Outbreak News Today

Viruses and their hosts are in a eternal game of one-upmanship. If a host cell evolves a way to stop a virus from spreading, the virus will look for a new path. And so on and so forth. A team of scientists led by Ronald Harty, a professor of pathobiology and microbiology at the University […]The post Penn vet research identifies new target for taming Ebola appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the report Tuesday on the 10-year-old Hong Kong boy with suspected avian influenza A(H7), The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health report the case is confirmed as H7N9 avian influenza. This is the fourth human H7N9 case in Hong Kong this winter. His nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for […]The post 4th imported H7N9 avian influenza case confirmed in Hong Kong this winter appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Every year in India, 20,000 people are estimated to die from rabies. Most of the victims are children. Nearly all of the deaths occur after victims are bitten by rabid dogs. For years, experts have debated the best strategy to reduce this burden. Now, a new study has identified a cost-effective way to reduce death […]The post Vaccination is the most cost-effective way to reduce rabies deaths in India: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) in a stray dog near Homestead, Florida. The dog was isolated and his infested wounds were treated. Federal and state officials have started active surveillance in the area. This is the first […]The post Screwworm infestation reported on Florida’s mainland appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

As national vaccination rates for the human papillomavirus (HPV) remain low, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has again united with the 68 other National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers in issuing a joint statement endorsing the recently revised vaccination recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The new CDC […]The post US Cancer Centers jointly endorse updated HPV vaccine recommendations appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 2016, only three countries ― Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, reported a total of 25 human cases of Guinea worm disease. For the first time, Mali reported none. In 2015, four countries ― Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan ― had reported 22 cases. In 2016, there were 16 human cases in Chad, three […]The post Guinea worm disease 2016: Mali reports no cases for the 1st time appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Tuesday, San Luis Obispo Public Health officials confirmed that an adult resident of the county has the measles virus. The Department investigates all cases of measles in the county and identifies potential contacts to try to prevent additional spread of measles. The unvaccinated adult had contact with international travelers over the holidays, showed symptoms of measles […]The post Measles confirmed in San Luis Obispo County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hostess Brands, LLC is voluntarily recalling its Holiday White Peppermint Hostess® Twinkies® because of a recall by Blommer Chocolate Company of the confectionary coating used on the Holiday White Peppermint Hostess Twinkies product. The confectionary coating contains milk powder ingredients recalled by Valley Milk Products, LLC due to a concern of Salmonella contamination. No illnesses […]The post Hostess Holiday Twinkies recalled because of Salmonella risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a report earlier this week concerning an anthrax outbreak affecting Western Province, Zambia, Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu reports at least 17 people have been hospitalized in western Zambia after consuming meat from cattle which died from anthrax. Fortunately, the 17 individuals are currently in a stable condition. Mubukwanu said 40 animals died […]The post Zambia anthrax outbreak update: 17 people infected, 40 animals died appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In early December 2016, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Madagascar alerted WHO of a suspected plague outbreak in Befotaka district, Atsimo Atsinanana region in the south-eastern part of the country. The district is outside the area known to be endemic area in Madagascar. No plague cases have been reported in this area since 1950. As […]The post Madagascar plague outbreak: 26 deaths reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

It has been reported today that President-elect Donald Trump has invited anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head a “vaccine safety commission.” This is the response of the Center for Inquiry: It is the height of absurdity for President-elect Trump, who has trafficked in anti-vaccine conspiracies on the campaign trail, to appoint Robert Kennedy Jr. to […]The post Trump’s ‘absurd’ appointment of Kennedy Jr to Vaccine Safety Commission appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported in a Epidemiological Bulletin yesterday the yellow fever situation in the Americas for 2016 (computer translated). In 2016, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru reported confirmed cases of yellow fever: Brazil confirmed six human yellow fever cases in 2016, including one imported case from Angola and the number of epizootics, especially […]The post Yellow fever in the Americas 2016 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected imported human case of avian influenza A(H7) in Hong Kong, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel. The boy, aged 10 with good past health, developed fever, cough and […]The post Suspected