Respiratory illnesses are still HIGH now across the country and Influenza A is VERY HIGH. COVID wastewater levels are MODERATE in most places, but are still HIGH in the Midwest.
Through February 15, CDC (NWSS) data shows VERY HIGH levels of SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater in Arizona, Montana, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Washington DC and South Dakota.
Regarding SARS-CoV-2 variants, the CDC data is only updated every two weeks. As of last week, XEC had decreased to 37% and LP.8.1 was 31% of new COVID cases.
Vaccines
A group from Yale looked at 42 people experiencing chronic health issues after COVID-19 vaccination, known as post-vaccination syndrome (PVS). Compared to 22 healthy controls, PVS participants had distinct immune system differences, including altered T cell populations, lower anti-spike antibody levels, and signs of recent Epstein-Barr virus reactivation. Additionally, elevated levels of circulating spike protein were observed in PVS individuals. While it is important to recognize PVS, it is also important to remember that in general, COVID vaccination is much safer than getting a COVID infection.
Antiviral treatments
Researchers from China identified a shark-derived nanobody 79C11, that effectively neutralizes all tested Omicron subvariants, SARS-CoV-1, and pangolin coronavirus by targeting a conserved HR1 region in the S2 domain. This nanobody shows potential as an intranasal prophylactic agent and could help with the development of a universal vaccine against current and future sarbecoviruses.
Long COVID
INSPIRE is a prospective, longitudinal study of people who had acute COVID across eight US healthcare institutions. “Among participants followed up to 3 years after initial [COVID] infection, those with current Long COVID had worse physical and mental health outcomes. The majority of those with Long COVID did not resolve, with less than 2% having resolved Long COVID.” Those who thought that their Long COVID had resolved were still in worse health than those who never had Long COVID. COVID vaccination was associated with better long-term health outcomes, especially among those who received multiple vaccine doses.
Figure 1D: In a subset of patients with longitudinal sampling (n=12 for anticoagulant treatment (top panel), n=9 for antiviral treatment, (lower panel)), markers of neurodamage and neuroinflammation were unchanged (UCHL1, GFAP, p>0.05) or increased (NFL, p=0.017) after anticoagulant treatment.
However, GFAP (p=0.012) and NFL (p=0.0078) significantly decreased after antiviral treatment with Paxlovid for 15 days. (*p<0.05, **p<0.0)
Dr. Amy Proal wrote an OpEd in the Los Angeles Times discussing Long COVID. Long COVID may be caused by persistent SARS-CoV-2 viral reservoirs, but more clinical trials are needed to develop effective treatments. Like treatment for Hepatitis C in humans or feline infectious peritonitis in cats, we may need to treat Long COVID with 8 to 12 weeks of antiviral medications. Government and private funding, similar to past efforts against HIV, could accelerate drug development and improve access to life-changing therapies.
A third H5N1 avian flu spillover was reported this week. A dairy herd in Arizona was found to be positive for the D1.1 genotype of H5N1 bird flu on routine milk testing and it is thought that the virus was probably introduced to the dairy cattle from wild birds. So far, the cows are asymptomatic. The D1.1 genotype of H5N1 can be more dangerous in humans.
Cats from 2 different households in Oregon contracted H5N1 avian flu from raw pet food made by Wild Coast LLC, Raw, Feline formula.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has conditionally approved an H5N2 Avian Flu vaccine made by Zoetis for use in chickens.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed more H5N1 bird flu cases in mammals including new cases noted in rats in California. Other mammals who have contracted H5N1 bird flu include mice, foxes, seals, bobcats, house cats, in addition to poultry, cattle, wild birds and humans.
A person with Measles has about a 1 in 4 chance of hospitalization from serious complications including pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis) and severe diarrhea with dehydration. In the Texas outbreak, 25% of infected people have been hospitalized. Measles can be deadly, especially in children.
For a community to be protected against the Measles, >95% of people must be vaccinated with 2 doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. According to the CDC, the 2-dose MMR coverage for kindergarteners was only 92.7% nationally, ranging from 79.6% in Idaho to 98.3% in West Virginia. In the Texas county with the Measles outbreak, only 82% of kindergarteners have been vaccinated, so that community does not have herd immunity.
Measles is extremely infectious. In an unvaccinated population, one infected person will infect on average 12 to 18 other people making it one of the most contagious diseases. Today, a new Measles warning was issued for San Antonio and San Marcos, Texas because a person with Measles visited two universities in these areas.
I posted the infographic below about Measles to my Bluesky page recently. Please feel free to copy and share it. Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that many American doctors have never seen.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is linked to various cancers, autoimmune diseases, and chronic infections. Scientists are developing new drugs targeting key EBV proteins and clinical trials show promise, particularly with Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA-1) inhibitors like VK-2019 and antibody-drug conjugates targeting Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2).
An opossum was taken to the hospital after it ate an entire Costco Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse cake. The “Cake Bandit” has become somewhat of a celebrity and the Nebraska Wildlife Rehab where she was taken has made t-shirts in her honor. She is expected to make a full recovery and will be released back into the wild.
Dr Crystal , thank you again for continuing to publish all your incredibly useful and interesting research and for keeping astride of the political attack on the scientific community .
Thank you so very much for all the time and effort you put into these reports for all of us. We would be utterly lost without your information. You and your work are greatly appreciated !!
Dr Crystal , thank you again for continuing to publish all your incredibly useful and interesting research and for keeping astride of the political attack on the scientific community .
Thank you so very much for all the time and effort you put into these reports for all of us. We would be utterly lost without your information. You and your work are greatly appreciated !!