COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Bird Flu, Measles, Tropical Imports and Other Virus UK and World News Update 5th September 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Bird Flu, Measles, Tropical Imports and Other Virus UK and World News Update 5th September 2025

From January every eligible child in the UK will receive a chickenpox (varicella) vaccination with their MMR jabs (MMRV). 

"Research shows that chickenpox in childhood results in an estimated £24 million in lost income and productivity every year in the UK. The rollout will also save the NHS £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition."

Mild chickenpox can still be awful and leave you with scarring. Severe chickenpox is rare, but does happen. It can cause infections, pneumonia, encephalitis or a range of problems with organs, including the brain, eyes and heart. Chickenpox during pregnancy can affect your baby. Any baby born with chickenpox will be very poorly. 

Chickenpox vaccination also helps protect against shingles - which is where dormant varicella virus hiding in your body (often for decades) reawakens and can make you very ill. 10 years ago my partner got meningitis from dormant varicella springing back into action and making it into his head.

I strongly agree with vaccinating against varicella. 

NHS England:

From 1 September, all severely immunosuppressed adults aged 18+ will be able to get the shingles vaccine from their GP.

"This includes people with conditions such as leukaemia or lymphoma or those who are undergoing chemotherapy, which put them at greater risk of becoming seriously unwell if they contract shingles."

This is another varicella vaccine, although it contains no complete or live virus (it's just a reminder for your immune system and safe for vulnerable people). You should get an invitation to book from your GP next month.

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 bird Flu, Measles, Tropical Imports and other virus UK and World News Update 22nd August 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Bird Flu, Measles, Tropical Imports and Other Virus UK and World News Update 22nd August 2025

In the UK the number of people in hospital with respiratory symptoms who test positive for COVID has risen by almost 1/3 in the last fortnight. 

Although that's not good, thankfully we began at low levels, so it is actually still considered relatively 'low' - although you'd hope not to see a rise during Summer and before the kids all go back to school. Latest variants and waning immunity may well be to blame. 

The steady COVID wave is continuing in the US. Hospital admissions were up another 15% last week (on top of 18% 2 weeks ago), with 98,600 new cases reported. Medics and emergency room staff are noting a visible rise and commenting on social media. 

An average 206 people in the US have died from COVID each week this year (227 were reported last week). 

On 15th August the UK's DEFRA raised England's risk level for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI bird flu) "in response to a change in the pattern of wild bird findings and an increase in cases in poultry and captive birds".

Risk level in any areas with 'sub-optimal biosecurity' is now MEDIUM (event occurs regularly).

Risk in wild birds remains HIGH.

From 26th August nationwide biosecurity measures are increased, including for game birds. E.g. footwear and vehicle tyres need to be disinfected. 

DEFRA's last report on 11th August confirms 9 additional infected commercial and backyard poultry flocks detected since 21st July (including 2 in Breckland, Norfolk), and 78 infected wild birds of 20 different species, across 36 separate British sites in 26 counties (England 48, Scotland 29, Wales 1). 

This outbreak began on 5th November 2024, and since then across the whole UK 79 farmed or backyard flocks have been confirmed infected with avian flu:

- 1 low pathogenic avian flu (Wales)

- 1 HPAI H5N5 (England)

- 77 HPAI H5N1 (England 68, Scotland 3, Wales 2, Northern Ireland 4)

In addition a total of 848 collected wild birds have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, Measles, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 30th May 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, Measles, HPAI H5N1 and other virus UK and World News Update 30th May 2025

Until it left the World Health Organisation, the US paid them $2.1b a year. 

"$2.1 billion is the equivalent of global military expenditure every 8 hours;

$2.1 billion is the price of one stealth bomber;

$2.1 billion is 1/4 of what the tobacco industry spends on advertising and promotion every single year.

It seems somebody switched the price tags on what is truly valuable in our world."

Dr Tedros, head of WHO

Norovirus cases in the UK are still incredibly high. Over the last 5 years 31st March to 27th April we've averaged 6,446 confirmed cases (which doesn't include anyone who isn't tested, which is Loooooooads), and this year that figure is 14,959. UK Gov remind us to pretty please STAY AT HOME for 48 hours AFTER you are last ill. Do not prepare food for others, do not go to school or work, do not pass go, do not risk spreading this to the very young, the very old or other vulnerable people who may become very seriously ill. 

