Category: Flu Virus

Meanwhile, other research has suggested that the lingering loss of taste and smell that affects some people after covid is not permanent, and will slowly fade in time. Also, scientists have found that a severe covid infection is tied to prolonged coughing and sputum production in long covid.

The Guardian: Getting Covid And Flu Vaccines Together Is Better, Study Suggests Getting a Covid booster and a flu shot together is better than getting them separately, a new study has found. The study, presented at an annual Vaccines Summit in Boston, involved two groups of Massachusetts healthcare workers. (Salam, 11/15)

Medical Xpress: COVID-Related Loss Of Taste And Smell Reversible Over Time, Finds Study Great news for those who lost some or all of their sense of smell or taste due to COVID-19: The effect, while persistent, does not appear to be permanent. A study led by the University of Trieste, Italy, has found that despite the loss of taste and smell associated with COVID-19, progressive recovery and restoration of the senses occurs slowly over time. (Jackson, 11/16)

CIDRAP: Severe COVID-19 Tied To Prolonged Cough, Sputum Production In Long COVID At 3, 6, and 12 months, rates of wet and dry cough were similar, but the proportion of patients producing sputum without coughing rose over time compared with those with both sputum production and coughing. At all follow-up visits, analyses of cough and sputum production identified the risk factors for persistent symptoms as the use of intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV), smoking, and older age. (Van Beusekom, 11/15)

Axios: Pandemic Prep Bill Falls Victim To COVID Politics Congress appears destined to end the year without renewing expired federal pandemic preparedness programs after questions about emergency stockpiles, drug shortages and cracks in the nation's health security system got subsumed in COVID-19 politics. Reauthorizing the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act was billed as a must-do early this year, after the pandemic exposed gaps in countermeasures and disease surveillance. (Knight, 11/16)

On the flu and RSV

Los Angeles Times: L.A. County Reports First Flu Death Of Season, Renews Call For Residents To Get Vaccinated Los Angeles County has confirmed its first flu death of the season, and with the bulk of the season still ahead, health officials are reminding residents to get vaccinated. The person who died was elderly and had multiple underlying health conditions, according to the county Department of Public Health. There was no record of the person being vaccinated for flu this season, officials added. (De Leon, 11/15)

USA Today: A Flu Shot Is Still Worth It Before The Holidays. Here's Why It's not too late to get that annual flu shot before Thanksgiving. Experts say it's safe to get the vaccine one week ahead of time, and it's wise to consider it if you're traveling to visit friends and family. Interactions across the generations, for example, between school-age children with their grandparents, are ripe moments for the influenza virus to spread. Different strains of the virus can combine under one roof when groups get together during the chilly months, said Dr. Jonathan Temte. (Cuevas, 11/16)

The Boston Globe: RSV Cases Rise In Massachusetts As Hopes Dim For Broad Access To New Drug For Babies The seasonal surge in the respiratory illness RSV has begun in Massachusetts, as prospects dim for adequate supplies of a drug that experts had touted as a lifesaver for babies. The surge is on its way, said Dr. Laura J Cardello, director of inpatient pediatrics at South Shore Hospital. Were not at the peak, but were definitely on the upswing. In the last two weeks, RSV was diagnosed in half of children seen at the hospital for respiratory illness, and it is expected to soon become the dominant virus, Cardello said. (Freyer, 11/15)

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Scientists Find Combo Covid-Flu Shots May Be Better Than ... - KFF Health News

Georgia braces for winter virus season: COVID-19 decline countered by rise in flu and RSV cases

by Brianna Cook

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GEORGIA (WGXA) -- Georgia's state epidemiologist Dr. Cherie Drenzek has given state officials an idea of what to expect this winter when it comes to viruses like COVID-19, Flu, and RSV.

She explained cases of COVID-19 are declining as the state heads into the respiratory virus season. However, cases of RSV and flu are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels.

She says although it is good news the threat is still there for all 3 viruses and when combined can be a lot worse.

"Because we have a circulation of RSV and flu at relatively moderate levels when you put COVID on top of it, it really can push up the overall activity for respiratory viruses," said Drenzek.

