Outbreak News Today

In an update of the Zika virus situation in Vietnam’s southern city of Ho Chi Minh, health officials report 27 additional confirmed cases in the past week, bringing the total cases to 65. According to a VN Express report, the virus has now spread to 17 out of the city’s 24 districts, with Binh Thanh ranking […]The post Ho Chi Minh City reports 27 new Zika cases in past week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Tuesday that the North Miami Beach-designated area is no longer considered to be an area of active Zika virus transmission. Federal health officials say no new cases of local Zika virus transmission identified in the North Miami Beach area for more than 45 days, suggesting that the […]The post North Miami Beach area no longer a Zika zone: CDC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the past month, Pennsylvania has reported in excess of 1,000 Lyme disease cases putting the state total to 11,126 through Nov. 19, according to provisional data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nationally, CDC officials put the total cases at 29,073, making Pennsylvania’s total approximately 38 percent of the country’s […]The post Lyme disease: More than 11,000 cases in Pennsylvania to date appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Two new unrelated cases of active tuberculosis that may have exposed others have been reported locally at Sweetwater High School and Serra High School, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. The possible exposure to TB at Sweetwater High School occurred between July 20 and Oct. 25. The school is located […]The post San Diego: TB cases reported in two high schools appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

NYU Langone Medical Center will lead a 5-year, 60-center clinical trial to evaluate new treatment protocols for herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO), a form of shingles that can seriously and permanently affect the eye. The project is being funded through a $15 million grant from the National Eye Institute, a division of the National Institutes of […]The post Shingles of the eye: NYU leads multi-center clinical trial for new treatment appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Dominica health officials reported this week that that the prevalent strain of influenza affecting Dominicans is the H3N2 and H2N2 viruses. The Ministry Of Health and Environment confirmed an outbreak of acute respiratory infections in Dominica. To this date, the ministry can confirm there are three different types of viruses circulating in Dominica; namely the parainfluenza type 2 […]The post Flu season: Dominica reports H3N2 as main strain appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Three new studies reporting on the effects of the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil will be presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The first study looks at CT findings of the central nervous system in 16 newborn babies with congenital Zika virus infection confirmed by tests […]The post Congenital Zika Syndrome: Three new studies from Brazil appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health authorities in Hunan province, China are reporting a fatality in a 47-year-old woman who contracted avian influenza A(H5N6). The patient, a farmer, was admitted to a local hospital on Nov. 18 and died yesterday. Local media reports the woman had contact with dead poultry before she fell ill. This is the first human case of H5N6 […]The post China reports H5N6 avian influenza death in Hunan province appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a update of the mumps outbreak at SUNY New Paltz in Ulster County, NY, the Student Health Center has confirmed 20 cases of mumps on campus (including one Athletics staff member and several members of the swim team). In addition, The Ulster County Health Department has reported that there is a probable case of mumps at the New Paltz […]The post Mumps: SUNY New Paltz reports more cases, High school case probable appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers have found a strong association between El Niño-Southern Oscillation conditions in the Pacific to observed weather and dengue epidemics in Sri Lanka. According to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, el Niño activity — measured in sea surface temperature in the pacific — impacts rainfall and temperatures […]The post Sri Lanka: Study unveils link between El Niño and dengue epidemics appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Federal health officials have issued an advisory for travelers to the Caribbean island of Montserrat after public health officials have reported that mosquitoes in Montserrat are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people. Because Zika virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, CDC recommends that travelers to Montserrat protect themselves from mosquito bites. Cover […]The post Caribbean: CDC issues travel notice for Montserrat due to Zika local transmission appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health authorities in the south-eastern Zimbabwe town of Masvingo are reporting an outbreak of the bacterial infection, typhoid, where four cases were admitted to the local hospital, according to a ZimEye.com report. “We can confirm that four cases of typhoid have been recorded in the city of Masvingo. We suspect the outbreak has been caused […]The post Zimbabwe reports typhoid outbreak in Masvingo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An outbreak of the bacterial disease, anthrax, has killed some 90 wildebeests and 15 gazelles in the Selela section of Monduli district in northeastern Tanzania, according to local media accounts. According to Monduli District Commissioner Idd Kimanta, the case counts are based on the number of carcasses discovered; however, based on the movement of the animals, it is […]The post Tanzania: 105 wildebeests, gazelles die due to anthrax in Monduli district appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health recently reported on the latest number of cases of chikungunya fever (CF) in the city. During the past week, CHP officials reported an additional imported case in a patient that had been to India during the incubation period. The eight cases so far in […]The post Hong Kong reports 8th imported chikungunya case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Kern County Public Health Services has received confirmation of the first Kern County St. Louis Encephalitis-associated death this year. The Kern County resident had pre-existing health conditions. “This is a tragic reminder that serious diseases can be transmitted by mosquitoes,” says Matt Constantine, Director of Kern County Public Health Services. “We strongly encourage residents to […]The post California: St. Louis Encephalitis death reported in Kern County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is urging health care providers to exercise increased vigilance in promptly identifying patients suspected to have overdoses and taking appropriate action. On Thursday, November 17th, 2016, Philadelphia hospital emergency departments identified nearly 40 cases of drug overdose, which is far more than usual (typically 10-20 cases). There have also […]The post Philadelphia reports 40 drug overdoses in one night appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Plattsburgh, NY, Clinton County health officials have confirmed a fifth case of the bacterial infection this past week in a patient who has been hospitalized. The Clinton County Health Department is continuing to collect samples from a variety of locations in an effort to identify a […]The post Plattsburgh: 5th Legionnaires’ disease cases identified appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Alabama Department of Public Health has issued a health advisory to inform the public of a rise in syphilis cases in north Alabama. So far this year in Madison County, health officials have discovered 54 cases, more than a 90 percent increase over the number of cases of primary and secondary syphilis that were […]The post Syphilis cases skyrocket in Madison County, Alabama appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The avian influenza, or bird flu situation globally has been relatively quiet until very recently. Avian Flu Diary founder, Michael Coston joined me on the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show Sunday for an update on what has happened in the past month or so. Coston discussed the latest outbreaks in Europe, the Asia and India. In addition, he […]The post Bird flu is back: Mike Coston gives an update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

