Outbreak News Today

South Carolina health officials are reporting that lab tests performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirm a resident has contracted the parasite, Naegleria fowleri. The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) says due to federal privacy restrictions, they are unable to provide additional information concerning any individual, including details about […]

Because of local Zika virus transmission reported on the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda (1 case) and Turks and Caicos (2), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued “Level-2” travel notices advising travelers of the risk. According to the CDC, travelers should follow enhanced precautions. Increased risk in defined settings or associated with […]

The Wake County Human Services Division of Public Health has confirmed one case of measles in the county. The patient showed symptoms of the disease after returning from travel overseas. People who received two doses of the vaccine for measles as recommended are considered protected from the virus for life. For people who have not […]

Since the start of the HIV epidemic, there have been speculations as to why HIV and the immunodeficiency syndrome it causes have spread so much more in Africa than in other countries around the world. Scientists from the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) have now, for the first time, confirmed one reason for this: […]

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, has launched a clinical trial of a vaccine candidate intended to prevent Zika virus infection. The early-stage study will evaluate the experimental vaccine’s safety and ability to generate an immune system response in participants. At least 80 healthy volunteers […]

Vaxart, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oral recombinant vaccines that are administered by tablet rather than by injection, announced Tuesday the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial of the first oral norovirus tablet vaccine. “The start of the norovirus Phase 1 study is another important milestone for Vaxart’s oral vaccine platform,” said Wouter Latour, […]

The Carter Center and Noor Dubai Foundation have announced a new four-year partnership to accelerate efforts to eliminate blinding trachoma in Ethiopia by 2020. Ethiopia has the highest known burden of trachoma in the world, with an estimated minimum of 67 million Ethiopians at risk of disease. This partnership focuses on the Amhara National Regional […]

“Miami-Dade County remains committed to protecting our community from the spread of the Zika virus”, Miami Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said in a news release Tuesday. “As Mayor, I am also committed to making all resources available to keeping us safe. “In direct response to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Florida […]

With the report from Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday that 14 people in the state have been infected with the Zika virus most likely through mosquito transmission, the concern about out­breaks in the U.S. has intensified. The news comes on the heels of new research by Northeastern pro­fessor Alessandro Vespig­nani that can help coun­tries […]

The number of confirmed anthrax cases in the Siberia outbreak has grown to 20, up from nine yesterday. In addition, the Siberian Times reports that at least six of the cases are the severe gastrointestinal form, including the 12-year-old boy that died over the weekend. The remainder of the confirmed cases are the less severe […]

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is continuing its investigation of a hepatitis A outbreak on the island of Oahu and has confirmed a new case in a food service employee at Chili’s restaurant located at 590 Farrington Highway in Kapolei, and a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant. “At this time, no infections […]

Plasmids are pieces of independent DNA that often carry multiple antibiotic resistance genes. Plasmids can jump from one bacterium to another, spreading that resistance. A team of French investigators now shows that bacteria that acquire plasmids containing resistance genes rarely lose them. The research is published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, a journal of the American […]

Florida health officials reported on the investigation of an additional non-travel related infection in Miami-Dade County, bringing the total to 15. The new non-travel related infection is located outside of the one-square mile area in Miami-Dade County where the department has identified active transmission is taking place; however, health officials believe active transmission is only taking […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded more than $16 million to 40 states and territories to establish, enhance, and maintain information-gathering systems to rapidly detect microcephaly–a serious birth defect of the brain–and other adverse outcomes caused by Zika virus infection. These awards are a stopgap diverted from other public health resources […]

Officials with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) are advising the public to abstain from consuming raw or unpasteurized milk or milk products in light of dozens of human cases reported in North Batinah in Al Batinah North Governorate. According to a Muscat Daily report, 48 cases of human brucellosis have been reported. The MoAF is taking the following […]

THE NEW OUTBREAK IN SIBERIA SHOWS HOW WE ARE NOT PREPARED The medical history of the world is full of deadly diseases which have been destructive for the people and which have humiliated the whole mankind. Some of them have been defeated but some of them have been only limited and put into the deep […]

A study led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital found that obese mice are not protected against influenza infections by vaccines that include adjuvants, raising concerns about vaccine effectiveness in obese humans who are known to be at an increased risk for severe flu. The findings appear today in the scientific journal mBio. “This is […]

