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Epi_lady (Amy)

@epilady.bsky.social

4.5K followers 1.9K following 1.8K posts

Former public health epidemiologist, now in tech. Data is my love language. Puns, cats, and dogs likely to pepper the feed. AI, data integration, equity, MCH, social determinants of health, evaluation. Believer in democracy.

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Epi_lady (Amy) @epilady.bsky.social · 15d

41 states with at least 1 case; 40 outbreaks this year (compared to 16 in all of 2024).

Vaccination is so important.

In addition, an older child died this year from complications due to a years earlier measles infection.

Epi_lady (Amy) @epilady.bsky.social · Jul 9

A record number of cases and the year is only half over.
Just a reminder that measles is not a harmless disease. 1 in 5 will be hospitalized, 1 in 1000 can have brain swelling, and 2 to 3 over every 1000 will die. #vaccinate #measles www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/w...

Graph showing measles cases in the US with a huge spike in 2025

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Angie Rasmussen @angierasmussen.bsky.social · 5h

For more information about the Friday night massacre at CDC, I wrote up an analysis of who got terminated and what that means for public health.

Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.

rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...

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Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · 9h

NEW: @CDCgov hit hard by massive firings that several staff describe to me as a “bloodbath.”
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4

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Epi_lady (Amy) @epilady.bsky.social · 4h

Headed into flu, rsv & other respiratory seasons. Measles outbreaks in 41 states. Who will be monitoring for H5N1 (avian) person to person transmission?
These are the folks who help out states and locals.
What could possibly go wrong?

Call your reps and senators & tell them to #defendpublichealth

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 19h

BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:

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Yale School of Public Health @yalesph.bsky.social · 1d

Looking for real-time infectious disease trends? PopHIVE has you covered.

PopHIVE combines multiple sources of data — like Google Trends and medical records — to keep you informed in real-time. When one source slows down, others fill in the picture.

🔗 Explore data for your state: PopHIVE.org

Graph of trends in respiratory viral activity in Florida shows several data sources have trends going slightly up. Sick season is starting. Here’s how to watch infectious disease trends (even when some data sources are down). Yale School of Public Health.

Activity is increasing in Florida, where RSV season often begins before sweeping across the nation. This can be an early sign that respiratory virus season is getting underway.
Graph of trends in respiratory viral activity in Florida shows several data sources have trends going slightly up. Arrow pointing to title says “PopHIVE brings together multiple data sources —from Google Trends to medical records and more— so you can still track real-time infectious disease activity even when federal data slows down.” Arrow pointing to one data source line says “Epic Cosmos is based on emergency department data (non-federal source)” Arrow pointing to another data source line says “Google Health Trends looks for searches related to COVID-19”
Yale School of Public Health.

Flu activity is still low (for now). Graph of trends in influenza activity in the United States shows multiple data sources showing rates are low. Arrow pointing to one data source line on the graph says “Epic Cosmos (based on emergency department visits) is the most up-to-date source for flu”

COVID-19 is still trending down. Graph shows trends in COVID-19 activity in the United States. Multiple data sources show it’s trending down. The latest data from Delphi’s doctor and hospital claims

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Epi_lady (Amy) @epilady.bsky.social · 23h

You can ask for an antibody titer to check your immunity level

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Alt CDC (they/them) @altcdc.altgov.info · 1d

We are reaching the tipping point with continued measles outbreaks throughout the U.S. If they continue (bad news: under this administration, that's nearly guaranteed), we are at risk of losing our elimination status. What that means in the info-graphic, below.

Infographic saying:
Measles Alert. The US is approaching a tipping point - we may lose our measles elimination status.
What is "Measles Elimination"?
"Elimination means no continuous endemic transmission of measles for <12 months despite importations. The U.S. was declared to have eliminated measles in 2000. But elimination is not "forever" - if the virus begins sustained transmission again, the status can be revoked.
Why the US is now at risk:
2025 is seeing the highest measles caseload in decades - over 1,544 confirmed cases as of Sept. 30. Many outbreaks are clustering in under-vaccinated communities. Measles is extremely transmissible, so her immunity needs very high coverage (>92-95%) to block sustained spread.
What losing elimination means - and why it matters:
Measles becomes endemic again: regular spread, more severe outcomes, and greater health impact. The public health burden increases; contact tracing, outbreak response, surveillance costs, and strain on local health systems.

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New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection @dep.nj.gov · 1d

That’s a wrap on the 2025 PFAS Summit! 👏

Deputy Commissioner Kati Angarone closed the event with a reminder that addressing PFAS contamination takes partnership across government, industry, academia and communities. Together we are making real strides toward a cleaner and safer New Jersey 💧

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Dr. Becky Smullin Dawson @dr-beckydawson.bsky.social · 1d

🛑 With the CDC offline during the shutdown, real-time public health surveillance data is limited.

