Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

Bird Flu Outbreak: H5N1 Detected In US Dairy Cows And Poultry; How To Avoid Infection

As avian flu cases soar in US livestock, public health organizations call for urgent surveillance and prevention efforts to check the menace of a possible zoonotic pandemic. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has continued to spread throughout the United States, infecting both poultry and cattle now. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported more than 1,009 H5N1 detections in 17 states as of April 2025, including new cases in California and Idaho.

For the first time, the virus is sweeping American dairy cattle, a major departure from its normal avian hosts. New outbreaks have also been confirmed in live bird markets in New York and backyard poultry in New Mexico, showing the rapid spread of the virus in commercial and rural areas.

The crisis fuels worldwide alarm, with veterinarians and infectious disease specialists warning that unchecked transmission among mammals could raise the risk of human-to-human spread, potentially igniting a future pandemic.

<h2>From Birds to Cows—and Now Humans is There A Dangerous Mutation?</h2>

H5N1 has been widely circulating among wild birds for a long time, but the virus's leap to dairy cows in early 2024 was a watershed moment in zoonotic transmission. Infected states' cows showed symptoms like fever, decreased milk yield, coughing, drooling, and lethargy—puzzling symptoms later linked to avian flu.

The experts suspect that the virus is being transmitted through milking machines, especially auto-milkers, that can transfer traces of the virus from one cow to another. The disease has already infected dairy plant workers, with 70 cases reported in the United States, mostly among farmworkers. Most had mild illnesses, but a death did result in Louisiana in a patient who had some underlying conditions.

A total of all states except two reported H5N1 infection in cattle, poultry, or individuals between February 2024 and February 2025. 

Although the threat was serious, federal agencies have moved slowly, critics say. It took the USDA more than a month to require testing of cattle prior to interstate movement and ten months to launch a raw milk testing program. Even today, testing procedures continue to be irregular, with some states testing on a weekly basis and others participating hardly at all.

This delay has attracted ire from virologists and veterinarians who contend that early and forceful action might have contained the spread more effectively, given H5N1's established virulence and pandemic potential.

<h2>WHO New Global Surveillance Guidelines Issued</h2>

The World Health Organization (WHO) on April 11, 2025, released revised surveillance guidelines for the detection of human infections of H5 avian influenza viruses. These are intended to boost global readiness, facilitate early detection and response, and augment pandemic readiness.

Under WHO's new guidance, nations are required to inform the agency within 24 hours of the occurrence of any laboratory-confirmed human case of a new subtype of the virus. The guidelines also stress data openness and solicit greater surveillance activities, particularly in areas with heightened livestock-human interaction.

Locally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still rates the risk to the general population as low since human-to-human transmission has not yet been established. The CDC, however, observes that the virus is undergoing genetic evolution, which poses concern regarding potential mutations in the future that may alter its behavior.

In the meantime, the CDC has provided explicit PPE guidelines for farmworkers, such as respirators and eye protection, to avoid airborne and droplet transmission. The agency is also increasing testing, although difficulties remain due to the large percentage of undocumented farmworkers who will avoid testing for fear of legal consequences.

Even with the commonality of H5N1 among poultry and cattle, there are no reported infections from the American food supply. The CDC still recommends basic food safety practices to reduce any risk that may exist:

<ul><li>Cook chicken and eggs to 165°F (73.9°C)</li><li>Ground beef must be cooked to 160°F (71.1°C)</li><li>Whole beef cuts need to be cooked to 145°F (62.8°C)</li><li>Raw milk and milk products that contain it, like unpasteurized cheese or yogurt, are highly not recommended due to their danger not only for <span rel="noindex">bird flu</span> but for other foodborne pathogens, like Listeria.</li></ul>

No FDA-approved H5N1 vaccine exists for humans, though five candidate virus strains have been produced for possible use. The U.S. government has purchased 4.8 million doses of an experimental vaccine in preparation for a future outbreak with ongoing human-to-human transmission.

Internationally, Sinergium Biotech in Argentina, in partnership with the WHO, is developing an mRNA-based H5N1 vaccine, based on the successful platform utilized for COVID-19 vaccines. This effort will provide equitable access to low- and middle-income countries, where infrastructure for pandemic preparedness may not be present.

In poultry, although vaccines do exist, they are not commonly used in the U.S. because of export bans by trading partners that refuse to accept imported vaccinated birds.

For the general public, the most effective defense against H5N1 is still preventive action. This includes:

<ul><li>Avoiding contact with ill or dead animals</li><li>Reporting unusual wildlife or livestock deaths to local authorities</li><li>Practicing safe food handling</li><li>Avoiding eating raw or unpasteurized dairy products</li></ul>

Healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of public awareness, early reporting, and responsible food handling as essential measures to prevent broader transmission.

