Jul 30 U.S. will buy regular flu shots for farmworkers to prevent bird flu from getting more dangerous By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Health officials are worried about what might happen if people are infected with bird flu and seasonal flu at the same time. It's possible the viruses could swap gene segments, in a process that scientists call reassortment. Continue reading
May 15 Watch 7:47 Why scientists are concerned about the latest transmission of bird flu to cows By William Brangham, Sam Weber The outbreak of bird flu in the U.S. has alarmed researchers and prompted new efforts to track the virus that’s already killed millions of birds from Europe to Antarctica. As H5N1 continues to jump into mammals, many scientists are concerned… Continue watching
Dec 10 Watch 6:36 Your questions answered about staying safe from COVID, RSV and flu this winter By John Yang, Kaisha Young As we head into the winter holidays, John Yang speaks with epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina about the current state of affairs with COVID, RSV and flu infections, lagging vaccination rates and how to stay healthy this season. Continue watching
Dec 02 U.S. flu cases on the rise while RSV may be peaking, health officials say By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Flu is picking up steam while RSV lung infections that can hit kids and older people hard may be peaking. But COVID-19 continues to cause the most hospitalizations and deaths among respiratory illnesses, said CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen. Continue reading
Dec 11 Hospital finances play a major role in the critical shortage of pediatric beds for RSV patients By Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News The dire shortage of pediatric hospital beds is a byproduct of financial decisions made by hospitals over the past decade, as they shuttered children’s wards, which often operate in the red, and expanded the number of beds available for more… Continue reading
May 28 As COVID dissipates in the U.S., cold and flu viruses may return with a vengeance By Helen Branswell, STAT Some experts point to a series of factors that could make for a rough re-entry to the mixed microbes world of cold and flu viruses. Continue reading
Feb 25 Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has virtually disappeared in the U.S. By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press February is usually the peak of flu season, with doctors' offices and hospitals packed with suffering patients. But not this year. Continue reading
Nov 04 South Korea approves single test for COVID-19 and flu By Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Health officials in South Korea have approved a test to detect both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza from the same samples, which would help prevent disruption at hospitals as the pandemic stretches into the flu season. Continue reading
Sep 01 Why it's especially important to get your flu shot this year By Julie Appleby, Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News A robust sign-up for flu shots could help head off a nightmare scenario in the coming winter of hospitals stuffed with both COVID-19 patients and those suffering from severe effects of influenza. Continue reading
Jul 13 Analysis: Why some schools stayed open during the 1918 flu pandemic By Dr. Howard Markel During the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, when an estimated 675,000 people died in the U.S. alone, the majority of public schools were closed for weeks to months on end. But three major cities kept their schools open amid valid questions and… Continue reading