Outbreak News Today

Two zoonotic infections have made headlines in the United States this year, plague and tularemia, due to increased reports of each infection in humans, which has some people scratching their heads asking “why?”. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a zoonotic disease as a “disease that can be passed between animals and […]

An outbreak of the parasitic infection, trichinosis, has been reported in the city of Bahía Blanca, a city located in the south-west of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to a La Verdad Online report (computer translated). The local media reports that more than 100 people have been infected with 20 percent of those sickened being children. […]

Thailand For the first nearly nine months of 2015, the Thailand Bureau of Epidemiology puts the dengue fever case count at 76857 cases in 77, or all provinces in the country (morbidity rate was 118.02 / 100,000 population). Thai health officials say 74 people have died from dengue-related illness. The top five morbidity rate were from […]

West Nile virus California became the first state in the US to reach 200 human West Nile virus (WNV) this week after the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) saw 44 new cases during the pat seven days. Of the total of 201 cases, the following counties have seen the most WNV–Butte (43), Los Angeles (24), […]

Health officials believe that Salmonella-tainted lettuce or cabbage used in salads served to inmates at a Arizona prison is the cause of an outbreak that sickened hundreds earlier this month. Officials say that 241 of the 1,426 inmates plus three employees at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Winslow, Kaibab and Coronado Units contracted the food poisoning after eating […]

Vermont health officials said they are investigating a cluster of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections in patrons that ate at Worthy Burger in South Royalton, VT. As of Tuesday, five individuals have been confirmed STEC positive. In addition, two probable cases have been identified. No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported. Local media report that Jason Merrill, executive […]

In an update to the anthrax outbreak reported earlier this week in Morropón Province, Piura Region in Peru, the latest figures from the Health Network Morropón-Chulucanas shows the number of cases have increased by more than 20, according to a La Republica report (computer translated). Officials say the case tally has now reached 54, including six children […]

Health officials in Kansas City, MO are advising the public to take precautions to prevent infection with the gastrointestinal bug, Shigella, as the city is reported a huge increase in cases in 2015. The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department notes that in the typical year, the city sees some 10 cases of Shigella infection; however, since […]

Near the end of last week’s debate among the Republican candidates for the US presidency, CNN’s moderator, Jake Tapper, sought comments from Dr. Ben Carson, Donald Trump and Senator/Dr. Rand Paul regarding anti-vaccination statements Mr. Trump had made previously. Mr. Tapper’s inclusion of this subject after nearly three hours had elapsed in the debate demonstrated […]

In a follow-up to a report earlier this week, it is with sadness we report that the 6-year-old Leland Shoemake has lost his battle with the rare, amoebic infection, Balamuthia mandrillaris in a Atlanta hospital yesterday. On Friday evening, the news was posted on the Prayers for Leland Facebook page: Today sweet Leland went to be with the […]

Since Apr. 29, 490 premises in several midwestern and southwestern states have been confirmed positive, or suspected positive for Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) this week. The strain of virus is the New Jersey serotype, where confirmed, in eight states–Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah […]

Earlier this week, NanoBio Corporation announced that its intranasal nanoemulsion (NE) adjuvanted genital herpes vaccine has demonstrated efficacy in studies conducted in both the prophylactic and the therapeutic guinea pig model. Guinea pigs represent the primary animal model used to study genital herpes vaccines. The data was recently presented at the 40th Annual International Herpesvirus Workshop […]

BD Life Sciences, a segment of global medical technology company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) announced Thursday the availability of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared BD MAX™ Enteric Parasite Panel for use on the BD MAX System. The BD MAX Enteric Parasite Panel is the latest panel in the BD MAX Enteric […]

Taiwan first began formal reporting of dengue fever in 1981 and up till now, 2014 saw the most cases with 15,732. However, on Thursday the Taiwan CDC put the dengue tally at 16,074 making 2015 a record year for the mosquito borne infection on the island. In addition, health officials now put the death toll at […]

Health officials in Quebec, Canada believe they have detected the 1st autochthonous human case of Cryptococcus gattii infection in Eastern Canada in a Montreal woman. According to the case report, a previously healthy 20-year old female presented with a 4-week history of worsening headaches. A lumbar puncture showed an opening pressure of 47 mm Hg and CSF cultures were positive […]

Health officials in Knox County, OH has confirmed an outbreak of chickenpox among an Amish community in the south-eastern portion of the county. This comes a the heels of measles and mumps outbreaks in Central Ohio in the past year. Health officials note that this chickenpox outbreak is comparable to the other outbreaks, yet different, […]

