Timely and relevant global health security news curated by GCHS
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Featured Headlines
- CDC delay of infant hepatitis B shot likely to raise infections, studies showWashington Post Federal vaccine advisers to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted in December to recommend delaying the first shot until at least two months of age for infants born to mothers who test negative for the virus. The Trump administration’s decision to drop the long-standing recommendation that newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine… Read more: CDC delay of infant hepatitis B shot likely to raise infections, studies show
Updates on ongoing disease outbreaks
- Bats might be the next bird flu wild cardTapInto Vampire bats in Peru show signs of past H5N1 infection. Bats have become the latest mammals susceptible to H5N1, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus responsible for bird flu. In Peru, over a dozen vampire bats have been found carrying H5N1 antibodies, indicating exposure to the virus, researchers report November 11 at bioRxiv.org. The finding… Read more: Bats might be the next bird flu wild card
- AI classifier flags bird flu genomes more likely to spread in mammalsPhys.org A research team from the LKS Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) has developed a machine-learning classifier capable of analyzing the genomes of influenza A viruses (IAVs) to accurately predict their potential risk of transmission among mammals. The team has successfully identified the key clues that may explain cross-species transmission… Read more: AI classifier flags bird flu genomes more likely to spread in mammals
- In Readiness For The Next Pandemic, Human Trials Begin Of An mRNA Vaccine For Bird FluIFL Science An mRNA vaccine for avian influenza, developed by pharma company Moderna, has begun Phase 3 human trials. Building on the same technology used in their highly successful COVID-19 vaccine, the aim is to shore up the world’s defences against what is widely considered to be one of the biggest viral threats facing humanity.… Read more: In Readiness For The Next Pandemic, Human Trials Begin Of An mRNA Vaccine For Bird Flu
- New mutations help the H5N1 bird flu virus infect cows but not peopleScience News H5N1 bird flu viruses have acquired a molecular trick that makes them more easily infect mammary glands in cattle, but this adaptation does not appear to affect humans. To infect cells, influenza viruses latch on to certain sugars decorating cell surfaces. Some H5N1 viruses have picked up mutations that allow them to grab… Read more: New mutations help the H5N1 bird flu virus infect cows but not people
- Avian influenza and coronaviruses in live animal and wet markets in Laos: prevalence and public health considerationsFrontiers Background: Live animal and wet markets (LWM) serve as critical interfaces where humans closely interact with domestic and peri-domestic animals, facilitating the spillover of zoonotic pathogens. Previous outbreaks of avian influenza viruses (AIV) and coronaviruses (CoV) linked to these markets underscore their significant public health risks. Despite the high density of LWM and historical… Read more: Avian influenza and coronaviruses in live animal and wet markets in Laos: prevalence and public health considerations
- Novel antiviral fogging tech to be tested against bird fluFeedstuffs A research team led by Purdue University, along with partners Entomol and 1,4Group, has been awarded $2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service to evaluate a novel antiviral fogging technology to combat high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which remains a serious threat to poultry health and the… Read more: Novel antiviral fogging tech to be tested against bird flu
- What happened to Covid?STAT The threat of the virus has clearly subsided, but opinions vary on why and how much of a risk remains. In April 2020, people around the globe were struggling to come to grips with the strictures of unprecedented societal shutdowns aimed at slowing the spread… Read more: What happened to Covid?
