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.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
NSF defunding in Social, Behavioral, and Social Sciences
Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Social Sciences
7/11
7/11
February 19, 2026 at 3:38 AM
NSF defunding in Social, Behavioral, and Social Sciences
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Weaponizing the FDA Against Vaccines: "Weaponizing the FDA to make arbitrary, unsupportable decisions will only discourage companies from pursuing newer, better vaccines. Which, sadly, appears to be the goal." via @pauloffit.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/pauloffi...
Weaponizing the FDA Against Vaccines
By rejecting Moderna’s application for an mRNA influenza vaccine, RFK Jr.’s FDA is advancing his anti-vaccine agenda.
open.substack.com
February 18, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Weaponizing the FDA Against Vaccines: "Weaponizing the FDA to make arbitrary, unsupportable decisions will only discourage companies from pursuing newer, better vaccines. Which, sadly, appears to be the goal." via @pauloffit.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/pauloffi...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Vaccines are critical to protecting pregnant women and their infants. ACOG’s newly updated guidance urges ob-gyns to review patients’ immunization status, recommend needed vaccines, and address barriers such as misinformation. Read the full press release for more: https://bit.ly/4ro56GZ
February 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Vaccines are critical to protecting pregnant women and their infants. ACOG’s newly updated guidance urges ob-gyns to review patients’ immunization status, recommend needed vaccines, and address barriers such as misinformation. Read the full press release for more: https://bit.ly/4ro56GZ
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
In the latest tranche of emails and texts from the DOJ, multiple doctors are revealed to have treated the women Epstein often called his ‘assistants.’
The Doctors Who Helped Epstein Keep His ‘Girls’ in Shape
In the latest tranche of emails and texts from the DOJ, multiple doctors are revealed to have treated the women Epstein often called his ‘assistants.’
www.thecut.com
February 18, 2026 at 6:09 PM
In the latest tranche of emails and texts from the DOJ, multiple doctors are revealed to have treated the women Epstein often called his ‘assistants.’
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
The pharmaceutical industry needs stability & clear guidance from #FDA as it attempts to bring through licensure new drugs & vaccines. Vinay Prasad, FDA's head of biologics, has brought drama to a setting where it's not welcome, @matthewherper.bsky.social writes. www.statnews.com/2026/02/18/m...
The FDA’s Moderna pirouette is one more sign of chaos at the agency
For drugmakers and vaccine developers, an FDA reversal on Moderna's flu vaccine is better than the alternative. But it is also another sign of agency chaos.
www.statnews.com
February 18, 2026 at 4:16 PM
The pharmaceutical industry needs stability & clear guidance from #FDA as it attempts to bring through licensure new drugs & vaccines. Vinay Prasad, FDA's head of biologics, has brought drama to a setting where it's not welcome, @matthewherper.bsky.social writes. www.statnews.com/2026/02/18/m...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
📢 Meet us at the AMR Conference in Basel!
Our CEO @lenniederde.bsky.social & Head of BD Arjan van Manen will be attending. Ecraid is looking forward to discuss future collaborations with you!
📅 Book a meeting with us via the PartneringOne platform: lnkd.in/edKBRYf
Our CEO @lenniederde.bsky.social & Head of BD Arjan van Manen will be attending. Ecraid is looking forward to discuss future collaborations with you!
📅 Book a meeting with us via the PartneringOne platform: lnkd.in/edKBRYf
February 16, 2026 at 2:09 PM
📢 Meet us at the AMR Conference in Basel!
Our CEO @lenniederde.bsky.social & Head of BD Arjan van Manen will be attending. Ecraid is looking forward to discuss future collaborations with you!
📅 Book a meeting with us via the PartneringOne platform: lnkd.in/edKBRYf
Our CEO @lenniederde.bsky.social & Head of BD Arjan van Manen will be attending. Ecraid is looking forward to discuss future collaborations with you!
📅 Book a meeting with us via the PartneringOne platform: lnkd.in/edKBRYf
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Planned US-funded baby vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau, first reported by CIDRAP News, blasted by WHO
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Here's our original story.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Here's our original story.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
Guinea-Bissau: Planned US-funded baby vaccine trial blasted by WHO
Giving some newborns in Guinea-Bissau an established hepatitis B treatment but not others is "unethical", it says.
www.bbc.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Planned US-funded baby vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau, first reported by CIDRAP News, blasted by WHO
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Here's our original story.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Here's our original story.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“Moderna, revealing the rejection, took the unusual step of releasing the letter it had received from Vinay Prasad… and issued a strongly worded statement from its CEO, who said the decision “does not further our shared goal of enhancing America’s leadership in developing innovative medicines.”
