Outbreak News Today

Victoria health officials reported today that there has been one confirmed case of measles in Melbourne with the infection likely to have been acquired overseas. The case was infectious while on Emirates flight EK404 which departed Dubai Wednesday 10 January 2018 at 9.20am and stopped in Singapore before arriving at Tullamarine on Thursday 11 January […]The post Measles case reported in Melbourne, likely acquired overseas appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a recent recall notice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and several state health departments announced investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections likely linked to Coconut Tree Brand frozen Shredded Coconut. Twenty-five people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella I 4,[5],12:b:- or Salmonella Newport have been reported from nine […]The post Salmonella outbreak linked to Frozen Shredded Coconut: 25 cases in nine states appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of measles cases reported in the five outbreaks around England has risen in several areas since the last report in December. As of 9 January, there have been 34 confirmed cases in West Yorkshire, 29 confirmed cases in Cheshire and Liverpool, 32 confirmed cases in the West Midlands, 20 confirmed cases in Surrey and […]The post England: More measles reported in West Midlands, Surrey appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Four cases of Lassa fever were reported among health care workers in Ebonyi State in southeastern Nigeria, with three passing away from the lethal viral disease, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said. The Honorable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, immediately requested that NCDC provides support to the Government of Ebonyi State, to investigate […]The post Nigeria: 3 die from Lassa fever in Ebonyi State appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On January 10, 2018, a passenger on an international flight with a confirmed case of measles arrived in Terminal 5 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and departed on a domestic flight from Terminal 1. The passenger, who was infectious on that day, may have traveled to other areas of the airport. Measles is highly contagious. […]The post Chicago: Possible measles exposure at O’Hare appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

For the second time since Oct. 2017, rabies has taken the life of a Florida resident–both contracted via a bat bite. It was announced today that 6-year-old Ryker Roque, who was undergoing the Milwaukee protocol in an attempt to save his life, has died from rabies. According to the NBC News report, Ryker’s dad, Henry found a […]The post Florida reports 2nd human rabies death in recent months appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the cholera outbreak in Zambia, the cholera outbreak in Zambia continues to escalate. During the past week, an additional 613 cases were reported. As of 8 January 2018, a cumulative total of 2,672 cases with 63 deaths (case fatality rate 2.4%) have been registered. The bulk of the cases were recorded from the […]The post Cholera cases has increased by almost 7-fold in the past 4 weeks in Zambia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Kenyan Ministry of Health has reported an outbreak of chikungunya in the coastal city of Mombasa. The outbreak started in mid-December 2017 when clinicians observed an increasing number of cases of an undiagnosed febrile illness, presenting with very high fever, joint pains and general body weakness, and testing negative for malaria and sometimes dengue […]The post Kenya: Chikungunya outbreak reported in Mombasa appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Last year, CIDRAP Director Michael Osterholm, PhD along with Mark Olshaker released the very interesting and relevant book, Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs. I talked to “Bad News Mike” last April on the radio show about some of the most important public health issues addressed in the book to include bioterrorism, vaccines, antibiotic resistance and pandemic […]The post Bioterrorism, antibiotic resistance and pandemic flu: Discussing ‘Deadliest Enemy’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Uganda Ministry of Health have confirmed that a nine-year-old boy from Nakaseke, in central Uganda, tested positive for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), according to a NTV Uganda report. The boy is hospitalized and in isolation at Kiwoko Hospital and is recovering with treatment. “There is no cause for alarm”, Permanent Health Secretary Dr Diana Atwine […]The post Uganda: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever confirmed in Nakaseke child appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Over half of Canadian youth and young adults who have consumed energy drinks have experienced negative health effects as a result, according to a study from the University of Waterloo. In a nationwide survey of Canadian youth, over half of those who had ever consumed an energy drink had reported experiencing an adverse health event, […]The post Energy drinks: Bad for the health in young people appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

