Outbreak News Today

Despite the words of Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Victor Bampoe earlier this week when he said, “… It is nothing to worry about because the district health teams, the regional health management teams and the district assemblies are very much in control”, the case count and death toll from the pneumococcal meningitis outbreak continues to grow. […]

A 38-year-old Chinese man suffering from abdominal pains and excreted a 20-foot tapeworm has made headlines in recent days. The man, who had a history of eating raw beef, excreted the large flatworm after doctors prescribed a laxative. The tapeworm was identified as Taenia saginata, or the beef tapeworm. What is T. saginata? In a […]

Officials with the Pakistan Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination says the number of dengue fever cases in the country was nearly 10,000 in 2015, according to local media reports. Specifically, 9,899 cases were registered, including seven fatalities during the course of the year. This total was up 5-fold from 2014 numbers; however, only half […]

Utah agriculture officials are advising horse owners not to accept shipments of equine, nor send their equine, to Dona Ana County, New Mexico. A race track near Las Cruces, New Mexico has three barns quarantined following the finding of one horse with a clinical neurologic disease. Sampling to confirm Equine Herpes Virus is underway on the deceased […]

The southern African nation of Angola has reported some 23 cases of yellow fever that resulted in seven deaths in Viana municipality, according to local media Friday. Health minister, José Van-Dunem said during a press conference in Luanda that the first case was reported on 5 December 2015 in a Eritrea citizen. In addition, cases have been reported […]

Eight out of 13 rodents collected in December from San Timoteo Canyon in the Norton Younglove Preserve near Beaumont have tested positive for hantavirus. The California Department of Public Health confirmed the mice that Riverside County Environmental Health officials submitted have tested positive for the virus. Over the past decade, approximately 10 percent of the […]

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., is temporarily suspending operations at its Springfield, Ohio production facility, and is voluntarily withdrawing from the market all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads processed at that location (see the product list at http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/) Products subject to the voluntary withdrawal are identified with a product code beginning with the letter “A” […]

On January 26 – 27, a different kind of telethon will take place when Lyme patients and their supporters from coast to coast will make phone calls to their Congressional representatives demanding more attention be paid to the growing epidemic of Lyme disease—what many people believe to be the greatest threat to public health since […]

A 42-year-old woman from St. Croix has tested positive for the Zika virus, according to an Associated Press report. Health authorities in the US Virgin Islands say the woman has no recent travel history and is considered a locally acquired case. Through Jan. 16, twenty countries and territories in the Americas have been recognized as having autochthonous transmission of Zika– Barbados, […]

Officials with the Dominican Republic Ministry of Public Health (MPH) are reporting a dozen Zika virus infection cases, 7 are considered locally acquired while five are travel-associated, according to an El Universo report today (computer translated). All twelve patients have been treated and are recovering at home. On Wednesday, the MPH reportedly (computer translated) sent 27 […]

Twelve people from six states [Indiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (4), New Jersey (1), New York (4), and Pennsylvania (1)] have been sickened by Listeria monocytogenes since last July prompting an investigation by numerous agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The multistate outbreak has resulted in […]

Health officials in Canada are investigating a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened seven people in five provinces. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports the source of this outbreak has not been confirmed. However prepackaged leafy greens, salad blends and salad kits are food items being investigated. Currently, there are seven (7) cases of Listeria monocytogenes in […]

The outbreak of the endemic virus continues to mount, both in suspected and confirmed cases and deaths, according to up-to-date data from the Nigeria Centre of Disease Control. As of Jan. 20, of the 239 confirmed and suspected Lassa fever cases reported from 18 Nigerian states, 82 confirmed and suspected Lassa deaths have been documented. […]

Two weeks ago, we reported on the increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases in El Salvador towards the end of 2015, right about the time Zika virus had taken hold in the country. On Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a Disease Outbreak News with the most recent updates on the El Salvador situation: The National IHR […]

Researchers at Duke Health are fine-tuning a test that can determine whether a respiratory illness is caused by infection from a virus or bacteria so that antibiotics can be more precisely prescribed. The team of infectious disease and genomics experts at Duke has developed what they call gene signatures, patterns that reflect which of a […]

The supplement Aged Garlic Extract can reverse the buildup of deadly plaque in arteries and help prevent the progression of heart disease, according to a new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Nutrition. The research, conducted at LA BioMed, found a reduction in the amount of low-attenuation plaque, or “soft plaque,” in the […]