imported avian flu case investigated in Hong Kong child appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A Retro94-based compound may prevent a common and sometimes fatal virus — human cytomegalovirus (CMV) — from reproducing and help to protect immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV, on chemotherapy, with transplants, and infants from the effects of the disease, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. New therapies for CMV are needed, […]The post New compound to fight cytomegalovirus developed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A team of University of South Carolina scientists led by Carolyn Banister and Phillip Buckhaults has identified a new subtype of cervical cancer that, like most cervical cancers, is triggered by human papillomavirus (HPV) but whose growth is not directed by the virus, suggesting that therapy targeting these tumors’ distinct genomic pathways may improve patient […]The post New subtype of cervical cancer identified appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Last month in Santa Fe, Argentina, a 14-year-old boy died at the Children’s Hospital because of the infection that developed after a piercing in one of his ears. More recently, a 20-year-old girl who had had a nose piercing had been in intensive care for two weeks because of a “superbug” infection that caused a meningoencephalitis, […]The post Argentina: Piercings a gateway for ‘superbug’ infections like MRSA appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The men from La Plata, Buenos Aires Province have contracted the viral disease, hantavirus, according to a Clarin report (computer translated). The three men are currently hospitalized for their illness. The three cases were confirmed by a source from Sanitary Region XI, who detailed that those affected had been working or walking in the rural area […]The post Argentina: 3 hantavirus cases confirmed in La Plata appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On January 6, one premise in Marion County, Florida was placed under quarantine for strangles after PCR results returned positive. Clinical signs began January 2 and no equids have left the facility since clinical signs began. This is the first case for Marion County and Florida in 2017. Strangles poses no risk to humans, but […]The post Florida reports first strangles case of 2017 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has detected the presence of Eurasian/North American reassortant H5N2 avian influenza in a wild mallard duck in Fergus County, Montana. No illness or mortalities in domestic poultry in the U.S. have been detected. The sample, taken from a hunter-harvested bird through […]The post H5N2 avian influenza detected in wild mallard duck in Montana appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Professor of Law at UC Hastings College of Law, Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, PhD joined me on Sunday’s Outbreak News This Week Radio Show to talk about a myriad of topics concerning vaccines and the law.The post Podcast: Vaccine law topics appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, along with Tri-County Health Department and Denver Public Heath, are warning of possible exposure to an individual with measles from Dec. 21 to 29, 2016, who was at a wide variety of locations in the Denver-Boulder area. The individual with measles was an unvaccinated adult who traveled […]The post Denver: Officials warn of possible measles exposure appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at Purdue University have determined the high-resolution structure of immature Zika virus, a step toward better understanding how the virus infects host cells and spreads. Zika belongs to a family of viruses called flaviviruses, which includes dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitic viruses. Although only the mature forms of flaviviruses […]The post Zika: New findings detail structure of immature virus appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Jamaica has to date identified two imported cases of malaria since the beginning of 2017. On January 5, 2017, there was one confirmed case reported by the National Public Health Laboratory. On January 6, 2017, there was another reported case by a private laboratory. Case investigation commenced immediately and the persons admitted to hospital. The repeat blood smear for the […]The post Jamaica reports two imported malaria cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission released data today that shows 83 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), including 25 deaths, were recorded in December 2016. The 54 male and 29 female patients aged from 23 to 91 from Jiangsu (52 cases), Zhejiang (21 cases), Anhui (nine cases) and Fujian (one case) had […]The post H7N9 avian influenza: China reports dozens of cases from December appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has determined a student at Northwood Elementary School in the Puyallup School District has the mumps. The female student will not return to class until she is no longer contagious. On Jan. 5, district administrators learned of a possible mumps case at the school. They contacted the Health Department, which later […]The post Northwood Elementary School student has the mumps appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 2016, the number of malaria cases in Venezuela ended up being around 200,000, the most seen in the South American country since 1971, according to a Efecto Cocuyo report (computer translated). The numbers were provided by the director general of Health Miranda, Maggia Santi. The exact numbers were not available through official health and disease […]The post Venezuela reports most malaria since 1971 