Outbreak News Today

Rhode Island health officials confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Rhode Island in 2017. The 66-year-old individual from Providence County began to experience symptoms of WNV on September 15, 2017. Common symptoms of WNV include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen […]The post Rhode Island reports 1st human West Nile virus case of the year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The New York City Health Department is reporting 46 patients positive for hepatitis A through August 31, 45 of whom are men who have sex with men (MSM) prompting officials to recommend that all MSM be vaccinated against the viral disease. New York City STD Testing Thirty-seven of the 46 patients reported no travel to countries where hepatitis A […]The post New York City hepatitis A: MSM urged to get vaccinated appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in Southeast Michigan, The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and local public health officials continue to investigate an outbreak of hepatitis A cases in the city of Detroit, and Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Wayne, and St. Clair counties. As part of the ongoing investigation, public […]The post Michigan hepatitis A update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vermont health officials have confirmed the year’s first case of human illness due to West Nile virus. An Addison County resident was diagnosed earlier this month with neuroinvasive disease – a more serious form of the illness which affects the nervous system. Since 2003, there have been 12 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus […]The post Vermont reports 1st human West Nile virus case of 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Group A Streptococcus bacteria cause a variety of illnesses that range from mild nuisances like strep throat to life-threatening conditions including pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome and the flesh-eating disease formally known as necrotizing fasciitis. The life-threatening infections occur when the bacteria spread underneath the surface of the skin or throat and invade the underlying soft […]The post Group A Streptococcus: Two genes linked to ‘flesh-eating’ bacterial infections appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On September 7, 2017, the United Kingdom (UK) reported three cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria in UK residents who had traveled to Cyprus in August 2017. All travelers had visited a resort in Esentepe (also known as Agios Amvrosios) in the Kyrenia District located in northern Cyprus, and none had a history of recent travel to malaria-endemic […]The post Malaria: UK report cases in travelers to Cyprus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported one additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) infection in a a 78-year-old male residing in Al Ain city. This is the fourth case of MERS-CoV reported in Al Ain in recent months. The Ministry of Health has identified and is following health care and household contacts. Laboratory testing […]The post UAE reports additional MERS case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) continues to investigate an increasing number of cases of mumps infection statewide. Through Sep. 21, state health officials have reported 384 confirmed cases year-to-date– Oahu (334), Kauai (32), Big Island (17) and one in Maui. According to the state epidemiologist, Sarah Park, these kind of numbers have not […]The post Hawaii reports the most mumps since the 1970s appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

State veterinary officials have reported the first anthrax case of the year in Sioux County. The case was confirmed Thursday morning by the North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory based on samples submitted by a veterinarian with the Mandan Veterinary Clinic. This prompted state officials to remind livestock producers to take action to protect their animals […]The post North Dakota reports 1st anthrax case of 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The cholera outbreak continues to spread in Yemen. 704,544 suspected cholera cases & 2103 deaths have been reported in less than 5 months. “Two years of conflict in Yemen have wrecked people’s lives and left 15 million people without access to basic health care”, Director General, World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. Related: Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition […]The post Yemen cholera outbreak tops 700,000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have demonstrated a potential new tactic for rapidly determining whether an antibiotic combats a given infection, thus hastening effective medical treatment and limiting the development of drug-resistant bacteria. Their method can quickly sense mechanical fluctuations of bacterial cells and any changes induced by an antibiotic. […]The post Rapid test may determine whether an antibiotic combats a given infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