FDA refuses to review Moderna’s influenza vaccine
FDA refuses to review Moderna’s influenza vaccine, which could raise concerns about the agency’s posture toward vaccines and drug approvals more generally.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:56 AM
“Moderna, revealing the rejection, took the unusual step of releasing the letter it had received from Vinay Prasad… and issued a strongly worded statement from its CEO, who said the decision “does not further our shared goal of enhancing America’s leadership in developing innovative medicines.”
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“This refusal to start a review is confusing…It is surprising & we’re trying to understand what has changed.”-Moderna pres
I understand. Vinay Prasad was going to complain about controls & justify denying review no matter what. It’s his job. Gold Standard Vinay Prasad.
I understand. Vinay Prasad was going to complain about controls & justify denying review no matter what. It’s his job. Gold Standard Vinay Prasad.
NEW: The F.D.A. refused to accept an application from Moderna for its mRNA flu vaccine.
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
F.D.A. Refuses to Review Moderna Flu Vaccine
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:30 AM
“This refusal to start a review is confusing…It is surprising & we’re trying to understand what has changed.”-Moderna pres
I understand. Vinay Prasad was going to complain about controls & justify denying review no matter what. It’s his job. Gold Standard Vinay Prasad.
I understand. Vinay Prasad was going to complain about controls & justify denying review no matter what. It’s his job. Gold Standard Vinay Prasad.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
The flu and pneumonia kill over 45,000 people a year. Moderna developed a new mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older--who are most at risk. Prasad, unilaterally, against the recommendation of experts within the agency, denied Moderna's appplication. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:09 PM
The flu and pneumonia kill over 45,000 people a year. Moderna developed a new mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older--who are most at risk. Prasad, unilaterally, against the recommendation of experts within the agency, denied Moderna's appplication. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Moderna is at least the ninth company to have received a surprise rejection from Vinay Prasad and his team.
Trump official overruled FDA scientists to reject Moderna's flu shot
FDA's top vaccine regulator, Vinay Prasad, is known for overruling scientists.
arstechnica.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Moderna is at least the ninth company to have received a surprise rejection from Vinay Prasad and his team.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
interesting posts 🥴 from a WSJ reporter who also wrote this piece www.wsj.com/health/healt... about the FDA refusal or Moderna flu vaccine under Vinay Prasad
February 12, 2026 at 4:38 PM
interesting posts 🥴 from a WSJ reporter who also wrote this piece www.wsj.com/health/healt... about the FDA refusal or Moderna flu vaccine under Vinay Prasad
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“Thousands of scientists fired, programs stopped, & threats to the mission of NIH and CDC continue - what comes next, framed as research into root causes, is even worse.”
From a year ago, Feb 15, 2025 - now the NIH is moving ever closer to serving the MAHA agenda given the full support of RFK Jr and Director Bhattacharya. The prioritization of ‘root causes’ is code for something else: reducing investment in the study of infectious and opportunistic diseases.
Grant Applications Due Soon to the National (Root Causes) Institutes of Health
Thousands of scientists fired, programs stopped, & threats to the mission of NIH and CDC continue - what comes next, framed as research into root causes, is even worse.
open.substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:29 PM
“Thousands of scientists fired, programs stopped, & threats to the mission of NIH and CDC continue - what comes next, framed as research into root causes, is even worse.”
Maternal sepsis waits for no one. In sepsis, hours, even minutes, matter — delays in treatment like source control can be fatal. It's no surprise research has linked some abortion delays and restrictions to higher maternal mortality.
Researchers have found that 6 of 10 abortion restrictions — bans on Medicaid funding for abortion, mandated waiting periods, 2nd-trimester abortion bans, ACA marketplace insurance coverage bans, biased counseling laws, and ultrasound requirements — were linked to higher rates of maternal mortality.
