As the end of Summer 2024 approaches and students prepare to return to school, the idea of getting a last-minute vaccination and heading to a warm beach sounds appealing.
However, with the global outbreak of dengue fever expanding in the Region of the Americas, it's crucial to choose a destination that is free from disease-carrying mosquitoes.
As of July 25, 2024, 43 countries and territories in the Region had reported over 10.8 million dengue cases and 5,848 related deaths.
Don't End Summer Vacation With Dengue
18.3 Percent of Physicians Reported PTSD During COVID-19 Pandemic
Increased likelihood seen for female physicians, older physicians, and trainees, and for emergency department doctors
$25 Million Boosts Clinical Trials Conducted at Pharmacies
When the U.S. government approves a vaccine, the clinical trial process does not stop. The fourth type of clinical evaluation is called Phase 4 or Post-Market Survalence.
These studies aggregate real-world evidence that hopefully meets or extends results reported in the pre-approval clinical trial.
Dog Importation Rules Clarified by the U.S. CDC
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a media statement with an updated process for bringing dogs into the United States from rabies-free and low-risk dog rabies countries to simplify and clarify the procedures.
Telehealth Only Partially Offset Decreased Primary Care Visits During Pandemic
Magnitude of these changes varied significantly by patient demographic characteristics
Long COVID Incidence Declined Over Course of Pandemic
However, authors say, risk remains substantial even among vaccinated persons during the omicron era
Social Distancing Measures Tied to Neonatal Mortality With Lag Period
With two-month lag period, social distancing index linked to higher neonatal and early neonatal mortality rates
$41.3 Million Supports Increased Access to the First Chikungunya Vaccine
As the most challenging disease to spell and pronounce continues its global expansion, access to the only approved chikungunya virus vaccine is becoming broader.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has expanded its support to provide expanded access to the world’s first chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ®.
IXCHIQ (VLA1553) is a monovalent, single-dose, live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved in November 2023.
Two Mosquito-Transmitted Viruses Causing Microcephaly in Newborns
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), scientists in Brazil believe that the Oropouche virus (OROV) may cause stillbirths and neurological defects in babies who are infected in the womb, similar to the Zika virus.
Since 2013, 31 countries and territories in the Americas have reported cases of microcephaly (head shape issues) and other central nervous system malformations associated with Zika infection.
Fewer Mental Health Facilities Offering Telehealth Since End of Pandemic
Declines seen in scope and modality of services
Funding for Phase Four Vaccine Studies Needed
While many people have recently learned about the clinical trial research process, most are unaware these studies are conducted according to a plan containing an essential fourth type of study: phase four.
These late-stage studies, often called post-marketing research, are conducted after the U.S. FDA has approved a vaccine or medication.
Clinical research leaders wrote a comprehensive Perspective, suggesting an innovative method for increasing the number of phase four studies.
Portfolio of Influenza Vaccines Shipped Ahead of 2024-2025 Flu Season
According to Stefan Merlo, Vice President of Commercial Operations, North America, CSL Seqirus, pharmacies in the United States will soon offer updated flu shots.
Mr. Merlo exclusively informed Precision Vaccinations News that as of July 9, 2024, CSL Seqirus was already shipping its differentiated influenza vaccines for the 2024/25 Northern Hemisphere flu season.
"This year, we've transitioned to trivalent vaccine formulations, aligning with U.S. FDA guidelines."
Fewer Flu Shots Distributed, Fewer Influenza Deaths Reported
During the second day of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting, influenza vaccines became the main focus.
As the current flu season comes to a close, the ACIP reported that the next round of influenza vaccines, which are scheduled to arrive in pharmacies in August 2024, will be different.
On June 27, 2024, the ACIP confirmed all influenza vaccines marketed in the U.S. for the 2024-25 flu season would be trivalent, not quadrivalent.
Doctors Can Digitally Dispel Vaccine Dis-and Mis-Information
Since the early days of AOL and Yahoo, digital information has transformed how people access and share health information. While the digital age has increased access, it has also accelerated the spread of disinformation and misinformation.
To address this issue, Dr. C. Everett Koop spearheaded an industry initiative in 1999 to protect people from unreliable health information by involving doctors, nurses, and pharmacists in the content creation.
Fewer Flu and Pneumonia Deaths Reported
In the 20th century, influenza and pneumonia constituted the most significant proportion of infectious disease deaths in the United States. However, in the 21st century, that trend changed.
On May 20, 2024, a Major Article published by the journal AJIC analyzed crude death rates (CR) and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 individuals calculated using influenza and pneumonia mortality data (ICD-10 Codes: J09-J18) from the U.S. CDC WONDER database.
Cell-Based Flu Shot Effectiveness Surpass Egg-Produced Vaccines
Vaccines have proven to be the primary means of reducing influenza infections over decades. Although many people think all flu shots are the same, there are significant differences between cell—and egg-based vaccines, which provide different health benefits.
Consuming Bird Flu Contaminated Cow Milk Discouraged
Over the past few years, significant media attention has been paid to detecting avian influenza (bird flu). While the overall human health risk is being evaluated, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently shared clarifying data points.
