“PAHO warns of increased risk of dengue outbreaks due to circulation of DENV-3 in the Americas”
Published: February 10, 2025.
“Avian Influenza AH5N1 variant D1.1, its spread in U.S. cattle, and the high concern of being more virulent to humans”
Published: February 6, 2025.
Brief comment: The variant, known as D1.1 genotype, belongs to a different genetic lineage than what’s fueled the infections in dairy cattle over the past year. Scientists believe a single spillover event, from birds to cattle, in the Texas Panhandle in late 2023 seeded the current nationwide outbreak. But this new finding points to at least one additional instance of the virus hopping into dairy cattle. Scientists have speculated this variant could be intrinsically more deadly for humans, although it’s possible other factors like the route of exposure could be a factor, too. Two lethal human cases have occurred: in a Louisiana resident who caught the virus from backyard flocks and died, and a teenager in British Columbia who ended up in critical condition, in both of those cases, the patients developed concerning mutations while they were sick, which could indicate the virus was evolving to be better at infecting human cells.
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/05/health/bird-flu-cattle-nevada.
“Promising Cancer Vaccine Boosts Hope for Stage III and IV Kidney Cancer”
Published: February 5, 2025.
Brief comment: As vaccines continue to make strides in cancer treatment, this communication highlights the global effort driving this progress. Cancer therapy is already benefiting from vaccine advancements, and its future holds even greater promise as a success story for immunization.
https://www.ajmc.com/view/promising-cancer-vaccine-boosts-hope-for-stage-iii-and-iv-kidney-cancer
“World Cancer Day 2025: Hyderabad Launches Free HPV Vaccination Drive For Cervical Cancer Prevention”
Published: February 4, 2025.
“Epidemiological Alert Yellow fever in the Americas Region (Brazil)”
Published: February 4, 2025.
https://www.paho.org/en/documents/epidemiological-alert-yellow-fever-americas-region-3-february-2025.
“First participants vaccinated with IAVI’s Ebola Sudan vaccine candidate in Uganda amid Ebola outbreak. The vaccine candidate is being evaluated in a ring vaccination trial as part of a comprehensive public health response.”
Published: February 3, 2025.
“Groundbreaking Ebola vaccination launchess today in Uganda”
Published: February 3rd , 2025
Brief comment: In a global first in Uganda on February 3rd, @MinofHealthUG, WHO, and other partners launched a first-ever vaccine trial for Ebola from the Sudan species of the virus, and at an unprecedented speed for a randomized vaccine trial in an emergency.
Groundbreaking Ebola vaccination trial launches today in Uganda
“EAC supports Tanzania in containing Marburg virus outbreak in Kagera Region”
Published: February 1, 2025.
“WHO launches US$ 1.5 billion Health Emergency Appeal to tackle unprecedented global health crises”
Published: January 16, 2025.
“Conflicts, outbreaks, climate-related disasters and other health emergencies are no longer isolated or occasional – they are relentless, overlapping and intensifying,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “From controlling cholera outbreaks to providing mental health support in conflict zones, WHO’s work extends beyond the immediate care we provide. We empower communities to protect themselves, prioritize equity, and build a legacy of preparedness. This appeal is about enabling WHO to save lives, protect the right to health, and provide hope where there is none.”
“What is bird flu and how are we protecting people against it in the UK?”
Published: December 3rd, 2024
Brief comment: As part of long-standing preparedness plans, the government has recently purchased over 5 million human A(H5) influenza vaccines in case these are ever needed in a pandemic scenario.
What is bird flu and how are we protecting people against it in the UK? – UK Health Security Agency
