Outbreak News Today

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the U.S. Each year, norovirus causes 19 to 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis in the U.S. On Friday, two school districts reported the effects of the rapidly contagious gastrointestinal virus see hundreds of kids infected […]

Scotland health officials are investigating two suspected cases of wound botulism in injecting drug users. Both individuals are receiving hospital treatment. One of the patients is from the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area while the other is from the NHS Lanarkshire area. The cause of these infections is being investigated with the focus on injecting […]

Scottish nurse, Pauline Cafferkey, is back in the hospital 10 months after recovering from Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) because of an unusual late complication of her illness, Scotland health officials report. The 39-year-old Cafferkey was transferred from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow to the Royal Free Hospital in London Friday morning where she will be cared […]

Officials at the Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington, Ontario issued a warning for the community earlier this week because of a scabies outbreak that has required treatment for more than 1,600 patients, staff and volunteers. The outbreak of scabies started on Sep. 29 from a fourth floor patient who acquired the infestation from the community. […]

Ticks are arachnids, like spiders, scorpions and mites, from the Class Arachnida. While most tick bites do not transmit infectious disease, some very serious infections can be contracted from the bite of this vector. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services says several tick borne diseases are reportable which include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis among others. The […]

The number of cholera cases have increased by hundreds in recent days in Iraq as UN health officials now put the outbreak tally at more than 1,200, as of Wednesday. The cholera outbreak has spread to 15 governorates, with a total of 1201 laboratory confirmed cases of cholera. The epicentre of the epidemic appears to […]

A Red Alert has been issued in several municipalities in Haiti after a surge of cholera cases have been reported, according to a La Estrella report (computer translated). The outbreak, reported in the Southeast, has seen 268 cholera cases in the past week in the following cities: Gonaives, Saint-Marc, Saint-Michel de l’Attalaye, Lascahobas, Port au Prince, […]

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is widespread in India – at least in livestock – according to new research published this month in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. Investigators from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune examined 5,636 blood samples from cows, sheep, and goats from across India and found 354 from 22 states […]

In a follow-up report on the death of a Nigerian individual who reportedly demonstrated symptoms resembling a hemorrhagic fever like Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), World Health Organization (WHO) officials say the deceased was negative for the lethal virus. Channel News Asia reports WHO spokesman, Gregory Hartl confirmed this by email. “(The) dead person tested negative for Ebola. […]

Eight months after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Cambodia measles-free, the health ministry and WHO announced yesterday that a case was confirmed in rural Cambodia. According to a Joint WHO and the Cambodian Ministry of Health statement, the first case was detected in eastern Kratie province on Oct. 4 during routine surveillance on the virus. The […]

The Fairfax County Health Department is investigating a laboratory-confirmed case of measles. The individual is a child who was treated at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus but is no longer contagious. While the child was age-appropriately vaccinated with one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, it takes two doses of MMR vaccine to […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today allowed marketing of the first cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) nucleic acid-based test for simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens that can cause central nervous system infections. The FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel uses CSF specimens from patients who have signs and/or symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis. It is intended as an […]

The Baltimore-based Institute of Human Virology (IHV) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine launched its Phase 1 clinical trials of a novel HIV vaccine candidate developed by a research team led by Robert C. Gallo, MD, the Homer & Martha Gudelsky Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Director of IHV. Dr. Gallo’s team includes his […]

Officials at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) announced today that 15 unnamed people have been quarantined because they had contact with a patient that had symptoms resembling Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) who died Wednesday afternoon, according to the Nigerian news source, This Day Live. UCTH Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Thomas Agan made the announcement at […]

As part of the Government of Afghanistan’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio and strengthen routine immunization, H.E Dr. Ferozuddin Feroz, Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan, formally introduced last week the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) into the schedule of routine vaccinations programme for all children under the age of one. The introduction of IPV into the […]

The Patient Centered Care Advocacy Group (PCC Group) says it has documented a deliberate misinformation campaign by Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) panelists who are tasked with updating IDSA’s guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. The PCC Group cites the article IDSA Lyme Guidelines Panelists Engage in Coordinated Propaganda Campaign, by […]

For the first time in 19 months there were no Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases reported in any of the three West African countries during the week ending Oct. 4. Case incidence has remained below 10 confirmed cases per week for 11 consecutive weeks. Over the same period, transmission of the virus has been geographically […]