The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), as early as five months ago, was implicated at least in planning to use bioweapons to strike terror. You may remember last summer, an ISIS laptop was found in a former hideout, which had specific plans on weaponizing Yersinia pestis, or the plague. Now, Turkish officials via an […]

Pomona, CA, Master Herbs, Inc. is voluntarily recalling ALL LOTS of Licorice Coughing Liquid, cough syrup in 100 ml bottles to the consumer level. This product has been found to contain morphine, which is an opioid, and it is not declared on the label. Opioid is an ingredient of Compound Camphor. Compound Camphor is declared […]

Malaysia saw the most dengue fever cases in years in 2015 topping 120,000, including more than 300 fatalities. Looking at the early numbers in 2016, it appears the dengue scourge will continue this year. According to the latest health data from the Malaysian Ministry of Health, more than 8,500 dengue fever cases have been reported […]

Telephus Medical LLC (Telephus), a biotechnology company focused on development of antibody therapies for antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal infections, announced that the Japan Patent Office has issued Japanese patent number 5,837,215 covering monoclonal antibody compositions that bind and neutralize the endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (Gmd) subunit of staphylococcal bifunctional autolysin and methods to use those antibodies for the treatment and […]

Experts in Thailand are predicting a heavy dengue fever year in 2016, and according to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Epidemiology, the predictions may be coming true. During the past week, the number of cases of the mosquito borne viral disease have risen from 583 in 53 provinces one week ago to 2,380 in 67 […]

Nigerian health officials reported yesterday the Lassa fever outbreak in the country is spreading as the viral disease has now been seen in 62 local government areas in 17 affected states. The 17 affected states reporting cases include Bauchi, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Nasarawa, Lagos, Delta, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Zamfara and Kogi as well […]

In less than two weeks, the pneumococcal meningitis outbreak that initially struck the West Gonga District of northern Ghana has not only seen an increase in cases and deaths, but has also spread to other regions and towns. During a press conference Tuesday, The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Victor Bampoe reported that at least 19 fatalities […]

The number of suspect microcephaly cases have increased to nearly 3,900 in 764 municipalities in 21 Brazilian states through Jan. 16, according to Brazilian health officials (computer translated). According to the report, the state of Pernambuco continues with the highest number of suspected cases (1,306), representing 33% of total registered across the country. Next are the […]

Intrexon Corporation, a leader in synthetic biology, announced its subsidiary Oxitec and Piracicaba City Hall have expanded the ‘Friendly Aedes aegypti Project’ in Piracicaba, Brazil following strong results for controlling the Ae. aegypti mosquito population, the primary vector for dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus outbreaks around the world. In preparation of this growing program and […]

Officials from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting two pregnant Illinois residents who recently traveled to countries where Zika virus is found have tested positive for the virus. This occurred on the same day the Florida Department of Health reported three travel associated Zika cases. This has prompted an alert for the […]

Indigenous Zika virus infection has been confirmed in two additional countries and territories in South America and the Caribbean as Bolivia and Guadeloupe officially report local transmission of the mosquito borne virus. Two weeks ago we reported on imported Zika in Bolivia in a traveler to Brazil. Now the Bolivian health ministry is saying that […]

Officials with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) are reporting three travel associated Zika virus cases in the state, according to a health alert issued moments ago. The cases, two in Miami-Dade County and one in Hillsborough County, are linked to travel to South America, Colombia and Venezuela, respectively. To date, 18 countries and territories […]

The Alabama Department of Public Health has confirmed 47 people have been identified with tuberculosis (TB) infection in Perry County. Patients who have tested positive with TB infection will receive further testing and treatment, including a chest X-ray. To date, 798 residents of Perry County have been tested for TB over the past three days. […]

Taiwanese health officials are reporting today the first imported Zika virus infection in the country since testing began in 2003. The patient is a 24-year-old male from northern Thailand. Health officials say the individual was stopped by the quarantine officer at the fever screening station upon his arrival in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Infection with Zika […]

Health officials are advising the public to avoid any manipulation with sick or dead animals and their secretions as a monkeypox outbreak has struck Mbomou prefecture in southern Central African Republic (CAR). According to the Ministry of Public Health, at least two deaths have been reported leaving a number of other people quarantined. The health ministry says […]

Just one week after the Barbados Health Ministry announced they were investigating up to eight suspected Zika virus infections on the island, health officials and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) are reporting confirmed autochthonous Zika infection in Barbados. According to an official from the Ministry of Health, of the eight samples sent to the […]

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says: C. difficile was estimated to cause almost half a million infections in the United States in 2011, and 29,000 died within 30 days of the initial diagnosis. It’s a very serious infection and my guest on Sunday’s show answered a number of questions about the organism and […]

