Outbreak News Today

Just a few weeks after Apache County health officials reported fleas from prairie dogs burrows tested positive for Yersinia pestis, the agent of plague, Navajo County Public Health (NCHD) officials have confirmed that fleas collected in the Taylor area have tested positive for plague. NCHD have notified the residents and the burrows, which are located on private property, […]The post Arizona: Plague positive fleas collected in Navajo County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Monday, the Uganda Ministry of Health received a report of a suspect viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) death in Luwero district. The case, a 20-year old female presented with a high fever, dizziness and blood secretion from her ears and mouth. In addition, three other female patients have been admitted to Bishop Asili Hospital and are observation, according […]The post Uganda issues viral hemorrhagic fever alert appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Case count down After reporting more than 200,000 dengue fever cases in each of the last two years, some great news is being reported by Philippine public health officials. During the first six months of 2017, officials report a total of 43,770 dengue cases nationwide. This number is 36.8 percent lower (25,527) compared to the same time […]The post Dengue in the Philippines: Cases down 37%, Testing to be available at the malls appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A study, originally published in January in the journal, PLoS One, looked at the differences in geographical distribution of Lyme disease. Researchers suggests that under environmentally-realistic conditions, southern environments exert greater mortality pressure on ticks than is experienced by northern ticks, because of the increased desiccation stress under the warmer southern conditions. See New York from the water […]The post A look at the differences in geographical distribution of Lyme disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

More than 400 norovirus cases have been reported in Ohio and the outbreak is being linked to Mama C’s Donuts in Maumee, according to a Toledo Blade report. Toledo-Lucas County Health Department officials said that cases of the virus linked to food eaten at the restaurant has climbed to nearly 400 while 27 people fell ill by […]The post Ohio: Norovirus sickened hundreds, linked to Maumee donut shop appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Additional cases of type 2 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) have been reported recently in both Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) this week. Syria Three new cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) were officially confirmed at WHO headquarters in the past week, bringing the […]The post Polio update: More cVDPV2 reported in Syria, DRC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers and health care professionals not to use any liquid drug or dietary supplement products manufactured by PharmaTech LLC of Davie, Florida, and labeled by Rugby Laboratories, Major Pharmaceuticals and Leader Brands, due to potential contamination with the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) and the risk for severe patient infection. […]The post Burkholderia cepacia risk prompts recall of several drugs, dietary supplements appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Thirty-two more people have been sickened by Salmonella in an update on the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Kiambu and Salmonella Thompson infections linked to Maradol papayas from the Carica de Campeche farm in Mexico. This brings the outbreak total to 141 cases [Salmonella Kiambu (51) or Salmonella Thompson (90)] from 19 states (Illinois, Ohio, and Texas are new states affected). 47 percent of the […]The post Illinois, Ohio, and Texas now report Salmonella infections linked to papayas appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the human infections with novel influenza A viruses found in Ohio, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported three additional cases in the past week. Three persons, all attendees at the same agricultural fair, were infected with influenza A (H3N2) variant (H3N2v) viruses. All three patients were children younger than […]The post Ohio sees more H3N2v cases linked to pig exposure appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Guatemala are reporting a typhoid outbreak in Petén department in the north of the country, according to a Prensa Libre report (computer translated). The outbreak began in the municipality of Dolores one month ago, according to Health Minister, Lucrecia Hernandez. To date, 60 typhoid cases have been confirmed, including two deaths. The minister asked […]The post Guatemala: Typhoid outbreak in Petén department appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Left untreated, malaria can progress from being mild to severe — and potentially fatal — in 24 hours. So researchers at the University of British Columbia developed a method to quickly and sensitively assess the progression of the mosquito-borne infectious disease, which remains a leading killer in low-income countries. One way malaria wreaks havoc on […]The post Malaria disease severity: UBC researchers develop quick method appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the measles scare in Perth, Australia, officials with Perth Waldorf School in Bibra Lake have reported on a second case of the vaccine-preventable, contagious disease. According to Acting School Administrator, Mark Phillips in a letter to Staff and Parents Friday, We have just received news that another Class 10 student is confirmed to […]The post Measles: 2nd case reported at Perth Waldorf School appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Philippine health officials are closely monitoring the events surrounding an avian flu outbreak in poultry in Pampanga, as reported by the Department of Agriculture (DA). DA decided to cull around 500,000 chickens to contain the animal outbreak. