in the provincial capital of Karachi. In just the past week, 21 cases were reported from Sindh, including 19 from Karachi. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that […]The post Karachi reports more than 200 dengue cases year to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An employee at the Applebee’s restaurant located at 4717 Dixie Highway has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A. As a result, customers who ate at the restaurant from March 23 to April 12, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, […]The post Louisville Applebee’s employee diagnosed with Hepatitis A appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

University of Victoria microbiologist Caroline Cameron has been awarded a patent for a potential vaccine candidate against syphilis. While the bacterial disease dates back to at least 1495 and is treatable with antibiotics, its highly infectious nature makes it an enduring health issue. Worldwide, there are an estimated 11 million cases of syphilis each year, […]The post Syphilis vaccine candidate: University of Victoria microbiologist awarded patent appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A significant increase in syphilis cases in New Zealand has prompted health officials to urge the public to practice safe sex, including the use of condoms. The incidence of syphilis has been on the rise in New Zealand since 2012. Provisional data from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Ltd, indicates that the number […]The post New Zealand reports doubling of syphilis cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Through an abundance of caution Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, Indiana is voluntarily recalling 206,749,248 eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella Braenderup can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, […]The post Salmonella risk prompts the recall of millions of eggs appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new prion disease has been discovered in dromedaries in the Ouargla region of Algeria. The study is the result of an international collaboration conducted by a team of researchers from the Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and the Universities of Tlemcen and Ouargla. The research was […]The post ‘Camel Prion Disease’ discovered in dromedaries in Algeria: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in France, French health officials report an additional 181 measles cases in the past week, bringing the total to 1,605 cases reported since November 6, 2017 (1,547 cases (95%) reported since January 1, 2018). 72 departments reported cases, up from 69 during the last report. 51% of cases (n = 819) […]The post France reports more measles, more departments appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The island of Réunion is located in the Indian Ocean, 700 kilometers east of the island of Madagascar , and 200 kilometers South-West of Mauritius. Since the beginning of the year, the French overseas island has been experiencing major increases in two infectious diseases–dengue fever and leptospirosis. Public Health France reported (computer translated) 237 additional confirmed dengue fever cases during the […]The post Réunion outbreaks: Dengue cases near 1,000, Increase in leptospirosis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit issued a health advisory Friday after a case of measles was confirmed in a City of Kawartha Lakes resident. The individual reported contracted the contagious viral disease while traveling outside Canada. There is no information concerning where the individual traveled or their vaccination status. There is concern […]The post Canada: Measles case confirmed in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says epidemiologic evidence collected to date indicates that chopped romaine lettuce is the likely source of this outbreak. Most people reported eating a salad at a restaurant, and romaine lettuce was the only common ingredient identified among […]The post Romaine lettuce fingered as source of E. coli outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.