Outbreak News Interviews

In this news report, I look at the situation with yellow fever in Venezuela.

In this news report, I give an update on the large measles outbreak in Mexico.

In this news report, I look at the state of New Mexico who reported the first hantavirus case and animal plague case of 2026 this week.

On today's news report, I discuss the increase in Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII) infections, that can be spread through sex, in Minnesota.

In this news report, I look at the measles situation in Singapore and the public health measures they are taking.

In this news report, I look at the increase in invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases reported in Chicago.

In this short news report, I look at the chikungunya outbreak in Bolivia, which prompted the CDC to issue a travel notice.

In this news report, I look at what the Brazil Ministry of Health is doing to vaccinate 1.2 million healthcare workers against dengue fever, using their homegrown vaccine.

In this news report, I look at the chikungunya outbreaks in Suriname and Seychelles.

In this news report, I look at the New World Screwworm (NWS) situation in Central America and Mexico and the efforts being made by the state of Texas and the US government to prevent its spread into the United States.

In this newscast, I look at the measles confirmed cases and deaths in Mexico since the beginning of 2025.

The Ethiopian government has declared the end to the its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) on Monday. The completion of enhanced surveillance and the mandatory follow-up period, with no new confirmed cases reported for consecutive 42 days.

In this newscast, I go over the recent encouraging news from the Carter Center concerning global Guinea Worm disease.

In this newscast, I report on the first locally-transmitted chikungunya case in the state of Florida in 2025 in Miami-Dade County.

In this newscast, I look at Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) following a Facebook post I did about a outbreak among homeless people in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

In this newscast, I report on the latest data on syphilis in Japan in 2025.

In this newscast, I look at the recent PAHO numbers concerning hantavirus in the Western Hemisphere.

In this newscast, I look at the global chikungunya situation in 2025. I also discuss transmission, symptoms and treatment of this mosquito-borne disease.

In this newscast, I look at the chikungunya outbreak in Cuba.

In this newscast, I look at the end of year Nipah virus situation in Bangladesh and the latest developments with the University of Oxford's Nipah virus vaccine candidate.

In this newscast, I look at the multistate salmonella outbreak possibly linked to raw oysters.

In this newscast, I report on two recent stories coming out of Chicago- the first dog rabies case in decades and the first mpox clade I case.

The CDC has reported nearly 2000 measles cases to date in 2025, a number we haven't seen since 1992. Next month, the US faces a critical deadline where we have to prove that we have stopped measles transmission, if not, we could lose our elimination status, something we have maintained for a quarter century. Is it too late? My guest today says losing elimination status isn't inevitable. Joining me today to discuss this public health wake up call in Rodney Rohde, PhD, Dr Rohde is a University Distinguished and Regents' Professor and Chair for the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program in the College of Health Professions (CHP) at Texas State University. He is also the Associate Director for the Translational Health Research Center.

On this podcast, I look at the recently declared over Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the current Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia. Watch the video version

In this news report, I discuss the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak in Ethiopia. Watch the video version

In this podcast, I look at the recent and growing Rift Valley fever outbreak affecting several West Africa countries- Senegal, Mauritania and The Gambia. Watch the video version

On today's show, I want to look at the parasites collectively known as the soil transmitted helminths. They are also grouped in with the neglected tropical diseases, or NTDs. Joining me today is Bukunyi (Mercy) Ajanaku, MS. Mercy is a parasitologist who hails from Ibadan, Nigeria.

Last week, New York health officials reported a confirmed locally acquired chikungunya case in the state in Nassau County on Long Island. This is the first locally acquired case of chikungunya reported in New York state and the first in the US since 2019. Joining me today to discuss chikungunya is Aileen Chang, MD. Dr Chang is an Associate Professor of Medicine at George Washington University.

In this podcast, I briefly go over a number of tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Powassan virus disease.

In this podcast, I look at the recent human plague cases in the United States and discuss some specifics about the 'ancient disease'

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned that a major chikungunya virus epidemic risks sweeping around the globe, calling for urgent action to prevent it. The call-to-action urges countries to scale their lab diagnostics and surveillance, train staff, and strengthen healthcare systems as cases are appearing in popular travel destinations across Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia. Joining me today to examine this topic is Ben Simone, MD, FFPH. He is the Global Medical Affairs Director Travel Vaccines at Bavarian Nordic.

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month. This annual observance aims to educate the public about psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects millions worldwide, and to support those living with it. Joining me today to talk about psoriasis is Rosanne Paul, DO. Dr Paul is an assistant professor of dermatology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare but serious eye infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Acanthamoeba. It primarily affects the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, and can lead to significant pain, inflammation, and potential vision loss. Contact lens wearers are particularly at risk due to improper hygiene practices, but anyone can be affected. My guest today founded The Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) Eye Foundation in 2022. Joining me today is Juliette Vila Sinclair Spence. Juliette is the Founder & Chairwoman of the Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) Eye Foundation.

Rapid data collection can provide an insight into causation, the socio-cultural reality, and complex social processes. This is especially important in disease outbreaks when information is quickly required on local needs that is essential for success. My guest today will discuss rapid data collection and how it is applied in a hantavirus outbreak in Argentina. He will also discuss its use within the contact of Ebola. Joining me today is Glenn Laverack, PhD. Dr Laverack is a professor at the College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health at UAE University. He is also the author of a number of books on health promotion and outbreaks.   The Challenge of Rapid Data Collection and Health Promotion: A Quick and Easy Approach

In today's news cast, I look at the growing yellow fever outbreak in Tolima Department, Colombia.