"So far this year, nearly 2.9 million COVID cases have been reported in the U.S., causing 200,465 hospitalizations and 14,213 deaths."

BNO News

In the UK around 160 people a day are still currently being admitted to hospital with COVID, and it is officially responsible for around 70 UK deaths a week. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles and other virus UK and World News Update 16th May 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles and other virus UK and World News Update 16th May 2025

Reporter: "You just announced a new nominee for US Surgeon General who never finished her residency, and is not a practicing physician. So can you explain why you picked her to be America's top doctor?"

Trump: "Because Bobby thought she was fantastic" ... "I don't know her."

Awesome reasoning. 

Dr Casey Means isn't actually licensed to practise medicine, and is currently an online 'wellness influencer'. (I can't understand why Joe Wicks didn't give it a go, he was super popular with his online PE lessons during lockdown.)

In other news, RFK Jr. has (under direct questioning) announced Matthew Buzzelli (a lawyer with almost no public health or medical experience) is the Acting Director of the US CDC.

Anyone nominated to stand as permanent CDC Director can't be Acting Director, so on 24th March, previous Acting Director Dr. Susan Monarez stood down, after being nominated by Trump. 

Mr Buzzelli hasn't exactly been performing his duties, as he's responsible for signing off vaccines and other policies, and communications with the public, some of which have been in limbo since March or April... (I dunno, is this also news to him? His name isn't even on the CDC website...) 

"The UK had a real opportunity to control spread with effective contact tracing but missed it - not once, but repeatedly over the pandemic."

Christina Pagel, IndieSAGE

The UK COVID inquiry has begun public hearings, and they've been discussing the debacle which was Test & Trace. We didn't move quickly enough. We didn't contact trace with enough speed and weren't ready with enough tests for all suspected cases. If we moved quicker, we'd have had far fewer early cases and we might even have avoided lockdown, or at least made it much shorter. 

The UK Government ignored offers of help from NHS and University labs, and didn't use the skilled personnel they had (community nurses and others already do contact tracing), or other systems put in place rapidly and available to us.

It's true. From where I was sitting it looked like they dithered about trying to make money and/or collect data at the expense of everything else. It was a frustrating and ultimately very costly time. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, Measles, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 2nd May 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 2nd May 2025

Prescription charges in England are being frozen at £9.90 per item. This will come as some relief to the many millions of people who don't qualify for free prescriptions, but are feeling the cost of living just as badly. 3 month and annual prescriptions are also frozen (and worth it if you have more than 1 prescription a month or 11 a year), as well as wig and fabric support prescriptions.

Free prescriptions stay the same. People registered with a GP and using a pharmacy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland get free prescriptions anyway. 

Despite practically the entire world using 'CDC' as an acronym for Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the UK Department of Health and Social Care have decided to use it for Community Diagnostic Centres. Well, that isn't confusing... tsk. However... 

"Community Diagnostic Centres and crack teams of NHS doctors are making a difference across the country.

- More tests, checks and scans

- More care closer to home

- Waiting lists slashed in areas with high economic inactivity"

Good stuff. 

COVID-19, Measles, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 17th April 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 17th April 2025

World Health Organisation members, after over 3 years of discussions, have agreed the wording for the legally binding Pandemic Treaty. The draft agreement will be up for consideration (and hopefully accepted) at the upcoming World Health Assembly next month.

This is only the 2nd time such a treaty has been drawn up, the first being a tobacco control agreement in 2003. 

Under terms of the treaty member countries will share data about pathogens swiftly via the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS). 10% of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics will be given to WHO, and another 10% will be supplied at affordable prices.

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles and other virus UK and World News Update 4th April 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles and other virus UK and World News Update 4th April 2025

The UK has announced Spring COVID boosters, with a focus on "protecting those who are most likely to become seriously ill", the same as last Spring, but unlike previously you have to COME FORWARD and book your appointment, rather than waiting for an invitation. Do this online at nhs dot uk /bookcovid or by calling 119.

