Outbreak News Today

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today drew the public’s attention to increased activity of norovirus in Hong Kong and overseas and neighboring areas in recent months, and hence reminded travellers during the Lunar New Year to maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene. “Locally, the CHP’s laboratory surveillance […]The post Hong Kong reports high norovirus activity appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is supporting the Oakland County Health Division following an increase in the number of identified pertussis cases, commonly referred to as whooping cough. “Pertussis is a contagious disease that easily spreads between people and can be difficult to diagnose,” said Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive for […]The post Pertussis increase reported in Oakland County, MI appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection, USP (NDC: 0409-6510-01, Lot 591053A, Expiry Date 1NOV2017), to the hospital/retail level due to a confirmed customer report for the presence of particulate matter within a single vial. In the unlikely event that the particulate is administered to a patient, […]The post Vancomycin recalled due to particulate matter appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to the yellow fever outbreak in several Brazilian states, the Brazil Ministry of Health (computer translated) ordered 11.5 million doses of yellow fever vaccines to strengthen it’s strategic stockpile. Since the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Health has sent extra doses of the yellow fever vaccine to states that are […]The post Brazil orders millions of yellow fever vaccines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since November 2016 (as of January 23, 2017), 229 human H7N9 avian influenza cases have been recorded in Mainland China. In addition, dozens of fatalities have been reported. Most of these patients reported exposure to live poultry or poultry markets. Infections have been reported in the provinces of Jiangsu, Fujian, and Guangdong, as well as […]The post CDC advises travelers to China to avoid poultry markets due to H7N9 avian influenza appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

During the lengthy hearing Tuesday in front of the Senate Finance Committee for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) nominee, Rep. (Dr.) Tom Price, in addition to the numerous inquiries about stock trades and looking for guarantees for this and guarantees for that, a different line of questioning occurred. Democratic Senator from New […]The post Leprosy, HIV and vaccines among questions for Dr. Tom Price appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The gut of a child infected with rotavirus is like a battle ground. On one side, the virus invades the epithelial cells that form the lining of the small intestine. The virus replicates driving havoc in the intestinal environment, which causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. Dehydration usually follows and, unless the child […]The post Human rotavirus manipulates immune response to maintain infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The year 2017 has barely begun and we already have a new and potentially major infectious disease situation flaring up. During the first three weeks of 2017, the dreaded deadly Yellow Fever virus (YFV) has erupted into an outbreak in Brazil. In many ways the past year has been a record-setting year for the heightened activity and […]The post New 2017 Brazilian Outbreak of Deadly Yellow Fever is Cause for Immediate and Sustained International Action! appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Today, the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease joined forces with public health and environmental advocate Erin Brockovich and the president of Allergy & Asthma Network (AAN) Tonya Winders to call on lawmakers and health officials to work towards real, effective solutions to New York’s escalating Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease crisis. Misguided regulations for combating the disease were […]The post Legionnaires’ disease: NY accounts for 14% of cases in US appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bay Area Lyme Foundation, a national organization funding research to make Lyme disease easy to diagnose and simple to cure, announces the launch of the Lyme Disease Biobank, which is the first program to provide researchers with blood and urine samples from people with acute Lyme disease from multiple regions across the country, including the […]The post Lyme Disease Biobank launched, one-stop access to patient samples appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the yellow fever outbreak in Brazil, through Monday, Jan. 23, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has recorded 421 suspected cases of yellow fever and 87 deaths in four states and the Federal District. Of the total, 358 remain under investigation, 62 were confirmed and one discarded. Of the 87 deaths reported, 34 […]The post Brazil: Yellow fever cases reported in four states and the Federal District appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