Less than a month after more than two dozen Hashers got lost in Merizo during a run and were later rescued, four out of 10 of the runners contracted a potentially serious bacterial infection. On Sep. 12, the runners were rescued by Guam Fire Department after getting lost during a run. Now local media report that 10 […]

Two years ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw at least three players sidelined with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Earlier this week, New York Giants tight end, Daniel Fells was reported as hospitalized and placed on injured-reserve due to an infection with the antibiotic resistant bacterium. Giants coach, Tom Coughlin said Wednesday, “We are concerned about Daniel Fells, […]

Insects come as a big problem for crops, and if you are into the agriculture business, you should be knowing this better than anyone. Insects can greatly harm the crops in several ways, which may make the crops unable to be sold or consumed later on. Due to this, you would never want to see […]

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has awarded $56,500 to each of three nonprofit agencies for innovative ways to reduce the epidemic levels of chlamydia in Minnesota. The grants run Oct. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2017. Chlamydia is the most frequently reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) in Minnesota with nearly 20,000 cases reported to […]

Whole Foods Market is recalling cheese sold in all stores nationwide that came from its supplier because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only […]

Some in the celebrity class in the US just amaze me with how they spew their lack of knowledge of medicine and science and offer advice for the masses. In the recent past we’ve seen opinion and rant from Donald Trump, Jim Carrey, Kristin Cavallari and of course, Jenny McCarthy on their expertise and advice on […]

The Thailand Bureau of Epidemiology reported an additional 5,500 dengue fever cases during the past week with the new cumulative total (Dengue fever, DHF and DHS) now at 86,460. In addition, four additional fatalities have been reported bringing the total to 86. All 77 provinces plus Bangkok have reported dengue fever cases this year. In […]

Idaho Fish and Game officials on Tuesday put the estimated number of whitetail deer dead due to the viral disease, bluetongue at 1,000. Bluetongue is transmitted the same way as Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and is a similar disease. Neither poses a threat to humans. Gnats transport the virus from animal to animal. Outbreaks become […]

Jordanian health officials are reporting an additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in a 53-year-old individual, according to a Petra report (computer translated). This is the 16th MERS case in the country since the virus appeared in the Middle East in 2012. The patient reportedly had contact with a previously MERS-identified patient. Jordanian health […]

In a follow-up report on the Shigella outbreak in Kansas City, MO, health officials on Monday put the case count at 190, up from 143 ten days ago. This is a dramatic increase compared to the normal year when 10 cases are seen. In addition, dozens of students at a Kansas City school were out sick with […]

Last week, the University of Iowa Student Health issued a health advisory because of “Additional University of Iowa students have tested positive for Mumps in the past few weeks”. Although they didn’t get very specific, the Johnson County Public Health Department (JCPHD) did and noted that a big percentage of mumps cases in the Hawkeye state […]

A fourth individual has died in the multistate Salmonella Poona outbreak linked to imported cucumbers bringing the death total to four, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tuesday. Sixty-one additional cases from two dozen states were reported during the past week putting the cumulative total to 732. Maryland reported their first case […]

In the span of two weeks, the number of dengue fever cases have increased by 14,000, according to updated data from the Philippines Department of Health Tuesday. For the period of Jan. 1 to Sep. 5, 2015, health officials put the dengue tally at 78,808. Today’s newly released numbers put the cumulative total to 92,807 […]

In the past three weeks, the number of dengue fever cases in Vietnam have grown to 43,000 cases nationally, up from 36,000 cases on Sep. 13, seriously pushing the health care system to the brink. During the first nine months of the year, the number of cases are up 30 percent compared to the same […]

During the past month, Scotland health officials have reported nine cases of Escherichia coli O157 PT32 associated to venison products produced by a company called Highland Game in Dundee. Health Protection Scotland says all cases had either consumed products (steaks, grillsteaks, sausages and meatballs) which had been purchased raw from a wide range of outlets and cooked […]

In a follow-up to a report last month from Senegal, the French language news source, RFI reports that the number of chikungunya cases reported from the Kédougou region has reached 20. The cases are primarily seen in mine workers in the gold zone. Prior to this past month, the latest active circulation of chikungunya in the […]

A pertussis, or whooping cough outbreak in the Frontino municipality of Colombia , located in the subregion West of the department of Antioquia, has sickened at least five and killed one newborn, according to a Noticias Caracol report (computer translated). Health officials have issued an alert for the village of Murri, in Frontino where an infant less […]

