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MERS cases related to camels

Another MERS Case Confirmed in Oman

MERS vaccine candidates are conducting clinical research
February 9, 2023
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The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced, 'Over the past few weeks, several reports of mammals including minks, otters, foxes, and sea lions have been infected with H5N1 avian influenza. 

H5N1 has spread widely in wild birds and poultry for 25 years, but the recent spillover to mammals needs to be monitored closely. 

Since H5N1 first emerged in 1996, we have only seen rare and non-sustained transmission of H5N1 to and between humans. 

For the moment, WHO assesses the risk to humans as low. 

But we cannot assume that will remain the case, and we must prepare for any change in the status quo. 

The WHO is also continuing to engage with manufacturers to ensure if needed, supplies of vaccines and antivirals would be available for global use.'

The WHO previously confirmed the annual flu shot for 2023 would not be effective against this type of influenza virus.

The U.S. government has already approved a vaccine for this type of avian influenza (bird flu) and has invested in newer vaccinate candidates. And related bird flu vaccine information is posted at this link.

As of February 8, 2023, avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak news was updated.

Vaccine Treats: 
Bird Flu
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Image Caption: 
USDA Feb. 2023 HAPI Detections in Mammals
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Geneva
Vaccine: 
Audenz Influenza A(H5N1) Vaccine
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The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced 18 meningitis-related fatalities (3.2% of cases) had been reported in the Zinder Region, southeast of Niger, over the past three months.

The vast majority of cases are due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NmC).

The WHO confirmed on February 8, 2023, a reactive vaccination campaign with the trivalent ACW meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine has been implemented.

Niger has been affected by several meningitis epidemics resulting in 1,369 deaths (6.6% of cases) since 2015.

Niger is located mainly in the African meningitis belt, with seasonal outbreaks recurring yearly.

However, the ongoing outbreak shows an increased number of cases and an increased growth rate compared to the previous seasons.

Furthermore, the Zinder region shares a border with Jigawa State in Nigeria, where an NmC outbreak is also ongoing.

The WHO assesses the risk posed by the current meningitis outbreak in Niger as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low at the global level.

And the WHO does not recommend any restriction on travel and trade to Niger based on the current event.

Separately, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination for travelers two months old or older visiting areas of Niger that are part of the meningitis belt during the dry season.

While the CDC has not issued a Travel Alert for Niger's latest meningitis outbreak, it previously issued notices for polio and measles outbreaks.

These travel vaccines are available at select clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.

Vaccine Treats: 
Meningitis
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Image Caption: 
WHO meningitis cases by health district, Zinder region, Niger, 2023.
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Niamey
Vaccine: 
Bexsero Meningitis B Vaccine
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The UK Foreign Travel Advice confirmed today the Republic of Türkiye had announced a national emergency in the ten provinces affected by earthquakes and announced that only vehicles which carry aid teams and materials would be allowed to enter cities deemed to be inside the area of the disaster.

A 7.8 earthquake hit Gaziantep and neighboring provinces in the southeast of Turkey on February 6, 2023.

On the same day, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the neighboring province of Kahramanmaras.

The provinces affected by the earthquake include Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Malatya, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adana.

If you are in Turkey or planning to travel there, you should follow the information and advice from local authorities/your tour operator, wrote the UK on February 7, 2023.

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Image Caption: 
UK Foreign travel advice Turkey Feb. 2023
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Turkey
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The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkiye announced a large 7.8 earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023, in the southeast region, near Gaziantep, affecting several provinces and the broader Central Mediterranean region.

Large aftershocks continue and are likely through the coming days.

U.S. Citizens should avoid traveling to areas affected by the earthquake, and if already there, we advise not to enter damaged buildings until Turkish authorities deem them safe.

The U.S. government is deferring all non-essential travel to U.S. Consulate Adana’s district – Adana, Adiyaman, Batman, Bingol, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Gaziantep, Hakkari, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malayta, Mardin, Mersin, Mus, Osmaniye, Sanliurfa, Sirnak, Siirt, Tunceli, and Van.

Please note that there are reports of extensive damage to infrastructure including roads in these provinces.

U.S. Citizens in Türkiye in need of immediate, emergency assistance should call Turkish authorities using the phone number 112.

All other inquiries regarding U.S. citizens impacted by the earthquake should be directed to U.S. Embassy in Ankara at [email protected].

Note: This is a developing tragedy, with news updates are required.