At the beginning of the month, we published information about a study led by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) concerning whether Lyme disease actually exists on the continent. In the study, lead researcher Professor Peter Collignon AM states, “Australia doesn’t appear to have ticks capable of hosting the bacterial species that causes Lyme disease. Lyme disease […]The post Lyme advocate website disputes Australian researchers conclusion on local transmission appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Health officials with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority are reminding parents to take appropriate steps to protect their newborns and babies from colds and flus, as HSC Children’s Hospital is seeing an increase in the number of cases of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) bronchiolitis. “These types of respiratory infections can be very serious and may require […]The post RSV cases up in Winnipeg hospital appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Four people from the North Canterbury settlement of Waiau have contracted norovirus over the past two days. Two adults and two children from three different families are affected. All are isolated in their own homes. In otherwise healthy individuals Norovirus, a particularly contagious gastro bug, usually resolves quickly with fluids over a period of a […]The post New Zealand: Four norovirus cases reported in North Canterbury appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Consumer demand for food products formulated without synthetic additives has increased. However, food still has to be safe for consumers to eat, so food scientists are looking for ways to replace synthetic additives. Since some additives are needed for food safety reasons, food product developers are faced with the challenge of developing more “natural” additives […]The post Avocados: The key to preventing Listeria in ready-to-eat foods appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A case of invasive meningococcal disease B strain has been notified in a 19 year old male from regional South Australia. He has been admitted to hospital in a critical condition. The day prior, health officials reported three cases in a 18 year old male, a 29 year old male and a 71 year old woman. […]The post South Australia reports 4th meningococcal disease case in a week appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

