Coronavirus Updates March 2025

[missy]

Experts: New Bat Coronavirus Being Watched

Expert advocates continued vigilance related to recent announcement of newly discovered coronavirus.

www.medscape.com

"

Keep New Bat Coronavirus On the Radar, Researchers Say​

Heidi Splete
March 12, 2025


A newly identified coronavirus in bats has the potential to spill over into humans, said researchers in China, but US experts stated there is no immediate public health risk.

In a study published in the journal, Cell, Jing Chen, PhD, and colleagues at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Wuhan, China, reported discovery of a new lineage of merbecovirus known as HKU5-CoV-2. The new virus falls into the same family as the merbecovirus that causes Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome in humans, the researchers said.

After the findings were published, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told ABC News and other outlets that no infections with this virus have been detected in humans, and that there is no reason to presume a threat to public health at this time.


The researchers examined the virus in a lab setting and found that the new virus has the ability to infiltrate human cell lines, which means there is a potential for spillover into humans. More specifically, the researchers found that the new virus could utilize human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a “functional receptor,” and that it is distinctly more able to adapt to human ACE2 than lineage 1 of the same virus (HKU5-CoV lineage 1).

Expert Analysis Reassures​

Every time a new virus is discovered in bats, the online chatter immediately jumps to asking whether it is the next pandemic, said Erik Karlsson, PhD, head of the virology unit at the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in an interview.





After the last few years of experience with COVID-19, avian influenza, Ebola, and Marburg, people are on the edge about viruses, and “the idea of another one making the leap to humans isn’t exactly comforting,” said Karlsson, who also serves as the director of the National Influenza Center of Cambodia and WHO H5 Reference Laboratory and coordinator of the WHO Global COVID-19 Referral Laboratory.


“Bats are not out to get us,” Karlsson said. “The reason scientists pay attention to the viruses they carry isn’t because bats are dangerous but because they happen to host a lot of different viruses, some of which, on rare occasions, can jump to humans,” he said.

The majority of viruses found in bats never cause trouble for humans, and Karlsson agrees that the current virus is not a public health threat at this time. However, the new virus warrants monitoring, Karlsson told Medscape Medical News. “HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to human cells. That’s interesting from a research standpoint, but it doesn’t mean the virus is actually infecting humans in the real world,” he said.

Several things have to happen for a virus to go from “we found this in bats [to] this is a public health threat,” Karlsson noted. First, the virus has to infect a human, then it has to spread easily between humans, and then it has to spread at a level that causes concern, Karlsson emphasized. “HKU5-CoV-2 isn’t doing any of that right now; it is just another virus that we scientists are keeping an eye on, similar to what we do with hundreds of other viruses every year in many species,” he said. “Could it mutate in the future? Sure. But the same can be said for many viruses, and most of them never make that leap,” he said.


Karlsson, though not a clinician himself, recognized that news headlines and social media can shape patients’ perspectives and send them to their healthcare providers with concerns. Patients who have heard about the new virus in bats may want to know whether they need to change anything in their daily lives, whether this is another COVID-19 situation, and whether they should worry, Karlsson said. “The answer to all of those questions is no,” he said. “Yes, we need to continue monitoring it and other viruses. No, it’s not something we need to start stockpiling supplies in our panic room over,” he added.

Stay Vigilant and Do What Works ​

The seasonal flu, and even avian flu, are much bigger and more immediate threats than a bat virus that scientists are simply keeping an eye on, Karlsson told Medscape Medical News. The message to the public continues to be encouraging people to get a flu shot, stay up to date with other recommended vaccines, and practice basic hygiene; all the things known for years, but that people sometimes forget actually work to prevent infection, he said.

Looking ahead, “waiting until a virus becomes a crisis is the worst possible strategy, and early detection is everything,” Karlsson noted. “We need to keep the systems we already have running, fund them properly, and build even better ways to detect and respond to potential threats before they spiral out of control,” he emphasized.

