Viral Disease News and Research

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Scientists discover new treatment approach to curb severe myocarditis

The outcome of viral myocarditis is closely associated with the immune response of the affected individual. An inhibitor of the immunoproteasome, a protein degradation complex in immunocompetent cells, reduces the extent of the inflammation and thus also the damage to the heart during myocarditis.

22 Feb 2018

New project to study effect of climate change on society's vulnerability to dengue fever

New research project will study how changes and variations in climate affect a society's vulnerability and risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases, particularly dengue fever, in Southeast Asia.

26 Jan 2018

Measles outbreak alarms public health officials

According to the Public Health England (PHE) there are “large outbreaks” of measles in Europe that is cause for concern.

16 Jan 2018

Treating the new hep C generation on their turf

Once a week, Dr. Diana Sylvestre puts her medical expertise to use in a rickety old house frequented by drug users in this small Northern California city.

7 Dec 2017

Mosquito control using special bacteria infected mosquitoes approved by the EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency has now approved the use of special mosquitoes that have been infected with bacteria called Wolbachia for eradication of mosquitoes in 20 states and District of Columbia. This approach is known as the use of “biopesticide”. Now mosquitoes that spread viral illnesses like Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika etc. would be controlled effectively.

9 Nov 2017

Report reveals 84% drop in global measles deaths, but disease still kills 90 000 every year

In 2016, an estimated 90 000 people died from measles - an 84% drop from more than 550 000 deaths in 2000 - according to a new report published today by leading health organizations. This marks the first time global measles deaths have fallen below 100 000 per year.

27 Oct 2017

Mumps outbreak in U.S. necessitates third booster dose of vaccine for at-risk individuals

According to a federal experts panel yesterday (25th October 2017), a third dose of mumps vaccine is recommended when there is an outbreak of the viral disease. There have been several mumps outbreaks since 2006 in the United States, especially among students who have already been vaccinated before. Last year 6366 cases of the highly infectious viral infection were reported in the United States.

27 Oct 2017

CDC recommends new vaccine for shingles

Last month a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel had voted 11 to 0 approving a shingles vaccine for its use in adults aged 50 and over. The panel unanimously accepted the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and thus GlaxoSmithKline’s Shingrix.

25 Oct 2017

Scientists better understand how rabies virus induces drastic changes in behavior

Scientists may finally understand how the rabies virus can drastically change its host's behavior to help spread the disease, which kills about 59,000 people annually.

11 Oct 2017

Hepatitis A outbreak among population of San Diego

The San Diego population is facing one of the worst outbreaks of infective viral disease Hepatitis A. the outbreak began last November and is still going strong with no signs of reduction in the infection rates. The homeless are one of the worst hit.

3 Sep 2017

FDA approves new treatment for all HCV genotypes 1-6

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir) to treat adults with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1-6 without cirrhosis (liver disease) or with mild cirrhosis, including patients with moderate to severe kidney disease and those who are on dialysis.

3 Aug 2017

FDA approves fixed-dose combination tablet for treating adults with chronic hepatitis C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Vosevi to treat adults with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1-6 without cirrhosis (liver disease) or with mild cirrhosis.

18 Jul 2017

Researchers unlock better treatment strategy for viral diseases

RMIT University scientists in Melbourne, Australia, have led an international collaboration that potentially unlocks better treatment of viral diseases, including the flu and common cold.

12 Jul 2017

Intestinal viruses may affect person's chance of developing Type 1 diabetes

Doctors can't predict who will develop Type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune disease in which one's own immune system destroys the cells needed to control blood-sugar levels, requiring daily insulin injections and continual monitoring.

11 Jul 2017

WHO marching toward extraordinary progress against neglected tropical diseases, report reveals

Since 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been reporting outstanding success in dealing with neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with 1 billion people estimated to have received treatments in 2015.

19 Apr 2017

International research effort reveals major insights into spread of West African Ebola epidemic

An international effort to analyze the entire database of Ebola virus genomes from the 2013-2016 West African epidemic reveals insights into factors that sped or slowed the rampage and calls for using real-time sequencing and data-sharing to contain future viral disease outbreaks.

12 Apr 2017

FDA grants approval for two drugs to treat hepatitis C virus in children

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved supplemental applications for Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) in children ages 12 to 17. Harvoni and Sovaldi were previously approved to treat HCV in adults.

7 Apr 2017