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Celebrating 50 Years of Saving Lives: The Impact of Immunization Programs

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), now known as the Essential Programme on Immunization, has profoundly impacted the world for five decades. 154 million lives have been saved, 101 million of which were infants. This statistic highlights the critical role immunization plays in protecting society’s most vulnerable members.

The success of the smallpox eradication campaign fueled EPI’s inception. This started a global movement to protect children against six devastating childhood illnesses. It evolved into a comprehensive initiative encompassing essential vaccines for 13 diseases and 17 context-dependent vaccines.

A study conducted by the Lancet evaluated the global and regional health impacts of vaccination against 14 diseases. The results showed a 40% reduction in infant mortality globally and over 50% in Africa. Research showed that the measles vaccine alone has averted 93.7 million deaths since 1974, followed by tetanus (28 million saved), pertussis (13.2 million), and tuberculosis (10.9 million).

As of May 2, 131 measles cases were reported by 21 jurisdictions in the United States.

This year’s measles case total is the largest annual tally since 2019. The rise in cases is mainly due to vaccination rates falling from 95% over the last few years to 93% in 2022–23. The measles outbreaks serve as a reminder of the importance of vaccination and that the work of EPI is far from over.

Childhood vaccinations are essential to saving lives and making our communities safer. Following the recommended vaccine schedule is vital to ensure children receive protection at the right time and in the most effective manner. Vaccinations typically begin shortly after birth, with the first doses of vaccines, including those for hepatitis B and polio, administered during this period. Additional doses are given at 2 to 4 months to boost immunity against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, rotavirus, and Haemophilus influenza type b.

By 6 to 18 months, children receive further doses of vaccines to ensure lasting immunity, including measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis A, and pneumococcal disease. Booster shots for some vaccines, such as those for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio, are administered at 4 to 6 years.

Around 11 to 12 years of age, children receive vaccines for meningococcal disease and human papillomavirus (HPV), along with boosters for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Throughout adolescence, vaccination against influenza should continue annually, and catch-up vaccinations may be recommended if any doses were missed earlier.

As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Essential Programme on Immunization, it’s essential to acknowledge the progress made while recognizing the challenges ahead. While vaccines have saved more lives than any other medical innovation in the last century, we’re witnessing a concerning trend in the decline of vaccine rates. This decline poses a significant threat to public health, as it undermines the progress we’ve achieved under EPI. The 50th anniversary of EPI is an opportunity to change that tide and contribute to a healthier future for everyone.

Sources:

WHO: 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)

The Lancet: Contribution of vaccination to improved survival and health: modelling 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunization

CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks

Essential Vaccination Tips for Children’s First Adventure Abroad

It’s the season of planning, as people start looking at destinations to travel to for the summer months. For many, this may mark the first time young children accompany them on such adventures. Whether it’s the beaches, bustling cities, or serene national parks you’re headed to, thorough preparation is key — not just for your suitcases but also for your health.

One crucial aspect of travelling is maintaining health to enjoy the time away. This involves familiarizing yourself with the vaccination requirements of the different countries on your itinerary.

What to Know Before Travelling Abroad

Each country has its unique health risks and regulations. Rare or nonexistent diseases in your home country might be prevalent elsewhere. For instance, sub-Saharan Africa or tropical South America destinations may require the yellow fever vaccine, while Eastern Europe does not. Some countries require proof of certain vaccinations as a condition of entry, so being immunized can facilitate your travel plans and prevent any unexpected hurdles.

Understanding Vaccine Requirements

Before jetting off to your destination, it’s important to research the vaccination requirements of your destination country and understand what your children, and even yourself, may need. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), these are the most common vaccines recommended for international travel:

  1. Routine Vaccines: These are vaccines that you should receive as part of your regular immunization schedule, such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap), and influenza.
  2. Travel-Specific Vaccines: Depending on your destination and planned activities, you may need additional vaccines to protect against diseases found in certain regions, such as:

○ Hepatitis A and B: Common in many parts of the world, these vaccines protect against liver infections transmitted through contaminated food, water, or bodily fluids.

○ Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water, and typhoid fever can cause severe illness. Vaccination is recommended for travellers visiting regions with poor sanitation.

○ Yellow Fever: Required for entry into certain countries in Africa and South America, the yellow fever vaccine protects against this mosquito-borne viral disease.

○ Japanese Encephalitis: Recommended for travellers to rural areas of Asia, particularly during the transmission season, to prevent this mosquito-borne viral infection.

