Outbreak News Today

There has been a large increase in the number of cases of syphilis reported in New Zealand but many cases are going unreported, because it is often mistaken for other conditions. In 2017 there were 400 cases reported by sexual health clinics, up 500% on the 80 reported in 2012. MidCentral DHB Sexual Health Physician […]The post New Zealand: Syphilis cases up 500 percent since 2012 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

There has been an increase in reported salmonella sickness with owners of reptiles and amphibians in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit area. Salmonella germs are naturally found in the digestive tract of some animals, including lizards and amphibians. It is shed in their droppings which spreads the germs onto their bodies and […]The post Canada: Increase in salmonella cases linked to reptiles reported in NE Ontario appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

NSF International, a global public health and safety organization, is hosting Legionella Conference 2018 – Managing Legionella and Other Pathogens in Building Water Systems on May 9-11, 2018, in Baltimore, Maryland. The three-day conference is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and marks the first time experts from industry, academia, public health, medicine and government […]The post Legionella Conference 2018: Approaches for successfully preventing the spread of Legionella in buildings, hospitals and other at-risk facilities appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nigeria is currently experiencing what is described as an “unprecedented outbreak” of Lassa fever. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and partners like the World Health Organization (WHO)are intensifying the outbreak response. So what is Lassa fever? I was joined by infectious disease physician, Dr Judy Stone in this Mar. 2016 interview to learn the […]The post Lassa fever: An interview with Dr Judy Stone appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the KwaZulu-Natal agriculture and rural development department report that two children tragically died from rabies and the department warned that a new spike in rabies had been picked up along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, according to a Times Live report. Departmental spokesman Khaye Nkwanyana said the cases had been detected in Durban‚ on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast‚ […]The post Rabies: Two children have died in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on two infectious disease issues in San Diego County, mice with hantavirus and tularemia positive ticks, San Diego County Vector Control has issued some updated information and warnings for the public. Vector Control officials said five Western harvest mice caught in routine trapping in open fields in 4S Ranch and in the rural […]The post Hantavirus, tularemia warnings issued in San Diego County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The secret to stopping some viruses from making people sick might be hidden in red wine and chocolate — but that doesn’t mean indulging in more bonbons and vino, Kansas State University researchers say. “Resveratrol is a small, natural compound in many plants like grapes, cocoa beans, peanuts and blueberries,” said Shuai Cao, postdoctoral researcher […]The post Resveratrol shown to prevent vaccinia from replicating in the early stages: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo linked to raw sprouts served at Jimmy John’s restaurant locations, federal health officials declared the outbreak over yesterday. Ten people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo were reported from three states- Wisconsin (6), Minnesota (2) and Illinois (2). No hospitalizations and no deaths were reported. Epidemiologic evidence indicated that raw […]The post Salmonella outbreak linked to raw sprouts served at Jimmy John’s declared over: 10 cases from 3 states appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has intensified its response to the Lassa Fever outbreak as the number of confirmed Lassa Fever cases from January 1 this year rose to 317 as at the 25th of February 2018, crossing the total number of confirmed cases recorded in 2017. The outbreak has affected 18 states […]The post Lassa fever ‘unprecedented outbreak’ recorded in Nigeria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An autochthonous, or locally transmitted case of malaria is being investigated in a 3-month-old baby at the University Hospital of Móstoles in the Community of Madrid, according to a Radio Madrid report (computer translated). The investigation into the case shows that the baby has not been in a malaria endemic area. According to hospital sources, the […]The post Spain: Local transmission of malaria in Madrid appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of measles cases in Pakistan more than doubled in 2017, compared to the number of cases the previous year. According to World Health Organization-Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO- EMRO) data, Pakistan reported 6,494 laboratory confirmed measles cases in 2017. In 2016, the country only reported 2,845. Only Somalia reported more cases in […]The post Pakistan sees measles cases more than double in 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Developing a universal influenza vaccine — a vaccine that can provide durable protection for all age groups against multiple influenza strains, including those that might cause a pandemic — is a priority for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. Writing in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, […]The post Universal influenza vaccine: An NIAID priority appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An international group of expert scientists, doctors and public health officials has reported that cases of meningococcal group B meningitis and septicemia (MenB) are increasing in China, and have recommended that an effective MenB vaccination strategy should be in place in preparation for a potential outbreak of the disease. There are several different types of […]The post Experts warn meningococcal group B meningitis and septicemia is increasing in China appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Herpes of the eye, or ocular herpes, is a recurring viral infection that’s usually caused by the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). This is the same virus that causes cold sores. Ocular herpes can also be caused by herpes simplex virus-2, which is the main cause of genital herpes. Ocular herpes can produce sores on the […]The post Ocular herpes simplex 1 infection: Molecule may be useful for developing antivirals appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Amoebae, single-celled organisms common in soil, water and grade-school science classrooms, may play a key role in the survival and spread of deadly plague bacteria. New Colorado State University research shows that plague bacteria, Yersinia pestis, not only survive, but thrive and replicate once ingested by an amoeba. The discovery could help scientists understand why […]The post Plague bacteria not only survive, but thrive and replicate once ingested by an amoeba appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on recent reports on the yellow fever outbreak in Brazil HERE, HERE, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a comprehensive disease outbreak report on this topic Feb. 27: During the first four weeks of 2018, a rapid increase in the number of confirmed human cases of yellow fever was observed in the states […]The post Yellow fever in Brazil: WHO report appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Just weeks after James Madison University (JMU) postponed a couple of basketball games due to mumps in the coaching staff, the school announced that they are experiencing several confirmed cases of mumps as well as several cases that are suspected and pending final test results. Students who have been positively diagnosed or who are suspected of having […]The post Mumps: ‘Several confirmed cases’ reported at JMU appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health and Food authorities in New South Wales (NSW) are advising consumers who are most vulnerable to Listeria infection such as older persons, and people who have weakened immune systems due to illness or pregnancy, to avoid eating rockmelon after a recent spike in listeriosis cases in elderly people has been linked to the fruit. Listeriosis […]The post Australia: Listeriosis outbreak linked to rockmelon appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s podcast, we ventured back into the world of trematodes, or flukes and discussed the sheep liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica. Parasitology teacher and author of the book, Parasites: Tales of Humanity’s Most Unwelcome Guests, Rosemary Drisdelle joined me to talk about this parasite. Podcasts on other flukes: Dicrocoelium dendriticum: The lancet liver fluke Paragonimus: A look […]The post Fasciola hepatica: The sheep liver fluke appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have identified a single genetic change in Salmonella that is playing a key role in the devastating epidemic of bloodstream infections currently killing around 400,000 people each year in sub-Saharan Africa. Invasive non-typhoidal Salmonellosis (iNTS) occurs when Salmonella bacteria, which normally cause gastrointestinal illness, enter the bloodstream and spread […]The post Scientists find single letter of genetic code that makes African Salmonella so dangerous appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Viruses have shaped our health and our history, and, despite all the tools of modern medicine, they continue to kill millions of people every year. Influenza, smallpox, and Ebola are among the three most lethal viruses ever to have plagued mankind. Each has taken a devastatingly large toll on the human population. Smallpox killed more […]The post Discovery’s three-part series INVISIBLE KILLERS premieres March 29 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the Salmonella outbreak in Colorado linked to two Burrito Delight restaurants, Weld County health officials now report 21 confirmed cases from five counties. Currently, the 21 cases have been reported from the following counties: Weld (14), Larimer (3), Boulder (2), Morgan (1) and Adams (1). Four people required hospitalization for their illness. […]The post Colorado salmonella outbreak now reported in five counties appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, together with European and African collaborators (including the Institut Pasteur in Paris), carried out a mass dog vaccination in Chad and determined its effect on human rabies exposure. The study employed a bio-mathematical method for estimating the transmission dynamics of rabies. The researchers conclude that with political will […]The post ‘If you want to prevent humans from dying from rabies in Africa and Asia, you need to eliminate dog rabies’: Swiss researcher appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the diphtheria and cholera outbreak situation in war-torn Yemen, as of Feb. 10, there are 1,032 probable diphtheria cases, including 64 associated deaths, in 161 districts among 20 governorates in the country. Ibb (407) and Al Hudaydah (133) governorates are the most affected. Children under the 5 years of age represent 30 % of […]The post Yemen diphtheria