Steve Valeika DVM PhD
@zoonotic1.bsky.social
DVM (UGA 01) | PhD (UNC 08) | Small Animal Vet | Recovering Academic | Infectious Disease Epi | ID and Public Health consultant for the Veterinary Information Network | Board member for Buncombe County Health Dept. | Family Guy | Son of an immigrant
Reposted by Steve Valeika DVM PhD
I believe one reason for their disdain for public health is that it is based on and recognizes our interconnectedness as human beings, as inhabitants of this earth, in direct contrast to the dominant culture's emphasis on individualism.
It really seems like this administration is trying to eliminate the field of public health. MPHs and DrPHs will no longer be considered "professional degrees" by the DOE and, therefore, will face limits to accessing federal student loans.
aspph.org/department-o...
aspph.org/department-o...
Department of Education Proposal Excludes Public Health Degrees from “Professional Degree” Definition
Discover the new results and implications of Dept of Ed consensus regarding professional degree programs and public health education.
aspph.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I believe one reason for their disdain for public health is that it is based on and recognizes our interconnectedness as human beings, as inhabitants of this earth, in direct contrast to the dominant culture's emphasis on individualism.
It’s censorship when my peers disagree with me and criticize my viewpoints by citing scientific evidence, but not censorship when I use the literal fucking tools of the state to squash any dissent to my position.
—Jay “help I’m being censored!” Bhattacharya
—Jay “help I’m being censored!” Bhattacharya
Bhattacharya claims to be an opponent of censorship. He’s made welcoming dissent a key part of his pitch to the NIH.
This move suspending arguably his most vocal critic totally undermines that.
This move suspending arguably his most vocal critic totally undermines that.
November 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
It’s censorship when my peers disagree with me and criticize my viewpoints by citing scientific evidence, but not censorship when I use the literal fucking tools of the state to squash any dissent to my position.
—Jay “help I’m being censored!” Bhattacharya
—Jay “help I’m being censored!” Bhattacharya
Reposted by Steve Valeika DVM PhD
For a second I thought this was for something about Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
For a second I thought this was for something about Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
For a second I thought this was for something about Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
For a second I thought this was for something about Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
In other words, there is definitely evidence of Trump being with a 15-year old child.
Megyn Kelly: "I know somebody very close to this case…Jeffrey Epstein, in this person's view, was not a pedophile…He was into the barely legal type, like he liked 15 year old girls…He wasn't into like 8 year olds…There's a difference between a 15 year old and a 5 year old."
November 13, 2025 at 7:18 PM
In other words, there is definitely evidence of Trump being with a 15-year old child.
All the way down in Asheville. Camera adds a lot, but even with the naked eye this was a deep purple/pink. Gonna listen to some Prince now.
November 12, 2025 at 3:32 AM
All the way down in Asheville. Camera adds a lot, but even with the naked eye this was a deep purple/pink. Gonna listen to some Prince now.
THIS IS WHY ID PEEPS AND EPIDEMIOLOGISTS CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS DR TITANJI!!
It’s extra bad for me because my friends think, “well, if he isn’t talking about weird food poisoning cases, he’s probably going to be telling a story about dog butts or something.”
It’s extra bad for me because my friends think, “well, if he isn’t talking about weird food poisoning cases, he’s probably going to be telling a story about dog butts or something.”
Oh dear, a friend forwarded this piece to her co-worker who is planning an office potluck this week and they are now contemplating if it is wise to proceed 😂. She has shared the article to all who have signed up to bring foods .
I didn't mean to sow fear and chaos, just provide information.😊😅
I didn't mean to sow fear and chaos, just provide information.😊😅
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...
November 11, 2025 at 11:29 PM
THIS IS WHY ID PEEPS AND EPIDEMIOLOGISTS CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS DR TITANJI!!
It’s extra bad for me because my friends think, “well, if he isn’t talking about weird food poisoning cases, he’s probably going to be telling a story about dog butts or something.”
It’s extra bad for me because my friends think, “well, if he isn’t talking about weird food poisoning cases, he’s probably going to be telling a story about dog butts or something.”
Reposted by Steve Valeika DVM PhD
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...
Ok, best scientific article of the year! Rats giggle when tickled, and they have figured out optimal tickle protocols that differ by sex.
🐀Male and female rats like to be tickled differently - males prefer rougher play.
🤣How do we know? Rats produce ultrasonic giggles that can be monitored with a bat detector.
🧪Why is this relevant? To improve lab animal welfare.
Ah, to tickle rats for a living...♥️
f1000research.com/articles/14-...
🤣How do we know? Rats produce ultrasonic giggles that can be monitored with a bat detector.
