iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

7/ Next, in New York, measles is now a “disaster emergency.” There have been 109 cases in the state this year, including 93 since July 15, which is more than double last year, although still low compared with some other states.

140

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

5/ And finally, there are the colds. Cold viruses are surging much more than flu or Covid right now, which isn’t surprising with kids back in school and sharing germs again. We expect this wave to peak soon.

141

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

4/ Covid, on the other hand, is a little different. Wastewater levels vary across the region, with Connecticut and Massachusetts currently at “high” levels while most other states remain “very low.” Covid hasn’t peaked in the Northeast yet either, as many states are still increasing

160

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

2/ First up: fall respiratory season may be starting early. Flu activity is still low across the Northeast, but it’s increasing. If that growth continues, flu season in New England could start about 9 weeks earlier than it did last year.

160

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

5/ 2️⃣ So, what is plague? It’s a rare but serious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. There are three forms: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic. The symptoms vary depending on the type of plague. Pneumonic plague is the suspected but not confirmed type of plague people are talking about

1258

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

8/ Health equity includes disparities tied to factors like family background, race and ethnicity, rural vs. suburban residence, gender and sexual orientation, disability, and lower income. This means many Americans can benefit from research into differences in health outcomes and how to improve them

1140

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

6/ Moving on to rabies. California is seeing an unusually high number of rabid bats. LA County has already reported 70 infected bats, passing its previous record. San Diego has reported 43, which is roughly twice last year’s record. That said, there hasn't been a human case in California this year.

1112

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

5/ That means we’re entering a window where both viruses are actively circulating. If you’re at higher risk, consider an N95-type mask in crowded indoor spaces and make sure you’re up to date on both flu and Covid vaccines. Home tests that check for both viruses can be useful when symptoms show up.

1161

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

4/ We are also about to see Covid and flu cross paths. California's summer Covid wave appears to have peaked, with emergency department visits starting to decline for the first time since June. But virus levels usually stay elevated for several weeks after a peak.

1120

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

1/Alright California, we're back with your weekly public health update. Let’s start with the flu. Flu activity is relatively low, but it’s rising. California's wastewater levels are about where they were last December, meaning we’re seeing a seasonal flu activity almost two months earlier this year

4548

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

7/ Let’s start with the benefits. For adults 65+, Covid vaccination prevents about 1,200 hospitalizations for every 1 million doses. It also lowers the risk of Covid-related blood clots, including strokes, heart attacks, and blood clots in the legs or lungs.

3324

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

7/ We’re also seeing the impact in Covid deaths. They continue to decline by about 54% each year. If that trend holds, Covid could contribute to around 9,100 deaths this year, less than half the annual number of flu deaths.

1111

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

6/ Moving on to Covid, wastewater, one of our best indicators of community Covid spread, has peaked nationally. A few states in the Midwest are still increasing, but they'll decrease soon too. If this pattern continues, this summer’s peak will be as high as winter’s, but not as high as last summer’s

1103

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

3/ The Southern Hemisphere can give us some clues because its flu season happens a few months before ours. But this year, the picture was mixed. Argentina started early, while Australia, New Zealand and Fiji saw later-than-usual surges.

1100

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

1/ Although levels are still low nationally, flu metrics are ticking up, including emergency department visits. This is especially true in the West. That’s unusual because: 1️⃣ It's early (usually starts in Oct or Nov) 2️⃣ Flu typically starts in the Southeast before spreading across the country

14921

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

7/ Finally, let's take a look at the Pennsylvania measles outbreaks. Pennsylvania has now reported nearly 800 cases and its fourth measles-associated death of 2026. That makes this the highest number of reported U.S. measles deaths in a single year since 1992.

1194

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

5/ Next up: the stomach bug is rearing its ugly head again. Norovirus is starting to increase, right on schedule. Norovirus season is long, so we’re likely heading toward the part of the year when cases become more common, with activity typically peaking in early spring.

1184

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

2/ Here's a closer look because the regional differences are pretty striking. The West’s wave is still going, while the Midwest and Northeast are seeing smaller increases than we saw last winter and last summer. Meanwhile, the South had a relatively mild summer wave that now appears to be declining.

1245

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

1/ We're currently in a Covid wave, and naturally, I'm seeing a lot of questions about when this wave will reach its peak. Now, I can't tell the future, but when we look at the data, in some areas it's actually already peaked. In other words, the answer depends a lot on where you live.

89138

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

2/ First, we need to break down what El Niño is. El Niño is a global climate pattern driven by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific. That warmth reorganizes atmospheric circulation and the jet stream, shifting weather patterns around the world.

