Outbreak News Today

Hanover Park is a suburb of Chicago and police in the village say they have been receiving reports from the public of malnourished or neglected stray dogs appearing as “zombie dogs”. The Hanover Park Police Department say that these are stray or lost dogs, but in fact are urban coyotes suffering from sarcoptic mange. There is unfortunately […]The post Chicago suburb reports sightings of ‘Zombie dogs’ which are actually coyotes with mange appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an interview from the radio show in March 2015, I spoke to pediatric infectious disease specialist and research associate professor at the University of the Philippines in Manila, Dr Anna Lena Lopez about the mosquito borne viral disease, Japanese encephalitis (JE). Besides talking about the ABCs of JE, Dr Lopez also talked about the findings from a […]The post Japanese encephalitis, the Philippines and the need to put the vaccine on the national schedule appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Uganda Ministry of Health have reported an outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in the central region of the country. Eight cases, including two deaths have been reported from Nakaseke and Kiboga Districts as of Aug. 28. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and CDC deployed a multi-disciplinary rapid […]The post Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in central Uganda appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the state of in the Northern region of Brazil, officials are reporting an outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis, or kala-azar in the city of Tocantinópolis. According to a G1 report (computer translated), the city is on alert after reporting more than 400 cases in dogs and nine in humans since the beginning of the year. This […]The post Brazil: Visceral leishmaniasis outbreak recorded in Tocantinópolis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the malaria outbreak in Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde, the Ministry of Health and Social Security says a total of 116 autochthonous, or locally acquired cases have been registered in the capital city of Praia since the beginning of the year, according to a Portal de Angola report (computer translated). Fortunately, most cases have […]The post Cabo Verde: Locally transmitted malaria in Praia causes concern appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the highlands of Papua New Guinea in the 1950s and 60s it was noticed that people (mostly women) of the Fore tribe were dying of what was originally thought to be a genetic disorder since it happened among family members. The disease stole away the affected person’s ability to talk, walk and eat and […]The post Kuru and cannibalism appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

“Rat-bite fever” is a general term to describe two relatively rare bacterial infections: Streptobacillus moniliformis, also known as Haverhill fever, and Spirillum minor, also known as Sodoku. Both bacteria are normal or commensal organisms found in rats and to a lesser extent other rodents and mammals. These infections are found worldwide, but seen most commonly […]The post Rat-bite fever: The two agents appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Powassan virus disease cases in Saratoga County, NY, as part of 2017 tick survey efforts, the New York State Department of Health surveyed over 100 sites across New York State. Earlier this summer, the Department expanded these tick collection efforts in Saratoga County after confirming three human cases of Powassan […]The post Powassan virus found in Saratoga County ticks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The confirmation of 11 diphtheria cases in the district of Raichur in the south Indian state of Karnataka has caused some concern to health authorities. The Hindu reports 33 suspected cases with symptoms of diphtheria were swabbed and tested and 11 were confirmed positive. Four deaths have been reported; however, health officials say it can not be confirmed […]The post India: 11 diphtheria cases confirmed in Karnataka appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is warning consumers that Hepatitis A virus has been detected in a sample of Western Family brand fresh pineapple chunks sold in ready-to-go cups. Current information indicates the cups were produced on August 11th and distributed to 38 Save-On-Foods, Overwaitea Foods and PriceSmart Foods stores in BC. […]The post Hepatitis A warning: Virus detected in pineapple chunks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Department of Public Health and Social Services has been notified of one confirmed and one suspected case of imported Dengue Fever on Guam. Dengue Fever is a disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses (DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, or DENV 4). The viruses are transmitted to humans by […]The post Guam reports imported dengue fever cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced Friday that industry is recalling Shore Lunch brand Fish Breading/Batter Mix from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. The following food items are affected: Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC Shore Lunch Fish Breading/Batter Mix – Cajun Style 255 g 1064828 1/18/2018 0 24739 19363 5 Shore […]The post Shore Lunch Fish Breading/Batter Mix recalled due to Salmonella risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The China National Health and Family Planning Commission has reported an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Jiangsu. The male patient, aged 58, in Zhenjiang has died. He had exposure to a live poultry market before onset. LISTEN: H7N9 avian influenza in China: Should we be worried? Since 2013, 1,561 human cases have been reported with all […]The post China reports H7N9 avian flu death in Jiangsu appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

