CIDRAP newsletters options
China has reported two more human H5N6 avian influenza infections from two different provinces, part of a small but steady stream of illnesses involving the strain, according to a statement today from Hong King's Centre for Health Protection (CHP).
Among 457 adult participants in an ongoing phase 1/2 clinical trial who completed primary COVID-19 vaccination with the Moderna, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines, a booster dose with either the same (homologous) or a different brand (heterologous) induced an immune response and was safe.
Officials confirmed more than 21 million new global cases last week, the highest weekly total ever.
COVID has compounded how the lack of country-of-origin data can affect drug safety, affordability, availability, and national security.
Higher levels of resistance were observed in southern and eastern Europe.
Overall, patients had only modest benefit, but some subgroups fared better.
The US has donated more to COVAX than any other nation, with the latest shipments bound for Pakistan and Bangladesh.
A large UK study yesterday in PLOS Medicine finds that COVID-19 patients released from the hospital were more than twice as likely as the general population to be rehospitalized or die within the next 10 months. They were also at nearly five times the risk for death from any cause.
Though illnesses are less severe, Omicron cases have still strained US healthcare systems owing to sheer volume.
Also, 26% had mental symptoms, 16% had cognitive problems, and 58% reported work-related issues.
In contrast, Omicron is surging in South Korean and Japan, triggering tightened measures.
Among 1,068 US adults surveyed about their mental health amid the COVID-19 pandemic, 12% to 15% reported serious psychological distress that persisted throughout the study period, mostly among young adults, low-income respondents, and Hispanic participants.
The data were published yesterday in JAMA Network Open.
A review and meta-analysis of studies on urinary tract infections (UTIs) in young infants suggests shorter intravenous (IV) antibiotic courses, with an early switch to oral antibiotics, should be considered, Australian researchers reported yesterday in Pediatrics.
Belief that vaccines are necessary rose more among Black than White survey participants.
Cities and states are still struggling with high demands for hospital services.
Officials say too many people globally remain unvaccinated, driving disease spread.
A new Canadian study shows visits for mental health and substance abuse problems by physicians increased 27% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is published in JAMA Network Open.
A review of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) treatments at 10 community hospitals found that only 50% of treatment regimens were adherent to guidelines regarding use of fidaxomicin, researchers reported today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Researchers estimate that more than 1.2 million people died from superbugs in 2019.
Experts back booster shots in high-priority groups and a reduced vaccine dose for children 5 to 11 years old.
