Outbreak News Today

Results from a large clinical trial in the United States and South America indicate that AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, AZD1222, is well-tolerated and protects against symptomatic COVID-19 disease, including severe disease or hospitalization. The independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) overseeing the trial identified no safety concerns related to the vaccine. The United Kingdom-based global […]The post AstraZeneca vaccine prevents COVID-19 according to results from a large clinical trial appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Bavarian Nordic A/S announced today that the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has ordered IMVAMUNE® smallpox vaccine to the national stockpile at a total value of USD 31.2 million. Deliveries of the vaccines are expected to occur from the first quarter 2022 with anticipated completion in 2023. Hence this order, which is made under an […]The post Canada orders more IMVAMUNE smallpox vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatán Peninsula, is reporting an increase in chickenpox cases during the first two months of the year, according to a report from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (Sinave). Through the end of February, 58 cases have been reported, higher than neighboring states Yucatán, Tabasco, and […]The post Mexico: Chickenpox cases up in Quintana Roo state appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Hong Kong health officials are monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Guangxi in southern China. The case involved a 50-year-old man living in Hechi in Guangxi. He developed symptoms on February 16, and was admitted for treatment on February 17 due to severe pneumonia. The patient passed away on March 2. From […]The post China reports human H5N6 avian influenza death in Guangxi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Last year, more than 10 million PCR tests were performed in Denmark. Four million Danes had at least one test done. Researchers at the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) have now analysed patterns in these test data with a focus on the individuals who tested positive more than once. The data were used to […]The post 80% of those testing positive for the COVID-19 virus would be protected against becoming infected again: Danish study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 30 confirmed Lassa fever cases the week ending March 14, bringing the country total to 191 for the year to date. These were reported from seven States (Edo, Ondo, Kaduna, Taraba, Ebonyi, Plateau and Bauchi) Officials also reported six deaths. From Jan 1 to Mar […]The post Nigeria reports 30 additional confirmed Lassa fever cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 On Saturday, the Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea reported two cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (clots in the vessels draining blood from the brain) within 4–10 days of receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Both patients had medical risk factors for blood clots, and the analysis of the cases is still incomplete. As a […]The post Finland reports two CVST cases, suspends AstraZeneca vaccine use appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Dogs infected with the Leishmania parasite smell more attractive to female sand flies than males, say researchers. The study published in PLOS Pathogens is led by Professor Gordon Hamilton of Lancaster University. In Brazil, the parasite Leishmania infantum is transmitted by the bite of infected female Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies. Globally over 350 million people are at […]The post Leishmania: Dogs infected with the parasite smell more attractive to female sandflies appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Ukrainian health officials reported in February 2021, 1,395 new cases of HIV infection were officially registered in Ukraine. In addition, 389 patients were diagnosed with AIDS, and 123 people died of AIDS. The Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health said heterosexual transmission was predominant with 821 cases, while men who […]The post Ukraine reports nearly 1400 HIV cases in February appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Minister of Health, Enrique Paris announced Saturday that new restrictions for travelers will be put in place. “We are very concerned about the circulation of new strains from abroad, for which we are going to tighten some measures for travelers,” said Paris. The new restrictions, which were established considering the epidemiological situation of […]The post Chile tightens travel restrictions as record COVID-19 cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 German health officials decided to resume the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine Friday after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) reported Thursday that the benefits of getting the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca still outweigh the risks. “We have to remain cautious, prudent and pragmatic: with the decisions on AstraZeneca we did just that,” said […]The post Germany resumes use of AstraZeneca vaccine as COVID-19 infections rise appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Millions of children weighing less than 15kg are currently denied access to Ivermectin treatment due to insufficient safety data being available to support a change to the current label indication. The WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN)’s new meta-analysis published today provides evidence that supports removing this barrier and improving treatment equity. A systematic review and […]The post Parasites treatment: Ivermectin is safe and well tolerated in young children appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In a follow-up on Norway’s Institute of Public Health (NIPH), or Folkehelseinstituttet (FHI) decision to put the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on pause, the NIPH will keep use of the AstraZeneca vaccine on hold in Norway and will continue a thorough review of the situation. