Tag

Zoonotic Disease

All articles tagged with #zoonotic disease

health2 days ago•8 min saved

Saudi Arabia Reports Eight Sporadic MERS Cases with One Fatality

The World Health Organization reported eight laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia between January 1 and October 5, 2026, resulting in one death. The cases occurred across six locations, including Riyadh and Taif, with no epidemiological links between them. Most patients were older adults with underlying health conditions. WHO maintains that the global risk remains moderate, citing sporadic zoonotic spillover from camels rather than sustained human-to-human transmission.

via World Health Organization (WHO)|

#health #mers-cov #public-health

health10 days ago•2 min saved

Study: 6% of Cats Carry Giardia, but Human Transmission Risk Is Low

A large-scale study analyzing over 157,000 cat fecal samples in the US and Canada found that 6.3% of cats carry Giardia, a parasite causing 'beaver fever.' While 18% of these infected cats carry strains that can infect humans, the absolute risk of human transmission from pets is low. Male, unneutered, and older cats show higher infection rates, with Midwest regions reporting the highest prevalence. Experts debate whether routine screening is necessary, with some advocating for hygiene over testing.

via New York Post|

#giardia #health #pet-health

health12 days ago•81 min saved

US Rabies Cases Surge 17% in Midsummer as CDC Flags Treatment Errors

Rabies cases in the United States increased by 17% between July and August 2026 compared to the same period last year, driven by high-profile outbreaks including rabid beavers in Maryland and positive tests in baby goats at a North Carolina zoo. The CDC reported a rise in post-exposure treatment activity alongside errors in administering the vaccine, despite the disease remaining nearly always fatal if untreated. Approximately 1.4 million Americans seek medical care for suspected exposure annually, with about 100,000 receiving treatment and fewer than 10 deaths recorded per year.

via AOL.com|

#cdc #health #public-health

health-and-science15 days ago•5 min saved

Arizona Confirms First Fatal Pneumonic Plague Case Since 2007 Linked to Cat Exposure

A young man in Coconino County, Arizona, died from pneumonic plague in July 2025, marking the state's first such fatality since 2007. The CDC report details how rapid identification of exposed individuals for prophylaxis occurred before final lab confirmation, highlighting the importance of clinical suspicion in endemic areas.

via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)|

#arizona-public-health #cdc-report #health-and-science

health1 month ago•163 min saved

Rabies scare at NC petting zoo expands to nearly 300 exposed visitors

North Carolina health officials have identified nearly 300 individuals potentially exposed to rabies after four baby goats at the Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo tested positive for the virus. The outbreak, linked to a skunk bite, has prompted a public health alert urging anyone who interacted with the animals between late July and late August to seek medical evaluation. Although no human cases have been reported in the state since 2011, authorities emphasize the need for immediate post-exposure treatment to prevent fatal outcomes.

via CNN|

#farm-adventures #health #north-carolina

health1 month ago•12 min saved

NC Petting Zoo Rabies Outbreak Prompts Urgent Search for Visitors

North Carolina health officials are urgently seeking anyone who interacted with baby goats at the Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo between July 28 and August 27, 2026. Four young goats tested positive for rabies and were euthanized after a skunk entered their pen in late July. The animals were too young to be vaccinated, and officials warn that close contact, such as feeding or cuddling, poses a transmission risk. While no human cases have been reported, post-exposure prophylaxis is available for those who may have been exposed.

via Gizmodo|

#health #north-carolina #petting-zoo

health1 month ago•5 min saved

NC Health Officials Warn of Rabies Exposure from Traveling Petting Zoo Goats

North Carolina health officials are urging anyone who interacted with baby goats at a traveling petting zoo between late July and late August to seek medical evaluation. Four baby goats owned by Farm Adventures tested positive for rabies after being exposed to a skunk in late July. The animals traveled to multiple events across the state, prompting a public health alert for potential human exposure.

via The New York Times|

#health #north-carolina #petting-zoo

public-health1 month ago•160 min saved

NC Health Officials Trace Rabies Exposure to Skunk Bite at Traveling Petting Zoo

Four baby goats at a traveling petting zoo in North Carolina tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to warn attendees of multiple events between late July and late August to seek medical assessment. The goats, operated by Farm Adventures, were likely infected by a skunk in late July and were euthanized to prevent further spread. While human rabies cases are rare in the US, officials are actively tracing contacts across several counties.

