Author: Claudinne Miller
HHS review of a vaccine contract sparks worries about preparedness for a potential bird flu pandemic
STAT In the spring of 2009, the first flu pandemic in four decades began. Caused by an H1N1 virus that emerged from pigs, likely in Mexico, it spread quickly around the globe. The world got lucky in 2009. Doubly so. The “swine flu” virus was distinct enough from previous H1N1 viruses that it could cause […]
Mar 4, 2025
New York City officials report second measles case as Texas outbreak continues
USA Today As the measles outbreak continues to spread in Texas, cases have been reported in New Jersey as well as a second case in New York City. The New York City Department of Health said that one additional case of measles has been reported in New York City. “As a pediatrician and the State’s doctor, I want to […]
Mar 4, 2025
Mysterious illness claims dozens in remote congo villages, WHO on alert
Medafrica Times A puzzling disease outbreak in northwestern Congo has claimed 53 lives amid 419 reported cases across two isolated villages, baffling health officials who are racing to identify the deadly pathogen. The outbreaks began on January 21 in Equateur province, with many victims succumbing within hours of showing symptoms. Health authorities remain uncertain whether […]
Mar 4, 2025
Why This Measles Outbreak Is Different
The Atlantic America’s regression could change the experience of childhood. In 2000, the CDC declared that measles had been eliminated from the United States. But now America is at risk of losing that status: A measles outbreak has sickened more than 150 people in Texas and New Mexico since late January. An unvaccinated school-aged child recently died […]
Mar 4, 2025
Herding cats: It’s past time to include pets in disease surveillance
STAT H5N1 is just one reason why. As veterinarians, flu scientists, and biosecurity experts, we have watched with growing concern the rise in H5N1 avian influenza in cats. Since 2022, more than 100 domesticated cats in the United States have had confirmed infections — some house pets, some barn cats, some feral — with high mortality, although […]
Mar 4, 2025
Australia holds its nose for its 3rd rancid bloom of a rare corpse plant in 3 months
corpse flower
Feb 26, 2025
The research and development landscape for mpox vaccines
The Lancet On Aug 14, 2024, WHO redeclared the mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). In contrast to the 2022 PHEIC, which was related to the global outbreak of mpox caused by the clade IIb strain, the 2024 PHEIC, attributed to the clade Ib strain, is primarily spreading through human […]
Feb 26, 2025
Why the good news about the mpox outbreak of 2025 isn’t really good after all
NPR Dr. Jean Kaseya has a warning for the world: “We are playing with fire.” Kaseya is director general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He’s talking about mpox, a virus that causes painful blisters and can be fatal. For much of the world, mpox — formerly known as monkeypox — seems like […]
Feb 26, 2025
Uganda’s final push to end Ebola
WHO Uganda has entered a crucial 42-day countdown in its battle against the Sudan virus disease (SVD) outbreak, which belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease. This is a pivotal period that will determine whether the outbreak is officially declared over. Following the full recovery and discharge of all confirmed cases, the Ministry […]
Feb 26, 2025
Red Cross launches an appeal to respond to Uganda’s Eighth Ebola outbreak
IFRC The International Federation of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an Emergency Appeal for 6 million Swiss francs to help contain Uganda’s eighth Ebola outbreak since 2000, caused by the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD), which has already resulted in nine confirmed cases, including one death. Since the outbreak was declared on 30 January […]
Feb 26, 2025