Outbreak News Today

Influenza activity is decreasing in all regions of metropolitan France, according to Santé publique France (computer translated). The epidemic is declining and three regions have entered the post-epidemic phase. Since the beginning of the epidemic, 1.9 million people have been seen for influenza-like illness. Influenza activity is decreasing in all metropolitan areas. However, 10 regions are still […]The post France: Flu epidemic coming to a close appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Following confirmed hantavirus cases last weekend, bringing the total to 15 so far in 2017, the Chilean Institute of Public Health (ISP) (computer translated) is calling on the public to prevent contact with wild-tailed mice (Oligorizomys longicaudatus) in an effort to prevent infection with the virus. Health officials say about 70% of the cases arise between November […]The post Chile hantavirus count up to 15 this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kaiser Permanente, the largest integrated health system in the nation, led the development of a neonatal sepsis risk calculator that has safely reduced antibiotic use by nearly 50 percent in newborns, according to research published today in JAMA Pediatrics. Early-onset neonatal sepsis is a systemic bacterial infection that can develop when normal bacteria from the […]The post Neonatal sepsis risk calculator decreases use of antibiotics in newborns appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In response to the ongoing highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza outbreaks in poultry farms, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) has continued to reinforce the implementation of relevant prevention and control measures, including contact investigations and tracing, awareness programs, and cross-sector collaboration efforts, in order to ensure the health of the people in […]The post Taiwan responds to H5N6 avian influenza outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A study by researchers at the University of Southampton shows that antibiotics may be an effective treatment for acute non-complicated appendicitis in children, instead of surgery. The systematic review of existing literature is published in Pediatrics. The condition, which causes the appendix — a small organ attached to the large intestine — to become inflamed […]The post Antibiotics could be alternative to surgery as treatment for appendicitis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterial scourge. As its name suggests, MRSA is resistant to most common antibiotics and thus difficult to treat, particularly in children where it commonly causes complicated skin and skin structure infections. In a randomized, controlled clinical trial — the first of its kind — a multi-institution research team reports […]The post MRSA antibiotic, daptomycin, effective and well-tolerated in children: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since the first human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) four years ago in Shanghai, the closest “official” tally of human cases now stand at 1160, according to the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) as of Feb. 13. In fact, since November 2016, at least 362 human cases have been reported in this most current “wave” […]The post H7N9 avian influenza: Vaccine trials approved, Hong Kong letter to providers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In Sep. 2016, in the heat of the general election battle, the issues of health was raised among the two presidential candidates and much was focused on and speculated about Hillary Clinton all across the media. Medical determinations of Mrs. Clinton being the victim of Parkinson’s disease and issues with a bout of pneumonia had […]The post Trump-syphilis link: New Republic hypocrisy appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Gates Foundation philanthropist offered some thoughts and a dire warning Saturday during a panel discussion, “Health Security: Small Bugs, Big Bombs” at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. LISTEN to the entire panel discussion HERE Here are some excerpts of Mr Gates introductory speech: “It’s no coincidence because war zones and other […]The post Bill Gates Munich warning: Respiratory pathogen could kill 30 million in a year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

100,000, or one lakh of children in India dies each year from the gastrointestinal virus, rotavirus. Today, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda announced the expansion of the Rotavirus vaccine under its Universal Immunization Programme in five additional states in function at Agartala. The Health Minister further added that the Government is […]The post India to expand use of rotavirus vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is issuing a consumer advisory for products produced by Dukarani Food Processing, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. An issue with two fish- and vegetable-based sauces was identified during a routine […]The post Minnesota: Botulism potential prompts consumer advisory appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vaccine developers have successfully protected mice against Zika by injecting synthetic messenger RNA that encodes for virus proteins into the animals. The cells of the mice then build parts of the virus, training the immune system to recognize a future infection. The research, published February 17 in Cell, follows a February 2 Letter in Nature […]The post More evidence that Zika mRNA vaccines can stop viral replication in mice appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a report on a norovirus outbreak in Canada linked to British Columbia oysters, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported this week the case count has climbed to 221 as of Tuesday. The