“Consistent investment in and maintenance of active surveillance and early detection systems is critical,” Karlsson told Medscape Medical News. “Right now, HKU5-CoV-2 is just an interesting bat virus that scientists are studying that has the ability to bind to human cells in the lab, but with no evidence that it’s infecting people or spreading, but the only reason we even know about it is because researchers are actively looking for these things, not just out of academic curiosity, but because it’s our best shot at staying ahead of the next pandemic,” he said.

“The cost of keeping good surveillance and response systems in place is nothing compared to the cost of another global shutdown,” Karlsson added.


The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose. Karlsson had no financial conflicts to disclose.
"

 

[missy]

COVID-19 Symptom Severity Increased in Cancer Survivors

Adjusted odds ratio showed similar prevalence of long COVID in cancer survivors and controls.

www.medscape.com

"
Adult cancer survivors in the United States were more likely to report severe COVID-19 symptoms compared to the general population, based on data from a new study of nearly 9000 individuals presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2025 Annual Meeting.

“COVID-19 can have many long-lasting adverse effects on individuals’ health outcomes and wellbeing,” said Jincong (Jason) Freeman, PhD, of the University of Chicago, Chicago, in an interview. The population of cancer survivors in the United States is both aging and growing, and studies have shown that this population may be more vulnerable to COVID-19, but data on symptoms, vaccination, and long COVID in cancer survivors are lacking, Freeman said.

Freeman and colleagues conducted a secondary analysis of data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The study population included 8936 adults aged ≥ 18 years, 7.6% of whom were cancer survivors; approximately two thirds were White individuals, 19.2% were Hispanic individuals, 9.6% were Black individuals, 4.8% were Asian individuals, and 3.0% were of other races or ethnicities.


The researchers reviewed data on symptom severity and COVID-19 vaccination status. Significantly more cancer survivors had severe COVID-19 symptoms compared to the general population (17.9% vs 14.3%, P = .019). In addition, significantly more cancer survivors received a COVID-19 vaccine compared to the general population (88.6% vs 78.6%, P < .001).

Long COVID was defined as symptoms of at least 3 months’ duration that were not present before infection with COVID-19, and 19.7% of the study participants overall met these criteria. In a weighted logistic regression analysis, long COVID was significantly more common in cancer survivors compared to the general population (23.6% vs 19.4%, P = .009).





The finding that cancer survivors experienced more severe COVID-19 symptoms than the general population was not unexpected, as the survivor population is older and often experience more chronic health conditions and/or a weakened immune system, Freeman told Medscape Medical News. However, “To our surprise, cancer survivors had similar odds (still a bit high given an odds ratio of 1.05) of experiencing long COVID to the general population, which contradicts our initial hypothesis that survivors would have significantly greater odds,” he said. “But we observed that the COVID-19 vaccination rate was higher in cancer survivors (88.6%) than in the general population (78.6%), which likely explains the similar odds of long COVID-19 due to the vaccine’s protective effect for the survivor population,” he noted.


A key takeaway from the study is the need to continue to identify and address COVID-19 symptom severity in cancer survivors, said Freeman. “At the same time, although the COVID-19 vaccination rate is higher in the cancer survivor population, 1 in 9 (1 in 5 of the general population) still did not receive at least one dose of the vaccine,” he noted. The results suggest that clinics and cancer programs should promote COVID-19 vaccination regardless of cancer history while ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 care and services, he added.

An important limitation of the study was that the 2022 NHIS did not collect information on which COVID-19 vaccines people received, Freeman told Medscape Medical News. “We were wondering whether COVID-19 symptoms and long COVID might vary by vaccine type viral vector, and protein subunit,” he noted.

The researchers also were unable to assess specific symptoms and whether cancer survivors experienced them prior to COVID-19, notable because some cancer survivors may experience similar symptoms during and after treatment, said Freeman.


“We were not able to untangle symptoms from COVID-19, long COVID, or cancer treatment sequelae; therefore, further studies are needed to address these limitations,” he said.

Study Adds to COVID-19 Knowledge Storehouse​

“The more data we have, the more we information we have available about the various impact of COVID on different groups,” said Shirin A. Mazumder, MD, and infectious diseases specialist in Memphis, Tennessee, in an interview. “It is important to continue to add to the existing knowledge base, so we have a better understanding of COVID-19 and how best to protect and treat our patients,” she said.

