Outbreak News Today

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials are encouraging livestock owners to vaccinate their animals after anthrax was confirmed in a cow in southeast Webb County in mid-April. “The anthrax vaccination is reliable and proven to protect livestock from the disease,” said Dr. Andy Schwartz, TAHC Interim Executive Director. “Livestock owners are urged to consult with […]

For the first time, one of the nation’s Centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM) will support development of a second-generation anthrax vaccine under a task order issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The CIADM led by the Texas […]

The administration’s request for $1.9 billion in emergency Zika funding remains stalled in the Senate. A week prior, Democratic Presidential frontrunner, Hillary Clinton went to Change.org to encourage the Congress to approve these funds. In an op-ed published last week, Clinton writes: “I recently asked two of my senior campaign advisers to go to Puerto […]

Ebola virus samples taken from patients in Liberia in June 2015 are strikingly similar in their genetic makeup to other Ebola virus sequences from Western Africa, according to research published online today in the journal Science Advances. The study sheds light on several aspects of the “flare-ups” that have occurred in Liberia since the country […]

I had the opportunity to interview an expert on the topic of blood clots on the Sunday, Jan. 10 airing of the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show. Dr. Jack Ansell is former Chair of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital and is a Professor of Medicine at Hofstra-NorthShore/LIJ School of Medicine. In addition, he is on the medical […]

On 20 April 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of the United States of America notified PAHO/WHO of an ongoing investigation of four multistate outbreaks of human Salmonella infections linked to exposure to small turtles (with shell length <4 inches/10 centimetres) or their environments (e.g., water from a turtle habitat) in the United States. A […]

Health officials in Colombia have issued an alert to an outbreak of the disfiguring parasitic infection, leishmaniasis, which has already affected 80 people, according to a La Opinion report (computer translated). Director of the Departmental Health Institute, John Bitar said the outbreak was in Norte de Santander department in northern Colombia, bordering Venezuela. The outbreak began in Arboledas, […]

Officials with the the Southwest Georgia Health District are warning the public of the infectious disease risks associated with wild, or feral pigs. Hunters and others who come into contact with them or their meat should take precautions, says Southwest Health District Epidemiologist Jacqueline Jenkins. “Some of them [diseases] can result in long-term health problems or […]

San Diego health officials are reporting a second chickenpox cluster in as many weeks in a second school. Last week, officials said six students at San Diego Cooperative Charter School’s Linda Vista campus have been diagnosed with chickenpox (varicella). On Friday, an unrelated cluster has been reported at the Dehesa Charter School Chula Vista Resource Center. […]

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) recently received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that a woman who traveled to Puerto Rico while pregnant has tested positive for Zika virus. While Zika is associated with microcephaly and other birth defects, none have been identified in the infant. As a precaution, […]

Iowa health officials reported Friday the 5th imported Zika virus infection of the year in a traveler to Central America. The patient is a non-pregnant, middle-aged woman. The first travel associated Zika case in Iowa was reported on Feb. 19. Four of the five cases reported were non-pregnant females. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control […]

Last summer-fall, the Illinois Veteran’s Home – Quincy suffered a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that sickened dozens and killed a number of people. On Friday, The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced a confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease in an Adams County resident. IDPH identified at least two locations where the individual could have been exposed to the […]

State health officials warned Coloradans Friday to avoid hantavirus exposure. There have been two confirmed cases of hantavirus in the state this year, one of which resulted in death. Hantavirus is a serious and potentially fatal respiratory disease carried by deer mice. People become infected by breathing in dirt and dust contaminated with deer mouse […]

The Virgin Islands Department of Health confirmed one additional case of Zika on St. Croix and one in St. Thomas. The total confirmed Zika cases is now 16; 14 of which are on St. Croix and two on St. Thomas. “Today’s report shows that we must continue to protect ourselves from mosquito-borne illnesses,” Commissioner Nominee, […]

An upcoming water shortage concerns the world’s largest food company more than the financial crisis we experienced eight years ago, according to a 2009 telegram (cable) published on Wikileaks. The text of cable from Switzerland Bern states: Nestle estimates the upper limit on sustainable global fresh water withdrawals to be 12,500 cubic kilometers per year, with 2008 […]

With some 40 Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) students coming down ill with norovirus-like symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and fever) during the past week, school officials announced that the La Prima Espresso in Wean Hall would be closed until Monday for cleaning and sanitization. The decision to close the eatery was made by CMU Dining Services and La Prima […]

Health officials in Sri Lanka are reporting nearly 16,000 dengue fever cases through the first third of 2016, with 14 dengue related fatalities to date. Of the 15,502 cases reported in the first four months, The capital area of Colombo district has recorded the most cases to date, accounting for about a third of all […]

