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Since December 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in commercial and backyard poultry flocks in the United States. At least 142 separate incidents have been detected through May 7, 2015; most are the H5N2 virus.[1] According to USDA, more than 29 million birds have been infected including chickens, ducks, pheasants, and turkeys mostly in commercial poultry flocks. Chickens represent about 81% of all infected poultry followed by turkeys with 18% of the total. In addition to the poultry flock infections in the United States, at least 60 incidents of detection of H5 HPAI in wild birds have also been reported since early December 2014 from the 13 states [2] shown in the map below. H5 HPAI has been detected in poultry flocks in 13 states as well. However, there is no on-to-one correspondence between the states reporting wild bird infections and those with poultry flock infections as show on the map below. Base...

Today, the first case of Ebola outside of the continent of Africa has been confirmed from Texas in the United States of America. The Center for Disease Control  (CDC) provided an announcement and confirmation about the case today at: First Imported Case of Ebola Diagnosed in the United States The announcement concludes with " CDC recognizes that even a single case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States raises concerns. Knowing the possibility exists, medical and public health professionals across the country have been preparing to respond. CDC and public health officials in Texas are taking precautions to identify people who have had close personal contact with the ill person and health care professionals have been reminded to use meticulous infection control at all times. We know how to stop Ebola’s further spread: thorough case finding, isolation of ill people, contacting people exposed to the ill person, and further isolation of contacts if they develop symptoms. The U.S. pu...