Infectious Diseases
@infectiousdz.bsky.social
Infectious diseases and their global story
Pinned
Measles virus and rinderpest virus divergence dated to the sixth century BCE
Measles virus diverged from rinderpest virus in the sixth century BCE, indicating an early origin for human measles.
www.science.org
Measles likely came from cows (via rinderpest) around the 6th century BCE.
For 2,500 years, we didn’t evolve superhuman resistance—children just died. Real protection only came in the 1960s, with vaccines.
Our superpower isn’t evolving into superhumans. It’s outthinking pathogens.
For 2,500 years, we didn’t evolve superhuman resistance—children just died. Real protection only came in the 1960s, with vaccines.
Our superpower isn’t evolving into superhumans. It’s outthinking pathogens.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
NYT/ David Wallace-Wells: When the Next Pandemic Comes, MAHA Says, You’re on Your Own
nyti.ms/4prM5C2
Commentary on Jay Bhattacharya, Matt Memoli op-ed
nyti.ms/4prM5C2
Commentary on Jay Bhattacharya, Matt Memoli op-ed
November 26, 2025 at 11:57 PM
NYT/ David Wallace-Wells: When the Next Pandemic Comes, MAHA Says, You’re on Your Own
nyti.ms/4prM5C2
Commentary on Jay Bhattacharya, Matt Memoli op-ed
nyti.ms/4prM5C2
Commentary on Jay Bhattacharya, Matt Memoli op-ed
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
‘I was afraid that they might take it all and that I would die’: Sudan’s RSF took blood from civilians trying to flee el-Fasher, according to victims, witnesses and aid workers.
Exclusive: Sudan's RSF took blood from civilians trying to flee el-Fasher
Victims, witnesses and aid workers tell MEE that Rapid Support Forces fighters have forcibly extracted blood from displaced Sudanese
www.middleeasteye.net
November 26, 2025 at 2:40 PM
‘I was afraid that they might take it all and that I would die’: Sudan’s RSF took blood from civilians trying to flee el-Fasher, according to victims, witnesses and aid workers.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Every biologist knows the story of Fleming's chance discovery of penicillin. But is it true?
Here, with @asimovpress.bsky.social, I write about inconsistencies in the canonical story, and explore a few alternative theories about what really happened in that St. Mary's lab in the summer of 1928.
Here, with @asimovpress.bsky.social, I write about inconsistencies in the canonical story, and explore a few alternative theories about what really happened in that St. Mary's lab in the summer of 1928.
The Penicillin Myth
Competing theories seek to explain inconsistencies surrounding Alexander Fleming’s famed discovery.
press.asimov.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Every biologist knows the story of Fleming's chance discovery of penicillin. But is it true?
Here, with @asimovpress.bsky.social, I write about inconsistencies in the canonical story, and explore a few alternative theories about what really happened in that St. Mary's lab in the summer of 1928.
Here, with @asimovpress.bsky.social, I write about inconsistencies in the canonical story, and explore a few alternative theories about what really happened in that St. Mary's lab in the summer of 1928.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
- He stopped the policy of encouraging flu immunization in Louisiana
- Delayed reporting on a pertussis outbreak that killed two children in Louisiana.
-Promoted false information on covid vaccine harms.
He is now number 2 at CDC.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
- Delayed reporting on a pertussis outbreak that killed two children in Louisiana.
-Promoted false information on covid vaccine harms.
He is now number 2 at CDC.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Controversial Louisiana surgeon general tapped for CDC leadership role
Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham has spoken against Covid shots and ended mass vaccination campaigns. Now he's in a position to make national health decisions.
www.nbcnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
- He stopped the policy of encouraging flu immunization in Louisiana
- Delayed reporting on a pertussis outbreak that killed two children in Louisiana.
-Promoted false information on covid vaccine harms.
He is now number 2 at CDC.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
- Delayed reporting on a pertussis outbreak that killed two children in Louisiana.
-Promoted false information on covid vaccine harms.
He is now number 2 at CDC.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
NEW! 🦠🦧 We revisited a perplexing paradox: do wildlife really pose less of a risk to human health as they become more endangered? Turns out, it's sampling bias all the way down: conservation risks correlate with disease surveillance blindspots. 🔓 esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Viral diversity and zoonotic risk in endangered species
A growing body of evidence links zoonotic disease risk, including pandemic threats, to biodiversity loss and other upstream anthropogenic impacts on ecosystem health. However, there is little current...