  1. Malaria Prophylaxis: In addition to vaccines, travellers to regions where malaria is endemic may need antimalarial medications to prevent infection. Malaria is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes and can cause severe illness if left untreated.

To further understand requirements, it’s recommended to talk to your doctor and information about your travel plans so they can recommend a list of vaccines your family may need.

Best Time to Get Vaccinated

Ideally, families should receive their vaccines at least 4–6 weeks before departure to allow sufficient vaccine administration and immune response time. Some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks, so early planning is essential.

During your pre-travel consultation, your healthcare provider will review your medical history, travel itinerary, and specific health concerns to recommend the appropriate vaccines and medications. They may also advise on other health precautions, such as food and water safety, insect bite prevention, and altitude sickness management.

Other Illnesses to Watch for

While vaccines are important to safeguard your health while travelling, parents need to be aware of other challenges for their children. From jet lag to motion sickness and diarrhea, children might experience several common issues their first time away from home.

Jet lag, which results from crossing time zones, can disrupt children’s sleep patterns and leave them feeling exhausted and disoriented. To help alleviate its effects, parents can try adjusting their children’s sleep schedules before the trip, ensuring they stay hydrated during the flight, and encouraging outdoor activities upon arrival to help reset their internal clocks.

Children may also experience discomfort during takeoff and landing, often due to pressure changes in their ears. Parents can help by encouraging swallowing, chewing gum, or, for infants, breastfeeding during these times. Travelling by plane can also trigger motion sickness in young children. Parents can prepare for this by providing light meals before travel, securing a window seat for outside views, and considering medication options if motion sickness persists.

Stomach problems like diarrhea are another common concern, especially for young children who may be more susceptible to dehydration. Parents should be cautious about their children’s food and water, opting for bottled water and well-cooked meals. Additionally, practicing good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, can help prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal issues.

International travel offers exciting opportunities for exploration and cultural exchange, but it’s essential to prioritize the health and safety of your children before heading out. Prioritizing vaccinations and preparing for potential illnesses equips you to journey with peace of mind.

Safe travels!

Sources:

Nemours Kids Health: Staying Healthy While You Travel

CDC: Travelers’ Health

WHO: Vaccines

Vaccinations Q&A: What You Need to Know

Q: Why are vaccinations important for public health?

A: Vaccinations play a critical role in public health by preventing the spread of infectious diseases. They protect individuals from potentially serious illnesses and reduce the risk of outbreaks, helping to create “herd immunity” that shields vulnerable populations, such as those who can’t get vaccinated for medical reasons.

Q: How do vaccines work?

A: Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria. They introduce harmless or weakened forms of these pathogens, or pieces of them, into the body. This triggers an immune response, teaching the body to recognize and attack the pathogen if encountered in the future.

Q: What types of vaccines are available?

A: There are several types of vaccines, including:

  • Live-attenuated vaccines: Contain weakened forms of the virus or bacteria, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
  • Inactivated vaccines: Contain killed pathogens, such as the polio vaccine.
  • Subunit, recombinant, and conjugate vaccines Contain parts of the pathogen (like proteins or sugars), such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
  • mRNA vaccines: Contain genetic material that instructs cells to produce a protein from the pathogen, triggering an immune response, such as the COVID-19 vaccines.

Q: Are vaccines safe?

A: Vaccines undergo rigorous safety and efficacy testing before being approved for use. They are continually monitored for safety, with rare and generally mild adverse effects, such as soreness at the injection site or mild fever. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, making them a vital part of preventative healthcare.

Q: How often should I get vaccinated?

A: The frequency of vaccinations depends on the type of vaccine. Some vaccines, like the MMR or polio, provide lifelong immunity after a single course. Others, such as the flu vaccine, must be administered annually due to changing virus strains. It’s essential to consult a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate vaccination schedule for you and your family.

Q: What about booster shots?

A: Booster shots are additional vaccine doses that enhance or prolong immunity. They are recommended for certain vaccines, such as COVID-19 or tetanus shots, to maintain effective protection. Always check with a healthcare professional to see if booster shots are necessary.

Q: Can I get vaccinated if I have allergies?

A: In most cases, individuals with allergies can receive vaccines. However, it’s crucial to inform your healthcare provider about any allergies you have. They can assess the risks and recommend a suitable vaccine or approach to mitigate potential reactions.

Q: How do vaccinations benefit the community?