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) presented their assessment of […]The post Norway will keep use of the AstraZeneca vaccine on hold as review continues appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Teddy Cambosa Health authorities in the Philippines have announced that 114 of the new cases in the country are linked to the three new coronavirus variants, two of which are of major concern. Of these new cases, 46 are infected with the variant first identified in the United Kingdom known as B.1.1.7, 62 are […]The post 114 new COVID-19 cases in Philippines linked to new virus variants appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Teddy Cambosa Listeriosis outbreaks in England and Wales are lowering down in trend, but still prevalent, new research from the Gastrointestinal Infections team at Public Health England (PHE) showed. According to the research, 156 cases of listeriosis were reported in England and Wales in 2018, on which the largest proportion of reported listeriosis was […]The post New research shows listeriosis in England, Wales still prevalent albeit decreasing appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Teddy Cambosa New statistics from the Southeast Asian nation of Cambodia shows that 53 new cases are added to the country’s recent ‘February 20 community outbreak’, now with a total of 1,115 cases related to the community outbreak. According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak is attributed to four escapes from Sokha Hotel, […]The post Cambodia COVID-19 community outbreak tallies 53 new cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Teddy Cambosa The Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines has recorded its highest number of COVID-19 cases, tallying at 7,103 new cases yesterday. It has already surpassed the COVID-19 spike count last August 14, 2020, where the country has tallied 6,134 cases. According to the latest DOH bulletin, the new cases add up […]The post COVID-19 cases in PH peak new at over 7,000 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Teddy Cambosa The Philippine government has announced that it will be receiving 3 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine after issuing an emergency use authorization (EUA) grant from the nation’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine, developed by Russian research institute Gamaleya Institute, is requested to be rolled out nationwide this coming […]The post Philippines to receive 3M doses of Sputnik V vaccine from EUA grant appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new antibiotic compound clears infection of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea in mice in a single oral dose, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State and Emory University. The compound targets a molecular pathway found in bacteria but not humans and could lead to new treatments for gonorrhea and infections from other […]The post New antibiotic compound effective against multi-drug resistant gonorrhea in mice appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) reported Thursday that the benefits of getting the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca still outweigh the risks despite possible link to rare blood clots with low blood platelets. They note the vaccine is not associated with an increase in the overall risk of blood clots (thromboembolic events) in those who receive it; however, […]The post European officials: COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca not associated with an increase in the overall risk of blood clots appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Rhode Island Health and Agriculture (DEM) officials report a New England cottontail rabbit from Patience Island that tested positive for tularemia (Francisella tularensis) recently. Located off the northwest coast of Prudence Island in Portsmouth, Patience Island is currently home to a New England cottontail rabbit (NEC) population, a candidate species for Federal Endangered […]The post Tularemia reported in Rhode Island rabbit appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement today concerning the safety of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after a number of European countries temporarily suspended use due to blood clots reported in some patients. WHO says in extensive vaccination campaigns, it is routine for countries to signal potential adverse events following immunization. This does not […]The post WHO: Benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

George Washington University researchers found low dose aspirin may reduce the need for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission and in-hospital mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Final results indicating the lung protective effects of aspirin were published today in Anesthesia & Analgesia. “As we learned about the connection between blood clots and COVID-19, we knew that aspirin – […]The post Researchers find aspirin may have lung-protective effects and reduce the need for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission and deaths in hospitalized COVID-19 patients appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Dengue cases continue to increase in Paraguay in 2021. More than 6,000 suspected and confirmed cases have been reported to date, one of the highest totals in the Americas. The highest percentage of infected is located in Concepción, Boquerón and Alto Paraguay. The predominant serotype in the country is DEN-2 and co-circulation with […]The post Paraguay: Dengue cases continue to increase appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews In a follow-up on the