Tristan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Of course it's Kabuki.
As designed.
"Cleaner" may not be a official job title in Gobt., but they have plenty of them working the problem.
And I'm not talking Custodial Services.
Last edited:
CORONA Main Coronavirus thread
- Thread starter Heliobas Disciple
- Start date
-
- Tags
- coronavirus
Of course it's Kabuki.
As designed.
"Cleaner" may not be a official job title in Gobt., but they have plenty of them working the problem.
And I'm not talking Custodial Services.
Tristan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
BTW, that vid is worth an off-line 'Save'.
Critical info has been disappearing from the internet.
Profit of Doom
Dismember
Conspiracy theorists like Ed Dowd?
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
New RNA vaccines coming
Dr. John Campbell
May 6, 2024
11 min
Bill Gates in on the case
jward
passin' thru
Mario Nawfal
@MarioNawfal
BREAKING: HOUSE FINDS EVIDENCE OF COVID LAB LEAK
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has examined classified State Department records that suggest COVID-19 may have originated from a lab-related accident in Wuhan, China.
The records, which were partially revealed through a FOIA request by U.S. Right to Know, also indicate potential obstruction by the Chinese Communist Party in the investigation of the virus's origins.
These findings have prompted calls from Subcommittee Chairman Brad Wenstrup for the immediate declassification of the documents to provide a full account to the public.
The Subcommittee seeks a briefing with the State Department before May 14, 2024, to further examine the evidence.
Source: Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, U.S. House of Representatives
View: https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1787994597160788462
@MarioNawfal
BREAKING: HOUSE FINDS EVIDENCE OF COVID LAB LEAK
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has examined classified State Department records that suggest COVID-19 may have originated from a lab-related accident in Wuhan, China.
The records, which were partially revealed through a FOIA request by U.S. Right to Know, also indicate potential obstruction by the Chinese Communist Party in the investigation of the virus's origins.
These findings have prompted calls from Subcommittee Chairman Brad Wenstrup for the immediate declassification of the documents to provide a full account to the public.
The Subcommittee seeks a briefing with the State Department before May 14, 2024, to further examine the evidence.
Source: Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, U.S. House of Representatives
View: https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1787994597160788462
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Study identifies signifiers of severe COVID-19 disease and death
Why do some people with COVID-19 experience little more than a sniffle while others end up on a ventilator? And among critically ill patients, why do some eventually recover while others do not?
Study identifies signifiers of severe COVID-19 disease and death
by Isabella Backman, Yale University
May 7, 2024
Credit: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2024). DOI: 10.1172/JCI176640
Why do some people with COVID-19 experience little more than a sniffle while others end up on a ventilator? And among critically ill patients, why do some eventually recover while others do not?
A new study has unveiled clues for helping scientists predict who is most at risk for severe COVID-19, and among those who experience severe disease, who is most likely to survive. The researchers published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Investigation on May 1.
The study drew on data from the Immunophenotyping Assessment in a COVID-19 Cohort (IMPACC) study, a partnership between the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and 15 research institutions across the country, including Yale School of Medicine (YSM).
Collaborators conducted extensive analyses across many different aspects of the immune responses of more than 1,000 patients across the country. They assessed samples during hospitalization and for up to a year post-hospitalization to better understand the disease's heterogeneity.
The IMPACC multiomics approach, which combines multiple "omics" such as genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics, is one of the largest and most comprehensive analyses to date.
COVID-19 has a vast array of manifestations in patients. To identify distinguishing features leading to different patient responses, IMPACC is using a systems immunology approach pioneered by the NIAID Human Immunology Project Consortium (HIPC) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
The HIPC is directed at Yale by IMPACC members Ruth R. Montgomery, Ph.D., professor of medicine and of epidemiology (microbial diseases) and associate dean for scientific affairs at YSM, and David A. Hafler, MD, chair and William S. and Lois Stiles Edgerly Professor of Neurology.
Steven Kleinstein, Ph.D., Anthony N. Brady Professor of Pathology at YSM, also a HIPC investigator, led the multi-site IMPACC data analysis working group to process the individual data types for integrated analysis by the consortium informatics experts.
"My group was tasked with taking the millions of datapoints from these 1,000-plus individuals and using modeling to elucidate reasons why different people respond to COVID-19 differently and the molecular mechanisms behind it," says Jeremy Gygi, a Ph.D. candidate in Yale's computational biology and bioinformatics program and first author of the study.
New models look for patterns linked to COVID-19 outcomes
In their latest study, Gygi and the team wanted to identify signatures associated with severe COVID-19 infection and mortality. Furthermore, they examined interactions of these hallmarks to better understand the underlying immune cascade that occurs in critical cases.
"We didn't just look at someone's genes, proteins, and metabolites separately," says Gygi. "Instead, we examined how transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic profiles for an individual work together in order to explain an outcome."
"This could be the largest-scale COVID-19 study by far that has looked at so many different 'omics' simultaneously and over time," adds Leying Guan, Ph.D., assistant professor of biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health and the study's senior author.
"These are unique aspects of our study and have enabled us to do more than what's been done in the previous literature on COVID-19 biomarkers."
To achieve this, the team leveraged the IMPACC dataset and a computational method known as latent factor modeling. These models helped the researchers identify coordinated patterns among the multitude of assays they studied.
Their models had two main tasks. First, they wanted to identify drivers of severe disease. They looked for predictors that associated with the cohort's five clinical trajectory groups, with five being the most severe, and with the distinct trajectories of disease. Second, among the most severe groups, the researchers also looked for signatures predictive of mortality.
"We were trying to separate those who needed hospitalization and ventilation and survived, and those who did not," says Gygi.
Study identifies signifiers of severe COVID-19 disease and death
The severity model identified multiple factors significantly associated with COVID-19 disease trajectory, including inflammation, T cell lymphopenia, and catabolism of the amino acid tryptophan.
While many of these signatures had been identified in the COVID-19 literature, the new models added a temporal element to reveal how these hallmarks evolved over time and interacted with one another.
Among the two most severe groups, an elevated discoordination of interferon signaling, which plays a vital role in immune response, significantly predicted mortality.
"For the severity cohort, although the hallmarks we found were already well-known, we identified an additional layer of interaction," says Guan. "Among the mortality cohort, we found an important type of dysregulation [of interferon signaling] that may characterize the fate of hospitalized patients."
This study is a significant achievement and an exciting starting point, the researchers say, and they have plans to build on this work to better understand more aspects of COVID-19. For example, they hope to use similar modeling techniques to gain a better understanding of long COVID and how it develops after an acute infection.
By learning more about the intricacies of COVID-19's underlying mechanisms, they hope to pave the way for new insights into more effective treatments for both acute and lingering disease.
More information: Jeremy P. Gygi et al, Integrated longitudinal multiomics study identifies immune programs associated with acute COVID-19 severity and mortality, Journal of Clinical Investigation (2024). DOI: 10.1172/JCI176640
Journal information: Journal of Clinical Investigation
Provided by Yale University
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Ion channel discovery offers hope for long COVID patients
Researchers from Griffith University's National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) have made a discovery that could bring relief to those struggling with long COVID.
Ion channel discovery offers hope for long COVID patients
by Griffith University
May 7, 2024
Researchers from Griffith University's National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) have made a discovery that could bring relief to those struggling with long COVID.
In a world-first finding, they've identified a way to restore the faulty function of ion channels on immune cells using a well-known drug typically used for other medical purposes.
The breakthrough, published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, builds on previous research showing long COVID patients share similar issues with ion channels as those with chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS).
The team had previously shown success in restoring ion channel function in ME/CFS patients using a drug called Naltrexone, and now they've achieved similar results with long COVID patients.
First author Ph.D. candidate Etianne Sasso said the research team had previously reported restoring the function of these ion channels of immune cells in laboratory trials.
"Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that facilitate the passage of ions (charged particles) across the cell membrane," Sasso said.
"We found that by restoring the function of these ion channels, important ions such as calcium were again able to move in and out of immune cells, controlling many of the body's biological processes."
This breakthrough offers hope for alleviating various ME/CFS symptoms, including brain fog, muscle fatigue, and issues with the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems.
Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, senior author and Director of NCNED, said the significance of this discovery, achieved through the gold standard test called electrophysiology, will help in better understanding long COVID and ME/CFS paving the way for potential therapies.
The NCNED is preparing to launch two clinical trials, one for long COVID and another for ME/CFS, testing the effectiveness of low-dose Naltrexone.
This drug, typically used for opioid addiction, has shown promising results in restoring ion channel function in previous research and in anecdotal reports from patients.
"We will be undertaking two clinical trials testing the efficacy of low dose naltrexone where the first will be in long COVID patients while the second trial will, for the first time, be in ME/CFS patients," Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said.
"Should these trials prove successful, it could mean a vastly improved quality of life for countless individuals struggling with long COVID and ME/CFS."
More information: Etianne Martini Sasso et al, Investigation into the restoration of TRPM3 ion channel activity in post-COVID-19 condition: a potential pharmacotherapeutic target, Frontiers in Immunology (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1264702
Journal information: Frontiers in Immunology
Provided by Griffith University
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)
Zinc's Role In Immunity And Its Impact On COVID-19
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
May 08, 2024
Zinc (Zn) stands out as a vital micronutrient crucial for bolstering the immune system, supporting cellular activities, and combating infectious diseases. An insufficiency of Zn can lead to an immune system imbalance, particularly evident in severe deficiencies that heighten susceptibility to various viral infections, including COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. This COVID-19 News report covers a comprehensive study review by researchers from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University-China and Guilin Medical University-China that delves into Zn's nutritional roles in human health, its pivotal role in immune system function and cell signaling, and its relevance in the context of COVID-19 infections. Through an in-depth exploration, this article aims to shed light on the critical importance of Zn in immune system modulation and its potential implications for COVID-19 management and therapy.
Thailand Medical News had previously covered numerous studies showing merits of Zinc in COVID-19.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...isk-of-covid-19-infection-and-hospitalization
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...zinc-does-help-in-covid-19-clinical-outcomes-
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...mega-3-fatty-acids-and-zinc-helps-in-covid-19
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-repurposed-drugs-efficacy-against-sars-cov-2
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...reased-risk-of-mortality-in-covid-19-patients
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...ects-of-intravenous-zinc-in-covid-19-patients
The Nutritional Importance of Zinc in Human Health
-Zinc in Human Health: An Overview
In the adult human body, approximately 2-3?g of Zn is present, primarily distributed across various tissues such as skeletal muscles, bones, and skin. Zn plays a critical role in the synthesis of proteins, acts as an activator for numerous enzymes, and participates in biochemical reactions essential for growth, development, and immune system functionality. The body's daily Zn requirement, obtained from dietary sources, is crucial for maintaining Zn homeostasis.
-Maintaining Zinc Concentration in the Body
Zn homeostasis is primarily regulated through gastrointestinal absorption and excretion mechanisms. Absorption occurs in the proximal small bowel, and factors such as phytic acid, casein, and other trace elements can influence Zn absorption. Maintaining a balance between Zn and other minerals like copper is vital, as disruptions can lead to health complications.
-Zinc Uptake in Humans
Recommended daily Zn intake varies across countries, with sources like meats, whole grains, legumes, and shellfish providing significant amounts. Zn deficiency can result in growth impairments, anemia, and compromised wound healing, highlighting the importance of adequate Zn intake for overall health.
Zinc and Immunity: Understanding the Link
-Zinc's Central Role in Immunity
Zn plays a pivotal role in immune system modulation by regulating cytokine expression, suppressing inflammation, and activating antioxidant enzymes. Its deficiency can impair immune cell function, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.
-Zinc's Impact on Immune Cells
Zn enhances the actions of immune cells such as neutrophils, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells. It aids in the development, activation, and function of these cells, crucial for mounting effective immune responses against pathogens.
-Zinc's Role in Immune Reaction Regulation
Zn acts as an intracellular signaling molecule, influencing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). It also modulates T cell responses, balancing TH1 and TH2 subsets, and impacting immune defense mechanisms.
-Zinc's Impact on Immune Responses - Insights from Studies
Studies in animals and humans have highlighted Zn's significant impact on immune responses, with Zn deficiency leading to dysfunctions in both innate and adaptive immunity. Zn supplementation has been associated with reduced inflammatory responses and improved immune function.
The Potential Role of Zinc in Preventing COVID-19
-Clinical Study of Zinc in COVID-19 Treatment
COVID-19 patients often exhibit low Zn levels, and studies suggest that Zn supplementation could aid in combating the virus. Clinical interventions combining Zn with other agents have shown promising results in improving antibody response and reducing disease severity.
One notable finding from these studies is that patients receiving a combination of zinc and vitamin C tend to mount a more robust antibody response against SARS-CoV-2. This suggests that zinc supplementation could play a role in stimulating the production of antibodies essential for fighting the virus.
Another promising aspect of zinc supplementation is its ability to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Studies have indicated that patients treated with zinc therapies experience milder disease courses, shorter recovery times, and reduced risk of developing severe complications.
In addition to zinc supplementation, researchers have explored the effectiveness of combining zinc with other medications or interventions. For instance, the combination of doxycycline and zinc has shown a protective effect in COVID-19 patients, indicating the potential of synergistic treatments in combating the virus.
-Mechanism of Zinc Treatment for COVID-19
Zn's mechanisms in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 include impairing viral replication, regulating immune responses, and preventing virus entry into host cells. Zn supplementation has demonstrated efficacy in COVID-19 treatment, contributing to reduced severity and improved outcomes.