First is was malaria, then it was diphtheria, now health officials in Venezuela are reporting an outbreak of measles, according to El Carabobeno report (computer translated). The vaccine-preventable viral disease that was eradicated from the country in 2014 has reared it’s ugly head in Ciudad Guayana, Bolivar State. To date, 38 confirmed and 88 suspect cases […]The post Venezuela: 38 measles cases confirmed in Bolivar state appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) have identified a hepatitis A infection in a bakery food worker at the Meijer store located at 1015 Pickard Street in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. MDHHS and MDARD are working with the Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD) on this investigation. […]The post Hepatitis A warning issued due to Meijer bakery food worker testing positive appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Death Wish Coffee Co. (“Death Wish”), the Round Lake, N.Y.-based Coffee producer known for producing the ‘World’s Strongest Coffee’, has initiated a recall its 11-oz Death Wish Nitro Cold Brew cans. Death Wish in conjunction with an outside Process Authority has determined that the current process could lead to the growth and production of the […]The post Botulism risk prompts recall of ‘Death Wish’ coffee appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of leptospirosis cases in the Philippines is up 37.7 percent this year compared the same period in 2016, according to the latest Department of Health data via the Philippines News Agency Thursday. From the beginning of the year through Sep. 2, health officials report 1,194 cases. This compares with 867 reported in the same period […]The post Leptospirosis cases up 38 percent in the Philippines in 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Onondaga County (NY) health officials have reported two cases of mumps in the past month. Both cases are students at Syracuse University. According to County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, “It is important to remember that mumps is a vaccine preventable disease and because of high vaccination rates, mumps is no longer very common in […]The post Syracuse University: Two mumps cases confirmed in students appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Minnesota state and local health officials are investigating two Legionnaires’ disease cases in residents at the SilverCreek on Main facility in Maple Grove. SilverCreek provides memory care, assisted living and independent living services. The first resident’s symptoms began Aug. 22, and the second resident’s symptoms began Sept. 12. Both residents were hospitalized and are recovering. MDH is […]The post Minnesota: Legionnaires’ disease cases investigated in Maple Grove appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The startling global resurgence of pertussis, or whooping cough, in recent years can largely be attributed to the immunological failures of acellular vaccines, Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researchers argue in a new journal article. The article, published in F1000 Research, points to the differences in mucosal immunity between whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccines and […]The post Pertussis: Resurgence attributed to immunological failures of acellular vaccines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Maryland Department of Health has presumptively identified the influenza virus strain H3N2v (variant flu) in seven Maryland residents who had close contact with pigs at the Charles County Fair. None of the infected individuals has developed serious illness or been hospitalized. Influenza is an infection caused by the influenza virus which can affect people […]The post Maryland: H3N2v influenza strikes seven, linked to contact with pigs at Charles County Fair appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The La Crosse County Health Department is conducting disease investigation on reported cases of E. coli among La Crosse County residents. Children under age 5 and the elderly are most susceptible to infection. To date, there have been 8 cases of E. coli 0157, a particularly nasty form, which produces a toxin that can be […]The post Wisconsin: E. coli 0157 outbreak investigated in La Crosse County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Florida state health officials have reported 23 Vibrio vulnificus cases in 2017 through mid-September and of this total, five cases have been seen in the Tampa Bay area. Cases of the bacterial infection have been recorded in Hillsborough (2), Pinellas (1), Pasco (1) and Polk (1) counties. No deaths have been seen in the region. […]The post Vibrio: Five cases reported in Tampa Bay area appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first human West Nile virus-related death in Illinois for 2017. A Kankakee County resident who tested positive for West Nile virus died earlier this month. “Although we will soon start seeing cooler weather, West Nile virus is still a concern,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. […]The post Illinois reports 1st human West Nile virus death of 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

GeneOne Life Science, Inc. announces that it has received approval from the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (KMFDS) for an Investigational New Drug application for a Phase I/IIa study of its investigational vaccine, GLS-5300, against the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The study in Korea represents the second clinical trial for […]The post Investigational MERS vaccine receives approval for Phase I trial in South Korea appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

