Understanding “Elimination” vs “Eradication” of Infectious Diseases in The Wake of The Measles Outbreak

CDC: States That Have Reported Measles Cases in 2019

Latest Measles Data   From January 1, 2019, through May 10, 2019, measles cases are now up to 839 and present in 23 states, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week. The outbreaks in the US have been cited as “numerous” and “unrelated” to each other. The multi-state element is… Continue reading Understanding “Elimination” vs “Eradication” of Infectious Diseases in The Wake of The Measles Outbreak

Measles Cases Hit 25-Year Record High At The Start Of National Infant Immunization Week

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new report today that at least 704 people have been sickened by measles since January 1, 2019 – the greatest number of reported cases in 25 years, marking a sad and alarming milestone in the history of the disease. The measles epidemic has been a… Continue reading Measles Cases Hit 25-Year Record High At The Start Of National Infant Immunization Week

2018 in Review: The Major Health Stories of the Year

Photo courtesy of Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images. 2018.

From the reemergence of vaccine-preventable diseases to Acute Flaccid Myelitis, we’re bringing you a roundup of the major global health stories of 2018. Reemergence of Measles Measles is a highly contagious, viral illness. During the 1950s, in stark contrast to the present day, almost every American was affected by the measles, with nearly all children suffering a bout… Continue reading 2018 in Review: The Major Health Stories of the Year

Hurricane Florence Aftermath Part II – Mosquitoes

Photo courtesy of Sean McCann: An adult female Psorophora ciliata blood-feeding.

In the first article of our three-part series on the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, we explored the potential effects that hog waste overflow could have on public health and water contamination. In the second part of our series, we are diving into a new flood-related public health threat – mosquitoes. In North Carolina alone, Florence dumped upwards… Continue reading Hurricane Florence Aftermath Part II – Mosquitoes

Nipah Virus Outbreak: Deadly and Dynamic Situation in India

Medical personnel wearing protective suits check patients at the Medical College hospital in Kozhikode on May 21, 2018. (Photo by AFP/Getty Images)

10 people in Kerala, a southern state in India, have been confirmed dead as a result of the deadly Nipah virus (NiV), said to have been spread by fruit bats. The Nipah virus was first identified in 1999 when pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore fell extremely ill because of close contact with pigs that carried the… Continue reading Nipah Virus Outbreak: Deadly and Dynamic Situation in India

Flu Season is Upon Us

We all prepare for the winter season in similar ways—cutting firewood, making homemade dishes, drinking hot beverages, and for many of us, receiving the flu shot. The annual prick has become a habit for many Americans as the cold, winter months approach. Although this task may seem like one more thing that we must fit… Continue reading Flu Season is Upon Us

Norovirus Outbreak in Raleigh

Student Health Services, NC State University

Last week, NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, announced that 60 students have contracted norovirus, which is a highly contagious disease causing inflammation of the stomach or intestines or both. VIGILINT’s headquarters is in the Raleigh area. The outbreak is said to have begun on Tuesday, December 5. Wake County Human Services Department confirmed… Continue reading Norovirus Outbreak in Raleigh

Plague Outbreak Leaves 57 Dead in Madagascar

This might be news to some, but centuries after the black death took 25 million lives –  an estimated 60% of the European population – the plague is still present in our modern world. Madagascar, an island located off the southeast coast of Africa and home to 24.89 million residents, is experiencing an unprecedented endemic… Continue reading Plague Outbreak Leaves 57 Dead in Madagascar

Spread of Remote Diseases to Major Cities

Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes Albopictus) Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

While adventure travelers to sub-Saharan Africa have known for years about the intricacies of malaria prophylaxis or sleeping with a mosquito net, travelers to more tame locations now need to prepare for some of those same diseases.  An increasing number of mosquito-borne illnesses common in developing regions of the world are cropping up in major… Continue reading Spread of Remote Diseases to Major Cities

VIGILINT CMO: Pregnant Women Should Still Get The Flu Shot, Despite CDC Study

Source: whattoexpect.com, Flu Vaccination. March 31, 2016.

On September 13, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention published their study in Vaccine Journal identifying a possible link between miscarriages in pregnant women and multiple doses of a specific influenza vaccine. The study was conducted over two flu seasons (2010-2011, 2011-2012) and matched 485 women who had miscarriages with 485 women who had normal deliveries or… Continue reading VIGILINT CMO: Pregnant Women Should Still Get The Flu Shot, Despite CDC Study

Petland Puppies Linked to Causing Infections in Humans

Petland Storefront. Source: KDKA Pittsburgh CBS affiliate

Loving. Loyal. Adorable. Infectious? In a story that broke last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that puppies purchased from the national pet store chain, Petland, were at the epicenter of a multi-state outbreak of a human diarrheal illness caused by Campylobacter bacteria. Understandably so, this is causing serious concern for the well-being… Continue reading Petland Puppies Linked to Causing Infections in Humans

Deadly Virus is Spreading in Hospitals in the UK

Hospital-acquired infections are a common cause of patient illness and death around the world, including in well-developed hospital systems. The United Kingdom recently reported on an outbreak  in which over 200 patients were colonized with the fungus Candida auris (C. auris). Colonization occurs when the fungus is detected on a patient’s skin, and patients may… Continue reading Deadly Virus is Spreading in Hospitals in the UK