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) says the latest Hendra case near Casino reveals unusual signs and aspects of the disease. EVA spokesperson, Dr Ben Poole, said that this latest case in north eastern NSW makes dealing with Hendra even more complicated and concerning. “The facts of the case would suggest the horse may have initially received […]The post NSW Hendra virus case unusual: Veterinarians appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Australian health officials reported a higher than usual number of cases of the bacterial disease, melioidosis, in Northern Territory during the last few months of 2016. According to an Adelaide Now report, there has been 17 cases of melioidosis reported in the Northern Territory since October, including one fatality. The increase has been blamed on the […]The post Australia: 17 melioidosis cases reported in NT during final months of 2016 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that assorted sliced deli meat products served to customers at Dion’s restaurants may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The assorted sliced deli meats were produced by Peter DeFries Corporation, an Albuquerque, N.M. establishment. The sliced […]The post Sliced deli meats served at Dion’s restaurants prompt health alert appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Student study suggests that one hundred days after zombie infection spread less than 300 people would remain alive globally After one hundred days human survivors would be outnumbered a million to one by zombies Students worked on the assumption that a zombie would have a 90% probability of turning others into the undead However, factoring […]The post Zombie outbreak would be devastating to humankind: UK researchers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Reality star, Kim Kardashian revealed last week via Twitter that her battle with the skin condition, psoriasis, is now present on her face. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. The 35-year-old Kardashian is not stranger to psoriasis. Last summer it was reported she had the classic […]The post Kim Kardashian: Her psoriasis battle is now on her face appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Zambian Fisheries and Livestock officials announced there is a anthrax outbreak in cattle currently affecting five districts in Western Province, according to a Times of Zambia report. Minister Michael Katambo said the affected districts include Limulunga, Nalolo, Kalabo, Shangombo and Sioma. How many cattle have been affected was not disclosed. “Given the epidemic nature of the current outbreak […]The post Zambia anthrax: Officials warn against eating animals that suddenly die appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to a recent Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) alert, a 2-year old filly was referred from a Northern KY equine facility (Oldham Co) to a Lexington area hospital for evaluation of a potential neurologic disease. The examining veterinarian noticed evidence of urine dripping, suspected an infectious disease, and reported the concern to the Kentucky Department […]The post Kentucky: Equine herpes reported in Oldham County horses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of mumps cases reported in the Washington state outbreak has risen to 147 as of Thursday, and the total cases reported in Spokane County has reached 10. This has prompted the Spokane Regional Health District to host a free vaccination clinic on Jan. 11. Free measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines will be available for […]The post Spokane to host vaccine clinic Wednesday after 10 mumps cases confirmed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In 2015, we reported on a big increase in syphilis cases in Japan where well over 2,000 cases were recorded, a four-fold increase from just five years earlier. Well, 2016 topped 2015, and topped it big, prompting health officials to form a special research team to find ways of stopping the spirochete sexually transmitted infection […]The post Japan syphilis cases more than double in 2016 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The number of dengue fever cases and fatalities dropped in Mexico in 2016, according to epidemiological data from the health ministry. The number of confirmed dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases were down 33.26 percent (17,795) compared to 26,665 total confirmed cases in 2015. In addition, the number of dengue-related fatalities were down 19 […]The post Mexico dengue cases down in 2016 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Friday, the Portland Water Bureau received results that Cryptosporidium was detected in a routine water sample collected Monday, January 2, from the Bull Run watershed, which provides drinking water to Portland and neighboring communities. The lab results show that two individual Cryptosporidium oocysts were present in a 50-liter (~13 gallons) sample of water. At this […]The post Portland: Cryptosporidium detected from the Bull Run watershed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Beginning this September, British Columbia will become the latest province to provide the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to boys, as part of B.C.’s publicly funded immunization program, Health Minister Terry Lake announced today. “We need to do everything we can to help girls and boys grow up to be healthy adults,” said Lake. “We’ve targeted […]The post Canada: BC to provide HPV vaccines for boys appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Recent cases of salmonellosis, a foodborne illness caused by exposure to Salmonella bacteria, have been linked to hazelnuts sold at a farm stand in McMinnville, and state