Emerging Diseases News

The NIH announced the beginning of a phase 1 first-in-human trial of a vaccine for Lassa fever, a potentially fatal viral hemorrhagic disease for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.

The American Academy of Dermatology has created a measles resource center for dermatologists to stay prepared during the current U.S. measles outbreak.

SAN FRANCISCO — A slow immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, delayed viral clearance, and viral rebound can all increase a person’s risk for long COVID, according to study data.

SAN FRANCISCO — Tecovirimat failed to reduce clade II mpox lesions, pain or viral clearance among participants in a study of the antiviral that was stopped early based on a futility analysis, according to data presented here.

Developing myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is significantly more likely after a case of COVID-19, an important connection for rheumatologists as they sort through symptoms and medical histories for a diagnosis, data show.

Children and adolescents with documented postacute COVID-19 syndrome experienced increased risk for gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders, according to a study published in JAMA Open Network.

In May 1993, a “new” disease appeared in a physically fit young Navajo man living in the Four Corners area where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah join. Suffering from shortness of breath, he was rushed to a hospital in New Mexico and soon died. This pulmonary insufficiency was later termed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS. At that time, a review of medical records indicated that the man’s fiancee had similar symptoms and died the week before. These two deaths led the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator to review medical records of patients in the area who had died of acute respiratory failure. Five cases involving young, previously healthy individuals were found. Follow-up investigations found additional cases in the Four Corners area. Investigators conducted field studies to identify hosts of the virus, including sampling rodents living in and around homes of individuals who had died. Evidence of hantavirus infection was found mainly in the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). The virus was isolated by the CDC’s Viral Special Pathogens Branch and designated Sin Nombre virus, or SNV.

Healio will be providing live coverage of the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, which runs from March 9-12 in San Francisco.

Despite early reports, there was no increase in rates of sudden cardiac arrest/death among athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic years vs. prior years, researchers reported.