For the past month, 6-year-old Leland Shoemake has been in the battle for his life against a relatively rare, microscopic invader that has landed him in a Georgia hospital. The Pike County child contracted the free-living amoeba, Balamuthia mandrillaris, which since 1993, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports only some 70 cases in the US. […]

A new study published in Scientific Reports shows that much of the signature taste in wines from various regions of the globe can be attributed to the strains of yeast that live on the grapes, and subsequently help ferment the product. The crop strains that produce wine have a varied phenotype resulting in wines of […]

New statistics published by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) last week shows that the sexually transmitted infection (STI), gonorrhea, has increased in rate of cases per 100,000 population by 79% since 2008. The bacterial infection caused by the organism, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has been reported in men three times as often as in females and 43 […]

Lucy’s Weight Loss System is voluntarily recalling all lots distributed May 25 – June 23 2015 of Pink Bikini and Shorts on the Beach Blue and Gold Edition, 30 blue capsules (750MG per) capsules and 30 gold capsule (800MG per) capsules to the consumer level. The Pink Bikini and Shorts on the Beach have been […]

Nursing is a crucial occupation in the health-care industry. Doctors rely on nurses to provide the best care for patients, which makes this a rewarding profession. A nurse is a caregiver, a decision-maker, a communicator, a patient advocate, and a teacher. Although this can be a challenging position, nursing offers job security and a competitive […]

All across the United States, hospitals, private practices and other medical organizations are short staffed. In fact, this problem has become profound enough for federal legislators to introduce a nursing shortage bill. In many cases, understaffing results from a lack of capital. If a company cannot afford enough employees, then it has to make compromises. […]

Scientists have discovered a new virus that can be transmitted through the blood supply. Currently, it is unclear whether the virus is harmful or not, but it is related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human pegivirus (HPgV), the latter of which was formerly known as hepatitis G virus. The new virus, which researchers have […]

The Philippines are reporting a surge of dengue fever cases from early August to early September, according to new numbers released by Department of Health (DOH) spokesman Lyndon Lee Suy Wednesday. Suy noted that since the beginning of the year through Sep. 5, the country has reported 78,808 dengue fever cases. This is up from 55,079 cases reported […]

Kuwaiti health officials have reported a death due to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection this past weekend. According to the details of the case, a 78-year-old male from Kuwait city developed symptoms on 8 September and, on 13 September, was admitted to hospital. The patient, who had comorbidities, tested positive for MERS-CoV on 14 September. […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Lonsurf (a pill that combines two drugs, trifluridine and tipiracil) for patients with an advanced form of colorectal cancer who are no longer responding to other therapies. “The past decade has brought a new understanding around colorectal cancer, in how we can both detect and treat this […]

National Institutes of Health scientists and their colleagues identified a previously unappreciated role for the soft palate during research to better understand how influenza (flu) viruses acquire the ability to move efficiently between people. In studies using ferrets, the team collected evidence that this patch of mucous-coated soft tissue separating the mouth from the nasal […]

Roche today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) waiver for the cobas® Influenza A/B test for use on the cobas® Liat System. It is the first CLIA-waived, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect influenza A and B in ~20 minutes. Coupled with the […]

Martin County, FL health officials are investigating three cases of ciguatera fish poisoning associated with the consumption of one fish caught on the Mercedes Reef in Ft. Lauderdale in August. All three residents became ill after fishing together and consuming some of the 30 pound amberjack. The residents are recovering and none were hospitalized. More […]

Clear Creek County Public Health has identified the first human case of Tularemia in the County this year. A County resident was diagnosed Aug. 30, and is receiving antibiotic treatment and recovering at home. Exposure to the tularemia bacterium was most likely during landscaping activities. Tularemia is a disease of animals and humans caused by […]

Over the course of a week, dozens of students at San Antonio’s Trinity University arrived at the Student Health Center suffering with the symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. On Tuesday, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported the confirmed cause of the outbreak was due to norovirus. Over the course of a week, some 78 […]

A 71-year-old man from the town of Almancil, Algarve Region, Portugal is the first laboratory confirmed human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in the country, according a World Health Organization (WHO) report last week. The patient was hospitalized with neurological symptoms in mid-July, fully recovered and was discharged on August 4. He had no travel […]

In the town of La Encantada in the northwestern region of Piura, health officials are investigating dozens of cutaneous anthrax cases linked to infected cattle, according to a RPP Noticias report (computer translated). Director of Health, Jesús Juárez Eyzaguirre said their are 49 probable cases, including 32 that have been confirmed clinically. He also noted that those […]

