The number of suspected yellow fever cases in Brazil is climbing quickly, with 421 suspected infections and two more states reporting cases, the health ministry said yesterday in a statement. The case total reflects an increase of 215 cases from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) update on Jan 18.
In the latest avian flu developments, two European countries confirmed more highly pathogenic H5N8 in wild birds, as India and Niger reported poultry outbreaks from the H5N1 subtype, according to reports to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Also, Chile's agriculture ministry yesterday reported a second low-pathogenic H7 outbreak in turkeys.
In recent days the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) announced three more MERS-CoV cases, two in the city of Al Hofuf and one in Najran.
In other developments, research teams describe viral levels in semen and thrombocytopenia as a complication.
Hospitals in Los Angeles County will soon be required to report when patients are infected with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), according to the Los Angeles Times.
Samples of UK-produced pork products have tested positive for a livestock strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to a report today by The Guardian.
Pertussis immunization with the acellular vaccine offers high protection during the first 3 years, but immunity tapers off significantly over the next 4 years, Canadian researchers reported today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).
Yesterday the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health (MOH) said there was a new case of MERS in the city of Arar, while Austrian officials reported a case in a tourist from Saudi Arabia.
A yearlong investigation by Reuters alleges that thousands of US deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections are going uncounted because federal and state health agencies are doing a poor job of tracking them.
Situation "continues to be serious and requires sustained control measures," though.