Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
What to Know About the Flu Virus
NYT What’s the difference between influenza A and influenza B, and does it matter which you catch? Each fall, the flu emerges as a formidable force, spreading through the droplets produced when people cough, sneeze or talk, and sometimes hitching a ride to our noses by way of the infected surfaces that we touch. Influenza […]
Nov 15, 2023
Two New RSV Products to Protect Infants
Johns Hopkins A new vaccine for pregnant people and an antibody treatment for babies could substantially lower the rates of severe RSV infections among children, but rollout has been slow ahead of the first RSV season the products are available. Virtually all children get an RSV infection by the time they are 2 years old. […]
Nov 14, 2023
Tuberculosis exposure at daycare prompts ‘urgent’ testing for 500 children
Washington Post Tuberculosis testing for hundreds of children in Omaha began Saturday, after a large group of infants, toddlers and children was potentially exposed to infection through a drop-in day-care program. More than 500 children need to be tested within the next week, local health officials said, and younger ones will be given preventive drugs. […]
Nov 14, 2023
Long COVID Immune Profiles Appear Largely Normal
MedPageToday Brain inflammation may not be a cause of long COVID cognitive problems. Spinal fluid immune profiles were largely normal in people with neurologic long COVID symptoms in a case-control study, suggesting brain inflammation was not a cause of long COVID cognitive symptoms. In 37 people with post-COVID neuropsychiatric conditions — most commonly, brain fog […]
Nov 14, 2023
Scientists are beginning to understand how long COVID symptoms affect the brain
NPR (Audio 7-minute listen) Many symptoms of long COVID are related to the brain. Now scientists are beginning to understand why brain fog, fatigue, and pain can linger for years after a person was infected.
Nov 14, 2023
1.2 million chickens will be slaughtered at an Iowa farm where bird flu was found
AgriNews An additional 1.2 million chickens will be slaughtered to prevent the spread of the bird flu after the virus was confirmed on an Iowa egg farm in the second massive case in a week. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced the latest bird flu infection at a farm in Taylor County […]
Nov 14, 2023
New feline coronavirus blamed for thousands of cat deaths in Cyprus
Science The previously undescribed strain appears to have borrowed genetic information from a highly virulent canine coronavirus. When thousands of cats started to die this year on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, nicknamed the “island of cats” for its 1-million-strong feline population, the crisis made international news. The animals had fevers, swollen bellies, and lethargy—symptoms […]
Nov 14, 2023
Person at UMass Boston diagnosed with active tuberculosis
Boston 25 News A person on the UMass Boston campus has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis or (TB), officials said in a letter to the school community Monday. Approximately 39 people on campus were identified as having possibly been exposed to the person with tuberculosis and have been contacted about steps they can take to […]
Nov 8, 2023
What Is JN.1, the Latest COVID Variant?
Prevention Infectious disease experts on what it is, signs, symptoms, and if you should be worried. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is mutating yet again. The latest variant getting buzz is JN.1, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) flagged in a report issued late last week. In the report, CDC officials say that they’re […]
Nov 8, 2023
Flu Season Remains Mostly Green
Precision Vaccinations The best news concerning the 2023-2024 flu season in the United States is that most people have yet to be impacted by an influenza virus. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six states reported a moderate level of seasonal flu cases as of November 3, 2023, and two areas […]
Nov 8, 2023
