NEWS SCAN: Malaria burden estimate, foodborne disease update

Foodborne Disease
Malaria
Salmonella

Jun 15, 2010

Report estimates falciparum malaria cases at 451 million annually
In a new assessment of the clinical burden of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, researchers estimated that there were 451 million cases worldwide in 2007, according to a report published today in PLoS Medicine. That compares with a World Health Organization (WHO) estimate of 247 million cases per year. The authors wrote that the WHO and other health agencies need an accurate estimate of clinical cases of malaria so they can better target their resources. They said that national surveillance data can be incomplete, especially in countries where the disease is endemic and diagnosis is often inaccurate. To estimate the malaria burden, the researchers used a cartographic method that incorporated a map of malaria risk with statistical techniques designed to quantify uncertainty in countries where surveillance is inadequate, such as India, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Myanmar. The new estimate suggests that more than half of the malaria cases occur in those four countries.
Jun 15 PLoS Medicine study

More illnesses linked to raw milk, Illinois Subway restaurants
In two foodborne illness developments, health officials in Illinois reported five more Salmonella infections linked to Subway restaurants, and Delaware authorities reported two illnesses in patients who recently consumed raw milk. The new Illinois salmonellosis cases raise the state's total to 80, and the latest report from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said three more counties reported Salmonella serotype Hvittingfoss illnesses, bringing the number of affected counties to 26. State officials are still investigating the source of the outbreak. Meanwhile, the Delaware Division of Public Health yesterday reported a case of brucellosis in a 58-year-old woman and a case of listeriosis in a 44-year-old man. Both patients had recently consumed raw dairy products, and the man had recently handled raw poultry. No other risk factors were identified. The woman has been released from the hospital and is recovering, and the man is hospitalized in stable condition.
Jun 15 IDPH statement
Jun 14 Delaware Health and Social Services statement

This week's top reads

  1. FDA significantly limits COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

    Critics said today’s announcement is more evidence of the current administration’s willingness to undermine public trust in vaccines.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    FDA building

  2. USDA suspends southern border livestock imports over New World screwworm threat

    As cattle detections track northward, Mexico recently reported its first human case.

    Lisa Schnirring
    screwworm larva

  3. Meta-analysis: Zika-infected pregnant moms 4 times more likely to have babies with microcephaly

    Five of 22 studies noted that over 50% of newborns had microcephaly, and the same number of studies observed that over 5% had congenital Zika syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom

  4. Woman dies of Creutzfeldt-Jakob almost 50 years after taking prion-contaminated growth hormone

    The patient, who presented with gait imbalance and tremors, wasn't diagnosed until she was in a coma, shortly before she died.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Woman in hospital bed

  5. HHS expected to discontinue COVID vaccine recommendations for some groups

    When CDC advisers widened their recommendation in 2023, most members were swayed by data, including those for long COVID, showing that no group is at low risk for the virus.

    Lisa Schnirring

  6. Data suggest COVID-19 reinfections less likely to cause long COVID

    The risk of long COVID was two to three times higher after the initial infection (14.8%) than after first (5.8%) or second (5.3%) reinfections.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    LONG COID

  7. WHO advisers say current strains OK for COVID vaccine production

    Current vaccine strains show high neutralization against the latest variants, but the LP.8.1 antigen may provide similar or moderately higher cross-reactive antibody response.

    Lisa Schnirring
    senior vaccination

  8. Texas announces more measles cases, including first in Dallas area

    Two cases near the Dallas area are now included in the large outbreak, which now totals 717 cases.

    Lisa Schnirring

  9. US measles outbreak grows to 1,024 cases

    Texas remains the country's hot spot, with 718 cases. 

    Chris Dall
    Doctor treating child with measles

  10. Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster

    Since 2023, the country has ramped up MERS-CoV testing as part of sentinel surveillance.

    Lisa Schnirring
    hospital isolation

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