Outbreak News Today

Hong Kong’s Siu Lam Hospital has been battling several infection control issues centered around a male ward for severe intellectual disability in recent days. Several days ago there were reports of an Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in at least 11 patients on the ward. Over the weekend, a hospital spokesman announced a norovirus outbreak on the ward where […]

Acinetobacter causes a variety of diseases, ranging from pneumonia to serious blood or wound infections, and the symptoms vary depending on the disease. Acinetobacter may also “colonize” or live in a patient without causing infection or symptoms, especially in tracheostomy sites or open wounds. In an announcement from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority today, six patients […]

At least two patients are being treated for the serious bacterial infection, necrotizing fasciitis, or the “flesh eating bacteria”, at the Rochester General Hospital, according to local media reports. In a press release yesterday, hospital officials write: We have treated patients at Rochester General Hospital for necrotizing fasciitis, sometimes referred to as flesh eating bacteria. Out […]

A modified, conventional measles vaccine has the potential to act against the Chikungunya virus. This is the result of a study at the University Clinic for Clinical Pharmacology of the MedUni Wien (Medical University of Vienna), which has now been published in the top journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Up until now, there has been […]

With 25,000 cases of dengue fever reported in Malaysia during the first two months of 2015, the country appears on a trajectory to see more cases than last year’s 100,000. In addition, the Malaysia Health Ministry has put the death toll due to dengue at 62, up eight in less than a week. In 2013, […]

Just the thought of it makes you itch. Bedbugs are small, oval, brownish insects that live on the blood of animals or humans. They are flat and roughly the size of Lincoln’s head on a penny and become swollen after a meal. Female bedbugs may lay hundreds of eggs, each of which is about the size of […]

A total of 99 new confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) were reported in the week to 22 Feb 2015, according to a World Health Organization Update. Guinea reported 35 new confirmed cases. Cases continue to arise from unknown chains of transmission. Transmission remains widespread in Sierra Leone, with 63 new confirmed cases. A […]

In addition to the plethora of health issues in Liberia, Ebola being at the top, another highly infectious disease is threatening young children, according to a blog post by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The bacterial infection, pertussis, or whooping cough has already infected more than 500 children in Maryland County in southern Liberia. “Pertussis is an […]

An outbreak of aggressive herpes the city of Bocoyna in northern Mexico’s, Chihuahua state has affected at least 20 young children, according to an El Heraldo report (computer translated). The children from the community of Santa Elena have sores and scabs mainly on the face. Some people is practically impossible to eat or sleep, as the lesions have spread them […]

The acute viral illness, Lassa fever, is no stranger to the west African country of Nigeria where the disease is endemic. In fact, during the previous two years, Nigeria has recorded more than 2,200 cases and nearly 80 deaths due to the zoonotic infection. According to the latest data from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC), […]

In a follow-up to a report yesterday, the HIV outbreak announced by State health officials earlier this week continues to grow, now reaching 27 confirmed cases and 10 preliminary HIV positive cases, the Indiana State Department of Health reported today. All cases are linked to injection drug abuse of the prescription drug, opana, with some individuals also […]

UNICEF Malawi is on high alert following a cholera outbreak in the southern border areas, where highly-populated camps for people displaced by the floods are located. In January, 15 districts across Malawi were devastated by floods. 230,000 people are still displaced as the rains continue, and 172 people still missing. Over a period of two weeks, […]

The rate of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis reported in the United States decreased during the 1990s; in 2000, the rate was the lowest since reporting began in 1941, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A look at Oregon Health Authority data shows that the Beaver State has seen a significant […]

A patron of the Berkeley restaurant, La Mediterranee, who was measles positive may have exposed hundreds last week, according a CBS San Francisco report. The adult, a San Mateo resident, visited the popular Berkeley restaurant Feb. 20, between 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. Health officials say at the time, the person did not have symptoms yet, and […]

In a follow-up to a report two weeks ago of a measles case in an employee of Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, health officials have identified three additional cases of measles who had exposure to the first case. The new measles cases are two Emeril’s staff members and a restaurant patron. […]

New South Wales Health has reported four cases of scombroid food poisoning linked to imported canned tuna served at Sydney Cafe prompting an investigation. The product in question, John Bull Tuna Chunky Style in Sunflower Oil is imported into Australia from Thailand. This is minor brand catering product that is not generally available to the public. NSW Food […]

Health officials with the West Sumatra Health Agency have reported a surge of the very serious vaccine-preventable disease, diphtheria, in the city of Padang over the past month prompting a mass vaccination campaign. “During the last four weeks, 28 cases of children with suspected diphtheria have been found, six of which tested positive for the diphtheria […]