According to the CDC before covid-19, flu and RSV, were the main causes of severe respiratory disease during this time of year.

Drenzek says due to both the vaccines and the widespread immunity Georgians have acquired during the pandemic years deaths and hospitalizations from COVID have decreased in the state, but that doesn't mean variants won't come and go.

"The wild card is that the circulating variants can change rapidly and ultimately result in high levels of transmissions and surging cases," said Drenzek.

With no reports of any current surges in COVID, Drenzek says cases of flu in Georgia are starting to rise and children from 0 to age 4 are by far the group most affected.

"We want to target youngsters for RSV and flu prevention primarily for outpatient visits and again those over the age of 65 are vulnerable to COVID," said Drenzek.

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Georgia braces for winter virus season: COVID-19 decline countered by rise in flu and RSV cases - wgxa.tv

You wake up one day, and your nose feels a little stuffy. You find yourself reaching for that box of Kleenex more and more, and to your dismay, the crumpled tissues are starting to pile up. Maybe theres an ominous tickle in your throat that just wont go away, no matter how much water you chug.

Its upsetting but not surprising: Tis the season of respiratory viruses.

As we anticipate the yearly uptick of flu and common cold cases, how can we distinguish those sicknesses from the still-prevalent and virulent COVID-19?

If theres one thing COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold all have in common, its that theyre caused by viruses. The culprit behind COVID-19 is the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, while the more familiar and well-studied influenza A and B viruses prompt our annual flu season. Common colds can spring from all sorts of viruses such as rhinoviruses.

This sickness trifecta also shares overlaps in symptoms, particularly in the case of COVID-19 and flu.

While cold viruses tend to attack your upper respiratory tract meaning your nose, sinuses, and throat COVID-19 and the flu can both infiltrate deeper into your lungs, according to Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at Johns Hopkins University.

[COVID-19 and flu] infect different cell types, but at the end of the day, they generate the same type of immune response and the same type of damage to your respiratory tract, which is why those symptoms are so similar, Pekosz says.

Read more: What Is A "Twindemic," And Why Should We Worry About It Going Into Flu Season?

So, what do you do if you have a runny nose? The common cold has a bit of a stronger distinction from COVID-19 or flu. Thats because when you come down with a cold, you rarely feel the kinds of fevers and aches you may experience with the latter two.

Pekosz explains that you feel a cold in your throat and nose the most, because thats where cold viruses replicate best. However, just because youre only experiencing a runny nose doesnt mean you definitely have a cold.

The only problem, of course, is those could be very early signs of COVID, Pekosz says. Those are standard symptoms for a common cold almost any day youre infected; those are maybe the day one symptoms for COVID.

Pekosz adds that most cases of COVID-19 and the flu are difficult to distinguish anyway. When we come down with the flu, the classic signs are a rough several days with fevers and newfound pains plaguing our bodies. But those symptoms are common with COVID-19, too on top of coughing or feeling short of breath.

We used to see loss of smell and taste as a telltale sign of COVID-19, but Pekosz points out not everyone infected with the coronavirus loses those senses. Its not a symptom worth hinging a firm positive or negative on.

Its really that fever and those systemic feelings of fatigue and tiredness that should differentiate between the common cold, and COVID or flu, Pekosz says. But theres really nothing that consistently differentiates between COVID and the flu.

The speed at which symptoms manifest according to respective incubation periods isnt a reliable marker either, given its hard for the average person to know when they initially got exposed.

The only surefire way to know whats afflicting you is to get tested. Free COVID-19 tests are still available in pharmacies, which help at least rule out one potential illness and inform the next course of treatment.

Read more: The Possibility Of "Flurona" And What Two Viruses Can Do At Once

Most people with COVID-19 experience mild illness, according to the Mayo Clinic, therefore they can recover at home. The prescribed treatment resembles the tried-and-true program for overcoming cold and flu symptoms: Get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids, take medications.

Antivirals also help combat the flu and COVID-19. Pekosz adds that this is especially imperative for those in high-risk groups which might include older adults or immunocompromised people.

