Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – The United Arab Emirates

On 9 and 13 January 2020, the National IHR Focal Point of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported an additional two (2) laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) to WHO.

The link below provides details of the 2 reported cases:

Published on January 31, 2020
View on website

NASA Day of Remembrance

Amy Resnik touches the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial after a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA’s Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at Arlington National Cemetery. via NASA https://ift.tt/2Ocv1Rg

Luca Parmitano Works to Repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

Astronaut and station commander Luca Parmitano is tethered to the International Space Station while finalizing thermal repairs on the AMS. via NASA https://ift.tt/37HsQwP

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

From 22 to 28 January five new confirmed cases were reported in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Published on January 30, 2020
View on website

Chandra Spots a Mega-Cluster of Galaxies in the Making

Astronomers using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes have put together a detailed map of a rare collision between four galaxy clusters. via NASA https://ift.tt/32Upgx7

Spitzer Observes TRAPPIST-1

Spitzer Space Telescope, one of agency’s great observatories, one of Spitzer's great discoveries was that of the TRAPPIST-1 star, an ultra-cool dwarf, which has seven Earth-size planets orbiting it. via NASA https://ift.tt/2U23ciq

Setting the Stage for Artemis Testing

All eyes are on south Mississippi with this month’s delivery and installation of NASA’s Space Launch System. via NASA https://ift.tt/2NW8Mid

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

Nine new confirmed cases were reported from 15 to 21 January in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Published on January 23, 2020
View on website

Martin Luther King Day of Service at NASA Headquarters

The Amidon-Bowen Elementary School choir performs at the MLK Day of Service. via NASA https://ift.tt/2RhxWdr

Liftoff of SpaceX's In-Flight Abort Test

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at 10:30 a.m. EST on Jan. 19, 2020. via NASA https://ift.tt/30FxNU8

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Novel Coronavirus – Republic of Korea (ex-China)

On 20 January 2020, National IHR Focal Point (NFP) for Republic of Korea reported the first case of novel coronavirus in the Republic of Korea. The case is a 35-year-old female, Chinese national, residing in Wuhan, Hubei province in China.

The case-patient had developed fever, chill, and muscle pain on 18 January while in Wuhan. She visited a local hospital in Wuhan and was initially diagnosed with a cold. On 19 January , the case-patient was detected with fever (38.3 °C) upon arrival at the Incheon International Airport. The case-patient was transferred to a national designated isolation hospital for testing and treatment. She was tested positive for pancoronavirus reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, and subsequently was confirmed positive for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) on 20 January by sequencing at the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Upon detection, the patient had chills, runny nose, and muscle pain.

Published on January 21, 2020
View on website

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Novel Coronavirus – Thailand (ex-China)

On 13 January 2020, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Thailand reported the first imported case of lab-confirmed novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

The case is a 61-year-old Chinese woman living in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. On 5 January 2020, she developed fever with chills, sore throat and headache. On 8 January 2020, she took a direct flight to Thailand from Wuhan City together with five family members in a tour group of 16 people. The traveler with febrile illness was detected on the same day by thermal surveillance at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Thailand, and was hospitalized the same day. After temperature check and initial assessment, she was transferred to the hospital for further investigations and treatment.

Published on January 14, 2020
View on website

Hubble Views Galaxy From Famous Catalog

This bright, somewhat blob-like object — seen in this image taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope — is a galaxy named NGC 1803. It is about 200 million light-years away, in the southern constellation of Pictor (the Painter’s Easel), and it was discovered in 1834 by astronomer John Herschel. via NASA https://ift.tt/2uckmi9

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Novel Coronavirus – Japan (ex-China)

On 15 January 2020, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan (MHLW) reported an imported case of laboratory-confirmed 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

The case-patient is male, between the age of 30-39 years, living in Japan.

Published on January 17, 2020
View on website

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

Fourteen new confirmed cases were reported from 8 to 14 January in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Published on January 16, 2020
View on website

Cuatro Cienegas Basin, Mexico

In the northern Mexican state of Cohuilla lies the Cuatro Cienegas Basin. via NASA https://ift.tt/2QXHAl6

Astronauts Nick Hague and Anne McClain at the National Air and Space Museum

NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Anne McClain talk about their experiences onboard the International Space Station at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in D.C. via NASA https://ift.tt/36YaXcC

NASA's Juno Spacecraft Has a Close Encounter with Jupiter

A multitude of swirling clouds in Jupiter's dynamic North North Temperate Belt is captured in this image from NASA's Juno spacecraft. via NASA https://ift.tt/2uOXA0m

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Novel Coronavirus – Thailand (ex-China)

On 13 January 2020, the Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reported the first imported case of lab-confirmed novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

The case is a 61-year-old Chinese woman living in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. On 5 January 2020, she developed fever with chills, sore throat and headache. On 8 January 2020, she took a direct flight to Thailand from Wuhan City together with five family members in a tour group of 16 people. The traveler with febrile illness was detected on the same day by thermal surveillance at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Thailand, and was hospitalized the same day. After temperature check and initial assessment, she was transferred to the hospital for further investigations and treatment.

Published on January 14, 2020
View on website

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Novel Coronavirus – China

On 11 and 12 January 2020, WHO received further detailed information from the National Health Commission about the outbreak.

