Category: Flu Virus

In the hallways of a downtown Baltimore hotel, University of Maryland School of Public Health Professor Dr. Donald Milton and colleagues are breaking new ground this month, launching a first-of-its-kind study that aims to learn how the flu is transmitted. Do you get it when a person with the virus coughs on you? Touches you? Or maybe its floating in the air, waiting to be inhaled by a new friendly host.

Nobody has successfully observed influenza transmission under controlled conditions. It has never been done. Milton said. Until we can observe transmission and see how it really happened in real time, we don't know for sure how it works.

To find out, researchers have recruited healthy volunteers to spend up to two weeks in a closed-off floor of a hotel, where the volunteers will participate in a study that will expose them to the flu from people in the community who are already infected, doing activities like playing cards together. For the sick volunteers efforts, theyll be compensated up to $1,900.

But while the space has many hotel hallmarks (hello, neatly made bed!), its clearly also set up for research, outfitted with devices to measure the amount of virus particles in exhaled air and to test devices like UV lights and air filters to see if purifying the air we breathe can keep flu viruses from spreading.

The researchers aimed for a close replica of real-life flu-catching conditions. These things happen all the time when we get together for the holidays, when we get together for meals, and other social groups, said Dr. Wilbur Chen, the studys lead collaborator from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. We just need to be able to capture it and monitor it very closely while on the quarantine unit.

Milton has a hypothesis, that the virus is mainly spread by breathing air contaminated with viruses, he said. And if that turns out to be true, we can take action to prevent flu and potentially other viruses by improving air quality in public places, like schools and religious meeting houses, along with in homes.

But for the critical work to begin, the researchers need help finding those sick volunteers: People between 18-59 whohave just begun the flu with afever and other symptoms.

The $15 million study, a collaboration between the School of Public Health in College Park and the School of Medicine in Baltimore, is funded by the National Institutes of Health under cooperative agreement U19AI162130.

And as the researchers work to learn how to better prevent flu, they urge people to take precautions now to keep you healthy, like getting your flu shot, using air filters and masks, and washing your hands.

Recruitment opened for sick volunteers on January 5 and will continue for the next two months. Flu sufferers interested in volunteering can call: 410-706-8800 or email: clintrial@som.umaryland.edu. Learn more at http://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/cvd/trials/emit2/

Visit link:

New SPH Study Asks a Favor: Come Give Us Your Flu - University of Maryland | School of Public Health

COVID cases are rising but hospitalizations and deaths are lower than last year's respiratory virus season. Patrick Sison/AP hide caption

COVID cases are rising but hospitalizations and deaths are lower than last year's respiratory virus season.

In most U.S. states, respiratory illness levels are currently "high" or "very high," according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Friday.

"After the holidays, after we've traveled and gathered, we are seeing what is pretty typical of this time of year, which is a lot of respiratory viruses," says Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the CDC.

A few viruses have been driving the upward trend, including flu which is very high and respiratory syncytial virus or RSV which appears to have peaked around Thanksgiving.

COVID-19 levels have climbed higher than last season's peak. Still, they remain far below where they were at the height of the pandemic as do levels of severe disease.

"We are still very far below the levels that we were seeing with the omicron peak [in the 2021-2022 virus season]," says Amy Kirby, who leads the CDC's National Wastewater Surveillance System. "We're not looking at that really massive wave of infections. This is much more on par with what we saw [in the 2022-2023 season]."

And while COVID levels are still higher than they were last season, other COVID metrics including emergency room visits, hospitalization rates and deaths are lower now than previous seasons, indicating that "COVID-19 infections are causing severe disease less frequently than earlier in the pandemic," according to the CDC.

Respiratory viruses are hitting the southeast especially hard, said the CDC's Cohen, "but no part of the country is spared."

Flu levels are especially concerning. "The influenza virus is the thing that's really skyrocketing right now," says Dr. Steven Stack, public health commissioner for the state of Kentucky and president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. "Influenza is sharply escalating and driving more hospitalizations."

The flu is coming in later this season, compared with the 2022-2023 season, when "RSV and flu really took off right at the same time along with COVID," says Marlene Wolfe, assistant professor of environmental health at Emory University and a program director at WastewaterScan. "All three of those together were pretty nasty. This year, there's more of an offset."

That has been good news so far for hospital capacity, which has remained stable this season, meaning that people who are quite ill and need medical care are generally able to get it.

Some hospitals in different parts of the country from Massachusetts to Illinois to California are starting to require masks for staff again and in some cases for patients and visitors.

