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Infectious Diseases

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Mysterious Illness Claims 53 Lives With Many Dying Within Hours After Onset Of Symptoms Mysterious Illness Claims 53 Lives With Many Dying Within Hours After Onset Of Symptoms
Mysterious Illness Claims 53 Lives With Many Dying Within Hours After Onset Of Symptoms A mysterious illness has led to 53 fatalities, with many dying within hours of developing symptoms.  The outbreak has emerged in a northwestern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify the situation as "a significant public health threat." Frontline medics from the WHO have reported hundreds of cases, revealing a chillingly brief timeline from symptom onset to death.  Since the outbreak began on Tuesday, Jan. 21, there have been 419 reported cases and 53 deaths, resulting in a mortality rate of 12.49 percent — substanti…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported
First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported Authorities have confirmed the first human death in the United States caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1.  The announcement was made by the Louisiana Department of Health on Monday, Jan. 6.  Earlier Report: First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US The patient, a man over 65 with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized before succumbing to the illness after exposure to a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds. The Louisiana Department of Health said it has conducted a public health investigation and found no additional cases or …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says
Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says A rare case of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in a child in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The child, who is a resident of California, experienced only mild symptoms and is now recovering. The case, detected through routine flu testing, revealed low levels of the virus in the initial sample, and follow-up tests were negative for bird flu, but positive for other common respiratory viruses.  The CDC is working with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to determine how the child might hav…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Trump Taps Vaccine Skeptic To Lead CDC Trump Taps Vaccine Skeptic To Lead CDC
Trump Taps Vaccine Skeptic To Lead CDC Another vaccine skeptic with New York ties could soon shape public health policy. President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Florida congressman and physician Dave Weldon to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon was born on Long Island, in Amityville, and graduated from Stony Brook University in 1978 before earning his M.D. degree at the University of Buffalo in 1981. Earlier Report: Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services “In addition to being a medical doctor for 40 years, and an Ar…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Cases of walking pneumonia have spiked significantly, especially among children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning in a brand-new advisory. The agency said increases in M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia infections began late this past spring, peaked in August, and have remained high.  The CDC said it's using various surveillance tools "to better understand any differences in demographics, severity of illness, and outcomes as compared to M. pneumoniae infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic." The agency said it's also contacting heal…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Two Dead Whales That Washed Up On NJ Beaches Had Infectious Diseases, Necropsies Say Two Dead Whales That Washed Up On NJ Beaches Had Infectious Diseases, Necropsies Say
Two Dead Whales That Washed Up On NJ Beaches Had Infectious Diseases, Necropsies Say Two whales found dead along the Jersey Shore suffered from infectious diseases, marine biologists said. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) posted on Facebook to release the necropsy findings for the 17-and-a-half-foot minke whale discovered in Lavallette on Friday, Oct. 4. The animal's body was found near Trenton Avenue at around 6:30 a.m. The male was considered thin and had no food in its digestive tract. "Evidence of inflammation in multiple organs consistent with infectious disease was documented," MMSC posted. "Biological samples were col…

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by Chris Spiker