Outbreak News Today

The ESE Regional Norte de Salud de Tibú in North Santander, Catatumbo, Colombia is reporting an outbreak of the parasitic infection, leishmaniasis, according to a RCN Radio report (computer translated). Health officials say at least ten of those affected are Venezuelan nationals. “Controlling this disease causes a high cost and this difficulty is compounded by the large number […]The post Leishmaniasis outbreak reported in northeast Colombia town appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New data presented today at ASM Microbe 2017 showed that Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Phase 3 antibiotic omadacycline is highly active against common bacterial pathogens in acute skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), respiratory tract infections (RTI), and the key bacterial pathogens responsible for urinary tract infections (UTI). The study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activity […]The post Phase 3 antibiotic, omadacycline, highly active against common bacterial pathogens in ABSSSI, RTI and UTI appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization (WHO) country office in Yemen reported the latest cholera data on their Twitter page Friday: #Cholera continues to spread in #Yemen. Over 73,700 suspected cholera cases and 605 associated deaths have been reported in 19 governorates. Related: Ebola in DRC: Two additional cases confirmed Vietnam: Shigella outbreak sickens dozens in Lai Châu […]The post Cholera continues to spread in Yemen: WHO appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Likati Health Zone, Bas Uele Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), two cases have been confirmed as positive for EVD by serology on June 2, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These two cases were previously reported as suspected cases and are part of […]The post Ebola in DRC: Two additional cases confirmed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At least 60 people in the northern mountainous province of Lai Châu have been hospitalized due to dysentery caused by Shigella flexneri, according to a Vietnam News report. In addition, the outbreak has resulted in the death of an elderly patient in Phong Thổ District. Provincial health officials say the outbreak is under control; however, the risk of […]The post Vietnam: Shigella outbreak sickens dozens in Lai Châu province 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). Clearly, HAIs are a huge problem and although significant progress has made in preventing some infection types, there is much more work to be done. I was joined by Chair […]The post MRSA, C. diff and other healthcare-associated infections appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed 16 additional cases of Oahu residents with mumps bringing the total number of cases in 2017 to 81. Hawaii has not reported more than cases in the single digits in recent years. The recently confirmed cases include children and adults. Most of the cases are linked […]The post Mumps cases top 80 in Hawaii appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the H3N2 canine influenza situation in Florida, global animal health companies, Merck Animal Health and Zoetis, makers of the canine influenza vaccine have anticipated additional demand and are increasing vaccine supplies. To date, officials say that at least a dozen cases have been confirmed. UF College of Veterinary Medicine officials confirm cases have […]The post Dog flu update: Vaccine manufacturers increase supplies appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Los Angeles County Health Department are reporting a mumps outbreak affecting more than 40 people. The majority of the cases are among men who have sex with men (MSM) but some are women and heterosexual men with social connections to MSM cases. Most transmissions appear to have occurred at large venues such as […]The post Los Angeles: Mumps outbreak reported, predominately in gay men appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A 10-year Lassa virus research project has yielded structural and functional details of a key viral surface protein that could help advance development of Lassa vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics, which are currently lacking. The work was led by the Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part […]The post Details of Lassa virus structure could inform development of vaccines, therapies appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the cholera outbreak in Yemen, since Apr 27, 65,041 suspected and 316 confirmed cholera cases, and 532 deaths (CFR: 0.8%) have been reported in 19 of the country 23 governorates. Although during the last seven days (24 – 30 May 2017) the daily average number of cases (2,777 cases/day) decreased compared to […]The post Yemen: More than 500 cholera deaths reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Yale University scientists have developed a novel chemical process that may lead to the creation of a new class of antibiotics. The discovery comes at a time when more types of bacteria are becoming resistant to existing antibiotics, increasing the occurrence of lethal infections. The ability to create new antibiotics would have significant ramifications for […]The post Antibiotics: New chemical process developed that may lead to new class appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit is investigating two cases of individuals with syphilis, one of whom also has an HIV infection, who have engaged in risky sexual behavior. Both individuals have been participating in activities that could lead to the spread of infections. Of the two, one has been meeting anonymous partners through the Craigslist website, […]The post London, Ontario: Health officials raise awareness about STIs after syphilis cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Malaria is a serious, potentially life-threatening infection with a mortality rate of 20% in patients infected with the most severe form. However, recently there have been some questions raised regarding the safety of mefloquine, one of a few drugs used to protect Canadians — civilian and military — from malaria when travelling to areas with […]The post Mefloquine: Health Canada finds limited evidence supporting that long-lasting and permanent neurological and psychiatric adverse events appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Health and Family Planning Commission of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region reported their first human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in a male patient from Wuyuan County of Bayannur City. Health officials say the patient is in stable condition and the source of infection was probably poultry reared in his place of residence. Since March 2013 through […]The post China reports H7N9 avian influenza case in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an outbreak advisory Thursday reporting they are investigating eight multistate outbreaks of human Salmonella infections linked to contact with live poultry in backyard flocks. As of May 25, 2017, 372 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 47 states. A number of Salmonella strains […]The post Salmonella outbreaks