A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Strathcona has been reported in 11 countries, including Austria, Finland, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As of November 13, 2023, a total of 149 cases have been documented, with no significant gender-based differences across various age groups. The outbreak spans from January to November, with the majority of cases reported between August and October.

Cases in the EU/EEA and the UK revealed a pattern of recent travel to various countries, including Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Egypt, and unspecified European destinations. In the US, six cases reported travel to Europe, specifically Spain, Italy, Croatia, France, and Slovenia, with Italy being a common destination for 4 out of 6 cases. The strain responsible, Salmonella Strathcona, has a history of outbreaks, including a 2011 incident in Denmark linked to 'datterino' tomatoes. Subsequent outbreaks occurred in Denmark and Germany in 2019 and 2020. Genetic analysis shows a clonal nature of the strain, with a shared genetic cluster observed in isolates from 2011 to 2023. Among the 2023 cases, 61.5% reported consuming fresh tomatoes before the onset of the disease, while 48% reported egg consumption, and 46% reported cheese consumption. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses this as a re-emerging, seasonal outbreak, likely linked to tomatoes, but further investigation is required to confirm this hypothesis. Continue reading...

See our salmonella products here.

In the summer of 2023, small island developing states (Sids) faced 103 health-threatening heat days annually, intensifying the risks of heat-related illnesses and diseases like dengue fever. Jamaica's recent dengue outbreak, influenced by the amplified impact of climate change, unfolded amidst optimal conditions for mosquito proliferation following drought and extreme weather fluctuations. Declared in September 2023, the outbreak led to over 3,100 cases and nine deaths by November, straining Jamaica's healthcare system. The broader vulnerability of Sids to climate change, encompassing extreme weather events and rising sea levels, accentuates the urgent need for global action. As record-breaking heat events become more frequent, the article serves as a call to action for governments and health organizations to prioritize the development and deployment of cutting-edge diagnostic technologies. Continue reading...

See all our Flavivirus products here and do not hesitate to enquire about the pricing of our best-selling Dengue VLPs, perfect for the development of next-generation diagnostic assays!

The disease formerly known as monkeypox, now called mpox, circulated in humans for over five years before the 2022 global outbreak, according to research. The virus, initially discovered in monkeys in the 1950s, transitioned to humans in 1970. While earlier human cases were linked to rodent contact in endemic areas, the 2022 outbreak revealed an unexpected number of mutations, suggesting sustained human transmission since 2016. The B.1 lineage drove the global outbreak, with declining cases due to targeted public health measures. However, diverse lineages persist in countries like the UK and the US, originating from Nigeria, indicating the ongoing human epidemic.

“Any new or nascent outbreak may have potential to go global. We need to focus on detecting outbreaks even when case numbers are low and find a way of stamping it out before it establishes in the human population.” said Dr Áine O’Toole, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Edinburgh. Continue reading... 

Have a look at our full range of Mpox products here and at the paper APOBEC3 deaminase editing in mpox virus as evidence for sustained human transmission since at least 2016.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has updated guidance on managing children with viral respiratory tract infections in the UK, incorporating measles symptoms due to recent outbreaks. With poor vaccination coverage among children under 5, the lowest in a decade, is growing concern. The RCPCH recommends immediate isolation and testing, wearing protective gear for unimmunized children showing measles symptoms. Current outbreaks have showed 49 cases so far, in comparison to the 54 cases in the whole 2022. Only 72% of children under 5 are fully vaccinated with two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, well below the World Health Organization’s target of 95%, hence the RCPCH calls for a prompt national vaccination strategy publication, addressing accessibility, misinformation, and disparities. Camilla Kingdon, RCPCH president said: ‘We are already starting to see the effects of this with measles outbreaks occurring in London, Wales, and Leicester,” describing the need for “disappointing but necessary” guidance update. Continue reading...

See our full range of Measles products here and have a look at our blog: Virus-like particles – the new candidate of choice for diagnosing and preventing rubella.

We keep our content up to date so that you can stay in touch with the news and resources that are the latest and greatest for everything "Antibodies and Antigens." Check out the latest:

• Awards- We have been called the Top Pharma Outsourcing UK company!
• Article-  The Native Antigen Company: Breaking Barriers in Emerging Infectious Diseases Research-2023 
• White Paper- Virus-like particles: A practical alternative to cultured rubella virus.
• Podcasts:

• • Increased Incidence of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease among Children after COVID-19 Pandemic, England
  • Keeping poliovirus out and Ebolavirus in
  • CMV-based HIV vaccine with Klaus Früh

Clearance Sale

The Native Antigen Company is pleased to announce our biggest sale ever, up to 80% off selected lines of products. All the items on sale exhibit the same high quality as our full-price products. With only a few last vials available for some of the products on the list, you do not want to wait, contact us today!