A: Vaccinations protect individuals and the community by reducing the spread of contagious diseases. Widespread vaccination helps create herd immunity, which shields vulnerable individuals who can’t be vaccinated due to medical reasons. This communal protection contributes to healthier populations overall.

In conclusion, vaccinations are a key component of individual and public health, protecting against potentially harmful diseases and reducing their spread. We can safeguard ourselves and our communities by staying informed and keeping up with recommended vaccines.

Celebrating Mother’s Day and the Importance of Getting Vaccinated

Mother’s Day is a cherished time to honor the incredible women who have nurtured, guided, and showered us with love. It’s a day to celebrate the selfless care and sacrifice that moms offer, often putting their family’s needs above their own. Beyond the flowers, cards, and heartfelt messages, Mother’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the well-being of our families and communities. This year, one significant way to honor our mothers and families is by considering the importance of vaccinations.

The Link Between Mother’s Day and Vaccination

Motherhood is synonymous with care and protection. Mothers play a pivotal role in family health, nurturing their children and ensuring they grow up healthy. Vaccination is a crucial aspect of this role, offering protection against potentially harmful diseases. Vaccination can serve as a gesture of love and care, not just for mothers themselves but for their families and communities.

Protecting Mothers and Families

Vaccines offer a shield against diseases that can cause serious health complications. For example, flu vaccines reduce the risk of severe flu-related illnesses and hospitalizations, which can be especially important for families with young children, older adults, or individuals with underlying health conditions. Similarly, COVID-19 vaccines have been pivotal in reducing the spread of the virus and its associated complications.

For mothers, getting vaccinated can mean peace of mind, knowing they are less likely to bring illness into their homes. It also sets an example for their families, emphasizing the importance of health and preventative care.

Community Immunity

When we consider vaccination, it’s not just about individual health; it’s also about community health. Widespread vaccination can create “herd immunity,” reducing the spread of contagious diseases and protecting vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. This communal benefit reinforces the notion that getting vaccinated is a personal choice and a societal responsibility.

A Timely Gesture of Love

On Mother’s Day, consider vaccination a meaningful gesture of love. If you haven’t already, make an appointment to get vaccinated or encourage your loved ones to do the same. This step can protect yourself and your family and community, embodying the caring and nurturing spirit that defines motherhood.

This Mother’s Day, let’s go beyond the traditional celebrations and proactively protect our families and communities. Vaccinations are critical to preventative healthcare, reducing the risk of disease and safeguarding the health of those we love. By embracing vaccination, we can honor the caring legacy of motherhood and ensure a healthier future for all. So, this Mother’s Day, let’s give the gift of health, protection, and love by getting vaccinated.

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Dr. Casey

What You (Might) Be Wondering about Immunity

I get asked a lot of questions about medicine, health, vaccines, and similar things by many people. Sometimes people seem embarrassed or even somewhat apologetic when they ask these things. But really, I appreciate it when people take the time to ask questions. It is great knowing that people want to be informed, and helping with that is one of my roles as a scientist and public health professional. I encourage everyone to ask questions. Many times people are not necessarily opposed to doing something to protect their health (like getting a vaccine), but they might not have taken that action yet because there is something they aren’t sure about or there is something they need clarified. That is something I completely understand; when in doubt, sometimes it feels like the safest thing to do is — nothing. However, it is important to ask a trusted source for the information you need so that you can take action, and feel confident in the health choices you are making. And that is where I come in!

I get a lot of similar questions from people, which tells me that there are areas related to health and science that are 1.) important to a lot of people, and 2.) obviously unclear (although I already knew both of those!). And I know it can be difficult to speak up and ask questions about anything, even if it’s something you really want to know. So, with that in mind, I thought I would tell you about some questions that I get a lot, in case you might have the same ones. This will likely be the first of several of these posts, and please feel free to send in messages to my Facebook page with other questions you would like to have answered. If you don’t ask, you will never know. So, here are just a few common questions I hear about vaccines and immunity.

What is “natural” immunity?

Natural immunity is the type of immunity a person has after they have a disease. For example, the chickenpox vaccine was not yet available in the U.S. when I was a child in the early 1990’s. As a very contagious disease, it was very common for children to catch and spread chickenpox (my little sister very generously gave it to me). But if you got chickenpox, one of the “bright sides” was that you were very unlikely to ever have it again because you had developed natural immunity to the disease. This was because, when you had chickenpox, your body’s immune system made antibodies to fight the disease, giving you immunity. So, if you came in contact with chickenpox in the future, your immune system would recognize it and be able to quickly make the antibodies to fight it off. This kind of immunity is called natural, meaning it is not gained through vaccination.