It is estimated that as many as 1 in 200 children are affected by PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), according to the PANDAS Network. In this Feb. 2016 interview, Executive Director for the PANDAS Network, JC Konecny joined me to talk about PANDAS and PANS, the course of the illness, and the diagnosis and treatment of this […]The post PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on a recent report on the Philippines refund demand for unused Dengvaxia, The Manila Times reports that vaccine maker, Sanofi Pasteur has agreed to the demand to reimburse the 1.4 billion Philippine pesos ($28 million). “Sanofi Pasteur has responded positively to the Philippine Department of Health’s (DoH) request that we provide reimbursement for […]The post Dengue vaccine: Sanofi agrees to reimburse the Philippines for unused vials appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Fasciolosis is a well known worldwide and an important helminthic disease of silvatic ruminants caused by liver fluke species of the genus Fasciola, which is one of the most neglected diseases that can lead to human infection. In a recent Radio Ergo report, goat herders in Mahaday district of southern Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region say they are […]The post Somalia: Fascioliasis blamed on goat deaths in Middle Shabelle appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Last week, Taiwan health officials confirmed three additional enterovirus D68 infection with severe complications, prompting the Taiwan CDC to remind the public to pay attention to the health of the children in their household if suspected symptoms such as acute flaccid paralysis and numbness develop in a child, please take the child to seek medical attention immediately. […]The post Taiwan confirms 3 additional Enterovirus D68 infection with severe complications appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bird flu has been detected in 17 wild birds in Dorset, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed today, with more expected over the coming days. This is the first confirmed finding of the virus in the UK this winter and tests have shown it is closely related to the H5N6 strain […]The post Bird flu confirmed in wild birds in the UK for first time this winter appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New Public Health England (PHE) statistics show that seasonal flu levels have continued to increase in the last week across the UK. There has been a 78% increase in the GP consultation rate with flu like illness, a 50% increase in the flu hospitalization rate, and a 65% increase in the flu intensive care admission rate over the past […]The post Flu hospitalizations up 50 percent in the UK appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of suspected cases of diphtheria reported from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh has risen to 3,954, including 31 deaths since early Nov. 2017, prompting a massive vaccination effort among Rohingya refugee camps, temporary settlements and surrounding areas. WHO, UNICEF and health sector partners are working with the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to vaccinate more than […]The post Cox’s Bazar: 475,000 Rohingya children being vaccinated as diphtheria tally rises appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases (CHTD) are advising the public not to consume uncooked pork after the death of one person from trichinosis, according to a Vietnam News report. Two patients from Lai Châu Province and were brought to the hospital after suffering from exhaustion and painful muscles. They could not swallow anything and […]The post Vietnam: Trichinella death prompts calls against eating uncooked pork appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) reported three additional hepatitis A cases during the first week of 2018, bringing the outbreak total to 62 since the beginning of 2017. Of this total, 51 of the patients required hospitalization for their illness. An increase in cases since August 1, 2017, primarily among individuals who were […]The post Kentucky hepatitis A outbreak: 3 additional cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of influenza related fatalities in Iowa has risen to 14 since Oct. 2017, according to Iowa health officials. On Friday, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed an additional eight flu-related deaths among older adults throughout the state. Five of the deaths occurred in Central Iowa and included two female older adults (61 to […]The post Iowa reports more flu deaths: ‘It’s not too late yet to get a flu shot’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Friday expanded the approved use of Lynparza (olaparib tablets) to include the treatment of patients with certain types of breast cancer that have spread (metastasized) and whose tumors have a specific inherited (germline) genetic mutation, making it the first drug in its class (PARP inhibitor) approved to treat breast […]The post Breast cancer drug, Lynparza, receives FDA approval appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On January 2, 2018, an international traveler with a confirmed case of measles—a highly contagious disease—arrived in Terminal C at Newark Liberty International Airport and departed for Indianapolis from a domestic terminal. The woman, an Indiana University student who was traveling alone, was infectious on that day, and may have traveled to other areas of […]The post New Jersey: Potential Measles Exposure at Newark Liberty International Airport appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the norovirus outbreak linked to two El Toro Restaurants in the Tacoma, WA area, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has identified new cases of norovirus, bringing the total number from the outbreak to 434. The Tacoma location, 5716 N. 26th St., has 423 cases. The restaurant in University Place, 3820 Bridgeport Way W., has 11. […]The post El Toro Restaurants norovirus update: Cases grow to 434 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

