SASKIA V. POPESCU, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC

Biosurveillance is an essential early warning system for detecting and responding to infectious disease threats, helping to prevent localized cases from becoming widespread outbreaks or pandemics. Despite its proven value during crises such as COVID-19, biosurveillance programs often suffer from inconsistent funding and support, underscoring the urgent need for sustained investment and integration into public health infrastructure.

Since its detection in early 2024, H5N1 has spread to dairy cows, poultry, and wild birds. Political factors, including leadership changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and cuts to public health resources, have worsened the situation, leading to a weakened response.

The successful implementation of AI into trying to combat resistance will require broader integration efforts, training, and regulatory frameworks.

Oropouche fever, primarily found in Central and South America and the Caribbean, has seen a dramatic increase in cases in Brazil.

A recent study examined mortality outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with remdesivir and dexamethasone vs dexamethasone alone, using data from the Omicron period.

Focused prevention policies and support systems have shown to reduce HCV prevalence in at-risk groups. Addressing factors like IDU, lack of income, and alcohol misuse through targeted education and interventions is essential to mitigate HCV infection rates locally and globally.

With AMR being a global priority, biosecurity-type policy around resistance may be part of the solution.

A new study looked at Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and C difficile infection (CDI) and their formation of symbiotic biofilms in the antibiotic's environment, and underscore the complexity of CDI prevention and the importance of considering gut microbiomes in treatment strategies.

C diff remains a major healthcare burden globally, with over 225,000 hospitalizations in the US alone. Over half of these cases had recent antibiotic exposure, underlining the significant relationship between antibiotic use and the risk of the healthcare-associated infection.

Transmission to humans is limited in the US, but concerns linger, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the differences in clinical presentation, MRSA strains remain susceptible to several key antibiotics, emphasizing the importance of targeted treatment and postoperative education in preventing MRSA infections.

Biosurveillance has evolved beyond biodefense, emphasizing a comprehensive network to detect and counter biological threats.

A recently published secondary analysis sought to evaluate the risk of MACE in those patients who received one or two doses of the COVID-19 following acute coronary syndromes.

A study conducted in China aimed to assess factors such as viral load rebound (VLR), reduction in cycle threshold values, time until VLR, and symptom rebound.

A new study examined the association of COVID-19 infection with outpatient care utilization.

It is not simply just a few cases are springing up, but rather that transmission is occurring, and behind a backdrop of vaccine skepticism.

People who inject drugs (PWID) are at a higher risk for hepatitis C and HIV. A new study examined point of care initiatives and how to better support this population with intervention efforts.

The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) work group has published updated guidelines in the Annals of Internal Medicine for the prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of HCV in CKD patients.

In a new survey, respondents said both vaccines were efficacious, but a higher share said influenza vaccines were very safe compared to COVID-19 vaccines. This demonstrates a public health concern considering the higher incidence rates and hospitalizations of COVID-19 over the flu, and the possibility of low vaccine intakes.

A study utilizing this technology identified specific predictive factors for developing hepatitis in diabetic patients.

High cure rates underscore the effectiveness of the No One Waits (NOW) model in ensuring not only treatment initiation but also successful completion, ultimately reducing the burden of HCV in the studied population and possibly beyond.

A new study highlights the growing threat of drug-resistant pathogens, particularly in healthcare settings, and underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and intervention strategies to combat these emerging and resistant infectious diseases.

With increased neutrophils during alcohol-related hepatitis, patients experience an increased risk of infection due to the impaired function of the neutrophils. A new study looks to uncover the mechanisms for which this hepatitis impacts the body.

A study highlights that viral infections can accelerate the progression of NAFLD to more severe conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis, emphasizing the importance of recognizing these complex relationships.

Antimicrobials such as clindamycin, cephalosporins, penicillins, and fluoroquinolones have been linked with causing C diff infection in prior research.

Viruses and other concerns within medicine are being overlooked; health care preparedness must address these potential crises.

Here is a review of the latest case loads from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Surveillance data such as hospitalizations and wastewater metrics provide real COVID-19 prevalence numbers, but do we need to do more to be prepared ahead of another potential health crisis?

With the CDC’s recent warning about it, this fungal infection is becoming more prevalent and is often multidrug resistant. Here are some infection prevention strategies to protect against its spread in health care facilities, where it is most common.

A new study looked at the risk of hepatitis B and C as a result of exposure from such procedures.