Thailand suffered through a heavy dengue fever season in 2015 with more than 140,000 cases and about 140 fatalities and experts predict another big year in 2016 . In addition to the above reports, the world of Thai entertainment suffered a blow when Thai actor, Thrisadee “Por” Sahawong contracted the mosquito borne virus and went into a coma back […]

Rotary announced $35 million in grants to support the global effort to end polio. In 2015, the world saw historic progress against the paralyzing disease, with just two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan – reporting a single strain of the wild virus. If the current momentum is strengthened, this year may mark the last case […]

Pakistan is one of two remaining polio endemic countries remaining and in 2015, they saw the most cases of wild poliovirus despite seeing a significant reduction in cases from 2014. Violence against polio workers is not a new phenomenon. We’ve reported on militant attacks on polio workers as far back as 2012, and last week, we […]

The National Health and Family Planning Commission in China has reported an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Guangdong province today. This is the ninth human case seen on the Mainland since May 2014. The patient is a 31-year-old woman from Futian, Shenzhen. She developed fever and cough on January 8 and is currently hospitalized […]

Heritage International (USA) Inc. of Compton, CA is voluntarily recalling one lot of Trader Joe’s Raw Cashew Pieces with the following code “BEST BEFORE 07.17.2016TF4” because of potential contamination with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune […]

During a press conference Friday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) division of vector borne diseases director, Dr. Lyle Petersen, discussed the outlook of Zika spread in the United States. “CDC continues to work with states to monitor for mosquito-borne diseases, including Zika. The first travel-associated Zika virus disease case among U.S. travelers was reported in […]

United Nations health officials have added three countries to the list of countries and territories with autochthonous transmission of Zika virus infection with that list now standing at 17 in the Americas. Last week, we reported on two confirmed imported Zika cases; however, Ecuadoran health officials are now reporting on two native cases. Veronica Espinosa, deputy cabinet […]

Philippines health officials are putting the number stricken from the Pio Del Pilar Elementary School in Makati City with food poisoning late last week at 125, according to as press release Friday. The reportedly got ill after eating snacks, a biscuit, at the school canteen. The students experienced symptoms of dizziness, vomiting and abdominal pain. Two […]

Impax Laboratories, Inc. announced this week that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Company’s supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for EMVERM (mebendazole) 100 mg chewable tablets. EMVERM is indicated for the treatment of Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), Ascaris lumbricoides (common roundworm), Ancylostoma duodenale (common hookworm), Necator americanus (American […]

Brazil has reported an estimated 1 million+ Zika virus infections to date and are investigating in excess of 3,500 microcephaly cases possibly linked to the mosquito borne virus and now the health ministry wants to get to work on a vaccine, and quickly. On Friday, The Minister of Health, Marcelo Castro, visited the Butantan Institute in […]

Officials with the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) reported five additional dengue fever cases on Hawaii Island Friday, bringing the total to 223, of which, 201 are residents. In addition, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has closed the Muliwai hiking trail on the far cliff side of Waipio Valley and its Waimanu Valley campground, […]

On the same day the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued interim travel guidance for travelers, particularly pregnant women, to countries and territories in Central and South America and the Caribbean that have local transmission of Zika virus, Hawaii health officials reported a past Zika virus infection in a baby recently born with microcephaly in […]

The current outbreak of the viral disease, Lassa fever, in Nigeria has resulted in some 53 fatalities in 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since December, according to UN health officials Friday. Lassa fever outbreak is a yearly occurrence during the dry season in Nigeria but, this year’s outbreak is more widespread with 10 […]

The spread of Zika virus in the Western hemisphere and the possible link between the mosquito borne flavivirus and microcephaly has grabbed the attention of the public, the media and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC interim travel guidance CDC scientists tested samples provided by Brazilian health authorities from two pregnancies that ended […]

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in Dubois County, Indiana. This is a different strain of HPAI than the strains that caused the 2015 outbreak. There are no known cases of […]

A new case of Ebola has been confirmed in Sierra Leone, reflecting the ongoing risk of new flare-ups of the virus in affected countries. The Sierra Leone government acted rapidly to respond to this new case. Through the country’s new emergency operations centre, a joint team of local authorities, WHO and partners are investigating the […]

Just a day after hearing Thailand health officials say that the dengue situation there is expected to spike in 2016, Malaysian health officials are expressing the same concern. After reporting a record dengue season in 2015 with more than 120,000 cases, health officials in Malaysia are reporting nearly 6,000 cases in just the first two […]