flu

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With Bird Flu, Key 'Sits in the Lock' for Humans

CDC says mutations in Louisiana patient with the virus are 'concerning but not a cause for alarm'

(Newser) - A genetic analysis suggests the bird flu virus mutated inside a Louisiana patient who contracted the nation's first severe case of the illness, the CDC said this week. Scientists believe the mutations may allow the virus to better bind to receptors in the upper airways of humans—something they...

In the Last Week, Flu Has 'Exploded' Across US

This year's season is in full swing, per the CDC

(Newser) - The US flu season is underway, with cases surging across much of the country, health officials said Friday. The AP reports that the CDC noted sharp increases in several measures, including lab tests and emergency room visits. "It's been increasing at a pretty steady pace now for the...

In This State, First Confirmed US Case of Bird Flu in Kids

The child has mild symptoms and is recovering

(Newser) - Health officials on Friday confirmed bird flu in a California child—the first reported case in a US minor. The child had mild symptoms, was treated with antiviral medication, and is recovering, the CDC said in announcing the test results, per the AP . State officials have said the child attends...

US Will Pay Moderna $176M to Develop a Bird Flu Vaccine

Funds will pay for continued development of same mRNA technology used in COVID vaccines

(Newser) - The US government will pay the vaccine maker Moderna $176 million to develop a pandemic vaccine that could be used to treat bird flu in people as cases in dairy cows continue to mount across the country, federal officials announced Tuesday. The funds are targeted for release through the US...

Bird Flu Spreads to US Cattle, Goats
Bird Flu Spreads
to US Cattle, Goats
Mar 26, 2024 11:10 AM CDT

Bird Flu Spreads to US Cattle, Goats

Commercial milk supply is said to be safe, though, per officials

(Newser) - A week after officials in Minnesota said bird flu had been found for the first time in US livestock—specifically, goats living on a farm with infected poultry—the virus has been found to have spread to dairy cows in Texas and Kansas, per the AP . The highly pathogenic avian...

In California's 'Egg Basket,' a Fast-Spreading 'Trauma'

Poultry farmers forced to kill million-plus birds to control outbreak of avian flu in Sonoma County

(Newser) - Last month, Mike Weber got the news every poultry farmer fears: His chickens tested positive for avian flu. Following government rules, Weber's company, Sunrise Farms, had to slaughter its entire flock of egg-laying hens—550,000 birds—to prevent the disease from infecting other farms in Sonoma County, north...

Hundreds of Animal Species Hit by 'Catastrophic' Flu Strain

Elephant seals, seabirds, and now a polar bear—could humans be hit hard next with H5N1?

(Newser) - "It is catastrophic ... the largest die-off for the species, period." That's how Martin Mendez, a marine biologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society, describes to the Washington Post the fate of hundreds of elephant seals last fall in Argentina, found dead along the shore of the Valdes Peninsula....

Hospital Mask Rules Return as Flu, COVID Cases Rise

Flu cases are accelerating fastest, CDC director says

(Newser) - More US hospitals are requiring masks and limiting visitors as health officials face an expected but still nasty post-holiday spike in flu, COVID-19, and other illnesses. While many experts say this season likely won't prove to be as deadly as some other recent winters, it still could mean hundreds...

UK Has an Unwanted First: Human Case of Swine Flu

At least 50 cases have been reported worldwide since 2005, so far with little consequence

(Newser) - The UK has joined a club it would have rather avoided: countries in which a human caught a case of swine flu. The unidentified patient has fully recovered from what was described as a mild illness, reports New Scientist . Health authorities say the person didn't work with pigs—the...

Updated COVID Shots Part of Plan to Avoid 'Tripledemic'

Approval of updated vaccines expected within days, just in time for flu and RSV season

(Newser) - Updated COVID-19 vaccines are coming soon, just in time to pair them with flu shots. Doctors hope enough people get vaccinated to help avert another "tripledemic" like last year, when hospitals were overwhelmed with an early flu season, an onslaught of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and yet another winter...

