During COVID-19, we smashed flu
Seasonal influenza viruses (as shown in the image below) drive epidemics that rely on both year-round circulation in the tropics and air travel, using giant conveyor belts of virus distribution, Read More …
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A/H5N1 strain of avian influenza A virus (“bird flu”) confirmed in two dead birds in Australia
Australia’s Minister for Agriculture has notified Australians that overnight laboratory testing confirmed the presence of A/H5N1 in one sick bird and an H5 virus in another, both found in the same region of Read More …
A little virus that still can: poliovirus and poliomyelitis
A few things about poliomyelitis (‘polio’) and poliovirus, the enterovirus that causes this disease. What is Polio? Polio is the name used to describe a paralytic disease. It is caused Read More …
Asymptomatic, acute and persistent COVID-19 symptom changes over the course of three infections
Data from a UK healthcare worker cohort published in 2024 examined how signs and symptoms of COVID-19 changed after 1, 2, or 3 SARS-CoV-2 lab-confirmed infections. Those with no symptoms Read More …
How are asymptomatic COVID-19 cases tracking?
In the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, data were assembled that defined how the virus spread among us, who, at the time, had never been infected. But the world’s Read More …
Another way to look at flu season size
Peak height, number of cases, deaths, severity – these are all terms that are used to give you an idea of how big a flu season has been. Here’s another Read More …
Catch them all? There are three different influenza viruses and they can co-circulate each season
We tend to say we “caught the flu” this season. But there’s more than one flu virus. Because mild and asymptomatic infections can occur with influenza viruses, and because the Read More …
What if Harvard loses?
The prestigious Ivy League private university has taken a stand against the Trump administration’s demands. Briefly (see the link above for full details), these set out a list that aims Read More …
The US 2024-2025 flu season and the vaccine
The United States has been having one of its biggest influenza (flu) years. Let’s look at how this season’s northern hemisphere flu vaccine, which most Americans most likely didn’t seek Read More …
Not the “Chinese flu” label thing again…please
A few recent headlines have suggested something novel and infectious might be brewing among China’s children. But is it really novel? The hard-to-source headlines imply that we should be concerned. Read More …
Unexplained hepatitis: severe liver inflammation among young children
Uncharacterised and so far rare cases of unexplained severe liver inflammation among young children. These cases of unexplained hepatitis have been appearing in elevated numbers worldwide since November 2021. The Read More …
COVID-19 cases slow a little in Australia
Our borders have been shut to non-citizens for about a week and despite being regularly admonished for being terrible at obeying confusing, constantly changing or poorly communicated new rules, the Read More …
Politically infectious period
A senior Australian politician arrived in Australia from the United States (US) carrying a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Many infected travellers are arriving from the US at the moment. He self-reports becoming Read More …
Wuhan remains the source, for now
Cases of the novel Wuhan coronavirus remain anchored in contact with the city of Wuhan in Hubei province. When that changes and we see human-to-human (h2h) spread occur outside of Read More …
Buy a gift with real impact this year
Hi All. This is just a small festive season appeal to you. Please consider spending a few dollars on those in need of our support in the lead-up to the Read More …