Outbreak News Today

Health officials in McLean County, Ill. are reporting an increase in mumps cases connected with the Illinois State University (ISU) campus prompting an alert of state health officials of the outbreak. Melissa Graven, Communicable Disease Program Supervisor with the McLean County Health Department said, “New reports of mumps started coming in at the end of January which prompted […]

The World Health Organization (WHO) released their Zika Situation Report Friday, which is chock full of interesting information, ranging from the incidence of Zika virus to microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) data. Between 2015 and 2016, 33 countries have reported autochthonous transmission- Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Curaçao, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, […]

The Florida Department of Health released a Zika case count update on Friday and St. Johns and Osceola counties reported one case each, bringing the total cases in the state to 14. The cases were confirmed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and all 14 cases are considered imported, or travel-associated. In addition, […]

Fiocruz, a body linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, found the presence of active Zika virus (with potential to cause infection) in saliva and urine samples, according to a Oswaldo Cruz Foundation statement Friday (computer translated). The unpublished evidence, which suggests the need to investigate the relevance of these alternative routes of virus transmission was observed […]

The Puerto Rican government declared a public health emergency due to the Zika virus after Governor Alejandro García Padilla signed an executive order Friday, according to a Diario de Puerto Rico report (computer translated). The executive order creates an Integral National Plan intended to prevent, protect, and treat the disease, to be carried out by the State […]

CDC has issued new interim guidance on preventing sexual transmission of Zika virus after confirming through laboratory testing, in collaboration with Dallas County Health and Human Services, the first case of Zika virus infection in a non-traveler in the continental United States during this outbreak. Although sexual transmission of Zika virus infection is possible, mosquito […]

With two weeks remaining until Penn State University has it’s THON weekend, the childhood cancer campaign, University Health Services at the school are warning students and the campus community of what appears to be, a norovirus-like illness spreading on campus. University Health Services has seen an increase in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms in the past […]

In a follow-up to a report earlier this week, Santa Clara County health officials learned of a third confirmed case of meningococcal infection in a Santa Clara University student. Like the first two cases, the third case is also confirmed to have the serogroup B strain of the bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis. According to the Santa Clara County Public Health […]

Bavarian Nordic A/S announced Thursday that it has entered into a joint collaboration with Evaxion Biotech, a Danish biotechnology company, and Technical University of Denmark (DTU), for the development of an MVA-BN-based vaccine against MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) using Evaxion’s computer-based technology to discover novel antigens. The same approach could potentially be used to target […]

In a follow-up report to the chickenpox cluster reported in a Clearwater, FL elementary school, Pinellas County health officials are now reported the number of cases has risen from eight to 14 students. The outbreak at Plumb Elementary school prompted a visit from health officials this week to give faculty and staff a presentation on the virus […]

With the release of 19 notifications of additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) with onset of symptoms between December 21, 2015 and January 25 this year by the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission today, this brings the total human cases to 702 on the mainland since 2013. According to reports, the patients comprise 11 […]

Newcastle disease is an infection of domestic poultry and other bird species with virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV). In the region of Central Luzon, Philippines, the virus is being implicated in the death of some 41,000 chickens, according to the regional Department of Agriculture (DA). It is suspected that the spread of the virus was enhanced […]

Women undergo more cesarean sections each year in the United States than any other major surgery, with the procedure carrying a significant rate of infection at the incision site. A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis offers strong guidance on the best way to reduce the infection risk. Rather than […]

The University of Georgia announced Wednesday that it has entered into a collaborative research agreement with GeoVax Labs Inc. to develop and test a vaccine to prevent the emerging and virulent Zika virus infection. The collaboration will combine the vaccine development expertise of UGA researchers led by Ted Ross, director of UGA’s Center for Vaccines and […]

Alberta health officials are currently investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 cases in the Calgary Zone of Alberta Health Services (AHS). As of Feb. 2, this outbreak includes 14 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7. Though the ongoing investigation has not yet confirmed a single source of illness linked to all 14 outbreak cases, recent testing […]

Malaysia reported an additional 457 dengue fever cases Wednesday, according to the health ministry, bringing the total cases in the country to 15,708. Selangor state, much like in 2015, is reporting about half the nation’s total with 7585 to date. Johor state has seen 2404 dengue cases, second only to Selangor. Through Feb. 2, 32 […]

