Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 10d

If it works in ferrets, there’s a real chance of partial protection in humans too — not enough to stop infection, but possibly enough to reduce severity and slow spread. That could buy time while specific bird-flu vaccines are developed.

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 10d

wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/...
New research shows seasonal flu vaccines could also offer some protection against H5N1 bird flu. In ferrets (our best model for human flu), vaccinated animals had milder illness and lower virus levels after H5N1 exposure.

Effect of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines on Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Virus Infection in Ferrets

Effect of Influenza Vaccines on H5N1 in Ferrets

wwwnc.cdc.gov

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 17d

Queensland: The measles outbreak tied to overseas travel (particularly from SE Asia) continues. Queensland Health has issued alerts after exposure incidents including at Cairns Hospital maternity ward. Masking is now required in high‑risk hospital wards.

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 20d

Yes - increased travel, lack of awareness of outbreaks in countries people are travelling to, and lack of awareness of people's own vaccination status.

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 20d

www.medicalrepublic.com.au/nasal-flu-va...
This is good news

Nasal flu vax funded, not yet available - Medical Republic

Both Queensland and NSW have committed to funding a needle-free influenza vaccine for children under five, to commence in 2026.

www.medicalrepublic.com.au

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 21d

NSW measles alert 🚨 A case was infectious at Sydney Airport T2 + flights Perth ➝ Sydney ➝ Gold Coast. Check your MMR vaccination & watch for symptoms (fever, cough, rash, red eyes) for up to 3 weeks. Call ahead before visiting a clinic.
#PublicHealth #Measles #VaccinesWork

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 24d

Unfortunately, it has caused major disruptions. However, other initiatives, like GAVI, are stepping up.

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Reposted by Adrian Esterman

Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · 24d

Rollout of #Ebola vaccine has begun in DRC in response to the country’s most recent zairevirus outbreak. It is still thrilling to know a vaccine for this scourge has been licensed and can be rapidly deployed.
Vaccines save lives. www.afro.who.int/countries/de...

Ebola vaccination begins in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Bulape, Democratic Republic of the Congo—Vaccination of frontline health workers and contacts of people infected with Ebola virus disease has begun in Bulape health zone in the Democratic Republic of ...

www.afro.who.int

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 24d

Moderna say that their new LP.8.1 updated COVID vaccine is being manufactured in their Melbourne plant, and hope to have it available by the end of the year. In the meanwhile, we wait with bated breath while COVID vaccine safety is discussed at the US ACIP meeting next Thursday.

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 25d

Australia: 2 measles cases in Perth, linked to Bali travel; exposure at Dan Murphy’s + Coles Butler.
Global: Ebola outbreak in DRC grows to 68 cases, 16 deaths; dengue & chikungunya surging in Bangladesh.
#PublicHealth #Epidemiology #VaccinesWork

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 26d

jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Azelastine inhaled antihistamine 0.1% nasal spay available over the counter in Australia has been found in this (small) German RCT to reduce the incidence of COVID in vaccinated people from 6.7% to 2.2% by Day56.

Azelastine Nasal Spray for Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infections

This randomized clinical trial evaluates the efficacy of azelastine as a preexposure prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens.

jamanetwork.com

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 27d

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Measles outbreak declared in Cairns after a case of the virus transmitted locally. There have been four measles cases in FNQ this year, with the first 3 travellers from Bali. Health officials urging people to monitor for symptoms and get vaccinated before travelling.

Bali travellers urged to get vaccinated amid new measles outbreak

Health officials in Cairns publish a list of potential measles exposure sites after a locally acquired case of the illness.

www.abc.net.au

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · 28d

Australia has approved its first vaccine designed to protect koalas from chlamydia. This single‑dose vaccine, developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast, reduces infection, prevents disease progression, and even reverses symptoms in some cases.

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Sep 7

www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/doh...
Flu is still surging in QLD. The free vaccine ends 30 September. For the elderly, do wear a face mask when out shopping etc. #publichealth #Australia

Queensland respiratory infection update - 5 September 2025

Queensland Health is urging the community to take advantage of the free flu vaccination program, which concludes on 30 September. Despite high transmission rates, vaccination uptake is slowing.

www.health.qld.gov.au

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Sep 7

Australia will soon have its own ‘centre for disease control’. Let’s not repeat the chaos of the US
theconversation.com/australia-wi...
Good overview article by Allen Cheng about the new Australian CDC

Australia will soon have its own ‘centre for disease control’. Let’s not repeat the chaos of the US

Having this national agency will help protect us against bird flu, falling immunisation rates and health misinformation. It’s a landmark in public health.

theconversation.com

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Sep 6

In Australia, COVID, flu & RSV are all trending down from winter peaks; but flu still high for late Aug. WHO has lifted the mpox global emergency—risk lower, not gone. Check measles and dengue status of country before international travel #auspol #publichealth

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Sep 5

Epi update: Measles alert Sydney (imported), whooping cough surging (worst since ’91), winter viruses plateauing, RSV programs rolling out. 🌏 Globally: H5N1 in US cat food, cholera deaths rising, measles resurgence Americas.
#PublicHealth #Epidemiology

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Sep 3

www.health.gov.au/ministers/th...
Big milestone - well done Mark Butler

www.health.gov.au

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Sep 3

Hi Greg. Hence the move to cell-based vaccine

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Sep 3

🌍 I’m heading to #IUPESM2025 in Adelaide this month!
Over 1,000 global delegates, a future-focused program, and unmissable conversations on medical physics, biomedical engineering & health innovation.

🔗 Join me: wc2025.org/registration
📅 Program: wc2025.org/program

@IUPESM2025 #IUPESM2025

Registration | IUPESM World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering 2025

wc2025.org

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Aug 26

The Australian PABC had recommended that two RSV vaccines be funded under the National Immunisation Program - GSK’s Arexvy and Pfizer’s Abrysvo for all patients aged 75 and older, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60-74.

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Aug 26

During a pandemic, CSL Seqerus Australian manufacturing plant needs 1,000,000 fertilised chicken eggs a day.

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Aug 26

Just attending the CSL Seqerus symposium on avian influenza. More later.

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Aug 25

Long COVID is more than fatigue. Our new study suggests its impact is similar to a stroke or Parkinson’s
theconversation.com/long-covid-i...
It is a major problem that authorities don't want to talk about

Long COVID is more than fatigue. Our new study suggests its impact is similar to a stroke or Parkinson’s

Long COVID isn’t just a bunch of lingering symptoms. A new study shows it can stop peoole doing what they want to do, and need to do.

theconversation.com

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Adrian Esterman @profesterman.bsky.social · Aug 24

Accelerated vascular ageing after COVID-19 infection: the CARTESIAN study url: academic.oup.com/eurheartj/ar...
We know women are at higher risk of Long Covid, and that a covid infection can cause stiffness in the arteries via a build up of plaques. This large study confirms these findings.

Accelerated vascular ageing after COVID-19 infection: the CARTESIAN study

AbstractBackground and Aims. Increasing evidence suggests that COVID-19 survivors experience long-term cardiovascular complications possibly through develo

academic.oup.com

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