Articles tagged with Disease Outbreaks
A recent Annenberg Public Policy Center survey found that 70% of the public supports vaccine requirements for MMR in schools. The percentage increased from 63% in August 2023. The survey also showed that over 7 in 10 U.S. adults support a policy making it mandatory for parents to vaccinate their children against preventable diseases.
Researchers are collecting faeces from exotic animals at Dudley Zoo and West Midlands Safari Park to search for phages that can fight bacterial infections. The goal is to create a bio-bank of these phages to develop alternative treatments for life-threatening infections.
Researchers at USF and FAU have uncovered direct genomic evidence of the bacterium behind the Plague of Justinian, providing long-sought definitive proof that Yersinia pestis was present within the Byzantine Empire. The discovery offers new insight into one of the most consequential episodes in human history.
A new class of insecticide, called spatial emanators, provides protection for up to a year against mosquitoes that spread malaria, as well as dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, and Zika. The breakthrough offers lasting protection in areas where malaria is prevalent and can be used day and night without heating or electricity.
Researchers at Penn State have identified certain characteristics that can help predict whether a virus will persist in a new population. Infection prevalence and viral shedding were found to be significant predictors of long-term viral persistence. The study used a worm model system to examine disease transmission and emergence at a p...
Scientists have developed a monoclonal antibody to combat life-threatening inflammatory diseases like sepsis and ARDS. The antibody shows promise in blocking the immune system's hyperactive response and restoring healthy function without unwanted side effects.
A synthetic glycosystem mimics natural sugars on human cells, binding to virus's spike protein and preventing infection. The molecule was found to be effective at low doses and worked against multiple SARS-CoV-2 strains.
A multi-year clinical research study in US children documents the rebound of endemic respiratory viruses after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study shows that non-pharmaceutical interventions decreased circulation rates of common respiratory pathogens in children, enabling more accurate predictions for future outbreaks.
Researchers from University of Zurich and Basel decode historical specimen to understand how 1918-1920 influenza pandemic evolved in Europe. The Swiss genome reveals three key adaptations that made the virus more resistant to human immunity and more infectious.
Diphtheria is still being reported in Europe, with cases higher than before 2020, affecting vulnerable populations like homeless individuals, migrants, and those who use or inject drugs. ECDC recommends tailored public health response measures to protect these groups.
Researchers create map of T cell responses to Chikungunya virus, shedding light on chronic disease triggers. They found that people with chronic disease have T cells targeting the same viral epitopes as those who cleared the virus.
Forensic pathologists play a crucial role in monitoring public health threats, advancing disease research, and providing support to families who have lost loved ones. They operate independently of law enforcement and courts, performing final diagnostic evaluations and providing objective facts for the justice system.
A growing crisis of communicable diseases is unfolding in North America, with Canada's health systems being hampered by US cuts to public health and research infrastructure. The spillover effect of these changes will likely affect Canada and other countries globally, compromising disease surveillance and public health preparedness.
Scientists at the Stowers Institute and University of Georgia discover how Cryptococcus neoformans thrives, identifying over 300 potential targets for novel antifungal drugs. The study provides an atlas for developing new therapies to combat this lethal fungus.
Pregnant individuals are at high risk of measles infection and its complications. Experts emphasize the need for urgent access to IVIG and updated hospital protocols to protect vulnerable groups.
A new study published in Biological Conservation shows that protocols such as quarantining, masking, and more can help prevent outbreaks like the one at Ngogo. Researchers observed a clear decrease in viral shedding and fewer instances of persistent coughs after stricter protocols were implemented.
A new study found that heatwaves can increase disease burden by up to 13 times, driven by complex interactions between temperature attributes and baseline temperatures. This knowledge is crucial for predicting the impact of heatwaves on disease spread and highlights the need for more detailed models.
A new study finds that bats are a reservoir for morbilliviruses, including the human measles virus, and can transmit them to other mammalian species, such as monkeys. The research suggests that these viruses have crossed species boundaries multiple times, posing a significant threat to human health and livestock.
The European Vaccines Hub for Pandemic Readiness (EVH) is a pan-European center that integrates excellence in vaccine research, human monoclonal antibody development, clinical trials, and scalable manufacturing. EVH aims to drive innovation and ensure strategic autonomy in vaccine R&D and manufacturing.
The application of AI in public health informatics offers potential to revolutionize data collection, disease surveillance, decision-making, and interventions. However, its implementation faces technical, ethical, and operational challenges related to health equity, privacy, security, and bias.
