Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
The virus that causes polio has been found in Gaza. Here’s why that is grim news
Science On top of relentless bombings and artillery strikes, mass displacement, the collapse of the health system, and starvation, the children of Gaza now face an additional health disaster: a high risk of paralytic polio. On 16 July, the Ministry of Health of Gaza announced poliovirus had been detected in six wastewater samples collected in late […]
Jul 24, 2024
What to Know About Bird Flu and Fears of a New Pandemic
Bloomberg For influenza viruses, imperfection is a strength. They constantly mutate, producing new strains that challenge immune systems primed to fight earlier varieties. That’s what makes flu a life-long threat to humans and the animal species — mainly birds — that are vulnerable to it. Since 2020, a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza called […]
Jul 24, 2024
Scientists Show How Bird Flu Spreads Between Mammals — As H5N1 Pandemic Fears Grow
Forbes Scientists have proven how cows have spread H5N1 bird flu across the country and infected other cows, wild birds and even mammals like cats and raccoons, according to research published in Nature Wednesday, findings that suggest it may be capable of spreading effectively between people in the future as outbreaks on poultry and dairy farms spark […]
Jul 24, 2024
Experts fear polio is spreading undetected in Gaza
NBC The World Health Organization warned there is a “high risk” that the virus will spread “within Gaza and internationally if this outbreak is not responded to promptly and optimally.” Humanitarian groups and public health leaders around the world are extremely worried that polio may be spreading in Gaza, after tests found the virus in wastewater samples. […]
Jul 24, 2024
Bird flu that infected 6 Colorado poultry workers is closely related to the virus in cows
Public health experts are closely watching Colorado after five workers at an H5N1-infected egg farm tested positive. The virus infecting these workers is related to a strain found in cattle.
Jul 23, 2024
CDC reveals new data on bird flu in Michigan farmworkers as US case count ticks up
The H5N1 avian flu virus that infected poultry workers in Colorado and Michigan shows similarities, but CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen reassures that human-to-human transmission hasn’t occurred and current population risk is low.
Jul 23, 2024
Spain: Health alert after Madrid detects a new case of deadly tick-borne disease
Olive Press A 74-year-old man in Madrid has been confirmed to have been infected with the deadly Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) viral disease. The virus first arrived in Spain back in 2013, thanks to migratory birds, and since it appeared the Health Ministry has found 13 cases of the disease, and registered five deaths. Most cases […]
Jul 23, 2024
India: At least 32 dead in worst outbreak of Chandipura in over 20 years
Telegraph The virus, which is mainly transmitted to humans by sandflies, is part of the same family of diseases that cause Rabies. At least 32 people, most of them children and teenagers, have died in the last month in the worst outbreak of Chandipura virus to hit India for over 20 years. The poorly understood […]
Jul 23, 2024
NBC Chicago As the nation experiences a summer surge in COVID-19 cases, questions might arise if you, a family member or friend becomes ill. While you might have gotten COVID in the past, public health recommendations were updated earlier this year, so the guidance might be different from last time. Here’s what you need to know […]
Jul 23, 2024
Cows, dairy workers, and America’s struggle to track bird flu
BBC For the past 12 years, Freddy Morales has spent most of his time in close proximity to America’s dairy cows, working on several of the country’s thousands of dairy farms. Despite having a job that requires coming into close contact with the animals and regularly sticking medicine down their throats, Mr Morales had not […]
Jul 23, 2024