Those eligible include:

- people aged 75 or over by 17th June

- residents of care homes for older adults (not staff or carers)

- people meeting immunosuppression criteria (check online for a list)

The UK Department of Health and Social Care has agreed an extra £167m funding (over 2 years) with Community Pharmacy England.

On top £193 million of debt for community pharmacy owners will be written off. 

In return community pharmacies in England will:

- all offer the ‘morning-after pill’ free of charge

- offer patients prescribed antidepressants "convenient support at pharmacies".

- cut red tape, with more of the pharmacy team able to deliver services such as medicines advice, Pharmacy First services, and blood pressure checks.

- have financial incentives boosted for pharmacists to identify patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure, to take pressure off GPs.

- have funding for medicine supply boosted, so patients have better access to the medicines prescribed for them. This includes writing off the historic debt linked to dispensing activity during the pandemic and increasing fees linked to dispensing prescriptions.

COVID-19 Coronavirus, Measles, HPAI H5N1 and other virus UK and World News Update 21st March 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 21st March 2025

5 years ago most of the world was going into lockdown. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of January 5, 2025, a total of 7,083,246 confirmed COVID-19 deaths had been recorded worldwide - and that does not include any of those who died without testing or who were recorded as dying from other causes. 

On Sunday 9th March the UK held a Day of Reflection to remember the people lost since the pandemic began, and to give thanks to those who who have worked to help others and shown kindness above and beyond the norm. 

A huge thank you from me too - we couldn't have kept going without all of you who risked your own health for us. 

"COVID causes permanent brain damage and immune system dysfunction. It’s why everyone’s sick."

Dr Sean Mullen, Research Director at Exercise Tech Lab, Illinois. 

Saturday 15th March was Long COVID Awareness Day. Our essential workers, those people who kept us going through lockdown, the frontline medical staff, bus drivers, cleaners, shop workers and everyone else who had to face the public back when we had Alpha, Beta and Delta strains and no vaccinations, were more likely to lose their lives to COVID, and today they are more likely to suffer severely from Long COVID. 

There is no doubt for anyone now that Long COVID exists. It's real, it can be viewed on X-rays, in blood tests, scans and autopsies. COVID can affect all organs of the body, including the brain, heart and lungs, and it affects your blood. It affects your immune system. There is also no doubt that the more people who catch COVID, the more are left with Long COVID, and the more times you catch COVID, the higher your chance of having Long COVID. 

Never give up on relief of your symptoms. Our bodies are miraculous things and a lot of the damage can take a long time to heal. Each week scientists and researchers piece together more of the jigsaw, and they learn more about what COVID does and how it does it. The more they learn, the more potential therapies and cures they can try, and they are making improvements in people's lives. Keep hope. 

COVID-19, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 7th March 2025

COVID-19, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 7th March 2025

Just in case you haven't had enough of Norovirus this year, the UK Health Security Agency are warning us that there are 2 common strains, and the one which was most popular a couple of months ago is waning, but the second one is having a bit of a party. Sadly catching one doesn't mean you won't catch the other, so there are fun times ahead for some of you... 

As an aside, UKHSA reckon for every lab confirmed case, there are another 288 riding it out quietly at home. 

Latest UK Norovirus figures still aren't pretty, but they do finally show a decrease in cases. Overall still very high levels, and more than double the 5 year average for the same 2 week period. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 21st February 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 21st February 2025

Between July and November 2024 the UK NHS managed to deliver almost 2.2 million more appointments than July to November 2023. These included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endoscopy and diagnostic tests.

There is a caveat in that during that period in 2023 there were 12 days of strikes by doctors-in-training (junior doctors) - but in 2024 no strikes and more patients seen is undoubtedly a doubly good thing. 

The waiting list has been cut by almost 160,000 since the current government took office, compared to a rise of almost 33,000 over the same period the previous year. 

The overall waiting list for planned treatment in England fell slightly in December to 7.46 million - but only 59% started treatment within 18 weeks, with the Govt target by end of parliament 92%. Some way to go yet. 

Keep going Wes. Keep fixing the NHS. 

