Urgent Updates | February 15, 2025

Influenza Virus-Associated Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy in Two Young Children: Case Report

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy is a rare but severe complication of influenza virus infection, mainly affecting the pediatric population. Rapid recognition of neurological symptoms and suspicion of a viral trigger, particularly the influenza virus, may be crucial for the timely administration of effective therapy. Full Access: MDPI

CDC Highest Number of Flu Cases in 15 Years

The CDC reports the highest level of flu cases since the swine flu pandemic of 2009.

For the first time, the death rate for flu cases is higher than the mortality rate for COVID-19. Overall, the CDC estimates there have been 24 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths from the flu this season this year. Full Access: CDC

Measles Outbreak

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles. At this time, 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. Four other states — Alaska, Georgia, New York, and Rhode Island — also have reported cases this year Full Access: CDC

AI Guided Lung Ultrasound by Nonexperts is Feasible

Artificial intelligence (AI) can aid healthcare clinicians who are inexperienced in lung ultrasound (LUS) in obtaining high-quality LUS clips that can be used to assess pathology, after a short training session, potentially enhancing access to LUS in resource-constrained settings. Full Access: JAMA

Antibiotics more cost-effective than surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis 

A study of more than 1,000 pediatric patients with uncomplicated appendicitis found that nonoperative management (NOM) with antibiotics was more cost-effective than surgery over a one-year period. Studies have shown that NOM of appendicitis is safe and effective. Full Access: AAP

U.S. Records Most Whooping Cough Deaths Since 2017
The U.S. confirmed at least a dozen deaths from whooping cough last year, according to preliminary figures released recently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That marks the most fatalities from the bacterial infection since a 2017 surge of the illness. Preliminary data show that more than six times as many cases have been reported as of week 52 reported on December 28, 2024, compared to the same time in 2023. Full Access: CDC

Supine Blood Pressure and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality

 In this cohort study of 11 369 middle-aged adults, researchers found that supine hypertension with or without seated hypertension was associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular disease events compared with seated hypertension alone. Full Access: JAMA

NIH Funded Clinical Trial Will Evaluate New Dengue Therapeutic

A clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is testing an experimental treatment designed to treat dengue infections. The results of a previously completed NIAID-supported Phase 1 trial indicated that AV-1 is safe in humans, providing the basis for the new clinical trial to test its safety and efficacy. Full Access: NIH