NSW Health is renewing calls to people suffering from gastroenteritis to stay home and follow medical advice after a spate of outbreaks in aged care facilities and childcare centres. There were 39 outbreaks of gastroenteritis in institutions from 20-26 August, including 10 in aged care facilities, 22 in child care centres, five in hospitals and […]The post NSW health officials report hundreds of gastroenteritis cases in past week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two babies, eight and eleven months, have died in less than a 24 hour period in the pediatric emergency of the University Hospital “Dr. Manuel Núñez Tovar” (Humnt) due to diphtheria, according to a Efecto Cocuyo report (computer translated). According to the head of pediatric services at the medical center, Yacirka Vásquez, a third child was being held in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for […]The post Diphtheria takes the life of two infants at Maturín, Venezuela hospital appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Previously thought to be effective for 10-15 years, a new case-control study found that if given in early teenage years (12-13), the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine protected over 50% of UK children against TB for at least 20 years, then waned. The research was led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and […]The post TB: BCG vaccine protective for nearly twice as long as previously thought appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Partner State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences at the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology (ABCT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) discovered a newly emerged superbug, hyper-resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, which may cause untreatable and fatal infections in relatively healthy individuals and will pose enormous threat to human health. Prof. Chen Sheng, […]The post Newly emerged superbug, hyper-resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae discovered appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) cases reported in 2017 is now 47 as additional cases have been reported in Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). In Syria, six new cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) were officially reported in the past week […]The post Vaccine-derived polio: More cases reported in Syria, DRC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The prevention of dengue, the most prevalent mosquito-borne virus in the world, relies heavily on controlling mosquito populations, as the currently available dengue vaccine is only partially effective. Indoor spraying–which involves spraying of insecticides inside houses–has the potential to be a key part of those prevention efforts, researchers report in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Dengue infects […]The post Does indoor spraying help prevent dengue? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed the first death of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Los Angeles County for the 2017 season (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena as cases identified in those cities are reported by their local health departments). The resident was from the San Fernando Valley […]The post LA County reports 1st human West Nile virus death appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an effort to fight a hepatitis A outbreak, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer and the County of San Diego are taking meaningful actions that include providing free vaccinations, distributing educational materials and installing handwashing stations throughout the city. The County is expected to provide the City with a list of handwashing locations later today. The […]The post Hepatitis A outbreak: San Diego take steps to stop spread appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Environmental Public Health in Edmonton is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella, linked to food served by one restaurant booth at the recent Edmonton Folk Music Festival. There have been 19 lab-confirmed cases of Salmonella in the Edmonton Zone, all with exposure to food purchased at the Haweli Restaurant food booth at the Edmonton Folk Music […]The post Edmonton: Salmonella sickens 19, linked to festival food booth appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Chicago health officials announced the investigation into a Salmonella outbreak linked to Best BBQ restaurant in the city’s Morgan Park community. The outbreak has affected 14 people, with six required hospitalization for their illness. Lock in today’s offer and get until 10/22 to send your old phone to Gazelle! The Chicago Department of Public Health […]The post Chicago: Salmonella outbreak linked to Best BBQ restaurant appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vaccination efforts made in the world’s poorest countries since 2001 will have prevented 20 million deaths and saved $350 billion in health-care costs by 2020, according to a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition, the researchers put the broader economic and social value of saving these lives and […]The post Vaccines will prevent 20 million deaths in poor countries since 2001: UNC study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to Maradol papayas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an additional 28 cases, bringing the total to 201. Sixty five people required hospitalization for their illness and one death was reported. The number states reporting cases has risen to 23 with the addition of […]The post Salmonella outbreak linked to papayas top 200 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The University of Liverpool is part of an international team of scientists that have identified the climatic risks for dengue disease outbreaks, with a new study undertaken in India. This was achieved by evaluating the relationship of climatic factors in the spread of dengue in different climatic zones in the country through the states of […]The post Dengue: Changes in temperature affect the extrinsic incubation period of the virus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