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol said at least 38,000 chickens have died of the Avian influenza Type A Subtype H5 in […]The post Philippines: 1st avian influenza outbreak reported in Pampanga appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A mutation in one of the sensors that the immune system uses to detect viruses can, in rare cases, turn infections with the chickenpox virus into a life-threatening matter. For two out of every 10,000 people, it can lead to inflammation of the brain, and for twenty out of 10,000, to severe pneumonia, which can […]The post Chickenpox virus fatal in newly discovered immunodeficiency appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A husband and wife from Craiova in Dolj County have contracted anthrax from contact with “animals in the household”, according to a local media report (computer translated). According to the report, they went to Emergency County Hospital Craiova last week presenting with “several hand injuries”. Doctors suspected anthrax. “They were tested, and laboratory results confirmed that the […]The post Romania: Husband and wife contract anthrax after contact with animal appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas has confirmed Legionnaires’ disease in at least two staff members and a third has testing pending during the past week, according to multiple media accounts. No patients have been affected. The Commander of Brooke Army Medical Center says 200 employees working in a building next to the […]The post Legionnaires’ disease confirmed in Brooke Army Medical Center employees appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to the norovirus outbreak at the World Athletics Championships in London, Public Health England (PHE) London deputy director for health protection, Dr Deborah Turbitt gave the following update today: PHE has been notified of a confirmed outbreak of norovirus among people associated with the World Athletics Championships. We have so far been made aware of approximately 40 […]The post Norovirus update: 40 confirmed and suspected cases at World Athletics Championships appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Just a week after Gov. David Y. Ige, together with the Hawaii DOH and the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) announced the state’s plans to place a stronger emphasis on the prevention of rat lungworm disease, a sixteenth case has been reported–this one the first from Oahu. The adult Oahu resident is currently hospitalized. The Oahu resident […]The post Rat lungworm confirmed in Oahu, state total now 16 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On the Aug. 6 show, the main topics discussed were about the parasite, Cyclospora and a look at vaccines and some of the falsehoods concerning this life-saving science. In the first half, Parasitologist and author of the book, Parasites: Tales of Humanity’s Most Unwelcome Guests, Rosemary Drisdelle joined me to discuss Cyclospora. During the second half, Public health […]The post Outbreak News This Week: Cyclospora, Vaccine falsehoods debunked appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego County, CA, the number of cases reported this year has climbed to 312, including 10 fatalities, according to latest health department data. Of the cases, nearly seven out of 10 patients required hospitalization for their illness (215). LISTEN: Talking Hepatitis A with Dr Amesh Adalja […]The post San Diego hepatitis A update: More than 300 cases and 10 deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that 700,000 people around the world die annually from drug resistant infections. It also listed drug resistant gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, as a high priority infection that poses a great threat to human health. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when a strain of bacteria evolves to […]The post New antibiotic, closthioamide, effective against gonorrhea in laboratory studies: London researchers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A 2-month old female child who lives in Guangdong Province, China was confirmed positive for A(H9N2) influenza in June, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), becoming the third case in China this year. She had onset of influenza-like illness (ILI) on 28 April 2017. The patient was hospitalized on 9 June. A sample collected […]The post H9N2 avian influenza case reported in Chinese baby appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials with Public Health England (PHE) reported a norovirus outbreak linked to the World Athletics Championships in London Tuesday. According to Dr Deborah Turbitt, PHE London deputy director for health protection, “Approximately 30 people have reported illness and 2 of these cases have been confirmed as norovirus by laboratory testing. “PHE has been working closely with the London 2017 organisers and […]The post Norovirus strikes World Athletics Championships in London appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Comfy Cow is recalling pints of Banana Puddin Y’all, Chocolate Squared2, Cookies and Cream, Cow Trax, Double Fold Vanilla, Georgia Butter Pecan, Intense Dark Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Fields Forever due to a potential contamination of E. coli. E. coli bacteria can cause diarrhea and dehydration. Most people who are infected recover, but the bacteria […]The post Ice Cream recall: The Comfy Cow pulls multiple flavors over possible E. coli appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) now puts the total confirmed and probable mumps cases at 213 as of