For high-risk populations, getting antivirals makes a big difference in terms of disease severity. But its important to note that you have to take those antivirals within 48 hours or so of showing symptoms, he says. So, pay attention to your symptoms, because the faster you get antivirals, the better off youll be.

COVID-19 and the flu can lead to possible complications. Even mild COVID-19 symptoms could worsen unexpectedly. Pekosz says two warnings to pay attention to are difficulty breathing and energy level.

If you really have to take deep breaths just to feel like youre actually getting some oxygen into your system, thats one sign, he says.

Another red flag is if youre in so much pain, or so weak, that you cant get up and move around. Other emergency signs that warrant seeking medical attention, as listed by the Mayo Clinic, include persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, or skin discoloration.

Read more: Is Vitamin C Actually an Effective Cold Remedy?

A group of Canadian and Australian researchers compared the flu and COVID-19 data across four countries in 2021: Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the U.S. They found that in all these places, flu cases notably plummeted in the 2019 to 2020 season, coinciding with the introduction of government-mandated health measures to curb COVID-19 spread. In fact, there was virtually no flu season in the northern hemisphere.

Yet, the persistence of COVID-19 cases evidenced its virulence compared to the flu, according to the authors.

Likewise, to Pekosz, COVID-19 still stands apart from influenza in terms of true seasonality it sticks around, rain or shine.

Unless we see it go away, then its always going to be around, he says, and its always going to be a more significant risk to people than influenza.

Read more: Why Are Viruses More Active In The Winter?

The measures some bemoaned, and others embraced in the pandemic still apply. Practices like social distancing, masking, and washing your hands prevent all sorts of potential illnesses, not just COVID-19.

Pekosz adds that good coughing and sneezing hygiene also curbs spread. On top of that, he emphasizes paying attention to your symptoms especially the early ones.

Plus, stay up to date with vaccinations. The recent rollout of COVID-19 boosters continues to reduce your risk of contracting severe illness and complications, and are particularly important to keep up with in the face of new variants.

For example, new Omicron strains mainly evolve to avoid pre-existing immunity, Pekosz says. Like the yearly flu vaccination, one shot wont protect you from all strains or variants forever.

Read more: What New Variants Of COVID-19 Are Currently Circulating?

Its always going to be a dog chasing its tail kind of thing, Pekosz comments. It always takes some time for us to make a vaccine against a particular variant, and while were making the vaccine, the virus is still out there changing.

While vaccines dont make you 100 percent immune from infection per se, they do protect you against serious disease.

Theres plenty of tools at hand to keep you safe and sound this holiday season. But if you do start coming down with something, youll hear the same thing, whether its from the CDC or your friends: Stay home. Not just for your own sake, but to protect others, too.

Even if youre COVID negative, Pekosz says, you still got something that can probably be spread to someone.

Read More: Why We Feel So Terrible When We Get Sick

While these respiratory illnesses share some common symptoms, they have distinct characteristics. The flu and COVID-19, in particular, can lead to more severe health complications compared to a common cold. It's important to recognize the differences for proper treatment and prevention, especially in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The flu and the common cold are contagious illnesses that affect your respiratory system, but they're caused by different types of viruses. The flu is only caused by influenza viruses, while the common cold can be caused by several different viruses, such as rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and even some coronaviruses (not COVID-19) that are around during certain seasons.

COVID-19 and the common cold both originate from viral infections. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is responsible for COVID-19, while rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of the common cold. These viruses share similar transmission methods and produce many overlapping symptoms, yet they exhibit some distinct differences.

COVID-19 and the flu are caused by different types of viruses. The one that causes COVID-19 is called SARS-CoV-2, which is a coronavirus. On the other hand, the flu is caused by different viruses, known as influenza A and B.

While there are some overlapping symptoms, including fever, cough, and body aches, certain signs like loss of smell or taste, and the severity and progression of symptoms, can help differentiate COVID-19 from the flu. However, due to similarities, testing remains crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Some of the symptoms your body is fighting a cold may include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, mild fever, sneezing, watery eyes, and mild fatigue.

Yes, it's possible to have flu symptoms without a fever, though it's less common. Symptoms can include cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue.

