<![CDATA[Outbreak News Today: Podcast]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/s/podcasthttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EyiE!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F84b1a72e-cd5e-4f9c-a17e-1711148770ac_600x600.pngOutbreak News Today: Podcasthttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/s/podcastSubstackThu, 23 Apr 2026 03:05:56 GMT<![CDATA[Outbreak News This Week: Measles in North America, Mpox in Singapore and more]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/outbreak-news-this-week-measles-inhttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/outbreak-news-this-week-measles-inSat, 04 Apr 2026 14:52:44 GMTIn this livestream, I look at some of the news related to infectious diseases and outbreak over the past week.

Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

]]><![CDATA[Ringworm STD cases rise in Minnesota]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/ringworm-std-cases-rise-in-minnesotahttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/ringworm-std-cases-rise-in-minnesotaSat, 28 Feb 2026 22:59:48 GMTOn today's news report, I discuss the increase in Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII) infections, that can be spread through sex, in Minnesota.

Listen to more podcasts on infectious disease news, interviews and information.

Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

]]><![CDATA[Texas: Preventing screwworm]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/texas-preventing-screwwormhttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/texas-preventing-screwwormSat, 07 Feb 2026 15:39:25 GMTIn this news report, I look at the New World Screwworm (NWS) situation in Central America and Mexico and the efforts being made by the state of Texas and the US government to prevent its spread into the United States.

For more news, information and interviews about infectious diseases and outbreaks, subscribe to Outbreak News TV

Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

]]><![CDATA[Canada: Haemophilus influenzae type B outbreak in Calgary]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/canada-haemophilus-influenzae-typehttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/canada-haemophilus-influenzae-typeMon, 12 Jan 2026 23:44:31 GMTIn this newscast, I look at Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) following a Facebook post I did about a outbreak among homeless people in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

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]]><![CDATA[Chikungunya in Cuba]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chikungunya-in-cubahttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chikungunya-in-cubaSun, 28 Dec 2025 20:12:05 GMTIn this newscast, I look at the situation in Cuba with the chikungunya outbreak.

For more new, information and interviews about infectious diseases, visit and subscribe to Outbreak News TV

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]]><![CDATA[Measles: A Public Health Wake-Up Call in the US]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/measles-a-public-health-wake-up-callhttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/measles-a-public-health-wake-up-callSun, 21 Dec 2025 23:34:39 GMTThe CDC has reported nearly 2000 measles cases to date in 2025, a number we haven’t seen since 1992.

Next month, the US faces a critical deadline where we have to prove that we have stopped measles transmission, if not, we could lose our elimination status, something we have maintained for a quarter century.

Is it too late? My guest today says losing elimination status isn’t inevitable.

Joining me today to discuss this public health wake up call in Rodney Rohde, PhD, Dr Rohde is a University Distinguished and Regents’ Professor and Chair for the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program in the College of Health Professions (CHP) at Texas State University. He is also the Associate Director for the Translational Health Research Center.

For more interviews, news and information, visit and subscribe to Outbreak News TV

Dr. Rohde’s article on Contagion Live

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]]><![CDATA[Parasites: Soil-transmitted helminths]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/parasites-soil-transmitted-helminthshttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/parasites-soil-transmitted-helminthsThu, 23 Oct 2025 21:55:28 GMTOn 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.

Watch more interviews, news and information at Outbreak News TV

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]]><![CDATA[Chikungunya in New York: What you need to know]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chikungunya-in-new-york-what-youhttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chikungunya-in-new-york-what-youWed, 22 Oct 2025 22:38:33 GMTLast 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.

If you would like to watch the interview, click HERE

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]]><![CDATA[Lyme and other tick-borne diseases]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/lyme-and-other-tick-borne-diseaseshttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/lyme-and-other-tick-borne-diseasesSat, 20 Sep 2025 16:05:47 GMTIn this video, I briefly go over a number of tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Powassan virus disease.

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]]><![CDATA[Chikungunya epidemic risk: A call to action]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chikungunya-epidemic-risk-a-callhttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chikungunya-epidemic-risk-a-callWed, 13 Aug 2025 21:53:18 GMTThe 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 me today to examine this topic is Ben Simone, MD, FFPH. He is the Global Medical Affairs Director Travel Vaccines at Bavarian Nordic.

Related videos:

20 Mosquito-borne diseases

Dengue 2019 and a look at 2020 and beyond

Florida: Conditions exist for indigenous T. cruzi transmission, according to study

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]]><![CDATA[Acanthamoeba keratitis and contact lenses: A personal story]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/acanthamoeba-keratitis-and-contacthttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/acanthamoeba-keratitis-and-contactThu, 31 Jul 2025 20:56:19 GMTAcanthamoeba 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 Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) Eye Foundation in 2022.

Joining me today is Juliette Vila Sinclair Spence. Juliette is the Founder & Chairwoman of the foundation.

