Outbreak News Today

National Institutes of Health researchers have discovered a rare and sometimes lethal inflammatory disease — otulipenia — that primarily affects young children. They have also identified anti-inflammatory treatments that ease some of the patients’ symptoms: fever, skin rashes, diarrhea, joint pain and overall failure to grow or thrive. Otulipenia is caused by the malfunction of […]

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) added one additional non-travel related Zika virus case today, bringing the total to 37. In addition, seven new travel-related cases with four in Miami-Dade, two in Osceola and one involving a pregnant woman. Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Florida Department of Health (DOH) will allocate $5 million in additional […]

The Hawke’s Bay District Health Board put the number affected by the gastrointestinal outbreak at more than 4,000 people since the outbreak began one month ago. The number of confirmed cases of campylobacter are 171 and the probable cases are at 379, for a total of 550. Chief executive, Dr Kevin Snee, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board […]

Health officials in Sirajganj, Bangladesh are reporting an addition 25 human anthrax cases in Shahzadpur upazila in recent days, according to local media. This is the third wave of anthrax cases in the upazila since May. The outbreak is linked to anthrax tainted meat. All the cases are considered cutaneous anthrax, according to the report. Anthrax is […]

The Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) has reported dozens of malaria cases in 2016 to date with four cases being deemed “locally acquired”, according to the Greek news source, Kathimerini. The cases were identified as Plasmodium vivax. At least 65 malaria cases have been reported in 12 cities, including the four locally […]

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response today announced a $2.6 million agreement with DiaSorin Group, an Italy-based company with U.S. offices in Stillwater, Minnesota, to further develop a Zika virus test that may help physicians determine more quickly whether a patient was infected recently […]

Pennsylvania has led the nation in number of Lyme disease cases for three straight years, and based on data thorugh mid-August, it appears it will lead again in 2016. Of the 17,196 Lyme disease cases reported in the United States through Aug 13, Pennsylvania has reported 6,972, or 40 percent of the nations total. In […]

Bioterrorism and biodefense is a topic that seems to sit under the radar; however, it is there and always remains a concern. There is a long history of intentional release or dissemination of biological agents. Professor at Laboure College in Milton, MA and biodefense and bioterrorism researcher, Lawrence Roberge PhD joined me on last evening’s Outbreak News This […]

Infectious diseases know no personalities, status or other attributes that are sought after by people. No one is immune based on fame and fortune and this includes the mosquito borne viral disease, dengue fever. We’ve reported on a number of celebrities over time that have contracted the virus. In 2013, Filipina actress, Jodi Sta. Maria won […]

Health officials in Pakistan have put the death tally at 20 so far this year due to the tick-borne viral disease, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), according to a report in The Nation today. This total includes 12 fatalities from Balochistan and five from Karachi. The remaining cases were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Bahawalpur. Local hospitals have been made […]

The Louisiana Department of Health is saying that flood victims returning home for clean-up and recovery workers should ensure they are up-to-date on their tetanus vaccinations. Health officials are providing the guidance below for individuals concerned about the need for a tetanus vaccine. People Returning to Flooded or Damaged Areas, Shelter Residents and Recovery Workers […]

Every now and then you hear of the stories of dares, often drunken and foolish dares, to eat a slug. Not only is this extremely gross and disgusting, this is simply a bad idea and here’s why: the rat lungworm. The rat lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a parasite infection in rats where the worm […]

Researchers in Italy are saying that they have detected Zika virus in the sperm of a man infected with the mosquito borne virus six months later, according to an El Mundo report (computer translated). The Spallanzani Institute in Rome has been monitoring the 30-year-old man who contracted the virus while in Haiti in January. The […]

Medical Officer of Health Michael Hale has confirmed a measles alert for various locations in central Auckland and Newmarket. People who have visited these locations at these times are likely to be exposed to the disease and if they are not immune could get measles. If […]

In a follow-up to a report two weeks ago, authorities in Moselle department in Northeast France say the number of cattle that have died from the bacterial disease, anthrax, has risen to 25, according to a Europe 1 report (computer translated). The additional cases have been reported on several farms. Vaccination of animals, including sheep and […]

On Friday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced the local transmission of Zika virus in Miami Beach. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) believes that active transmission of this virus are only occurring in the area of Miami Beach between 8th and 28th streets. DOH says that five individuals that have already been confirmed as cases of local […]

