Force of Infection

Force of Infection, crafted by an infectious disease epidemiologist, offers insights into various outbreaks and infections, focusing on data trends like hospitalizations, wastewater analyses, and positivity rates. It aims to inform readers on keeping healthy amidst epidemics through practical advice and updates on disease activity across the nation.

Infectious Diseases Public Health Epidemiology Trends Outbreak Analysis Preventive Measures Virus Surveillance Health Advisories

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Outbreak Outlook - National - January 15

113 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Respiratory Diseases COVID-19 Food recalls
  1. Influenza-like illness activity has decreased for the first time since October, showing hope for continued improvement
  2. COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising in many states, but there are signs of improvement in wastewater concentrations and emergency department visits
  3. RSV cases are declining nationally, with PCR test positivity dropping below 10% for the first time since October, indicating a relieving trend

Outbreak Outlook - National - January 22

94 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Infectious Diseases Public Health Food Safety Long Covid Vaccination rates
  1. Influenza-like illness activity decreased across all age groups and regions, with improvements in hospitalizations as well.
  2. COVID-19 activity is starting to decrease, supported by various indicators like hospitalizations and test positivity.
  3. RSV trends are showing improvement with a decrease in positivity rates, especially in vulnerable age and ethnic groups.

Wastewater ticks up

91 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19 Infections
  1. SARS-CoV-2 concentration in wastewater is increasing in three regions.
  2. Mid-summer may mark the beginning of a new Covid-19 wave, often starting in the South.
  3. State level data on Covid-19 in wastewater can be inconsistent and messy.
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This month in outbreaks: July

71 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Outbreaks
  1. Updates on outbreaks are provided monthly during the summer months.
  2. Respiratory diseases are less common during the off season for viruses.
  3. Weekly updates will resume in October unless circumstances like a covid wave require earlier updates.

Outbreak Outlook - National - March 4

70 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Respiratory Diseases Stomach Bugs Food recalls
  1. Influenza-like illness is generally improving across the country except in the Midwest, which is experiencing a second peak. Most regions still have high activity levels and could have a few more weeks of flu season ahead.
  2. COVID-19 hospitalizations are dropping, and all regions are seeing improvements. Trends suggest continued improvement at least until mid-Summer.
  3. Norovirus activity is increasing nationally, so it's important to take precautionary measures like thorough handwashing, staying home when sick, and disinfecting shared surfaces.

Winter flu season outlook

64 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness
  1. Last winter was tough due to various bugs during the 'tripledemic.'
  2. The author is uncertain about what this winter will hold.
  3. Consider subscribing to stay updated on the winter flu season outlook.

Outbreak Outlook - National - February 19

59 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Respiratory Diseases Stomach Bugs Food recalls Infectious Diseases
  1. Influenza-like illness (ILI) activity has increased in various age groups and regions, with over half of the country affected. However, emergency department visits for influenza are declining.
  2. National Covid-19 hospitalizations are declining in some regions, but there is a resurgence in the South. Overall, the situation is complex with variations across different states.
  3. RSV test positivity is decreasing nationally, but the West and Midwest still have lingering activity. Seasonal coronavirus activity is high, and norovirus remains a concern.

Outbreak Outlook - National - February 26

55 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Respiratory Diseases COVID-19 Stomach Bugs Food recalls
  1. Influenza-like illness rates are high in various parts of the U.S., with increases in adults aged 25-49 and 50-64, and children 0-4 years old showing a decrease.
  2. COVID-19 hospitalizations are decreasing nationwide and emergency department visits are improving, with wastewater concentration in the country either stable or declining in all regions.
  3. RSV season is mostly over in the U.S., with PCR test positivity rates falling below 5%, except for the Midwest, which is likely to see improvements.

This week in outbreaks: July 28 edition

54 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Outbreaks COVID-19 Prevention
  1. This week marks the one year anniversary, celebrating 60 newsletters and over 17,000 subscribers.
  2. Signs of a summer Covid-19 wave persist, indicated by rising wastewater concentration in all four regions.
  3. Consider subscribing to continue getting updates and access to full post archives with a 7-day free trial.

Outbreak Outlook - National - March 11

50 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Respiratory Diseases COVID-19 Stomach Bugs Food recalls
  1. Influenza-like illness rates marginally decreased this week, but we are still far from the end of flu season. Hospitalizations are gradually declining, especially in the 5-17 age group.
  2. COVID-19 metrics are showing improvement nationwide with decreasing emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and test positivity rates. Progress is observed in all regions of the country.
  3. Norovirus activity is increasing, with test positivity over 15%. Various food recalls due to contamination have been reported, including cinnamon, cheddar cheese, and granola products.

Outbreak Outlook - National - March 18

46 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Respiratory Diseases COVID-19 Stomach Bugs Food recalls
  1. ILI cases are decreasing nationally, including a drop in flu B cases, even in children and young adults.
  2. COVID-19 hospitalizations are improving across the US, with all regions showing declines and wastewater concentration dropping.
  3. Norovirus activity is high and rising, expected to remain so through April; key prevention method is proper handwashing.

How to save a life

43 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Safety Emergency Response Training
  1. Emergencies can happen unexpectedly, so it's important to know how to respond
  2. Watch short videos for quick refreshers on life-saving techniques like CPR and choking rescue
  3. Consider taking an in-person first aid course for more comprehensive training

Pop-up poll

21 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness
  1. Newsletter subscribers preferred receiving weekly updates even after flu and Covid-19 subsided.
  2. Majority of respondents opted for continuing weekly reports until the season ends.
  3. Some subscribers even requested to keep getting the reports.