Outbreak News Today

With summer closing in, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) has strengthened its response efforts to Fight the Bite against Zika virus to include the ability to now test for Zika virus at its public health laboratory in Frankfort, in addition to urging people to follow mosquito precautions and avoid traveling to Zika-affected areas. […]

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday announced the launch of an aggressive public awareness campaign to educate New Yorkers on the dangers of the Zika Virus. The campaign’s launch marks the latest step forward in implementing the Governor’s comprehensive six-step action plan to combat Zika. Already, more than 7,000 larvicide tablets have been distributed to eliminate Aedes […]

The New York State Senate recognized May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month by passing legislation and a resolution to combat Lyme and tick-borne diseases in the state. The bill (S5803A), sponsored by Senator Sue Serino (R-C-I, Hyde Park), would require the Department of Health to design a Lyme and tick-borne disease prevention program to promote awareness of […]

The cholera outbreak in Haiti that began in October 2010, 10 months after the devastating earthquake that killed over 200,000 people and displaced over 1 million, still lingers on, albeit much less, on the island nearly six years later. In 2016 to date, the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) has reported more than 16,000 […]

An outbreak of the mosquito borne viral disease, chikungunya, in Mandera County in northeastern Kenya has landed some 540 in the hospital, and the numbers are expected to rise, according to a local media report. Mandera Health chief officer Mariam Dubow said health officials have been dispatched to schools to check the number of students who […]

Officials with the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province have reported an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9). The case involves a male patient aged 63 who lives in Meizhou, Guangdong. From 2013 to date, 759 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been reported by the Chinese Mainland health authorities. 195 cases have […]

Viamet Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development has granted orphan drug designation to VT-1598 for the treatment of coccidioidomycosis, or Valley Fever. VT-1598 is a selective, orally available inhibitor of fungal CYP51 that has demonstrated high potency in preclinical studies against Coccidioides species, the […]

In a follow-up to a report in late April concerning the shortage of the antibiotic, Bicillin-L-A, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) release some updates and recommendations today on the use of Bicillin-L-A. Until normal quantities of Bicillin L-A (penicillin G benzathine) are available, CDC suggests the following: Refrain from the use of penicillin […]

Seqirus announced this week that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT™ (Influenza Vaccine), the first four-strain, cell culture-derived, inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine for people aged four years and older. FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT helps protect against the two influenza A viruses and two B viruses recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the […]

Researchers studying babies with a Zika virus-related birth defect say they have found previously unreported eye problems possibly linked to the virus that could result in severe visual impairment. In three Brazilian infants with microcephaly, the researchers observed retinal lesions, hemorrhaging and abnormal blood vessel development not noted before in relation to the virus. The […]

Public Health Wales reported two additional Hepatitis A cases in the Caerphilly area today. Both new cases have an association with pupils in Glyn Gaer school. One of the new cases is a pupil at Ysgol Rhydywaun, however there is no suggestion that transmission of the virus has occurred within the school. Letters are being given to […]

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) Situation Report as of May 19, 60 suspect cases, of which seven are laboratory confirmed, have been reported from three districts: Masaka, Rukungiri and Kalangala. According to sequencing results, those clusters are not epidemiologically linked to Angola. This prompted a mass yellow fever vaccination campaign, which commenced over the weekend […]

Raw milk and cream produced by Organic Pastures Dairy of Fresno County with a code date of June 1, 2016 is the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. The quarantine order followed the confirmed detection of Salmonella bacteria in raw whole milk and raw skim […]

There are a plethora of potential infectious diseases one could contract while traveling in Brazil; however, the risk differs depending on where in Brazil you are visiting. The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will take place in August, shortly followed by the Paralympic Games a few weeks later. The number of visitors are expected to exceed […]

A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases presents a cost-effectiveness tool that can help guide decisions regarding resource allocation to fund interventions targeted at curtailing the ongoing Zika virus outbreak. Analyses using the tool suggest that proposed funds to combat Zika in the US and other countries would be cost-effective, based on quantification of […]

The National Health and Family Planning Commission in China has reported an additional imported Zika virus case in Beijing. This is the second case imported to the city. The male patient aged 35 developed fever and skin rash on May 21 in Bolivia and returned to Beijing yesterday afternoon (May 22). He was then hospitalized […]

