Outbreak News Today

With all eyes on Nigeria as they battle a monkeypox outbreak that has affected at least 38 people to date, which even prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to send a team, I wanted to touch on something some may have never heard of, or may have forgotten–the 2003 Monkeypox outbreak in […]The post Monkeypox Flashback: 2003 outbreak in the US appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The low efficacy of last year’s influenza vaccine can be attributed to a mutation in the H3N2 strain of the virus, a new study reports. Due to the mutation, most people receiving the egg-grown vaccine did not have immunity against H3N2 viruses that circulated last year, leaving the vaccine with only about 30 percent effectiveness. Scott Hensley, PhD, […]The post H3N2 mutation in last year’s flu vaccine responsible for lowered efficacy: Penn researchers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Uganda, the World Health Organization reports that the outbreak remains at three cases (two confirmed and one probable), all of whom have died, resulting in an overall case fatality rate of 100% and appears to be under control. All three cases were epidemiologically linked and […]The post Marburg outbreak: Three cases, three deaths in Uganda, ‘appears to be under control’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Brain images of people who developed neurological complications from West Nile virus found that many of them–including those who had experienced mild symptoms or none all — showed evidence of brain damage years after the original infection, according to a new study presented today at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical […]The post West Nile virus: MRIs showed evidence of brain damage years after the original infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Today in our running series on parasites, the topic will be the trematode or fluke, Clonorchis sinensis. Clonorchis sinensis, also known as the “Chinese liver fluke” or “Oriental liver fluke”, is found only in Asia. When clonorchiasis has been reported in non-endemic areas, the infection was found in Asian immigrants, or following ingestion of imported, undercooked or […]The post Clonorchis sinensis: The Chinese liver fluke appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of confirmed monkeypox cases in Nigeria has risen to 38 in eight states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as of Nov. 2, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). This is up from nine confirmed cases reported Oct. 27. Since the onset of the outbreak, a total of 116 suspected cases have […]The post Nigeria now reports 38 confirmed monkeypox cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Research at the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) on the campus of Texas Biomedical Research Institute helped advance a new treatment now in human trials for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Testing at SNPRC provided proof this novel therapeutic approach and drug delivery mechanism would be safe and effective, as recently published in […]The post Novel Hepatitis B treatment promising appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a recent report on the Burkina Faso dengue fever outbreak that was declared in late September, the country has seen a significant increase in cases in a matter of weeks. In a period of about two weeks, the dengue case tally has gone from 2,298 (suspected, probable and confirmed) cases and nine […]The post Dengue fever skyrockets in Burkina Faso appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A student at Evansdale Elementary School in north Edmonton has been diagnosed with the serious vaccine-preventable disease, diphtheria, exposing a number of classmates at the same time, according to a CBC report Monday. Alberta Health Services (AHS) confirmed the case on Friday and is contacting individuals who may have had close contact with the student. “At this […]The post Alberta: Edmonton elementary school student diagnosed with diphtheria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today announced that data from an 18-month interim analysis of the ongoing Phase 2 DEN-204 trial of its live, attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine candidate, TAK-003 (also referred to as TDV), have been published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The results of this interim analysis, a pre-planned evaluation of data from an ongoing trial, show […]The post Dengue vaccine candidate: Takeda announces data from 18-month interim Phase 2 trial appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

What’s the difference between a pandemic and an epidemic and why is this difference important? What is the difference in pandemic preparedness vs epidemic preparedness? These questions were raised after a recent PATH publication, “Healthier world, safer America: A US government roadmap for international action to prevent the next pandemic” in a commentary by CIDRAP director, Michael […]The post Pandemic vs epidemic: What’s the difference and why does it matter? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A gastrointestinal outbreak of unknown etiology has struck the Princess Cruises vessel, Crown Princess, prompting an investigation. 