For decades, antibiotics have been a mainstay of treatments for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Still, the growing threat of antibiotic resistance has limited clinicians' options to control infections effectively.
A 2022 World Health Organization surveillance report found that the most common cause of UTIs is resistance to first—and second-line antibiotics.
Research indicates that 40% of women in the United States will develop a UTI at some point in their lifetime.
Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection Tablets Approved in the U.S.
UK Confirms 32% Increase in Malaria Cases
In recognition of World Malaria Day 2024, various countries are reporting increased cases related to international travelers and actions to prevent further outbreaks.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently reported that global malaria cases were estimated at 249 million in 2022, an increase of about 2% from 2021.
COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Show Great Global Variance
Findings based on review of national versus WHO guidelines
Vaccination Efforts Saved Over 154 Million Lives
A study published today by The Lancet has revealed that global immunization efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years.
Most lives saved were those of infants, with 101 million lives saved.
The study, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), found that vaccination against 14 diseases has reduced infant deaths by 40% globally.
US FDA Approves IL-15 Superagonist for Treating Bladder Cancer
For several decades, a century-old vaccine has been used to treat a specific type of bladder cancer. In the 1970s, the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine was approved as an immunotherapeutic treatment for bladder cancer patients.
Since then, various BCG vaccines have become the standard therapy for treating high-risk nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients to prevent the recurrence and progression of the disease.
Oral Cancer Month Encourages More HPV Vaccinations
In April 2024, the United States observes the 15th Annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which emphasizes the significance of preventing human papillomavirus (HPV)- related oral cancers.
Projections estimate an upward trend for the next decade, with predictions greater than 30,000 oral cancer cases annually by 2029.
Research shows that more than 90% of oropharyngeal cancer cases are linked to HPV 16.
As of 2023, oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancers impact far more men than women.
Pandemic Had Modest Effect on Early Childhood Development Milestones
Significant age-specific mean score decreases seen in communication, problem-solving, personal-score domains from prepandemic to intrapandemic
Adult Vaccinations Produce 19 to 1 ROI
In recent times, the pandemic highlighted contagious diseases that affect older individuals, leading to an increased burden of costly hospitalization.
One proven tactic to prevent disease is vaccination.
A recent study across 10 countries revealed that adult immunization programs can generate a return of up to 19 times their initial investment when considering the full range of benefits.
This study calculated the equivalent of billions of dollars in net monetary benefits to society or, more concretely, up to $4,637 for one individual's entire vaccination course.
300 Measles Cases Forecasted in 2024
Over the past two decades, most measles cases have been related to infected, unvaccinated international travelers bringing the highly transmissible virus with them to the United States.
This year, the U.S. is at greater risk for measles outbreaks because 49 countries are reporting cases, and international travel has resumed full throttle.
For example, a significant international measles outbreak continues in India.
UTI Vaccine Only Available to Travelers
Many women have learned Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (rUTIs) can be challenging to treat with antibiotics. However, an innovative oral spray-based vaccine called Uromune™ (MV140) has been found to be a viable alternative treatment.
Improved non-antibiotic management of rUTI in women represents a genuine, unmet, global medical need, stated researchers in a new study.
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.
Enhancing Indoor Ventilation Reduces Respiratory Virus Risk
It is essential to remember that various airborne viruses spread throughout the year, even as respiratory diseases continue to decline from their peak in late December 2023.
Viruses such as influenza and Respiratory Syncytial virus displayed both seasonal and regional outbreaks last winter.
Human respiratory viruses include a broad range of viruses transmitted mainly by infected persons.
Next Season's Flu Shots Will Be Different
In the United States, influenza is a significant health concern each year, affecting millions of people and leading to hospitalization and death for many.
Flu vaccines have been recommended for over five decades and have been proven to lower the risk of flu and its severe complications in those who receive it.
The composition of U.S. flu vaccines is reviewed annually in time for newer flu vaccines to be manufactured each year.
Flu Shots About 41% Effective
Influenza vaccines have provided moderate yet crucial protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations for the past few decades.
Although influenza vaccine's effectiveness does vary based on virus type and age group, healthcare providers have emphasized the need to tailor vaccination strategies for those at the most significant risk.
Flu Season Focuses on Heartland States
The U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report released last week confirmed a significant increase in seasonal influenza activity. This situation persists in all ten geographic regions.
To better visualize the impact of the ongoing 2024 flu season, Walgreens Flu Index's latest chart highlighted the top ten cities offering antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens locations nationwide.
As of late February 2024, these are the leading markets:
Did Vaccine Mandates Decrease Flu Shots by 19%
Once thriving, the influenza vaccine business in the United States is on a dramatic downward trend. Only 157 million flu shots have been distributed so far during the 2023-2024 flu season.
This data indicates a 19% decrease for the 2020-2021 season when 194 million flu shots were distributed.
With the influenza vaccine's efficacy hovering around 50%, the protective benefits people receive cannot be the reason behind this sudden, negative trend.
Flu Shot Protection Wanes 9% Monthly
It's important to remember that influenza vaccine protection starts very strong but declines throughout flu season as antibody levels wane.
A study published in Eurosurveillance on February 22, 2024, compiled data across nine flu seasons in Ontario, Canada, revealing that influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) waned about 9% every 28 days beginning 41 days post-vaccination.
This trend was detected in adults but not in children.
Trivalent Flu Shot Formulations Coming Next Season
As a global leader in the protection of public health, CSL Seqirus announced today that it is working to change the formulation of its influenza vaccine portfolio.
On February 8, 2024, Seqirus confirmed the B/Yamagata influenza virus strain will be removed from its influenza vaccines distributed in the United States, preferably in time for the 2024-2025 flu season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 157 million influenza vaccines were already distributed during the 2023-2024 flu season.
From “Immunity Debt” to “Immunity Theft”
JAMA Medical News recently published a Perspective explaining how new phrases may apply to recent respiratory illnesses in children in various countries.
Published on January 10, 2024, Rita Rubin, MA, discussed the ongoing debate about how the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to increased rates of diseases such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.
Much of the discussion has centered around immunity debt and immunity theft, terms born of the pandemic and not found in textbooks.
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.