Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
@hsporterfield.bsky.social
Medical Microbiology + Molecular Genetic Pathology = Me
Academic molecular microbiology medical director.
Academic interests are infections affecting Cystic Fibrosis and molecular epidemiology
Academic molecular microbiology medical director.
Academic interests are infections affecting Cystic Fibrosis and molecular epidemiology
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
🎙️ PASCV: Gone Viral salutes our Public Health Heros !
Dr. Nina Gao interviews the 1 and only Dr. Tony Tran, current Director of the State Public Health Laboratory and Deputy Director of the Center for Laboratory Sciences at the CA Dept of Public Health.
buff.ly/dhyYyaO
Dr. Nina Gao interviews the 1 and only Dr. Tony Tran, current Director of the State Public Health Laboratory and Deputy Director of the Center for Laboratory Sciences at the CA Dept of Public Health.
buff.ly/dhyYyaO
November 20, 2025 at 3:16 AM
🎙️ PASCV: Gone Viral salutes our Public Health Heros !
Dr. Nina Gao interviews the 1 and only Dr. Tony Tran, current Director of the State Public Health Laboratory and Deputy Director of the Center for Laboratory Sciences at the CA Dept of Public Health.
buff.ly/dhyYyaO
Dr. Nina Gao interviews the 1 and only Dr. Tony Tran, current Director of the State Public Health Laboratory and Deputy Director of the Center for Laboratory Sciences at the CA Dept of Public Health.
buff.ly/dhyYyaO
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
👻 + 🦟 = NAILED IT!
Most of you nailed it! For our October Diagnostic Dilemma, WNV PCR of CSF was the top pick — and the best diagnostic test for this case.
New month, new mystery coming soon!
www.pascv.org/page/PastCases
#PASCV #DiagnosticDilemma #Virology #WestNileVirus
Most of you nailed it! For our October Diagnostic Dilemma, WNV PCR of CSF was the top pick — and the best diagnostic test for this case.
New month, new mystery coming soon!
www.pascv.org/page/PastCases
#PASCV #DiagnosticDilemma #Virology #WestNileVirus
November 11, 2025 at 12:39 AM
👻 + 🦟 = NAILED IT!
Most of you nailed it! For our October Diagnostic Dilemma, WNV PCR of CSF was the top pick — and the best diagnostic test for this case.
New month, new mystery coming soon!
www.pascv.org/page/PastCases
#PASCV #DiagnosticDilemma #Virology #WestNileVirus
Most of you nailed it! For our October Diagnostic Dilemma, WNV PCR of CSF was the top pick — and the best diagnostic test for this case.
New month, new mystery coming soon!
www.pascv.org/page/PastCases
#PASCV #DiagnosticDilemma #Virology #WestNileVirus
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
#PAHO 's regional verification commission for #measles elimination meets this week. The likely outcome: Canada will lose its measles-free status, due to its large & long-running outbreak. If so, the Americas region will also lose elimination status. www.statnews.com/2025/11/03/m...
The Americas, led by Canada, is on the brink of losing measles-elimination status
The Americas is the only region of the world to have stopped endemic transmission of measles. But its victory is on the verge of being rolled back.
www.statnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:01 PM
#PAHO 's regional verification commission for #measles elimination meets this week. The likely outcome: Canada will lose its measles-free status, due to its large & long-running outbreak. If so, the Americas region will also lose elimination status. www.statnews.com/2025/11/03/m...
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
The good, the bad and the ugly on the current measles situation in Canada. Measles outbreak in Ontario finally declared over. New cases are slowing down in all provinces, with only a handful of new cases in Alberta and BC in the last month.
October 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The good, the bad and the ugly on the current measles situation in Canada. Measles outbreak in Ontario finally declared over. New cases are slowing down in all provinces, with only a handful of new cases in Alberta and BC in the last month.
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
Some of these people have now been fired and rehired TWICE since January. The current state of dysfunction is mind boggling.
OOOPS! UPDATE: Two HHS officials tell me that disease detectives, measles response officers, global health officials and the MMWR staff were laid off by mistake and will be reinstated. But Washington office is still RIFed
BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:
October 12, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Some of these people have now been fired and rehired TWICE since January. The current state of dysfunction is mind boggling.
