Outbreak News Today

Today, WHO declares the end of the most recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Liberia and says all known chains of transmission have been stopped in West Africa. But the Organization says the job is not over, more flare-ups are expected and that strong surveillance and response systems will be critical in the months […]

Infectious disease outbreaks that turn into epidemics or pandemics can kill millions of people and cause trillions of dollars of damage to economic activity, says a new report from the international, independent Commission on a Global Health Risk Framework for the Future. Few other risks pose such a threat to human lives, and few other […]

The increase in microcephaly cases continue, albeit at a lesser amount than recent weeks, according to new data from Brazilian health authorities Tuesday (computer translated). 3,530 cases are under investigation from 724 municipalities in 21 Brazilian states. In addition, 46 babies with microcephaly deaths possibly related to the Zika virus are under investigation, all in the Northeast. […]

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reporting an increase of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) in Genesee County in summers of 2014 and 2015. While the MDHHS cannot conclude that the increase is related to the water emergency in Flint, the State of Michigan is treating this situation with the same urgency and transparency […]

Health officials with the China Centers for Disease Control have reported a human case of H5N1 avian influenza in a man from Chengdu city, Sichuan province, according to Chinese media (computer translated). The 42-year-old patient presented with fever and other symptoms in late December and was hospitalized in Qingyang district . On Jan. 2, he was transferred to […]

Every now and then, colonies of prairie dogs are wiped out by plague, an infectious disease most often associated with the Black Death of the 14th century. Plague doesn’t usually kill people these days, but it’s alive and well among the millions of ground-dwelling rodents of Colorado and other western states, notably the black-tailed prairie […]

On 13 January, WHO South-East Asia Region completes five years without any case of wild poliovirus. This is a remarkable achievement in view of the continued threat of poliovirus importation from the remaining polio-endemic countries. Countries in the Region have been making commendable efforts, stepping up vigilance against polio and continuing to protect children against the […]

Organ transplants performed in the United States in 2015 exceeded 30,000 for the first time annually, according to preliminary data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) serves as the OPTN under federal contract. “This landmark achievement is a testament to the generosity of the American public to […]

Venezuelan health officials are looking into whether fifteen people suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) are linked to infection with the mosquito borne virus, Zika, according to a El Nacional report (computer translated). Elia Sanchez, President of The Venezuelan Society of Infectious Diseases said, “We found cases with neurological complications. We responsibly wanted to have the specific etiological […]

There has been a plethora of reports on the microcephaly surge in Brazil and the potential link between the newest mosquito borne virus in the Americas, Zika virus, and the rare neurological condition found in newborns. Last week, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) addressed this issue in a Q & A saying research is […]

Some 80 people were sickened with the classic symptoms of norovirus–vomiting, nausea, diarrhea over the weekend after an event, in which hundreds of dancers, parents and coaches convened for the three-day 24-Seven Dance event in Rochester, NY. By Tuesday, health officials in Monroe County reported getting calls from people with the symptoms of the gastrointestinal bug. […]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a food poisoning outbreak and reminds the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases. The outbreak has affected three women, all aged 27. They developed vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fever about 24 to 40 hours after […]

Hawaii health officials reported three additional dengue fever cases on Big Island Tuesday, which brings the total of dengue local transmission in this outbreak to 213 since the first case was reported on Oct. 21. In addition, since the beginning of our current investigation on Hawaii island, six imported dengue fever cases have been confirmed […]

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has received a request from the European Commission to update its advice on the use in animals of colistin, which is one of the last-resort antibiotics to treat certain bacterial infections in humans. This follows the recent discovery of a gene (called mcr-1) that causes bacteria to become resistant to […]

Among adults with Clostridium difficile infection that is recurrent or not responsive to treatment, the use of frozen compared with fresh fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) did not result in a significantly lower rate of resolution of diarrhea, indicating that frozen FMT may be a reasonable treatment option for these patients, according to a study in […]

The National Health and Family Planning Commission in China just released information on eight additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) with onset of symptoms between November 24 and December 24. The details on the cases are as follows: 1. A male farmer aged 65 in Huzhou, Zhejiang, with exposure to a poultry market in critical […]

A very mild strain of H5N1 avian influenza has been identified on a farm in Fife by initial test results, the Chief Veterinary Officer has said. The results so far and the symptoms shown suggest it is a very mild strain of H5N1, less serious than other forms of the virus that have caused concern […]