On the opening day of the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville Thursday, ​Health and Family Services Cabinet Sec. Vickie Yates Brown Glisson, Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, and representatives from the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) and University of Kentucky gathered for a Zika awareness and prevention event. Participants discussed the state’s response to […]

The current population of India is 1,328,895,718 as of Saturday, August 20, 2016, based on the latest United Nations estimates, accounting for nearly 18 percent of the world’s population and placing them second only to China for the most people. However, a UN Report published last year says that India’s will likely surpass China in […]

The number of dengue fever cases in the Philippines through Aug. 6 stands at 84,085, an increase of 16 percent compared to the same period in 2015. Most regions are seeing increases in infection from the mosquito borne virus and the Eastern Visayas is no exception. Department of Health officials out of Tacloban City (DOH-8) […]

Health officials in Cebu City (DOH-7) announced that some 275,000 schoolchildren entering grades 1 & 7 in the Central Visayas would get vaccinated against measles, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria this month. This is part of nationwide observance of Mass Immunization Program in August. According to DOH-7 medical officer Dr. Sharon Laurel, there are 172,700 grade 1 pupils in Central Visayas and 100,704 […]

The Regional Municipality of York received laboratory confirmation an individual in the City of Markham has tested positive for West Nile virus, marking York Region’s first human case of 2016. “Education and awareness are key to avoiding West Nile virus infection,” said Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “Remember to cover up […]

Cambridge Farms, LLC of Lancaster, PA is recalling the below products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as […]

In a follow-up to reports of influenza A H3N2 variant (H3N2v) in Michigan and Ohio, the Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Rural Development today announced that there have been eight human cases of influenza A variant viruses reported in Michigan. They have tested positive for influenza A H3N2 variant (H3N2v) and […]

Public Health Officials in Pueblo confirmed another wild rabbit has tested positive for tularemia in Pueblo County. This positive rabbit verifies tularemia is throughout the area south of Hwy 50 in Pueblo West, Colorado. All positive confirmed rabbits were reported to have no contact with people. “Tularemia is naturally occurring in Pueblo County. Residents are […]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating reports of hair loss, hair breakage, balding, itching, and rash associated with the use of WEN by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioner products. While the FDA continues its investigation, consumers should be aware of reactions reported in association with the use of WEN by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioner products. […]

In a follow-up to a report last week, the Blountsville, Alabama Spring Valley Beach Waterpark will reopen today, according to park officials. They posted the following on their Facebook page Friday: “We have been cleared by the Alabama Department of Public Health to open as scheduled tomorrow August 20th. We will be open as scheduled Saturday and Sunday […]

A four year old Quarter Horse gelding from Anadarko, Oklahoma (Caddo County) presented to a referral hospital August 5, 2016 with a temperature of 103.5, ataxia and depression. The horse was not current on vaccinations and died, according to an update from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC). Brain samples submitted to the Oklahoma State […]

The Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine has confirmed a single horse with a rare neurologic form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). Confirmation came late Friday and the horse has been in isolation in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Pullman, Wash., since its arrival yesterday at this time. The horse will be humanely euthanized today […]

In a follow-up to a report earlier this month, Maricopa County Departments of Public Health (MCDPH) and Environmental Services (MCESD) continue to investigate and respond to a community-wide outbreak of a diarrheal illnesses caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, first reported on August 4th. To date, MCDPH has identified more than 100 individuals infected with Cryptosporidium, […]

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating a cluster of hepatitis A cases and has identified a potential association with smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurants in Virginia. Genetic testing shows the illnesses were caused by a strain of hepatitis A that has been associated with past outbreaks due to frozen strawberries from Egypt. […]

Rheumatoid arthritis patients taking medications that inhibit interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a molecule that stimulates the immune system, are 300 times more likely to experience invasive Group A Streptococcal infections than patients not on the drug, according to University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers. Their study, published August 19 in Science Immunology, also uncovers […]

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported two additional confirmed cases of Vibrio vulnificus infection in the state this past week. The new cases were reported in individuals from Indian River and Clay Counties, bringing the state total to 23 through Aug. 19. The death toll due to the bacterial disease remains at five with […]

Florida health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigating cases of locally transmitted Zika virus. An additional area of active Zika transmission has been identified in a section of Miami Beach, in addition to the area of active Zika transmission near Wynwood. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) believes that active transmission of […]

