Outbreak News Today

Kent researchers have identified how few mutations it can take for Ebolaviruses to adapt to affect previously resistant species. Ebola is one of the world’s most virulent diseases, though rodent species such as guinea pigs, rats and mice are not normally susceptible to it. However, through repeated infection of a host animal, Ebola virus strains […]The post Ebolaviruses need very few mutations to cause disease in new host species appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vaxart, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oral recombinant vaccines that are administered by tablet rather than by injection, announced Tuesday that its norovirus tablet vaccine met the primary and secondary endpoints for safety and immunogenicity in a Phase 1 clinical trial. “The norovirus Phase 1 results are an important milestone for our oral vaccine […]The post Norovirus tablet vaccine shows positive results in Phase 1 study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) update on the safe use of nasal irrigation systems, or neti pots, the federal health organization writes: Little teapots with long spouts have become a fixture in many homes to flush out clogged nasal passages and help people breathe easier. Along with other nasal irrigation systems, these devices — […]The post Neti pot safety tips appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been reported on Mainland China. The Health and Family Planning Commission of Sichuan Province reported that a 60-year old male patient from Pengxi County and a 48-year-old female patient from Zhongjiang County are now in critical condition. “According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and […]The post China: Two H7N9 avian influenza cases reported in Sichuan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared the end of the yellow fever outbreak in that country today following a similar announcement in Angola on 23 December 2016, bringing an end to the outbreak in both countries after no new confirmed cases were reported from both countries for the past six months. “We are able […]The post Africa yellow fever outbreak declared over appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Somalia Ministry of Health reported 913 new suspected cases of cholera, including 10 deaths and a case–fatality rate of 1.1% during the past week. This brings the total since the beginning of the year to 4026 cumulative suspected cases of cholera including 57 deaths (case–fatality rate 1.5%). There has been a decrease in fatalities compared to […]The post Somalia reports 4000 cholera cases since beginning of the year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new study about the overwhelming importance of “superspreaders” in some infectious disease epidemics has shown that in the catastrophic 2014-15 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, about 3 percent of the people infected were ultimately responsible for infecting 61 percent of all cases. The issue of superspreaders is so significant, scientists say, that it’s important […]The post Ebola outbreak: ‘Superspreaders’ were driving cause of 2014-15 West Africa epidemic appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Everyone agrees that ticks are exceedingly nasty creatures. For hundreds of millions of years, they have survived on Earth by sucking blood from their victims for days, often leaving behind terrible diseases as a thank-you note. In humans, these diseases include many unpleasant and dangerous illnesses, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, babesiosis, […]The post Ticks: How they protect themselves from Lyme disease bacteria and other microorganisms appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the National Eye Hospital in North Vietnam are reporting an increase in pink eye, or conjunctivitis cases since the beginning of the month, according to a state media report. The hospital reports admitting some 200 people, mostly children from the Hanoi area, each day due to the viral disease. Pink eye, or Conjunctivitis, is […]The post Pink eye cases increase in Hanoi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Pride & Joy Creamery of Toppenish, WA is recalling organic retail raw fluid milk because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli) that can cause serious illness. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections may cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramps and bloody stool. Symptoms generally appear three to four days after exposure, but can […]The post E. coli prompts raw milk recall in Washington appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Global Health at the University of Washington and recognized expert in Tropical medicine, Christopher Sanford, MD joined me on the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show to discuss a number of travel health related issues to include vaccines, malaria, yellow fever, traveler’s diarrhea and others during the first segment. During the second […]The post Podcast: Travel Health appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