via CNN|

#animal-health #north-carolina #public-health

science2 months ago•151 min saved

Four privately owned lemurs die after contracting human herpesvirus through close contact

A new study confirms that four privately owned lemurs died from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) after close contact with humans. The cases, which included ring-tailed and ruffed lemurs, resulted in fatal encephalitis. This is the first molecular confirmation of HSV-1 in lemurs, highlighting the severe risks of human-to-wildlife transmission, particularly in informal settings like 'lemur yoga' classes.

via Live Science|

#animal-welfare #herpes-simplex-virus-1 #lemurs

health2 months ago•4 min saved

Mid-Wales farmer’s years-long battle with tapeworm-linked cysts raises hydatid disease concerns

An 86-year-old Trecastle farmer, Meredydd Jones, spent years living with hydatid disease caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, which formed cysts in his lungs (two removed in 2018 and 2019) and a remaining liver cyst. Public Health Wales notes the disease is uncommon but a significant public health concern in mid Wales due to local sheep farming. Experts are studying how the parasite moves from dogs to farm animals to humans, including using GPS trackers on sheepdogs to map transmission and inform prevention efforts.

via bbc.com|

#echinococcus-granulosus #health #hydatid-disease

health2 months ago•2 min saved

Florida’s leprosy cases rise, armadillos flagged as possible carriers

Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) cases are increasing in Florida, with 17 reported in 2026 as of July 23 and 36 in 2025, helping Florida account for a notable share of U.S. cases. Officials say it may reflect a low-level endemic presence rather than an outbreak. The bacterium Mycobacterium leprae is carried by nine-banded armadillos common in Florida, and transmission to humans—usually through direct contact or disturbing contaminated areas—remains rare and requires prolonged exposure. Precautions include avoiding armadillo contact and wearing protective clothing when gardening. Leprosy is curable with antibiotics.

via WYFF|

#armadillos #florida #health

environment3 months ago•5 min saved

What we still need to learn about Ebola’s animal origins to stop the next outbreak

Amid rising Bundibugyo Ebola concerns, the piece argues that the true wildlife transmission pathways of Ebola viruses remain poorly understood—bats are often blamed but not proven—making surveillance and prevention challenging. It advocates a One Health approach linking wildlife, livestock, and human health to reduce spillover, warns against ill-informed wildlife culling, and stresses that political and funding hurdles complicate the research needed to avert larger future outbreaks.

via The Guardian|

#bundibugyo #ebola #environment

science6 months ago•2 min saved

Seafood Virus CMNV Linked to Emerging Human Eye Disease

A Nature Microbiology study links the shrimp-associated virus CMNV to an emerging human eye disease called POH-VAU, finding CMNV-like particles and antibodies in patients and showing similar symptoms in CMNV-infected mice; most cases involved direct exposure to raw seafood, but some occurred without clear exposure, raising concerns about potential human transmission and ocean-based zoonoses, with CMNV detected in 49 aquatic species—more research is needed to confirm causality.

via Gizmodo|

#cmnv #eye-disease #nature-microbiology

health7 months ago•5 min saved

Rabies Tops Global List of Deadliest Viruses by Fatality Rate

A Visual Capitalist infographic ranks 10 deadly viruses by case fatality rate, led by rabies at nearly 100% once symptoms appear. The list highlights zoonotic origins (bats, camels, rodents) and notable hemorrhagic fevers (e.g., Ebola, Marburg), with death tolls and sources from WHO and other health authorities.

via Visual Capitalist|

#ebola #fatality-rate #health

health8 months ago•6 min saved

Nipah Outbreak in India Triggers Regional Health Alerts Over Deadly Virus

A Nipah virus outbreak in India's West Bengal has prompted heightened health screening and alerts across Asia. Nipah is a highly fatal, zoonotic virus with transmission from animals, contaminated foods, and limited human-to-human spread; there is currently no vaccine, though a treatment (m102.4) is in early trials. The immediate public health risk remains low for regions outside the affected area, but authorities are closely monitoring cases.

via ScienceAlert|

#encephalitis #health #india-outbreak