Timely and relevant global health security news curated by GCHS
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Featured Headlines
- New mpox strain identified in EnglandBBC A new strain of mpox, previously called monkeypox, has been detected in a person in England, say UK health officials. The virus is a mix of two major types of the mpox virus, and was found in someone who recently returned from travelling in Asia. Officials say they are still assessing the significance of… Read more: New mpox strain identified in England
- ‘Very contagious’ vomiting virus surging in West. How to stay safe in CaliforniaSacramento Bee A highly contagious stomach virus with no real treatment is spreading rapidly across the United States. From Aug. 1 through Nov. 13, there were 153 norovirus outbreaks reported in 14 states, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While California is not one of the reporting states, CDC… Read more: ‘Very contagious’ vomiting virus surging in West. How to stay safe in California
- Rare Temporary Flu Complication Can Leave Some Kids Unable to WalkMedPageToday A 9-year-old girl in Michigan recently made the news after suddenly finding herself unable to walk during a bout with the flu. Before that, she experienced typical flu symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue, and had plenty of rest and hydration. “When the fever broke after a few days, I thought she was turning… Read more: Rare Temporary Flu Complication Can Leave Some Kids Unable to Walk
Updates on ongoing disease outbreaks
- Can bird flu infect dairy animals beyond cows? ISU research seeks answerDes Moines Register When the current outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in dairy cattle in March 2024, a group of researchers at Iowa State University started to ask questions. “If this virus can show up in cow milk, can it show up in other types of milk?” Todd Bell, a professor of… Read more: Can bird flu infect dairy animals beyond cows? ISU research seeks answer
- Dead vultures in Rocky Mount mark 14th bird flu case in Virginia since JulyWDBJ Fifteen vultures were found dead in a creek last week in the area of Franklin and Dent Street. Based on results from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, the black Vultures tested positive for avian influenza, or bird flu. Alexandra Lombard with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources says the H5 strain they tested positive for was introduced… Read more: Dead vultures in Rocky Mount mark 14th bird flu case in Virginia since July
- Bats might be the next bird flu wild cardScience News 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 is “very worrisome,” says Vincent Munster, a virus ecologist… Read more: Bats might be the next bird flu wild card
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Multiple Areas Throughout TexasFocus Daily News Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges caution as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is circulating among wild birds across the state as waterbirds and waterfowl migrate and congregate on their wintering grounds. Detected in all 50 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, HPAI is a highly contagious zoonotic virus that… Read more: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Multiple Areas Throughout Texas
- Researchers find mammary glands of people, sheep and other livestock could harbor bird fluIowa Public Radio When bird flu spilled over into dairy cattle last year, researchers discovered high concentrations of the H5N1 virus in the raw milk and udders of infected cows. A new study shows the mammary glands of other livestock and humans could also be suitable hosts for the virus. Millions of wild birds, chickens… Read more: Researchers find mammary glands of people, sheep and other livestock could harbor bird flu
- 27 birds dead as avian flu surges across Southeast TexasChron Officials in Galveston County confirmed Monday several positive cases of avian influenza, or bird flu, across the area. In fact, the county said that 27 birds have died from influenza, known as H5N1, already during this outbreak. “Of the 27, six birds have been sent to the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) for further diagnostic testing and confirmation,” read… Read more: 27 birds dead as avian flu surges across Southeast Texas
- Hidden infections may play a key role in driving long COVID symptomsMedical News.Net For millions suffering from long COVID, their persistent breathlessness, brain fog and fatigue remain a maddening mystery, but a group of leading microbiologists think they may have cracked the case. The culprit for some long COVID cases, they suggest, might be other infections that… Read more: Hidden infections may play a key role in driving long COVID symptoms
- Long-COVID research just got a big funding boost: will it find new treatments?Nature The German government has committed half a billion euros to research into long COVID and other post-infection syndromes. In a major boost to research on long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), the German government has announced that it… Read more: Long-COVID research just got a big funding boost: will it find new treatments?