The effect of zinc on immune cells
Zinc exhibits direct antiviral properties by impairing the replication of SARS-CoV-2. One mechanism involves zinc's inhibition of the main protease essential for viral replication. By targeting this crucial enzyme, zinc can effectively limit the virus's ability to multiply and spread within the body.
Beyond its antiviral effects, zinc plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses. Zinc supplementation has been shown to modulate cytokine production, reduce inflammation, and enhance the overall functioning of immune cells. These immunomodulatory properties contribute to a more effective immune response against COVID-19.
Another mechanism by which zinc aids in COVID-19 treatment is through its ability to prevent virus entry into host cells. Zinc interacts with cellular receptors like ACE2, which the virus uses to gain entry into cells. By stabilizing these receptors or inhibiting virus-cell interactions, zinc helps thwart SARS-CoV-2 infection at its initial stages.
Clinical evidence suggests that zinc supplementation not only reduces disease severity but also improves patient outcomes and recovery rates.
Conclusion
Unraveling Zinc's Potential in Immunity and COVID-19 In conclusion, Zn emerges as a crucial element in maintaining immune system integrity and combating infectious diseases like COVID-19. Further research into Zn's diverse roles in immune system functions, its interactions with other nutrients, and its therapeutic potential in viral infections is warranted. Understanding Zn's multifaceted contributions to immunity holds promise for enhancing preventive and therapeutic strategies against infectious diseases, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Frontiers in Nutrition.
www.frontiersin.org
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...covid-era-as-a-result-of-zinc-supplementation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...th-chronic-epipharyngitis-using-zinc-chloride
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...t-help-in-common-cold--(influenza)-infections
Zinc's Role In Immunity And Its Impact On COVID-19
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
May 08, 2024
Zinc (Zn) stands out as a vital micronutrient crucial for bolstering the immune system, supporting cellular activities, and combating infectious diseases. An insufficiency of Zn can lead to an immune system imbalance, particularly evident in severe deficiencies that heighten susceptibility to various viral infections, including COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. This COVID-19 News report covers a comprehensive study review by researchers from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University-China and Guilin Medical University-China that delves into Zn's nutritional roles in human health, its pivotal role in immune system function and cell signaling, and its relevance in the context of COVID-19 infections. Through an in-depth exploration, this article aims to shed light on the critical importance of Zn in immune system modulation and its potential implications for COVID-19 management and therapy.
Thailand Medical News had previously covered numerous studies showing merits of Zinc in COVID-19.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...isk-of-covid-19-infection-and-hospitalization
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...zinc-does-help-in-covid-19-clinical-outcomes-
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...mega-3-fatty-acids-and-zinc-helps-in-covid-19
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-repurposed-drugs-efficacy-against-sars-cov-2
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...reased-risk-of-mortality-in-covid-19-patients
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...ects-of-intravenous-zinc-in-covid-19-patients
The Nutritional Importance of Zinc in Human Health
-Zinc in Human Health: An Overview
In the adult human body, approximately 2-3?g of Zn is present, primarily distributed across various tissues such as skeletal muscles, bones, and skin. Zn plays a critical role in the synthesis of proteins, acts as an activator for numerous enzymes, and participates in biochemical reactions essential for growth, development, and immune system functionality. The body's daily Zn requirement, obtained from dietary sources, is crucial for maintaining Zn homeostasis.
-Maintaining Zinc Concentration in the Body
Zn homeostasis is primarily regulated through gastrointestinal absorption and excretion mechanisms. Absorption occurs in the proximal small bowel, and factors such as phytic acid, casein, and other trace elements can influence Zn absorption. Maintaining a balance between Zn and other minerals like copper is vital, as disruptions can lead to health complications.
-Zinc Uptake in Humans
Recommended daily Zn intake varies across countries, with sources like meats, whole grains, legumes, and shellfish providing significant amounts. Zn deficiency can result in growth impairments, anemia, and compromised wound healing, highlighting the importance of adequate Zn intake for overall health.
Zinc and Immunity: Understanding the Link
-Zinc's Central Role in Immunity
Zn plays a pivotal role in immune system modulation by regulating cytokine expression, suppressing inflammation, and activating antioxidant enzymes. Its deficiency can impair immune cell function, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.
-Zinc's Impact on Immune Cells
Zn enhances the actions of immune cells such as neutrophils, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells. It aids in the development, activation, and function of these cells, crucial for mounting effective immune responses against pathogens.
-Zinc's Role in Immune Reaction Regulation
Zn acts as an intracellular signaling molecule, influencing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). It also modulates T cell responses, balancing TH1 and TH2 subsets, and impacting immune defense mechanisms.
-Zinc's Impact on Immune Responses - Insights from Studies
Studies in animals and humans have highlighted Zn's significant impact on immune responses, with Zn deficiency leading to dysfunctions in both innate and adaptive immunity. Zn supplementation has been associated with reduced inflammatory responses and improved immune function.
The Potential Role of Zinc in Preventing COVID-19
-Clinical Study of Zinc in COVID-19 Treatment
COVID-19 patients often exhibit low Zn levels, and studies suggest that Zn supplementation could aid in combating the virus. Clinical interventions combining Zn with other agents have shown promising results in improving antibody response and reducing disease severity.
One notable finding from these studies is that patients receiving a combination of zinc and vitamin C tend to mount a more robust antibody response against SARS-CoV-2. This suggests that zinc supplementation could play a role in stimulating the production of antibodies essential for fighting the virus.
Another promising aspect of zinc supplementation is its ability to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Studies have indicated that patients treated with zinc therapies experience milder disease courses, shorter recovery times, and reduced risk of developing severe complications.
In addition to zinc supplementation, researchers have explored the effectiveness of combining zinc with other medications or interventions. For instance, the combination of doxycycline and zinc has shown a protective effect in COVID-19 patients, indicating the potential of synergistic treatments in combating the virus.
-Mechanism of Zinc Treatment for COVID-19
Zn's mechanisms in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 include impairing viral replication, regulating immune responses, and preventing virus entry into host cells. Zn supplementation has demonstrated efficacy in COVID-19 treatment, contributing to reduced severity and improved outcomes.
The effect of zinc on immune cells
Zinc exhibits direct antiviral properties by impairing the replication of SARS-CoV-2. One mechanism involves zinc's inhibition of the main protease essential for viral replication. By targeting this crucial enzyme, zinc can effectively limit the virus's ability to multiply and spread within the body.
Beyond its antiviral effects, zinc plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses. Zinc supplementation has been shown to modulate cytokine production, reduce inflammation, and enhance the overall functioning of immune cells. These immunomodulatory properties contribute to a more effective immune response against COVID-19.
Another mechanism by which zinc aids in COVID-19 treatment is through its ability to prevent virus entry into host cells. Zinc interacts with cellular receptors like ACE2, which the virus uses to gain entry into cells. By stabilizing these receptors or inhibiting virus-cell interactions, zinc helps thwart SARS-CoV-2 infection at its initial stages.
Clinical evidence suggests that zinc supplementation not only reduces disease severity but also improves patient outcomes and recovery rates.
Conclusion
Unraveling Zinc's Potential in Immunity and COVID-19 In conclusion, Zn emerges as a crucial element in maintaining immune system integrity and combating infectious diseases like COVID-19. Further research into Zn's diverse roles in immune system functions, its interactions with other nutrients, and its therapeutic potential in viral infections is warranted. Understanding Zn's multifaceted contributions to immunity holds promise for enhancing preventive and therapeutic strategies against infectious diseases, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Frontiers in Nutrition.
The nutritional roles of zinc for immune system and COVID-19 patients
Zinc (Zn) is a vital micronutrient that strengthens the immune system, aids cellular activities, and treats infectious diseases. A deficiency in Zn can lead to an imbalance in the immune system. This imbalance is particularly evident in severe deficiency cases, where there is a high...
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...covid-era-as-a-result-of-zinc-supplementation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...th-chronic-epipharyngitis-using-zinc-chloride
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...t-help-in-common-cold--(influenza)-infections
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
AstraZeneca withdraws Covid-19 vaccine worldwide, citing surplus of newer vaccines
Pharmaceutical company says newer shots led to decline in demand for AstraZeneca vaccine, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied
www.theguardian.com
AstraZeneca withdraws Covid-19 vaccine worldwide, citing surplus of newer vaccines
Pharmaceutical company says newer shots led to decline in demand for AstraZeneca vaccine, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied
Melissa Davey
Tue 7 May 2024 22.18 EDT
AstraZeneca has begun the worldwide withdrawal of its Covid-19 vaccine due to a “surplus of available updated vaccines” that target new variants of the virus.
The announcement follows the pharmaceutical company in March voluntarily withdrawing its European Union marketing authorisation, which is the approval to market a medicine in member states.
On 7 May, the European Medicines Agency issued a notice that the vaccine is no longer authorised for use.
In a statement, AstraZeneca said the decision was made because there is now a variety of newer vaccines available that have been adapted to target Covid-19 variants. This had led to a decline in demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.
“According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over 3bn doses were supplied globally,” the statement said.
“Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic. We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Other countries have already stopped supplying the vaccine. It has not been available for use in Australia since March 2023, though its use was already being phased out from June 2021 due to the widespread availability of newer vaccines.
AstraZeneca changed the name of its Covid vaccine to Vaxzevria in 2021. The vaccine was authorised for use in those aged 18 and older, delivered as two injections, usually into the muscle of the upper arm, about three month apart. It was also used by some countries as a booster shot.
Vaxzevria is made up of another virus of the adenovirus family modified to contain the gene for making a protein from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. The vaccine does not contain the virus itself and cannot cause the virus.
Although the vaccine was found to be safe and effective overall, it carried the risk of a rare but serious side-effect, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia, or TTS. The rare syndrome occurred in about two to three people per 100,000 who were vaccinated with the Vaxzevria vaccine.
The chair of epidemiology at Deakin University in Australia, Prof Catherine Bennett, said the vaccine had played a pivotal part in the worldwide fight against the virus, particularly in the early days of the pandemic when limited vaccines were available.
“It has saved millions of lives and that should not be forgotten,” she said.
“It was a really important part of the initial global response. However, it targeted the initial ancestral variants. We’ve now moved into a vaccine chain where we have products available that are chasing the variants that are emerging.
“There’s also a shift in the risk calculus as well, given populations are much more protected and, even though of course Covid still causes deaths, we are overall less vulnerable to the disease.”
The latest Covid-19 vaccine advice issued by the World Health Organisation in April advised that formulations of Covid-19 vaccines should target the JN.1 lineage of the virus, which is displacing existing XBB lineage variants.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
NOTE THAT THIS INVESTIGATION HAD TO BE DONE AND REPORTED ON BY THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL. NO AMERICAN JOURNAL WOULD RESEARCH OR REPORT ON THIS. 
oh, and it's not like we didn't already know this... but this is more 'official' than the woo conspiracy realists.
medicalxpress.com
(fair use applies)
New research reports on financial entanglements between FDA chiefs and the drug industry
by British Medical Journal
May 8, 2024
An investigation published by The BMJ today raises concerns about financial entanglements between US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chiefs and the drug and medical device companies they are responsible for regulating.
Regulations prohibit FDA employees from holding financial interests in any FDA "significantly regulated organization" and the FDA says it takes conflicts of interest seriously, but Peter Doshi, senior editor at The BMJ, finds that financial interests with the drug industry are common among its leaders.
Doshi reports that nine of the FDA's past 10 commissioners went on to work for the drug industry or serve on the board of directors of a drug company. That includes Margaret Hamburg, who led FDA between 2009 and 2015, but whose story is less well known.
Like her colleagues, Margaret Hamburg had relationships with FDA regulated companies before and after her stint at the FDA's helm, explains Doshi. But unlike her colleagues, Hamburg was allowed to hold financial interests in Renaissance Technologies (RenTec), an exclusive hedge fund managed by her husband's company, which The BMJ has found consistently invested in FDA-regulated drug companies during Hamburg's time at the FDA.
Following a review by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), and before becoming FDA commissioner, Hamburg pledged to resign from more than 10 non-profit organizations at which she held a senior position and from the board of a health care products supplier company, Henry Schein.
Hamburg's husband, Peter Brown, sold his stock in Johnson & Johnson and Merck, among others, and the couple divested from several fund holdings at RenTec.
But Brown kept his job at RenTec, and they were both allowed to keep their holdings in its flagship product, the Medallion Fund, which according to financial declarations, earned them more than $3 million between 2009 and 2010.
Both the OGE and FDA declined to provide The BMJ with any specifics about Hamburg's relationships with RenTec.
According to an unnamed "administration official" the couple were allowed to retain their holdings in Medallion because the fund is based on programming that "does not allow for human tracking or input except in rare instances."
But the degree to which the algorithm controlling Medallion operated without human input was called into question by a 2014 Senate investigation into the abuse of structured financial products, in which Brown explained that the algorithm was frequently modified by programmers.
Brown did not respond to The BMJ's request for an interview. However, a review of quarterly reports by The BMJ filed during Hamburg's tenure at FDA shows that RenTec held stock in three major drug companies—Amgen, Novo Nordisk, and AstraZeneca—at an average value of $518 million. Across 10 drug companies, the reports indicate average holdings of over $1 billion.
"The facts raise concerns over the adequacy of current rules governing financial holdings by FDA commissioners," writes Doshi.
Hamburg also declined an interview request from The BMJ, but emailed a response through her personal communications agent: "In my capacity as a physician and a government official, I have always taken my ethical obligations very seriously. Prior to my confirmation as FDA commissioner, the US Senate and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) thoroughly evaluated any potential conflicts, including those that might arise as a result of my husband's position. Those potential conflicts were addressed in signed ethics agreements, and submitted financial disclosure reports were reviewed annually by the OGE during my tenure as commissioner."
