DR Congo Declares New Ebola Outbreak
DR Congo has announced yet another outbreak of Ebola. It seems that the number of suspected cases has climbed to 68, and the geographical scope is widening. This outbreak is distinct from previous ones, marking a new zoonotic spillover event.
Meanwhile, Mpox continues to pose challenges for Africa as the rest of the globe eases its health emergency measures. Additionally, cholera remains a critical concern.
In other news, a historically stored sample from a dairy herd in California has tested positive for H5N1. However, there haven’t been any new cases among cattle in the last month. A turkey farm has also reported an outbreak, marking the second such instance in South Dakota recently. While avian flu has the potential to infect the gut, the overall risk seems to be low. I think it’s likely that pets are contracting it through raw food rather than through airborne means.
In related news, a diverse group of experts in poultry, public health, science, and policy is convening in Brazil this week to tackle the rising avian flu threat. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has termed this collaboration unprecedented.
According to Beth Bechdol, the FAO’s deputy director-general, avian flu is no longer a localized issue but a global challenge. She emphasized that no single country or sector can handle this threat alone. Success depends on practical, science-based collaboration to safeguard our agrifood systems and public health.
Additionally, China is continuing to see cases of a different strain of bird flu affecting humans.
There have been reports of measles exposure at a significant cycling event in Utah.
A tragic reminder of the long-term dangers of measles: a child in LA who contracted the virus as an infant has sadly died from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a fatal complication that can manifest years later.
In response to health concerns, some states are taking steps to ensure vaccine access for their residents.
Recent studies have highlighted the widespread nature of long Covid, emphasizing the importance of avoiding it whenever possible.
Interestingly, it seems that dogs might also be at risk of contracting Covid from their owners, which is unfortunate for our pets.
Moreover, even healthy, full-term infants are facing the risk of severe RSV illness, reinforcing the imperative for effective maternal and infant vaccinations.
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Home Delivery Meals
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak connected to meals from Metabolic Meals, a home delivery service. At least 16 people across 10 states have reported illness, with 7 requiring hospitalization, though no fatalities have been recorded.
In the realm of unusual diseases, there are reports of N. meningitidis eye infections occurring on a military base.
Additionally, Boreal pox has been detected in Alaska, which is transmitted via rodents.
There’s a concerning rise in multidrug-resistant candidiasis reported in hospitals throughout Europe.
In Vermont, the first human case of Jamestown Canyon virus has emerged, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Interestingly, this virus was previously unfamiliar to me.
Lastly, the voluntary recall of certain DermaRite products has expanded due to contamination concerns.
