All articles tagged with #infectious disease
Massachusetts has reported Cyclospora, a hard-to-detect parasite that causes weeks-long diarrhea and is tougher to diagnose and treat than typical foodborne illnesses; chemicals used to kill common bacteria may not kill Cyclospora, and the CDC says MA is among more than a dozen states with cases since May, while Michigan has seen a surge of more than 900 cases. Investigations are ongoing to identify the source.
Researchers report a decades-long effort to develop a vaccine against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), a leading cause of diarrheal illness in children in low- and middle-income countries. The new vaccine approach targets a toxin produced by ETEC and has been licensed to Valneva for further development, marking a milestone though an approved vaccine is still years away. The work, led by the University of Bergen and NORCE, shows strong antibody responses and potential protection after early infection, but translation to an approved vaccine requires further lab studies, clinical trials, and regulatory review. In the meantime, travelers are advised to avoid high-risk foods, drink bottled water, and practice good hand hygiene.
An 11-year-old in Ontario died from rabies after waking to find a bat on his face during a 2024 cottage stay. The bat was removed outside, and the family did not seek immediate medical care, despite guidance to evaluate any direct bat contact for possible rabies. Weeks later he developed facial swelling and paralysis, was misdiagnosed with herpes and Bell’s palsy, and his condition rapidly worsened until he died 17 days after hospital admission. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear but preventable with timely postexposure treatment; human rabies is rare in Canada and the U.S., and this was Ontario’s first case since 1967.
An infectious-disease physician highlights five common behaviors that can spread germs—improper handwashing before handling food, sneezing into hands instead of the elbow, overusing alcohol-based sanitizer, shaking hands in hospital settings, and wearing masks on the chin—and offers practical fixes: wash hands for at least 10 seconds with soap and water and dry thoroughly, sneeze into the elbow, avoid over-sanitizing, opt for elbow taps in healthcare, and keep masks properly worn to protect others.
A Santa Fe County woman in her 50s died from plague, New Mexico's first human case of the year; health officials say no close contacts are symptomatic. Plague is rodent-borne and treatable with antibiotics if diagnosed early. Officials warn about fleas transmitting plague and urge flea/tick prevention for pets and avoiding contact with sick or dead rodents; the state has also reported two dog cases in Santa Fe County and one in Bernalillo County this year.
The CDC activated an emergency plan for potential human exposure to New World screwworm as four calves in Texas and a dog in New Mexico test positive, with the USDA leading the animal response. Critics say funding cuts weaken surveillance and preparedness across federal health agencies, while officials defend ongoing efforts and a growing consensus that early detection and rapid response are far cheaper than large outbreaks. Experts warn that future threats may stem from climate change and increased travel, underscoring the need for robust surveillance and readiness.
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center confirmed a 38-year-old male inmate has a possible hantavirus case. Officials do not believe the infection is transmitted person-to-person; the inmate is in stable condition and no other suspected cases have been reported.
As the World Cup 2026 unfolds across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, officials say Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and Congo pose a low risk of transmission at the tournament; a Louisiana/east Texas mosquito risk ranking highlights hotspots that residents can mitigate by removing standing water and using EPA-approved repellents; and amid a doctor shortage, AI-assisted tools are being discussed to help with prescriptions and medical records, though questions about safety and adoption persist.
Five people have been released from a hantavirus quarantine facility in Nebraska; no further details are provided in the excerpt.
As FIFA World Cup crowds descend on Seattle, local health officials say hospitals have planned for more than a year to handle infectious-disease threats, monitoring Ebola and other risks from participating regions, coordinating with the CDC and Northwest Healthcare Response Network, and standing up pathogen units to manage mass gatherings while stressing that overall risk to the public remains low.
A new hantavirus infection has been confirmed among a passenger aboard the cruise ship tied to the outbreak, marking another update in the ongoing health incident as officials release limited details.
Lilly announced agreements to acquire Curevo, LimmaTech Biologics and Vaccine Company to broaden its infectious-disease portfolio with vaccine-based prevention for shingles, bacterial pathogens and EBV-related disease, respectively. The deals could total up to $3.83 billion in potential cash payments, contingent on milestones and regulatory clearances, and closing is subject to customary conditions, reflecting Lilly's strategy to prevent disease at the source and address antimicrobial resistance.
Lilly will acquire Curevo, LimmaTech Biologics, and Vaccine Company to broaden its infectious-disease portfolio, spanning a shingles vaccine candidate, a bacterial-pathogen vaccine platform, and an EBV-focused virus-like particle vaccine, for up to about $3.83 billion in cash and milestone payments, subject to closing conditions.
The World Health Organization warns that the Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than containment efforts can keep up, prompting urgent calls for increased resources, vaccines, and coordinated international action to curb transmission, with live updates monitoring spread and responses.
The Ebola outbreak has risen to 220 deaths, with health officials warning that 11 countries are now at risk as authorities monitor the situation with ongoing live updates.