Viral Hemorrhagic Fever

Sanofi refuses to refund millions to Philippines

Today the French pharmaceutical company, Sanofi Pasteur, said they would not pay the Philippines millions of dollars in return for Dengvaxia vaccines, after the country halted a national vaccination program in light of concerns the vaccine can cause severe infection in dengue-immune recipients.

More yellow fever cases, deaths reported in Brazil

A new report from Brazil's Ministry of Health showed a steady rise in the number of yellow fever cases confirmed and suspected since an update posted last week. There are now 213 confirmed cases, 83 more than last week, and 1,080 suspected cases, an increase of 479 since the previous report.

Saudi Arabia reports 1 new MERS case, death

Yesterday the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) reported a new case of MERS-CoV and announced the death of a previously reported MERS patient.

A 40-year-old Saudi woman from Riyadh is in stable condition after presenting with symptoms of MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus). The woman's source of infection is listed as "primary," meaning it's unlikely she contracted the disease from another person.

Recent Saudi MERS cases widely distributed, some have camel and healthcare exposure

In a regular overview of recent MERS-CoV activity in Saudi Arabia, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today that between Dec 9, 2017, and Jan 17 the country reported 20 more cases, 8 of them fatal. Also, it reported a death in a patient covered in one of the WHO's earlier updates.

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: 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.

Rift Valley fever suspected in South Sudan VHF cluster; 2 cases reported

Preliminary indications into South Sudan's recent viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak suggest that Rift Valley fever (RVF) may be the cause, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa said in its latest outbreak and health emergencies update.

Report: Drug companies wary of repeated calls for emergency vaccines

A growing number of vaccine makers are expressing concerns about their ability to quickly develop new vaccine candidates against emerging disease threat, such as Zika and Ebola viruses, Stat reported today, based on interviews with pharmaceutical executives, government officials, and infectious disease experts.

DRC study shows evidence of Ebola exposure outside of outbreak zones

About 11% of a population sampled in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) had Zaire Ebola virus (EBOV) immunoglobulin G antibodies, providing serological evidence of Ebola prevalence in populations not currently experiencing an Ebola outbreak.

Four new MERS cases reported in Saudi Arabia

Yesterday and today the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) announced four new cases of MERS-CoV in different cities across the country, including one involving a health worker.