Here is Dr. Klotman’s Week 278 video address. My Digest follows:
Measles
- The CDC declared this year’s outbreak the largest in the past 33 years (1288 cases)
- The highest number of cases has been in Texas where the outbreak began
- Vaccine hesitancy/reluctance is a worldwide problem. The US actually leads the rest of the world in Measles vaccination – the reason why our outbreaks are most often traced to international travel
COVID
- Airport wastewater measurements show a rising tide of COVID virus from international travel with US destinations (the dominant strain is XFG – a descendant of NB.1.8.1)
- California (SF) has recorded rapidly increasing cases of COVID
- The dominant strain in the US now is NB.1.8.1 as it was a week ago
- Moderna’s Spikevax COVID vaccine has received FDA approval with some age limitations (for folks 65+ and younger people with an underlying condition predisposing to poor COVID outcomes (that recommendation is controversial)
I will add from other sources that COVID is on the rise in Texas. I’m wearing my mask during activities away from home except for restaurant meals, of course. Stay safe.