You could feel sick from hypothermia or frostbite but the common cold is caused by viruses, not cold weather. However, cold weather can contribute to conditions that facilitate the spread of viruses.

Read More: Will COVID-19 Need an Annual Vaccine Like the Flu?

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Does a Runny Nose Mean You Have COVID-19, the Flu, or a ... - DISCOVER Magazine

Only 14% of adults across the U.S. have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine, a number way too low, Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a Baldwin native, said during a visit to Long Island on Monday.

Cohen urged local residents to get the vaccine, noting that while casesappear to be low, almost 1,000 New Yorkers died from COVID-19 over the last three months. She echoed the vaccination call for flu and RSV,pointing out both are on the rise locally and nationally.

Im here in Nassau County where I grew up, said Cohen, after a tour of Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. I wouldn't recommend something I wouldn't recommend for my own parents for my own daughters. We all got the updated COVID vaccine, the updated flu shot. So I hope folks in Nassau County can hear from one of their own. I'm here back at home to say protect yourself this holiday season.

Statistics from the state Department of Health show about 7.2% of Nassau County residents and 6.8% of Suffolk County residents have received the updated vaccine, although those numbers may be incomplete because reporting is no longer mandatory.The statewide percentage, in areas outside of New York City, is8.7%.

The national percentage cant be directly compared with county and state numbers, however, since theyre collected by different methods.

The CDC numbers are based on a national survey, which is self-reported. As of Nov.17, 5.4% of children, 14.8% of adults over the age of 18 and 31.7% of adults 65 years of age and older had received the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

This is the first year vaccines for RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus,are available, targeted for young children, pregnant women and older adults. Cohen acknowledgedthe RSV monoclonal antibodies treatment for infants and young children is still in short supply.

The manufacturer did not anticipate the high demand for this shot, Cohen said. I personally have been on the phone with them dozens of times to try to speed up production. We actually just released another 70,000 doses.

Cohen said people should be mindful as they gather and travel for Thanksgiving, because those events can lead to the spread of viruses.

I know it's hard to miss family gatherings, but if you're sick, please don't spread those viruses around, she said. We want folks to stay home if they're sick, get tested, get treatment, and make sure to do the things we've learned these last few years: Wash your hands, use masks, open that window. There's plenty of ways to stay safe.

Earlier in the morning, Cohen received a citation from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman during a ceremony at his office. She was accompanied by her mother, Susan Krauthamer, a nurse practitioner who previously worked at Hempstead General Hospital and Mercy Medical Center.

Dr. John Zaso, a pediatrician in East Meadow affiliated with NUMC, said there has been an uptick in flu and RSV cases in recent weeks.

RSV and flu are keeping us busy right now, he said, noting most of the flu cases he sees are among children who were not vaccinated.

This year, the match is very good between 60 and 65%, he said of the flu vaccines effectiveness to strains that are circulating. Its never too late to get that. The risk of hospitalization is much less if you get that vaccine.

Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.

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CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, in return to Nassau, urges vaccinations for flu, COVID, RSV - Newsday

Dr Hilary Jones has revealed that the UK hasn't got any Covid-19 variants of concern, but warned that the flu is "more of a threat" this winter

Dr Hilary Jones has claimed that Brits should not be routine testing for Covid-19, as the flu "poses more of a threat" this winter.

The Good Morning Britain star said the UK "hasn't got any variants of concern" as the current strain is not causing a large number of hospitalisations. The latest GOV.UK data shows that there were 2,519 patients admitted to hospital in the seven days leading up to November 3.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), emergent variant BA.2.86 is no more likely to evade existing antibodies than XBB.1.5. It also notes that there is no evidence to suggest BA.2.86 is more likely to make people seriously ill than currently-circulating variants.

Speaking to the Mirror, Dr Hilary said: "I dont think we should be regularly testing. I think if youve got symptoms and youre not sure whether its a bad cold or Covid-19 then its worth testing because its very cheap to do that and its useful to know, not just for yourself but for other people.

