It’s a good time to remind ourselves about the various bird flu strains out there:
China has reported an increase in H9N2 human cases recently.
There’s a growing issue with multidrug-resistant Salmonella in poultry. So, it’s wise to keep those cutting boards clean!
A boy in Cambodia is currently in intensive care with H5N1, marking the thirteenth case for the year.
Just the day before, another case emerged in Cambodia, bringing the total to fourteen.
Health organizations claim that the overall risk to the public is low, but for those with occupational exposure, it’s a bit higher.
Since April, there have been 16 new verified human cases, all already identified, with 9 coming from Cambodia. Out of 14 poultry outbreaks during the same time, 9 were near human cases. The other affected countries included Bangladesh, India, China, Mexico, and Vietnam. Different H5N1 clades were reported: specifically, 2.3.2.1a from India and Bangladesh, 2.3.2.1e from Cambodia, and 2.3.4.4b from China and Mexico. The clade for Vietnam’s case wasn’t specified.
In addition to ongoing infections in poultry and wild birds, recent findings showed H5N1 in serval cats in captivity in Bangladesh, domestic cats on a Belgian poultry farm, contaminated milk from a sheep in the UK, poultry breeders in Brazil, and also in harbor seals and sea otters in Japan.
On a hopeful note, a study in ferrets indicates that seasonal flu immunity might help protect against severe cases of H5N1. Currently, the prevalent seasonal flu strains are H1N1 and H3N2, with H1N1 providing the most cross immunity. It seems Flu B immunity offers no advantage.
Meanwhile, mpox is rapidly spreading in Guinea. Other nations are experiencing concerning increases as well, while vaccine supplies are dwindling.
The prior deliveries of mpox vaccines have now been completed, as planned, according to Boum, who pointed out that there are currently no doses available for distribution. Although 800,000 doses are ready from Bavarian Nordic, the regional partners—including UNICEF—lack the funds to procure and distribute them, partly due to cuts in global health funding.
The Africa CDC has assessed that 3.4 million doses are necessary to meet the current needs.
There’s also been a warning about norovirus contamination in oysters from Korea.
Covid detections have shown a slight upward trend.
We are seeing new reports about vaccine-derived polio cases and environmental samples.
Additionally, recent findings suggest that ivermectin could assist in malaria control. When individuals take monthly doses, it appears that mosquitoes biting them are unable to survive.
The American Academy of Pediatricians is advocating for an end to non-medical vaccine exemptions for school attendance. That might be a challenge in certain regions.
