Outbreak News Today

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Philippines Department of Health (DOH), along with the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the UP-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) confirm the detection of nineteen (19) additional COVID-19 cases positive for the B.1.1.7 variant (UK variant). This brings the total B.1.1.7 variant cases in the country to 44. No other […]The post Philippines report 19 additional B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services has established “Clinical Teams” of Specialists in addition to the many Public Health workers performing outreach programs in Sigatoka, Rakiraki, Navosa, Nadarivatu, Nabouwalu, and Savusavu. The teams will facilitate community awareness and public health measures to reduce the risk of the spread of Leptospirosis, Typhoid, […]The post Leptospirosis cases up in Fiji with 5 deaths recorded appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Guinea In a follow-up on a report yesterday on a possible Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the west African nation of Guinea, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported today that Guinea health officials declared an outbreak of Ebola in the rural community of Gouéké in N’Zerekore prefecture after three Ebola cases were […]The post Ebola outbreak declared in Guinea, 4th case confirmed in DRC appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 As the Democratic Republic of the Congo reports at least three confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases in the past week, more than 2,000 miles away, Guinea’s Health Minister provided details on the alleged return of the Ebola hemorrhagic disease in Guinea, according to local media. Doctor Colonel Rémy Lamah announced that extensive investigations are […]The post Ebola resurgence in Guinea? Health Minister responds appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In a follow-up to the dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) outbreak in the Cook Islands, as of February 12, 30 probable and confirmed cases have been reported. Twelve people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. Aimed at halting the current dengue outbreak on Rarotonga, Operation Namu21 continues this week, with […]The post Cook Islands dengue outbreak grows, Mass cleaning campaign begins appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Flagler County The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County issued a rabies alert for Bunnell and the Korona community in response to a raccoon that tested positive on February 9 after attacking a dog. The recent rabies alert is for 60 days. The center of the alert is near Old Cemetery Road […]The post Florida: Rabies alerts issued in Flagler and Marion counties appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 On February 7, five people with signs of food poisoning were admitted to the infectious diseases department of the Bulungur District Medical Association in Samarkand region in southeastern Uzbekistan. They were later diagnosed with botulism at the hospital. Despite the efforts of the doctors, one of the admitted, a 20-year-old man, died. Four […]The post Uzbekistan: Botulism outbreak reported in Samarkand region, Linked to canned tomatoes appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In a follow-up on a report at the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Public Health reports that 5 positive cases of hantavirus infection were registered in Salta province, since the beginning of 2021. Of the total number of people affected by the virus, there was one death. The infected people reside […]The post Hantavirus: Argentina reports 5 cases in Salta since beginning of 2021 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have shed light on what causes herpes simplex virus to flare up, explaining how stress, illness and even sunburn can trigger unwanted outbreaks. The discovery could lead to new ways to prevent cold sores and herpes-related eye disease from reoccurring, the researchers report. “Herpes simplex recurrence […]The post Cold sores: Discovery reveals how stress, illness and even sunburn trigger flareups appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The rise of several significant variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has attracted the attention of health and science experts worldwide. In an editorial published in JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, experts from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, outline how […]The post Fauci, et al discuss SARS-CoV-2 viral variants in JAMA editorial appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory over extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella Typhi (Typhi) infections among U.S. residents without international travel. In 2016, a large outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Typhi infections began in Sindh province, Pakistan. XDR Typhi strains are resistant to antibiotics generally recommended to treat […]The post XDR Salmonella Typhi infections among U.S. residents without international travel appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reported Friday on the first case of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant (the “U.K. variant”) in a resident of Hillsborough County. The person infected with the variant virus had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 after international travel. While this person did not […]The post New Hampshire reports 1st B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Zinc and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplementation have long been thought to have a possible role in fighting viral infection, based on theoretical grounds and some evidence for efficacy. In a recent study by researchers from the Cleveland Clinic they find ten days of high-dose zinc, ascorbic acid or a combination of the