"We know Covid-19 is around, we havent got any variants of concern particularly at the moment. We do have a different strain, but it doesnt seem to be more virulent than whats gone before and its not causing a large number of hospitalisations or deaths." He added: "We expected Covid-19 to cause a few more cases as winter approaches and for the same reasons were going to see more colds and flu. However, were living with Covid-19 now and actually flu probably poses more of a threat this winter than Covid-19."

The Lorraine presenter explained that after flu rates soared in the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia and Chile, the UK is likely to follow a similar pattern. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Southern Hemispheric countries experienced high or earlier flu activity compared to what was seen prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last year, the flu virus was responsible for more than 14,000 excess deaths, and over 10,000 children were hospitalised. Dr Hilary is urging those eligible for free NHS booster of Covid-19 and the flu jab to make sure they book an appointment, especially people in vulnerable groups.

"Those eligible for free NHS booster of Covid-19 and the flu vaccine, I would really recommend that they get that done to give themselves really good protection against the worst of the circulating flu viruses," he said. Pregnant women and those with ongoing health conditions are among those who are eligible for the free flu jab, but the UKHSA warns that these groups have more recently had lower vaccine uptake despite being at higher risk.

Dr Hilary highlights how most people wont get more than one or two episodes of the flu in their lifetime and that the virus "is very different" to a bad cold. "With real flu youre likely to have a very high temperature, youre going to have a headache, a hacking cough, a very sore throat, enlarged glands in your neck. Youre going to feel awful and you wont be able to get out of bed, even if you want to," he said.

The expert explained that people will not experience a high temperature with Covid-19 or a cold. Its common for people with Covid-19 or the flu to suffer from aching muscles and joints, however Dr Hilary describes Covid-19 symptoms as "nebulous". He said: "We used to talk about a dry persistent cough, fatigue, nasal congestion, but actually there are many more symptoms that people can have with Covid-19, or no symptoms at all.

"But some people get aching muscles and joints, some people have overwhelming fatigue, some people get a headache, and some people get digestive symptoms. Covid-19 is really a strange virus in that it can affect people in different ways. If youre in doubt just do a test, the Covid-19 lateral flow test is still widely available and its still accurate."

With a common cold, the health guru suggests common symptoms include "nasal congestion, runny nose, red eyes, sneezing, bit of a sore throat, no temperature usually, and slightly sore glands." Dr Hilary, who is representing Manuka Doctor, recommends treating cold symptoms with Manuka honey, which boasts antibacterial properties.

These can help to relieve underlying symptoms for colds and coughs as Manuka honey contains methylglyoxal (MGO). Symptomatic relief from colds can also be achieved by drinking plenty of fluids and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen, he added.

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Dr Hilary urges Brits to get flu jab as virus 'poses bigger threat than Covid' - The Mirror

Now is the time to get this years COVID-19 and flu vaccines

Vermont Business Magazine Fall and winter are the seasons when respiratory viruses spread more easily, and that means now is the best time to protect yourself and loved ones from serious illness and hospitalization. The Health Department is urging everyone 6 months and older to get this years COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

People can also talk to their doctor about new RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) immunization options for babies, people who are pregnant, and adults ages 60 and older.

Having vaccines available for three potentially dangerous illnesses can make a real impact on all our health, said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. Its a busy time of year, people are arranging travel and holiday get-togethers, and no one wants to be sick. So, lets protect ourselves and prevent the spread of germs now and through the winter.

Vaccines protect against severe illness and hospitalization. If you do get sick, being vaccinated can make your symptoms milder and not as long-lasting. Dr. Levine said getting vaccinated is especially important for people at higher risk of getting very sick due to certain medical conditions or weakened immune systems.

With the end of the pandemic emergency, people will get their COVID-19 vaccinations in the same locations where they receive their other routine vaccinations, such as for the flu. Its also OK for people to get flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time. These vaccines take up to two weeks to be fully effective.

Vaccinations are available by appointment at doctors offices, pharmacies, community health centers and clinics across the state. Adults ages 65 and older should contact their local pharmacies to schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointments or check with their health care provider. Community and partner organizations are also offering clinics to help reach people who are homebound and others.