A new study by University of California San Diego researchers found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in humans via wildlife trade, not a lab leak. The viruses most closely related to SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 were found in palm civets and raccoon dogs in southern China.
A groundbreaking study from the University of Virginia Health System reveals distinct immune patterns in patients with persistent breathing issues after COVID-19. The research identifies specific T cell changes linked to lung damage and fibrosis, paving the way for personalized treatments.
Mathematical modeling research from University of Utah Health suggests that treating moderate cases with antibiotics could limit the spread of cholera and reduce the likelihood of antibiotic resistance. In areas where cholera spreads slowly, aggressive antibiotic use may even stop outbreaks entirely.
Research reveals inequalities in MMR vaccination that may contribute to measles outbreaks and epidemics. In France, vaccines were dispensed later for children from low-income families, while a UK investigation found that deprived communities and some ethnic groups were more affected by the outbreak and less likely to be vaccinated.
A hospital-based outbreak detection system has been shown to prevent infections, save lives and cut costs. The Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission (EDS-HAT) uses genomic sequencing to analyze infectious disease samples from patients, identifying near-identical strains that flag potential outbreaks.
Researchers develop mathematical modeling to predict aflatoxin outbreaks in Texas using remote sensing satellites and soil properties. The model has the potential to save farmers billions of dollars in losses by providing early risk prediction and targeted prevention strategies.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) emphasizes the need for high immunization coverage to protect European populations from diseases like measles and polio. Vaccination remains a crucial tool in public health, with recent data showing a tenfold surge in reported measles cases in the EU/EEA.
A new study from the University of Kansas reveals that studying spatial synchrony over a long enough timescale leads to better testing of ideas, improved statistical results, and new conceptual realms for understanding ecology. Long-term data can expose ecological trends and inform policy and management related to the environment.
A modeling study predicts declining childhood vaccination rates will increase outbreaks of vaccine-preventable infections, leading to their reemergence. Measles is likely to be the first disease to return to endemic levels, even under current vaccination levels.
A new study models cholera transmission after interventions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighting the importance of environmental reservoirs in maintaining endemic diseases. The research suggests that vaccination may have a smaller impact on preventing transmission compared to water, sanitation, and hygiene improvements.
A new study by Hokkaido University found that colder temperatures significantly increase the risk of gastroenteritis among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh's Kutupalong and Nayapara camps. The study reveals a link between temperature changes and gastroenteritis risk, with both extreme cold and heat contributing to higher numbers of cases.
Researchers detected widespread contamination of retail chicken meat in Bangladesh with antibiotic-resistant E. albertii, a lesser-known but deadly pathogen. The study highlights the need for improved hygiene measures and stricter regulations to prevent foodborne infections.
Recent cases of multi-drug resistant cholera in the UK and Germany are linked to exposure to contaminated holy water from Ethiopia. The study found a connection between pilgrims consuming or bathing in the holy well and the spread of the disease.
A recent study reveals critical vulnerabilities in global testing capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with socioeconomic disparities playing a significant role. The findings underscore the need for increased diagnostic capacity, equitable access to healthcare, and sustained international cooperation.
The new season of The Last of Us explores the real-life characteristics of cordyceps, including its airborne spore method of infection. Researchers like Dr. Jim Kronstad highlight the warming climate as a potential contributor to the spread of harmful fungi.
A new study from UT Austin has identified powerful antibodies that neutralize pertussis toxin, a key weakness in the disease. The researchers' findings could improve vaccine effectiveness and longevity of protection.
A single mutation in the spike protein of western equine encephalitis virus is enough to prevent it from attaching to human and horse cells. However, a change in the viral spike protein enables WEEV strains to attach to a different receptor, found on mammalian brain cells, which is shared by its cousin eastern equine encephalitis virus.
The UK's first water monitoring center is launched to detect disease outbreaks and community health issues. Researchers will analyze wastewater samples from four urban areas, tracking chemicals and biological markers to identify early warning signs of infectious diseases and chronic health conditions.
A new study reveals that wild birds such as pelicans and peregrine falcons are carrying and spreading the H5N1 virus from poultry farms to new areas worldwide. The research highlights the need for revised monitoring and treatment strategies to protect human health.
The University of Texas at Arlington expert discusses the state's largest outbreak in 30 years, with fewer people getting vaccinated contributing to its spread. The MMR vaccine is 97% effective against measles and has been proven safe despite misconceptions about its safety.