Tuesday. ARPHS medical officer of health Dr Josephine Herman said mumps was now widespread across Auckland. Low vaccination rates are fueling Auckland’s mumps outbreak. ARPHS is concerned not enough young Aucklanders are immunized in […]The post Auckland mumps outbreak: More than 200 cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pennsylvania’s first probable human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in 2017 has been detected in a Montgomery County resident. The Departments of Health and Environmental Protection strongly recommend that all residents minimize their exposure to mosquitoes. “Detecting the first human case of West Nile Virus this year serves as a great reminder for […]The post Pennsylvania reports 1st human West Nile virus case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The worldwide Zika threat first emerged in 2015, infecting millions as it swept across the Americas. It struck great fear in pregnant women, as babies born with severe brain birth defects quickly overburdened hospitals and public health care systems. In response, there has been a flurry of heroic scientific efforts to stop Zika. Whole governments, […]The post Zika: ASU researchers develop the world’s first plant-based vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Every year around this time we start to see reports of swimmer’s itch around the country. Common lore in the media is that this is caused by “duck fleas” in freshwater and ‘sea lice’ in salt water; however, this is not correct. Instead, swimmer’s itch is caused by the larvae of a parasite called schistosomes. […]The post Parasites 101: Swimmer’s itch appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Here in the state of Florida, dozens of confirmed cases of the bacterial infection caused by Vibrio vulnificus occur annually, along with dozens more in the other Gulf states. My guest, Infectious Disease specialist, a Forbes contributor, Judy Stone, MD said in a recent piece, “Infections from Vibrio vulnificus are a summer staple, and are increasing […]The post Vibrio vulnificus: An interview with Dr Judy Stone appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting a significant increase in cases of cyclosporiasis this summer across the country as compared to the same period last year. According to a Health Alert Network published Monday, as of August 2, 2017, 206 cases of Cyclospora infections have been reported to CDC in persons who became […]The post Cyclospora cases up in the US this summer appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Group A Streptococcus bacteria — the cause of strep throat and flesh-eating infections — have been well studied for nearly a century. But researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences recently made a surprising discovery: strep’s M protein alone wipes out macrophages, but not other types […]The post Strep throat bacteria research finding could have implications in vaccine development, TSS treatments appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Freshtex Produce of Alamo, TX is voluntarily recalling “Valery” brand Maradol Papayas grown and packed by Carica de Campeche, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often […]The post Valery Brand Maradol Papayas recalled due to Salmonella risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on a report concerning imported cholera in South Korea, The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported (computer translated) the fourth case in a traveler to the Philippines since February. The most recent case, a 39-year-old Korean man, traveled to Manila and arrived back at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday, August 2. A […]The post South Korea reports 4th imported cholera case from the Philippines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Dengue fever cases were first confirmed in the Côte d’Ivoire, or Ivory Coast in late April. Days later, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Côte d’Ivoire notified World Health Organization (WHO) of a dengue fever outbreak in the capital city of Abidjan. As of 11 July 2017, a total of 623 suspected cases including two deaths (case […]The post Dengue outbreak in Abidjan, Ivory Coast appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Portugal health officials have confirmed a small botulism outbreak in the northeastern region of the country, according to a report posted on ProMED-Mail. The author of the post states that four cases of food-borne botulism related to the consumption of homemade smoked ham in mid- July were confirmed in Bragança district. The 1st 2 patients, a middle-aged man […]The post Botulism outbreak reported in northern Portugal appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

During the past five years, an average of one locally acquired case annually of malaria has been reported in Cabo Verde, or Cape Verde. In 2017, between 30 June and 30 July 2017, 45 indigenous cases and one imported case were reported, all in the capital city of Praia, Santiago Island. More than half the cases are reported in […]The post Cape Verde: ‘Sudden and unprecedented increase’ in malaria in 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the past three weeks, active transmission of Lassa fever has been reported in five states (Bauchi, Edo, Ogun, Ondo, and Plateau) of Nigeria. 