and cholera situation update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials at Smith College in Northampton, MA announced that a student was diagnosed with a bacterial meningitis infection. The student, who resides off-campus, is hospitalized and receiving appropriate care. The College is working closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to notify and treat any individuals who were in close contact with the student. At this […]The post Smith College student diagnosed with bacterial meningitis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Limerick City, Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed nineteen measles cases in the city since the beginning of the year. There is also a case in Dublin linked to the outbreak. Nine cases have been children aged zero to five years, all unvaccinated, four of whom were admitted […]The post Ireland: 20 measles cases in Limerick and Dublin appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Northwest Naturals of Portland, Oregon is recalling 5lb frozen Chicken and Salmon petfood chubs because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the […]The post Frozen Chicken and Salmon petfood chubs recalled due to Listeria potential appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

TruPet, LLC of Milford, OH, is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight, 2.5oz Pet treats because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall includes only the product listed below. The following affected “Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight” products were distributed in the continental USA via online […]The post TruPet pet treats recalled due to Salmonella risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

South Africa has reported more than 900 confirmed listeriosis cases and 172 deaths in an outbreak that began in the beginning of 2017. The outbreak, described as the largest documented listeriosis outbreak South Africa has ever experienced, has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a travel notice recently. Most cases have been […]The post CDC advises travelers to South Africa on preventing Listeriosis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since July 2017, Brazilian health authorities have reported 545 confirmed yellow fever cases and 164 deaths. In January, the Netherlands reported on a imported yellow fever case in the country in a traveler to Brazil. the patient who has since recovered was a 46-year-old unvaccinated male patient, who traveled to and stayed in Maripora, São Paulo State, Brazil […]The post Argentina, France report imported yellow fever cases from Brazil appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New York State Department of Health announced Friday that a tourist from Australia who has been confirmed to have measles visited hotels in Manhattan and Brooklyn, was part of an Oasis Bible Tour group at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, and visited the Watchtower Educational Center in Putnam County, an Orange County hotel, […]The post Potential measles exposures in Manhattan and Brooklyn appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In Jan. 2017, then Cleveland Clinic doctor, Dr. Daniel Neides, wrote an Op-Ed entitled, Make 2017 the year to avoid toxins (good luck) and master your domain: Words on Wellness, which questioned the efficacy and safety of vaccines. Neides naturally came under criticism from the scientific and medical community. Regular expert guest on the Outbreak News Interviews podcast/Outbreak News […]The post Doctor that questioned the safety and efficacy of vaccines, Dr. Daniel Neides, opens private practice appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is investigating two cases of mumps in high school students in Chaves County. Mumps is a highly contagious disease that is typically preventable through vaccination. Two doses of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) are recommended. All New Mexico residents should be vaccinated against mumps, if you need to be immunized, […]The post New Mexico: Mumps cases reported in Chaves County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists with the Costa Rican Institute of Technology (TEC) report the discovery of a new species of bacteria. “Listeria costaricensis” will be officially named the new species of bacteria identified by Johnny Peraza and Kattia Núñez with the Biotechnology Research Center of the TEC, in collaboration with scientists from the Pasteur Institute, based in Paris France, according […]The post Costa Rica scientists discover new Listeria species appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Amidst growing concerns over the low uptake of flu shots in Europe, scientists from the Italian National Research Council and the JRC confirm that vaccinations remain the best way forward when it comes to stopping the spread of infectious diseases. It’s an option that is nearly always more effective than either doing nothing or attempting […]The post Targeted vaccination the best option in nearly all epidemic cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

