University of Minnesota http://twin-cities.umn.edu/ 612-625-5000 The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) on December 20 reported the state’s first human H5 avian influenza case, which involves an individual exposed to poultry while working with a commercial flock. Meanwhile, groups in multiple states issued new reports and warnings about avian flu detections and deaths in cats and wild birds, and a surge in activity continues in poultry, with more outbreaks confirmed across nine states. In

University of Minnesota http://twin-cities.umn.edu/ 612-625-5000 Two new studies add to the growing body of literature on the lasting effects of long COVID. In the first, a study of 114 patients with long COVID in Israel, researchers found high rates of depressive disorders (46%), generalized anxiety disorders (21%), sleep disturbances (76%), and reported cognitive changes (95%) among those diagnosed with the condition. In a second study, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers find

The WHO said it is monitoring some JN.1-related variants, still in low proportions, that might have more immune escape than XEC.

University of Minnesota http://twin-cities.umn.edu/ 612-625-5000 Ahead of the Christmas holiday week, respiratory virus activity triggering healthcare visits is at the moderate level, with further rises seen for flu, activity up from low levels for COVID-19, and high levels for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its updates, which also included updated seasonal outlooks. The CDC said it expects the current winter respiratory virus