Health officials say that getting the latest flu and COVID-19 vaccines now can still protect people this season. While Stack, with Kentucky's Department for Public Health, encourages seasonal preventive shots for everyone 6 months and older, he says it's particularly important for "everybody who is elderly and not even old elderly like young elderly, 60 and older," since they are more likely to get very sick from these viruses.

CDC data shows that fewer than half of U.S. adults have gotten a flu shot this fall and winter. That's still better than the vaccination rate for this season's COVID-19 booster, which fewer than 20% of U.S. adults have gotten, even though COVID-19 remains the bigger danger.

"The thing that is putting folks into the hospital and unfortunately taking their lives the virus that is still the most severe [at the moment] is the COVID virus," says the CDC's Cohen.

Beyond vaccines, health officials say there's still a place for masking as a preventive measure.

Those who are sick should stay home and watch their symptoms. If they progress beyond a runny nose and a light cough "to body aches, fevers, difficulty moving through your day, a heavier runny nose, a worsening cough ... [those more severe symptoms] should trigger you to go get tested," says Cohen.

Getting tested and diagnosed early, with COVID-19 or the flu, can help those at risk of serious illness get access to prescription pills that can reduce their chances of ending up in the hospital.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments should be covered by health insurance.

For those who are uninsured, the government is also offering a program called Test to Treat that offers free tests, free telehealth appointments and free treatments at home.

Cohen says people can protect themselves over the next few weeks by staying aware of what's happening in the community and their individual circumstances.

"You want to know what's happening in your community," she says. "Is there a lot of virus circulating? And then, what are the tools that I could layer on to protect myself, depending on who I am, my age, my risk, as well as who I'm around?"

The CDC has maps of COVID-19 hospitalizations down to the county level on its website, and it provides weekly updates on respiratory viruses nationwide. Cohen says there are many tools including vaccines, masks, rapid tests and treatments available to help people reduce their risks this season.

Read more:

COVID and flu cases are rising across the U.S. : Shots - Health News - NPR

While the U.S. is only a few weeks into winter, this years respiratory virus season is already looking different than last years. Covid and flu are both surging and theres no peak in sight.

During the previous winter, flu and RSV got off to an early start but were already declining by the time hospitalizations from the omicron virus started to spike in December 2022.

What is new this year is were seeing both flu and Covid going up together, said infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Phillips, chief epidemiologist at NYU Langone Health. This is different.

At NYU Langone, positive tests for flu and Covid are neck and neck, with slightly more people sick with Covid, Phillips said.

Dr. Helen Chu, a professor of infectious disease at the University of Washington, said providers are bracing for the impact of Covid and flu over the coming weeks in Washington state.

The Pacific Northwest tends to lag behind the Southeast and the East Coast by a week or two, she said.I think its going to be a pretty bad season.

The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows flu levels are either high or very high in at least 38 states, as of the week ending Dec. 30. The CDC reported an estimated 10 million illnesses from flu last week, up from 7 million the week before.

Covid-related hospitalizations are up 20% in the most recent week, the CDC reported Friday.

With both viruses circulating at high levels, how likely it is for someone to get both at the same time?

Fortunately, becoming infected with Covid and the flu appears to be rare.

Last year, the CDC tracked coinfections in the U.S. and found that 3% of people hospitalized with the flu also tested positive for Covid. CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen told NBC News in December that they dont appear to be that common this year, either.

Right now were not seeing people who are testing positive for more than one respiratory virus at a time, but we are seeing a lot of illness, she told NBC News. We see coinfections at about a similar level to this time last season.

John Wherry, director of the Institute for Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania, said protection from coinfection has to do with our bodys own defense system.

There is a concept out there with data from animal models that one infection can make you more resistant to another infection occurring at the same time, he said.

This phenomenon, called viral interference, is where infection with one virus ramps up the bodys immune system and can make it less likely to get infected with another virus.

The immune response to one kind of shuts the door on the other, said Dr. Jake Scott, an infectious diseases specialist at Stanford Medicine.

Scott, who treats patients at Stanford Hospital, is not currently seeing many people with flu and Covid.

I cant remember ever having a patient who tested positive for both, he said. I think its pretty uncommon.

That can depend on the individual, however.

A 22-year-old who has the flu and recovers fairly recently may have that inflammatory resistance to Covid-19 for some period of time of days or maybe a week afterwards, Wherry said. Whereas the frail 87-year-old who has the flu and is already compromised physically and respiratory-wise and then gets Covid-19 a week later now can have a much greater effect.

Evidence suggests that infection with Covid and influenza can make someone sicker.

A meta-analysis of 95 studies, published in November in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, found people infected by both Covid and flu at the same time were more likely to need to be on a ventilator or to die, particularly if infected by the influenza A strain, which tends to cause more severe illness.