13 new suspected cases were reported from four states during the last week of July, namely: Plateau (5), Ondo (5) Bauchi (2), and Ogun (1), including two deaths. Since the resurgence of […]The post Nigeria: Lassa fever transmission reported in five states appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Rhesus macaques previously infected with dengue or yellow fever viruses appear to be neither more nor less susceptible to severe infection with Zika virus, according to new research published in PLOS Pathogens. Dengue, yellow fever, and Zika are all members of the Flavivirus genus. Previous laboratory studies have shown that antibodies produced by the human immune system to […]The post Prior dengue or yellow fever exposure does not worsen Zika infection in monkeys appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At least 24 typhoid cases have been reported from Boddapadu village of Krishna district in Vijayawada metropolis, according to a local media report. Health officials suspect that water contamination in the village could be the reason for the disease. “We are suspecting that water contamination, particularly in that place, has led to the outbreak of typhoid”, District Medical and […]The post India: Two dozen typhoid cases reported in Krishna district, Vijayawada appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Finland have reported the fifth measles case from the eastern part of the country this summer, according to a local media account. The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) says the most recent case reported from the Savonlinna region is the same strain as the previous cases. “But this is still good […]The post Finland monitoring measles situation after 5th case reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A 16-year-old paint horse in Cabarrus County has died after contracting Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis. EEE is a mosquito-borne disease that is preventable in equine by vaccination. This is the first confirmed case of EEE in North Carolina this year. EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal. Symptoms […]The post North Carolina reports 1st case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis of 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has received lab confirmation of the first human case of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Ottawa for the 2017 WNV season. OPH reminds all Ottawa residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to remove standing water where WNV-carrying mosquitoes can breed. Mosquito trapping and testing throughout the urbanized areas […]The post Canada: Ottawa reports 1st human West Nile virus case 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Everything in life carries some risk it seems and this includes becoming an inpatient in a hospital. There are a number of risks associated with hospitals and one is acquiring infections–Hospitals are loaded with nasty bugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on any given day, about one in 25 hospital […]The post Healthcare-associated infections: A discussion with Dr Rodney Rohde appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Campylobacter outbreak Health officials in Wales are reporting on a Campylobacter outbreak linked to unpasteurized or ‘raw’ cow’s milk produced at Penlan y Môr Farm near New Quay. Visitors to the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells may have sampled or bought the milk, which was available there on Wednesday 26 July. Public Health […]The post Campylobacter outbreak, Additional measles case reported in Wales appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) reported a local, fatal case of diphtheria in a Bangladeshi worker. The individual was a 21-year-old construction worker who developed fever and swelling of the neck on July 30. He went to the hospital the next day and was immediately isolated and hospitalized on the same day. He subsequently passed […]The post Singapore reports 1st local diphtheria case in 25 years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the pertussis, or whooping cough outbreak in Alberta, Canada, Alberta Health Services (AHS) puts the case tally at 501 year-to-date. This is nearly triple the number of cases reported less than two months ago. “We had hoped to see the spread of this outbreak slow during the summer months, but that hasn’t […]The post Alberta pertussis outbreak continues, more than 500 cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A third dog in Pima County has tested positive for Leptospirosis, prompting County officials to remind residents about the importance of protecting their pets. The case was identified after County health and animal care officials received notice from a local veterinarian. The dog, who has fully recovered from the illness, was not vaccinated before being […]The post Arizona: Pima County reports 3rd dog with leptospirosis, advises pet owners appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Doctors and parents are being alerted to an increased risk of measles, following the confirmed diagnosis of an unvaccinated secondary school student who returned to Perth after being infected overseas. Prior to the diagnosis – and while infectious to others – the student attended Perth Waldorf School in Bibra Lake. A substantial number of students […]The post Australia: Measles alert issued for Perth appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hudson Valley Foods, Inc. of Highland, NY has advised Amrita Health Foods of Pleasantville, NY that sunflower seeds and sunflower seed butter sold to the company for a short period of time have been recalled. Amrita Health Foods is recalling a limited number of Amrita Bars because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria […]The post Energy bars recalled due to Listeria risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM) has been awarded a three-year, $2.47 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop a vaccine to protect against Shigella and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), pathogens which are among the leading causes of diarrheal disease in young children in developing countries and a common cause […]The post Maryland researchers receive $2.5 million grant to develop a Shigella, E. coli vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.