Year: 2024
Bird flu detected in pigs – here’s why virologists are concerned
The Conversation H5N1 influenza has now been detected in pigs. This was something virologists had been worrying about ever since this highly pathogenic strain of bird flu started its rapid global spread in 2020. But why were we worrying specifically about pigs? And does this case – detected on a farm in Oregon on October 29 – […]
Nov 5, 2024
An ‘unprecedented’ good news story about a deadly viral outbreak
NPR Marburg virus is notorious for its killing ability. In past outbreaks, as many as 9 out of 10 patients have died from the disease. And there are no approved vaccines or medications. That was the grim situation in Rwanda just over a month ago, when officials made the announcement that nobody wants to make: The […]
Nov 5, 2024
Bird Flu in Pigs Is One Step Closer to Endangering Humans
Bloomberg If a pig infected with human flu got infected with the H5N1 bird flu, a new virus could emerge with parts of both. That’d be bad. When the USDA issued an announcement on Oct. 30 that the worrisome H5N1 bird flu turned up in a pig, I dropped what I was doing to read it. The situation […]
Nov 5, 2024
This shapeshifting slime is designed to enter the human body
Mashable Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have created a slimy soft robot designed to enter the human body. The bot is made up of a slime containing magnetic particles which can be manipulated using external magnets. Scientists hope to one day deploy the slimy creation into a human digestive system to help retrieve objects […]
Nov 5, 2024
Three people with bird flu traveled to Oregon during Washington State outbreak
KOIN.com A week after Washington reported human cases of bird flu in the state, officials have announced that three of those cases had traveled to Oregon during their infection and were monitored during their stay. All three cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were reported in Washington after they were exposed to poultry that tested […]
Nov 5, 2024
Health Departments Struggle to Track Human Cases of Bird Flu
MedPageToday Bird flu cases have more than doubled in the country within a few weeks, but researchers can’t determine why the spike is happening because surveillance for human infections has been patchy for 7 months. Just this week, California reported its 15th infection in dairy workers and Washington state reported seven probable cases in poultry workers. Hundreds […]
Oct 30, 2024
Japan’s Shionogi says Phase 3 study showed COVID pill reduces transmission
Reuters Japan’s Shionogi & Co said on Tuesday a global, late-stage study showed its pill-based treatment for COVID-19 was effective in reducing transmission of the disease. Ensitrelvir, known commercially as Xocova, showed a statistically significant reduction in participants with symptomatic infection after exposure to household contacts with COVID, Shionogi said in a statement. The Phase 3 […]
Oct 30, 2024
WHO and partners activate Global Health Emergency Corps for the first time in response to mpox outbreak
WHO In October 2024, WHO and partners, in collaboration with Member States, activated the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC) for the first time to provide support to countries facing mpox outbreaks. GHEC is a grouping of professionals with the objective of strengthening the response to health emergencies, and a collaboration platform for countries and health emergency networks. […]
Oct 30, 2024
Why protective antibodies fade after COVID-19 vaccines
NIH Some vaccines offer long-lasting protection. For instance, the tetanus vaccine provides protection for at least 10 years. With other vaccines, protection may begin to decline within a few months. To provide enduring immunity, a vaccine must elicit production of long-lived plasma cells, a type of immune cell that matures over time in the bone […]
Oct 30, 2024
Walking pneumonia cases are spiking, especially in kids. Here’s what to know
NPR (Podcast) Respiratory infections caused by the bacteria mycoplasma pneumoniae are on the rise across the US. People of all ages are being affected — including an unusual surge in young children. The good news: It’s usually mild. The bad news: It can take weeks for an infection to burn through a classroom or family.
Oct 30, 2024