There have been numerous reports this season that people cant shake a lingering cough or runny nose, but thats not necessarily unusual and doesnt mean someone has more than one virus.

Even a normal bout of respiratory infection can take several weeks to recover from.

Stanfords Scott said the high rates of both viruses right now are a good reason to be up to date on Covid and flu vaccines.

Does it matter whether youre sick with Covid or flu?

It might. For example, it make a difference in how quickly someone gets back to a regular routine.

With Covid, the CDC recommends isolating for five days after a positive test or from symptom onset. With flu, people are considered most contagious for the first three days of their illness. The CDC recommends staying home until at least 24 hours after fever is gone.

Also, knowing which of the two viruses you are fighting can be important for people at high risk of having a bad infection, said Phillips. For people who are 65 or older, or pregnant or immunocompromised, the antiviral Paxlovid can help protect against hospitalization if taken in the first few days of a Covid illness. If its flu, a doctor can prescribe the antiviral Tamiflu.

Early last year, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the first at-home test that can differentiate and detect both Covid and flu.A new federal program called Test to Treat is providing free access to the tests.

For everybody else who is not at high risk of severe disease, Scotts advice is simple stay home if youre sick.

I get texts all the time from friends all over the country saying, Hey, you know, I feel like Im coming down with something, should I get tested, he said.

In his view, if you arent high risk and dont qualify for Paxlovid, a positive test wont change much for Covid.

Treatment is the same for Covid and flu supportive, meaning things like adequate rest, hydration and isolation.

Ultimately, whats most important are the shots.

If youre up to date on your Covid and flu vaccines, theres nothing to worry about.

Akshay Syal, M.D.,is a medical fellow with the NBC News Health and Medical Unit.

More:

Covid and flu are both surging. What to know about risk of coinfection - NBC News

As the new year kicks into full swing, so has a trio of respiratory viruses, creating a so-called tripledemic. The flu, COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are sending more people to the doctors officeor even the hospitaland sometimes combining to make matters worse.

Weve had patients come into our clinics testing positive for both COVID and flu, said Caroline Goldzweig, MD, chief medical officer of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Network. Having one doesnt protect you from the other.

Goldzweig said Cedars-Sinais primary care and urgent care offices have seen a steady rise in respiratory viruses since November. Their percentage of positive COVID-19 tests has doubled since then, rising to 14% of tested patients by the end of December.

The percentage of positive influenza tests in Los Angeles County more than doubled to almost 23% by the end of December. RSV, which mostly affects younger and older patients, peaked late in November, but 10% of tests for the virus in Los Angeles County are still positive.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center also has seen a steady rise of COVID-19 patients since Thanksgiving, although these patients still remain a fraction of those cared for in the hospitals 915 beds. Flu has followed a similar pattern.

Priya Soni, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Cedars-Sinai Guerin Childrens, has treated many young children and infants who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 and come to the hospital needing oxygen. She recommends that babies get the COVID-19 vaccine when theyre eligible, starting at 6 months of age.

RSV also is dangerous for young infants. Expectant mothers should consider getting not only the updated COVID-19 vaccine but the newly available RSV vaccine as well, Soni said, if theyre going to deliver during respiratory virus season so that the antibodies can protect your infant during their youngest and most vulnerable few months of life. This is especially important because a new RSV immunization for infants is in short supply.

Soni added that its not too late for people of all ages to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine, especially with the further increase in cases experts are predicting over the next couple of weeks. Its also not too late to get the flu shot. This years formulation is very effective against circulating influenza strains. A new RSV vaccine is also available for adults over 60, with the greatest benefit for those who are at higher risk because of chronic medical conditions.

Remember to mask, Soni said. Its a really effective way to protect yourself in very crowded situations and when you have a vulnerable family member.

If a tripledemic werent bad enough, a fourth illnesssuperimposed bacterial infectionhas been exacerbating an already challenging virus season, landing vulnerable patients in the hospital, said Soniya Gandhi, MD, associate chief medical officer at Cedars-Sinai.

When you have these viral infections, there is a risk of superimposed bacterial infection, said Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist. And we have seen a rise in pneumococcal pneumonia as a superimposed bacterial infection on top of the viral illness.

Still another culprit has been appearing in Cedars-Sinais outpatient clinics. Goldzweig said the staff members have seen many patients with viral gastroenteritis, a stomach bug causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The virus spreads through contact, likely making the rounds at holiday meals.Avoid itby not sharing food and washing hands after eating or visiting the bathroom.

Flu, RSV and COVID-19 all share similar cold-like symptomsnasal congestion, headaches, fatigueplus muscle aches and fever. But its important to get tested to determine which virus, or viruses, might be causing symptoms.

