Infectious Diseases
@infectiousdz.bsky.social
Infectious diseases and their global story
Pinned
Measles virus and rinderpest virus divergence dated to the sixth century BCE
Measles virus diverged from rinderpest virus in the sixth century BCE, indicating an early origin for human measles.
www.science.org
Measles likely came from cows (via rinderpest) around the 6th century BCE.
For 2,500 years, we didn’t evolve superhuman resistance—children just died. Real protection only came in the 1960s, with vaccines.
Our superpower isn’t evolving into superhumans. It’s outthinking pathogens.
For 2,500 years, we didn’t evolve superhuman resistance—children just died. Real protection only came in the 1960s, with vaccines.
Our superpower isn’t evolving into superhumans. It’s outthinking pathogens.
Hepatitis C is curable with pills for 8-12 weeks.
The pills are just expensive.
Not enough programs have made treatments available and accessible for all; that's why babies are still born with Hepatitis C.
The pills are just expensive.
Not enough programs have made treatments available and accessible for all; that's why babies are still born with Hepatitis C.
The number of Hepatitis C infections in pregnancy increased tenfold from 2000 to 2019. Legislative solutions helped paved the way for a new ‘meds to beds’ program at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis that’s bringing better access to a cure. #moleg #mogov
‘Light bulb moment’: New approach to treating Hep C postpartum a success in St. Louis • Missouri Independent
A “meds to beds” program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis has seen huge success in curing postpartum women infected with Hepatitis C.
missouriindependent.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Hepatitis C is curable with pills for 8-12 weeks.
The pills are just expensive.
Not enough programs have made treatments available and accessible for all; that's why babies are still born with Hepatitis C.
The pills are just expensive.
Not enough programs have made treatments available and accessible for all; that's why babies are still born with Hepatitis C.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
It’s officially potluck season withoffice parties galore. 🦃🥘 If, like me, you harbor an irrational fear of food poisoning, I’ve got you covered. Here’s your ID doctor–approved guide to surviving the season’s buffets w/out ending up in the ER.
🧤🍽️💀
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...
🧤🍽️💀
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...
An ID Doctor’s Guide to Surviving Holiday Potlucks Food Poisoning Free
Because nothing says “festive” like avoiding an impromptu Norovirus outbreak.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
It’s officially potluck season withoffice parties galore. 🦃🥘 If, like me, you harbor an irrational fear of food poisoning, I’ve got you covered. Here’s your ID doctor–approved guide to surviving the season’s buffets w/out ending up in the ER.
🧤🍽️💀
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...
🧤🍽️💀
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
It's official: Canada has lost its measles elimination status because of an outbreak that has persisted for more than 12 months. Country can regain status only if on-going spread is of measles interrupted for more than a year. www.cbc.ca/news/health/... via @cbcnews.ca
November 10, 2025 at 3:06 PM
It's official: Canada has lost its measles elimination status because of an outbreak that has persisted for more than 12 months. Country can regain status only if on-going spread is of measles interrupted for more than a year. www.cbc.ca/news/health/... via @cbcnews.ca
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
The Idaho Medical Freedom Act, which makes it illegal to require almost anyone to take a vaccine, test or other “medical intervention,” comes amid a national measles outbreak larger than the U.S. has seen in decades.
By @audreydutton.bsky.social
By @audreydutton.bsky.social
My State Banned Vaccine Mandates. Here’s How I Covered It as an Idaho Journalist.
The Idaho Medical Freedom Act, which makes it illegal to require almost anyone to take a vaccine, test or other “medical intervention,” comes amid a national measles outbreak larger than the U.S. has ...
www.propublica.org
November 8, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The Idaho Medical Freedom Act, which makes it illegal to require almost anyone to take a vaccine, test or other “medical intervention,” comes amid a national measles outbreak larger than the U.S. has seen in decades.