After an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the virus persists in the body throughout a person’s lifetime, usually without causing any symptoms. About one third of infected teenagers and young adults nevertheless develop infectious mononucleosis, also known as glandular fever or kissing disease, which usually wears off after a few weeks. In rare cases, […]The post Epstein-Barr virus and cancer: New tricks from an old dog appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers from VIB, UGent, the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and several collaborators developed a new antiviral strategy to fight human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children. The approach hinges on the use of single-domain antibodies, also known as Nanobodies®, which target and neutralize a vital […]The post Scientists isolate new antibodies to fight human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two people from Nimba County, Liberia have died from infections of Lassa fever, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH) last week. Dr. Thomas Nagbe, Disease Prevention and Control head at the MOH said the first three Lassa fever cases were from Nimba, which included two fatalities and one individual who has hospitalized for the past […]The post Liberia: Lassa fever kills two in Nimba County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By some estimates, nearly 1 million Americans every year seek healthcare treatments provided by professionals outside the United States. I have had the pleasure, over the past few months, of visiting such a facility in the Cayman Islands called Health City. Health City provides treatment to individuals from the U.S. and other countries including the Caribbean. This […]The post Medical Tourism: The Benefits of Seeking Healthcare Abroad appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Some 350 organizations sent a letter to President Donald Trump last week encouraging the US leader to take another look at some of his views on the topic of vaccines and vaccine safety. The letter, which includes a number of links to research that debunks some of the myths such as the vaccine-autism link, also provides some […]The post Vaccines are safe. Vaccines are effective. Vaccines save lives. –Letter to President Trump appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Three weeks after heavy rains and flooding struck Tahiti, French Polynesia, health officials have reported an increase in the bacterial disease, leptospirosis, and their is concern about additional cases. Radio New Zealand reports that 14 leptospirosis cases were reported post-flooding, of which 10 people required hospitalization for their illness. Leptospirosis is caused by a corkscrew-shaped […]The post French Polynesia: Leptospirosis cases up post-flooding appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Penn State University Health Services (UHS) is reporting that two cases of mumps have been confirmed on the University Park campus. The students were isolated in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania Department of Health protocols and recommendations, and UHS staff have been in touch with those who have been in […]The post Mumps reported at Penn State, campus advised appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Influenza vaccine is still available across Ohio as flu-like illness continues to increase and the number-of associated hospitalizations remain high. During week five of this year’s flu season, there were 396 new confirmed-flu associated hospitalizations in Ohio compared to 395 the week before. There have been 2,075 total flu-associated hospitalizations since flu season began last […]The post Ohio reports increase in flu hospitalizations appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With 191 confirmed and probable mumps cases, Spokane County is now reporting the most mumps in Washington state. The state has seen at least 438 cases as the outbreak continues it’s climb. In Spokane County, 63 percent of the cases were fully vaccinated. In King County, the tally has risen to 183 confirmed and probable […]The post Spokane mumps cases near 200, Washington outbreak grows appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

India has launched one of the world’s largest vaccination campaign against measles, a major childhood killer disease, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), responsible for irreversible birth defects. The campaign launched last Tuesday to vaccinate more than 35 million children in the age group of nine months to 15 years with MR (measles and rubella) vaccine, once again […]The post India launches measles-rubella vaccination campaign: 410 million children targeted appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in Catalonia have reported twelve measles cases among young adults in Barcelona, according to a La Vanguardia report (computer translated). The twelve cases diagnosed so far in the metro Barcelona area are linked to the same original patient, a person who became infected in China in early January, as stated in the circular that the […]The post Spain: A dozen measles cases reported in Barcelona appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Brazil Ministry of Health has launched a yellow fever vaccine campaign Friday, “Information for all and vaccine for those who need it”, as the outbreak in several states continue in the South American country, according to the Feb. 10 news release (computer translated). Health officials, in an effort to clarify who needs to be vaccinated and […]The post Brazil yellow fever vaccine campaign directed at Rio Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Bahia and Minas Gerais states appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Sargento Foods Inc. is closely monitoring and gathering information prompted by the Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC Longhorn Colby cheese recall. The supplier, based in Middlebury, Ind., notified Sargento Foods Inc. that a specialty Longhorn Colby cheese it supplied to Sargento must be recalled due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. There are no confirmed illnesses. Our […]The post Cheese recall: Sargento supplier notifies of potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Seoul virus outbreak in the US, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an additional human Seoul virus case in Indiana, bringing the multistate outbreak total to 11 in three states. In addition to the Indiana case, human cases have been reported in Wisconsin (3) and Illinois (7). […]The post Seoul virus case confirmed in Indiana appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