🧪Why is this relevant? To improve lab animal welfare.
Ah, to tickle rats for a living...♥️
f1000research.com/articles/14-...
November 11, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Ok, best scientific article of the year! Rats giggle when tickled, and they have figured out optimal tickle protocols that differ by sex.
Fireside Boocat
November 11, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Fireside Boocat
The only problem with wearing a sweater on these cold days is the crazy amount of lint I pick up. Took forever to roll this big chunk off.
November 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The only problem with wearing a sweater on these cold days is the crazy amount of lint I pick up. Took forever to roll this big chunk off.
Pretty crazy that this shipwreck was only 50 years ago. Something about the telling of it in Canada’s greatest ever folk song makes it feel ancient.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot on Apple Music
Song · 1976 · Duration 6:29
music.apple.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Pretty crazy that this shipwreck was only 50 years ago. Something about the telling of it in Canada’s greatest ever folk song makes it feel ancient.
Reposted by Steve Valeika DVM PhD
While they’re still screwing about with SNAP, it’s a good idea to donate to pet shelters, too.
If you dare show up with “poor people shouldn’t have pets”, I will tear such a new one it generates a black hole.
apnews.com/article/pets...
If you dare show up with “poor people shouldn’t have pets”, I will tear such a new one it generates a black hole.
apnews.com/article/pets...
Families on SNAP worry about not just feeding themselves but also their pets
With SNAP benefits going out late, nonprofits are begging for pet food donations to prevent desperate owners from surrendering their dogs and cats to animal shelters.
apnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:06 PM
While they’re still screwing about with SNAP, it’s a good idea to donate to pet shelters, too.
If you dare show up with “poor people shouldn’t have pets”, I will tear such a new one it generates a black hole.
apnews.com/article/pets...
If you dare show up with “poor people shouldn’t have pets”, I will tear such a new one it generates a black hole.
apnews.com/article/pets...
Public Health Hip Hop Club alert! 🚨
@boghuma.bsky.social @leylaaa.bsky.social @gavinyamey.bsky.social
Let me know what you think. The samples are 🧑🍳
And billy woods and Elucid are at the peak of their talents. Crazy guests too. Quelle Chris, Earl Sweatshirt.
@boghuma.bsky.social @leylaaa.bsky.social @gavinyamey.bsky.social
Let me know what you think. The samples are 🧑🍳
And billy woods and Elucid are at the peak of their talents. Crazy guests too. Quelle Chris, Earl Sweatshirt.
Mercy by Armand Hammer & The Alchemist on Apple Music
Album · 2025 · 14 Songs
music.apple.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Public Health Hip Hop Club alert! 🚨
@boghuma.bsky.social @leylaaa.bsky.social @gavinyamey.bsky.social
Let me know what you think. The samples are 🧑🍳
And billy woods and Elucid are at the peak of their talents. Crazy guests too. Quelle Chris, Earl Sweatshirt.
@boghuma.bsky.social @leylaaa.bsky.social @gavinyamey.bsky.social
Let me know what you think. The samples are 🧑🍳
And billy woods and Elucid are at the peak of their talents. Crazy guests too. Quelle Chris, Earl Sweatshirt.
Huge flock of Brown Headed Cowbirds with a smattering of other species mixed in. The pics don’t do the flock size justice. And every now and then a huge flock takes flight and lands again.
I can’t help but hear Leonard Cohen when I see something like this.
I can’t help but hear Leonard Cohen when I see something like this.
November 8, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Huge flock of Brown Headed Cowbirds with a smattering of other species mixed in. The pics don’t do the flock size justice. And every now and then a huge flock takes flight and lands again.
I can’t help but hear Leonard Cohen when I see something like this.
I can’t help but hear Leonard Cohen when I see something like this.
Hell yes.
Loving this article from Katherine Wu. Don’t tell me that public health shouldn’t be political when several of the greatest public health threats have politics as a component cause.
Loving this article from Katherine Wu. Don’t tell me that public health shouldn’t be political when several of the greatest public health threats have politics as a component cause.
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office
Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians.
www.theatlantic.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Hell yes.
Loving this article from Katherine Wu. Don’t tell me that public health shouldn’t be political when several of the greatest public health threats have politics as a component cause.
Loving this article from Katherine Wu. Don’t tell me that public health shouldn’t be political when several of the greatest public health threats have politics as a component cause.
Reposted by Steve Valeika DVM PhD
Really great breakdown of the tragic, but necessary cull of the birds at the center of the Canadian H5N1 Ostrich saga that roped in people like RFK and Dr Oz (who only added to the stupidity)
What an absolute fucking shitshow.
Scott covers all of the angles here. Great blog post
What an absolute fucking shitshow.
