The hottest Infectious Disease Substack posts right now

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to outbreaks, especially in areas with low vaccination rates. The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, but outbreaks still happen due to various factors.
Vaccines like the MMR vaccine have some failure rates, meaning not everyone is protected even after receiving it. This raises concerns about how many children might still be at risk.
As more people travel internationally, the chance of measles spreading in the U.S. increases. More mandates for vaccinations may not solve the issue of rising measles cases, as herd immunity wanes.

H5N1 bird flu started in birds but can spread to other animals and possibly humans. There are concerns about it becoming a bigger threat as it mutates.
Currently, experts estimate a 5% chance of H5N1 causing a human pandemic in the next year, but it could rise to 50% over the next 20 years.
If H5N1 does become a pandemic, most forecasts suggest it won't be as deadly as the Spanish flu, with risks ranging from normal flu severity to several times worse.

H5N1, or bird flu, is still spreading among animals and has now caused its first human death in the U.S. It's a serious virus, but the general public's risk remains low for now.
Experts are worried about H5N1 because it could mutate and become more dangerous, especially if it spreads among animals that are close to humans. Keeping tabs on this virus is important.
Right now, there's not much for the average person to do except stay informed. Avoid sick animals and unpasteurized milk to stay safe, and let health officials manage the outbreak.

Flu, COVID-19, and RSV cases are improving, but norovirus has become more prevalent this season. It's important to stay cautious during flu season, as the numbers can change quickly.
While COVID-19 levels are still somewhat high, there's a small hope that the situation is getting better, with fewer hospitalizations reported recently.
Norovirus is on the rise this winter, likely due to a new strain. It's crucial to maintain good hygiene practices, like washing hands, to prevent infection.

The UK did not act quickly enough during the early stages of the pandemic, leading to a high number of avoidable deaths. Other countries, especially in East Asia, took swift actions that resulted in much lower death rates.
Public health measures, like efficient testing and isolation support, were not properly implemented in the UK. This failure caused prolonged lockdowns and significant economic damage.
Learning from the successes of East Asian countries is crucial for future pandemic responses. The UK needs to adapt its public health strategies to be more proactive and supportive.

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Influenza-like illness was slightly down recently, but it's too early to declare we've passed the peak. It's a hopeful sign, and we'll see if the trend continues.
Kids aged 0-4 showed some improvement in severe illness, while older age groups are still facing rising hospital visits. Trends often lag in adults, so changes might come soon.
Covid-19 indicators are mixed; some emergency visits have decreased, but wastewater data suggests the virus is still spreading. More updates will come next week.

Covid positivity rates are rising, especially among people aged 65 and older. But overall, hospital admission rates for Covid remain relatively low.
The Autumn 2023 booster significantly reduced hospitalization risks for older individuals, but its effectiveness decreases significantly after 15 weeks. A successful Spring 2024 booster campaign is needed to protect vulnerable populations.
The Spring 2024 booster campaign started strong, with over 1.3 million doses given in the first two weeks. It's important for eligible individuals to get vaccinated as Covid levels may be increasing.

Hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of diseases.
Mask wearing is effective in reducing transmission of infectious diseases.
Scientific progress has greatly improved our ability to combat diseases compared to the past.

The threat from Avian Influenza is considered low, similar to previous assessments. Recent cases mostly involve those working closely with infected animals.
There is a concern about how fear and misinformation in the media can influence public perception of health threats. This can lead to unnecessary panic or government responses.
California's state of emergency regarding bird flu may be influenced by interests in the state's testing and monitoring industry rather than actual health risks.

Currently, respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and RSV are at low levels across the country, which is a relief.
Food recalls are happening for various products due to contamination, so it’s important to check what you have at home.
There's a recommendation for a second COVID-19 vaccine dose for older adults and those at high risk to help protect against severe illness.

COVID vaccines may not actually lower the chances of getting infected. They can, in fact, allow you to spread the virus for a longer time.
The flu vaccine hasn’t shown to be very effective either, raising doubts about the COVID vaccine's reliability.
Data suggests that vaccinations don’t really prevent severe illness or death for older people. So it's unclear why COVID vaccines would be different.