Health Conditions A-Z

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bird flu

h5n1 outbreak usa

bird flu in dairy cows

avian flu human infection

who h5n1 guidelines

raw milk bird flu

poultry bird flu 2025

cdc bird flu prevention

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As avian flu cases soar in US livestock, public health organizations call for urgent surveillance and prevention efforts to check the menace of a possible zoonotic pandemic. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has continued to spread throughout the United States, infecting both poultry and cattle now. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported more than 1,009 H5N1 detections in 17 states as of April 2025, including new cases in California and Idaho.For the first time, the virus is sweeping American dairy cattle, a major departure from its normal avian hosts. New outbreaks have also been confirmed in live bird markets in New York and backyard poultry in New Mexico, showing the rapid spread of the virus in commercial and rural areas.The crisis fuels worldwide alarm, with veterinarians and infectious disease specialists warning that unchecked transmission among mammals could raise the risk of human-to-human spread, potentially igniting a future pandemic.From Birds to Cows—and Now Humans is There A Dangerous Mutation?H5N1 has been widely circulating among wild birds for a long time, but the virus's leap to dairy cows in early 2024 was a watershed moment in zoonotic transmission. Infected states' cows showed symptoms like fever, decreased milk yield, coughing, drooling, and lethargy—puzzling symptoms later linked to avian flu.The experts suspect that the virus is being transmitted through milking machines, especially auto-milkers, that can transfer traces of the virus from one cow to another. The disease has already infected dairy plant workers, with 70 cases reported in the United States, mostly among farmworkers. Most had mild illnesses, but a death did result in Louisiana in a patient who had some underlying conditions.A total of all states except two reported H5N1 infection in cattle, poultry, or individuals between February 2024 and February 2025. Delays in Response Is AlarmingAlthough the threat was serious, federal agencies have moved slowly, critics say. It took the USDA more than a month to require testing of cattle prior to interstate movement and ten months to launch a raw milk testing program. Even today, testing procedures continue to be irregular, with some states testing on a weekly basis and others participating hardly at all.This delay has attracted ire from virologists and veterinarians who contend that early and forceful action might have contained the spread more effectively, given H5N1's established virulence and pandemic potential.WHO New Global Surveillance Guidelines IssuedThe World Health Organization (WHO) on April 11, 2025, released revised surveillance guidelines for the detection of human infections of H5 avian influenza viruses. These are intended to boost global readiness, facilitate early detection and response, and augment pandemic readiness.Under WHO's new guidance, nations are required to inform the agency within 24 hours of the occurrence of any laboratory-confirmed human case of a new subtype of the virus. The guidelines also stress data openness and solicit greater surveillance activities, particularly in areas with heightened livestock-human interaction.Locally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still rates the risk to the general population as low since human-to-human transmission has not yet been established. The CDC, however, observes that the virus is undergoing genetic evolution, which poses concern regarding potential mutations in the future that may alter its behavior.In the meantime, the CDC has provided explicit PPE guidelines for farmworkers, such as respirators and eye protection, to avoid airborne and droplet transmission. The agency is also increasing testing, although difficulties remain due to the large percentage of undocumented farmworkers who will avoid testing for fear of legal consequences.Is the Food Supply Safe?Even with the commonality of H5N1 among poultry and cattle, there are no reported infections from the American food supply. The CDC still recommends basic food safety practices to reduce any risk that may exist:Cook chicken and eggs to 165°F (73.9°C)Ground beef must be cooked to 160°F (71.1°C)Whole beef cuts need to be cooked to 145°F (62.8°C)Raw milk and milk products that contain it, like unpasteurized cheese or yogurt, are highly not recommended due to their danger not only for bird flu but for other foodborne pathogens, like Listeria.Is There a Bird Flu Vaccine?No FDA-approved H5N1 vaccine exists for humans, though five candidate virus strains have been produced for possible use. The U.S. government has purchased 4.8 million doses of an experimental vaccine in preparation for a future outbreak with ongoing human-to-human transmission.Internationally, Sinergium Biotech in Argentina, in partnership with the WHO, is developing an mRNA-based H5N1 vaccine, based on the successful platform utilized for COVID-19 vaccines. This effort will provide equitable access to low- and middle-income countries, where infrastructure for pandemic preparedness may not be present.In poultry, although vaccines do exist, they are not commonly used in the U.S. because of export bans by trading partners that refuse to accept imported vaccinated birds.How to Avoid Bird Flu?For the general public, the most effective defense against H5N1 is still preventive action. This includes:Avoiding contact with ill or dead animalsReporting unusual wildlife or livestock deaths to local authoritiesPracticing safe food handlingAvoiding eating raw or unpasteurized dairy productsHealthcare professionals emphasize the importance of public awareness, early reporting, and responsible food handling as essential measures to prevent broader transmission.

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Just days after their laboratories were devastated by an Iranian missile attack, Profs. Liran Shlush and Amos Tanay of the Weizmann Institute of Science have published a landmark study that could transform how we detect and predict leukemia and other blood disorders. Their research, released in Nature Medicine, introduces a revolutionary blood test that may one day replace the painful, invasive bone marrow biopsy—a procedure dreaded by patients and clinicians alike.

Developed by Professors Liran Shlush and Amos Tanay, this innovation replaces the traditionally painful and invasive bone marrow biopsy with a cutting-edge, non-invasive blood test.

This development is poised to revolutionize diagnostics in hematology and could dramatically reduce global dependence on bone marrow sampling — a procedure that over a million people endure each year globally.

<h2>Why Bone Marrow Biopsies Have Been the Gold Standard?</h2>

For decades, diagnosing blood cancers such as leukemia has relied on extracting bone marrow—a process that involves drilling into the bone, typically under local anesthesia or sedation. The procedure is not only uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing but also costly, technically demanding, and sometimes inconclusive. Even when a sample is obtained, pathologists may disagree on whether the cells are healthy or diseased, leaving patients and their families in limbo.

The study found a way to detect and analyze rare blood-forming stem cells that occasionally escape the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream. These elusive cells, though few — often just one in a million — carry a wealth of diagnostic information.