- Rheumatic Disease Drugs Help COVID Virus Stick Around Longer, Study SuggestsMedPageToday Lengthy viral antigen persistence far more common, regardless of prior vaccination. Drugs commonly used to treat systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) may keep the SARS-CoV-2 circulating after COVID-19 infection in patients with these conditions, with researchers documenting substantially increased viral antigen persistence compared with other… Read more: Rheumatic Disease Drugs Help COVID Virus Stick Around Longer, Study Suggests
INFLUENZA
- Influenza at the human-animal interface summary and assessment, 31 March 2026WHO From 23 January to 31 March 2026, based on reporting date, detections of influenza A(H5N1) in four humans, influenza A(H9N2) in five humans, influenza A(H10N3) in one human, an influenza A(H1N1) variant ((H1N1)v) virus in one human, an influenza A(H1N2)v virus in one human, and influenza A(H3N2)v virus in one human were reported officially.… Read more: Influenza at the human-animal interface summary and assessment, 31 March 2026
- Cancer drug protein target may also help fight influenzaMedical Express A protein already targeted by FDA-approved cancer drugs may also help the body fight influenza, according to new research from The Jackson Laboratory (JAX). Published in Cell Reports, the study found that Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1), a protein best known for helping tumors evade immune attack, instead helped immunocompromised mice clear flu-infected lung cells… Read more: Cancer drug protein target may also help fight influenza
- 8 children have now died from flu in Mass. this seasonBoston.com The child died between the week of Feb. 21 and Feb. 28, the state’s Department of Public Health reported. An eighth Massachusetts child has died from the flu this flu season, state data shows. As of Feb. 28, eight Massachusetts children have died from the influenza, as well as 298 adults, the state’s influenza data… Read more: 8 children have now died from flu in Mass. this season
- DOH detected Mpox in Oahu wastewater sampleHawaii News Now State health officials say mpox has been detected in a wastewater sample on Oahu for the first time. The Hawaii Department of Health said the sample, collected April 13 at a… Read more: DOH detected Mpox in Oahu wastewater sample
- Pasadena urges mpox precautions as cases rise for the viral diseasePasadena Star News The Pasadena Public Health Department on Wednesday, April 29, urged residents to take precautions against mpox and consider vaccination as cases increase in California. Health officials said vaccination remains the best… Read more: Pasadena urges mpox precautions as cases rise for the viral disease
- CDC warns additional measles cases in US are expected amid upcoming travel seasonABC News With a busy travel season approaching, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning that additional measles cases in the U.S. can be expected over the next few months. The agency sent the alert to state and local health departments, reminding them to report measles cases to the CDC within 24 hours and to… Read more: CDC warns additional measles cases in US are expected amid upcoming travel season
- Measles deaths are coming. Doctors are fighting an uphill battle.Washington Post OPINION This November, the Pan American Health Organization will review whether the United States has lost its measles elimination status — a designation held since 2000. As of April 23, 1,792 confirmed cases have been reported across the U.S. Utah is the latest epicenter: nearly 600 cases since last summer. At one to three deaths per… Read more: Measles deaths are coming. Doctors are fighting an uphill battle.
- Utah: Several preschools exposed to measles, cases reach 600News4 Utah New measles exposure locations have been released, including several preschools and elementary schools. Utah has now hit 602 confirmed measles cases during the current outbreak. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Utah now has 602 confirmed measles cases during the current outbreak, which started in June 2025. Southern… Read more: Utah: Several preschools exposed to measles, cases reach 600
- Experts warn that communities underestimate measles’ dangerScientific American It feels increasingly difficult to go a day without hearing about yet another outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease. In 2024 pertussis, also known as whooping cough, suddenly seemed to be everywhere. Last year the nation recorded the most measles cases since the illness was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, and of course… Read more: Experts warn that communities underestimate measles’ danger
Emerging Infectious Disease Headlines
- Targeted Hunts Were Supposed to Curb ‘Zombie Deer Disease.’ Now What?New York Times n Illinois and other states, officials hoped that culls could halt the progress of chronic wasting disease. Now they are losing hope. In the middle of a… Read more: Targeted Hunts Were Supposed to Curb ‘Zombie Deer Disease.’ Now What?
