Helen Branswell 🇨🇦

I cover infectious diseases @statnews. 2020 Polk winner. Nieman '11. She/her. #H5N1 #Ebola #Covid #polio #flu, #RSV. Send me news tips on Signal: HBranswell.01

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

If you are making a break for other social media platforms, I am on Bluesky at @helenbranswell.bsky.social and on mastadon at @[email protected]. And yes, they are pleasant places.

[Krutika Kuppalli, MD FIDSA @KrutikaKuppalli]

So glad to see this important trial moving forward. In the absence of a licensed Bundibugyo virus–specific vaccine, emerging evidence suggests that Ervebo may provide some heterologous protection.

We recently discussed the emerging data and importance of evaluating Ervebo in the current outbreak in @TheLancetInfDis

WHO deserves tremendous credit for advancing this critical research amid an ongoing outbreak.

https://t.co/X2Tlxq5cBB

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

The confirmed #measles case count in the US jumped nearly 100 cases last week to 2,465 — 108% of the cases reported last year, but in only 7 months. Only 16 of these were imported cases. No abating happening here. And this graphic doesn't reflect the US situation. https://t.co/IOXzvXUW4S

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

Another child died from #flu in the past season, bringing the confirmed, reported deaths to 191. There will likely be more before the calendar rolls over into the 2026-27 flu season at the beginning of Oct. But hey, fewer kids should get flu shots, the Health Sec says. https://t.co/lzBZJC9T96

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

#USDA reports another #H5N1 #birdflu infected dairy cow herd in Utah, the state's 29th. This makes the 1,171th confirmed herd (in 19 states) since the outbreak in cows was first identified in March 2024. https://t.co/2BioBG0wUw

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

Twofer here: Last night Moderna got word the #FDA had approved its mRNA flu vaccine for older adults. https://t.co/TWxrdYaAi3
The decision came on the anniversary of when Health Sec. Kennedy axed flu pandemic preparedness funding for Moderna. https://t.co/SkCDPdgF8m

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

@dlboardman @rickberke @statnews Thank you.

[Krutika Kuppalli, MD FIDSA @KrutikaKuppalli]

Other countries are stepping up to fill the leadership gap left by the U.S. stepping back in global health.

[Jerome Adams @JeromeAdamsMD]

Just over one half of one percent of this year’s historically high measles cases were “imported.”

Put another way, America (and our health leaders/ policies) are responsible for this outbreak - not immigrants.
🤷🏽‍♂️

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

The #Ebola #Bundibugyo outbreak in DRC's Ituri province is now the 2nd largest in known history, having overtaken the 2018-2020 outbreak in North-Kivu & Ituri in a matter of 2.5 months.
The outbreak has clearly been underway for longer, but unconfirmed cases aren't part of this total.

[Ministère de la Communication et Médias/RDC @Com_mediasRDC]

🚨 #EbolaRDC | Point de situation – 29 juillet 2026

La riposte contre Ebola se poursuit dans les cinq provinces touchées : Haut-Uélé, Ituri, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu et Tshopo. L’épidémie reste circonscrite à 48 zones de santé, tandis que les activités de sensibilisation, de surveillance et de prise en charge sont intensifiées au plus près des communautés.

À ce jour, 3 532 cas confirmés ont été enregistrés, avec 807 patients en isolement ou hospitalisation, 626 personnes guéries et 1 556 décès. Le taux de létalité est de 44,1 % et le taux de suivi des contacts atteint 78,7 %.

Les équipes CREC et RECO poursuivent les actions de proximité dans les provinces affectées afin de renforcer l’adhésion des populations aux mesures de prévention. Aux points d’entrée et de contrôle, les voyageurs sont sensibilisés, dépistés et encouragés à adopter les gestes de protection. La communication met également en avant les témoignages de guérison et le travail des équipes de première ligne, tout en renforçant les mécanismes de prévention des abus et de protection des communautés.

📞 En cas de symptômes suspects, appelez gratuitement le 151.

#StopEbola #SantéPubliqueRDC

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

#CDC has been alerted to 2 more kids who died from #influenza last winter. They bring to 190 the number of confirmed pediatric #flu deaths in 2025-26. This in a year in which Health Sec. Kennedy told CDC to drop its recommendation that kids 6 months & older get flu shots. https://t.co/GpJff0rIKY

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

The confirmed #measles case count so far this year is now 2371, in only 7 months, compared to 2289 in all of 2025. Only 7 states haven't reported cases in 2026. Only 16 of these cases were imported, #CDC reports. https://t.co/fiqItXO64M

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

The #Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in NE DRC was likely underway for months before it was formally detected in mid-May.
That's often the way with Ebola outbreaks, but the scale of the missed cases seems ... extraordinary. Terrific reporting by @kakape. https://t.co/SiMezopSPY

[Jason Ukman @JasonUkman]

Not getting a great deal of attention in the U.S., but the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa will very soon be the second largest on record.

Current second-largest outbreak claimed that rank after two years. This one will claim it ~2½ months after being detected, per @HelenBranswell.

https://t.co/yk7xRugaJX

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

For decades, Tony Fauci was beloved on both sides of the political aisle in Washington. Those days are over.
https://t.co/ORNjO9LMIM

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

On June 30, Uganda reported a case of #Marburg to @WHO, only after the US embassy in Kampala revealed it had heard there was a case in the west of the country. Since then, radio silence. WHO confirmed today that though it has been asking for followup information, Uganda has provided none.

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

#USDA reports 3 new #H5N1 #birdflu infected dairy cow herds in Idaho, bringing the national total since the outbreak was first detected to 1,170 herds in 19 states. https://t.co/2BioBG0wUw

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

DRC's #Ebola case count continues to climb. As of 07/22, there have been 2,905 confirmed cases, 1,269 of them fatal.
At this pace it may not be long before this outbreak surpasses the 2018-2020 North Kivu outbreak, the 2nd largest on record (3470 cases, 2287 of them fatal). https://t.co/jt9o2nUorx

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

#CDC reports another pediatric #flu death in the 2025-26 season. That brings the number of children who died from flu this season to 188. FluView doesn't say what percentage of those kids were not vaccinated but earlier in the season CDC estimated about 85%. https://t.co/ErVcjgpbCA

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

#CDC reports that the confirmed #measles count in 2026 has hit 2,318, exceeding the 2025 total. It's the highest annual total — & the year's far from over — in 35 years.
To keep measles under control, about 95% of kids need to be vaccinated. Few parts of the country are hitting that target.

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

2. Switzerland joins France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Norway & Austria among European countries detecting cases of Dermatophilus congolensis. Human cases of the mild rash-triggering bacteria have been rare & were previously linked to contact with infected animals. https://t.co/g6OkXN9ALv

[Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @HelenBranswell]

1. Another European country is reporting cases of Dermatophilus congolensis, an animal skin disease, in men who have sex with men. Swiss researchers report in @eurosurveillance.org that they've detected 6 cases; two were likely imported, 4 locally acquired. https://t.co/igSvuTXwiH