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Analysis: Many H3N2v cases linked to Maryland fairs in risk groups

An investigation into 40 variant H3N2 (H3N2v) influenza cases in people exposed to pigs at three agriculture fairs in Maryland in September 2017 found that 30 (75%) occurred in people at high risk for flu complications. Researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Maryland described their findings today in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

MERS infects 2 more in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia reported two more MERS-CoV cases, according to an update to its week 44 epidemiologic report today.

Neither of the patients had contact with camels, a factor known to raise the risk of contracting MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus). One patient is a 62-year-old man from the city of Omluj in Tabuk region in the northwest, and the other is a 53-year-old man from Riyadh in the central part of the country.

Pakistan, 3 African countries report more polio cases

In the latest global polio developments, Pakistan reported two new wild poliovirus type 1 cases and three African countries reported seven more vaccine-derived polio cases in their outbreaks, according to today's weekly update from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

Third MERS case recorded in Qassim region of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health (MOH) today reported a new MERS case for epidemiologic week 46 in the Qassim region.

The patient is a 67-year-old man hospitalized for his infection with MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus). He had no contact with camels, and the source of his infection is listed as "primary, community acquired."

Study finds 9-month drop-off in flu vaccine effectiveness in kids

In children, flu vaccine effectiveness declines over 9 months following immunization, according to a study in Hong Kong that took place over five flu seasons. A team based at the University of Hong Kong reported its findings on Nov 12 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

Three more Ebola cases, 1 death recorded in DRC

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC's) health ministry revised its tally of the ongoing Ebola outbreak today, noting three more cases and one additional fatality. Officials have now reported 344 cases and 202 deaths in an outbreak that begin in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in August.

Romaine in latest E coli outbreak likely came from California

Romaine lettuce suspected in Escherichia coli O157:H7 illnesses in the United States and Canada probably came from California, based on growing and harvesting patterns, Scott Gottlieb, MD, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, said in a Nov 23 Twitter post.

The next step is to withdraw the product that's at risk from the market, then restock the market, he said.

WHO: Northern Hemisphere flu activity starting to rise

Flu activity in the Northern Hemisphere is starting to rise, though levels are still low, as flu returned to inter-seasonal levels in temperate parts of the Southern Hemisphere, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest global flu update.

Two more Ebola cases reported in DRC outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) health ministry today reported two more Ebola cases, plus two more deaths, according to its daily statement.

Of the two new cases, one is a lab confirmed infection in a patient from Beni. The other is classified as a probable illness involving an individual from Katwa, located east of Butembo, who died and is part of a family cluster from the area that the ministry reported on Nov 20.

CDC: Flulike illness rates in US hold at national baseline

The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) is 2.2%, the same as the national baseline, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) FluView report for the week ending Dec 1.

Novel antiviral shows promise for those at high risk for flu complications

A phase 3 study of the novel antiviral baloxavir marboxil suggests that it reduces symptoms in people at high risk of flu complications, Roche announced today.

California reports infant pertussis death

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) yesterday announced that a baby from San Bernardino County has died from pertussis, marking the state's first death from the disease since 2016.

Southern Hemisphere flu levels show mixed picture

The Southern Hemisphere's flu season, which typically lasts through October, shows mixed patterns, with activity that may have peaked in southern Africa, is increasing in South America, and is still below seasonal thresholds in Australia and New Zealand, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest global flu update.

Study: Early antivirals can cut the size of nursing home flu outbreaks

Starting antiviral treatment early may reduce the size of flu outbreaks in long-term care facilities, researchers from Taiwan reported today in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.

HHS government shutdown plan would hamper flu, food safety responses

With the threat of a US federal government shutdown at midnight today because of expiring temporary appropriations and no Congressional passage of a continuing resolution to fund the government, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a staffing contingency plan.

Recent MERS case-patient dies in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) said yesterday a woman from the village of Al Qaryat died from MERS-CoV.

The 60-year-old Saudi woman's MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) case was announced last week. Her infection source was listed as "primary," meaning it was unlikely she contracted the virus from another person.

Study of Taiwan seniors finds flu vaccine can cut TB risk

A large longitudinal study of an elderly population in Taiwan found that flu vaccination reduced the risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection by 18%. Earlier studies, including animal ones, have hinted that flu vaccination might protect against a range of pathogens, including TB, due to activation of T-cell mediated immunity. A team from Taiwan reported the findings yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Five new cases of MERS reported in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) reported five new cases of MERS-CoV in updated reports released over the weekend.

Low-path H7N9 confirmed in one of Alabama's outbreaks

Alabama officials have received results on samples collected from one of the state's recently announced avian flu outbreaks, indicating low-pathogenic H7N9 detected in guinea fowl at the TaCo-Bet Trade Day flea market in Jackson County.

Nut butter E coli outbreak grows to 23 cases; strain found in products

Seven more Escherichia coli O157:H7 illnesses have been reported in a multistate outbreak linked to soy nut butter from an Illinois company, raising the total so far to 23, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today.

Eighteen more H7N9 cases reported in China

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said today that the mainland reported 18 more H7N9 avian flu illnesses, 2 of them fatal, from Mar 17 to Mar 23, according to a regular weekly update.

After an unusually large surge of cases in December, China's H7N9 cases peaked in February. Though cases are declining, the country continues to report a steady stream of infections from a number of provinces.

CDC: Six more pediatric deaths from influenza, more hospitalizations

There were six more pediatric influenza deaths reported in the last week, according to today's FluView from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last week, the CDC reported only two such deaths. So far, there have been 61 pediatric deaths during the 2016-17 flu season.

Flu continues slow decline in Northern Hemisphere

Flu activity in many Northern Hemisphere nations continues to decline but shows a mixed picture, with falling levels in Canada and the United States and ongoing disease activity in northern Europe, led by H3N2 and influenza B, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday in its latest global flu update.

Nigeria reports Lassa fever uptick as groups announce vaccine partnership

Lassa fever activity in Nigeria is increasing again, following an unprecedented outbreak earlier this year for which the acute phase was declared over on May 10, the World Health Organization's (WHO's) African regional office reported today in its weekly update.

New flu burden estimate offers more detailed demographic picture

A new estimate of disease burden due to flu, the most detailed demographic analysis of its kind so far, found that lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) due to flu are linked to about 145,000 deaths each year across all age groups. Researchers from the Global Disease Burden 2017 Influenza Collaboration published their findings yesterday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.