Infectious Diseases
@infectiousdz.bsky.social
Infectious diseases and their global story
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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.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
US chicken is chlorinated because America has no animal welfare laws where poultry is concerned. It has to be chlorinated because Salmonella and e. coli run rife
The EU banned that practice in 1997 and as such the UK has among the highest welfare and standards in the world. 1/2
The EU banned that practice in 1997 and as such the UK has among the highest welfare and standards in the world. 1/2
January 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM
US chicken is chlorinated because America has no animal welfare laws where poultry is concerned. It has to be chlorinated because Salmonella and e. coli run rife
The EU banned that practice in 1997 and as such the UK has among the highest welfare and standards in the world. 1/2
The EU banned that practice in 1997 and as such the UK has among the highest welfare and standards in the world. 1/2
The 9th case of welder’s anthrax has been identified—an 18-year-old in Louisiana. First recognized in 2022, this syndrome is linked to inhalational exposure and environmental contamination in the US Southeast, though details of transmission remain unclear. 1/n
Welder’s Anthrax Treated with Obiltoxaximab — Louisiana, 2024
This report describes the public health response to a patient who was identified with welder’s anthrax following occupational exposure.
www.cdc.gov
January 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM
The 9th case of welder’s anthrax has been identified—an 18-year-old in Louisiana. First recognized in 2022, this syndrome is linked to inhalational exposure and environmental contamination in the US Southeast, though details of transmission remain unclear. 1/n
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Devastating. Yesterday, a 5-year-old boy died from the flu.
Dr. Oz was spewing advice earlier this week where he downplayed the importance of vaccines and recommended “getting sunlight”.
I don’t know whether Micah was vaccinated, but of the kids who died from flu last year, 90% were not.
Dr. Oz was spewing advice earlier this week where he downplayed the importance of vaccines and recommended “getting sunlight”.
I don’t know whether Micah was vaccinated, but of the kids who died from flu last year, 90% were not.
Influencer Paul Kim's Son, 5, Dies After Contracting Severe Case of the Flu
Influencer Paul Kim’s 5-year-old son, Micah, died on Dec. 31 after contracting a severe case of influenza, which led to the child suffering seizures and sepsis.
people.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Devastating. Yesterday, a 5-year-old boy died from the flu.
Dr. Oz was spewing advice earlier this week where he downplayed the importance of vaccines and recommended “getting sunlight”.
I don’t know whether Micah was vaccinated, but of the kids who died from flu last year, 90% were not.
Dr. Oz was spewing advice earlier this week where he downplayed the importance of vaccines and recommended “getting sunlight”.
I don’t know whether Micah was vaccinated, but of the kids who died from flu last year, 90% were not.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Duke Health has had to restrict visitors as it contends with a doubling of flu hospitalizations in the past week. Y’all get your flu shots immediately if you haven’t already.
Duke Health limiting visitors as flu cases spike. How to keep yourself safe.
Duke Health said it saw 436 cases the week of Dec. 23, more than double the 202 cases it saw the week of Dec. 16.
www.newsobserver.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Duke Health has had to restrict visitors as it contends with a doubling of flu hospitalizations in the past week. Y’all get your flu shots immediately if you haven’t already.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Missed first vaccines make babies far more likely to miss measles shot, study finds www.statnews.com/2026/01/02/m... via @statnews.com
Missed first vaccines make babies far more likely to miss measles shot, study finds
Babies who don’t get their first round of vaccines on time at 2 months of age are much less likely to get vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella by age 2, a new study finds.
www.statnews.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Missed first vaccines make babies far more likely to miss measles shot, study finds www.statnews.com/2026/01/02/m... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
It is irresponsible and dangerous for the CMS Administrator (a physician who knows better) to downplay the importance of getting the flu vaccine.
Reminder: The US had ~38,000 flu deaths in the 2024-25 season.
Reminder: The US had ~38,000 flu deaths in the 2024-25 season.
Dr. Oz on the "super flu": "Every year there's a flu vaccine. It doesn't always work very well. That's why it's been controversial of late. But like many illnesses, the best news out there is if you can take care of yourself so that when you do end up running into the flu, you can overwhelm it."
December 30, 2025 at 8:12 PM
It is irresponsible and dangerous for the CMS Administrator (a physician who knows better) to downplay the importance of getting the flu vaccine.
Reminder: The US had ~38,000 flu deaths in the 2024-25 season.
Reminder: The US had ~38,000 flu deaths in the 2024-25 season.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
We might “end up running into the flu” less often if government officials didn’t keep telling millions of viewers not to bother getting a flu shot.
Dr. Oz on the "super flu": "Every year there's a flu vaccine. It doesn't always work very well. That's why it's been controversial of late. But like many illnesses, the best news out there is if you can take care of yourself so that when you do end up running into the flu, you can overwhelm it."