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Image Caption: 
U.S. Dept of State Turkiye Map 2023
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Ankara
Dengue in Mexico

Mexico's Dengue Outbreaks Are Predictable

Dengue outbreaks in most Mexico states
February 7, 2023
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A biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases announced today that its clinical trial of Gedeptin® for patients with recurrent head and neck cancers is now actively enrolling patients at three major research centers in the U.S.

GeoVax Labs, Inc.'s phase 1/2 trial (NCT03754933) is evaluating the safety and efficacy of repeat cycles of Gedeptin therapy in patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), with tumor(s) accessible for injection and no curable treatment options.

A recent phase 1 dose-ranging study evaluating the safety of a single cycle of Gedeptin therapy found the therapy well-tolerated, with evidence of a reduction in tumor size in patients with solid tumors.

David Dodd, GeoVax President and CEO, commented in a press release on February 7, 2023, "The support of the U.S. FDA and collaborations with Stanford, Emory, and Jefferson enable us to evaluate Gedeptin rapidly in 10 patients, with the potential to expand the trial to 25 patients subsequently."

"A successful outcome may lead to labeling discussions with the FDA and initiation of further Gedeptin investigations, including in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, for additional cancerous and non-cancerous tumor indications."

Most patients are diagnosed with locally advanced disease and treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. About 50% of these patients will experience a recurrence of the disease.

The GeoVax study is partially funded by the FDA under its Orphan Products Clinical Trials Grants Program. 

The FDA has also granted Gedeptin orphan drug status for the intra-tumoral treatment of anatomically accessible oral and pharyngeal cancers, including cancers of the lip, tongue, gum, floor of the mouth, salivary gland, and other oral cavities.

Vaccine Treats: 
Cancer
Image: 
Image Caption: 
National Cancer Inst. 2023.
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Atlanta

Mammals Infected With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HAPI) Virus

Mammals Infected With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HAPI) Virus

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), mammalian infections with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HAPI) virus will be a global concern in 2025. On January 6, 2025, the CDC stated that H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide, causing outbreaks in wild birds, mammals, poultry, and dairy cows. Several recent human cases have been reported in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.

In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) Technical report states that HAPI viruses (bird flu) are evolving, and various mammals are at risk. Furthermore, the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA), World Organisation for Animal Health, the European CDC's Communicable Disease Threats Report, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have confirmed bears, cats, dogs, dolphins, ferrets, foxes, minks, penguins, sea lions, sea seals, elephant seals, skunks, and other mammals had been infected with HAPI viruses.

On November 18, 2023, the CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases Volume 29, Number 12—December 2023, described the pathology of natural infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus of Eurasian lineage Goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b in 50 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), six striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), four raccoons (Procyon lotor), two bobcats (Lynx rufus), 2 Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), one coyote (Canis latrans), one fisher (Pekania pennanti), and 1 gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). This research confirmed that the genotype analysis indicates that the HAPI cases represent spillover infections from wild birds.

2 min read
Reviewer: 
Robert Carlson, MD
Last Reviewed: 
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - 09:25
Description: 
Avian influenza H5N1 viruses have infected bears, cats, condors, dogs, dolphins, foxes, otters, raccoons, seals, sea lions, skunks.
Condition: 
Avian Flu
0 min read

The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Covid Vaccine Monitor announced today found 38% of people say their households were affected by this winter’s triple threat of respiratory viruses, with someone getting sick with influenza, COVID-19, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

And 46% of the survey respondents say the news of these three viruses spreading has made them more likely to wear masks or take other precautions to avoid getting sick.

At the same time, 69% of the U.S. public says they are “not too” or “not at all” worried about getting seriously ill from COVID-19, though 31% still say they are worried.

That’s more than people say about the seasonal flu (26%) or RSV (25%).

The flu affected the largest share of households over the past month or so (27%).

With smaller shares saying someone in their homes got sick with COVID-19 (15%) or RSV (10%).

While various flu and COVID-18 vaccines are available in the U.S., RSV vaccine candidates have yet to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023.

Vaccine Treats: 
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
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Image Caption: 
2023 KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION
Live Blog Update Author: 
Staff Review
Location Tags: 
Washington DC
Vaccine: 
Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) RSV Antibody
Infant vaccination

Maternal Vaccination Reduces Whopping Cough

Pertussis Incidence Decreases Following Maternal Vaccination
February 7, 2023