contagious disease

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>

First Person Dies in US Measles Outbreak

More than 120 people have been infected

(Newser) - The measles outbreak in West Texas has claimed its first victim, the first US fatality since 2015 of a disease that was considered eradicated 25 years ago. A Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center rep confirmed the death, and the AP reports, citing Texas Department of State Health Services, that...

Fast-Killing Disease Surfaces in Congo

Mystery contagion has left more than 50 dead, with just hours between symptoms appearing and death

(Newser) - An unknown illness has killed more than 50 people in northwestern Congo, according to doctors on the ground and the World Health Organization on Monday. The interval between the onset of symptoms and death has been 48 hours in the majority of cases, and "that's what's really...

Another State Joins Texas in Battling Measles

New Mexico is now fighting off the once-eradicated disease, with 100 or so cases between the 2 states

(Newser) - More than 20 years ago, measles was deemed eradicated in the US. Now, the illness is making a comeback, with nearly 100 cases logged across two states. Per a Friday release from the Texas Department of State Health Services, 90 measles cases have been identified in the state's South...

In This Neighborhood, They Trade Mosquitoes for Cash

Philippine officials in Addition Hills are paying out one peso per every 5 insects as dengue spreads

(Newser) - With the dengue virus spreading to people in the Philippines, one neighborhood is taking action—offering a bounty on mosquitoes. The project is the brainchild of Carlito Cernal, village chief of Addition Hills in the city of Mandaluyong east of Manila, who believes capturing the dengue-spreading insects can have a...

Virus Causing Concern in China Is on the Decline, Official Says

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been around for decades, unlike COVID

(Newser) - The rate of human metapneumovirus infections in China is going down, according to a health official who gave an updated Sunday. "The human metapneumovirus is not a new virus, and has been with humans for at least several decades," he said, citing better detection methods as the reason...

With Bird Flu, Key 'Sits in the Lock' for Humans

CDC says mutations in Louisiana patient with the virus are 'concerning but not a cause for alarm'

(Newser) - A genetic analysis suggests the bird flu virus mutated inside a Louisiana patient who contracted the nation's first severe case of the illness, the CDC said this week. Scientists believe the mutations may allow the virus to better bind to receptors in the upper airways of humans—something they...

In the Last Week, Flu Has 'Exploded' Across US

This year's season is in full swing, per the CDC

(Newser) - The US flu season is underway, with cases surging across much of the country, health officials said Friday. The AP reports that the CDC noted sharp increases in several measures, including lab tests and emergency room visits. "It's been increasing at a pretty steady pace now for the...

As Mystery Illness Kills Dozens, Locals Told to Not Touch Bodies

Flu-like sickness is being investigated in southwestern Congo

(Newser) - A flu-like disease that has killed dozens of people over two weeks is being investigated in southwestern Congo, local authorities said. The deaths were recorded between Nov. 10 and Nov. 25 in the Panzi health zone of the Kwango province. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, and anemia, provincial health minister...

Whooping Cough Is Back With a Vengeance

This year's numbers for pertussis—at least 17,500 US cases so far—dwarf last year's, at just under 4K

(Newser) - Last year, there were just under 4,000 cases of whooping cough in the US. So far in 2024, there are upward of 17,500—a spike of more than 340%, per Fortune . That's according to the latest CDC stats , released for the week ending Oct. 5, in what...

Florida Zoo Loses 3 Apes to Intestinal Illness
At Florida Zoo,
'Profound
Heartbreak'
for 4 Apes
UPDATED
Sep 13, 2024 12:00 AM CDT

At Florida Zoo, 'Profound Heartbreak' for 4 Apes

A 4th ape dies of shigella at Jacksonville Zoo

(Newser) - The devastating shigella outbreak at a Florida zoo has claimed a fourth victim. A 3-year-old gorilla, Kevin, has died from the bacterial ailment that first claimed his grandmother, a 35-year-old gorilla, and then a pair of bonobo brothers at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the zoo announced Tuesday. Kevin was...

Cholera Is Simple to Treat, but Deaths Are Surging
Cholera Is Simple to Treat,
but Deaths Are Surging
new report
Sep 11, 2024 11:15 AM CDT

Cholera Is Simple to Treat, but Deaths Are Surging

They were up 71% in 2023, despite cases only being up 13%

(Newser) - The number of cholera cases rose 13% in 2023 compared to the year prior. But deaths surged 71%, with 4,000 confirmed, reports the World Health Organization in a new analysis . "For death rates to be rising so much faster even than cases are increasing, this is totally unacceptable,...