Hong Kong health officials (CHP) have reported a confirmed case of cholera in an individual who recently traveled to India. The case involves a 28-year-old man, with good past health, who has developed diarrhea and abdominal pain since May 9. He consulted a private doctor on May 11 and did not require hospitalization at that […]

A Salisbury, Maryland ABC affiliate reporter, who attempted to get an “on-camera interview” with any Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Lyme disease expert”, was shunned by the federal health agency, during Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Senior News Anchor/Lead Investigative Reporter, Emily Lampa, published the email correspondence back-and-forth with CDC Press Officer, Candice Burns Hoffmann on […]

In a response to the letter sent from 11 US Senators to U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Chairman Lawrence Probst inquiring on how the USOC is protecting athletes from Zika this summer in Rio, USOC Chief Executive Officer, Scott A. Blackmun wrote back to Sen Barbara Boxer today noting the following points: Because we are not an organization with expertise […]

Phase 1 clinical trial to test a hookworm vaccine to occur in endemic area of Brazil Researchers from the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences received a $2.1 million U01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to begin work on a phase 1 clinical trial to test a hookworm vaccine […]

The Colombian National Institutes of Health (INS) say the Zika virus epidemic is on the decline recording some 80,000 cases to date, with only Brazil reporting more. Over the weekend, the INS announced in their latest epidemiological bulletin five confirmed microcephaly cases associated with Zika virus, according to Globedia Perú (computer translated). Microcephaly is defined by unusually small […]

The New York City Health Department issued an alert for providers concerning an increase in pediatric cases invasive Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcal disease/GAS) infections during March and April. Among children less than 18 years old, there were 18 reported GAS cases in March and April 2016 compared with 12 during the same period in […]

With the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games less than three months away, eleven US Senators sent a letter today to U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Chairman Lawrence Probst asking “what steps the USOC is taking to assist and protect our athletes against the spread of the Zika virus.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American […]

Last night on the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show, I examined the arguments on whether it’s safe to travel to Rio this summer for the Olympic Games with the scourge of mosquito borne diseases plaguing Brazil, most notably Zika virus. The point-counter point is based on two recent articles arriving at different conclusions on whether […]

The examination of autopsied brain tissues from patients who died of serious neurological conditions has revealed that many tick-borne infections, such as Lyme disease, go undiagnosed and untreated. Board-certified pathologist, Alan B. MacDonald, MD, says his research shows “tick infections are not easily detected with routine tests, nor are they easily cured with short courses […]

Two additional cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported in people who spent time Sydney’s CBD in late April in areas in common with three other recently reported cases, according to NSW Health. All five cases were due to infection with the Legionella pneumophila strain. This type of Legionnaires’ disease most commonly develops after breathing in […]

The World Bank Group today launched the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF), an innovative, fast-disbursing global financing mechanism designed to protect the world against deadly pandemics, which will create the first-ever insurance market for pandemic risk. Japan, which holds the G7 Presidency, committed the first $50 million in funding toward the new initiative. “Pandemics pose […]

In a follow-up to the acute gastroenteritis outbreak that began at the end of March, city officials say the outbreak has slowed dramatically from it’s peak just weeks ago. A gastroenteritis outbreak was declared in Zamboanga last April 25. Through May 14, 2,324 acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases have been hospitalized throughout city hospitals, an increase in about 250 […]

The US House of Representatives passed a $622.1 million Zika funding bill, or about one third the amount the Obama administration asked for for the battle against Zika in the US last week. House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., said the House’s funding plan helps protect the American people in the most direct way possible and […]

Earlier this month, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that a game scheduled in Puerto Rico next week between the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates would be relocated to Miami due to player concerns about Zika on the island. Now it’s being reported that the USA Olympic swimming team will move their pre-Olympic training camp from Puerto […]

In January, Taiwan health officials reported the first imported Zika virus infection in a individual from Thailand. On Saturday, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced the second imported case of Zika virus infection identified in Taiwan. The case is a 34-year-old Thai male who is visiting Taiwan the second time for work. When he […]

A University of Oklahoma team of chemists has developed a new antibiotic formulation to fight the sometimes deadly staph infection caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus or MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant infectious bacteria. The new drug to treat MRSA combines traditional Food and Drug Administration-approved antibiotics, such as methicillin, with the polymer BPEI. Charles Rice, principal […]

