Results for: Outbreak

A deadly new strain of mpox, particularly lethal to children and pregnant women, is rapidly spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This variant, known as clade 1b, has a higher mortality rate than previous strains and is transmitted through both sexual and non-sexual contact. The outbreak has already claimed hundreds of lives, with children under 15 accounting for nearly half of the deaths. While experts are unsure of the likelihood of a global outbreak, they emphasize the need for urgent research, improved access to vaccines and treatments, and increased awareness to prevent further spread.

Odisha has reported 5 deaths and 18 suspected cases of diphtheria, leading to the initiation of a vaccination campaign. The Director of Public Health, Odisha, Nilakantha Mishra, confirmed that the vaccination started on Wednesday. While the total suspected cases have come down to 18, the number of deaths remains at 5. The health department is conducting a house-to-house survey to verify vaccination status in the affected areas.

A suspected outbreak of botulism, a rare and potentially fatal food poisoning, has sickened over 120 people in Moscow, with at least 30 in intensive care. The outbreak is believed to be linked to salads distributed by a popular online delivery service, which has temporarily suspended operations. Authorities are investigating a possible breach of consumer safety standards.

India has witnessed a significant number of mumps cases in recent times. Over 2500 cases were reported in March, primarily in the Delhi-NCR region. Additionally, cases have been reported in Maharashtra and Telangana. Mumps is a viral infection spread through direct contact or airborne droplets from an infected person’s respiratory tract. It commonly affects children between the ages of 5-9, but adolescents and adults can also be susceptible. Symptoms include swollen salivary glands, fever, headache, muscle ache, and facial pain. Vaccination with the MMR vaccine is crucial for prevention, with two doses recommended for children. Adults may need additional vaccination as immunity weakens over time. Basic hygiene practices like handwashing and avoiding contact with infected individuals can also help prevent infection. Currently, there is no specific treatment for mumps, and most people recover within 3-10 days. Rest, hydration, a soft diet, and cold/warm compresses can alleviate symptoms.

A highly pathogenic strain of bird flu has infected tens of thousands of birds and has begun to spread among mammals, including a dairy worker in Texas. The virus, known as H5N1, can mutate and spread among humans, raising concerns about a potential pandemic. While the current threat to public health remains low, experts urge swift action to prevent the virus from becoming more widespread.

A virulent strain of the monkeypox virus, clade I, has emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), exhibiting the ability to spread through sexual contact. This strain is more lethal than those involved in previous outbreaks, including the global spread in 2022. The outbreak poses a significant risk of wider transmission, particularly among sex workers, and has raised concerns among scientists about a possible resurgence similar to the mpox outbreak in 2022. International support is dringendly needed to provide vaccinations and enhance diagnostic capabilities within the DRC.

West Virginia has reported its first case of measles since 2009, an under-vaccinated individual who recently traveled internationally. As measles cases surge in the United States, health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination to prevent outbreaks.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has issued a dire warning that a Disease X outbreak is a matter of when, not if, urging global leaders to prepare. Meanwhile, health officials in West Virginia have confirmed the first known measles case in the state since 2009. The patient, who had received one dose of the measles vaccine, developed symptoms after traveling abroad. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented over 113 measles cases nationwide this year, raising concerns about the preventable virus. Most U.S. cases are imported by individuals traveling from countries where measles is more common.

While Kane County remains free of measles, the health department is monitoring the outbreak in Chicago and working with one potential contact. Officials urge vaccination as the best protection against the highly infectious disease, which is often brought to the US by travelers from countries with low vaccination rates. Measles can cause serious complications, and most cases are preventable through vaccination.

A mother whose baby contracted measles urges parents to vaccinate their children as the UK faces a sharp increase in measles infections. Margot, who is too young for the MMR vaccine, caught the virus while in the hospital for an allergic reaction. She required oxygen and feeding tubes to fight the infection, leaving her parents heartbroken. Doctors emphasize the severity of measles and warn of the consequences of declining vaccination rates.