Outbreak News Today

It’s official. The executive committee of the International Committee of Taxonomy of Viruses approved naming a new virus, influenza D, as the South Dakota State University researchers who discovered it proposed, according to professor Feng Li. The committee officially announced a new genus, Orthomyxovirdae, with a single species, Influenza D virus, because of its distinctness […]

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are reporting Shigella isolates with decreased susceptibility to azithromycin (DSA) in men who have sex with men (MSM). In addition, these isolates also display high levels of resistance to ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Ciprofloxacin-resistance has also been reported among Shigella infections in NYC. Health officials are instructing […]

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, or WHO/AFRO, announced today of a third case of wild poliovirus in Nigeria. The case is another child from Borno State in the north-eastern part of the country, a former Boko Haram stronghold. WHO says there is also a high risk of the virus spreading in the Lake Chad […]

The McCone County Health Department and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services are reporting Montana’s first human death from West Nile Virus (WNV) for 2016. This case brings the total number of West Nile Virus (WNV) cases reported in Montana to six for 2016. Previously, four cases were reported in Dawson County […]

Singaporean health officials reported an additional 17 new, confirmed cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection on Tuesday. The tally we’ve been keeping at the website puts the total locally acquired cases at 275. Of the new cases, 10 cases are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar Way cluster. There is a […]

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today investigating a local case of dengue fever (DF), and hence again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, anti-mosquito and personal protective measures both locally and during travel. The female patient, aged 40 with underlying illness, has presented […]

There are so many reasons to teach young children to keep their fingers out of their mouths and not to eat dirt. Add the fact that there are so many dogs and puppies using our yard for a bathroom; your own, a neighbors, even a stray. In the United States, most puppies and many adult […]

Preliminary data from the world’s first national meningitis B immunization program with Bexsero, launched one year ago in the UK, shows the estimated effectiveness of the vaccine at 83 percent against any meningitis B strain and 94 percent against vaccine preventable strains, for all children receiving the first two of three recommended doses. Reported cases […]

At least seven people in Central Myanmar’s Sagaing Region are believed to have been infected with the bacterial disease, anthrax, after handling known diseased animals, according to a local media report. According to health officials, several unvaccinated cows died of the disease on Sep. 4 and were handled by the seven individuals. Anthrax is suspected; however, it […]

Research presented today at this year’s European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress in London, UK shows that exposure to antibiotics early in life is related to increased risk of developing allergies later in life. The research is by Dr Fariba Ahmadizar, Utrecht University, Netherlands and colleagues. Some previous research has suggested that early life exposure […]

In a follow-up on the Scotland E. coli O157 outbreak linked to unpasteurized blue cheese, the multi-agency Incident Management Team (IMT) chaired by Health Protection Scotland has been investigating an outbreak of the same strain of E. coli O157. There have been a total of 20 confirmed cases of this strain identified. Eleven of the cases […]

Public Health is investigating a cluster of confirmed Hepatitis A cases associated with two child care centres in the Halifax area. The source of infection has not been determined at this time. Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, Medical Officer of Health, Nova Scotia Health Authority, said the focus right now is on identifying potential additional cases in […]

In 2015, Venezuela saw a record number of malaria cases with 136,402, the most reported in 75 years, since reliable records have been kept in the country. However, the situation is much worse in the South American country during the first 33 weeks of 2016. The Sociedad Venezolana de Salud Pública Red Defendamos la Epidemiología, or the Venezuelan Society […]

In a remarkable public health achievement, Sri Lanka was today certified by WHO on having eliminated malaria, a life-threatening disease which long affected the island country. “Sri Lanka’s achievement is truly remarkable. In the mid-20th century it was among the most malaria-affected countries, but now it is malaria-free. This is testament to the courage and […]

Health officials in the Philippines reported today at a press conference on the first confirmed local Zika virus transmission in the country. The case is reported in a woman in her 40s from Iloilo City. She is not pregnant. Local mosquito transmission means that mosquitoes in the area are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it […]

Singapore health officials saw a small downtick in Zika virus cases Monday, reporting only 16 locally transmitted cases, bringing the outbreak total to 258. Of these, 11 cases are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar Way cluster. One case is linked to the Joo Seng Road cluster. The other four cases […]