Yersinia enterocolitica outbreak in Sweden, The Swedish Public Health Agency says the outbreak of Yersinia enterocolitica is over. During the period January and up to the beginning of February, twice as many people fell ill with Yersinia infection as during the same period in a normal year. Of […]The post Sweden: Yersinia enterocolitica outbreak over, Iceberg lettuce is the suspected source appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On March 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was alerted to five cases of acute non-viral hepatitis (resulting in acute liver failure) in infants and young children that occurred in November 2020 with an unknown cause reported to the Southern Nevada Health District. All five patients had been hospitalized but have since recovered. All […]The post Non-Viral hepatitis cases possibly linked to Bottled Alkaline Water appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly in care homes in England in November and December last year, broadly reflecting its spread in the general population, according to a study by UCL researchers. The study, published as a letter in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at positive PCR tests of care home staff and residents […]The post UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly in care homes in England in November and December last year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) reports seeing an increase in gastrointestinal (GI) illness, suspected norovirus, in child care centers in the county. Health officials say the reported symptoms are very similar to norovirus, a very common and highly contagious GI illness that lasts anywhere between 24 and 72 hours. Community members who […]The post Colorado: Suspected norovirus increases reported in Mesa County child care centers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Medical Products Agency are investigating reports of suspected side effects of blood clots in combination with bleeding in individuals vaccinated with Astra Zeneca’s covid-19 vaccine. The investigation examines the reports of suspected side effects that have been received in recent days to determine whether there is a […]The post Sweden pauses use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine pending investigation appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Health officials in Butembo, North Kivu province said that 1,515 people have already received the vaccine against the Ebola virus which has resurface in the province. “The vaccination to date is that out of the 1,517 eligible, we have been able to vaccinate 1,515 people. And in these figures of 1,515, 866 are in […]The post Ebola in DRC: 1500 vaccinated, Healthcare providers threaten strike appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Melinta Therapeutics, LLC (Melinta), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved KIMYRSA™ (oritavancin) for the treatment of adult patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) caused by susceptible isolates of designated Gram-positive microorganisms, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). KIMYRSA is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic that delivers a complete course […]The post MRSA: KIMYRSA (oritavancin) receives FDA approval for treatment of ABSSSI appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has reported over the last week several cases of thrombotic events in some European countries, including Spain, temporarily related to the administration of the vaccine against COVID -19 from AstraZeneca. The initial assessment of these reported cases of thrombotic events did not show a […]The post Spain suspends AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for the next two weeks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Union County. The Department is aware of 14 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease, including one death, among individuals who live in or spend time in the county. The cases were reported to the Department between February 3 […]The post Legionnaires’ Disease cluster reported in north New Jersey appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In a follow-up on the Salmonella Enteritidis in Sweden, The Swedish Public Health Agency have now reported 25 confirmed cases across 14 regions in the southern and central parts of the country since December 2020. 72% of cases are children under 10 years (n = 18), 16% of cases are over 70 years […]The post Salmonella outbreak grows in Sweden appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Norwegian Medicines Agency has received several adverse reaction reports about younger vaccinated people who have had skin hemorrhages (small-spotted skin hemorrhages and / or larger or smaller blue spots) after the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination. This is serious and can be a sign of decreased platelet count. Health officials were informed yesterday of a […]The post Norway reports blood clots in young people with the AstraZeneca vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351, in the state. This variant is the same one that was first discovered in South Africa in October and is also commonly referred to as the South African Variant. The case involved a New Castle […]The post Delaware reports 1st case of COVID-19 variant B.1.351 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Earlier this week, Vermont health officials have confirmed detection of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 – the viral mutation first detected in the U.K. in the fall of 2020. This is the first lab-confirmed evidence of the variant in the state. The variant was detected in a specimen taken from a resident of Chittenden […]The post Vermont reports 1st COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, A concern, but not a surprise appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Taiwan CDC reported Tuesday the first