Infectious Diseases

COVID death rate higher for young people

A Penn analysis discovered that people aged 25-54 had a higher COVID death rate than people 55 and older.

Monkeypox, smallpox. Virus seen under the microscope. Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Spread of the virus. 3d rendering

From outbreaks to breakthroughs: Tackling infectious and zoonotic diseases

Penn Vet’s Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases inaugural academic symposium welcomes keynote speaker Katherine J. Wu of The Atlantic.

Could the silver lining of the pandemic be pan-vaccines?

Scott Hensley of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues have developed a vaccine that could provide a baseline level of protection against all 20 known flu strains.

Wuhan market samples contained COVID and animal mixtures, report says

Frederic Bushman of the Perelman School of Medicine says that the report finding COVID-infected raccoon dogs in China had sound methods but isn’t absolute proof that the animals were the source of the pandemic.

How immune are we? Why answering this question is essential for post-pandemic life

Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine believes that the government’s strategy of repeated COVID vaccine booster shots is probably unnecessary for all except patients with weakened immune systems.

A microscopic image stained to show cells in the intestines

The immune system does battle in the intestines to keep bacteria in check

New research from Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine demonstrates that Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, a relative of the bacterial pathogen that causes plague, triggers the body’s immune system to form lesions in the intestines called granulomas.

The next stage of COVID is starting now

Scott Hensley of the Perelman School of Medicine says that children’s responses and vulnerability to future bouts of coronavirus may depend on the variants they encounter.

U.S. focuses on limiting spread amid record bird flu season, but vaccines could be a possibility in the future

Scott Hensley of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues are developing a bird flu vaccine candidate that could be used in humans if the virus started circulating among people.

Canine influenza virus may be winding down in Philadelphia region, but vets advise caution

Deborah Mandell of the School of Veterinary Medicine says that the recent canine influenza outbreak in Pennsylvania appears to be slowing down, though she still advises precautionary measures.

No one knows if you need another COVID booster

Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine believes that boosters might not be necessary for anyone but the most vulnerable patients, at least until long-lasting T-cell responses dissipate.

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