Latest Disease outbreaks News

Republic of Congo reports its first mpox virus cases, in several regions

Mar. 14, 2024 22:53 PM EDT

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (AP) — The Republic of Congo has recorded its first cases of mpox in several regions, the health ministry said, an indication of how the disease may be spreading across Africa since sexual transmission was first confirmed on the continent last year. ...

North Carolina labor chief rejects infectious disease rule petitions for workplaces

Mar. 14, 2024 14:39 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s elected labor commissioner has declined to adopt rules sought by worker and civil rights groups that would have set safety and masking directives in workplaces for future infectious disease outbreaks like with COVID-19. Commissioner Josh...

Today in History: March 11, massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan kill nearly 20,000

Mar. 11, 2024 00:01 AM EDT

Today in History Today is Monday, March 11, the 71st day of 2024. There are 295 days left in the year. Today’s highlight in history: On March 11, 2011, a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami struck Japan’s northeastern coast, killing...

Former raw milk cheese maker pleads guilty to charges in connection with fatal listeria outbreak

Mar. 05, 2024 17:34 PM EST

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A former producer of raw milk cheese pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges related to a deadly outbreak of listeria from 2016 to 2017, federal prosecutors said. Johannes Vulto and his New York-based company Vulto Creamery LLC each pleaded guilty to one...

White House lifting its COVID-19 testing rule for people around Biden, ending a pandemic vestige

Mar. 04, 2024 17:36 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday lifted its COVID-19 testing requirement for those who plan to be in close contact with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses, bringing to an end the last coronavirus prevention protocol at the White House. ...

In Rio, rife with dengue, bacteria-infected mosquitoes are making a difference

Mar. 03, 2024 22:45 PM EST

NITEROI, Brazil (AP) — Since Rio de Janeiro declared a public health emergency after an outbreak of dengue fever last month, the city has ramped up testing capacities, opened up a dozen dengue health centers and trained medical staff to attend to the ever-growing needs of its population. ...

Fresh from a deadly cholera outbreak, Zambia declares drought a national emergency

Feb. 29, 2024 13:18 PM EST

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema Thursday declared the country’s debilitating drought a national disaster and emergency, saying it has devastated food production and electricity generation as the nation battles to recover from a recent deadly cholera outbreak. ...

Editorial Roundup: Florida

Feb. 28, 2024 07:11 AM EST

South Florida Sun Sentinel. February 23, 2024. Editorial: Declaring fetuses to be people would crush abortion rights in Florida Floridians are already alarmed about women losing the right to control their own bodies, but what’s happening at the state Capitol is even...

US cruise ship finally allowed to dock in Mauritius after tests show no cholera aboard

Feb. 26, 2024 17:47 PM EST

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A U.S.-owned luxury cruise ship with more than 3,000 passengers and crew was allowed to dock Monday in the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius after being quarantined offshore for a day over fears of a possible cholera outbreak onboard, authorities said. ...

Florida refuses to bar unvaccinated students from school suffering a measles outbreak

Feb. 23, 2024 17:48 PM EST

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's controversial surgeon general is drawing criticism for his handling of an elementary school's measles outbreak, telling parents of unvaccinated children it is their choice whether their students attend class — a contravention of federal guidelines calling...