As of 12 January 2018, a total of 748 laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases have been reported to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) since 01 January 2017. Final outcome data are available for 160 of the patients, of whom 67 have died. Most cases have been reported from Gauteng Province, followed by Western Cape and […]The post Listeriosis: ‘This is the largest documented outbreak South Africa has ever experienced’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Philippines health officials announced Friday that they have made its demands official against Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur. In a letter sent to Thomas Triomphe, head of Sanofi Pasteur Asia Pacific, the DOH laid down its demand for Sanofi to refund in the amount of Php1.4 billion (approximately $28 million) which corresponds to the remaining unused vials […]The post Dengvaxia: Philippines submits refund demand to Sanofi Pasteur, Also request testing appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reported Friday on a confirmed travel-related case of measles in Little Rock at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). ADH is urging anyone who may have been exposed to measles to immediately take precautions to make sure they have had a dose of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) […]The post Measles warning in Arkansas: Case confirmed in Little Rock, 1st case reported in state in three years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 1985, 150,000 cases of wild poliovirus (WPV) cases were reported in India alone. That’s very hard to imagine in this day when the global wild poliovirus (WPV) case tally was only 21–in Afghanistan (13) and Pakistan (8). It was on this day in 2011 when the last polio case was reported in India and the […]The post Polio: The last wild poliovirus case reported in India seven years ago today appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a recent report about measles in Ukraine, Health Minister Ulana Suprun said Friday that some 3,382 cases of measles were detected in Ukraine during 11 months of 2017, including five deaths, according to a Kyiv post report. The five measles fatalities were reported from Odesa region. Suprun eluded to the issue of many […]The post Ukraine reports more than 3,000 measles cases through Nov 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die. CDC listed the top five germs that cause illnesses from food eaten in the United States last month: Norovirus Noroviruses are environmentally hardy organisms that not only can be transmitted by […]The post Top five germs that cause foodborne illnesses in the United States appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced Friday it has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research expanding the indication for FLUARIX® QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine) to include use in persons 6 months and older. Prior to this, the vaccine was only approved for active immunization against influenza A subtype viruses and type B […]The post Vaccine news: Fluarix Quadrivalent four-strain flu vaccine receives FDA approval for expanded use in children as young as 6 months old appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has confirmed a case of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) at Belmont Park. A 3-year old male was sent to the Cornell Ruffian Equine Hospital after developing clinical signs including fever and mild respiratory signs, according to the Equine Disease Communication Center. The horse has not shown […]The post Belmont Park: 3-year old horse confirmed positive for equine herpes appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

During the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update of the influenza situation in the US to date on Friday, the issue of vaccines was a major topic. Director, Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Dan Jernigan, M.D., M.P.H. said the following: “Vaccination is our main tool to prevent influenza infection, and CDC […]The post CDC: Vaccine effectiveness against the H3 viruses will probably be in the 30 percent range appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A Seoul, S. Korea hospital is investigating the deaths of four infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), according to the Korean Centers for Disease Control (KCDC). In mid-December, antibiotic resistant Citrobacter freundii was found in blood cultures taken from the three infants prior to their deaths at the Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, and their […]The post South Korea: Citrobacter freundii linked to deaths of infants at Seoul hospital appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Rabies kills by compromising the brain’s ability to regulate breathing, salivation and heartbeat; ultimately, victims drown in their own spit or blood, or cannot breathe because of muscle spasms in their diaphragms. One fifth die from fatal heart arrhythmia. It is nearly 100 percent fatal. A Brazilian teen, who was bitten by a vampire bat […]The post Rabies survivor: Milwaukee protocol saves Brazilian teen appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission reported on an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9), this one from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This is the 14th case reported from this region. The 72-year-old male patient in Korla City died on January 10. He had contact with live poultry before the onset of symptoms. The […]The post H7N9 avian flu fatality reported in Xinjiang appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Experts are warning dog and cat owners to be aware of the risks associated with feeding their pets raw meat-based diets (RMBDs), instead of the more conventional dry or canned pet foods. In the Vet Record yesterday, a team of researchers based in The Netherlands say these diets may be contaminated with bacteria and parasites, and as […]The post Pets: Raw meat diets pose a risk to both animal and human health appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Deputy Chief Health Officer, Victoria, Dr Brett Sutton issued an updated health alert concerning an hepatitis A outbreak affecting dozens of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM), and people who inject drugs today. As of 12 January, 27 confirmed cases have been identified, and a further 12 cases of hepatitis A infection […]The post Australia: Widespread hepatitis A local transmission among Victoria MSM reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

