Image credit: Freepik News of severe respiratory illness, including two deaths and a critically ill passenger, aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius was reported to the World Heath Organization (WHO) on May 2nd 2026. Subsequently, total of eleven cases including three deaths were reported on May 11th 2026. Among the eleven cases reported, eight cases were confirmed in the laboratory for hantavirus infection, two cases were considered probable, and one case was repor

​ Hantavirus is a family of viruses that is caused by contact with rodents such as mice and rats. Humans can contract hantavirus by getting exposed through saliva, droppings, and urine from these rodents. Hantavirus can distinctly cause two different symptoms: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome HPS. HFRS predominantly affects the kidneys; symptoms of this specific strand include nausea,blurred vision, intestinal headaches, and fev

Over the past week, reports of a Hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic have sparked a familiar wave of “next pandemic” headlines. It is understandable. Terms like “outbreak” and “fatalities” tend to raise alarm. However, a closer look at the situation, particularly the nature of the Andes virus (ANDV), shows that while this is a serious medical concern for those affected, it is not a cause for global panic. What’s Actually Happening? The current focus is on

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has shaped human history across sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America for centuries. Despite the availability of one of the most effective vaccines ever developed, yellow fever continues to cause outbreaks, and unvaccinated travellers remain at real risk (1). In 2024 alone, 61 confirmed human cases were reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and Peru, with a case fatality rate of approximately 50%. By May 202

Figure 1: Antimicrobial Resistance & Phyto-Pharmacotherapeutics (Source: https://vegconomist.com/science/plant-based-nanoparticles-can-combat-antibiotic-resistance/) What is Antimicrobial Resistance? Antimicrobial resistance is the tendency of a microorganism to counteract the microbistatic or microbicidal effects of an antimicrobial drug. Antimicrobial resistance arises in a single microbe and is inherited in the newly reproduced microbes. The resistant microbe is able to gr

The Measles outbreak in the United States of America has been in the headlines for a while now. New cases have been reported all over the United States over the past couple of months. These cases have managed to reach places like Disneyland and universities like Ave Maria University and UW-Madison. Measles is a highly contagious disease and can be extremely serious. The best way to stay protected is with two doses of the MMR vaccine. Symptoms of measles can include cough, fev

Source: Leptospirosis in Dogs Zoonotic diseases, or diseases that may be transmitted between animals and humans, have been a prevalent issue for centuries. The most recognized zoonotic diseases include foodborne pathogens like E. coli or Salmonella, tick or mosquito-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile Virus respectively, and viral infections such as Coronavirus, Rabies, and Influenza (avian/swine). An under-discussed but incredibly relevant zoonotic disease is L

A series of articles exploring the botanical origins of the medicines we use every day by B. Kristine Burneko, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, APHN-BC

Wild animals harbor a wide array of pathogens and act as natural reservoirs, living in complex ecosystems that allow diseases to persist and spread. These wildlife-borne pathogens not only threaten animal populations, including endangered species, but also pose significant risks to human health. In fact, over 60% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals, with nearly 72% coming specifically from wildlife. Migration patterns of wild animals and birds fur

Introduction HIV affects over 40 million people worldwide, with up to 77% of patients accessing antiretroviral therapy. Despite efforts to control the progression of the disease with antiretroviral therapy, approximately 30-50% of people living with HIV may develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, or HAND. These patients present with difficulties in executive function, memory, attention, verbal fluency, and concentration. Pathogenesis HIV enters the central nervous sy

Introduction At the turn of the 20th century, the mysterious spread of typhoid fever in affluent New York households baffled physicians and health officials. Behind these outbreaks was an unlikely figure: Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant cook who would go down in history as Typhoid Mary . Her story is not just a tale of science and scandal, but a pivotal moment in the development of public health policies and ethics. The Story of Mary Mallon Mary Mallon arrived in the United S

Introduction Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae . This gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium produces cholera toxin, which leads to profuse watery diarrhea, rapid dehydration, and if untreated, death. Although largely preventable and treatable, cholera remains a major public health concern in many developing nations, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation and limited access to clean wate

Why do I feel so miserable??? Mary Johnson, MBA, BSN, CMSRN Is It a Cold, Allergies, the Flu, COVID… or RSV? Welcome to the New Normal Remember when you used to sneeze and you were certain whether it was a cold or allergy or the flu?Well, life has gotten a bit more complicated. These days, that simple sneeze could point to something more—especially with COVID-19 and RSV now in the mix. RSV Isn’t Just for Kids Anymore Respirator

Strep throat vs a sore throat When researching strep throat, the term pharyngitis comes up quite a bit and some articles even use “strep throat” and “pharyngitis” interchangeably. To start, pharyngitis is simply inflammation of the pharynx, otherwise known as a sore throat. Pharyngitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including both viral and bacterial infections. Strep throat is the result of a bacterial infection, which in turn can cause a sore throat. Strep throa

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare, fatal brain disorder caused by misfolded prion proteins. These prions destroy brain cells, causing rapid dementia, coordination issues, and muscle spasms. With no cure, care focuses on symptom relief and comfort for patients and their families.

Introduction: A Microbial Defense Becomes Medicine CRISPR , short for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats , was first discovered in bacteria and archaea as a natural defense mechanism against viruses. These sequences store snippets of viral DNA, effectively creating a genetic memory that allows the organism to recognize and destroy invaders. Over decades, scientists have harnessed this system to develop powerful gene-editing tools , with applications now

Have you ever had smallpox? It’s a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that killed an estimated 300 to 500 million people in the 20th century. If you were born in 1980 or later, you most likely haven’t had it. This is because, in 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared smallpox eradicated. But how? Population immunization is a public health strategy that protects communities from infectious diseases by using vaccines. The more people who are vaccinated, the

Once thought to be largely under control, measles is again making headlines around the world. Despite the availability of a safe and highly effective vaccine, cases are rising in countries that had previously eliminated the disease including Canada, the United States, and across Europe. This resurgence raises critical questions: Why is a vaccine-preventable disease returning? And what can be done to stop its spread? Understanding Measles Measles, also known as rubeola or red

Introduction Strongyloidiasis, an infection caused by the soil-transmitted helminth Strongyloides stercoralis , is often asymptomatic in...

It was 1986 in the UK when for the first time the mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was first...