That’s why we launched The Spread Sheet — a weekly blog tracking COVID, flu, and RSV trends using state-reported data.

📊 Read & subscribe: beckydawson.substack.com/p/the-diseas...

The (disease) Spread Sheet

October 10, 2025

beckydawson.substack.com

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Timothy Caulfield @caulfieldtim.bsky.social · 5d

Grrr... More doubtmongering noise.

Acting CDC director calls for MMR vaccine to be broken up into three shots www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/t... @statnews

"NO evidence that giving shots separately for measles, mumps, and rubella offers any advantage in terms of safety or effectiveness."

Acting CDC director calls for MMR vaccine to be broken up into three shots

There's no evidence that breaking up the MMR shot would make the immunization safer or more effective.

www.statnews.com

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Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 6d

A WILD ONE: A man broke his leg during an arrest by ICE at a car wash south of L.A.

ICE has held him under 24/7 guard at a hospital, registering him under a pseudonym, for *37 days* without telling him why.

A judge has ordered his immediate release.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

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Monica Maalouf, MD @maaloufmd.bsky.social · 8d

My husband was detained by ICE today

Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away

I have had zero contact or updates since

#SOS
@duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov

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Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 8d

Ald. Jessie Fuentes: “We have constitutional rights.”
Unidentified federal agent, whose badge is not visible: "No." @wttw.bsky.social

Chicago Ald. Jessie Fuentes Handcuffed by Federal Agents While Asking About Patient’s ICE Warrant at Hospital

Chicago Ald. Jessie Fuentes was detained by federal agents inside Humboldt Park Health, as tensions continue to rise between local residents and officials and immigration agents conducting enforcement...

news.wttw.com

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Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 7d

Checks out

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Darin Self @darinself.com · 10d

Idk WaPo editorial board, I'm of the mind thay the President violating basic constitutional principles shouldn't be given free rein.

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 9d

MADELEINE DEAN: The president is unhinged. He's unwell

JOHNSON: A lot of folks on your side are too

D: Oh my god, please. That performance in front of the generals?

J: I didn't see it

D: It's so dangerous! Our allies are looking elsewhere. Our enemies are laughing. You have a POTUS who's unwell.

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Washington State Department of Commerce @wastatecommerce.bsky.social · 10d

A year ago, ten state agencies, including Commerce, joined together to launch the Climate Resilience Strategy, a unified plan led by @ecology.wa.gov to strengthen communities across the state.

Today, Ecology released the first progress report.

Read the report:
apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications...

A view looking up through a dense canopy of vibrant green leaves, with sunlight filtering through the branches. The tall trees create a radial pattern against a clear blue sky.

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Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 10d

The awesome video team at the New York Times helped me make this video about the shutdown and Obamacare premiums.

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NPR @npr.org · 10d

Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.

Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.

Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj

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Epi_lady (Amy) @epilady.bsky.social · 10d

Also recalled: corn dogs w potential wood in the batter. #recall www.king5.com/article/news...

5 injuries lead to recall of 58 million pounds of corn dog products

The Hillshire Brands Company says pieces of wood could be in the batter of their corn dog and sausage on a stick products made between March 17 and Sept. 26.

www.king5.com

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 10d

Elizabeth Warren: "If fighting to reduce the cost of healthcare and avoid a coming catastrophe is not worth fighting for, then I don't know what is."

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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 10d

What a line from the Pope! I am so pleased he is carrying on Pope Francis’ advocacy for immigrants.

More pointedly, the pope said, "Someone who says, I'm against abortion, but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life. Someone who says, I'm against abortion but I'm in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don't know if that's pro-life."

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Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 10d

AOC: I think there's two things that are happening at once: One, there absolutely is an unprecedented abuse of power, destruction of norms, erosion of our government and our democracy in order to prop up an authoritarian style of governance

However, they are weaker than they look…

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Epi_lady (Amy) @epilady.bsky.social · 10d

Trader Joes, Walmart and Albertson foods are subject to a recall due to a serious listeria outbreak across 15 states. 20 known cases and 19 have required hospitalization. Check your fridge and freezers for these. #listeria #recall

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Olga Lautman 🇺🇦 @olgalautman.bsky.social · 12d

Congrats to Moldova!!! Russia threw everything to destabilize the election and failed spectacularly.

Democracy won 🙌🏼

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Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 14d

🚨BREAKING: Pennsylvania Supreme Court RULES that election officials violated voter’s rights by rejecting mail-in ballots with technical errors without notifying voters. Voters must be given notice their ballots won’t count so they can challenge the disqualification or cast a provisional ballot.

🚨 Center for Coalfield Justice v. Washington County Board of Elections

Learn more.

www.democracydocket.com

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