Larvae of wood frogs grow and mature precociously when infected with ranavirus, exhibiting accelerated growth and development. This may help tadpoles tolerate the energetic demands of infection or escape risky environments to avoid infection entirely.
A new study finds that Canada is the slowest country to report genetic information about bird flu, with an average time of 618 days. However, the same researchers note that Canada was able to improve its response to COVID-19, highlighting the need for similar urgency in addressing this public health threat.
Researchers discovered that a drug-resistant type of bacteria has adapted to produce antimicrobial genetic tools, eliminating its cousins and replacing them as the dominant strain. The finding validates a system developed at Pitt and UPMC for detecting infectious disease outbreaks.
Oropouche virus has been reported in travellers from Canada and the US who visited Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Cuba, with symptoms including fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. The risk of miscarriage and microcephaly is high for pregnant individuals, prompting cautionary measures.
The Study of Tecovirimat for Mpox (STOMP) trial found that tecovirimat did not reduce the time to clinical resolution of clade II mpox lesions or improve pain control. The antiviral drug was shown to be safe but ineffective in treating clade II mpox.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports a significant increase in measles cases across EU/EEA countries, with eight out of ten unvaccinated individuals contracting the disease. Vaccination levels fall short of the 95% target, leaving vulnerable populations susceptible to measles.
Researchers at Aalto University and others have developed a model that shows smartwatches can accurately detect viral infections several days before symptoms appear. This early detection can lead to significant reductions in disease transmission and could potentially stop a pandemic before it starts.
A new biosensor can detect airborne H5N1 avian influenza virus in under 5 minutes, providing real-time monitoring for dairy and poultry farms. The sensor uses electrochemical capacitive biosensors to improve detection speed and sensitivity.
Research finds over 25% of Egyptian milk and dairy products contain E. coli, with one strain causing a Japanese school outbreak; experts hope for effective treatment and prevention methods.
Recent advances in AI methodologies are performing well with limited data, opening new areas for health improvement across countries. AI has the potential to transform pandemic preparedness by predicting outbreaks and their impact on individual patients.
Researchers have identified a new variant, clade 1b, of the mpox virus that has become more infectious and is spreading rapidly across borders. The study found that this variant primarily spreads through heterosexual contact in densely populated areas, with an estimated fatality rate of 3.4%.
Researchers have discovered evidence that plague may have been involved in epidemics a century before the Black Death, challenging previous assumptions about the disease's arrival in Western Eurasia. The study uses historical sources and genetic analysis to propose a new timeline for the plague's emergence.
The reemergence of dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3) in Brazil could worsen fresh outbreaks as the population is not immunized against this serotype. Researchers found a rise in DENV-3 cases since late 2023, with 31 blood samples testing positive for the virus.
A new retrospective study found that nearly half of patients with fever of unknown origin in sub-Saharan Africa had a detectable pathogen, including bacterial strains and hemorrhagic fever viruses. The study highlights the need for strengthened laboratory capacity to improve diagnosis and treatment.
A new national study suggests that depression rates among older people in England remain slightly higher than pre-COVID, while overall happiness and life satisfaction have improved significantly since the pandemic. This finding highlights the need for policies addressing immediate and lingering effects of the pandemic on mental health.
A recent study found that cold temperatures allow the bird pink eye pathogen to survive on bird feeders for up to seven days, causing more severe disease in birds compared to warmer temperatures. Regular cleaning of feeder surfaces with bleach can help mitigate the spread of the disease.
A £2 million project, led by Anglia Ruskin University, is working to identify vulnerabilities in the UK's food system and prioritize areas for improvement. The project will analyze potential pathways leading to civil unrest and work with stakeholders to build resilience and address early-stage problems.
A new study by the University of Surrey found that warmer temperatures and certain weather conditions are associated with an increase in Salmonella cases. The research, which considered data from England, Wales, and the Netherlands, suggests that climate change is playing a significant role in the spread of this foodborne illness.
Researchers from Osaka University found that Japan's state of emergency declarations led to increased hygienic behaviors and risk perception, which persisted even after the policy was lifted. However, older people became less fearful of COVID-19 and were less likely to wear masks.
Researchers from McGill University and colleagues found that stunted children had lower levels of antibodies against measles by age five. The study suggests that combatting child hunger could help prevent measles outbreaks globally, as undernutrition may affect vaccine protection.