Pertussis rates plummet in Maine amid precautions, new law
November 26, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The rate of pertussis has fallen sharply in Maine, which not long ago had one of the highest rates of the infectious disease in the country.
Pertussis is also called whooping cough and it's an infection that causes a severe, hacking cough and can be especially dangerous to babies.
US renews push for COVID boosters as data show they protect
November 22, 2022 GMTAmericans who got the updated COVID-19 booster shots are better protected against symptomatic infection than those who haven’t — at least for now, U.S. health officials said Tuesday.
Updated boosters rolled out by Pfizer and rival Moderna in September have been a hard sell for vaccine-weary Americans.
Man dies at UK migrant center criticized over conditions
November 20, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — A man being held at a much-criticized center for migrants in Britain has died after falling sick, bringing renewed criticism to the Conservative government over its treatment of asylum-seekers.
UNC to get infectious disease treatment designation
November 12, 2022 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — University of North Carolina hospitals will soon be designated as a treatment center for patients with highly infectious diseases in the region.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that UNC and Emory University are the only two Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers in the Southeast.
4.4M Americans roll up sleeves for omicron-targeted boosters
September 23, 2022 GMTU.S. health officials say 4.4 million Americans have rolled up their sleeves for the updated COVID-19 booster shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the count Thursday as public health experts bemoaned President Joe Biden’s recent remark that “the pandemic is over.”
South Korean president urges shared technology, innovation
September 20, 2022 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed the need for wealthy nations to share their advanced technologies and innovations with developing countries, particularly when it comes to closing the education gap and fighting infectious diseases.
IU Health begins monkeypox testing at lab, cuts testing time
August 30, 2022 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana University Health has opened a bio-secure lab that will be the primary testing site for suspected monkeypox samples in Indiana, the medical provider said Tuesday.
Scientists and technicians created the testing space at the IU Health Pathology Laboratory in downtown Indianapolis that enables scientists to safely deactivate the virus in incoming samples and test them for the presence of the virus, the provider said.
Fauci to step down after decades as top US infection expert
August 22, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert who became a household name — and the subject of partisan attacks — during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Monday he will leave the federal government in December after more than five decades.
Gates eyes partnership with South Korea over global health
August 16, 2022 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Bill Gates on Tuesday called for South Korea to become more involved in international efforts to prevent infectious diseases like COVID-19 as he stressed the need for the world to be better prepared for the next pandemic.
Study connects climate hazards to 58% of infectious diseases
August 9, 2022 GMTClimate hazards such as flooding, heat waves and drought have worsened more than half of the hundreds of known infectious diseases in people, including malaria, hantavirus, cholera and anthrax, a study says.
Paul’s wife says senator wants to subpoena Fauci records
August 7, 2022 GMTFANCY FARM, Ky. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Rand Paul wants to subpoena the records of the country’s top infectious disease expert, the senator's wife said while standing in for him at Kentucky's premier political event Saturday.
Man who threatened Dr. Fauci, other official, gets 3 years
August 5, 2022 GMTGREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A West Virginia man was sentenced Thursday to three years in federal prison after he sent emails threatening Dr. Anthony Fauci and another federal health official for talking about the coronavirus and efforts to prevent its spread.
New Mexico officials: More monkeypox vaccinations on order
August 4, 2022 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Only 10 monkeypox cases have been confirmed in New Mexico so far, and top health officials said Thursday there were no immediately concerns that the state will see a vaccine shortage any time soon.
WHO Africa sees 10-year growth in healthy life expectancy
August 4, 2022 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Africa recorded a ten-year growth in its healthy life expectancy from 2000 to 2019, the World Health Organization Africa office said Thursday, exceeding the global average and progress seen in any other region over the same period.
US signs off on 800,000 more doses of monkeypox vaccine
July 27, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — After weeks of delays, nearly 800,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine will soon be available for distribution, U.S. health regulators said Wednesday.
The announcement comes amid growing criticism that authorities have been too slow in deploying the vaccine, potentially missing the window to contain what could soon become an entrenched infectious disease.
