Here is a look at some interesting infectious disease and health news, opinion and research reported across the globe:
Four dead from MERS virus in Oman

Four people died in the Sultanate after being infected with the Middle–East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV), the Ministry of Health announced.
Kenyan Children to Get 1st Malaria Vaccine in the World
A meeting by stakeholders of the Ministry of Health in Nairobi, on Wednesday, revealed that Kenya is finalizing processes of rolling out a program for administration of Malaria vaccine to children – which will be the first time such occurs in the world.
Homeland Security replacing biodefense system
The Trump administration is moving to replace BioWatch, the nation’s problem-plagued system for detecting airborne attacks of anthrax spores or other infectious agents, with technology that also has severe shortcomings, a Los Angeles Times investigation has found.
Rabies outbreak in Indonesia kills 12 as stray dog culling begins
The Health Ministry has said that, from January to February this year, 628 people were infected with rabies nationwide, with at least 12 cases that turned fatal.
MasterChef sucks at food safety
I blame celebrity cooking shows like MasterChef for the stupid things people do in their kitchens.
- Measles cases skyrocket in the Philippines
- Myanmar: Measles cases up in Yangon
- Hepatitis A: After two years, outbreak declared over in Utah
- Washington: Six new measles cases reported in Vancouver area
- Colombia: ‘Dengue epidemic this year could reach 120,000 cases’
- Brazil: Southern states encouraged to get yellow fever vaccine
- Kentucky: Confirmed imported measles case in Barren River District
- Dengue cases up in Reunion
- Nigeria: Lassa fever cases remain high, CDC updates travel notice