Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Air Force Confirms That Trainee, 25, Died From Flu, Texas Lawmaker Says
CIDRAP: Air Force Trainee In San Antonio, Texas, Died From Flu
The cause of death for an Air Force trainee who died last month at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio was influenza, according to Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat. Keon Talik McDaniel, 25, died June 16, according to his obituary. Influenza swept the air force base in June, one month after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the flu shots voluntary, rather than mandatory, for American troops. Nearly 300 troops have been sickened by influenza, Castro said in a press release. (Szabo, 7/1)
In other outbreaks and health threats —
ABC News: Record Number Of West Nile Virus Cases Since 2004, CDC Warns Ahead Of Holiday Weekend
A record number of West Nile virus cases have been recorded for this time of year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming holiday weekend. At least 48 cases of West Nile have been reported so far this year compared to an average of 10 typically by the end of June. This is the highest number of infections reported at this point in year since 2004, according to the federal health agency. Additionally, at least 23 states are reporting West Nile activity, which is the highest number recorded over the last 10 years, CDC data shows. (Benadjaoud, 7/1)
The Hill: CDC Investigates Parasitic Illness Spreading Across US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to find the source of a parasitic illness that’s spreading across the country. At least 145 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported across 17 states. About 20 people have been hospitalized after suffering severe symptoms. Public health teams are investigating several clusters of cases reported in New York, Illinois and Texas. (Sitz, 7/1)
KFF Health News: New Disease Threats Follow Trump Administration’s Health Program Cuts
As beachgoers flock to water during the busy July Fourth weekend, danger could be lurking in some areas. Researchers this spring discovered flesh-eating bacteria in water in several coastal locations across New York’s Long Island, and town officials in the Hamptons vacation destination posted an alert about the findings. Eight people in Florida have been infected this year, and Mississippi health officials in June urged people to take precautions. (Armour, 7/2)
CIDRAP: Ebola Deaths In Africa Top 400 As Uganda Reports Death Of Child From Marburg
Casualties of the Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak in Africa continue to mount, with a total of at least 1,354 infections and 401 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, as investigators track potential spread to new DRC provinces and Uganda confirms a Marburg infection in a child who died of the virus. Like Ebola, the closely related Marburg virus causes a hemorrhagic fever. (Van Beusekom, 7/1)
CIDRAP: The WHO Aims To Help Nations Confront Growing Threat Of Fungal Disease, Antifungal Resistance
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new “blueprint” to help countries respond to the growing threat of fungal infections and antifungal resistance. Released yesterday, the document provides a framework to strengthen national and regional responses to fungal diseases, which affect more than 300 million people each year yet remain widely under-recognized, underdiagnosed, and poorly managed. (Dall, 7/1)
CNN: Canadian Boy, 11, Died From Rabies After Waking Up With Bat On His Mouth
An 11-year-old Canadian boy has died from rabies after waking up with a bat on his nose and mouth. The episode occurred during a visit to a cottage in northern Ontario in 2024, according to a report published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on Monday. (Orie, 7/1)
In vaccine news —
CIDRAP: Comprehensive Review Affirms That COVID MRNA Vaccines Are Safe, Effective
A comprehensive review of the billions of COVID-19 vaccine doses made with mRNA technology shows that these vaccines are safe and effective. (Boden, 7/1)
CIDRAP: Vaccine Double-Header: Same-Day Flu, COVID Shots Shown To Be Safe
Getting the flu vaccine and COVID shot on the same day doesn't increase the risk of adverse reactions, according to a review of the medication records of 2.5 million adults who receive medical care across the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system. (Boden, 6/30)
CIDRAP: New US Poll Identifies Large ‘Malleable Middle’ On Vaccine Misinformation
Vaccine myths are not new. They have circulated for decades, surviving retracted studies and countless public health campaigns. Now, a new poll suggests that, while relatively few Americans fully believe those falsehoods, many remain uncertain about them—a finding that suggests opportunities to counter vaccine misinformation. (Bergeson, 6/30)
CIDRAP: Artificial Intelligence Could Usher In A New Era Of Vaccine Development
If the next coronavirus pandemic were to begin today, the wait for a vaccine could be much shorter because of artificial intelligence (AI), said Lbachir BenMohamed, PhD, an immunologist at the University of California, Irvine, and vice president of research at California-based TechImmune. (Boden, 6/30)
