Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
What is Oropouche virus? The emerging threat is raising concern among health officials
CNN A little-known disease spread by insect bites has turned deadly, and health officials are sounding the alarm. More than 8,000 cases of Oropouche virus have been reported this year as of August 1. Most have been in South America, but infections are also spreading in countries where it hasn’t been seen before, and dozens […]
Aug 27, 2024
India reports largest Chandipura virus outbreak in 2 decades
CIDRAP India has reported a surge in Chandipura virus infections this summer, with 245 acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) cases reported since July, with 82 of them fatal. So far, polymerase chain reaction testing has confirmed the virus in 64 cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in an August 23 outbreak announcement. Chandipura virus is endemic […]
Aug 27, 2024
A ‘Critical Pathogen’: The Rise of Drug-Resistant Fungal Diseases
Johns Hopkins Until recently, most fungal infections did not pose a significant threat to human health. Our advanced immune system and hot body temperature created an inhospitable environment for fungi, which mostly infected hospitalized patients or those taking immunosuppressive medication. But over the past 10 years, the fungus Candida auris has emerged independently on three continents, suggesting […]
Aug 27, 2024
Thousands of birds die of bird flu and botulism at wildlife refuges in southern Oregon
Oregon Live At least 5,000 birds have died so far this summer at a network of wildlife refuges on the Oregon-California border, sparking fears of another large outbreak of disease and calls for more water releases in a region roiled by drought and water uncertainty made worse by climate change. The deaths are likely caused […]
Aug 27, 2024
With Only Gloves To Protect Them, Farmworkers Say They Tend Sick Cows Amid Bird Flu
KFF In early August, farmworkers gathered under a pavilion at a park here for a picnic to celebrate Farmworker Appreciation Day. One sign that this year was different from the others was the menu: Beef fajitas, tortillas, pico de gallo, chips, beans — but no chicken. Farms in Colorado had culled millions of chickens in recent months […]
Aug 27, 2024
U.S. faces growing measles outbreaks as vaccine skepticism rises
Fast Company Americans’ faith in vaccines is fading, and it’s corresponding with a rapid rise in some diseases. Oregon recently experienced its biggest measles outbreak in five years: 30 cases, all among people who are not vaccinated. As of mid-August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 219 measles cases in the United States, up […]
Aug 27, 2024
Confused about the mpox outbreaks? Here’s what’s spreading, where, and why
Science The decision by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to declare back-to-back public health emergencies over the spread of mpox last week have rekindled global interest in the disease. But the facts have been confusing. Is the mpox virus spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring […]
Aug 27, 2024
Germany to donate 100,000 mpox vaccine doses to combat outbreak in Africa
Reuters Germany will donate 100,000 mpox vaccine doses from its military stocks to help contain the outbreak on the African continent in the short term as well as provide help to the affected countries, said a government spokesperson on Monday. The government will provide the World Health Organization with flexible financial resources via various instruments […]
Aug 27, 2024
Fauci recovering at home following hospitalization for West Nile virus infection
STAT Anthony Fauci, former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is recovering at home after being hospitalized for nearly a week for West Nile virus infection. Fauci, a leader of the U.S. Covid-19 response, spent six days in hospital as doctors tried to figure out what was responsible for his illness. […]
Aug 27, 2024
New Hampshire resident dies after testing positive for EEEV in state’s 1st human case since 2014
ABC News A New Hampshire resident died after being infected with a rare mosquito-borne disease, health officials said Tuesday. The resident, an adult from Hempstead — near the southeastern border with Massachusetts — had tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV). The patient was hospitalized due to severe central nervous system disease and died of […]
Aug 27, 2024