There's no way to tell specifically what you have without getting tested, so it's incredibly important to get tested early on during your illness because there may be specific treatment options depending on what you have, as well as specific recommendations regarding isolation and keeping you and your loved ones safe, Gandhi said.

Gandhi said patients with COVID-19 may qualify for Paxlovid, which needs to be taken within five days of symptom onset or as soon as possible to be effective. Similarly, those with the flu might be prescribed Tamiflu, which must be taken within 72 hours of diagnosis to be effective.

For those who dont know whether their sniffles or sore throat require a trip to the doctor, a virtual appointment can be a convenient first step. Adult patients in California can use Cedars-Sinai Connect, a new mobile app that provides quick access to Cedars-Sinai experts, who are available 24/7 for urgent issues. Same-day appointments also are available on the platform for primary care

Mild symptoms can be managed virtually, Goldzweig said. Providers might recommend using a self-testing kit for COVID-19 or refer a patient for in-person testing or labs. Or they can follow up with a prescription if needed or advise on supportive care (fluids, Tylenol) to help patients manage symptoms at home. Goldzweig said patients with more serious symptomsongoing inability to tolerate food or fluids or prolonged dizzinessshould visit urgent care.

For parents who want to prepare ahead of time for the possibility of a sick child, Soni recommends keeping a few things on hand: a humidifier to ease congestion and cold-like symptoms and a nasal suction device and saline solution to help clear mucus from a viral infection.

And all season long, she says, we should all hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: COVID-19 and Flu Shots Provide a Double Dose of Protection

See the rest here:

Rise of the Tripledemic - Cedars-Sinai

Seasonal respiratory infection cases at Cook Childrens Medical Center in Fort Worth continue to rise as Influenza A and B and respiratory syncytial virus spread among children and adults.

Between Dec. 24 and Dec. 30, 352 patients admitted at Cook Childrens flagship hospital tested positive for either Influenza A or Influenza B. Thats a 27% positivity rate out of 1,308 tested a spike from the previous week.

During the week of Dec. 17 and Dec. 23, tests for the virus came back 25% positive out of the 1,514 patients who were tested.

Flu is definitely on the rise, said Dr. Kara Starnes, medical director of Cook Childrens Urgent Care Services. Entire families are coming in positive since its pretty contagious.

Positive cases of RSV continue to come into the pediatric hospital as well, but the virus has steadied compared to the past few months, she said.

Between Dec. 24 and Dec. 30, tests for RSV came back 15% positive out of 1,308 patients tested. Back in late October, tests for the virus came back 25% positive.

With more sick families, Cook Childrens Medical Center is experiencing an increasing number of people coming into its emergency room, which has resulted in longer wait times.

Tarrant County Public Health has listed its flu activity in the region as widespread, which is the highest level according to the departments codes. The widespread level is labeled as increased influenza-like illness activity and or institutional outbreaks in at least three of the quadrants and recent (within the past 3 week) lab confirmed influenza in the county.

Heres what families can do to stay healthy as respiratory viruses continue to spread:

Influenza A and Influenza B are the two forms of flu that typically circulate each season and cause mild, cold-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever. Both strains are transmitted mainly by respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing from an infected person.

Influenza A is usually the most common form of the virus in adults and tends to circulate earlier in the season, but Influenza B is more common and severe among children. Influenza A can spread from animals to humans, but Influenza B only spreads between humans.

The flu vaccine typically protects against both strains of influenza. A Tarrant County program, started in 2020, used to provide free flu shots for uninsured residents until it ran out of funding in November.

The flu season activity peaks between December and February, but can last as late as May. It is recommended that people receive the vaccine, even if it is later in the season rather than skip it entirely.

Flu vaccines are free under most insurance plans. Cash costs vary for uninsured residents. The Fort Worth Report called several local pharmacies for their flu shot costs. Click here for a list of rates.

RSV is a respiratory virus with similar symptoms to influenza, according to the CDC. Most children will be infected by the virus by the time they are 2 years old most recover in a week or two. If untreated, RSV can become bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

In July, the FDA approved a new shot to prevent severe respiratory disease caused by RSV in infants and children. The medication, called Beyfortus, also known as nirsevimab-alip, is available to children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.

But, the demand for the medication quickly outpaced the supply. Cook Childrens is facing a shortage of the treatment, said Starnes.

Unfortunately, supply is worse now than it was before. There are still doses available for really young babies right after birth, but its based on weight and theres not very many newborn babies that are that low in weight, she said.

People can prevent the spread of the virus by washing their hands frequently, covering their sneezes and coughs, and staying home when sick.