cases have been reported in the following three provinces: British Columbia (159), Alberta (36), and Ontario (26). No […]The post Canada: Norovirus outbreak linked to oysters climb to 221 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Decorah, IA college is reporting multiple people on campus and in the surrounding area have been experiencing symptoms of norovirus, according to the school’s news site, the Luther College Chips Friday. Right after the winter break, Luther College Health Services confirmed there has been an outbreak of norovirus on campus, local media reported. The return of […]The post Luther College reports norovirus on campus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Wednesday, members of the U.S. House Freedom Caucus and U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) held a press conference to call for repealing Obamacare and immediately replacing it with conservative, free-market reforms. At the press conference, the Freedom Caucus announced its support Sen. Paul’s Obamacare Replacement Act (S. 222), with U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford introducing companion legislation the group will […]The post House Freedom Caucus endorse Dr. Rand Paul’s Obamacare Replacement Act appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On February 7, 2017, the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) recorded a sporadic case of necrotizing fasciitis due to Vibrio vulnificus infection affecting a 75-year-old male with underlying illnesses. He presented with fever and right forearm swelling since January 29. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of a public hospital on January […]The post Hong Kong reports Vibrio vulnificus necrotizing fasciitis case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In our continuous look at the yellow fever outbreak in Brazil, the Brazilian Ministry of Health, or Ministério da Saúde (computer translated) now puts the confirmed yellow fever death toll at 89. Through Friday, 263 cases of the disease have been confirmed (Minas Gerais-225, Espírito Santo-34 and São Paulo-4). In all, 1,258 suspected cases were reported, of […]The post Brazil yellow fever death toll now 89 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Last fall, the state of Florida reported the first local infestation of New World screwworm in the United States in at least three decades and five decades in Florida. The outbreak began in some endangered Key deer from a wildlife refuge in Big Pine Key, Florida and eventually was reported in a dog in the city of Homestead […]The post Florida screwworm: USDA releases interactive ‘Story Map’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Panhandle Health District has confirmed one case of mumps in a North Idaho adult over 50 years old. This is not considered an outbreak. No local spread of mumps from this case has been identified and the individual is no longer contagious. This has prompted the Coeur d’Alene Public Schools to issue a mumps alert on […]The post Mumps case confirmed in North Idaho adult appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has been notified of two confirmed cases of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), caused by equine herpes virus 1 (EHV-1), according to a Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) alert. The horses from Durham Region were referred to the Ontario Veterinary College with neurological signs and are […]The post Ontario: Equine herpes reported in Durham horses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Leprosy awareness is coming to elementary schools this summer in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines in an effort to eliminate the stigma and discrimination of this disease. According to a Philippine Information Agency report, Dr. Joanri Riveral, National Leprosy Control Program Coordinator, said this is a first in the country and they are initiating it […]The post Leprosy to be added to Science curriculum in Central Visayas schools appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

While malaria incidence has dropped in countries in the Caribbean and Central and South America since the turn of the century, UN health officials are reporting an increase in malaria transmission in certain areas of this region in 2016, including an increase in the most serious strain of the mosquito borne parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. According […]The post Malaria increases reported in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela in 2016 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The 2016 Zika virus outbreak, along with recent outbreaks of SARS, bird flu, H1N1 and Ebola, underscore the importance of being prepared for and responding quickly to infectious diseases. Zika, in particular, poses unique challenges, since its associated birth defects and lack of preventive treatment currently threaten over 60 countries. During pandemics, scientists must race […]The post Adaptable model recommends response strategies for Zika, other pandemics appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Also known as the raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis is the most common and widespread cause of clinical larva migrans in animals. It is a ubiquitous roundworm infection of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and is emerging as an important helminthic zoonosis, primarily in young children. To take a comprehensive look at the raccoon roundworm, I had a […]The post Baylisascaris: An interview with Dr. Kevin Kazacos appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy announced that one pet rat in a Pennsylvania home-based breeding facility has tested positive for the Seoul virus. The infected Pennsylvania rat was purchased from a Tennessee breeding facility with confirmed Seoul virus infections. The remaining rats in