Articles tagged with Disease Outbreaks
A new biomarker, HBcrAg, has been found to accurately predict viral load in patients with chronic hepatitis B and reflect response to anti-viral treatments. This discovery may lead to improved monitoring methods for CHB, enabling clinical decisions and potentially improving patient outcomes.
A new study published in Cell Reports Medicine reveals the origins of a 2012 Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The analysis, conducted by an international team, used high-throughput sequencing to identify multiple virus 'spillover' events that contributed to the outbreak. This research highlights th...
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine modified remdesivir to create an oral version that can be taken earlier in COVID-19 diagnoses. The revised drug proved effective and safe in cell and animal studies.
The poor are unlikely to obey strict lockdowns due to lack of nutrition, economic opportunities, and infrastructure. African policymakers need to prioritize social and economic measures over stringent lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19 and future pandemics.
A team of researchers tracked the movements of hippos in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, to better understand how anthrax outbreaks spread. They found that infected individuals roamed just as much as healthy hippos, highlighting the importance of wildlife movement in disease transmission.
A new study suggests that hexanoic acid could be a suitable substitute for chemical protection in citrus cultivation, addressing concerns about the impact of old-school defenses on food safety. Researchers believe this fatty acid may help protect against diseases like canker, which causes brownish lesions on leaves and fruit.
A new study found that deforestation and palm oil plantations correlate with increasing outbreaks of infectious disease. Careful forest management is critical in preventing future epidemics, while commercial plantations and land abandonment are potentially detrimental to public health.
Researchers at MU found cognitive biases can create and worsen foodborne disease outbreaks, with motivated blindness and omission bias contributing to the Jensen Farms outbreak. The study emphasizes the importance of considering unconscious motivations in outbreak prevention policies.
Researchers found a significant association between COVID-19 and hospital admissions for noncommunicable diseases, including abnormal tissue growths, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal diseases, in São Paulo, Brazil.
A new model created by Penn State researchers finds that healthcare workers' illness during outbreaks significantly increases overall case counts and mortality rates. The model suggests that high loss impact paired with low redundancy leads to the most severe epidemic outcomes.
A groundbreaking study aims to create predictive models to monitor and combat epidemics of yellow fever and other mosquito-borne diseases. By analyzing factors such as deforestation, rainfall variations and non-human primate populations, researchers hope to develop models that can predict outbreaks and protect the public.
Researchers developed Ae DES to monitor and forecast environmental suitability for transmission of Zika, dengue fever, chikungunya and other diseases. The system combines multiple R0 models with climate information, generating probabilistic forecasts that are robust due to a large sample size.
A global system is proposed to monitor wildlife pathogens and prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks. Decentralized surveillance using portable molecular diagnostic technology could identify emerging diseases before they become global health crises.
A Rutgers study reveals that sewer pipe walls harbor biofilms containing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can withstand standard disinfection methods. Cleaning with bleach can reduce biofilm density but not remove them entirely, posing health risks to wastewater treatment workers and the public.
A mathematical model reveals that territorial behaviors can dampen disease prevalence, but at the cost of increased disease persistence. This study suggests that indirect communication could play a more important role in disease transmission than previously thought.
Researchers developed a new process to combine multiple disease models for outbreak management, reducing uncertainty and providing better tools for decision makers. The three-part process allows policymakers to evaluate valuable ideas from across the modeling community and identify critical uncertainties to prioritize research directions.
A team of researchers used a statistical technique to identify ecological risk factors affecting coral diseases, including growth anomalies and white syndromes. They found larger corals had higher disease risk, with certain conditions such as high fertilizer and pesticide runoff associated with growth anomalies.
Researchers found that misinformation during epidemics of infectious disease could make those outbreaks more severe. Strategies to fight fake news, such as 'immunizing' people against bad information through better education, showed promise in reducing the impact of bad advice on disease outcomes.
A new study estimates that improving handwashing rates by travelers passing through just 10 major airports could significantly reduce the spread of many infectious diseases. The findings suggest that focusing handwashing messaging in these 10 airports could potentially slow the disease spread by as much as 37 percent.
A Louisiana State University study uses pathogen biogeography to forecast disease outbreaks, outperforming traditional methods. The approach leverages data on pathogens and countries to predict outbreak potential, providing a baseline for comparison to more advanced techniques.