The number of mumps cases reported in Indiana has risen to 93, with the majority of cases being reported at four major universities. Confirmed outbreaks of mumps have been reported at Indiana University in Bloomington (34), Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)(5), Purdue University in West Lafayette (11), and Butler University in Indianapolis (24). An additional 19 […]

City health officials in Zamboanga City put the norovirus case count at 1,207 through Apr. 28. In addition, five deaths have been reported, four in children, due to the diarrhea but their cases were aggravated by co-morbidities such as pneumonia and malnutrition. Local media reports, City Health Officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos said out of 15 physicians under […]

An outbreak of an intestinal parasite common in the tropics, known as Cryptosporidium, has been identified for the first time in the Arctic. The discovery was made in Nunavik, Quebec, by a team from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), in collaboration with the Nunavik Department of Public Health, Institut National […]

Ninety-two passengers and five crew members have been taken ill with symptoms of vomiting on the latest Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder. About 3.5 percent of the more than 2600 passengers onboard the vessel got ill. The cause of the outbreak is unknown to date. In response to the outbreak, Disney Cruise Line and the crew aboard […]

More than 16 percent of passengers onboard the Fred Olsen Cruises ship, Balmoral, have been stricken with gastrointestinal illness caused by norovirus. 159 of the approximately 1400 passengers and crew have suffered from the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Specimens were collected and tested onboard using a norovirus rapid test; results were positive for norovirus. The cruise, which left […]

On Friday, Prefect of Guadeloupe, Jacques Billant announced that a Zika epidemic was officially declared on the island group in the southern Caribbean Sea, according to LeMonde report (computer translated). “We are witnessing in recent weeks to dynamic acceleration of the spread of the virus, this is why I decided to go in an epidemic phase,” said the magistrate. To […]

Infectious disease physician and Forbes contributor, Dr Judy Stone joined me to discuss the mcr-1 gene, the latest research and the serious implications. This interview took place on Jan. 3, 2016 on the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show with Robert Herriman. Related: Staphylococcus aureus skin infections: Many fail to complete antibiotics resulting in new […]

Florida health officials reported Friday on two additional travel associated Zika virus cases in the state, one in Pasco County and one in Orange County. This is the sixth case reported in Orange County while Pasco County is reporting it’s first case. Pasco has been added to the list of counties in which The Declaration of Public Health […]

‘Opening up Science and Engaging the World to Better Tomorrow’ By creating a platform for open peer-review, we are providing scientists, clinicians, organizations and healthcare experts a voice in shaping the future of global health. Open peer-review is a novel tool to promote pan-access science, and helps to improve the quality of research projects. Today, […]

In a follow-up to a report in March, London has seen over 60 cases of measles in the last two months in a period when there would usually be fewer than 10. With 48 of these cases in those aged 15 or over, Public Health England is calling on parents and young adults to consider […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first generic version of Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium) tablets for the following uses: in combination with diet for the treatment of high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) in adults; in combination with diet for treatment of patients with primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (Type III Hyperlipoproteinemia), a disorder associated with improper breakdown of […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported Friday on shortages of the antibiotic, Bicillin-LA (benzathine penicillin G). Benzathine penicillin G is the recommended treatment for syphilis and the only treatment option for pregnant women infected with or exposed to syphilis. According to the FDA, the manufacturer, Pfizer, […]

Last week we reported on local Zika virus transmission in Papua New Guinea based on retrospective testing on samples from patients with symptoms from July 2014 and March 2016. This has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a travel notice for the country Friday. CDC notes mosquitoes that spread Zika usually do not […]

The Angola yellow fever outbreak continues to grow and expand as UN health officials put the number of suspected cases at 2023 since the outbreak began in December. Six hundred fifty three of the cases have been laboratory confirmed. Of this total, 258 deaths have been reported. In the week to 24 April, 115 new […]

In a follow-up to two news stories in Wales–the cryptosporidium and the hepatitis A outbreaks–Public Health Wales Outbreak Control Team investigating cases of cryptosporidium associated with Coleg Gwent’s farm in Usk has declared the outbreak over. The outbreak ended with 14 cases of the parasitic infection linked to regular attendance at the farm or contact with those […]

In early March, CDC Director Dr Thomas Frieden said while visiting Puerto Rico to assess the Zika virus situation, ” We anticipate in the coming weeks and month we will see large increases of cases in Puerto Rico.” The latest information on the Zika outbreak on the Caribbean Island puts the confirmed case count […]

