Understanding the Spread of Infectious Diseases This Holiday Season
‘Tis the Season for Cheer—and Viruses As the holiday season approaches, gatherings of friends and family bring warmth and joy—but also the potential for spreading seasonal viruses. UC San Francisco infectious disease specialist Peter Chin-Hong has highlighted the “Big Four” viruses currently circulating in the United States: norovirus (a stomach bug) and three respiratory illnesses—influenza,…
Scientific Asia
Officials cancel Christmas events and close schools early due to COVID, flu, and RSV outbreaks
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported an increase in hospitalizations for COVID-19, the flu, and RSV during the week ending December 14, according to its Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard. As families prepared for the upcoming holiday celebrations, Illinois health authorities issued a warning on Monday regarding the rise in respiratory diseases. The IDPH’s…
A new study finds that COVID-19 may increase the rates of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths
Scientific Asia: A sizable new study indicates that COVID-19 may be a potent risk factor for heart attacks and strokes up to three years following an infection. A study was published on Wednesday in the journal Atherosclerosis, Thormbosis, and Vascular Biology. It made use of personal health details from about 25,000 participants in the UK…
New Research Links Early COVID-19 Spread to Wuhan Animal Market
The Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China, has been identified as an epicenter of the early spread of COVID-19. Researchers studied the genetic material from hundreds of swabs taken from the walls, floors, machines, and drains in the market. This helped them identify which animals were present in areas where most of the COVID-19…