2015 Pandemics & Diseases Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2015 Pandemics & Diseases Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 06 Jan US Influenza Epidemic: A widespread influenza outbreak affected 43 U.S. states, with 21 confirmed deaths, signaling a significant public health challenge for the nation.
- 07 Jan Measles Outbreak at Disneyland: The California Department of Public Health launched an investigation into at least nine confirmed measles cases linked to visitors at Disneyland, raising concerns about vaccination and public health.
- 13 Jan China's Ebola Response: China demonstrated international solidarity by sending an additional 232 People's Liberation Army medical workers to West Africa to combat the ongoing Ebola virus epidemic.
- 16 Jan China Bans Panda Tourism After Virus Outbreak: Chinese officials implemented an emergency tourist ban on panda habitats following the deaths of two pandas infected with canine distemper virus.
- 24 Jan Disneyland Measles Outbreak Spreads: A measles outbreak originating at Disneyland in Anaheim on December 28, 2014, spread from California to six states including Nebraska and Mexico, with at least 85 confirmed cases. The outbreak was traced to an unvaccinated California woman.
- 30 Jan Record influenza hospitalizations in US: On January 30, 2015, the United States reported a record number of influenza hospitalizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the flu season was particularly severe, with widespread activity across the country and a significant increase in hospitalizations compared to previous years. source: cdc.gov
- 13 Feb Ebola Quarantine Measures Implemented in Sierra Leone: On February 13, 2015, Sierra Leone implemented strict quarantine measures in several districts to contain the Ebola outbreak. The measures included travel restrictions and the establishment of isolation centers. source: who.int
- 19 Feb Deadly superbug outbreak at UCLA Medical Center: On February 19, 2015, it was reported that a deadly superbug outbreak at UCLA Medical Center resulted in multiple infections and several deaths. The outbreak raised concerns about hospital safety and infection control practices. source: cdc.gov
- 20 Feb Liberia lifts Ebola restrictions: On February 20, 2015, Liberia announced the lifting of nationwide curfews and the reopening of borders that had been closed during the Ebola outbreak. This decision was based on a significant decline in new Ebola cases, with new infections dropping to 10% of the peak levels observed earlier in the epidemic. source: upi.com
- 03 Mar North Korea Relaxes Ebola Entry Restrictions: North Korea eases previously imposed entry restrictions that were implemented to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus.
- 05 Mar Liberia nears end of Ebola epidemic: On March 5, 2015, Liberia announced that it was nearing the end of the Ebola epidemic that had ravaged the country. This marked a significant milestone in public health efforts and recovery from the outbreak. source: who.int
- 03 Apr Burkina Faso Bird Flu Containment Effort: In response to a bird flu epidemic, Burkina Faso implemented a significant culling operation, destroying 115,000 chickens to prevent the spread of the disease and protect public health.
- 18 Apr Mysterious Disease in Nigeria: The town of Ode-Irele in Ondo State, Nigeria, is experiencing a mysterious disease that kills patients within 24 hours, causing significant local concern.
- 29 Apr Americas eliminate rubella: On April 29, 2015, the Pan American Health Organization announced that rubella had been eliminated in the Americas. This achievement was attributed to extensive vaccination campaigns and public health efforts across the region, marking a significant milestone in disease control. source: who.int
- 06 May Severe Weather Outbreak in Southeast Counties: A significant severe weather event occurred in the southeast region, resulting in 11 confirmed tornadoes and record-breaking rainfall that caused extensive flooding across the area.
- 09 May Liberia declared Ebola-free after 42 days without new cases: The World Health Organization declared Liberia Ebola-free after the country reported no new cases for 42 days, marking the end of the Ebola outbreak that had claimed thousands of lives in West Africa. source: who.int
- 11 May Severe Tornado Outbreak in United States: A significant tornado outbreak across the United States resulted in five deaths, dozens of injuries, and eight people reported missing.
- 16 May Study on Brain Injury in Newborns: A groundbreaking medical study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases suggested that inflammation might be a primary cause of brain injury in newborns experiencing bloodstream infections, potentially offering new insights into neonatal healthcare.
- 21 May Middle East respiratory syndrome in South Korea: On May 21, 2015, South Korea reported cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), leading to public health concerns. The outbreak prompted government measures to contain the virus and prevent further spread. source: cdc.gov
- 02 Jun MERS Outbreak in South Korea: Two people died from Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in South Korea, contributing to the ongoing outbreak in the region.
- 05 Jun MERS outbreak reported in South Korea: On June 5, 2015, South Korea reported a significant outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), leading to widespread public health concerns. The outbreak was traced back to a traveler returning from the Middle East, prompting government measures to contain the spread. source: cdc.gov
- 08 Jun 2015 South Korean MERS Epidemic: The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in South Korea continued to escalate, with six additional deaths and 23 new confirmed cases reported. This public health crisis raised significant concerns about epidemic management and healthcare preparedness.
