Category: Flu Virus

Its that time of year again, when the misery of norovirus strikes much of the U.S. Each year the pathogen causes an average of 900 deaths, 109,000 hospitalizations, 465,000 emergency room visits, and 19 to 21 million illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The agency reports national norovirus trends as three-week moving averages of positive test rates. So far in the 202324 season, infections peaked the week of Dec. 30, 2023, at 13% positivity. Rates have since oscillated, with 12.3% positivity the week of Feb. 17, 2024.

Heres what you need to know to avoid the common wintertime menace known for sickening whole familiesand schools, conferences, and cruise shipsat once.

Norovirus, commonly called the stomach flu, though its unrelated to influenza, spreads with remarkable ease, Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, tells Fortune. Its nicknames include winter vomiting disease and the cruise ship virus, as it easily spreads among those in close quarters, he adds.

The illness usually moves from person to person via fecal-oral transmission. You can catch it by consuming contaminated food or water, and its the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., according to the CDC. You can also get it by touching a contaminated surface like a doorknob or light switch and then touching your mouth.

It takes a very small amount of virus to get sickso miniscule a microscope cant always detect it, Dr. Ali Alhassani, head of clinical at subscription-based pediatrics service Summer Health and a pediatrician at Boston Childrens Hospital, tells Fortune.

Because the virus is primarily passed through particles of feces invisible to the naked eye, its easy to unknowingly spread and contract the diseaseif, for example, you dont wash your hands well after using the restroom or changing a babys diaper. It doesnt take a lot to get people pretty sick, Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, tells Fortune. Thats the main reason its so infectious.

Whats more, if youre near someone who is projectile vomiting, you can actually be infected via aerosols, Schaffner adds.

Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

In general, norovirus is very violent and inconvenient, Dr. Luis Ostrosky, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, tells Fortune.

According to the CDC, common symptoms include:

Symptoms usually occur within 1248 hours of exposure, and last for one to three days. Because norovirus can cause repeated vomiting and diarrhea, the biggest risk is getting very dehydrated, Benjamin advisesespecially among the young, the elderly, and those with other medical conditions.

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for the illness. Antibiotic drugs, which fight bacteria, cant treat norovirus.

You should be sure, however, to keep hydrated, to replace fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea. If youre caring for a child with norovirus, watch for signs of dehydration, including crying few or no tears and being unusually sleepy or fussy. If you think youre severely dehydrated or that someone youre caring for is, call your health care provider, the CDC advises.

While sports drinks and other caffeine-free and nonalcoholic drinks may help treat mild dehydration, the CDC stresses that those fluids might not replace nutrients and minerals. The agency recommends over-the-counter rehydration fluids, such as Pedialyte.

Norovirus is a common winter virus, though its also known to circulate via gatherings at other times of the year, like at spring or summer weddings or cruises. The virus typically makes waves from November through March, Alhassani tells Fortune.

Well all be experiencing infectious diseases more frequently, now that pandemic restrictions have been universally lifted, experts cautionat least for the near future. Remember, were basically going from almost no cases of anything [during COVID lockdowns] to a bunch of cases of something, be it RSV, flu, or norovirus, Benjamin advises.

Were out and about sharing germs with each other again.

February is a typical time for norovirus to gain ground, Schaffner adds, and its really taking advantage of our having gotten together for the first time in several years.

Nuttawan JayawanGetty Images

The best advice, experts tell Fortune:

Dr. Alice Pong, clinical medical director of infectious diseases at Rady Childrens HospitalSan Diego, advises adults to be extra diligent about washing their hands before they eatand to have their kids do the same. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers dont work well on some viruses, including norovirus. So ditch the hand sanitizer in favor of actually washing your hands, she advises.

And dont forget the laundry: Soiled clothes and linens should be washed with detergent and hot water for the maximum available cycle, the CDC says. Machine-dry them at the hottest setting.

Alhassani recommends choosing household cleaners that promise to kill 99.9% of viruses. Such labeling informs consumers that products kill norovirus, a notoriously difficult task, he advises.

If youre sick, be sure to stay home and avoid serving and preparing food for others, Ostrosky cautions, emphasizing the importance of paid sick leaveparticularly for food workers, in the case of a pathogen like norovirus.