Northern Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control are monitoring an increase in Hepatitis A cases in Dawson Creek. The investigation at to the source of the increase of Hepatitis A is ongoing, and an outbreak has been declared. Health officials are asking people to take the appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A. […]

The Health and Family Planning Commission of Ningbo Municipality, Zhejiang province is reporting two additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), bringing the total cases on the Mainland to 670 since 2013. According to health officials (computer translated), the patients are from the Yinzhou District –one of the patients is in critical condition while the other is in […]

The Public Health Agency’s National Microbiology Laboratory has confirmed to the BC Centre for Disease Control that a BC resident who had recently traveled to El Salvador has contracted Zika virus. The Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites, but mosquitoes known to transmit the virus to humans are not present in Canada. […]

It was only a matter of time Zika would arrive via South of the Border. Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) has received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that the Zika virus has been confirmed in a traveler who recently returned from Latin America. The individual developed symptoms […]

By Gail H. Javitt, JD, MPH, Of Counsel at DLA Piper Just in time for the peak of flu season, a New York trial court issued a decision on December 17 striking down a New York City rule that required children to have influenza vaccinations in order to attend city-licensed preschools and day-care centers. The case, […]

Each day on average 274 people in the US die from blood clots, according to data on the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) website. 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 […]

An increase in the presence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA in the Ottawa Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was first reported in mid-November when four babies were reported as positive for the bacterium, although not infected. The hospital updated the situation last week noting that seven babies currently in the NICU have tested […]

Valneva SE, a leading pure play vaccine company, announced today that vaccine manufacturer Adimmune was granted marketing approval for Valneva’s Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine by the Taiwanese Food & Drug Administration (TFDA). The product is expected to be marketed in Taiwan under the trade name JEVAL® . This approval follows the agreement signed in 2014 […]

The Ministry of Public of Ecuador (MSP) Health, through the National Epidemiological Surveillance confirmed that there have been two laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infections in Quityo residents, according to a news release (computer translated). The patients presented with rash, fever, itching, headache, generalized joint pain, conjunctival hyperemia. As part of epidemiological surveillance, blood samples were sent to […]

A June 2013 report on elephant tuberculosis (TB) in “Rama” the 30-year-old Asian elephant at the Oregon Zoo has found it’s way back into the news as a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report Friday discussed at least seven staff members at the Oregon Zoo who have tested positive for TB. The employees were infected with […]

The Ministry of Health in El Salvador announced they are investigating the deaths of two Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) patients last month and a possible link to the mosquito borne viral diseases Zika and chikungunya fever. According to a La Pagina report (computer translated), the head of epidemiological surveillance, Masís Rolando said, the cases are being […]

Since the first local transmission of human Zika virus infection in Colombia three months ago, the country has seen 11,712 laboratory confirmed, clinically confirmed and suspect Zika cases, according to health officials in the last epidemiological update of 2015. Colombia has reported an average of 1,360 cases per week during the past five weeks with 1658 cases […]

The actual number of confirmed dengue fever cases were down in 2015 compared to the previous year, according to data published by the General Director of Epidemiology at the Mexican Health Ministry. There were 21,201 confirmed dengue fever cases, 5,464 confirmed cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever and 42 dengue related fatalities in 2015, all down […]

Good Earth Egg Company, LLC of Bonne Terre, Missouri has announced a voluntary recall of its shell eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which 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 […]

Officials with Jiangxi Provincial Health and Family Planning announced (computer translated) late last week the death of a man residing in Guangdong Province who tested positive for H5N6 avian influenza (AI). The case was detected during routine monitoring and surveillance of influenza and severe pneumonia. H5N6 AI was confirmed by nucleic acid testing. The patient was a 42-year-male currently […]

Region IV-B, or the MIMAROPA region of the Philippines consists of the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan in the eastern part of the country. Former Typhoon Nona, internationally known as Melor, struck the central regions of the country about three weeks ago killing 42 people and causing about US$64.3 million in damage. In addition to the devastation, particularly […]

Autochthonous, or local transmission of Zika virus on the Lesser Antilles Caribbean island of Martinique was first confirmed in late December. As of today, health officials report 12 confirmed cases prompting the government to enter into Phase 2 of the monitoring program, warning and outbreak management, one that precedes the epidemic, according to a local media report […]