linked to live poultry sickens hundreds nationwide appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since May 1, the norovirus outbreak in Yolo County in northern California has topped the 4,000 case mark as of Wednesday. The Yolo County Health & Human Services Agency puts the case count at 4,001. The outbreak prompted the closure of several county schools just prior to the Memorial Day weekend. Suspect norovirus cases have […]The post Norovirus outbreak tops 4000 cases in Yolo County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Efforts to control brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) should focus on reducing the risk of transmission from elk, which are now viewed as the primary source of the infection in new cases occurring in cattle and domestic bison, says a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Federal, state, […]The post Yellowstone brucellosis: Control efforts should focus on elk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Maine are reporting two confirmed cases of the tickborne disease, Powassan virus, in midcoast residents. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) said Wednesday that it was notified of the two cases last week. The two adults became ill in late April and were hospitalized with encephalitis, or inflammation of […]The post Powassan: Maine reports two cases in midcoast residents appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A Spanish language media report states (computer translated) the following concerning the dengue fever outbreak in Peru: “The outbreak seems out of control, amid efforts by the authorities”. Through May 2017, Peru has reported more dengue-related fatalities (54) than reported in all of 2016 (41) or 2015 (52), according to the Pan American Health Organization […]The post Peru dengue update: More deaths reported through May than in all of 2016 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Infectious disease scientists from Novartis, the University of Georgia and Washington State University have reported the discovery and early validation of a drug candidate for treating cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease which is a major cause of child mortality in lower-income countries. Currently there are no vaccines or effective treatments. “There’s a lot of uncertainty when […]The post Cryptosporidium: Discovery and early validation of a drug candidate progresses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Surviving the treacherous journey through the human body from the mouth to the colon takes a special kind of bacterial pathogen. Shigella – a group of bacteria responsible for much of the diarrheal disease affecting children in the developing world – travels unimpeded from the mouth to the colon, where they unleash powerful machinery to […]The post Shigella: How it survives the GI tract appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Smucker Foods of Canada Corp. today announced a voluntary recall on specific production codes of Golden Temple®, Swad®, and Maya® flour products in the U.S. due to possible E. coli 0121 contamination. The impacted product was produced by Ardent Mills located in Saskatoon, SK Canada. […]The post Smuckers of Canada issues flour recall in US: Possible E. coli 0121 contamination appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the mumps situation in Hawaii, state health officials have reported seven additional confirmed cases, bringing the state total to 65. The additional cases include six Oahu residents and one additional case of a resident on Kauai. The recently confirmed cases include children and adults whose infection is linked to other cases […]The post Mumps in Hawaii: Tally now 65 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the H3N2 canine influenza situation in Florida, the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has now confirmed more than one dozen “dog flu” cases. Dogs testing positive for the H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV) strain were either at the Perry, Georgia dog show May 19-21 or the Deland, Florida dog show the following […]The post Canine flu in Florida update: Dogs were at Georgia and Deland shows appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Yolo County health officials are now reporting that the outbreak has reached 3,843 cases as of Tuesday, up nearly 500 cases since a week ago. Despite the numbers, data suggests that the outbreak that has spread across northern California may be diminishing somewhat. (See Daily Democrat report). Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and the […]The post Yolo County norovirus tally now 3843 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

State health officials reported on the first confirmed cases of H3N2 canine influenza virus, or “dog flu” Tuesday. The University of Florida has confirmed seven cases with six additional cases pending. All dogs being treated are in stable condition. While H3N2 has been circulating throughout the country since 2015, where it has it has already infected thousands […]The post Florida reports 1st ‘dog flu’ cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Italian Ministero della Salute has reported 324 measles cases since May 14, bringing the country total for 2017 to 2,719, as of May 28. Health officials say data from recent weeks seem to show a downward trend in measles. 89 percent of the cases were unvaccinated, while an additional 6 percent only received a single […]The post Italy reports downward trend in measles appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pfizer Inc. announced today that the European Commission (EC) has approved TRUMENBA® (Meningococcal Group B Vaccine) for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) in individuals 10 years of age and older. Adolescents and young adults are a critical demographic for vaccination against MenB due to inherent environmental and […]The post Meningococcal Group B vaccine, Trumenba, gets approval in Europe appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has reported an increase in hepatitis infections and are advising residents to get tested and observe safe injection practices. Preliminary data shows that between 2014 and 2016, new cases of hepatitis B increased by 56 percent and new cases of hepatitis C increased by 69 percent. […]The post North Carolina reports increase in hepatitis B & C appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Kroger Co. announced the recall of its Simple Truth Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. A supplier reported the product may have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with […]The post Kroger Recall: Simple Truth Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts may be Listeria contaminated appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Most cases of Parkinson’s have no known cause, and researchers continue to debate and study possible factors that may contribute to the disease. Research reported in the journal npj Parkinson’s Disease suggests that a certain strain of influenza virus predisposes mice to developing pathologies that mimic those seen in Parkinson’s disease. “This study has provided […]The post H1N1 influenza may increase risk of developing