The World Health Organization (WHO) released the following statement yesterday concerning the global influenza situation and the serious public health implications involved: The current global influenza situation is characterized by a number of trends that must be closely monitored. These include: an increase in the variety of animal influenza viruses co-circulating and exchanging genetic material, […]

Purina Animal Nutrition LLC has initiated a limited voluntary recall of DuMOR® Sheep Formula in Florida due to the potential for a higher-than-acceptable level of copper, which can cause health issues and potential mortality. There has been one report of sheep mortality associated with the single lot that is being recalled. Symptoms of copper toxicity […]

The number of hepatitis A cases in Australia linked to Nanna’s Berry products has increased , according to a Victoria health alert Tuesday. The updated case count is now 18. Four products from Patties Foods have been recalled to date: Nanna’s Fresh Frozen Mixed Berry 1kg packets regardless of dates and best-before dates. Nanna’s Fresh […]

The second cruise ship outbreak of 2015 investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) occurred on Celebrity Cruise lines’ Celebrity Equinox. The outbreak of the gastrointestinal virus, norovirus, sickened 150 of the approximately 4,000 passengers and crew on board the vessel. In response to the outbreak, Celebrity Cruise Line and the […]

Hong Kong health officials are advising the public to heighten vigilance and get vaccinated early against seasonal influenza in light of the severe flu season they are experiencing this year. In the 24 hour period from Monday to Tuesday, health officials reported an additional 17 influenza-associated admission to intensive care units or death (all were fatal […]

More than 90 percent of new HIV infections in the United States could be averted by diagnosing people living with HIV and ensuring they receive prompt, ongoing care and treatment. This finding was published today in JAMA Internal Medicine by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Using statistical modeling, the authors developed […]

In response to four recent cases of meningococcemia/meningococcal meningitis in University of Oregon students since the beginning of the year, including the death of 18-year-old freshman, Lauren Jones, the school began Monday to provide, at a cost, the meningitis B vaccine for UO students. The remainder of the vaccination clinic days/hours include Tuesday through Friday this […]

A Chinese national in Singapore has become the first dengue fever-related fatality of the year in the city-state. The 53-year-old woman died Monday at the National University Hospital (NUH), according to local media accounts. She lived on West Coast Road, which is the site of an active seven-case dengue cluster, the report notes. To date, the National Environmental […]

The number of measles cases in the United States has reached 154, as of Feb. 20, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Monday. The number of states remains unchanged at 17 and the District of Columbia. Three out of four cases are part of a large, ongoing multi-state […]

Three deaths linked to gastrointestinal anthrax reported just over the border of South Sudan and northwestern Uganda was recently reported by the Xinhua News service. The three South Sudan nationals died at two different hospitals in Uganda territory. Ugandan state media say the patients contracted the disease from South Sudan but crossed into Uganda in search of better […]

Health officials in Borneo say they have reported a three-fold increase in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) this year compared to 2014 and this has prompted Malaysian health authorities to urge the public to be vigilant as the mass movement of people during the Lunar New Year may cause an even larger increase in the […]

A 40-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl are the first fatalities due to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) this year in the Baja California capital of Mexicali in 2015, according to a Mexican news source (computer translated). Nestor Hernandez Milan, head of the Department of Epidemiology for the Ministry of Health of Baja California said the deaths occurred […]

Antibodies that protect against H7N9 avian flu, which emerged in China in 2013 and sparked fears of a global pandemic, have been isolated in individuals who received seasonal flu vaccinations. These antibodies account for a small percentage of the total immune response, but appear to broadly neutralize H7 viruses and represent promising new targets for […]

The Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province (GDHFPC) has reported an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9), making it the 166th case of the bird flu reported in the southern China province since Mar. 2013. According to the GDHFPC, the patient is a 48-year-old woman who lives in Shantou. She is currently hospitalised […]

By Vincent Racaniello, PhD An otherwise balanced review of selected aspects of Ebolavirus transmission falls apart when the authors hypothesize that ‘Ebola viruses have the potential to be respiratory pathogens with primary respiratory spread.’ The idea that Ebolavirus might become transmitted by the respiratory route was suggested last year by Michael Osterholm in a Times OpEd. That […]

The speculation over the cause of death of University of Oregon (UO) freshman, Lauren Jones is over as the Lane County Health Department confirmed Friday the 18-year-old died from the serious bacterial infection. The Southwest Dekalb High School graduate is the fourth case of meningococcemia/meningococcal meningitis case at UO since the beginning of the year. Earlier this […]

A new CBS News poll on vaccines in America shows some shifting views on vaccines since the measles outbreak started in Dec. 2014. Concerning the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR), nine out of 10 people polled believe vaccines for measles are safe and that it’s not likely linked to autism. Related: Young American adults, vaccines and […]

