Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Brain-eating fungus causes the immune system to attack neurons
earth.com Infections often conjure images of bacteria or viruses, but certain fungi can also take their toll on us. They can hide in unsuspecting corners of the environment and interact with living organisms in ways that raise many questions. One particular fungus, Beauveria bassiana, has captured attention because of its interactions with insects. Its spores settle […]
Mar 5, 2025
CDC says it is monitoring mysterious deadly disease in Congo
ABC News The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring an unknown disease that has killed dozens in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday. “CDC is monitoring the situation closely and engaging with DRC officials on what support the agency can offer,” according to an agency spokesperson. […]
Mar 5, 2025
Cluster of community deaths in Basankusu, Equateur- Democratic Republic of the Congo
WHO On 9 February 2025, officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported to regional health authorities a cluster of 24 unexplained community deaths in a single village in Ekoto health area, Basankusu health zone, Equateur province. As of 25 February, a total of 53 deaths have been reported, with the last death occurring […]
Mar 5, 2025
Dysentery is on the rise in Oregon. Here’s what to know.
Washington Post Dysentery cases are on the rise in the Portland area. In January, health officials reported 40 cases of the highly contagious bacterial infection in Multnomah County, where Portland is located — up from 17 in January 2024, according to the Multnomah County Health Department. Health officials have linked the rise in dysentery cases […]
Mar 5, 2025
9 states report measles cases as outbreaks grow
The Hill One of the most contagious viruses in the world is spreading around the United States. So far in 2025 there have been three distinct measles outbreaks and at least 164 cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coming from nine states. The largest of the outbreaks is in West Texas, […]
Mar 5, 2025
Measles Outbreak Was Entirely Avoidable
Bloomberg Low vaccination rates contributed to the re-emergence of a disease declared eradicated in the US 25 years ago. A measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico has killed a child and sickened more than 130 people, and public health experts fear it’s only the beginning. It’s an entirely avoidable health emergency fueled by weaknesses […]
Mar 5, 2025
To the Pandemic Czar: Are We Prepared to Talk About Bird Flu?
MedPage Today Effective communication across all levels of government is as important as a vaccine. The threat of a widespread human outbreak of bird flu is on the horizon. And, with it, the potential for a pandemic. The next pandemic — whether from the H5N1 strain circulating since 2022 or something else — may not […]
Mar 4, 2025
New York City officials report second measles case as Texas outbreak continues
USA Today As the measles outbreak continues to spread in Texas, cases have been reported in New Jersey as well as a second case in New York City. The New York City Department of Health said that one additional case of measles has been reported in New York City. “As a pediatrician and the State’s doctor, I want to […]
Mar 4, 2025
Mysterious illness claims dozens in remote congo villages, WHO on alert
Medafrica Times A puzzling disease outbreak in northwestern Congo has claimed 53 lives amid 419 reported cases across two isolated villages, baffling health officials who are racing to identify the deadly pathogen. The outbreaks began on January 21 in Equateur province, with many victims succumbing within hours of showing symptoms. Health authorities remain uncertain whether […]
Mar 4, 2025
Why This Measles Outbreak Is Different
The Atlantic America’s regression could change the experience of childhood. In 2000, the CDC declared that measles had been eliminated from the United States. But now America is at risk of losing that status: A measles outbreak has sickened more than 150 people in Texas and New Mexico since late January. An unvaccinated school-aged child recently died […]
Mar 4, 2025