More information: Investigation: Revolving doors: board memberships, hedge funds, and the FDA chiefs responsible for regulating industry, The BMJ (2024). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q975
Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Provided by British Medical Journal
oh, and it's not like we didn't already know this... but this is more 'official' than the woo conspiracy realists.
New research reports on financial entanglements between FDA chiefs and the drug industry
An investigation published by The BMJ today raises concerns about financial entanglements between US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chiefs and the drug and medical device companies they are responsible for regulating.
New research reports on financial entanglements between FDA chiefs and the drug industry
by British Medical Journal
May 8, 2024
An investigation published by The BMJ today raises concerns about financial entanglements between US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chiefs and the drug and medical device companies they are responsible for regulating.
Regulations prohibit FDA employees from holding financial interests in any FDA "significantly regulated organization" and the FDA says it takes conflicts of interest seriously, but Peter Doshi, senior editor at The BMJ, finds that financial interests with the drug industry are common among its leaders.
Doshi reports that nine of the FDA's past 10 commissioners went on to work for the drug industry or serve on the board of directors of a drug company. That includes Margaret Hamburg, who led FDA between 2009 and 2015, but whose story is less well known.
Like her colleagues, Margaret Hamburg had relationships with FDA regulated companies before and after her stint at the FDA's helm, explains Doshi. But unlike her colleagues, Hamburg was allowed to hold financial interests in Renaissance Technologies (RenTec), an exclusive hedge fund managed by her husband's company, which The BMJ has found consistently invested in FDA-regulated drug companies during Hamburg's time at the FDA.
Following a review by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), and before becoming FDA commissioner, Hamburg pledged to resign from more than 10 non-profit organizations at which she held a senior position and from the board of a health care products supplier company, Henry Schein.
Hamburg's husband, Peter Brown, sold his stock in Johnson & Johnson and Merck, among others, and the couple divested from several fund holdings at RenTec.
But Brown kept his job at RenTec, and they were both allowed to keep their holdings in its flagship product, the Medallion Fund, which according to financial declarations, earned them more than $3 million between 2009 and 2010.
Both the OGE and FDA declined to provide The BMJ with any specifics about Hamburg's relationships with RenTec.
According to an unnamed "administration official" the couple were allowed to retain their holdings in Medallion because the fund is based on programming that "does not allow for human tracking or input except in rare instances."
But the degree to which the algorithm controlling Medallion operated without human input was called into question by a 2014 Senate investigation into the abuse of structured financial products, in which Brown explained that the algorithm was frequently modified by programmers.
Brown did not respond to The BMJ's request for an interview. However, a review of quarterly reports by The BMJ filed during Hamburg's tenure at FDA shows that RenTec held stock in three major drug companies—Amgen, Novo Nordisk, and AstraZeneca—at an average value of $518 million. Across 10 drug companies, the reports indicate average holdings of over $1 billion.
"The facts raise concerns over the adequacy of current rules governing financial holdings by FDA commissioners," writes Doshi.
Hamburg also declined an interview request from The BMJ, but emailed a response through her personal communications agent: "In my capacity as a physician and a government official, I have always taken my ethical obligations very seriously. Prior to my confirmation as FDA commissioner, the US Senate and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) thoroughly evaluated any potential conflicts, including those that might arise as a result of my husband's position. Those potential conflicts were addressed in signed ethics agreements, and submitted financial disclosure reports were reviewed annually by the OGE during my tenure as commissioner."
More information: Investigation: Revolving doors: board memberships, hedge funds, and the FDA chiefs responsible for regulating industry, The BMJ (2024). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q975
Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Provided by British Medical Journal
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)
Scientists Warn That Viral Persistence Is The Primary Contributing Factor To Long COVID
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
May 09, 2024
The global outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has brought to light not only the acute phase of the illness but also lingering health complications that persist long after the initial infection. Known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or more colloquially as Long COVID, this condition has captured the attention of scientists worldwide due to its complex and diverse nature. In this Long COVID News report based on a study review by researchers from University of Padova- Italy and University of Maryland-USA, we delve into the intricate details of Long COVID, exploring the contributing factors, potential mechanisms, and ongoing research in this field.
Graphical Abstract: Viral Persistence Is The Primary Contributing Factor To Long COVID
Thailand Medical News has already warning about SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence since 2020.
www.thailandmedical.news
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...uctures-that-contributes-to-viral-persistence
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...ations-for-viral-persistence-and-misc-dangers
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...rain-and-cause-relapses-in-recovered-patients
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...s-for-sars-cov-2-and-are-potential-reservoirs
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...9-after-testing-negative-via-nasal-swab-tests
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...ence-in-children-and-young-adults-with-cancer
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...t-covid-19-patients-up-to-15-months-after-so-
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-she-was-diagnosed-with-asymptomatic-covid-19
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...the-brain-even-in-those-who-were-asymptomatic
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...viral-persistence-is-real-and-a-serious-issue
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...stence-as-it-is-better-at-evading-host-s-immu
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-death-indicating-long-term-viral-persistence
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-and-appendix-tissues-of-two-patients-with-lo
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...in-tissues-for-months-in-post-covid-individua
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...tect-viral-persistence-let-alone-new-variants
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...al-rna-compared-to-those-with-acute-infection
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...tides-similar-to-retrotransposons-and-introns
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...sars-cov-2-antigen-and-rna-in-various-tissues
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-phase-of-disease-even-in-the-negative-tested
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...rious-issue-that-is-also-affecting-long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...types,-providing-evidence-of-viral-reservoirs
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-sars-cov-2-in-corpses-of-patients-with-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...eads-and-are-better-adapted-for-viral-persist
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-viral-persistence-contributing-to-long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...ontinuous-presence-of-short-viral-rnas-svrnas
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...archers-warn-of-viral-persistence-in-the-ears
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...s-majority-of-so-called-recovered-individuals
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...stence-for-up-to-2-5-years-following-covid-19
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...s-of-sars-cov-2-viral-persistence-in-children
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-pave-the-path-for-viral-persistence-in-lungs
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...ral-persistence-are-issues-causing-long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...rampant-sars-cov-2-viral-persistence-in-heart
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...r-effusion-could-be-the-cause-of-otitis-media
Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19, initially perceived as primarily a respiratory illness, has proven to have far-reaching effects beyond the lungs. Patients recovering from acute COVID-19 can experience a spectrum of symptoms collectively termed as Long COVID or PASC. These symptoms, ranging from fatigue, headaches, and attention disorders to more severe manifestations like neurological, cardiac, liver, and kidney issues, can persist for weeks to months after the acute phase of the infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines PASC as ongoing, relapsing, or new symptoms present 30 or more days after infection. This extended phase of illness significantly impacts the quality of life for affected individuals, necessitating a deeper understanding of its underlying mechanisms.
Factors Contributing to Long COVID
Several factors contribute to the development of Long COVID, including pre-existing health conditions like depression, anxiety, chronic kidney disease, and autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the severity of the acute phase of COVID-19 plays a role, with hospitalized patients more likely to experience PASC symptoms compared to those with mild or asymptomatic infections. Notably, certain demographics, such as women, children, and immunocompromised individuals, face heightened risks and challenges associated with Long COVID.
Viral Persistence in Long COVID
One of the primary contributing factors to Long COVID appears to be viral persistence. Studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 antigens and RNA can persist in various organs, including the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), for extended periods even after clearance from the upper respiratory system. This persistent presence of viral elements can stimulate prolonged immune activation, shaping local microbiota and potentially leading to systemic effects. Understanding the dynamics of viral persistence is crucial in unraveling the mysteries of Long COVID.
Evidence of Viral Persistence
Research has provided compelling evidence of SARS-CoV-2 persistence in the body post-infection. Studies have detected viral RNA and antigens in diverse anatomical sites, such as the GIT, kidneys, CNS, and even bone marrow, months after acute infection. Notably, the presence of viral components correlates with the occurrence of PASC symptoms, suggesting a direct link between viral persistence and ongoing health issues in recovered COVID-19 patients.
Immune System Implications
Persistent viral elements in Long COVID contribute to prolonged immune system activation. Studies have shown chronic activation of CD8+ T-cells, expansion of dendritic cells and monocytes, and altered B cell responses in PASC patients. This immune dysregulation, coupled with factors like complement system activation and persistent antibody evolution, contributes to the pathogenesis of Long COVID symptoms, particularly those affecting the central nervous system (CNS).
Role of Gut Microbiota
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in Long COVID, with emerging evidence linking gut dysbiosis to persistent symptoms. Changes in microbiota composition, particularly reductions in beneficial bacteria and increases in opportunistic pathogens, are associated with PASC manifestations. The gut-brain axis (GBA) may mediate these effects, highlighting the intricate interplay between the gut microbiome, immune system, and CNS function in Long COVID pathology.
Challenges and Future Directions
While significant progress has been made in understanding Long COVID, many challenges and unanswered questions remain. These include the heterogeneity of PASC symptoms, sex-specific differences in susceptibility and immune responses, and the impact of Long COVID on pediatric populations. Addressing these challenges requires multidisciplinary research efforts, including longitudinal studies, biomarker identification, and targeted therapeutic interventions.
Conclusion
Long COVID represents a complex and multifaceted condition that extends beyond the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Viral persistence, immune dysregulation, gut microbiota alterations, and other factors contribute to the diverse array of PASC symptoms observed in affected individuals. Ongoing research aimed at unraveling the mechanisms of Long COVID and developing effective treatments is essential to mitigate the long-term impact of this pandemic on global health.
The study review was published in the peer reviewed journal: Pathogens.
www.mdpi.com
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...be-viral-sanctuaries-for-the-sars-cov-2-virus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...odeficiencies-but-rather-by-viral-persistence
Scientists Warn That Viral Persistence Is The Primary Contributing Factor To Long COVID
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
May 09, 2024
The global outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has brought to light not only the acute phase of the illness but also lingering health complications that persist long after the initial infection. Known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or more colloquially as Long COVID, this condition has captured the attention of scientists worldwide due to its complex and diverse nature. In this Long COVID News report based on a study review by researchers from University of Padova- Italy and University of Maryland-USA, we delve into the intricate details of Long COVID, exploring the contributing factors, potential mechanisms, and ongoing research in this field.
Graphical Abstract: Viral Persistence Is The Primary Contributing Factor To Long COVID
Thailand Medical News has already warning about SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence since 2020.
World COVID-19 News: Global Deaths Crosses 1.6 Million Milestone, Infections Pass 71.8 Million. Why Are Authorities Downplaying Viral Persistence? - Thailand Medical News
World COVID-19 News: The COVID-19 crisis is escalating exponentially with the total COVID-19 deaths now crossing the 1.6 million milestone and reaching more than 1,607,900 as of Sunday (1700hrs Bangkok). The total number of global COVID-19 infections has now reached more than 71.8 million...
www.thailandmedical.news
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...uctures-that-contributes-to-viral-persistence
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...ations-for-viral-persistence-and-misc-dangers
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...rain-and-cause-relapses-in-recovered-patients
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...s-for-sars-cov-2-and-are-potential-reservoirs
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...9-after-testing-negative-via-nasal-swab-tests
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...ence-in-children-and-young-adults-with-cancer
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...t-covid-19-patients-up-to-15-months-after-so-
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-she-was-diagnosed-with-asymptomatic-covid-19
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...the-brain-even-in-those-who-were-asymptomatic
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...viral-persistence-is-real-and-a-serious-issue
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...stence-as-it-is-better-at-evading-host-s-immu
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-death-indicating-long-term-viral-persistence
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-and-appendix-tissues-of-two-patients-with-lo
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...in-tissues-for-months-in-post-covid-individua
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...tect-viral-persistence-let-alone-new-variants
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...al-rna-compared-to-those-with-acute-infection
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...tides-similar-to-retrotransposons-and-introns
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...sars-cov-2-antigen-and-rna-in-various-tissues
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-phase-of-disease-even-in-the-negative-tested
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...rious-issue-that-is-also-affecting-long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...types,-providing-evidence-of-viral-reservoirs
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-sars-cov-2-in-corpses-of-patients-with-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...eads-and-are-better-adapted-for-viral-persist
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-viral-persistence-contributing-to-long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...ontinuous-presence-of-short-viral-rnas-svrnas
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...archers-warn-of-viral-persistence-in-the-ears
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...s-majority-of-so-called-recovered-individuals
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...stence-for-up-to-2-5-years-following-covid-19
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...s-of-sars-cov-2-viral-persistence-in-children
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-pave-the-path-for-viral-persistence-in-lungs
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...ral-persistence-are-issues-causing-long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...rampant-sars-cov-2-viral-persistence-in-heart
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...r-effusion-could-be-the-cause-of-otitis-media
Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19, initially perceived as primarily a respiratory illness, has proven to have far-reaching effects beyond the lungs. Patients recovering from acute COVID-19 can experience a spectrum of symptoms collectively termed as Long COVID or PASC. These symptoms, ranging from fatigue, headaches, and attention disorders to more severe manifestations like neurological, cardiac, liver, and kidney issues, can persist for weeks to months after the acute phase of the infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines PASC as ongoing, relapsing, or new symptoms present 30 or more days after infection. This extended phase of illness significantly impacts the quality of life for affected individuals, necessitating a deeper understanding of its underlying mechanisms.
Factors Contributing to Long COVID
Several factors contribute to the development of Long COVID, including pre-existing health conditions like depression, anxiety, chronic kidney disease, and autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the severity of the acute phase of COVID-19 plays a role, with hospitalized patients more likely to experience PASC symptoms compared to those with mild or asymptomatic infections. Notably, certain demographics, such as women, children, and immunocompromised individuals, face heightened risks and challenges associated with Long COVID.