While we all wait to hear the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) update on the widespread flu activity in the United States Friday morning, several states have made public announcements for their residents concerning their situation. In California, health officials note that flu activity in the state is widespread and at levels usually […]The post Flu widespread in the US: CDC update scheduled Friday appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Kiev, Ukraine have reported an increase in measles hospitalizations in young children since the beginning of the year. Fourteen children suffering from measles have recently been admitted at the Kyiv City Children’s Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, including twelve since the beginning of the year, according to a Unian Information Agency report. […]The post Ukraine: 12 kids admitted to Kiev hospital with measles since beginning of year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the brucellosis outbreak reported in students and teachers from the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences of the National University of Asunción (UNA), the Institute of Tropical Medicine has confirmed 21 cases to date, according to a Ultima Hora report (computer translated). In addition, 76 suspected cases have recently been reported after clinical consultation with patients presenting […]The post Brucellosis outbreak: 21 confirmed and dozens of suspected cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

January is Schistosomiasis Awareness and Mass Drug Administration month in the Philippines, according to the Department of Health Calendar 2018. Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a disease caused by parasitic worms. More than 200 million people are infected worldwide. In terms of impact this disease is second only to malaria as the most devastating […]The post Philippines: January is Schistosomiasis Awareness month appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two El Toro Mexican Restaurants in the Tacoma, WA area were recently closed by local health officials due to a suspected norovirus outbreak, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. As of yesterday afternoon, 232 ill customers from the 5716 N. 26th St. in Tacoma location and four at the restaurant’s University Place location, 3820 Bridgeport Way W. have been reported. […]The post Suspected norovirus prompts closure of two Tacoma area restaurants appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Indiana University and state and local health officials are investigating a confirmed case of measles on the Bloomington campus. The university is working with the Monroe County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health to identify and directly notify anyone who may have been in close contact with the student and to implement […]The post Indiana University: Measles confirmed on Bloomington campus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two vaccines that the World Health Organization lists as priority vaccines for prequalification and that are made by Chinese vaccine manufacturers – bivalent Oral Poliomyelitis Vaccine (bOPV) and hepatitis A vaccine (HAV) – have just received prequalification by WHO. Prequalification means that WHO has given the vaccine its stamp of approval in safety and efficacy […]The post Polio and Hepatitis A vaccines made in China are prequalified by WHO appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the cholera outbreak in Zambia, health officials, with help from WHO and partners, commenced a cholera vaccination campaign today to vaccinate residents of Lusaka. Two million doses of the oral cholera vaccine from the Gavi-funded global stockpile were delivered to Zambia in January, enough to immunize 1 million people. According to Health Minister […]The post Cholera vaccination campaign begins in Lusaka: ‘One of the worst outbreaks in years’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An experimental treatment developed from cattle plasma for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus infection shows broad potential, according to a small clinical trial led by National Institutes of Health scientists and their colleagues. The treatment, SAB-301, was safe and well tolerated by healthy volunteers, with only minor reactions documented. The first confirmed case of […]The post Experimental MERS treatment shows broad potential in trial appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Many experts say a flu pandemic is clearly on the horizon, so the question is– Are we ready for a flu pandemic? My guest today says- not so much -as he outlined in a NY Times op-ed earlier this week. CIDRAP director, Michael Osterholm PhD joined me to discuss his views on why he believes […]The post The flu pandemic clock is ticking: Are we ready? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) outbreak in the United States, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of 24 STEC O157:H7 infections in 15 states. This is up seven cases. Health officials say the likely source of […]The post E. coli outbreak in US: Likely source is leafy greens appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

For the second time in a year, a noted physician has come out publicly equating Donald Trump’s behavior to late stage or neurosyphilis. If you remember last February, infectious disease physician, Dr. Steven Beutler wrote a piece in the New Republic speculating that neurosyphilis may be the cause of Trump’s “bizarre, volatile behavior”. Listen: The Donald Trump neurosyphilis […]The post Swedish bacteriologist ‘jokes’ about Trump and late stage syphilis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.