In a development that has caught the attention of the global health community, a recent study has uncovered that the H5N1 bird flu virus, known for its deadly impact on avian populations, has mutated in a way that allows it to spread among marine mammals. This revelation comes after the discovery of several dead marine animals, including four sea lions, one fur seal, and a tern, on the shores of Argentina, all of which tested positive for H5N1. The findings, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, suggest not just a multi-species outbreak but also a potential increased risk to humans.
The genetic analysis of the virus found in these animals revealed striking similarities, not only among the different species but also with a human case in Chile, as well as with sea lions in Peru and Chile. This suggests that the virus, particularly the clade 2.3.4.4b variant that emerged in 2020, is not only spreading more easily among birds and marine mammals but could also pose an increased risk to humans. The virus has been responsible for significant mortality among wildlife in South America, with over 600,000 wild birds and 50,000 mammals falling victim. One of the most alarming instances of this outbreak's deadly impact was observed during the 2023 breeding season in Argentina, where 70% of elephant seal pups died due to the virus.
Despite the concerning developments among wildlife, the risk to humans remains relatively low at this stage. However, experts are emphasizing the importance of continued surveillance and early warning systems. The virus's ability to replicate in mammals is particularly worrying, as it could potentially lead to mutations that might increase the risk of human infection. The global health community is calling for collaborative efforts in monitoring and studying the virus's behavior, particularly its ability to infect species previously unexposed to H5N1, such as those in Antarctica. The potential for the virus to affect Antarctic wildlife, including penguins, poses a new frontier in the fight against H5N1.
The study's findings underscore the need for a global response to the H5N1 threat, highlighting the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Surveillance and early warning systems are more crucial than ever, as they provide the first line of defense against a virus that has shown a remarkable ability to adapt and spread. The continuous monitoring of the virus's spread and impact, particularly in regions like Antarctica, which have previously been untouched by such outbreaks, is essential in preventing a potential pandemic. The global health and scientific communities are urged to work together, sharing knowledge and resources to combat the spread of H5N1 and protect both wildlife and human populations.
In a quiet laboratory within the bustling heart of the National Institutes of Health, a team of dedicated scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' Vaccine Research Center has made a discovery that could forever change the way we confront influenza. Their recent publication in Immunity reveals the identification of antibodies that zero in on a previously uncharted territory of the influenza virus: the 'dark side' of its neuraminidase (NA) protein. This discovery holds the potential to revolutionize influenza prevention and treatment, offering hope for protection against a myriad of strains with a single, universal approach.
The significance of targeting the 'dark side' of the NA protein cannot be overstated. Unlike the rapidly mutating regions that often render vaccines ineffective from year to year, this area is a bastion of stability across various influenza strains, including the notorious H3N2 subtype. By isolating human antibodies from individuals who had bounced back from H3N2 influenza, the research team has illuminated a path toward developing vaccines and therapies that could be universally effective, potentially sidelining the need for annual vaccine updates.
The antibodies isolated proved their mettle by inhibiting the propagation of multiple influenza subtypes in laboratory settings, and impressively, safeguarding mice from lethal doses of the H3N2 virus. Advanced cryogenic electron microscopy techniques unveiled the antibodies' binding to distinct, nonoverlapping regions within the NA dark side, underscoring the breadth of this target's potential. This discovery not only challenges the current paradigm of influenza vaccine development but also kindles hope for a future where flu outbreaks could be met with unprecedented preparedness.
This breakthrough heralds a promising new frontier in influenza prevention and treatment. Developing vaccines that target the NA dark side could offer broad-spectrum protection against the flu, mitigating the impact of seasonal epidemics and potential pandemics. Moreover, these findings could pave the way for therapies that are effective even against strains that have developed resistance to existing antiviral drugs, a growing concern in the medical community.
However, the journey from discovery to practical application is fraught with challenges. The intricate process of vaccine development involves rigorous testing for safety and efficacy, a path that can span years, if not decades. Furthermore, the global diversity of influenza strains necessitates extensive research to ensure that targeting the NA dark side will offer truly universal protection.
The fight against influenza is a moving target, with the virus's propensity for mutation outpacing current vaccination strategies. The identification of antibodies targeting the NA dark side by NIH researchers offers a glimmer of hope for a more effective, long-term solution to this perennial challenge. By potentially eliminating the need for yearly vaccine updates and providing a bulwark against emerging flu viruses, this discovery could represent a seminal shift in our approach to combating influenza.