There is not yet an approved vaccine for norovirus, though scientists are working on it, according to Schaffner. Thankfully, for most, this is an illness that makes you miserable for two to three days, but then you recover, he says.

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Additional reporting by Lindsey Leake.

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Norovirus causes up to 21 million illnesses in the U.S. every year. Heres what to know about the contagious disease that hand sanitizer cant kill -...

Elephant seals dead in Argentina from bird flu (Maxi Jonas) Courtesy: Katherine E Kerlin, UC Davis News

(NewsNation) The H5N1 bird flu virus has adapted to spread to marine mammals, threatening wildlife conservation efforts, according to a new study from the University of California, Davis and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) in Argentina.

Researchers collected brain tissue samples from four sea lions, one fur seal and a tern found dead at the most affected sea lion rookery on the Atlantic shore of Argentina, and all tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus.

Genome sequencing showed the virus collected from the samples shared mammal-adaptation mutations previously found in a few sea lions in Peru and Chile and a human case in Chile.

The researchers said it was of particular note that the mammal-adaptation mutations were also found in the tern, which is a bird, in the first such finding.

This confirms that while the virus may have adapted to marine mammals, it still has the ability to infect birds, first author Agustina Rimondi, a virologist from INTA, said in a statement. It is a multi-species outbreak.

The study was published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

This virus is still relatively low risk for humans, said senior author Marcela Uhart, a wildlife veterinarian with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicines One Health Institute and director of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Institutes Latin America Program.

As long as the virus continues to replicate in mammals, it may make it a higher concern for humans. Thats why its so important to conduct surveillance and provide early warning, Uhart said.

This new monster, as Uhart calls the current variant of H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b, emerged in 2020. It killed tens of thousands of sea birds in Europe then moved on to South Africa. In 2022, it entered the U.S. and Canada, threatening food poultry along with wild birds, then migrated to Peru and Chile later that year.

It entered Argentina in February 2023, and in August of that year, the virus was first detected in sea lions on the Atlantic coast of Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America. From there, it moved north, proving deadly for marine mammals.

Uhart co-authored a previous paper showing that the virus killed 70% of elephant seal pups born in the 2023 breeding season. In the surveyed areas of Argentinas Pennsula Valds, mortality reached at least 96% by early November 2023.

When it first came to Argentina, we didnt know if it would affect elephant seals, Uhart said. We never imagined the magnitude of what was to come.

Scientists say that since 2022, H5N1 has killed at least 600,000 wild birds and 50,000 mammals across South America, including elephant seals and sea lions in Argentina, Chile and Peru, and thousands of albatrosses in the Malvinas/Falkland Islands.

Researchers say the virus is now moving south, posing a serious threat to the penguins and other wildlife in Antarctica. Uhart and Ralph Vanstreels, her colleague at UC Davis Latin America Program in the School of Veterinary Medicine, are conducting wildlife surveillance in Antarctica this month.

We need to keep an eye on the ability of this virus to reach species that have never been exposed to an H5N1 infection before, Rimondi said. The consequences in those species can be very severe.

We are trying to be at the forefront of documenting, recording and providing early warning, Uhart said. Weve been in this area for 30 years. We know these species. We work with scientists who have 30 years of data on these populations, so we can know what will be important for the future. We have to give voice to these poor creatures. Nobodys taking note of how big this is.

TMX contributed to this report.

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Deadly H5N1 bird flu spreading to marine mammals after adaptation - NewsNation Now

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A deadly type of bird flu has been confirmed on the mainland of Antarctica for the first time, scientists said, a potential risk for the southern region's huge penguin colonies.

"This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents," Spain's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) said on Sunday.

The presence of the virus was confirmed on Saturday in samples of dead skua seabirds that were found by Argentine scientists near the Antarctic base Primavera, CSIC added.

POPULAR PENGUIN EXHIBIT AT ALBUQUERQUE BIOPARK ZOO CLOSES DUE TO BIRD FLU CONCERNS

The confirmed case on the Antarctic peninsula, coming after cases on islands nearby, including among gentoo penguins, highlights the risk to colonies in the region to the H5N1 avian flu that has decimated bird populations around the world in recent months.

The southern region of Antarctica's penguin colonies are potentially at risk for bird flu as scientists say the virus has reached the mainland. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)

"Analysis has conclusively shown that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza and at least one of the dead birds contained the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus," CSIC said in a statement.