If you or your child only has mild symptoms, it is advised not to go to the emergency department. For mild symptoms, it is recommended to provide frequent nasal suctioning at home and stay hydrated.

I would stress that its important to not just go into the emergency department because you want testing for flu, strep, RSV or those types of things, said Starnes. Those things are better handled in a primary care office or through telemedicine. Our emergency department is very overwhelmed with volume and so bringing the fewest number of people is really helpful.

If you or your child begins to have severe difficulty breathing, faster breathing than normal, turns blue or has become drowsy, call 911 immediately. Other concerning signs include flared nostrils, wheezing or rattling in their chest, excessive sleepiness, lack of appetite and trouble feeding.

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policyhere.

David Moreno is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him atdavid.moreno@fortworthreport.orgor@davidmreportson X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

See more here:

Emergency room overflow: Flu cases 'on the rise' across Tarrant County - KERA News

Hospitalizations from COVID-19 and the flu have surged in the past month, prompting the Maryland Department of Health to recommend that hospitals and doctors offices double down on efforts to suppress the spread of illness, including requiring masks in all patient care areas.

But even with the increased circulation of what pediatrician Dr. Monique Soileau-Burke called a tossed salad of respiratory viruses, doctors and hospital leaders said they arent being overwhelmed by sick patients in the same way they have been in recent years.

At emergency departments run by Adventist HealthCare, a nonprofit health system based in Montgomery and Prince Georges counties, the number of patients with respiratory illnesses has been climbing since shortly before Thanksgiving, said Dr. Patsy McNeil, senior vice president of Adventist and the systems chief medical officer. However, she said, that trend is something she and her colleagues expected.

It hasnt been surprising to us, said McNeil, who also is a certified emergency medicine physician. We anticipated it. We knew that it was coming.

Under guidance from the state department of health, health care settings should implement broad facility-wide source control when the statewide rate of weekly respiratory virus-associated hospitalizations meets or exceeds 10 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents. That rate was 16.7 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents during the week ending Dec. 23, and dropped to 8.1 during the week of Christmas the most recently available data on the states website.

Hospitals can roll back the strengthened infection control measures which, besides universal masking, also include optimizing facility ventilation and vaccinating eligible patients and health care workers against COVID, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus when the weekly hospitalization rate stays below 10 for two consecutive weeks. Regular infection control measures should continue regardless, the health departments Dec. 28letter said.

Some hospitals in the state like Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center and those operated by LifeBridge Health are back to asking everyone to mask, including patients, visitors and employees. Others, like the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, are considering doing the same.

Hospitalizations for respiratory illness are being driven mostly by people infected with COVID and the flu now. Hospitalizations for respiratory syncytial virus appear to already have peaked for the season, according to state data. Early last month, there were 228 people hospitalized with the virus, which is particularly dangerous to babies and older adults.As of last week, however, that number had dropped to 104.

Dr. Gregory Schrank, an epidemiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, said he expects it will take an additional few weeks for the circulation of influenza and COVID to wane. In a normal respiratory season, kids tend to get sick before older adults, Schrank added, so there may be a decline in pediatric hospitalizations before there is one for adults.

But that would be in a typical season, said Schrank, who is also an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who specializes in infectious diseases. Everything has been just a little bit different since the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, we saw a very early influenza season that really started peaking in November. It remains to be seen exactly how this season will play out.

As of Jan. 2 the last date for which data was available there were 545 hospital beds occupied by people sick with COVID, according to state data. Thats up by more than 100 from Christmas, when there were 425 people hospitalized with the virus. However, its much better than this time last year, when close to 800 beds were occupied by people sickened by COVID.

State data shows flu hospitalizations dipped at the end of last year, from 391 during the week before Christmas to 370 during the last week of the year.

At Luminis Health, there already has been a welcome decline in patients sick with respiratory illnesses. On Friday, there were about 26 patients at the Annapolis hospital with RSV, COVID or the flu, compared with about 35 following Thanksgiving, said Jean Murray, the systems director of infection prevention and epidemiology.

Whats more good news, she said, is that the system is seeing fewer patients admitted to the intensive care unit or getting placed on ventilators.

A surefire way of avoiding the hospital, and especially the ICU, is to get vaccinated against the flu, COVID and for older adults and babies RSV. But as of Friday, only about a quarter of Marylanders had gotten their flu shot, according to state data.

Vaccine fatigue and hesitancy has ballooned during the past few years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in November that a record number of parents had requested an exemption from their childs school for getting them the shots that are typically required. The exemption rate rose from 0.4% to 3% nationwide and exceeded 5% in 10 states, the report said.