Researchers have developed predictive tools to tackle childhood diarrheal disease outbreaks in Botswana by analyzing atmospheric conditions and environmental variables. The study found a critical link between ENSO, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, and diarrhea rates, enabling the prediction of outbreak reoccurrence.
Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough were associated with introduction of legislation changing vaccine exemption laws in states. The study found a correlation between health improvements and increased legislative activity related to vaccine policies.
A new UCL-developed model tracks ecosystem changes and human societies to predict Ebola outbreaks, identifying countries at risk in Africa. The model's results show that climate change and slower socioeconomic development increase the likelihood of outbreaks.
Researchers estimate that at least half of Ebola outbreaks have gone undetected, resulting in hundreds of potential cases. The study highlights the need for improved detection and rapid response to prevent small outbreaks from growing into larger events.
Research by Zoological Society of London and University College London reveals that climate change is increasing the spread and severity of a fatal disease in UK common frogs. The disease, caused by Ranavirus, is predicted to become more widespread and frequent if carbon emissions continue at their current rate.
A NASA study found that the 2015-2016 El Niño event triggered widespread disease outbreaks globally, including plague and hantavirus in Colorado, cholera in Tanzania, and dengue fever in Brazil and Southeast Asia. The study analyzed climate data and public health records to quantify the relationship between El Niño and disease outbreaks.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that showering, using sinks, and flushing toilets can expose people to Legionella pneumophila bacteria, which causes pneumonia-like disease. The researchers recommend setting a risk-based concentration limit for indoor water quality to prevent outbreaks.
Researchers at Newcastle University have developed a way to model disease progression and predict the tipping point of a disease. The models provide early warning indicators that an epidemic is imminent and action needs to be taken.
A new study of disease transmission in bats has quantified unseen interactions that play a crucial role in the spread of disease through populations and between species. The researchers found that infrequent and indirect connections among individuals are far more important in disease transmission than previously thought.
A new study reveals the importance of 'cryptic' connections in disease transmission between species and among individuals. The researchers used fluorescent dust to track the dynamics of disease transmission in bat populations devastated by white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease that has killed millions of bats in North America.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new real-time strategy for controlling foot-and-mouth disease, finding that local targeted methods are the most effective in halting disease spread. The approach prioritizes surveillance and vaccination to quickly control outbreaks, even with minimal information.
A new study suggests that different vector control strategies are needed depending on when Chikungunya cases are notified, with optimal response strategies varying between late spring/summer and fall/colder seasons. The research provides useful indications for public health authorities to respond to emerging mosquito-borne epidemics.
A new UM study reveals that ornamental bromeliad plants contribute to the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a key culprit behind vector-borne diseases like Zika. The study found that water retained in bromeliads' leaf axils becomes breeding sites for mosquitoes.
A new study by the University of Warwick reveals that news stories about potential threats become more negative and biased when passed from person to person. Even sharing balanced, neutral information fails to calm this hysteria.
Researchers developed Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect Zika virus in mosquitoes, outperforming current methods with 18x speed and 110x cost savings. The technology has shown a 94-99% accuracy rate under laboratory conditions and is being tested for detecting other diseases like dengue and malaria.
A study led by Colorado State University researchers found that a change in the city's drinking water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River likely caused the 2014-15 Legionnaires' disease outbreak. The majority of cases, estimated at 80%, were attributed to this change.
A study examined the relationship between free chlorine concentrations and the 2014-2015 Legionnaires' disease (LD) outbreak in Flint, Michigan. The results indicate that decreasing concentrations of free chlorine in the water were associated with increased risk of developing LD, with a 80% increase per 1 mg/L decrease.
Scientists are developing tools to map areas at risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks using machine learning and big data. The project aims to predict when and where pathogens will make the leap from animals to people, enabling a proactive approach to managing zoonotic diseases.
A combination of pathogen-specific, platform-based, and prototype-pathogen approaches is crucial for effective pandemic preparedness. These methods enable rapid deployment of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines to stop outbreaks in their tracks.
A study analyzing 18 years of coral-disease data found that three common diseases spike during El Niño years, mirroring the cyclical patterns of these climate events. This alarming association may indicate an increase in disease intensity due to climate change, with potential consequences for coral reefs.