I woke up to this headline in my inbox from the WHO–“The world is running out of antibiotics, WHO report confirms”….Yikes! A new WHO report was published today Antibacterial agents in clinical development – an analysis of the antibacterial clinical development pipeline, including tuberculosis which shows a serious lack of new antibiotics under development to […]The post Antibiotic crisis looming: Osterholm’s thoughts appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the spring of 2012, a Saudi Arabian man developed symptoms resembling severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. However, it wasn’t caused by the SARS coronavirus. Instead it was identified as a new coronavirus named the Middle East Respiratory syndrome or MERS coronavirus. Globally, 2080 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV including at least 722 related […]The post MERS: Will it ever spread out of the Arabian peninsula such that the rest of the world should be concerned? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a report last Friday on the pneumonic plague outbreak in Madagascar, the World Health Organization (WHO) offered up an updated case count and additional details surrounding the occurrence of plague on the island nation off the southeast coast of Africa. The outbreak was detected on 11 September 2017 following the notification […]The post Madagascar plague: Some additional details, updated case count appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

More than 40 percent of American teens are now getting vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV). But, despite HPV infection being associated with reduced semen quality and lower pregnancy rates, there is still public concern about whether the HPV vaccine itself could affect future fertility. Now, the first prospective cohort examining the relationship between HPV vaccination […]The post HPV vaccine can actually improve chances of conception in some women: Boston University researchers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In California, hepatitis A outbreaks have been seen in Santa Cruz and more notably, San Diego County this year. Now, officials in Los Angeles County have declared a local outbreak of hepatitis A with several cases being locally acquired. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed 10 total cases of hepatitis A among high-risk […]The post Hepatitis A outbreak now reported in Los Angeles County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Solitary weasel-like animals called tayra might look pretty harmless, but some may actually be incubators for a parasite that causes Chagas disease, a chronic, debilitating condition that is spread by insects called kissing bugs and affects more than 8 million people worldwide. In a study published today in the journal PeerJ, researchers from the University of […]The post New hosts for Chagas disease vectors identified appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide and today the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic have eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. “Trachoma is a disease of poverty. Communities that don’t have good access to safe water and sanitation are the hardest hit. But […]The post Trachoma eliminated in Cambodia and Laos appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Washoe County (NV) health officials are reporting the first human hantavirus case since 2006. The patient is a resident of south Reno. “Hantavirus is transmitted by rodents, most likely the common deer mouse in our area,” said Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick. “People should be very cautious when cleaning, working, or recreating in […]The post Nevada: Hantavirus case reported in South Reno appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Data released today from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) show that the HIV epidemic is coming under control in Lesotho. These results add to prior PEPFAR-supported Population-based HIV Impact Assessments (PHIAs) announced in the last nine months for Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Together, these data demonstrate impressive progress toward controlling […]The post HIV in Africa: Five countries approach control of their epidemics appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

European health officials have reported a typhoid outbreak that has sickened at least four people since the summer that has been linked to the European Rainbow gathering that took place in Tramonti di Sopra, Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Italy, from 23 July to 21 August 2017. To date, French authorities have reported three cases and Germany has […]The post Europe: Typhoid outbreak reported, linked to the European Rainbow gathering in Italy appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Victoria have issued a measles alert after three cases were confirmed in Melbourne. According to the alert issued by Deputy Chief Health Officer for Communicable diseases, Dr Brett Sutton today, two confirmed cases were infectious while at a number of places across Melbourne between September 6 and September 13. One case acquired their illness in […]The post Australia: Measles alert issued for Melbourne appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball today warned consumers in Orleans County and the surrounding area not to consume unpasteurized raw milk from the Martin Yoder Farm due to possible Campylobacter jejuni contamination. The Martin Yoder Farm is located at 2594 Murdock Rd., Medina, NY 14103. To date, the […]The post New York: Possible Campylobacter jejuni linked to unpasteurized raw milk prompts warning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at Houston Methodist have solved a 100-year-old mystery, providing them a possible key to unlock a pathway for treating diseases caused by flesh-eating bacteria. This is timely news, given the current dangers lurking in the debris and destruction left behind by Hurricane Harvey’s floodwaters that destroyed tens of thousands of homes in Texas. Muthiah […]The post Group A streptococcus: Researchers unlock potential pathway to treat appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A research team, led by John Graham-Brown at the University of Liverpool, describe three cases in UK dogs with recent history of travel to mainland Europe. They call for vigilance when examining travelled dogs and warn that other animals – and people – should also be considered at risk of infection when travelling to areas […]The post Europe: Researchers warn of Thelazia callipaeda eye infection risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