The Canadian province of Ontario continues to see a trickle of new measles cases this year. The number of cases reported since the beginning of the year has reached 13 with newly reported cases in Toronto and Niagara in the past day. Of the 13 total cases recorded, the majority are from Toronto with nine. […]

A total of eight tigers contracted the H5N1 avian influenza virus at a Chinese zoo, according to a report from the FAO Emergency Prevention System (EMPRES) this month. The tigers are housed at Nanning City zoo in Guangxzi Province. The report notes that two of the tigers perished as a result of the lethal bird flu. H5N1 HPAI was […]

The issue of vaccines and measles continue to dominate the health headlines; however, another infectious disease and vaccine-related topic has risen in terms of attention and that’s meningococcal meningitis. A number of American and Canadian universities to include the University of Oregon, Yale University, Providence College, Marquette University and Acadia University in Nova Scotia have […]

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) released a slew of documents Friday in response to the tetanus vaccine controversy in the African country and in response to laboratory reports that claim that 30 percent of vials tested contained beta-HCG. Bishop Paul Kariuki has advised that before any campaign is undertaken joint testing must be carried […]

Public Health England is reporting a rise in cases of scarlet fever this year seeing nearly 1,300 cases during the first month and a half of 2015. This is nearly double the number of cases reported during the same period in 2014. Steep increases in scarlet fever activity are being seen across the country, with […]

Some 65 people in Jammu and Kashmir State have been stricken with typhoid fever in the Rajouri district with local officials blaming the outbreak on contaminated drinking water, according to Greater Kashmir report Sunday. Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Rajouri, Dr, Mehmood Bajar said as of Saturday around 260 patients with Typhoid symptoms were registered in the hospital, […]

In a follow-up to a report over the weekend, NSW Health is warning people to watch for symptoms of hepatitis following reports of two cases of hepatitis A in NSW linked to Nanna’s frozen mixed berries. This follows the identification last week of three cases in Victoria linked to the same product. In addition to the […]

Hong Kong health officials reported the latest surveillance data on the winter influenza season and are reporting a significantly heavier season concerning severe flu and flu deaths than in 2014. Just in the past 24 hours, nine additional cases of influenza-associated admission to intensive care units or death (eight deaths) among adults aged 18 or above […]

The dengue fever outbreak in Malaysia last year reached approximately 100,000 cases, about a three-fold increase from 2013. It would seem that 2015 will be another harsh dengue fever season in the southeast Asian country based on numbers reported by the Malaysia Ministry of Health Friday (computer translated). The total cumulative dengue cases reported from […]

In a follow-up to reports of a wound botulism outbreak in Scotland in intravenous drug users, Health Protection Scotland says from 21 December 2014 to 9 February, 21 people in Scotland have been admitted to hospital (seven since 1 February 2015), with illness where botulism has been suspected. Two of the 21 cases have been […]

The number of East Stroudsburg University students sickened in the current gastrointestinal infection outbreak has topped 150; however, the University says there is a declining number of students who are presenting with symptoms. Some of the students live on campus and some are commuter students. Additionally, ESU personnel have been reporting similar illness/symptoms within the last week. As […]

Consumers have been warned to avoid an imported frozen mixed berry product which may be contaminated with Hepatitis A. Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Rosemary Lester, said today anyone with the 1 kg packets of Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berry in their freezer should dispose of them immediately. The warning follows notifications of Hepatitis A in […]

In a follow-up to a report one week ago, Yale University officials say the type of meningitis identified in an infected student is meningitis B. Laboratory testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now confirmed that the student tested positive for a form of meningitis known as serogroup B meningococcal disease. […]

Following the confirmed cases of students infected with bacterial meningitis at the University of Oregon, Providence College and Yale University, the Medical Director at Marquette University in Milwaukee has announced a student has been diagnosed with the serious bacterial infection. In a Public Health Alert Friday, Carolyn Smith, MD said a Marquette student has been diagnosed today with bacterial […]

The Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province (GDHFPC) has reported an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in the South China Sea coast province. According to the GDHFPC, the patient is a 45-year-old man who lives in Meizhou. He is currently hospitalised for treatment and in a critical condition. To date, 573 human cases […]

Mike Coston is the Owner/Editor of Avian Flu Diary We’ve news of a human H9N2 infection in Aswan, as well as a bit of confirmation of our H5N1 count for Egypt this year, courtesy of the latestFAO/EMPRES Animal Influenza Update # 636 and a head’s up overnight to FluTrackers and myself by @nlintelligence (see FluTrackers post) […]