“As we age, our blood stem cells accumulate mutations,” explains Prof. Shlush. “These mutated cells eventually dominate the blood system, failing to produce healthy blood cells and laying the groundwork for conditions like myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and leukemia.”

Traditionally, these defective cells are hidden within the bone marrow, undetectable by standard blood tests. Bone marrow biopsies, while effective, are painful, costly, and often inconclusive. But this new method captures and analyzes the rare migratory stem cells through a simple blood draw, combined with advanced single-cell genetic sequencing.

<h2>How a Simple Blood Test Changes <span rel="noindex">Cancer</span> Diagnosis?</h2>

The breakthrough came when Dr. Nili Furer, Nimrod Rappoport, and Oren Milman, collaborating with researchers in Israel and the U.S., discovered that rare blood stem cells occasionally escape the bone marrow and circulate in the bloodstream. These migrating cells, though extremely scarce—sometimes just a handful in a milliliter of blood—carry crucial diagnostic information.

By applying advanced single-cell genetic sequencing, the researchers were able to isolate and analyze these rare cells, identifying early signs of MDS and assessing an individual’s risk of developing blood cancer. This approach allows for the detection of disease processes long before symptoms arise, offering a window of opportunity for early intervention.

<h2>Focus on Myelodysplastic Syndrome</h2>

The study centers on myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) — an age-related condition where stem cells fail to mature properly, leading to ineffective blood production and a heightened risk of progressing to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a particularly aggressive form of cancer.

Previously, diagnosing MDS required extracting marrow with a needle — an uncomfortable procedure that many patients dreaded. Now, thanks to this innovation, the same diagnosis can be made using peripheral blood samples. Dr. Nili Furer, along with collaborators Nimrod Rappoport and Oren Milman, played a critical role in demonstrating that these rare stem cells in blood are sufficient for detecting MDS and its progression risk.

<h2>Why Men Age Faster — At Least in Their Blood?</h2>

One of the study’s more striking revelations involves gender differences in blood aging. The researchers observed that stem cell aging occurs faster in men than in women, which may explain why blood cancers are more prevalent in males.

“Men’s stem cells begin to exhibit cancer-prone mutations earlier than women’s,” notes Prof. Shlush. “This gender-based variance in blood aging is an eye-opener and may inform future prevention strategies.”

The test not only identifies disease but also acts as a biological clock, providing new insights into how blood ages — revealing patterns that even bone marrow biopsies have failed to detect.

Capturing and characterizing these rare cells required a blend of cutting-edge laboratory techniques and sophisticated data analysis. Each cell yielded tens of thousands of data points, and the team analyzed millions of cells from participants ranging in age from young adults to 95-year-olds. Prof. Tanay’s expertise in computational biology was instrumental in making sense of this vast dataset, enabling the team to distinguish healthy cells from those showing early signs of disease.

<h2>Implications of The New Blood Test On Treatment</h2>

The implications of this discovery are profound. Clinical trials based on the new blood test are already underway at multiple medical centers worldwide. The researchers believe that, in time, this test could be used not only for MDS and leukemia but also for a broad spectrum of blood-related disorders. By providing a non-invasive, highly sensitive diagnostic tool, the test has the potential to spare millions of patients from the ordeal of bone marrow biopsies each year.

“As part of the aging process, stem cells—the ones capable of generating all blood cells—undergo genetic changes and mutations,” explains Prof. Shlush. “With time, these cells accumulate mutations and begin to dominate the blood system. They stop differentiating properly, produce only themselves, and suppress the production of healthy cells. Eventually, this can lead to deadly diseases like blood cancers.”

The research itself is as resilient as its scientists. Just days before the study’s release, the labs of Profs. Shlush and Tanay at the Weizmann Institute were severely damaged in an Iranian missile attack. Despite the destruction, the team pushed forward, ensuring the findings reached the scientific community on time.

The study reflects the combined efforts of a global team of physicians, biologists, and data scientists across Israel and the United States, proving that science endures even in the face of adversity.

The prospect of replacing an invasive, expensive, and often ambiguous diagnostic procedure with a quick, precise, and painless blood test is a major leap forward. For millions worldwide, this means earlier detection, better prognosis, and more effective treatment strategies — all from a single vial of blood.

