Health Journal Online

Tag: Outbreak

  • Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak Sends Three Passengers To Hospitals And Sparks A New Case In Switzerland

    Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak Sends Three Passengers To Hospitals And Sparks A New Case In Switzerland

    Three passengers suspected of having hantavirus were evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship on Wednesday and transported to hospitals in the Netherlands, as Swiss authorities also confirmed a new case of the rare virus linked to the same vessel.

    The three evacuated passengers include German, Dutch, and British nationals, with the British individual being a crew member.

    Cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions said that a medical aircraft carrying two of the patients landed in the Netherlands, while a second aircraft transporting the third patient experienced a delay; that passenger remained in stable condition, according to The Guardian.

    Swiss health authorities announced that a man who had been aboard the MV Hondius and returned home at the end of April tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus after seeking medical attention in Zurich. The WHO confirmed this as a third confirmed case. Swiss officials stated there was “currently no risk to the Swiss public.”

    The total number of suspected or confirmed cases has climbed to at least nine, including three deaths. Among the dead are a Dutch husband and wife, the man died aboard the ship on Apr. 11, while his wife passed away at a hospital near Johannesburg, South Africa, on Apr. 26, and a German passenger who died on board on May 2. A British passenger remains in critical but stable condition in intensive care in Johannesburg, as per CBS News.

    The Andes strain, identified in multiple cases from the ship, is primarily found in Argentina and Chile and is the only known hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission, though such transmission is considered rare and typically requires very close contact.

    The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on Apr. 1 for a polar expedition cruise that included stops in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island.

    Spain’s Health Minister Monica Garcia confirmed on Wednesday that the ship would dock at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, within three days.

    This decision was made despite pushback from local Canary Islands officials, who raised concerns about insufficient communication and the proximity of the port to local residents. Upon arrival, symptomatic passengers will be placed in quarantine, while asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to return to their home countries.

    With no approved vaccine or specific treatment for hantavirus, doctors are relying on early supportive care and intensive care unit management to improve survival rates, according to the World Health Organization.



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  • Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 16, CDC Warns of More Cases

    Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 16, CDC Warns of More Cases

    A salmonella outbreak tied to frozen meals from the meal delivery service Metabolic Meals has sickened at least 16 people in 10 states, according to a CDC alert issued on September 5.

    Seven people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported so far.

    According to USA Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging customers not to eat specific meals delivered during the week of July 28, which may be contaminated.

    The CDC believes the number of sick people may grow, as it often takes weeks for infections to be reported and confirmed.

    The affected products include:

    • Four Cheese Tortellini with Pesto Sauce and Grilled Chicken – Lot Code: 25199 (Best by: Aug. 7, 2025)
    • Low Carb Chicken Teriyaki and Vegetables – Lot Code: 25202 (Best by: Aug. 5, 2025)
    • Black Garlic & Ranch Chicken Tenders with Roasted Vegetables – Lot Code: 25205 (Best by: Aug. 8, 2025)
    • Sliced Top Sirloin with Roasted Peanut Sauce and Summer Vegetables – Lot Code: 25203 (Best by: Aug. 6, 2025)
    • Additional affected lot codes: 25199, 25202, 25203, 25204, and 25205


    Consumers Urged to Discard Specific Metabolic Meals Over Illness Risk

    If you have any of these meals in your freezer or fridge, do not eat them, the CDC says. Instead, throw them away or call Metabolic Meals at 855-355-6325.

    Be sure to wash your hands, kitchen surfaces, and any items the food may have touched with hot, soapy water.

    The illnesses have been reported in these states:

    • Arkansas (1), California (3), Connecticut (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (3), Texas (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (1).

    In a statement, the CDC said Metabolic Meals is working with investigators and has already contacted customers who received the possibly contaminated meals.

    Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually appear between 6 hours to 6 days after infection and often last about a week,. ABC News said

    While most people recover on their own, young children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems may need medical care.

    According to the CDC, 1.35 million salmonella infections happen every year in the U.S., mostly from contaminated food.

    The investigation is ongoing. Consumers are urged to stay alert for more updates and check their homes for the listed products.

    Originally published on vcpost.com

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  • Texas Lawmakers Look to Make Child Vaccine Exemptions Easier for Parents as Measles Outbreak Continues

    Texas Lawmakers Look to Make Child Vaccine Exemptions Easier for Parents as Measles Outbreak Continues

    Texas lawmakers have approved a bill to simplify the vaccine exemption process for schoolchildren—just as the state contends with its worst measles outbreak in decades.

    On Sunday, the Texas Senate passed House Bill 1586 in a 23-9 vote. The legislation, authored by Rep. Lacey Hull, doesn’t alter the state’s vaccine schedule but makes it easier for parents to opt out by allowing them to download exemption forms online rather than requesting them through the mail, as reported by the Texas Tribune.

    Since 2003, Texas law has allowed parents to claim vaccine exemptions for their children based on medical, religious, or conscientious grounds. Over the years, demand for exemptions has surged, doubling from 45,900 in 2018 to over 93,000 in 2024.

    The move to make vaccine exemptions easier comes as the state is currently experiencing a major measles outbreak, with 729 cases reported since January and two confirmed child deaths.