During 2020, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses arose from previously circulating influenza A(H5Nx) viruses. They spread predominantly via migratory birds to many parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe.
In late 2021, these bird flu viruses crossed to North America and, in late 2022, to South America.
Consuming Unpasteurized Bird Flu Contaminated Cow Milk Discouraged
Over the past few years, significant media attention has been paid to detecting avian influenza (bird flu). While the overall human health risk is being evaluated, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently shared clarifying data points.
During 2020, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses arose from previously circulating influenza A(H5Nx) viruses. They spread predominantly via migratory birds to many parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe.
In late 2021, these bird flu viruses crossed to North America and, in late 2022, to South America.
Technically, the HPAI A(H5N1) Outbreak Risk Remains Low
Although avian influenza (bird flu) viruses usually do not infect people, there have been some rare cases of human infection.
Human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when the virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, or mouth or is inhaled.
Texas Confirms Its First Human Bird Flu Case
Recent reports indicate that the multi-year, global outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has reached the state of Texas.
In late March 2024, the Texas Animal Health Commission announced that dairy cattle in the Texas Panhandle had tested positive for avian influenza A(H5N1).
Subsequently, on April 1, 2024, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported one confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in Texas. The affected person had direct exposure to dairy cattle suspected of being infected with avian influenza.
Over-Touristed Destinations Include U.S. Hot Spots
There are many cities around the world included in people's bucket-list locations to visit during their lifetime.
According to a team at MoneyTransfers.com, they ranked the most visited cities and countries in the world, and some of the rankings might surprise an avid traveler.
This Most "Over-Touristed" Cities in the World list was published on September 7, 2023.
Malaria Arrives in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Health announced a positive case of locally acquired malaria in a person living in the National Capital Region. This new Maryland patient was hospitalized and is reported to be recovering.
This person did not travel recently outside the United States or visit Florida or Texas, where locally acquired malaria outbreaks have been reported.
South Africa's Measles Outbreak Continues
Over the past year, the Republic of South Africa has been confronted with a significant measles outbreak. Even with an aggressive vaccination program, new measles cases continue to be reported.
As of August 16, 2023, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has tested 6,616 serum samples for measles since epidemiological week 40, 2022, of which 1124 (17%) were confirmed positive.
Recently, the percentage of samples testing positive decreased to 9% in week #31.
Airport Dos and Don’ts for Labor Day Travelers
As the summer travel season 2023 approaches the Labor Day holiday, U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are eager to share their top "dos and don'ts" for air travelers.
Since airline travelers have resumed activity levels last seen in 2019, TSA officers have an insider's view of what results in a smooth screening process and what doesn't.
Additionally, the TSA has identified six tips and six things they never do when flying.
Travel tips:
COVID-19 Fatalities Decrease Globally
While many people thought the COVID-19 pandemic had ended, new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates another SARS-CoV-2 variant is impacting more people.
During the past few months, the EG.5 (Eris) variant spiked COVID-19 cases in India but has recently subsided.
And in the U.S., Eris is the fasting-growing COVID-19 subvariant responsible for around 17% of current COVID cases, according to the U.S. CDC.
South Florida's Dengue Outbreak Continues in August 2023
As the summer of 2023 comes to a close in South Florida, various mosquito-borne diseases continue to infect people.
During the period of July 30 to August 5, 2023, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported the following arboviral activity:
International Travel-Associated Dengue: Forty-three cases of dengue were reported this week in persons with international travel. In 2023, 190 travel-associated dengue cases have been reported.
Measles Elimination Requires Pre-Trip Vaccinations
The United States has maintained the elimination of measles since 2000, despite several outbreaks in various states such as Ohio.
Most measles outbreaks occur when unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people travel to and from the U.S., says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Measles cases worldwide increased by about 80% during 2022.
For example, India recently reported 57,550 measles cases over the past year.
Cholera Outbreaks Continue in 2023
Over the past month, the multi-country cholera outbreak has reached India, which has reported over 600 cases, says the World Health Organization (WHO).
In total, 25 countries have reported cases since the beginning of 2023, and the WHO assesses the risk at the global level as very high.
For example, the Republic of Haiti has reported over 40,000 cholera cases, including 253 deaths, this year.
Philippines Aviation Backed by the U.S.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently affirmed its commitment to provide additional training and equipment to the Republic of the Philippines’ Office for Transportation Security (OTS).
During a courtesy visit to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, TSA Assistant Administrator for International Operations Gary Renfrow noted on August 1, 2023, the improved aviation security in the Philippines and assured the transport chief of continued support for capacity development efforts for airport authorities.
West Nile Virus Confirmed in Wine Country
France's Agence régionale de santé Nouvelle-Aquitaine (ARS) recenlty confirmed a patient had been infected with West Nile virus (WNV) in New Aquitaine.
This WNV patient is from Bordeaux, and ARS is investigating four suspected cases.
Previously, human infections with WNV were reported in France's Mediterranean (PACA and Occitanie regions).
"Their state of health does not inspire concern, and they are on the way to recovery," said the ARS statement on August 1, 2023.