two has […]The post Cleveland Clinic study: High-dose zinc, Vitamin C show no significant impact on COVID-19 symptoms appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) are investigating a cluster of two typhoid fever cases who were reported to have symptoms including fever, headache, diarrhea and cough, after consuming food prepared by Hooi Kee Eating House (located at 190 Clemenceau Avenue, #01-19/20, Singapore Shopping Centre) on several occasions […]The post Singapore: Typhoid cluster investigated, Linked to Hooi Kee Eating House appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In South Africa this week, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) alerted the public of the risks associated with rabies. Since the beginning of the year, the number of confirmed rabies cases are thirty-three in animals. Officials acknowledged the recent death of […]The post South Africa authorities warn of rabies risk: ‘A person dying of rabies is an unnecessary death’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state officials report investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections that has sickened seven people in four states (Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Virginia). All seven people have been hospitalized. Interviews with sick people indicate that Hispanic-style fresh […]The post Listeria outbreak sends 7 to the hospital, Linked to soft cheese appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By News Desk @bactiman63 A cat in Los Alamos County has been diagnosed with plague, making it the first plague case in New Mexico this year, according to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). The cat, which became ill in early January, has now recovered following veterinary treatment. “NMDOH staff will conduct an environmental investigation […]The post New Mexico reports 1st plague case of year in Los Alamos County cat appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a recent article in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, authors gathered previously published research to summarize current thinking on the feasibility and efficacy of using scent detection dogs to screen for the COVID-19 virus. The researchers report that sensitivity, specificity, and overall success rates reported by the canine scent detection studies are comparable or better […]The post Scent detection dogs can identify individuals infected with COVID-19 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up on the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreak in Kenya, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports as of Feb. 4, 2021, there are a 32 total cases reported, of which 14 are confirmed and 11 deaths. RVF in humans has been reported in Isiolo and Mandera counties and in animals in Isiolo, Mandera, […]The post Kenya Rift Valley fever outbreak update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By News Desk @bactiman63 In a follow-up on the report of a new Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case in Butembo, North Kivu Province, the Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak. North Kivu Province is where a previous outbreak was declared over in June 2020. This was the DRC’s […]The post DRC declares 12th Ebola outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

NDAL MFG INC is voluntarily recalling one lot of Manukaguard Allercleanse, nasal spray to the consumer level. The Allercleanse nasal sprays have been found to be contaminated with yeast. Risk Statement: The use of Allercleanse (manuka honey) nasal spray contaminated with yeasts, in the population most likely to use it (children, adults, and elderly), may […]The post Manukaguard Allercleanse nasal spray recalled due to yeast contamination appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A new study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) found that the risk of death from COVID-19 was 3.5 times higher than from influenza. “We can now say definitively that COVID-19 is much more severe than seasonal influenza,” says Dr. Amol Verma, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, and the University of Toronto. “Patients admitted to […]The post COVID-19: Risk of death 3.5 times higher than from flu, according to Canadian study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) is advising dog owners to be alert, not alarmed, after the detection of ticks carrying the disease Ehrlichiosis in South Australia. Ehrlichiosis is a disease spread by the brown dog tick. It primarily affects dogs and can be fatal if not properly treated. Acting NSW Chief […]The post Australia: Ticks carrying the Ehrlichiosis detected, Dog owners should be alert appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced additional COVID-19 vaccination sites across the state of Florida through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program sites will begin offering COVID-19 vaccines on Friday, February 12 at 490 pharmacy locations across 52 counties. “Florida is proud to partner with Walmart and other retailers, including […]The post Florida: More COVID-19 Vaccination Sites at Walmart and Publix Locations appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

With the nation focused on the delivery of a COVID vaccine, the CDC wants to ensure that older individuals are protected against other prevalent yet preventable diseases that can lead to severe health complications and even hospitalization. Vaccine demand declined an average of more than 60 percent across adult vaccines during the height of pandemic. […]The post Shingles & the Shingrix vaccine with Dr. Leonard Friedland appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