cancer

leukemia blood test

non invasive cancer detection

bone marrow biopsy alternative

blood stem cell aging

myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosis

early cancer screening

weizmann institute research

Just days after their laboratories were devastated by an Iranian missile attack, Profs. Liran Shlush and Amos Tanay of the Weizmann Institute of Science have published a landmark study that could transform how we detect and predict leukemia and other blood disorders. Their research, released in Nature Medicine, introduces a revolutionary blood test that may one day replace the painful, invasive bone marrow biopsy—a procedure dreaded by patients and clinicians alike.Developed by Professors Liran Shlush and Amos Tanay, this innovation replaces the traditionally painful and invasive bone marrow biopsy with a cutting-edge, non-invasive blood test.This development is poised to revolutionize diagnostics in hematology and could dramatically reduce global dependence on bone marrow sampling — a procedure that over a million people endure each year globally.Why Bone Marrow Biopsies Have Been the Gold Standard?For decades, diagnosing blood cancers such as leukemia has relied on extracting bone marrow—a process that involves drilling into the bone, typically under local anesthesia or sedation. The procedure is not only uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing but also costly, technically demanding, and sometimes inconclusive. Even when a sample is obtained, pathologists may disagree on whether the cells are healthy or diseased, leaving patients and their families in limbo.The study found a way to detect and analyze rare blood-forming stem cells that occasionally escape the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream. These elusive cells, though few — often just one in a million — carry a wealth of diagnostic information.“As we age, our blood stem cells accumulate mutations,” explains Prof. Shlush. “These mutated cells eventually dominate the blood system, failing to produce healthy blood cells and laying the groundwork for conditions like myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and leukemia.”Traditionally, these defective cells are hidden within the bone marrow, undetectable by standard blood tests. Bone marrow biopsies, while effective, are painful, costly, and often inconclusive. But this new method captures and analyzes the rare migratory stem cells through a simple blood draw, combined with advanced single-cell genetic sequencing.How a Simple Blood Test Changes Cancer Diagnosis?The breakthrough came when Dr. Nili Furer, Nimrod Rappoport, and Oren Milman, collaborating with researchers in Israel and the U.S., discovered that rare blood stem cells occasionally escape the bone marrow and circulate in the bloodstream. These migrating cells, though extremely scarce—sometimes just a handful in a milliliter of blood—carry crucial diagnostic information.By applying advanced single-cell genetic sequencing, the researchers were able to isolate and analyze these rare cells, identifying early signs of MDS and assessing an individual’s risk of developing blood cancer. This approach allows for the detection of disease processes long before symptoms arise, offering a window of opportunity for early intervention.Focus on Myelodysplastic SyndromeThe study centers on myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) — an age-related condition where stem cells fail to mature properly, leading to ineffective blood production and a heightened risk of progressing to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a particularly aggressive form of cancer.Previously, diagnosing MDS required extracting marrow with a needle — an uncomfortable procedure that many patients dreaded. Now, thanks to this innovation, the same diagnosis can be made using peripheral blood samples. Dr. Nili Furer, along with collaborators Nimrod Rappoport and Oren Milman, played a critical role in demonstrating that these rare stem cells in blood are sufficient for detecting MDS and its progression risk.Why Men Age Faster — At Least in Their Blood?One of the study’s more striking revelations involves gender differences in blood aging. The researchers observed that stem cell aging occurs faster in men than in women, which may explain why blood cancers are more prevalent in males.“Men’s stem cells begin to exhibit cancer-prone mutations earlier than women’s,” notes Prof. Shlush. “This gender-based variance in blood aging is an eye-opener and may inform future prevention strategies.”The test not only identifies disease but also acts as a biological clock, providing new insights into how blood ages — revealing patterns that even bone marrow biopsies have failed to detect.Capturing and characterizing these rare cells required a blend of cutting-edge laboratory techniques and sophisticated data analysis. Each cell yielded tens of thousands of data points, and the team analyzed millions of cells from participants ranging in age from young adults to 95-year-olds. Prof. Tanay’s expertise in computational biology was instrumental in making sense of this vast dataset, enabling the team to distinguish healthy cells from those showing early signs of disease.Implications of The New Blood Test On TreatmentThe implications of this discovery are profound. Clinical trials based on the new blood test are already underway at multiple medical centers worldwide. The researchers believe that, in time, this test could be used not only for MDS and leukemia but also for a broad spectrum of blood-related disorders. By providing a non-invasive, highly sensitive diagnostic tool, the test has the potential to spare millions of patients from the ordeal of bone marrow biopsies each year.“As part of the aging process, stem cells—the ones capable of generating all blood cells—undergo genetic changes and mutations,” explains Prof. Shlush. “With time, these cells accumulate mutations and begin to dominate the blood system. They stop differentiating properly, produce only themselves, and suppress the production of healthy cells. Eventually, this can lead to deadly diseases like blood cancers.”The research itself is as resilient as its scientists. Just days before the study’s release, the labs of Profs. Shlush and Tanay at the Weizmann Institute were severely damaged in an Iranian missile attack. Despite the destruction, the team pushed forward, ensuring the findings reached the scientific community on time.The study reflects the combined efforts of a global team of physicians, biologists, and data scientists across Israel and the United States, proving that science endures even in the face of adversity.The prospect of replacing an invasive, expensive, and often ambiguous diagnostic procedure with a quick, precise, and painless blood test is a major leap forward. For millions worldwide, this means earlier detection, better prognosis, and more effective treatment strategies — all from a single vial of blood.

this new blood test could spot leukemia risk without the painful bone marrow sampling

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Before the era of widespread vaccination, infectious diseases cast a long and deadly shadow over American childhood. In 1900, nearly one in five children in the United States never reached their fifth birthday, with diseases like whooping cough, measles, rubella, and polio claiming millions of young lives or leaving survivors with lifelong disabilities. Over the next century, vaccines would transform this grim reality, virtually eradicating once-dreaded scourges and drastically reducing the toll of others. Yet, as immunization rates decline and vaccine hesitancy rises—even among public officials—these diseases are making a troubling comeback.

The very success of vaccines has, paradoxically, bred complacency and skepticism. “This concern, this hesitancy, these questions about vaccines are a consequence of the great success of the vaccines – because they eliminated the diseases. 

In a time before vaccines, childhood illness often meant death. Infectious diseases like polio, measles, rubella, and whooping cough once swept across communities unchecked, claiming young lives and leaving others permanently disabled. In 1900, nearly one in five American children didn’t live to see their fifth birthday, and infectious disease was the primary cause but with the advent of vaccines, these illnesses were nearly eradicated.

