Outbreak News Today

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In this episode, I look at two of the biggest stories (outside of COVID-19) during the past week. The first is the 11th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was declared over after nearly 6 months and 130 confirmed and probable cases. The second is research that was presented […]The post Ebola outbreak declared over, Chapare virus human-to-human transmission appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 For the third year in a row, Switzerland has reported less than 500 new HIV cases, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). In 2019, 421 new cases were reported. The number of reported HIV diagnoses in Switzerland has been falling since 2002. There was a further decline in new HIV diagnoses […]The post Switzerland: New HIV diagnoses down in 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Health officials in Kyrgyzstan are reporting 28 foodborne botulism cases through Oct. 2020, prompting a warning for the public. Of the 28 cases, 19 were reported in the Osh region. In most cases, botulism begins acutely. It can manifest itself in people who ate canned salads or cucumbers, mushrooms, eggplants, other vegetables and meat […]The post Kyrgyzstan reports 28 botulism cases in first 10 months of 2020 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that more than 690,000 children aged 6 – 59 months were vaccinated since the second phase of the measles follow up campaign commenced a little over a week ago. The campaign was led by South Sudan health officials in concert with global health agencies. More than […]The post Measles in South Sudan: Nearly 700K vaccinated in recent campaign appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 While it’s no secret that many college students drink alcohol, how COVID-19 affected these behaviors and patterns is the focus of recent research published in the journal Addictive Behaviors by Kent State University’s William Lechner, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Deric Kenne, Ph.D., […]The post College student alcohol use up during COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By Robert Herriman @bactiman63 US and global health security-what is it, what was the genesis and how prepared are we? These are some of the things I look at in this interview with experts in the field. In this email interview, I discuss a number of important topics with U.S health security industry expert and […]The post Health Security: What is it?, Who are the major players? and Lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Vaccitech’s scientific founders at University of Oxford announce positive high-level results from an interim analysis of clinical trials of AZD1222 in the UK and Brazil. Phase 3 interim analysis including 131 Covid-19 cases indicates that the vaccine is 70.4% effective when combining data from two dosing regimens In the two different dose regimens vaccine efficacy […]The post COVID-19 vaccine: University of Oxford announces positive high-level results in clinical trials appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Vivaldi Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing genetically engineered intranasal vaccines for viral respiratory diseases, today announced it has filed a provisional patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for its Delta-19 combination vaccine for protection against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for Covid-19) and all strains of influenza virus. Simultaneous circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza is […]The post Combination Covid-19 + Universal Influenza Vaccine: Vivaldi Biosciences Files Patent Application appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today expanded the approved indication for Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) to include post-exposure prevention of influenza (flu) for patients 12 years of age and older after contact with an individual who has the flu. Xofluza, previously available only in tablet form, is also now available as granules for […]The post Influenza drug, Xofluza, receives expanded approval appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 On Saturday, Illinois health officials reported 11,891 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 127 additional deaths. This brings the total cases to 646,286, including 11,430 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from November 14 […]The post Illinois COVID-19 cases rise, Chicago Mayor Lightfoot launches more restrictions appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

A widely used tuberculosis vaccine is associated with reduced likelihood of contracting COVID-19 (coronavirus), according to a new study by Cedars-Sinai. The findings raise the possibility that a vaccine already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may help prevent coronavirus infections or reduce severity of the disease. The vaccine, known as Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), was […]The post BCG vaccine linked to lower risk of contracting COVID-19: Study appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Pennsylvania state health officials reported 6,778 additional positive cases of COVID-19 Saturday, bringing the statewide total to 302,564. There are 3,162 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, levels not seen since May when hospitalizations were at their highest. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred […]The post Pennsylvania reports 6,778 additional COVID-19 cases, COVID Alert PA App appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Officials with the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, in the northeastern region of São Paulo state, Brazil, has seen dengue fever cases rise to more than 17,000 cases through October, more than reported in all of 2019. Ribeirão Preto registered 17,538 dengue cases until October 2020, according to an epidemiological bulletin released by the Municipal […]The post Brazil: Ribeirão Preto dengue cases top 17K, exceeds all of 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 South Dakota state health officials reported Friday on the first influenza death of the 2020-2021 season. The death was reported in Potter County, and the individual was in the 80 to 89-year age group. Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health noted that flu activity in communities across South Dakota is […]The post South Dakota: 1st flu death of the season reported in Potter County appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Costa Rica health officials report that through the end of October, the number of dengue fever cases in the country has exceeded the total in all of 2019. The country counted 9,438 cases of dengue through Oct. 31, surpassing the total number of cases registered last year, which closed with 9,400. The most […]The post Costa Rica dengue cases through October tops all of 2019 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Auckland health officials are advising people to seek medical advice from their GP if they have severe or persistent allergic reactions from eating fish. They have had reports of people who have eaten fish from a ready meal service becoming ill with histamine poisoning, also known as scombroid poisoning. Medical Officer of Health […]The post Auckland health officials warn of scombroid poisoning appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa reported on three laboratory-confirmed measles cases in two provinces between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5. Officials say the cases were reported in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces and do not constitute an outbreak, but warrant heightened attention (a cluster or outbreak is defined […]The post South Africa reports 3 measles cases: ‘Warrants heightened attention’ appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Earlier this week, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health published a rapid review of evidence to inform a recommendation regarding people without respiratory symptoms wearing facemasks in the community to reduce the spread of Covid-19. They note there is evidence of a protective effect of medical facemasks against respiratory infections in community settings. […]The post Norway public health officials on face masks appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The LA County Health Department reported 4,272 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and over the last three days, there have been a total of 13,247 new cases reported; a 3-day average of 4,415 daily new cases. Officials says the transmission is alarmingly high in the county as the daily test positivity rate […]The post LA County COVID-19 cases ‘alarmingly high’, New restrictions take effect appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine has been theorized to provide protection against COVID-19. In a new study published in mBio, an open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, researchers provide further proof of this by showing that mumps IgG titers, or levels of IgG antibody, are inversely correlated with severity in recovered COVID-19 patients […]The post Researchers say MMR vaccine could protect against COVID-19 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 California state health officials are reporting an increase in disseminated gonococcal infections (DGI), which is an uncommon, but significant complication of untreated gonorrhea. Disseminated Gonorrhea Infections occur when the sexually transmitted pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae spreads beyond the site of infection and invades the bloodstream traveling to distant sites in the body. This can lead to […]The post California gonorrhea: Increase in disseminated gonococcal infections reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Malaysia health officials reported today on one additional human rabies case in Sarawak province. The victim is a 16-year-old girl who was admitted to Sarawak General Hospital on November 10 with a fever for three days, was weak in the lower limbs and showed aggressive behavior. She also suffered from aerophobia and hydrophobia. […]The post Rabies: Malaysia officials report additional death in Sarawak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In the aftermath of recent typhoons that have hammered the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) is on heightened surveillance and warned the public against possible outbreak of waterborne and foodborne illnesses, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis and dengue (W.I.L.D.) diseases. Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses caused widespread flooding and destruction that prompted evacuation in several […]The post Philippines: Recent typhoons prompt warnings of leptospirosis and dengue appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 New Hampshire state health officials reported a fifth case of Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV) in an adult from Newport. The patient was hospitalized with left side weakness, unresponsiveness and multiple seizures. Their condition has not recently improved and they remain hospitalized to date. “Although JCV is still a rare disease, we are seeing […]The post New Hampshire reports 5th Jamestown Canyon Virus case of 2020 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Public health authorities in Portugal are reporting a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the Greater Porto region of the northern region of the country. Three counties have been affected–Póvoa de Varzim, Vila do Conde and Matosinhos. The number of legionella cases diagnosed since the outbreak began on Oct. 29 is 85, including nine deaths […]The post Portugal Legionnaires’ disease outbreak sickens dozens, kills 