As the world watches, the implications of this research extend beyond the laboratory, promising a future where influenza's impact on public health could be significantly diminished. The dedication of the scientific community to exploring uncharted territories of viral proteins underscores a commitment to innovation and public health that could one day turn the tide in the battle against one of humanity's oldest adversaries.
By Cassidy Morrison Senior Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com 16:25 28 Feb 2024, updated 16:53 28 Feb 2024
Fear is rampant on social media platforms about a mystery virus that has caused Covid-like symptoms, despite many having tested negative for the virus, as well as flu and RSV.
People have described being sick for weeks on end with high fevers, nausea, trouble breathing, loss of sense of smell, and fatigue.
But health experts say the virus is less mysterious than it is painted online. There are viruses circulating at all times of year, and this mystery virus is likely one of the common seasonalillnesses that were suppressed during the Covid pandemic.
There is thought to be a two-pronged effect at play. People are hypersensitive to their own health after the pandemic, and our immune systems were weakened due to things like lockdowns and working from home, when we were not exposed to germs, making illnesses feel more brutal.
While thousands called their illness a mystery virus, their reported symptoms do not necessarily overlap. Some have likened it to a respiratory infection similar to Covid, while others have described symptoms consistent with strep throat.
Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, toldThe Hill: The symptoms that are being described are pretty consistent with, you know, a lot of viruses that are not mystery viruses, that are things that are out there circulating all year. The common cold being one of them.
A rise in other respiratory infections concurrent with Covid and the flu is to be expected with the season, and with more people socializing in person, the spread of an infectious disease becomes much more likely.
And because Covid has been a top health concern for years, it is also likely that people have, in a way, forgotten that there is an exhaustive list of other infections that could strike throughout the year.
Dr Georges Benjamin, a longtime physician and executive director of the American Public Health Association, said: Theres a collective amnesia of what life was like five years ago.
RSV is getting a higher profile and higher billing in conversation because there is a vaccine for it. And we dont have a vaccine for the common cold yet. And again, its almost 200 different viruses.
He added: 'I would advise them that this is cold and flu season, and that this is consistent with what we see in cold and flu season.'
One user on TikTok describing her illness said: I was sick a few weeks ago for about two weeks. The first four days were absolutely terrible. I tested for Covid, I tested for both a and b flu, I tested for strep, and was negative for everything twice.
I had a fever, pretty much for four straight days, I was super congested, shortness of breath, loss of sense of smell. Everything you would think of whenever you have covid or the flu. I was also really dizzy and lightheaded a lot.
Another one said: Yall have the virus thats going around the United States right now? The one with a sore throat that hurts no matter what you drink, the constant mucus that suffocates you in the middle of the night, the severe ear pain, the migraines, the body aches that feel like you just played a basketball game and no subs were called in for you? Fever, the chills?
You know, basically, strep, the flu, a normal cold, and bronchitis all basically mixed together?
Some experts have posited that, contrary to what many are saying, the fault could be Covid. Many are quick to remind people on social media that the virus is still circulating in the US, albeit at far lower levels than in previous years.
Across America, 38 states are now reporting 'high' or 'very high' levels of flu-like illness, up 19 percent in a week and nearly three times the level a month ago.
A new strain, JN.1, entered public health experts radar earlier this year, accounting for an estimated 83 percent to 88 percent of all circulating variants toward the end of January
Dr Zachary Rubin, an immunologist with expertise in allergies and asthma, said: Its probably not much of a mystery because people havent been talking about it lately, but Covid-19 is still circulating at high levels throughout the United States.
We see high levels in wastewater when people go to the bathroom. You shed that virus and we cansample that to see whats going on in the general population, even if people arent testing for it.
He added that many people use home diagnostic tests, which can give false negative results. Its best to test several times over 24 to 48 hours or to get a PCR test in a doctors office.
So this is still something that is going around, making people not only sick but severely sick and having lingering symptoms.
At the same time, Covid test positivity rates are the lowest theyve been in weeks. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about eight percent of Covid tests have come back positive in the past week, down from 9.7 percent two weeks ago and 10.2 percent three weeks ago.