Former owner and CEO of Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), Stewart Parnell, has been sentenced to 28 years behind bars for a number of criminal charges related to knowingly shipping salmonella-tainted peanut products that was responsible for a large outbreak in 2008-2009. In addition to Parnell, his brother, Michael Parnell got 20 years and former quality assurance […]

The number of Legionnaires’ disease infections at the Illinois Veteran’s Home – Quincy remains at 54, including 12 deaths. The outbreak has prompted Illinois US Senator Dick Durbin to call on the federal government to look into the situation. According to a WGEM report Monday, Durbin wants the consultation of the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs […]

Bangladeshi health officials reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) in September of a human infection with an avian influenza A(H9N2) virus. The case, which occurred in a toddler in February, is the second known case in Bangladesh (1st case in 2011). The patient, a 3.5-year-old girl who developed mild illness on 1 February 2015 and […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced it has awarded 18 new research grants totaling more than $19 million to boost the development of products for patients with rare diseases, which affect the lives of nearly 30 million Americans. These new grants were awarded to principal investigators in ten states, with research spanning clinical […]

When used in combination with a sulfonamide and leucovorin, Daraprim is the preferred treatment among infectious disease specialists for toxoplasmosis. The drug was acquired from Impax Laboratories, Inc in early August by Turing Pharmaceuticals AG and the cost for patients instantly increased by some 5000 percent. The cost of the drug, the only FDA-approved treatment for the serious parasitic […]

LeafBio, Inc. (LeafBio), the commercial arm of Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. (Mapp), announced last week that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted ZMapp™ “Fast Track” designation for the treatment of Ebola virus disease. “Fast Track” designation is granted to drugs that the FDA determines, based on nonclinical or clinical data, have the potential to […]

Two weeks following the first report in New York state of a human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Onondaga County, health officials from two other upstate counties report human and equine cases of the dangerous mosquito borne virus. Oswego County Health Department Medical Director Christina Liepke, MD announced Friday the confirmation of the first human case of […]

Merck has announced that the two pivotal Phase 3 clinical studies for bezlotoxumab, its investigational antitoxin for prevention of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection recurrence, met their primary efficacy endpoint: the reduction in C. difficile recurrence through week 12 compared to placebo, when used in conjunction with standard of care antibiotics for the treatment of C. […]

Five additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), including two deaths, were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Jordan. According to the WHO, the patients comprise two males and three females aged from 10 months to 78 (median age: 53). Among them, two are associated with an outbreak in a hospital […]

In the previous post about sexually transmitted infections (STI), we looked at the more well know and common infections. In this second part, we will look at those infections less well known and in some cases, pretty uncommon. Trichomoniasis The CDC estimates about 3.7 million new and existing infections of this parasitic STI (Trichomonas vaginalis). […]

After several years of being diphtheria-free, the dangerous toxigenic disease has returned to the Kerala State city of Malappuram, which has taken the life of at least one child. The Times of India reported recently a child at an orphanage was clinically diagnosed with diphtheretic myocarditis and died late last week. The report notes: Two other students […]

The dengue fever outbreak in Taiwan has grown by an additional 443 indigenous cases on Sunday, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), bringing the total tally to 13,209. The second meeting of the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak occurred Friday and a multi-faceted approach in order to effectively bring the outbreak under control […]

Dozens of workers at the Taveras dam in Santiago province, Dominican Republic have contracted the serious fungal disease, histoplasmosis, in which three people have lost their lives. The workers were infected while cleaning a pipe vent that serves the dam, according to a El Veedor Digital report (computer translated). In addition to the three fatalities, more than 20 […]

A case of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease was confirmed in a 12-year-old cow, which died on a farm in Adlešiči, in southeastern Slovenia, according to the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE). Testing by the National Veterinary Institute (National laboratory) were positive for BSE via rapid tests and Western Blot. The reported case was […]

A suspected outbreak of the bacterial gastrointestinal disease, cholera,has killed at least six people in the Abu Ghraib area near Baghdad, according to an i24news.tv report. It is suspected that the disease was contracted by displaced Iraqis drinking Euphrates water. “Some people are drinking directly from the (Euphrates) river and the wells. The river water is polluted because the […]

The dengue fever outbreak in New Delhi has grown to approximately 2,000 cases as national and city governments attempt to tackle the most cases seen in the city in years. The death toll as of this weekend stands at 21. The India Health Ministry issued a new advisory to the Delhi government Saturday saying: In view […]

Sexually transmitted infections (STI), once called sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and venereal diseases (VD) have seen there highs and lows in the United States during the past couple decades. Some are very common, affecting millions annually which many people are aware of, while others are not so common and the general public may have never […]