Soileau-Burke, a pediatrician in Columbia and president of the Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said she has noticed that some parents happily get their children vaccinated against the flu, but are less excited to get them a COVID shot which the CDC said also protects against the widely circulating JN.1 omicron subvariant.

In the future, she said, we need to do a better job of reminding people that COVID, unfortunately, is not over.

This article has been updated to correct Jean Murrays title. The Sun regrets the error.

See the original post:

Maryland hospitals seeing post-holiday increase in COVID and flu cases - Baltimore Sun

COVID-19 and flu are both on the rise in Massachusetts. The latest wastewater detection levels of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the days after Christmas, released Thursday, met or surpassed the post-holiday peak reached this time last year in the Boston area.

The uptick has public health experts urging people to get vaccinated and do what they can to stop the spread of respiratory illnesses.

Dr. Sabrina Assoumou, an infectious disease physician at Boston Medical Center and an associate professor at Boston University, said people are still not getting as severely ill when they contract COVID due to the degree of immunity many have through previous vaccinations or infections.

But still, she pointed to the ongoing deaths due to COVID in the United States, which have stayed above 1,000 per week for the last few months across the country.

Thats just too many, especially at a time when we have a vaccine that could prevent this, Assoumou said. And the reason why you want to get vaccinated right now is because, as we're learning, the virus is changing, and we also have what we call waning immunity. So the protection is waning.

State data shows that about 18% of Massachusetts residents have gotten a recent COVID vaccine, and about 37% have gotten the flu shot.

Experts advised that the problem isnt just about how severe the infection is upfront. COVID can turn into long COVID, a wide-ranging set of health problems including brain fog and severe fatigue some of which can be debilitating that people can experience for months or even years after being infected. The flu, too, can bring about other long-term health complications.

Probably the biggest argument around trying to avoid COVID, and even flu for that matter, is that there are higher risks for medical problems after you get these infections, said Dr. Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha, the division chief of infectious diseases at Cambridge Health Alliance.

Its not just the infection itself: its that the inflammation caused by the infection puts you at risk for other comorbidities and problems down the road, Bruno-Murtha added. And certainly, long COVID is still a thing that we want to avoid there's previously healthy people that are currently suffering from long COVID. So if you can avoid long COVID, or avoid having a cardiac complication after influenza, you're going to be well ahead of the game.

Courtesy of Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

Assoumou said that, for those who think theyve been infected, the federal government is making more free COVID tests available.

If youre at high risk for complications from COVID, you could consider wearing a high-quality mask in indoor public settings and also trying to avoid crowds, Assoumou said. And if youre sick, please stay home so that we can protect the community.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who test positive for COVID should isolate for at least five days and wear a high-quality mask if they have to be around others, at home or in public. But the CDC recommends continuing to isolate if symptoms persist past five days.

Bruno-Murtha added that there is one bright spot in the respiratory illnesses picture in the state right now: the number of infections caused by RSV is going down.

The good news is RSV seems to have peaked and is subsiding. So thats great news for our young children, neonates that are really at risk for that to be a really severe disease, said Bruno-Murtha.

Public health experts have also been reminding those who get COVID to talk to their doctor about getting treated promptly with the antiviral drug Paxlovid, which is highly effective at preventing severe disease after infection.

Some patients and even clinicians have been concerned about what has been described as a kind of viral rebound after the five-day Paxlovid treatment ends.

But Assoumou pointed out that the CDC has looked into that recently and found that there was no consistent association between treatment and rebound.

So I really hope and I wish that we would get the word out, that if your health care professional thinks you're qualified, please take Paxlovid, Assoumou said. And I would not worry about rebound, because I would much more prefer to be at home with a stuffy nose than in a hospital because I did not take the Paxlovid.

Both Assoumou and Bruno-Murtha emphasized that people can safely and conveniently get their flu shot and COVID shot at the same time, and that the current COVID vaccines are effective against the most prevalent variants circulating now.

We are so fortunate in that regard, Bruno-Murtha said. Everything we know the preliminary, even unpublished data seems to show that for vaccines: really, really, truly miraculous.

See original here:

COVID and flu cases rise in Mass. as experts urge more vaccination - GBH News

Animal health officials in France today reported an avian flu outbreak at a duck farm on which the birds had been vaccinated in November 2023 as part of the country's initial rollout of the poultry vaccine, which marked the first in Europe.

The government of Vendee department, located on France's western coast, detailed the development in a statement translated and posted by Avian Flu Diary, an infectious disease news blog. Officials said the results were confirmed on January 2 and that the 8,700 ducks on the farm have been depopulated.

Officials acknowledged that vaccination doesn't eliminate the risk in poultry but can reduce virus shedding and circulation.

