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WHO releasing yellow fever vaccine to battle deadly outbreak in Ethiopia

To combat a deadly yellow fever outbreak in Ethiopia, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced it will release 1.45 million doses of the yellow fever vaccine from its emergency stockpile, Reuters reported today.

OECD: Interventions to reduce resistant bacteria could save lives, money

A report today from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) suggests that investment in a package of measures to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could avert thousands of deaths each year and save money in the long run.

MERS infects another in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's health ministry reported one new MERS-CoV case involving a 54-year-old man from Riyadh, according to a Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) report today for epidemiologic week 45.

The man is hospitalized for his MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) infection, and the investigation revealed he didn't have contact with camels and didn't contract the illness from another sick patient.

Vermont tracks XDR Shigella outbreak in retirement community

The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) is investigating an outbreak involving an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella sonnei strain at a retirement community in Wake Robin. The outbreak involves 22 confirmed and 44 probable cases.

Saudi MOH records new MERS cases in Riyadh, Qassim region

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) recorded two new cases of MERS-CoV for epidemiologic week 45.

Study: Antibiotics commonly prescribed upon discharge to long-term care

A study today in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology reports that 23% of patients at an Oregon hospital were prescribed antibiotics upon discharge to a long-term care facility (LTCF).

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).

Study: Antibiotics commonly prescribed upon discharge to long-term care

A study today in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology reports that 23% of patients at an Oregon hospital were prescribed antibiotics upon discharge to a long-term care facility (LTCF).

Flu vaccine offers slightly less protection to high-risk patients, study says

A new study in Vaccine led by a group from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates a multi-season flu vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 41% among patients with high-risk medical conditions, compared with 48% for those without.

Survey shows vast majority of Americans are concerned about resistance

A new public opinion survey shows that more than 8 in 10 Americans are concerned about the health threat posed by antibiotic resistance, and majorities across the political spectrum think the federal government should do more to address the issue.

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.

Measles clusters grow to 103 cases in New York, New Jersey

The total in three measles clusters—two in New York and one in New Jersey—has grown to 103 cases, according to updates yesterday.

Scottish officials report human antibiotic use down slightly

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) this week released its One Health antimicrobial resistance (AMR) report, which found decreases in antibiotic use overall and in primary care but increases in acute care, with AMR levels in animals remaining fairly steady.

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.

Australian data show a third of emergency room antibiotics not needed

An observational study in Australia has found that a third of antibiotic prescriptions in an emergency department (ED) were deemed inappropriate, according to a study yesterday in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

126 more people sickened with Salmonella after eating tainted beef

A total of 126 more people have been sickened by a strain of Salmonella Newport in an outbreak tied to JBS Tolleson, Inc. beef products, and three more states are affected, according to an outbreak update yesterday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Australian data show a third of emergency room antibiotics not needed

An observational study in Australia has found that a third of antibiotic prescriptions in an emergency department (ED) were deemed inappropriate, according to a study yesterday in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

Antibiotic use declining in UK livestock

A new report from the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) says the UK livestock industry is making progress in efforts to meet antibiotic use targets, but a group of leading British clinicians warns that progress could be threatened if the government doesn't commit to changes in the way antibiotics are used in food-producing animals.

MERS infects one more in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia yesterday reported a new MERS-CoV case for epidemiologic week 47, which involves a 52-year-old man from Riyadh.

The ministry of health said the man didn't have a history of recent contact with camels and wasn't known to have been exposed to another known MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) case. He is currently hospitalized.

High rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria reported in Ethiopian hospital

In a study yesterday in Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, Ethiopian researchers reported an alarming level of multidrug resistance among patients with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) at a university hospital.

Another death reported in DRC's Ebola outbreak

In its daily update on its Ebola outbreak, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) health ministry today reported no new confirmed cases, though it did report one more death in a patient from Beni, the outbreak's main hot spot.

CDC investigating multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas outbreak in Texas

The City of Lubbock, Tex., Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in multiple healthcare facilities.

Listeria cluster prompts Vietnamese pork roll recall

An investigation into a cluster of listeriosis cases by federal health agencies prompted the recall yesterday of ready-to-eat Vietnamese-style pork patty rolls, according to a notice from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

CDC investigating multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas outbreak in Texas

Originally published by CIDRAP News Nov 21

The City of Lubbock, Tex., Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in multiple healthcare facilities.