Outbreak News Today

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 […]

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been diagnosed in a white‐tailed deer in Franklin County, Ind. This marks the first time the disease (more formally known as Mycobacterium bovis) has been found in a wild animal in Indiana. This finding means significant changes in disease monitoring requirements for cattle owners and deer hunters in the area. The […]

Wyoming health officials report their first cases of two important mosquito borne viral diseases–West Nile virus (WNV) and Zika virus. Wyoming’s first reported West Nile virus case of the year involves a Goshen County adult, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH). Mosquitos spread West Nile virus (WNV) when they feed on infected birds […]

There are four globally endemic human coronaviruses which, together with the better known rhinoviruses, are responsible for causing common colds. Usually, infections with these viruses are harmless to humans. DZIF Professor Christian Drosten, Institute of Virology at the University Hospital of Bonn, and his research team have now found the source of “HCoV-229E”, one of […]

Oriental Packing Co., Inc., Miami, Florida is recalling approximately 377,000 lbs. of the following blended seasoning curry products because it is contaminated with lead. Lead can accumulate in the body over time and can cause serious and sometimes permanent adverse health consequences. Blue Mountain Brand Blue Mountain Country Mild Curry Powder Blue Mountain Country Hot […]

Cary, IL, Sage Products announced recently it is expanding its voluntary nationwide recall to include an additional lot of Comfort Shield Barrier Cream Cloths at the distributor and healthcare facility/user level. The recall is being initiated due to product contamination with the bacteria, Burkholderia cepacia. Topical administration of a product with B. cepacia may cause serious infections […]

In a follow-up to a report Tuesday on the hepatitis A outbreak in Hawaii, health officials report an additional 38 cases bringing the outbreak total to 206. Findings of the investigation suggest that the source of the outbreak is focused on Oahu. Nine (9) individuals are residents of the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, or Maui, […]

Health officials in the United Kingdom have reported a progressive increase in cases of the deadly bacterium, Meningitis W (MenW), prompting calls for university students to get vaccinated. Cases of MenW have been increasing year-on-year, from 22 cases in 2009 to over 200 cases in the past 12 months, according to Public Health England. Young […]

A Facebook post concerning an outbreak at Fort Knox has prompted Army officials to respond. The outbreak being talked about on the social media site is due to Enterobius vermicularis, or more commonly known as the pinworm. The site, U.S Army W.T.F! moments put up the post August 16 and in portion it stated: A week ago the command was notified […]

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the first death due to West Nile virus this year in Washington. A Benton County woman in her 70s was most likely exposed to infected mosquitoes in Benton County. Tests to specifically identify West Nile virus as the cause of her illness were performed at the Washington […]

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (SCHSA) and the Department of Environmental Resources (DER) would like to remind and encourage people to wash their hands and stay home from work or school if they are having diarrhea. This recommendation is even more important following an increase in the number of people reported to SCHSA during 2016 […]

The Pernambuco State Department of Health (SES) reported an additional 10 fatalities linked to the mosquito borne viral disease, chikungunya during the past week, according to a G1 Globo report (computer translated). Health officials say the number of chikungunya-related fatalities are now 46. The capital city of Recife has reported the most deaths at 17 since the […]

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported today an additional three new non-travel related cases– One of the individuals was exposed in the less than one-square mile in Miami-Dade County where DOH believes active transmissions are occurring. The other two new non-travel related infections are located outside of the one-square mile area in Miami-Dade County. While the […]

Health officials in the Hawkeye State are reporting the first human West Nile virus (WNV) cases of 2016. The two cases, a female child and an adult male, both of Sioux County have since recovered following hospitalization for their illnesses, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). “West Nile virus season typically lasts from […]

In an update on the Cyclospora infections in Texas in the past two months, Texas Department of State Health Services Press Officer, Christine Mann said in an emailed statement to Outbreak News Today the number of cases are now 88. This includes the 55 cases reported in July and 28 cases reported in August to date. While […]

Earlier this week, we reported on a travel-associated Zika virus case in a El Paso County, Texas resident, which has been linked to travel to Miami, FL. Today, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is reporting an imported Zika case in a Taiwanese resident who traveled to Miami. The 44-year-old woman from New Taipei City visited […]

We are more susceptible to infection at certain times of the day as our body clock affects the ability of viruses to replicate and spread between cells, suggests new research from the University of Cambridge. The findings, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may help explain why shift workers, whose […]

In the past month, Philippines health officials have recorded nearly an additional 25,000 dengue fever cases, according to the latest data released on Tuesday. On July 2, the Philippines department of Health (DOH) put the tally since the beginning of the year at 59,585. According to data released yesterday, DOH puts the dengue total at 84,085 suspected […]