The explosion in testimonials about the concerning so-called mystery virus is directly connected to pandemic-related anxiety and the spread of dubious health claims, according to Callum Hood, head of research at the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
He said: Social media failed to tackle repeated waves of health misinformation during the Covid pandemic, and its had a lasting effect in creating distrust of real medical experts while breeding a new generation of online quacks.
In the perpetual battle against influenza, a virus that mutates with a cunning persistence, a groundbreaking discovery emerges from the laboratories of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Scientists have identified antibodies that home in on a previously underexplored region of the influenza virus, referred to as its 'dark side'. This revelation is not just a scientific curiosity but a beacon of hope for the development of broad-spectrum influenza countermeasures that could one day render the annual flu season less of a global health menace.
The 'dark side', located on the neuraminidase (NA) protein of the influenza virus, has remained largely uncharted territory until now. Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' Vaccine Research Center, part of NIH, have successfully isolated human antibodies from individuals who had recovered from H3N2 influenza, a particularly virulent strain. These antibodies have a unique ability to inhibit virus propagation across various influenza subtypes and offer protection in animal models, both before and after infection. This approach targets a conserved region across many influenza viruses, including the H3N2 subtype, potentially paving the way for vaccines and therapies that are effective against a wide range of influenza viruses, including those with drug-resistant mutations.
The implications of this discovery are vast. By targeting the NA protein's 'dark side', scientists hope to develop influenza vaccines that do not require yearly reformulation, a current necessity given the flu virus's ability to rapidly evolve. This could not only improve vaccine effectiveness but also significantly enhance global preparedness for flu seasons and potential pandemics. Moreover, the identification of these unique epitopes opens new avenues for therapeutic strategies, offering hope for more effective treatments for those infected by the virus.
This breakthrough is a testament to the importance of advanced microscopy techniques, which have allowed researchers to analyze the structure of antibodies bound to the NA 'dark side', revealing multiple target areas within this region. However, the journey doesnt end here. The global impact of influenza, causing millions of illnesses and deaths annually, underscores the need for continuous research and innovation. The study, published in the journal Immunity, is a significant step forward but also a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in the quest to outsmart influenza.
As researchers continue to explore the depths of the influenza virus, the identification of the 'dark side' of the NA protein offers a promising new frontier in the development of vaccines and treatments. This breakthrough could mark the beginning of a new era in influenza prevention, one where the annual flu season could be met with unprecedented confidence in our ability to protect global public health.
In a move reflective of the ever-changing arena of influenza virus circulation, U.S. flu vaccines are poised for a significant transformation from the current quadrivalent format, which offers protection against four strains of the flu virus, to a trivalent format, safeguarding against three. At the heart of this shift is the absence of the influenza B/Yamagata virus strain from global circulation since the early days of 2020, a phenomenon meticulously outlined in a recent publication in the New England Journal of Medicine by Arnold Monto, a revered professor emeritus of epidemiology and global public health at the University of Michigan, and his distinguished colleagues from the U.K. Health Security Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The decision to pivot to a trivalent vaccine formulation is not made lightly. It emerges from the logical standpoint of not including a virus strain, B/Yamagata, which has eluded detection in the global flu virus circulation for over three years. The underlying goal is to enhance the efficacy of flu vaccines by ensuring they closely mirror the strains currently posing a threat. Arnold Monto, who also serves on the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, suggests that the space freed up by omitting the B/Yamagata component could potentially be utilized for incorporating elements that offer robust protection against prevailing flu strains. However, he also underscores the necessity for further research to identify and integrate these new components effectively.
Updating vaccine formulations is a complex process, involving rigorous regulatory discussions and manufacturing adjustments. The FDA and World Health Organization (WHO) panels play pivotal roles in recommending such changes, based on thorough surveillance of influenza virus patterns and projections of their likely impact. The transition from a quadrivalent to a trivalent vaccine formulation is emblematic of the adaptive nature of vaccine development, aiming to optimize protection against the flu. However, it's important to note that the implementation of new vaccine components, while promising, may take years to come to fruition.
