Disease

Measles - Ukraine - Update

Ukrainian health officials reported an additional 2,235 measles cases in the past week, bringing the outbreak total for 2019 to 28,686. Since the beginning of the year, ten people have died from the complications of the measles.

Barmah Forest virus - Tasmania

A mosquito-borne virus outbreak has Tasmanian health authorities moving to try to contain its spread. People on the state's east coast in particular have been warned to protect themselves from mosquitoes after the confirmation of five cases of the Barmah Forest virus. Another two cases are being investigated. The Barmah Forest virus is related to Ross River virus and causes a similar illness.

Drug Resistant Bacteria

Analysis of sewage samples taken from 74 cities in 60 countries around the world reveals that drug-resistant bacteria are present in many healthy people living in those areas.

Scientists from the Technical University of Denmark found that the highest concentrations of such resistance was across a swath of South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

North America, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand generally had the lowest levels.

The researchers say that poor sanitation and extensive use of antibiotics in the worst-affected areas are likely to be behind the growth in drug-resistance.