Viral Persistence in Long COVID
One of the primary contributing factors to Long COVID appears to be viral persistence. Studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 antigens and RNA can persist in various organs, including the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), for extended periods even after clearance from the upper respiratory system. This persistent presence of viral elements can stimulate prolonged immune activation, shaping local microbiota and potentially leading to systemic effects. Understanding the dynamics of viral persistence is crucial in unraveling the mysteries of Long COVID.
Evidence of Viral Persistence
Research has provided compelling evidence of SARS-CoV-2 persistence in the body post-infection. Studies have detected viral RNA and antigens in diverse anatomical sites, such as the GIT, kidneys, CNS, and even bone marrow, months after acute infection. Notably, the presence of viral components correlates with the occurrence of PASC symptoms, suggesting a direct link between viral persistence and ongoing health issues in recovered COVID-19 patients.
Immune System Implications
Persistent viral elements in Long COVID contribute to prolonged immune system activation. Studies have shown chronic activation of CD8+ T-cells, expansion of dendritic cells and monocytes, and altered B cell responses in PASC patients. This immune dysregulation, coupled with factors like complement system activation and persistent antibody evolution, contributes to the pathogenesis of Long COVID symptoms, particularly those affecting the central nervous system (CNS).
Role of Gut Microbiota
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in Long COVID, with emerging evidence linking gut dysbiosis to persistent symptoms. Changes in microbiota composition, particularly reductions in beneficial bacteria and increases in opportunistic pathogens, are associated with PASC manifestations. The gut-brain axis (GBA) may mediate these effects, highlighting the intricate interplay between the gut microbiome, immune system, and CNS function in Long COVID pathology.
Challenges and Future Directions
While significant progress has been made in understanding Long COVID, many challenges and unanswered questions remain. These include the heterogeneity of PASC symptoms, sex-specific differences in susceptibility and immune responses, and the impact of Long COVID on pediatric populations. Addressing these challenges requires multidisciplinary research efforts, including longitudinal studies, biomarker identification, and targeted therapeutic interventions.
Conclusion
Long COVID represents a complex and multifaceted condition that extends beyond the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Viral persistence, immune dysregulation, gut microbiota alterations, and other factors contribute to the diverse array of PASC symptoms observed in affected individuals. Ongoing research aimed at unraveling the mechanisms of Long COVID and developing effective treatments is essential to mitigate the long-term impact of this pandemic on global health.
The study review was published in the peer reviewed journal: Pathogens.
The Potential Role of Viral Persistence in the Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC)
The infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated not only with the development of acute disease but also with long-term symptoms or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). Multiple lines of evidence support that some viral antigens and RNA can persist...
www.mdpi.com
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...be-viral-sanctuaries-for-the-sars-cov-2-virus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...odeficiencies-but-rather-by-viral-persistence
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Dr. Phillip McMillan did a video explaining Geert's last post about the mmr vaccine, posted a page up in post 70,718. Here's the direct link again to Geert's article:
voiceforscienceandsolidarity.substack.com
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_BAnNHL1Cc
Unprecedented Proposal from Geert for Vaccinated Individuals!
Vejon Health
Streamed live May 8 2024
19 min 24 sec
Geert proposes immune retraining for the vaccinated to combat viral variants. Learn more about training the immune system in this insightful video with Dr McMillan.
The latest surge of Omicron KP.2 and KP.3 variants in highly vaccinated regions, highlights that alternative approaches to herd immunity need to be considered.
Geert Vanden Bossche was the first to highlight the risk of immune pressure on the virus through mass vaccination as the likely cause for evolving variants.
His latest update is on training immune cells with other vaccines.
https://www.voiceforscienceandsolidar...
Training is gaining! A glimmer of rational hope.
There is compelling scientific evidence indicating that mass vaccination against COVID-19 (C-19) has led to growing immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 (SC-2) from infection- or vaccine-induced neutralizing anti-spike antibodies (Abs), along with an increasing incidence of immune pathology (
voiceforscienceandsolidarity.substack.com
Unprecedented Proposal from Geert for Vaccinated Individuals!
Vejon Health
Streamed live May 8 2024
19 min 24 sec
Geert proposes immune retraining for the vaccinated to combat viral variants. Learn more about training the immune system in this insightful video with Dr McMillan.
The latest surge of Omicron KP.2 and KP.3 variants in highly vaccinated regions, highlights that alternative approaches to herd immunity need to be considered.
Geert Vanden Bossche was the first to highlight the risk of immune pressure on the virus through mass vaccination as the likely cause for evolving variants.
His latest update is on training immune cells with other vaccines.
https://www.voiceforscienceandsolidar...
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
KEY MESSAGES from my book | Voice for Science and Solidarity
The inescapable immune escape pandemic. The inescapable immune escape pandemic. The inescapable immune escape pandemic.
www.voiceforscienceandsolidarity.org
KEY MESSAGES from my book
By Geert Vanden Bossche
May 8, 2024
I have outlined the key messages from my latest book in the PDF below.
Buy the book here: The Inescapable Immune Escape Pandemic
northern watch
TB Fanatic
psychgirl
Has No Life - Lives on TB
So how were they getting by BEFORE Covid dollars???
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Novavax signs COVID-19 license deal with Sanofi, removes doubt about business viability
PARIS (Reuters) -Novavax on Friday erased doubts about its ability to remain in business and struck a licensing deal worth up to $1.2 billion with Sanofi for COVID-19 vaccines in exchange for a stake that doubles the U.S. drugmaker's market value. In February last year, Novavax raised doubts...
Novavax signs COVID-19 license deal with Sanofi, removes doubt about business viability
by Tassilo Hummel - Reuters
Updated Fri, May 10, 2024, 3:55 AM EDT
PARIS (Reuters) -Novavax on Friday erased doubts about its ability to remain in business and struck a licensing deal worth up to $1.2 billion with Sanofi for COVID-19 vaccines in exchange for a stake that doubles the U.S. drugmaker's market value.
In February last year, Novavax raised doubts about its business viability after missing out on the COVID-19 vaccine windfall due to manufacturing issues that delayed filing for regulatory approval. Its COVID shot got U.S. approval in July 2022, long after Pfizer and Moderna were in use.
Novavax said it would co-commercialize its COVID-19 vaccine with French drugmaker Sanofi and develop new COVID-19-influenza combination vaccines using Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant.
Sanofi will pay Novavax $500 million upfront and up to $700 million in development, regulatory and launch milestones, the companies said. Novavax will also get double-digit percentage royalty payments on sales of its COVID-19 and flu-COVID-19 combination vaccines.
Sanofi will take a 4.9% stake in the U.S. drugmaker for $70 million. That values Novavax at about $1.4 billion, nearly double its market capitalisation of about $628 million as of Thursday but a far cry from its peak of $20 billion in 2021.
"We're excited by the prospect of combining Novavax's adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine that has shown high efficacy and favorable tolerability, with our rich portfolio of differentiated flu vaccines (...)", Sanofi's head of vaccines R&D, Jean-Francois Toussaint, said in a statement.
Novavax also reported that its net loss narrowed to $148 million in the first quarter from $294 million in the year-ago period.
Its revenue rose to $94 million from $81 million and the company said it expects full-year revenue of $400 million to $600 million.
Novavax also said plans to reduce 2025 research and development expenses to below $500 million, a portion of which it expects to recover from Sanofi under their deal.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
New COVID ‘FLiRT’ variants show virus isn’t going away
The most recent dominant variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are part of a group sometimes called “FLiRT” variants and serve as a reminder that the virus isn’t going away and some people continue to suffer. While most of the country and the federal government has put the...
New COVID ‘FLiRT’ variants show virus isn’t going away
Nathaniel Weixel - THE HILL
Thu, May 9, 2024, 5:12 PM EDT
The most recent dominant variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are part of a group sometimes called “FLiRT” variants and serve as a reminder that the virus isn’t going away and some people continue to suffer.
While most of the country and the federal government has put the pandemic in the rearview mirror, the virus is mutating and new variants emerging.
So far, the variants haven’t been proven to cause any more serious illness, and vaccines remain effective, but there’s no certainty about how the virus may change and what happens next.
According to the most recent data available, weekly hospitalizations were at the lowest level since the start of the pandemic.
But as of May 1, hospitals are no longer required to report COVID-19 hospital admissions, hospital capacity or hospital occupancy data to the federal government.
The dominant variant KP.2 accounts for nearly 25 percent of all infections, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). KP.2 is a descendant of the JN.1 variant, which it recently surpassed as the dominant strain. According to the CDC, JN.1 accounts for 22 percent of all infections.
KP.2 is a member of a group of SARS-CoV-2 variants sometimes called “FLiRT” variants, named because of the technical names for their mutations, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Other FLiRT variants, including KP.1.1, are circulating in the U.S. but are not yet as widespread as KP.2.
William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said there’s nothing substantially different about the new variants compared to past mutations of the virus. They are all subvariants of omicron and contain spike protein mutations that make them more transmissible.
“We’re in the omicron era, and there have been several subvariants that have become dominant. They’re highly communicable, but they don’t appear to produce more severe disease,” Schaffner said.
The spike protein mutations mean vaccines and previously acquired immunity may not protect a person as completely as they did against earlier strains, but lab test show there’s still substantial protection against severe disease, he said.
“We’re now treating this as one of the serious respiratory infections that are predominantly seasonal. It’s now endemic, we’re all learning how to deal with it in a routine fashion. It’s not going to go away,” Schaffner said.
Federal health officials are planning a fall vaccination campaign, and the Food and Drug Administration this week said it is delaying an advisory committee meeting on the formulation of those shots until next month so experts can get more data on the circulating variants.
Officials want the newest vaccine to target the dominant variant, but that can be a moving target. The real world is not a lab. By the time the shots are manufactured and distributed, there will likely be a new dominant strain — something that happens with the annual flu shot as well.
Vaccines can protect against serious infection and hospitalization. Initial CDC data from February showed the 2023 vaccine was about 53 percent effective against symptomatic infection. Those vaccines targeted the omicron variant XBB.1.5, which was dominant for most of 2023 but was supplanted by JN.1 shortly after the vaccines were rolled out.
But fewer than 1 in 4 U.S. adults received the shots last fall, and there’s concern that low vaccination rates combined with mutating variants could be a recipe for a summer surge.
The latest variant is also a reminder that some people are still suffering from long COVID.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) this week said it was launching clinical trials to investigate potential treatments for long-term symptoms after COVID-19 infection, including sleep disturbances, exercise intolerance and the worsening of symptoms following physical or mental exertion.
The new trials will enroll approximately 1,660 people across 50 study sites and add to six earlier investigations that are part of the NIH’s Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery Initiative.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders worldwide vowed to do better next time but are still struggling to finalize a global plan.
apnews.com
Countries struggle to draft ‘pandemic treaty’ to avoid mistakes made during COVID
By MARIA CHENG and JAMEY KEATEN
May 9, 2024
GENEVA (AP) — After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
A ninth and final round of talks involving governments, advocacy groups and others to finalize a “pandemic treaty” is scheduled to end Friday. The accord’s aim: guidelines for how the WHO’s 194 member countries might stop future pandemics and better share scarce resources. But experts warn there are virtually no consequences for countries that don’t comply.
WHO’s countries asked the U.N. health agency to oversee talks for a pandemic agreement in 2021. Envoys have been working long hours in recent weeks to prepare a draft ahead of a self-imposed deadline later this month: ratification of the accord at WHO’s annual meeting. But deep divisions could derail it.
U.S. Republican senators wrote a letter to the Biden administration last week critical of the draft for focusing on issues like “shredding intellectual property rights” and “supercharging the WHO.” They urged Biden not to sign off.
Britain’s department of health said it would only agree to an accord if it was “firmly in the U.K. national interest and respects national sovereignty.”
And many developing countries say it’s unfair that they might be expected to provide virus samples to help develop vaccines and treatments, but then be unable to afford them.
“This pandemic treaty is a very high-minded pursuit, but it doesn’t take political realities into account,” said Sara Davies, a professor of international relations at Griffith University in Australia.
For example, the accord is attempting to address the gap that occurred between COVID-19 vaccines in rich and poorer countries, which WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said amounted to “a catastrophic moral failure.”
The draft says WHO should get 20% of the production of pandemic-related products like tests, treatments and vaccines and urges countries to disclose their deals with private companies.
“There’s no mechanism within WHO to make life really difficult for any countries that decide not to act in accordance with the treaty,” Davies said.
Adam Kamradt-Scott, a global health expert at Harvard University, said that similar to the global climate agreements, the draft pandemic treaty would at least provide a new forum for countries to try to hold each other to account, where governments will have to explain what measures they’ve taken.
The pandemic treaty “is not about anyone telling the government of a country what it can do and what it cannot do,” said Roland Driece, co-chair of WHO’s negotiating board for the agreement.
There are legally binding obligations under the International Health Regulations, including quickly reporting dangerous new outbreaks. But those have been flouted repeatedly, including by African countries during Ebola outbreaks and China in the early stages of COVID-19.
Suerie Moon, co-director of the Global Health Center at Geneva’s Graduate Institute, said it was critical to determine the expected role of WHO during a pandemic and how outbreaks might be stopped before spreading globally.
“If we fail to seize this window of opportunity which is closing … we’ll be just as vulnerable as we were in 2019,” she warned.
Some countries appear to be moving on their own to ensure cooperation from others in the next pandemic. Last month, President Joe Biden’s administration said it would help 50 countries respond to new outbreaks and prevent global spread, giving the country leverage should it need critical information or materials in the future.
Yuanqiong Hu, a senior legal and policy adviser at Doctors without Borders, said it’s unclear what might be different in the next pandemic, but hoped that focusing attention on some of the glaring errors that emerged in COVID-19 might help.
“We will mostly have to rely on countries to do better,” she said. “That is worrisome.”
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
“Scarf Lady” Dr. Deborah Birx Now Says Thousands of Americans Could Be Vaccine Injured by the COVID Shot (VIDEO)
by Jim Hoft
May. 9, 2024 10:30 am
Dr. Deborah Birx, the former White House coronavirus response coordinator who destroyed the country along with Dr. Anthony Fauci, suggested that thousands of Americans could be suffering from vaccine-related injuries due to the experimental COVID-19 shots.
Cuomo opened the discussion with Birx by addressing AstraZeneca’s withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine from the U.S. market.
“Doc, AstraZeneca made a headline today, pulling the vaccine. They say it’s because the demand curve isn’t there anymore. Others suggest it’s due to the inferiority of their product. What’s your take?”
“They were very effective for what they were supposed to be used for, which was preventing severe disease and hospitalization or deaths. That’s what the vaccines were studied to do in this country, and that’s what they did,” Birx answered.
This is a blatant lie. The COVID-19 vaccines were initially presented to the public as a way to provide immunity and stop the spread of the virus. However, as vaccinated individuals continued to contract COVID-19, it became apparent that the vaccines weren’t producing immunity as expected.
In September 2021, almost a year after Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval, the CDC altered its definition of vaccines and vaccination.
At the time the Covid-19 vaccines were developed and studied, the definition of vaccines was clear. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vaccine was defined as “a product that stimulates a person’s immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from that disease.” Vaccination was defined as “the act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.”
Rather than admit the Covid vaccine is not working as advertised, CDC took a page out of Orwell’s 1984 and opted for new spin language.
The new definition of a vaccine is “a preparation that is used to stimulate the body’s immune response against diseases.”
Note the subtle but important change. Instead of “PRODUCING IMMUNITY” the new definition moves the goal posts and states that their pseudo vaccine “STIMULATES THE BODY’S IMMUNE RESPONSE.”
When Cuomo questioned whether there was reluctance to acknowledge vaccine injuries due to fear of damaging public trust, Birx responded, “That’s why we need all the people to come forward that have had reactions because I’m not sure all of them have been reported. Do I think it’s millions? No. Could it be thousands? Yes.”
“You and I both remember what happened during HIV. Hiv had a lot of misinformation, a lot of confusion, and it’s like we didn’t learn from that,” Birx added.
Dr. Birx seems to overlook the actions of her colleague, Dr. Anthony Fauci, during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
At that time, Dr. Fauci made public claims that suggested children could contract AIDS through casual contact, a statement that significantly heightened public fear and stigma towards the gay community and those suffering from the disease. Moreover, Dr. Fauci has been accused of withholding effective treatments from AIDS patients as thousands died, focusing instead on the pursuit of a vaccine that never materialized.
WATCH:
Dr. Deborah Birx Now Says Thousands of Americans Could Be Vaccine Injured by the COVID Jab
“That happens often with immunizations that if the natural disease can cause it, then it also sometimes can be seen in certain profiles of the vaccine. We should be studying that right… pic.twitter.com/LCnIg1ufmv
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) May 9, 2024
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE EXCHANGE CAN ALSO BE VIEWED HERE (longer version of interview)
Dr. Deborah Birx: We need a 'transparent panel' to research COVID origins | Cuomo
NewsNation
May 8, 2024
7 min 30 sec
The chair of a House subcommittee looking into the origins of COVID-19 saw classified State Department documents that he says contain credible evidence to support the claim that the virus leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China. Dr. Deborah Birx, the former coordinator of the White House coronavirus response in the early days of the pandemic, says that China was not being transparent at the time.
Zoner
Veteran Member
So evil(fair use applies)
“Scarf Lady” Dr. Deborah Birx Now Says Thousands of Americans Could Be Vaccine Injured by the COVID Shot (VIDEO)
by Jim Hoft
May. 9, 2024 10:30 am
Dr. Deborah Birx, the former White House coronavirus response coordinator who destroyed the country along with Dr. Anthony Fauci, suggested that thousands of Americans could be suffering from vaccine-related injuries due to the experimental COVID-19 shots.
Cuomo opened the discussion with Birx by addressing AstraZeneca’s withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine from the U.S. market.
“Doc, AstraZeneca made a headline today, pulling the vaccine. They say it’s because the demand curve isn’t there anymore. Others suggest it’s due to the inferiority of their product. What’s your take?”
“They were very effective for what they were supposed to be used for, which was preventing severe disease and hospitalization or deaths. That’s what the vaccines were studied to do in this country, and that’s what they did,” Birx answered.
This is a blatant lie. The COVID-19 vaccines were initially presented to the public as a way to provide immunity and stop the spread of the virus. However, as vaccinated individuals continued to contract COVID-19, it became apparent that the vaccines weren’t producing immunity as expected.
In September 2021, almost a year after Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval, the CDC altered its definition of vaccines and vaccination.
At the time the Covid-19 vaccines were developed and studied, the definition of vaccines was clear. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vaccine was defined as “a product that stimulates a person’s immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from that disease.” Vaccination was defined as “the act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.”
Rather than admit the Covid vaccine is not working as advertised, CDC took a page out of Orwell’s 1984 and opted for new spin language.
The new definition of a vaccine is “a preparation that is used to stimulate the body’s immune response against diseases.”
Note the subtle but important change. Instead of “PRODUCING IMMUNITY” the new definition moves the goal posts and states that their pseudo vaccine “STIMULATES THE BODY’S IMMUNE RESPONSE.”
When Cuomo questioned whether there was reluctance to acknowledge vaccine injuries due to fear of damaging public trust, Birx responded, “That’s why we need all the people to come forward that have had reactions because I’m not sure all of them have been reported. Do I think it’s millions? No. Could it be thousands? Yes.”
“You and I both remember what happened during HIV. Hiv had a lot of misinformation, a lot of confusion, and it’s like we didn’t learn from that,” Birx added.
Dr. Birx seems to overlook the actions of her colleague, Dr. Anthony Fauci, during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
At that time, Dr. Fauci made public claims that suggested children could contract AIDS through casual contact, a statement that significantly heightened public fear and stigma towards the gay community and those suffering from the disease. Moreover, Dr. Fauci has been accused of withholding effective treatments from AIDS patients as thousands died, focusing instead on the pursuit of a vaccine that never materialized.
WATCH:
Dr. Deborah Birx Now Says Thousands of Americans Could Be Vaccine Injured by the COVID Jab“That happens often with immunizations that if the natural disease can cause it, then it also sometimes can be seen in certain profiles of the vaccine. We should be studying that right… pic.twitter.com/LCnIg1ufmv— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) May 9, 2024
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE EXCHANGE CAN ALSO BE VIEWED HERE (longer version of interview)
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwBBTW6mQsc
Dr. Deborah Birx: We need a 'transparent panel' to research COVID origins | Cuomo
NewsNation
May 8, 2024
7 min 30 sec
The chair of a House subcommittee looking into the origins of COVID-19 saw classified State Department documents that he says contain credible evidence to support the claim that the virus leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China. Dr. Deborah Birx, the former coordinator of the White House coronavirus response in the early days of the pandemic, says that China was not being transparent at the time.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
A new Covid variant has taken over, and experts predict a small summer wave
The KP.2 variant now represents 28% of Covid infections in the U.S., up from just 6% in mid-April, according to data released Friday by the CDC.
A new Covid variant has taken over, and experts predict a small summer wave
Aria Bendix - NBC News
Fri, May 10, 2024, 7:28 PM EDT
Disease experts anticipate a small uptick in Covid cases this summer, as a new variant spreads.
The KP.2 variant represents 28% of Covid infections in the U.S., up from just 6% in mid-April, according to data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
KP.2 became dominant at the end of April — meaning it accounts for the largest share of new cases — outpacing the JN.1 variant, which took over in the winter.
Some scientists collectively refer to KP.2 and another variant called KP.1.1, which shares the same key mutations, as “FLiRT” — a reference to their amino acid changes.
Both are descendants of JN.1, which is part of the omicron lineage, like all versions of the coronavirus that have gained dominance in the last couple of years.
But KP.2 has three additional mutations in its spike protein compared with JN.1, which disease experts said could make it easier for the virus to bypass protection from vaccines or prior infections.
“It looks like those additional mutations make it more immune evasive, so it’s not a surprise that it would then dominate,” said Dr. Dan Barouch, director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Laboratory research from Japan, which was published as a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed, suggests that the Covid vaccines currently recommended in the U.S. may be less effective against KP.2 than against JN.1.
However, KP.2 might be less efficient at infecting cells, the research suggests, which could mean that a higher dose of the virus would be needed to infect someone.
People who were infected with JN.1 should still have some protection against KP.2, experts said.
The CDC does not collect regular data on how Covid symptoms are evolving over time, so it’s hard to assess whether illnesses caused by KP.2 look any different. Covid symptoms have generally been consistent over the last two-plus years.
Experts predict a small rise in cases this summer
Covid cases have spiked every summer in the U.S. since 2020. If KP.2 continues to gain prevalence, that pattern may repeat — but not as dramatically, experts predict.
The U.S. is in a good place with Covid heading into the summer, according to Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at Johns Hopkins University. Hospitalizations reached record lows at the end of April, the last data available before the CDC stopped requiring hospitals to report Covid admissions numbers.
“We see a late summer, early fall surge of cases, and then we see a second surge of cases right around the Christmas holidays, the New Year,” Pekosz said. “That pattern has been sort of reproducing itself for a couple of years now. The important thing, though, is the magnitude of the cases has been consistently dropping.”
Several factors could help the KP.2 variant spread this summer. When the weather gets very warm, people tend to congregate indoors to escape the heat, creating new opportunities for transmission. Many people also haven’t been vaccinated recently; less than a quarter of U.S. adults have received the updated Covid shot.
“I think that there’s going to be a significantly large susceptible population out there, from that combination of waning immunity and viral evolution, that we’re going to see a number of cases this summer,” said Dr. Thomas Russo, chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
But he added that since most people have some immunity to Covid, it’s possible that “the wave won’t be as great” as in previous years.
Barouch said past summer waves have coincided with the arrival of new variants, so this year could be similar.
“The increases in the summertime have often been in the context of new variants, such as the original Delta wave, for example, or the BA.5 wave,” he said. “So I wouldn’t be surprised if there is another summertime surge.”
Will KP.2 affect vaccine recommendations?
KP.2’s rise creates questions for the public health experts who decide which variants to target with new Covid vaccines.
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday postponed an advisory committee meeting that was meant to decide which strains to include in the updated vaccine formula for the fall.
"We have recently observed shifts in the dominant circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2," an FDA spokesperson said. "The additional time will allow the agency to obtain more up-to-date surveillance data and other information on the circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 to better inform the committee’s discussions and recommendations."
The most recent vaccine-related recommendations from the CDC came in February, when it suggested that people ages 65 and up should get an additional dose and younger people could consider one.
People who haven’t received the updated shot and feel like they need it "should get the vaccine that’s currently available,” Barouch said.
But Pekosz said people who are not immunocompromised could probably hold off until the fall.
“With case numbers being relatively low right now, I think the prudent thing is to try to wait till September and get the new formulation,” he said.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
3 more cats die of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S.
Three more cats have died of H5N1 bird flu in the United States, one of which was a domestic cat with no links to farms, according to state officials. At least 10 cats are now known to have died since bird flu spread to dairy cows earlier this year. Two of the cats were found […]
bnonews.com
3 more cats die of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S.
By BNO News
Published on May 10, 2024
Three more cats have died of H5N1 bird flu in the United States, one of which was a domestic cat with no links to farms, according to state officials. At least 10 cats are now known to have died since bird flu spread to dairy cows earlier this year.
Two of the cats were found dead at a dairy farm in Curry County in New Mexico, according to the state’s veterinarian, Dr. Samantha Uhrig. Cows at the farm also tested positive after workers noticed a drop in milk production.
The third case was reported in Yellowstone County in Montana, where a domestic cat exhibited “neurologic signs” after the owner found a dead skunk on the property.
The cat was initially submitted for rabies testing but it was later discovered that the pet was infected with H5N1 bird flu. There were no links to farms or dairy cows, Tahnee Szymanski, the state’s veterinarian, told BNO News.
At least 10 cats in the United States have died of H5N1 bird flu since the virus was confirmed in dairy cows in late March. The real number of infected barn cats may be higher due to limited testing.
The global spread of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b – and the recent spread to a growing number of mammals – has raised concern about the possibility of human-to-human transmission from a future variant. So far, only a few human cases have been found after contact with infected birds or cattle.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in late March that bird flu had been found in unpasteurized milk from sick cows in Kansas and Texas, making those the first-ever cases in cattle. The number of outbreaks at dairy farms has since risen to 42 in 9 states and a farm worker in Texas also tested positive.
On Friday, the U.S. government announced nearly $200 million in funding to fight the spread of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cows, including support for dairy farms, testing, vaccine development, surveillance and measures to ensure the safety of commercial milk.
Cats are known to be highly vulnerable to this new strain of H5N1 bird flu. The first case in a cat with this variant was reported near a duck farm in southern France in December 2022, after which the animal was euthanized.
In 2023, nearly 40 cats died at two animal shelters in South Korea after eating contaminated cat food, and in Poland, more than a dozen cats died in an outbreak presumably caused by contaminated raw meat.