South Australians are being reminded to check their vaccination status for measles after another measles case was confirmed today. SA Health’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Paddy Phillips has said that a 1 year old boy is in a stable condition at home after contracting the disease in Indonesia. “Immunization provides the best protection against measles […]The post Additional measles case reported in South Australia, linked to Bali travel appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Nutra Manufacturing, Inc. recently announced that it is initiating a nationwide, voluntary recall of one lot of GNC Women’s Ultra Mega Time Release dietary supplement product sold in 180 count containers UPC 048107158910, lot number 3044FQ2024, with an expiration date of June 2018 due to the fact the product may contain an undeclared major food allergen, […]The post GNC Women’s Ultra Mega Time Release dietary supplement recalled due to milk allergy risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The vaccine-preventable disease, diphtheria has been seen in the northwestern Pakistan region of Waziristan at alarming rates, as local media reports hundreds of cases of the dangerous disease. Some 30 children have died from diphtheria and the report states the authorities have done little to control the outbreak. Doctors say that the disease has spread from children […]The post Pakistan: Diphtheria outbreak kills 30 in Waziristan appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Small-game hunters in Oklahoma are being cautioned about several cases of suspected or confirmed tularemia, including two cases involving jackrabbits at Altus Air Force Base and another case in the Blanchard area. The disease is sometimes called “rabbit fever.” Oklahoma has periodic outbreaks, and hunters are urged to be aware and stay on the lookout. Rabbits […]The post Oklahoma: Tularemia reported in rabbits on Altus Air Force Base appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Florida health officials have reported the ninth fatality of the year due to infection with the bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, in a resident in the city of Brooksville in Hernando County. In addition to Hernando County, fatalities have been reported in Broward, Citrus, Lake, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Putnam, Santa Rosa and Sarasota counties. The total cases reporting through Nov. 18 […]The post Florida: Brooksville resident the latest Vibriosis death appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new study from the University of Leicester shows that small amounts of damage to salad leaves in bagged salads encourage the presence of Salmonella enterica. Juices released from damaged leaves also enhance the pathogen’s ability to attach to the salad’s plastic container. The research is published November 18th in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a […]The post Precut salad may encourage growth of Salmonella appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Just days after reporting several confirmed mumps cases at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in Faulkner County, a Clark County school is the latest to report a mumps case. The Department of Health confirmed Friday that one student has been diagnosed with a case of the mumps at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. Statewide, The Arkansas Department […]The post Arkansas: Another college reports mumps, state total nears 1500 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to a report earlier this week concerning a student diagnosed with meningococcal disease at Oregon State University (OSU), the school’s Student Health Service has reported a second student case of the bacterial infection. Oregon State University and the Benton County Health Department continued Friday to identify and treat with preventive antibiotics OSU […]The post 2nd Oregon State University student diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

SUNY Geneseo’s Health and Counseling Center has confirmed a case of mumps in a student who is presently living off-campus. The center is working closely with the state and local health departments, our partners in all public health threats which may affect our campus community. The student with the confirmed case had received the recommended […]The post SUNY Geneseo reports confirmed mumps case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) reported that they are investigating a suspected norovirus outbreak onboard Holland America Cruise lines vessel, ms Oosterdam. The cruise ship docked in Tampa Friday after a 15-day voyage that departed from Rome, Italy on Nov. 3. According to health officials, 86 of 1,843 (4.67%) passengers and 18 of 796 […]The post Norovirus: More than 100 sickened on Holland America’s ‘ms Oosterdam’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Since August 2016, suspected dengue fever cases and deaths have been reported in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. From 5 August to 12 November 2016, a total of 1061 probable (Dengue Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) positive) cases out of 1266 suspected cases were reported with a cumulative total of 15 deaths (CFR 1.2%). […]The post Burkina Faso: Dengue outbreak reported in Ouagadougou appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

According to a World Health Organization statement Friday: The fifth meeting of the Emergency Committee (EC) on Zika and microcephaly convened by the Director-General under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) regarding microcephaly, other neurological disorders and Zika virus was held by teleconference on 18 November 2016. The Committee was briefed on the implementation of […]The post Zika: WHO declares the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

