Infectious Diseases
@infectiousdz.bsky.social
Infectious diseases and their global story
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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
Now, the CDC Museum's future is on the rocks. The museum doesn't have a director even though a former supervisor is trying to keep the doors open. One of the museum's most popular programs is Disease Detective Camp, a summer program for high school students 👇
CDC Museum's Future Is on the Rocks
'You can't just throw a museum away,' former staffer says
www.medpagetoday.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Now, the CDC Museum's future is on the rocks. The museum doesn't have a director even though a former supervisor is trying to keep the doors open. One of the museum's most popular programs is Disease Detective Camp, a summer program for high school students 👇
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
📰 UK HPAI H5N1 reported cases: 28 Nov 2025 #IDsky #OneHealth🧪
🐔 Second large commercial poultry unit near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
📊 57 confirmed HPAI H5N1 cases in poultry & other captive birds from 01 Oct 2025
🏴 England: 45
🏴 Scotland: 1
🏴 Wales: 7
🇬🇧 Northern Ireland: 4
🐔 Second large commercial poultry unit near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
📊 57 confirmed HPAI H5N1 cases in poultry & other captive birds from 01 Oct 2025
🏴 England: 45
🏴 Scotland: 1
🏴 Wales: 7
🇬🇧 Northern Ireland: 4
Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England
Find out about the latest bird flu situation in England and guidance for bird keepers and the public.
www.gov.uk
November 29, 2025 at 12:00 AM
📰 UK HPAI H5N1 reported cases: 28 Nov 2025 #IDsky #OneHealth🧪
🐔 Second large commercial poultry unit near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
📊 57 confirmed HPAI H5N1 cases in poultry & other captive birds from 01 Oct 2025
🏴 England: 45
🏴 Scotland: 1
🏴 Wales: 7
🇬🇧 Northern Ireland: 4
🐔 Second large commercial poultry unit near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
📊 57 confirmed HPAI H5N1 cases in poultry & other captive birds from 01 Oct 2025
🏴 England: 45
🏴 Scotland: 1
🏴 Wales: 7
🇬🇧 Northern Ireland: 4
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Pertinent to this seminar is this recent Perspective by @gavinyamey.bsky.social and colleagues, which highlights important factors that affect how middle-income countries can successfully transition away from international health aid. 🧪 #MedSky #globalhealth #funding
plos.io/4ait7cw
plos.io/4ait7cw
How can middle-income countries successfully transition away from international health aid?
Pertinent to recent international health aid cuts, this Perspective discusses how middle-income countries can prepare and succeed in transitioning away from external aid, highlighting three factors im...
plos.io
November 28, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Pertinent to this seminar is this recent Perspective by @gavinyamey.bsky.social and colleagues, which highlights important factors that affect how middle-income countries can successfully transition away from international health aid. 🧪 #MedSky #globalhealth #funding
plos.io/4ait7cw
plos.io/4ait7cw
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
We are pleased to sponsor the online seminar, "Global Health After the Breakpoint: Evidence for What Comes Next", featuring a panel of experts to discuss the future of global health. It's not too late to register using the link below! 🧪
📆 Tuesday 2nd Dec
🕐3.00-4.30pm GMT
duke.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
📆 Tuesday 2nd Dec
🕐3.00-4.30pm GMT
duke.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 28, 2025 at 4:42 PM
We are pleased to sponsor the online seminar, "Global Health After the Breakpoint: Evidence for What Comes Next", featuring a panel of experts to discuss the future of global health. It's not too late to register using the link below! 🧪
📆 Tuesday 2nd Dec
🕐3.00-4.30pm GMT
duke.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
📆 Tuesday 2nd Dec
🕐3.00-4.30pm GMT
duke.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Medicine needs a stronger word for doctors who have lost their licenses for malicious malpractice that cost lives. It's not like they just misplaced and lost their licenses. Lawyers at least have disbarred. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/o...
November 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Medicine needs a stronger word for doctors who have lost their licenses for malicious malpractice that cost lives. It's not like they just misplaced and lost their licenses. Lawyers at least have disbarred. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/o...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
The ghouls at RFKjr's old nonprofit, Children's Health Defense, invited the father of the 8-year-old who died of measles in Texas to congratulate himself for his great decision not to vaccinate her.
Opinion | I Went to an Anti-Vaccine Conference. Medicine Is in Trouble.
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The ghouls at RFKjr's old nonprofit, Children's Health Defense, invited the father of the 8-year-old who died of measles in Texas to congratulate himself for his great decision not to vaccinate her.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
I’m a contributor with the Big Picture Science radio show, and this week’s episode features a history of H5N1 bird flu. We look at how the virus has made its way into creatures traveling by wing, hoof, and fin.