128 of 2,980 passengers and 7 of 1,153 of the crew members suffered symptoms of diarrhea on the voyage slated from October 25 – November 8, 2017. In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises and the crew aboard the ship reported […]The post Outbreak on Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess sickens 135 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at a Lisbon hospital has now infected 26 patients and two hospital employees, according to Health Minister, Adalberto Campos Fernandes today as reported in a Expresso report (computer translated). All the patients reportedly were from one unit and had underlying risk factors. The outbreak reported at São Francisco Xavier Hospital in Lisbon is already […]The post Portugal: 28 Legionnaires’ disease cases reported at Lisbon hospital appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the plague outbreak in Madagascar, UN officials now put the ever changing case tally in the epidemic that began on August 1 at 1,947 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of plague through Nov. 3. Of these, 1,437 (74%) were clinically classified as pulmonary plague, 295 (15%) were bubonic plague, one was septicemic, […]The post Plague outbreak update: 1,947 cases, 143 deaths in Madagascar appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With the start of the local bat breeding season, NSW Health is urging people to avoid contact with bats that could carry serious diseases. Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director of Communicable Diseases Branch, said 142 NSW residents have been given rabies post-exposure treatment this year after they were bitten or scratched by a bat in Australia. […]The post Lyssavirus risk prompts warning from Australian health officials appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is reporting 740 confirmed and probable mumps cases since the beginning of the year making it the worst year for the contagious viral disease in more than two decades (1994). Low vaccination rates are fueling Auckland’s mumps outbreak. “The majority of cases are aged 10 to 29 years as this age […]The post Mumps in Auckland: Most cases reported in more than two decades appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An estimated one in five pregnant women around the world carry Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria which is a major, yet preventable, cause of maternal and infant ill health globally. These are the findings of a new research supplement published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, and launched at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and […]The post Group B Strep causes an estimated 150,000 stillbirth & infant deaths globally, Africa has highest burden appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced last week that Maple Leaf Foods is recalling Maple Leaf brand Chicken Breast Strips from the marketplace because they may contain the toxin produced by Staphylococcus bacteria. This recall was triggered by a consumer complaint. The following product is affected by the recall: Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product […]The post Staphylococcus toxin concerns prompt recall of chicken strips in Canada appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Canberra community is being notified of the second confirmed measles case of the year and it shows no apparent link to the first case reported in October. ACT Chief Health Officer, Dr Paul Kelly said, “With a second case of measles in Canberra confirmed in two weeks, I am strongly advising the community the best […]The post Measles alert issued in Canberra, 2nd case of the year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with Dalhousie University report being notified by Nova Scotia health officials of two confirmed cases of mumps at Dalhousie University, as well as other suspect and confirmed cases in the Halifax area with links to the university. Mumps is caused by a virus. It is spread through direct and indirect contact with infected discharge from the […]The post Halifax: Two mumps cases confirmed at Dalhousie University appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New data presented at this year’s World Hepatitis Summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil (1-3 November) show that 52 million children are living with viral hepatitis worldwide, compared to 2.1 million children living with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 325 million people were living with viral hepatitis worldwide in 2016. Of these, 4 million were children living with […]The post 52 million children living with viral hepatitis globally: New data appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The second phase of the oral cholera vaccination drive began today to provide an additional dose of the vaccine to children of newly arrived Rohingya population against the deadly diarrheal disease. The children are also being administered oral polio vaccine. Nearly 180,000 children aged between one and five years are expected to receive the second […]The post Cholera, polio vaccination drive enters 2nd phase for Rohingya population at Cox’s Bazar appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Florida state health officials have confirmed a sexually transmitted Zika virus infection case in Miami-Dade County. While the individual had no travel, their partner recently traveled to several areas where Zika transmission could occur, including Cuba, an area with ongoing active transmission of Zika. Both tested positive for Zika. Health officials say it is critical for people who […]The post Miami: Sexually transmitted Zika case confirmed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In response to the $5 million, designated for the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak response, lost due to fraud and corruption, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) expressed their outrage and apologies in a recent statement: IFRC has zero tolerance for fraud and is committed to full transparency and accountability to our partners and […]The post Ebola aid money fraud: Red Cross statement appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) say surveillance systems picked up one case of a variant flu virus (H3N2v). When a flu virus that normally circulates in swine is identified in people, it’s called a variant virus. The patient reported no contact with swine