News & Perspective

(CIDRAP News) – The first US case of Lassa fever since 1989 is a reminder that physicians need to consider exotic diseases when making diagnoses, noted the Oct 1 edition of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

(CIDRAP News) – A case of Lassa fever in a New Jersey man who fell ill after visiting Liberia has caused federal health officials to issue a health advisory about the viral disease, rarely seen in the United States.

(CIDRAP News) – The recent Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Sudan has ended after 17 cases with seven deaths, signaling a remarkably successful containment effort, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

(CIDRAP News) – Rift Valley fever (RVF), a mosquito-borne disease that can kill humans and animals, is starting to grab the attention of American scientists because it could cause devastating outbreaks in the United States.

(CIDRAP News) – Twelve of the 30 recent cases of a disease thought to be Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Sudan have been reclassified as measles, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today.

(CIDRAP News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday said that the Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Yambio, Western Equatoria province, south Sudan, appears to be under control. First reported in May, the outbreak grew to 30 cases, with seven deaths. Laboratory testing is continuing, according to the WHO, and active surveillance by the South Sudan Early Warning and Response Network is ongoing.

(CIDRAP News) – The outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in southern Sudan has increased to 25 cases with six deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today.

The WHO had reported 19 cases and four deaths May 24 when it first confirmed the outbreak in Yambio County of Sudan's Western Equatoria province. The agency said it is continuing to help with surveillance, case management, and follow-up with contacts of patients.

(CIDRAP News) – A Russian scientist who was doing research on Ebola virus died after accidentally injecting herself with the deadly virus, according to news service reports.