2019 Pandemics & Diseases Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2019 Pandemics & Diseases Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 06 Feb Philippines measles epidemic: On February 6, 2019, the Philippines Department of Health declared a measles epidemic after a significant increase in cases and deaths. The outbreak was attributed to low vaccination rates and inadequate public health response, leading to widespread concern. source: who.int
- 07 Feb Measles Outbreak in Philippines: The Philippines declared a measles outbreak with 1,813 confirmed cases and 26 deaths, highlighting critical public health challenges in the region.
- 03 Mar Deadly tornado outbreak in Alabama: On March 3, 2019, a series of tornadoes struck Alabama, resulting in at least 23 fatalities and numerous injuries. The outbreak caused significant damage, particularly in Lee County, where a powerful EF4 tornado devastated the area. source: weather.gov
- 05 Mar HIV remission breakthrough: the London patient: The case of the 'London Patient' was reported as a significant breakthrough in HIV research, marking the second known instance of a patient being functionally cured of HIV. This case involved a stem cell transplant that led to the patient being free of the virus for over 18 months without antiretroviral therapy. source: bbc.com
- 26 Mar Rockland County measles emergency: On March 26, 2019, Rockland County, New York, declared a state of emergency due to a measles outbreak. The emergency order mandated that unvaccinated individuals remain indoors to prevent further spread of the disease. source: cnn.com
- 29 Mar Cholera Outbreak in Mozambique After Cyclone Idai: In the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Idai, Mozambique experienced a rapid surge in cholera cases, with the number of infected individuals climbing to 139. The outbreak highlighted the severe health risks and humanitarian challenges following major natural disasters.
- 05 Apr Severe E. coli O103 Outbreak Investigated: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a significant E. coli O103 outbreak affecting 72 people across five states. Food safety expert Bill Marler characterized this as potentially the most severe outbreak in recent history, with the source of contamination still unidentified.
- 02 May Measles Outbreak on Cruise Ship: A Freewinds cruise vessel has been quarantined in Saint Lucia due to potential measles exposure. The ship, owned by the Church of Scientology, is suspected of having a passenger infected with measles. The religious organization is known for its opposition to vaccinations.
- 18 May Cook Islands Dengue Outbreak: Cook Islands faces a severe Dengue fever epidemic, with 28 people infected and 22 fatalities. Health Secretary Josephine Herman reports ongoing containment efforts.
- 23 May Severe Tornado Outbreak in US Midwest: Over 170 tornadoes were reported in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Iowa within a week, resulting in seven fatalities and extensive damage.
- 30 May Measles Outbreak in the United States: The United States experienced a significant measles outbreak, with 60 new cases reported in the last week, bringing the total to 971 cases across 26 states. This is the highest level since 1994, and the CDC warned that continued outbreaks could jeopardize the country's measles elimination status.
- 11 Jun First Ebola case confirmed in Uganda: On June 11, 2019, Uganda confirmed its first case of Ebola in the Kasese district, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The patient, a 5-year-old boy, was reported to have traveled from the DRC, where an Ebola outbreak was ongoing. Health authorities initiated measures to contain the spread of the virus. source: who.int
- 12 Jun Ebola Crisis in Democratic Republic of Congo: Dr. Jeremy Farrar from Wellcome Trust reports that the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has claimed 1,400 lives since August 2018, making it the worst epidemic since the 2013-2016 West African outbreak, with no signs of slowing down.
- 15 Jun Guillain Barre Syndrome Epidemic in Peru: Peru's Ministry of Health reported 548 diagnosed cases of Guillain Barre syndrome during an ongoing epidemic. Five deaths were attributed to complications from other serious diseases.
- 17 Jun 2019 Bihar Encephalitis Epidemic: A severe outbreak of acute encephalitis syndrome claimed the lives of 100 children in Bihar, India, revealing critical public health challenges in the region and the urgent need for medical intervention.
- 08 Jul Measles Outbreak Slowing: On July 8, 2019, fourteen new measles cases were reported, indicating a potential deceleration of the ongoing measles outbreak.
- 17 Jul Philippines Declares National Emergency Due to Dengue Outbreak: The Philippines government declared a national emergency after more than 100,000 people contracted dengue fever, highlighting the critical public health crisis affecting the country.
- 26 Jul Saudi Arabia Suspends Hajj Visas: In response to ongoing Ebola epidemic concerns, Saudi Arabia suspended Hajj pilgrimage visas for travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, prioritizing public health safety.
- 06 Aug Philippines battles severe dengue epidemic: On August 6, 2019, the Philippines reported a severe dengue epidemic, with thousands of cases and numerous fatalities. The government declared a national dengue epidemic, urging public health measures to combat the outbreak and prevent further spread. source: reuters.com
- 20 Sep Walmart Bans Electronic Cigarettes: In response to growing health concerns, retail giant Walmart announced it would cease selling electronic cigarettes after reports of at least eight deaths and 530 cases of a severe respiratory disease linked to vaping.
- 26 Sep WHO launches massive measles vaccination campaign in DRC: On September 26, 2019, the World Health Organization launched a large-scale measles vaccination campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo to combat a severe outbreak. source: who.int
- 22 Oct Opioid Crisis Settlement: Pharmaceutical companies agree to a substantial $260 million settlement in the ongoing opioid crisis litigation, representing a significant legal and financial resolution in addressing the nationwide drug epidemic.
- 15 Nov Pakistan introduces new typhoid vaccine into routine immunization program: On November 15, 2019, Pakistan became the first country to introduce the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) into its routine immunization schedule. This vaccine, effective for children as young as six months, was launched in Sindh Province, the epicenter of an ongoing extensively drug-resistant typhoid outbreak. source: emro.who.int
- 23 Nov Samoa measles outbreak death toll rises to 20: By November 23, 2019, the death toll from a measles outbreak in Samoa had risen to 20, with 1,644 confirmed cases, predominantly affecting children under four years old. The government declared a state of emergency, closing schools and mandating vaccinations to control the spread. source: aljazeera.com
- 25 Nov Fiji Threatens Police Enforcement for Measles Quarantine: Amid a severe measles outbreak affecting multiple Pacific island nations, Fijian Health Minister Ifereimi Waqainabete warned that police would be deployed to enforce quarantine measures. The government's stern approach aims to compel individuals exposed to the disease to remain at home and prevent further spread of the illness.
- 01 Dec COVID-19 outbreak begins in Wuhan: On December 1, 2019, the first cases of a novel coronavirus were reported in Wuhan, China. This outbreak would later be identified as COVID-19, leading to a global pandemic. source: who.int
- 03 Dec Samoa measles outbreak emergency measures: On December 3, 2019, the government of Samoa declared a state of emergency in response to a measles outbreak that had resulted in numerous deaths. Vaccination campaigns were intensified to combat the spread of the disease. source: who.int
- 08 Dec First confirmed COVID-19 case in Wuhan, China: On December 8, 2019, health authorities in Wuhan, China, reported the first confirmed case of what would later be identified as COVID-19. This marked the beginning of a global pandemic that would have profound impacts worldwide. source: who.int
- 30 Dec Global Measles Mortality Report: The World Health Organization reports that 142,000 people died from measles worldwide in 2018, highlighting the continued global health challenge posed by this preventable disease.
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