    Supporters, including groups like Texans for Vaccine Choice, hailed the bill as a win for parental rights and government efficiency. Meanwhile critics, including public health advocates and The Immunization Partnership, warn the bill will lead to a drop in vaccination rates and a rise in preventable diseases. They argue that easier access to exemptions will compound current health risks, especially as the state grapples with an ongoing measles crisis.

    Gov. Greg Abbott now has the final say on whether the bill becomes law.

    Originally published on Latin Times

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  • Measles Outbreak in Texas County With Low Vaccination Rate Multiplies, More Cases ‘Likely’

    Measles Outbreak in Texas County With Low Vaccination Rate Multiplies, More Cases ‘Likely’

    Measles is ripping through Gaines County, Texas—cases have more than tripled, and health officials warn the worst is yet to come. The highly contagious virus is spreading fast, with more infections “likely” in the days ahead.

    The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed 48 cases as of this week, up from just 14 last Friday.

    “Thirteen of the patients have been hospitalized,” the agency stated in a press release. All of the cases involve individuals who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

    “The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles,” DSHS advised. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective at preventing infection.

    Health officials attribute the outbreak to low vaccination rates. Only 82% of kindergartners in Gaines County public schools are up to date on their shots, well below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. The county also has an 18% exemption rate for vaccines due to religious or personal beliefs.

    “We’re trying to get out the message about how important vaccination is,” Zach Holbrooks, executive director of the South Plains Public Health District told CNN. He stressed those exposed or symptomatic should get tested at the mobile screening unit in Seminole, Texas.

    “Measles is a serious yet preventable disease,” added Dr. Jamie Felberg of the South Plains Public Health District. “Staying up to date on vaccinations is the most effective way to safeguard yourself, your loved ones, and the community.”

    “Additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities,” DSHS warned.

    Originally published on Latin Times

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  • Measles Outbreak in Texas County With Low Vaccination Rate Multiplies, More Cases ‘Likely’

    Measles Outbreak in Texas County With Low Vaccination Rate Multiplies, More Cases ‘Likely’

    Measles is ripping through Gaines County, Texas—cases have more than tripled, and health officials warn the worst is yet to come. The highly contagious virus is spreading fast, with more infections “likely” in the days ahead.

    The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed 48 cases as of this week, up from just 14 last Friday.

    “Thirteen of the patients have been hospitalized,” the agency stated in a press release. All of the cases involve individuals who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

    “The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles,” DSHS advised. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective at preventing infection.

    Health officials attribute the outbreak to low vaccination rates. Only 82% of kindergartners in Gaines County public schools are up to date on their shots, well below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. The county also has an 18% exemption rate for vaccines due to religious or personal beliefs.

    “We’re trying to get out the message about how important vaccination is,” Zach Holbrooks, executive director of the South Plains Public Health District told CNN. He stressed those exposed or symptomatic should get tested at the mobile screening unit in Seminole, Texas.

    “Measles is a serious yet preventable disease,” added Dr. Jamie Felberg of the South Plains Public Health District. “Staying up to date on vaccinations is the most effective way to safeguard yourself, your loved ones, and the community.”

    “Additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities,” DSHS warned.

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  • Kansas Tuberculosis Outbreak That Killed Two, Sickened Dozens, Among Largest In U.S. History

    Kansas Tuberculosis Outbreak That Killed Two, Sickened Dozens, Among Largest In U.S. History

    A tuberculosis outbreak that has gripped Kansas for nearly a year, claiming two lives and infecting dozens, is among one of the largest in U.S. history.

    As of Jan. 24, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported 67 confirmed cases of active tuberculosis, along with 79 latent infections. However, health officials confirm there is no threat to the general public.

    “To date, most TB cases have been in Wyandotte County, with very low risk to the general public, including the surrounding counties,” the health officials from Kansas state said in a statement.

    Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs and spreads through the air when a symptomatic infected person talks, coughs, or sings. TB can take two forms: active and latent. In its active stage, it triggers a persistent cough, lasting for three weeks or longer, coughing up blood or phlegm, along with chest pain, fatigue, chills, night sweats, fever, and weight loss. In its latent stage, the bacteria remain dormant, causing no symptoms, and there is no risk of transmission. However, if not treated, the latent stage can progress into active TB.

    Both inactive tuberculosis (latent TB infection) and active TB disease are treatable, but they require different approaches. Treatment involves a combination of antibiotics taken over several months, with regimens lasting three, four, six, or even nine months, depending on the severity of the infection and the specific treatment plan.

    In 2023, TB claimed an estimated 1.25 million lives and has regained its title as the world’s deadliest infection caused by a single pathogen. As per the CDC data, there were a total of 8,700 cases of tuberculosis in the U.S. last year.

    Kansas health officials have described the recent tuberculosis outbreak reported since January 2024 as the largest documented in U.S. history since the CDC began tracking cases in the 1950s. However, the CDC has disputed that claim, pointing to at least two larger outbreaks in recent years. One of the most severe occurred between 2015 and 2017 in Georgia homeless shelters, where the disease spread rapidly, leading to more than 170 active TB cases and over 400 latent infections. Another major outbreak in 2021 was linked to contaminated tissue used in bone transplants, infecting 113 patients across the country.

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