Anthrax

Though anthrax is endemic in these countries, the Bacillus anthracis bacterium usually causes only small seasonal outbreaks.

Zambia is reporting by far its most widespread anthrax outbreak ever, with 684 suspected cases and 4 deaths.

The updates include an expanded list of alternative drugs and the prevention and management of anthrax meningitis.

FDA to review Emergent's adjuvanted anthrax vaccine for adults

Emergent BioSolutions said in a news release late last week that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review an adjuvanted version of its anthrax vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of anthrax.

CDC ends investigation into sprout-linked E coli outbreak that sickened 51

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in an update yesterday that it has concluded its investigation into a 10-state outbreak of Escherichia coli linked to contaminated clover sprouts that sickened 51 people, up 12 from the agency's Mar 19 update.

Ebola sickens 3 more in the DRC; new case reported in Butembo

Three more Ebola cases have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), raising the outbreak total to 3,354 cases, according to numbers reflected on the World Health Organization (WHO) online Ebola dashboard.

Health officials are still investigating 488 suspected cases. Also, 3 more people died from their infections, lifting the fatality count to 2,220.

More Ebola in DRC, with new case possibly tied to traditional healers

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC's) Ebola technical committee said there are three new cases of Ebola today, raising the outbreak total to 3,343, and 432 suspected cases are under investigation.

The technical committee, the CMRE, said the death toll now stands at 2,210. Today's cases come from Mabalako and Biena, which had gone 85 days without a new case.

CDC reports first 2 pediatric flu deaths of the 2019-20 flu season

In its weekly flu update today, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first pediatric flu deaths of the new season and noted that the nation's flu activity increased slightly last week but is still at low levels.

BARDA exercises contract option for next-generation anthrax vaccine

Emergent BioSolutions announced yesterday that the US Health and Human Services (HHS) Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has exercised a contract option worth $261 million to buy doses of anthrax vaccine adsorbed with adjuvant (AV7909) for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

DRC reports more polio outbreaks; positive tests in 4 other countries

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported two more outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), according to the latest update from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The GPEI today detailed 10 new polio cases in four countries, as well as cVDPV2 in a healthy case contact.