A previously unknown illness, causing hemorrhagic fever symptoms and death within 48 hours, has claimed over 50 lives in northwestern Congo since January 21st. The outbreak, initially linked to three children who consumed a bat, has resulted in 419 recorded cases. Tests have ruled out common hemorrhagic fever viruses like Ebola and Marburg, though some cases showed concurrent malaria. This latest outbreak highlights the increasing concern regarding zoonotic diseases, particularly in regions where wildlife consumption is prevalent.
Read More
A tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in the Kansas City metro area constitutes the largest documented outbreak in US history, surpassing records kept since the 1950s. As of late January 2024, 67 active and 79 latent TB cases have been identified across Wyandotte and Johnson counties, with the majority in Wyandotte County; two deaths have been linked to the outbreak. While the risk to the general public remains low, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is actively managing the situation with treatment and preventative measures. This surge follows a concerning national trend of rising TB cases in the United States and globally.
Read More
Disease X, a mysterious illness currently ravaging parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has already claimed the lives of 79 people and sickened hundreds more, prompting a global health alert. The outbreak, first reported in late October in the Panzi health zone of Kwango province, has caused significant concern, particularly given the rapid mortality rate and the still-unknown nature of the pathogen. While the situation is serious, it’s important to remember that similar unidentified disease outbreaks occur with some frequency around the world. Most are eventually identified and contained locally, never escalating into a global pandemic. However, the potential for worldwide spread, reminiscent of the COVID-19 crisis, remains a very real concern.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood