[Health] The Infectious Diseases Thread

[Kraken]

If anyone is going to take the blame for bird flu, it should be Trump. That would make him responsible for screwing up two major pandemics. We’re in the worst timeline, so it is of course inevitable.

But it may also be the quickest way to prove to the unintelligent the need for effective, fact-based government. And that Republicans deliver only chaos and failure.

I must reluctantly point out that the party currently in power is looking the other way. This will be a bipartisan pandemic.

Around here, there are still a small number of people masking up in public. I saw three at the grocer today. I presume that they're either infectious or immunocompromised, but there's no mask shaming to speak of.

[Blackhawk]

If anyone is going to take the blame for bird flu, it should be Trump. That would make him responsible for screwing up two major pandemics. We’re in the worst timeline, so it is of course inevitable.

But it may also be the quickest way to prove to the unintelligent the need for effective, fact-based government. And that Republicans deliver only chaos and failure.

I must reluctantly point out that the party currently in power is looking the other way.

I would posit that it's still on Trump, who was, more than anyone, responsible for making an official response such a partisan issue that it has become essentially impossible to take formal action.

[Kraken]

If anyone is going to take the blame for bird flu, it should be Trump. That would make him responsible for screwing up two major pandemics. We’re in the worst timeline, so it is of course inevitable.

But it may also be the quickest way to prove to the unintelligent the need for effective, fact-based government. And that Republicans deliver only chaos and failure.

I must reluctantly point out that the party currently in power is looking the other way.

I would posit that it's still on Trump, who was, more than anyone, responsible for making an official response such a partisan issue that it has become essentially impossible to take formal action.

If Covid-19 policies had beaten the virus we'd be all over this new, nastier threat. And the vaccines ultimately did tamp it down to background noise. But people forget the refrigerated trucks storing the corpses of people who died in hospitals, and remember how annoying it was being confined at home with their children for months. Forgetting the good and amplifying the bad is nonpartisan human nature. Or at least, American nature. I don't think they (we) needed trump to tell us that we should hate public health fascism. And for Smoove I have to add a .

[gbasden]

I must reluctantly point out that the party currently in power is looking the other way. This will be a bipartisan pandemic.

For sure. However, one party turned rational science-based disease response into a politicized jihad about people's rights not to give a shit about their fellow humans. And flogged the Democrats with it mercilessly. If they weren't so spineless they would do what needs to be done regardless, but I'll still put the majority of the blame on the Republicans.

[Blackhawk]

If anyone is going to take the blame for bird flu, it should be Trump. That would make him responsible for screwing up two major pandemics. We’re in the worst timeline, so it is of course inevitable.

But it may also be the quickest way to prove to the unintelligent the need for effective, fact-based government. And that Republicans deliver only chaos and failure.

I must reluctantly point out that the party currently in power is looking the other way.

I would posit that it's still on Trump, who was, more than anyone, responsible for making an official response such a partisan issue that it has become essentially impossible to take formal action.

If Covid-19 policies had beaten the virus we'd be all over this new, nastier threat.

COVID-19 policies were never fully implemented and/or enforced. We have no if they'd have worked. Instead, a few (under a Trumpian banner) turned loudly ignoring those regulations into a point of pride for a third of the country. That, in turn, so confused another half of the nation that they didn't know what was real and what was safe. Not knowing what the real truth was, they fell back on business-as-usual.

By the end, the message had successfully been flipped around as a political weapon against the Democrats: COVID-19 policies aren't just useless, they're openly harmful. They hurt the economy. They're destroying our children's educations. The vaccines don't work or are harmful. It's just the flu. Scientists are untrustworthy. And it's that message that has lasted, and that we're stuck dealing with going into a potential round two. How do you tell people to take measures when they're primed to do exactly the opposite as soon as you speak?

[Smoove_B]

Trying really hard to not get political here.

Disease outbreaks - epidemics and of course pandemics - are always going to be bad. I'm under no illusion COVID-19 would have been a super if we were in a different, bluer timeline back in 2016.

As Blackhawk has noted, it's a matter of degree and now public health and prevention are 3rd rail topics for politicians largely because of what's happened over the last ~5 years. They were difficult (and often ignored) topics at best, but now everyone has an opinion - and lots of people have indicated that do not like the seemingly "draconian" polices that help to maintain the fabric of society that we all enjoy.

If there is an H5N1 pandemic that unfolds in the coming months, the response will be on the next administration and I have no doubts it will be bad (based on 2016-2020). But political will and the expectations of the general public has likely been damaged for at least a generation, possibly longer, in part by the current administration. What's happening now is a culmination of decades of half-assing, underfunding and low-prioritizing public health.

[Blackhawk]

And again, deemphasizing education until the public has become unable to distinguish fact from fantasy.

And I think we're past the stage where public health can be discussed fully divorced from politics.

[Smoove_B]

And I think we're past the stage where public health can be discussed fully divorced from politics.

For a really long time, I genuinely believe public health was apolitical - because that's what I was taught. However, I'm now genuinely embarrassed by my naivety and all the assumptions I'd made about the general public for the last 20+ years. While I can't fix what was done or said in my early days, I can at least spend what time I have left trying to fix things in a more appropriate way.

[Smoove_B]

Another case confirmed in California:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) (H5N1 bird flu) in a child in California. This is the first reported avian influenza H5 virus infection in a child in the United States. Consistent with previously identified human cases in the United States, the child reportedly experienced mild symptoms and received flu antivirals. There were low levels of viral material detected in the initial specimen collected, and follow-up testing of the child several days later was negative for H5 bird flu but was positive for other common respiratory viruses. The child is recovering from their illness. An investigation by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) into the child's possible H5N1 exposure source is ongoing.

NOTE:

During CDPH's investigation, all household members reported having symptoms and specimens were collected from those people. All test results from members of the household were negative for H5 bird flu, and some family members were positive for the same common respiratory viruses as the child. Contact tracing continues, but there is currently no evidence of person-to-person spread of H5N1 bird flu from this child to others. To date, there has been no person-to-person spread identified associated with any of the H5N1 bird flu cases reported in the United States.

This case was detected through influenza testing and reported to CDPH through influenza surveillance. This is the second U.S. case identified through national surveillance. CDC continues to closely monitor available data from influenza surveillance systems, particularly in states affected by outbreaks in animals, including California, where widespread outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu have been detected in wild birds and domestic poultry since 2022 and dairy herds since August 2024 in that state.

Advice:

CDC's risk assessment for the general public is low. However, people with exposure to infected or potentially infected animals, such as birds, dairy cattle, or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at higher risk of infection. CDC recommends avoiding unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cows).

[Dogstar]

And I think we're past the stage where public health can be discussed fully divorced from politics.

For a really long time, I genuinely believe public health was apolitical - because that's what I was taught. However, I'm now genuinely embarrassed by my naivety and all the assumptions I'd made about the general public for the last 20+ years. While I can't fix what was done or said in my early days, I can at least spend what time I have left trying to fix things in a more appropriate way.

Because public health should, in theory, be apolitical. We just don't have a working model, no pun intended, for an economy that can run at even 50% with isolation/containment protocols in place. (Or maybe we do, and I haven't seen it. I would love to see it.) We definitely don't have an effective disease containment model, barring absolutely draconian measures enforced by law enforcement or the military, where a sizable chunk of the population flaunts health and containment measures. And while I hope Smoove will correct me, I'm guessing we once again don't remotely have enough PPE stockpiled.

I'm doing what I can to try to get our firm thinking of pandemic operation protocol again. The area in which I work is bound to get hit eventually if it continues to spread, as we have a contingent here that believes in raw milk.

[Smoove_B]

And while I hope Smoove will correct me, I'm guessing we once again don't remotely have enough PPE stockpiled.

It's likely even worse than you realize. There's current a vote pending at the CDC to lower infection protocols even more at health care facilities:

OSHA and NIOSH clearly state that surgical masks provide inadequate protection. OSHA says, "Surgical masks are not designed or certified to prevent the inhalation of small airborne contaminants." NIOSH concurs, concluding a surgical mask "is not considered respiratory protection." Yet HICPAC, with one exception, concluded that they were equivalent.

Wearing an N95 respirator will become even more critical as bird flu becomes more widespread, particularly if/when it mutates to be readily spread person-to-person.

...

There was considerable discussion about whether a health care worker (HCW) should have the flexibility and right to decide what level of respiratory protection they felt necessary, based on their own health and that of family members they might be exposing to disease.

In the non-binding vote, almost all members supported the idea that HCWs should not be given that voluntary right.

...

Before vaccinations, the mortality of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 was close to 30%. The mortality rate of hospital-acquired Covid has decreased with multiple vaccinations, but is still 10% or higher. This is still higher than community-acquired infection. So it makes sense that hospitals should do what they can to prevent transmission within the hospital so prevent these needless and avoidable deaths.

As I noted previously, "More than 900 experts in infectious disease, public health, industrial hygiene, aerosol science and ventilation engineering signed a letter to Mandy Cohen, M.D., the new CDC director, explaining how the new draft guidelines weaken protections for healthcare workers. They state, "Surgical masks cannot be recommended to protect health care personnel against inhalation of infectious aerosols."

So in terms of creating/maintaining a stockpile, here's something that would absolutely undermine that mentality. Why stockpile what you don't need?

That said, I'm not sure what the current state is of federal stockpiles, or even my own state. I've been a bit...out of it lately and it's not something I've kept up on. Back to you:

I'm doing what I can to try to get our firm thinking of pandemic operation protocol again. The area in which I work is bound to get hit eventually if it continues to spread, as we have a contingent here that believes in raw milk.

In a different lifetime I was the head of a committee that was in charge of pandemic operations; at the time it was largely a thought exercise. I cannot imagine what that would entail now having (1) lived through a pandemic and (2) having collectively decided it wasn't that bad and we should just press on.

[Zarathud]

That may be true, but Presidents tend to get the blame for bad things that happen. And Democrats are regularly cleaning up Republican messes then turning over the resulting prosperity to a Republican administration.

If we’re going to have a bad time due to world events, it’s only just for the Republicans to get the blame when the government fails. Especially when Trump’s politicization of public health limits any response. That way Democrats can run on a good government and reform agenda and get a mandate to do good, rather than just hold the line.

[LawBeefaroni]

And while I hope Smoove will correct me, I'm guessing we once again don't remotely have enough PPE stockpiled.

It's likely even worse than you realize.

Heck, we're still in the middle of an IV fluid shortage caused by Hurricane Helene.

[Isgrimnur]

H5N1 found in raw milk – the same drink promoted by America’s next health chief

Live traces of H5N1 bird flu have been found in batches of raw milk sold at retail stores across California, state regulators said on Sunday.

The virus was detected in a batch of raw or unpastured milk from Fresno-based brand Raw Farm, the largest producer of raw milk in California, via a sampling programme run by state health authorities.

Retailers were told to pull the product from their shelves, and consumers have been urged to discard the milk. No human infections have yet been linked to the product.

[Smoove_B]

There are posts on social media today absolutely filled with people sharing pictures of shopping carts and trunks loaded with raw milk and raw-milk products in anticipation of anything being pulled.

I'm not a financial planner, but if I was I'd suggest diverting a bit of your portfolio to include child-sized coffin manufacturing.

Gallows humor is all I have left.

[Max Peck]

purchase/acquire the best masks you can get your hands on

Speaking of which, the company that I use for N95 masks is having a Black Friday sale right now, and they service both Canada and the USA.

https://www.vitacore.com/

My mask of choice is their CAN99 (headband) and CAN99E (earloop) respirators. I use the headband version if the mask is staying on for an extended period, but the earband version is more convenient for short periods since it's less hassle to put it on and take it off.

[LordMortis]

I've never had problems getting them at reasonable pricing from Home Depot and fortunately for me, they've always been in stock in store when I needed them.

https://www.homedepot.com/s/n95%20mask?NCNI-5

I rarely wear them any more. I pretty much only wear them in medical environments, because that's where I always seem to get my illnesses from. (See the old age thread for me fear of secondary infections and people I know who have had them or my life catching things like TB or whooping cough, where essentially that's where they had to come from) I saw too many medical exhausted medical staff crying for freedom and how quickly the option to not use sanitation was completely dropped in environments that need it most.

[Max Peck]

Yeah, but the context here is preparedness for an H5N1 pandemic. I'm not assuming that once it erupts I will be able to walk into a store and buy a supply of N95s when the rest of the population (or at least the part of it that is paying attention) is trying to do the same. I haven't forgotten how much fun it was trying to come up with good masking options back in 2020.

[LordMortis]

I have a reasonable supply for the moment, and I'm too good at isolating, so I guess I'm not too concerned. If the bird signal goes up, I'm also likely to jump before most and I don't think what we're seeing counts as a bird signal. We're not even close to what triggered COVID shortages and 48% of likely voters in the US (and much more in my area) won't likely be feel the need to mask if/when the evidence starts kicking in.

I do wonder how many people have kept a reasonable supply in our "post" COVID world. I bet it's small and the people I see that do mask much more responsibly than I do nowadays all wear surgical masks. I'd likely do the same if I was wearing them everywhere. Expense is too high and I'd buy ear stress easing devices to make them much more comfortable than N95s as well.

[Max Peck]

It really depends on which variant of H5N1 we end up getting. The flavor that people get from licking chickens in Asia has a terrifying CFR, something like 50% iirc, while the flavor that Americans get from licking cows seems pretty mild. Who knows which end of the scale we'll see when we arrive at a flavor that people get from licking people.

[Smoove_B]

Might as well do it once before the practice of suspending distribution is mothballed:

Distribution of Raw Farm raw milk products has been suspended after bird flu virus was found in milk samples, the California Department of Food and Agriculture said.

“All Raw Farm operations are currently under quarantine, from herds to bottled product, which means that all raw milk product distribution is suspended,” Steve Lyle, director of public affairs for the agency, said in a statement on Monday.

“CDFA dairy inspectors sampled milk from bottled products and bulk milk storage at Raw Farm’s bottling facility on Wednesday, Nov 27, and laboratory test results made known on November 28 showed the presence of the bird flu virus. All milk tested by CDFA remained at the Raw Farm plant and was not released to consumers.”

NOTE:

According to the FDA, there’s no scientific evidence that raw milk helps with illnesses or allergies, and it’s not allowed to be sold between states. In June, the agency urged states to warn the public more strongly about the dangers of raw milk and to use their regulatory authorities to stop the sale of raw milk in areas where dairy herds have tested positive for H5N1.

No cases of bird flu have been linked to the milk but the state has said it’s investigating links between bird flu in raw milk and the ongoing spread of bird flu in dairy cows, poultry and humans.

[Max Peck]

Is it just me, or is the name "McAfee" a huge "possibly insane" red flag?

Raw milk producer optimistic after being shut down for bird flu detection

Bird flu has landed on a California farm that shuns virus-killing pasteurization, leading to a second recall of raw milk and a suspension of operations at the company, Raw Farm in Fresno County.

According to a November 27 alert by the California health department, officials in Santa Clara County found evidence of bird flu virus in retail samples of a batch of Raw Farm's milk, which has been recalled. It is the second time that retail testing has turned up positive results for the company and spurred a recall. The first contaminated batch was reported on November 24. The two recalled batches are those with lot codes 20241109 ("Best By" date of November 27, 2024) and 20241119 (Best By date of December 7, 2024).

In an email to Ars on Monday, Raw Farm CEO Mark McAfee said that none of the company's cows are visibly sick but that it appears that asymptomatic cows are shedding the avian influenza virus.

After the first recall, a representative for Raw Farm said in a video posted to its YouTube account that the risk of bird flu was "not a big deal." In the email on Monday, McAfee seemed to suggest the same.

