Juan Lama’s Post

The H5N1 bird flu is highly infectious and deadly in birds. It has been around for nearly three decades, but recently, it has been changing in ways that raise alarms for many research scientists and public health officials. Today I am going to share an interesting medical case report of a dairy farm worker in Texas infected with HPAI A (H5N1) virus! Unlike typical H5N1 cases, this patient didn't show fever, respiratory symptoms, or vision changes. Instead, they experienced subconjunctival hemorrhage in both eyes, a symptom rarely seen in H5N1 cases. 😐 Viral RNA was detected at low levels in the nose but much higher in the eyes. Treatment with oseltamivir (an anti-viral for influenza A & B) led to a quick recovery, with no further cases observed. The virus had a mutation associated with increased virulence in mammals but showed no resistance to treatment. The virus was possibly spreading by eye-to-eye transmission. This case shows the importance of eye protection when dealing with animals potentially infected with H5N1. Stay safe and informed ! And follow ⚜ Surya Sekhar Pal ⚜ for more! #H5N1 #birdflu #conjuctivitis #eyeinfection #subconjunctival #hemorrhage #texas #usa #stayinformed #beprotected #linkedinfamily #linkedincommunity #linkedinforcreators #sciencecommunication #influenza #RSV #virology #viruses #respiratoryvirus #respiratoryhealth #globalhealth #healthcare #antivirals #scientistlife #researchers #scienceandresearch #followformore

🚨 Almost all countries reporting data to ECDC are observing sharp increases in indicators of both influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity, with a visible impact in secondary care. 👩⚕️ Co-circulation of influenza viruses and RSV against the current background of continued relatively low-level transmission of SARS-CoV-2 could substantially impact healthcare services. 👉 Read the full epidemiological update and ECDC's recommendations: https://lnkd.in/gNBcsMij

At the moment, typos are one of the few ways we can tell whether or not a bit of text was authored by a human. Juan Lama (who once made a typo) is likely to be a flesh and blood human. How do you tell if the “content” you’re seeing on LinkedIn is Ai-generated or human-generated? Or does it matter to you? I’m not sure if anyone has tried it, but it might already be possible to train a GPT-4 class LLM on, say, all of the emails you wrote, and wind up with a system that can generate output which sounds like you, including the typos that you’re likely to make at the frequency you’re likely to make them. If not yet, well, soon enough this will be possible.

News from the World Health Organization (WHO) In a landmark move towards standardized terminology for airborne pathogens, WHO has released a comprehensive global technical consultation report. This report, developed in collaboration with major public health agencies and experts, introduces updated descriptors for pathogens that are transmitted through the air, including respiratory infections like COVID-19, influenza, and tuberculosis. For more details, read the full report here: https://buff.ly/4dd9JwI #WHO #PublicHealth #AirbornePathogens #GlobalHealth #COVID19 #Influenza #Tuberculosis #Healthcare #Science

Check out this insightful article discussing the differences in virulence between COVID-19 and Influenza. They are as different as an octopus is from a Labrador Retriever, belonging to distinct virus groups. Understanding their unique characteristics is crucial. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gVvcHiPa

Pandemic preparedness efforts remain essential in our hyper-connected world. Just on the heels of the COVID pandemic, we face another significant public health risk from H5N1. To date, H5N1 has historically presented with a very high mortality rate in birds and other mammals. Recent evidence, however, as quoted by FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, indicates a lower mortality with the variant infecting cattle. From the article: "In response to questions from Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) about the virus already jumping to humans, Califf noted the one case was conjunctivitis, and not a serious illness. But if it “jumps to human lungs,” the mortality rate could be worse than Covid-19, Califf said. The mortality rate for cattle is less than 1%, he noted, but workers need to be protected with personal protective gear." H5N1 remains a significant public health risk, and the significant differences in mortality rate across species drives home the imperative need to continue studying and preparing for any eventuality. While >1% mortality rate may seem like a good thing (and in many ways it is), it's the lower mortality that adds to the contagious nature of the virus. It's precisely this balance between transmission and mortality that made the COVID pandemic the perfect storm. I am encouraged to see the ongoing efforts to develop a toolbox against H5N1 that use the same powerful genetic technologies developed to address the COVID pandemic - when it comes to viruses, we can never be too prepared. #pandemic #H5N1 #birdflu #mRNA #vaccine

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🌍 Mpox Disease Update: Key Facts and Response Measures 🌍 The recent increase in Mpox cases has drawn significant attention from global health authorities. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening and the steps being taken: 🔍 What is Mpox? Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease with symptoms similar to smallpox but generally milder. It spreads through close contact with infected individuals or animals. 📊 Key Symptoms: Fever Rash Muscle aches Headache Fatigue 🛠 Current Measures: Vaccination Efforts: Expanded access to vaccines, which provide protection against Mpox. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public on recognizing symptoms and preventing transmission. Isolation and Contact Tracing: Infected individuals are isolated and contacts are monitored to curb the spread. 🔍 Challenges Ahead: Healthcare Strain: Rising case numbers are putting pressure on healthcare systems. Vaccine Distribution: Ensuring equitable access to vaccines, especially in underserved areas. Accurate Communication: Preventing misinformation through clear and effective public health messaging. As the situation evolves, staying informed and adhering to health guidelines is crucial. Let’s continue to support global health efforts and contribute to managing the outbreak effectively. #Mpox #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #DiseaseOutbreak #Healthcare #TrendingCafe

Our microbial group here at NIST has developed an excellent control for detection of H5N1 ready for dissemination to the scientific community.

In this piece I am quoted about the ability of the topical antibiotic Neosporin to induce cells to produce anti-viral substances in the nose that may be able to reduce the ability of respiratory viruses to infect and cause disease https://lnkd.in/eZ4riM-j