December 31, 2025 at 12:27 AM
We might “end up running into the flu” less often if government officials didn’t keep telling millions of viewers not to bother getting a flu shot.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
🚨 The countdown is on for the Ecraid Foundation Science Meeting 2026! Join us for high-impact scientific exchange and collaborative networking.
🥼 Access to infectious disease experts
🏆 Accreditation by ABIC and NVMM
Don’t miss your chance to register: www.eventbrite.nl/e/ecraid-fou...
🥼 Access to infectious disease experts
🏆 Accreditation by ABIC and NVMM
Don’t miss your chance to register: www.eventbrite.nl/e/ecraid-fou...
Ecraid Foundation Science Meeting
Engage with Europe’s first dedicated clinical research network for infectious diseases, meet ID experts and foster collaboration.
www.eventbrite.nl
December 31, 2025 at 8:41 AM
🚨 The countdown is on for the Ecraid Foundation Science Meeting 2026! Join us for high-impact scientific exchange and collaborative networking.
🥼 Access to infectious disease experts
🏆 Accreditation by ABIC and NVMM
Don’t miss your chance to register: www.eventbrite.nl/e/ecraid-fou...
🥼 Access to infectious disease experts
🏆 Accreditation by ABIC and NVMM
Don’t miss your chance to register: www.eventbrite.nl/e/ecraid-fou...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
This is the second pediatric #flu death I've seen in 2 days. I'm so sorry for the pain their families must feel. Unclear if either was vaccinated but odds are they were not, as most such deaths are in unvaccinated children.
‘He was loved by all’: 14-year-old dies after suffering complications from the flu
An Alabama community is mourning the loss of a teenager who died due to reported complications from the flu.
www.fox19.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:34 AM
This is the second pediatric #flu death I've seen in 2 days. I'm so sorry for the pain their families must feel. Unclear if either was vaccinated but odds are they were not, as most such deaths are in unvaccinated children.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
What viruses are up your nose? We asked 50 volunteers to swab their noses every week for a year to find out
#flutracking #COVID #rhinovirus #IDSky
academic.oup.com/jid/advance-...
#flutracking #COVID #rhinovirus #IDSky
academic.oup.com/jid/advance-...
The Pandemic Respiratory Virus Epidemiological Surveillance Trial - A Self-swab Surveillance System for Respiratory Viruses Nested Within FluTracking
PREVENT aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a community self-swab respiratory surveillance system embedded within the FluTracking Australia Framework. Hig
academic.oup.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:42 PM
What viruses are up your nose? We asked 50 volunteers to swab their noses every week for a year to find out
#flutracking #COVID #rhinovirus #IDSky
academic.oup.com/jid/advance-...
#flutracking #COVID #rhinovirus #IDSky
academic.oup.com/jid/advance-...
A dog that later tested positive for rabies in Chicago was born in Georgia, went to a Chicago-area shelter, then adopted by a family. After adoption, behavior changed, became ill and bit someone. Though vaccinated, exposure likely before or within 30 days after vaccination when infection can occur
Chicago dog with rabies marks first positive test in Cook County in decades
The positive case came after the dog showed a shift in behavior last week and was euthanized and tested, the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control, said in a statement.
chicago.suntimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:20 PM
A dog that later tested positive for rabies in Chicago was born in Georgia, went to a Chicago-area shelter, then adopted by a family. After adoption, behavior changed, became ill and bit someone. Though vaccinated, exposure likely before or within 30 days after vaccination when infection can occur
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
A dog in Chicago tested positive for rabies, marking the first time in than 60 years that a dog tested positive for the disease in Cook County.
Chicago dog with rabies marks first positive test in Cook County in decades
chicago.suntimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:41 PM
A dog in Chicago tested positive for rabies, marking the first time in than 60 years that a dog tested positive for the disease in Cook County.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
And rabies. Rabies does not, in fact, make you stronger.
outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chicago-1s...
outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chicago-1s...
December 25, 2025 at 5:34 PM
And rabies. Rabies does not, in fact, make you stronger.
outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chicago-1s...
outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/chicago-1s...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Measles outbreaks won't end in 2025 as cases mount in Utah, Arizona and South Carolina www.nbcnews.com/health/healt... via @nbcnews.com @erikaedwards.bsky.social
Measles outbreaks won't end in 2025 as cases mount in Utah, Arizona and South Carolina
Across the country, confirmed cases are nearing 2,000, closing in on the highest number since 1992.
www.nbcnews.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Measles outbreaks won't end in 2025 as cases mount in Utah, Arizona and South Carolina www.nbcnews.com/health/healt... via @nbcnews.com @erikaedwards.bsky.social
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Modeling Reemergence of Vaccine-Eliminated Infectious Diseases Under Declining Vaccination in the US | Infectious Diseases | JAMA | JAMA Network jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Modeling Reemergence of Vaccine-Eliminated Infectious Diseases Under Declining Vaccination in the US
This study estimates the number of cases and complications in the US under scenarios of declining childhood vaccination for measles, rubella, poliomyelitis, and diphtheria.
jamanetwork.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Modeling Reemergence of Vaccine-Eliminated Infectious Diseases Under Declining Vaccination in the US | Infectious Diseases | JAMA | JAMA Network jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Babies die of whooping cough in several states; third-trimester vaccines could protect them www.tpr.org/bioscience-m...