Health insurance will cover the cost for most people to get vaccinated. Adults without health insurance, or whose insurance does not include immunizations, can get COVID-19 vaccine at no cost through the Bridge Access Program. To find a participating location, visit Vaccines.gov or reach out to your Local Health Office.

Dr. Levine said more doses of COVID-19 vaccine continue coming into the state, and that everyone will be able to get vaccinated. The good news is that people want to get vaccinated, and I appreciate everyones patience as doses become available.

The Health Department has also launched a new dashboard that shows how many people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu. As of November 14, 12% of people in Vermont have received their COVID-19 vaccine, and 24% have gotten their flu shot.

In addition to getting vaccinated, there are everyday things you can do to avoid germs and stay healthy:

The Vermont Health Department monitors COVID-19 activity and flu activity throughout the year. Flu activity in the state is currently minimal but is expected to increase in the coming weeks. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations is also low but has risen slightly in recent weeks. Nationally, respiratory virus activity has been increasing.

You can find more information, including resources in multiple languages at HealthVermont.gov/MyVaccine.

About the Department of Health

We have been the state's public health agency for more than 130 years, working every day to protect and promote the health of Vermonters.

Source: 11.16.2023. BURLINGTON, VT Vermont Department of Health HealthVermont.gov

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VDH: Be ready for respiratory virus season - Vermont Biz

Ireland experiences an outbreak of a severe form of the influenza virus.

The National Disease Surveillance Centre appeals to older people, the sick and other at-risk groups along with healthcare workers to get vaccinated against the flu virus. Indications are that the outbreak could be as bad as three years ago when 51 people died.

Within the past two weeks, the number of cases of the most severe strain of flu, influenza A, has doubled.

Concern over the outbreak has increased following the death of five children in Britain as a result of the virus over the past two months. Despite the serious nature of the virus, Dr Darina O Flanagan of the National Disease Surveillance Centre wants to reassure parents that deaths are very rare and in almost all cases, children make a full recovery. Children who are vulnerable should attend their GP for vaccination.

Influenza symptoms can develop quickly and include a high temperature, sore muscles, and a feeling of weakness.

An RT News report broadcast on 5 November 2003. The reporter is Annette O'Donnell.

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RT Archives | Health | Flu Outbreak - RTE.ie

est tubes labelled "Bird Flu" and eggs are seen in this picture illustration, January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

PARIS, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Mexico reported its first outbreak this season of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a farm, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Thursday, just a month after Mexico declared it was free of the disease.

The outbreak detected in the northwestern state of Sonora killed 15,000 of a flock of 90,000 laying hens, and the remaining birds were slaughtered, the Paris-based WOAH said, citing Mexican authorities.

"The first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 of this season was reported in a poultry production unit in the municipality of Cajeme, Sonora," WOAH said in a report.

It added the subtype of the virus found is H5N1, which is not dangerous to humans through meat or egg consumption.

Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement on Wednesday that there was a quarantine in place to prevent the spread.

The ministry also said that the disease had been detected on another farm three kilometers away, which housed 54,000 birds, where disinfection was underway.

Mexico is one of the top 10 largest chicken meat producers in the world, but exports less than 1% of its chicken meat, according to U.S. agency GAIN.

Still, the spread of the highly contagious virus is raising concern among governments and the poultry industry after ravaging flocks worldwide in previous years, disrupting supply, fueling food prices and posing a risk of human transmission.

Russia, South Africa and parts of Eastern Europe have also reported concentrated outbreaks of the virus in recent months.

Mexican animal safety authorities early last month had confirmed the first case of H5N1 avian influenza in a wild bird after declaring the country's poultry farms free of the virus earlier in the day.

It comes after Mexico last year launched a large bird vaccination campaign in high-risk areas, including Sonora, to prevent the spread of H5N1.

Another statement from the Agricultural Ministry last week first announcing the detection of the virus said tests were underway to see if "the vaccine applied last year is effective in confronting the virus that entered in 2023."

A fresh vaccination strategy could begin in the first days of this month, it added.