By @audreydutton.bsky.social
By @audreydutton.bsky.social
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
As expected, Canada has lost its measles-free status because of the long-running outbreak there. With it goes the #measles elimination status of the entire zone of the Americas, the only division of the #WHO to ever have achieved measles elimination. www.statnews.com/2025/11/10/m...
Canada loses measles elimination status — as does the entire Americas region
Canada has formally lost its measles elimination status, the country’s public health agency announced, triggering the loss of that status throughout all of the Americas.
www.statnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
As expected, Canada has lost its measles-free status because of the long-running outbreak there. With it goes the #measles elimination status of the entire zone of the Americas, the only division of the #WHO to ever have achieved measles elimination. www.statnews.com/2025/11/10/m...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
WASHINGTON (AP) — Canada has lost its measles elimination status because of continued spread, international health experts say.
November 10, 2025 at 4:17 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Canada has lost its measles elimination status because of continued spread, international health experts say.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
"Photo 51" was the X-ray diffraction pattern that revealed the internal structure of DNA, produced by PhD student Raymond Gosling working under Rosalind Franklin's direction at King's College in London in 1952.
Let's talk about how CORK & a PAPERCLIP played a central role in DNA's discovery.
Let's talk about how CORK & a PAPERCLIP played a central role in DNA's discovery.
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
"Photo 51" was the X-ray diffraction pattern that revealed the internal structure of DNA, produced by PhD student Raymond Gosling working under Rosalind Franklin's direction at King's College in London in 1952.
Let's talk about how CORK & a PAPERCLIP played a central role in DNA's discovery.
Let's talk about how CORK & a PAPERCLIP played a central role in DNA's discovery.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Trump’s funding cuts to international efforts to end the global threats of malaria, TB and HIV, will result in millions of preventable deaths.
Each death is someone’s son or daughter, husband, wife, parent or friend.
Each death is someone’s son or daughter, husband, wife, parent or friend.
When Trump’s aid cuts robbed them of HIV drugs, these people died
Special Report: Three people have died at just one community centre on the outskirts of Senegal’s capital, Dakar, following US aid cuts to HIV care. Rachel Schraer meets the women fighting to stop mor...
www.independent.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Trump’s funding cuts to international efforts to end the global threats of malaria, TB and HIV, will result in millions of preventable deaths.
Each death is someone’s son or daughter, husband, wife, parent or friend.
Each death is someone’s son or daughter, husband, wife, parent or friend.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Do they think people have forgotten about Omicron and how South Africa was treated when they told the world about that variant?
I don't like the sound of this: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
US to demand countries share data on ‘pathogens with epidemic potential’ in return for health aid
Draft template seen by the Guardian has no reference to countries receiving benefits for sharing information, such as guaranteed access to medicines developed as a result
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Do they think people have forgotten about Omicron and how South Africa was treated when they told the world about that variant?
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
How we’re tracking avian flu’s toll on wildlife across North America
theconversation.com/how-were-tra...
theconversation.com/how-were-tra...
How we’re tracking avian flu’s toll on wildlife across North America
Researchers have detected highly pathogenic avian influenza in 41 at-risk bird species across all 10 Canadian provinces.
theconversation.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:12 PM
How we’re tracking avian flu’s toll on wildlife across North America
theconversation.com/how-were-tra...
theconversation.com/how-were-tra...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“Before 2023, it was impossible to think that a healthy population like the one in Peninsula Valdés could become endangered from one year to another," says biologist Valeria Falabella…”This is a warning," she adds, noting that climate change brings additional risks and uncertainties for the species”
'It was a horrible scene to witness': How bird flu has decimated elephant seal populations
The sudden decimation by bird flu of the world's largest seal species has sent shockwaves through the scientific community, and the ecosystems shaped by these majestic animals.
