Referral: Tara Smith On H7N9

Credit NIAID

 

 

 

# 7110

 

Dr. Tara C. Smith, who also pens the terrific Aetiology blog, has an article appearing today in Slate on the emerging H7N9 virus that addresses the question:

 

Just how bad is the new bird flu?

One of the striking aspects of this new avian flu has been - that like H5N1 - it appears to produce unusually severe illness in humans (yet unlike H5N1, little or no illness in poultry).

 

Of 33 known human cases, 9 have died, 1 has recovered, and most of the rest are described as being in  either serious or critical condition.

 

What we don’t yet know is how many undetected `mild’ or asymptomatic infections there might be from this virus. 

 

For more on all this, follow the link to read:

 

Nature’s Bioterrorist Agents

Just how bad is the new bird flu?

By Tara C. Smith|Posted Wednesday, April 10, 2013

 

While it seems reasonable that there would be a substantial number of `mild’ undetected H5N1 cases out there, serological testing has produced  (at best) `mixed’ results and a contentious debate (see The Great CFR Divide).

 

Of course, if there are a large number of `mild’ or asymptomatic H7N9 infections right now in China, it opens the possibility that the virus is being spread more easily (regardless of the source) than we currently believe.

 

All of which proves that - right now - we have far more questions than solid answers with this virus.

Referral: McKenna On E. Coli

 

 

 

# 5649

 

This week we’ve seen a number of new journal articles on Germany’s EHEC outbreak, appearing in The Lancet , Eurosurveillance Journal, and the NEJM.

 

Maryn McKenna gives us an excellent walk-thru of their findings this morning in her SUPERBUG BLOG post:

 

E. coli: Some Answers, Many Questions Still

• By Maryn McKenna
• June 24, 2011  | 

 

Highly Recommended.

 

And for a terrific (ongoing) multi-part series on HUS (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome) – a devastating complication in some toxic E. Coli infections - I would refer you to Tara C. Smith’s Aetiology Blog.

A Double Referral: McKenna And Smith On EHEC

 

 

# 5615

 

With a constant barrage of confusing and conflicting media reports regarding the E. Coli  (EHEC/STEC) outbreak in Europe, it is fortunate that we have two very expert bloggers to help guide us through this maze.

 

Maryn McKenna and Tara C. Smith.

 

This morning, referrals to their latest blogs, listed in order of appearance.

 

 

E. coli: What we know and need to

• By Maryn McKenna  June 8, 2011  | 

 

 

Next up, Tara Smith’s Aetiology Blog, which also references Maryn’s last post.

 

 

The case of the missing smoking sprouts

Posted on: June 9, 2011 8:00 AM, by Tara C. Smith

 

If you want to get a good handle on the EHEC outbreak in Germany, both blogs are highly recommended.