Is natural immunity safer than immunity from a vaccine?

NO. To gain natural immunity, someone has to actually be infected with the disease. Diseases can be painful, serious, and even deadly. They also often have many side effects that can be dangerous. When a person gets sick with a disease, no one knows how their body will respond or how seriously the disease will affect them. Getting immunity from a disease can be risky and unpredictable, and you have to experience the disease. It is what I tend to think of as doing something, “the hard way.”

Immunity from a vaccine (also called vaccine-acquired immunity) is a much safer way to gain immunity from a disease. With vaccination, a dead or very weak form of the disease is introduced into your body. Your immune system learns to produce antibodies to protect you, but you do not have to experience the risks of actually having the disease, like with natural immunity. The most recent scientific studies show that vaccination has more benefits and far fewer risks than natural immunity.

What is “herd immunity” (and won’t that protect me enough?)?

This term became more well-known (or at least more used) when COVID-19 vaccinations became available but many people were hesitant to be vaccinated. Herd immunity (also called “community immunity”) means that enough people in an area have become immune to a certain disease that it is very difficult for the disease to spread. One of the main benefits of herd immunity is that it helps protects people who are not able to vaccinated, like the very young or people with immune system issues. In this situation, the more people who have immunity, the more difficult it is for a disease to spread.

As you have probably already guessed, the answer to the second part of this question — won’t herd immunity provide enough protection — is no. Reaching the level of herd immunity in a population can be very difficult, especially if the disease is especially contagious, or if it is a disease (like a virus) that can mutate into new variants. The best way to make sure you have immunity is by getting vaccinated. By doing this, you can protect yourself, and you can contribute to herd immunity which may protect others, too.

Other Questions?

Feel free to message my Facebook page with your own questions. I will answer everything I can, and if I don’t know the answer, I will find someone who does. Asking questions is how we learn, and how we make informed decisions. Everyone should be able to get the information they need to decide what is best for their health. I am here to help make that connection, and I look forward to being a resource that you can trust.

Be Well; Be Kind,

Dr. Casey

Want to Learn More?

If you are interested in reading more about different types of immunity and how they work, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some great information here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/immunity-types.htm

If you would like to learn more about herd immunity, National Geographic has a great article discussing it here: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/herd-immunity-strength-numbers/

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About Dr. Casey

Dr. Casey, PhD, MPH, is Director of Epidemiology and Public Health and associate professor of family medicine at the University of South Alabama Whiddon College of Medicine with a concurrent appointment in USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Control and Prevention; she is also Director of the Masters of Public Health Program at Spring Hill College. Dr. Casey holds a masters and doctoral degrees in Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Her research interests include behavioral epidemiology, childhood/adolescent vaccination, cancer prevention, health communication, and reducing health disparities, emphasizing rural settings. Dr. Casey is a staunch advocate for increasing vaccination to lower rates of preventable diseases; she has led several studies to improve vaccine uptake.

Dr. Casey has held top leadership roles with non-profit organizations such as VAX2STOP CANCER, was elected Chair of Alabama’s Cancer Control Coalition, and is on the executive committee of Alabama’s vaccination task force. She is active in many prominent organizations, including the American Public Health Association and Society of Behavioral Medicine. With over 50 scientific publications and numerous national presentations, and invited talks, Dr. Casey is a widely respected expert in the field of vaccination.

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Dr. Casey

Public Health 101

My senior year of college, I told my family that I was going to graduate school for public health. They were excited and supportive, but also a bit confused. I was going to graduate school to…work at the health department? Well…no. I had always been interested in health and medicine; how was this going to help me achieve my goals? What was “this”? And truthfully, even I didn’t fully understand the field that would become my life’s work back then — that it is huge, diverse, and applies to practically all areas of life and to everyone in ways we don’t even realize. I didn’t fully grasp its mission, its reach, or how incredible of an impact one can make through public health. Two decades later, I’m still amazed. But back to the start…

Growing Awareness

Now, in 2024, many more people have some understanding of what public health is, or at least have heard the term, compared to prior decades. That is mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when the term “public health” suddenly seemed to be everywhere. Still, though, I find that many people aren’t exactly sure what it means. To be honest, that is understandable. One reason for that is because public health means a lot of things. Public health is connected to countless areas of everyday life that you might never think of. I guess, in some ways, public health is typically more of a behind-the-scenes presence, and that is usually how we want it. If public health is front and center, it often means something is very wrong (like, for example, COVID, or an environmental public health disaster like Chernobyl).