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Argentina's Antarctic Institute on Monday said that the South American country had worked with Spanish researchers to test samples from dead birds found earlier in the year near the Argentine base, which confirmed the presence of the virus.

Hundreds of thousands of penguins gather in tightly packed colonies on the Antarctic continent and nearby islands, which could enable the deadly virus to easily spread.

Data from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research also showed a now-confirmed case at the research base.

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Antarctica struck with bird flu as scientists say illness has hit the mainland for the first time - Fox News

For the first time ever, a deadly strain of avian flu has been detected on the Antarctic mainland, raising concerns for the penguin colonies inhabiting the region.

According to aSpanish-led research team, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) was identified on Feb. 24 in two samples taken from dead skua seabirds found by Argentine scientists near the Primavera Antarctic base.

This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents, scientists from the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center of the Higher Council for Scientific Research statedin a press release.

In the past year, the virus has been spreading across the world in both avian and mammals such as seals, polar bears and elephants. In late January, it was detected for the first time in Antarctic penguins found dead off the Falkland Islands coast but not in the actual Antarctic territory.

This highly contagious virus has led to thedeaths of millionsof birds worldwide due to its rapid spread. Scientists warn that it poses a significant threat to Antarctica's wildlife because the region's penguins, which haven't been exposed to the virus before, typically reside closely together in colonies, making it easier to spread to a higher number more quickly.

You have these massive, densely packed together bird colonies and some of those megacharismatic, highly threatened species, which are all packed together down there, Christian Walzer, a wildlife veterinarian and executive director of health at the Wildlife Conservation Society told theScientific American. If [a virus outbreak] does hit, the impacts will be potentially really devastating ... Entire populations may disappear ... This would be a catastrophe.

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Deadly bird flu hits Antarctica for first time, threatening penguins - FOX 17 West Michigan News

Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug that causes diarrhea and vomiting, is on the rise across the United States. Also known as the "stomach flu" or winter vomiting bug, norovirus is very common and spreads easily from person to person.

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis, or an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, which leads to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Symptoms are often severe and start suddenly. If youve ever had norovirus, you know how miserable it can be.

Anyone can get infected with norovirus, and it spreads year-round, but outbreaks are most common during the colder winter months.

A recent outbreak of norovirus in North Carolina made headlines when more than 240 people complained of illness after dining at a sushi restaurant in Raleigh. The Wake County Health Department confirmed three cases of norovirus linked to the local restaurant, according to a statement.

Last month, health officials in Evanston, Illinois, also investigated a norovirus outbreak connected to a dollar-burrito event for students at Northwestern University, NBC Chicago reported.

Unlike its nickname suggests, norovirus is not related to the flu, which is caused by influenza viruses.

Annually, norovirus causes 19 to 21 million cases of vomiting and diarrhea in the U.S., 465,000 emergency room visits, 109,000 hospitalizations, and 900 deaths, per the CDC.

Last winter, cases and outbreaks surged in the U.S., peaking in March 2023, and norovirus activity remained high well into the late spring. After a summer lull, cases are expected to keep rising.

England also had an exceptionally severe norovirus season this past winter. In March 2023, cases soared to the highest levels seen in over a decade, according to the U.K. Health Security Agency.

Whats more, norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships spiked in 2023, reaching the highest levels seen in 11 years. Between January and June 2023, there were 13 confirmed norovirus outbreaks on U.S. cruise ships thats more outbreaks in six months than there have been during any full year since 2012, according to CDC data.

The 20232024 norovirus season is already underway, and cases are ramping up in most parts of the country as temperatures drop.

According to the most recent data from the CDC, the rate of norovirus tests coming back positive, averaged over three weeks,was nearly 13% as of Dec. 30. This is down from a peak of 17% in March but more than double the rate in September and October. During this time of year in 2022, less than 10% of tests were coming back positive.

Norovirus is expected rise across the U.S. through the end of 2023 and early 2024 because it has a wintertime seasonality in the U.S., Kate Grusich, CDC spokesperson, tells TODAY.com. In temperate climates, activity tends to peak during the colder winter months.

Historically, the vast majority of outbreaks have occurred between November and April, according to the CDC.

While other intestinal viruses are more common in the summer, norovirus is known as the "winter vomiting disease," Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells TODAY.com.