We reported on local transmission of Zika virus in Puerto Rico on Jan. 1. Now the World Health Organization released the following release: On 31 December 2015, the National IHR Focal Point (NFP) of the United States of America notified PAHO/WHO of the first laboratory-confirmed case of Zika virus infection in the Commonwealth of Puerto […]

Health officials in the eastern Caribbean island nation of Barbados are investigating eight suspected Zika virus infections, according to local media Friday. According to Minister of Health, John Boyce, samples on the suspected cases have been sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for confirmatory testing. Boyce is urging the public to clean up mosquito breeding […]

An outbreak of suspected Lassa fever in at least 10 states in Nigeria since November has resulted in up to 40 fatalities, according to Nigerian health officials. Health Minister Isaac Adewole said during a news conference yesterday, “The total number (of suspected cases) reported is 86 and 40 deaths, with a mortality rate of 43.2 percent.” […]

The Alabama Department of Public Health is investigating a foodborne outbreak in Pelham, Alabama. Four individuals who had eaten at Johnny Ray’s in Pelham, Alabama (309 Huntley Parkway) tested positive for Salmonella. Two have matching patterns of a rare Salmonella Enteritidis. Other potential cases of Salmonella are being investigated. As of January 8, 2016, the […]

Plague outbreaks occur annually on the island country of Madagascar and 2015 was no different. Health officials said Thursday that the outbreak that began in August has resulted in some 174 bubonic plague cases and 63 deaths. At least 79 people died after an outbreak in 2014 that continued into early 2015, when at least […]

The state of New Jersey has reported one human infection with a novel influenza A virus. The individual was infected with an influenza A (H3N2) variant (H3N2v) virus. The patient was not hospitalized and has fully recovered from their illness. The patient visited a farm near where swine are frequently housed but no direct contact with […]

The death toll has reached nine due to pneumococcal meningitis in the Tain District of the Brong Ahafo Region in South Ghana, according to a Citi 97.3 fm report. The outbreak of the bacterial infection began last month and nearly three dozen cases have been reported to date. Tain District Health Director, Dr. Michael Rockson Adjei said, “We […]

An outbreak of the mosquito borne viral disease, yellow fever, has killed three people to date in the West Gonga District of northern Ghana in West Africa, according to local media reports. The outbreak that started several weeks ago, prompted health officials to issue a health alert and has affected at least of dozen people. Health […]

New findings from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), confirm dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, the first-line treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection in Cambodia, has failed in certain provinces due to parasite resistance to artemisinin and piperaquine. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is an artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) for malaria that […]

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) announced this week the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a prime-boost Ebola vaccine regimen in both healthy and HIV-infected study volunteers. This study includes two vaccine candidates, Ad26.ZEBOV from Crucell Holland B.V., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies […]

Cold weather means more indoor time for many Montanans. Close contact indoors often helps spread illnesses, such as norovirus, anywhere people gather together. Holiday gatherings, schools and settings such as long-term care and assisted living facilities are especially vulnerable to outbreaks. “Norovirus can spread very quickly and can make some people very ill,” Department of […]

Globally, oral cholera vaccine (OCV) production is low, with demands currently exceeding supply. Sudan and Haiti last year made requests to WHO for supplies of vaccines to conduct pre-emptive vaccination campaigns that could not be filled because of the global shortage. The vaccine producer, a South Korean company, is the latest oral cholera vaccine (OCV) […]

Following human H5N6 avian influenza cases reported in Shenzhen City and Zhaoqing City since late December, early January, including a fatality, the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province has reported a 3rd case in the past couple weeks involving a 25-year-old Longgang, Shenzhen man. The patient is currently hospitalized in serious condition. From 2014 to date, a […]

A team of researchers at Kansas State University, in collaboration with Garcia-Sastre of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has developed a vaccine that protects poultry from multiple strains of avian influenza found in the U.S., including H5N1, H5N2 and H5N8. The vaccine has the potential to be administered through water or into […]

In what is likely to be the next eradicated infectious disease following smallpox, the Carter Center announced some big progress concerning Guinea worm disease today. Only 22 cases of Guinea worm disease were reported worldwide in 2015, an 83 percent reduction from the 126 cases reported in 2014, the greatest single percentage reduction in human cases […]

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is mosquito-borne virus that is endemic in parts of Africa. It primarily infects animals like sheep, cattle and goats and it can have an economic impact on a community due to the loss of livestock. Last month, several federal health agencies including the NOAA, USDA and the CDC released a report […]