Cancer Vaccine Breaking News

The epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) in men is less known than in women, according to research in a study published in The Lancet Global Health.

In early September 2023, a group of researchers published a global systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the prevalence of genital HPV infection in the male population.

They identified 5,685 publications from database searches, of which 65 studies were included from 35 countries.

The pooled prevalence was 31% (95% CI 27–35) for any HPV.

And 21% (18–24) for HR-HPV.

HPV-16 was the most prevalent HPV genotype (5%, 95% CI 4–7), followed by HPV-6 (4%, 3–5).

HPV prevalence was high in young adults, reaching a maximum between 25 and 29 years.

Pooled prevalence estimates were similar for the UN Sustainable Development Goal geographical regions of Europe and Northern America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania.

However, the estimates for Eastern and South-Eastern Asia were half that of the other regions.

Our findings show that HPV prevalence is high in men over the age of 15 years and support that sexually active men, regardless of age, are an important reservoir of HPV genital infection, wrote these researchers.

These estimates emphasize the importance of incorporating men in comprehensive HPV prevention strategies to reduce HPV-related morbidity and mortality in men and ultimately eliminate cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases in women.

As of September 5, 2023, there are various HPV vaccines available.

This study was not funded by industry.

As India continues its battle against measles outbreaks, it has accelerated last-mile coverage for measles elimination across the country, reported the World Health Organization (WHO).

The good news is that both measles and rubella can be prevented through vaccination.

India is targeting a vaccination coverage of 95% with two doses of the Measles and Rubella vaccine to achieve measles and rubella elimination by 2023.

To achieve that goal, India is conducting three rounds of Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0 under the theme “A big leap towards measles and Rubella Elimination” – with an objective to identify and vaccinate all unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children till five years of age.

Targeted districts in the states of West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Mumbai in Maharashtra vaccinated over 30 million children were vaccinated with the measles and rubella vaccine from November 2022 to May 2023.

India is not alone in confronting measles outbreaks in 2023, The WHO and the U.S. CDC have identified over 30 countries with measurable measles outbreaks this year.

As of early September 2023, the CDC reported 19 measles cases in the U.S., including recent cases in Chicago and Texas.

While many in the United States are watching the weekly increase in Dengue virus cases reported in Florida and Puerto Rico, this mosquito-carrying disease is creating havoc in Asia.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Dengue Situation Report #1, Bangladesh has joined its neighbor India in confirming Dengue has become endemic, with yearly peaks in cases and deaths around the monsoon season.

As of August 27, 2023, the upsurge in Dengue cases started around the last week of April.

This year's total has reached 119,133 cases, and 569 related deaths have been reported from all 64 districts in Bangladesh.

This makes it the largest outbreak of Dengue ever reported in Bangladesh.

Tested samples indicated DENV-2 (62%) and DENV-3 (29%) are the primary circulating serotypes.

The WHO stated it is leading partners to support the national authorities to mount a coordinated response to the outbreak. The government has requested immediate support for test kits, IV fluids, and laboratory equipment for early detection and better case management.

Additionally, the U.S. CDC has deployed one expert from its Dengue Branch in Puerto Rico to provide technical assistance in the field of clinical case management.

This situation report summarizes the status of the outbreak and some of the support being provided.

As of September 4, 2023, there have been no reports of a Dengue vaccination program in Bangladesh. There are two Dengue vaccines in use in certain countries.

Over the past two years, measles outbreaks have significantly increased in various countries, but not the United States.

However, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) recently published a Health Alert regarding two measles cases.

On August 29, 2023, DHSH confirmed the first measles case was diagnosed in June in a resident of Hood County.

The second was diagnosed in August in McCulloch County.

Neither adult patient had a history of travel to an area where measles is spreading, and no other risk factors for exposure were identified. At this time, public health officials do not suspect these cases are related.

Both cases had received one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The U.S. CDC says one dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, while two doses offer 97% protection.

Before vaccine introduction, annual measles incidence in Texas peaked at 85,862 in 1958. In 2019, Texas experienced a measles outbreak of 23 cases.

In 2019, research revealed three Texas counties, Harris, Tarrant, and Travis, were at risk for measles outbreaks. The study found two main factors: vaccine refusal rates, and the number of travelers from other countries.

As of early August 2023, the CDC reported 19 measles cases in thirteen U.S. jurisdictions. In 2022, there were 121 measles cases and 49 in 2021.

Globally, measles cases increased by about 80% during 2022 compared with 2021.