So Then What Is Public Health?

There is not one definition, but generally, public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of individuals and their communities. Public health has a broad definition because it encompasses so many things. To accomplish something as big as “protecting and improving health,” a lot has to go into it. Here are just a handful of examples of how public health works to do this:

· Researching diseases

· Detecting and tracking infectious diseases (like flu or measles, for example)

· Preventing diseases through advising the public about precautions to take and things like vaccinations

· Promoting healthy lifestyles (such as educating people about healthy eating and the dangers of tobacco use)

· Injury prevention through policy change

· Promoting environmental health for our communities

And countless other ways.

How Is Public Health Different from Clinical Medicine?

If you have read any of my posts, you have probably seen that I put a lot of emphasis on prevention, and this is what sets public health apart. Much of clinical medicine (meaning the physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers we rely on every day) focuses mostly on treating people after they have gotten sick or been injured. Public health, rather, works to prevent sickness and injury from happening at all.

In my opinion, do you know what is better than the absolute best, top-of-the-line treatment? …Never needing a treatment because the disease it treats has been prevented!

While the ideals of public health are amazing and a society that can live focused totally or even mostly on prevention would be practically a dream, that is not the society in which we currently live. It is unlikely any of us will see a society like that in our lifetimes due to the many infectious and chronic diseases that are so common throughout the world. So while a public health (meaning prevention)-driven society is something we can strive for, the reality of that is still a long way away. Which is why the hybrid health strategies combining clinical medicine and public health meet are the best fit for our needs. We have clinical medicine to treat and even cure existing health issues we battle, and this is vitally important. And we also work to introduce preventive, public health strategies however we can to help move towards a prevention-focused society.

I’m sure I will be talking more about public health in the future, but for the moment, C. Everett Koop, a former U.S. surgeon general, has a great quote that I think really ties some of these ideas together. He said:

“Health care is vital to all of us some of the time,

but public health is vital to all of us all of the time.”

Be Well; Be Kind,

Dr. Casey

Why You Should Skip Your Shots!

(But Not Really) The real scoop on why vaccinations are essential.

Did that headline make you do a double-take? While it might sound like a call to action to avoid vaccinations, this article underscores why vaccines are necessary for individual health and community safety. Let’s clear the air and get into the facts about vaccines and their critical role in public health.

A Brief Primer on Vaccines

Vaccines are one of modern medicine’s most significant achievements, offering a defence against serious and often deadly diseases. By introducing a harmless virus, bacteria, or weakened form of the disease, vaccines train the immune system to recognize and fight off these pathogens effectively and swiftly in the future.

The Top Reasons to Embrace Vaccinations

1. Personal Health Protection

Vaccines prime your body to fight off diseases without causing them. This proactive approach can save you from experiencing severe complications associated with diseases like influenza, pneumonia, and meningitis. This is particularly important for children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

2. Community Shield: Herd Immunity

Vaccines protect you and everyone around you. When enough people are vaccinated, the community can achieve herd immunity, significantly decreasing disease spread. This communal protection is vital for safeguarding those who can’t be vaccinated due to medical conditions, such as cancer patients and those with allergic reactions to vaccines.

3. Cost Savings on Healthcare

Preventing diseases through vaccination avoids significant healthcare costs associated with treating them. Immunization programs have proven to be among the most cost-effective health interventions, saving billions in healthcare costs and having a global economic impact.

4. Global Disease Eradication Efforts

Vaccinations have the power to wipe out diseases completely. For example, smallpox was eradicated in 1980 thanks to global vaccination programs. Polio is nearing eradication, and efforts continue to eliminate other diseases, potentially freeing future generations from diseases that once caused widespread fear and fatality.

5. Proven Safety and Efficacy

Despite misconceptions, vaccines undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are safe and effective before being made available to the public. The risk of serious side effects is exceptionally low compared to the risks of severe health outcomes from the diseases themselves.

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy: Common Myths

Several misconceptions contribute to vaccine hesitancy. Here are the facts to counter them:

“Vaccines cause the diseases they’re meant to prevent.” Modern vaccines do not contain live viruses capable of causing disease.

“Vaccines have harmful side effects.” The most common side effects are mild and temporary, such as soreness at the injection site or a mild fever.

“Natural immunity is better than vaccine immunity.” Natural immunity can sometimes provide robust protection, but the risks of disease complications far outweigh those associated with vaccines.