In the United States, at least 23 cats have been infected with H5N1 bird flu, including the 10 cases reported in recent weeks. The other 13 happened last year in connection with infected poultry or wild birds.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)
Reported Death Of Domestic Cat In Yellowstone County-Montana Sparks Concerns That H5N1 Could Now Be Evolving To Target Cats
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
May 11, 2024
The reported death of a domestic cat in Yellowstone County, Montana, due to H5N1 bird flu but was not linked to any dairy cows has sparked significant concerns about the evolution of the virus to target cats specifically. This incident is part of a larger trend where three more cats have succumbed to the H5N1 bird flu in the United States, bringing the total known feline deaths to 10 since the virus spread to dairy cows earlier this year. With lack of testing, some scientists are concerned that H5N1 could also be spreading among the cat population silently and helping its continued evolution.
The Recent Cases and Their Significance
Health officials have confirmed that two of the recent cases were found in cats at a dairy farm in Curry County, New Mexico, where cows also tested positive for the virus. However, a third case occurred in Yellowstone County, Montana, involving a domestic cat that showed neurological signs after the owner discovered a dead skunk on the property. What sets this case apart is the lack of direct links to farms or dairy cows, highlighting a potential shift in the virus's behavior.
The H5N1 News report on this particular H5N1 infection involving a domestic cat was released by BNO News.
3 more cats die of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S.
Global Concerns About H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b and Its Impact on Mammals
The global spread of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, particularly its recent transmission to a growing number of mammals, has raised alarm about potential human-to-human transmission in the future. While human cases have been limited thus far and mostly linked to contact with infected birds or cattle, the evolving nature of the virus warrants close monitoring and preventive measures.
The Spread of H5N1 in Cattle and Dairy Farms
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the presence of bird flu in unpasteurized milk from sick cows in Kansas and Texas in late March, marking the first-ever cases in cattle. Subsequently, outbreaks in dairy farms have increased to 42 across nine states, with a farm worker in Texas also testing positive. In response, the government allocated nearly $200 million for efforts to combat the spread of H5N1 in dairy cows, including funding for testing, vaccine development, surveillance, and milk safety measures.
Vulnerability of Cats to H5N1 Bird Flu: Global Perspective
Cats have shown high vulnerability to this new strain of H5N1 bird flu, as evidenced by cases in France, South Korea, Poland, and now the United States. The first case in a cat with this variant was reported near a duck farm in southern France in December
2022, leading to the cat's euthanasia. Subsequent incidents in South Korea and Poland highlighted the risks associated with contaminated food sources.
Experts warn that because cats are extremely susceptible to the lethal neurological effects of the H5N1 virus, should the virus evolve to facilitate easier transmission and spread to cats and among cats, the whole feline population could possibly be wiped out!
Clinical Manifestations and Susceptibility in Cats
HPAI A(H5N1) infections in cats have been documented globally, resulting in varying degrees of clinical manifestations, including respiratory and neurological signs, often with fatal outcomes. Domestic cats are particularly susceptible to HPAI H5N1, with infection typically occurring through the consumption of infected wild birds or contaminated poultry products.
Conclusion: Urgent Action and Vigilance Needed
The recent cases of H5N1 bird flu in domestic cats in the United States underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the evolving threat. Enhanced surveillance, public awareness campaigns, and support for veterinary interventions are crucial to mitigating the risk posed by this virus to both animal and human health. As research continues to unravel the complexities of H5N1 transmission and evolution, vigilance remains paramount in safeguarding against potential pandemics.
Reported Death Of Domestic Cat In Yellowstone County-Montana Sparks Concerns That H5N1 Could Now Be Evolving To Target Cats
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
May 11, 2024
The reported death of a domestic cat in Yellowstone County, Montana, due to H5N1 bird flu but was not linked to any dairy cows has sparked significant concerns about the evolution of the virus to target cats specifically. This incident is part of a larger trend where three more cats have succumbed to the H5N1 bird flu in the United States, bringing the total known feline deaths to 10 since the virus spread to dairy cows earlier this year. With lack of testing, some scientists are concerned that H5N1 could also be spreading among the cat population silently and helping its continued evolution.
The Recent Cases and Their Significance
Health officials have confirmed that two of the recent cases were found in cats at a dairy farm in Curry County, New Mexico, where cows also tested positive for the virus. However, a third case occurred in Yellowstone County, Montana, involving a domestic cat that showed neurological signs after the owner discovered a dead skunk on the property. What sets this case apart is the lack of direct links to farms or dairy cows, highlighting a potential shift in the virus's behavior.
The H5N1 News report on this particular H5N1 infection involving a domestic cat was released by BNO News.
3 more cats die of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S.
Global Concerns About H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b and Its Impact on Mammals
The global spread of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, particularly its recent transmission to a growing number of mammals, has raised alarm about potential human-to-human transmission in the future. While human cases have been limited thus far and mostly linked to contact with infected birds or cattle, the evolving nature of the virus warrants close monitoring and preventive measures.
The Spread of H5N1 in Cattle and Dairy Farms
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the presence of bird flu in unpasteurized milk from sick cows in Kansas and Texas in late March, marking the first-ever cases in cattle. Subsequently, outbreaks in dairy farms have increased to 42 across nine states, with a farm worker in Texas also testing positive. In response, the government allocated nearly $200 million for efforts to combat the spread of H5N1 in dairy cows, including funding for testing, vaccine development, surveillance, and milk safety measures.
Vulnerability of Cats to H5N1 Bird Flu: Global Perspective
Cats have shown high vulnerability to this new strain of H5N1 bird flu, as evidenced by cases in France, South Korea, Poland, and now the United States. The first case in a cat with this variant was reported near a duck farm in southern France in December
2022, leading to the cat's euthanasia. Subsequent incidents in South Korea and Poland highlighted the risks associated with contaminated food sources.
Experts warn that because cats are extremely susceptible to the lethal neurological effects of the H5N1 virus, should the virus evolve to facilitate easier transmission and spread to cats and among cats, the whole feline population could possibly be wiped out!
Clinical Manifestations and Susceptibility in Cats
HPAI A(H5N1) infections in cats have been documented globally, resulting in varying degrees of clinical manifestations, including respiratory and neurological signs, often with fatal outcomes. Domestic cats are particularly susceptible to HPAI H5N1, with infection typically occurring through the consumption of infected wild birds or contaminated poultry products.
Conclusion: Urgent Action and Vigilance Needed
The recent cases of H5N1 bird flu in domestic cats in the United States underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the evolving threat. Enhanced surveillance, public awareness campaigns, and support for veterinary interventions are crucial to mitigating the risk posed by this virus to both animal and human health. As research continues to unravel the complexities of H5N1 transmission and evolution, vigilance remains paramount in safeguarding against potential pandemics.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Yep, they're still trying to make H5N1 a thing
...and squandering what's left of their credibility along the way. The H5N1 story is only interesting for one reason (one they don't get) - it shows how unlikely Covid is to have natural origins.
alexberenson.substack.com
Yep, they're still trying to make H5N1 a thing
...and squandering what's left of their credibility along the way. The H5N1 story is only interesting for one reason (one they don't get) - it shows how unlikely Covid is to have natural origins.
Alex Berenson
May 09, 2024
H5N1, we can’t quit you!
Yes, with Covid firmly in the rearview mirror, Team Apocalypse has gone back to its old standby, the granddaddy of ‘em all, influenza.
Covid needed a refresh. Even long Covid is now a punchline. And from Team Apocalypse’s point of view, the flu has the great virtue of occasionally taking out someone who isn’t already terminally ill, 400 pounds, or 85 years old.
The problem in hyping the influenza threat is that those cases are quite rare, at least since the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918-19. The strains that have circulated ever since have either been far milder, or essentially unable to transmit between humans.
Still, the public health bureaucrats are trying. For months now, they have talked up the H5N1 “bird flu” strain (the numbers refer to the shapes of two crucial proteins on the influenza virus).
The warnings have been coming for months. They picked up again two weeks ago, when (harmless) bits of the virus were found in milk. Just last week, the Financial Times wrote:
Bird flu outbreak in US cattle sparks fears over next global health crisis
Unfortunately for Team Apocalypse, neither the virus nor the public is cooperating. Millions of cattle have apparently been infected, but scientists have found one - yes, one - human case, in a farm worker.
In other words, humans apparently can barely be infected with H5N1 - much less spread it.
Humans can also barely be infected with H5N1 panic. Covid has apparently produced population-level immunity to media and public health nonsense. Aside from the same blue-staters who stayed in their apartments until 2022 and still wear masks now, no one is likely to take these warnings seriously until they see evidence that the threat is real for themselves.
—
(As noted epidemiologist Bret Easton Ellis famously explained a while back, Less Than Zero
The only interesting part of the H5N1 affair is the way epidemiologists and virologists are able to track in real time the different variants of the virus, and the trouble it is having adapting to humans, even with a massive reservoir of animal hosts.
It is almost as if respiratory viruses in the wild can have a difficult time crossing host species - and may not be well-adapted to further onward transmission in a new host when they do.
It is almost as if they leave telltale clues to their evolution that scientists are able to track in near-real-time. It is almost as if they don’t ever just explode from animal hosts into human populations so perfectly adapted that they barely mutate for a year - while spreading worldwide.
Yes, H5N1 is what viral evolution looks like when the virus hasn’t escaped from a Chinese lab where it’s been juiced with foolish and dangerous research. It is an object lesson on real zoonosis.
For that reason - if no other - let’s hope the virologists keep tracking it.
jward
passin' thru
medpagetoday.com
WHO Overturns Dogma on Airborne Disease Spread. The CDC Might Not Act on It.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a report that transforms how the world understands respiratory infections like COVID-19, influenza, and measles.
Motivated by grave missteps in the pandemic, the WHO convened about 50 experts in virology, epidemiology, aerosol science, and bioengineering, among other specialties, who spent 2 years poring through the evidence on how airborne viruses and bacteria spread.
However, the WHO report stops short of prescribing actions that governments, hospitals, and the public should take in response. It remains to be seen how the CDC will act on this information in its own guidance for infection control in healthcare settings.
The WHO concluded that airborne transmission occurs as sick people exhale pathogens that remain suspended in the air, contained in tiny particles of saliva and mucus that are inhaled by others.
While it may seem obvious, and some researchers have pushed for this acknowledgment for more than a decade, an alternative dogma persisted -- which kept health authorities from saying that COVID was airborne for many months into the pandemic.
Specifically, they relied on a traditional notion that respiratory viruses spread mainly through droplets spewed out of an infected person's nose or mouth. These droplets infect others by landing directly in their mouth, nose, or eyes -- or they get carried into these orifices on droplet-contaminated fingers. Although these routes of transmission still happen, particularly among young children, experts have concluded that many respiratory infections spread as people simply breathe in virus-laden air.
"This is a complete U-turn," said Julian Tang, MBBS, PhD, a clinical virologist at the University of Leicester in England, who advised the WHO on the report. He also helped the agency create an online toolopens in a new tab or window to assess the risk of airborne transmission indoors.
Peg Seminario, an occupational health and safety specialist in Bethesda, Maryland, welcomed the shift after years of resistance from health authorities. "The dogma that droplets are a major mode of transmission is the 'flat Earth' position now," she said. "Hurray! We are finally recognizing that the world is round."
The change puts fresh emphasis on the need to improve ventilation indoors and stockpile quality face masks before the next airborne disease explodes. Far from a remote possibility, measlesopens in a new tab or window is on the rise this yearopens in a new tab or window and the H5N1 bird fluopens in a new tab or window is spreading among cattleopens in a new tab or window in several states. Scientists worry that as the H5N1 virus spends more time in mammalsopens in a new tab or window, it could evolveopens in a new tab or window to more easily infect people and spread among them through the air.
Medical News from Around the Web
Traditional beliefs on droplet transmission help explain why the WHO and the CDC focused so acutely on hand-washing and surface-cleaning at the beginning of the pandemic. Such advice overwhelmed recommendations for N95 masks that filter out most virus-laden particles suspended in the air. Employers denied many healthcare workers access to N95s, insisting that only those routinely working within feet of COVID patients needed them. More than 3,600 healthcare workers diedopens in a new tab or window in the first year of the pandemic, many due to a lack of protection.
However, a committee advising the CDC appears poised to brush aside the updated science when it comes to its pending guidance on healthcare facilities.
Lisa Brosseau, ScD, an aerosol expert and a consultant at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy in Minnesota, warns of a repeat of 2020 if that happens.
"The rubber hits the road when you make decisions on how to protect people," Brosseau said. "Aerosol scientists may see this report as a big win because they think everything will now follow from the science. But that's not how this works and there are still major barriers."
Money is one. If a respiratory disease spreads through inhalation, it means that people can lower their risk of infection indoors through sometimes costly methods to clean the air, such as mechanical ventilation and using air purifiers, and wearing an N95 mask. The CDC has so far been reluctant to press for such measures, as it updates foundational guidelines on curbing airborne infections in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and other facilities that provide healthcare. This year, a committee advising the CDC released a draft guidanceopens in a new tab or window that differs significantly from the WHO report.
Whereas the WHO report doesn't characterize airborne viruses and bacteria as traveling short distances or long, the CDC draft maintains those traditional categories. It prescribes looser-fitting surgical masks rather than N95s for pathogens that "spread predominantly over short distances." Surgical masks block far fewer airborne virus particles than N95s, which cost roughly 10 times as much.
Researchers and healthcare workers have been outragedopens in a new tab or window about the committee's draft, filing letters and petitions to the CDC. They say it gets the science wrong and endangers health. "A separation between short- and long-range distance is totally artificial," Tang said.
Airborne viruses travel much like cigarette smoke, he explained. The scent will be strongest beside a smoker, but those farther away will inhale more and more smoke if they remain in the room, especially when there's no ventilation.