In what is the first such case in Europe, the Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad in Spain reported on a Zika virus infection in a pregnant woman from Catalonia, according to a health ministry press release (computer translated). Health officials say the woman developed symptoms of Zika after traveling to Colombia. The patient, who is in […]

Earlier we reported about the American Red Cross and UK NHS Blood and Transplant instituting or planning on deferral of blood donors who have traveled to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central or South America for a short period of time. Now the Canadian Blood Services is confirming that anyone who has travelled outside of Canada, the continental United […]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (February 4) closely monitoring an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in the Mainland, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel. According to the Health and Family Planning Commission […]

In January 2016, the Lancet confirmed what the medical world has been dreading: a bacterial organism with essentially unfettered protection against all the antibiotics available to control it has been discovered in a human patient in Germany. The Lancet has been spoon-feeding us with worrying developments regarding the emergence of a bacterial gene, mcr-1, in […]

Twenty fours after Florida health officials issued a public health emergency over Zika virus, Governor Rick Scott and State Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong gave an update on Florida’s preparedness efforts relating to the Zika virus at the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. Governor Scott called on the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]

Pregnant women are at higher risk for serious illness and complications, including death, from influenza. For expectant mothers hospitalized with flu, early treatment with the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir may shorten their time in the hospital, especially in severe cases, suggests a new study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases and available online. The […]

The American Red Cross noted in a press release Wednesday that they are closely monitoring the spread of Zika virus. As a precaution, the Red Cross will be working as quickly as possible to implement a self-deferral for blood donors who have traveled to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central or South America within 28 days prior […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added Jamaica and Tonga to the list of travel alerts due to ongoing Zika virus‎ transmission Wednesday. Travelers to areas where cases of Zika virus infection have been recently confirmed are at risk of being infected with the Zika virus. Mosquitoes that spread Zika are aggressive daytime biters, prefer […]

The massive increase of microcephaly cases in Brazil, apparently linked to the rapidly spreading mosquito borne virus, Zika virus, during the past several months has brought the already controversial topic of abortion into the debate. In Brazil, abortion laws are considered restrictive, illegal unless the woman is raped or her life is threatened, but with the […]

After reports of six additional travel-associated Zika virus Tuesday in the Sunshine State, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed an executive order which directs State Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong to declare a public health emergency in the four counties (Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Lee and Santa Rosa) which have the Zika virus. Governor Rick Scott said, “Today I am […]

Health officials in Minnesota are expressing concern after preliminary data on syphilis among women in the state last year reveals a significant rise over the prior year. Preliminary data for 2015 show syphilis cases in women were up 63 percent compared to 2014. The increase is occurring primarily among women of child-bearing age in all […]

The number of dengue fever cases in Hawaii island has grown to 246 cases since October after two additional cases were reported Tuesday. Just days after Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard called on Hawaii Governor David Ige to declare the Hawaiʻi Island dengue fever outbreak a state of emergency, Ige held a news conference defending the state’s dengue response. The […]

Officials with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) have confirmed two cases of meningococcal meningitis caused by the bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B over the past couple days in undergraduate students at Santa Clara University, prompting the school to host vaccine clinics this Thursday and Friday. SCCPHD is working closely with the University to identify students at […]

The Honduras central government has declared a national emergency in light of a dramatic increase in Zika virus cases reported, according to a La Tribuna report (computer translated). In a span of less than one week, the number of Zika virus infections have surged by more 50 percent– rising from 1,700 to 3,037 cases. This comes […]

Health officials in the West African country of Benin are reporting nine fatalities due to Lassa fever, according to a La Nouvelle Tribune report (computer translated). The nine deaths of the 20 Lassa cases were recorded in Borgou (7) and Hills (2) departments. One of the deaths were confirmed. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and […]

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is working with the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) to investigate an outbreak of norovirus infection among individuals who became ill after attending the New Theatre Restaurant in Overland Park, Kan. KDHE, JCDHE, KDA and the City […]

The Department of Health (DOH) addresses the public to remember and use ‘4S’ against Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. The 4S means Search & destroy mosquito breeding places, use Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation for fever lasting more than 2 days, and Say yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak. “The first […]

