Adrian Esterman
profesterman.bsky.social
Adrian Esterman
@profesterman.bsky.social
Epidemiologist Ex-WHO "It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words, but rather short easy words". 🧸 #UniSA #EpiSky #Epidemiology Opinions are my own
More people died from influenza than COVID-19 in August, for the first time since the height of the pandemic, according to the ABS. 265 people died from or with influenza compared with 195 deaths associated with COVID-19.
November 2, 2025 at 11:33 PM
wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/...
New research shows seasonal flu vaccines could also offer some protection against H5N1 bird flu. In ferrets (our best model for human flu), vaccinated animals had milder illness and lower virus levels after H5N1 exposure.
Effect of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines on Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Virus Infection in Ferrets
Effect of Influenza Vaccines on H5N1 in Ferrets
wwwnc.cdc.gov
September 29, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Queensland: The measles outbreak tied to overseas travel (particularly from SE Asia) continues. Queensland Health has issued alerts after exposure incidents including at Cairns Hospital maternity ward. Masking is now required in high‑risk hospital wards.
September 22, 2025 at 4:00 AM
NSW measles alert 🚨 A case was infectious at Sydney Airport T2 + flights Perth ➝ Sydney ➝ Gold Coast. Check your MMR vaccination & watch for symptoms (fever, cough, rash, red eyes) for up to 3 weeks. Call ahead before visiting a clinic.
#PublicHealth #Measles #VaccinesWork
September 18, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Reposted by Adrian Esterman
Rollout of #Ebola vaccine has begun in DRC in response to the country’s most recent zairevirus outbreak. It is still thrilling to know a vaccine for this scourge has been licensed and can be rapidly deployed.
Vaccines save lives. www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
Ebola vaccination begins in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bulape, Democratic Republic of the Congo—Vaccination of frontline health workers and contacts of people infected with Ebola virus disease has begun in Bulape health zone in the Democratic Republic of ...
www.afro.who.int
September 14, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Moderna say that their new LP.8.1 updated COVID vaccine is being manufactured in their Melbourne plant, and hope to have it available by the end of the year. In the meanwhile, we wait with bated breath while COVID vaccine safety is discussed at the US ACIP meeting next Thursday.
September 15, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Australia: 2 measles cases in Perth, linked to Bali travel; exposure at Dan Murphy’s + Coles Butler.
Global: Ebola outbreak in DRC grows to 68 cases, 16 deaths; dengue & chikungunya surging in Bangladesh.
#PublicHealth #Epidemiology #VaccinesWork
September 13, 2025 at 11:33 PM
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Azelastine inhaled antihistamine 0.1% nasal spay available over the counter in Australia has been found in this (small) German RCT to reduce the incidence of COVID in vaccinated people from 6.7% to 2.2% by Day56.
Azelastine Nasal Spray for Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infections
This randomized clinical trial evaluates the efficacy of azelastine as a preexposure prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens.
jamanetwork.com
September 13, 2025 at 5:35 AM
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Measles outbreak declared in Cairns after a case of the virus transmitted locally. There have been four measles cases in FNQ this year, with the first 3 travellers from Bali. Health officials urging people to monitor for symptoms and get vaccinated before travelling.
Bali travellers urged to get vaccinated amid new measles outbreak
Health officials in Cairns publish a list of potential measles exposure sites after a locally acquired case of the illness.
www.abc.net.au
September 11, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Australia has approved its first vaccine designed to protect koalas from chlamydia. This single‑dose vaccine, developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast, reduces infection, prevents disease progression, and even reverses symptoms in some cases.
September 11, 2025 at 2:58 AM
www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/doh...
Flu is still surging in QLD. The free vaccine ends 30 September. For the elderly, do wear a face mask when out shopping etc. #publichealth #Australia
Queensland respiratory infection update - 5 September 2025
Queensland Health is urging the community to take advantage of the free flu vaccination program, which concludes on 30 September. Despite high transmission rates, vaccination uptake is slowing.
www.health.qld.gov.au
September 7, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Australia will soon have its own ‘centre for disease control’. Let’s not repeat the chaos of the US
theconversation.com/australia-wi...