Mexico's animal safety agency Senascia has urged local farmers to reinforce biosecurity measures on their farms and to immediately notify of any anomaly observed in their animals in order to protect the national poultry production, WOAH added.

Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide in Paris; Additional reporting by Isabel Woodford in Mexico City; Editing by Alison Williams and David Evans

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Mexico reports first outbreak of H5N1 bird flu on poultry farm - Reuters Canada

Wearing a mask can protect you from cold air that can reduce your immunity, an expert says. (Sebra/Adobe Stock via CNN)

Theres a chill is in the air, and you all know what that means its time for cold and flu season, when it seems everyone you know is suddenly sneezing, sniffling or worse. Its almost as if those pesky cold and flu germs whirl in with the first blast of winter weather.

Yet germs are present year-round just think back to your last summer cold. So why do people get more colds, flu and now COVID-19 when its chilly outside?

In what they called a breakthrough, scientists uncovered the biological reason we get more respiratory illnesses in winter the cold air itself damages the immune response occurring in the nose.

This is the first time that we have a biologic, molecular explanation regarding one factor of our innate immune response that appears to be limited by colder temperatures, said rhinologist Dr. Zara Patel, a professor of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine in California. She was not involved in the new study.

In fact, reducing the temperature inside the nose by as little as 9 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) kills nearly 50% of the billions of helpful bacteria-fighting cells and viruses in the nostrils, according to the 2022 study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Cold air is associated with increased viral infection because youve essentially lost half of your immunity just by that small drop in temperature, said study author Dr. Benjamin Bleier, director of otolaryngology translational research at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

its important to remember that these are in vitro studies, meaning that although it is using human tissue in the lab to study this immune response, it is not a study being carried out inside someones actual nose, Patel said in an email. Often the findings of in vitro studies are confirmed in vivo, but not always.

To understand why this occurs, Bleier and his team and coauthor Mansoor Amiji, who chairs the department of pharmaceutical sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, went on a scientific detective hunt.

A respiratory virus or bacteria invades the nose, the main point of entry into the body. Immediately, the front of the nose detects the germ, well before the back of the nose is aware of the intruder, the team discovered.

At that point, cells lining the nose immediately begin creating billions of simple copies of themselves called extracellular vesicles, or EVs.

EVs cant divide like cells can, but they are like little mini versions of cells specifically designed to go and kill these viruses, Bleier said. EVs act as decoys, so now when you inhale a virus, the virus sticks to these decoys instead of sticking to the cells.

Those Mini Mes are then expelled by the cells into nasal mucus (yes, snot), where they stop invading germs before they can get to their destinations and multiply.

This is one of, if not the only part of the immune system that leaves your body to go fight the bacteria and viruses before they actually get into your body, Bleier said.

Once created and dispersed out into nasal secretions, the billions of EVs then start to swarm the marauding germs, Bleier said.

Its like if you kick a hornets nest, what happens? You might see a few hornets flying around, but when you kick it, all of them all fly out of the nest to attack before that animal can get into the nest itself, he said. Thats the way the body mops up these inhaled viruses so they can never get into the cell in the first place.

When under attack, the nose increases production of extracellular vesicles by 160%, the study found. There were additional differences: EVs had many more receptors on their surface than original cells, thus boosting the virus-stopping ability of the billions of extracellular vesicles in the nose.

Just imagine receptors as little arms that are sticking out, trying to grab on to the viral particles as you breathe them in, Bleier said. And we found each vesicle has up to 20 times more receptors on the surface, making them super sticky.

Cells in the body also contain a viral killer called micro RNA, which attack invading germs. Yet EVs in the nose contained 13 times micro RNA sequences than normal cells, the study found.

So the nose comes to battle armed with some extra superpowers. But what happens to those advantages when cold weather hits?

To find out, Bleier and his team exposed four study participants to 15 minutes of 40-degree-Fahrenheit (4.4-degree-Celsius) temperatures, and then measured conditions inside their nasal cavities.

What we found is that when youre exposed to cold air, the temperature in your nose can drop by as much as 9 degrees Fahrenheit. And thats enough to essentially knock out all three of those immune advantages that the nose has, Bleier said.