Swedish agricultural officials are reporting an anthrax outbreak in farms in the Östergötland region of southeastern Sweden, according to a local media account. The serious bacterial disease has killed nine animals (eight cattle and a horse) on two farms in the county. Swedish veterinary officials are currently vaccinating animals and investigating the source of the infection. […]

During the second week of July, 12 cases of vesicular disease were discovered at two slaughter plants in Iowa. All cases have tested negative for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and the other swine vesicular diseases, but 75% of them have tested positive for Senecavirus A, according to a National Hog Farmer report. In all cases, there was […]

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) yesterday called for major changes as it relates to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) food recall process. Schumer wants to ensure the agency is doing absolutely everything it can to prevent future contamination-related food illnesses. Schumer’s push comes following a recently released preliminary report conducted by the […]

The Department of Health (DOH) welcomes World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent statement on dengue vaccine introduction in countries with greater than 50% prevalence among age group targeted for vaccination. This is consistent with DOH introduction in the three regions involving schoolchildren in grade 4 (at least 9 years old) who are enrolled in public schools […]

The Nassau County Department of Health in consultation with the New York State Department of Health is investigating an increase incidence of mumps in individuals who reside in Long Beach and the surrounding communities of Nassau County. To date, 18 cases of mumps have been investigated in Nassau County. The cases under investigation include young […]

In a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) press conference today following Florida Governor Rick Scott’s announcement of 10 additional autochthonous Zika virus cases, Director Dr Tom Frieden said they are deploying a CDC Emergency Response Team or CERT team to Florida at the request of Scott. “We already have two staff on the ground […]

Since the first local, or autochthonous vector-borne transmission of Zika virus was recorded at the end of January in Greater Portmore, health officials in Jamaica has recorded 2,845 suspected and 55 confirmed Zika cases through the end of July. Today, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Winston De La Haye says in addition to its public education efforts, the Ministry of […]

Last week, to coincide with World Hepatitis Day, a new report, commissioned by United European Gastroenterology (UEG), calls for all European countries to adopt universal vaccination and harmonized screening programs for hepatitis, as well as improved neonatal screening, to help speed up the eradication of the disease. Almost 30 million people in the EU suffer from […]

In response to the announcement from Florida Governor Rick Scott today about an addition 10 locally acquired Zika virus cases in Miami-Dade County, New York City Deputy mayor for health and human services, Herminia Palacio and Health Commissioner, Dr. Mary Bassett released the following statement on Florida travel: “Following the confirmation by the Florida Health Department of […]

In Florida, officials have reported three additional Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) cases in horses in Osceola (2) and Highlands (1) counties. Clinical signs began on July 12, 15 and 18. All horses had no recent travel history, no or unknown vaccine history and all were euthanized for humane reasons. This is the third and fourth confirmed EEE […]

People are being reminded of the importance of the MMR vaccine after a fourth case of measles in Wales. Measles is a serious and highly contagious viral disease that can cause complications and can even prove fatal. In the last month there have been four cases across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Powys, one of […]

A 12-year-old boy is the first fatality in the anthrax outbreak that recently struck the Yamal Peninsula in northern Siberia, Russia, according to a Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Region government news release (computer translated). The child died over the weekend from gastrointestinal anthrax, one of the three forms of the serious bacterial infection. In addition, eight other people have […]

In light of the announcement today from Florida Governor Rick Scott of an additional 10 locally acquired Zika virus cases in the Wynwood area of Miami, FL. the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance is for people who live in or traveled to this area any time after June 15 (based on the […]

In a follow-up to the news of local Zika transmission in Miami-Dade County Friday, Florida Governor Rick Scott announced today that the Florida Department of Health (DOH) has identified 10 additional people in Florida with the Zika virus who likely contracted it through a mosquito bite. This brings the total number of people with locally […]

My guests on the Sunday, Jul 31 airing of the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show included the lead researcher of a study published in the journal, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, University of South Florida (USF) doctoral student, Suzanne Young. Young discussed her research team’s finding of Enterococcus faecium harboring the vanA gene in water and sediment up to […]

Thailand health officials are now reporting 25037 dengue fever cases, including 20 deaths, in all 77 provinces. The top five provinces affected the most include Maehongsorn, Rayong, Pangnga, Bangkok and Trad. In Malaysia, the 2016 dengue tally through the end of July has topped 65000. The official count stands at 65,625, with more than 35,000 cases […]

People living with HIV who naturally produce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that may help suppress the virus have different immunological profiles than people who do not, researchers report. While bNAbs cannot completely clear HIV infections in people who have already acquired the virus, many scientists believe a successful preventive HIV vaccine must induce bNAbs. The […]

Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) Ireland has been notified by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Department of Public Health in Galway of a newly confirmed measles case imported from another European country. This case is unrelated to the recently reported outbreak that resulted in 34 confirmed measles cases between April-mid July. The most recent case travelled […]

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has confirmed a 13 th and 14 th human case of West Nile infection in Dallas County for the 2016 season. The 13 th case is a resident of the 75149 zip code of Mesquite. The 14th case is a resident of the 75206 zip code of Dallas. […]

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received notification Thursday from the Ministry of Agriculture , NAPLOUSE, Palestinian Auton. Territories about a camelpox outbreak in the West Bank. Seven cases of the viral disease were confirmed in dromedary camels belonging to Bedouins in a very wide area or open desert from Bethlehem to the Dead Sea (common grazing […]

In a follow-up to the coverage of the H1N1 influenza outbreak in Panama, the Ministry of Health is advising the public to get vaccinated as more fatalities and hospitalizations are reported (computer translated). Health officials say nearly 3,500 people have required hospitalization and 250 remain hospitalized to date. In addition, the number of H1N1 influenza […]

Miami, FL Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said Friday, after learning of the four locally acquired Zika virus cases reported in South Florida, that he was confident that Miami-Dade County is prepared to fight Zika, “just like we – together, as a community — have fought against West Nile, Dengue Fever and Chikungunya”, thanks to past successful mosquito control […]

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) update their travel advice for citizens traveling to the United States today. “In light of cases of locally transmitted Zika virus confirmed in areas of Florida, our travel advice for Florida is the same as for travel to any affected area: women who are pregnant or who are trying to become […]

The E. coli O157 in the United Kingdom that has been linked to eating mixed salad leaves appears to be slowing as no additional cases have been reported in the past week. The outbreak tally remains at 161 (England 154, Wales 6 and Scotland 1) and two fatalities. Public Health England (PHE) , based on whole genome sequencing and […]

With the confirmation of locally transmitted Zika virus transmission in the Miami, Florida area, Public Health England has raised the risk designation for the Sunshine State from low to medium. According to Public Health England: Countries/territories/areas with active or past Zika transmission have been classified into 4 categories based on the current and potential epidemiological situation. These categories […]

With the peak West Nile virus (WNV) transmission season having one month left, South Dakota health officials are reporting a higher than normal activity to date. “We are seeing a higher than normal number of mosquitoes test positive for West Nile this year and the number of human cases so far is already above our […]

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported an additional Vibrio vulnificus case in the state Friday with the first case reported in Collier County this year. Local media reported that the patient, Jared Jenkins of Fort Pierce, contracted the infection while working on a dock on Naples Bay. This brings the state total to 16–Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, […]

Scottish health officials are investigating 16 confirmed cases of the same strain of E. coli O157, which may be associated with eating blue cheese made from unpasteurized milk. Initial investigations indicate that a number of these cases have consumed Dunsyre Blue, manufactured by Errington Cheese, at various locations across Scotland prior to becoming unwell. The cases developed symptoms […]

On Friday, Florida Governor Rick Scott announced that the Department of Health (DOH) has concluded that four cases of the Zika virus are likely mosquito-borne. One of these cases involves a woman and the other three cases involve men. At this time, DOH believes that active transmissions of the Zika virus are occurring in one small […]

When a patient is diagnosed with eczema, the diagnosis of another medical condition may not be far behind. “Although it affects the skin, eczema is not just skin-deep. This disease can have a serious impact on patients’ quality of life and overall health, both physically and mentally,” says board-certified dermatologist Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, […]

An outbreak of feline panleukopenia, or distemper, the second in as many months, has forced a Hayward, CA animal shelter to take actions to prevent further spread. The Hayward Animal Shelter announced yesterday that they had two positive cases of feline panleukopenia, commonly known as feline distemper. They are not accepting healthy, friendly, or feral cats for the […]

A Lyme disease researcher from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences was recently awarded a $380,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to pursue a unique approach to fend off the effects of Lyme disease. Assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of North Dakota, Catherine Brissette, PhD joined […]

Autochthonous, or locally transmitted Zika virus infection has likely occurred in the Miami, Fl area, as four cases have been reported and has dominated media coverage online and on television. CDC Director, Dr Tom Frieden said, “All the evidence we have seen indicates that this is mosquito-borne transmission that occurred several weeks ago in several blocks in […]