INFLUENZA
- Experts predict this year’s flu season to be worse than usual—here’s whyNational Geographic Every year, flu season in North America starts to peak around the holiday season. But this year, doctors and researchers are especially worried. “We will have a significant flu season this year, and we have a lot of concern that it’s going to be more severe than typical,” says Richard Martinello, an infectious diseases… Read more: Experts predict this year’s flu season to be worse than usual—here’s why
- Rare Temporary Flu Complication Can Leave Some Kids Unable to WalkMedPageToday A 9-year-old girl in Michigan recently made the news after suddenly finding herself unable to walk during a bout with the flu. Before that, she experienced typical flu symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue, and had plenty of rest and hydration. “When the fever broke after a few days, I thought she was turning… Read more: Rare Temporary Flu Complication Can Leave Some Kids Unable to Walk
- Japan’s flu season comes early as new variant spreadsJapan Times A new influenza variant spreading across Japan may be behind the increase in early outbreaks this year, the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) has said. The new strain, called “Subclade K” is a variant of the type A flu virus, which typically spreads around the beginning of the flu season, while type… Read more: Japan’s flu season comes early as new variant spreads
- New mpox strain identified in EnglandBBC A new strain of mpox, previously called monkeypox, has been detected in a person in England, say UK health officials. The virus is a mix of two major types of the mpox virus,… Read more: New mpox strain identified in England
- Increase in Mpox cases reported in BaltimoreCBS News Baltimore health officials reported a “notable increase” in Mpox cases so far this year. However, the risk to the general public is low, officials said. Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 20, the… Read more: Increase in Mpox cases reported in Baltimore
- Here’s why the measles outbreak just took a dangerous new turnAxios Scientists are warning that the ongoing measles outbreak might force the United States to lose its elimination status for the first time in decades. The big picture: For 25 years, the U.S. has been free of yearly measles outbreaks. But this year’s spike in cases and sustained outbreaks could change that. Driving the news: The U.S. is on track to… Read more: Here’s why the measles outbreak just took a dangerous new turn
- Utah has a 115 confirmed cases of measles, with latest infection at Bingham HighKSL.com Utah continues to see the number of measles cases across the state rise, with the current count at 115 infections, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services dashboard on Monday. The latest case has been confirmed at the Bingham Kopper Kids child care facility, located within Bingham High School in South… Read more: Utah has a 115 confirmed cases of measles, with latest infection at Bingham High
- South Carolina: DPH reports 27 new measles cases in Upstate, bringing outbreak to 111WYFF News On Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Public Health reported 27 new cases of measles across the state since Friday. That brings the total number of cases related to the Upstate outbreak to 111 and the total number reported to DPH to 114 this year. DPH said that 16 of the new cases… Read more: South Carolina: DPH reports 27 new measles cases in Upstate, bringing outbreak to 111
- South Carolina measles outbreak increases to 55 casesOutbreak News Today The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) reported an additional three measles cases bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 55, centered around Spartanburg County and 58 total for the state since the beginning of the year. Two of the cases are household… Read more: South Carolina measles outbreak increases to 55 cases
Emerging Infectious Disease Headlines
- World’s first Phase II Nipah virus vaccine trial launchOxford Vaccine Group The trial, conducted in Bangladesh in partnership with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), and funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI),… Read more: World’s first Phase II Nipah virus vaccine trial launch
- A Deadly Coronavirus Resurfaces in France for First Time in 12 YearsScientific American French health officials are trying to trace all the contacts of two men who contracted MERS, a potentially lethal disease that is typically confined to the Middle East.… Read more: A Deadly Coronavirus Resurfaces in France for First Time in 12 Years
- 14 cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported in FloridaABC News At least 14 cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported in central Florida. In an email to state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the Florida Department of Health revealed… Read more: 14 cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported in Florida
