Infection
WHO’s 2022 statistics reveal global cholera surge
Data from the WHO published in September 2023 offer an insight into the extent of cholera surges across the world. The comprehensive statistics for 2022
Bluetongue virus: serotype 3 confirmed on Dutch sheep farms
An update from Wageningen Bioveterinary Research in September 2023 shared that the European reference laboratory in Madrid has confirmed the characterisation
High alert: confirmed outbreak of Nipah in India
India announces containment measures to control the spread of Nipah, detected in the southern state of Kerala, attention is returning to the need for a vaccine
UKHSA expands SIREN study on respiratory pathogens
In September 2023 the UKHSA announced that the flagship SIREN study is “entering a new phase” of surveillance of respiratory infections in healthcare workers.
England to bring forward autumn vaccination programmes
The UK government announced in August 2023 that the autumn flu and COVID-19 vaccine programmes will start “earlier than planned
Chikungunya “invisibility” insights may accelerate vaccines
Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine announced in August that their publication in Nature Microbiology could help vaccine development for chikungunya fever. The team found that the virus behind the disease can spread “directly from cell to cell”,...
“Tremendously exciting” results in malaria combination trial
In August 2023 researchers in an international partnership shared the results of a Phase III study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The team comprised the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Institut des Sciences et Techniques and Institut de...
UKHSA meningitis warning: 1 in 8 students unprotected
In August 2023 as the new academic year looms, the UKHSA and leading meningitis charities are “urging” students to check their vaccination status for meningitis and other diseases. A year ago, a similar warning was issued, and now the UKHSA is suggesting that data...
Moderna’s updated COVID-19 jab fit for variants
In a statement released in August 2023 Moderna announced that preliminary clinical trial data “confirm” that the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the autumn 2023 vaccination season “showed a significant boost in neutralising antibodies” against EG.5 and FL 1.5.1 variants....
“Eris” variant more infectious: are there vaccines?
The EG.5 variant of SARS-CoV-2, identified in February 2023, has been classed as a “variant of interest (VOI) by the WHO. A sub-variant of the Omicron variant, it is nicknamed “Eris” after the Greek goddess of “strife”. However, despite its apparently greater ability...
Nationwide survey finds Nipah virus in Indian bats
In July 2023 The Indian Express reported that the Pune-based Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) nationwide survey had found evidence of Nipah virus in circulation in the bat population across nine states and one Union...
World Hepatitis Day 2023: “We’re not waiting”
Under the call to action “We’re not waiting”, World Hepatitis Day takes place on 28th July 2023. This slogan highlights the need for accelerated elimination efforts, celebrating the communities who are making change happen whilst demanding further action. Some types...
“Unusual increase” in GBS cases in Peru causes alert
WHO reported in July 2023 that the National Centre for Epidemiology, Prevention, and Disease Control (CDC) of Peru has issued an epidemiological alert due to an “unusual increase” in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases. Apart from an outbreak in 2019, historica data...
UNAIDS: ‘The Path that Ends Aids’ report released
In July 2023 UNAIDS released a report outlining a “clear path” to end AIDS and prepare for and tackle future pandemics in line with Sustainable Development Goals. This report, The Path that Ends AIDS presents data and case studies to highlight the political and...
Dengue during pregnancy poses health risks to newborns
Although dengue, a viral infection transmitted through mosquito bites, threatens the health of “about half of the world’s population”, there has been little investigation into the links between infection in pregnancy and worse birth outcomes. However, researchers...
UKHSA measles modelling shows London is at risk
Data from the UKHSA in July 2023 suggests a “steady rise” in measles cases in the UK throughout the year, with the organisation suggesting that specific groups are at risk. Furthermore, a new risk assessment indicates there is “potential” for a measles resurgence in...
WHO warns of “ongoing risks” to humans from bird flu
In July 2023 the WHO, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) united in a statement urging countries to collaborate across sectors to save animals and protect people from avian influenza. Current global outbreaks...
Long COVID paper recognises several “unknowns”
In a paper in Nature reviews immunology in July 2023 a group of scientists investigate the “immunology” long COVID. The authors describe the condition as the “disease entity whereby persistent symptoms ensue in a significant proportion of those who have had COVID-19"....
Reaching 2030 rabies goals requires vaccination
The World Organisation for Animal Health reminds us that rabies continues to kill around 59,000 people a year, with a case fatality rate of almost 100% in both humans and animals. Dogs are the main reservoir, and the established goal of eliminating dog-mediated rabies...
Enterovirus cases in newborns causing concern in Europe
WHO reported in July 2023 that Member States within the European Region had notified the organisation of cases of enterovirus Echovirus 11 (E-11) among newborns. The statement indicated that, on the 26th June 2023 cases had been confirmed in Croatia, Italy, Spain,...