Since 2005, the number of wild and domesticated birds H5N1 has killed is greater than the combined human populations of the U.S. and Russia. On this week's episode, why this version of avian influenza won’t go away. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/flu...
November 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I’m a contributor with the Big Picture Science radio show, and this week’s episode features a history of H5N1 bird flu. We look at how the virus has made its way into creatures traveling by wing, hoof, and fin.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Given falsehoods claimed by our FDA commissioner, it's worth reposting this excellent @theatlantic.com article by @katherinejwu.com. US broader vaccine schedule reflects our higher disease burden, fragmented healthcare & gaps vs Denmark's 6M with universal care. www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
The Obvious Reason the U.S. Should Not Vaccinate Like Denmark
It isn’t Denmark.
www.theatlantic.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Given falsehoods claimed by our FDA commissioner, it's worth reposting this excellent @theatlantic.com article by @katherinejwu.com. US broader vaccine schedule reflects our higher disease burden, fragmented healthcare & gaps vs Denmark's 6M with universal care. www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
NYT/ David Wallace-Wells: When the Next Pandemic Comes, MAHA Says, You’re on Your Own
nyti.ms/4prM5C2
Commentary on Jay Bhattacharya, Matt Memoli op-ed
nyti.ms/4prM5C2
Commentary on Jay Bhattacharya, Matt Memoli op-ed
November 26, 2025 at 11:57 PM
NYT/ David Wallace-Wells: When the Next Pandemic Comes, MAHA Says, You’re on Your Own
nyti.ms/4prM5C2
Commentary on Jay Bhattacharya, Matt Memoli op-ed
nyti.ms/4prM5C2
Commentary on Jay Bhattacharya, Matt Memoli op-ed
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
‘I was afraid that they might take it all and that I would die’: Sudan’s RSF took blood from civilians trying to flee el-Fasher, according to victims, witnesses and aid workers.
Exclusive: Sudan's RSF took blood from civilians trying to flee el-Fasher
Victims, witnesses and aid workers tell MEE that Rapid Support Forces fighters have forcibly extracted blood from displaced Sudanese
www.middleeasteye.net
November 26, 2025 at 2:40 PM
‘I was afraid that they might take it all and that I would die’: Sudan’s RSF took blood from civilians trying to flee el-Fasher, according to victims, witnesses and aid workers.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Every biologist knows the story of Fleming's chance discovery of penicillin. But is it true?
Here, with @asimovpress.bsky.social, I write about inconsistencies in the canonical story, and explore a few alternative theories about what really happened in that St. Mary's lab in the summer of 1928.
Here, with @asimovpress.bsky.social, I write about inconsistencies in the canonical story, and explore a few alternative theories about what really happened in that St. Mary's lab in the summer of 1928.
The Penicillin Myth
Competing theories seek to explain inconsistencies surrounding Alexander Fleming’s famed discovery.
press.asimov.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Every biologist knows the story of Fleming's chance discovery of penicillin. But is it true?
Here, with @asimovpress.bsky.social, I write about inconsistencies in the canonical story, and explore a few alternative theories about what really happened in that St. Mary's lab in the summer of 1928.
Here, with @asimovpress.bsky.social, I write about inconsistencies in the canonical story, and explore a few alternative theories about what really happened in that St. Mary's lab in the summer of 1928.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
- He stopped the policy of encouraging flu immunization in Louisiana
- Delayed reporting on a pertussis outbreak that killed two children in Louisiana.
-Promoted false information on covid vaccine harms.
He is now number 2 at CDC.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
- Delayed reporting on a pertussis outbreak that killed two children in Louisiana.
-Promoted false information on covid vaccine harms.
He is now number 2 at CDC.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Controversial Louisiana surgeon general tapped for CDC leadership role
Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham has spoken against Covid shots and ended mass vaccination campaigns. Now he's in a position to make national health decisions.
www.nbcnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
- He stopped the policy of encouraging flu immunization in Louisiana
- Delayed reporting on a pertussis outbreak that killed two children in Louisiana.
-Promoted false information on covid vaccine harms.
He is now number 2 at CDC.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
- Delayed reporting on a pertussis outbreak that killed two children in Louisiana.
-Promoted false information on covid vaccine harms.