For example, India has reported about 57,000 measles cases over the past year.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. According to the CDC, measles vaccination may prevent disease in exposed people within 72 hours of exposure.

If you think you have measles or have been exposed to someone with measles, isolate yourself from others and call your healthcare provider before arriving to be tested.

The incubation period averages 10-12 days from exposure to the onset of prodromal symptoms. People with confirmed or suspected measles should stay home from school, work, and other group settings until after the fourth day of rash onset.

The CDC says if you plan to travel internationally, ensure you and your loved ones are protected against measles before departure, no matter where you are going.

In the U.S., various measles vaccines are available at health clinics and pharmacies in September 2023.

The lingering impact of the 2022-2023 flu season is still being counted at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On September 1, 2023, the CDC's Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report confirmed that 6.5% of the deaths during the week ending August 26, 2023, were due to pneumonia, influenza, and/or COVID-19.

Among the 1,484 deaths reported for this week by the National Center for Health Statistics Mortality Surveillance, nine listed influenza as an underlying or contributing cause of death on the death certificate.

The CDC's Week #34 report did disclose some good news regarding pediatric fatalities.

No influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to the CDC last week.

A total of 172 influenza-associated pediatric deaths that occurred during the 2022-2023 season have been reported, more significant than the last flu season when 49 flu-related deaths were confirmed.

This unfortunate increase may be related to decreased non-adults getting an annual flu shot.

The CDC's Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity webinar on August 31, 2023, revealed that during the 2022-2023 flu season, only 55.1% of children received an annual flu shot.

This data compares with 2019-2022 when 62.2% of children got an annual flu shot.

As of September 2023, the CDC encourages most people six months and older to get at least one flu shot ahead of the 2023-2024 flu season.

The World Health Organization recently published Influenza Update N° 452, indicating influenza detections remained low globally, with activity in many countries in the southern hemisphere and Oceania decreasing after having peaked in recent weeks.

In the U.S., over 100 million influenza vaccines have been distributed to health clinics and pharmacies.

As the summer of 2023 comes to a close, disease-carrying mosquitoes in Florida are not taking a break.

According to the Florida Department of Health's week #34 report, 21 new dengue virus cases were reported last week.

On August 28, 2023, twenty new dengue cases were reported this week in persons who had international travel. There are now 244 travel-associated dengue cases reported in Florida this year.

These dengue-infected visitors primarily came from Cuba (165) and Brazil (13).

Additionally, and more concerning, one new locally acquired dengue was reported last week in Miami-Dade County. In 2023, 16 cases of locally acquired dengue have been reported this year, with Miami-Dade confirmed 12 patients.

This data is positive news compared to 2022 when 68 locally acquired dengue cases were reported.

Furthermore, it appears the malaria outbreak in the Sarasota area has subsided. No cases of locally acquired malaria were reported last week.

In 2023, seven cases of locally acquired malaria have been reported.

While the U.S. CDC has not issued a travel advisory for these mosquito-carry diseases, various alerts have been issued by Escambia, Jefferson, Nassau, Orange, Polk, St. Johns, Walton, Broward, Manatee, Miami-Dade, and Sarasota counties.

In total, the CDC has confirmed 642 dengue cases in 38 jurisdictions this year, including San Juan, Puerto Rico with 41 cases.

From a disease prevention perspective, one dengue vaccine is approved for use in the U.S. The Dengvaxia® live attenuated tetravalent chimeric vaccine requires pre-admission testing.

The Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) recently reported additional Dengue and West Nile virus (WNV) cases, as Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are currently circulating in the area.

As of Week #34, ending August 26, 2023, DCHHS reported that one hundred eighty-eight mosquito traps tested positive for WNV.

And 15 human WNV cases and one human death have been reported in 2023.

Additionally, four travel-related Dengue cases have been reported this year in Dallas.

"It's important for people to be aware that there are many diseases transmitted by mosquitoes found in Texas," said Texas DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH, in a July 2023 press release. 

"Most of these diseases cause mild illness, but in rare instances, diseases like dengue or Zika can cause severe illness."

To service residents, DCHHS provides free or low-cost public health and social services to low-income residents of Dallas County.

Philip Huang, MD, MPH, DCHHS's Director, says Dallas County has been at the forefront of the local response to major public health issues and emergencies, including Dengue, Mpox, West Nile, and Zika viruses.

Throughout the U.S., West Nile virus has been detected in 36 states, mainly in the southwest.

And the state of Florida has reported both travel-related and locally acquired dengue cases in 2023.