WHO is reassured of the quality of the ongoing investigations and the response measures implemented in Wuhan, and the commitment to share information regularly.

Published on January 12, 2020
View on website

Welcoming NASA’s Newest Astronauts

NASA welcomed 11 new astronauts to its ranks Friday. via NASA https://ift.tt/2R4iArj

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Measles – Gaza Strip

From 1 January through 19 December 2019, a total of 124 laboratory confirmed cases of measles, including two deaths, were reported in the Gaza Strip (case fatality ratio=1.6%). Of the confirmed cases, forty-nine cases (40%) were hospitalized, 12 were among health care workers, and seventy-five (60%) were males. Gaza Strip has an estimated population of 1.99 million (Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics-2019).

In addition, of the confirmed cases, 57 cases (46%) were un-vaccinated, of which 28 (23%) were among infants between 6 months to one year old, and 29 (23%) among age groups higher than 30 years old. Between 2009 and 2018, the median administrative immunization coverage for the second dose of measles-containing-vaccine (MCV2) was 97%.

Published on January 10, 2020
View on website

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

Twelve new confirmed cases were reported from 1 to 7 January in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri Provinces.

Published on January 09, 2020
View on website

What Happens When Planets Collide

This artist’s concept illustrates a catastrophic collision between two rocky exoplanets, turning both into dusty debris. via NASA https://ift.tt/2sY0Plt

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – The United Arab Emirates

On 29 December 2019, the National IHR Focal Point of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported one laboratory-confirmed case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) to WHO.

The case is a 74-year-old male national who owns a camel farm located in Al Ain City, Abu Dhabi region in UAE where he is living. He developed fever, cough and sore throat on 8 December 2019 and was admitted to hospital on 10 December, then transferred to ICU on 16 December. A nasopharyngeal aspirate was collected and tested positive for MERS-CoV by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (UpE and Orf1a genes) on 16 December by the Shiekh Khalifa Medical Center laboratory. He has underlying comorbidities including hyperkalemia, diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy, heart disease, asthma and hypertension. He has a history of close contact with dromedary camels and sheep at his farm in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms. He has no history of recent travel and has not been involved in slaughtering animals. Currently, the patient is in stable condition in intensive care unit isolation.

Published on January 08, 2020
View on website

TESS Finds First Earth-Size Planet in the Habitable Zone

TOI 700 d is the first Earth-size habitable-zone planet discovered by TESS, NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. via NASA https://ift.tt/2N4R2Rl

The Next Step in Testing Rockets to Take Humanity to the Moon

On Jan.1, 2020, ​​NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tweeted: "Making progress! The massive @NASA_SLS core stage is moving to Building 110 at the Michoud Assembly Facility. via NASA https://ift.tt/2FrIjV8

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Pneumonia of unknown cause – China

On 31 December 2019, the WHO China Country Office was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology (unknown cause) detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. As of 3 January 2020, a total of 44 patients with pneumonia of unknown etiology have been reported to WHO by the national authorities in China. Of the 44 cases reported, 11 are severely ill, while the remaining 33 patients are in stable condition. According to media reports, the concerned market in Wuhan was closed on 1 January 2020 for environmental sanitation and disinfection.

The causal agent has not yet been identified or confirmed. On 1 January 2020, WHO requested further information from national authorities to assess the risk.

Published on January 05, 2020
View on website

Hubble Sights Galaxy’s Celestial Sequins

This smattering of celestial sequins is a spiral galaxy named NGC 4455, located in the northern constellation of Coma Berenices (Berenice’s Hair). This might sound like an odd name for a constellation — and in fact it is somewhat unusual. It’s the only modern constellation named in honor of a real person from history: Queen Berenice II of Egypt. via NASA https://ift.tt/36mb4i1

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

Since the last disease outbreak news published on 19 December 2019, 29 new confirmed cases were reported from 18 to 31 December in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu province. The confirmed cases in this week were reported from eight health areas in four health zones: Mabalako (62%, n=18), Butembo (14%, n=4), Kalunguta (17%, n=5), and Katwa (7%, n=2). Three of the four cases reported in Butembo in the past fourteen days are linked to a transmission chain of more than 50 people that originated in Aloya Health Area, Mabalako Health Zone. One individual classified as a relapse case of EVD, infected several other individuals within the family and through nosocomial transmission (for more information, please see the disease outbreak news published on 19 December 2019). In Kalunguta Health Zone, the five cases reported between 24 and 28 December 2019, are a distinct epidemiologically linked chain of transmission, although the source of exposure is currently under investigation.

In the past 21 days (11 December to 31 December), 40 confirmed cases were reported from 10 health areas within five neighbouring active health zones in North Kivu province (Figure 2, Table 1): Mabalako (68%, n=27), Butembo (13%, n=5), Kalunguta (13%, n=5), Katwa (5%, n=2), and Biena (3%, n=1). The majority of the cases (75%, n=30) are linked to known chains of transmission.

Published on January 02, 2020
View on website

Glittering Lights of Earth As Seen From the Space Station

Stars glitter in the night sky above the Earth's atmospheric glow. via NASA https://ift.tt/2ZOTPmT