Wrapping It Up

The evidence is clear: vaccines save lives, prevent illness, and protect entire communities. So, when it’s your time to get vaccinated, remember that it’s not just for your health — it’s for the well-being of everyone around you.

Navigating Safety Amidst Recent Avian Flu Concerns

In light of recent developments regarding the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus, commonly known as the bird flu, it’s crucial to understand what this virus is and its effect on you if you become infected.

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus is a strain that primarily infects birds, particularly poultry such as chickens and ducks. However, it can also infect other birds and mammals, including humans. This infection has a high mortality rate in birds and causes severe illness and, in some cases, death in humans. The World Health Organization is extremely concerned over the recent discovery of the H5N1 virus in the United States, as it has the potential to mutate, and the risk of death in humans is extremely high. These viruses are transmitted through contact with infected birds or their droppings and occasionally through contaminated surfaces or materials. Between 2003 and 2024, there were 889 cases and 463 deaths caused by H5N1 worldwide from 23 countries. This represents a case fatality rate of 52%.

Current Infections:

The recent case reported in Texas, confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlights the potential risks associated with exposure to infected animals. Despite the patient experiencing only mild symptoms, such as eye redness consistent with conjunctivitis, healthcare professionals remain concerned about its potential impact on surrounding communities.

Protective Action:

While the CDC maintains that the general public’s overall human health risk assessment remains low, individuals with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or animals are at greater risk. If your job requires you to handle infected or potentially infected birds or other animals because of your job, take the following precautions:

  • Use protective equipment like gloves, an N95 respirator, or another well-fitted facemask.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after touching birds.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after contact with birds or surfaces.
  • Change your clothes before contact with healthy domestic poultry and after handling infected or potentially infected birds and other animals with confirmed or suspected bird flu virus infection. Then, throw away the gloves and facemask, and wash your hands with soap and water.

It’s important to take precautions when in these types of situations, especially if you have a family and young children at home who might have weaker immune systems to infections.

Importance of Vaccination in Prevention:

Vaccination remains the best measure in preventing the spread of avian flu and protecting individuals, especially young children, from its potentially severe effects. While the current vaccines may not specifically target the H5N1 strain involved in the recent case, other vaccines are available that can reduce the risk of infection. It’s crucial for individuals, especially those at risk of exposure to infected birds or animals, to receive the seasonal flu vaccine, ideally at least two weeks before potential exposure. While the seasonal flu shot doesn’t directly protect against avian influenza viruses, it does decrease the likelihood of contracting both human and bird flu strains simultaneously, offering valuable protection.

Monitoring and Prevention of H5N1:

In response to the recent case and ongoing concerns, the CDC works closely with state and federal agencies to monitor the situation and implement preventive measures. This includes continued surveillance of individuals exposed to infected animals and recommendations for clinicians on monitoring, testing, and antiviral treatment for suspected or confirmed cases.

As influenza viruses constantly evolve, continued surveillance and preparedness efforts are essential in addressing emerging threats. While the recent case H5N1 virus infection serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by the bird flu, it also underscores the importance of proactive measures in prevention and preparedness. Vaccinations and precautionary measures can help navigate a path to safety for your family and those in your community.

Sources

CDC: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection Reported in a Person in the U.S.

CDC: Prevention and Antiviral Treatment of Bird Flu Viruses in People

WHO: Avian Influenza A(H5N1) — United States of America

HealthyChildren.org: Avian Flu: Facts for Families

The Relationship Between the Health of our Pets and our Children

More people heading outdoors to bask in the warmer weather and explore Mother Nature also brings us closer to our fellow inhabitants of the world, our furry friends: dogs. As a responsible pet owner, ensuring the health and well-being of your furry companion is undoubtedly a top priority. Vaccinating your dog safeguards its health and plays a significant role in protecting your family, especially your children.

Several vaccines are needed to protect dogs from various infectious diseases, including distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, kennel cough, and rabies. These illnesses can spread rapidly and have serious outcomes. Rabies is a disease that affects dogs and humans. It can easily be transmitted to humans through bites or scratches.

Once contracted, the virus attacks the nervous system and, if left untreated, is almost always fatal. The symptoms of rabies can vary, with an incubation period ranging from days to more than a year. However, once the virus reaches the brain, it causes flu-like symptoms, leading to aggressive behaviour and eventual paralysis, followed by respiratory and cardiac failure. While this is on the extreme side of infections, dogs can also pass along other illnesses to your children through close contact, such as licking or sharing food and water bowls.

