Outbreak News Today

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the following Thursday on Lyme Disease Awareness Month: Tickborne diseases are on the rise and prevention should be on everyone’s mind, particularly during the spring, summer, and early-fall when ticks are most active. From May through July, people will get more tick bites and tickborne diseases than any […]The post Prevention is key in fight against tickborne disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The measles outbreak in Minnesota increased by seven cases today, with the new case count at 41 confirmed. Of the 41 cases, 38 were reported in Hennepin County, two in Ramsey County and one in Crow Wing County. 34 cases are reported in Somali Minnesotans. 95 percent of the cases were unvaccinated. The first case […]The post Minnesota measles outbreak tops 40 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The North Carolina Division of Public Health is encouraging North Carolinians today to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccines after seven mumps cases were identified in North Carolina residents in April. Cases have been identified in Orange, Wake and Watauga counties. Among those affected are college and elementary school students. On Monday, the […]The post Mumps: North Carolina reports 7 cases in April appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month Officials with the Broome County Health Department are reminding the public to take precautions to protect themselves from Lyme disease now that the weather is getting warmer. Lyme disease is spread by the bite of infected deer ticks. Ticks are of greatest concern in late spring and early summer as […]The post Binghamton: County health officials remind public about Lyme disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Western Australians heading overseas, including to Bali, are being reminded to make sure they have been appropriately vaccinated against measles, following a further case contracted on the island. WA Health Medical Epidemiologist Dr Gary Dowse said there had been more than 20 separate importations of measles from Bali to WA since 2013, including seven already […]The post Australia officials remind Bali travelers about measles appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A fast, highly sensitive, and inexpensive new test not only detects Zika virus in mosquitoes and human bodily fluids, but can also distinguish between African and Asian strains — a result that could improve efforts to more effectively track the virus’ spread. The Asian-lineage strain of Zika virus, which has been implicated in causing severe […]The post A speedy, sensitive, and low-cost detection test for Zika virus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, Student Health notified the campus community that a student was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis early Wednesday morning. All that was disclosed about the student is that he or she is receiving treatment. Saint Mary’s College is working with the Saint Joseph County Health Department and the Indiana State Department […]The post Meningitis cases reported at Saint Mary’s College and Fresno State appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The University of Rhode Island (URI) Health Services, in a communication notice published Tuesday said that four URI students on the Kingston Campus have mumps. Clinicians at the Rhode Island Department of Health and the staff and medical professionals at Health Services are carefully monitoring the situation and are prepared to help. Health Services is advising […]The post University of Rhode Island reports 4 mumps cases in students appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Even a relatively mild Zika outbreak in the United States could cost more than $183 million in medical costs and productivity losses, suggests a computational analysis led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers, while a more severe one could result in $1.2 billion or more in medical costs and productivity losses. Reporting […]The post Zika: Mild epidemic in the US could cost in the hundreds of millions appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Today, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declaring a national opioid epidemic, Governor Rick Scott signed Executive Order 17-146 directing a Public Health Emergency across the state. By signing the Emergency Order, it will allow the state to immediately draw down more than $27 million in federal grant funding from the United […]The post Florida: Public health emergency for opioid epidemic directed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the measles outbreak in Italy, since the beginning of the year through the end of April, 1,920 cases have been reported, according to Italian health officials. The cases are reported from 18 of the 21 regions in Italy. One-third of the cases had at least one complication with diarrhea, stomatitis, conjunctivitis […]The post Measles outbreak nears 2000 cases in Italy appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials have issued an epidemiological alert for the city of Neiva, located in south central Colombia due to a leishmaniasis outbreak, according to a La Nacion report (computer translated). The alert, issued on Apr. 26, came after a number of people became infected, including a four-month-old baby who died from the parasitic infection. In addition, of […]The post Colombia: Leishmaniasis outbreak prompts health alert in Neiva appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

