Outbreak News Today

Health officials with the San Joaquin County Public Health Services (PHS) are encouraging the public to wash their hands and stay home from work or school if they have diarrhea after reporting a significant increase in Shigellosis cases this year. Shigella has been confirmed in 66 people so far this year in San Joaquin County; compared to an […]

In a systematic review of six in-person trials in Asian populations, the Cochrane Upper GI and Pancreatic Diseases Group showed that antibiotics given to individuals testing positive for Helicobacter pylori decreased the likelihood of those individuals developing gastric neoplasias (cancers). H.pylori is a gastric bacterium that can cause peptic ulcers and cancers in many individuals. […]

New York City health officials are currently investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx. Thirty-one cases have been reported since July 10. There have also been two deaths reported in patients with Legionnaires’ disease in these neighborhoods. They are actively investigating these deaths and their relationship to the outbreak. The Health Department is […]

Health officials in Walton County, Florida are reporting a second human case of West Nile virus, prompting an updated health advisory as concerns of additional people becoming infected are present. This follows the report of the first case of the year in the Sunshine State late last week in Walton County. Walton County health officials […]

Tainan City health officials reported a total of 78 new dengue fever cases during the past week (7/21 to 7/27), a three-fold increase in cases during the previous week, prompting health officials to ask the public to remove stagnate water at their homes in an effort to eliminate mosquitoes. According health officials (computer translated), the new […]

Kenya’s Catholic Bishops are calling for a boycott of an upcoming mass polio vaccination campaign scheduled to commence Saturday because the manufacturer failed to provide requested information and the government disregarded the bishops’ request for tests, according to a National Catholic Reporter report. The Bishops are questioning the safety of the vaccine and want to have tests performed […]

Four people have been referred to their health care providers to undergo post-exposure treatment after separate exposures to a dog that tested positive for the disease in Lexington County, the Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today. A dog from the Monticello Road area of northwest Columbia with evidence of healed wounds around its […]

Scientists at Colorado State University have detected a notably high number of Culex mosquitoes in northern Colorado this season, which could translate into high infection rates of West Nile virus. But so far there is no indication that the virus is spreading quickly from mosquito populations to birds, horses or people. A wet spring and summer […]

Rabbit fever has hit the Black Hills of South Dakota in the past month or so with seven human cases of the bacterial disease confirmed. Six of South Dakota’s cases were adults over the age of 50 and one was a child under 5. Five of the seven were hospitalized. Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for […]

In an update on a report late last week concerning a “probable” plague-related death in a 52-year-old Santa Fe County woman, New Mexico health officials tell Outbreak News Today that the case has been confirmed positive for Yersinia pestis, the first human plague case and death in 2015. Details on how the woman contracted the lethal […]

Washington health officials say that the investigation into a salmonella outbreak that has infected dozens this year may be linked to pork. The ongoing investigation of at least 56 cases in eight counties around the state includes food served at a variety of events. As of July 23, the 56 cases include residents of King […]

Five men, ages 56 to 80 throughout Weld County, have contracted the bacterial, zoonotic disease, tularemia. Health officials say it is likely they were exposed by while mowing or working in their yards. The five cases were from Greeley, Erie, LaSalle, Milliken, and Longmont. Two were hospitalized and three recovered at home. One man remains hospitalized, but […]

A 20-year study by James Cook University scientists has found a strong link between diabetes and tuberculosis in tropical Australia. Despite massive improvements in sanitation and antibiotic coverage over the last century, TB still remains the leading bacterial cause of death worldwide. Previous studies conducted in developing countries where TB is endemic have demonstrated the […]

Marking World Hepatitis Day 2015, which falls on 28 July in honor of the birthday of the scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus and its first vaccine, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are urging policy-makers, health workers and the public to act now to prevent infection and death from […]

Officials from the International Coordinating Group for Vaccine Provision for Epidemic Meningitis Control (ICG) warned today of the risk of a large meningitis outbreak in Africa due to an acute shortage of meningitis C-containing vaccines. The ICG ( International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), […]

South Korea has gone since July 4 without a new case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) prompting health officials and the Prime minister to say the outbreak is over. The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare’s MERS Task Force said Monday that consensus among healthcare experts that MERS infection is no more a matter of concern. […]