In the event of rabies infection, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) entails promptly administering human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccine following exposure. Additional doses are then administered on days 3, 7, and 14 to ensure comprehensive protection against the virus. HRIG and vaccine are recommended for those not previously vaccinated, regardless of the type of exposure. However, individuals who are previously vaccinated or undergoing pre-exposure vaccination should only receive the vaccine.

While we love to see children bond with dogs, children must clean themselves after playing for several reasons. Maintaining hygiene standards is important because dogs can harbour dirt, germs, and parasites like fleas or ticks, and washing hands mitigates the risk of spreading potential pathogens. Additionally, some children may have allergies triggered by dog dander, saliva, or fur, so washing hands and changing clothes helps minimize exposure to allergens. Ensuring your child washes up afterward also reduces the likelihood of contracting other illnesses such as E. coli or Salmonella.

While wildlife is much more likely to get rabies than domestic pets in the United States, people interact with domestic animals more than wildlife, especially in the spring and summertime. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 5,000 animal rabies cases are reported annually, with more than 90% found in wildlife. Each year, rabies kills around 59,000 people worldwide and is a common disease in certain countries. Human fatalities from rabies are rare but do occur in people who don’t seek medical care.

It’s important to be aware of the risk of this disease when you head out for hikes and even walks in your local neighbourhood. It’s always important to keep your pets up to date on their rabies vaccination to prevent them from acquiring the disease from wildlife and transmitting it to those you love, especially children.

Sources:

CDC: Rabies in the U.S.

CDC: Healthy Pets, Healthy People

American Veterinary Medical Association: Vaccination

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Dr. Casey

Can an “Eliminated Disease” Become Un-eliminated?

Did you know that there are certain diseases that are considered eliminated in some parts of the world? If you are anything like me or my students, your first thought might be — How? Or maybe just — Wow. Or, I am sure there are plenty of people out there whose first thought is — Prove it, and/or — Yeah, right. Regardless, it is a pretty amazing concept to think about: Eliminating. A. Disease. But before I get too far ahead of myself, I want to explain what I mean by “elimination.”

Control, Eliminate, Eradicate

These are three important terms in public health and in general healthcare when it comes to diseases, so I want to take a minute to explain them one at a time.

Control. Control means using treatment and taking actions to make the outcomes of a disease better and to minimize its spread. Think about influenza (the flu), for example. Seasonal flu comes around every year, and we cannot completely prevent it (although vaccines help a lot!). So, we control the flu by doing things like: avoiding contact with people who are sick, washing our hands frequently, and disinfecting shared surfaces, among other things.

Eliminate. Elimination means stopping a certain disease from being transmitted in a specific location or area, but not removing the disease worldwide. Basically, clearing a region of a specific disease. In the United States, we can thank Dr. Jonas Salk and the vaccine he developed for eliminating polio. Actually, polio has been eliminated from almost every country in the world, which is a good lead in to the next term…

Eradicate. A disease is declared eradicated when it is not found or transmitted anywhere in the world. It seems practically impossible. In fact, only two infectious diseases have been completely eradicated…ever. The only human disease that has been officially eradicated is smallpox (in 1980). I will probably come back to smallpox sometime because it is a fascinating and amazing journey, but for now, the main thing to know is that, thankfully, it is something we do not have to worry about!

What Diseases Have Been Eliminated in the U.S.?

In the U.S., the following human diseases are considered eliminated: smallpox, malaria, polio, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, and measles, with several other diseases close to reaching that status. This means that, even though there might be some cases of these diseases here and there, there have been no ongoing disease transmissions for over a year. We have had so much success eliminating many of these diseases largely thanks to vaccines that have given people protection from being infected. However, back to our original question…

Can a Disease Lose Its Elimination Status?

Unfortunately, the answer is YES. Elimination does not mean that a disease cannot come back to a region or area, but usually, cases of that disease would come in from another place (like visitors bringing germs along). When an event like this happens, the next steps really depend on what the community is like. For example, if visitors bring in a few cases of the mumps, but members of the community are all up to date on their vaccines (which include mumps), then these outsider cases probably won’t have a huge effect on the people there. However, if members of the community have started thinking they aren’t at risk for mumps because no one ever gets it where they live, and they have stopped getting vaccinated for it, then they are far more likely to catch the mumps that are now in their area, and to spread it to others who have lowered their guards and stopped vaccinating.

Why Is This Important Right Now?