- 2 Legionnaires’ disease cases linked to Las Vegas Strip hotel8 News Now The Southern Nevada Health District announced on Tuesday that two cases of Legionnaires’ disease were associated with stays at the Wynn Las Vegas, and guests who have… Read more: 2 Legionnaires’ disease cases linked to Las Vegas Strip hotel
- Long a dream, it’s now real: a fast and accurate TB test that doesn’t need phlegmNPR That has been the question for nearly 150 years, when Dr. Robert Koch first identified the rod-shaped bacterium that causes tuberculosis. This serious respiratory illness is currently the world’s deadliest… Read more: Long a dream, it’s now real: a fast and accurate TB test that doesn’t need phlegm
- Mystery illness in Burundi kills fiveMedical Brief At least five people have died in Burundi, and another three dozen become ill from unexplained causes. The case-fatality rate of 14% has alarmed officials, who say symptoms… Read more: Mystery illness in Burundi kills five
- Influenza at the human-animal interface summary and assessment, 31 March 2026WHO From 23 January to 31 March 2026, based on reporting date, detections of influenza A(H5N1) in four humans, influenza A(H9N2) in five humans, influenza A(H10N3) in one human, an… Read more: Influenza at the human-animal interface summary and assessment, 31 March 2026
- Backyard Chickens Are Spreading Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella Across the US, CDC WarnsGizmodo Backyard chicken lovers beware: an outbreak of drug-resistant Salmonella bacteria linked to these birds is spreading across the country. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first reported on… Read more: Backyard Chickens Are Spreading Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella Across the US, CDC Warns
Read more Emerging Infectious Diseases
- What you eat for lunch could influence your immune system just hours laterScientific American Our food choices could play an important, short-term role in how our bodies respond to infections, new research suggests. “Starve a cold, feed a fever” is a myth—but according to new research, the timing… Read more: What you eat for lunch could influence your immune system just hours later
- ‘Truly transformative’ new diagnostic tools can help end tuberculosisUN TB is caused by bacteria that most often affects the lungs. Every day, over 3,300 people die from the disease, with Southeast Asia accounting for nearly 40 per cent of deaths. Yet it is both preventable and treatable, including by using the antibiotic rifampicin. WHO has issued new guidelines on testing,… Read more: ‘Truly transformative’ new diagnostic tools can help end tuberculosis
- Long-term brain effects of COVID-19 vs. flu: Study reveals key differencesMedical Express Even a mild case of COVID-19 or the flu can impact the body long after the fever and cough fade, according to new Tulane University research that may help explain why some people… Read more: Long-term brain effects of COVID-19 vs. flu: Study reveals key differences
- CDC delay of infant hepatitis B shot likely to raise infections, studies showWashington Post Federal vaccine advisers to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted in December to recommend delaying the first shot until at least two months of age for infants born to mothers who… Read more: CDC delay of infant hepatitis B shot likely to raise infections, studies show
- US Faces $7.8 Billion Measles Risk as Vaccination Rates Decline, Study FindsBloomberg A sustained drop in childhood vaccinations could cost the US about $7.8 billion in measles outbreaks over five years, a new study found. The warning comes as vaccine policy and public confidence face fresh pressure… Read more: US Faces $7.8 Billion Measles Risk as Vaccination Rates Decline, Study Finds
- Where people get their news influences their beliefs about vaccinesJohns Hopkins University New survey finds significant link between ‘new right’ outlets and vaccine hesitancy. People who follow “new right” media outlets are more than twice as likely to be vaccine-hesitant compared to those who never engage with those outlets,… Read more: Where people get their news influences their beliefs about vaccines
- 5 Logical fallacies in the era of RFK Jr.You Can Know Things How do we address the firehose of inaccurate information that is flooding the internet right now? It’s tempting to try to play whack-a-mole, tackling one rumor after another, and there is certainly value in addressing individual… Read more: 5 Logical fallacies in the era of RFK Jr.
- New Zealand Covid response among world’s best but ‘scars’ remain, inquiry findsThe Guardian Royal commission says response led by Jacinda Ardern was broadly ‘appropriate’, in a wide-ranging report featuring recommendations for future pandemics. A royal commission into New Zealand’s Covid response has found it was one of the best in the… Read more: New Zealand Covid response among world’s best but ‘scars’ remain, inquiry finds
- The United States Leaves the WHO. Three Reforms Could Motivate Its ReturnThink Global Health A former special advisor to the WHO director general outlines arenas that could strengthen global health regardless of a U.S. withdrawal. On Thursday, the required one-year notice period will pass since the United States declared its intention to leave the World… Read more: The United States Leaves the WHO. Three Reforms Could Motivate Its Return
Interesting and Sometimes Funny
- Ancient mass grave in Jordan confirms victims of Justinian Plague pandemic
Archeology News A mass grave uncovered in the ancient city of Jerash in modern-day Jordan is offering new evidence of how one of history’s earliest pandemics reshaped life and death in the Byzantine world. Researchers have confirmed the burial as the first biomolecularly verified plague mass grave from the First Pandemic, also known as the… Read more: Ancient mass grave in Jordan confirms victims of Justinian Plague pandemic