Health officials in England say the rate of syphilis diagnoses is 3 times higher in London than anywhere else in England. In 2015, nearly 3,000 cases were diagnosed in the capital, accounting for 56% of all cases in England (5,042), according to a new report published today. Syphilis has been diagnosed in all 33 London local authorities and […]

Six new cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been confirmed at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL), bringing the total to 9. The counties with positive cases are listed below: Limestone County Erath County Denton County Austin County Montgomery County Lamar County Polk County McLennan County Wood County One case of Eastern Equine […]

On August 16, one premise in Volusia County, Florida was placed under quarantine for strangles, according to a Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) notice. The horse begain showing respiratory signs in late July as was isolated. A respiratory panel taken on August 10 returned PCR positive. No animals have left the facility since clinical signs […]

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state this year. The patient is a resident of Middlesex County in her 70’s who was diagnosed with WNV through testing completed today by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory. The patient remains hospitalized. DPH […]

Based on evidence gathered and analyzed during an extensive investigation spanning almost two months, the Hawaii State Department of Health has determined a strong association between a majority of the cases in the Hepatitis A outbreak first announced by the department on July 1, 2016. Investigation findings implicate frozen imported scallops served raw at Genki […]

The largest Yellow Fever epidemic for decades is now sweeping the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola and could soon spread to the Americas, Asia and Europe, Save the Children is warning. The charity’s rapid reaction Emergency Health Unit (EHU) has deployed to support the Ministry of Health with a mass vaccination campaign in the […]

Salt Lake County health officials announced today the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in the state for 2016. The individual was diagnosed the the more severe form of the viral infection, the neuroinvasive form, and is currently hospitalized. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, since the first […]

People infected with Ebola virus were 20 percent more likely to survive if they were co-infected with malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites, according to data collected at an Ebola diagnostic laboratory in Liberia in 2014-15. Moreover, greater numbers of Plasmodium parasites correlated with increased rates of Ebola survival, according to a dozen collaborating research groups in the new […]

Mike Coston is the Owner/Editor of Avian Flu Diary With county and state fair season underway, and 4 H3N2v Cases Reported (2 in Michigan, 2 in Ohio) in the past 10 days, the CDC and local health departments are warning people to be extra careful around swine exhibits this summer. In addition to the Muskegon and […]

A study led by McMaster University researchers has found that, contrary to recent reports, flu nasal sprays provide similar protection against influenza as standard flu shots. Published today in the scientific journal Annals of Internal Medicine, the study shows that the nose spray had a similar effect to the standard flu shot. Previous recommendations from […]

A Texas resident who recently traveled to an area of Miami with local Zika transmission has tested positive for the virus. The traveler, an El Paso County resident, recently returned from the area and sought testing after becoming ill. This is the first Texas case to be linked to travel within the continental United States. […]

Health officials are reporting a big increase in malaria cases in the poverty stricken socialist country of Venezuela, up more than 72 percent in the first 29 weeks of the year compared to the same period in 2015. To date, the National Epidemiology Network in the country say 125,158 cases of malaria have been recorded (computer translated). This […]

Vermont health officials are warning street drug users about an especially deadly strain of heroin that is circulating in several parts of the state, including central Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom. According to reports from emergency responders over the weekend, at least 10 people have overdosed, taking more than one dose of naloxone (Narcan®) to […]

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that two additional individuals have the Zika virus in Miami-Dade County. Both of these cases are local transmissions through mosquito bites and brings the total number of local transmissions of Zika to 30 in Florida. One of the individuals was exposed in the less than one-square mile […]

On the Sunday, Aug 14 airing of the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show, a Tampa-based talk program about infectious diseases and health, the main topics were the work being done to find an effective treatment for the “brain-eating amoeba”, Naegleria fowleri and the ins-and-outs of the autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. During the first half, […]

Officials with the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported today on an imported measles case determined to have been contracted in Thailand. The patient is a 9-year-old boy who resides in Hsinchu City. During July 21 and 27, 2016, the case traveled to Bangkok, Thailand with his parents. After returning to Taiwan, he developed fever […]

In an update on the gastrointestinal outbreak on the east coast of the New Zealand’s North Island, the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board reported today that some 200 people have sought medical attention for gastrointestinal illness. Hawke’s Bay Hospital now has 19 patients that have been admitted into hospital for further care and two people who remain […]

In mid-May, the World Health Organization (WHO) IHR Emergency Committee on Yellow Fever convened and decided that the urban yellow fever outbreaks in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a serious public health event which warrants intensified national action and enhanced international support. The Committee decided that based on the information provided the event […]