Disease

Scientists find new botulinum toxin

Scientists have discovered the first new type of botulinum toxin in 40 years, and in a highly unusual move, they are keeping the toxin's genetic sequence data secret for now so that no one can make it in a lab before an effective antitoxin can be developed.

Until now, Clostridium botulinum was known to produce seven types of toxins, all of which cause paralysis by blocking neurotransmitters in humans and animals. The last one was discovered in 1970.

The researchers discovered the new toxin, called botulinum neurotoxin type H, or BoNT/H, as a result of a case of infant botulism. They reported the discovery in two articles published this week in the Journal of Infectious Diseases (JID). Antitoxins are available for the seven other botulinum toxin types, but not for the new one.

Bubonic Plague in Madagascar

A rash of bubonic plague infections is sweeping through Madagascar, raising fears of a black plague epidemic that could cost countless lives. Already, 256 cases were reported last year, causing at least 60 deaths.

The disease is currently spreading through Madagascar’s dilapidated and crowded prison system. Since rats and fleas can easily move in and out of prisons, experts fear that it is only a matter of time before the disease spreads to nearby towns and villages. If and when this happens, the death toll could rise dramatically.

The International Red Cross and other health organisations are now working to bring the outbreak under control. Limited resources and the difficulty of stopping the spread of a disease among dense prison populations, however, is complicating efforts. Health experts now fear that the situation could worsen unless proper steps are taken to eradicate the disease.