As we stand on the cusp of this significant shift in flu vaccine formulation, it's crucial to consider both the potential benefits and the challenges ahead. The removal of the B/Yamagata virus component from U.S. flu vaccines, while based on current virus circulation data, underscores the dynamic nature of virus evolution and the need for the vaccine development process to remain flexible and responsive. This change holds the promise of enhancing vaccine effectiveness by more accurately targeting circulating strains. However, the journey toward incorporating new, more effective components into the vaccine is a path paved with extensive research and regulatory hurdles.
As the 2024-2025 flu season approaches, the effectiveness of this strategic shift in the vaccine formulation will be closely monitored by public health officials, researchers, and the global community alike. The ultimate goal remains clear: to protect as many people as possible from the ever-changing threat of influenza, using the best science and technology available. The evolution from quadrivalent to trivalent flu vaccines marks a significant step in this ongoing battle against flu, reflecting our collective adaptability and commitment to public health.
Today, CDC Director Mandy Cohen endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation for adults ages 65 years and older to receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose.The recommendation acknowledges the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults, along with the currently available data on vaccine effectiveness.
Previous CDC recommendations ensured that people who are immunocompromised are already eligible for additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Data continues to show the importance of vaccination to protect those most at risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19. An additional dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine may restore protection that has waned since a fall vaccine dose, providing increased protection to adults ages 65 years and older.
Adults 65 years and older are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, with more than half of COVID-19 hospitalizations during October 2023 to December 2023 occurring in this age group.
CDC and ACIP will continue to monitor COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness. CDC continues to recommend that everyonestay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, especiallypeople with weakened immune systems.
The following is attributable to Dr. Mandy Cohen:
Todays recommendation allows older adults to receive an additional dose of this seasons COVID-19 vaccine to provide added protection, said Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H. Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older. An additional vaccine dose can provide added protection that may have decreased over time for those at highest risk.
Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine during the first half of the menstrual cycle is linked to a small, temporary increase in cycle length, suggests a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Analysis of data from nearly 20,000 people indicates that those vaccinated during the follicular phasethe part of the menstrual cycle leading up to ovulationare more likely to experience a cycle length increase than those vaccinated during the luteal phase, which begins after ovulation. The findings provide additional information about what to expect after COVID-19 vaccination, potentially helping to reduce vaccine hesitancy.
The work was led by Alison Edelman, M.D., M.P.H., of the Oregon Health & Science University and funded by NIHs Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and Office of Research on Womens Health. The findings are published in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
NICHD-supported research has established that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with a small, temporary increase in menstrual cycle length. Although most of these changes are within the normal range of variation, they may be alarming to those who experience them and could contribute to fears and anxiety around vaccination. Researchers are working to better understand the mechanisms by which COVID-19 vaccination may affect menstrual cycles.
Hormones act as signals to control menstrual cycle timing. Stressors such as an immune response can disrupt this tightly controlled signaling and lead to longer cycle lengths, particularly when the stress occurs during the follicular phase. Scientists therefore surmised that the timing of COVID-19 vaccination may be an important factor in the observed changes in cycle length.
The researchers analyzed data from 19,497 users of the Natural Cycles menstrual tracking app who had regular cycles before vaccination. The apps ovulation prediction algorithm allowed the scientists to distinguish between those who received a COVID-19 vaccine during the follicular phase of their cycle and those who received it during the luteal phase. They compared data from these groups to data from a group of app users who did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
On average, individuals who received a COVID-19 vaccine during the follicular phase experienced a one-day increase in the length of the cycle in which they were vaccinated. Changes typically resolved in the cycle after vaccination. Those who were vaccinated during the luteal phase or did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine experienced no change in cycle length.
The results indicate that the timing of COVID-19 vaccination drives the temporary increases in menstrual cycle length seen after vaccination, supporting the theory that vaccine-induced immune responses during the follicular phase may affect the hormonal signaling that controls cycle length. Its helpful for us to understand why a change may happen, and these findings provide some insight into that, said Dr. Edelman. We hope this work helps validate the publics experiences and ease fears and anxiety around vaccination.
The authors call for additional work to establish whether their observations apply to people who experience irregularities in their cycle. They also hope to better understand how vaccination timing may affect other aspects of the menstrual cycle such as flow.
Edelman A et al. Timing of COVID-19 vaccination and effects on menstrual cycle changes. Obstetrics & Gynecology DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005550 (2024)
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Public Healths Kent COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic will closeafter Saturday, 3/30/24due to a decrease in federal funding. Snoqualmie Valley Hospital will also close its COVID-19 drive-through vaccination site on March 30. Now is a good time to get up to date on COVID-19 vaccination while these sites are open!