The widespread success of vaccines may ironically be their undoing. "This concern, this hesitancy, these questions about vaccines are a consequence of the great success of the vaccines – because they eliminated the diseases. The decline in visible cases has led to a loss of fear, and in many cases, respect for the devastating consequences of these illnesses.

The current climate has given space for anti-vaccine activists to amplify rare side effects while ignoring the profound benefits of immunization. Suspicion around well-established vaccines has even reached political figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine advocate.

However for some families, the horrors of these once-common diseases remain a vivid reality. For them, every news report of a measles outbreak or rising whooping cough cases is a painful reminder of lives forever changed—and a plea to spare others from similar suffering.

Janith Farnham, 80, from Sioux Falls, recalls with clarity the moment she realized her newborn daughter Jacque wasn’t developing normally. Jacque was born with congenital rubella syndrome after Janith contracted the virus early in pregnancy, a time when the rubella vaccine wasn’t available.

"Things weren’t right," Janith said. Jacque was unresponsive to sound, resisted touch, and had a purring heart murmur that required early surgery. Today, Jacque is 60, living with numerous complications including deafness, diabetes, glaucoma, and arthritis. Despite these challenges, she maintains a close and affectionate bond with her mother, who still sees her nearly every day.

Janith, who once taught special education, knows firsthand the consequences of a disease now preventable with a routine shot. "It’s more than frustrating. I mean, I get angry inside," she said. "I know what can happen, and I just don’t want anybody else to go through this."

Patricia Tobin still remembers the scream of her mother the day her younger sister Karen collapsed in their home. It was 1970 in Miami, and Karen, only six, had contracted measles during an outbreak. The vaccine was available but not yet mandatory.

Tobin, then 19, had rushed Karen to the hospital, where she immediately fell into a coma and died of encephalitis. "We never did get to speak to her again," she said.

Today, vaccination is required for school entry in all U.S. states, but increasing exemptions are threatening herd immunity. The legacy of fraudulent studies falsely linking the MMR vaccine to autism has left a long shadow. Most states now fall below the 95% threshold needed to prevent measles outbreaks.

"I’m very upset by how cavalier people are being about the measles," Tobin said. "I don’t think that they realize how destructive this is."

Lora Duguay, 68, of Clearwater, Florida, has lived through polio not once, but twice. Her first encounter was at age three, when she was hospitalized and packed in ice. Doctors told her parents she would never walk again.

After extensive therapy, she regained mobility and led a full life until her 40s, when post-polio syndrome struck. Her condition worsened over time, but she found purpose through art. "Art gives me a sense of purpose," Duguay said.

Today’s polio vaccine is far more effective, and widespread use has all but eradicated the disease in the U.S. Thanks to herd immunity, even imported cases don’t spread. But Duguay’s story is a stark reminder of what could happen if vaccination rates drop.

Katie Van Tornhout, from Lakeville, Indiana, lost her daughter Callie Grace to whooping cough in 2010, just 37 days after her birth. Born premature but healthy, Callie started coughing a month in. Within days, she was gone.

Callie was too young for her own Tdap vaccine and was likely infected by someone who hadn’t had their booster. Her ashes rest in a small urn beside mementos and a plaster cast of her tiny foot.

Van Tornhout now shares her story widely and advocates for childhood immunizations through Vaccinate Your Family. "It’s up to us as adults to protect our children – that’s what a parent’s job is," she said. “I watched my daughter die from something that was preventable … You don’t want to walk in my shoes."

The resurgence of diseases like measles and whooping cough is a stark warning. Falling vaccination rates, fueled by misinformation and complacency, threaten to undo decades of public health progress. The consequences are not abstract—they are deeply personal for families who have lived through the suffering these diseases cause.

Experts note that if you’re not familiar with the disease, you don’t respect or even fear it. And therefore you don’t value the vaccine. The stories of Janith, Patricia, Lora, and Katie are a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.

Vaccines are among the greatest achievements of modern medicine, saving countless lives and sparing families untold grief. Yet, as memories fade, so does vigilance. The experiences of those who have suffered—and those who have lost—should serve as a call to action.

Disclaimer: This article includes story inputs and reporting from the Associated Press (AP) agency.

