Outbreak News Today

Recently, movie star Zoe Saldana revealed that she was diagnosed with a autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto’s disease, of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. What is Hashimoto’s disease? What is the thyroid and how is the thyroid affected? These and many other questions were posed to the Founder and President of the Engelman Health Institute and permanent Clinical Consultant for […]

In the US this year, four cases of the “brain-eating amoeba”, Naegleria fowleri have been reported (Ohio, Texas, South Carolina and Florida) and one of the most tragic things about this parasite is the treatment for this rapidly progressive infection is largely unsuccessful. However, one researcher is trying to change that. In an interview recorded […]

In a follow-up to a previous report concerning a Cyclospora cluster reported in UK travelers to Mexico, Public Health England (PHE) has reported a total of 265 Cyclospora cases since June 1. Of this total, nearly 73 percent (193) reporting travel to Mexico. Most cases have been reported in England and Scotland with a small number from other areas […]

Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living has identified the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) this year. The individual, a male in his 40s from the Southern Health – Santé Sud region, experienced neurological symptoms and was hospitalized. He is believed to have been exposed during the week of July 17. The investigation […]

In a follow-up to a report on the dengue fever situation in Negros Occidental province in the Visayas, Philippines, health officials in Bacolod City are reporting a significant increase in cases through Aug. 6 this year. According to the provincial health office, a total of 2,520 dengue cases were reported since the beginning of the year, […]

Health officials with the eastern Caribbean island of Barbados are reporting a big increase in dengue fever cases during the first seven months of the year, according to published data from the Barbados Government Information Services. Through July 23, there have been 1276 confirmed and suspected dengue fever cases. This compares to the same period […]

The state veterinarian’s office is investigating an outbreak of Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) in a group of racing Quarter Horses in Tennessee. EP is a blood parasite that affects equines. Although it can be transmitted through infected ticks, today it is more commonly spread by blood and blood products through the sharing of needles, syringes or improperly cleaned […]

The China National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) announced this week five additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9). According to the NHFPC, two patients in Fujian were a 79-year-old man who had visited a market and died on July 10, and a 78-year-old man who had poultry exposure and is currently in serious condition. A patient […]

Rhode Island has seen a significant increase in hepatitis C virus-related hospitalizations and deaths in the last decade, underscoring the importance of diagnosis and treatment, according to a new report released Thursday by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Public Health Institute (RIPHI). “Building healthy communities and a healthy, thriving […]

While public health regularly see cases of cryptosporidiosis — commonly known as Cryptosporidium or crypto — there has been a recent rise over the normal threshold of cases across several jurisdictions in central Ohio, including Columbus, Franklin County and Delaware County. The three jurisdictions have reported more than 93 cases so far this year, which […]

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported an additional three locally acquired Zika virus cases in Miami-Dade County, bringing the total to 25. At the same time, DOH cleared an additional four blocks in the Southwest corner of the impacted zone in Wynwood. DOH has concluded that no local transmissions of Zika are occurring in […]

In a follow-up to a story earlier today, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reported the following concerning Nigeria: In Nigeria, wild poliovirus type one (WPV1) has been detected from Borno state. Virus was isolated from two local government areas (LGA) of Borno; in Gwoza LGAs, in a child with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP – […]

In response to recent local transmission of Zika virus on the Cayman Islands in the western Caribbean Sea, US health officials issued a travel notice for travelers to the tourist destination. Local mosquito transmission means that mosquitoes in the area are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people. Because Zika virus is […]

Florida health officials reported Wednesday that a individual from Broward County has contracted the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri. The Florida Department of Health says the unidentified person likely contracted the lethal amoeba after swimming in unsanitary water on a single private property. This is the fourth primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) case reported in the US since […]

Health officials in Canada are investigating dozens of Cyclospora infections in four provinces. To date, a total of 51 cases have been reported: in British Columbia (1), Alberta (2), Ontario (44), and Quebec (4). Individuals became sick between May and July 2016. The source of the outbreak has not been identified. Imported fresh produce products are […]

The Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Health and Human Services and Natural Resources today urged Michiganders to adopt practices to protect their families, pets and livestock from rabies. Rabies is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. Once symptoms begin, there is no treatment for rabies. Rabies is fatal […]