agencies are recommending that people who bought the nuts discard them immediately. Officials at the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division and the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced […]The post Oregon: Salmonella cases linked to hazelnuts sold at farm stand on Route 18 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up report on the mumps outbreak at the State University of New York at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo), school health officials say that as of Thursday, 25 confirmed mumps cases have been recorded. Of the total, 15 cases have been reported on-campus, while the remaining ten were off-campus. The school is located in Livingston […]The post Mumps cases rise at SUNY Geneseo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Scientists have found potential evidence of Ebola virus replication in the lungs of a person recovering from infection, according to new research published in PLOS Pathogens. The findings could aid research into new treatment approaches and better understanding of how the virus is transmitted. From 2013 to 2016, West Africa experienced an unprecedented outbreak of […]The post Potential evidence of lung-specific Ebola infection found in recovering patient appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With the current measles outbreak going on in the Los Angeles County area, I wanted to dig into more about the topic of the law and vaccines. I invited Professor of Law at UC Hastings College of Law, Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, PhD to join me on the show to look at some of these issues. During […]The post Vaccine exemptions and other legal matters with Prof. Dorit Rubinstein Reiss appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Public Health Departments around the Bay Area are announcing that influenza activity is increasing and has reached “widespread” levels. Areas with the most influenza activity in the state include the Bay Area. In the United States, influenza activity reaches its highest levels between December and February, and may continue through May, so it is not […]The post San Francisco reports increasing influenza activity, flu vaccine recommended appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

PaxVax announced Thursday its partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and United States Department of Defense (DoD) on its chikungunya vaccine program. According to the terms of the collaboration, PaxVax has in-licensed the NIH virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine technology for chikungunya with plans to bring the vaccine through full commercialization. NIH has already completed […]The post PaxVax partners with government to develop chikungunya vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The bacteria that cause Legionnaire’s disease grow well in warm tap water installations with ample dissolved organic matter–conditions that support the growth of biofilms. The research is published January 6th in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology. The team of Dutch scientists conducting the research was motivated by large […]The post Legionella optimal growth conditions identified appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a report earlier this week, Kansas state and Lawrence-Douglas County health authorities have identified two laboratory confirmed cases of mumps in Lawrence. Since mid-December, they have investigated several other individuals who exhibited mumps-like symptoms, but the illnesses were not confirmed by a laboratory test. All of the individuals investigated are University of Kansas […]The post 2nd KU student confirmed mumps positive appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Iron supplementation reverses this protection Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world and causes long-term adverse consequences in children. However, concerns remain about the safety of iron supplements, particularly for children in malaria-endemic countries lacking adequate access to health services. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have […]The post Malaria: Iron deficiency anemia protects African children against Plasmodium falciparum appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials in the Dominican Republic have reported a record year of deaths due leptospirosis in 2016, according to a Noticias Sin report (computer translated). Leptospirosis was the cause of 74 deaths in 2016, a year in which there were a total of 752 cases nationwide, according to the Epidemiological Bulletin of the Ministry of […]The post Dominican Republic: Leptospirosis deaths rise in 2016 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

California based biopharmaceutical company, KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. yesterday announced positive guidance in the minutes from a recent meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss the development plans for benznidazole for the treatment of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease. Benznidazole is an oral anti-parasitic medication used in the treatment of Chagas […]The post Chagas drug: Kalobios gets FDA okay on development of benznidazole appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Results from a first-in-human phase 1 study reveal a weakened form of the malaria parasite safely activated strong immune responses in 10 healthy volunteers, whose antibodies completely protected mice from malaria infection. Scientists tamed the parasite by deleting three genes critical to liver infection, offering a promising whole parasite vaccine candidate to combat the disease. […]The post Weakened malaria parasite vaccine passes early trial appeared first on Outbreak News Today.