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:25 PM
NEW! 🦠🦧 We revisited a perplexing paradox: do wildlife really pose less of a risk to human health as they become more endangered? Turns out, it's sampling bias all the way down: conservation risks correlate with disease surveillance blindspots. 🔓 esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
3 infant #pertussis deaths this year in Kentucky. "Of the three infant deaths reported over the past 12 months, all three were not vaccinated, nor were their mothers."
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
www.wowktv.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:27 AM
3 infant #pertussis deaths this year in Kentucky. "Of the three infant deaths reported over the past 12 months, all three were not vaccinated, nor were their mothers."
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Unfortunately, I can confirm that this is true.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
Hearing news that Carl Dieffenbach, the Director of the Division of AIDS at #NIH (NIAID), has been removed from his position because he was "not aligned with HHS/OMB."
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
November 24, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Unfortunately, I can confirm that this is true.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Jamaica reports deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa - Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, suspected of causing six deaths, following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa in late October.
Jamaica reports deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, suspected of causing six deaths, following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa in late October.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Jamaica reports deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa - Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, suspected of causing six deaths, following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa in late October.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
“South Africa is also casting an even wider net, looking for Mpox, MTB, hepatitis A and E, rubella, mpox and influenza viruses in the water, as well as other vaccine-preventable disease” www.nature.com/articles/d44...
Wastewater surveillance reveals disease trends in South Africa
From COVID-19 to measles, scientists are showing how wastewater surveillance can expose underreported infections and strengthen national health monitoring.
www.nature.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:17 PM
“South Africa is also casting an even wider net, looking for Mpox, MTB, hepatitis A and E, rubella, mpox and influenza viruses in the water, as well as other vaccine-preventable disease” www.nature.com/articles/d44...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Wearing masks during high-pollution periods and adopting simple protective measures can drastically reduce exposure to toxic particles and safeguard lung health
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
Masking should be a routine, not a reaction, say experts at webinar
Experts emphasize the importance of routine masking and protective measures to combat the health impacts of air pollution.
www.thehindu.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Wearing masks during high-pollution periods and adopting simple protective measures can drastically reduce exposure to toxic particles and safeguard lung health
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
#CervicalCancer could be the first cancer EVER in the world to be eliminated, if:
9️⃣0️⃣% of girls are vaccinated
7️⃣0️⃣% of women are screened
9️⃣0️⃣% of women with cervical cancer receive treatment
Learn more: bit.ly/47GIbzd #EndCervicalCancer
9️⃣0️⃣% of girls are vaccinated
7️⃣0️⃣% of women are screened
9️⃣0️⃣% of women with cervical cancer receive treatment
Learn more: bit.ly/47GIbzd #EndCervicalCancer
November 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
#CervicalCancer could be the first cancer EVER in the world to be eliminated, if:
9️⃣0️⃣% of girls are vaccinated
7️⃣0️⃣% of women are screened
9️⃣0️⃣% of women with cervical cancer receive treatment
Learn more: bit.ly/47GIbzd #EndCervicalCancer
9️⃣0️⃣% of girls are vaccinated
7️⃣0️⃣% of women are screened
9️⃣0️⃣% of women with cervical cancer receive treatment
Learn more: bit.ly/47GIbzd #EndCervicalCancer
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Six babies in California who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states. apnews.com/article/byhe...
Babies who drank ByHeart formula got sick months before botulism outbreak, parents say
At least five families say their babies were treated for infant botulism after consuming ByHeart formula months before a current outbreak was detected.
apnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Six babies in California who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states. apnews.com/article/byhe...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
California public health officials confirmed late Friday that six babies in that state who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states.
Babies who drank Portland-distributed formula got sick months before botulism outbreak, parents say
ByHeart produces formula powder at a plant in Allerton, Iowa, and then ships it to a site in Portland, Oregon, for canning and distribution.
www.opb.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
California public health officials confirmed late Friday that six babies in that state who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states.
