This Week in Virology

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.

Explore the fascinating intersection of government actions and their impact on science funding. Learn how prior COVID-19 vaccinations can modulate immune responses during infections. Delve into the genetic adaptations of bats, uncovering how they resist viruses. Discover the complexities of public health communication and the fight against misinformation. Lastly, enjoy light-hearted anecdotes about hummingbird gardens and a critique of pseudoscience in vaccination discussions.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious diseases expert, delivers a compelling clinical update. He discusses the largest tuberculosis outbreak in U.S. history and the absence of USAID in combating Ebola in Africa. The conversation also covers the complexities of avian influenza, touching on its potential airborne transmission and the effects on dairy cattle. Dr. Griffin reviews the alarming trends in RSV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 infections, as well as insights on long COVID, including its impact on children and potential links to Alzheimer's disease.

Intriguing discussions explore the role of rotavirus viroporin NSP4 in calcium signaling, shedding light on its impact on gastroenteritis and vaccine development. Insights into T-cell responses reveal how vaccines like yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis can interact. The potential implications of PEPFAR funding discontinuation for global health are brought to light, alongside culinary tips for perfecting Cacio e Pepe. The ban on red dye #3 sparks a debate about food safety regulations, providing a light-hearted touch amid serious themes.