Likewise, people open windows when they burn toast so that smoke dissipates before filling the kitchen and setting off an alarm. "You think viruses stop after 3 feet and drop to the ground?" Tang said of the classical notion of distance. "That is absurd."
The CDC's advisory committee is comprised primarily of infection control researchers at large hospital systems, while the WHO consulted a diverse group of scientists looking at many different types of studies. For example, one analysisopens in a new tab or window examined the puff clouds expelled by singers and musicians playing clarinets, French horns, saxophones, and trumpets. Another reviewed 16 investigations opens in a new tab or windowinto COVID outbreaks at restaurants, a gym, a food processing factory, and other venues, finding that insufficient ventilation probably made them worse than they would otherwise be.
In response to the outcry, the CDC returned the draftopens in a new tab or window to its committee for review, asking it to reconsider its advice. Meetings from an expanded working group have since been held privately. But the National Nurses United union obtained notes of the conversations through a public records request to the agency. The records suggest a push for more lax protection. "It may be difficult as far as compliance is concerned to not have surgical masks as an option," said one unidentified member, according to notes from the committee's March 14 discussionopens in a new tab or window. Another warned that "supply and compliance would be difficult."
The nurses' union, far from echoing such concerns, wrote on its websiteopens in a new tab or window, "The Work Group has prioritized employer costs and profits (often under the umbrella of 'feasibility' and 'flexibility') over robust protections." Jane Thomason, MSPH, the union's lead industrial hygienist, said the meeting records suggest the CDC group is working backward, molding its definitions of airborne transmission to fit the outcome it prefers.
Tang expects resistance to the WHO report. "Infection control people who have built their careers on this will object," he said. "It takes a long time to change people's way of thinking."
The CDC declined to comment on how the WHO's shift might influence its final policies on infection control in health facilities, which might not be completed this year. Creating policies to protect people from inhaling airborne viruses is complicated by the number of factors that influence how they spread indoors, such as ventilation, temperature, and the size of the space.
Adding to the complexity, policymakers must weigh the toll of various ailments, ranging from COVID to colds to tuberculosis, against the burden of protection. And tolls often depend on context, such as whether an outbreak happens in a school or a cancer ward.
"What is the level of mortality that people will accept without precautions?" Tang said. "That's another question."
www.medpagetoday.com
WHO Overturns Dogma on Airborne Disease Spread. The CDC Might Not Act on It.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a report that transforms how the world understands respiratory infections like COVID-19, influenza, and measles.
Motivated by grave missteps in the pandemic, the WHO convened about 50 experts in virology, epidemiology, aerosol science, and bioengineering, among other specialties, who spent 2 years poring through the evidence on how airborne viruses and bacteria spread.
However, the WHO report stops short of prescribing actions that governments, hospitals, and the public should take in response. It remains to be seen how the CDC will act on this information in its own guidance for infection control in healthcare settings.
The WHO concluded that airborne transmission occurs as sick people exhale pathogens that remain suspended in the air, contained in tiny particles of saliva and mucus that are inhaled by others.
While it may seem obvious, and some researchers have pushed for this acknowledgment for more than a decade, an alternative dogma persisted -- which kept health authorities from saying that COVID was airborne for many months into the pandemic.
Specifically, they relied on a traditional notion that respiratory viruses spread mainly through droplets spewed out of an infected person's nose or mouth. These droplets infect others by landing directly in their mouth, nose, or eyes -- or they get carried into these orifices on droplet-contaminated fingers. Although these routes of transmission still happen, particularly among young children, experts have concluded that many respiratory infections spread as people simply breathe in virus-laden air.
"This is a complete U-turn," said Julian Tang, MBBS, PhD, a clinical virologist at the University of Leicester in England, who advised the WHO on the report. He also helped the agency create an online toolopens in a new tab or window to assess the risk of airborne transmission indoors.
Peg Seminario, an occupational health and safety specialist in Bethesda, Maryland, welcomed the shift after years of resistance from health authorities. "The dogma that droplets are a major mode of transmission is the 'flat Earth' position now," she said. "Hurray! We are finally recognizing that the world is round."
The change puts fresh emphasis on the need to improve ventilation indoors and stockpile quality face masks before the next airborne disease explodes. Far from a remote possibility, measlesopens in a new tab or window is on the rise this yearopens in a new tab or window and the H5N1 bird fluopens in a new tab or window is spreading among cattleopens in a new tab or window in several states. Scientists worry that as the H5N1 virus spends more time in mammalsopens in a new tab or window, it could evolveopens in a new tab or window to more easily infect people and spread among them through the air.
Medical News from Around the Web
Traditional beliefs on droplet transmission help explain why the WHO and the CDC focused so acutely on hand-washing and surface-cleaning at the beginning of the pandemic. Such advice overwhelmed recommendations for N95 masks that filter out most virus-laden particles suspended in the air. Employers denied many healthcare workers access to N95s, insisting that only those routinely working within feet of COVID patients needed them. More than 3,600 healthcare workers diedopens in a new tab or window in the first year of the pandemic, many due to a lack of protection.
However, a committee advising the CDC appears poised to brush aside the updated science when it comes to its pending guidance on healthcare facilities.
Lisa Brosseau, ScD, an aerosol expert and a consultant at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy in Minnesota, warns of a repeat of 2020 if that happens.
"The rubber hits the road when you make decisions on how to protect people," Brosseau said. "Aerosol scientists may see this report as a big win because they think everything will now follow from the science. But that's not how this works and there are still major barriers."
Money is one. If a respiratory disease spreads through inhalation, it means that people can lower their risk of infection indoors through sometimes costly methods to clean the air, such as mechanical ventilation and using air purifiers, and wearing an N95 mask. The CDC has so far been reluctant to press for such measures, as it updates foundational guidelines on curbing airborne infections in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and other facilities that provide healthcare. This year, a committee advising the CDC released a draft guidanceopens in a new tab or window that differs significantly from the WHO report.
Whereas the WHO report doesn't characterize airborne viruses and bacteria as traveling short distances or long, the CDC draft maintains those traditional categories. It prescribes looser-fitting surgical masks rather than N95s for pathogens that "spread predominantly over short distances." Surgical masks block far fewer airborne virus particles than N95s, which cost roughly 10 times as much.
Researchers and healthcare workers have been outragedopens in a new tab or window about the committee's draft, filing letters and petitions to the CDC. They say it gets the science wrong and endangers health. "A separation between short- and long-range distance is totally artificial," Tang said.
Airborne viruses travel much like cigarette smoke, he explained. The scent will be strongest beside a smoker, but those farther away will inhale more and more smoke if they remain in the room, especially when there's no ventilation.
Likewise, people open windows when they burn toast so that smoke dissipates before filling the kitchen and setting off an alarm. "You think viruses stop after 3 feet and drop to the ground?" Tang said of the classical notion of distance. "That is absurd."
The CDC's advisory committee is comprised primarily of infection control researchers at large hospital systems, while the WHO consulted a diverse group of scientists looking at many different types of studies. For example, one analysisopens in a new tab or window examined the puff clouds expelled by singers and musicians playing clarinets, French horns, saxophones, and trumpets. Another reviewed 16 investigations opens in a new tab or windowinto COVID outbreaks at restaurants, a gym, a food processing factory, and other venues, finding that insufficient ventilation probably made them worse than they would otherwise be.
In response to the outcry, the CDC returned the draftopens in a new tab or window to its committee for review, asking it to reconsider its advice. Meetings from an expanded working group have since been held privately. But the National Nurses United union obtained notes of the conversations through a public records request to the agency. The records suggest a push for more lax protection. "It may be difficult as far as compliance is concerned to not have surgical masks as an option," said one unidentified member, according to notes from the committee's March 14 discussionopens in a new tab or window. Another warned that "supply and compliance would be difficult."
The nurses' union, far from echoing such concerns, wrote on its websiteopens in a new tab or window, "The Work Group has prioritized employer costs and profits (often under the umbrella of 'feasibility' and 'flexibility') over robust protections." Jane Thomason, MSPH, the union's lead industrial hygienist, said the meeting records suggest the CDC group is working backward, molding its definitions of airborne transmission to fit the outcome it prefers.
Tang expects resistance to the WHO report. "Infection control people who have built their careers on this will object," he said. "It takes a long time to change people's way of thinking."
The CDC declined to comment on how the WHO's shift might influence its final policies on infection control in health facilities, which might not be completed this year. Creating policies to protect people from inhaling airborne viruses is complicated by the number of factors that influence how they spread indoors, such as ventilation, temperature, and the size of the space.
Adding to the complexity, policymakers must weigh the toll of various ailments, ranging from COVID to colds to tuberculosis, against the burden of protection. And tolls often depend on context, such as whether an outbreak happens in a school or a cancer ward.
"What is the level of mortality that people will accept without precautions?" Tang said. "That's another question."
WHO Overturns Dogma on Airborne Disease Spread. The CDC Might Not Act on It.
The report 'is a complete U-turn,' according to one expert
www.medpagetoday.com
Tristan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Were there any Scientists from Operation Paperclip working at Plum Island?
Plum Island, or any other Gob't. Bioweapons research facility?
Or, was it just their ideas that filtered into the process?
Asking for a friend.
Humanity.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
They really can't make up their minds.medpagetoday.com
WHO Overturns Dogma on Airborne Disease Spread. The CDC Might Not Act on It.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a report that transforms how the world understands respiratory infections like COVID-19, influenza, and measles.
Motivated by grave missteps in the pandemic, the WHO convened about 50 experts in virology, epidemiology, aerosol science, and bioengineering, among other specialties, who spent 2 years poring through the evidence on how airborne viruses and bacteria spread.
However, the WHO report stops short of prescribing actions that governments, hospitals, and the public should take in response. It remains to be seen how the CDC will act on this information in its own guidance for infection control in healthcare settings.
The WHO concluded that airborne transmission occurs as sick people exhale pathogens that remain suspended in the air, contained in tiny particles of saliva and mucus that are inhaled by others.
While it may seem obvious, and some researchers have pushed for this acknowledgment for more than a decade, an alternative dogma persisted -- which kept health authorities from saying that COVID was airborne for many months into the pandemic.
Specifically, they relied on a traditional notion that respiratory viruses spread mainly through droplets spewed out of an infected person's nose or mouth. These droplets infect others by landing directly in their mouth, nose, or eyes -- or they get carried into these orifices on droplet-contaminated fingers. Although these routes of transmission still happen, particularly among young children, experts have concluded that many respiratory infections spread as people simply breathe in virus-laden air.
"This is a complete U-turn," said Julian Tang, MBBS, PhD, a clinical virologist at the University of Leicester in England, who advised the WHO on the report. He also helped the agency create an online toolopens in a new tab or window to assess the risk of airborne transmission indoors.
Peg Seminario, an occupational health and safety specialist in Bethesda, Maryland, welcomed the shift after years of resistance from health authorities. "The dogma that droplets are a major mode of transmission is the 'flat Earth' position now," she said. "Hurray! We are finally recognizing that the world is round."
The change puts fresh emphasis on the need to improve ventilation indoors and stockpile quality face masks before the next airborne disease explodes. Far from a remote possibility, measlesopens in a new tab or window is on the rise this yearopens in a new tab or window and the H5N1 bird fluopens in a new tab or window is spreading among cattleopens in a new tab or window in several states. Scientists worry that as the H5N1 virus spends more time in mammalsopens in a new tab or window, it could evolveopens in a new tab or window to more easily infect people and spread among them through the air.
Medical News from Around the Web
Traditional beliefs on droplet transmission help explain why the WHO and the CDC focused so acutely on hand-washing and surface-cleaning at the beginning of the pandemic. Such advice overwhelmed recommendations for N95 masks that filter out most virus-laden particles suspended in the air. Employers denied many healthcare workers access to N95s, insisting that only those routinely working within feet of COVID patients needed them. More than 3,600 healthcare workers diedopens in a new tab or window in the first year of the pandemic, many due to a lack of protection.
However, a committee advising the CDC appears poised to brush aside the updated science when it comes to its pending guidance on healthcare facilities.
Lisa Brosseau, ScD, an aerosol expert and a consultant at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy in Minnesota, warns of a repeat of 2020 if that happens.
"The rubber hits the road when you make decisions on how to protect people," Brosseau said. "Aerosol scientists may see this report as a big win because they think everything will now follow from the science. But that's not how this works and there are still major barriers."
Money is one. If a respiratory disease spreads through inhalation, it means that people can lower their risk of infection indoors through sometimes costly methods to clean the air, such as mechanical ventilation and using air purifiers, and wearing an N95 mask. The CDC has so far been reluctant to press for such measures, as it updates foundational guidelines on curbing airborne infections in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and other facilities that provide healthcare. This year, a committee advising the CDC released a draft guidanceopens in a new tab or window that differs significantly from the WHO report.
Whereas the WHO report doesn't characterize airborne viruses and bacteria as traveling short distances or long, the CDC draft maintains those traditional categories. It prescribes looser-fitting surgical masks rather than N95s for pathogens that "spread predominantly over short distances." Surgical masks block far fewer airborne virus particles than N95s, which cost roughly 10 times as much.
Researchers and healthcare workers have been outragedopens in a new tab or window about the committee's draft, filing letters and petitions to the CDC. They say it gets the science wrong and endangers health. "A separation between short- and long-range distance is totally artificial," Tang said.
Airborne viruses travel much like cigarette smoke, he explained. The scent will be strongest beside a smoker, but those farther away will inhale more and more smoke if they remain in the room, especially when there's no ventilation.