Anthony Fauci’s life, work during COVID are PBS film’s focus
July 27, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci and his tumultuous experience during the COVID-19 pandemic are the focus of a PBS “American Masters” documentary.
The film follows Fauci at home and at work during a 14-month period starting from President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, PBS announced Wednesday.
Fauci expects to retire by end of Biden’s current term
July 18, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, said Monday he plans to retire by the end of President Joe Biden's term in January 2025.
S. Korea expands booster shots as COVID-19 cases creep up
July 13, 2022 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Health officials in South Korea are expanding booster shots to adults 50 and over as COVID-19 cases creep up again across the country.
The 40,226 new cases reported Wednesday marked the country’s highest daily jump in more than two months, although hospitalizations and deaths remain stable.
For now, wary US treads water with transformed COVID-19
July 3, 2022 GMTThe fast-changing coronavirus has kicked off summer in the U.S. with lots of infections but relatively few deaths compared to its prior incarnations.
COVID-19 is still killing hundreds of Americans each day, but is not nearly as dangerous as it was last fall and winter.
Fauci says he’s ‘example’ for COVID-19 vaccinations
June 23, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, says his COVID-19 recovery is an “example” for the nation on the protection offered by vaccines and boosters.
Speaking during a White House briefing, Fauci, 81, said he began experiencing virus symptoms on June 14 and tested positive a day later.
Fauci tests positive for virus, has mild COVID-19 symptoms
June 15, 2022 GMTDr. Anthony Fauci, the face of America's pandemic response through two White House administrations, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
The 81-year-old Fauci, who is fully vaccinated and has received two booster shots, was experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms, according to a statement Wednesday from the National Institutes of Health.
Dolly Parton gives $1M to infectious disease research, again
June 15, 2022 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dolly Parton is donating $1 million to pediatric infectious disease research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, the organization announced on Wednesday.
The new gift is one of several Parton has made to the center over the years, including a $1 million gift in April 2020 for COVID vaccine research.
Kishida unveils plan to set up pandemic crisis control unit
June 15, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans Wednesday to establish an infectious disease crisis management agency to better prepare for future pandemics.
WHO: COVID-19 cases mostly drop, except for the Americas
May 26, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths are still falling globally after peaking in January, the World Health Organization said.
In its latest weekly assessment of the pandemic, the U.N.
Pfizer to offer low-cost medicines, vaccines to poor nations
May 25, 2022 GMTPfizer said Wednesday that it will provide nearly two dozen products, including its top-selling COVID-19 vaccine and treatment, at not-for-profit prices in some of the world’s poorest countries.
Argentine president to pay fine for party during quarantine
May 23, 2022 GMTBUENOS AIRES (AP) — Argentina's president and first lady will pay a fine of 3 million pesos ($24,000) for hosting a party in July 2020 that violated the quarantine orders the head of state himself had ordered to prohibit group gatherings as a way to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Fauci urges college grads to stand against disinformation
May 20, 2022 GMTBRISTOL, R.I. (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci urged graduates of Roger Williams University on Friday to fight what he called the “normalization of untruths,” which has become a growing and more troubling problem during the COVID-19 pandemic.
G7 agree pact to better prepare for future pandemics
May 20, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The Group of Seven wealthy democracies announced plans Friday to strengthen epidemiological early-warning systems to detect infectious diseases with pandemic potential following the emergence of the coronavirus more than two years ago.
WHO clears China’s CanSino COVID vaccine for emergency use
May 19, 2022 GMTGENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization said Thursday that it has granted an emergency use authorization for the coronavirus vaccine made by China's CanSino Biologics, the 11th such shot to receive the green light.
South Africa in new surge of COVID from versions of omicron
May 14, 2022 GMTJOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa is experiencing a surge of new COVID-19 cases driven by two omicron sub-variants, according to health experts.
