Meningitis

New camel-related MERS case reported in Saudi Arabia

After of week of no updates, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) reported a new case of MERS-COV today in a man who had direct contact with camels.

The 54-year-old Saudi man lives in Al Kharj, and is in stable condition after presenting with symptoms of MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus). He had direct exposure to camels, which can transmit the disease to humans.

Review finds drug resistance is not just a problem with hospital infections

A new study in Clinical Infectious Diseases has found that antibiotic resistance has a significant clinical impact for patients with common infections managed in the community.

China reports 4 more H7N9 cases as Taiwan announces imported case

In a sign of an ongoing steady stream of H7N9 avian flu cases, five new infections have been reported, four from China's mainland plus an imported infection in Taiwan, according to statements yesterday and today from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP).

More H5N8 Europe, H5N1 outbreaks in India and Niger

In the latest avian flu developments, two European countries confirmed more highly pathogenic H5N8 in wild birds, as India and Niger reported poultry outbreaks from the H5N1 subtype, according to reports to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Also, Chile's agriculture ministry yesterday reported a second low-pathogenic H7 outbreak in turkeys.

Groups unveil new leishmaniasis treatment guidance  

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) released new guidelines for treating leishmaniasis, a parasite transmitted through bites from sand flies and on the rise in American tourists and military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Deadly measles complication more common than previously thought

New research presented at IDWeek today shows that a deadly neurologic complication from childhood measles is much more common than previously thought. The study, presented by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), describes the frequency of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which is 100% fatal.

Two new MERS cases confirmed in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health (MOH) reported two new cases of MERS-CoV in the last 3 days. The cases involve camel and health care workplace exposure, two known risk factors for the respiratory virus. These are the first cases reported by the MOH since Sep 29.

New Camel-linked MERS case in Saudi Arabia

On Sep 17 the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health (MOH) reported one new MERS-CoV case, involving a Saudi man from Riyadh who had contact with camels.

The 50-year-old man is in stable condition after presenting with symptoms of MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus). The MOH said the patient had direct contact with camels, a known risk factor for contracting the respiratory virus.

Officials report 25 cases of meningitis C in Southern California

Local and US health officials today reported that 25 people in Southern California have contracted meningitis C, most of them men who have sex with men (MSM).

AAP: No non-medical vaccine exemptions

For the first time in its history, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a policy paper recommending against all non-medical vaccine expeditions for school-age children. While medical exemptions are still valid, the AAP is asking states to eliminate non-medical exemptions—including for religious or personal beliefs.