McAfee shared documents arguing that bird flu-contaminated raw milk does not pose a risk. One document was said to contain responses from "ChatGBT" that suggested that bioactive components of raw milk could inactivate influenza viruses. However, the chatbot responses also noted that "inactivation of flu viruses in raw milk specifically hasn’t been extensively studied" and raw milk "carries a risk of bacterial contamination."

Multiple studies have found that raw milk from cows infected with bird flu can contain high levels of the live, infectious virus.

I mean, if an AI chatbot says that raw milk will inactivate the live infectious virus in the raw milk, then it must be just as safe as raw milk without the virus, amirite?

[Smoove_B]

We are legitimately living in the dumbest goddamn timeline.

[Smoove_B]

Meanwhile we have this excellent article:

California researchers say the world may be just one genetic tweak away from human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus — a worrisome mutation that could open the door to widespread human infections and possibly even a pandemic, according to some experts.

In a study published Thursday in the journal Science, Scripps Research Institute biologists determined that a single mutation of the hemagglutinin protein — the “H” in H5N1 — could transform a virus that has so far sickened or killed mostly birds and cows into a pathogen that targets cells in human beings.

...

Yoshihiro Kawaoka, a virologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Tokyo, called the Scripps teams’ finding a “significant discovery” and said it was “critical because, given the mutation rate of influenza viruses, one in every 10,000 particles of the bovine H5N1 virus could carry this mutation.”

That means the potential emergence of an H5N1 virus “that can recognize human receptors is closer than we may have thought,” he said.

I'm sure we'll be fine - we have a history of staying on top of these things.

[LordMortis]

If only we'd Co op better...

Maybe if we try solo.

[RMC]

And in one of the hospitals, in the system I work at...

Link to a local news story

[$iljanus]

Hmmm, I wonder if transmission of bird flu via raw milk consumption isn’t optimal for the virus since it’s going down into the stomach vs airborne droplets sending the virus into the lungs?

That said, there’s always the hardy bacteria in unpasteurized milk that will kill you. Since raw milk is not an option in your local store I’m sometimes a little callous about the fate of people who drink it after being warned about the risks. But I have a soft spot for children being the victims of poor parental choices so they should shut this shit down.

We’re going to be fucked by disruption of our livestock industry because of widespread bird flu that also happens to mutate and jump to infecting human workers who will bring it into their homes, children, schools, ERs, etc. But no worries, after a few million deaths I’m sure the virus will figure itself out and mutate into a more benign form that will just seem like a bad cold.

[Smoove_B]

Hmmm, I wonder if transmission of bird flu via raw milk consumption isn’t optimal for the virus since it’s going down into the stomach vs airborne droplets sending the virus into the lungs?

Indeed. I was thinking maybe it's possible that drinking the raw milk has it coating your soft-palate at the back of the throat and potentially working it's way up into your your sinuses and then down into your lungs? I would be very surprised to learn you could get bird flu via actual ingestion, yes.

[$iljanus]

Hmmm, I wonder if transmission of bird flu via raw milk consumption isn’t optimal for the virus since it’s going down into the stomach vs airborne droplets sending the virus into the lungs?

Indeed. I was thinking maybe it's possible that drinking the raw milk has it coating your soft-palate at the back of the throat and potentially working it's way up into your your sinuses and then down into your lungs? I would be very surprised to learn you could get bird flu via actual ingestion, yes.

Viruses like the path of least resistance and will probably kill everyone through tried and true inhaled droplets in the air method.

Now time to bury my head in the sand and play something on my PS5.

[LordMortis]

I'm more concerned about RMC's posting. He's too close to me and if there's one thing I've learned from COVID, is that if one hospitalized person 45 miles away around heavy travel time makes the news and dies of an airborne pathogen, you have about three weeks until the foundation cracks are exposed and two months until all hell has broken loose.

I really do need to start masking again in more than just medical enviornments.