Its especially important for older adults to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the strains of COVID people are catching now. As of 2/28/24, the CDC now recommends that people 65 and older get an additional dose of the updated (2023-24) COVID-19 vaccine.
Through the end of March, COVID-19 vaccinations are available at our Kent site:
Hours:Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (closed 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm for lunch).
Park and Vax:If you need to be vaccinated in your car, call206-477-6950to schedule a Park and Vax appointment.
Address:Kent Public Health Center, 25742 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030
Drops-ins are welcome. However, please make an appointment if possible:
You can get COVID-19 vaccinations and other vaccinations at community health centers, most pharmacies, and other healthcare providers. Find a vaccination location atvaccines.gov. These locations will continue after the end of March.
If you are looking for vaccination for children under 3 years,contact your childs pediatrician or a Childhood Vaccine Program (CVP) provider. Find a CVP provider on thismap.
Public Health offers in-home COVID-19 vaccination through at least June of this year at no cost. The program is for anyone who has difficulty leaving home due to a disability, health condition, injury, etc. Call our In-Home COVID-19 Vaccine Program at 206-848-0243 or email vaccineinfo@kingcounty.gov
We are enormously proud and grateful to our staff who have made it possible to vaccinate over 3,340 people since October. Thank you for helping to protect the health of King County!
For more information: kingcounty.gov/vaccine
Originally published on February 29, 2024.
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The anti-vaccination crowd celebrated this weeks news that Dr. Joe Kanter is stepping down as Louisianas chief medical officer. In his role with the state health department, Kanter led efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and encouraged the public to get the vaccine.
He did so out of a sense of duty and without flinching as critics increasingly questioned the proven science behind the policy he enforced.
His departure was reason to rejoice for the science deniers who have been re-energized since Republican Gov. Jeff Landry won his election on promises he would stand firm against any public health measure he deems an encroachment on freedom. As attorney general, he took every opportunity to challenge and lash out at then-Gov. John Bel Edwards for the Democrats executive orders to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Louisiana officials continued emphasis on vaccinations has been in question since Landrys election and his subsequent appointment of Dr. Ralph Abraham as state health department secretary. Kanter announced his exit less than two months into Abrahams tenure.
Abraham, a former congressman and 2019 governor candidate, was a practicing physician before he took his seat in the U.S. House and a veterinarian before that.
Early in the pandemic, Abraham supported the off-label use of drugs to treat COVID that lacked federal regulatory approval, indicating he was open to alternatives at a time when researchers still hadnt developed a vaccine.
There are times when certain drugs need to be tried that have worked even anecdotally, give the patient the option, let them and their doctor make an informed decision, Abraham told the Louisiana Radio Network in March 2020.
With regards to vaccines, there was an encouraging message from Abrahams agency last week when it announced two cases of measles had been diagnosed in the New Orleans area. The Louisiana Department of Health reported that the infected individuals had not been immunized, and officials encouraged the public to obtain the MMR vaccine, calling it highly effective and safe.
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It remains to be seen if there will be a similar message regarding COVID-19 vaccines, as the virus continues to mutate into new strands and pose a public health threat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending a booster for older adults.
If Rep. Raymond Crews, R-Bossier City, had his way, Abraham and the health department would disregard the CDCs recommendation.
Crews said as much Tuesday during a meeting of the House Health and Welfare Committee where Abraham made his first legislative appearance since taking his new job. The state representative took a shot at how the health department under the Edwards administration followed the federal health agencys advice.
It seemed to me the CDC told us what to do, and we went with it, Crews told Abraham.
Crews also shared his dismay during the pandemic over health care professionals not being familiar with experts, whose names he shared in the committee meeting. They are:
I mention those names, and they act like theyve never heard of them, Crews said.
That might be because the doctors hes confronted are reputable and embrace data-driven, peer-reviewed science over dangerous quackery. Or those doctors might just have had the same response Abraham did after Crews comments: silence with a polite smile.
For the sake of public health, lets hope our new health secretary doesnt become an echo chamber for such medical misinformation, even when it supports the political agenda of his boss.