As the holiday season approaches, there will be an uptick in indoor gatherings and travel which can unfortunately spread germs like norovirus as well, says Grusich.

We can expect norovirus to sweep the country in the coming months, but it's too early to tell whether norovirus will surge like it did last winter or surpass the previous season's peak.

While its unclear how severe the upcoming 2023-2024 season will be, understanding why norovirus spiked last winter may offer clues into what we can expect this winter.

During the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, norovirus outbreaks plummeted to unusually low levels, per the CDC, and rates remained relatively low until the 2021-22 season. Prevention measures implemented to curb COVID-19 were likely effective in preventing norovirus outbreaks as well, says Grusich.

During 2022-2023 season, cases began ramping up in December and surged in the first few months of 2023. Dr. Ali Alhassani, a pediatrician at Boston Childrens Hospital and head of clinical at Summer Health,told TODAY.com in February that norovirus cases at the time were going up quickly and it started pretty suddenly.

CDC data show that norovirus cases peaked between February and March of 2023. Norovirus activity remained high in the U.S. through the late spring, causing numerous outbreaks in schools.

In June, Dr. Luis Ostrosky, an infectious disease specialist at UTHealth Houston and Memorial Hermann in Houston, told TODAY.com that its not unusual to be see (norovirus) cases in April and May, (and) we are continuing to see many cases.

Ostrosky also told TODAY.com back in February that in 2023 norovirus activity (was) higher and earlier than usual, but definitely not a big outlier compared to pre-pandemic levels.

One CDC chart shows that the highest number of outbreaks (106) reported per week during the 2021-2023 seasonal years was higher than the peak number of outbreaks (92) reported per week through the 2012-20 seasonal years.

One possible reason for the surge in 2023, according to experts, is that many children who evaded the stomach bug over the past few years were exposed to norovirus and other viruses that tend to circulate among schools in the winter and early spring.

"We've always had seasonal increases and waves of norovirus, and our hospitals would be filled with kids," Dr. Albert Ko, infectious disease physician and professor of public health, epidemiology and medicine at Yale School of Public Health, tells TODAY.com. "What kind of took us off was the pandemic," Ko adds.

Now that pandemic restrictions have relaxed and many children and adults have given up measures like distancing or masking, the number of norovirus outbreaks has returned to levels similar to pre-pandemic years, the experts note.

The post-pandemic tourism boom may have also played a role. As travel increases, travel-related illnesses are expected to surge, as well, said Ostrosky. I think our travel frenzy after COVID is partially fueling this continued spread (of norovirus), he added.

"I think ... post-COVID ... there may have been a bit more (norovirus) infections, just as there has been with many other (viruses) now that people are behaving in a pre-COVID manner,"says Schaffner.

Norovirus is highly contagious and it only takes a few virus particles to cause infection.

It is spread primarily through the fecal-oral route or "when bacteria or viruses shed in stool ends up on our hands and surfaces then eventually ends up in our mouth and we ingest it and get infected," said Alhassani.

Norovirus may be transmitted directly from an infected person or indirectly through contaminated surfaces, objects, foods or drinks.

"Anybody who is in close contact with someone who has an active infection with norovirus is at high risk of getting it," said Alhassani. Norovirus can spread through activities like caring for an infected person, changing diapers or sharing utensils.

"Norovirus is so infectious that even if somebody throws up and there's droplets of vomit aerosolized in the air, that can actually cause infection," Alhassani added.

It takes a very small number of virus particles to transmit the disease, said Ko, which is why norovirus causes so many explosive outbreaks. Per the CDC, less than 100 norovirus particles can make you sick, and infected people typically shed billions of particles.

Most people are infectious from the time symptoms begin until about two or three days after symptoms resolve, Ko said, but some people can remain contagious or up to two weeks after recovery.

Outbreaks often occur in congregate settings such as schools, day cares, health care settings, nursing homes and cruise ships, says Schaffner.

According to the experts, the most common signs and symptoms of norovirus include:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Nausea

Stomach pain or cramps

Other possible symptoms include a headache, body aches and a low-grade fever, says Ko. Norovirus symptoms usually develop within 12 to 48 hours after exposure, per the CDC.

"Norovirus ... will just last a few days," said Ostrosky. "For the majority of the population, its going to be just a nuisance."