Scott covers all of the angles here. Great blog post
The Universal Ostrich saga has come to a close, with CFIA culling the herd. There are a lot of layers to this scenario, and science has taken a backseat to politics, anti-government sentiment and grift.
Some final thoughts....
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2025/11/arti...
Some final thoughts....
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2025/11/arti...
H5N1 and ostriches…final thoughts
As the H5N1 ostrich debacle in British Columbia has come to a close, part of me wants to ignore all the crap that’s coming in, but there’s value in
www.wormsandgermsblog.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Really great breakdown of the tragic, but necessary cull of the birds at the center of the Canadian H5N1 Ostrich saga that roped in people like RFK and Dr Oz (who only added to the stupidity)
What an absolute fucking shitshow.
Scott covers all of the angles here. Great blog post
What an absolute fucking shitshow.
Scott covers all of the angles here. Great blog post
My hotel has no fourth floor, but it does have a 13th floor? And what’s weird is that there’s a pause when you from 3 to 5. Maybe that’s where Lazlo lives?
November 8, 2025 at 2:35 AM
My hotel has no fourth floor, but it does have a 13th floor? And what’s weird is that there’s a pause when you from 3 to 5. Maybe that’s where Lazlo lives?
Really great breakdown of the tragic, but necessary cull of the birds at the center of the Canadian H5N1 Ostrich saga that roped in people like RFK and Dr Oz (who only added to the stupidity)
What an absolute fucking shitshow.
Scott covers all of the angles here. Great blog post
What an absolute fucking shitshow.
Scott covers all of the angles here. Great blog post
The Universal Ostrich saga has come to a close, with CFIA culling the herd. There are a lot of layers to this scenario, and science has taken a backseat to politics, anti-government sentiment and grift.
Some final thoughts....
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2025/11/arti...
Some final thoughts....
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2025/11/arti...
H5N1 and ostriches…final thoughts
As the H5N1 ostrich debacle in British Columbia has come to a close, part of me wants to ignore all the crap that’s coming in, but there’s value in
www.wormsandgermsblog.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Really great breakdown of the tragic, but necessary cull of the birds at the center of the Canadian H5N1 Ostrich saga that roped in people like RFK and Dr Oz (who only added to the stupidity)
What an absolute fucking shitshow.
Scott covers all of the angles here. Great blog post
What an absolute fucking shitshow.
Scott covers all of the angles here. Great blog post
Reposted by Steve Valeika DVM PhD
The Universal Ostrich saga has come to a close, with CFIA culling the herd. There are a lot of layers to this scenario, and science has taken a backseat to politics, anti-government sentiment and grift.
Some final thoughts....
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2025/11/arti...
Some final thoughts....
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2025/11/arti...
H5N1 and ostriches…final thoughts
As the H5N1 ostrich debacle in British Columbia has come to a close, part of me wants to ignore all the crap that’s coming in, but there’s value in
www.wormsandgermsblog.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:03 AM
The Universal Ostrich saga has come to a close, with CFIA culling the herd. There are a lot of layers to this scenario, and science has taken a backseat to politics, anti-government sentiment and grift.
Some final thoughts....
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2025/11/arti...
Some final thoughts....
www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2025/11/arti...
Reposted by Steve Valeika DVM PhD
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
Thinking about the cat I saw that ate some of the Ritalin that the kid was throwing under the bed because she didn’t like it. That cat’s reason? Epic Rage.
November 7, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Thinking about the cat I saw that ate some of the Ritalin that the kid was throwing under the bed because she didn’t like it. That cat’s reason? Epic Rage.
Reposted by Steve Valeika DVM PhD
Have John Fetterman and Marjorie Taylor Greene been Freeky Friday'd ?
November 7, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Have John Fetterman and Marjorie Taylor Greene been Freeky Friday'd ?
Reposted by Steve Valeika DVM PhD
Raise a glass for Rosalind Franklin tonight and honor her memory and scientific contributions
NYT obituary of Jim Watson.
A long and fairly balanced view of a complicated man who participated in one of the greatest discoveries in biology.
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
A long and fairly balanced view of a complicated man who participated in one of the greatest discoveries in biology.
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
James Watson, Co-Discoverer of the Structure of DNA, Is Dead at 97
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Raise a glass for Rosalind Franklin tonight and honor her memory and scientific contributions
It’s been a while since I’ve been to Raleigh. Not like I remembered it. Used to be peaceful. Now there’s weapons shops on every corner.
November 7, 2025 at 9:59 PM
It’s been a while since I’ve been to Raleigh. Not like I remembered it. Used to be peaceful. Now there’s weapons shops on every corner.