Paxlovid cuts COVID hospitalization, death risk and speeds symptom relief, studies find Overall, the risk of developing 28 out of 36 long-COVID symptoms lessened when vaccines were effective. CIDRAP

New findings from two studies have tied use of the antiviral drug nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) to a reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations and death, as well as to faster resolution of symptoms and less use of healthcare resources.

Benefit seen only in older patients

As H5N1 bird flu continues to spread around the US, health officials recently found that 7 percent of dairy workers tested on farms in two states had evidence of recent infection — and some had signs of infection even when they didn’t feel sick.

Teen Hospitalized in First Human Bird Flu Case in Canada Officials are investigating the source. AFP ScienceAlert

A teenager in British Columbia has become the first person in Canada to test positive for bird flu, authorities said Saturday. ...

Officials said the infection probably came from a bird or animal.

...

H5N1 bird flu is evolving to better infect mammals, CDC study suggests Rising H5N1 bird flu cases in the U.S. prompted the CDC to study the virus in ferrets, revealing it may have the potential to spread and cause severe symptoms in other mammals. Kamal Nahas Live Science

...

Trump’s reelection casts a shadow over the start of global climate negotiations Trump’s return to the White House raises questions about whether the country will continue working on global climate initiatives. NPR

Global climate talks started today in Baku, Azerbaijan, a major oil and gas producing country that borders Russia and Iran on the Caspian Sea.

Can you die from long COVID? The answer is not so simple While long COVID may not be immediately or directly life-threatening, it could exacerbate existing conditions. The Conversation

...

While long COVID is not usually immediately or directly life-threatening, it’s possible it could exacerbate existing conditions, and play a role in a person’s death in this way.

Scientists warn of dangerous issue cropping up weeks after hurricane devastation — here's what you need to know "When it’s damp, the likelihood of [this] increases.” Yahoo News

...

WHO says mpox cases in Congo's epicenter where the new variant was detected may be 'plateauing' The World Health Organization says mpox cases in the region of Congo where a new and more infectious variant was first detected appear to be “plateauing,” even as the virus continues to increase in other regions of the country, as well as in Burundi and Uganda. AP News

...

Surveillance study traces COVID-19's impact on global flu patterns and evolution Seasonal influenza epidemics impose substantial burdens on health care systems and cause >5 million hospitalizations of adults each year. The current approach to influenza vaccine development requires ... University of Oxford Medical Xpress

Seasonal influenza epidemics impose substantial burdens on health care systems and cause >5 million hospitalizations of adults each year. The current approach to influenza vaccine development requires comprehensive surveillance of circulating strains, which are constantly moving from continent to continent....

France raises bird flu risk to high as EU cases spread