In addition to the officials, staff and editors of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report also received notices of their terminations.
thehill.com/policy/healt...
thehill.com/policy/healt...
thehill.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:53 PM
In addition to the officials, staff and editors of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report also received notices of their terminations.
thehill.com/policy/healt...
thehill.com/policy/healt...
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
Two people on opposite coasts tested positive for locally acquired malaria this summer. Rare in the US, these cases raise big questions: What’s behind them, and how are labs detecting malaria? #ThanksPHLabs #publichealth #malaria
Read more: buff.ly/2PqJ4Z4
Read more: buff.ly/2PqJ4Z4
September 23, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Two people on opposite coasts tested positive for locally acquired malaria this summer. Rare in the US, these cases raise big questions: What’s behind them, and how are labs detecting malaria? #ThanksPHLabs #publichealth #malaria
Read more: buff.ly/2PqJ4Z4
Read more: buff.ly/2PqJ4Z4
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
Johns Hopkins has created a measles outbreak tracker, similar to the one they operated during the initial stages of COVID-19. #TXID #InfectiousDiseases
publichealth.jhu.edu/ivac/resourc...
@pidsociety.bsky.social @idsainfo.bsky.social @ast-idcop.bsky.social
publichealth.jhu.edu/ivac/resourc...
@pidsociety.bsky.social @idsainfo.bsky.social @ast-idcop.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Johns Hopkins has created a measles outbreak tracker, similar to the one they operated during the initial stages of COVID-19. #TXID #InfectiousDiseases
publichealth.jhu.edu/ivac/resourc...
@pidsociety.bsky.social @idsainfo.bsky.social @ast-idcop.bsky.social
publichealth.jhu.edu/ivac/resourc...
@pidsociety.bsky.social @idsainfo.bsky.social @ast-idcop.bsky.social
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
For generations doctors have understood that germs — like bacteria or viruses — cause infectious diseases.
Yet we now have an HHS Secretary casting doubt on the germ theory — the foundation of modern medicine.
That’s not only unacceptable, it is dangerous. RFK Jr. must resign.
Yet we now have an HHS Secretary casting doubt on the germ theory — the foundation of modern medicine.
That’s not only unacceptable, it is dangerous. RFK Jr. must resign.
RFK Jr does not just reject vaccines. He rejects science and must step down | Bernie Sanders
Kennedy is unfit to be our nation’s leading public health official because he rejects the fundamental principles of modern science
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM
For generations doctors have understood that germs — like bacteria or viruses — cause infectious diseases.
Yet we now have an HHS Secretary casting doubt on the germ theory — the foundation of modern medicine.
That’s not only unacceptable, it is dangerous. RFK Jr. must resign.
Yet we now have an HHS Secretary casting doubt on the germ theory — the foundation of modern medicine.
That’s not only unacceptable, it is dangerous. RFK Jr. must resign.
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
Please vaccinate your kiddos - herd immunity protects those who cannot be vaccinated 🥺 #IDSky
apple.news/AoZq7LRInSAC...
apple.news/AoZq7LRInSAC...
Los Angeles child dies of complications from measles virus — NBC News
The Los Angeles County health department is urging residents to get the measles vaccine after one child died of complications from the virus. The department said the child got measles as an infant bef...
apple.news
September 12, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Please vaccinate your kiddos - herd immunity protects those who cannot be vaccinated 🥺 #IDSky
apple.news/AoZq7LRInSAC...
apple.news/AoZq7LRInSAC...
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
We previously reported that the number of people receiving treatment at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center - known as America's research hospital - declined from February-April.
Since then, I obtained newer data through mid-August. And it's gotten worse. youtube.com/shorts/yT5Vc...
Since then, I obtained newer data through mid-August. And it's gotten worse. youtube.com/shorts/yT5Vc...
Patient Numbers at NIH Hospital Continue To Decline Under Second Trump Administration
YouTube video by KFF Health News
youtube.com
September 5, 2025 at 7:26 PM
We previously reported that the number of people receiving treatment at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center - known as America's research hospital - declined from February-April.
Since then, I obtained newer data through mid-August. And it's gotten worse. youtube.com/shorts/yT5Vc...
Since then, I obtained newer data through mid-August. And it's gotten worse. youtube.com/shorts/yT5Vc...