9 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Poultry outbreaks Last Saturday, Dr Vilayphone Vorraphim, Director General of the Department of Livestock and Fisheries with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Vientiane, Laos reported two Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus (H5N1) outbreaks in two villages in Saravane province. The report to the the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) […]The post Laos reports two H5N1 avian influenza poultry outbreaks, WHO follow-up on human case appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 GSK and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) today presented positive data from the TEACH study of tafenoquine, an 8-aminoquinoline, for the prevention of relapse (radical cure) of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria in children and adolescents. The results of the Tafenoquine Exposure Assessment in Children (TEACH) study were presented during the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene 2020 […]The post Plasmodium vivax malaria: GSK and MMV present positive data on pediatric treatment appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Clemson Livestock Poultry Health reported Tuesday on an additional Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) case in a South Carolina horse. This latest case was reported in a 1-year-old Thoroughbred from Aiken County. The mare was euthanized and the vaccination status was unknown. This is the 15th case of EEE in South Carolina in 2020. […]The post South Carolina reports 15th EEE case in Aiken County horse appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) STD Epidemiology program is reporting a significant increase in the number of reported gonorrhea infections across the state, based on analyses. In 2019, Michigan reported 18,264 gonorrhea infections. This annual number has already been surpassed as of Oct. 31, pointing to a 22% increase […]The post Michigan reports a rise in gonorrhea cases this year appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a topic that has not received nearly enough attention– since 2016, the US has seen the largest person-to-person Hepatitis A virus outbreak in the post-vaccine era. About two thirds of the states have declared outbreaks which includes tens of thousands of cases with 60% hospitalizations and more than 300 deaths. In Kansas, the most […]The post Hepatitis A and the Hep A vaccine appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported an additional five confirmed Lassa fever cases last week, including one death, bringing the total confirmed cases/deaths for 2020 through the first week of the year to 1136 and 234 deaths. This is a drop in cases from the week prior when the NCDC reported […]The post Nigeria Lassa fever update: 5 additional confirmed cases reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 According to a report in the Bhutanese news source, Kuensel, a three-year-old girl from Lamjumsa village of Norbugang (Chengmari) gewog in Samtse died of rabies infection on November 11. The child died two months after a stray dog had bitten her. It is reported that although the parents were aware of the rabies risk, […]The post Bhutan: Human rabies death reported in Samtse district appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In a follow-up on the 11th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today the outbreak has been declared over. “Overcoming one of the world’s most dangerous pathogens in remote and hard to access communities demonstrates what is possible when science and solidarity come […]The post Ebola outbreak declared over: The end of the 11th DRC outbreak appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Cambodian government this month made a commitment to eliminating Plasmodium falciparum (the deadliest strain of malaria and drug resistant) within the next few months, and to maintaining zero cases by 2023, through the launch of an innovative and targeted approach for the ‘last mile’ of malaria elimination in the country. “According to […]The post Cambodia target: Eliminating Plasmodium falciparum appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Of the 8,479 confirmed cases of measles reported in the Western Hemisphere during the first nine-plus months of 2020, nearly 97 percent have been reported in Brazil, and while the cases in Brazil have been in decline coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, several state report ongoing outbreaks. Through Oct. 9, a total of […]The post Brazil measles: Ongoing outbreaks in Pará, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. It means that your heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular pattern. There are many types of heart arrhythmias, with Atrial fibrillation or (A Fib) being the most common type of serious arrhythmia. Joining me today to discuss A […]The post Atrial fibrillation and other heart arrhythmias appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 A new article in The Lancet has called for urgent international action to prevent potentially devastating measles epidemics in the coming years. Lead author Professor Kim Mulholland, from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Chair of the World Health Organization’s SAGE Working Group on measles and rubella vaccines, said that many children have missed […]The post COVID-19 unexpected consequence: Major measles outbreaks will likely occur during 2021 according to article appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Abpro Corporation today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed article in the scientific journal Nature Communications titled, “Characterization of neutralizing antibody with prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in rhesus monkeys.” The publication is available online here. ABP 300, referred to as MW05 in the publication, neutralizes COVID-19 by binding