www.bbc.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:58 AM
“Before 2023, it was impossible to think that a healthy population like the one in Peninsula Valdés could become endangered from one year to another," says biologist Valeria Falabella…”This is a warning," she adds, noting that climate change brings additional risks and uncertainties for the species”
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
A fascinating new Lancet ID paper offers the strongest comparative evidence yet between infection-induced and vaccine-induced immunity against mpox. The study followed people for up to 2 years after infection with monkeypox virus or vaccination with MVA-BN. #IDsky
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Long-term consequences of monkeypox virus infection or modified vaccinia virus Ankara vaccination in Belgium (MPX-COHORT and POQS-FU-PLUS): a 24-month prospective and retrospective cohort study
Individuals previously infected with MPXV show strong and durable immunological memory
lasting up to 2 years after infection, in contrast to the less robust and shorter-lived
response observed after M...
www.thelancet.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:15 PM
A fascinating new Lancet ID paper offers the strongest comparative evidence yet between infection-induced and vaccine-induced immunity against mpox. The study followed people for up to 2 years after infection with monkeypox virus or vaccination with MVA-BN. #IDsky
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Infant botulism: 13 cases since August linked to ByHeart brand powdered infant formula have been reported across 10 states (6 confirmed type A).
FDA has recalled 2 lots. Details: fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025
FDA has recalled 2 lots. Details: fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025
fda.gov
November 8, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Infant botulism: 13 cases since August linked to ByHeart brand powdered infant formula have been reported across 10 states (6 confirmed type A).
FDA has recalled 2 lots. Details: fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025
FDA has recalled 2 lots. Details: fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
The new US official: in exchange for restarting foreign aid, the US gets other countries’ genomic data on diseases.
No promise to share the benefits of that IP, though - in contrast to WHO agreements that are under negotiation.
www.reuters.com/business/hea... 🛟🧪🩺
No promise to share the benefits of that IP, though - in contrast to WHO agreements that are under negotiation.
www.reuters.com/business/hea... 🛟🧪🩺
www.reuters.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The new US official: in exchange for restarting foreign aid, the US gets other countries’ genomic data on diseases.
No promise to share the benefits of that IP, though - in contrast to WHO agreements that are under negotiation.
www.reuters.com/business/hea... 🛟🧪🩺
No promise to share the benefits of that IP, though - in contrast to WHO agreements that are under negotiation.
www.reuters.com/business/hea... 🛟🧪🩺
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Rosalind Franklin and the damage of gender harassment
Spurred by a recent report on sexual harassment in academia, our columnist revisits a historical case and reflects on what has changed—and what hasn’t
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Migrating wild birds are spreading the bird flu virus to domesticated flocks, increasing the risk of eventually seeing a human outbreak. Scientists are troubled by the muted federal response.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Bird flu surges among poultry amid a scaled back federal response
Migrating wild birds are spreading the virus to domesticated flocks, increasing the risk of eventually seeing a human outbreak. Scientists are troubled by the muted federal response.
www.npr.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Migrating wild birds are spreading the bird flu virus to domesticated flocks, increasing the risk of eventually seeing a human outbreak. Scientists are troubled by the muted federal response.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
LLMs frequently exhibit sycophancy, prioritizing agreement over accuracy when given illogical medical prompts.
This tendency can amplify misinformation.
New work shows prompting and fine-tuning can reduce this behavior.
Lots of work still to go, but this is a step in the right direction.
#MedSky
This tendency can amplify misinformation.
New work shows prompting and fine-tuning can reduce this behavior.
Lots of work still to go, but this is a step in the right direction.
#MedSky
The perils of politeness: how large language models may amplify medical misinformation - npj Digital Medicine
Chen et al. demonstrate that large language models (LLMs) frequently prioritize agreement over accuracy when responding to illogical medical prompts, a behavior known as sycophancy. By reinforcing use...
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:48 PM
LLMs frequently exhibit sycophancy, prioritizing agreement over accuracy when given illogical medical prompts.
This tendency can amplify misinformation.