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Working Group on Lyme and Other Tickborne Diseases is pleased to announce that the webinar, Trends in Tickborne Diseases in the United States, is now available for viewing online at: http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/index.html#video Webinar Description • Welcome and Introduction – Dr. Ben Beard, CDC • Geographic expansion of Lyme disease […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today issued updated interim clinical guidance for health care providers caring for infants born to mothers with possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy. The revised guidance updates recommendations for the initial evaluation and testing of infants born to mothers with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection […]

In a follow-up to an earlier report on Cyclospora in Canada, health officials reported an additional 10 cases of the parasitic infection in the past week–eight in Ontario and two in Quebec. This brings the total cases north of the border to 61–British Columbia (1), Alberta (2), Ontario (52), and Quebec (6). One individual required […]

Health officials in Puerto Rico reported their first influenza related fatality of the 2016-2017 flu season last week. Secretary of the Department of Health, Ana Armendariz Ríus said Thursday, “The flu season started very active and last week and we reported our first death.” To date, Puerto Rico has reported a total of 1344 influenza cases this […]

Botulism is a rare but serious and potentially fatal paralytic disease. It is caused by a potent neurotoxin called botulinum toxin (BTX), which is excreted by an anaerobic and spore-forming bacterium, Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) found in the environment, soil and contaminated food. Botulism has been a notifiable infectious disease in Hong Kong under the Prevention […]

Chaos and violence in South Sudan has resulted in more internally displaced persons (IDP), some 1.6 million, and has prompted many health partners to reduce staff or leave the country all together. This has had a profound affect on infectious diseases in IDPs, to include malaria and acute watery diarrhea, preventable and curable diseases. In addition, the […]

Earlier this week, we reported on the summer surge of dengue fever in the Philippines where some 25,000 cases were reported in July. Other countries in the region are also seeing high numbers of the mosquito borne viral disease. In Thailand, a total of 31,363 cases were reported from all 77 provinces through Aug. 15. […]

In a new study, Yale researchers demonstrate Zika virus infection of cells derived from human placentas. The research provides insight into how Zika virus may be transmitted from expectant mother to fetus, resulting in infection of the fetal brain. The study was published online Aug. 18 in JCI Insight. Researchers have linked Zika virus to […]

Zika infection kills off neural stem cells in adult mice bred to be vulnerable to the virus, researchers at the Rockefeller University and the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology report August 18 in Cell Stem Cell. It has yet to be studied whether the death of these cells has any short or long-term effects […]

During a media conference today, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s CEO Dr Kevin Snee gave the following update on the gastrointestinal outbreak to include case counts, hospitalizations and info on the death investigation of a Hawke’s Bay woman. According to Snee, the district health board had 106 confirmed notifications and 334 probable making a total of 440, including […]

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health is reminding the community to prevent mosquito bites with 26 human cases of West Nile virus infection reported this season, including two deaths. Both individuals who died were over 50 years old, the group that is most at risk for serious complications of West Nile virus. “These tragic […]

Requiring students to get vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, or HPV, to enter school could prevent many cancers linked to the virus, but University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers found that many parents only support such requirements with opt-out provisions that could make the laws less effective. In a national survey, researchers report […]

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) officials have confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in suburban Cook County. The case was a woman in her 50s from the northwest suburbs, who became ill in late July. WNV continues to circulate in mosquitoes throughout suburban Cook County. As of Thursday, testing […]

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that two additional individuals have acquired the Zika virus locally through mosquitoes in Miami-Dade County. The total number of local transmissions of Zika in Florida is now 35. In order to connect the tourism industry with resources to combat the spread of the Zika virus, Governor Scott today […]

Health officials with the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health announced today of several lab-confirmed cases of the parasitic infection, Cryptosporidiosis. “Cryptosporidium, or Crypto is highly contagious and the parasite is hard to kill, Environmental Health Service Manager Brian Hanft noted in a press statement.”We want to provide the public with helpful prevention tips to lessen the spread […]

In a follow-up to a report last week when an outbreak of Cryptosporidium was declared in Central Ohio, the number of cases of the protozoan parasitic infection has more than doubled with health officials now reporting 202 cases in Columbus, Franklin and Delaware counties. According to health officials in the three counties, the number of reported […]

Quidel Corporation, a provider of rapid diagnostic testing solutions, cellular-based virology assays and molecular diagnostic systems, announced today that it has received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its Solana® Trichomonas assay for the detection of nucleic acids isolated from clinician-collected vaginal swabs and female urine specimens obtained from […]