Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Why is COVID surging? A doctor explains what to know and how to stay safe
WTOP It’s not just President Biden who recently tested positive for COVID — cases of the virus are spiking across the country. Nearly 40 states are reporting high COVID activity levels, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and emergency room visits are at their highest for the virus since February. Why the seemingly sudden summer surge? […]
Aug 6, 2024
These Pathogens Could Spark the Next Pandemic, Scientists Warn
Scientific American Scientists have identified more than 30 different pathogens that they fear could cause the next big pandemic in humans. The number of pathogens that could trigger the next pandemic has grown to more than 30, and now includes influenza A virus, dengue virus and monkeypox virus, according to an updated list published by the […]
Aug 6, 2024
Alarm Bells Ring in Africa Over Virulent New Mpox Strain
Bloomberg A mutated strain of the virus that causes mpox has been detected in at least six African countries, and fears are mounting that the cases could be but the beginnings of a continent-wide outbreak of the disease. The new variant may have infected more than 12,300 people and killed almost 500 since the start […]
Aug 6, 2024
US to spend $10 million to curb bird flu in farm workers, including vaccine push
Reuters The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday it plans to spend $10 million to curb farm worker bird flu infections, including $5 million for seasonal flu vaccines, as part of its efforts to avoid further spread and mutation of the virus. The ongoing outbreak of bird flu has infected poultry flocks in […]
Jul 31, 2024
The latest bird flu concern: county fairs
Axios The quintessential summer pastime of going to the county fair could carry some risk this year with the threat of bird flu hanging over livestock exhibits and throngs of visitors, experts say. Why it matters: The mingling of animals, people and equipment at 4-H competitions, milking demonstrations and petting farms creates the conditions for potential transmission to […]
Jul 31, 2024
Is New York Ready for Bird Flu?
NYT The state has stockpiled only one drug, which dates to the ’90s, to fight the disease if it spreads to the human population. One infectious disease expert says it could be an Achilles’ heel someday: New York’s plan for fighting bird flu, if it begins spreading among people, largely depends on one drug developed […]
Jul 31, 2024
Fauci Still Masks: Here’s When and Why
Medscape Video — Former NIAID director also discusses HIV and flu antivirals, his third COVID infection, and more. In this exclusive video interview, Jeremy Faust, MD, editor-in-chief of MedPage Today, talks to Anthony Fauci, MD, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), about his new memoir, On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in […]
Jul 30, 2024
Measles cases surge to triple last year’s — with 5 months to go
Fox News The United States’ rate of measles infections in 2024 is more than triple that of 2023, despite almost half the year still remaining. There have been 188 reported cases of measles in the U.S. this year, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated on Thursday. It’s a significant increase from last year, […]
Jul 30, 2024
CDC will offer seasonal flu shots to farmworkers to lower bird flu risk
STAT The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday that it is funding a $5 million program to vaccinate livestock industry workers against seasonal flu in a bid to reduce the pandemic risk posed by the ongoing H5N1 bird flu outbreak in cattle. The voluntary program, which will be administered by state and local public health […]
Jul 30, 2024
New York’s Preparations for a Bird Flu Pandemic Rely on a Single Drug
NYT New York’s plan for confronting bird flu if it begins spreading among people relies heavily on a vast stockpile of flu treatment medicine. But experts worry the stockpile is missing a key tool. New York has only one type of flu antiviral drug, Tamiflu, which might prove less effective than hoped against a pandemic […]
Jul 30, 2024