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FDA notes full implementation of rules on antibiotic use in food animals

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it has reached a "significant milestone" in efforts to reduce the use of medically important antibiotics in food producing animals.

Meta-analysis confirms Zika triggers GBS

A new study published today in PLOS Medicine shows that the Zika virus triggers Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and causes congenial birth defects. Though these findings have been demonstrated by other studies, this is the largest systemic literature review of the most devastating outcomes of Zika infection to date.

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

H5N8 suspected in Czech Republic outbreaks

The Czech Republic today said highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza has been confirmed at two small poultry farms and in wild birds, Reuters reported today, citing the country's agriculture ministry. The outbreak is the country's first in nearly a decade.

Pakistan launches polio vaccine campaign after sewage scare

The Pakistani city of Quetta has launched a new 5-day vaccination campaign against polio targeted at children under the age of 5, Reuters reported today.

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that a rare vaccine-derived type 2 strain of polio was found in sewage samples taken from Quetta in November. No cases of this type 2 polio have been reported in humans so far.

Decreasing susceptibility to front-line antibiotics seen in Dutch gonorrhea

An analysis of Neisseria gonorrhea isolates from a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Amsterdam shows a rise in decreased susceptibility to azithromycin and ceftriaxone, researchers report today in Eurosurveillance.

MERS-CoV infects 5 more in Saudi Arabia, 1 fatally

In updates yesterday and today, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health (MOH) announced five new MERS-CoV cases, one of them fatal.

Yesterday the MOH reported four new MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) cases, two in Riyadh and a pair from Buraydah, located about 200 miles northwest of Riyadh in the north central part of the country.

Study finds MRSA infections in significant decline at VA hospitals

An initiative to reduce rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections at Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals continues to be associated with marked declines, researchers reported yesterday in the American Journal of Infection Control.

CDC reports 2 more babies born with Zika-related birth defects

Two more babies have been born in the United States with Zika-related birth defects, raising the total to 36, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said yesterday in an update. The number of Zika-related pregnancy losses remained at 5.

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

Saudi Arabia reports possible hospital MERS outbreak in Buraydah

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported a possible hospital outbreak of MERS-CoV in Buraydah, the site of several recently diagnosed cases of the respiratory disease.

Trump names vaccine skeptic Kennedy to head vaccine safety panel

President-elect Donald Trump has named Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., an outspoken critic of vaccines, chair of a panel on vaccine safety and scientific integrity, according to the Washington Post today. Trump met with Kennedy at Trump Towers in New York today.

China reports 4 more cases of H7N9 avian flu

China said today there were four new human cases of H7N9 avian influenza, including one in a child from Hong Kong who had recently traveled to Guangdong province.

The 10-year-old boy is the fourth imported case of H7N9 in Hong Kong this winter. Authorities report that close family contacts and healthcare workers who came in contact with the boy are being treated with Tamiflu prophylactically.

Officials report 1 new MERS case, 1 death in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) reported one new case of MERS today and the death of a previously reported patient.

A 59-year-old Saudi woman is in critical condition after presenting with symptoms of MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) infection. The woman is from Riyadh, and is listed as having primary exposure to the virus, meaning she did not contract the disease from another person.

Officials confirm 5 new cases of H7N9 in China

China today reported five new H7N9 avian flu cases in humans, most of whom are in critical condition.

According to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) in Hong Kong, a 50-year-old woman from Nanchang is hospitalized in critical condition in Jiangxi province. And a 59-year-old man from Yiyang who worked with poultry is also listed in critical condition in a Hunan province hospital, the CHP said.

New Web site details CDC investments in fight against antibiotic resistance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new online tool that will enable users to find out how the agency is financially supporting efforts to combat antibiotic resistance across the country.

H7N9 avian flu sickens 5 more in China

Five more human H7N9 avian flu illnesses have been reported in China, one from Henan province and four from Anhui province, according to government statements translated and posted by FluTrackers, an infectious disease news message board.

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

New Web site details CDC investments in fight against antibiotic resistance

Originally published by CIDRAP News Jan 12

UV-light disinfection might cut hospital MRSA, VRE rates

An expensive type of ultraviolet (UV) light treatment called UVC was associated with a 30% drop in the incidence of infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) but did not affect Clostridium difficile rates when used for cleaning hospital rooms between patients, according to a study yesterday in The Lancet.

More MERS cases linked to camel exposure in Saudi Arabia

In recent days the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) announced three more MERS-CoV cases, two in the city of Al Hofuf and one in Najran.

Larvicide reduces 80% of Aedes in Brazilian city

A study yesterday in PLoS Medicine shows that the larvicide pyriproxyfen (PPF) greatly reduces the number of adult Aedes mosquitoes, the vector that transmits Zika, yellow fever, and dengue.

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.

Investigation shows multi-antiviral-resistant H1N1 flu

A case report on an immunocompromised patient with prolonged influenza virus in yesterday's Eurosurveillance reveals resistance to two common antiviral drugs and shows how rapidly antiviral resistance can evolve, a finding the authors say highlights the importance of rapid antiviral resistance testing.

Illinois reports 2 pregnancy-related Zika cases as affected nations mount

Shortly after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance on Zika virus infection and pregnancy yesterday, Illinois officials reported two imported cases in pregnant women, a potential risk for birth defects.

Study: Test can determine whether respiratory infection is viral or bacterial

A team led by Duke University researchers has developed a gene-detecting test that could help physicians determine whether an acute respiratory infection (ARI) is caused by a virus or a bacterium, which could reduce antibiotic overprescribing, according to a study yesterday in Science Translational Medicine.