All articles tagged with #viral disease
Senegal has experienced its first major outbreak of Rift Valley Fever, with 17 deaths and 119 cases, mainly in livestock regions, raising concerns about further spread and highlighting the importance of vaccination and mosquito control to prevent human and animal infections.
People in Canada and the U.S. are seeing 'zombie' squirrels with tumors caused by the squirrel fibroma virus (SFV), a benign poxvirus that mainly affects squirrels and rabbits. The virus, spread by insects and contact, causes skin fibromas but generally doesn't harm the squirrel population or pose a threat to humans, and infected squirrels are safe to eat. The appearance of these infected squirrels has led to concerns, but the disease is typically self-limiting.
Philadelphia health officials are warning families at Richmond Elementary about potential exposure to mpox, advising parents to monitor their children for symptoms such as fever, headache, rash, and respiratory symptoms. The risk is deemed extremely low, with the city only experiencing sporadic cases of the viral disease, which is spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
Health officials in Alaska have reported the first death linked to Alaskapox, a recently identified orthopox virus. The deceased, an immunocompromised man, is one of seven reported cases. The virus is believed to have been contracted from a house cat, although the cat tested negative for the infection. Alaskapox causes skin lesions and flu-like symptoms, with no documented human-to-human transmission. Those with skin lesions are advised to cover the affected area and avoid sharing bedding or linens.
Alaska reports its first fatal case of Alaskapox, a viral disease from the same genus as smallpox and monkeypox, which claimed the life of an elderly immunocompromised man. The man, who lived in the woods with a cat, may have contracted the disease from the animal. Health officials are urging clinicians to be more aware of the virus, as it is most common in small mammals and can cause skin lesions and other symptoms.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a rare and serious viral disease, has been reported in South Carolina, posing a risk to residents and visitors. The disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, can cause severe neurological conditions and even death, particularly in children and older individuals. There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for EEE, so prevention measures such as using insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, and eliminating mosquito breeding areas are crucial to protect against the disease.
Alaska health officials confirmed the state’s first fatal case of Alaskapox, a viral disease that was first identified in an adult in Fairbanks in 2015. The elderly immunocompromised man from the Kenai peninsula died while undergoing treatment, making him one of only seven reported Alaskapox infections. Health officials are urging clinicians to be more aware of the virus, which is most common in small mammals, and are investigating how the man may have contracted it, speculating that it could have been from a cat he lived with.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a rare and sometimes fatal viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, has been detected in Michigan, with cases in horses, deer, and mosquito pools. While humans are currently safe due to the winter season, the disease poses a potential threat when mosquitoes return. Symptoms range from mild febrile illness to severe neurologic infection, with children and individuals over 60 at highest risk. Prevention measures and reporting protocols have been advised by health authorities to mitigate the spread of EEE.
The New York State Department of Health has confirmed the presence of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare and extremely serious viral disease spread by mosquitoes, in multiple counties in the Hudson Valley. Nearly one in three people die from the disease, and there is currently no vaccine available. Health officials advise taking proactive measures to prevent mosquito bites, as two cases have been confirmed in horses and mosquito pools have tested positive for the virus in certain counties.
The South Dakota Department of Health is warning medical providers to be vigilant for potential cases of measles, as the state braces for a possible outbreak following recent cases in other states. Travelers, especially those visiting countries with measles outbreaks, are at increased risk, and the last identified case in South Dakota was in 2015. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease with symptoms including fever, cough, and conjunctivitis.
The viral disease Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), which has a fatality rate of between 10 and 40 percent, is spreading to new countries across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, with recent outbreaks in Iraq, Namibia, and Pakistan. Scientists warn that CCHF is "highly likely" to reach the U.K. due to the effects of climate change, which is causing ticks to move north. CCHF is one of nine "priority diseases" ranked by the World Health Organization as posing the greatest public health risk due to their epidemic potential.