Here is a look at some interesting infectious disease and health news reported across the globe:

“Semenly” Harmless Back Pain: An Unusual Presentation of a Subcutaneous Abscess

We report, with review of the literature, the case of a patient who developed a subcutaneous abscess after intravenously injecting his own semen in an attempt to treat longstanding back pain. He had devised this “cure” independent of medical advice. This is the first reported case of semen injection for use as a medical treatment.

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Trypanosoma brucei parasites/CDC
Trypanosoma brucei parasites/CDC

UN health chief orders probe into misconduct

The head of the World Health Organization has ordered an internal investigation into allegations the U.N. health agency is rife with racism, sexism and corruption, after a series of anonymous emails with the explosive charges were sent to top managers last year.

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How trypanosomes spread the news

African trypanosomes cause human sleeping sickness in sub Saharan Africa but probably their more critical impact is through the disease they cause in the livestock of farmers and smallholders. Here, the economic losses of disease and the cost of prophylactic drugs to control the impact of the disease contribute to poverty.

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Two dead after contracting pigeon droppings infection at Glasgow hospital

Two patients have died after contracting a fungal infection linked to pigeon droppings at a Glasgow hospital.

Health officials are investigating the death of one patient at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, with the cause still to be determined.

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Bill would end non-medical vaccine exemptions in Maine

Lawmakers in Maine will consider a bill designed to end non-medical exemptions from childhood vaccinations this year.

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