Thailand health officials saw more than 5,000 dengue fever cases during January 2016, reporting a total of 5129 cases from 76 provinces. The areas with the most dengue illness include Bangkok, Nakornpathom, Samutsakorn, Rayong and Srisaket. No fatalities have been reported in 2016. Thailand saw more than 140,000 dengue fever cases in 2015. In addition, health […]

Florida health officials reported six new travel-associated cases of Zika in Florida to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). Travel-related cases are defined as disease believed to be contracted outside of the state. Florida has reported a total of nine travel-related cases to the federal government. While there has been no locally-transmitted Zika cases in […]

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the first Zika virus case acquired through sexual transmission in Dallas County in 2016. The patient was infected with the virus after having sexual contact with an ill individual who returned from a country where […]

The Jan. 31 airing of the Outbreak News This Week Radio show centered around the ever controversial and misunderstood tick borne illness, Lyme disease. During the first half of the show I talked to a Georgia teen suffering with Lyme and a couple of co-infections and her mother concerning her situation and battle with Lyme disease. 15-year-old […]

CDC is working with other public health officials to monitor for ongoing Zika virus‎ transmission. On Monday, the CDC added the following destinations to the Zika virus travel alerts: American Samoa, Costa Rica, Curacao, and Nicaragua. CDC has issued a travel alert (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where […]

Braga Organic Farms announces the voluntary recall of pistachios due to potential contamination with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal […]

Rates of influenza reported in the United States are increasing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 viruses predominating. In addition, federal health officials are noting reports of severe illness caused by the influenza prompting a health alert for health care practitioners: Clinicians are reminded to treat suspected influenza […]

Currently, between 65,000 to 70,000 cases of cancers in adolescents and young adults (aged 15 to 39) are diagnosed each year in the United States. Among the different types of, thyroid cancer has emerged as one of the top five AYA cancers. At present, thyroid surgery is considered one of the best treatment options for […]

In a study published recently in the journal Science, researchers from MIT, NYU, and the University of Colorado demonstrated potential causative evidence that severe inflammation in a pregnant mother can lead to an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the offspring. Previous reports have shown a correlation between autism and inflammation. In 2010, a study from […]

Parasitology 101 is an educational blog that that can be used as a study guide for microbiology, infectious disease and medical technology students. The “bullet-point” format keeps the information concise and to the point. General Information Clonorchis sinensis is a trematode or fluke also known as the “Chinese liver fluke” or “Oriental liver fluke” Clonorchiasis is a trematode […]

MODERN HUMAN BOMBS The Biological weapon is not a new category of security challenges; it is a fact which follows the history of warfare since the early ages of mankind. The world’s evidence is a full of reports about theoretical misuse of microbes in diplomatic pressure or practical abuse of biological agents against the enemy. […]

Health officials in the Armenian city of Gyumri are reporting two cases of botulism possibly linked to preserved peppers or home-made aubergine caviar, according to a local media report. According to the health ministry, the patients developed symptoms of botulism one day after consuming the suspected foods. They have been hospitalized and treated and are currently in […]

Today Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) officially confirmed three (3) additional people have tested positive for Zika virus. All individuals had recently traveled to Latin America. There are a total of 4 confirmed human cases in Harris County, excluding the city of Houston. The individuals developed symptoms that are often associated with […]

Costa Rica has joined Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala in the list of Central American countries with autochthonous transmission of Zika virus infection. The Americas now report 26 countries and territories with local transmission of the mosquito borne virus. Is this just the beginning in Costa Rica? Last week, Medical epidemiologist and newly-appointed coordinator of Costa Rica’s National […]

The first meeting of the Emergency Committee (EC) convened by the Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR 2005) regarding clusters of microcephaly cases and other neurologic disorders in some areas affected by Zika virus was held today. The WHO Secretariat briefed the Committee on the clusters of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) that […]

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson for Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (February 1) announced that with effect from tomorrow (February 2), anyone who has resided in or visited any countries which are affected by Zika virus (which include Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Columbia, […]

Parasitology 101 is an educational blog that that can be used as a study guide for microbiology, infectious disease and medical technology students. The “bullet-point” format keeps the information concise and to the point. General Information There are numerous species in the genus Paragonimus that are found worldwide; primarily in Asia, but also Africa (P.africanus and P. uterobilteralis) […]