Good overview article by Allen Cheng about the new Australian CDC
Australia will soon have its own ‘centre for disease control’. Let’s not repeat the chaos of the US
Having this national agency will help protect us against bird flu, falling immunisation rates and health misinformation. It’s a landmark in public health.
theconversation.com
September 7, 2025 at 11:36 PM
In Australia, COVID, flu & RSV are all trending down from winter peaks; but flu still high for late Aug. WHO has lifted the mpox global emergency—risk lower, not gone. Check measles and dengue status of country before international travel #auspol #publichealth
September 6, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Epi update: Measles alert Sydney (imported), whooping cough surging (worst since ’91), winter viruses plateauing, RSV programs rolling out. 🌏 Globally: H5N1 in US cat food, cholera deaths rising, measles resurgence Americas.
#PublicHealth #Epidemiology
September 5, 2025 at 5:14 AM
www.health.gov.au/ministers/th...
Big milestone - well done Mark Butler
www.health.gov.au
September 3, 2025 at 11:59 PM
🌍 I’m heading to #IUPESM2025 in Adelaide this month!
Over 1,000 global delegates, a future-focused program, and unmissable conversations on medical physics, biomedical engineering & health innovation.

🔗 Join me: wc2025.org/registration
📅 Program: wc2025.org/program

@IUPESM2025 #IUPESM2025
Registration | IUPESM World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering 2025
wc2025.org
September 3, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The Australian PABC had recommended that two RSV vaccines be funded under the National Immunisation Program - GSK’s Arexvy and Pfizer’s Abrysvo for all patients aged 75 and older, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60-74.
August 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
During a pandemic, CSL Seqerus Australian manufacturing plant needs 1,000,000 fertilised chicken eggs a day.
August 26, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Just attending the CSL Seqerus symposium on avian influenza. More later.
August 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Long COVID is more than fatigue. Our new study suggests its impact is similar to a stroke or Parkinson’s
theconversation.com/long-covid-i...
It is a major problem that authorities don't want to talk about
Long COVID is more than fatigue. Our new study suggests its impact is similar to a stroke or Parkinson’s
Long COVID isn’t just a bunch of lingering symptoms. A new study shows it can stop peoole doing what they want to do, and need to do.
theconversation.com
August 25, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Accelerated vascular ageing after COVID-19 infection: the CARTESIAN study url: academic.oup.com/eurheartj/ar...
We know women are at higher risk of Long Covid, and that a covid infection can cause stiffness in the arteries via a build up of plaques. This large study confirms these findings.
Accelerated vascular ageing after COVID-19 infection: the CARTESIAN study
AbstractBackground and Aims. Increasing evidence suggests that COVID-19 survivors experience long-term cardiovascular complications possibly through develo
academic.oup.com
August 24, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Is it too late to get a flu shot?
theconversation.com/is-it-too-la...
My new article in The Conversation
Is it too late to get a flu shot?
If last year is anything to go by, the flu season is dragging on. So, it’s still worth getting a flu shot if you haven’t had one already this year.
theconversation.com
August 21, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia
theconversation.com/vaccines-hol...
Another interesting article in The Conversation.
Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia
A prominent Nature study and related research raise the possibility that vaccines may have a broader role in experimental therapeutics outside the realm of infectious diseases.
theconversation.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:26 AM
COVID, the flu and other viral infections can re-awaken dormant breast cancer cells, new study in mice shows
theconversation.com/covid-the-fl...
Interesting research, especially for cancer survivors
COVID, the flu and other viral infections can re-awaken dormant breast cancer cells, new study in mice shows
This recent study highlights just how great of an affect viral infections can have on our health in both the short-term and long-term.
theconversation.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:21 AM