In early December, France's agriculture ministry ordered that farmed ducks in high-risk areas receive a third vaccine dose because of new scientific evidence. It's not clear, however, if the ducks on the outbreak farm had received the third dose.

A few countries, such as China, routinely vaccinate poultry against avian flu viruses. However, ongoing concerns that vaccination could mask ongoing circulation have made other countries hesitant to rollout broader vaccination, with somesuch as the United Statesbarring the import of poultry from countries that immunize poultry against avian flu.

Commercial poultry in multiple world regions have been hit hard by the newer 2.3.4.4b clade of the H5N1 avian flu strain, and at the end of December, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) weighed in with a policy brief, saying current control measures might be enough to control the spread of the virus.

The WOAH has endorsed use of the vaccines, based on international standards. It has said that it's possible to maintain international trade while proving that countries can maintain surveillance in and around immunized flocks.

Several countries in Europe reported more H5 outbreaks in wild birds or in poultry, according to the latest notifications from the WOAH. Kazakhstan reported H5 in wild birds, with Ukraine detecting H5N1, also in wild birds.

Moldova reported several more H5N1 outbreaks, spanning backyard poultry, wild birds, and village birds. And Germany reported H5N1 in wild birds at a zoo in the city of Cottbus, located in Brandenburg state in the northeast.

Elsewhere, South Korea reported 10 more highly pathogenic H5N6 outbreaks on poultry farms, according to a notification from WOAH. The outbreaks come in the wake of eight outbreaks in poultry, plus a few in wild birds, involving the strain in December.

Japan has also recently reported H5N6 in wild birds, marking its first detection since 2018.

H5N6 is known to circulating in poultry in some Asian countries, but so far, China and Laos are the only to report spillovers to humans who have contact with birds or their environments. Human H5N6 infections, mostly reported in China, are often severe or fatal.

See original here:

France reports avian flu at vaccinated duck farm - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Woman blowing her nose.

iStock

With so much focus on COVID-19 over the past few years, many of us haven't worried quite as much about the flu. But the flumedically known as influenzais still a threat, even though statistically, the flu infection rate has declined. Even still, flu season spans from October to May and historically, it has infected millions of Americans each year, so it's still important to stay informed and protected.

"The bottom line is that the flu can be severe," Dr. Mitchell says. "Vaccination is essential, particularly with COVID-19 and its variants because they present very similar [to the flu]."

Long story short: Doctors donotwant you to forget about the flu. Keep reading for more information on the fluwhat it is, and how many people die from it annually.

iStock

We've all heard of the flu and "flu season" and largely, this type of seasonal infection is treated much like a regular cold. But that's not entirely accurate, Dr. Mitchell explains. While a cold is simply a sinus infection, the symptoms and ramifications associated with the flu can be more critical.

"While cold and flu often get lumped together, they are very different," Dr. Mitchell explains. "Fluis a severe viral infection within the respiratory system that kills tens of thousands ofpeople each year. Often, flu-related deaths aren't the direct result of the infection but rather a series of reactions set off by the virus."

"The influenza virus has two main types: A and B," Dr. Squellati says. "The flu can cause death, especially to people with a compromised immune system. As the vaccination rate increases for COVID-19, that percentage will probably decrease. About 3 to 11 percent of Americans get the flu each year. The symptoms and transmission are similar to COVID-19."

Similar to COVID, people who have pre-existing medical conditions are undoubtedly more susceptible to the flu.

"It can worsen existing medical issues or open the door for things like pneumonia or sepsis. Just like we see with the COVID-19 virus, the flu virus causes our immune systems to jump into action and launch an attack on the viral invaders," Dr. Mitchell says.

Dr. Mitchell adds, "For example, fever is the body's way of killing off the virus with heat. But sometimes, the body can overreact, and that's when we see things like sepsis or organ failure. Or the process of fighting off a viral infection can weaken our body's ability to fight off bacterial infections like pneumonia or strep."

iStock

While most people get over the common cold, the flu claims significantly more lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu is responsible for anywhere from 12,000 to 52,000 deaths annually in the United States. However, since not all cases of the flu are always reported, that number could be even higher.

"Each year, there is variance in the number of people who contract the flu. The numbers are estimates because not all cases of the flu are reported," Dr. Squellati explains.

Most years, the flu causes anywhere from 12,000 to 52,000 deaths. However, last yearat the height of the coronavirus pandemicnumbers dropped a bit.

"In the 2019-2020 season, there were 38 million people who contracted the flu, 18 million visits to a health care provider for the flu, 400,000 hospitalizations for the flu and 22,000 flu-related deaths," Dr. Squellati says, adding that, "The rate is very low at only about 0.1 percent. For comparison, the rate of people dying from contracting COVID-19 is 3.1 percent."

