Category: Featured Headlines
CNN A mysterious illness outbreak that has sickened at least 416 people and killed 31 in a remote region of the Democratic Republic of Congo may be at least partly caused by malaria, health officials said Tuesday. Information on the situation is still limited. World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that of 12 initial samples […]
Dec 11, 2024
We’re Pandemic Experts. Here’s What Worries Us Most About Bird Flu.
Huff Post Infectious disease experts reveal what does and doesn’t alarm them when it comes to the H5N1 virus. It’s hard to turn on the news or look online without seeing something related to bird flu. Also known as H5N1, the virus is spreading in a few states across the country and sickening animals and farm workers. […]
Dec 11, 2024
Bird flu in California child linked to virus in dairy cows, CDC says
Washington Post There is no evidence the youngster was exposed to livestock or any infected animals, deepening the mystery about the spread of H5N1 bird flu. Federal disease trackers reported Tuesday that the first child diagnosed with bird flu in an ongoing U.S. outbreak was infected with a virus strain moving rapidly through dairy cattle, even though there is […]
Dec 10, 2024
The state of H5N1 avian influenza riskWhy hasn’t the bird flu pandemic started?
Science Some scientists examining mutations found in H5N1 viruses fear major outbreak is imminent but others say pathogen remains unpredictable If the world finds itself amid a flu pandemic in a few months, it won’t be a big surprise. Birds have been spreading a new clade of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, 2.3.4.4b, around the […]
Dec 10, 2024
California: Marin officials report possible bird flu case in child
Marin Independent A child who visited Marin County during Thanksgiving week is being tested for a possible infection of H5N1, the bird flu. Marin’s public health officer, Dr. Lisa Santora, said the child tested positive for influenza type A, a category that includes bird flu. The child had been visiting from out of state for […]
Dec 10, 2024
How worried should we be about Disease X?
NPR They’re calling it Disease X. It’s a mysterious illness circulating in a remote part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Current figures: over 400 cases, including 31 deaths. International health authorities are monitoring. It all started on October 24 when the first patient fell ill with an unidentified sickness. Others soon followed, all in […]
Dec 10, 2024
Single mutation in H5N1 influenza surface protein could enable easier human infection
NIH NIH-funded study finds risk of human infection continues to remain low. A single modification in the protein found on the surface of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 influenza virus currently circulating in U.S. dairy cows could allow for easier transmission among humans, according to new research funded by the National Institutes of […]
Dec 10, 2024
Sierra Leone: Additional Information on Suspected Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Case in Kono
Sierraloaded In a public notice, the NPHA and the Ministry of Health (MOH) provided additional details following laboratory testing conducted by the 34 Military Hospital Infectious Disease Laboratory. According to the notice, the test results for the suspected case returned as indeterminate. The inconclusive outcome is attributed to the use of formalin for preserving the […]
Dec 4, 2024
Unknown flu-like disease kills at least 79 people in DR Congo
BBC At least 79 people have died from an unknown disease that is causing flu-like symptoms in south-western Democratic Republic of Congo, the health ministry says. The health ministry says the majority of people who have died are between the ages of 15 and 18. More than 300 people have been infected with patients exhibiting […]
Dec 4, 2024
Health officials investigate mystery disease in southwest Congo after 143 deaths
CNN A flu-like disease that has killed dozens of people over two weeks is being investigated in southwestern Congo, local authorities said. The deaths were recorded between Nov. 10 and Nov. 25 in the Panzi health zone of Kwango province. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough and anaemia, provincial health minister Apollinaire Yumba told reporters over the […]
Dec 4, 2024