This Week in Virology

Adam Ratner, a pediatric infectious diseases physician and author of 'Booster Shots', shares insights on measles vaccination and the challenges posed by vaccine hesitancy. He reflects on the 2018-2019 measles outbreak in NYC and its connection to anti-vaccine sentiments and public health. Ratner emphasizes the importance of community outreach and storytelling to combat misinformation. He also discusses the critical role of the MMR vaccine in preventing disease, while navigating the complexities of vaccine exemptions and maintaining public trust in health communications.

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello bemoan the continued outbreak of Sudan virus and growing number of paralytic polio cases before discussing growing measles outbreak in the US and Europe, the vaccine, an interview with a parent whose child died of measles infection, adverse effects of vaccination and how parents do not think they have accurate information about “bird flu” before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, where to find PEMGARDA, what happens when antiviral therapy is delayed, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, long COVID interventions and the benefits of antiviral therapies on post acute SARS-Cov-2 infection sequelae. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Sudan virus disease(WHO) New cases of poliomyelitis  (GPEI) Measles 159 in Texas…. (Texas Health and Human Services) 2025 Measles outbreak guidance (New Mexico Health) First cases of measles in Oklahoma (Oklahoma) Measles case on Long Island (CBS News) Public health confirms measles case in Los Angeles County (County of Los Angeles Public Health) Measles exposure (Department of public health: City of Philadelphia) Where US measles outbreaks are spreading (New York Times) Statement from the chief public health officer of Canada on the increase in measles cases and the risk to people in Canada(Health Canada) Measles and rubella monthly report (ecdc) Measles on the rise again in Europe (EurekAlert) Measles: symptoms, spread & SSPE | Doctors Talk | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (YouTube) Measles (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Adverse events associated with childhood vaccines: evidence bearing on causality (NLM: NCBI) Measles vaccination: know the facts? (Infectious Diseases Society of America) Deaths following vaccination: What does the evidence show? (Vaccine) Facts and myths about measles (LANCET: Infectious Diseases) His daughter was America’s first measles death in a decade (The Atlantic) Less than half of parents think they have accurate information about bird flu (EurekAlert) Many US parents feeluninformed about avian flu risks (CIDRAP) Trends in respiratory pathogen testing at us children’s hospital(JAMA Network) Changes in respiratory viral testing before and after the covid-19 pandemic(JAMA Network) Free COVID-19 test program stops taking orders (Health day) Human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza a(h5n1) — California, September–December 2024 (CDC MMWR) Letters read on TWiV 1198 37:56 Dr. Griffin’s COVID treatment summary (pdf) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your questions for Dr. Griffin to daniel@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

TWiV covers a second death over 150 cases of measles in Texas, utter failure of removal of type 2 poliovirus from OPV, more OPV doses administered in Gaza, second Ebola outbreak in Sudan, vaccine being tested, Trump administration cancels $400 million in grants to Columbia University, bat-infecting merbecovirus that binds human ACE2 and infects human cells, and innate immune sensing of rotavirus by intestinal epithelial cells leads to diarrhea. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Kathy Spindler Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV ASV 2025 Second child dies of measles (NY Times) Over 150 measles cases in Texas (Texas DSHS) Utter failure of removal of OPV2 from OPV (Science) Over 600,000 doses of OPV administered in Gaza (polioeradication) Second outbreak of Sudan Ebola in Uganda (IAVI) Columbia grants canceled by administration (NBC News) Bat merbecovirus also infects human cells via Ace2 (Cell) Recent virus research, was proper containment used? (NY Times) Innate immune sensing of rotatvirus leads to diarrhea (Cell Host Microbe) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Kathy – Mice cry out when they urinate, and give mouth to mouth resuscitation Rich – Firefly Aerospace Alan – Strong Museum of Play Vincent – How a PhD student’s lab size affects their chance of future academic success Listener Picks Larry – James Harrison’s rare blood protected many infants Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Join Dr. Daniel Griffin, a physician specializing in infectious diseases, as he shares crucial insights into current health crises. He discusses the devastating impact of reduced US foreign aid on the Ebola outbreak in Uganda. The conversation also delves into the alarming resurgence of measles in the US, sparked by misinformation and vaccination hesitancy. Dr. Griffin examines the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and highlights innovative wastewater testing for tracking viral trends. Plus, he offers guidance on long COVID interventions!