Related interviews:

Naegleria fowleri & the host immune response

Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba species and Balamuthia mandrillaris

Entamoeba histolytica and the non-pathogenic intestinal amoeba

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]]><![CDATA[Andes hantavirus in Patagonia, Argentina: The use of Rapid Data Collection]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/andes-hantavirus-in-patagonia-argentinahttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/andes-hantavirus-in-patagonia-argentinaTue, 29 Jul 2025 21:31:34 GMTRapid 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 the contact of Ebola.

Joining me today is Glenn Laverack, PhD. Dr Laverack is a professor at the College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health at UAE University. He is also the author of a number of books on health promotion and outbreaks.

The Challenge of Rapid Data Collection and Health Promotion: A Quick and Easy Approach

Watch other interviews:

Ringworm and drug resistance

Alaskapox: What do we know about this virus?

Leishmaniasis in the US with Naomi Aronson, MD

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]]><![CDATA[Outbreak News This Week: Chikungunya in China, CCHF in Iraq, Brain-eating amoeba in South Carolina and more]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/outbreak-news-this-week-chikungunyahttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/outbreak-news-this-week-chikungunyaSat, 26 Jul 2025 22:26:47 GMTIn 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.

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]]><![CDATA[Battling antibiotic resistance in Rwanda: The work of AMR Initiative Rwanda]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/battling-antibiotic-resistance-inhttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/battling-antibiotic-resistance-inThu, 24 Jul 2025 20:59:44 GMTAMR 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 CEO of AMR Initiative Rwanda.

Watch more interviews, news and information at Outbreak News TV

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]]><![CDATA[Senegal eliminates trachoma (podcast)]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/senegal-eliminates-trachoma-podcasthttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/senegal-eliminates-trachoma-podcastWed, 23 Jul 2025 23:30:51 GMTSenegal 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 eye doctor. He is trachoma technical adviser for Sightsavers.

Watch more interviews, news and information at Outbreak News TV

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]]><![CDATA[Florida: Conditions exist for indigenous T. cruzi transmission, according to study]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/florida-conditions-exist-for-indigenoushttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/florida-conditions-exist-for-indigenousWed, 16 Jul 2025 23:01:48 GMTChagas 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 potential of vector-borne transmission of Chagas in Florida. The 10-year-long study, published in the Public Library of Science Neglected Tropical Diseases, used data from Florida-based submissions, as well as field evidence collected from 23 counties across Florida.

Joining me today to talk about the study and their findings is Norman Beatty, MD. Dr Beatty is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

He is also a member of the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida.

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]]><![CDATA[Rhodesia anthrax epidemic of 1978-1980: A natural outbreak or the result of biowarfare?]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/rhodesia-anthrax-epidemic-of-1978https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/rhodesia-anthrax-epidemic-of-1978Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:21:23 GMTRhodesia, 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 the result of an endemic outbreak or a case of biological warfare?

Today I’m going to look at the history of the epidemic and the possible causes with Matthew Turner, MD. Dr Turner is with the Department of Emergency Medicine at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey Pennsylvania. He is also the author of an article on the topic published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science.

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]]><![CDATA[Chagas disease: Test for cure]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chagas-disease-test-for-curehttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chagas-disease-test-for-cureFri, 11 Jul 2025 20:35:30 GMTChagas 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 team from the University of Georgia and others aimed to develop a test for cure.

Joining me today is Rick Tarleton, PhD. Dr Tarleton ia a Regents’ Professor at the University of Georgia and a Distinguished Professor in Biological Sciences in the Department of Cellular Biology.

Serial ‘deep-sampling’ PCR of fragmented DNA reveals the wide range of Trypanosoma cruzi burden among chronically infected human, macaque, and canine hosts, and allows accurate monitoring of parasite load following treatment

Listen to more interviews, news and information at Outbreak News TV

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]]><![CDATA[Rat lungworm increases on Australia's east coast and the link to climatic factors]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/rat-lungworm-increases-on-australiashttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/rat-lungworm-increases-on-australiasMon, 30 Jun 2025 02:17:04 GMTRat 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 how climatic factors act as drivers for this potential public health issue.

Joining me to discuss this is Professor Jan Slapeta, Dr Slapeta is a Professor of Veterinary and Molecular Parasitology at the University of Sydney and senior author of the paper.

Rainfall- and Temperature-Driven Emergence of Neural Angiostrongyliasis in Eastern Australia, 2020–2024

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]]><![CDATA[Anthrax as a bioterrorism agent]]>https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/anthrax-as-a-bioterrorism-agenthttps://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/anthrax-as-a-bioterrorism-agentSat, 21 Jun 2025 18:12:27 GMTIn this video, 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.

Related videos:

Anthrax infections and it's dark bioterrorism history

Global anthrax maps with Jason Blackburn, PhD

Texas anthrax outbreak 2019 with Jason Blackburn, PhD

Anthrax: Oral vaccine produces immune response in white-tailed deer

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