African American adults are less likely than Whites to get an annual flu shot (39% vs. 47%), and public health efforts to address this racial disparity have had little impact on increasing vaccination rates to date. A study led by Professor Sandra Crouse Quinn in the University of Maryland School of Public Health is the […]The post Flu shots and race: A University of Maryland study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) and its partners are aware of increased stomach illness among several patrons associated with House of Charity shelter. Over the weekend, twelve patrons with nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting were evaluated at area hospitals. The symptoms are consistent with norovirus, however, health officials still await laboratory test results to confirm. Last […]The post Spokane: Suspected norovirus outbreak investigated at House of Charity shelter appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A confirmed case of mumps has been identified in a Marquette University student who resides in a residence hall. The individual is currently recovering at home and the City of Milwaukee Health Department has initiated the appropriate follow-up communication with close contacts of the case. Marquette University Medical Clinic is encouraging all members of the […]The post Marquette University: Mumps confirmed in on-campus student appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up report on the outbreak at the Humber College North Campus in Toronto, Toronto Public Health (TPH) reports receiving laboratory results that confirm norovirus was the cause of student illness at Humber College’s North Campus. Additional laboratory testing is underway from other ill students that will help provide further evidence of norovirus being the cause […]The post Norovirus the cause of Humber College outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kevin Macaluso, MS, PhD, Mary Louise Martin Professor in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences (PBS) at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU SVM), has been awarded a Research to STOP Neglected Tropical Disease Transmission (R2STOP) award for his research entitled, “Role of arthropods in transmission of leprosy.” His collaborators on this project are Richard […]The post Leprosy research: LSU professor receives R2STOP award appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Sunday’s airing of the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show, my guests talked about newly published research in their respective fields of expertise. During the first half, Svetlana Popova, PhD, Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Institute for Mental Health Policy Research in Toronto joined me to discuss a new study published in The Lancet Global […]The post Podcast: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Lyme geographical distribution appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Update: The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection reported Jan. 24 the number of human H7N9 avian flu cases globally stood at 1033. With the addition of 84 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) announced by the National Health and Family Planning Commission in China, the number of total human cases has topped 1,000 since first reported […]The post H7N9 avian influenza cases top 1000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The world remains “grossly underprepared” for outbreaks of infectious disease, which are likely to become more frequent in the coming decades, warn a team of international experts in The BMJ today. They reviewed reports on the recent Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa and say better preparedness and a faster, more coordinated response could have […]The post ‘We do not yet have a reliable or robust global system for preventing, detecting, and responding to disease outbreaks’: Researchers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Zika virus (ZIKV) interferes with the cellular machinery controlling cell division and alters the expression of hundreds of genes guiding the formation and development of neurons and astrocytes, according to findings released on January 23rd 2017 at Scientific Reports. Several evidences indicate that ZIKV infection is associated with microcephaly — a condition in which baby’s […]The post The interactome of infected neural cells reveals new therapeutic targets for Zika appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The first report of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on viral hepatitis reveals the enormous scale of this silent epidemic in the Americas, and advocates an organized response by the countries of the region to prevent, detect and treat those who need it. The new report, “Hepatitis B and C in the Spotlight: A […]The post Hepatitis in the Americas: Report reveals the enormous scale of this silent epidemic appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to previous reports on an anthrax outbreak in Western Province, Zambia, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation report today that the human case total has risen to 67 since the outbreak began in Nov. 2016. In addition, it is reported that two people have died from the lethal bacterial disease. A mass vaccination campaign […]The post Zambia anthrax outbreak grows to 67 cases since November appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Rivers State health commissioner, Theophilus Odagme told local media last week of a new case of Lassa fever in the city of Port Harcourt in southeast Nigeria. The patient was hospitalized and has recovered from the illness. Since Nov. 2016, six Lassa related fatalities were reported in Nigeria, including four cases reported in Nasarawa State. Lassa fever […]The post Lassa fever case reported in Port Harcourt appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

One student who attends California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) has been diagnosed with presumed meningococcal disease, a bacterial infection that causes bloodstream infections and meningitis. The affected student is receiving medical care and treatment. The university and local Public Health officials are investigating the case, providing preventive antibiotics to contacts when indicated, […]The post Meningococcal disease presumed in Cal Poly student appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