Portugal health officials are reporting a botulism outbreak that has sickened up to six people, including one foreign national, according to the General Directorate for Health (DGS) last week (computer translated). The DGS says there are four confirmed cases (one a Swiss resident) and two probable identified, linked to the consumption of Origem Transmontana brand smoked […]

In May, Princess Cruises’ Star Princess reported a norovirus outbreak on board the ship that affected some 151 passengers and crew. Now the vessel is docked in Vancouver after a end of a 15-day Hawaiian voyage with some 61 people sickened. “We saw an increase in guests with gastrointestinal illness on the previous voyage,” confirmed a […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today ordered the three manufacturers of duodenoscopes marketed in the U.S. to conduct postmarket surveillance studies to better understand how the devices are reprocessed in real-world settings. “This is a significant step in the effort to combat infections spread through duodenoscopes. The FDA has undertaken an in-depth investigation into […]

K-9 Kraving Dog Food has announced a voluntary recall of their Chicken Patties Dog Food shipped between July 13th – July 17th, 2015 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, […]

The dengue fever crisis in Delhi, India continues to grow with more than 6,500 cases, including 25 deaths reported to date making it one of the worst outbreaks in the city in years; however, according to one report, not everyone is chipping in and doing their part. A Times of India report this weekend says […]

The bad news is the Philippines Department of Agriculture (DOA) says that rabies is responsible for the deaths of 200 to 300 Filipinos per year, making it one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the country. The good news is the DOA has recently added 10 new zones in the country to the growing list […]

The death toll in the bombing of a Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders (MSF) hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan has risen to 22 (12 staff and 10 patients) and injured dozens of others. The bombing has drawn harsh criticism from the international medical organization and demands of a full and transparent account from international Coalition forces. “This attack is abhorrent and […]

An unspecified number of Yale University baseball players and at least one member of the women’s crew team has been infected with the antibiotic-resistant bacterium, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to a Yale Daily News report Monday. The MRSA cases have been reported from a source who asked to remain anonymous who stated a “few” baseball […]

Thailand health officials are advising the public that have a high fever during the rainy season to be cautious since they might have been infected with dengue fever. Through Sep. 28, the Thailand Bureau of Epidemiology has reported 80,951 cumulative dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue septic shock cases, including 82 deaths. Health officials […]

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported an additional 352 dengue fever cases Saturday, bringing the record year on the island country to more than 20,000 cumulative cases. Officially, the dengue tally is now 20,241 year-to-date, with 17,278 cases reported from Tainan City and 2,636 cases from Kaohsiung City. Health officials reported an additional two […]

In an update on the cholera outbreak in war-torn Iraq, The Iraq Ministry of Health and Environment announced today that the numbers continue to rise with anothert two dozen cases reported during the past 24 hours. According to a Alsumaria News report (computer translated), Assistant Director of Information in the ministry, Rifaq Al-Araji, said in an interview to […]

The number of blastomycosis cases linked to recreation at the Little Wolf River in Waupaca County near New London, WI has increased by two during the past week, bringing the total confirmed cases to 40, with an additional 37 probable cases being investigated. The Wisconsin Division of Public Health advises the public who have visited the […]

A newly published report from the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center (AFHSC) reveals a marked and continuous increase (49.1% overall) in crude syphilis incidence rates during the period between 2010 and 2014, and an increase in primary and secondary syphilis in active duty military members that mirrors trends reported in the civilian population as a whole. In […]

Health officials in North Dakota are investigating a salmonella outbreak centered around the Ward County area, which has sickened some 22 people since July. The outbreak strain has been identified as Salmonella Thompson and because the infections all have the same genetic pattern, they may have all originated from a common source. However, so far the investigation […]

CDC today launched its redesigned Healthy Pets Healthy People website, with expanded information about diseases people can catch from pets, farm animals, and wildlife. Users can now search alphabetically by animal and learn which zoonotic diseases they may carry. It is a unique “one-stop shop” where people can learn simple actions to protect themselves – […]

The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) is reported a suspected Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) death that has prompted mobilization of a MERS Task Force to create heightened awareness and vigilance among the public and prevent the spread of the communicable disease. On Tuesday, DOH received a report of a Saudi national who developed cough, high fever […]