A Jarring Stat Emerges on Monkeypox Victims
A Jarring Stat Emerges
on Monkeypox Victims
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Aug 31, 2024 4:20 PM CDT

A Jarring Stat Emerges on Monkeypox Victims

Health officials say 75% of cases seen in Congo are kids under 10

(Newser) - More than 450 people have died of monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of Congo this year, and children seem to make up the lion's share of the cases there. Dr. Pierre Olivier Ngadjole of the charity Medair tells the BBC that 75% of those who've contracted the infectious...

Hepatitis Takes Hold, Polio Emerges in Gaza

UN says diseases are surging among displaced Palestinians amid Israel's war against Hamas

(Newser) - A disease mostly eradicated throughout the world is making a comeback among the wretched conditions throughout Gaza, where nearly all 2.2 million residents have been displaced. The New York Times reports that on Friday, World Health Organization chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed that a poliovirus variant has turned...

The Symptoms Can Be 'Dreadful,' and It's Spreading

Dengue virus is making the rounds, though risk of widespread transmission in continental US is low

(Newser) - It's been reported that a "summer wave" of COVID has arrived , but that's not the only infectious disease making the rounds. The New York Times reports the mosquito-borne virus dengue is seeing a global surge, with an increased risk of contracting it even in our neck of...

Disease-Ridden Mosquitoes Are Swarming Vegas
Disease-Ridden Mosquitoes
Are Swarming Vegas
THE RUNDOWN
Jun 22, 2024 8:00 AM CDT

Disease-Ridden Mosquitoes Are Swarming Vegas

Record number of skeeters carrying West Nile virus are showing up in southern Nevada

(Newser) - Dozens of ZIP codes in south Nevada, including Las Vegas, are being overrun by mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus, in what NBC News says are record-busting numbers. Health officials say that, in recent weeks, 24,000 pools of mosquitoes were tested for the contagious disease in 25 ZIP codes in...

Bird Flu Spreads to US Cattle, Goats
Bird Flu Spreads
to US Cattle, Goats
Mar 26, 2024 11:10 AM CDT

Bird Flu Spreads to US Cattle, Goats

Commercial milk supply is said to be safe, though, per officials

(Newser) - A week after officials in Minnesota said bird flu had been found for the first time in US livestock—specifically, goats living on a farm with infected poultry—the virus has been found to have spread to dairy cows in Texas and Kansas, per the AP . The highly pathogenic avian...

Bird Flu Continues to Wreak Havoc, Killing Seals Worldwide

Tens of thousands of seals, sea lions have died, and scientists aren't sure how to slow the spread

(Newser) - Avian influenza is killing tens of thousands of seals and sea lions in different corners of the world, disrupting ecosystems and flummoxing scientists who don't see a clear way to slow the devastating virus . The worldwide bird flu outbreak that began in 2020 has led to the deaths of...

As Measles Cases Spread, You May Want to Check Your Own Status

There have already been at least 64 US cases this year; last year saw a total of 58

(Newser) - Earlier this month, warning signs emerged of a fast-spreading measles problem, as the highly contagious disease migrated from Florida to more than a dozen other states. Now, an ominous stat: The CDC says that, as of late last week, there were 64 recorded cases of measles in the US—more...

Uptick in US Measles Cases 'Boggles the Mind'
Florida, You're Not Alone
With Your Measles Issues
THE RUNDOWN
Mar 2, 2024 10:00 AM CST

Florida, You're Not Alone With Your Measles Issues

Cases of the technically eradicated disease in the US have popped up in at least 16 states

(Newser) - Florida isn't the only place where measles seems to be making a comeback . CDC stats as of Thursday show a total of 41 cases around the US, in 16 states and growing (click here for a current list). CBS News notes that these numbers "mark one of the...

Nearly 800 of School's Students Were Absent on Wednesday

Not due to COVID, but a 'highly contagious' gastrointestinal bug that's closed Alabama school

(Newser) - As one Florida elementary school deals with measles , another in Alabama is contending with a "gastrointestinal outbreak" that kept nearly 800 students out of school in just one day. WKRG reports that Fairhope West Elementary School is now closed Thursday and Friday after 773 students called in on Wednesday,...

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>