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England with a less than heartwarming quote last week:

“We need to think much more radically, particularly about capital…I think we now must consider private capital investment in the NHS…if we don’t fix our buildings, if we don’t fix our technology we’re not going to..really drive that long term improvement."

You don't really seem to want to save the NHS Amanda. Surely pumping cash into wining and dining private capital, then repaying interest or renting for the next bazillion years is not the best way to save the NHS?

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 7th February 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 7th February 2025

"NHS England says more patients in hospitals last week than any other stage this winter– 96% of adult beds were occupied. 961 norovirus cases, up 7% on the week before and 69% higher than same time last year.  

Nearly 13,800 in hospital even though medically fit to be discharged."

BBC Health Correspondent Hugh Pym

Norovirus is completely preventable and only 1 in 160 cases end up in a hospital bed - so it's likely more than 153,700 people in England currently have it.

Norovirus is not only bad in the UK - the US has also doubled last years peak. We test more people nowadays, but "the emergence of an unusual norovirus genotype" (GII. 17) seems to blame.

Remember hand gel doesn't get through the thick fatty shell of Norovirus - kill it by washing with good old-fashioned soap. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, H5N1 Avian Flu, Disease X and other virus UK and World News Update 20th December 2024

COVID-19 Coronavirus, H5N1 Avian Flu, Disease X and other virus UK and World News Update 20th December 2024

"We are currently seeing more norovirus cases than in any season since we started our current reporting system."

UK Health Security Agency (HSA)

Norovirus is a tummy bug that can be nasty. Always wash hands before touching food, don't cook for others if you are ill, wash soiled bedding and clothes at 60º and as always, stay home if you are ill. 

UK HSA VirusWatch:

Flu activity has increased and is now at medium levels.  

COVID19 activity decreased across all indicators and remains at baseline levels. 

RSV activity decreased across most indicators and we are seeing less cases.

11,511 deaths were registered in England and Wales, week ending 6 Dec 2024 (Week 49):

· 8.0% lower than the expected number (998 fewer deaths)

· 14.5% involved influenza or pneumonia (1,671 deaths)

· 1.0% involved COVID19 (118 deaths)

UK public are being asked to only go to A&E at hospital if you really need to. If in doubt or you've got plenty of time to think about it, call 111 and get further advice. They will triage over the phone and send you for the correct help. If someone is seriously ill or injured, deteriorating rapidly, shows signs of stroke or heart attack, or a life is in danger, call 999 as an emergency. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus including HPAI H5N1 and Disease X UK and World News Update 13th December 2024

 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 13th December 2024

World COVID Statistics: 776,947,553 officially reported cases and 7,076,993 losses of life.

The world is still officially losing around 500 people to COVID each week, despite only 102 countries still reporting regular figures to the World Health Organisation. 

“We cannot talk about COVID in the past tense.

It’s still with us, it still causes acute disease and Long COVID, and it still kills.

The world might want to forget about COVID-19, but we cannot afford to.”

Dr Tedros, Head of WHO, at Wednesday's media briefing. 

This time 5 years ago, the first severely ill patients in Wuhan, China, were about to be hospitalised. 

Symptom onset for patient A was 1st December 2019, with 3 more patients by 10th December, and first hospitalisations around 17th. 

"On that first confirmed case, none of his family members developed fever or any respiratory symptoms. He had not been to the Huanan seafood market and also no epidemiological link could be found between the first patient and later cases.

Chinese media later reported that there were earlier suspected infectections, going back to 17 November. Authorities did not publicly accept there was human-to-human transmission of the virus until 21 January."

Jim Reed, BBC Health Reporter. 

5 years people... We all having been living a pandemic for 5 years. 

 

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 1st November 2024

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 1st November 2024

In the week ending 18th October, 241 people in England and Wales had COVID listed as their cause of death. This is the highest since February, and reflective of the recent wave of infection. 1,447 people had pneumonia or influenza listed as cause of death. 

Overall deaths were still down on the expected number by a massive 10.8%.

The better news is that based on todays figures, hospitalisations (England data) have peaked and are decreasing.

