CBS News
02/10/2014
West Nile price tag close to $800 million
The economic impact of West Nile virus is much greater than originally thought, according to a new study. A CDC report finds that since it was first detected in the United States in 1999, the mosquito-borne disease has cost the country some $778 million. Past studies looked only at initial hospitalizations and treatments, but the new report also factored in long-term loss of productivity and other extended health care needs of those infected, like repeat doctor visits and medications.
Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy
02/10/2014
CDC estimates West Nile hospital cases cost almost $800 million
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a study today estimate that hospitalized cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in the United States since the disease was introduced in 1999 have cost $778 million in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
History Channel
12/12/2013
Outbreak of Bubonic Plague Hits Madagascar Village
During the Middle Ages, the rodent-borne bubonic plague (or the “Black Death,” as it was known) arrived on European shores aboard merchant ships from Asia and spread quickly, eventually killing more than 20 million people. Modern medicine and improved hygiene standards virtually eradicated the disease in Europe and a large section of the world--but have not eliminated it completely. Last week, at least 20 people in a northwestern village of Madagascar died of the disease, marking one of the worst outbreaks in recent years.
New Scientist
11/20/2013
Souped-up bacteria clears hookworm from hamster guts
BACTERIA used in Japanese food have cured hookworm infections – at least in hamsters. Two billion people around the world are infected with parasitic worms, or helminths, which are found in the soil. The drugs used to treat them were developed to treat parasites in farm animals.
Healio - Infectious Disease News
11/17/2013
P. vivax may be overcoming natural resistance found in Africans
The Plasmodium vivax parasite appears to be rapidly evolving to overcome resistance conferred by a specific blood type found among millions of people in Africa, researchers reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Daily Nation (Kenya)
11/16/2013
Africans once protected against malaria face new risk
A common type of malaria that used to be powerless to infect certain groups of Africans is becoming more potent, putting tens of millions of people at risk, scientists said Friday.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
11/15/2013
CWRU, Cleveland Clinic researchers get $3.5 million to study genetic changes of parasite that causes malaria
A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute will use a five year, $3.5 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (part of the National Institutes of Health) to see if they can uncover more information about the genetic mutations they recently discovered on a parasite that causes more than 100 million cases of malaria each year worldwide.
BBC
11/15/2013
Climate clues as dengue fever spreads in US
Mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever are spreading across the US. But outbreaks of the disease are only occurring in some areas, and scientists are trying to find out why.