The latest official data from India, published in a Times of India report, concerning the mosquito borne viral diseases, chikungunya and dengue, have been released and we find that through Aug. 2016, 12,255 cases of chikungunya and 27,879 dengue fever cases in India. And this is only the beginning as health officials say cases are expected […]

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) news release Friday, a major part of the largest emergency vaccination campaign against yellow fever ever attempted in Africa has been completed, with more than 7.7 million people vaccinated in record time in the city of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This has been accomplished through an extraordinary […]

A measles outbreak among dozens of employees of Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture in southern Japan has been reported, according to local media (computer translated). According to the report, a total of 31 airport employees have contracted the very contagious viral disease. Last week, Kansai International Airport reported on their Facebook page a total of 16 cases […]

The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) reported today the confirmation of 27 additional locally acquired Zika virus cases, bringing the city-state total to 242. Of these new cases, 25 are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar Way cluster. There is a potential new cluster involving one previously reported case and […]

The investigation into the outbreak of gastrointestinal illness at Manhattan High School in Manhattan , KS continues as laboratory testing is ongoing. The Riley County Health Department is currently working with Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Manhattan High School administration to investigate reports of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea at Manhattan High School (West […]

Chronic wasting disease has caused significant declines in east-central Wyoming white-tailed deer populations, according to new research published this week by University of Wyoming scientists. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease of deer, elk and moose found in 24 states and two Canadian provinces. The research, led by recent UW Ph.D. graduate David […]

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGL) are investigating three related cases of measles in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated individuals who have not received all of their required measles vaccines. The health units are working closely with local health care providers, hospitals, and the province to contact individuals and families who may have […]

Almost one third of dogs (31 percent) checked at random during a visit to a vet were found to be carrying a tick. That’s the result of the Big Tick project – the largest ever study of ticks in dogs in the UK. The Big Tick Project was carried out by the University of Bristol […]

In a follow-up to the rapidly spreading Zika virus outbreak in Singapore, the Ministry of Health has reported an additional 26 new confirmed cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection on Saturday. This brings the outbreak total to 215 cases. Of the new cases, 24 are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar […]

Just days after reporting a travel-associated Zika virus case in a woman who contracted the virus while in Singapore, Malaysian Health Minister, Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Subramaniam Sathasivam reported on the 1st locally acquired Zika infection in a Seabah resident: The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) had received a report for the first local transmission case of […]

At least two dozen people from a single family have been hospitalized in Kurram Tribal Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan after drinking milk from a cow which was recently bitten by a rabid dog, according to a local media account. It is reported that the condition of all 24 family members worsened and most […]

Health officials from a myriad of federal and local agencies are investigating the multistate hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen strawberries in smoothies served in Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurant locations. A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report put the outbreak at 70 cases in seven states. In Virginia, where the first cluster of […]

The state of Florida has reported 49 locally acquired Zika virus cases in several counties and finally detected the virus in local mosquitoes, cementing the case of local transmission in the state. Earlier we reported on several Florida politicians (Marco Rubio, David Jolly and Kathy Castor)who have called on Congress to act on the emergency funding […]

The Department of Health (DOH) is urging travelers to take extra precautions while staying in Zika-affected countries with on-going, local transmission. The Bureau of Quarantine will continue to screen arriving passengers for signs of fever. These passengers are reminded to fill-out a health declaration checklist upon arrival and to report or visit any government health facility […]

Potential outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola and Lassa fever may be more accurately predicted thanks to a new mathematical model developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge. This could in turn help inform public health messages to prevent outbreaks spreading more widely. Many of the major new outbreaks of disease, particularly in Africa, […]

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) announced this week several cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) across campus over the past week. HFMD is typically a benign and self-limiting disease. Most common in young children, it presents as fever, oral lesions and rash on the hands, feet and buttocks. The oral lesions consist of rapidly-ulcerating […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a final rule establishing that over-the-counter (OTC) consumer antiseptic wash products containing certain active ingredients can no longer be marketed. Companies will no longer be able to market antibacterial washes with these ingredients because manufacturers did not demonstrate that the ingredients are both safe for long-term daily […]

Health officials in Singapore have reported 38 additional locally transmitted Zika virus cases, bringing the outbreak total to 189 through Sep. 2. Of these, 34 cases are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar Way cluster. Four cases have no known links to any existing cluster. The National Environmental Agency (NEA) […]