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 11th October 2024

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 11th October 2024

England's hospital admissions with COVID rose by 69% over September, so the wave did continue, and alas it seems it's not peaked yet. Cases are a mystery, as hardly anyone tests, but I know it is running around our local area at the moment, which is a lot rarer than it was when we were in Manchester.  

"10,096 deaths were registered in England and Wales, week ending 27 September 2024 (Week 39):

· 10.7% lower than the expected number (1,215 fewer deaths)

· 12.8% involved influenza or pneumonia (1,291 deaths)

· 1.4% involved COVID19 (143 deaths)"

It's absolutely great that we have sustained the lower losses of life, but 143 people still officially died from COVID last week - it really isn't 'over'.
There is a very important and somewhat grounding point to note, as Stuart McDonald of the COVID Actuaries explains:
"Mortality rates for young adults are still higher than any recent pre-pandemic year.
The CMI quarterly mortality monitor published yesterday shows that only 2021 and 2023 had higher death rates than we’ve seen so far in 2024."
We are still losing far too many people too early. It's hard to pull apart exactly why, but cardiovascular mortality is the main driver - heart and blood conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, aneurysm etc. These are areas we know can often sustain damage from COVID infection. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 13th September 2024

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 13th September 2024

The UK had a fairly small but significant COVID wave over early Summer due to the arrival of the FLIRT variants. As expected it then dropped down during the last few weeks of the English school Summer holidays, but it has started to creep back up already. No rest for the wicked. 

This peak and drop was reflected in hospital admissions with COVID, which peaked in England in July at their highest level since January, but fell by 45% in August.

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 30th August 2024

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 30th August 2024

Children in England and Wales will be going back to school any time now, and parents are being reminded that we have a measles outbreak in the UK.

It has slowed down over Summer, but there were still 153 cases in the 4 weeks to 5th August (mostly in London), and 2,278 cases across England since the start of the year.

Measles is nasty and almost entirely preventable by vaccination. Babies, infants and people with less robust immune systems are most at risk of serious illness, permanent damage and death. By taking your child for their MMR, or catching up with your own, you aren't only protecting one person, you are protecting all of those they come into contact with. The MMR has been considered safe and used around the world since 1971 (1988 in the UK). 

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 16th August 2024

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 16th August 2024

"Today, the Emergency Committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). I have accepted that advice."

Dr Tedros, Head of WHO, with the unfortunate job that no head of WHO ever wants. It's his 3rd time announcinga PHEIC, and the 2nd for Mpox (aka Monkeypox)... 

"Mpox has been reported in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) for more than a decade, and the number of cases reported each year has increased steadily over that period.

Last year, reported cases increased significantly, and already the number of cases reported so far this year has exceeded last year’s total, with more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths.

As many of you who tune into our regular press conferences know, WHO has been working on the mpox outbreak in Africa and raising the alarm that this is something that should concern us all."

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 5th July 2024

 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 5th July 2024

“The NHS saved my life. Now I’m determined to save our NHS. That work starts today.”

Gawd bless him. High hopes Wes, high hopes. Don't let us down. 

Hands up who stayed up all night watching the election results? Thank heavens there isn't a huge amount of news to share, because I am not my most productive self today. I'm not even sure if I'm actually still awake, but I'll do my best. Overall I think a very positive night for the UK, and a clear message that we aren't best pleased with politicians or parties who serve themselves rather than the people who put them there.

The UK election results saw the end of several key players in the UK COVID response, including the Conservative Party itself. The new Health Secretary has been appointed, and it is Wes Streeting. He was applauded as he arrived at the Department of Health. Hope returns. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 7th June 2024

COVID-19 Coronavirus, Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 7th June 2024

"If H5N1 does jump to efficient H-H transmission in the future, we would probably look back and say: "The cow farms with PB mutations, the sea lions with an a-2,6 favorable mutation, the infected workers... the signs were there, and we didn't do enough to stop it"

Jay.P.Weiland, Infectious Disease Modeller and Data Scientist.

In the UK excess deaths have levelled off at the recent low figures, and are now steady and close to 2019 levels.

"So on any reasonable calculation basis it is clear we are no longer experiencing the significant excess deaths seen from 2020 until early 2023."

Stuart McDonald of the COVID Actuaries:

Ahhhh, that's better.