In The News: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
The threat of avian flu has dominated public health discourse as cases become increasingly more widespread and severe. H5N1, a highly pathogenic strain, was present in several continents as early as 1996. Since reaching North America in late 2021, this strain has impacted wild animals, commercial livestock, and humans. Just this week, the first fatal human case of H5N1 was reported in Louisiana—someone over 65 who was exposed to a backyard flock of birds and wild birds.
Eggs are getting a whole lot of attention these days. And, unfortunately, it's not great news.
The threat of avian flu has dominated public health discourse as cases become increasingly more widespread and severe. H5N1, a highly pathogenic strain, was present in several continents as early as 1996. Since reaching North America in late 2021, this strain has impacted wild animals, commercial livestock, and humans. Just this week, the first fatal human case of H5N1 was reported in Louisiana—someone over 65 who was exposed to a backyard flock of birds and wild birds.
Eggs are getting a whole lot of attention these days. And, unfortunately, it's not great news.
Cold and flu season can warrant changes in how you and your family carry out your daily lives in your home. Lysol is frequently sprayed onto surfaces, hand sanitizer is a mainstay in many spaces and boxes of tissue abound. But in the war against viruses and germs, there may be an additional weapon in your arsenal that can make your family even healthier—and it could be something you already own. As it turns out, air purifiers can do a lot more than remove allergens and dust from the air.
Cold and flu season can warrant changes in how you and your family carry out your daily lives in your home. Lysol is frequently sprayed onto surfaces, hand sanitizer is a mainstay in many spaces and boxes of tissue abound. But in the war against viruses and germs, there may be an additional weapon in your arsenal that can make your family even healthier—and it could be something you already own. As it turns out, air purifiers can do a lot more than remove allergens and dust from the air.
It’s been five years now since COVID-19 hit the world, killing more than a million people in the U.S. and more than 7 million worldwide. Now, we’re hearing more about avian flu, which is widespread in wild birds worldwide. It’s been found around the country, and in Nevada over the years.
We all remember the days of strict COVID rules, like wearing a mask and keeping a six-foot distance from others. But as COVID has become less dangerous for most people and more ubiquitous, doctors and public health officials aren’t as emphatic about virus-related recommendations as they used to be.
Vaccines are a crucial way to protect the body from illnesses, helping the body’s immune system learn how to fight germs. They also help keep viruses from spreading. The COVID vaccine, for example, prevented an estimated 8 million fewer cases of COVID, more than 120,000 deaths and 700,000 fewer hospitalizations during just the first six months it was released.
Vaccines are a crucial way to protect the body from illnesses, helping the body’s immune system learn how to fight germs. They also help keep viruses from spreading. The COVID vaccine, for example, prevented an estimated 8 million fewer cases of COVID, more than 120,000 deaths and 700,000 fewer hospitalizations during just the first six months it was released.
Even though getting a flu shot doesn’t take long, it’s a task that is easy to put off … and off … and off. There are so many other needs begging for our attention, and if you’re generally in good health, you may think it’s no big deal to skip it. Before you know it, months pass and you still haven’t gotten your flu shot.
Even though getting a flu shot doesn’t take long, it’s one of those tasks it’s easy to put off … and put off … and put off. There are so many other needs begging for our attention and if you’re generally in good health, you may think it’s no big deal to skip it. Before you know it, months pass and you still haven’t gotten your flu shot.