Category Archives: outbreaks

Ebola: No Surprise

Posted on November 16, 2014 by epihealth

Media sources, politicians, and others have treated the current Ebola outbreak in several countries in West Africa as a complete surprise, and therefore, as an unpredictable threat. This “surprise” was not surprising at all. “Unprecedented is a moniker that I … Continue reading →

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H7N9: Source and origins identified

Posted on August 22, 2013 by epihealth

More of the H7N9 mystery has been solved (or almost solved) in an article published online in Nature today (Wed. Aug. 21, 2013). Let’s remember that H7N9 was first noted earlier this year in China; so far there have been … Continue reading →

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“Contagion”-movie with Matt Damon et al

Posted on September 12, 2011 by epihealth

We saw “Contagion” last night–as an official function of my position with the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (see astmh.org—and note that students can join and receive a top infectious disease journal for $5.00 per year). The film … Continue reading →

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Contagion; malaria vaccine

Posted on September 12, 2011 by epihealth

I am eagerly awaiting “Contagion”, starring Matt Damon, among others. It had two excellent science consultants–my high school classmate Dr. Ian Lipkin, who directs a center at Columbia (Mailman School of Public Health) and is a virologist and neurologist by … Continue reading →

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E. coli outbreak, Europe

Posted on June 15, 2011 by epihealth

The outbreak of E. coli that Europe is currently experiencing is a different serotype than that associated with a chain of restaurants in the Pacific Northwest and West in 1993–“the outbreak that made E. coli famous” (my own quotable quote). … Continue reading →

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Legionellosis cluster in LA County

Posted on March 5, 2011 by epihealth

Up to 200 people attending a conference and fundraiser in Southern California have developed symptoms suggestive of Legionellosis (“Legionnaire’s Disease). Moreover, the bacterium, of the Legionella genus, has been isolated from a water source at the Playboy Mansion , where … Continue reading →

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