Mazumder said that the increased frequency of severe symptoms in cancer survivors was not unexpected, but clinicians should be aware that symptoms of COVID-19 can be more severe in cancer survivors. Consequently, these patients should be monitored closely once diagnosed with COVID-19 to ensure that antiviral treatment is offered if appropriate to potentially reduce the rate of complications, she added.

Some potential variables that merit further study include the severity of COVID-19 as related to what type of cancer the patient had, the type of cancer treatment the patient received, and when treatment was completed, Mazumder told Medscape Medical News.

“Evaluating the rate of hospitalization in this patient population would be valuable to better characterize the degree of severity, and evaluating the duration of time that has lapsed from the last COVID vaccine to when patients developed symptoms also would be useful,” she said.


The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose. Mazumder had no financial conflicts to disclose.
"

 

[missy]

Ensitrelvir Shows Promise Preventing COVID-19 Post Exposure

Daily oral drug reduced COVID-19 risk by 67% in exposed but uninfected adults

www.medscape.com

"

Ensitrelvir Shows Promise for COVID-19 Prevention Following Exposure​

Heidi Splete
March 14, 2025


Oral ensitrelvir was significantly more effective than placebo for preventing COVID-19 infection in uninfected at-risk adults who had exposure to those infected, based on data from a phase 3 trial presented at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

Ensitrelvir, an oral SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitor, is approved in Japan for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19, wrote Akimasa Fukushi, MD, of Shionogi & Co., Ltd, the drug’s Japanese manufacturer, in the study abstract.

The researchers randomized adults who were household contacts of confirmed COVID-19 patients but not yet infected themselves. The modified intent-to-treat population was confirmed negative for COVID-19 at baseline. Participants received ensitrelvir at doses of 375 mg on day 1 and 125 mg on days 2-5 or a placebo (1030 and 1011 individuals, respectively) within 72 hours of symptom onset in their household index patient. The mean age of the study population was 42.4 years, and 37% had at least one high-risk factor for severe COVID-19.


The primary endpoint was the percentage of household contacts who developed COVID-19 at day 10, at which time 2.9% of the ensitrelvir group had developed COVID-19, compared to 9.0% of the placebo group, a 67% reduction in risk.

“In addition to vaccination, post-exposure prophylaxis with timely use of an oral antiviral would be a valuable way to help prevent COVID-19 illness in people who have been exposed, especially people at high risk for severe disease,” said Frederick Hayden, MD, in a press release from the company. Hayden, professor emeritus of clinical virology and professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, presented the study, known as SCORPIO-PEP (Stopping COVID-19 pRogression with early Protease InhibitOr treatment – Post-Exposure Prophylaxis), at the meeting.





In a secondary analysis that included all household contacts regardless of confirmed uninfected status and in household contacts who had tested positive, the risk ratios for COVID infection in ensitrelvir groups were 0.43 and 0.75, respectively.


The development of any treatment-emergent or serious treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between the ensitrelvir and placebo groups (15.1% vs 15.5% and 0.2% vs 0.2%, respectively). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events across both groups were headache, diarrhea, and influenza. No COVID-19-related fatalities or hospitalizations were reported during the study.

Additional data from a companion study known as SCORPIO-HR was recently published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. In that study, ensitrelvir failed to meet its primary endpoint of sustained symptom resolution (≥ 2 days) when given as an oral treatment for individuals already infected with COVID-19 within 3 days of symptom onset.

However, no serious treatment-related adverse events were reported, and the drug showed antiviral activity, according to the study authors.

Cautious Enthusiasm for COVID Prevention​

The lack of available medications in the United States for COVID post-exposure prophylaxis leaves household members in close contact with someone who is infected vulnerable to developing COVID themselves, said Shirin A. Mazumder, MD, an infectious diseases specialist in Memphis, Tenn, in an interview.

