All articles tagged with #health outbreak
McHenry County, Illinois, is experiencing a significant rise in whooping cough cases, with a notable outbreak at McHenry High School Upper Campus. Health officials report 11 cases in November and 20 in October, with eight cases linked to the high school. The county has recorded 59 cases in 2024, the highest since at least 2018.
Japan is grappling with a surge in cases of "flesh eating" streptococcal toxic-shock syndrome (STSS), prompting global concern and media coverage. Health authorities are attempting to allay fears, advising visitors to practice good hygiene and wound care. The outbreak has spread to 45 of Japan's 47 prefectures, with 474 cases recorded in the first two months of 2023. Experts are puzzled by the rapid spread and severity of the illness, which is caused by a highly pathogenic and transmissible variant of the M1UK strain. Treatment challenges and a higher fatality rate among younger individuals have raised alarm, prompting calls for vigilance and immediate medical attention for symptoms.
Florida reports 10 measles cases, including 9 in Broward County and a new travel-related case in Polk County. The state's surgeon general faced criticism over handling of the outbreak at a Broward County Public School, where 33 out of 1,067 students were not vaccinated. The U.S. CDC recommends excluding unvaccinated children from school for three weeks to contain the outbreak, as measles is highly contagious. Experts emphasize the importance of vaccination and the dangers of measles, urging the public to remember its eradication in the early 2000s.
Florida has seen an "unprecedented" number of dengue virus serotype 3 cases over the past two years, including locally acquired cases. While outbreaks have remained relatively contained, the state experienced at least 1,037 dengue cases between May 2022 and April 2023, with most cases originating from Cuba. The virus did not spread widely beyond the initial outbreaks, but improved vigilance and healthcare provider awareness are recommended to prevent dengue from becoming an endemic problem in non–DENV-endemic areas.
A measles outbreak has spread to four states in the northeastern US, prompting health officials to offer free MMR vaccines in Philadelphia and issue warnings in Virginia and New Jersey. Falling vaccination rates have contributed to the resurgence of measles, with some states reporting as low as 78 percent MMR uptake. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, making vaccination crucial for protection. The outbreak began with a child admitted to a Philadelphia hospital, and efforts are underway to contain the spread and monitor potential exposures in affected areas.