[RMC]

I'm more concerned about RMC's posting. He's too close to me and if there's one thing I've learned from COVID, is that if one hospitalized person 45 miles away around heavy travel time makes the news and dies of an airborne pathogen, you have about three weeks until the foundation cracks are exposed and two months until all hell has broken loose.

I really do need to start masking again in more than just medical enviornments.

Just got an update, false alarm, the patient in isolation does not have anything bad. Just all a precaution. The COO of the organization sent out an email letting all of the employees know we were all safe.

[Smoove_B]

I guess having this in place now could be helpful - USDA announces federal order for milk testing:

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the start of its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS), which builds on measures taken by USDA and federal and state partners since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy cattle was first detected in March 2024. Today, USDA is issuing a new Federal Order, as well as accompanying guidance, requiring that raw (unpasteurized) milk samples nationwide be collected and shared with USDA for testing. This new guidance from USDA, which was developed with significant input from state, veterinary and public health stakeholders, will facilitate comprehensive H5N1 surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds.

Amazing that it took this long...and the rest I'll just keep to myself because of R&P.

[Smoove_B]

Update on Disease X in the Congo:

Between 24 October and as of 5 December 2024, Panzi health zone in Kwango Province has recorded 406 cases of an undiagnosed disease with symptoms of fever, headache, cough, runny nose and body ache and 31 deaths (Case Fatality Ratio or CFR of 7.6%). The reported cases had a peak in epidemiological week 45 (week ending 9 November 2024). The outbreak is still ongoing.

...

In Panzi health zone, children aged 0-14 years represent 64.3% of all reported cases, with the age groups 0-59 months, 5-9 years, and 10-14 years accounting for 53%, 7.4%, and 3.9% of cases, respectively. Females constitute 59.9% of the total cases. Among the deaths, 71% are below the age of 15, with 54.8% of the total in children under the age of five years. All severe cases were reported to be malnourished. There are 145 cases aged 15 and above, of which nine died (CFR: 6.2%). Deaths have primarily occurred in the village communities.

...

The clinical presentation of patients includes symptoms such as fever (96.5%), cough (87.9%), fatigue (60.9%) and a running nose (57.8%). The main symptoms associated with death include difficulty in breathing, anaemia, and signs of acute malnutrition. Based on the current context of the affected area and the broad presentation of symptoms, a number of suspected diseases need to be ruled out through further investigations and laboratory testing. These include but are not limited to measles, influenza, acute pneumonia (respiratory tract infection), hemolytic uremic syndrome from E. coli, COVID-19, and malaria.

Bigger picture:

Based on the above rationale, the overall risk level to the affected communities is assessed as high.

At the national level, the risk is considered moderate due to the localized nature of the outbreak within the Panzi health zone in Kwango province. However, the potential for spread to neighboring areas, coupled with gaps in surveillance and response systems, this assessment underscores the need for heightened preparedness.

At the regional and global levels, the risk remains low at this time. However, the proximity of the affected area to the border with Angola raises concerns about potential cross-border transmission, and continued monitoring and cross-border coordination will be essential to mitigate this risk.

[LordMortis]

I can't remember the last time I had a cold. I've got one just starting since yesterday. If it keeps getting worse, I may actually use one of those COVID tests they sent in September that are only good through December.

I somehow don't imagine they'll be sending another round next year. Heck, I wonder if the vaccine will even be insured next year.

[Punisher]

Is it just me, or is the name "McAfee" a huge "possibly insane" red flag?

Raw milk producer optimistic after being shut down for bird flu detection

Bird flu has landed on a California farm that shuns virus-killing pasteurization, leading to a second recall of raw milk and a suspension of operations at the company, Raw Farm in Fresno County.

According to a November 27 alert by the California health department, officials in Santa Clara County found evidence of bird flu virus in retail samples of a batch of Raw Farm's milk, which has been recalled. It is the second time that retail testing has turned up positive results for the company and spurred a recall. The first contaminated batch was reported on November 24. The two recalled batches are those with lot codes 20241109 ("Best By" date of November 27, 2024) and 20241119 (Best By date of December 7, 2024).