- What is chikungunya? CDC issues travel advisories amid outbreaksUSA Today Americans have been warned to exercise caution when traveling as certain regions contend with outbreaks of an untreatable mosquito-borne viral disease called chikungunya. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued travel… Read more: What is chikungunya? CDC issues travel advisories amid outbreaks
- ‘Very contagious’ vomiting virus surging in West. How to stay safe in CaliforniaSacramento Bee A highly contagious stomach virus with no real treatment is spreading rapidly across the United States. From Aug. 1 through Nov. 13, there were 153 norovirus outbreaks reported… Read more: ‘Very contagious’ vomiting virus surging in West. How to stay safe in California
- Experts predict this year’s flu season to be worse than usual—here’s whyNational Geographic Every year, flu season in North America starts to peak around the holiday season. But this year, doctors and researchers are especially worried. “We will have a significant… Read more: Experts predict this year’s flu season to be worse than usual—here’s why
Read more Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Empathetic, Available, Cheap: When A.I. Offers What Doctors Don’tNYT Frustrated by the medical system, some patients are turning to chatbots for help. At what cost? Wendy Goldberg thought her question was straightforward enough. A 79-year-old retired lawyer in Los Angeles, Ms. Goldberg wanted… Read more: Empathetic, Available, Cheap: When A.I. Offers What Doctors Don’t
- First scientific evidence of Black Death in Edinburgh found on skeletonBBC The first scientific evidence of the Black Death in Edinburgh has been discovered on the remains of a teenage boy who died in the 14th Century. Plaque on the child’s teeth has been found… Read more: First scientific evidence of Black Death in Edinburgh found on skeleton
- Long COVID Linked to Development of Cardiovascular DiseaseInfectious Disease Advisor The presence of long COVID symptoms after infection with SARS-CoV-2 is strongly associated with the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in United States adults, according to study results presented at IDWeek 2025, held from… Read more: Long COVID Linked to Development of Cardiovascular Disease
- World’s first Phase II Nipah virus vaccine trial launchOxford Vaccine Group The trial, conducted in Bangladesh in partnership with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), and funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), will assess the safety… Read more: World’s first Phase II Nipah virus vaccine trial launch
- Myocarditis is a rare but real Covid vaccine side effect. A new study sheds light on what might cause itSTAT Results point to two immune signals, and possible methods to keep them from going awry. While extensive studies have found Covid-19 vaccines to be safe, effective, and to have saved millions of lives during the… Read more: Myocarditis is a rare but real Covid vaccine side effect. A new study sheds light on what might cause it
- Rise of anti-science rhetoric has fundamentally changed the relationship between doctors and patientsSTAT I have spent my career caring for people facing some of the world’s most dangerous infectious diseases — Ebola, mpox, Covid-19. I have worked in outbreak zones, in understaffed hospitals, in field units built out of necessity. I’ve seen… Read more: Rise of anti-science rhetoric has fundamentally changed the relationship between doctors and patients
- South Carolina’s Measles Outbreak Shows Chilling Effect of Vaccine MisinformationKaiser Health News Near the back corner of the local library’s parking lot, largely out of view from the main road, the South Carolina Department of Public Health opened a pop-up clinic in early November, offering free measles vaccines to… Read more: South Carolina’s Measles Outbreak Shows Chilling Effect of Vaccine Misinformation
- New York’s Diminished Population Shows Lasting Damage from Covid-19Empire Center Most parts of New York remained less populated in 2024 than in 2020 as the state struggled to bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an Empire Center report published today. The report, based on analysis of… Read more: New York’s Diminished Population Shows Lasting Damage from Covid-19
- Covid lockdown linked to rise in child developmental issuesBBC The number of toddlers in Scotland showing developmental issues increased during the Covid lockdown, according to a new report. The University of Edinburgh-led study examined health visitor reports on 258,000 children between March 2020 and August 2021. And it… Read more: Covid lockdown linked to rise in child developmental issues
Interesting and Sometimes Funny
- He set out to teach an octopus piano. The results surprised even him.
Washington Post The task required hundreds of hours of problem-solving and patience. Musician Mattias Krantz said it was worth it. The white package that arrived at Mattias Krantz’s home in Sweden after a five-hour flight contained an octopus that Krantz saved from becoming someone’s meal. Krantz’s hopes for the octopus, which he named Takoyaki, were… Read more: He set out to teach an octopus piano. The results surprised even him.