Hawaii health officials have identified a single imported case of dengue on Hawaii Island. Vector control crews have treated the person’s residence and adjacent properties today. There is no evidence to indicate a local transmission has occurred. There have been no reported dengue cases attributed to local transmission since March. Imported cases occur from time to […]

The Thunder Bay Health Unit is investigating cases of suspected foodborne illness among approximately 160 patrons that attended two functions held at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay on May 14, 2016. To date, 73 people have been interviewed, of which 48 reported becoming ill. We are not aware of anyone being hospitalized as a result. […]

In a follow-up to the hepatitis A outbreak in the Caerphilly community in Wales, health officials report one new case in the outbreak, bringing the number of cases associated with Glyn-Gaer Primary School to seven. The new case is a close contact of a patient already confirmed with the infection, and did not contract the illness within […]

Officials with the Hastings and Prince Edward Health Unit (HPEPH) report 9 cases of pertussis have been identified in the Bancroft area, and cases of pertussis have been confirmed at North Hastings High School (NHHS). This has prompted immunization clinics with the next one at Bancroft Public Health office, 1 Manor Lane on May 25 from 10am-6pm. All members […]

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) officials confirmed one case of measles in Illinois Friday in a visitor to Illinois from out of the country who became ill last week and tested positive for measles. This person is no longer infectious. “This individual visited several locations in northern Illinois, including hotels and a college graduation,” said Illinois […]

Under the new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued today, which now reflect counts of pregnant women in the United States with any laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection, with or without symptoms, changes the previous data in the state of Florida. Prior to Friday, CDC guidance was only to report […]

The islands of Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde of the coast of western Africa has seen some 7500 suspected Zika virus cases to date and now testing performed by Institut Pasteur, Dakar confirms that the Zika virus currently circulating in Cabo Verde is the same as the one circulating in the Americas – the Asian type- […]

Two people have started post-exposure treatment for possible rabies exposure in the Hilton Head area of Beaufort County by a raccoon that tested positive for the disease, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reported today. The victims were potentially exposed from the result of an altercation between the raccoon and the victims’ dog. […]

Health officials in Eastern Nebraska announced today a cluster of mumps among college-aged young adults enrolled at Midland University in Fremont. The Three Rivers Public Health Department says 10 cases to date. A health advisory was sent to health care providers in Nebraska asking them to be on the lookout for cases of mumps and to contact […]

To gain a more complete picture of the impact of Zika virus infection during pregnancy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today will begin reporting the total number of pregnant women with Zika virus infection from two newly established enhanced surveillance systems: the US Zika Pregnancy Registry and the Puerto Rico Zika Active […]

One month after reporting the first case of Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) in a horse in Polk County, an additional horse with EEEV infection was reported the week of May 8-14 in Osceola County, according to Florida Arbovirus Surveillance. The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) offers more details: On May 13, a new EEEV case was […]

Between late December 2015 and early May 2016, the National IHR Focal of South Sudan notified WHO of an outbreak of hemorrhagic fever syndrome. As of 9 May, a total of 51 suspected cases, including 10 deaths, had been reported from the counties of Aweil North (45 cases, including 10 deaths) and Aweil West (6 […]

In a major public health feat, WHO South-East Asia Region has eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus with all districts across the 11 countries having reduced the cases to less one than per 1 000 live births. Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) for the Region became official after a team of experts today successfully validated […]

Angola has reported 2’420 suspected cases of yellow fever with 298 deaths since late December 2015. Outbreaks have also been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Exported cases of the mosquito borne viral disease have affected other African countries and as far away as China. On Thursday, an Emergency Committee regarding yellow fever was […]

Officials with the City of El Paso Health Department announced Thursday the first case of human West Nile Virus in El Paso, and in the state of Texas this season has been confirmed. The patient is a man in his late 70’s who lives in the central part of town. The news comes as the Department of […]

The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) has received reports of three confirmed cases of mumps infection in city residents, including area college students and community members. Mumps is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the mumps virus. It is spread through the air by droplets and contact with saliva or mucus from infected persons. Mumps can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing as well as sharing food […]

A confirmed case of measles last week in a Waiopehu College student has prompted health officials to advise closing the school Friday. The student concerned was at school last Thursday and Friday (12 and 13 May) before signs of any infection were showing. However I have been advised that during this time the student would have […]

Fears are growing that a deadly yellow fever outbreak in Angola – which has already spread to Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and China – will continue to spread internationally without immediate action to prevent it, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned today. The disease is transmitted by […]