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
The CDC dismantling continues at pace. 😢
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
Exclusive: CDC to end all monkey research
Studies related to HIV and other infectious diseases will be phased out, sources say; fate of the agency's animals remains unclear
www.linkedin.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:47 PM
The CDC dismantling continues at pace. 😢
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
I am grateful for @adamjkucharski.bsky.social. He takes such care to deconstruct a claim made by the director of National Institutes of Health on excess mortality during the pandemic. We need sober analyses more than ever right now, even amidst the madness.
kucharski.substack.com/p/excess-mor...
kucharski.substack.com/p/excess-mor...
Excess mortality or excessive assumptions?
How to make a popular metric tell any story you like
kucharski.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:29 PM
I am grateful for @adamjkucharski.bsky.social. He takes such care to deconstruct a claim made by the director of National Institutes of Health on excess mortality during the pandemic. We need sober analyses more than ever right now, even amidst the madness.
kucharski.substack.com/p/excess-mor...
kucharski.substack.com/p/excess-mor...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
BREAKING: Resident of Washington state dies after being infected with H5N5 bird flu
A Grays Harbor County resident receiving treatment for H5N5 avian flu has died. The Washington State Department of Health extends its condolences to the family.
A Grays Harbor County resident receiving treatment for H5N5 avian flu has died. The Washington State Department of Health extends its condolences to the family.
November 22, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
Washington state resident dies of new H5N5 form of bird flu
Washington state resident dies of new H5N5 form of bird flu
The person, who lived in Grays Harbor County, Wash., had been hospitalized earlier this month in Kings County, where Seattle is located.
www.latimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Washington state resident dies of new H5N5 form of bird flu
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
New from me: I talked to CDC staffers about the new vaccines and autism page. They said things like:
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“Embarrassing” and “horrifying”: CDC workers describe the new vaccines and autism page
"The best way I can put it is it feels like we're on a hijacked airplane."
www.motherjones.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:41 PM
New from me: I talked to CDC staffers about the new vaccines and autism page. They said things like:
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
We are witnessing a poisonous effort to destroy what the vast majority of Americans know is a key pillar of public health.
Vaccines are responsible for 40% of the reduction in child mortality achieved in the last half century.
Vaccines are responsible for 40% of the reduction in child mortality achieved in the last half century.
November 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
We are witnessing a poisonous effort to destroy what the vast majority of Americans know is a key pillar of public health.
Vaccines are responsible for 40% of the reduction in child mortality achieved in the last half century.
Vaccines are responsible for 40% of the reduction in child mortality achieved in the last half century.
31 cases of infant botulism tied to the now recalled baby formula in the US that was once touted as the healthy formula, with protein like breast milk and no palm oil, no corn syrup, no GMOs
www.cdc.gov/botulism/out...
www.cdc.gov/botulism/out...
www.cdc.gov/botulism/out...
www.cdc.gov/botulism/out...
Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, November 2025
Details on an outbreak of infant botulism linked to infant formula, November 2025.
www.cdc.gov
November 20, 2025 at 11:06 AM
31 cases of infant botulism tied to the now recalled baby formula in the US that was once touted as the healthy formula, with protein like breast milk and no palm oil, no corn syrup, no GMOs
www.cdc.gov/botulism/out...
www.cdc.gov/botulism/out...
www.cdc.gov/botulism/out...
www.cdc.gov/botulism/out...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
#Marburg: Ethiopia's health ministry says at least 3 people have died from Marburg. The slide, posted to their X account, suggests there've been 4 confirmed cases. WHO has said at least 9.
Am curious about efforts to get experimental vaccine into the field. africannewsagency.com/ethiopia-rep...
Am curious about efforts to get experimental vaccine into the field. africannewsagency.com/ethiopia-rep...
November 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
#Marburg: Ethiopia's health ministry says at least 3 people have died from Marburg. The slide, posted to their X account, suggests there've been 4 confirmed cases. WHO has said at least 9.
Am curious about efforts to get experimental vaccine into the field. africannewsagency.com/ethiopia-rep...
Am curious about efforts to get experimental vaccine into the field. africannewsagency.com/ethiopia-rep...
Reposted by Infectious Diseases
RFK Jr had committed to Bill Cassidy, as a condition to win his vote, that he would keep website language.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
November 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
RFK Jr had committed to Bill Cassidy, as a condition to win his vote, that he would keep website language.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.