Laws restricting abortions linked to rise in 'abhorrently high' maternal mortality rates
Rising state-level abortion restrictions in the United States were linked to a similar, parallel rise in maternal deaths from 2005 to 2023, according to research presented at The Pregnancy Meeting. ...
www.healio.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Maternal sepsis waits for no one. In sepsis, hours, even minutes, matter — delays in treatment like source control can be fatal. It's no surprise research has linked some abortion delays and restrictions to higher maternal mortality.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
#CDC has had a full-time director for less than a month in Trump 2.0. People watching the situation think it's unlikely there will be another Senate-confirmed CDC director in this term.
With Jim O'Neill's firing, it doesn't have an acting director either. www.statnews.com/2026/02/15/c...
With Jim O'Neill's firing, it doesn't have an acting director either. www.statnews.com/2026/02/15/c...
Exit of CDC’s acting director highlights agency’s lack of leader
The lack of a Senate-confirmed leader is deepening the turmoil at the CDC.
www.statnews.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:19 PM
#CDC has had a full-time director for less than a month in Trump 2.0. People watching the situation think it's unlikely there will be another Senate-confirmed CDC director in this term.
With Jim O'Neill's firing, it doesn't have an acting director either. www.statnews.com/2026/02/15/c...
With Jim O'Neill's firing, it doesn't have an acting director either. www.statnews.com/2026/02/15/c...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“.. using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought ..”
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
February 13, 2026 at 12:45 PM
“.. using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought ..”
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Scientists are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for help drafting the grant proposals that fund their careers.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
AI help in grant proposals tied to higher funding odds at NIH
But funding proposals to US agencies also tend to be more similar to previously funded projects if they are written or edited with the help of a chatbot.
www.nature.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Scientists are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for help drafting the grant proposals that fund their careers.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“Staff members at the United States’s premier infectious-disease research institute have been instructed to remove the words “biodefense” and “pandemic preparedness” from the institute’s web pages, according to e-mails Nature has obtained.”
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:42 PM
“Staff members at the United States’s premier infectious-disease research institute have been instructed to remove the words “biodefense” and “pandemic preparedness” from the institute’s web pages, according to e-mails Nature has obtained.”
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
After more than 1.2 Americans lost their lives to Covid, NIH director Jay Bhattacharya orders the agency to deprioritize pandemic preparedness & biodefense.
Make it make sense.
Scoop from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Make it make sense.
Scoop from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:16 PM
After more than 1.2 Americans lost their lives to Covid, NIH director Jay Bhattacharya orders the agency to deprioritize pandemic preparedness & biodefense.
Make it make sense.
Scoop from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Make it make sense.
Scoop from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“Resource constraints cannot be used to justify withholding proven care in a research study involving people.”
@who.int with a much clearer and clearly argued statement than most of what I’ve seen on this.
🧪
www.who.int/news/item/13...
@who.int with a much clearer and clearly argued statement than most of what I’ve seen on this.
🧪
www.who.int/news/item/13...
Statement on the planned hepatitis B birth dose vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau
WHO is aware of the proposed randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine in Guinea-Bissau. Based on questions raised in publicly available information and consultation with...
www.who.int
February 13, 2026 at 7:02 PM
“Resource constraints cannot be used to justify withholding proven care in a research study involving people.”
@who.int with a much clearer and clearly argued statement than most of what I’ve seen on this.
🧪
www.who.int/news/item/13...
@who.int with a much clearer and clearly argued statement than most of what I’ve seen on this.
🧪
www.who.int/news/item/13...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
The FDA today approves and promotes quack autism “cures” based on “incredible stories” while refusing to even consider vaccines despite multiple RCTs.
My latest.
My latest.
The FDA: Promoting Quack Nostrums Based on “Incredible Stories” While Rejecting Vaccines Despite Successful RCTs
"Vaccines are radioactive now."
sciencebasedmedicine.org
February 13, 2026 at 11:09 AM
The FDA today approves and promotes quack autism “cures” based on “incredible stories” while refusing to even consider vaccines despite multiple RCTs.
My latest.
My latest.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 5:44 AM
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Never thought I’d say this, but Elizabeth Bruenig’s “This is How a Child Dies of Measles“ in the Atlantic might actually move some needles back to vaccinate on time, as scheduled. It’s a grounded in science, powerful piece of writing aimed squarely at the vax-iffy and vax-reluctant.
February 13, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Never thought I’d say this, but Elizabeth Bruenig’s “This is How a Child Dies of Measles“ in the Atlantic might actually move some needles back to vaccinate on time, as scheduled. It’s a grounded in science, powerful piece of writing aimed squarely at the vax-iffy and vax-reluctant.