Public Health

The U.S. is now monitoring BA.2.87.1, a new SARS-CoV-2 variant with more than 30 changes in the coronavirus spike protein. 

An older adult in Alaska died after contracting 'Alaskapox' — a form of orthopox virus which was discovered in 2015. It is the first reported death due to the virus, according to a Feb. 9 news release from the Alaska…

The CDC's latest update shows flu activity increased in Central and Midwestern states in the week ending Feb. 3. 

The quantity and risk of fungal infections continues to grow worldwide, particularly as global temperatures warm, creating new environments for fungus to thrive, but drugs to treat these new and emerging infections haven't kept the same pace.

Respiratory syncytial virus is the leading pathogen for infant hospitalizations, but a second contender is close behind in prevalence: human rhinovirus. 

A 29-year-old Michigan man died Feb. 3 after a severe blastomycosis infection, according to CBS News. The infections are caused by the fungus called Blastomyces.

After 12 patients died from a meningitis outbreak in 2023, researchers discovered the cause was an epidural contaminated with the fungus Fusarium solani, according to findings published Feb. 8 in The New England Journal of Medicine. 

Amid a yearslong increase in syphilis cases, the CDC published new recommendations for syphilis testing in labs Feb. 8. 

On Feb. 5, the CDC, FDA and local health officials released their findings on a recent outbreak of bacteria and fungi stemming from contaminated eye drops.

The U.S. government has unveiled a National Public Health Strategy to Prevent and Control Vector-Borne Diseases in People, which 17 federal departments and agencies jointly worked to develop.