For about three weeks the country has seen increasing numbers of new cases and somewhat higher hospitalizations, but not increases in severe cases and deaths, said Professor Marta Nunes, a researcher at Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Analytics at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.
Kansas governor vetoes Republican plan to ban mask mandates
May 13, 2022 GMTTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday vetoed a bill that would prohibit government mask mandates in Kansas and curb the power of state and local health officials during outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Tuberculosis outbreak spurs fears among those incarcerated
May 3, 2022 GMTABERDEEN, Wash. (AP) — A tuberculosis outbreak at Stafford Creek Corrections Center has spurred fears among incarcerated people and their families over whether correctional officials are properly responding to the serious and sometimes fatal infectious disease.
GOP lawmakers in Kansas OK ban on state, local mask mandates
April 29, 2022 GMTTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Republican lawmakers have approved a measure that would prohibit Kansas or its cities, counties or school districts from imposing mask mandates to control the spread of any infectious disease.
Increased infectious disease risk likely from climate change
April 28, 2022 GMTClimate change will result in thousands of new viruses spread among animal species by 2070 — and that's likely to increase the risk of emerging infectious diseases jumping from animals to humans, according to a new study.
Fauci: US in ‘a different moment’ but pandemic not over
April 27, 2022 GMTDr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday the coronavirus is under better control in the United States. but the pandemic isn't over — and the challenge is how to keep improving the situation.
“We are in a different moment of the pandemic,” said Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, in an interview with The Associated Press.
UK patient had COVID-19 for 505 days straight, study shows
April 21, 2022 GMTA U.K. patient with a severely weakened immune system had COVID-19 for almost a year and a half, scientists reported, underscoring the importance of protecting vulnerable people from the coronavirus.
Hawaii ends free COVID-19 testing program as cases rise
April 21, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's coronavirus positivity rate has more than doubled in the last month as mask mandates ended and demand for tests dropped.
Despite the rise, the state Department of Health Health stopped its free testing program Wednesday as federal funding ended.
CDC launches new forecasting center for infectious diseases
April 19, 2022 GMTA new U.S. government center aims to become the National Weather Service for infectious diseases — an early warning system to help guide the response to COVID-19 and future pandemics.
The new Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics launched Tuesday.
Hawaii laboratory detects case of omicron subvariant XE
April 15, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — A COVID-19 omicron variant hybrid called XE has been detected in Hawaii, the Hawaii state Department of Health said.
The department's laboratories division confirmed one case of XE in its latest variant report, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Friday.
It’s not over: COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in US
April 15, 2022 GMTYet again, the U.S. is trudging into what could be another COVID-19 surge, with cases rising nationally and in most states after a two-month decline.
One big unknown? “We don’t know how high that mountain’s gonna grow,” said Dr.
Holy Cross, Fauci’s alma mater, to name building after him
April 4, 2022 GMTWORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — The College of the Holy Cross is naming its science center after Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of its most famous alumni, the school said Monday.
“Dr. Fauci vividly personifies the distinctive characteristics of a Holy Cross education, and we know his life and work are already inspiring the next generation of empathetic servant leaders,” Vincent Rougeau, president of the Jesuit school in Worcester, Massachusetts, said in a statement.
Alabama COVID-19 hospitalizations at low for pandemic
April 2, 2022 GMTBIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Fewer people are being treated for COVID-19 in Alabama hospitals than at any time since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, but experts say the rise of a new version of the coronavirus combined with fewer safety precautions might mean the decline is only temporary.
Who really needs a second COVID booster? Here’s what to know
March 30, 2022 GMTMany Americans now can get a second COVID-19 booster, but it’s hard to tell who really needs another shot right now and who could wait.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized extra Pfizer or Moderna shots for anyone 50 or older and for some younger people with severely weakened immune systems.
Fauci named keynote speaker at Roger Williams U commencement
March 28, 2022 GMTBRISTOL, R.I. (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the face of the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic, will deliver the keynote address at Roger Williams University's commencement ceremony, the Rhode Island school announced Monday.
