Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Rare bird flu strain found in California raises potential of wider spread
Washington Post First U.S. detection of virulent H5N9 strain, at a California duck farm, draws scrutiny as evidence of genetic reassortment that could trigger human outbreaks. A new strain of avian influenza has been identified for the first time in the United States, raising concerns that the virus is transforming in a way that could eventually cause […]
Jan 28, 2025
The Marburg virus outbreak is a critical moment for Rwanda’s one health policy
Nature The Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda underscores the serious threat posed by zoonotic diseases. These pathogens, which are transmitted between animals and humans through direct contact or environmental factors, result in an estimated 2.4 billion infections and 2.2 million deaths annually1. MVD, which originates from bats, can spread rapidly to humans, with […]
Jan 28, 2025
Georgia DNR officials outline plan intended to contain spread of ‘zombie deer disease’
Georgia Recorder Starting next deer season, hunters in south Georgia will have the option to drop off the heads of deer they take to be tested for a fatal and infectious brain-eating disease sometimes called “zombie deer disease.” “We’re going to set up self-serve freezer drop-off locations, where a hunter, someone like me and you […]
Jan 28, 2025
Who is protecting Americans from Marburg right now?
STAT The U.S. had a playbook — now undermined — for responding to biological threats. On Saturday, Jan. 11, as we entered the final week of the Biden-Harris administration, I got a call about a suspected Marburg outbreak in Tanzania. Marburg virus disease is like its close cousin Ebola, but worse. It can have a […]
Jan 28, 2025
How are H5N9 and H5N1 different? What to know after California bird flu outbreak
CBS News A California duck farm made headlines this week after the World Organization of Animal Health published a report by U.S. authorities that a strain of bird flu that scientists call H5N9 had been found among sick birds in the flock. This is far from the first time that H5N9 has been found in birds around the country. […]
Jan 28, 2025
Tuberculosis outbreak that has killed 2 in Kansas continues to grow
NBC The number of tuberculosis cases linked to an outbreak in the Kansas City area continues to swell, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The outbreak, which began a year ago, killed two people in 2024, Jill Bronaugh, the health department’s communications director, said in an update Tuesday. As of Friday, at […]
Jan 28, 2025
Multi-country outbreak of mpox
WHO This is the 46th situation report for the multi-country outbreak of mpox, which provides details on the latest epidemiological trends, including reports of new travel-related cases of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV. Download pdf
Jan 28, 2025
DRC: More than 10 suspected cases of Ebola including 8 deaths reported in the Bolomba health zone
Media Congo At least 12 suspected cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever have been reported in the Boyenge health area incorporated into the Bolamba health zone, located more than 250 km from the city of Mbandaka, capital of the Equateur province. The information was reported to the press on Monday, January 27, 2025 by Colomba Mampuya, […]
Jan 28, 2025
Ohio leads the nation in bird flu cases. What’s being done about it?
WOSU Ohio is leading the nation in cases of bird flu. That’s potentially a big hit to the state, the second-largest producer of eggs in the country. And the state’s agriculture department said with new test numbers coming in, the total of the infected chickens, ducks and turkeys continues to grow. “We’re pushing over 6 […]
Jan 28, 2025
Medpage Today It was 11 p.m. and I had just fallen asleep when I heard a cry from my 4-year-old son’s room. I headed downstairs to find a trail of vomit on the carpet and up the stairs, as he tried to make his way up to my bedroom. The next few hours were a […]
Jan 28, 2025