UNAIDS has appointed Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach as Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific. The announcement was made at a special event with students at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. Many young people still do not have the skills and knowledge to protect themselves from HIV,” said Steve Kraus, […]The post Miss Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach, appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS-AP appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has provided the first evidence that viruses and hosts share highly similar regulatory sequences in their promoters–the initiation sequences of human genes that code for functional proteins. “To date viral-host networks include protein and mRNA interactions between viruses and their hosts at later stages of gene expression, […]The post HIV: Researchers at Illinois gain insights to redirect leading cure strategy appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) has been notified of imported frozen raw tuna or ahi cubes distributed by Tropic Fish Hawaii, LLC on Oahu that tested positive for hepatitis A. The product, imported from Indonesia, was used to prepare poke sold between April 27 – May 1 by food establishments on Oahu. The […]The post Hepatitis A prompts recall of imported frozen raw tuna (Ahi) cubes appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Garfield County Public Health is investigating a case of hantavirus in a local resident. Hantavirus is a serious lung infection caused by viruses found in the saliva, urine, and droppings of some rodents, including deer mice. It can be found throughout the country, with a higher prevalence of occurrence in the southwestern part of the […]The post Colorado: Hantavirus case reported in Garfield County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) is reminding residents to take precautions against animal-borne diseases after a family’s pet cat tested positive for plague in Longmont. On Easter Sunday, the cat’s owners noticed the animal was lethargic and showed signs of illness, including swollen lymph nodes under its chin. On April 21, the cat was taken […]The post Plague reported in Boulder County, Colorado cat appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), their has been approximately 75 cases of Powassan virus disease reported in the United States over the past 10 years. Most cases have occurred in the Northeast and Great Lakes region. While that seems small compared to the major tickborne disease, Lyme disease, which the CDC […]The post Powassan could become a greater public health threat than Lyme disease: Yale researcher appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County report seeing an elevated number of shigellosis cases in the first quarter of 2017. From the beginning of the year through March, health officials report 35 shigellosis cases. This compares with five cases during the same period in 2016. During April 2017, nearly 20 cases […]The post Tampa Bay: Increased numbers of Shigellosis cases reported in early 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of mumps cases reported in the Manitoba, Canada outbreak has doubled since Mar. 1, according to the latest data released at the end of April. Since September 1, 2016 and up to April 28, 2017 there have been 345 confirmed cases of mumps reported to Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living. Typically, Manitoba […]The post Manitoba mumps outbreak now at 345 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the isolated monkeypox case confirmed in Pujehun district in the southern region of Sierra Leone, an Awoko.org report states the 35-year-old farmer has been discharged from the hospital. The patient was initially admitted to Pujehun District Government Hospital on 25 March 2017. The patient was not quarantined but isolated at the hospital and treated […]The post Monkeypox in Sierra Leone: Single case discharged from hospital appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Lassa fever outbreak affecting several states in Nigeria, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reports 68 Lassa fatalities since the outbreak began in mid-December 2016 through April 28. In the current Lassa Fever outbreak, sixteen (16) States (Ogun, Bauchi, Plateau, Ebonyi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kaduna, Gombe, Cross-River, […]The post Nigeria Lassa outbreak death toll now 68 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers in Ireland have developed a bioinspired antimicrobial treatment that can rapidly kill drug-resistant bacteria. The treatment consists of iodo-thiocyanate complexes, which are inspired by enzymes and reactive molecules produced by our immune system. Microbial resistance to antibiotics and biocides is increasing, and our ability to effectively treat bacterial infections and contamination is under threat. […]The post Bioinspired antimicrobial treatment can rapidly kill drug-resistant bacteria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Argentina health officials are reporting an increase in syphilis cases in a number of provinces and issued an alert concerning using proper protection during sex, according to a Dia a Dia report (computer translated). In the country’s most populous province, Buenos Aires, syphilis cases increased by 30 percent from 2015 to 2016, while increases were also […]The post Argentina reports syphilis increases in Buenos Aires, other provinces appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