It’s commonly known as the cat parasite and has found itself in the headlines after medication prices recently skyrocketed in America. Now researchers at the University of Glasgow have found a potential new weakness in the toxoplasmosis-causing parasite, potentially paving the way for new drug development for the disease. In new a study, published in […]The post Toxoplasmosis: University of Glasgow researchers find potential weakness, paving way to drug development appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the first ever human infection with H7N4 avian influenza reported worldwide in China, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an update with more details. The case-patient was a 68-year-old woman from Jiangsu Province with pre-existing coronary heart disease and hypertension and she developed symptoms on 25 December 2017. Seven days later, she […]The post China human H7N4 avian influenza case: WHO report appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) announced that its joint investigation with Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has led to the arrest of Dr. Ishrat Sohail for Medicaid fraud. During the course of the investigation it was discovered that Dr. Sohail had allegedly been administering Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program vaccines, which […]The post Orlando pediatrician arrested: Dr. Ishrat Sohail accused of giving partial doses of vaccines to patients appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency say they are “deeply alarmed” with the deteriorating situation in the Kyangwali area, where as of Thursday, 668 cholera cases have been reported in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Hoima District in western Uganda. UNHCR’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Julius Kasozi said, “Of these, 26 died, giving a case fatality rate of nearly […]The post Uganda cholera: Hundreds of cases reported in Kyangwali area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 2017, Hawaii health officials reported 17 rat lungworm disease cases. On Friday, The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed the first case of rat lungworm disease in the state this year in an adult resident of West Hawaii on Hawaii Island. The individual became seriously ill earlier this month and is being treated at […]The post Hawaii reports 1st rat lungworm disease case of 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a report concerning the increases in measles in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, a measles outbreak has been declared by the city. In light of the Zamboanga outbreak, the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) is making an effort to win back the public trust concerning vaccines after the Dengvaxia debacle. “Although […]The post Philippines: Measles outbreak declared in Zamboanga City, DOH tries to win back public trust on vaccines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Victorian men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who inject drugs are being urged to get a free hepatitis A vaccination following a death in Victoria. Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton on Friday said the death was associated with an outbreak of hepatitis A where more people have become infected over […]The post Hepatitis A death reported in Victoria, vaccinations urged appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), Medical laboratory science professionals, often called medical laboratorians, are vital healthcare detectives, uncovering and providing laboratory information from laboratory analyses that assist physicians in patient diagnosis and treatment, as well as in disease monitoring or prevention (maintenance of health). Professor and Program Chair for the Clinical Laboratory Science Program at […]The post The Medical Laboratory profession: A discussion with Dr Rodney Rohde appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Salmonella outbreak in Weld County, CO, health officials continue to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella illness at several locations in Weld County. The source of the outbreak is the Burrito Delight restaurant, which has voluntarily closed both of its locations in Fort Lupton and Dacono. It is still under investigation as […]The post Salmonella cases linked to the Burrito Delight restaurant rises to 12 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Three cases of Legionnaires’ disease are being investigated by the Department of Health & Human Services to determine a possible link to cooling towers in the south eastern area Melbourne’s Central Business District. Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer, Dr Brett Sutton, said the three men all report working in or visiting the CBD in the […]The post Melbourne: Three cases of Legionnaires’ disease are being investigated appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the listeriosis outbreak that has affected South Africa since the beginning of 2017, as of 20 February 2018, 915 laboratory-confirmed cases of listeriosis have been reported to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). So far the outbreak has already claimed 172 lives. Unfortunately, the source of the outbreak still remains […]The post South Africa Listeriosis update: Source of the outbreak still remains unknown appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An IDP camp north of Raqqa, Syria has reported 60 cases of German measles (rubella) in the past few days, according to a Shaam Network report (computer translated). The cases were reported in children and some adults. One death of a child was reported. The Ain Issa camp, about 50 km north of Raqqa, includes approximately 3,000 tents and inhabited […]The post German measles outbreak sickens dozens in Raqqa camp: Media report appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Heroin is worse than other drugs because people inject it much sooner, potentially resulting in increased risk of injection-related epidemics such as hepatitis C and HIV, a Keck School of Medicine of USC study shows. As more people use opioids, many switch to heroin because it’s more potent and cheaper – a trend that complicates […]The post Opioid use leads to heroin and injection-related epidemics of Hepatitis C and HIV: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.