After biting nearly two-dozen people in Barangay Casuntingan, Mandaue City, Cebu, a rabid stray dog died Sunday, according to a Cebu Daily News report. The animal, which was limping and salivating, bit 21 people before it died. The Inquirer reports some of the victims were brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Center while others were sent […]The post Cebu: Rabid dog runs wild, bites 21 people appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The investigation into the outbreak of a yet unidentified etiology at the Humber College North Campus in Toronto continues into the weekend as health officials put the number affected at around 200. According to the latest update from the school on Friday evening, resident students affected have presented with symptoms of cramping, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and […]The post Humber College outbreak: ‘Consistent with a virus’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Influenza In a follow-up on a report concerning influenza activity in California, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith reported today that the state is experiencing widespread influenza activity that is more severe than last year due to significantly higher numbers of hospitalizations and outbreaks throughout the state. CDPH has […]The post California: Flu activity more severe, CRE reportable in LA, measles update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A survey of more than 20,000 people in Syria has found a concerning number of people infected with hepatitis C, especially among people who are at higher risk. Cases of hepatitis B infection, however, are decreasing as a result of an effective national vaccination campaign. The study, carried out by the World Health Organization, in […]The post Syria: 14 percent of dialysis patients hepatitis C positive appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Parasite-carrying snails can travel long distances, spreading a deadly disease along the way, according to new research led by UC Berkeley. The study is the first to find genetic evidence for long-distance movements — as far as 30 miles—among snails that pose an important public health threat. Where and how snails move is of concern […]The post Snail can travel up to 30 miles facilitating the spread of Schistosomiasis: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A botulism outbreak that has struck two villages in Armenia has sickened two people, according to Armenian press. The source of the infections has been linked to homemade canned marinade. Less than a day after consuming the marinade, the victims presented with symptoms of botulism. They were taken to the hospital where they are being […]The post Botulism outbreak in Armenia appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of mumps cases in Spokane County has more than doubled in the past week as county health officials put the case count at 65 as of Friday. Last Friday, the case count stood at 31. Two-thirds of those infected are reported as vaccinated (42), while the remaining patients were unvaccinated or their status […]The post Spokane mumps cases reach 65, doubles in a week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, as well as a cause of various cancers, and a new study published online by JAMA Oncology estimates the overall prevalence of genital HPV infection in men ages 18 to 59. Male HPV vaccination programs have been available to the […]The post HPV prevalence in men ‘widespread’ among all age groups: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A calf located in Wallace Ward has tested positive for rabies. This is the third confirmed rabid bovine in Perth County since 2015. “This positive result continues to remind us that rabies is still present in Perth County,” says Dale Lyttle, Senior Public Health Inspector. Rabies is almost always fatal. The rabies virus can be […]The post Ontario: 3rd rabid cow reported in Perth County since 2015 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) are investigating eight cases of illnesses caused by the Seoul virus, which a very rare type of hantavirus carried by Norway rats. Six cases of Seoul virus has been reported in individuals […]The post Seoul virus: Eight cases investigated in Illinois, Wisconsin appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Approximately 500 million people around the world are infected with the genital herpes virus known as herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2). A vaccine that could bring an end to this global pandemic is needed desperately, yet no candidate vaccine has ever performed well in clinical trials. Now scientists in the Perelman School of Medicine at […]The post Herpes simplex virus 2 vaccine candidate: Human trials in 2017? appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to a news report by Urban TV Uganda, 20 people from the various islands across the country are feared to have caught bird flu according to ministry of health spokesperson Vivian Nakalika. Surveillance has been stepped up and blood samples have been taken from the suspected victims to further the investigations. Nakalika said that several […]The post 20 suspected human avian influenza cases in Uganda: News report appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A Loyola Medicine surgeon is first author of new guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of surgical site infections, which affect as many as 300,000 patients per year in the United States. The guidelines detail the latest evidence for the measures that patients, surgeons and hospitals can do to prevent