Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Researchers identify a novel RSV variant associated with prolonged infection
(Med News) Human orthopneumovirus, more commonly known as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can lead to significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. All children between the age of two to three years are infected by RSV at least once. RSV mainly infects the lower and upper respiratory tract epithelium; however, it has also been found in […]
Nov 21, 2022
Viral genetic determinants of prolonged respiratory syncytial virus infection among infants in a healthy term birth cohort
(Journal of Infectious Diseases) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with acute respiratory infection. We sought to identify RSV variants associated with prolonged infection.
Nov 21, 2022
Consequences of COVID Reinfection (Podcast)
(MedPageToday) THealthWatch is a weekly podcast from Texas Tech. In it, Elizabeth Tracey, director of electronic media for Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, and Rick Lange, MD, president of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, look at the top medical stories of the week.
Nov 21, 2022
Several children hospitalized in growing measles outbreak affecting 7 Ohio daycares
(CBS News) Health officials are investigating a measles outbreak in several childcare facilities in the Columbus area of central Ohio. There are currently 18 cases under investigation, Kelli Newman, a spokesperson for Columbus Public Health, told CBS News Wednesday. All of the cases are in unvaccinated children, and 17 of the 18 infected children are […]
Nov 18, 2022
As RSV cases rise, 67 pediatric ICU beds available in all of Texas
(Local News) Cases of RSV continue to strain hospitals across the county. As of Wednesday, Texas has 67 open pediatric ICU beds across the entire state. “One reason for the surge in cases is that people aren’t staying home when they’re sick anymore like so many did at the height of COVID. It seems COVID […]
Nov 18, 2022
A Surprising Finding Leads to an RSV Vaccine Breakthrough
(Bloomberg) While the world is still focused on fighting Covid, another nasty respiratory virus is on the march. It’s called RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus, and it sends thousands of young children and elderly adults to the hospital every year. There isn’t yet a vaccine for RSV, but that could soon change. RSV shots from Pfizer and GSK have shown promising […]
Nov 18, 2022
Study describes distinct pattern of ongoing respiratory syncytial virus transmission in the Netherlands after the COVID-19 pandemic
(Preprint Server) A nationwide prospective study showed year-round RSV transmission in the Netherlands after an initial 2021 summer outbreak. The pattern was unprecedented and distinct from neighboring countries. Our dynamic simulation model suggests that this transmission pattern could be associated with waning immunity because of low RSV circulation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nov 18, 2022
What to know about RSV vaccine candidates and monoclonal antibodies
(The Hill) There are currently no vaccines for the surging virus and only one limited treatment option, but several products aiming to prevent severe disease are in development. RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus, is surging in number of cases and hospitalizations in young patients across the country. RSV can cause severe clinical problems in infants, particularly […]
Nov 18, 2022
As global COVID cases rise, multiple viruses stress health systems
(CIDRAP) Global COVID-19 cases showed a small rise last week, with infection increasing in three world regions, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today in its weekly update. In some countries in the Americas—one region where cases are rising—brisk flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity is also straining hospitals, prompting a warning today from the […]
Nov 17, 2022
BA.5 is no longer dominant in the U.S. for the first time since July, as two new subvariants take over
(NBC News) The two coronavirus subvariants, BQ.1.1 and BQ.1, seem to be better at evading immune defenses and together make up 44% of new Covid cases. Two new omicron subvariants have overtaken BA.5 as the prevailing versions of the coronavirus in the U.S. BA.5 became dominant in July, then consistently accounted for the majority of new […]
Nov 17, 2022