“Any new disease that evolves faster than our understanding is never under control” - said Margaret Chan, former WHO DG, over 10 years ago. Right now, this is true for at least two recent viral events: #mpox in DRC and #H5N1 in cattle in the US.

The  #mpox outbreak across #DRC is very concerning:
- 3,941 cases have been reported in 2024, including 271 deaths;
- 70% of cases and 87% of deaths are in children under 15 years of age;
- 2/3 (18 of 26) of provinces have reported cases in 2024;
- there are more cases reported in…

I joined CBS Evening News to discuss the latest developments in H5N1.

What do we know and don't we know about this avian flu outbreak? Concise, clear, and educational summary from Caitlin Rivers and Katelyn Jetelina.
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/avian-flu-bi…

I wrote this over a year ago. Still relevant.
How to Handle the Bird Flu: America Must Prepare for the Next Possible Pandemic.
(No paywall, but you do have to input an email) foreignaffairs.com/united-states/…

In response to the H5N1 infections in cows and now a human in Texas, we've just updated our North America specific H5Nx Nextstrain build with the cow and goat sequences, which are viewable under 'Species-grouped: Ruminant': nextstrain.org/groups/moncla-…. A few notes.

I understand that initial testing does not show significant mutations but...something has clearly changed. Host, agent, environment.

USDA now reporting the 'presence of HPAI in a Michigan dairy herd that had recently received cows from Texas.' Follows similar report from Idaho. Additional outbreaks being investigated. aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom…

Caitlin Rivers NRC It would be a game-changer if there is indeed cow-to-cow transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. I assume the Idaho State Dept of Agriculture does not make such a statement without a factual basis, but to be convinced I would like to know those facts.

This is one to watch, in my opinion.

This merits asap update of the IRAT, in my opinion texasagriculture.gov/News-Events/Ar…

Congress reached agreement on remaining FY24 spending bills. Global health programs see a $530 million (5%) decrease compared to FY23, largely due to lower contributions to Global Fund & less for global health security.

See KFF analysis here: kff.org/news-summary/g…

Measles line list compiled from open sources, now at 61 cases docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…

Concerned by reports of mpox in DRC affecting children, evidence of transmission via household contact and heterosexual contact, high CFR. reliefweb.int/report/democra…