Outbreak Archives

Eggs recalled in US due to Salmonella risk

URGENT Nationwide Egg Recall in US — Eggs in Their Shells May Put Consumers at Risk for Salmonella – An outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) that has sickened hundreds of people across the US has led to a recall of shell eggs. Working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners, the FDA reviewed epidemiologic and environmental investigation documents and identified 3 best-case clusters of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses.

Salsa and guacamole important causes of foodborne disease

Salsa and guacamole increasingly important causes of foodborne disease – Nearly 1 out of every 25 restaurant-associated foodborne outbreaks with identified food sources between 1998 and 2008 can be traced back to contaminated salsa or guacamole, more than double the rate during the previous decade.

H1N1 may cause serious health risks for pregnant women

Study Finds H1N1 Associated With Serious Health Risks for Pregnant Women – Pregnant women who contract the H1N1 flu strain are at risk for obstetrical complications including fetal distress, premature delivery, emergency cesarean delivery and fetal death, according to a report in the May 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Tuberculosis cases hit record low despite recent outbreak, US

State Public Health Director Announces Tuberculosis Cases Hit Record Low Despite Recent Outbreak — Illinois still ranks 5th in the nation for highest number of TB cases – In recognition of World Tuberculosis Day, Dr. Damon T. Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), announced an all time low for the number of new tuberculosis (TB) cases in Illinois.

Drug resistant tuberculosis now at record levels, says WHO

Drug resistant tuberculosis now at record levels, says WHO – World Health Organization – In some areas of the world, one in four people with tuberculosis (TB) becomes ill with a form of the disease that can no longer be treated with standard drugs regimens, a World Health Organization (WHO) report says.

Insect cells provide the key to alternative swine flu vaccination

Insect cells provide the key to alternative swine flu vaccination — New production method can meet the demand of a global flu pandemic – Scientists in Vienna have developed a new technique for producing vaccines for H1N1, ‘swine flu’, based on insect cells. The research, published today in the Biotechnology Journal, reveals how influenza vaccines can be produced faster than through the traditional method of egg-based production, revealing a new strategy for the fight against influenza pandemics.

Children more likely to catch swine flu or pandemic H1N1 virus

Children more likely to catch swine flu, says new research – Young people aged under 18 years are more likely than adults to catch swine flu from an infected person in their household, revealed by researchers in a recent study.

Special polio vaccine drive on children’s day, India

Shri Azad launches special polio vaccine drive on children?s day — Bi-valent OPV to be introduced soon to tackle rise in polio cases. – The Indian Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Indian Government will very soon introduce bi-valent oral polio vaccine to attack the type 1 and type 3 virus to deal with the fresh outbreak of type 3 virus.

H1N1 vaccines to include infants and children

FDA Expands Approved Use of H1N1 Vaccines to Include Infants and Children – US FDA has approved the use of the CSL Limited’s 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to include children ages 6 months and older. This vaccine was previously approved only for use in adults, ages 18 years and older.

FDA should ensure food safety measures in US

Majority of Voters Support New Government Oversight of Food, Pew Commissioned Poll Finds – Most Americans support for measures that would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authority to ensure the food Americans eat does not make them sick.

Many parents, high priority adults didn’t get H1N1 vaccine

Many parents, high-priority adults who tried to get H1N1 vaccine unable to get it — Most who tried and didn’t get it say they will try again. – In US, majority of adults who tried to get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves or their children have been unable to do so, revealed in a poll from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH).

H1N1 flu vaccination begins for school children in US

H1N1 flu vaccination begins for school children in US — shortfall in the supply of swine flu vaccine. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in the 2009 H1N1 press conference that H1N1 2009 vaccine levels are increasing but are still short of expected levels.