Osterholm Update

Measles surges across Pennsylvania and the U.S., raising concerns about undercounting, vaccine doubt, and winter transmission. The discussion also explores promising yet fragile progress against Ebola in the DRC, fall trends in COVID, flu, and RSV, and new vaccine guidance. Rabies exposures, delayed pediatric COVID vaccine access, and lessons from the Flint water crisis round out the conversation.

Two measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania spark a discussion about misinformation, reporting, and the threat to measles elimination. The conversation examines evidence behind COVID, flu, and RSV vaccines, when to schedule seasonal shots, and shifting respiratory-virus activity. It also explores Ebola vaccine strategy in the DRC, West Nile prevention, and the pioneering legacy of school nursing.

Clear guidance on dealing with measles clusters and why local vaccination rates matter. Up-to-date discussion of COVID trends, testing, and timing for shots. Practical timing for flu and RSV protection for kids and elders. Rundown of recent produce-linked foodborne outbreaks and simple safety tips. Brief update on the expanding Ebola situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A rapid tour of big public health headlines from Washington. They critique a new vaccine executive order and unpack fallout from a high-profile congressional hearing. Updates cover foodborne outbreaks and food irradiation, a new mRNA flu vaccine approval, cyclospora and salmonella responses, Ebola in DRC, blood supply concerns, and a historical salute to the father of blood banks.

A deep look at the rising cyclospora outbreak and how current response compares to a 1996 produce-linked crisis. Critiques of public health communication and supply-chain challenges. Practical consumer guidance on produce and disinfecting claims. Brief updates on Ebola in the DRC, measles resurgence, early COVID-19 signs, and an unusual West Nile surge.

A look at summertime infectious risks from ticks, mosquitoes, and foodborne parasites. Discussion of a large cyclospora outbreak linked to produce and why it may be winding down. Examination of tick‑linked alpha-gal red meat allergy and new antibody findings. Update on rising West Nile activity and practical mosquito protections. Overview of Ebola struggles in the DRC and public health response challenges.

Discussion of the escalating Ebola outbreak in the DRC and why contact tracing and workforce gaps hinder control. A flu surge at a Texas Air Force base and the promise and limits of mRNA flu vaccines. Newly released CDC emails revealing politicization and changes to advisory processes. Risks of New World screwworm to wildlife and updates on recent COVID booster effectiveness studies.

They discuss the dangerous Ebola outbreak in the DRC and the challenges of limited tools and community distrust. They raise concerns about public-health readiness for the World Cup and funding gaps at state and local levels. They explain the threat of screwworm to livestock and the US response shortfalls. They cover hantavirus links to El Niño and the risk to the US losing measles elimination.

A deep look at the growing Ebola outbreak in the DRC, questions about airborne transmission, and travel cautions for nearby countries. Discussion of a hantavirus cluster on a cruise and how it spread. Review of an FDA pediatric vaccine report and decisions about next COVID vaccine targets. Warnings about rising measles and the current status of COVID, flu, and RSV.

<p dir="ltr">In Episode 209, Dr. Michael Osterholm and Chris Dall talk through the response to the hantavirus outbreak and the lingering questions about how the virus spreads. They also discuss a recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the latest findings from The Vaccine Integrity Project’s comprehensive review of peer-reviewed evidence on Tdap vaccination during pregnancy.</p> <p><strong>Links:</strong><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGMmgMke9p8">Hantavirus Is Not the Next Covid, But Try Telling That to the News Media&nbsp;</a>(The Daily Show)<br><br><a href="https://vaxintegrity.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/FINAL%20REPORT%20Tdap%20Vaccine%20in%20Pregnancy%20Evidence%20Review.pdf">Safety and Effectiveness of Tdap Vaccination During Pregnancy Report&nbsp;</a>(Vaccine Integrity Project)<br><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/anti-science/aluminum-vaccines-not-linked-autism-other-health-problems-study-finds">Aluminum in vaccines not linked to autism, other health problems, study finds</a> (CIDRAP)<br><br>&nbsp;</p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>