Understanding the importance of how diseases spread — and right under our noses without us suspecting anything — is critical. Right now, we are seeing an example of this every day when it comes to the measles. As a refresher, measles is a serious, even life-threatening virus that is mainly transmitted through the air (when people cough or sneeze, for example) and through other close contact. Measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that up to 9 out of 10 susceptible people who have close contact with a measles patient will develop measles. The disease is especially common among children, but measles can be prevented through a combined vaccine often called “MMR” (meaning it vaccinates against measles-mumps-rubella). Just one does of MMR vaccine is around 93% effective at preventing measles!

In fact, in large part due to measles vaccines, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. Unfortunately, the case isn’t closed. Right now, we are getting closer and closer to measles being “un-eliminated” in the U.S. as the numbers of measles cases continues climbing. Between January 1, 2020 and March 28, 2024, the US has had 338 documented cases of the measles. But, 29% of those cases were in just the first quarter of 2024, which is not a good sign for case numbers for the rest of the year.

Some important things to know are that, of the 338 measles cases, two out of three patients (68%) were unvaccinated for measles. Another 29% of these cases did not know if they had been vaccinated or not, showing how important it is to know our own medical history and advocate for ourselves. Unfortunately, the numbers given here reflect the general population’s prevention, as measles vaccinations have been steadily decreasing for several years.

The Double-Edged Sword of Successful Disease Prevention

This is what I tend to think of as a double-edged sword in the amazing job that public health and medicine have done in eliminating measles in the U.S. It is remarkable that, in the present day, the risk of measles is so low that most people have gone their whole lives without experiencing or even seeing the life-threatening effects of measles. While that is a huge achievement, it tends to lower the population’s guard for protecting against the disease. People are less likely to understand how severe measles can be. And because people do not feel as threatened by measles, they are less likely to take preventive actions like vaccination. When something seems less “real,” or like it doesn’t apply to us, we are not motivated to take action, and this applies far beyond health. For example, I am probably not actively thinking about what kind of maintenance I could or should be doing for my car on a daily basis. I am triggered to action when a “change oil” light comes on. It’s not that I don’t like my car or am just lazy; it is more that, as a society, we have so many things going on at once, that many things do not get our attention until they become a problem or we feel threatened.

So what is critical, is that we don’t fall into the trap of false security just because things seem stable. We cannot treat our health, and the health of others, as a guarantee until it’s not. Because one day, it is possible, and even likely, that there could be a resurgence, change, or unexpected happening in health as we know it, and we want to be protected and to protect others if and when that happens. We should never pass up opportunities to prevent diseases when they are easily available. We should always hope and strive for the best, but prepare for anything we can.

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For More Information

To read more about polio and the development of its life-saving vaccine, check out the World Health Organization’s page: History of the Polio Vaccine

https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/history-of-polio-vaccination#:~:text=By%201994%2C%20polio%20had%20been,in%20less%20than%202%20decades.

To read about the crusade against and successful defeat of smallpox, head to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site and take a look at their History of Smallpox page. It is pretty incredible to see what humans were able to accomplish with the world working together!

https://www.google.com/search?q=when+was+smallpox+eradicated&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS1070US1070&oq=when+was+small&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBggBEEUYOTIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiABNIBCDI3NTRqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

To read a lot more information about measles and vaccination and see where I found some of my information for this post, visit the “Measles (Rubeola)” page on the CDC website:

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html

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About Dr. Casey

Dr. Casey, PhD, MPH, is Director of Epidemiology and Public Health and associate professor of family medicine at the University of South Alabama Whiddon College of Medicine with a concurrent appointment in USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Control and Prevention; she is also Director of the Masters of Public Health Program at Spring Hill College. Dr. Casey holds a masters and doctoral degrees in Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Her research interests include behavioral epidemiology, childhood/adolescent vaccination, cancer prevention, health communication, and reducing health disparities, emphasizing rural settings. Dr. Casey is a staunch advocate for increasing vaccination to lower rates of preventable diseases; she has led several studies to improve vaccine uptake.

Dr. Casey has held top leadership roles with non-profit organizations such as VAX2STOP CANCER, was elected Chair of Alabama’s Cancer Control Coalition, and is on the executive committee of Alabama’s vaccination task force. She is active in many prominent organizations, including the American Public Health Association and Society of Behavioral Medicine. With over 50 scientific publications and numerous national presentations, and invited talks, Dr. Casey is a widely respected expert in the field of vaccination.

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