A male youth from the South Bay area is the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in Los Angeles County for the 2015 season, according to health officials. The patient, who had no prior medical history, was hospitalized for WNV disease mid-July and is currently recovering at home. In 2014, Los Angeles County reported […]

Following multiple reports of malaria among US travelers returning from the Dominican Republic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reminding travelers to most areas of the country to take malaria prevention measures. The Dominican Republic, including tourist areas like Punta Cana and Puerto Plata continues to have malaria transmission. Malaria transmission is not seen in Santiago […]

Fresh cilantro from the state of Puebla, Mexico has been implicated in annual recurring outbreaks (in 2012, 2013, and 2014) of cyclosporiasis in the United States and two states reporting cases this summer have identified cilantro from this region as a suspect vehicle with respect to separate illness clusters, according to an Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Import […]

On Friday, Jul. 24, the Florida Department of Health released a Q & A informational video about Hansen’s disease, or leprosy, in light of all the media attention surrounding cases reported in the state. I inquired with the health department about Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Carina Blackmore’s statement about a “unique” strain in armadillos. In an […]

Tennessee health officials have issued a public health advisory attempting to increase Hepatitis C awareness in the state after the latest data shows that acute hepatitis C cases have tripled during the past seven years. Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH says the incraesing numbers of cases may only be “the tip of the […]

Indian health officials are responding to an outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Assam State in northeastern India. According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 365 JE positive cases and 66 deaths due to JE have been reported from the State so far. This has prompted Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda […]

With Pennsylvania leading the nation in reported cases of Lyme disease, PA Department of Health Secretary Karen Murphy today called for increased awareness about this serious disease and outlined the department ‘s efforts to combat tick-borne diseases in Pennsylvania. “Every county in the state is affected by Lyme disease,” said Murphy at a press conference […]

The Queensland Department of Agriculture is advising horse owners to take steps to protect their animals from the risk of Hendra virus infection with the confirmation of a new case on the Atherton Tablelands. Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Allison Crook said a property had been quarantined after a horse died on the site earlier this […]

The world we live in has been dealt with key security challenges for years and it seems that nowadays, human security as well as national security level interchangeable. Terrorism by itself is a shadow in almost every part of our lives; however, it is also a reason for all of us to work on preventing and preempting […]

Kroger announced Saturday it is recalling Kroger Ground Cinnamon, Kroger Garlic Powder, Kroger Coarse Ground Black Pepper and Kroger Bac’n Buds sold in its retail stores due to possible contamination from Salmonella. A sample of Kroger Garlic Powder from a store in North Augusta, South Carolina was tested by the FDA and found to be contaminated […]

A presence of a highly antibiotic resistant microorganism in patients in a Brazilian intensive care unit has prompted the isolation of 30 beds, according to Brazil media (computer translated). The Hospital de Clinicas, Federal University of Uberlândia (HCU-UFU), in the Triangulo Mineiro detected 6 patients on the ward with the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC). Under […]

Officials in Kyrgyzstan are reporting eight suspected anthrax cases in the Jalal-Abad region. The individuals (7 men) and a child (a 12-year-old girl), have been hospitalized. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan said in a statement: “Eight villagers from Gian Talap, Tobo-Korgon, Ak-Tobo were hospitalized to the infectious department of Aksy district hospital […]

Brown Packing Company, a South Holland, Ill. establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of beef (veal) trimmings that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The raw, boneless beef (veal) trimmings were produced from Feb. […]

Reno County, KS health officials are investigating an increase in pertussis, or whooping cough, prompting a call to the public to see their physician if you have a cough that has lasted 2 weeks. Currently, more than 70 cases are being investigated. Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reports 41 confirmed or probable cases […]

People often ask me how to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of subsequent infection. Well folks, it is not that complicated…it’s not easy, but not complicated. You cannot get Lyme disease or any other tick-borne illness if you don’t get bitten. So, what’s the best way to prevent bites? I would suggest locking […]

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) received confirmation today that squirrels located in Parfet Park have tested positive for bubonic plague. Postings are being placed around the area today with information reminding citizens to take simple precautions to avoid exposure. Plague is a highly infectious bacterial disease carried by various types of wild rodents and is […]

North Dakota health and agriculture officials are reporting several cases of the bacterial, zoonotic disease, tularemia, in both humans and animals in at least four counties. To date, three human cases have been reported–confirmed cases in LaMoure and Burleigh County and a suspect, but likely case in Stark County. The health status of the three individuals […]