Those at higher risk of developing severe or prolonged symptoms include babies, the elderly and the immunocompromised, said Ostrosky. If symptoms transition into chronic diarrhea and weight loss, this can lead to complications like dehydration or poor absorption of medications, he added.

"There's actually no specific treatment or antiviral for norovirus," said Ostrosky. Hydration is key to replenish fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea, the experts noted, which means drinking plenty of water, Pedialyte or sports drinks.

"Then it's just eating bland foods and trying to let it pass through the body, which usually takes like one to three days," said Alhassani, adding that over-the-counter anti-nausea medicine and pain relievers may also be used to ease symptoms.

The vast majority of people can be managed at home and, in fact, should be isolated at home until theyre improving, given how contagious norovirus can be, said Ostrosky.

However, it's important to watch for signs of severe dehydration and to contact a health care provider if these occur, the experts noted. These include dry mouth, decreased urination, dizziness and, in children specifically, crying without tears, fussiness or unusual sleepiness, per the CDC.

Children under the age of 1, immunocompromised people, and those with prolonged or severe symptoms should also be seen by a physician, said Alhassani.

A person can be infected with norovirus multiple times in their lifetime. After recovering, you may possibly develop some short-term immunity, said Ko, but it won't be robust and wanes quickly.

It's only partial immunity ... because there are different types of norovirus, and being exposed to one doesnt give you complete protection to another, he explained.

"We do not have a vaccine against norovirus yet, although there are scientists trying to create a norovirus vaccine but that's down the road," says Schaffner. However, there are steps you can take to prevent infection and transmission.

Hand hygiene is extremely important but the way you clean your hands matters, Ostrosky noted, and it has to be with soap and water. Hand sanitizer does not work against norovirus.

Norovirus is one of the few viruses that doesnt get deactivated by alcohol. You actually need to use soap and water to physically destroy it and remove it from your hands, said Ostrosky.

Wash your hands after using the restroom, before eating or cooking and after caring for someone with norovirus.

"Goodhand-washingis really important for everyone, especially for people who handle food or are around children, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems," says Grusich.

When cleaning surfaces or objects that may be contaminated with norovirus, Ostrosky suggested using a high-level disinfectant like bleach.

If you or your child are sick with norovirus, isolate to prevent the virus from spreading within the household, said Alhassani. Anyone sick with norovirus should stay home until they feel better. Added Grusich: Avoid food preparation until at least 48 hours after symptoms stop.

It's also important to continue washing your hands often even after you feel better.

"We can expect to continue seeing more viral illnesses, both respiratory and gastrointestinal, in this post-COVID era we're sort of approaching," said Ostrosky, adding that the basics of hand-washing, isolation and respiratory etiquette can go a long way.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com

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Norovirus, aka stomach flu, on the rise in the US: Know these signs - Yahoo News

Imagine a virus so versatile it leaps from birds to marine mammals, igniting concerns not just for animal populations but potentially for human health as well. This isn't the plot of a science fiction movie, but the reality we face with the H5N1 bird flu virus. A groundbreaking study conducted by the University of California, Davis, and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) in Argentina has illuminated this grave new threat to wildlife conservation, revealing that the virus has not only adapted to infect marine mammals but is also spreading with alarming speed and deadliness across continents.

The study, a collaborative international effort, analyzed brain samples from dead sea lions, a fur seal, and a tern found along the Atlantic shore of South America. The results were startling: all samples tested positive for the H5N1 virus, with genomic sequencing unveiling mutations that facilitate the virus's infection of mammals. This isn't just about a virus spreading; it's about it evolving, learning to breach the defenses of entirely different species. These mutations were previously identified in sea lions in Peru and Chile and even a human case in Chile, underscoring the potential for a wider threat to public health. The ability of H5N1 to infect multiple species points to a looming multispecies epidemic, one that could have dire implications if the virus continues to mutate.

Since its emergence in 2020, the clade 2.3.4.4b variant of H5N1 has been a harbinger of death for wildlife, with at least 600,000 wild birds and 50,000 mammals succumbing to the virus in South America alone. The toll includes not just any animals, but hundreds of elephant seals and sea lions along the coasts of Argentina, Chile, and Peru, and even albatrosses in the Malvinas (Falkland Islands). The spread of the virus southward now threatens Antarctic wildlife, including penguins, raising alarms about a potential ecological disaster in one of the planet's last untouched frontiers. This scenario underscores the interconnectedness of human, domestic animal, and wildlife health and highlights the urgent need for global collaboration in disease outbreak management and wildlife conservation efforts.

