Author: Claudinne Miller
Blowflies carry bird flu virus
Cosmos New research has identified a potential new transmission route for bird flu – blowflies of the genus Calliphora. Japanese scientists collected blowflies near a wild crane colony in Izumi city, Kagoshima Prefecture, during an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Of the 648 blowflies collected, 14 were found to be carrying the virus. “While 14 […]
Aug 6, 2024
Bird Flu Cases Are Going Undetected, New Study Suggests
MedPage Today A new study lends weight to fears that more livestock workers have gotten the bird flu than has been reported. “I am very confident there are more people being infected than we know about,” said Gregory Gray, the infectious disease researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch who led the study, posted online […]
Aug 6, 2024
What Is West Nile Virus? And How Do You Stay Safe?
NYT Infections, which can cause fever and fatigue, tend to peak in August and September. One evening in July 2003, Dr. Lyle Petersen stepped out of his home in Fort Collins, Colo., to pick up the mail. He ended up staying out longer than expected to chat with his neighbor. But when they both got […]
Aug 6, 2024
Scientists are piecing together the puzzle of long COVID. Here’s what to know
PBS News Since 2020, the condition known as long COVID-19 has become a widespread disability affecting the health and quality of life of millions of people across the globe and costing economies billions of dollars in reduced productivity of employees and an overall drop in the work force. The intense scientific effort that long COVID sparked has resulted […]
Aug 6, 2024
Why is COVID surging? A doctor explains what to know and how to stay safe
WTOP It’s not just President Biden who recently tested positive for COVID — cases of the virus are spiking across the country. Nearly 40 states are reporting high COVID activity levels, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and emergency room visits are at their highest for the virus since February. Why the seemingly sudden summer surge? […]
Aug 6, 2024
These Pathogens Could Spark the Next Pandemic, Scientists Warn
Scientific American Scientists have identified more than 30 different pathogens that they fear could cause the next big pandemic in humans. The number of pathogens that could trigger the next pandemic has grown to more than 30, and now includes influenza A virus, dengue virus and monkeypox virus, according to an updated list published by the […]
Aug 6, 2024
Alarm Bells Ring in Africa Over Virulent New Mpox Strain
Bloomberg A mutated strain of the virus that causes mpox has been detected in at least six African countries, and fears are mounting that the cases could be but the beginnings of a continent-wide outbreak of the disease. The new variant may have infected more than 12,300 people and killed almost 500 since the start […]
Aug 6, 2024
Share your EID memes
Share your memes with our readers! I recently stumbled upon a folder in my Google Drive with some emerging infectious disease meme classics, I’ll be posting here on occasion. I can’t be the only one who collects these! Send your best to clamiller@unmc.edu
Jul 31, 2024
US to spend $10 million to curb bird flu in farm workers, including vaccine push
Reuters The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday it plans to spend $10 million to curb farm worker bird flu infections, including $5 million for seasonal flu vaccines, as part of its efforts to avoid further spread and mutation of the virus. The ongoing outbreak of bird flu has infected poultry flocks in […]
Jul 31, 2024
The latest bird flu concern: county fairs
Axios The quintessential summer pastime of going to the county fair could carry some risk this year with the threat of bird flu hanging over livestock exhibits and throngs of visitors, experts say. Why it matters: The mingling of animals, people and equipment at 4-H competitions, milking demonstrations and petting farms creates the conditions for potential transmission to […]
Jul 31, 2024