The conversation covers the recent passing of a pioneering virologist and the ongoing health crisis in Congo linked to a deadly illness. The hosts discuss alarming trends in vaccine funding disruptions and the implications for public health. A deep dive into H5N1 influenza reveals unique genetic features affecting transmission potential. They also explore the durability of vaccines, including the role of adjuvants, and share insights on enhancing immune responses. Lastly, a light-hearted interaction about space travel captivates the audience.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, an expert in infectious diseases, shares vital clinical updates on various health topics. He discusses the troubling postponement of key vaccine advisory meetings and its impact on public health. The conversation highlights alarming measles outbreaks and the importance of accurate communication to combat misinformation. Additionally, Dr. Griffin reviews the current landscape of RSV and COVID-19, evaluates long COVID interventions, and provides insights into the ongoing Ebola and polio efforts. Tune in for practical advice and the latest statistics!

The podcast honors the legacy of Dickson Despommier, a remarkable figure in parasitology. It highlights findings on H5N1 virus exposure among veterinarians and discusses a measles outbreak in Texas, emphasizing vaccine hesitancy. The dialogue advances to intriguing research on human microbiome phages utilizing an alternative genetic code, challenging traditional understandings of genetics. Listeners can also expect personal anecdotes and insights into scientific integrity, showcasing the intersection of community and science.

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello reminiscence about Dickson before discussing discharging Ebola patients, another announcement of emergency measures to control polio spread and the third nOPV2 vaccination campaign in Gaza in less than 6 months, the measles outbreak in the US, vaccination campaign for chickens against high pathogenic avian flu before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, where to find PEMGARDA, an update of Paxlovid administration provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, and where to go for answers to your long COVID questions. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode In memory of Dickson (NY Times) All Ebola patients discharged in Uganda (DG Alerts) Uganda discharges Ebola patients (WHO Uganda) Emergency measures to stop polio…..isn’t this the same plan as last year? (GPEI)) A third nOPV2 campaign…..but I thought OPV stops transmission (Reuters) Worst outbreak of measles in 30 years for Texas….go big or go home! (AP News) Measles 58 in Texas…. (Texas Health and Human Services) High pathogenic avain influenza virus infection of indoor domestic cats (CDC MMWR) Avian influenza in dairy cattle in Arizona (AZEIN) Third avian flu spillover! (CIDRAP) No vaccine hesitancy in chickens…..vaccinate all! (Science) Zoetis to supply conditionally licensed avian influenza H5N1 vaccine for chickens (Zoetis) High path avian influenza in mammals (USDA: Animal and plant health inspection service) How to vaccinate your chicken (WikiHow) Vaccine failure due to poor administration.(the poultry site) Human cases of H5N1 in US rise to 4 (CBS News) Canada’s buying vaccine as US rats become infected (CIDRP) Canada purchases avian influenza vaccine for those at high risk (Canada Public Health) Influenza: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) How the communications pause endangered us about influenza (AP News) Most intense flu season in 15 years (AP News) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Weekly surveillance report: clift notes (CDC FluView) RSV: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) Weekly US influenza surveillance report (CDC FluView) RSV-Network (CDC Respiratory Syncytial virus Infection) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) COVID-19 case fatality rate and infection fatality rate from 2020 to 2023 (Journal of Infection and public health) Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 genomes galore (Nextstrain) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Fusion center near you….if in NY (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Paxlovid update (Pfizer) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (ID Society) A randomized, double-blind, Phase 1, single- and multiple-dose placebo-controlled study of the safety and pharmacokinetics of IN-006, an inhaled antibody treatment for COVID-19 in healthy volunteers (eBioMedicine) Ensitrelvir for the Treatment of Nonhospitalized Adults with COVID-19 (CID) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (ID Society) What to do when sick with a respiratory virus (CDC) When your healthcare provider is infected/exposed with SARS-CoV-2 (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Steroids, dexamethasone at the right time (OFID) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Daniel Griffin’s evidence based medical practices for long COVID (OFID) Long COVID hotline (Columbia : Columbia University Irving Medical Center) The answers: Long COVID Letters read on TWiV 1194 Dr. Griffin’s COVID treatment summary (pdf) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your questions for Dr. Griffin to daniel@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

The hosts discuss a tragic research accident involving monkeys and puzzling findings of a new blu genotype in Nevada dairy cattle. Argentina’s intention to leave WHO raises public health eyebrows. An upsurge in yellow fever is also concerning. They delve into HPV dynamics, including innovative cervical cancer screening methods in Sweden and the complexities of HPV vaccination. Epstein-Barr virus tactics in immune evasion provide insight into potential cancer therapies, while animal farming's implications on global health provoke reflective conversations.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, an expert in infectious diseases, shares insights on pressing health challenges. He discusses confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy as HHS secretary and the rising concerns around mpox, Ebola, and measles outbreaks in Texas. The conversation delves into the importance of vaccines and the alarming increase of RSV and influenza cases. Dr. Griffin also touches on long COVID, its varying effects in children versus adults, and the need for ongoing support in research and treatment strategies.