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
1/ It’s been a struggle to process what happened at the CDC just a few days ago. The facts are coming in: one officer died, 500 rounds fired, 200 bullets made contact with 6 CDC buildings, hundreds of staff sheltered in place for hours. The intention is undeniable: this was an attempted massacre.
August 13, 2025 at 7:59 PM
1/ It’s been a struggle to process what happened at the CDC just a few days ago. The facts are coming in: one officer died, 500 rounds fired, 200 bullets made contact with 6 CDC buildings, hundreds of staff sheltered in place for hours. The intention is undeniable: this was an attempted massacre.
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
Sunday morning 📰 @science.org
The recent attack on #science in 🇺🇸 is not only undermining knowledge; it is also undermining #democracy…
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
The recent attack on #science in 🇺🇸 is not only undermining knowledge; it is also undermining #democracy…
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
Will we habituate to the decline of democracy?
The recent attack on science in the US is not only undermining knowledge; it is also undermining democracy. In a healthy democracy, public policy is guided by evidence, and truth is the shared foundat...
www.science.org
July 6, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Sunday morning 📰 @science.org
The recent attack on #science in 🇺🇸 is not only undermining knowledge; it is also undermining #democracy…
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
The recent attack on #science in 🇺🇸 is not only undermining knowledge; it is also undermining #democracy…
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
With spending cuts poised to hit medical providers, Medicaid recipients and Affordable Care Act enrollees, here's how the bill will affect health care access for millions in the U.S.
5 ways Trump's megabill will limit health care access
With spending cuts poised to hit medical providers, Medicaid recipients and Affordable Care Act enrollees, here's how the bill will affect health care access for millions in the U.S.
n.pr
July 6, 2025 at 12:08 AM
With spending cuts poised to hit medical providers, Medicaid recipients and Affordable Care Act enrollees, here's how the bill will affect health care access for millions in the U.S.
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
The $50 billion that NIH spends every year does more for Americans than Jeff Bezos could hope to dream of.
Bezos is a smart guy, in the right place at the right time who built a delivery business.
NIH and NSF are THE engines of American discovery and innovation.
GTFO
Bezos is a smart guy, in the right place at the right time who built a delivery business.
NIH and NSF are THE engines of American discovery and innovation.
GTFO
“You can still be rich even if you’re not a billionaire!” Sure—and if you strip billions from someone like Jeff Bezos, he’ll invest less in building things that actually improve people’s lives. Amazon has done more for the average person than the government could dream of.
June 30, 2025 at 4:25 AM
The $50 billion that NIH spends every year does more for Americans than Jeff Bezos could hope to dream of.
Bezos is a smart guy, in the right place at the right time who built a delivery business.
NIH and NSF are THE engines of American discovery and innovation.
GTFO
Bezos is a smart guy, in the right place at the right time who built a delivery business.
NIH and NSF are THE engines of American discovery and innovation.
GTFO
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
From Jeopardy last night...
1/n
1/n
June 27, 2025 at 2:43 PM
From Jeopardy last night...
1/n
1/n
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
All right, I’m signing off of ACIP to go about my day. My brief summary is that as expected, fACIP members are unqualified to carefully and knowledgeably review vaccine data. They don’t understand the epidemiological studies.
Each of them should wave this flag.
Each of them should wave this flag.
June 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
All right, I’m signing off of ACIP to go about my day. My brief summary is that as expected, fACIP members are unqualified to carefully and knowledgeably review vaccine data. They don’t understand the epidemiological studies.
Each of them should wave this flag.
Each of them should wave this flag.
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
Both my patience and the Commerce Committee hearing with RFK Jr. have come to an end.
Summary:
RFK Jr. said Bill Cassidy lied when Cassidy asserted that RFK Jr. wouldn’t change the membership of ACIP (RFK Jr. fired all members).
RFK Jr. doesn’t believe that HHS-funded HIV work saved any lives
Summary:
RFK Jr. said Bill Cassidy lied when Cassidy asserted that RFK Jr. wouldn’t change the membership of ACIP (RFK Jr. fired all members).
RFK Jr. doesn’t believe that HHS-funded HIV work saved any lives
June 24, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Both my patience and the Commerce Committee hearing with RFK Jr. have come to an end.
Summary:
RFK Jr. said Bill Cassidy lied when Cassidy asserted that RFK Jr. wouldn’t change the membership of ACIP (RFK Jr. fired all members).
