Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
New mutant mpox strain discovered in the DRC
Telegraph A mutation of an older variant that may feature enhanced transmissibility is giving scientists cause for concern. A new variant of mpox that may be better adapted to spread between people has been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The new strain is a mutation of Clade 1a mpox – an older variant […]
Mar 5, 2025
DR Congo conflict: 500 mpox patients flee clinics after rebel looting
BBC More than 500 mpox patients have fled clinics in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo over the last month amid the current conflict. Officials at Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a leading health agency on the continent, have said they are worried as the missing patients risk spreading the highly contagious […]
Mar 5, 2025
Avian flu was in Oregon wastewater weeks before state’s first bird outbreaks, study shows
CIDRAP A retrospective analysis reveals that H5 avian flu surfaced in Oregon wastewater weeks before the state’s first outbreak in poultry and wild birds and 2 years before the first outbreak in US cattle. A team led by Oregon State University researchers evaluated 551 influenza A virus–positive wastewater samples from 20 sites from September 2021 to July […]
Mar 5, 2025
WHO says Uganda’s Ebola caseload rises to 12
Reuters Uganda’s Ebola virus caseload has risen to 12, up from 10, with two people who died early last month being considered probable cases, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. On Saturday WHO reported the death of the latest victim of the outbreak, a four-year-old boy who died last week at the country’s national referral hospital, […]
Mar 5, 2025
USDA Unveils Blueprint to Combat the Avian Influenza Outbreak
AgNetWest Continue reading USDA will expand its highly successful Wildlife Biosecurity Assessments to producers across the nation, beginning with egg-layer facilities, to safeguard farms from the cause of 83% of HPAI cases: transmission from wild birds. These additional safety measures have proven to minimize flu cases; the approximately 150 facilities that follow these protocols have […]
Mar 5, 2025
Harsh flu season has health officials worried about brain complications in children
AP This year’s harsh flu season – the most intense in 15 years – has federal health officials trying to understand if it sparked an increase in a rare but life-threatening brain complication in children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 19,000 people have died from the flu so far this winter, including 86 children. […]
Mar 5, 2025
New Jersey: First Ever Feline Bird Flu Case
Action News A cat in New Jersey was euthanized after becoming severely ill from a confirmed case of bird flu, the state’s health department said Friday. The cat was not exposed to infected poultry, livestock, raw milk or meat. It was allowed to roam outdoors, so it’s not known if it had exposure to wild birds […]
Mar 5, 2025
Paxlovid may not reduce hospitalization risk for vaccinated older adults
Washington Post A new study suggests Paxlovid may not reduce risk of covid hospitalizations and all-cause deaths in vaccinated adults ages 65 to 74. Paxlovid, the five-day antiviral treatment for covid, may not reduce the risk of covid-related hospitalizations and all-cause deaths in vaccinated older adults, a new study suggests. Paxlovid — Pfizer’s combination of nirmatrelvir and […]
Mar 5, 2025
Brain-eating fungus causes the immune system to attack neurons
earth.com Infections often conjure images of bacteria or viruses, but certain fungi can also take their toll on us. They can hide in unsuspecting corners of the environment and interact with living organisms in ways that raise many questions. One particular fungus, Beauveria bassiana, has captured attention because of its interactions with insects. Its spores settle […]
Mar 5, 2025