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The detection of a new, fast-spreading strain of the virus in a remote mining town in eastern Congo led the World Health Organization to declare mpox a global public health emergency in August. Since then, its spread has only accelerated.

The virus is taking hold in crowded camps home to millions of displaced Congolese, who live crammed into rough shelters with limited access to water. And it has reached Congo’s cities, including its enormous, congested capital.

Belated efforts to control mpox in Kinshasa — by isolating patients and vaccinating their contacts — have been halting and haphazard, far outpaced by the speed of the virus’s spread and change.

Public acceptance of RSV vaccine grows as hesitancy plateaus A year after becoming available, vaccines to protect against RSV in newborns and older adults are being more widely accepted by the American public, according to a new Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) ... Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Xpress

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Bird flu case reported in Los Angeles after state officials declare emergency Los Angeles County health officials reported the first human case of bird flu in the area less than a week after a statewide emergency declaration was announced. ABC News ABC News

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Bird flu case reported in Los Angeles after state officials declare emergency Los Angeles County health officials reported the first human case of bird flu in the area less than a week after a statewide emergency declaration was announced. ABC News ABC News

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In a statement released on Monday, the L.A. County Department of Public Health said the human case of H5 bird flu was detected in an adult who was exposed to livestock infected with the virus at a worksite.

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US FDA revokes authorization for four COVID antibody drugs The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has revoked the emergency use authorization for four COVID-19 antibody-based drugs, including those from Eli Lilly and Regeneron . Reuters Reuters

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A ‘silent’ COVID surge may hit the US over the holidays, experts warn — here's what that means This year's winter wave is off to a late start, and experts expect cases to keep rising. Here's what to know. TODAY

This year's winter COVID wave is off to a later start than usual, and some experts are warning about a potential "silent" surge in transmission over the holidays.

Yemen bears world’s highest cholera burden, deepening humanitarian crisis Yemen has reported the highest global burden of cholera, with nearly 250,000 suspected cases and 861 associated deaths as of 1 December, accounting for 35 per cent of worldwide cholera cases and 18 per cent of related deaths this year, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday. UN News

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Key warning signs about bird flu are all going in the wrong direction This year has been marked by concerning developments in the virus’ spread, including widespread detections in wastewater and mutations observed in the virus. NBC News

...No bird flu transmission between humans has been documented, and the CDC maintains that the immediate risk to public health is low. But scientists are increasingly worried, based on four key signals.

US flu season is underway, as cases surge in some areas and vaccinations lag The U.S. flu season is underway. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday released its latest flu-monitoring data, and noted sharp increases in several measures. AP News

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Illnesses caused by respiratory viruses increase in US Ahead of the Christmas holiday week, respiratory virus activity triggering healthcare visits is at the moderate level, with further rises seen for flu, activity up from low levels for COVID-19, and high levels for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its updates, which also included updated seasonal outlooks. CIDRAP

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