The findings from this study serve as a crucial early warning. While the immediate risk to humans is currently considered low, the continuous replication of H5N1 in mammals could heighten this risk significantly. It's a stark reminder of the importance of surveillance and proactive measures in managing disease outbreaks. Ongoing wildlife surveillance efforts by researchers are more critical than ever, especially with H5N1's move towards Antarctica. The world has witnessed the devastating impact of pandemics; the spread of H5N1 among wildlife serves as a call to action to prevent another, potentially more catastrophic one.

In facing this unprecedented threat, the global community must come together, pooling resources and expertise to monitor, control, and hopefully halt the spread of H5N1. The health of our planet and its inhabitants, human and animal alike, depends on it.

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Mutated H5N1 Bird Flu Virus Threatens Wildlife from South America to Antarctica - Medriva

In a development that has caught the attention of the global health community, a recent study has uncovered that the H5N1 bird flu virus, known for its deadly impact on avian populations, has mutated in a way that allows it to spread among marine mammals. This revelation comes after the discovery of several dead marine animals, including four sea lions, one fur seal, and a tern, on the shores of Argentina, all of which tested positive for H5N1. The findings, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, suggest not just a multi-species outbreak but also a potential increased risk to humans.

The genetic analysis of the virus found in these animals revealed striking similarities, not only among the different species but also with a human case in Chile, as well as with sea lions in Peru and Chile. This suggests that the virus, particularly the clade 2.3.4.4b variant that emerged in 2020, is not only spreading more easily among birds and marine mammals but could also pose an increased risk to humans. The virus has been responsible for significant mortality among wildlife in South America, with over 600,000 wild birds and 50,000 mammals falling victim. One of the most alarming instances of this outbreak's deadly impact was observed during the 2023 breeding season in Argentina, where 70% of elephant seal pups died due to the virus.

Despite the concerning developments among wildlife, the risk to humans remains relatively low at this stage. However, experts are emphasizing the importance of continued surveillance and early warning systems. The virus's ability to replicate in mammals is particularly worrying, as it could potentially lead to mutations that might increase the risk of human infection. The global health community is calling for collaborative efforts in monitoring and studying the virus's behavior, particularly its ability to infect species previously unexposed to H5N1, such as those in Antarctica. The potential for the virus to affect Antarctic wildlife, including penguins, poses a new frontier in the fight against H5N1.

The study's findings underscore the need for a global response to the H5N1 threat, highlighting the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Surveillance and early warning systems are more crucial than ever, as they provide the first line of defense against a virus that has shown a remarkable ability to adapt and spread. The continuous monitoring of the virus's spread and impact, particularly in regions like Antarctica, which have previously been untouched by such outbreaks, is essential in preventing a potential pandemic. The global health and scientific communities are urged to work together, sharing knowledge and resources to combat the spread of H5N1 and protect both wildlife and human populations.

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Mutated H5N1 Bird Flu Virus Spreads Among Marine Mammals, Raising Concerns for Human Health - Medriva

By Cassidy Morrison Senior Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com 16:25 28 Feb 2024, updated 16:53 28 Feb 2024

Fear is rampant on social media platforms about a mystery virus that has caused Covid-like symptoms, despite many having tested negative for the virus, as well as flu and RSV.

People have described being sick for weeks on end with high fevers, nausea, trouble breathing, loss of sense of smell, and fatigue.

But health experts say the virus is less mysterious than it is painted online. There are viruses circulating at all times of year, and this mystery virus is likely one of the common seasonalillnesses that were suppressed during the Covid pandemic.

There is thought to be a two-pronged effect at play. People are hypersensitive to their own health after the pandemic, and our immune systems were weakened due to things like lockdowns and working from home, when we were not exposed to germs, making illnesses feel more brutal.

While thousands called their illness a mystery virus, their reported symptoms do not necessarily overlap. Some have likened it to a respiratory infection similar to Covid, while others have described symptoms consistent with strep throat.

Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, toldThe Hill: The symptoms that are being described are pretty consistent with, you know, a lot of viruses that are not mystery viruses, that are things that are out there circulating all year. The common cold being one of them.