during the week preceding illness onset, however […]The post Nebraska reports first H3N2v ‘swine’ flu case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is reminding men who have sex with men (MSM) to get the hepatitis A vaccine. Public Health reports 12 cases among MSM so far in 2017, which is three more cases than were reported in 2016. MSM are known to be at risk for Hepatitis […]The post LA health officials urge gay men to get vaccinated for hepatitis A appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization is helping the Kenyan Ministry of Health guard against the spread of Marburg Virus Disease from neighbouring Uganda. Health authorities are strengthening preparedness measures in Trans Nzoia and West Pokot counties along the border with Uganda, where an outbreak was officially declared on 19 October. Although no MVD cases have been […]The post WHO helps Kenya prevent spread of Marburg from Uganda appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Babesiosis is a tickborne protozoan infection of red blood cells which can also be transmitted by blood transfusion. In the U.S., babesiosis causes about half of fatal infections caused by blood transfusions. Transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB) is a threat to our blood supply since many blood centers do not screen donated blood for Babesia microti (B. […]The post We Can Prevent Half of Fatal Infections from Blood Transfusion by Screening for Babesiosis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At least 88 students and teachers at a school in San Pedro de Colalao in northern Argentina have been sickened with Shigella flexneri infections, according to a La Gaceta report (computer translated). According to director of Epidemiology of Neuquén Province, Dr. Rogelio Cali, the affected students and teachers presented with vomiting, profuse diarrhea (some with blood), abdominal pain, high fever and […]The post Shigella outbreak sickens dozens of students at Argentina school appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The survey results show more frequent detections and geographical dispersion of LA-MRSA in humans in the EU/EEA since 2007, and highlight the public health and veterinary importance of LA-MRSA as a ‘One Health’ issue. The ECDC advocates for periodic systematic surveys or integrated multi-sectorial surveillance to facilitate control measures. Livestock-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) poses a zoonotic […]The post Livestock-associated MRSA seen in humans with more frequency: ECDC survey appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

For the fourth time in a year, an Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis student has contracted meningococcal disease, according to OSU Student Health. The Benton County Health Department says an OSU Corvallis undergraduate student is being treated for meningococcal disease. Testing results indicate the infection was the serogroup B meningococcal disease. “We understand that any […]The post Meningococcal disease alert issued at Oregon State, serogroup B confirmed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the plague epidemic in Madagascar, the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) has reported the following information as of Oct. 31: The epidemic remains active in 12 districts. 1,836 cases have been identified (253 confirmed, 693 probable and 890 suspected), 61 per cent of which were pneumonic. 133 deaths have […]The post Madagascar plague epidemic remains active in 12 districts, New case counts from BNGRC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Marburg outbreak that was declared in Uganda earlier this month, the Uganda Ministry of Health is reporting no additional cases as of Nov. 1. Health officials announced that the response has been intensified within the affected Districts of Kween and Kapchorwa as well as the rest of the Sebei Sub-region. A […]The post Uganda MOH Marburg update: Intensifying response as no new cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 2016, more than 7,000 diphtheria cases were reported worldwide with about half reported in India. In addition, diphtheria hasn’t been seen in Venezuela in decades; however, under a socialist, dictatorial regime, Venezuela has seen the comeback of this vaccine preventable killer to the tune of 450 cases since the summer of 2016. In this […]The post Diphtheria: A short history, the disease, treatment and the success of the vaccines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The good news about the 2017 Madagascar plague outbreak is that experts at the UN and in the country say the outbreak is decreasing. However, “plague season” on the island nation will continue until April. Although the number of areas reporting cases is in the decline, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the overall risk of further […]The post Plague season continues to April in Madagascar appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A vaccine combining centralized ancestral genes from four major influenza strains appears to provide broad protection against the dangerous ailment, according to new research by a team from the Nebraska Center for Virology. Mice protected by the unconventional vaccine survived exposure to lethal doses of seven of nine widely divergent influenza viruses. Those that received […]The post Nebraska researchers: 4-in-1 flu shot may mean lifelong protection against the flu appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

American University in Washington, DC is reporting that local health officials notified them of five suspected mumps cases, prompting a health alert on campus. According to officials, all affected students have been isolated for five days after their initial symptoms, in accordance with DC Department of Health guidelines. The DC Department of Health has contacted the […]The post American University reports 5 suspected mumps cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