“Access to a medication such as ensitrelvir may have a significant impact on preventing infections which in turn can also protect against some of the long term and more serious complications associated with COVID,” she said.

Mazumder was enthusiastic and “pleasantly surprised” by the significant study findings of a 67% risk reduction in infections among household contacts. “Given that there are no currently available options for COVID post-exposure prophylaxis, the findings of this study are very encouraging and has the potential to shift how we treat household members exposed to COVID,” she said.

Ensitrelvir’s Pros and Cons​

An oral mediation option is convenient compared to other routes of administration, such as injections, said Mazumder. In addition, preventing COVID infections in the first place prevents days missed at school or work, complications such as long COVID, and more severe complications necessitating hospitalizations and even death, she said. “Postexposure prophylaxis along with vaccinations can significantly change the prevention landscape for COVID,” she added.

If approved, some potential barriers to the use of ensitrelvir in clinical practice include cost and access, Mazumder told Medscape. “A 5-day course of Paxlovid [nirmatrelvir and ritonavir] for COVID treatment is approximately $1660, but it is covered by many insurance plans, which helps with patient access,” she said. “It will be interesting to see how ensitrelvir will be priced in this country if approved, and whether insurance will cover the cost,” she noted. The time delay before the new medication would be widely available through pharmacies could be another barrier affecting access, she added.

Next Directions​

Ensitrelvir is a protease inhibitor that can have some significant drug interactions, and it would be helpful to know whether any participants were excluded from the study because of the potential for drug interactions, said Mazumder. “In addition, it would be useful to know if the severity of infection was reduced in those that developed COVID in the ensitrelvir group,” she said.

Additional areas of research include evaluating ensitrelvir in those younger than 12 years as this may have an impact on the transmission of COVID in school settings, Mazumder noted. Evaluation of ensitrelvir’s efficacy in the immunocompromised and elderly populations is needed, given that these groups are at higher risk of COVID-related complications, and the impact of different circulating variants of the virus on ensitrelvir’s efficacy will need evaluation, she said.

"

 

[dk168]

Time flies for certain - it's been 5 years since the pandemic started!

DK

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Ex-TV presenter ordered to pay $148k over 'misleading' Covid videos

A former TVNZ presenter and doctor has been ordered to pay more than $148,000 after posting Covid-19 misinformation to her YouTube channel.

www.odt.co.nz

good job

 

[missy]

"

Ensitrelvir Shows Promise for COVID-19 Prevention Following Exposure​

Heidi Splete


Oral ensitrelvir was significantly more effective than placebo for preventing COVID-19 infection in uninfected at-risk adults and adolescents who had exposure to those infected, based on data from a phase 3 trial presented at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

Ensitrelvir, an oral SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitor, is approved in Japan for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19, wrote Akimasa Fukushi, MD, of Shionogi & Co., Ltd, the drug’s Japanese manufacturer, in the study abstract.

The researchers randomly assigned adults and adolescents who were household contacts of confirmed COVID-19 patients but not yet infected themselves. The modified intent-to-treat population was confirmed negative for COVID-19 at baseline. Participants received ensitrelvir at doses of 375 mg on day 1 and 125 mg on days 2-5 or a placebo (1030 and 1011 individuals, respectively) within 72 hours of symptom onset in their household index patient. The mean age of the study population was 42.4 years, and 37% had at least one high-risk factor for severe COVID-19.


The primary endpoint was the percentage of household contacts who developed COVID-19 at day 10, at which time 2.9% of the ensitrelvir group had developed COVID-19, compared to 9.0% of the placebo group, a 67% reduction in risk.

“In addition to vaccination, post-exposure prophylaxis with timely use of an oral antiviral would be a valuable way to help prevent COVID-19 illness in people who have been exposed, especially people at high risk for severe disease,” said Frederick Hayden, MD, in a press release from the company. Hayden, professor emeritus of clinical virology and professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, presented the study, known as SCORPIO-PEP (Stopping COVID-19 pRogression with early Protease InhibitOr treatment – Post-Exposure Prophylaxis), at the meeting.