Parkinson’s disease: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the large measles outbreak in Romania, the National Center for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases (computer translated) puts the outbreak case count at 6,434 confirmed cases since last September. The number of measles-related fatalities are confirmed at 26, with a 27th possible death still being investigated in Dolj. The breakdown of […]The post Romania measles outbreak update: 27th possible death being investigated appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the hepatitis E outbreak in southeastern Niger, officials with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports (computer translated) the case count has risen to 664 suspected and confirmed cases in the Diffa region. To date, at least 30 fatalities have been reported this year. Women are the […]The post Niger hepatitis E update: At least 30 deaths in the southeast appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An outbreak of brucellosis has affected two villages in the Novokhopersky district, Voronezh Oblast in western Russia has affected 84 sheep and goats from farms totaling more than 500 animals, according to a vestivrn.ru report (computer translated). In addition, at least one farmworker has been infected. The farms have been quarantined. Inspectors of the Rosselkhoznadzor caution […]The post Russia: Brucella outbreak, affecting humans and animals, reported in Voronezh region appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The quest to develop a cure for HIV has long been plagued by a seemingly simple question: How do doctors determine if someone is cured? The virus has a knack for lying dormant in immune cells at levels undetectable to all but the most expensive and time-consuming tests. Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate […]The post HIV: Pitt researchers develop test to detect ‘hidden’ virus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Three deaths due to the viral disease, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), since late March has prompted the Iranian parliament’s Health Commission to hold an emergency meeting today on the outbreak, according to the Tehran-based Tasnim News Agency. According to Mohammad Mehdi Gouya, the director of Health Ministry’s Center for Communicable Disease Control, the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever […]The post Iran: CCHF deaths prompt emergency meeting appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Global Meningococcal Initiative (GMI) – an international group of expert scientists, doctors and public health officials – has recommended that people who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive should be vaccinated against meningococcal disease (MD). This global recommendation has been published in the Journal of Infection. The recommendation is based on recent studies showing an […]The post Global experts recommend that people with HIV should be vaccinated against meningococcal disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of cholera cases reported in Yemen from Apr. 27 through May 27, 2017 has reached 51,832 in 19 of the country 23 governorates, according to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO). Officials put the death tally at 417, or just a little less than 1 percent of the total. In the last […]The post Cholera: Yemen reports more than 50,000 cases in a month appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

There were 3.5 million Guinea worm disease cases in 21 countries in Africa and Asia in 1986. According to the Carter Center, 25 human cases of Guinea worm disease in three countries were reported in 2016. The first three months of 2017 , only three cases have been reported, all from Chad. However, according to a World […]The post Guinea worm disease: 21 suspected cases in South Sudan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Dominican Republic Ministry of Health said Friday that conjunctivitis is affecting all regions of the country and a high number of cases have been reported in recent weeks, prompting health officials to call it an epidemic, according to a barrigaverde.net report (computer translated). Drs. Héctor Quezada, Deputy Minister of Epidemiology; José Manuel Puello, director general […]The post Pink eye becomes epidemic in the Dominican Republic appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The State Secretariat of Health (Sesau) has warned of the increase of leptospirosis cases in Alagoas state in northeastern Brazil, according to a Gazetaweb.com report (computer translated). Through the first five months of 2017, eight leptospirosis cases have been reported in the small state, nearly 3 times the total in all of 2016. The concern is centered […]The post Brazil: Leptospirosis cases up in Alagoas state appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government introduced legislation that would allow adults to possess, share and purchase marijuana, while also strengthening penalties for those who give or sell the products to youth. The Cannabis Act, Bill C-45, has received praise from several high level officials in the country to include Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister […]The post Legalizing marijuana in Canada will jeopardize the health of young people: CMAJ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia and snail fever is endemic in 12 regions and 28 provinces on the Philippines archipelago with a whopping 12 million Filipinos at risk for the parasitic infection, according to a Phil Star report. With some 6.8 million people already exposed to the blood fluke, Dr. Vicente Belizario, convener of Neglected Tropical Diseases […]The post Philippines: 12 million people at risk for schistosomiasis, a major neglected tropical disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since April 27, Yemen has reported 42,207 suspected cholera cases and 420 deaths through May 24. The following is a statement from the Regional Director for Arab States on the Yemen situation (computer translated): I am deeply concerned by the confirmed news on the rise of cholera in Yemen, which comes as a possibly fatal addition to the […]The post Yemen reports some 2000 cholera cases daily in unprecedented outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Sri Lanka has reported 53234 suspected dengue cases through the first five months of 2017, approximately a 150 percent increase compared to the same period in 2016 and one international non-governmental organization says the numbers could rise even further. Approximately 42.45% of dengue cases were reported from the Western province. The highest numbers of dengue cases were […]The post Dengue cases rise in Sri Lanka and flooding could make it worse appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is continuing to see cases in Northeast Arkansas of Shigellosis, an infectious disease that commonly causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Shigellosis is caused by the Shigella bacteria and is very contagious. The ADH urges residents to wash their hands and take other protective measures to keep Shigella from […]The post Arkansas: Shigella cases up in the Northeast appeared first on Outbreak News Today.