The largest known outbreak of Elizabethkingia anophelis in Wisconsin has grown by two cases and months later, the source of the outbreak remains unknown. According to Wisconsin health officials Wednesday, 65 cases have been reported, with 59 of them confirmed, 2 under investigation, and 4 possible cases. Nineteen deaths have been reported, 18 in confirmed cases and […]

On April 28, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to authorize the emergency use of Focus Diagnostics, Inc.’s, Zika Virus RNA Qualitative Real-Time RT-PCR test for the qualitative detection of RNA from Zika virus in human serum specimens from individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) […]

What role does the federal government have, if any, in health care? In a prerecorded interview for the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show this Sunday, I talked to Libertarian Party Presidential candidate Austin Petersen about this question and much more. Petersen says he would overturn Obamacare and seek out market alternatives to health and […]

For the second time in as many days, a Texas locality is issuing a “syphilis alert” due to increases in reported cases of the sexually transmitted infection (STI). The City of Amarillo’s Department of Public Heath has received reports of 31 cases of syphilis since the beginning of 2016. In 2015, 47 cases of syphilis […]

In a follow-up to the ever growing mumps outbreak at Harvard University, which we reported the first cases on Mar. 1, local health officials report forty-one (41) mumps cases had been confirmed in the Harvard community, as of April 27. The Harvard community includes current Harvard students, faculty, and staff. Those who have been diagnosed […]

State and local health officials in Hawaii report no recent incidences of locally acquired dengue fever in 30 days; however, they say the public should not to let their guard down in the fight against mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit. The state and Hawai‘i County are standing down certain emergency response activities related to the dengue […]

In a follow-up to a report on a secondary Lassa fever case in a German funeral home worker, health officials report the patient has fully recovered and been discharged from hospital in Frankfurt. The case had recovered by 6 April, when all the contacts completed their 21-day follow-up period, however his hospital discharge was delayed due […]

The number of measles cases reported in the Memphis area stands at six, prompting the Shelby County Health Department to declare an outbreak. County health officials remind residents For measles vaccinations, please do NOT go to a hospital emergency room. Either go to your health care provider or one of the Shelby County Health Department Clinics listed […]

A devastating livestock disease is continuing to extend its global reach and is now present in 76 countries. Georgia recently reported its first-ever case of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a viral disease which is capable of severely impacting goat and sheep populations, while a new outbreak has occurred in the Maldives, showing that even […]

The number of syphilis cases, primary, secondary and early latent syphilis, reported in Lubbock County, Texas have tripled in the first third of 2016 compared to the same period last year, prompting health officials to issue a Syphilis Alert. During the first 4 months of 2016, 24 cases were identified compared to 8 cases during […]

A new study has uncovered an increased risk of dementia–in particular Alzheimer’s disease–in patients with rosacea. Importantly, the risk was highest in older patients and in patients where rosacea was diagnosed by a hospital dermatologist. The findings are published in the Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society. Rosacea […]

In a letter to the University of Dayton campus community, President Daniel J. Curran writes that Wednesday that the school has confirmed a total of nine cases of mumps on campus. “We strongly encourage you to take these steps to help prevent the spread of mumps or other illnesses as we enter finals week”: If you have not […]

After reporting more than 1100 gastrointestinal viral infections, Zamboanga City Mayor, Beng Climaco signed Executive Order 174 declaring a gastroenteritis outbreak in the city. To date, the disease has claimed five lives, 4 of which are pediatric cases and all had co-morbidities such as pneumonia and malnutrition. Climaco’s order tasked City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos along with other concerned […]

The Eastern Illinois University Health Service has reported on a mumps outbreak that has affected 10 students to date at the Charleston, Il campus. Mumps is a self-limited viral illness, which is spread through respiratory droplets, direct contact with infected fluids, such as saliva and through contaminated objects such as eating utensils and drinkware. The illness generally […]

Each year around the world, rabies results in more than approximately 59,000 deaths– that is nearly one death every 9 minutes. Most deaths are reported from Africa and Asia with almost 50% of the victims being children under the age of 15. China remains a high-risk region for rabies transmission. During the period from 2006 to […]

On Tuesday, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen joined City leaders to announce Baltimore City’s Zika Preparedness Plan to educate the public about the Zika virus and coordinate a citywide response to help prevent the spread of the virus. Baltimore’s Citywide Zika Plan will be the first in Maryland, and aims to serve […]

Norovirus. That nasty little bug most commonly associated with cruise ship outbreaks is quite costly, in medical, economic and societal terms. Norovirus kills 200,000 globally annually, while Bartsch et al estimate the annual global economic burden of norovirus at over $60 billion dollars; $4.2b of which comes in direct health systems cost, and $56.1b in societal costs. […]