A study by a multi-national research team, including scientists from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, explains how Zika virus entered the US and how it might re-enter the country. They used near real-time genomic sequencing to create a family tree showing the virus's spread through space and time.
A new management approach developed by an international team of researchers, including the University of Warwick, helps to streamline outbreak decision-making. The approach identifies two effective strategies: reducing transmission rates at funerals and in communities, such as educating people about disease transmission.
A new method pinpoints critical information needed to improve management decisions during a disease outbreak. The approach provides two important pieces of information: the best course of action and highlighted gaps in knowledge that matter for intervention strategies.
The study modeled how rising temperatures influence mosquito behavior and disease risk worldwide. Mosquito traits favorable to spreading disease peaked at 29 degrees Celsius, but were lower when temperatures were cooler or warmer.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that disease spread varies depending on age at exposure and maternal age. Younger offspring were more susceptible to infection when mothers were younger, contradicting expectations that disease spreads in dense populations.
Researchers at Georgia Tech used game theory to study individual behavior during influenza outbreaks and found that empathy of infected persons is key to eradicating the illness. Healthy individuals' attempts to protect themselves cannot stop the disease from spreading.
New analysis suggests US is unlikely to experience large-scale Zika outbreak due to access to clean water and air conditioning. However, localized outbreaks remain a concern, particularly in southern states with lower socioeconomic conditions.
Researchers found that more than a quarter of chikungunya cases were spread within households and half occurred in homes less than 200 meters away. Women are 1.5 times more likely to develop the disease due to increased time spent at home, making them at higher risk of infection.
A new study from the University of Georgia finds that the delay between a disease outbreak's possibility and its occurrence depends on infection frequency and disease transmission rate. The findings provide key insights into drivers of outbreaks and offer an estimate of likely delay times, aiming to improve public health preparedness.
A recent study by the University of Liverpool has found that a potentially fatal tick-borne disease called canine babesiosis in the UK appears to be under control. The study analyzed data from 2015 and found a low background level of Babesia infection in the UK, with most cases linked to overseas travel.
Researchers reviewing Zika's history highlight the need for better understanding of global spread and sustainable control strategies. Most people infected with Zika show no symptoms or minor ones like rashes, but prevention methods like mosquito spraying are crucial.
A new study from UTSA professor Mark Eppinger describes innovative strategies to track disease-causing pathogens like E. coli, featuring whole genome sequence typing of outbreak strains. By analyzing subtle traits among outbreaks, researchers can pinpoint the origin and severity of an outbreak.
A University of Michigan-led study analyzing Google Trends data found a significant reduction in chickenpox searches following vaccination implementation in countries like Germany. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of immunization in reducing seasonal outbreaks and offers a novel way to track global childhood disease burdens.
The study found that monotherapy with favipiravir is unlikely to be effective in patients with very high viremia, but may offer benefits in those with lower viremia. The trial also highlighted the importance of adapting research protocols for emergency situations and integrated research into care.
The use of residual disinfectants in drinking water has been compared between Western European countries, the U.S., and waterborne outbreak data. The Netherlands has the lowest risk of waterborne disease despite no residual disinfectant use due to newer pipe infrastructure.
Two new studies by Cornell University researchers link warming ocean temperatures to increased disease outbreaks in marine organisms, including lobsters and sea stars. The findings highlight the need for advanced warning systems to prevent disease outbreaks and protect economically important species.
Researchers at Colorado State University are developing a multiplayer game to plan for disease outbreaks. The game uses powerful software to predict and analyze the severity of an outbreak, providing real-time visualizations such as heat maps of potential danger zones.
Researchers at Colorado State University found that plague in prairie dogs can provide key insights into the study of rare infectious diseases like Ebola. The disease's spread is influenced by ecological factors, including temperature and population dynamics.
A recent study reveals that animal-borne diseases can persist in wider populations through repeated dispersal, leading to slower but more insidious transmission. This 'slow, smoldering' approach challenges traditional assumptions about disease outbreaks.
A £2M BBSRC-Newton Fund project aims to develop and apply new molecular biology techniques to reduce the impact of major aquaculture diseases. The project will help early warning systems for disease outbreaks in low-income countries, improving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.