In a secondary analysis that included all household contacts regardless of confirmed uninfected status and in household contacts who had tested positive, the risk ratios for COVID infection in ensitrelvir groups were 0.43 and 0.75, respectively.


The development of any treatment-emergent or serious treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between the ensitrelvir and placebo groups (15.1% vs 15.5% and 0.2% vs 0.2%, respectively). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events across both groups were headache, diarrhea, and influenza. No COVID-19-related fatalities or hospitalizations were reported during the study.

Additional data from a companion study known as SCORPIO-HR was recently published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. In that study, ensitrelvir failed to meet its primary endpoint of sustained symptom resolution (≥ 2 days) when given as an oral treatment for individuals already infected with COVID-19 within 3 days of symptom onset.

However, no serious treatment-related adverse events were reported, and the drug showed antiviral activity, according to the study authors.

Meeting a Need for COVID PEP​

The SCORPIO-PEP study is important because of the unmet need for an oral antiviral that can be used for post-exposure prophylaxis and reduce the risk of developing COVID-19 after exposure to others infected with SARS-CoV-2, Hayden said in an interview.

“This is particularly true for those at higher risk of developing severe illness, including those with weakened immune systems, chronic health conditions, and the elderly, and those who could transmit COVID-19 to high-risk persons are another potential target group,” he said. Notably, an effective PEP in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, or long-term facilities could help protect against COVID-19 and reduce the potential consequences of an outbreak, he added. By extension, reducing the risk of developing acute COVID-19 could reduce the risk of developing long COVID and its impact on underlying health conditions, Hayden added.

“Previous household-based trials of PEP with antivirals like oseltamivir and baloxavir work very well against influenza in household contacts when used soon after exposure, so it was logical to try this same strategy for prevention of COVID-19,” he said. “The consistent results in SCORPIO-PEP among patients with both high- and standard-risk factors, are encouraging,” he added.

“SCORPIO-PEP is the first and only phase 3 study of a COVID-19 oral antiviral as a post-exposure prophylaxis to meet the primary endpoint of preventing COVID-19, and the findings reinforce the potential of ensitrelvir to address an unmet need by providing an oral PEP option for COVID-19 prevention,” Hayden said.

Challenges and Considerations​

“As is true for influenza antiviral PEP, the main operational barriers are rapid detection of the virologic cause of illness in the ill index case and prompt initiation of PEP in contacts,” Hayden told Medscape. “The broad experience with home diagnostic tests during the pandemic should facilitate their timely use in clinical practice going forward,” he noted.


Ensitrelvir is a moderately strong CYP 3A inhibitor; it was generally well tolerated, but certain concomitant drugs for other conditions will need to be dose-adjusted or avoided, although this was not a common problem in the SCORPIO-PEP trial, said Hayden. “The 67% reduction in the risk of COVID-19 seen in the study will likely generate strong interest in using ensitrelvir to prevent COVID-19 in exposed people, especially those at high risk for complications,” he said.

A limitation of the SCORPIO-PEP trial included the lack of data on the use of nonpharmaceutical interventions (such as isolation or masking in the index patient or contacts), living conditions, and house size, which may influence outcomes, Hayden said. In addition, research is underway to assess the impact of antiviral treatment in index patients, which may have reduced the risk for transmission, he noted. Although ensitrelvir is not currently approved for use in the United States, “We continue to interact with regulatory authorities worldwide to determine the best path forward for ensitrelvir,” Hayden said.

Cautious Enthusiasm for COVID Prevention​

The lack of available medications in the United States for COVID post-exposure prophylaxis leaves household members in close contact with someone who is infected vulnerable to developing COVID themselves, said Shirin A. Mazumder, MD, an infectious diseases specialist in Memphis, Tenn, in an interview.

“Access to a medication such as ensitrelvir may have a significant impact on preventing infections which in turn can also protect against some of the long term and more serious complications associated with COVID,” she said.

Mazumder was enthusiastic and “pleasantly surprised” by the significant study findings of a 67% risk reduction in infections among household contacts. “Given that there are no currently available options for COVID post-exposure prophylaxis, the findings of this study are very encouraging and has the potential to shift how we treat household members exposed to COVID,” she said.