Babies die of whooping cough in several states; third-trimester vaccines could protect them
A nationwide surge in pertussis cases has resulted in the deaths of infants in several states across the country this year, from Kentucky to Oregon. A UT Health San Antonio infectious diseases special...
www.tpr.org
December 24, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Babies die of whooping cough in several states; third-trimester vaccines could protect them www.tpr.org/bioscience-m...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Ötzi and a 45,000-year-old Siberian were both infected with a cancer-causing strain of HPV.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
Two ancient humans, including famed ‘Iceman,’ had cancer-causing virus
Findings from ancient DNA may shed light on HPV’s history in our species
www.science.org
December 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Ötzi and a 45,000-year-old Siberian were both infected with a cancer-causing strain of HPV.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Clinicians who actually saw the horrors of COVID (and didn’t get infected, because masks fucking work 🤷🏻♂️) are pretty pissed at this. Especially the @newyorker.com - I expect better 🤦🏻♂️
The thesis of the book is that early COVID lockdowns weren't worth it and mid-COVID mitigation measures like masks, contact tracing and business closures don't work.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
December 24, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Clinicians who actually saw the horrors of COVID (and didn’t get infected, because masks fucking work 🤷🏻♂️) are pretty pissed at this. Especially the @newyorker.com - I expect better 🤦🏻♂️
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
US Governors Launch Multistate Public Health Coalition jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
US Governors Launch Multistate Public Health Coalition
This Medical News article discusses a new state-led coalition, called the Governors Public Health Alliance, to bolster disease detection and response as federal support wanes.
jamanetwork.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:27 AM
US Governors Launch Multistate Public Health Coalition jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
The US #measles count for this year has topped 2,000 cases for the first time since 1992. These are confirmed cases only, ie there have been more. 3 reported deaths.
The vast majority of the cases are in unvaccinated kids & adults. 11% needed hospitalization. www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
The vast majority of the cases are in unvaccinated kids & adults. 11% needed hospitalization. www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
December 23, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The US #measles count for this year has topped 2,000 cases for the first time since 1992. These are confirmed cases only, ie there have been more. 3 reported deaths.
The vast majority of the cases are in unvaccinated kids & adults. 11% needed hospitalization. www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
The vast majority of the cases are in unvaccinated kids & adults. 11% needed hospitalization. www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
I'm trying to understand where this seemingly pervasive wisdom regarding antiviral prescribing of "let's wait and see whether you get worse before starting the meds" comes from. Anecdotal of course, but I see this every winter and I don't get it. Antivirals are more useful the earlier you take them.
December 22, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I'm trying to understand where this seemingly pervasive wisdom regarding antiviral prescribing of "let's wait and see whether you get worse before starting the meds" comes from. Anecdotal of course, but I see this every winter and I don't get it. Antivirals are more useful the earlier you take them.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Leprosy in Florida is becoming an actual thing. 36 cases reported so far this year, compared to 20 total cases in 2024. 27 of 36 cases were acquired locally. Growing populations of armadillos and old folks with weak immune systems may be to blame.
Dozens of leprosy cases reported in Florida. What we know
Florida is seeing a surge in leprosy cases this year, following a general rise over the last decade. What is leprosy, and is there a cure?
www.tallahassee.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Leprosy in Florida is becoming an actual thing. 36 cases reported so far this year, compared to 20 total cases in 2024. 27 of 36 cases were acquired locally. Growing populations of armadillos and old folks with weak immune systems may be to blame.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Kennedy attempted a similar unethical experiment in Samoa in 2019 for the MMR vaccine. Samoa didn't let him do his study. I hope Kennedy's latest unethical study also gets thwarted. share.google/MfIRJRHmR8Eo...
Experts saw Samoa's plunging vaccination rates as a crisis. RFK Jr. saw an opportunity.
New details show how Robert F. Kennedy Jr., then chair of an anti-vaccine group and now Trump’s pick for health secretary, sought to exploit a deadly vaccine accident.
share.google
December 19, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Kennedy attempted a similar unethical experiment in Samoa in 2019 for the MMR vaccine. Samoa didn't let him do his study. I hope Kennedy's latest unethical study also gets thwarted. share.google/MfIRJRHmR8Eo...