to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of […]The post COVID Study: Antibody Shows Potential to Neutralize SARS-CoV-2 Mutant Strains appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Researchers have discovered that a deadly virus found in Bolivia can spread from person to person in healthcare settings, raising potential concerns of additional outbreaks in the future, according to new findings presented today at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH). The research also provides preliminary evidence regarding the […]The post Chapare virus in Bolivia 2019: New evidence shows human-to-human transmission appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 In a follow-up on the Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreak in the African country of Mauritania, between September 4 to November 7, a total of 214 people were sampled and their samples have been sent to the National Institute for Public Health Research (INRSP) for laboratory testing with a total of 75 testing […]The post Mauritania Rift Valley fever outbreak update appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Intravacc, one of the leading translational research and development vaccine institutes with an extensive track record in developing viral and bacterial vaccines, today announced the results of a clinical study with an experimental vaccine against Shigella, intestinal bacteria that cause severe diarrhea and dysentery. Data were published in the prestigious journal The Lancet Infectious […]The post Shigella experimental vaccine: Intravacc publishes positive phase I data appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Cambridge, MA biotechnology company, Moderna, Inc. announced today that the independent, NIH-appointed Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for the Phase 3 study of mRNA-1273, its vaccine candidate against COVID-19, has informed Moderna that the trial has met the statistical criteria pre-specified in the study protocol for efficacy, with a vaccine efficacy of 94.5%. This study, known […]The post COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate: Moderna announces 94.5% efficacy in Phase 3 trial appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 On Sunday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a four-week statewide set of restrictions in response to the recent rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in Washington and across the country. The new restrictions come as Washington sees consistent increasing daily case counts, with over 2,000 cases a day over the weekend and average cases […]The post Washington: Gov. Inslee announces month-long, statewide restrictions appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Albright’s Raw Dog Food of Fort Wayne, IN is voluntarily recalling 67 cases of Chicken Recipe for Dogs because it has the potential to 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 hands after having contact with the products […]The post Raw dog food recalled due to Salmonella, One animal illness reported appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), urging Director Robert Redfield to promote further awareness of the CDC’s efforts to address flu vaccine shortages and ensure that all communities across the country have access to the flu vaccine. Recent reports indicate that some regions of […]The post Minnesota: Sen. Amy Klobuchar calls on CDC to address flu vaccine availability appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 On Friday, U.S. Ambassador to Laos Dr. Peter M. Haymond presented 50,000 malaria diagnostic kits to Vice Minister of Health Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaisith at a ceremony in Vientiane. These rapid test kits, provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will be distributed to public health facilities in areas where the number of malaria cases remains high. “The United […]The post Laos malaria: USAID provides 50,000 Malaria Test Kits appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 Long time Syracuse University basketball coach, Jim Boeheim, released the following statement hours ago: “As part of our routine COVID-19 health and safety protocols, I, along with my team and staff, are tested for COVID-19 multiple times each week. Following our most recent testing, I was informed that I had tested positive for […]The post Syracuse University: Basketball coach, Jim Boeheim tests positive for COVID-19 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Chile Ministry of Health reported 1,597 new cases of COVID-19 in the country with 6 regions that saw their new cases decrease in the last 7 days and 11 regions in the last 14 days. The rate of PCR positivity in the Metropolitan Region remains low, at 2%, while the degree of […]The post Chile reports decreased COVID-19 cases in 11 regions, 14-day quarantine mandatory for foreign travelers appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

By NewsDesk @bactiman63 The Navajo Nation reinstituted a 3 week Stay at Home (Shelter in Place) Order Friday due to escalating incidents and community spread of COVID-19 on the Nation. The Navajo Nation is experiencing an alarming rise in positive COVID-19 cases and uncontrolled spread in 34 communities across the Navajo Nation. These cluster cases are […]The post Navajo Nation re-issues 3 week stay-at-home order amidst uncontrolled COVID-19 spread appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) have discovered new drug compounds to potentially treat the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The compounds disrupt the functioning of a protein complex inside human cells that the researchers discovered is critical for the replication and survival of coronaviruses. This […]The post University of Maryland research could accelerate efforts to develop new anti-viral drugs to fight flu, Ebola, and novel coronaviruses like COVID-19 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.