Category: Disease Outbreak

Battling Biting Mosquitoes and Jumping Genes in 2016

Last year, an expert from the CDC National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (NCEZID) found himself in an unlikely position: guest starring on a popular Navajo language radio program to field questions about hantavirus infection. Hantavirus is caused by contact with mouse droppings and can sometimes be fatal. This is just one example of Read More >

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10 Ways CDC Gets Ready For Emergencies

One of the best parts of my job is the opportunity to learn from a wide range of experiences. We have an obligation to not only respond to emergencies today, but to prepare for tomorrow by learning from the past. Our work extends to households affected by disease, communities ravaged by disasters, and U.S. territories Read More >

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John Snow: A Legacy of Disease Detectives

Snow cholera map

John Snow, known as the father of epidemiology, was born on March 15, 1813. This week, we honor the birthday of the first true disease detective. The Story of the Broad Street Pump London, 1854: A cramped Soho neighborhood teems with people and animals living in cramped and dirty quarters. A deadly outbreak of cholera Read More >

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West Nile to Zika: How One Virus Helped New York City Prepare for Another

New York City larviciding helicopter

No one told the Aedes mosquito that New York is the city that never sleeps. The type of mosquito that can spread Zika virus (Zika) is most active during the early morning, day, and early evening. But New York is teeming with people during most of this time, meaning that our scientists had to find Read More >

Posted on by Mario Merlino, Assistant Commissioner, Pest Control and Veterinary Services, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene2 CommentsTags , , , , ,

When Preparation Meets Opportunity: Cameroon Gets a Jump on Outbreak Response

Buea-Regional-Hospital-at-the-foot-of-Mt-Cameroon

When Dr. Aristide Abah stepped off the plane that brought him from Atlanta back to his home in Cameroon, there was no time to waste. An outbreak of H5N1 flu threatened the country, and it was up to Dr. Abah to lead the response. Fortunately, he was prepared. Read More >

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Safe Travels for Zika and Other Dangerous Samples

Barcoded medical samples in transparent tubes

As Zika virus spreads across the globe, scientists in the United States are finding ways to fight it. Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent Zika or medicines for treatment. To create better tests – including rapid tests – and develop vaccines, scientists need to conduct research with the virus in their labs. Read More >

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