A major trial of a new vaccine to fight tuberculosis has ended in failure after researchers discovered it did not provide protection to infants exposed to the bacteria.
The trial is significant because the current vaccine, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is only partially effective against the bacteria. While the new vaccine, MVA85A, showed some boosting of the immune system in adults, it produced no reaction in infants who had been given BCG. Continue reading
A new strain of norovirus accounted for 58% of the reported cases of what some people call “stomach flu” last month. Continue reading
Researchers in the Netherlands and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are resuming a very controversial plan to take the deadly H5N1 virus and make it easier to transmit to humans. Continue reading
A dengue fever epidemic has broken out in southern Brazil.
Health authorities have reported about 600 residents a day coming to clinics suffering from the symptoms of dengue fever since the start of the year. Continue reading
Over 51 people have been confirmed to have contracted cholera in Havana as the Cuban government admits the first major outbreak of the disease in the capital city in over 50 years.
One man died from the disease and others have been hospitalized. Continue reading
A variant of the norovirus discovered last year in 2012 in Australia has spread to the level it is prepared to overtake all other noroviruses in Europe.
The variant, Sydney 2012, has been identified by genetic testing in England as causing more cases of “winter vomiting disease” than any other virus. The virus causes violent and projectile vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, headaches and stomach cramps. Continue reading
A cholera epidemic in Haiti has killed almost 8,000 people leading the United Nations to launch a $2 billion appeal for help in stopping the deaths.
The campaign comes as reports begin to surface that the current outbreak, the worst in the world at this time, started in a United Nations camp. Dr. Daniele Lantagne, a cholera specialist, said that UN troops from Nepal arrived with the disease. Nepal has widespread cholera cases and the molecular structure of the Haitian cholera matches strains from Nepal in 2010. Continue reading
A new respiratory illness that is similar to SARS has claimed a fourth and fifth victim. The World Health Organization reported that two people have died in Jordan from the disease. The confirmed cases from Jordan make the eighth and ninth confirmed cases worldwide and the first ones outside of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Continue reading
“Every morning I wake up coughing,” Patrick Zoda told NBC.
The Staten Island resident has reported that he’s been suffering a variety of lung related issues that he believes is a result of the storm damage to the home. The work on destroying walls and clearing debris causes a continual cloud of dust, insulation and mold in the building’s confined spaces. Continue reading
Superstorm Sandy has left more than destroyed property and farmland. The storm has also lead to an increase of illnesses through the storm’s path.
Long Island and surrounding areas are reporting a serious increase in rashes, asthma, lung infections and physical injuries due to the storm or debris. Homeowners are being urged to take precautions as they begin repairs due to the toxic muck in many homes and the potentially life-threatening mold growing inside devastated buildings. Continue reading