Category: Influenza/Flu
Why winter makes you more vulnerable to colds – a public health nurse explains the science behind the season
Many viruses, including rhinovirus – the usual culprit for the common cold – influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, remain infectious longer and replicate faster in colder temperatures and at lower humidity levels. This, coupled with the fact that people spend more time indoors and in close contact with others during cold weather, are common reasons that germs are more likely to spread.
Bird flu detected in pigs – here’s why virologists are concerned
We don’t yet know if the pig was actually infected or if it had just snuffled up some contaminated material from the birds. At the moment, this particular outbreak doesn’t seem to have spread into any other pigs.
Study analyzes bird flu that infected a farm worker
An H5N1 flu virus from an infected farm worker could transmit through airborne droplets and was lethal in mice and ferrets.
The findings emphasize the risks from the current H5N1 outbreak and the need for continued monitoring and testing.
First case of bird flu in pig discovered on small Oregon farm
State officials announced Wednesday that a severe form of bird flu has been detected for the first time in a pig on a small farm in Crook County in central Oregon.
What pathogen might spark the next pandemic? How scientists are preparing for ‘disease X’
There are also the unknown unknowns, or “disease X” – an unknown pathogen with the potential to trigger a severe global epidemic. To prepare for this, we need to adopt new forms of surveillance specifically looking at where new pathogens could emerge.
Avian flu has infected dairy cows in more than a dozen states – a microbiologist explains how the virus is spreading
As long as you are consuming pasteurized milk products, there are no concerns for infections in humans. Pasteurization is very effective at killing any H5N1 virus that ends up in milk. People should avoid raw or unpasteurized milk, as H5N1 virus has been found at very high levels in raw milk.
Seattle study findings may help explain why we keep getting colds
The most common cause of the common cold, the rhinovirus, increases its chances of infecting someone who lacks immunity by simultaneously circulating many versions of itself, according to new research from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
Infectious diseases spike when kids return to school − here’s what you can do about it
Ready or not, back-to-school season is here, and kids will be bringing home more than homework. They’ll be carrying germs, too.
Bird Flu Cases Are Going Undetected, New Study Suggests. It’s a Problem for All of Us.
s bird flu cases go underreported, health officials risk being slow to notice if the virus were to become more contagious. A large surge of infections outside of farmworker communities would trigger the government’s flu surveillance system, but by then it might be too late to contain.
Fragments of bird flu genetic material (RNA) were found in cow’s milk from the dairy herds associated with infected US farmers.
Masks work, our comprehensive review has found
The more people wore their masks, the more effective the masks turned out to be.
High H5N1 influenza levels found in mice given raw milk from infected dairy cows
The results suggest that consumption of raw milk by animals poses a risk for H5N1 infection and raises questions about its potential risk in humans.
How bird flu virus fragments get into milk sold in stores, and what the spread of H5N1 in cows means for the dairy industry and milk drinkers
The discovery of fragments of avian flu virus in milk sold in U.S. stores, including in about 20% of samples in initial testing across the country, suggests that the H5N1 virus may be more widespread in dairy cattle than previously realized.
Washington streamlines guidance for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses
The Washington State Department of Health announced updated guidance for what to do when someone is sick with COVID-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses.
As bird flu continues to spread in the US and worldwide, what’s the risk that it could start a human pandemic? 4 questions answered
An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza that started in 2021 has become the largest bird flu outbreak in history, both in the U.S. and worldwide. In the U.S. the virus has led to the destruction of millions of commercially raised chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, and has killed thousands of wild birds. Many virologists are concerned that this virus could spill over to humans and cause a new human pandemic.