It’s been several months since mumps was last reported on the campus of Harvard University and after a lull, it appears to have returned to the Cambridge, MA higher learning institution. During the Spring, Harvard recorded an outbreak that totaled in more than 60 cases, which started in February. According to Harvard University Health Services Director, Dr. […]The post Mumps returns to Harvard: 4 cases confirmed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The world’s first malaria vaccine will be rolled out in pilot projects in sub-Saharan Africa, WHO confirmed today. Funding is now secured for the initial phase of the programme and vaccinations are due to begin in 2018. The vaccine, known as RTS,S, acts against P. falciparum, the most deadly malaria parasite globally, and the most […]The post Malaria vaccine to be rolled out in Africa in 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Kenya Ministry of Health commence a three-day treatment exercise as part of an ongoing campaign to eradicate elephantiasis by 2020 beginning Saturday. The campaign will target counties on the country’s Indian Ocean coast–Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Tana River and Taita Taveta Counties. According to Kenya media, the campaign will involve mass administration of drugs followed by provision […]The post Elephantiasis elimination campaign to start tomorrow in Kenya appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Intrarosa (prasterone) to treat women experiencing moderate to severe pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), a symptom of vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA), due to menopause. Intrarosa is the first FDA approved product containing the active ingredient prasterone, which is also known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). During menopause, levels of […]The post Intrarosa receives approval to treat women experiencing pain during sex appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On the occasion of the 9th European Antibiotic Awareness Day, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is releasing its latest EU-wide data on antibiotic resistance and antibiotic consumption. In 2015, antibiotic resistance continued to increase for most bacteria and antibiotics under surveillance. In particular, the EU average percentage of carbapenem resistance in […]The post European Antibiotic Awareness Day 2016: ‘Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing public health issues of our time’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen has reported additional cholera cases in the country. To date, 4825 suspected cases of cholera, including 61 associated deaths were reported in Aden, Amran, Al Hudaydah, Al-Bayda‘a, Al-Dhale’a, Ibb, Hajjah, Lahij, Ta’izz, Sana’a City and Sana’a governorates. Of these, 89 cases have been laboratory-confirmed as Vibrio […]The post Yemen cholera cases near 5000 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) is working with the Ohio Department of Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on a public health investigation involving Legionnaires’ disease in Lake County. Between July 1, 2016 and October 31, 2016, there have been 12 confirmed Legionella cases, including one death. The outbreak has been […]The post Ohio: Legionnaires’ disease death reported in Lake County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A private event held in Colbert County Saturday, November 12, resulted in at least 77 persons becoming ill with presumptive Salmonella gastroenteritis. Twelve persons were hospitalized at local hospitals due to the illness. All patients are recovering. Signs and symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and some fever. The incubation period can range from 6 […]The post Salmonella outbreak sickens dozens in northwest Alabama appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new mouse model developed by scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may help in exploring the potential activity of Zika virus vaccines and therapeutics. Published today in PLoS Pathogens, is the description of a neonatal mouse model that provides a platform for potentially improving and expediting studies to understand the causes and […]The post Zika virus: Neonatal mouse model provides a new platform for research appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Several college campuses across the US have been rife with mumps infections in 2016. In fact, the country as a whole is seeing more mumps this year than in many years as the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) put the provisional tally through Nov. 12 at 2940 cases. At […]The post Mumps on college campuses: Mizzou, SUNY New Paltz and Tufts appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Fast Facts Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a type of bacteria, is a common cause of health care-associated infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Researchers found increasing rates of resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, including carbapenems, among P. aeruginosa isolates collected from pediatric patients across the country from 1999 to 2012. The findings highlight the need […]The post Drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa increasing among US children: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

New Mexico health officials reported Wednesday they are investigating a recent increase in cases of Shigella sonnei in Lea, Chaves, and Eddy counties. Shigellosis is a bacterial disease that causes diarrhea, fever, nausea, and sometimes vomiting, cramps, and toxemia. Since May 2016, 140 confirmed and probable cases have been identified in the three southeastern counties. Most […]The post New Mexico: Shigella outbreak investigated in the southeast appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found that high doses of vitamin D reduce the incidence of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in older, long-term care residents. The findings of the clinical trial, published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, could help reduce one of the leading causes of […]The post Vitamin D reduces respiratory infections in older, long-term care residents appeared first on Outbreak News Today.