Outbreak News Radio

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Legionella can also cause a milder illness called Pontiac fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some 6100 Legionnaires’ disease cases were reported in 2016; however, this number is undoubtedly low due to under-diagnosis. People can get sick when they breathe […]

Legionnaires' disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Legionella can also cause a milder illness called Pontiac fever.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some 6100 Legionnaires' disease cases were reported in 2016; however, this number is undoubtedly low due to under-diagnosis.

People can get sick when they breathe in mist or accidentally swallow water into the lungs containing Legionella.

Most people exposed to Legionella do not get sick. However, people 50 years or older, current or former smokers, and people with a weakened immune system or chronic disease are at increased risk.

My guest today is a friend and a friend of the show--Alex Snitker. Alex recently contracted Legionnaires' disease while in California and is currently recovering.

On today's show I'm going to look at one of my favorite topics--rabies. And I'm honored to have my two guests today, both returning guests.

Pamela Wilson and Dr Rodney Rohde have teamed up to write a comprehensive look at many aspects of rabies--clinical signs and symptoms, epidemiology, lab testing, post exposure prophylaxis and even a little about rabies myths.

The title of the book is Rabies- Clinical Considerations and Exposure Evaluations.

Since August 2018, an Ebola Virus Disease outbreak has raged in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, their 10th outbreak and the 2nd largest ever.

Earlier this week the disease spilled over into neighboring Uganda.

Joining me to discuss this and other topics related to Ebola is Mark Kortepeter, MD, Dr Kortepeter is a Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Nebraska College of Public Health and Lead, Special Pathogens Research Network.

On this podcast, I wanted to look at the once common, highly contagious disease, chickenpox.

Joining me today to answer some questions about chickenpox is Donald Kaye, MD. Dr Kaye is Professor of Medicine at the Drexel University College of Medicine.

He is also an Associate Editor at the website, ProMED-mail.

Earlier this week in Lakeland, FL, I attended an educational program and panel on Alzheimer's disease--research, risk prevention and other topics were addressed.

The event was hosted by the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

My guest on the show today is one of the expert panelists.

Joining me today is Phil Sabel, M.A. Phil is the Clinical Research Coordinator at Axiom Clinical Research in Tampa.

Do you like science and medicine? Do you like history? On today's show, you'll get a great dose of both.

I talk to the author of the very informative book, Between Hope and Fear: A History of Vaccines and Human Immunity, Michael Kinch, PhD.

Dr. Kinch is a professor and Vice Chancellor at Washington University in St. Louis. He has experience developing new medicines for Ebola, Marburg, influenza and other emerging pathogens.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports since the hepatitis A outbreaks were first identified in 2016, more than 17,000 cases and 170 deaths as a result of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection have been reported.

Last year, Florida became one of the 20-something states reporting an outbreak and so far this year, the numbers continue to rise.

What is hepatitis A and what is the situation in Florida?

Joining me on the show to discuss this is Andrea Leapley, MPH. Andrea is the Regional Epidemiologist & Laboratory Liason with the Bureau of Epidemiology at the Florida Department of Health.

June 1st is just around the corner--the start of hurricane season.

Are you ready? What should you do to prepare?

Joining me today to offer some advice and tips in Mike Coston. Mike writes about preparedness often on his website, Avian Flu Diary.

New research from the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) gives people and their health care providers a way to assess their risk for Lyme disease, thanks to man's best friend. The study confirms dogs are sentinels to assess human risk for tick-borne Lyme disease.

The study is published in the journal, Geospatial Health.

Joining me to discuss the study and it's uses is Dr. Craig Prior. Dr. Prior is a board member and past-president of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). From Australia, he's been a practicing veterinarian in Nashville, Tennessee for over 25 years and currently consults with vets nationwide.