Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Worst Of South Carolina's Measles Outbreak Is Over, But 3 More States See Surges
NPR: The Measles Outbreak Is In South Carolina Over But More Are Starting Elsewhere
South Carolina public health officials on Monday declared an end to the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. since 1991. On Sunday, the state marked 42 days with no new cases reported related to the outbreak. Over a six-month period starting last October, 997 people were infected with measles in South Carolina. Most of them were unvaccinated children. At least 21 people were hospitalized with measles complications. (Godoy, 4/27)
On hepatitis —
The Hill: CDC Move To Stop Recommending Hepatitis B Vaccine Could Lead To Hundreds Of Infections: Research
The decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stop recommending giving infants a dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours after birth is likely to lead to hundreds of more infections, worse health outcomes and millions of dollars in higher costs, according to new research published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics. The CDC in December approved the change to longstanding practice following a vote by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine advisory panel. (Weixel, 4/27)
Roll Call: Immigration Debate, Upfront Costs Are Hurdles For Hepatitis C Bill
Despite bipartisan agreement on the need for testing and treatment for the life-threatening liver disease hepatitis C, potentially hundreds of thousands of Americans remain untreated or even unaware they’re infected as efforts to expand access to cures have stalled in Congress. (Hellmann, 4/27)
Roll Call: Deadly Liver Disease, Rooted Out Elsewhere, Retains Grip On US
It was hailed as a “triumph of 21st century medicine” — a daily pill that cures a life-threatening liver disease in a matter of weeks with minimal side effects and a success rate of more than 95 percent. But more than a decade after direct-acting antivirals to cure hepatitis C hit the market, potentially hundreds of thousands of Americans are still untreated and the U.S. is lagging behind other developed nations in eliminating the virus as a public health threat. (Hellmann, 4/27)
On salmonella and chikungunya —
CIDRAP: CDC Confirms New Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Backyard Poultry
Late last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 34 people in 13 states have been sickened in an outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul tied to backyard poultry. So far no deaths have been associated with this outbreak, but 13 people have been hospitalized. (Soucheray, 4/27)
CIDRAP: Maternal Chikungunya Infections Linked To Short And Long-Term Neurologic Problems In Babies
Babies infected with the chikungunya virus during labor and delivery are at high risk of developing serious neurologic problems as newborns, as well as learning problems as they get older, according to a new study. Nearly half of newborns (48%) infected with chikungunya by their mothers develop serious neurologic problems, the study found. These include seizures; bleeding in the brain; inflammation of the brain tissue; and impairments of nerve, spinal cord, or brain function that cause problems such as weakness in one arm, facial droop, or speech difficulties. (Szabo, 4/27)
In other vaccine news —
CIDRAP: Survey: Vaccine Scientists Held In High Regard By Most Americans
A new survey of US adults suggests that, despite the spread of conspiracy theories about vaccines in recent years, most Americans trust the work of vaccine scientists. (Dall, 4/27)
CIDRAP: Global Immunization Effort Helps 18 Million Kids ‘Catch Up’ On Vaccines
A multi-year effort to address global declines in childhood vaccination has delivered more than 100 million vaccine doses to more than 18 million children across Africa and Asia, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today. Initiated in 2023 by the WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the “Big Catch-Up” is focused on closing the vaccine equity gap in children ages 1 to 5 in 36 countries. Of the 18.3 million who received vaccines from 2023 to 2025, 12.3 million had not yet received any vaccine, and 15 million had not received a measles vaccine, the WHO said. (Dall, 4/24)
