Search

Case count in Honey Smacks Salmonella outbreak hits 100

With 27 new infections, the case count in a multistate Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak tied to Kellog's Honey Smacks cereal has reached 100 cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said yesterday in an update.

Two more states—Florida (2 cases) and Colorado (1)—have reported cases, bringing the number of affected states to 33. The CDC first reported the outbreak to the public on Jun 14.

Our weekly wrap-up of antimicrobial stewardship & antimicrobial resistance scans

Study: Intervention reduces unnecessary antibiotic use for pneumonia

Originally published by CIDRAP News Jul 12

Imported crab meat linked to multistate Vibrio outbreak

Federal health officials are investigating a Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak linked to fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela that has sickened 12 people in three states and the District of Columbia.

Nipah outbreak report details hospital transmission patterns

A report summing up all the investigation findings in India's Nipah virus outbreak says 17 of 19 patients appear to have contracted the virus from the index patient, a 26-year-old man, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported yesterday, citing findings released by health officials from Kerala state.

Meta-analysis suggests fidaxomicin is most effective C diff treatment

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examining antibiotic therapy for non-recurrent Clostridium difficile infections has found that fidaxomicin provides a sustained symptomatic cure most frequently, researchers reported yesterday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

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.

New UK program targets farmers', veterinarians' antibiotic use

The United Kingdom's National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) launched a new best practices program meant to guide the responsible use of antibiotics among farmers and veterinarians. The program, which includes online training modules, is aimed at all those working in the sheep, dairy, beef, and pig sectors.

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.

UK study finds no flu vaccine protection against H3N2 last season

Public Health England (PHE) yesterday released its provisional seasonal flu vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates for the 2017-18 flu season, which revealed low overall effectiveness and no protection against H3N2, but variable findings in different age-groups.

VRE outbreak identified in Swiss hospitals

Swiss researchers have identified a large outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) clone ST796 across multiple hospitals in Switzerland, according to a report today in Eurosurveillance.

Totals rise in Cyclospora outbreaks linked to McDonald's, Del Monte foods

In the latest developments involving two separate Cyclospora outbreaks, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 102 more cases linked to McDonald’s salads and 10 more cases linked to Del Monte fresh vegetable trays. So far, there's no evidence to suggest the two outbreaks are related, the CDC said.

Afghanistan and Nigeria record new polio cases

Both Afghanistan and Nigeria reported new cases of polio this week, according to the weekly update from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Both cases are under advanced notification and will likely be confirmed next week.

Our weekly wrap-up of antimicrobial stewardship & antimicrobial resistance scans

VRE outbreak identified in Swiss hospitals

Originally published by CIDRAP News Jul 19

Swiss researchers have identified a large outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) clone ST796 across multiple hospitals in Switzerland, according to a report today in Eurosurveillance.

Study: Intervention improves intraoperative antibiotic redosing

A multipronged project to improve intraoperative antibiotic redosing led to dramatic and sustained improvements in antibiotic redosing rates at an Iowa hospital, according to a new study in the American Journal of Infection Control.

PAHO identifies Venezuela, Brazil as measles hot spots

In its latest epidemiologic update, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported late last week that 2,472 cases of measles had been confirmed in 11 countries in the Americas in 2018. PAHO said Venezuela and Brazil recorded the most activity, with more than 2,200 confirmed cases between them.

Report: US seeking weaker global guidelines for antibiotic use in livestock

The Trump administration is working behind the scenes to weaken global recommendations on antibiotic use in food-producing animals, according to a story yesterday in Bloomberg.

Dengue in pregnancy may increase risk of congenital brain malformations

Prenatal dengue infection may increase the risk of any neurologic congenital anomaly in an infant by roughly 50%, according to new research published yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Study finds very low levels of antibiotics in leeches lead to resistance

Very low levels of antibiotics in the gut of leeches used in medicine are enough to promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria—and exposure to the leeches led to resistant infections in plastic surgery patients—an international group of researchers reported yesterday in mBio.

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.

Carbapenem use identified as risk factor for colistin-resistant bacteria

In a paper today in Eurosurveillance, Swiss researchers report that prior exposure to carbapenems was the only risk factor for colonization or infection in patients with colistin-resistant Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae.

WHO details next steps in wake of Ebola outbreak end in DRC

In an update yesterday that came a day after the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC's) Ebola outbreak was declared over, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it now considers the risk to the region and the rest of the world as low.

Iowa State to host new antimicrobial resistance research center

Iowa State University will lead a new research institute to address antimicrobial resistance, with partners including the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), two other universities, and the Mayo Clinic, Iowa State said in a news release yesterday.

US data show norovirus, Salmonella top list of foodborne pathogens

Norovirus and Salmonella cause the most outbreaks and illnesses in food outbreaks in the United States, but Listeria, Salmonella, and Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) lead to the most serious illnesses and deaths, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scientists reporting in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Iowa State to host new antimicrobial resistance research center

Iowa State University will lead a new research institute to address antimicrobial resistance, with partners including the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), two other universities, and the Mayo Clinic, Iowa State said in a news release yesterday.

Antibiotic use in UK poultry, pigs, and gamebirds on the decline

A new interim report shows the UK livestock industry is making progress toward 2020 antibiotic targets.