An outbreak in Italy of an infectious disease usually confined to tropical regions underscores the importance of preparing and responding promptly to emerging infectious threats in the globalization era, a new report suggests. Reuters Health Information
A review shows that handwashing and wearing a mask are effective physical barriers that, if used routinely in the long-term, could help reduce respiratory tract virus infections at low cost. Medscape Medical News
Foreign donors have pledged $406 million in additional funds for efforts to combat bird flu, but another $800 million is still needed and countries still need to be better prepared for any pandemic, officials said on Thursday. Reuters Health Information
A new case-control study shows no relationship between vaccination for hepatitis B and the development of childhood-onset multiple sclerosis. Medscape Medical News
Uganda now has 101 suspected cases of Ebola virus infection and 350 more people are being closely monitored because they were in contact with those infected, the Health Ministry said on Friday. Reuters Health Information
The Chikungunya virus has spread to several new countries in the past year because it has found a new species of mosquito to carry it, researchers said on Friday. Reuters Health Information
Europe has approved nilotinib capsules (Tasigna), Canada has approved anidulafungin intravenous infusion (Eraxis), and Australia has approved nitric oxide for inhalation (INOmax). Medscape Medical News
New upper limits of normal for alanine aminotransferase allow more sensitivity for early diagnosis of liver disease in teens, who have high rates of hepatitis C virus infection and liver disease. Medscape Medical News
Taken together, the findings of two new studies suggest that dexamethasone therapy can reduce the morbidity and mortality of bacterial meningitis in developing countries, provided that the disease is microbiologically confirmed and that the patient does not have advanced HIV disease. Reuters Health Information
Patients with hematological disorders and recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) are susceptible to infections caused by tuberculosis. However, most can be successfully treated, Saudi Arabian researchers report in the Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials. Reuters Health Information