the Pennsylvania facility were humanely euthanized to prevent further spread of […]The post Pennsylvania reports Seoul virus in pet rat appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences Public Health Laboratory (DC-PHL) has been providing Zika virus testing for patients seen by DC health care providers since January 2016. On Dec. 14, 2016, out of an abundance of caution, DC-PHL decided to take the Zika MAC-ELISA test offline after discovering some technical issues. After an […]The post DC Public Health Lab to have 400 Zika samples retested appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A multidisciplinary team from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has uncovered the mechanisms that the Zika virus uses to alter brain development. These findings are detailed in Stem Cell Reports. There are currently 70 countries and territories reporting active Zika transmission, according to the World Health Organization. While a Zika infection typically […]The post How Zika virus causes microcephaly: UTMB research appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in El Paso County, Colorado have confirmed that a rat breeding facility in in the county is linked to a multistate outbreak of Seoul virus. There are two confirmed human cases in El Paso County. To date, 13 human cases have been reported in the current outbreak in several states. The Centers for Disease Control and […]The post Colorado: Two human Seoul virus cases confirmed in El Paso County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Vanderbilt Student Health Center announced that their has been several mumps cases (an exact number was not disclosed) reported on campus. According to a release on their website, the school notes: The Student Health Center is carefully monitoring the mumps situation on the Vanderbilt campus. We are working closely with public health officials from […]The post Mumps reported at Vanderbilt University appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials M’lang, North Cotabato on the southern island of Mindanao have declared a chikungunya outbreak after some 50 people contracted the mosquitoborne viral disease in the past week. City health officer, Dr. Glecerio “Jun” Sotea said at least 50 individuals from Barangay Poblacion A tested positive for the virus. Testing was performed by the Manila-based the Regional […]The post Philippines: Dozens infected with chikungunya in North Cotabato town appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) announced Thursday that it is investigating two confirmed cases of mumps in Salt Lake County. This mumps outbreak joins an unrelated measles outbreak in underscoring the importance of all community members being current on recommended vaccines. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is widely available at your health care […]The post Measles and mumps update in Salt Lake County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

After reporting about 50,000 hand, foot and mouth disease cases in 2016, Vietnamese health officials with the General Department of Preventive Medicine are warning the public to take protective measures as more than 2100 cases have been seen in 57 localities so far in 2017. A local media report does note that the total number of cases […]The post Vietnam issues hand, foot and mouth disease warning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Seoul virus multi-state outbreak in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts the human case tally at 13 as of Wednesday, up by two from last week. CDC is assisting health officials in 15 states (Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North […]The post Seoul virus update: Seven states report virus in humans or rats appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a report published Wednesday in Nature, (Sterile protection against human malaria by chemoattenuated PfSPZ vaccine) investigators from the University of Tübingen reported all nine subjects (100%) immunized with three doses of Sanaria® PfSPZ-CVac malaria vaccine in a recently completed clinical trial were protected against Plasmodium falciparum malaria when exposed to the disease 10 weeks after […]The post Malaria vaccine: Report describes complete protection after 10 weeks with three doses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 16) received notification from the National Health and Family Planning Commission that 61 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), including seven deaths, were recorded from February 6 to 12. The CHP strongly urges the public to maintain strict personal, food and […]The post China reports 61 H7N9 avian influenza cases last week: Hong Kong CHP appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of dengue fever cases reported in Vietnam were up in 2016, according to General Department of Preventative Medicine, Ministry of Health data for last year. From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2016, there were 122,020 cases of dengue including 43 deaths reported in Vietnam. Compared to same period in 2015, cumulative number of cases increased by […]The post Dengue fever: Vietnam reports 25 percent increase in 2016 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new antibiotic, produced by bacteria found on a species of African ant, is very potent against antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’ like MRSA according to scientists. Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the John Innes Centre (JIC) discovered a new member of the Streptomyces bacteria family, isolated from the African fungus-growing plant-ant Tetraponera penzigi. […]The post MRSA: New antibiotic from bacteria found on Kenyan ant potent against ‘superbugs’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Siliq (brodalumab) to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Siliq is administered as an injection. Siliq is intended for patients who are candidates for systemic therapy (treatment using substances that travel through the bloodstream, after being taken by mouth or injected) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light treatment) and […]The post Psoriasis drug: FDA approves Siliq for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a very rare occurrence, New York City health officials have reported a cluster of the bacterial infection, leptospirosis, that has affected three people within a one block section of the Concourse area of the Bronx during the the past two months. All three cases had severe illness and were hospitalized with acute renal and […]The post NYC: Leptospirosis cluster reported in the Bronx, one dead appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have uncovered new clues to the link between Nodding syndrome, a devastating form of pediatric epilepsy found in specific areas of east Africa, and a parasitic worm that can cause river blindness. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, suggests that the mysterious neurological disease may be caused […]The post Nodding disease: NIH report link to Onchocerca proteins appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

For the first time since 2008, Nova Scotia health officials have reported confirmed measles. In fact, health officials have confirmed three cases of measles in the Halifax area and is advising Nova Scotia residents about the symptoms of measles and how they can protect themselves. “We have confirmed three cases of measles in Halifax area […]The post Nova Scotia: 3 measles cases confirmed in Halifax appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

For the first time in years, the islands of Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde of the coast of western Africa have reported confirmed dengue fever cases, according to an Observador report (computer translated). According to the director of the Surveillance and Response to Epidemics Service of the National Directorate of Health, Maria de Lurdes Monteiro, since […]The post Cape Verde reports two dozen dengue cases, first since 2010 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Wheat rust, a family of fungal diseases that can cause crop losses of up to 100 percent in untreated susceptible wheats, is making further advances in Europe, Africa and Asia, according to two new studies produced by scientists in collaboration with FAO. The reports, highlighted in the journal Nature following their publication by Aarhus University and the International […]The post Wheat rust advances in Europe, Africa and Asia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In an update on the yellow fever outbreak in Brazil that began in Dec. 2016, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported Tuesday 1,230 suspected cases of yellow fever, of which 234 have been confirmed. The state of Minas Gerais continues to account for nearly nine out 10 confirmed cases, now reporting 205. To date, 197 people […]The post Minas Gerais yellow fever case count tops 200 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released the following update on Tuesday concerning yellow fever vaccinations for international travelers to Brazil: As of Feb. 13, yellow fever virus transmission continues to expand towards the Atlantic coast of Brazil in areas not deemed to be at risk for yellow fever transmission prior to the revised risk assessment […]The post Yellow fever vaccination update for travelers to Brazil appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Several infectious disease outbreaks in the southern African country of Angola is overloading health services and compromising the health of citizens in the country, according to a statement by Health Minister Luis Gomes Sambo. Luis Sambo said the country has been vulnerable to epidemics of yellow fever, malaria, cholera, Zika and HIV/AIDS during a recent press conference in Luanda. […]The post Malaria, yellow fever and cholera outbreaks strain Angola’s health system appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, congratulated Prime Minister Dean Barrow of Belize Monday for his country’s success in promoting immunization and dramatically reducing the burden of malaria. “Thanks to high rates of vaccination, Belize has been able to eliminate measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome, as has […]The post Belize recognized for achievements in vaccination and malaria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Victoria Health officials issued a health warning Wednesday concerning mosquitoes and the risk of Ross River virus and other vector borne infections. Residents and visitors to Victoria are being warned to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and Murray Valley encephalitis. A number of residents of outer metropolitan […]The post Victoria Health issues Ross River virus health advisory appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A 10 year-old Warmblood gelding in San Diego County displaying neurologic signs of urine dribbling and hind limb ataxia was confirmed positive for Equine Herpesvirus -1 by the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory, the state’s regulatory laboratory. Based on the clinical signs and positive laboratory test, this horse meets the case definition […]The post Equine herpes reported in San Diego County horse appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the mumps situation at Marquette University in Milwaukee, The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) has received one additional report of a confirmed case of mumps infection in a student at Marquette University, bringing the total number of cases reported in the city to 6 in 2017. The MHD continues to work […]The post Marquette mumps case tally up to 6 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.