China continues ‘severe and complex’ fight against COVID-19
March 25, 2022 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China continues to battle its worst COVID-19 outbreak, driven by the omicron variant, with health officials on Friday calling the situation “severe and complex."
The country has counted more than 56,000 cases since March 1, according to national health officials, who gave a press briefing Friday.
Alabama virus hospitalizations lowest since pandemic start
March 22, 2022 GMTMONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alabama has dropped to the lowest point since the earliest days of the pandemic, state statistics show.
Just 156 people statewide were being treated for the illness caused by the new coronavirus on Sunday, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
China weighs exit from ‘zero COVID’ and the risks involved
March 18, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Even as authorities lock down cities in China's worst outbreak in two years, they are looking for an exit from what has been a successful but onerous COVID-19 prevention strategy.
North Carolina wildlife officials confirm avian flu cases
March 16, 2022 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Wildlife experts in North Carolina have confirmed that birds in four separate counties have died from the avian flu.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission said in a news release on Tuesday that a snow goose in Hyde County, a redhead duck in Carteret County, a red-shouldered hawk in Wake County, and a bald eagle in Dare County, have all died from the flu.
Life in South Asia returns to normal as COVID cases decline
March 4, 2022 GMTThe markets are crowded again. Traffic is jamming the roads. Migrant workers have returned to the cities. And young people are back at schools and universities — many of them for the first time in years.
Health commissioner confirmed despite GOP’s COVID concerns
March 2, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Dr. Manisha Juthani, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont's nominee for Department of Public Health Commissioner, was confirmed by the state House of Representatives on a mostly party-line vote, with some Republicans criticizing her handling of certain aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gunmen kill polio worker in Pakistan vaccination campaign
March 2, 2022 GMTPESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Gunmen in northwestern Pakistan shot and killed a female polio worker as she was returning home Wednesday after taking part in the country's latest anti-polio campaign, police said.
Arizona health agency reduces frequency of pandemic updates
February 26, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's public health agency on Saturday provided its last planned daily update of the state's coronavirus dashboard of pandemic data such as additional COVID-19 cases, new deaths and hospitalization levels.
West Virginia receiving $1.2 million for HIV prevention
February 25, 2022 GMTCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia is getting more than $1.2 million in federal grants to address HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment.
The opioid epidemic killed more than 1,437 West Virginians from September 2020 to September 2021, U.S.
DPH commissioner’s nomination clears key committee vote
February 24, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Dr. Manisha Juthani's nomination for commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, a job she has held since September, cleared a key committee vote Thursday.
House members on the General Assembly's Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee voted 7-1 in favor of her appointment, sending it to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
Dr. Paul Farmer, global humanitarian leader, dies at 62
February 21, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Dr. Paul Farmer, a U.S. physician, humanitarian and author renowned for providing health care to millions of impoverished people worldwide and who co-founded the global nonprofit Partners in Health, has died.
US virus cases, hospitalizations continue steady decline
February 20, 2022 GMTAverage daily COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are continuing to fall in the U.S., an indicator that the omicron variant’s hold is weakening across the country.
Total confirmed cases reported Saturday barely exceeded 100,000, a sharp downturn from around 800,850 five weeks ago on Jan.
South Korea to allow special voting for COVID-19 patients
February 14, 2022 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s parliament on Monday approved plans to provide a special time for COVID-19 patients to vote during the March 9 presidential election as the country grapples with a record-breaking omicron surge.
Massachusetts to lift public school mask mandate on Feb. 28
February 10, 2022 GMTStudents and staff at Massachusetts public schools won't have to wear face coverings indoors starting Feb. 28, Gov. Charlie Baker and state education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said Wednesday.
The decision was made in consultation with infectious disease physicians, the state Department of Public Health, and other medical experts, they said.
Omicron forces S. Korea to end GPS monitoring, some checkups
February 7, 2022 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea will no longer use GPS monitoring to enforce quarantines and will also end daily checkup calls to low-risk coronavirus patients as a fast-developing omicron surge overwhelms health and government workers.