Here is Dr. Klotman’s Week 277 video address. My digest appears below.
H5N1
- Cambodia has now recorded 12 human cases of H5N1 Influenza – the latest in a 5yo boy currently hospitalized in ICU
- H5N1 is endemic in Cambodian chicken flocks; the child’s family kept 40 birds in their yard, and the child played among them regularly
Thimerosal
- This is an organo-mercurial compound that was added to multi-dose vials of vaccines as an anti-fungal preservative in past years
- The newly appointed RFK ACIP has recommended that Thimerosal-bearing vaccines no longer be approved
- Like so much from this administration, this is a performative gesture since hardly any multi-vial vaccines are used in the US
West Nile Virus (WNV)
- Texas has reported two cases of WNV this year – we are just entering WNV season here in the South
- WNV became endemic to the US in 1999
- In recent years, the CDC has reported around 2,000 cases with Texas being a leading state for that infection – 455 cases last year with 56 deaths
- Most infections with WNV are asymptomatic
- 20% of infections manifest with rash, headache, and other minor viral syndrome symptoms
- The most severe infections (fewer than 1%) cause encephalitis that can be fatal; other severe complications such as myocarditis are rare
- WNV is a Flavivirus – a viral group that includes Yellow Fever, Zika, Dengue, and other mosquito-borne viruses
- WNV is found in the lower 48 states but not in Alaska or Hawaii
COVID
- Although there is a COVID lull in the wastewater viral levels, Summer is when we see increased COVID infections – we shouldn’t get too complacent
Other News not in Dr. Klotman’s Update
As regards H5N1. While there is not yet a strain that passes readily from person to person, we are always standing at that precipice. So, it is remarkably stupid that RF (Lysenko) Kennedy has chosen to halt the development of an H5N1 m-RNA vaccine, and his followers are touting the potential merits of letting H5N1 run wild through US poultry flocks. We are living in a Kakistocracy!
As of July 5th, the CDC had recorded 1,277 cases of Measles including 155 hospitalizations and 3 deaths. Sigh.
Viruses have been in the public health limelight for years now, but the fungi want their accolades too, it seems. They are growing more resistant to anti-fungal drugs. Aspergillus fumigatus infections are now harder to treat since the fugus has developed resistance to azole antifungals. Sigh.