New work shows prompting and fine-tuning can reduce this behavior.
Lots of work still to go, but this is a step in the right direction.
#MedSky
This tendency can amplify misinformation.
New work shows prompting and fine-tuning can reduce this behavior.
Lots of work still to go, but this is a step in the right direction.
#MedSky
What’s really pro-life? Keeping listeria out of grocery carts.
Listeria is dangerous in pregnancy—and CDC cuts made it worse.
-> www.cdc.gov/listeria/out...
-> www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
Listeria is dangerous in pregnancy—and CDC cuts made it worse.
-> www.cdc.gov/listeria/out...
-> www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Pasta Meals
Information about Listeria outbreak linked to prepared meals.
www.cdc.gov
November 7, 2025 at 1:38 PM
What’s really pro-life? Keeping listeria out of grocery carts.
Listeria is dangerous in pregnancy—and CDC cuts made it worse.
-> www.cdc.gov/listeria/out...
-> www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
Listeria is dangerous in pregnancy—and CDC cuts made it worse.
-> www.cdc.gov/listeria/out...
-> www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
November 7, 2025 at 7:39 AM
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“Modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), this board would investigate outbreaks across all food categories, free from agency silos and political pressure… The status quo is simply too dangerous to continue. Investigations can lack coordination and timeliness in response”
Listeria tied to pasta shows why we need a national foodborne outbreak investigation board
“Too many Americans fall ill from contaminated food every year — and too many families experiencing tragic, preventable loss.”
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:30 PM
“Modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), this board would investigate outbreaks across all food categories, free from agency silos and political pressure… The status quo is simply too dangerous to continue. Investigations can lack coordination and timeliness in response”
Turning a blind eye to gender-based violence isn’t just a moral failure — it’s a public health one. Rape and sexual violence amplify disease transmission in crisis after crisis.
November 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Turning a blind eye to gender-based violence isn’t just a moral failure — it’s a public health one. Rape and sexual violence amplify disease transmission in crisis after crisis.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
If you read and watch one thing today it should be this pice accompanying @agawande.bsky.social documentary.
"As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children."
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
"As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children."
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
If you read and watch one thing today it should be this pice accompanying @agawande.bsky.social documentary.
"As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children."
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
"As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children."
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
What we see isn't always all there is.
Not all H5N1 infections show symptoms — 18 asymptomatic human cases found through enhanced surveillance and contact tracing. Stronger, more systematic data collection needed.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Not all H5N1 infections show symptoms — 18 asymptomatic human cases found through enhanced surveillance and contact tracing. Stronger, more systematic data collection needed.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Asymptomatic Human Infections With Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus
This scoping review uses published reports through January 31, 2025, to identify and characterize reported cases of asymptomatic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection among humans with confirmation ...
jamanetwork.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:17 PM
What we see isn't always all there is.
Not all H5N1 infections show symptoms — 18 asymptomatic human cases found through enhanced surveillance and contact tracing. Stronger, more systematic data collection needed.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Not all H5N1 infections show symptoms — 18 asymptomatic human cases found through enhanced surveillance and contact tracing. Stronger, more systematic data collection needed.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to our analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.
(Published February)
(Published February)
Texas Banned Abortion. Then Sepsis Rates Soared.
ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis is the most detailed look yet into a rise in life-threatening complications for women experiencing pregnancy loss under Texas’ abortion ban.
www.propublica.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to our analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.
(Published February)
(Published February)
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“Alberta’s top government doctor was stopped from speaking publicly about the problem, according to interviews. Emails obtained through a public records request show the doctor urging the government to ramp up its messaging weeks before the virus arrived” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...
Canada Is About to Lose Its Status as Having Eliminated Measles
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:07 PM
“Alberta’s top government doctor was stopped from speaking publicly about the problem, according to interviews. Emails obtained through a public records request show the doctor urging the government to ramp up its messaging weeks before the virus arrived” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...