- 10 Jun South Korea reports 122 MERS cases and 9 deaths: As of June 10, 2015, South Korea reported 122 confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and 9 deaths. The outbreak, which began on May 20, 2015, has led to widespread public health measures, including quarantines and school closures. source: dw.com
- 14 Jun MERS outbreak in South Korea: The MERS outbreak in South Korea began in May 2015, leading to significant public health concerns. By June 14, 2015, the outbreak had resulted in multiple infections and fatalities, prompting government responses to contain the virus. source: cdc.gov
- 15 Jun MERS Epidemic in South Korea: The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) epidemic in South Korea continued to spread, with 16 confirmed deaths and 150 total cases, raising significant public health concerns.
- 22 Jun MERS Outbreak in South Korea: South Korea continued to battle the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, with three new cases reported and the total death toll reaching 27. The government implemented unprecedented public health and quarantine measures to control the spread.
- 23 Jun South Sudan Cholera Epidemic: South Sudan officially declared a Cholera Epidemic after 18 deaths, with 171 people infected, as reported by Al-Jazeera, signaling a significant public health emergency.
- 24 Jun South Korea's MERS Response: The South Korean government announced maximum financial assistance to hospitals and clinics affected by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, demonstrating a coordinated national response to the health crisis.
- 25 Jun MERS Epidemic in South Korea: On June 25, 2015, South Korea reported a significant outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which led to widespread public health measures. The outbreak raised concerns about the effectiveness of the country's healthcare system in managing infectious diseases. source: who.int
- 28 Jun MERS Epidemic in South Korea: The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in South Korea results in 32 deaths, with 182 confirmed cases, marking a significant public health crisis.
- 30 Jun California Mandatory Vaccination Law: California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation mandating vaccines for all children attending school or daycare, a landmark public health policy aimed at preventing the spread of communicable diseases and protecting community health.
- 03 Jul Cholera Outbreak in South Sudan: A severe cholera epidemic has claimed at least 29 lives in South Sudan, highlighting the ongoing public health challenges in the region.
- 22 Jul Breakthrough in universal flu vaccine research: On July 22, 2015, researchers announced a significant breakthrough in the development of a universal flu vaccine that could provide long-lasting protection against various strains of the virus. This advancement could revolutionize flu prevention strategies. source: sciencedaily.com
- 05 Aug New York City Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak: A severe outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in New York City resulted in eight fatalities and 97 confirmed illnesses, prompting public health investigations and emergency responses.
- 11 Aug Massive Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak in New York: The South Bronx experienced the largest recorded Legionnaires' disease outbreak, resulting in 12 deaths and over 100 confirmed cases, raising significant public health concerns.
- 12 Aug London Plague Mass Grave Discovery: Archaeologists in London uncovered a mass grave containing 30 bodies from the 1665 plague, providing significant historical and epidemiological insights into one of Europe's most devastating pandemics.
- 19 Sep Dengue Fever Outbreaks in Dominican Republic and India: The Dominican Republic issued an alert due to rising dengue fever cases and deaths, with 57 fatalities reported. Simultaneously, the Delhi government postponed elective surgeries to allocate 1,000 hospital beds for treating the dengue epidemic.
- 25 Sep Nigeria nears polio eradication milestone: On September 25, 2015, Nigeria reported significant progress in its fight against polio, with no new cases reported in the previous year. This achievement marked a critical step towards eradicating the disease in the country. source: who.int
- 05 Oct Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for parasitic disease research: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Satoshi Ōmura, William C. Campbell, and Tu Youyou for their discoveries in combating parasitic diseases. Ōmura and Campbell developed Ivermectin, effective against river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, while Tu discovered Artemisinin, a potent antimalarial drug derived from traditional Chinese medicine. source: who.int
- 07 Oct WHO declares end of Ebola epidemic: The World Health Organization declared the end of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, marking a significant milestone after the outbreak that began in 2014. The declaration was based on a 42-day period without new cases. source: who.int
- 11 Nov Iowa's Record November Tornado Outbreak: On November 11, 2015, Iowa experienced its largest November tornado outbreak on record, with over a dozen tornadoes impacting the state's southern region.
- 01 Dec US Diabetes Cases Decline for Fifth Consecutive Year: The Centers for Disease Control announced a fifth consecutive year of declining diabetes-related cases in 2014. Experts remain uncertain whether this trend indicates successful prevention efforts or represents a population disease peak.
- 22 Dec Philippines Approves Dengue Vaccine: The Philippines became the first Asian country and the second globally to approve a dengue vaccine, marking a significant milestone in combating the widespread tropical disease.
- 29 Dec Guinea declared Ebola-free: On December 29, 2015, Guinea was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization, marking the end of the Ebola outbreak in the country.
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