Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Stockpiling for mpox emergencies
Gavi Recent outbreaks of mpox have highlighted the global threat posed by this virus. Historically an infection that circulated in animals and only occasionally affected humans, mpox is increasingly spreading from person to person through close contact, causing a painful rash, fever, headache, muscle ache, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. Depending on the strain, it […]
Apr 30, 2025
Ticks Pose an Increasing Health Risk
Johns Hopkins With no vaccines yet and limited treatment options, avoiding tick bites is our best bet in reducing the risk of tickborne illnesses. The vast majority of vector-borne diseases in the U.S. are caused by ticks and the viruses, bacteria, and parasites they carry. Between 2019-2022, all 50 states and Washington, D.C. reported cases of […]
Apr 30, 2025
Elephant seals won’t recover from bird flu for 100 years
The Wildlife Society A colony of southern elephant seals lost nearly all its newborn pups in 2023 to the virus Avian flu has devastated a colony of southern elephant seals in Argentina—so much that it may take a century for the marine mammals to recover. High Pathogenic Avian Influenza ripped through the southern elephant seal […]
Apr 30, 2025
Emergence and interstate spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in dairy cattle in the United States
Science High-pathogenicity avian influenza subtype H5N1 is now present throughout the US, and possibly beyond. More cattle infections elevate the risk of the virus evolving the capacity to transmit between humans, potentially with high fatality rates. Nguyen et al. show that from a single transmission event from a wild bird to dairy cattle in December 2023, […]
Apr 30, 2025
Biosecurity Uptake and Perceived Risk of Avian Influenza
Global Biodefense UK study shows biosecurity measures routinely implemented to limit disease spread among birds, but not with the primary view to limit zoonotic transmission from birds to humans. A recent preprint study from the University of Bristol sheds light on the biosecurity practices of individuals in the UK who regularly come into contact with birds. While […]
Apr 30, 2025
I survived bird flu – this is what it’s like: My whole skull was THROBBING
Daily Mail A middle-aged man who survived bird flu has revealed the horrific infection—which killed his brother—left him feeling as if his ‘whole skull was throbbing’. The virus, also known as H5N1, is currently spreading across the US and has reached the UK triggering global health chiefs today to warn of an impending pandemic. At present the […]
Apr 30, 2025
Poland culls 11.5 million poultry in response to avian influenza outbreak
TVP Poland has culled 11.5 million poultry as a countermeasure against avian influenza outbreaks, the Agriculture Ministry reported on Sunday. Avian influenza (bird flu) is a serious, contagious viral disease primarily affecting birds, especially poultry. It can be highly deadly and occasionally infect humans. Newcastle Disease, another viral illness affecting birds, is also often fatal, […]
Apr 30, 2025
Colorado State University studies increased threat of avian flu amid rise in household cat infections, deaths
CBS News The threat of the avian flu continues to increase as household cats are experiencing increased levels of infections and deaths. Researchers at Colorado State University are helping Colorado and other states study the virus, also known as bird flu, in animals. “We are doing the testing in our bio safety level three laboratory,” said […]
Apr 30, 2025
Scientists say global conditions are ripe for a yellow fever pandemic
Medical News A recent study published in the journal npj Viruses proposed that global trends, including unprecedented urbanization, increased international travel, and the expansion of mosquito habitats, increase the odds of the geographic spread of the yellow fever (YF) virus (YFV). YF, caused by YFV, is an acute viral illness in humans and several nonhuman primates. Unlike […]
Apr 30, 2025
US CDC cancels science group workshop on preventing human bird flu infections
Reuters The National Academy of Sciences has canceled a workshop on preventing human bird flu infections after being told to stop work on the event by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to an email sent to one of the workshop presenters and seen by Reuters. Bird flu has infected 70 people, […]
Apr 30, 2025