The 2023 Annual Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
SIDS Rates Increased Significantly From 2019 to 2020
Sudden unexplained infant death rates increased among non-Hispanic Black infants, but not overall
Who Do You Trust For Vaccine Information
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and colleagues found that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was highly trusted for health information by more than 33% of U.S. adults.
Whereas state and local health departments were highly trusted by about 25%.
New York Issues Polio Travel Alert
The New York State Department of Health today announced that New Yorkers intending to visit Israel and other countries with circulating poliovirus in 2023 should ensure they are fully immunized against polio.
As of March 10, 2023, Israel's Ministry of Health confirmed four children had tested positive for poliovirus in Northern Israel after one unvaccinated child presented symptoms of paralysis.
Additionally, Israel has reported widespread poliovirus detection in wastewater systems between 2022 and 2023.
Chikungunya Outbreaks Accelerate and Turn Fatal
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) today published an Epidemiological Alert regarding chikungunya outbreaks in the Region of the Americas. The PAHO confirmed this mosquito-borne virus is expanding to new areas with an unusually high number of cases and related fatalities.
During the first eight epidemiological weeks of 2023, 115,539 cases and 33 fatalities due to chikungunya infection were reported.
The greatest incidence rates were observed in Paraguay (1,128 cases per 100,000 pop.) and Brazil (14.2 cases per 100,000 pop.).
Norovirus Upsets Spring Break for Cruisers
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently confirmed more than 300 people became ill on a Galveston, Texas, based cruise ship last week.
On March 7, 2023, the CDC's Investigation Update regarding vomiting and diarrhea on the Princess Cruises' Ruby Princess voyage #RU305P determined:
Viral, Symptom Rebound Common After COVID-19 Infection
Incidence of symptom rebound was higher in the nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir treatment group
Minimal Change in Mental Health Linked to COVID-19
In general population studies, no change observed in general mental health or anxiety symptoms; minimal worsening seen in depression symptoms
Syria Launches 1.7 Million Oral Cholera Vaccinations
The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced a ten-day Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) vaccination campaign was launched in northwest Syria.
The WHO confirmed on March 8, 2023, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in coordination with health authorities, the Syria Immunization Group (SIG), and the Global Alliance for Vaccines (GAVI), kicked off this campaign with 1.7 million doses of cholera vaccine that will be used to protect Syrians above one year of age.
ACC: COVID-19 Vaccination Cuts Risk for Cardiac Events With SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Findings significant for both partial and complete COVID-19 vaccination