measles vaccine

whooping cough death

rubella pregnancy risk

polio survivor story

vaccine preventable diseases

vaccine hesitancy risks

childhood immunization stories

Before the era of widespread vaccination, infectious diseases cast a long and deadly shadow over American childhood. In 1900, nearly one in five children in the United States never reached their fifth birthday, with diseases like whooping cough, measles, rubella, and polio claiming millions of young lives or leaving survivors with lifelong disabilities. Over the next century, vaccines would transform this grim reality, virtually eradicating once-dreaded scourges and drastically reducing the toll of others. Yet, as immunization rates decline and vaccine hesitancy rises—even among public officials—these diseases are making a troubling comeback.The very success of vaccines has, paradoxically, bred complacency and skepticism. “This concern, this hesitancy, these questions about vaccines are a consequence of the great success of the vaccines – because they eliminated the diseases. In a time before vaccines, childhood illness often meant death. Infectious diseases like polio, measles, rubella, and whooping cough once swept across communities unchecked, claiming young lives and leaving others permanently disabled. In 1900, nearly one in five American children didn’t live to see their fifth birthday, and infectious disease was the primary cause but with the advent of vaccines, these illnesses were nearly eradicated.The widespread success of vaccines may ironically be their undoing. "This concern, this hesitancy, these questions about vaccines are a consequence of the great success of the vaccines – because they eliminated the diseases. The decline in visible cases has led to a loss of fear, and in many cases, respect for the devastating consequences of these illnesses.The current climate has given space for anti-vaccine activists to amplify rare side effects while ignoring the profound benefits of immunization. Suspicion around well-established vaccines has even reached political figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine advocate.However for some families, the horrors of these once-common diseases remain a vivid reality. For them, every news report of a measles outbreak or rising whooping cough cases is a painful reminder of lives forever changed—and a plea to spare others from similar suffering.Janith Farnham, 80, from Sioux Falls, recalls with clarity the moment she realized her newborn daughter Jacque wasn’t developing normally. Jacque was born with congenital rubella syndrome after Janith contracted the virus early in pregnancy, a time when the rubella vaccine wasn’t available."Things weren’t right," Janith said. Jacque was unresponsive to sound, resisted touch, and had a purring heart murmur that required early surgery. Today, Jacque is 60, living with numerous complications including deafness, diabetes, glaucoma, and arthritis. Despite these challenges, she maintains a close and affectionate bond with her mother, who still sees her nearly every day.Janith, who once taught special education, knows firsthand the consequences of a disease now preventable with a routine shot. "It’s more than frustrating. I mean, I get angry inside," she said. "I know what can happen, and I just don’t want anybody else to go through this."Patricia Tobin still remembers the scream of her mother the day her younger sister Karen collapsed in their home. It was 1970 in Miami, and Karen, only six, had contracted measles during an outbreak. The vaccine was available but not yet mandatory.Tobin, then 19, had rushed Karen to the hospital, where she immediately fell into a coma and died of encephalitis. "We never did get to speak to her again," she said.Today, vaccination is required for school entry in all U.S. states, but increasing exemptions are threatening herd immunity. The legacy of fraudulent studies falsely linking the MMR vaccine to autism has left a long shadow. Most states now fall below the 95% threshold needed to prevent measles outbreaks."I’m very upset by how cavalier people are being about the measles," Tobin said. "I don’t think that they realize how destructive this is."Lora Duguay, 68, of Clearwater, Florida, has lived through polio not once, but twice. Her first encounter was at age three, when she was hospitalized and packed in ice. Doctors told her parents she would never walk again.After extensive therapy, she regained mobility and led a full life until her 40s, when post-polio syndrome struck. Her condition worsened over time, but she found purpose through art. "Art gives me a sense of purpose," Duguay said.Today’s polio vaccine is far more effective, and widespread use has all but eradicated the disease in the U.S. Thanks to herd immunity, even imported cases don’t spread. But Duguay’s story is a stark reminder of what could happen if vaccination rates drop.Katie Van Tornhout, from Lakeville, Indiana, lost her daughter Callie Grace to whooping cough in 2010, just 37 days after her birth. Born premature but healthy, Callie started coughing a month in. Within days, she was gone.Callie was too young for her own Tdap vaccine and was likely infected by someone who hadn’t had their booster. Her ashes rest in a small urn beside mementos and a plaster cast of her tiny foot.Van Tornhout now shares her story widely and advocates for childhood immunizations through Vaccinate Your Family. "It’s up to us as adults to protect our children – that’s what a parent’s job is," she said. “I watched my daughter die from something that was preventable … You don’t want to walk in my shoes."The resurgence of diseases like measles and whooping cough is a stark warning. Falling vaccination rates, fueled by misinformation and complacency, threaten to undo decades of public health progress. The consequences are not abstract—they are deeply personal for families who have lived through the suffering these diseases cause.Experts note that if you’re not familiar with the disease, you don’t respect or even fear it. And therefore you don’t value the vaccine. The stories of Janith, Patricia, Lora, and Katie are a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.Vaccines are among the greatest achievements of modern medicine, saving countless lives and sparing families untold grief. Yet, as memories fade, so does vigilance. The experiences of those who have suffered—and those who have lost—should serve as a call to action.Disclaimer: This article includes story inputs and reporting from the Associated Press (AP) agency.

why whooping cough, measles and rubella still haunt u.s. families, here's what vaccine hesitancy overlooks

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An sudden spike in hepatitis A infection in several European countries has led to public health authorities issue urgent advisories and roll out containment strategies. The multicountry outbreak, spanning Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia, has already infected more than 2,000 people since January 2025. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed on Friday that two genetically linked strains of the hepatitis A virus (HAV) are behind this multicountry outbreak, which alarms for ongoing community transmission and potential cross-border spillover.

Though hepatitis A is generally a preventable viral illness, its comeback in Europe is a grim reminder of how vaccination gaps, sanitation flaws, and outreach failures can prove lethal — particularly for older people and those who are vulnerable.

This outbreak, characterized by two similarly linked hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains, has not only affected local groups but also infected tourists traveling to popular tourist destinations in Europe. The problem is further complicated by reports of confirmed cross-border transmissions, with Germany reporting cases genetically associated with those in Austria and Hungary, indicating the likelihood for wider spread.

The cluster is focussed in four middle European countries: Slovakia (880), Czechia (600), Hungary (530), and Austria (87). Although all these countries have suffered the majority of the infections, cases that had the outbreak strain are also found within Germany, reflecting the virus's capacity to transcend borders via social networks and travel.