San Diego County officials announced this week the first detection of West Nile virus of the year in a dead red-tailed hawk found in Valley Center. This prompted officials to remind the public they should protect themselves from mosquitoes and follow the County’s “Prevent, Protect, Report” guidelines year-round. West Nile virus has been found naturally in the […]The post San Diego: Hawk tests positive for West Nile virus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Don’t let your heart cloud your judgment about safe and healthy food choices. When it comes to Valentine’s Day you’ve got choices: flowers or chocolate; dine in, dine out; gourmet cuisine or home cooking. Whatever you choose, make sure you celebrate love with a safe and heart-healthy meal. Americans dine out—a lot. Consider this: each […]The post Valentine’s Day: CDC offers 14 tips for a safe and healthy dinner appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health reported an additional infection of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from a patient in Mecca. The 60-year-old male expatriate is reportedly hospitalized in critical condition. The probable source of the infection is noted as direct contact with camels. The World Health Organization (WHO) says people may acquire the infection after exposure […]The post Saudi Arabia: MERS case reported in Mecca appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since Oct. 2016, China has seen an increase in human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus and the World Health Organization (WHO) looked at some of the recent scientific information in several categories. Concerning the geographical distribution in animals: From December 2016, the Chinese national animal influenza virus surveillance program of the Ministry of Agriculture detected influenza […]The post H7N9 avian influenza: WHO analysis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the mumps situation at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Student Health reports two additional confirmed cases of mumps have been identified in Marquette University students who reside in a residence hall bringing the total number of recent cases to four. All individuals are recovering at home and the City of Milwaukee […]The post Mumps: Two more cases reported at Marquette appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Bolivia Ministry of Health has confirmed yellow fever in a 27-year-old male Danish tourist who likely contracted the mosquito borne virus while visiting the jungle, according to a Terra report (computer translated). National Director of Health, Rodolfo Rocabado says this is the first confirmed case in the country in ten years. The young man […]The post Bolivia: Danish tourist is 1st yellow fever case in 10 years appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new medical specialty, travel medicine, emerged in the 1980s in response to the health needs of increasing numbers of international travelers-The Travel and Tropical Medicine Manual. According to the World Tourism Organization, there were >1 billion worldwide international tourist arrivals in 2013, an increase of 5% from 2012 and >57% from 2003. In 2013, […]The post Travel medicine: An interview with Dr. Christopher Sanford appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Montezuma’s revenge – Aztec Two Step – whatever nicknames it may be called, if you’ve experienced it, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Traveler’s diarrhea (TD) is the most common medical issue that people complain of while traveling in less developed countries. High-risk destinations (attack rates of up to 60% during the first 2 […]The post Travel Health – Traveler’s Diarrhea appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the outbreak of hepatitis A cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-positive) in Hong Kong, The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) reports that retrospective investigations into previously reported cases further identified 11 hepatitis A cases among MSM from September 2015 […]The post Hong Kong hepatitis A update: Retrospective investigations reveal 11 more cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission in China announced that 45 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) were recorded from January 30 to February 5. The 31 male and 14 female patients aged from 27 to 83 had their onset from January 16 to February 1. The cases were from Zhejiang (12 cases), […]The post China reports dozens of additional H7N9 bird flu cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Infection prevention and control experts at Texas Children’s Hospital halted a 24-patient outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia in critically ill children after identifying docusate, a liquid stool softener, as the underlying source of the bacteria. Details of the six-month investigation, published online in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal for the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology […]The post Burkholderia cepacia: Investigation of outbreak in critically ill children leads to recall of docusate appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An international group of researchers, led by Professor ZHU Yongguan from the Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have detected the widespread presence of antibiotic resistance genes in estuarine areas — regions where land, freshwater and seawater meet. The results indicate that polluting antibiotic agents and resistance genes, released into the natural environment […]The post Large scale antibiotic resistant genes found in estuarine wetland due to human activity appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Every year, millions of travelers visit countries with poor hygiene, and approximately one third of them return home carrying antibiotic-resistant ESBL intestinal bacteria. Most of them remain unaware of this, as the bacteria cause no symptoms. High-risk areas for contracting ESBL bacteria are South and South-East Asia, Africa and Latin America. Diarrhea is the most […]The post Travelers’ diarrhea antibiotics favors particularly resistant super bacteria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have taken an important step on the road to understanding the underlying mechanism of how and why animals can feel pain in connection with cold or heat. However, according to the study, temperature is just one triggering factor – horseradish, mustard, cinnamon and wasabi have a similar effect. A […]The post Malaria mosquitos sensitive to horseradish and wasabi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