RFK Jr. doesn’t believe that HHS-funded HIV work saved any lives
Summary:
RFK Jr. said Bill Cassidy lied when Cassidy asserted that RFK Jr. wouldn’t change the membership of ACIP (RFK Jr. fired all members).
RFK Jr. doesn’t believe that HHS-funded HIV work saved any lives
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
wgntv.com/news/chicago.... For reference.
wgntv.com
June 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
wgntv.com/news/chicago.... For reference.
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
In the latest video in our partnership with @glaucomflecken.bsky.social, the BALANCE trial comparing 7 days of antibiotic treatment with 14 days of treatment in patients with bloodstream infection is explained. Access the article for free: nej.md/DrG19
June 21, 2025 at 10:53 AM
In the latest video in our partnership with @glaucomflecken.bsky.social, the BALANCE trial comparing 7 days of antibiotic treatment with 14 days of treatment in patients with bloodstream infection is explained. Access the article for free: nej.md/DrG19
Anyone else bringing #Measles #MeV testing in-house? As far as I can tell, this is the current best MeV test, but it isn’t multiplexed yet to differentiate Measles Vaccine strain #MeVA
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38994600/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38994600/
Evaluation of the sensitivity of a measles diagnostic real-time RT-PCR assay incorporating recently observed priming mismatch variants, 2024 - PubMed
We investigated a variant of measles virus that encodes three mismatches to the reverse priming site for a widely used diagnostic real-time RT-PCR assay; reduction of sensitivity was hypothesised. We ...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
June 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Anyone else bringing #Measles #MeV testing in-house? As far as I can tell, this is the current best MeV test, but it isn’t multiplexed yet to differentiate Measles Vaccine strain #MeVA
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38994600/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38994600/
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
Two new variants are competing for dominance: NB.1.8.1 and XFG. We recently nicknamed NB.1.8.1 "Nimbus", and it's pretty clear that XFG deserves a nickname as well. Keeping with the meteorological theme, XFG = "Stratus".
Here's some more info about Nimbus and Stratus.
(Thread)
1/
Here's some more info about Nimbus and Stratus.
(Thread)
1/
June 12, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Two new variants are competing for dominance: NB.1.8.1 and XFG. We recently nicknamed NB.1.8.1 "Nimbus", and it's pretty clear that XFG deserves a nickname as well. Keeping with the meteorological theme, XFG = "Stratus".
Here's some more info about Nimbus and Stratus.
(Thread)
1/
Here's some more info about Nimbus and Stratus.
(Thread)
1/
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named eight new vaccine policy advisers to replace the panel that he abruptly dismissed earlier this week.
They include a scientist who became a conservative darling for his criticisms of COVID-19 vaccines and a critic of pandemic-era lockdowns.
They include a scientist who became a conservative darling for his criticisms of COVID-19 vaccines and a critic of pandemic-era lockdowns.
Kennedy names 8 vaccine committee replacements, including COVID shot critic
The committee makes recommendations to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
trib.al
June 12, 2025 at 12:56 AM
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named eight new vaccine policy advisers to replace the panel that he abruptly dismissed earlier this week.
They include a scientist who became a conservative darling for his criticisms of COVID-19 vaccines and a critic of pandemic-era lockdowns.
They include a scientist who became a conservative darling for his criticisms of COVID-19 vaccines and a critic of pandemic-era lockdowns.
Reposted by Harry Porterfield, DO, FCAP
BREAKING: The enforcement chief at America’s consumer watchdog is quitting, ProPublica has learned.
Cara Petersen writes in her sign-off letter that it’s “clear that the Bureau’s current leadership has no intention to enforce the law in any meaningful way.” 🧵 1/
Cara Petersen writes in her sign-off letter that it’s “clear that the Bureau’s current leadership has no intention to enforce the law in any meaningful way.” 🧵 1/
June 10, 2025 at 8:39 PM
BREAKING: The enforcement chief at America’s consumer watchdog is quitting, ProPublica has learned.
Cara Petersen writes in her sign-off letter that it’s “clear that the Bureau’s current leadership has no intention to enforce the law in any meaningful way.” 🧵 1/
Cara Petersen writes in her sign-off letter that it’s “clear that the Bureau’s current leadership has no intention to enforce the law in any meaningful way.” 🧵 1/