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By Category: Public Health

MERS Virus Discovered in Bat Near Outbreak Site in Saudi Arabia

(GlobalBiodefense) A 100% genetic match for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been discovered in an insect-eating bat in close proximity to the first known case of the disease in Saudi Arabia. The discovery points to the likely animal origin for the disease, although researchers say that an intermediary animal is likely also involved. Led Read More »

August 23, 2013
| Filed under Europe, Middle East, North America, Public Health, and Research
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Uganda: High Alert Over Crimean Fever

(AllAfrica) The ministry of Health on Wednesday confirmed the first death from the Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) at Mulago hospital, since the outbreak was announced on August 16, 2013. According to a ministry statement, the 27-year-old female patient, a resident of Nansana, was admitted to Mulago on August 16, with febrile illness, severe anaemia, Read More »

August 23, 2013
| Filed under Africa, Europe, North America, International, and Public Health
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Dengue outbreak has killed 26 in Central America: officials

(MENAFN) An unusually potent outbreak of dengue fever has killed 26 people and infected nearly 40,000 more so far this year in Central America, where the mosquito-born illness is endemic. Honduras has seen the most fatalities, with 15, followed by Nicaragua, with five. The highest number of infections has been recorded in Costa Rica, with Read More »

July 29, 2013
| Filed under Africa, North America, South America, International, and Public Health
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Does the dangerous new Middle East coronavirus have an African origin?

(EurekAlert) The MERS-coronavirus is regarded as a dangerous novel pathogen: Almost 50 people have died from infection with the virus since it was first discovered in 2012. To date all cases are connected with the Arabian peninsula. Scientists from the University Bonn (Germany) and South Africa have now detected a virus in the faeces of Read More »

July 25, 2013
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, International, and Public Health
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Study examines characteristics, features of West Nile virus outbreaks

(EurekAlert) An analysis of West Nile virus epidemics in Dallas County in 2012 and previous years finds that the epidemics begin early, after unusually warm winters; are often in similar geographical locations; and are predicted by the mosquito vector index (an estimate of the average number of West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes collected per trap-night), information Read More »