infections, such as quitting […]The post Surgical site infection prevention guidelines updated appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the yellow fever outbreak in Brazil, through the first 18 days of 2017, 206 suspected and probable cases of yellow fever were reported, including 53 deaths in Minas Gerais state, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). This is up from 110 cases and 30 deaths reported one week ago. In addition, four […]The post Brazil yellow fever outbreak expands, Rio de Janeiro request vaccines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today confirmed that it has identified a case of ‘Atypical BSE’ in an 18 year old cow in Galway, through its surveillance of ‘fallen’ animals (died on farm) at knackeries. The animal tested positive on a screening test carried out at a Department approved, accredited private laboratory […]The post Ireland reports atypical BSE case in ‘fallen’ cow appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in New Hampshire are reporting a gonorrhea outbreak after seeing a dramatic increase in cases in 2016. Between 2007 and 2013 there were on average approximately 130 cases per year of gonorrhea reported in New Hampshire. The New Hampsphire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) has received […]The post Gonorrhea outbreak: New Hampshire reports 250 percent increase in 2016 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced recently that a captive deer has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Pennsylvania. This is the first new case in a captive deer farm since 2014. The four-year-old white-tailed deer was harvested from a hunting preserve in Franklin County in November 2016. Samples from this deer tested positive […]The post Pennsylvania: 1st Chronic Wasting Disease case in captive deer since 2014 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists have identified a ‘molecular barcode’ in the blood of patients with Ebola virus disease that can predict whether they are likely to survive or die from the viral infection. A team at the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with Public Health England, Boston University and other international partners, used blood samples taken from infected […]The post Blood test can predict life or death outcome for patients with Ebola virus disease appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Just a week after San Luis Obispo Public Health officials confirmed that an adult resident of the county had measles, officials report a confirmed second case in a baby who had contact with the first, unvaccinated adult. The child is reported to be to young to be vaccinated, being less than one year of age. The baby […]The post Measles reported in San Luis Obispo County baby, 2nd case in county appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Wednesday, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones sent a message to the campus of Ohio University concerning a probable case of bacterial meningitis in a freshman on-campus student. The female student was living in James Hall, was admitted to the hospital yesterday and is reportedly recovering. Hall-Jones notes that […]The post Ohio University student hospitalized with suspect bacterial meningitis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A study published today in The New England Journal of Medicine provides compelling evidence that extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) is spread from person-to-person in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa from 2011-2014. The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Emory University, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Albert Einstein College […]The post Study shows person-to-person TB transmission is a factor in spread of drug-resistant TB appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Statement by LaMar Hasbrouck, MD, MPH, Executive Director, NACCHO “As the voice of more than nearly 3,000 local health departments across the United States, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) fully believes that vaccines are the best defense we have against infectious diseases, and they play a vital role in protecting the health […]The post Protecting the Public’s Health: The Power of Vaccination appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the first study of its kind, University of Colorado School of Medicine students expressed support for the legal use of marijuana, including for physical and mental health reasons. They also believe more research is needed to ascertain what risk could be involved in using the drug. These were some of the findings of a […]The post Colorado medical students support the legal use of marijuana; Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Allegheny Valley School District advised parents in a letter Tuesday of an unidentified individual at Springdale High School who tested positive for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Superintendent of Schools, Patrick Graczyk noted Mrs. Conner, the school district nurse, has met with the high school administration to review all of the preventative measures taken at the […]The post MRSA detected in Pittsburgh area school appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two out of 11 rodents collected in late December from the San Timoteo Canyon at the Norton Younglove Preserve near the city of Beaumont have tested positive for hantavirus. The California Department of Public Health confirmed the mice that Riverside County Environmental Health officials submitted have tested positive for the virus. Over the past decade, […]The post Two rodents test positive for hantavirus in Riverside County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.