Outbreak News Radio

Filarial worms are long thread like worms that live in the tissue and body cavities of vertebrates. Their eggs mature into tiny larvae called microfilariae. There are at least eight filarids that are of importance to humans and today we'll be talking about two of them—Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi.

Joining me to discuss filariasis is parasitologist and author, Rosemary Drisdelle.

Shoko Asahara, founder of the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo and mastermind behind the deadly 1995 nerve gas attack in the Tokyo subway system and other crimes and acts of terror, and 6 other members were recently executed in Japan.

Joining me to look at the cult Aum Shinrikyo and the acts of terror they committed is Laboure College professor and biodefense expert, Lawrence Roberge, PhD

The CDC reports--A U.S. study in 1996 showed that 30% of dogs younger than 6 months deposit Toxocara eggs in their feces; other studies have shown that almost all puppies are born already infected with Toxocara canis. Research also suggests that 25% of all cats are infected with Toxocara cati.

In humans, it has been found that almost 14% of the U.S. population has been infected with Toxocara. Globally, toxocariasis is found in many countries, and prevalence rates can reach as high as 40% or more in parts of the world.

What is toxocariasis and what is the situation in the United Kingdom?

Veterinary surgeon and parasitologist, Dr Ian Wright joined me to look at this nematode, the situation is the UK and prevention measures.

The Herpes Virus family consist of a number of viruses--herpes simplex-1 and 2, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella Zoster Virus (VSV) and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).

EBV infects about nine out of 10 people and a good number will develop infectious mononucleosis (IM)

Despite this, my guest today, infectious disease physician, Steven LaRosa, MD calls EBV "The red-headed step child of the Herpes Virus family".

Dr LaRosa talks about signs and symptoms, pathology and more. In addition, he looks at the association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and EBV and the association of EBV with numerous auto-immune diseases.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by the corkscrew shaped organism, Leptospira. It goes by several other names depending on the locale; mud fever, swamp fever, sugar cane and Fort Bragg fever, among others. It is a disease of both humans and animals.

On July 5th, the Philippines Department of Health declared a leptospirosis outbreak in the Metro Manila with a recent increase in cases of the serious bacterial disease.

Executive Vice President of the University of the Philippines, Ted Herbosa, MD joined me today for an update on the outbreak situation

Giardiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by the parasite Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia or Giardia duodenalis). It is the most common intestinal parasite found in humans in the United States.

Globally, it infects nearly 2% of adults and 6% to 8% of children in developed countries and nearly 33% of people in developing countries have had giardiasis.

Joining me on today's podcast to talk more about Giardia is author and parasitologist, Rosemary Drisdelle.

Earlier this week, former Texas Congressman and retired physician, Dr Ron Paul and his co host, Daniel McAdams did a show on the Ron Paul Liberty Report on state mandated, or compulsory vaccines and the latest on the Dr Bob Sears case.

I've been a big supporter of Dr Paul for many years and agree with him on many issues to include fiscal, monetary and foreign policy. However, on a few issues, compulsory vaccines included, we do part ways. Here I give my thoughts.

On today's podcast, I talk to parasitologist and author, Rosemary Drisdelle about a potentially fatal roundworm first described in Northern Luzon, Philippines in the early 1960s, Capillaria philippinensis.

Rosemary discusses the life cycle, pathology diagnosis and treatment of this serious nematode infection. In addition, she tells an interesting story concerning the history of the parasite.

In the second in a series of expert question and answer panels from the International Society of Neglected Tropical Diseases d³ (ISNTD d³) conference in London June 25-26th 2018, The Lancet Global Health's chairs a great panel taking questions on the topic, Sustaining vaccine confidence in a post-truth era.

The panel includes Angus Thomson (Sanofi Pasteur), Tikki Pangestu (Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore), Pauline Paterson (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) and Rachel Grant (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations-CEPI).

On today's podcast, I'll be playing an expert question and answer panel from the International Society of Neglected Tropical Diseases d³ (ISNTD d³) conference in London June 25-26th 2018.

The Q & A is on the topic, Redefining Access to Medicines and is chaired by Andrew Jack of The Financial Times.

Panel participants include: Dr. Beatrice Greco (Merck Global Health Institute), Jeffrey Moe (Duke Global Health Institute), Eric Stobbaerts (DNDi), Goylette Chami (University of Cambridge, Department of Pathology), Danny Edwards (Access to Medicines Foundation)​, Poppy Lamberton (University of Glasgow) and Margaret Olele (American Business Council).