Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Unprecedented Avian Flu Outbreak Continues
Science Friday Podcast, link to audio file at the link above. Avian influenza has been circulating for decades among wild birds, but the US is now experiencing the worst outbreak in its history. That’s because of a specific strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has left around 60 millions birds—mostly poultry—dead. This has implications for […]
Jun 20, 2023
‘Bold’ study that gave people COVID reveals ‘supershedder’ phenomenon
Nature A small subset of infected people spew huge amounts of virus into the air — despite having only mild symptoms. A study of people who were intentionally infected with SARS-CoV-2 has provided a wealth of insights into viral transmission — showing, for example, that a select group of people are ‘supershedders’ who spew vastly […]
Jun 20, 2023
Inflammation Firestorm Could Be The Secret Culprit of Long COVID
Neuro News Summary: An overactive inflammatory response might be the key to many long COVID cases. Through an examination of proteins in the blood, the researchers discovered unique inflammation markers present only in a subset of long COVID patients. The findings suggest that targeted anti-inflammatory treatments could potentially alleviate symptoms for this group. However, pinpointing which […]
Jun 20, 2023
Peru Suffering Worst Dengue Outbreak In Its History, Over 146K Cases
Forbes Peru is suffering a very bad outbreak of something that’s been nicknamed “break-bone fever”—dengue. In fact, it’s been a historically bad outbreak, as in the worst dengue outbreak that the country has ever had. The outbreak has already left over 146,000 people infected and at least 248 dead. It’s also resulted in the resignation […]
Jun 20, 2023
What’s New in the Search for a Long COVID Cure?
UCSF Effective therapies that target the condition’s root causes could be a few years away. What exactly is long COVID? It refers to unexplained symptoms that are new or worse since someone had acute COVID and that are not attributable to other causes. They persist for at least three months after COVID’s onset and impact […]
Jun 20, 2023
Experts warn bird flu virus changing rapidly in largest ever outbreak
Japan Today The virus causing record cases of avian influenza in birds across the world is changing rapidly, experts have warned, as calls increase for countries to vaccinate their poultry. While emphasising that the risk to humans remains low, the experts who spoke to AFP said that the surging number of bird flu cases in […]
Jun 14, 2023
More than 11,000 animals have died from bird flu in Chile
cooperativa The authorities corroborated the death of 9,853 sea lions, 1,555 Humboldt penguins, 27 chungungos, 21 spiny porpoises, 14 Chilean dolphins and one mane. Senapesca made a balance this Monday on the advance of bird flu in Chile, detailing that a total of 11,471 specimens have died as a result of this influenza. Of this universe, the […]
Jun 14, 2023
Marburg Virus Outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania Declared Over
Homeland Security Today In response to a request from the GREG, CDC deployed staff with expertise in viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) and laboratorians to set up a mobile lab. On February 13, 2023, the Government of Equatorial Guinea (GREG) declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak, the country’s first outbreak of the disease. Cases were […]
Jun 14, 2023
Weekly Covid Update
UNMC Dr. James Lawler reviews the data and trends regarding China’s COVID waves, U.S. wastewater, and how long COVID can negatively affect children and learning.
Jun 14, 2023
Thailand reports a nearly 500% increase in dengue in 2023
Outbreak News Today In a follow-up on the Thailand dengue fever situation in 2023, the Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control (DDC) reports 19,503 total cases through June 7. This is an increase of 475 percent compared the the 3386 cases reported during the same period in 2022. The epidemic reached its highest level in three […]
Jun 14, 2023