domestic case of typhoid fever in the country for 2021. The case is a female in her teens who lives in central Taiwan. She experienced fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms since February 2. On Feb. 8, she was hospitalized for a high fever and […]The post Typhoid: Taiwan reports 1st domestic case of 2021 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 We’re a little late on this story out of Texas, in which a cougar at a facility that exhibits wild animals tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. On February 10, The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) announced the confirmation. This is the first cougar in the United […]The post Cougar tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Texas, 1st in US appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Santa Catarina already accounts for the death of 64 monkeys due to yellow fever. The latest epidemics (death or illness of a monkey) were confirmed this Thursday, March 11, in Lages (4), São José do Cerrito (3) and Rio Fortura (1). In addition, SC has two confirmed human cases in 2021. The first, recorded […]The post Brazil: Additional monkeys die from yellow fever in Santa Catarina, Two human cases in 2021 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Malaysia Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported two additional confirmed cases of rabies among humans in Sarawak. Both the patients died. The first case of rabies was a 52 -year -old Malaysian man. He denied having a history of being bitten or scratched by dogs or other mammals. However, he once arrested […]The post Malaysia: Two additional human rabies fatalities in Sarawak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The New Zealand Food Safety is warning consumers to thoroughly cook mussels before eating following 2 people reportedly becoming sick from Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the Nelson-Tasman region. Paul Dansted, director of food regulation at New Zealand Food Safety said, “Vibrio parahaemolyticus is bacteria in mussels that may cause food poisoning if they’re undercooked or eaten raw. […]The post New Zealand: Possible Vibrio parahaemolyticus cases prompt raw mussels warning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 25 confirmed Lassa fever cases the week ending March 7, including one more death, bringing the country totals for 2021 to date to 161 cases and 32 deaths. The new cases were reported from six States (Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Benue). In total for […]The post Nigeria reports 25 additional Lassa fever cases, one death appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In a follow-up report on the human infections with the A(H5N8) bird flu virus in Russia last month, Rospotrebnadzor chief, Anna Popova predicts the mutating H5N8 strain of avian flu has a high risk of human-to-human transmission. In an interview with Mikhail Petrov with Russian News Agency TASS (computer translated), Popova was asked: […]The post Russian authority: H5N8 avian influenza mutating strain has fairly high degree of probability of human-to-human transmission forecasts appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) has confirmed that the B.1.1.7 variant, aka the “U.K. variant” of COVID-19, has been detected in the state. The findings were verified by an out-of-state commercial laboratory. Thus far, there have been two identified cases of the variant, and neither patient was hospitalized, and both have […]The post South Dakota reports 1st UK Coronavirus Variant B.1.1.7 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded $2.5 million in grants to 12 institutes around the world to support research on bacteriophage therapy. These awards represent NIAID’s first series of grants focused exclusively on research on this therapy, an emerging field that could yield […]The post Bacteriophage therapy: NIH awards $2.5 million in grants to support research appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 As of Thursday, March 11, the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 12 total EVD cases have been reported (11 confirmed and one probable). This includes 5 deaths. DRC media are also reporting an Ebola Treatment Center (CTE) of Masoya, in Lubero territory, near […]The post DRC Ebola outbreak: Total cases rise to 12, Ebola Treatment Center vandalized appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 European health authorities have reported 22 cases of thromboembolic events (blood clots) had been reported among the 3 million people vaccinated with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in the European Economic Area. In Austria, the government suspended the use of a batch of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca (batch number ABV5300) after a person was diagnosed with multiple […]The post Philippines say no reason to stop rollout of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In a follow-up report on Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) situation in Saudi Arabia in 2021, on Thursday, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health (MOH) reported two additional cases in people from Riyadh City. The first patient is a 57-year-old man from Riyadh who had contact with camels and the second patient […]The post Saudi Arabia health officials report two additional MERS cases in Riyadh appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Finland health officials (THL) report the vaccination program against tick-borne encephalitis will be extended to Luoma area in Kirkkonummi and to a part of the Sipoo archipelago. There has been a significant increase in the incidence of the disease in these areas during the five years of monitoring. Permanent and holiday residents over […]The post Vaccination program against tick-borne encephalitis extended in Finland, Increase reported in Kirkkonummi and Sipoo appeared first on Outbreak News Today.