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is voluntarily recalling one date code of Wegmans Italian Classics Striped Ricotta & Spinach Ravioli, 9 oz. (UPC # 0-77890-38934), sold between Tuesday, Aug. 2 and Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016 because the product may contain pieces of white plastic. Only product labeled with a use or freeze by date of Sept. […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded $2.4 million to Chicago ($200,000), Houston ($400,000), New York City ($700,000), Philadelphia ($345,000), and Los Angeles County ($720,000) to establish, enhance, and maintain information-gathering systems to rapidly detect microcephaly–a serious birth defect of the brain–and other adverse outcomes linked to Zika virus infection. This funding is […]

CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, and Martha Lucía Ospina Martínez, MD, MPH, MBA, Director General of Colombia’s Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on Zika virus response activities in Colombia, particularly the effect of Zika virus during pregnancy. The new MOU includes collaboration between CDC and […]

Summit Import Corp., at 100 Summit Place, Jersey City, New Jersey, is recalling Yu Yee brand Black Pepper Powder packed in clear plastic 19.4oz bottles under lot No. WH76 because it was found contain Salmonella an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with […]

The New Mexico Department of Health reports plague in a 67-year-old man from Bernalillo County whose illness was likely caused by a bite he sustained from a wild prairie dog from Santa Fe County. The man was hospitalized and now is home recovering. Confirmatory testing was performed at the Department’s Scientific Laboratory Division. This is […]

A Kingston, NY woman has reportedly died after contracting the “brain-eating amoeba”, Naegleria fowleri, according to a Daily Freeman report Thursday. The deceased is identified as 19-year-old Kerry Stoutenburgh, a film student at CUNY Brooklyn College. According to the report, Stoutenburgh died Wednesday at HealthAlliance Hospital’s Broadway Campus in Kingston with the diagnosis of “Naegleriasis,” […]

Health officials in Spain have reported two locally acquired Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) cases, a first in the country, according to a Ministry of Health announcement Thursday (computer translated). According to officials, the initial case was a patient who was treated at a Madrid hospital. The individual has since died. The second case is a female ICU […]

The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) reported today on 31 additional new cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection. Of the 31, three cases are not linked to any existing cluster. They live in Tagore Avenue, Yishun Street 81 and Harvey Crescent. One of the cases confirmed today is pregnant; she is linked to the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive […]

A study supported by FAPESP and coordinated by researchers at the São José do Rio Preto Medical School (FAMERP) in São Paulo State, Brazil, suggests official statistics may underestimate the size of the epidemic caused by Zika virus. Some cases of Zika may be misreported as dengue, the authors also argue. The team, led by […]

Earlier this week, we reported on the arrests of of two terror suspects in Kenya, part of an extremist cell of medics loyal to ISIS who had plans of an anthrax attack in the country. This followed other “terror medics” arrested in May who were planning a “large-scale” biological terrorist plot. Outbreak News Today reached out to Laboure College […]

Beginning September 1, all public and private school students entering 7th or 12th grades in New York State will be required to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease (types A, C, W and Y) in order to attend school, thanks to a new state law. Meningococcal disease is a rare but dangerous disease that strikes without […]

Toronto Public Health has received laboratory confirmation that an adult resident in Toronto has tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the first human case testing positive for West Nile virus in Toronto for 2016. Two probable cases of West Nile virus have also been reported to Toronto Public Health and are under investigation. […]

Multiple federal health agencies including the FDA, CDC and state and local officials are investigating hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections linked to frozen strawberries in smoothies served in Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurant locations. The investigation began in early August when the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) identified an outbreak of hepatitis A cases potentially linked to smoothies […]

A Duval County resident has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) becoming the third case in the state of Florida this year. In addition, the Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) advised residents there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Duval County. Health officials say the risk […]

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) today confirmed the death of a Hinds County resident from West Nile virus (WNV), the first WNV human death of 2016. “This sadly serves as an important reminder of the severity of West Nile virus, even though most of us will have no symptoms at all or the […]

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported two additional locally transmitted Zika virus infections in Miami-Dade County– One is associated with the area in Miami-Beach. The other is associated with Wynwood and experienced symptoms in July. This brings the total of non travel-associated Zika cases to 49. Earlier today, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services […]