Isaac Bogoch
Infectious Diseases physician and scientist, with thoughts on Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine, HIV Prevention, Public Health, Biosecurity, and Global Health issues.
- The vast majority of people infected in the Ontario measles outbreak are unvaccinated.
- Mpox is surging in Sierra Leone. Fortunately a vaccine program is now starting to roll out for those at risk. Link: tinyurl.com/mtw9bwef, by Jody Ray.
- "Nirmatrelvir–ritonavir (Paxlovid) administered for 15 days did not significantly improve health outcomes in participants with long COVID compared with placebo–ritonavir at day 28." Results of a randomized, blinded, placebo controlled Phase 2 trial: tinyurl.com/stfsjerk
- Measles cases in Ontario have passed 900 so far in 2025, far exceeding the annual totals recorded over the past decade. The measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection, widely available at no cost, and backed by decades of safety data.
- The news from the CDC is awful to hear. Canada should step up as a global leader in public health. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
- NEW: The CDC has been gutted this morning. Thousands of CDC employees who worked on things like preventing HIV and lead poisoning have been told they were subject to a reduction in force. Experts say people will die. from me, @makenakelly.bsky.social, @knibbs.bsky.social:
- 1/ The "barrier" preventing New world screwworm flies (Cochliomyia hominivorax) from spreading north of Panama has been breached. We recently cared for a patient who contracted this infestation on a trip to Costa Rica. Larvae feed on live tissue & require prompt extraction.
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View full thread3/ New world screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae can cause significant tissue destruction, leading to morbidity and even death. Great work by Amna Majeed, George Ho & Antoine Corbeil managing this case. Uncorrected Proof: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- 4/ Other helpful links for the current outbreak: tinyurl.com/2kw2ntaf tinyurl.com/2s39wc45
- 2/ New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a major public & animal health threat. Sadly, this is resurfacing (Costa Rica/Nicaragua) after being eliminated parts of the Americas using sterile fly releases. This is a great read by @sarahzhang: tinyurl.com/5n8khmy4
- Ontario is now reporting 440 measles cases in 2025 so far, compared to 64 in 2024, and 101 between 2013 and 2023. The vast majority of infections are in unvaccinated individuals. The measles vaccine is free, widely available, highly effective and backed by decades of safety data.
- Canada is home to world-class scientists and researchers. We have a unique opportunity to recruit top US talent amid their recent major research cuts. What's our plan? 🇨🇦 🇨🇦 🇨🇦
- Ontario is currently experiencing a measles outbreak, with the vast majority of cases occurring in unvaccinated individuals who were eligible to receive both doses of the vaccine. The measles vaccine is safe, free, widely available, and very effective.
- With the tragic news of a measles-related death in Texas, it is important to remember that we also have a measles outbreak in Canada, with the vast majority of cases among unvaccinated individuals. Ontario data below 👇
- It's been a relatively tough influenza season in Canada this winter. Fortunately there are encouraging early signs that the peak has passed and cases are declining. (Ontario data below. Flu is in Red.)
- FYI, NACI has a statement on who could be considered for H5N1 Avian vaccine use. It's essentially for those with close occupational exposures to the virus. Link: tinyurl.com/3uzrk8w6
- Canada is proactively preparing for a potential outbreak of Avian Influenza. 🇨🇦 Link: tinyurl.com/bddph2h8
- Canada is proactively preparing for a potential outbreak of Avian Influenza. 🇨🇦 Link: tinyurl.com/bddph2h8
- There is a measles outbreak in Texas. "48 cases have been identified with symptom onset within the last three weeks. Thirteen of the patients have been hospitalized. All of the cases are unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown." www.dshs.state.tx.us/news-alerts/...
- FYI, there is a lot of influenza circulating right now in Canada. The season started a few weeks later than normal but is in full swing now. 🇨🇦
- If you care for patients with suspected tuberculosis, this excellent online tool helps assess the risk of active TB disease and potential medication side effects. Link: www.TSTin4D.com From colleagues at McGill. #IDSky #MedSky
- 🇨🇦 Canada's respiratory virus trends: Influenza (yellow) has yet to peak, while COVID (blue) and RSV (purple) continue to decline. There's a lot of flu out there. Quality information on the Public Health Agency of Canada's website: health-infobase.canada.ca/respiratory-...
- To our American friends who may now be struggling to find health information on US websites: Please check out the Public Health Agency of Canada's website for helpful resources, updated dashboards & practical health tips. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 canada.ca/en/public-he...
- There is a new Ebola virus outbreak in Uganda, an ongoing Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania, and a recently resolved Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda. Now is the time to be doubling down on global infectious diseases research, preparedness, and response plans. tinyurl.com/2cv758u6
- Canada should step up and significantly enhance disease surveillance, with a focus on granular, transparent, and real-time data sharing. 🇨🇦
- New: Trump officials have paused all external communications at health agencies like CDC, FDA, NIH. No health alerts and the famed MMWRs; no updates to key websites or social media posts. And no indication how long the pause will last. With @rachelroubein.bsky.social + Lena Sun.
- We're in the middle of respiratory virus season, and while COVID-19 (blue) and RSV (purple) appear to be starting to decline in Canada, influenza (orange) activity remains steady.
- Brilliant article reviewing zoonotic infections in the Canadian Arctic. 🇨🇦 Echinococcus canadensis, Mycoplasma phocacerebrale ("seal finger"), Trichinellosis & more. Link: www.cmaj.ca/content/197/..., by James Burns et al. Published in @cmaj-jamc.bsky.social today.