In an email to Ars on Monday, Raw Farm CEO Mark McAfee said that none of the company's cows are visibly sick but that it appears that asymptomatic cows are shedding the avian influenza virus.

After the first recall, a representative for Raw Farm said in a video posted to its YouTube account that the risk of bird flu was "not a big deal." In the email on Monday, McAfee seemed to suggest the same.

McAfee shared documents arguing that bird flu-contaminated raw milk does not pose a risk. One document was said to contain responses from "ChatGBT" that suggested that bioactive components of raw milk could inactivate influenza viruses. However, the chatbot responses also noted that "inactivation of flu viruses in raw milk specifically hasn’t been extensively studied" and raw milk "carries a risk of bacterial contamination."

Multiple studies have found that raw milk from cows infected with bird flu can contain high levels of the live, infectious virus.

I mean, if an AI chatbot says that raw milk will inactivate the live infectious virus in the raw milk, then it must be just as safe as raw milk without the virus, amirite?

I always knew McAfee wasn't the best at preventing viruses.

[Max Peck]

This forum needs likes.

[LordMortis]

US vaccinations fall again as more parents refuse lifesaving shots for kids

Measles, whooping cough, polio, tetanus—devastating and sometimes deadly diseases await comebacks in the US as more and more parents are declining routine childhood vaccines that have proved safe and effective.

The vaccination rates among kindergartners have fallen once again, dipping into the range of 92 percent in the 2023–2024 school year, down from about 93 percent the previous school year and 95 percent in 2019–2020. That's according to an analysis of the latest vaccination data published today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The analysis also found that vaccination exemptions rose to an all-time high of 3.3 percent, up from 3 percent in the previous school year. The rise in exemptions is nearly entirely driven by non-medical exemptions—in other words, religious or philosophical exemptions. Only 0.2 percent of all vaccination exemptions are medically justified.

The new stats mean that more parents are choosing to decline lifesaving vaccines and, for the fourth consecutive year, the US has remained below the 95 percent vaccination target that would keep vaccine-preventable diseases from spreading within communities. In fact, the country continues to slip further away from that target.

Based on data from 49 states plus the District of Columbia (Montana did not report data), 80 percent of jurisdictions saw declines in vaccinations of all four key vaccines assessed: MMR, against measles, mumps, and rubella; DTaP, against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough); VAR, against chickenpox; and polio.

The most recent data I can find for Canada is from 2021, and it appears to be even worse.

And down they go, for all the wrong reasons...

https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2 ... higan.html

More than half of infants who contract pertussis, known as whooping cough, require hospitalization.

Once their condition has deteriorated enough to require medical care, there isn’t much physicians can do to treat them or speed up recovery. Instead, they offer supportive care, limit spread, and wait for the disease to run its course, said Dr. Francis Darr, a pediatrician in Marquette.

“The key, again, is not so much treatment as it is prevention and avoiding infection in the first place,” Darr said.

Michigan is seeing its highest number of pertussis infections in a decade. As of Dec. 8, the state health department reported more than 1,500 cases, which is more than twice as much as the 596-case average from 2017 through 2019.

[gilraen]

I really need to schedule a Tdap booster.

[Smoove_B]

I mentioned it on the other side of the fence, but everyone should be looking at their available vaccines (elders, adults, children) and seeing what you can schedule over the next 5 weeks. I don't expect them to disappear after 1/20/25, but I would not be surprised if insurance companies change what is covered based on updated recommendations from the CDC vaccine schedule. Call it a hunch.

[Smoove_B]

Where's $iljanus? Once again, the importance of watching semen

An analysis of data from hundreds of studies identified 22 viruses capable of persisting in human semen after infection, with nine showing evidence of sexual transmission.

...

“Establishment of latent infection in the male reproductive tract and virus shedding in semen is probably more common than currently considered,” said Caitlin Pley, a researcher at the Charité Center for Global Health in Berlin, and her co-authors. “An improved understanding of the role of semen in virus transmission is of great value for public health, most notably in the response to outbreaks of high-consequence viral pathogens.”

And you all laughed!