San Diego County health officials have reported the 20th fatality linked to the local outbreak of hepatitis A that has affected 536 people this year. County officials say the outbreak has primarily affected homeless and/or illicit drug users. Vaccination efforts are underway targeting at-risk groups by County public health and our community health care partners and […]The post San Diego hepatitis A death toll reaches 20 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A letter signed by a bipartisan group of a dozen US Representatives was sent to Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Eric Hargan, to follow up on report language for Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations regarding Lyme disease, to improve the measurement and tracking of the progress of federal efforts to combat […]The post Congressional bipartisan coalition sends letter to HHS outlining performance measures for Lyme disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An outbreak of STEC- Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) has hit the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego where some 5500 recruits are currently in training. On Oct 31, MCRD San Diego reported 302 Marine recruits were affected by the diarrheal disease. In an update on Nov. 1, Marine officials said approximately 214 recruits at both […]The post E. coli strikes Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, hundreds sickened appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of plague cases have topped 1800 in Madagascar, including 1,111 pneumonic plague cases, according to new data released by WHO. From 1 August to 30 October 2017, a total of 1,801 suspected cases of plague, including 127 deaths (case fatality rate 7%), were reported. Of these, 1,111 (62%) were clinically classified as pulmonary […]The post Plague cases top 1800: ‘The epidemic indicators are in a decreasing phase’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new study suggests that healthcare professionals (HCPs) should heed to their own advice: stay home when sick. Some four in 10 HCPs work while experiencing influenza-like illness (ILI), according to findings published in the November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), the journal of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). As […]The post 40 percent of healthcare professionals work when sick: Survey appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group published two systematic reviews this week about the safety of mefloquine (Lariam) for preventing malaria in travellers. “Mefloquine is at least as effective as other options” says Dr Tickell-Painter, the lead author on both papers, “but patients and policy-makers also need reliable […]The post Malaria: Effectiveness and side effects of mefloquine examined in reviews appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the brucellosis outbreak reported among students at a Paraguay veterinary school, an Ultima Hora report Monday (computer translated) states that two additional cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to four students and professors. In addition, there are 44 people suspected of being infected with the bacteria. The report says upon […]The post Brucella outbreak at Paraguay vet school update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Saint Lucia, an island located in the eastern Caribbean Sea, have noted an increase of the bacterial infection, leptospirosis, and have advised the public. Officials say that although increases in the number cases of leptospirosis is not unusual after periods of heavy rains or flooding, it remains an issue of concern to health […]The post Saint Lucia reports increase of leptospirosis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

There are three main genera of free living amoeba that infect humans — Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, Naegleria that are are important causes of disease in humans and animals. The topic for today’s podcast will be one of them– Acanthamoeba. Acanthamoeba is a microscopic, free-living amoeba that can cause rare, but severe infections of the eye, skin, and central nervous system. Joining me to […]The post Acanthamoeba: A rare and potentially blinding parasite appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Detroit Health Department is investigating two separate cases of Hepatitis A. The first case is in connection with a Detroit resident who works at Firewater Bar and Grill located at 6521 John R. St. The second case involves another Detroit resident who works as a crew member at Little Caesars Pizza located at 12712 […]The post Detroit: Hepatitis A prompts warning to patrons of Firewater Bar and Grill and Little Caesars Pizza appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of confirmed and probable mumps cases at Syracuse University (SU) continue to rise with the latest count at 29 and 64, respectively. The surge in the contagious viral disease prompted local health officials last week to reverse course on whether to recommend a third “outbreak” dose of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The […]The post Syracuse mumps cases continue to rise, How effective is 3rd MMR vaccine? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update to the multistate outbreak of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter infections linked to Petland pet store puppies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an additional 12 cases, bringing the total to 67. The cases were reported from 15 states, with Ohio seeing the most cases at 24. About a quarter of the total cases required hospitalization […]The post Campylobacter outbreak up a dozen cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.