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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed last month that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of hospitalization among U.S. infants.

Since last year, when Beyfortus™ became the first U.S. FDA-approved single-dose, extended half-life monoclonal antibody (mAb) offering passive immunization to prevent lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV, numerous researchers have focused on determining its real-world effectiveness.

The CDC has clarified that mAbs are not vaccines but offer disease protection.

According to a study's results published by The Lance in October 2024 (Volume 8, Issue 10p721-729), Beyfortus's estimated effectiveness against RSV-associated hospitalizations for bronchiolitis was 73% (61–84), corresponding to one hospitalization averted for every 39 (26–54) doses administered.

And in sensitivity analyses, nirsevimab remained effective against RSV-associated hospitalizations for bronchiolitis after emergency department attendance.

As of October 4, 2024, there is ample supply of Beyforus in the U.S., well ahead of the 2024-2025 RSV season's peak, expected in December or January.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today that West Nile Virus (WNV) had been detected in a child from Bagatelle, a parish in St. Thomas, located in Barbados, an island country in the Caribbean Sea.

On October 3, 2024, the WHO's Disease Outbreak News stated that this was the first human case of WNV detected in Barbados, which has a population of about 280,000.

Additionally, thousands of people visit Barbados yearly as it is a favorite vaccination destination and cruise ship port.

Additionally, no infections have been previously documented in birds or horses in Barbados, making this case both unusual and unexpected, wrote the WHO. Although no cases of WNV have been documented in birds or horses in the country, the virus may be circulating in these populations undetected. 

However, the WNV has previously spread throughout the Caribbean, likely via infected migratory birds.

The WHO's risk of international dissemination of WNV from Barbados is low, as the virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, with birds as the natural hosts.

Based on available information on this event, WHO does not recommend any restrictions on travel and/or trade for Barbados and will continue to evaluate the epidemiological situation in Barbados. 

In the United States, 46 states have reported over 1,400 WNV cases in 2024.

From a prevention perspective, no approved West Nile virus vaccines are available for people in 2024.

The Republic of Rwanda Ministry of Health posted on X that the death toll from the recent Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak has reached eleven out of 36 confirmed cases. 

As of October 2, 2024, about 26 additional people are in isolation from this rare viral hemorrhagic fever in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, which has a population exceeding 1.7 million.

As of September 30, 2024, the World Helath Organization (WHO) assessed the risk of this MVD outbreak as very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level.

The WHO says the source of this MVD outbreak, geographical extent, likely onset date, and additional epidemiological information on cases are still pending further investigation. Rwanda declared its initial MVD outbreak on September 27, 2024.

According to the AP, Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana said that vaccine clinical trials would start “within days” but failed to clarify which type of vaccine will be used.

As of October 3, 2024, various Marburg vaccine candidates are conducting studies. For example:

Public Health Vaccines, LLC launched its Phase 1 clinical trial in March 2024, evaluating its single-dose vaccine candidate, PHV01 (rVSV∆G-MARV-GP [Angola]).

On April 15, 2024, the U.S. FDA granted orphan drug designation to the active ingredient in MarVax™, the subunit protein vaccine of recombinantly expressed MARV glycoprotein, for "the prevention and post-exposure prophylaxis against MARV infection.

The U.S. CDC's recent travel advisory remains in effect, which states If you travel to the Republic of Rwanda, you should:

Avoid contact with sick people with fever, muscle pain, and rash symptoms.

Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.

Avoid visiting healthcare facilities in the outbreak area for nonurgent medical care or for non-medical reasons.

A new report, 'Advancing the Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Francophone Countries: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward for Sustainable Action,' was released today. It assesses the collective burden and progress of fighting NTDs in Francophone countries.

Published on October 3, 2024, the report highlights the unique opportunities within the Francophonie to leverage linguistic, cultural, and historical ties for collective action and cross-border collaboration to combat NTDs more effectively.

NTDs are a group of preventable and treatable illnesses caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins, and include Chagas, Chikungunya, Dengue, and Oropouche virus diseases.

Of the more than 1.6 billion people worldwide at risk of NTDs, a significant percentage reside in Francophone countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

French is an official language in 32 independent nations and 60 countries and territories where about 210 million people live. It is also a co-official or de facto language in many regions and organizations.