India has seen a huge increase in cases and deaths from Influenza A (H1N1) through Aug 2017 compared to last year, according to data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Through Aug 27, India has reported 25,864 H1N1 cases from 32 of 36 states and 1,260 fatalities. This compares 1786 cases/265 deaths during the […]The post India reports 1300 H1N1 deaths year to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Leptospirosis The number of leptospirosis cases are up more than 70 percent in the Philippines this year to date, according to the latest data from the Department of Health. Since the beginning of the year through Aug 5, 910 cases of the bacterial disease have been reported. Of this total, 96 people have died. “This […]The post Philippines: Leptospirosis cases up, dengue cases way down appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the state’s first human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) for 2017. Four cases of WNV have been confirmed; two residents of Montcalm County, and one each from Oakland and Macomb Counties. Their illness onsets range from August 6-11, and all have been hospitalized with neurologic […]The post Michigan: West Nile virus activity high throughout the state appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is among the largest mass gatherings in the world draws about 2 to 4 million Muslim pilgrims every year; at least 1.5 to 2 million pilgrims are foreign visitors. This event is happening this week. For observant Muslims, the Hajj is a religious duty and important […]The post Saudi Arabia, the Hajj and the challenges in the prevention and control of infectious diseases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on any given day, about one in 25 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI).Did you know that hospital-acquired infections are the nation’s eighth leading cause of death, just behind diabetes and just ahead of flu and pneumonia? Sepsis is the body’s extreme […]The post Sepsis survivor, Mary Millard, tells her story appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Nicaragua has reported 1,613 conjunctivitis, or “pink eye” cases in the past week affecting 52 cities across the country, bringing the total cases year-to-date to 11,364, according to an El Nuevo Diario report (computer translated). Rosario Murillo, vice president of Nicaragua, said that the municipalities most affected by the epidemic are Chinandega, Rivas, […]The post Nicaragua reports 1600 ‘pink eye’ cases in past week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today launched Get Ahead of Sepsis, an educational initiative to protect Americans from the devastating effects of sepsis. This initiative emphasizes the importance of early recognition and timely treatment of sepsis, as well as the importance of preventing infections that could lead to sepsis. Sepsis is the body’s extreme […]The post Sepsis education: CDC launches ‘Get Ahead of Sepsis’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Mid Valley Pharmaceutical is recalling lot# 23221701 of Doctor Manzanilla Cough & Cold and lot# 23221701 of Doctor Manzanilla Allergy & Decongestant Relief syrup to the consumer level. The products may potentially be contaminated with the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia. Contaminated products with Burkholderia cepacia can potentially result in serious infections, may be life-threating in patients with compromised immune […]The post Doctor Manzanilla cough and allergy syrups recalled due to Burkholderia cepacia risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A film professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) who died Monday may have died due to pneumococcal meningitis, according to a school news release Tuesday. Dr. Hannah Frank joined the faculty in 2016. UNCW officials say “Hannah’s death was sudden, and her family has shared that it may have been caused by pneumococcal […]The post Pneumococcal meningitis may be the cause of death of University of North Carolina Wilmington professor appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Several days ago a ProMED-Mail report described a yellow fever case in French Guiana on the northeast coast of South America (computer translated). On Wednesday, WHO published a report on the case with some details: On 22 August 2017, the National IHR Focal Point for France notified a confirmed fatal case of yellow fever in a […]The post French Guiana reports fatal yellow fever case, 1st in two decades appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hepatitis A cases continue to rise in Colorado, climbing to 54 so far in 2017, which is more than double the number of cases typically seen in an entire year. One Coloradan has died from the illness. The state health department urges all people at risk, especially men who have sexual contact with men, to […]The post Colorado reports doubling of hepatitis A cases in 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Jaclyn Guerrero, Epidemiologist at Metabiota, the pioneer in epidemic risk modeling This week, millions of Muslims will make their pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, known as the Hajj. For observant Muslims, the Hajj is a religious duty and important act of faith. For public officials in Saudi Arabia and internationally, the Hajj poses serious challenges in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. During […]The post The Hajj: a threat to infectious disease prevention? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vibrio A person from Santa Rosa County is the 3rd and latest Vibrio vulnificus fatality reported in Florida year-to-date. Previous deaths due to Vibrio were reported in Orange and Brevard Counties. State health officials put the total case count at 18, as of Aug. 30. Last year, Florida reported 46 cases, including 10 deaths. LISTEN: Vibrio vulnificus: […]The post Florida reports additional Vibrio death, dozens of Cyclospora cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with Public Health — Seattle & King County reported on the investigation of a Campylobacter outbreak linked to eating foie gras at a Kirkland, WA restaurant. The outbreak is associated with a single meal party at Café Juanita in Kirkland on June 24, 2017. On July 24th, Public Health learned about two ill persons from a single […]The post Campylobacter outbreak investigated in Kirkland, linked to foie gras appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An outbreak of thirty-seven Salmonella cases reported in 13 states since May has prompted a investigation by federal and state authorities. The outbreak has been linked to contact with pet turtles. The outbreak strain has been identified as Salmonella Agbeni. Of 33 people with available information, 16 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. One third of […]The post Pet turtles linked to multistate Salmonella Agbeni outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Western Australians are being alerted to a spike in the number of measles cases in Perth, caused by local transmission. WA Health Medical Coordinator Prevention and Control Program, Professor Paul Effler said the new cases appeared in unvaccinated children. “In recent weeks, there have been three secondary cases of measles which have all stemmed from […]The post WA Health reports 4th measles case in Perth appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday approved Vabomere for adults with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including a type of kidney infection, pyelonephritis, caused by specific bacteria. Vabomere is a drug containing meropenem, an antibacterial, and vaborbactam, which inhibits certain types of resistance mechanisms used by bacteria. “The FDA is committed to making new safe […]The post New antibacterial drug, Vabomere, approved for treatment of complicated UTIs in adults appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an earlier episode of the podcast we discussed the giant intestinal roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides–a nematode parasite. Today, we’ll look at a nematode that is about the size of a staple–Enterobius vermicularis, or the pinworm. Pinworm is the most common worm infection in North America, in fact, it is estimated that there are 40 million infections […]The post Parasites 101: Pinworms appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today granted accelerated approval to benznidazole for use in children ages 2 to 12 years old with Chagas disease. It is the first treatment approved in the United States for the treatment of Chagas disease. Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and can be […]The post Chagas disease: Benznidazole is the first treatment approved by the FDA appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In early 2013, the first reported human cases of H7N9 avian influenza were reported in China. Since that time, more than 1500 cases have been reported with about half the cases reported since last October. About 40% of those infected died. A study was published this summer in PLoS Pathogens showing the virus being three mutations away […]The post H7N9 avian influenza in China: Should we be worried? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With record amounts of rain and unprecedented flooding, Houston and the southeastern part of Texas have their hand full with rescues, shelters and numerous public safety issues. What about the infectious disease situation that goes along with a natural disaster like this? Waterborne diseases? Mosquito borne diseases? Concerns about tetanus? I had the opportunity to talk […]The post Houston floods: What are the infectious disease risks? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Clothing worn by healthcare providers can become contaminated with bacteria; however, having nurses wear scrubs with antimicrobial properties did not prevent this bacterial contamination from occurring, according to a study published online today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. As part of the Antimicrobial Scrub Contamination […]The post Nurses’ scrubs: Antimicrobial fabrics are ineffective for preventing bacterial contamination appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The more the surface area of the body is covered by psoriasis, the greater the risk of death for the patient suffering from the condition, according to a new analysis by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, which published today in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, is the […]The post Psoriasis severity linked to increased risk of death: Penn study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Department of Health (DOH) announced that as of August 24, 2017, there has been NO confirmed human case due to Influenza A H5N6. Since the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) declaration of the bird flu outbreaks in early August, the DOH was able to identify 34 suspect cases (30 from Pampanga and 4 from Nueva […]The post Philippines: No human bird flu cases so far, Duterte dines on Pampanga poultry appeared first on Outbreak News Today.