Outbreak News Radio

In this end-of-year podcast, I rank what I believe to be the 10 most important infectious disease news stories of 2019.

Dengue, polio, measles or Ebola...what will top the list?

In his first hand account of the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), physician and retired Army Colonel, Mark Kortepeter, MD pens the edge of you seat book, Inside the Hot Zone- A Soldier on the Front Lines of Biological Warfare.

In this podcast, Dr Kortepeter talks about USAMRIID and some of it's unique features and history, some riveting stories from the hot zone, Dr. Bruce Ivins and the "Six Chessman of Doom".

Last week, former US Senator from North Carolina, Kay Hagan died from encephalitis caused by the tick-borne disease, Powassan virus.

So what is encephalitis and how common is it?

Joining me today to answer these questions and more is the president of Encephalitis411.org, Becky Dennis.

Flu season is upon us once again and experts say it's time to get your flu shot. On today's show, Taryn Chapman, aka The Vaccine Mom, joined me to discuss different aspects of influenza to include symptoms, available drugs and a little virology.

In addition, she talks to me about the flu vaccine--the types of vaccines available this season, people that should and shouldn't get the vaccine and where you can get vaccinated.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) can cause some serious pathology. This mosquito borne virus has seen an increase this year in the US.

We see an average of 7 human cases of EEE reported annually; however, there has been some 30 human cases to date in 2019.

Massachusetts and Michigan account for more than 20 cases alone.

What is EEE, what's the pathology and how do doctors treat patients with this virus?

Joining me to answer these questions and more is Massachusetts based infectious disease physician, Steven LaRosa, MD.

Texas officials reported a large anthrax outbreak in 2019 affecting some 20 premises in five counties.

My guest today was in the area over the summer to take a closer look at this outbreak.

Joining me is University of Florida Associate Professor of Medical Geography and returning guest, Jason Blackburn, PhD.

In this podcast of a video interview from the 4th Annual Amoeba Summit hosted by the Jordan Smelski Foundation, I spoke to Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine in St. Petersburg, Juan Dumois, MD.

Dr Dumois shared his thought on why the rapid diagnosis of Naegleria is so challenging, he briefly discussed the primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) protocol used in his facility and the importance of keeping the drug, miltefosine readily available in the hospital.

In this video interview from the 4th Annual Amoeba Summit sponsored by the Jordan Smelski Foundation, I am joined by the Medical Director of Clinica Mi Salud and clinical professor at the UCF and FSU College of Medicine, Kevin Sherin, MD.

In this short video he discusses Naegleria as a reportable disease, Naegleria risk and prevention for the public, public health policy and recommendations for the hospital emergency room.

Next in the series of interviews from the 4th Annual Amoeba Summit hosted by the Jordan Smelski Foundation, I talked to Asst. Medical Director for Emergency Medicine for AdventHealth, Altamonte Springs.

Dr Valente discussed the role of the ER physician and a potential amoebic meningitis case.

A major aspect of the 4th Annual Amoeba Summit, hosted by the Jordan Smelski Foundation, was a strong and necessary devotion to more drug research.

I had the chance to speak with the Director, Center for Tropical & Emerging Global Diseases at the University of Georgia, Dennis Kyle, PhD.

Dr Kyle discussed the research being done, the challenges with drug discovery for Naegleria fowleri and the collaborations among researchers.