Ensitrelvir’s Pros and Cons​

An oral mediation option is convenient compared to other routes of administration, such as injections, said Mazumder. In addition, preventing COVID infections in the first place prevents days missed at school or work, complications such as long COVID, and more severe complications necessitating hospitalizations and even death, she said. “Postexposure prophylaxis along with vaccinations can significantly change the prevention landscape for COVID,” she added.

If approved, some potential barriers to the use of ensitrelvir in clinical practice include cost and access, Mazumder told Medscape. “A 5-day course of Paxlovid [nirmatrelvir and ritonavir] for COVID treatment is approximately $1660, but it is covered by many insurance plans, which helps with patient access,” she said. “It will be interesting to see how ensitrelvir will be priced in this country if approved, and whether insurance will cover the cost,” she noted. The time delay before the new medication would be widely available through pharmacies could be another barrier affecting access, she added.

Next Directions​

Ensitrelvir is a protease inhibitor that can have some significant drug interactions, and it would be helpful to know whether any participants were excluded from the study because of the potential for drug interactions, said Mazumder. “In addition, it would be useful to know if the severity of infection was reduced in those that developed COVID in the ensitrelvir group,” she said.


Additional areas of research include evaluating ensitrelvir in those younger than 12 years as this may have an impact on the transmission of COVID in school settings, Mazumder noted. Evaluation of ensitrelvir’s efficacy in the immunocompromised and elderly populations is needed, given that these groups are at higher risk of COVID-related complications, and the impact of different circulating variants of the virus on ensitrelvir’s efficacy will need evaluation, she said.

The study was funded by ensitrelvir manufacturer Shionogi.

Mazumder had no financial conflicts to disclose.

"

 

[missy]

Forgive me for sharing all this info in the coronavirus thread but I dont think it warrants an entirely new thread and this is just an fyi

"

Good riddance flu, fall vaccine plan, fluoride, long Covid research back, and yes, measles.​

The Dose (March 31)​

KATELYN JETELINA

Another week, another dose of public health news you can use. Also, a quick reminder to double-check who’s in your Signal group chats.

Flu: good riddance to a rough season​

Flu season is finally wrapping up. Across most of the U.S., influenza-like illnesses (fevers, coughs, sore throats) are dipping just below epidemic levels. The exceptions? Maine and New York are still seeing high activity.

​

Influenza-like illness levels over time. Source: CDC; Annotated by YLE
It was a rough one. This flu season saw the highest number of hospitalizations in the past 15 years. We’re still waiting on final death counts—especially among kids—but unfortunately, we expect the trend to follow.

​

Influzenza hospitalizations over time. Source: CDC; Annotated by YLE
What this means for you: While colds circulate year-round, the worst is likely over. Hopefully that means fewer disruptions (and tissues) ahead for your family.

Fall vaccines: what’s the plan?​

At this time every year, VRBPAC—the external FDA advisory committee for vaccines—determines the flu vaccine formula. Secretary Kennedy canceled this meeting, so we don’t have a U.S. recommendation for the formula. However, manufacturers are still moving forward based on WHO recommendations. This is okay; U.S. recommendations rarely differ.
Similarly, VRBPAC hasn’t determined a Covid-19 vaccine formula for fall. I’m not worried yet for two reasons:

1. The Covid formula is usually determined in June. This is because the mRNA platform gives us more time—vaccines can be made within 3 months (vs. 6 months for the flu vaccine). This may be bad news for Novavax, which takes 6+ months to manufacture. This brings us to the second point.
2. Covid-19 hasn’t dramatically changed (although we are keeping an eye on a variant in South Africa), so there’s a good chance the vaccine formula won’t be changed this fall.

ACIP—the external advisory committee for the CDC, which Secretary Kennedy put on hold—has been rescheduled for mid-April. The committee’s purpose is to determine vaccine policy: who should get vaccines (as opposed to what is in the vaccines). This recommendation is very important for insurance coverage. The mid-April meeting covers other vaccines—the flu and Covid vaccine policy is reserved for the June meeting.
What this means for you: Flu and Covid vaccines are still expected this fall. The big question will be: Will they be covered by insurance? Stay tuned.

