Outbreak News Radio

In this podcast, I look at the recent and growing Rift Valley fever outbreak affecting several West Africa countries- Senegal, Mauritania and The Gambia. Watch the video version

On today's show, I want to look at the parasites collectively known as the soil transmitted helminths. They are also grouped in with the neglected tropical diseases, or NTDs. Joining me today is Bukunyi (Mercy) Ajanaku, MS. Mercy is a parasitologist who hails from Ibadan, Nigeria.

Last week, New York health officials reported a confirmed locally acquired chikungunya case in the state in Nassau County on Long Island. This is the first locally acquired case of chikungunya reported in New York state and the first in the US since 2019. Joining me today to discuss chikungunya is Aileen Chang, MD. Dr Chang is an Associate Professor of Medicine at George Washington University.

In this podcast, I briefly go over a number of tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Powassan virus disease.

In this podcast, I look at the recent human plague cases in the United States and discuss some specifics about the 'ancient disease'

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned that a major chikungunya virus epidemic risks sweeping around the globe, calling for urgent action to prevent it. The call-to-action urges countries to scale their lab diagnostics and surveillance, train staff, and strengthen healthcare systems as cases are appearing in popular travel destinations across Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia. Joining...

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month. This annual observance aims to educate the public about psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects millions worldwide, and to support those living with it. Joining me today to talk about psoriasis is Rosanne Paul, DO. Dr Paul is an assistant professor of dermatology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare but serious eye infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Acanthamoeba. It primarily affects the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, and can lead to significant pain, inflammation, and potential vision loss. Contact lens wearers are particularly at risk due to improper hygiene practices, but anyone can be affected. My guest today founded The Ac...

Rapid data collection can provide an insight into causation, the socio-cultural reality, and complex social processes. This is especially important in disease outbreaks when information is quickly required on local needs that is essential for success. My guest today will discuss rapid data collection and how it is applied in a hantavirus outbreak in Argentina. He will also discuss its use within t...

In today's news cast, I look at the growing yellow fever outbreak in Tolima Department, Colombia.

In this end of week news cast, I look at some of the news I found most most interesting to includes news from Cambodia, south China, Vietnam, Bolivia and the United States, among others.

AMR Initiative Rwanda is a nonprofit organization implementing the One Health approach to prevent, mitigate, and control the spread of resistant microorganisms, while ensuring the availability of safe, effective, and high-quality antimicrobials, and promoting their prudent and rational use in Rwanda. Joining me today from Kigali, Rwanda is Marcel Ishimwe. Marcel is a pharmacist and the founder and...

Senegal has eliminated the blinding disease trachoma as a public health problem, the World Health Organization announced last week. This means that more than nine million people in the country are no longer at risk of losing their sight to the disease. Joining me from Nigeria to discuss trachoma and the milestone in Senegal is Dr Caleb Mpyet. Dr Mpyet is a trachoma specialist, epidemiologist and e...

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Nuisance blood-sucking insects known as kissing bugs spread the parasite to humans when exposure to their feces penetrates the mucus membranes, breaches the skin or gets orally ingested. Researchers from the University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute and Texas A&M University gathered their resources to investigate the po...

Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe since 1980, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa. From 1978-1980, Rhodesia experienced one of the largest anthrax epidemics in recorded history. This led to the deaths of hundreds and caused significant economic devastation. The epidemic happened during the Rhodesian Bush War. To this day, the origins of this devastating outbreak remain highly controversial- was it th...

Chagas disease is a dangerous tropical illness caused by single-cell parasites known as Trypanosoma cruzi. In most cases, if not treated immediately, the infection becomes chronic: the immune system of the host greatly reduces the number of parasites present in the body yet fails to fully eradicate them. Current diagnostic approaches often fail to detect these low numbers of parasites. A research...

Rat lungworm disease is on the rise in eastern Australia in dogs – and there have even been recorded cases in humans, including two known lethal incidents. Research by veterinary scientists at the University of Sydney has unveiled insights into what is behind the growth in the disease, also known as neural angiostrongyliasis. Their study, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, highlights...

In this newscast, I look at a new report of a rare case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Greece. I look at the disease, geography and measures and recommendations put in place by Greek authoroties.

In this podcast, I look at Bacillus anthracis as a bioterror agent. This includes history, geography, the three forms of anthrax and what is expected of the clinical laboratory.

In today's newscast, I'll be looking at two serious infectious disease situations in Vietnam- the rise of dengue fever in Ho Chi Minh City and with a little good news, the measles outbreak in the southern region of the country.

In this newscast, I look at the recent arrest and charges against two Chinese nationals for attempting to smuggle a fungal plant pathogen into the United States.

In this newscast, I look at the recent locally acquired malaria cases reported in North Queensland, Australia.

In this newscast, I look at the measles situation in Ontario, Canada, including the recent death. I also review the situation in the other Canadian provinces.

On today's program we're going to look at a drug that America's Poison Centers are warning about–its called pink cocaine or Tusi. Since January 2024, America's Poison Centers National Poison Data System® has documented 18 pink cocaine exposures reported by U.S. Poison Centers in four states. Nearly all patients (83%) received medical treatment. Seven were hospitalized, three with life-threatening...

Accumulating evidence suggests that a common single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii may be a contributor to affecting male fertility. An April 2025 study published in the FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) Journal showed for the first time that "human sperm lose their heads upon direct contact" with the parasite. Could this be affecting male fertility? Joining me today to...