LifeLink Foundation’s Sr. Public Affairs Coordinator, Betsy Edwards and donor family member, Carlos Ruiz joined me to discuss organ donation.The post Outbreak News Radio: Donate Life Month appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pregnant women at risk of Zika virus infection may not be aware of the various ways the virus is spread or be taking the proper preventative measures. A survey conducted by researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston focused on pregnant women in Southeast Texas. The participants included women born in the […]The post Pregnant women unaware how Zika virus can spread, survey finds appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports an additional 387 new confirmed cases of hepatitis A from 10 countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom) since Feb. 24. In total, 674 confirmed cases have been reported […]The post Europe hepatitis A outbreak rises appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two more Hennepin County children have been confirmed positive for measles since Friday, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). This brings the total cases to 34. 32 of the cases are in Hennepin County, 1 of the cases is in Stearns County, 1 of the cases is in Ramsey County. The cases are […]The post More measles in Minnesota appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

From the beginning of the year through April 2017, Malaysian health authorities have reported 31,528 dengue fever cases, including 69 fatalities. Selangor is the state with the most cases with 16,710, followed by Perak (2794), Kuala Lumpur (2741), and Johor (2267). In 2016, Malaysia reported just over 100,000 dengue cases. Dengue is a viral infection […]The post Malaysia dengue count tops 30,000 in first 4 months appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Many classes of common antibiotics, such as macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides and metronidazole, were associated with an increased risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy, according to a new study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). Erythromycin was not associated with increased risk nor was nitrofurantoin, often used to treat urinary tract infections in pregnant […]The post Antibiotics: Several common classes linked to increased risk of miscarriage, according to study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the anthrax outbreak in Binga district in western Zimbabwe, health officials put the outbreak tally at 14 cases of anthrax including 1 death (case fatality rate of 9.1%) reported from two communities, Siansundu and Binga. This anthrax outbreak in humans was preceded by an epizootic in hippopotamus. On 2 April 2017, a community […]The post Zimbabwe anthrax outbreak: 14 sickened, 1 death; linked to eating hippo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the cluster of undiagnosed illness and deaths in Southern Liberia, the World Health Organization (WHO) offered up more details in an outbreak bulletin today. The event of unknown etiology, which affected 20 patients resulting in 11 deaths (CFR 55 percent), has been linked to a funeral function, which started on 23 April […]The post Liberia undiagnosed illness cluster: More details appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Dr. Mike Osterholm discusses infectious diseases and his new book ‘Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs’The post Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to a WHO media release Friday concerning the outbreak of illness and deaths of unknown etiology in Sinoe County, Liberia recently, notes from WHO Communications and media officer, Fadéla Chaib reveal since Monday, April 24, 17 people have fallen sick. Nine people have died, and eight are still ill and hospitalized. Most of them are aged below […]The post WHO update on Liberia outbreak, cause still unknown appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Mexican health officials have reported 20 cases of the tickborne infection, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), or febre maculosa, in the city of Chihuahua. Of the 20 cases reported, nine have resulted in fatality, according to a El Heraldo de Chihuahua report (computer translated). In 2016, Chihuahua state saw 55 RMSF cases and 17 deaths. RMSF […]The post Mexico: Twenty cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted fever reported in Chihuahua appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since the beginning of the year, health officials in Faisalabad, Pakistan have reported 81 chickenpox cases, including 16 deaths during the last four months, according to Pakistani media. Sources tell The Nation that more than 100 patients visited both Civil Hospital and Allied Hospital for medical consultation regarding the epidemic. Some patients complained they were not given proper care. The report notes […]The post Pakistan: Chickenpox outbreak claims 16 lives in past 4 months in Faisalabad appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