In this end of week news cast, I look at some of the news I found most most interesting to includes news from Cambodia, south China, Vietnam, Bolivia and the United States, among others.

AMR Initiative Rwanda is a nonprofit organization implementing the One Health approach to prevent, mitigate, and control the spread of resistant microorganisms, while ensuring the availability of safe, effective, and high-quality antimicrobials, and promoting their prudent and rational use in Rwanda. Joining me today from Kigali, Rwanda is Marcel Ishimwe. Marcel is a pharmacist and the founder and CEO of AMR Initiative Rwanda.

Senegal has eliminated the blinding disease trachoma as a public health problem, the World Health Organization announced last week. This means that more than nine million people in the country are no longer at risk of losing their sight to the disease. Joining me from Nigeria to discuss trachoma and the milestone in Senegal is Dr Caleb Mpyet. Dr Mpyet is a trachoma specialist, epidemiologist and eye doctor. He is trachoma technical adviser for Sightsavers.

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Nuisance blood-sucking insects known as kissing bugs spread the parasite to humans when exposure to their feces penetrates the mucus membranes, breaches the skin or gets orally ingested. Researchers from the University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute and Texas A&M University gathered their resources to investigate the potential of vector-borne transmission of Chagas in Florida.The 10-year-long study, published in the Public Library of Science Neglected Tropical Diseases, used data from Florida-based submissions, as well as field evidence collected from 23 counties across Florida. Joining me today to talk about the study and their findings is Norman Beatty, MD. Dr Beatty is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He is also a member of the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida.     Field evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, diverse host use and invasion of human dwellings by the Chagas disease vector in Florida, USA

Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe since 1980, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa. From 1978-1980, Rhodesia experienced one of the largest anthrax epidemics in recorded history. This led to the deaths of hundreds and caused significant economic devastation. The epidemic happened during the Rhodesian Bush War. To this day, the origins of this devastating outbreak remain highly controversial- was it the result of an endemic outbreak or a case of biological warfare? Today I'm going to look at the history of the epidemic and the possible causes with Matthew Turner, MD. Dr Turner is with the Department of Emergency Medicine at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey Pennsylvania. He is also the author of an article on the topic published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science.     The Rhodesian Anthrax Epidemic: A Case of Biological Warfare?

Chagas disease is a dangerous tropical illness caused by single-cell parasites known as Trypanosoma cruzi. In most cases, if not treated immediately, the infection becomes chronic: the immune system of the host greatly reduces the number of parasites present in the body yet fails to fully eradicate them. Current diagnostic approaches often fail to detect these low numbers of parasites. A research team from the University of Georgia and others aimed to develop a test for cure.  Joining me today is Rick Tarleton, PhD. Dr Tarleton ia a Regents' Professor at the University of Georgia and a Distinguished Professor in Biological Sciences in the Department of Cellular Biology.     Serial ‘deep-sampling' PCR of fragmented DNA reveals the wide range of Trypanosoma cruzi burden among chronically infected human, macaque, and canine hosts, and allows accurate monitoring of parasite load following treatment

Rat lungworm disease is on the rise in eastern Australia in dogs – and there have even been recorded cases in humans, including two known lethal incidents. Research by veterinary scientists at the University of Sydney has unveiled insights into what is behind the growth in the disease, also known as neural angiostrongyliasis. Their study, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, highlights how climatic factors act as drivers for this potential public health issue. Joining me to discuss this is Professor Jan Slapeta, Dr Slapeta is a Professor of Veterinary and Molecular Parasitology at the University of Sydney and senior author of the paper.   Rainfall- and Temperature-Driven Emergence of Neural Angiostrongyliasis in Eastern Australia, 2020–2024

In this newscast, I look at a new report of a rare case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Greece. I look at the disease, geography and measures and recommendations put in place by Greek authoroties.

In this podcast, I look at Bacillus anthracis as a bioterror agent. This includes history, geography, the three forms of anthrax and what is expected of the clinical laboratory.

In today's newscast, I'll be looking at two serious infectious disease situations in Vietnam- the rise of dengue fever in Ho Chi Minh City and with a little good news, the measles outbreak in the southern region of the country.

In this newscast, I look at the recent arrest and charges against two Chinese nationals for attempting to smuggle a fungal plant pathogen into the United States.

In this newscast, I look at the recent locally acquired malaria cases reported in North Queensland, Australia.

In this newscast, I look at the measles situation in Ontario, Canada, including the recent death. I also review the situation in the other Canadian provinces.

On today's program we're going to look at a drug that America's Poison Centers are warning about–its called pink cocaine or Tusi. Since January 2024, America's Poison Centers National Poison Data System® has documented 18 pink cocaine exposures reported by U.S. Poison Centers in four states. Nearly all patients (83%) received medical treatment. Seven were hospitalized, three with life-threatening symptoms. Additionally, one unconfirmed death has been reported associated with pink cocaine use. Joining me to talk about pink cocaine is Diane Calello MD, Dr Calello is the executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Accumulating evidence suggests that a common single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii may be a contributor to affecting male fertility. An April 2025 study published in the FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) Journal showed for the first time that “human sperm lose their heads upon direct contact” with the parasite. Could this be affecting male fertility? Joining me today to discuss this topic is William Sullivan, PhD. Dr Sullivan is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Indiana University  A common parasite can decapitate human sperm − with implications for male fertility  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and on today's show, we are going to look at four mental health issues -anxiety, adult ADHD, PTSD, and depression. Joining me today to discuss these issues and his personal story is author & social psychologist, Jamie Hughes. Managing Mental Health Watch the video version on YouTube