For the first time in six years, Salt Lake County health officials are reporting a confirmed measles case in a child that contracted the viral disease traveling abroad. This has prompted health officials to urge the public to ensure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Dagmar Vitek, department medical director said, “Being fully vaccinated against measles […]The post Utah: Measles case reported in Salt Lake County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Malaria mosquitoes prefer to feed — and feed more — on blood from people infected with malaria. Researchers from Stockholm University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and KTH Royal Institute of Technology have discovered why. The findings can lead to new ways to fight malaria without using poisonous chemicals. The results will be published […]The post Why malaria mosquitoes like people with malaria appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the hepatitis E outbreak in Am Timan, Chad, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported Wednesday that hepatitis E outbreak is escalating across Am Timan, in the Salamat region of South-Eastern Chad and more help is needed. MSF identified the first hepatitis E cases five months ago and has treated 885 patients with […]The post Chad hepatitis E outbreak update: MSF calls for help appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of influenza-related deaths in Iowa now stands at 25 since October 2, 2016, including 11 deaths reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) during the week ending January 28, 2017. All but one of the individuals who have died had underlying conditions or contributing factors. Since October, deaths have been reported […]The post Iowa reports more flu deaths appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Just a month after Victoria health officials issued a health advisory concerning the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and Murray Valley encephalitis in the region, health authorities have detected six cases of Ross River virus in Casey and Frankston, according to a local media account. Chief Health Officer Professor […]The post Ross River infections reported in Melbourne appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Philippines has been one of southeast Asia’s dengue hotspots in recent years and according to the latest figures from the Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB), the archipelago recorded more than 200,000 dengue cases for the second year in a row. Health officials report a total of 211,108 dengue cases in 2016, slightly down from 2015 when 213,930 […]The post Philippines report more than 200,000 dengue cases for a 2nd year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Brazil yellow fever outbreak, Brazilian health officials today reported that the number of confirmed yellow fever cases in the current outbreak has reached 215. In total, 1,060 suspected cases were registered, 765 of which remain under investigation and 80 were discarded. Of the 166 reported deaths, 70 were confirmed, 93 […]The post Confirmed yellow fever cases top 200 in Brazil appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to a study published Jan. 30 in Journal of Human Lactation, donor human milk processed at non-profit milk banks is safe from Ebola and Marburg viruses. The article “Ebola Virus and Marburg Virus in Human Milk Are Inactivated by Holder Pasteurization” states that Holder pasteurization inactivates the viruses, and no further screening is needed […]The post Pasteurization Inactivates Ebola Virus in Breast Milk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the anthrax outbreak in Western Province, Zambia, local media report six additional fatalities in the past five days. According to Sikongo Health Director Fredrick Siyunda, the six victims contracted anthrax after eating tainted meat from cattle. This brings the human death toll due to anthrax in Western Province to eight since the outbreak […]The post Zambia: Anthrax takes six more lives in Western Province appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to the University of Missouri mumps outbreak, the Student Health Center reports that since the beginning of the Fall semester, 334 cases of mumps have been identified (both confirmed and probable) in Mizzou students. Most of the students are reporting associations with friends who have mumps, Greek organizations or interactions in local bars. […]The post Missouri mumps outbreak now 334, 3rd MMR vaccination clinic next week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The NSW Government will fund a new school-based meningococcal vaccination program for all Year 11 and 12 students to combat the rise in the W strain of this potentially fatal disease, Minister for Health Brad Hazzard announced today. “This week I made clear to senior health officials that the NSW Government would do whatever possible […]The post Meningococcal meningitis: NSW Health to fund vaccination program in battle against W strain appeared first on Outbreak News Today.