Pandemic News and Research

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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Experts explain how H5 avian influenza adapts to infect more animals

The Gs/Gd lineage of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses—including H5N1—has rapidly evolved, spreading globally and infecting a growing range of birds, mammals, and occasionally humans. This review highlights the expanding risks, the challenges of cross-species transmission, and urgent needs for surveillance, vaccination, and a unified One Health response.

25 May 2025

Wayne State research team tracks effects of bullying from high school to college

With funding from the Spencer Foundation, a private foundation focused on funding education studies, a Wayne State University research team is examining the long-term effects of bullying and mental health on social and academic progress in adolescents.

23 May 2025

Study reveals continuing and worrying trend in excess US deaths

There were over 1.5 million "missing Americans" in 2022 and 2023, deaths that would have been averted if US mortality rates matched those of peer countries.

23 May 2025

UK surveillance identifies traces of West Nile virus in mosquitoes

Fragments of West Nile Virus have been identified in mosquitoes collected in the UK for the first time, according to a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) monitoring programme designed to understand the emergence and transmission of vector-borne disease in the UK.

23 May 2025

Trump’s team cited safety in limiting covid shots. patients, health advocates see more risk.

Larry Saltzman has blood cancer. He's also a retired doctor, so he knows getting covid-19 could be dangerous for him — his underlying illness puts him at high risk of serious complications and death.

23 May 2025

FOXP4 gene variants reveal new genetic link to long COVID risk

Researchers have identified genetic variants in the FOXP4 gene that significantly increase the risk of developing long COVID, independently of COVID-19 severity. The study also reveals that ancestry, smoking, and other factors contribute to the complex genetics of long COVID.

23 May 2025

Social connection remains an overlooked health factor, research shows

Research confirms that social isolation and loneliness significantly impact health and mortality, even if not listed on death certificates.

22 May 2025

Study highlights economic burden of RSV in European children requiring primary care

Infections from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children requiring primary care led to significant societal economic costs from outpatient treatment and parental work absences in Europe, according to a study just published on Eurosurveillance.

22 May 2025

Integrating phytomedicine and nanotechnology in managing COVID-19 related heart disease

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection represents a critical intersection of viral-induced inflammation and cardiovascular pathology.

22 May 2025

Wastewater monitoring offers new tool for cervical cancer prevention

Scientists in Uruguay have found genotypes of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) linked to cervical cancer in urban wastewater, saying it could help inform disease prevention efforts.

22 May 2025

Understanding how cholera bacteria resist phage predation

When we think of cholera, most of us picture contaminated water and tragic outbreaks in vulnerable regions. But behind the scenes, cholera bacteria are locked in a fierce, microscopic war-one that could shape the course of pandemics.

22 May 2025

Reduced monitoring after stroke found safe for low risk patients

Halving the number of times vital signs and neurological function are checked in low-risk patients after treatment for acute ischaemic stroke does not compromise care or recovery, according to new findings presented at the 11th European Stroke Organisation Conference in Helsinki, Finland.

22 May 2025

Depression and loneliness predict future chronic pain in older adults

Researchers tracked more than 7,000 older adults in England and found that loneliness and depression increased years before the onset of chronic pain, and remained elevated long after pain began. Social isolation also rose with age, but differences between those with and without pain were minimal.

21 May 2025

New mask technology balances protection and comfort effectively

The COVID-19 pandemic increased public awareness of the importance of mask use for personal protection.

21 May 2025

3 things to watch on mental health in Trump’s early budget proposals

Since President Donald Trump released his 2026 budget blueprint in early May, calling for $163 billion in federal spending cuts, much of the attention has focused on his slashing of foreign aid and boosting of border security.

21 May 2025

Maternal RSV vaccine and nirsevimab sharply cut infant hospitalizations, new data show

Widespread use of maternal RSV vaccination and nirsevimab during the 2024–2025 U.S. RSV season led to a significant reduction in RSV-associated hospitalizations among infants aged 0–7 months. The largest benefits were seen in the youngest and most vulnerable infants, particularly during peak winter months.

20 May 2025

Gut bacteria and genes jointly shape obesity risk, review reveals hidden links

Researchers examined the heritability of body mass index (BMI), highlighting that genetics and the gut microbiome both play major roles in obesity risk. The review emphasizes that maternal microbiome transmission and family environment may help explain “missing heritability” beyond known genetic factors.

20 May 2025