Likewise, people open windows when they burn toast so that smoke dissipates before filling the kitchen and setting off an alarm. "You think viruses stop after 3 feet and drop to the ground?" Tang said of the classical notion of distance. "That is absurd."
The CDC's advisory committee is comprised primarily of infection control researchers at large hospital systems, while the WHO consulted a diverse group of scientists looking at many different types of studies. For example, one analysisopens in a new tab or window examined the puff clouds expelled by singers and musicians playing clarinets, French horns, saxophones, and trumpets. Another reviewed 16 investigations opens in a new tab or windowinto COVID outbreaks at restaurants, a gym, a food processing factory, and other venues, finding that insufficient ventilation probably made them worse than they would otherwise be.
In response to the outcry, the CDC returned the draftopens in a new tab or window to its committee for review, asking it to reconsider its advice. Meetings from an expanded working group have since been held privately. But the National Nurses United union obtained notes of the conversations through a public records request to the agency. The records suggest a push for more lax protection. "It may be difficult as far as compliance is concerned to not have surgical masks as an option," said one unidentified member, according to notes from the committee's March 14 discussionopens in a new tab or window. Another warned that "supply and compliance would be difficult."
The nurses' union, far from echoing such concerns, wrote on its websiteopens in a new tab or window, "The Work Group has prioritized employer costs and profits (often under the umbrella of 'feasibility' and 'flexibility') over robust protections." Jane Thomason, MSPH, the union's lead industrial hygienist, said the meeting records suggest the CDC group is working backward, molding its definitions of airborne transmission to fit the outcome it prefers.
Tang expects resistance to the WHO report. "Infection control people who have built their careers on this will object," he said. "It takes a long time to change people's way of thinking."
The CDC declined to comment on how the WHO's shift might influence its final policies on infection control in health facilities, which might not be completed this year. Creating policies to protect people from inhaling airborne viruses is complicated by the number of factors that influence how they spread indoors, such as ventilation, temperature, and the size of the space.
Adding to the complexity, policymakers must weigh the toll of various ailments, ranging from COVID to colds to tuberculosis, against the burden of protection. And tolls often depend on context, such as whether an outbreak happens in a school or a cancer ward.
"What is the level of mortality that people will accept without precautions?" Tang said. "That's another question."
WHO Overturns Dogma on Airborne Disease Spread. The CDC Might Not Act on It.
The report 'is a complete U-turn,' according to one expert
It's both. It's breathing and fomites. You need gloves and masks, and masks when out in public to protect from someone who should be staying home but decides to infect everyone because they think they're only mildy infectious and not coughing and rules don't apply to them. (I don't think a regular mask will work if a person is coughing up a high viral load. ) Changing guidance to get rid of gloves is just asking for trouble, imho. If a highly infectious disease comes around again, everyone should wear nitrile gloves when out in public and know how to use them (don't touch your face with the gloves on, etc) and how to take them off. better to be safe than sorry..
Thank you for posting this.
HD
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
New vaccine could protect against coronaviruses that haven't even emerged yet
The rapid development of vaccines that protect against COVID was a remarkable scientific achievement that saved millions of lives. The vaccines have demonstrated substantial success in reducing death and serious illness after COVID infection.
New vaccine could protect against coronaviruses that haven't even emerged yet
by Rory Hills, The Conversation
May 11, 2024
Comparison of immunization with Mosaic or Quartet Nanocages. Credit: Nature Nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01655-9
The rapid development of vaccines that protect against COVID was a remarkable scientific achievement that saved millions of lives. The vaccines have demonstrated substantial success in reducing death and serious illness after COVID infection.
Despite this success, the effects of the pandemic have been devastating, and it is critical to consider how to protect against future pandemic threats. As well as SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID), previously unknown coronaviruses have been responsible for the deadly outbreaks of SARS (2003) and MERS (2012 outbreak with ongoing cases). Meanwhile, several circulating bat coronaviruses have been identified as having the potential to infect humans—which could cause future outbreaks.
My colleagues and I have recently shown, in mice, that a single, relatively simple vaccine can protect against a range of coronaviruses—even ones that are yet to be identified. This is a step towards our goal of what is known as "proactive vaccinology," where vaccines are developed against pandemic threats before they can infect humans. Our work is published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
Interview with the author, Rory Hills.
4 min 15 sec
Conventional vaccines use a single antigen (part of a virus that triggers an immune response) that typically protects against that virus and that virus alone. They tend not to protect against diverse known viruses, or viruses that have not yet been discovered.
In previous research, we have shown the success of "mosaic nanoparticles" at raising immune responses to different coronaviruses. These mosaic nanoparticles use a type of protein superglue technology that irreversibly links two different proteins together.
This "superglue" is used to decorate a single nanoparticle with multiple receptor-binding domains— a key part of a virus located on the spike protein—that come from different viruses. The vaccine is focused on a sub-group of coronaviruses called sarbecoviruses that includes the viruses that cause COVID, SARS and several bat viruses that have the potential to infect humans.
As a virus evolves, some parts of it change while other parts remain the same. Our vaccine incorporates evolutionarily related receptor-binding domains (RBDs), so a single vaccine trains the immune system to respond to the parts of the virus that remain unchanged. This protects against the viruses that are represented in the vaccine and, critically, also protects against related viruses that are not included in the vaccine.
Despite this success with mosaic nanoparticles, the vaccine was complex, making it difficult to produce on a large scale.
Simpler vaccine
In a collaboration between the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Caltech, we have now developed a simpler vaccine that still provides this broad protection. We achieved this by genetically fusing RBDs from four different sarbecoviruses to form a single protein that we call a "quartet." We then use a type of protein glue to attach these quartets to a "protein nanocage" to make the vaccine.
When mice were immunized with these nanocage vaccines, they produced antibodies that neutralized a range of sarbecoviruses, including sarbecoviruses not present in the vaccine. This show the potential to protect against related viruses that may not have been discovered at the time that the vaccine was produced.
Along with this streamlined production and assembly process, our new vaccine elicited immune responses in mice that at least matched, and in many cases exceeded, those raised by our original mosaic nanoparticles vaccine.
Given the large fraction of the world vaccinated or previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, there was a worry that an existing response to SARS-CoV-2 would limit the potential to protect against other coronaviruses. However, we have shown that our vaccine is able to raise a broad anti-sarbecovirus immune response even in mice that had previously been immunized against SARS-CoV-2.
Our next step is to test this vaccine in humans. We are also applying this technology to protect against other groups of viruses that can infect humans. All of this brings us closer to our vision of developing a library of vaccines against viruses with pandemic potential before they have had the opportunity to cross over into humans.
More information: Rory A. Hills et al, Proactive vaccination using multiviral Quartet Nanocages to elicit broad anti-coronavirus responses, Nature Nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01655-9
Journal information: Nature Nanotechnology
Provided by The Conversation
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Study finds COVID-19 vaccine can help people with heart failure live longer
Heart failure patients who are vaccinated against COVID-19 have an 82% greater likelihood of living longer than those who are not vaccinated, according to research presented at Heart Failure 2024, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), held 11–14 May in Lisbon...
Study finds COVID-19 vaccine can help people with heart failure live longer
by European Society of Cardiology
May 11, 2024
Heart failure patients who are vaccinated against COVID-19 have an 82% greater likelihood of living longer than those who are not vaccinated, according to research presented at Heart Failure 2024, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), held 11–14 May in Lisbon, Portugal. Heart Failure is a life-threatening syndrome affecting more than 64 million people worldwide.
"Patients with heart failure should be vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect their health," said study author Dr. Kyeong-Hyeon Chun of the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
"In this large study of patients with heart failure, COVID-19 vaccination was associated with a lower likelihood of contracting the infection, being admitted to hospital because of heart failure, or dying from any cause during a six-month period compared with remaining unvaccinated."
Previous studies have shown the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with cardiovascular diseases including heart failure, and that COVID-19 outcomes are worse in patients with heart failure compared to those without heart failure. However, there has been little research on how vaccines work specifically in patients with heart failure. This nationwide, retrospective study examined the prognosis of heart failure patients according to COVID-19 vaccination status.
This study used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, which covers nearly all residents of the Republic of Korea, to obtain information on vaccinations and clinical outcomes. Participants who received two or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine were defined as "vaccinated," and those who were not vaccinated or had received just one dose were defined as "unvaccinated."
The study included 651,127 patients aged 18 years or older with heart failure. The average age was 69.5 years and 50% were women. Of the total study population, 538,434 (83%) were defined as vaccinated and 112,693 (17%) as unvaccinated.
To control for factors that could influence the relationship between vaccination status and outcomes, the researchers performed 1:1 matching of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients according to age, sex, other health conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.), income, and region of residence. This resulted in 73,559 vaccinated patients and 73,559 unvaccinated patients for the comparative analyses.
The median follow-up was six months. Vaccination was associated with an 82% lower risk of all-cause mortality, 47% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure, and 13% reduced risk of COVID-19 infection compared with no vaccination. Regarding cardiovascular complications, vaccination was associated with significantly lower risks of stroke, heart attack, myocarditis/pericarditis, and venous thromboembolism compared to no vaccination.
Dr. Chun said, "This was the first analysis of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in a large population of heart failure patients, and the first to show a clear benefit from vaccination. The study provides strong evidence to support vaccination in patients with heart failure. However, this evidence may not be applicable to all patients with heart failure, and the risks of vaccination should be considered in patients with unstable conditions."
Provided by European Society of Cardiology
psychgirl
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Exactly!They really can't make up their minds.
It's both. It's breathing and fomites. You need gloves and masks, and masks when out in public to protect from someone who should be staying home but decides to infect everyone because they think they're only mildy infectious and not coughing and rules don't apply to them. (I don't think a regular mask will work if a person is coughing up a high viral load. ) Changing guidance to get rid of gloves is just asking for trouble, imho. If a highly infectious disease comes around again, everyone should wear nitrile gloves when out in public and know how to use them (don't touch your face with the gloves on, etc) and how to take them off. better to be safe than sorry..
Thank you for posting this.
HD
I still keep gloves in my car and haven’t touched a gas pump handle without them for three years, maybe longer.
I still say go with your own common sense because clearly, we’re getting really stupid “information” from every angle.
Profit of Doom
Dismember
Is medicalxpress one of those sources you include so we have access to “both sides”?
Ragnarok
On and On, South of Heaven
(fair use applies)Study finds COVID-19 vaccine can help people with heart failure live longer
Heart failure patients who are vaccinated against COVID-19 have an 82% greater likelihood of living longer than those who are not vaccinated, according to research presented at Heart Failure 2024, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), held 11–14 May in Lisbon...
Study finds COVID-19 vaccine can help people with heart failure live longer
by European Society of Cardiology
May 11, 2024
Heart failure patients who are vaccinated against COVID-19 have an 82% greater likelihood of living longer than those who are not vaccinated, according to research presented at Heart Failure 2024, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), held 11–14 May in Lisbon, Portugal. Heart Failure is a life-threatening syndrome affecting more than 64 million people worldwide.
"Patients with heart failure should be vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect their health," said study author Dr. Kyeong-Hyeon Chun of the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
"In this large study of patients with heart failure, COVID-19 vaccination was associated with a lower likelihood of contracting the infection, being admitted to hospital because of heart failure, or dying from any cause during a six-month period compared with remaining unvaccinated."
Previous studies have shown the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with cardiovascular diseases including heart failure, and that COVID-19 outcomes are worse in patients with heart failure compared to those without heart failure. However, there has been little research on how vaccines work specifically in patients with heart failure. This nationwide, retrospective study examined the prognosis of heart failure patients according to COVID-19 vaccination status.
This study used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, which covers nearly all residents of the Republic of Korea, to obtain information on vaccinations and clinical outcomes. Participants who received two or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine were defined as "vaccinated," and those who were not vaccinated or had received just one dose were defined as "unvaccinated."
The study included 651,127 patients aged 18 years or older with heart failure. The average age was 69.5 years and 50% were women. Of the total study population, 538,434 (83%) were defined as vaccinated and 112,693 (17%) as unvaccinated.
To control for factors that could influence the relationship between vaccination status and outcomes, the researchers performed 1:1 matching of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients according to age, sex, other health conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.), income, and region of residence. This resulted in 73,559 vaccinated patients and 73,559 unvaccinated patients for the comparative analyses.
The median follow-up was six months. Vaccination was associated with an 82% lower risk of all-cause mortality, 47% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure, and 13% reduced risk of COVID-19 infection compared with no vaccination. Regarding cardiovascular complications, vaccination was associated with significantly lower risks of stroke, heart attack, myocarditis/pericarditis, and venous thromboembolism compared to no vaccination.
Dr. Chun said, "This was the first analysis of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in a large population of heart failure patients, and the first to show a clear benefit from vaccination. The study provides strong evidence to support vaccination in patients with heart failure. However, this evidence may not be applicable to all patients with heart failure, and the risks of vaccination should be considered in patients with unstable conditions."
Provided by European Society of Cardiology
Holy crap...
They will just say anything.
I am sure that, "helping people with heart failure live longer" is the exact reason Astro Zeneca gave to pull it's vaccine.
Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines will get label warning over rare heart risk, FDA says
Finland joins Sweden and Denmark in limiting Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Finland on Thursday paused the use of Moderna's (MRNA.O), opens new tab COVID-19 vaccine for younger males due to reports of a rare cardiovascular side effect
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Absolutely YES.
As I've said before, I do not agree with everything I post and would give thumbs down to some of them if I could do a thumbs reaction to my own posts.
But it's still a news thread, and it is news how the scientific community is approaching this and the propaganda they put out to this day.
HD
Profit of Doom
Dismember
Good to know I’m not insane….