Nine fatalities have been reported to date — six in Czechia and three in Austria — underlining the potentially serious health impact of the disease, especially in older people or those with existing liver disease. The ECDC's rapid risk assessment also verifies genomic evidence of regionally linked transmissions, triggering a coordinated EU response.

Hepatitis A is acute viral disease of the liver due to the hepatitis A virus (HAV). In contrast to its more persistent cousins, hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not result in chronic liver disease. But it can nevertheless generate full-blown disease and death—particularly among those at high risk.

The virus is mainly spread by ingestion of infected food or water, or direct contact with an infected person. HAV is found in the feces of infected individuals and is thus majorly a factor of poor sanitation and hygiene that leads to outbreaks. The illness quickly spreads in communities lacking clean water, safe food, and proper healthcare.

Contrary to hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not develop into chronic liver disease. Nevertheless, it may cause severe liver complications and even death in some people. Severity escalates with age. The ECDC has estimated the risk of serious illness as high in people older than 40 years and very high in individuals with pre-existing liver disease or weakened immunity.

<h2>Symptoms and Challenges in Early Detection</h2>

Not all people who get hepatitis A develop symptoms. But if symptoms do occur, they might include:

<ul><li>Weakness and fatigue</li><li>Abdominal pain and fever</li><li>Jaundice, or yellow eyes and skin</li><li>Clay-colored stools and dark urine</li><li>Nausea and loss of appetite</li><li>Diarrhea and joint pain</li></ul>

Since the virus takes weeks to manifest as symptoms, people may spread the virus unknowingly during incubation. That timing makes it harder to track the infections and contain possible routes of exposure.

Although anyone can get hepatitis A, there are groups that are more likely to suffer from severe illness. The ECDC states that individuals aged 40 years and older are at greater risk of developing serious complications, and the risk increases with age. Patients with existing liver disease and those who are immunosuppressed are especially at risk, as are older persons.

Social determinants also come into play. The epidemic has hit disproportionately hard among those living in homelessness, those who inject or use illicit drugs, and those living in filthy conditions or with limited healthcare access. These individuals usually do not have the resources necessary to receive vaccination or be at a hygiene standard to avoid infection.

For the population at large in the affected nations, risk is at present estimated as low to moderate. Yet, the situation is dynamic, and the risk for further transmission cannot be ruled out.

Slovakia has been struggling with hepatitis A since 2022, making it the epicenter of the current outbreak. Its 880 cases this year represent the largest burden across the affected nations. Czechia, meanwhile, has seen a significant jump in cases in 2025, including the majority of the deaths.

Even with the fewer cases reported, there have been three deaths in Austria — highlighting the fact that the virus does not have to be widespread to pose a threat. In Hungary, more than 500 cases of infection have been reported this year, leading health authorities to increase surveillance and prevention measures.

Genetic sequencing has shown that the current outbreak is being fueled by person-to-person transmission in interconnected social networks and geographic regions. The fact that genetically similar strains were detected in Germany, where it is not an epicenter, is a testament to the ease with which the virus can travel across borders—particularly in an age of high mobility and international travel.

Though foodborne transmission cannot be ruled out, available evidence implicates close personal contact and unsatisfactory sanitation as main movers. This underscores the pivotal role that focused prevention and swift response play in high-risk populations.

The ECDC has called on member states to carry out epidemiologic studies, expand targeted contact with high-risk groups, and improve access to vaccination. Cross-border coordination has also been highlighted by the agency, since the outbreak does not respect geography or citizenship. Strategies that are recommended include:

<ul><li>Targeted vaccine campaigns among high-risk groups</li><li>Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of close contacts</li><li>Increased sanitation and hygiene in settlements and communities</li><li>Increased genetic testing to track spread of virus</li><li>Public education and awareness to increase early reporting and vaccination rates</li></ul>

ECDC's head of One Health Unit Ole Heuer highlighted the need for increased outreach: "This outbreak is a reminder that hepatitis A infection can lead to severe illness and death, particularly in individuals with poor access to health care and basic hygiene. Vaccination and sanitation services need to reach those who are most vulnerable."

For people, the best defense against hepatitis A is vaccination. The hepatitis A vaccine is given in two doses, usually six to twelve months apart. The CDC says getting the vaccine — or immune globulin treatment — within two weeks of infection can ward off illness. Other important prevention measures are:

<ul><li>Washing hands frequently with soap and water, particularly before meals</li><li>Drinking clean, filtered water and avoiding suspect food sources while abroad</li><li>Not getting direct exposure to the body fluid of infected people</li></ul>

The CDC also advises travelers to countries with outbreaks of hepatitis A to get vaccinated before they go.