In a follow-up to the Cryptosporidium outbreak in Maricopa County, Arizona, county health officials say the case tally is now at 32, according to a local media report. Some four public swimming pools have been linked to the parasitic outbreak. Super-chlorination protocols are being used to help eliminate the resistant protozoa. Cryptosporidiosis, or Crypto, is […]

A case of human West Nile virus (WNV), which is a form of mosquito-borne encephalitis, has been confirmed in Mobile County, according to Dr. Bernard H. Eichold II, Health Officer for the Mobile County Health Department. This is the first human case reported in Mobile County this year. Because of patient confidentiality laws, no other […]

On Jul. 24, Nigeria marked two years since the last case of wild poliovirus. Today, it will have been two years since the last case of polio had onset of paralysis on the African continent. However, if a local media report is correct, hopes of polio-free certification may have to be reset. The Nigeria news […]

The risk of Salmonella has prompted the Shamir Salads company in Israel to recall hummus and eggplant tahini products. Salmonella was detected during routine sampling on the production line. The Health Ministry said in a statement that “last night Ministry inspectors visited the ‘Tehinat Hanasich’ factory following a report of possible Salmonella in the factory. Preliminary […]

The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) reported an additional 33 hepatitis A cases in the past week, bringing the outbreak total to 168, prompting state health officials to enlist the help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Three CDC investigators arrived Sunday to work with the dozens of Hawaiian investigators working on […]

Colorado has seen a sharp increase in the number of cases of West Nile virus diagnosed in 2016. People, animals and mosquito pools have tested positive from the following counties this season: Adams, Arapahoe, Bent, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Gunnison, La Plata, Larimer, Mesa, Morgan, Rio Blanco and Weld. So far this year, 13 […]

An additional locally transmitted Zika virus infection has been reported in Miami-Dade County, according to the Florida Department of Health (DOH) Wednesday. This brings the total to 22 non travel associated Zika cases. The Wall Street Journal had the opportunity to review an internal report on the investigation and spell out the details known HERE. In […]

A study published by The BMJ on Tuesday provides more details of an association between Zika virus infection in the womb and a condition known as arthrogryposis, which causes joint deformities at birth, particularly in the arms and legs. Microcephaly (a rare birth defect where a baby is born with an abnormally small head) and […]

On 28 May 2016, the Ministry of Health of Kenya notified WHO of an outbreak of Chikungunya in Mandera East sub-county. The first reports of an increase in cases with febrile illness and joint pains occurred in May 2016. Samples were collected and shipped to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Arboviral Laboratory in Nairobi. […]

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infectious disease that occurs most often in children, but can occur in adolescents and occasionally in adults. In most cases, the disease is mild and self limiting, but more severe clinical presentation with neurological symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis […]

Despite recording more than 200,000 dengue fever cases in 2015, Philippines health officials are recording even more cases in 2016 to date, based on the latest data from the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) released Wednesday. Through July 23, health officials report 70,697 suspected dengue cases. This is an increase of more than 19 percent compared […]

Utah County Health Department (UCHD) officials are investigating the death of a female Utah County resident related to hantavirus. The female was between the ages of 18 – 44, from Utah County, and had no other apparent health issues. This is the second death related to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the state in 2016, […]

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response announced a $4.1 million agreement with Hologic, Inc. of Marlborough, Massachusetts, to advance the development of a blood screening test that will help detect the presence of Zika in the blood supply. This is the second blood […]

In a follow-up to a report last month, the number of dengue fever cases in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka increased significantly in July, according to data from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). After reporting less than 300 dengue cases from Jan. through June, health officials reported 550 cases in July. […]

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported that four additional non-travel associated Zika virus cases are being investigated in Miami-Dade County, bringing the total to 21. DOH still believes active transmissions are only taking place within the identified one-square mile area in Miami-Dade County. Florida Governor Rick Scott said today after the announcement of the news […]

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has confirmed a Zika-associated death in a newborn female, making it the first Zika-related death in the State of Texas. HCPH received a positive Zika test result on an infant who was born with birth defects, including microcephaly. The child died shortly after being born. The mother traveled to Latin […]

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported an outbreak of suspected Acute Jaundice Syndrome (AJS) in Sortony, North Darfur, in which some 134 cases have been reported since May. Sortony hosts over 21,000 people who were displaced from Jebel Marra following hostilities earlier this year. Seven samples sent for analysis tested […]