After screening more than 1,100 independently assessed, point-of-care COVID-19 tests, researchers at NSF International and Novateur Ventures have identified 5 direct (antigen/RNA) tests for detection of acute infection and 6 indirect (antibody) tests for detection of prior infection that meet the recently published World Health Organization (WHO) “desirable” Target Product Profile (TPP) criteria. The researchers […]The post Point-of-care COVID-19 tests: Study lists top performers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By News Desk @bactiman63 The Colorado Departments of Agriculture and Public Health and Environment have confirmed that a mule residing in Eagle County recently tested positive for bat variant rabies. This is the first case of rabies in domestic livestock in Colorado this year and the first case of rabies in an equine in Colorado since […]The post Colorado reports rabies case in a mule, 1st equine to be diagnosed since 2013 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Officials with NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) are urging producers to vaccinate their livestock following confirmation of the first case of anthrax of the year. In late January 2021, anthrax was detected in an unvaccinated mob of ewes and lambs on a Central West NSW property with a previous history of anthrax. The affected […]The post Anthrax reported in NSW, Producers urged to vaccinate livestock appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A treatment, known as KEDRAB (Rabies Immune Globulin [Human]), currently used in the prevention of rabies has been demonstrated to be safe and effective for patients age 17 and under. Results published today in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics report the first and only pediatric trial of any human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) currently available in the US. Findings […]The post Rabies treatment, KEDRAB, demonstrated to be safe and effective in children appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Under the Biden Administration, New Yorkers’ acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccine has increased significantly. In September, 55% of residents reported they would take the vaccine when it became available and this January, 64% reported they would take it. Differences in vaccine acceptance persist across racial and ethnic groups. Among Whites and Asians acceptance is 70-72%; […]The post New York: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rises with Biden administration appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) continues its mission to Wuhan investigating the origin and early transmission of SARS-CoV-2, a new study led by scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, and Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, shows that SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses (SC2r-CoVs) are circulating in animals as far away as Thailand. The study, published in Nature Communications today, reported that […]The post Bats & pangolins in Southeast Asia harbour SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses, reveals new study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By News Desk @bactiman63 Toronto health officials two cases of COVID-19 variants of concern–the P.1 COVID-19 mutation (Brazil) and the B.1.351 mutation (South Africa)–for the first time in Toronto residents. The individual with the P.1 COVID-19 mutation recently travelled from Brazil. This patient is hospitalized. This is the first case of P.1 COVID-19 variant of concern […]The post Toronto: 1st Brazilian and South African COVID-19 variants reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By News Desk @bactiman63 The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific Region announced recently two additional human avian influenza A(H5N6) virus infections in China. The first case is a three-year-old female from Guizhou Province, China who was admitted to hospital with severe illness and died on 22 December 2020. The second case is a […]The post China reports two additional human H5N6 avian influenza cases, One death appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A vaccine for use against the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses has demonstrated effectiveness in preclinical studies as early as 7 days following a single immunization, according to a new study, “A Single Dose Investigational Subunit Vaccine for Human Use against Nipah virus and Hendra virus,” published in the journal, npj Vaccines, online February 8, 2021. […]The post Nipah, Hendra Vaccine for Humans Effective 7 Days After Immunization appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Officials at UMass Amherst raised the operational posture of the campus to “High Risk”, up from “Elevated Risk” just two days prior after consulting with the Commonwealth’s Department of Public Health due to an increase in the prevalence of positive cases reported among students since Thursday. The new designation went into effect Sunday […]The post UMass Amherst directs students to self-sequester due to surge in COVID-19 cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Ebola and Marburg are among the most deadly viruses, with mortality rates from these infections ranging from 25% to 90%. While no drugs currently are available on the market to prevent infection from these viruses — they belong to a category of viruses called filoviruses, which are known to cause hemorrhagic fever — researchers have […]The post New drug target for Ebola, Marburg viruses appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is reporting the first identification in a Missouri resident of the COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7, which was first detected in the United Kingdom in September 2020 and began being reported in the United States in December. The B.1.1.7 variant was identified in a sample from […]The post Missouri reports 1st confirmed case of B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On Sunday night, Norwegian health officials report receiving the first delivery of vaccines from Astra Zeneca, The shipment included 21,600 vaccine doses. Officials say first