Zika Breaking News

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) today reported that after several months of meager infection rates, COVID-19 transmission has increased in some EU/EEA countries.

As of August 17, 2023, this increase has coincided with increasing detections of SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5-like lineages carrying the F456L mutation and other drivers can contribute to the increasing transmission rates.

These drivers include large gatherings during seasonal holidays and lower levels of immunological protection against infection after several months of very low disease incidence.

Fortunately, there is currently no sign of increased COVID-19 hospitalizations or pressures on healthcare systems. 

Additionally, the ECDC wrote adherence to national COVID-19 vaccination schedules is essential to protect people at high risk for severe disease and death.

As of August 11, 2023, among people aged 60 years and above, the cumulative uptake of a first booster was 84.9% (country range: 13.3–100.0%), and of a second booster was 35.6% (country range: 0.4–87.0%).

Countries should assess their readiness to identify target groups and conduct timely COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.

In addition, communication campaigns aimed at the public and healthcare professionals are deemed necessary to reach high-risk groups and inform them of the importance of staying up to date with vaccination. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) webinar on August 17, 2023, focused on eliminating measles in the U.S.

This webinar is essential since measles cases worldwide increased by about 80% during 2022. Globally, measles outbreaks have been reported in various countries this year. In the U.S., there have been 19 measles cases reported in 2023.

During this COCA Call, presenters reviewed the clinical presentation and diagnosis of measles infection, how to report suspected cases to public health agencies, and outlined vaccination recommendations in the U.S.

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, says the CDC. Measles vaccines (MMR) are available at health clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the intramuscular route of administration for M-M-R®II and ProQuad® vaccines. In addition, the FDA  approved the Priorix vaccine to prevent MMR in individuals one year and older. 

Updated on August 21, 2023, with data regarding measles cases.

The Broward County Department of Health in Florida recently joined its southern neighbor, Miami-Dade, in issuing a Mosquito-borne Illness Alert.

The bite of an infected mosquito spreads dengue and is not usually present in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area. However, infected travelers have brought the virus back to Florida, primarily in the Miami-Dade Country area.

In 2023, there have been two locally acquired dengue cases in Broward County. Last year, there were two other locally acquired dengue cases.

In total, Florida's Department of Health has reported 215 dengue cases in 2023.

Globally, Dengue outbreaks have been confirmed by numerous countries this year, such as Costa Rica.

Dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease, with two vaccines approved in various countries.

The Florida Department of Health's RSV Review Activity Summary #32 reported a few counties confirmed increasing detection rates and one outbreak in a pediatric facility in Deval County.

As of August 12, 2023, Florida's overall respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) positivity rate had increased since last week, but emergency room visits had not changed.

In Florida, deaths per 100,000 population for children younger than five was .02 for the 2022-2023 RSV season. 

Florida says its RSV season is longer than the rest of the nation and has distinct regional patterns.

From a nationwide perspective, annual community-based outbreaks of RSV typically occur during late fall, winter, and early spring. The U. S. CDC's RSV detection graphs display the 5-week moving average.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. According to the CDC, young children and older adults, especially those with certain underlying health conditions, are at higher risk for severe illness from RSV.

A recent Original Investigation supports new RSV preventative interventions, including long-lasting monoclonal antibodies in infants and maternal vaccination.

On July 17, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Beyfortus™ (Nirsevimab-alip), a long-acting monoclonal RSV-neutralizing antibody, for infants.

Wiping out wild poliovirus, of which there are three strains, has been the goal of global eradication efforts since they began in 1988, wrote Clare Watson in an article today published by the journal Nature.

While types 2 and 3 were successfully eradicated in 1999 and 2020, respectively, type 1 continues circulating in Afghanistan and Pakistan 12 years after India quashed all forms of the wild virus and three years after Africa did the same.

An analysis of polio transmission dynamics published in 2020 found that global polio eradication efforts were “not on track to succeed” in achieving their goal of eliminating wild poliovirus type 1 by 2023.

Fears that eradication was falling out of reach increased again in 2021 when wild poliovirus broke containment lines and emerged in eastern Africa.

As recently as February 2023, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested eradication of the virus had been “unsuccessful.”

However, polio cases are down in 2023.

Pakistan has reported just two wild polio cases in 2023, and Afghanistan has reported five.

In 2022, they recorded 22 cases combined. 

The full article, published on August 15, 2023, is available at this link.

In the U.S., poliovirus wastewater testing continues in 2023 following detections in New York in 2022.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend travelers to polio-endemic areas be fully vaccinated before departure. Polio vaccines are available in most pharmacies in the U.S.

A leader in influenza prevention today announced significant growth in its vaccine business against a backdrop of reduced immunization rates worldwide.

CSL Seqirus confirmed that on August 15, 2023, its total revenue of $2,031 million was up 9%, driven by growth in seasonal influenza vaccines, particularly FLUCELVAX®, which increased 30%.

FLUCELVAX's indication now includes six months+ age indication in the U.S., Argentina, Canada, Taiwan, Australia & New Zealand.

Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognized FLUAD® as a preferentially recommended seasonal vaccine option for adults aged 65+ years.

Both of these vaccines for the 2023-2024 flu season began shipping globally, including the U.S., on July 17, 2023.

Dr. Gregg Sylvester, Chief Health Officer CSL Seqirus, commented in a related press release, "As we commence shipment to healthcare providers across the U.S., it's critical that we raise immunization rates this season to help protect as many people as possible from influenza and its potentially life-threatening complications."

The CDC encourages most people to get an annual flu shot before influenza viruses arrive. These vaccines are generally available at health clinics and community pharmacies in the U.S.

Australia's Department of Health and Aged Care's report No. 9 recently confirmed some good news regarding the 2023 flu season.

Influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the community has stabilized in the last fortnight (2-weeks), while ILI presentations to ASPREN sentinel general practitioners have decreased as of August 6, 2023.

And there is currently not enough information to comprehensively assess the potential severity of the 2023 influenza season at this time, stated this report.

Since seasonal surveillance commenced in April 2023, 173 (7%) ICU admissions and 194 influenza-related deaths have occurred.

Furthermore, of the 2,449 samples referred during 2023, 98% of influenza A(H1N1) isolates, 83% of influenza A(H3N2) isolates, and 99% of influenza B/Victoria isolates characterized were antigenically similar to the corresponding vaccine components.

However, it is too early to assess influenza vaccine effectiveness for this flu season.