Routine bovine tuberculosis (TB) surveillance testing conducted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently confirmed a small beef herd as bovine TB positive in Alcona County. This is the 62nd cattle herd found in Michigan with bovine TB since 1998 and the second in 2015. […]

For the third time in the US this year, federal health officials are reporting a human case of novel influenza A virus infection (previous cases are reported HERE and HERE). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the human infection case was reported by the state of Minnesota. The person was infected with an influenza A (H3N2) variant […]

Nature’s Variety has announced a voluntary recall of their Instinct® Raw Chicken Formula for dogs with a “Best By” date of 04/27/16 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their […]

Florida health officials yesterday, in an effort to facilitate media interviews concerning the much published leprosy news, provided a YouTube informational video concerning Hansen’s disaese, or leprosy with Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Carina Blackmore (watch HERE, unfortunately, we are unable to hear the questions). The one thing Blackmore said that was not standard was concerning the […]

The Florida Department of Health is urging Floridians and visitors to protect themselves against West Nile Virus. The Department of Health today confirmed the first case of West Nile virus illness in Florida for 2015 in an adult female resident of Walton County. West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that causes mild to severe […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Praluent (alirocumab) injection, the first cholesterol-lowering treatment approved in a new class of drugs known as proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. Praluent is approved for use in addition to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in adult patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or […]

New Mexico has reported human plague cases every year since 2011 and now health officials are investigating Yersinia pestis as the likely cause of death of a 52-year-old Santa Fe County woman. Confirmatory testing is being conducted at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Scientific Laboratory Division. “Department of Health staff will go door-to-door to neighbors […]

Health officials with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) continues their investigation into a cluster of six cases of an unusual skin infection that appears to be associated with handling raw shrimp in the Campbellford area. Preliminary lab reports suggest the infections are caused by the slow growing bacterium, Mycobacterium marinum. The HKPR District Health Unit has […]

With additional cases of the mosquito borne viral disease, Japanese encephalitis (JE) reported, Taiwan health officials are urging the public to take precautions against mosquito bites and ensure children receive the vaccine timely in order to ward off infection. In particular, people who live near or work in close proximity to pig farms or rice […]

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that it will commemorate the fifth World Hepatitis Day next week with a global injection safety initiative campaign in three pilot countries together with the foundation arm of IKEA to combat the “silent epidemic” that kills more than 1.4 million each year. “Egypt, Uganda and India are three […]

Mosquitoes. Day-in and day-out, we don’t think much about them except when they are buzzing by our ear. We swat at them as we would any other nuisance. However, it has been said that mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism — over one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Odomzo (sonidegib) to treat patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma that has recurred following surgery or radiation therapy, or who are not candidates for surgery or radiation therapy. Skin cancer is the most common cancer and basal cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 80 percent of non-melanoma […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Daklinza (daclatasvir) for use with sofosbuvir to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 infections. Daklinza is the first drug that has demonstrated safety and efficacy to treat genotype 3 HCV infections without the need for co-administration of interferon or ribavirin, two FDA-approved drugs also used to […]

In 2014, Lake County, Florida, in the central part of the state, saw no cases of bacterial infection from Vibrio vulnificus. In fact, going back 5 years to 2010, the county did not report a case. However, in 2015, Lake County has just reported their 2nd vibriosis case of the year, which includes one fatality. […]

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Wednesday that between 1 January and 28 June 2015, the Ministry of Public Health of Niger notified WHO of 8,500 suspected cases of meningococcal meningitis, including 573 deaths. This was the largest meningitis outbreak caused by Neisseria meningitides serogroup C in the African meningitis belt. The number of suspected […]

Louisiana health officials confirmed Wednesday the presence of the Naegleria fowleri amoeba in the St. Bernard Parish Water System at the site of a leaking sampling station. The water system, which serves 44,000 residents in St. Bernard Parish, was tested by DHH as part of the State’s new public drinking water surveillance program. DHH notified the […]

Durham, NC based biopharmaceutical company, Chimerix announced yesterday that its investigational antiviral brincidofovir showed a survival benefit in a pivotal study of an animal model for smallpox. Chimerix is developing brincidofovir as a medical countermeasure against smallpox, for which there is no antiviral agent currently approved. Brincidofovir has demonstrated broad-spectrum in vitro activity across five families of […]