As the peak travel season for summer draws near, it's a time of vigilance for public health officials and travelers alike. Vaccination, education, and enhanced sanitation are the pillars of prevention—not only for hepatitis A, but for the countless infectious diseases that still threaten global health security.

hepatitis a outbreak europe

ecdc alert

hepatitis a symptoms

central europe health crisis

hepatitis a vaccination

cross border disease

An sudden spike in hepatitis A infection in several European countries has led to public health authorities issue urgent advisories and roll out containment strategies. The multicountry outbreak, spanning Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia, has already infected more than 2,000 people since January 2025. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed on Friday that two genetically linked strains of the hepatitis A virus (HAV) are behind this multicountry outbreak, which alarms for ongoing community transmission and potential cross-border spillover.Though hepatitis A is generally a preventable viral illness, its comeback in Europe is a grim reminder of how vaccination gaps, sanitation flaws, and outreach failures can prove lethal — particularly for older people and those who are vulnerable.This outbreak, characterized by two similarly linked hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains, has not only affected local groups but also infected tourists traveling to popular tourist destinations in Europe. The problem is further complicated by reports of confirmed cross-border transmissions, with Germany reporting cases genetically associated with those in Austria and Hungary, indicating the likelihood for wider spread.The cluster is focussed in four middle European countries: Slovakia (880), Czechia (600), Hungary (530), and Austria (87). Although all these countries have suffered the majority of the infections, cases that had the outbreak strain are also found within Germany, reflecting the virus's capacity to transcend borders via social networks and travel.Nine fatalities have been reported to date — six in Czechia and three in Austria — underlining the potentially serious health impact of the disease, especially in older people or those with existing liver disease. The ECDC's rapid risk assessment also verifies genomic evidence of regionally linked transmissions, triggering a coordinated EU response.What is Hepatitis A?Hepatitis A is acute viral disease of the liver due to the hepatitis A virus (HAV). In contrast to its more persistent cousins, hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not result in chronic liver disease. But it can nevertheless generate full-blown disease and death—particularly among those at high risk.The virus is mainly spread by ingestion of infected food or water, or direct contact with an infected person. HAV is found in the feces of infected individuals and is thus majorly a factor of poor sanitation and hygiene that leads to outbreaks. The illness quickly spreads in communities lacking clean water, safe food, and proper healthcare.Contrary to hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not develop into chronic liver disease. Nevertheless, it may cause severe liver complications and even death in some people. Severity escalates with age. The ECDC has estimated the risk of serious illness as high in people older than 40 years and very high in individuals with pre-existing liver disease or weakened immunity.Symptoms and Challenges in Early DetectionNot all people who get hepatitis A develop symptoms. But if symptoms do occur, they might include:Weakness and fatigueAbdominal pain and feverJaundice, or yellow eyes and skinClay-colored stools and dark urineNausea and loss of appetiteDiarrhea and joint painSince the virus takes weeks to manifest as symptoms, people may spread the virus unknowingly during incubation. That timing makes it harder to track the infections and contain possible routes of exposure.Who Is Most at Risk?Although anyone can get hepatitis A, there are groups that are more likely to suffer from severe illness. The ECDC states that individuals aged 40 years and older are at greater risk of developing serious complications, and the risk increases with age. Patients with existing liver disease and those who are immunosuppressed are especially at risk, as are older persons.Social determinants also come into play. The epidemic has hit disproportionately hard among those living in homelessness, those who inject or use illicit drugs, and those living in filthy conditions or with limited healthcare access. These individuals usually do not have the resources necessary to receive vaccination or be at a hygiene standard to avoid infection.For the population at large in the affected nations, risk is at present estimated as low to moderate. Yet, the situation is dynamic, and the risk for further transmission cannot be ruled out.Slovakia has been struggling with hepatitis A since 2022, making it the epicenter of the current outbreak. Its 880 cases this year represent the largest burden across the affected nations. Czechia, meanwhile, has seen a significant jump in cases in 2025, including the majority of the deaths.Even with the fewer cases reported, there have been three deaths in Austria — highlighting the fact that the virus does not have to be widespread to pose a threat. In Hungary, more than 500 cases of infection have been reported this year, leading health authorities to increase surveillance and prevention measures.How the Virus Is Spreading?Genetic sequencing has shown that the current outbreak is being fueled by person-to-person transmission in interconnected social networks and geographic regions. The fact that genetically similar strains were detected in Germany, where it is not an epicenter, is a testament to the ease with which the virus can travel across borders—particularly in an age of high mobility and international travel.Though foodborne transmission cannot be ruled out, available evidence implicates close personal contact and unsatisfactory sanitation as main movers. This underscores the pivotal role that focused prevention and swift response play in high-risk populations.The ECDC has called on member states to carry out epidemiologic studies, expand targeted contact with high-risk groups, and improve access to vaccination. Cross-border coordination has also been highlighted by the agency, since the outbreak does not respect geography or citizenship. Strategies that are recommended include:Targeted vaccine campaigns among high-risk groupsPost-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of close contactsIncreased sanitation and hygiene in settlements and communitiesIncreased genetic testing to track spread of virusPublic education and awareness to increase early reporting and vaccination ratesECDC's head of One Health Unit Ole Heuer highlighted the need for increased outreach: "This outbreak is a reminder that hepatitis A infection can lead to severe illness and death, particularly in individuals with poor access to health care and basic hygiene. Vaccination and sanitation services need to reach those who are most vulnerable."How You Can Protect Yourself?For people, the best defense against hepatitis A is vaccination. The hepatitis A vaccine is given in two doses, usually six to twelve months apart. The CDC says getting the vaccine — or immune globulin treatment — within two weeks of infection can ward off illness. Other important prevention measures are:Washing hands frequently with soap and water, particularly before mealsDrinking clean, filtered water and avoiding suspect food sources while abroadNot getting direct exposure to the body fluid of infected peopleThe CDC also advises travelers to countries with outbreaks of hepatitis A to get vaccinated before they go.As the peak travel season for summer draws near, it's a time of vigilance for public health officials and travelers alike. Vaccination, education, and enhanced sanitation are the pillars of prevention—not only for hepatitis A, but for the countless infectious diseases that still threaten global health security.

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