The San Francisco Department of Public Health reported Monday that the candy that sickened 19 people at a Quinceañera in the Mission District on Saturday night is suspected to be edible marijuana. Lab tests of the gummy ring candies themselves have found THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. In addition, the lab work […]

A bird species that does a poor job spreading West Nile virus (WNV) but is particularly likely to get mosquito bites may explain why human infections with the disease are relatively uncommon in Atlanta, Georgia–despite evidence of high rates of virus circulating in the local bird population, according to a new study published online Monday […]

Health officials in Delhi are reporting a 43 percent increase in dengue fever cases to date this year after 52 cases were reported in the past week alone, bringing the total to 171. This has required health officials to increase hospital bed capacity for the surge in dengue fever patients. Rainfall and humid conditions are […]

Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., is warning owners to vaccinate their horses. So far in 2016, five horses have died as a result of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). “While the horses may have been vaccinated in the past, none seem to be up to date on their vaccinations,” said Strain. Four […]

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) reports the first West Nile Virus death in Dallas County for the 2016 season. The resident, who lived in the 75006 zip code in Carrollton, was in the 60s age range, and was previously diagnosed with West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a disease that […]

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) now have a high-resolution view of exactly how the experimental therapy ZMapp targets Ebola virus. The new study is also the first to show how an antibody in the ZMapp “drug cocktail” targets a second Ebola virus protein, called sGP, whose vulnerable spots had previously been unknown. “This […]

Health officials in Florida report investigating an additional non-travel related Zika virus case today in an individual in Palm Beach County who had recently traveled to Miami-Dade County. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) points out that this does not mean active transmission of Zika virus is occurring in Palm Beach County. The source of the infection […]

Long before Zika virus made it a household word, the birth defect called microcephaly puzzled scientists and doctors — even as it changed the lives of the babies born with it during the pre-Zika era. But new discoveries reported by an international team of scientists may help explain what happens in the developing brains of […]

Scientists say they are a step closer to providing effective treatments for three “neglected” diseases after making a chemical which can kill the parasites that cause the illnesses. Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and human African trypanosomiasis (also known as sleeping sickness) affect 20 million people worldwide and lead to more than 50,000 deaths annually. The diseases […]

Health officials in England has seen an uptick in measles cases this summer in teenagers and young adults who attended or worked at music and arts festivals across the country. According to Public Health England (PHE) data, at least 36 measles cases linked to at least eight music and arts festivals across England have been reported since […]

A D.C. based citizens action group wants the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta to change its stance on the treatment of Lyme disease in the United States. The Patient Centered Care Advocacy Group filed a “citizen petition” with the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention calling on it to end the preferential treatment […]

On the Aug. 7 airing of the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show, Zika was the topic of the hour. The local transmission in the Miami area, the underreporting of Zika due to asymptomatic cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advice for people living and traveling to the affected area of Miami and more […]

Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia. People contract the parasite through feces (human or animal) contaminated water and food. According to an article published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, the authors write that although most individuals with a Giardia infection are asymptomatic, this pathogen is increasingly recognized as […]

Sri Lanka health officials saw more than 7,000 dengue fever cases in July, putting the total cases for the year to date to 30,041. This total for the first seven months of the year is more than the total number of cases reported in all of 2015 (29,777). 50 dengue-related fatalities have been recorded this […]

From 1793 to 1822 yellow fever was one of the most dreaded diseases in the port cities of the United States. Statistically, one can dismiss it as inconsequential in comparison to tuberculosis and smallpox. Yellow fever did not kill that many people, but during that period, it struck with such ferocity in principal cities that […]

At least 19 cattle have died from the bacterial pathogen, anthrax, on several farms in Moselle, in northeast France, according to a France-Info report (computer translated). The farms are located in the towns of Saint-Jean-de-Bassel and Fénétrange, Moselle. To date, four farms are considered to be contaminated. Bacillus anthracis was confirmed by the reference laboratory of […]

A horse in West Tennessee has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a virus that can be fatal for horses and humans. The Tennessee departments of Agriculture and Health are advising citizens to take precautions to protect themselves and their livestock. Mosquitoes transmit EEE. Humans cannot contract these viral infections directly from infected horses. […]