One of the bigger stories in recent weeks is the situation of human infections with a strain of Brucella, known as RB51, linked to the consumption of raw, or unpasteurized milk. Senior Associate with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Amesh Adalja, MD joined me to talk about this specific situation, the process of […]The post Brucella RB51, pasteurization and the risks of consuming raw milk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nigerian health officials have confirmed a yellow fever case in a young girl in Oke Owa Community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The State Epidemiology Team has begun an investigation in the affected area and surrounding communities. A joint Team from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, National Primary Health Care Development Agency […]The post Yellow fever case confirmed in Kwara State, Nigeria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Teenagers who try e-cigarettes double their risk for smoking tobacco cigarettes, according to a new study. The study — from the University of Waterloo and the Wake Forest School of Medicine — found that students in grades seven to 12 who had tried an e-cigarette are 2.16 times more likely to be susceptible to cigarette […]The post E-cigarette use doubles risk for smoking tobacco in teens: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The outbreaks of the parasitic infection, Cyclospora, in the United States and Canada continue to increase in cases while investigations continue to come up empty concerning a source or a vehicle for the parasite. In the United States, the case tally, both imported and local, nears 1,000 with the official count now 988 as of […]The post Cyclospora: US and Canada updates, Investigations ongoing appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Salvadoran Institute of Social Security (ISSS) confirmed the deaths of two people from the bacterial infection, Vibrio vulnificus, according to a local media account (computer translated). According to officials, a 61-year-old man was treated in the emergency in early August. He presented with fever, diarrhea, red skin on his lower limbs, and as part of his […]The post El Salvador: Two deaths due to Vibrio vulnificis reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Costa Rican Health Ministry issued a health alert last week due to malaria outbreaks reported in neighboring Nicaragua and the first autochthonous transmission of malaria in the country since 2012. According to a TeleSur report (computer translated), the health ministry said due to the high endemicity of malaria in Nicaragua and the high rate of constant migration […]The post Locally transmitted malaria prompts health alert in Costa Rica appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hepatitis A has been a significant problem in two metropolitan areas separated by nearly 2,000 miles this year. Of course I’m talking about San Diego County, CA and Detroit, MI and surrounding areas. Since the beginning of the year, health officials in San Diego County have reported 421 cases in the local outbreak, in which […]The post Hepatitis A outbreaks in San Diego and Detroit: Similar numbers, viruses not identical appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Young adults heading off to high school, college and university should ensure they’re protected against the mumps, public health officials advise, as the number of new cases continues to rise. In the last month alone there have been 13 news cases of the mumps in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, which includes Whistler and Squamish […]The post Mumps: More cases reported in Vancouver region appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The US House of Representatives recently passed a budget bill recently that includes full funding for the Fort Detrick, MD laboratory, the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC). The bill included a bipartisan amendment authored by Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) to fully fund the NBACC. The amendment was co-sponsored by Republican Dan Donovan (NY-11). The budget […]The post Bioterrorism: US House of Representatives pass budget bill that includes funding for the NBACC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In this interview from the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show in May 2017, we looked at this amazing story of an individual with a multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection and the use of an experimental therapy involving bacteriophages — viruses that target and consume specific strains of bacteria. Case study lead author and the primary physician of the […]The post Bacteriophage therapy: A remarkable story appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ministry of Public Health of Chad has launched a national “Heroes of Guinea-worm campaign” to accelerate the prompt detection and containment of all human cases and animals infected with Dracunculiasis medinensis(the Guinea worm). “The campaign focuses on creating awareness about the disease and sensitizing people living in districts and regions about ways to prevent the […]The post Guinea-worm disease: All cases reported from Chad this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Although 29 states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana use for medical purposes, few medical students are being trained how to prescribe the drug. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis surveyed medical school deans, residents and fellows, and examined a curriculum database maintained by the Association of American Medical Colleges […]The post Medical marijuana: Few medical schools training students appeared first on Outbreak News Today.