In fact, that little bit of coldness in the tip of the nose was enough to take nearly 42% of the extracellular vesicles out of the fight, Bleier said.

Similarly, you have almost half the amount of those killer micro RNAs inside each vesicle, and you can have up to a 70% drop in the number of receptors on each vesicle, making them much less sticky, he said.

What does that do to your ability to fight off colds, flu and COVID-19? It cuts your immune systems ability to fight off respiratory infections by half, Bleier said.

As it turns out, the pandemic gave us exactly what we need to help fight off chilly air and keep our immunity high, Bleier said.

Not only do masks protect you from the direct inhalation of viruses, but its also like wearing a sweater on your nose, he said.

Patel agreed: The warmer you can keep the intranasal environment, the better this innate immune defense mechanism will be able to work. Maybe yet another reason to wear masks!

In the future, Bleier expects to see the development of topical nasal medications that build upon this scientific revelation. These new pharmaceuticals will essentially fool the nose into thinking it has just seen a virus, he said.

By having that exposure, youll have all these extra hornets flying around in your mucous protecting you, he added.

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Scientists finally know why people get more colds and flu in winter - Marin Independent Journal

It is that season again where the yearly vaccinations are being administered. During the cold months, it is expected that there will be an increase in illnesses all around the United States, and especially in populated areas such as college campuses. Each year it is recommended that during these times vaccinations for preventable illnesses like the flu vaccination should be administered.

During an interview with Dr. Christian Wightman, SUNY Geneseos Medical Director at Lauderdale, advised: I think there are two practical reasons to get vaccinated. One is to reduce your chance of dying. That's a good thing to do, right? The truth is the chance of dying for most, otherwise healthy adults, is small. Flu and COVID, for otherwise healthy adults, kills a small number of people. But not zero, right? And we know we reduce your chance by getting the shot so that's a good reason to do it.

Dr. Wightman continued: A more compelling reason is that from Thanksgiving through New Year is the least [convenient] time that we want to be sick because we're all incredibly busy. We're around family, we're all doing those things we want to do. So, being protected from predictably contagious illnesses during that time is a good idea.

Dr. Wightman continues to talk about the goal that vaccination has been given at specific times during the year, most notably around October: [It] more or less takes a couple of weeks, right, which is why it takes us a couple of weeks to get over a cold right because everybody has to get an immune system built up and then we're able to fight that off. So you get whatever vaccine you're getting, and then in a couple of weeks, those antibodies build up, and then they kind of plateau and hang around for a few months, and then if we're not exposed again, they drop off. It is far better to get this done earlier in the season, because then your period of protection corresponds with the time when the most virus was circulating. Its so challenging, because we can't always predict exactly when the seasons going to bethe flu shot [and] the COVID shot are made against particular strains that we predict will be circulating when the worst of the season is.

Vaccinations have become highlighted politically, specifically since the recent COVID vaccination. Flu shots, however, are a more studied vaccination in comparison to some others. In response to why people may be conflicted about the effects of the flu virus vaccination, Dr. Wightman stated: Despite what many people claim, you can't get the flu from getting a flu shot. You can't get COVID from getting the COVID shot. We give these medicines as those seasons are coming on. So there's always a small amount of that virus circulating. So undoubtedly, they are people who get their vaccine and get infected with the virus on the same day. Just statistically, it's really uncommon, but in a country of 300 million people, it's going to happen once in a while.

Since the 1918 flu pandemic that made its vengeance all the way around the world, killing over 550,000 people, there have been many different outbreaks and vaccinations that have become what we know and receive today. Some of the first major strides in vaccination studies were in the Mayo Clinic between the years 1930-1940, as stated on the Mayo Clinics website. Originally, the flu vaccination was used in the military; eventually, in 1945, it was made available to all people.

Throughout the years there have been many different variations of the vaccinations that have been used to treat the everchanging virus. In 2009 another outbreak happened with the H1N1 outbreak, killing 12,400 people in the United States. Vaccinations are of vital importancethey can save lives of people who are not able to withstand viruses as they pass from person to person.

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The yearly flu shot has approached once again The Lamron - Lamron