For the past two weeks, we have watched the Minnesota measles outbreak grow into 32 confirmed cases as of Friday. The bulk of the cases have been reported in Somali children in the state with all of them being unvaccinated. During an interview on the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease […]The post ‘We expect this measles outbreak to grow substantially’: CIDRAP’s Osterholm appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

NHS Lanarkshire’s Department of Public Health along with North Lanarkshire Council Environmental Health and other agencies are investigating nine confirmed and nine suspected cases of hepatitis A in North Lanarkshire. Patients have either been discharged or are currently in Monklands Hospital. All are well and responding to treatment. Initial investigations indicate that there could be […]The post Hepatitis A outbreak investigated in Lanarkshire, Possibly link to the JB Christie bakery appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Men over 50 have a higher risk than the general population of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, so they need to keep a sharp eye out for signs of the disease. Many women in this age group, however, would attest that they’re more likely than their male partners to notice suspicious spots […]The post Melanoma Monday®: Dermatologists encourage women to help men spot skin cancer appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced Friday that the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has approved a direct-acting antiviral regimen comprised of Daklinza ® (daclatasvir) and Sunvepra ®(asunaprevir), for the treatment of treatment-naive or -experienced patients, with or without compensated cirrhosis, infected with genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). This is China’s first all-oral, interferon- […]The post Hepatitis C: China FDA approves Daklinza and Sunvepra, First all-oral regimen appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) has been investigating an increasing number of cases of mumps infection statewide. Since March 2017, DOH has become aware of two clusters of cases, together involving at least nine (9) individuals on Oahu, bringing the total number of confirmed cases statewide this year to fourteen (14). To date, […]The post Hawaii: Mumps clusters investigated in Oahu appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) warns against consuming local deer- antler tea due to botulism risk. Public Health has recently identified one confirmed and one suspected case of botulism occurring in adults. Preliminary investigation suggests that these cases may be associated with the consumption of a deer-antler tea product (photos […]The post Botulism cases may be linked to deer-antler tea, Health warning issued appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Kings County Health Department (KCHD) announced today that the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in 2017 has been confirmed. The last human case in Kings County was in 2016. This is the first human case of WNV reported in the state of California in 2017. According to Dr. Teske, Health Officer […]The post California reports 1st human West Nile virus case of the year in Kings County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the dengue fever epidemic in Sri Lanka, officials with the Epidemiology Unit with the Ministry of Health report 39,313 cases through Apr. 28. This compares with 16,660 cases reported during the same period in 2016. Of this total, local media have reported 65 dengue-related fatalities through Apr. 26. Colombo district remains the […]The post Dengue fever: Sri Lanka reports nearly 40,000 cases through April appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

We all love a good book and on the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show, I spend most of the hour discussing a fantastic new book on infectious diseases, outbreaks, epidemiologic investigations and not just what the issues are, but also the solutions. The book is Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs by Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH and Mark […]The post Dr. Mike Osterholm discusses infectious diseases and his new book ‘Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A vocal few Canadians hold anti-vaccine views, but they are not the main reason for insufficient childhood vaccination coverage across Canada, finds a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “In Need of a Booster: How to Improve Childhood Vaccination Coverage in Canada,” authors Colin Busby, Aaron Jacobs and Ramya Muthukumaran, suggest that a […]The post Canada: Fence-Sitting Parents to Blame for Falling Vaccine Rates appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kent State University Health Services and the health departments of the City of Kent and Portage County have recently become aware of confirmed mumps at Kent State University – Kent Campus. University Health Services is advising all students and university employees that it is likely that the mumps virus is circulating in the vicinity and […]The post Kent State University reports confirmed mumps case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The State University of New York, University at Albany (UAlbany) is currently dealing with eight confirmed cases of mumps in the student body. The affected students are being cared for and are isolated from the rest of the student body while they recover. UAlbany is working closely with the Albany County Department of Health (ACDOH) to […]The post Mumps: Eight cases reported in UAlbany students appeared first on Outbreak News Today.