11
Aug
2014
Outbreaks

Ebola: What You Should Know
20
Jun
2014
Outbreaks
by Ralph Morris, MD, MPH

Avoiding Chikungunya and Other Mosquitoborne Illnesses

A pediatrician returned home to Minnesota recently after providing voluntary medical service in Haiti. She arrived with “crushing joint pain” from chikungunya (pronounced: \chik-en-gun-ye), a viral infection spread by mosquitoes. The exotic-sounding disease can cause high fever in addition to joint and muscle pain. These symptoms are similar to those of dengue, another mosquitoborne illness... Read More »
06
Jun
2014
Outbreaks
by Barbara M. Soule, RN, MPA, CIC, FSHEA, and Joan B. Rose, PhD

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus: MERS-CoV

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, “MERS,” is a respiratory illness caused by an emerging coronavirus1. Although other coronaviruses are common, the MERS coronavirus (“MERS-CoV”) has only recently been reported to infect people. Symptoms of MERS include fever, cough and shortness of breath. MERS has proven fatal for approximately 30 percent of individuals infected. There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for MERS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Supportive therapy, such as assisted breathing devices may be provided to patients during the illness.... Read More »
24
Jan
2014
Outbreaks
by Ralph Morris, MD, MPH

Typhoid Fever: Modus Operandi Revealed

Although it once exacted a toll of hundreds of thousands of cases of illness and death in North America every year, most of us rarely say the words “typhoid fever”, or give the disease much thought.  Drinking water treatment, including filtration and chlorination, and good food safety standards have virtually eliminated typhoid fever from our... Read More »
02
Aug
2013
Outbreaks
by Water Quality & Health Council

Foodborne Illness Outbreak: Cyclospora

Federal and state agencies are working together to determine which foods are responsible for an outbreak of diarrheal illness that has affected almost 400 people in 11 states. Prepackaged salad mix has been identified as responsible for outbreaks in Iowa and Nebraska, but it is not known whether outbreaks in other states are also linked... Read More »
14
Sep
2012
Outbreaks
by Water Quality & Health Council

Staying One Step Ahead of Legionnaires’ Disease

Two large Quebec City buildings and a Chicago hotel are reported sites of exposure to Legionella bacteria that resulted in over 100 recent cases of Legionnaires’ disease and 13 deaths. In Quebec City, officials suspect building cooling systems became colonized with high numbers of the bacteria (CNN Health report), causing ten deaths and 165 cases... Read More »
17
Aug
2012
Outbreaks
by Ralph Morris, MD, MPH

Avoiding Swine Flu at the County Fair

County and state fairs are popular late-summer events in many regions of America. In addition to cash for the carnival rides, funnel cakes and “food on a stick”, this year’s fair-goers should equip themselves with an awareness of a new flu strain that is being spread by pigs to people—a variant of H3N2 called H3N2v.... Read More »
20
Apr
2012
Outbreaks
by Fred Reiff, PE

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Highlights Need for Hygiene in Child Care Settings

Hand, foot and mouth diseasei is a viral illness caused by coxsackievirus. Afflicting mostly children, coxsackievirus normally causes mild fever and rash or sores on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, and sores or blisters in the mouth. Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported coxsackievirus A6... Read More »