Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Measles remains a danger to health even years after an infection
NPR The measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico is now close to 300 reported cases, surpassing the total number of cases in all of the U.S. in 2024. The outbreak is happening in remote, rural areas. There have been a few isolated cases reported in 13 other states — not related to the Texas outbreak. The Centers […]
Mar 18, 2025
What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders
AP Bird flu has devastated poultry and dairy farms, and sent the price of eggs soaring in the United States since it was first detected in North America in late 2021. But what has been the toll on wild birds? More than 170 species of North American wild birds – including ducks, geese, gulls, owls, eagles and others – have been […]
Mar 18, 2025
RFK Jr. Falsely Claims Measles Vax Causes Deaths ‘Every Year’
MedPage Today In this MedPage Today video, Paul Offit, MD, of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, responds to claims about measles and vaccines made by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in recent interviews. The following is a transcript of their remarks: Kennedy [clip]: There are adverse […]
Mar 18, 2025
RFK Jr. claims measles can be treated with vitamin A, linked to poor diet. Here’s what science says
ABC News Measles is continuing to spread across the United States, as outbreaks grow in western Texas and New Mexico. Between the two states, 256 cases have been confirmed as of Thursday, mostly in those who are unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status, according to state health officials. At least one unvaccinated school-aged child in […]
Mar 18, 2025
Ongoing Risk of Dengue Virus Infections and Updated Testing Recommendations in the United States
CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update to provide additional information to healthcare providers, public health departments, and the public about the ongoing risk of dengue virus (DENV) infections and updates to testing recommendations in the United States. Dengue activity remains high in some parts […]
Mar 18, 2025
Almost one in 10 may have long Covid, research finds
BBC Almost one in 10 people in England think they could have long Covid, according to analysis of national data. University of Southampton researchers examined information collected by NHS England that showed 4.8% of people reported having the condition. The analysis of more than 750,000 responses to the GP Patient Survey also found that 9.1% […]
Mar 18, 2025
First US Outbreak of H7N9 Bird Flu Since 2017 Spurs Health Worry
Bloomberg The first outbreak in the US of deadly H7N9 bird flu strain since 2017 was detected in a Mississippi poultry farm, raising fresh health concerns. H7N9, which is separate from the H5N1 strain that has been sweeping through flocks across the US, was detected in a commercial broiler breeder chicken flock in Mississippi, the […]
Mar 18, 2025
What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders
Seattle Times Bird flu has devastated poultry and dairy farms, and sent the price of eggs soaring in the United States since it was first detected in North America in late 2021. But what has been the toll on wild birds? More than 170 species of North American wild birds – including ducks, geese, gulls, […]
Mar 18, 2025
Kennedy’s Alarming Prescription for Bird Flu on Poultry Farms
NYT The health secretary has suggested allowing the virus to spread, so as to identify birds that may be immune. Such an experiment would be disastrous, scientists say. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s top health official, has an unorthodox idea for tackling the bird flu bedeviling U.S. poultry farms. Let the virus rip. Instead […]
Mar 18, 2025
Texas measles outbreak grows to 279 cases, approaching nationwide total for 2024
ABC News The measles outbreak in western Texas is continuing to grow with 20 additional cases confirmed, bringing the total to 279 cases, according to new state data published Tuesday. Almost all of the cases are in unvaccinated individuals or in individuals whose vaccination status is unknown, according to the Texas Department of State Health […]
Mar 18, 2025