In today's newscast, I'll be looking at two serious infectious disease situations in Vietnam- the rise of dengue fever in Ho Chi Minh City and with a little good news, the measles outbreak in the southern region of the country.

In this newscast, I look at the recent arrest and charges against two Chinese nationals for attempting to smuggle a fungal plant pathogen into the United States.

In this newscast, I look at the recent locally acquired malaria cases reported in North Queensland, Australia.

In this newscast, I look at the measles situation in Ontario, Canada, including the recent death. I also review the situation in the other Canadian provinces.

On today’s program we’re going to look at a drug that America’s Poison Centers are warning about–its called pink cocaine or Tusi. Since January 2024, America’s Poison Centers National Poison Data System® has documented 18 pink cocaine exposures reported by U.S. Poison Centers in four states. Nearly all patients (83%) received medical treatment. Seven were hospitalized, three with life-threatening symptoms. Additionally, one unconfirmed death has been reported associated with pink cocaine use. Joining me to talk about pink cocaine is Diane Calello MD, Dr Calello is the executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Accumulating evidence suggests that a common single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii may be a contributor to affecting male fertility. An April 2025 study published in the FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) Journal showed for the first time that “human sperm lose their heads upon direct contact” with the parasite. Could this be affecting male fertility? Joining me today to discuss this topic is William Sullivan, PhD. Dr Sullivan is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Indiana University  A common parasite can decapitate human sperm − with implications for male fertility  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and on today’s show, we are going to look at four mental health issues -anxiety, adult ADHD, PTSD, and depression. Joining me today to discuss these issues and his personal story is author & social psychologist, Jamie Hughes. Managing Mental Health Watch the video version on YouTube

The warm weather of summer is upon us, people will spend more time doing outdoor activities, as will potentially dangerous pathogens carrying critters like mosquitoes and ticks. My guest today will discuss the risks mosquitoes and ticks pose to Americans across the country. In addition, she’ll explain how the public can best protect ourselves and family members from these bloodthirsty pests. Joining me today is Lee Haines, PhD, Dr Haines is medical entomologist and Associate Research Professor at the Department of Biological Science at the University of Notre Dame.

Antimicrobial resistance is a rising global threat. When these become ineffective, infections can become difficult or impossible to treat, leading to an increase in the spread and severity of disease. In a new study, published in Nature Medicine, a team of researchers at the Center for Phage Biology and Therapy at Yale discovered a novel approach that may revolutionize the fight against antimicrobial resistance. In the study, the research team investigated the use of phage therapy—the use of viruses, or phages, to target and kill bacteria—to help patients with cystic fibrosis, a disease in which antimicrobial resistance is a significant issue. The team pioneered a strategy to select phages that not only kill bacteria that cause infections but also weaken surviving bacteria to become less virulent or less resistant to antibiotics. Joining me today to discuss phage therapy and their research is Jon Koff, MD, Dr. Koff is an associate professor in Yale School of Medicine’s Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine and medical director of the Center for Phage Biology and Therapy.   Check out the paper: Phage Therapy May Treat Drug Resistance in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis, Study Finds   Watch the video version at Outbreak News TV

On today’s show, I want to take a look at three news stories about rabies recently and have my expert guest break them down. I want to look at the fatal case in a organ transplant recipient, catching rabies from cow’s milk and the upsurge in positive raccoons in Quebec. Joining me today is Charles E. Rupprecht, VMD, MS, PhD. Dr Rupprecht is the CEO of Lyssa LLC, a biomedical consulting company and among many prestigious positions, he was the Chief of the Rabies Program at the CDC for nearly 20 years. Watch the video version at Outbreak News TV