This week we touch on norovirus, Mpox, Influenza including bird flu, hazards of “fresh” pet food, and COVID. Here is Dr. Klotman’s Week 252 video address.
Norovirus
- There is a lot of norovirus in wastewater samples.
- Washington state oysters harvested from Puget Sound are testing positive for norovirus. If, like me, you enjoy oysters on the half-shell, avoid those from Washington state.
Mpox
- In Africa, Clade I Mpox has spread from the DRC outward to neighboring countries claiming some 1200 deaths in 2024.
- Clade I cases outside of Africa have been seen mostly among travelers to the affected countries and their family contacts.
- In most of non-African countries, Mpox cases are of Clade II which is most common in West Africa and generally a milder disease than Clade I.
- High risk groups for Mpox are MSM and household contacts of affected individuals.
- The smallpox vaccine provides effective protection, but there is no effective antiviral treatment thus far.
Pet Food
- Some pet foods touted as Natural are made with raw milk and/or raw poultry (chicken and turkey) and have been linked to fatal H5N1 infections especially among cats.
- Raw milk and meat are not inherently better for pets. Avoid them.
Seasonal Influenza
- The main circulating strains in the US are H1N1 and H2N3 Influenza A – both included in the current Flu vaccine.
- Unfortunately, only 40% of eligible folks have been vaccinated.
- Because not everyone who gets vaccinated develops a good immune response, it takes 70% of the population getting vaccinated to prevent outbreaks of Influenza.
- The CDC is recommending that anyone admitted to the hospital with severe Influenza, especially those requiring ICU management, get tested for H5N1 bird flu.
- Severe cases of influenza should be treated with Tamiflu.
COVID
- Most US cases of COVID continue to be of the XEC recombinant strain.
- Nationwide, hospitalizations and ER visits for COVID are rising.
- COVID wastewater levels are high – particularly in the Great Lakes region.
- Texas COVID levels are rising but far lower than those in Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.