While most people know pneumonia is a severe disease, few realize it is causing more harm than COVID-19 or influenza this year.
Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, needlessly affects millions of people each year.
Globally, pneumonia killed more than 740,000 young children in 2019.
This is greater than fatalities from any infectious disease, such as HIV infection, malaria, or tuberculosis.
Unfortunately, this trend is continuing in 2022.
Pneumonia Outpaces COVID-19 and Influenza Fatalities
Second Mpox Vaccination Still Recommended
In the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mpox vaccination analysis published today, all eligible persons are recommended to complete the two-dose JYNNEOS® vaccination series to optimize protection from infection.
JYNNEOS is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccine for the prevention of mpox and smallpox.
COVID-19 Booster mRNA Dose Increases Antibody Duration
Immunoglobulin G spike receptor binding domain antibody levels similar after primary series, booster dose
Coronavirus Testing Required for China's Visitors
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that it will implement on January 5, 2023, a requirement for a negative SARS-CoV-2 test or documentation of COVID-19 recovery for air passengers boarding flights to the U.S. originating from the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
The CDC announced this program on December 28, 2022, to slow the spread of COVID-19 during the recent surge in cases in the PRC.
Genital Herpes and HIV Coinfection Can be Costly
A recent peer-reviewed study estimated economic and quality-of-life losses due to genital herpes in 90 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which can be extensive, especially considering the lifelong nature of herpes.
These researchers stated that even under the most conservative assumptions (1 visit per yr), economic losses due to genital herpes in LMICs could be as large as US$39 billion.
Molnupiravir Does Not Reduce COVID-19-Related Hospitalization, Death
No reduction in COVID-19-associated hospitalizations or deaths seen among high-risk, vaccinated adults
U.S. to Require Negative COVID-19 Test For Chinese Visitor Entry
The new rule, set to go into effect on Jan. 5, was created in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases in China
Severe Dengue Prevalent in the Caribbean
As 2022 comes to a close, a U.S. territory in the Caribbean Sea continues reporting a significant number of severe dengue cases.
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico reported 849 confirmed dengue cases and 126 probable as of December 16, 2022.
This data contrasted with 2021, when only 81 confirmations and 64 probable dengue cases were reported.
To combat this measurable increase, Puerto Rico recently launched a multi-phase dengue vaccination campaign in the San Juan area, with results expected in early 2023.
Africa's Yellow Fever Fatality Rate Concerns Continue
The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region recently published a yellow fever outbreak update on the Event Information Site.
Since 2021, 40 deaths (9%) have been reported in the total 455 confirmed and probable yellow fever (YF) cases.
The WHO African Region reported on December 23, 2022, twelve African countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, and Uganda) reported YF outbreaks this year.
Ohio Confirmed 70% of Measles Cases in 2022
When the World Health Organization (WHO) reported nearly forty million children were susceptible to the measles virus in November 2022, few people suspected Ohio would be on the outbreak watch list.
However, the City of Columbus Health Department recently reported its 82nd pediatric measles case.
Of these children, 77 were unvaccinated and unprotected from the very-contagious measles virus.
Unfortunately, as of December 27, 2022, 32 patients had to be hospitalized during this measles outbreak.