As the summer of 2023 comes to a close in South Florida, various mosquito-borne diseases continue to infect people.
During the period of July 30 to August 5, 2023, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported the following arboviral activity:
International Travel-Associated Dengue: Forty-three cases of dengue were reported this week in persons with international travel. In 2023, 190 travel-associated dengue cases have been reported.
South Florida's Dengue Outbreak Continues in August 2023
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Tied to Lower Adverse Event Risk in Older Adults
mRNA-1273 vaccine also tied to greater protection against COVID-19 in older adults
Measles Elimination Requires Pre-Trip Vaccinations
The United States has maintained the elimination of measles since 2000, despite several outbreaks in various states such as Ohio.
Most measles outbreaks occur when unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people travel to and from the U.S., says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Measles cases worldwide increased by about 80% during 2022.
For example, India recently reported 57,550 measles cases over the past year.
Will Disease X Replace COVID-19
According to some estimates, there is a twenty-five percent chance of another global pandemic in the next decade. The World Health Organisation defines this unknown future threat as 'Disease X.'
New investments are being made in 2023 supporting innovative vaccine technologies to better prepare for Disease X.
Novel Tuberculosis Drug Regimens Tested
Despite introducing new medicines, treatment remains a long, complex, and demanding process for people diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). And the most used drug regimen for the treatment requires people to take multiple drugs for at least six months.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly half of TB-affected households face catastrophic costs associated with TB treatment.
Incidence of Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty Higher During COVID-19
Girls in Italy diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic spent about two hours/day on electronic devices; most stopped physical activity
New COVID-19 Variant EG.5 Now Dominant in U.S., CDC Says
EG.5 is one of several closely related omicron subvariants that have been competing for dominance in recent months
Cholera Outbreaks Continue in 2023
Over the past month, the multi-country cholera outbreak has reached India, which has reported over 600 cases, says the World Health Organization (WHO).
In total, 25 countries have reported cases since the beginning of 2023, and the WHO assesses the risk at the global level as very high.
For example, the Republic of Haiti has reported over 40,000 cholera cases, including 253 deaths, this year.
Philippines Aviation Backed by the U.S.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently affirmed its commitment to provide additional training and equipment to the Republic of the Philippines’ Office for Transportation Security (OTS).
During a courtesy visit to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, TSA Assistant Administrator for International Operations Gary Renfrow noted on August 1, 2023, the improved aviation security in the Philippines and assured the transport chief of continued support for capacity development efforts for airport authorities.
Children Also Suffer from Tuberculosis
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently stated Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world's leading infectious disease killers.
Until the recent pandemic, the bacterium that causes TB was described as "the most destructive pathogen on the planet."
Despite being vaccine-preventable, treatable, and curable, TB continues to kill more people each year than HIV and malaria combined, says USAID.