A rise in other respiratory infections concurrent with Covid and the flu is to be expected with the season, and with more people socializing in person, the spread of an infectious disease becomes much more likely.

And because Covid has been a top health concern for years, it is also likely that people have, in a way, forgotten that there is an exhaustive list of other infections that could strike throughout the year.

Dr Georges Benjamin, a longtime physician and executive director of the American Public Health Association, said: Theres a collective amnesia of what life was like five years ago.

RSV is getting a higher profile and higher billing in conversation because there is a vaccine for it. And we dont have a vaccine for the common cold yet. And again, its almost 200 different viruses.

He added: 'I would advise them that this is cold and flu season, and that this is consistent with what we see in cold and flu season.'

One user on TikTok describing her illness said: I was sick a few weeks ago for about two weeks. The first four days were absolutely terrible. I tested for Covid, I tested for both a and b flu, I tested for strep, and was negative for everything twice.

I had a fever, pretty much for four straight days, I was super congested, shortness of breath, loss of sense of smell. Everything you would think of whenever you have covid or the flu. I was also really dizzy and lightheaded a lot.

Another one said: Yall have the virus thats going around the United States right now? The one with a sore throat that hurts no matter what you drink, the constant mucus that suffocates you in the middle of the night, the severe ear pain, the migraines, the body aches that feel like you just played a basketball game and no subs were called in for you? Fever, the chills?

You know, basically, strep, the flu, a normal cold, and bronchitis all basically mixed together?

Some experts have posited that, contrary to what many are saying, the fault could be Covid. Many are quick to remind people on social media that the virus is still circulating in the US, albeit at far lower levels than in previous years.

Across America, 38 states are now reporting 'high' or 'very high' levels of flu-like illness, up 19 percent in a week and nearly three times the level a month ago.

A new strain, JN.1, entered public health experts radar earlier this year, accounting for an estimated 83 percent to 88 percent of all circulating variants toward the end of January

Dr Zachary Rubin, an immunologist with expertise in allergies and asthma, said: Its probably not much of a mystery because people havent been talking about it lately, but Covid-19 is still circulating at high levels throughout the United States.

We see high levels in wastewater when people go to the bathroom. You shed that virus and we cansample that to see whats going on in the general population, even if people arent testing for it.

He added that many people use home diagnostic tests, which can give false negative results. Its best to test several times over 24 to 48 hours or to get a PCR test in a doctors office.

So this is still something that is going around, making people not only sick but severely sick and having lingering symptoms.

At the same time, Covid test positivity rates are the lowest theyve been in weeks. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about eight percent of Covid tests have come back positive in the past week, down from 9.7 percent two weeks ago and 10.2 percent three weeks ago.

The explosion in testimonials about the concerning so-called mystery virus is directly connected to pandemic-related anxiety and the spread of dubious health claims, according to Callum Hood, head of research at the Center for Countering Digital Hate.

He said: Social media failed to tackle repeated waves of health misinformation during the Covid pandemic, and its had a lasting effect in creating distrust of real medical experts while breeding a new generation of online quacks.

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Fears about a 'mystery virus' spread through TikTok - among young people who say they're not testing positive - Daily Mail

In a quiet laboratory within the bustling heart of the National Institutes of Health, a team of dedicated scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' Vaccine Research Center has made a discovery that could forever change the way we confront influenza. Their recent publication in Immunity reveals the identification of antibodies that zero in on a previously uncharted territory of the influenza virus: the 'dark side' of its neuraminidase (NA) protein. This discovery holds the potential to revolutionize influenza prevention and treatment, offering hope for protection against a myriad of strains with a single, universal approach.

The significance of targeting the 'dark side' of the NA protein cannot be overstated. Unlike the rapidly mutating regions that often render vaccines ineffective from year to year, this area is a bastion of stability across various influenza strains, including the notorious H3N2 subtype. By isolating human antibodies from individuals who had bounced back from H3N2 influenza, the research team has illuminated a path toward developing vaccines and therapies that could be universally effective, potentially sidelining the need for annual vaccine updates.

The antibodies isolated proved their mettle by inhibiting the propagation of multiple influenza subtypes in laboratory settings, and impressively, safeguarding mice from lethal doses of the H3N2 virus. Advanced cryogenic electron microscopy techniques unveiled the antibodies' binding to distinct, nonoverlapping regions within the NA dark side, underscoring the breadth of this target's potential. This discovery not only challenges the current paradigm of influenza vaccine development but also kindles hope for a future where flu outbreaks could be met with unprecedented preparedness.

