Outbreak News Radio

Today we learned that the Madagascar plague outbreak is spreading rapidly throughout the country with UN health officials now reporting some 1300 cases and more than 100 deaths since August.

Last time I did a podcast on plague just a few short days ago, I gave a short history on the plague--the pandemic through current days. Today, I will look at the transmission, disease and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of human plague.

I also discuss briefly the plague vaccine situation.

Nigeria has over 120 million people at risk nationwide for the mosquito borne parasitic disease, lymphatic filariasis. The most populous country in Africa follows only India as far as endemicity.

Last week, the Carter Center announced after years of work, two states, Plateau and Nasarawa, have eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem- an incredible achievement.

Epidemiologist for health programs with the Carter Center, Gregory Noland, Ph.D. joined me to talk about the disease, the partners and the work that went into this success and what's next with the Carter Center and the lymphatic filariasis battle in Nigeria.

Plague has a long and storied history throughout the centuries, rivaled by only smallpox.

In this podcast, I look briefly at the three major plague pandemics-The Justinian Plague, the Black Death and the Modern Plague.

In addition, I look at plague in more recent history as it still infects thousands and kills hundreds in several countries across the globe annually.

As many of you know, I’ve been doing a series on the podcast titled Parasites 101. I thought I’d something similar with virology and viruses and I reached out to who I feel is clearly one of the best virologists and virology educators to help me out with this. So here is the 1st episode […]

As many of you know, I've been doing a series on the podcast titled Parasites 101. I thought I'd something similar with virology and viruses and I reached out to who I feel is clearly one of the best virologists and virology educators to help me out with this.

So here is the 1st episode of Virology 101 with Professor of Microbiology & Immunology in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, Vincent Racaniello, PhD.

Dr. Racaniello answers question like--What is a virus? Are viruses living organisms? and other similar topics in this episode.

With Halloween about two weeks away, people are getting prepared putting together the most detailed costumes, much different than when I was a kid, I might add. While they are transforming themselves into goblins and ghouls using all manner of costume, one item needs to be looked at with some caution--that's novelty contact lenses.

There are some definite health risks associated with the use of novelty contacts and the damage they can do to the eye.

Assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Baylor College of Medicine, Christina Weng, MD, MBA joins me to discuss novelty contacts and the risks involved.

To date we've covered several different types of parasites on the podcast--protozoa, tapeworms and roundworms.On today's episode of Parasites 101 on Outbreak News Interviews, we'll be looking another soil transmitted helminth--the hookworms.

Joining me as always to answer some questions about the hookworm is Parasitology teacher and author of Parasites: Tales of Humanity's Most Unwelcome Guests, Rosemary Drisdelle.

While most tick bites do not transmit infectious disease, some very serious infections can be contracted from the bite of this vector. There are more than a dozen tickborne diseases in the United States and several others that are found only in other countries.

Massachusetts-based infectious disease physician, Steven LaRosa joined me on the show to go over the laboratory testing and findings and treatment of several of the most common tickborne infections seen in the US--anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and tularemia.

Dr LaRosa also gave his thoughts on some Lyme disease topics to include antibiotic prophylaxis and some testing issues.

Last month, The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a three-year, $800,000 grant to explore predictive analytic techniques using data collected by the MyLymeData patient registry. LymeDisease.org CEO, Lorraine Johnson, JD, MBA joined me to talk about MyLymeData and the NSF grant. Save up to 40% off tours and activities in Chicago Related: Lyme disease treatment: […]

Last month, The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a three-year, $800,000 grant to explore predictive analytic techniques using data collected by the MyLymeData patient registry.

LymeDisease.org CEO, Lorraine Johnson, JD, MBA joined me to talk about MyLymeData and the NSF grant.