He is now number 2 at CDC.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
NEW! 🦠🦧 We revisited a perplexing paradox: do wildlife really pose less of a risk to human health as they become more endangered? Turns out, it's sampling bias all the way down: conservation risks correlate with disease surveillance blindspots. 🔓 esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Viral diversity and zoonotic risk in endangered species
A growing body of evidence links zoonotic disease risk, including pandemic threats, to biodiversity loss and other upstream anthropogenic impacts on ecosystem health. However, there is little current...
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:25 PM
NEW! 🦠🦧 We revisited a perplexing paradox: do wildlife really pose less of a risk to human health as they become more endangered? Turns out, it's sampling bias all the way down: conservation risks correlate with disease surveillance blindspots. 🔓 esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
3 infant #pertussis deaths this year in Kentucky. "Of the three infant deaths reported over the past 12 months, all three were not vaccinated, nor were their mothers."
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
www.wowktv.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:27 AM
3 infant #pertussis deaths this year in Kentucky. "Of the three infant deaths reported over the past 12 months, all three were not vaccinated, nor were their mothers."
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Unfortunately, I can confirm that this is true.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
Hearing news that Carl Dieffenbach, the Director of the Division of AIDS at #NIH (NIAID), has been removed from his position because he was "not aligned with HHS/OMB."
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
November 24, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Unfortunately, I can confirm that this is true.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Jamaica reports deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa - Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, suspected of causing six deaths, following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa in late October.
Jamaica reports deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, suspected of causing six deaths, following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa in late October.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Jamaica reports deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa - Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, suspected of causing six deaths, following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa in late October.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“South Africa is also casting an even wider net, looking for Mpox, MTB, hepatitis A and E, rubella, mpox and influenza viruses in the water, as well as other vaccine-preventable disease” www.nature.com/articles/d44...
Wastewater surveillance reveals disease trends in South Africa
From COVID-19 to measles, scientists are showing how wastewater surveillance can expose underreported infections and strengthen national health monitoring.
www.nature.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:17 PM
“South Africa is also casting an even wider net, looking for Mpox, MTB, hepatitis A and E, rubella, mpox and influenza viruses in the water, as well as other vaccine-preventable disease” www.nature.com/articles/d44...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Wearing masks during high-pollution periods and adopting simple protective measures can drastically reduce exposure to toxic particles and safeguard lung health
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
Masking should be a routine, not a reaction, say experts at webinar
Experts emphasize the importance of routine masking and protective measures to combat the health impacts of air pollution.
www.thehindu.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Wearing masks during high-pollution periods and adopting simple protective measures can drastically reduce exposure to toxic particles and safeguard lung health
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
#CervicalCancer could be the first cancer EVER in the world to be eliminated, if:
9️⃣0️⃣% of girls are vaccinated
7️⃣0️⃣% of women are screened
9️⃣0️⃣% of women with cervical cancer receive treatment
Learn more: bit.ly/47GIbzd #EndCervicalCancer
9️⃣0️⃣% of girls are vaccinated
7️⃣0️⃣% of women are screened
9️⃣0️⃣% of women with cervical cancer receive treatment
Learn more: bit.ly/47GIbzd #EndCervicalCancer
November 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
#CervicalCancer could be the first cancer EVER in the world to be eliminated, if:
9️⃣0️⃣% of girls are vaccinated
7️⃣0️⃣% of women are screened
9️⃣0️⃣% of women with cervical cancer receive treatment
Learn more: bit.ly/47GIbzd #EndCervicalCancer
9️⃣0️⃣% of girls are vaccinated
7️⃣0️⃣% of women are screened
9️⃣0️⃣% of women with cervical cancer receive treatment
Learn more: bit.ly/47GIbzd #EndCervicalCancer
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Six babies in California who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states. apnews.com/article/byhe...
Babies who drank ByHeart formula got sick months before botulism outbreak, parents say
At least five families say their babies were treated for infant botulism after consuming ByHeart formula months before a current outbreak was detected.
apnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Six babies in California who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states. apnews.com/article/byhe...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
California public health officials confirmed late Friday that six babies in that state who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states.
Babies who drank Portland-distributed formula got sick months before botulism outbreak, parents say
ByHeart produces formula powder at a plant in Allerton, Iowa, and then ships it to a site in Portland, Oregon, for canning and distribution.
www.opb.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
California public health officials confirmed late Friday that six babies in that state who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
The CDC dismantling continues at pace. 😢
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
Exclusive: CDC to end all monkey research
Studies related to HIV and other infectious diseases will be phased out, sources say; fate of the agency's animals remains unclear
www.linkedin.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:47 PM
The CDC dismantling continues at pace. 😢
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