This breakthrough heralds a promising new frontier in influenza prevention and treatment. Developing vaccines that target the NA dark side could offer broad-spectrum protection against the flu, mitigating the impact of seasonal epidemics and potential pandemics. Moreover, these findings could pave the way for therapies that are effective even against strains that have developed resistance to existing antiviral drugs, a growing concern in the medical community.

However, the journey from discovery to practical application is fraught with challenges. The intricate process of vaccine development involves rigorous testing for safety and efficacy, a path that can span years, if not decades. Furthermore, the global diversity of influenza strains necessitates extensive research to ensure that targeting the NA dark side will offer truly universal protection.

The fight against influenza is a moving target, with the virus's propensity for mutation outpacing current vaccination strategies. The identification of antibodies targeting the NA dark side by NIH researchers offers a glimmer of hope for a more effective, long-term solution to this perennial challenge. By potentially eliminating the need for yearly vaccine updates and providing a bulwark against emerging flu viruses, this discovery could represent a seminal shift in our approach to combating influenza.

As the world watches, the implications of this research extend beyond the laboratory, promising a future where influenza's impact on public health could be significantly diminished. The dedication of the scientific community to exploring uncharted territories of viral proteins underscores a commitment to innovation and public health that could one day turn the tide in the battle against one of humanity's oldest adversaries.

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NIH Researchers Unveil Groundbreaking Flu Antibodies, Targeting the Virus's Elusive 'Dark Side' - Medriva

In a move reflective of the ever-changing arena of influenza virus circulation, U.S. flu vaccines are poised for a significant transformation from the current quadrivalent format, which offers protection against four strains of the flu virus, to a trivalent format, safeguarding against three. At the heart of this shift is the absence of the influenza B/Yamagata virus strain from global circulation since the early days of 2020, a phenomenon meticulously outlined in a recent publication in the New England Journal of Medicine by Arnold Monto, a revered professor emeritus of epidemiology and global public health at the University of Michigan, and his distinguished colleagues from the U.K. Health Security Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The decision to pivot to a trivalent vaccine formulation is not made lightly. It emerges from the logical standpoint of not including a virus strain, B/Yamagata, which has eluded detection in the global flu virus circulation for over three years. The underlying goal is to enhance the efficacy of flu vaccines by ensuring they closely mirror the strains currently posing a threat. Arnold Monto, who also serves on the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, suggests that the space freed up by omitting the B/Yamagata component could potentially be utilized for incorporating elements that offer robust protection against prevailing flu strains. However, he also underscores the necessity for further research to identify and integrate these new components effectively.

Updating vaccine formulations is a complex process, involving rigorous regulatory discussions and manufacturing adjustments. The FDA and World Health Organization (WHO) panels play pivotal roles in recommending such changes, based on thorough surveillance of influenza virus patterns and projections of their likely impact. The transition from a quadrivalent to a trivalent vaccine formulation is emblematic of the adaptive nature of vaccine development, aiming to optimize protection against the flu. However, it's important to note that the implementation of new vaccine components, while promising, may take years to come to fruition.

As we stand on the cusp of this significant shift in flu vaccine formulation, it's crucial to consider both the potential benefits and the challenges ahead. The removal of the B/Yamagata virus component from U.S. flu vaccines, while based on current virus circulation data, underscores the dynamic nature of virus evolution and the need for the vaccine development process to remain flexible and responsive. This change holds the promise of enhancing vaccine effectiveness by more accurately targeting circulating strains. However, the journey toward incorporating new, more effective components into the vaccine is a path paved with extensive research and regulatory hurdles.

As the 2024-2025 flu season approaches, the effectiveness of this strategic shift in the vaccine formulation will be closely monitored by public health officials, researchers, and the global community alike. The ultimate goal remains clear: to protect as many people as possible from the ever-changing threat of influenza, using the best science and technology available. The evolution from quadrivalent to trivalent flu vaccines marks a significant step in this ongoing battle against flu, reflecting our collective adaptability and commitment to public health.

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Shifting Sands: The Evolution of U.S. Flu Vaccines from Quadrivalent to Trivalent Formulations - Medriva