- A suspected Marburg virus outbreak has been reported in Tanzania. Nextdoor neighbour Rwanda recently contained a Marburg outbreak. Marburg, a close relative of Ebola, causes similar severe illness. Vaccines are currently in development.
- Respiratory illnesses are on the rise in Canada, however it is interesting that, for this time of year, we have a lower burden compared to previous COVID and non-COVID years. It looks like we got a bit of a late start this season.
- Wishing everyone a Happy New Year from Toronto.
- Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Happy Holidays to all, with special thanks to everyone working today to keep our healthcare system up and running. (Shift change, TGH, 06:45)
- Ontario reported 63 total cases of measles in 2024, the highest in recent years. Of the 43 cases in children: *40 unvaccinated *1 had a single dose *2 with unknown vaccination status *7 children hospitalized Best to stay up to date with routine immunizations tinyurl.com/mpkaaax4
- There are now 61 confirmed human cases of avian influenza in the USA. While all are concerning, the 2 cases with an unknown source are especially worrisome. This highlights the urgent need to rapidly control farm outbreaks & reinforce protections at the human-animal interface.
- Another human case of Avian Influenza in the US, this one severe. "...it has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks." CDC: tinyurl.com/yjh22jw3 #IDSky #MedSky
- Wild report of a neurocysticercosis school outbreak in Belgium: "When patient 8 was invited for additional history taking, his father recounted pulling a 1 m-long, ribbon-like worm from his son's anus". tinyurl.com/5n83kcnf By Vanden Driessche et al. #IDSky #MedSky
- Snapshot of respiratory viruses in Canada: The percentage of positive tests for influenza (orange) & RSV (purple) is increasing, while COVID-19 (blue) is likely to follow suit soon. *Not too late to get a flu shot. *COVID vaccine guidance: tinyurl.com/5y747ext
- High rates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae ("walking pneumonia") in Ontario, 2024, especially in those age 5-17. 16.3% of a subset of 135 specimens had mutations that suggest resistance to macrolide antibiotics. Link: tinyurl.com/3ddnd29w #IDSky #MedSky
- COVID & Flu-related hospitalizations in Ontario are currently low but are expected to increase this winter. Fortunately, COVID-related ICU admissions remain very low at this time, especially compared to similar periods earlier in the pandemic.
- Updates on the Avian Influenza case in BC: While it is reassuring that all follow-up tests on human, animal, and environmental samples have returned negative, the lack of an identified source remains concerning. Wishing the affected individual a swift & complete recovery. tinyurl.com/mrnevbfj
- A good read on how Rwanda tackled their Marburg virus outbreak: "What happened in Rwanda is captured by Louis Pasteur’s famous aphorism that 'chance favours the prepared mind' or, as in this instance, the prepared response system." tinyurl.com/8aavau7j by Wilmot James et al. #IDSky #MedSky
- 1/ World AIDS Day is next week (Dec 1). Improved access to care, including timely diagnostics, effective therapies, and preventive medications, has led to a massive reduction in global cases and deaths (but there is still more work ahead).
- 2/ With timely diagnosis and appropriate care, people living with HIV can enjoy long, healthy, and fulfilling lives with a ~normal life expectancy. When the virus remains undetectable - achievable with a daily pill or periodic injections -people cannot transmit HIV to others.
- 3/ We can also effectively prevent HIV infection in those who are high risk with pills or periodic injections. Remarkable stuff. The biggest issues remain ensuring equitable and timely access to care, and combatting HIV stigma.
- 1st travel related case of clade 1b mpox detected in Canada. (Note the large global outbreak in 2022 was clade 2 mpox). Link: tinyurl.com/jcyff8eh #IDSky #MedSky
- ps: The measles vaccine is very effective.
- Canada reports the highest number of measles cases in nearly a decade. "The 130 cases reported so far in 2024 eclipses the 113 reported in 2019 and is the highest number of cases Canada has seen since 2015." Measles is a vaccine preventable illness. tinyurl.com/4jypwdva #IDSky #MedSky
- Canada reports the highest number of measles cases in nearly a decade. "The 130 cases reported so far in 2024 eclipses the 113 reported in 2019 and is the highest number of cases Canada has seen since 2015." Measles is a vaccine preventable illness. tinyurl.com/4jypwdva #IDSky #MedSky
- It's no surprise to those who work in clinical medicine that RSV can cause severe illness in older adults. "1 in 20 adults experienced all-cause hospitalization within 28 days." Fortunately a vaccine is available that reduces severe infection. tinyurl.com/3fbzwpmv #IDSky #MedSky
- Antimicrobial resistance claims over a million lives per year & the threat continues to escalate. To safeguard the effectiveness of antimicrobials, we need stronger stewardship, a resilient R&D pipeline for new drugs & effective strategies for disease prevention. #IDSky #MedSky tinyurl.com/bdhymamj
- "Health Canada also says it has authorized three influenza vaccines that could be used if bird flu became a pandemic." It’s uncertain whether this will subside or become a growing concern in humans, but it’s always best to be prepared. tinyurl.com/yc756z5f
- There is a significant outbreak of Oropouche virus in parts of Latin America & the Caribbean. This virus typically causes a self-limiting illness similar to dengue, with potential complications during pregnancy. Although rare, severe manifestations can occur, as illustrated in this case report.