Shake up at FDA ​

The most concerning news? Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine official, was told to resign—or be fired—and officially stepped down Friday. He’s served under multiple presidents and helped lead Operation Warp Speed. I personally appreciated his steady head during FDA meetings. (Republicansand Democrats praised his service.) In his resignation letter, Marks warned Secretary Kennedy is not interested in scientific facts, citing “misinformation” and “lies”.
This is incredibly concerning, particularly because it’s following a pattern. Last week, Kevin Griffins—Director of Communication at CDC—resigned citing similar concerns.

Public health alerts​

Utah banned fluoride in drinking water last week. If you’re in Utah, should you put fluoride into water yourself? You will be fine if you’re using toothpaste and going to the dentist. The most at-risk will be lower-income families still struggling to find dentists who take their insurance. The impact will go beyond cavities, as poor dentition can lead to stigma and shame for a child and can serve as a visible sign of poverty. See more about the benefit and risk in a previous YLE post.

​

Source: YLE
Measles: There are now more than 500 cases nationwide so far—more than double last year. It’s still low compared to pre-vaccine days, but it’s not something to ignore.

​

Ohio now has a small but growing outbreak (10 cases).
The panhandle outbreak is exploding—it’s now up to 476 cases, with more than 73 cases reported in 3 days in Texas. This outbreak has now spilled over to three states: Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Kansas, where cases are all still growing. It also spilled over into Mexico (Chihuahua state), which now has up to 95 cases. Meanwhile, children given supplemental doses of cod liver oil and Vitamin A from their parents are showing up in the hospital in West Texas for liver toxicity.
If you want a deeper dive, here is the excellent SITREP report from Yale School of Public Health students. For our neighbors up in Canada, there are a few details on your outbreak here, too:

	Yale Vmoc Special Report Measles Outbrea... 1.49MB ∙ PDF file
[td] Download​

​

Measles cases are also popping up in other states due to travel:

• D.C.: This case traveled to several places while contagious, including taking the Amtrak from D.C. to New Jersey and flying to Minnesota.
• Cherokee Nation (OK) case, which may not be linked to the Texas outbreak.
• PA: A vaccinated case who traveled to Texas is in Bucks County. While infected, he went to a Starbucks, but remember that vaccinated cases are less contagious.
• TN case in Shelby County.

Meanwhile, in Idaho, lawmakers introduced a “Medical Freedom Act” that would ban schools and businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. Idaho already has the lowest kindergarten MMR rate in the country (79%). The state’s school nurse association is opposing the bill.
What this means for you: If you and your kids are up to date on vaccines, you’re well protected. I’m most concerned about infants under 12 months who are too young for the MMR vaccine. In outbreak areas, they can be vaccinated early—starting at 6 months. Also: pay attention to local policies, and speak up if something doesn’t align with your values.

Good news: Long COVID research funding restored​

Last week, Long COVID research was on the chopping block—one of many budget cuts hitting public health. But thanks to advocates (including you!) and bipartisan support from four key senators, funding has been reinstated.
This is a huge win. Long COVID research can help millions suffering from chronic symptoms—and potentially unlock answers for other post-viral illnesses, too.

Question grab bag​

“All those cuts you mentioned, to immunization records, measles tracking, wastewater tracking, etc. Would those be required cuts, or are they things a state could decide to pay for outside federal funding?”
Great question. What’s being cut are CDC “pass-through” funds—money Congress gives to CDC, which then goes to states for public health infrastructure. (Fun fact: 80% of CDC’s budget goes directly to communities.)
Without this federal support, states will need to cover the gap. But many simply can’t. For example, in Rhode Island, one CDC grant made up 12% of the state health department’s budget.
Bottom line: The impact will vary by state. If these programs matter to you, show up at town halls and contact your reps. (One of our YLE team members was just at the NYC town hall where this came up!)

​