doses will be given to healthcare professionals under 65 years of age. “These vaccines will be given to people in Norway under the age of 65, as so far no […]The post Norway: 1st AstraZeneca vaccines arrive Sunday appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By News Desk @bactiman63 In a follow-up to a report of African swine fever (ASF) in Leyte, Philippines, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported three more towns in Leyte- Tanauan, Palo, and MacArthur – have confirmed ASF cases. “To prevent the further spread of ASF virus, we have been asking local governments to implement strict border […]The post Leyte: African swine fever spreads in province appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that while most individuals responded to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) natural reinfection with a typical sustained antibody response associated with protection, a few individuals surprisingly responded atypically, not being able to sustain the antibody response, which declined to levels that made the individuals susceptible to RSV reinfection. The […]The post RSV: Duration of antibody response varies among adults naturally reinfected appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews On Sunday, February 7, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health reported a new case of Ebola has been detected in Butembo, a city in North Kivu Province, where a previous outbreak was declared over in June 2020. Ebola virus was confirmed in samples taken from a patient with Ebola-like […]The post New Ebola case reported in North Kivu Province appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a Epidemiological Alert from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) published this weekend, they document the increase of healthcare-associated Candida auris outbreaks in the Region of the Americas and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. They write that in 2020, seven countries documented cases of C. auris, for the most part, in patients […]The post Candida auris in the Americas during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In a follow-up on epizootic yellow fever situation in Paraná state, Brazil, the State Department of Health reported three more deaths of infected monkeys (epizootics) that occurred in the municipality of Palmas, in the area of ​​the 7th Regional Health, in Pato Branco, in the southwest part of the state. The epidemiological monitoring […]The post Yellow fever: Three more monkey deaths in Paraná appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

SARS-CoV-2 mutations similar to those in the B1.1.7 UK variant could arise in cases of chronic infection, where treatment over an extended period can provide the virus multiple opportunities to evolve, say scientists. Writing in Nature, a team led by Cambridge researchers report how they were able to observe SARS-CoV-2 mutating in the case of an […]The post SARS-CoV-2 mutations risks during chronic infection appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The first 28,800 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from Oxford University / AstraZeneca were delivered tonight to BulBio’s warehouse. “This is the third type of vaccine and the second in terms of antibody production. It is adenoviral. It is very easy to store and use “, explained the President of the National Vaccination Headquarters Prof. Krassimir […]The post Bulgaria: 28,800 doses of Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine arrive appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews Australia has secured an extra 10 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, bringing the total number of doses of this vaccine to 20 million. The additional doses will be available in the second half of 2021. The vaccine rollout remains on track to begin in late February, with vaccines rolled out at […]The post Australia: Additional 10 million Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines secured appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews COVID-19 Of the total accumulated positive cases of COVID-19 in Metropolitan Lima (480,438), the jurisdiction of South Lima represents 46.6% (223,972) so far in the pandemic, reported the Directorate of Integrated Health Networks (Diris) South Lima of the Ministry of Health (Minsa). The executive director of Health Monitoring and Management of the Diris […]The post Lima, Peru: 46.6% of COVID-19 cases in South Lima, Canine rabies risk appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

The use of the anti-malarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, for the potential treatment of COVID-19, has been one of the most unusual things I’ve observed during this pandemic as it became very political after former President Donald Trump last summer advocated for its use as a treatment option. Hydroxychloroquine was first touted as a potential cure for […]The post Another hydroxychloroquine study: There is no compelling data to suggest that hydroxychloroquine is effective appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) reported eight additional UK COVID-19 variant cases, or B.1.1.7 Friday, bringing the total seen in the country to 25. Officials report no other variant of concern has been detected. The newly reported cases are from Bontoc, Mountain Province; La Trinidad, Benguet; Liloan, Cebu and two of the […]The post UK COVID-19 variant cases in the Philippines rise to 25 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews The Swedish Public Health Agency, or Folkhälsomyndigheten reports an increase in cases of Yersinia infections since the second week of January, according to a February 3 release. They say more than twice as many people have contracted Yersinia infection as during the same period in the immediately preceding years. An increased number of […]The post Sweden reports increase in Yersinia cases appeared first on Outbreak News Today.