Update on Infectious Disease Threats: What You Need to Know
Information about various infectious diseases is constantly evolving. I am hoping to summarize some of that in these newsletters. New information will be in BOLD!
GENERAL:
COVID-19
General Information
Although many viruses can lead to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalopathy), the number of people who develop this after COVID-19 infection is significantly higher than with other viral infections (Journal of General Internal Medicine).
Recent studies have again looked into Covid vaccinations in pregnant people: in particular, researchers wanted to see if there was an increased risk of birth defects associated with the vaccine. Luckily, that was NOT the case and covid vaccination during pregnancy (either with the Pfizer/ BioNTech or the Moderna vaccine) is very safe (Pediatrics).
At this time, COVID-19 rates continue to be low both here and in much of the rest of the world.
A new report (Scientific Reports) found that people with Covid-19 were much more likely to have kidney damage compared to people who had infections with influenza.
LONG COVID:
Children vaccinated against COVID-19 had less than 50% likelihood of developing Long COVID, compared to unvaccinated kids; and vaccinated kids were 75% less likely to have a bad case of Long COVID, which include symptoms that affect daily functioning (JAMA Network Open).
Other Infectious Diseases:
Norovirus:
Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus that causes severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Alcohol hand sanitizer does NOT kill the norovirus....but good old-fashioned soap and water does!
A norovirus outbreak on the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship sickened a total of 241 in March, 2025.
As of April 1, 2025, 12 cruise ship outbreaks have been reported. In all of 2024, a total of 13 cruise ship outbreaks were reported; 14 outbreaks occurred in 2023. The CDC website has not been updated in the last month, so it is unclear how many outbreaks there have been this year so far.
The good news: the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is in charge of monitoring the health standards on cruise ships and documenting violations that can lead to sickness. The bad news: due to HHS layoffs, the CDC now reports that they do not have the necessary resources to perform this important job. So, if you go on a cruise, please wash your hands with soap and water A LOT!
RSV:
I have written in the past about RSV ("Respiratory Syncytial Virus") that causes flu-like symptoms and pneumonia in the very young as well as the elderly.
Luckily, RSV rates continue to decline in our neck of the woods.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently recommended that "at risk" individuals older than 50 (those with underlying asthma or other lung disease) should get a one-time RSV booster; in addition, all adults over 75 should get the shot
AVIAN FLU:
AKA "Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza" or HPAI (or " H5N1").
Bird flu has become the most recent concerning virus that could lead to an epidemic. The disease can lead to a pneumonia, neurological problems, and conjunctivitis. It has largely been found in animals such as cows, wild birds, and marine mammals, but has spread to many mammals at this point.
Luckily, the number of birds infected with H5N1 is decreasing now!
Although the number of dairy cattle that are infected with this virus is decreasing, there have been four more of such outbreaks in the last week - two of which have been in California.
FLU:
This 2024/25 flu season is now abating. Compared to previous seasons, it was considered "high severity." Over 1,500 people died of the flu this past season.
MEASLES:
Measles is a highly contagious disease. Every person sick with measles can transmit the virus to 12-16 unvaccinated people. Just standing next to someone with measles (as in an international airport) can be enough to get you sick.
In the last year, measles cases have risen 20% worldwide. This is attributed to decreasing vaccination rates, especially in countries ravaged by war.
Measles was thought to have been eradicated in the U.S. in 2000. Unfortunately, vaccination rates have since fallen, leaving communities very vulnerable to the highly infectious disease.
Complications associated with measles include pneumonia, brain infections, vulnerability to future infections of multiple kinds, hearing loss, and pregnancy complications.
The death rates associated with measles is usually 1-2 per 1000.
In 2025, there have been at least seven separate measles outbreaks in the U.S.
Currently, a measles outbreak is growing in Texas and New Mexico, where vaccination rates were lower than recommended. At this time, there are over 700+ people who are known to be infected nationwide (561 in Texas alone). 40 people have needed to be hospitalized. Three people have died. Almost all of the cases were in people who were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. In addition, it is likely that an additional hundreds of people are infected but were not officially diagnosed. Most cases are in children aged 5 to 17.
Texas has intensified its immunization efforts, which seems to be helping stem the rapid spread of the disease.
Unfortunately, a $11 billion federal grant to states (used to track, prevent, and control infections including COVID-19, the flu and measles) has been recently cancelled.
In all of 2024, the CDC confirmed a total of 285 cases of measles nationwide.
If containment of this highly contagious disease fails, the outbreak could continue for another year, according to Texas health officials.
At this time, at least five states have active measles outbreaks (Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Ohio, and Oklahoma).
It now looks like this year's measles outbreak will be the worst one of the millennium (which, I grant you, is "only" 25 years).
Also, it looks like the United States is not the only county with measles trouble: the WHO has reported that measles cases in the "European region" (which includes 53 countries in Europe and central Asia) more than doubled from 2023 to 2024. In 2016, there were 4440 cases of measles in the region. In 2024, we're looking at 127,000. Low vaccination rates are thought to be the reason for the high number of cases.
As mentioned previously, all adults born after 1957 (who have also been vaccinated for measles as children) should get a one-time measles booster as an adult.
An unvaccinated person can receive a vaccine within 72 hours of measles exposure to help with protection.
There is NO scientific evidence that measles vaccines lead to autism, cancer, or heart disease.
MURINE TYPHUS
This flea-borne bacterial infectious disease was once largely eradicated. Unfortunately we are now seeing increased number of cases in California and Texas, two states that are actively keeping track of it. Symptoms include fevers, rash, headaches, muscles aches. and (sometimes) diarrhea.
TUBERCULOSIS
Cases of tuberculosis continue to rise in the United States. In fact, in 2024, there were more than 10,300 cases, which is more than in the previous 12 years. This increase is thought to be related to international travel and migration.
OTHER MEDICAL NEWS:
It turns out that getting the shingles shot series (you need two shots, 2-6 months apart) may decrease your risk of developing dementia for at least 7 years afterwards (Nature)!
A recent article (British Journal of Sports Medicine) found that people who exercised most had a 26% lower risk of developing cancer than those who exercised least. Now we just need to get AI to exercise for us too! :)
About Dr. Sujansky's Life in These Times
My family and I are doing well! Spring is in the air and I am really enjoying the warmer temperatures and the longer hours of daylight. My younger son graduates college next month (!!) and we are looking forward to seeing a bit more of him soon.
I bought a new car last night! I wanted to get an electric vehicle and the timing seemed right. I won't bore you with the details of the new car, but tell you it is a beautiful shade of blue. However, I will tell you that I am more than a little afraid of it! My previous car was from 2012 and had none of the bells and whistles of the new one. And the people that know me understand that I am not that great with new technology....so there will be a steep learning curve. At any rate, for those of you I have lectured about "trying new things" and "getting out of your comfort zone," you are welcome to now smile and realize how it is for me to taste my own medicine! Sooo, I recommend the next time you are at our office: stay away from any blue cars lest the driver is not yet comfortable with the use of said vehicle...
