Dr. Klotman’s Week 230 video update addresses a variety of viral illnesses including COVID. The highlights are:
- COVID continues to show two yearly peaks – the first in the Summer and a bigger one in the Winter. It is now an endemic disease – here to stay
- The wastewater COVID levels continue to rise
- Test positivity and COVID-related ER visits are also rising in most states
- Late COVID indicators, hospitalizations and deaths are also increasing.
- This year’s Flu vaccine will cover H1N1, H3N2, and Influenza B/Victoria strains
- Folks in my age neighborhood (75+) who haven’t had the RSV vaccine should get it unless they have a specific contraindication. If you have already had one, another dose is not recommended at this time
- MPox is on the rise again in Central Africa and has spilled over to surrounding countries including Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia, and others.
- The CDC and WHO have declared this disease a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
Communicable diseases do not recognize country borders, continents, or any other natural let alone manmade barrier. There are multiple clades (variants or closely related strains) of MPox. The Central African clade causes the worst disease. A West African clase is reportedly less severe.
579 cases of MPox have been reported in Switzerland as of June 2024. Sweden reported its first case of the Central African clade just a week ago, and European health authorities are understandably concerned.
The African Centers for Disease Control has requested $34 million from charitable organizations to help it respond to the emerging epidemic of MPox in Central Africa. (Aside: To date, no one has responded – not even the billionaires. Hey Elon, Rupert, Jeff! Where the fock are you guys? Wanking?)