When It Comes to Bird Flu, 'It's a New War'

Virus emerges in record amounts, and in new places, meaning it may be here to stay

(Newser) - Will bird flu lead to the next pandemic? That's the question making the headline rounds of late, and the short answer is—it's possible, though the threat isn't currently high. What is the concern of the moment is that wild birds have spread avian influenza, which is...

How Doctors Treat Their Own Winter Illnesses
Under the Weather?
Do as Doctors Do
Jan 1, 2023 10:01 AM CST

Under the Weather? Do as Doctors Do

Advice from those in the know

(Newser) - If you've been hit with a winter illness, do as the experts do—an approach made easier by the Wall Street Journal and HuffPost , which spoke with asked ear, nose, and throat specialists; pediatricians; and family doctors about what they turn to when they get sick. Among their advice:...

As Flu Rages, Feds Open Gates to Meds From National Stockpile

Flu season has hit hard and early this year

(Newser) - The Biden administration is releasing doses of prescription flu medicine from the Strategic National Stockpile to states as flu-sickened patients continue to flock to hospitals and doctors' offices around the country. This year's flu season has hit hard and early. As cases have spiked, some people are even noticing...

Drug Chains Restrict Purchase of Children's Meds

Demand as respiratory illnesses thrive forces CVS, Walgreens to limit amount customers can buy

(Newser) - Parents on the hunt for medication for their sick kids may not be able to immediately find what they need on drugstore shelves, thanks to a spike in various respiratory illnesses and, therefore, higher demand for those meds. CNN reports that the CVS and Walgreens chains have placed limits on...

Blame Your Nose for That Winter Cold
Blame Your
Nose for That
Winter Cold
new study
Dec 6, 2022 10:45 AM CST

Blame Your Nose for That Winter Cold

Researchers discover colder temps reduce our nose's germ-fighting abilities

(Newser) - Conventional wisdom says that you're more likely to get a cold or flu in the winter. Now science backs that up. CNN reports on a "breakthrough" study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology that sheds light on the connection between colder temperatures and increased viral...

44 States Report High Flu Activity
44 States Report
High Flu Activity
Dec 3, 2022 5:30 AM CST

44 States Report High Flu Activity

Winter flu season usually doesn't get going until December or January, but this one started early

(Newser) - The US flu season keeps getting worse. Health officials said Friday that 7.5% of outpatient medical visits last week were due to flu-like illnesses. That's as high as the peak of the 2017-18 flu season and higher than any season since, the AP reports. The annual winter flu...

We Haven't Seen a Flu Season This Intense Since 2009

CDC says we're seeing hospitalization case levels we usually don't see till December

(Newser) - The CDC's weekly influenza report is out, and it's got concerning news on an atypically early flu season, with a "dramatic" surge in hospitalizations for flu over the past few weeks that have reached levels the US normally doesn't see until December. The health agency reports...

After a Yearlong Pause, Flu Is Making a Comeback

Flu season is here, and hospitalizations are on the rise

(Newser) - The US flu season has arrived on schedule after taking a year off, with flu hospitalizations rising and two child deaths reported. Last year's flu season was the lowest on record, likely because COVID-19 measures—school closures, distancing, masks, and canceled travel—prevented the spread of influenza, or because...

With This Year's Flu Vaccine, a 'Major Mismatch'
With This Year's Flu Vaccine,
a 'Major Mismatch'
NEW STUDY
Dec 17, 2021 8:35 AM CST

With This Year's Flu Vaccine, a 'Major Mismatch'

Scientists say vax isn't helping much to prevent infection, but can still fend off serious illness, death

(Newser) - Health experts, including those at the CDC , are urging the public to not only get vaccinated against COVID, but also against the flu. New research suggests, however, that one of the main strains of the influenza virus that's now going around has mutated, and that this year's flu...

CDC Investigates 'Unusual' Flu Outbreak at University

University of Michigan surge in cases could be a sign of things to come for the rest of country

(Newser) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experts have been sent to the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus to learn more about a surge in flu cases—and what it might mean for the rest of the country as flu season approaches. Some 528 cases have been diagnosed at...

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