The previous 2018-2019 season saw 35.5 million infected people, 16.5 million people who visited a healthcare provider for the flu, 490,600 hospitalizations and 34,200 deaths, according to Dr. Squellati.

Dr. Squellati adds, "Hundreds of those deaths were children."

Numbers dropped significantly during the 2020-2021 flu season. In part, this decline has to do with coronavirus-related mask mandates, rates of vaccinations, and of course, an overall push for social distancing.

"The flu rate was extremely low. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1,675 (0.2 percent) of 818,939 respiratory specimens tested by U.S. clinical laboratories were positive for an influenza virus," Dr. Squellati says. "The numbers were probably so low due to wearing masks, staying home more, social distancing, school closures, and other COVID-19 prevention strategies."

Dr. Mitchell adds, "Droplets spread viruses like the flu, COVID-19, or things like RSV in the air. The steps we took to avoid the spread of COVID-19 with masks, social distancing, good hand hygiene is universal prevention for all respiratory viruses."

In addition to a rise in availability in COVID vaccines, many people also sought flu vaccines during the 2020-2021 flu season.

"Another major deterrent was that there were 194 to 198 million flu vaccines produced and at least 193 million given," Dr. Squellati adds."The previous year, there were only 175 million doses produced. In 2020-2021, Americans received the flu vaccine earlier and were fully immunized by February, which is the month when the most cases of flu usually occur."

And if you do come down with the flu, make sure to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

"Seeking early treatment is the key to keeping symptoms manageable," Dr. Mitchell says. "If you can be diagnosed with Flu in the first 48 hours, you may be able to shorten the duration of your symptoms by taking one of the anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu, Relenza, or one of the other prescription medications."

Original post:

How Many People Actually Die from the Flu Each Year - jacksonprogress-argus

Those Highly Pathogenic Avian InfluenzaViruses known as A(H5N1) that have led to the destruction of millions upon millions of birds around the world have, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), also caused 19 human illnesses in eight countries.

Nine of these sporadic human cases were severe, and five resulted in death. Three human illnesses were mild, and seven resulted in only asymptomatic cases. Only one of those cases involved a resident of the United States, which occurred in April 2022.

The individual reported fatigue without other symptoms, and a low level of A(H5N1) viral RNA was detected in a single upper respiratory tract specimen, CDC reports. It is possible that detection of A(H5N1) viral RNA resulted from deposition of non-infectious viral material in the upper respiratory tract of the individual and did not represent true infection, similar to the environmental contamination that was attributed to the two asymptomatic cases in poultry workers reported in Spain.

According to the CDC report on human bird flu cases, from January 2022 through Dec 27, 2023, nearly all cases reported since January 2022 had recent exposure to sick or dead poultry, and no cases of human-to-human HPAI A(H5N1) virus transmission were identified. Nine cases (four children, five adults) had severe disease, and five died.

The geographic breakdown for the human cases outside of the United States includes:

The CDC puts the human illness data in context by reporting: While HPAI A(H5N1) viruses are currently circulating widely in wild birds and poultry in many geographic regions, relatively few human cases of A(H5N1) have been reported in recent years.

Going back before the current incidents, CDC reports that since 1997, a total of 902 sporadic human A(H5N1) cases have been reported from 22 countries, caused by different HPAI A(H5N1) virus clades [23,24], with a cumulative case fatality proportion of greater than 50 percent. Human A(H5N1) cases peaked in 2006 (115 cases, nine countries) and 2015 (145 cases, four countries) primarily because of a large epidemic in Egypt with 136 cases

Nearly all reported human A(H5N1) cases had poultry exposures, such as to sick or dead poultry or visiting live poultry markets, the CDC reports.Rare, limited, and non-sustained instances of human-to-human HPAI A(H5N1) virus transmission likely occurred in a small number of family members following prolonged, close unprotected exposure with a symptomatic case-patient during 2004-2007 in multiple countries.

The CDC finds bird flu viruses have become widespread, causing record outbreaks in wild, backyard, village, and commercial farm birds. Over 11,400 bird outbreaks of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses were reported by 84 nations. In the U.S. alone, avian flu has taken the lives of at least 77.8 million birds with no end in sight

Finally, the CDC notes that sporadic reports are occurring of mammals being infected by the HPAI viruses. The latest such report involves a Polar Bear. The viruses occasionally infect mammals that eat (presumably infected) birds or poultry and mammals exposed to environments with high virus concentrations.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

Read the rest here:

Five human deaths blamed on Avian flu with no signs of letting up - Food Safety News