1192

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

5/ RSV protection for babies is running into its own set of problems. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalizations for kiddos, so it's a pretty big deal. Fortunately, we have monoclonal antibodies, which are shots that protect babies under 8 months against severe RSV during their first season.

1171

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Hearing “Kids need to build immunity by getting sick,” as we enter respiratory season.

39913

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

How I feel when a leader defends the healthcare system but ignores sky-high medical costs and people having to drive 3 hours to reach the nearest hospital.

2803

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

7/ Finally, measles continues spreading, which has caused two more deaths over the last week. The U.S. has now passed 3,300 confirmed cases this year, with most activity concentrated in a few tightly connected, undervaccinated communities.

193

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

4/ Covid-19 is the other main driver of the ILI increase. We are clearly in a wave, but there are early signs it’s starting to peak. For example, wastewater levels in three regions (the South, Midwest, and Northeast) all appear to be now turning downward.

1121

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

3/ So what’s driving the increase? The biggest culprit is the common cold. That’s typical for this time of year as kids head back to school and our little petri dishes start mixing again.

1140

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

1/ Schools are back, which means respiratory viruses are starting to pick up right on schedule. How do we track those numbers? One of the things we watch is influenza-like illness, or ILI. Each week, clinicians report how many patients they’re seeing with symptoms like fever, cough, and sore throat.

26630

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

5/ So, in the early 2000’s, suddenly, MHT was seen not as preventive medicine but as potentially dangerous and the FDA issued the black box warning. In 20 years, the use of MHT plummeted from 27% to 5%. In other words, millions of women were told to “just deal with” their menopausal symptoms.

2321

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

5/ Meanwhile, another familiar bug is starting to pick up: the common cold. This is normal for this time of year as school-aged kids return to their favorite pastime of sharing germs. We typically see common colds peak toward the end of September.

1111

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

2/ The group most impacted in the emergency department is kiddos under 5 years old. However, those don’t necessarily result in hospitalizations—the group with the highest Covid-19 hospitalization rate remains those over 65 years old.

2163

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

1/ The summer Covid wave is continuing to rise.We started at such low levels of disease that even with a steep climb in numbers, we are still at relatively low levels compared to previous waves. The West and South states are leading the pack.

26929

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

7/ Covid-19: This fall, updated Covid-19 vaccines target Omicron subvariant XFG, offering ~30-60% added protection against urgent care or hospitalization. Available options: 🔹Pfizer, 5 and up 🔹Moderna, 6 months and up 🔹Novavax, 12 and up

23010

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

6/ RSV (infants): Monoclonal antibodies are not a vaccine. Nirsevimab or clesrovimab provide direct protection, cutting severe RSV by ~90%. Recommended for all infants under 8 months (unless mom got the RSV vaccine) and high-risk 8–19 month-olds. Get it between Oct–Mar for 5+ months protection.

1173

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

5/ RSV (pregnancy): Pfizer’s ABRYSVO protects babies in their first 6 months and is 75–89% effective. It's recommended at 32-36 weeks of pregnancy and should be gotten between Sept-Jan. It can be given with other pregnancy vaccines, though spacing from Tdap may slightly improve pertussis response.

1183

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

4/ RSV vaccines (older adults): 🔹 GSK & Pfizer (protein-based) with lots of real-world safety data, but a small risk of Guillain-Barre (GBS) 🔹Moderna (mRNA) wanes faster but no GBS signal. Now is a good time to get it, but note that this is not an annual vaccine. Ages 50+ may get it; 75+ should.

1232

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

2/ Flu 2026: The vaccine is offered by 4 companies and covers 3 strains. Effectiveness varies year to year, but on average, it reduces doctor visits by 30–60%. When it comes to kids, the nasal spray may work better and the adjuvanted shots or mRNA vaccine may boost protection for older adults.

1306

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

4/ Now for the spillover: Normally, measles data is updated on Fridays. Last Friday, that update didn't happen. Then on Sunday, I watched the CDC's death count change in real time: 0 deaths, then 2, then back to 0, and finally an asterisk.

1428

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Last year, I got a text from a friend in public health. They were checking into a hotel in West Texas to help contain a measles outbreak that would eventually grow to more than 900 known cases, likely a fraction of the true number. This once eliminated disease had already killed one child.

210240

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

8/ West Nile-positive mosquitoes are now showing up across all five NYC boroughs and several counties statewide. Expect mosquito control efforts to continue. For now, your best defense against these pests is still the basics: repellent, long sleeves when practical, and dumping standing water.

1120

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

7/ West Nile virus is also heating up. New York has detected 132 positive mosquito pools so far this year, compared with 141 at the same point last year. NYC is seeing a much bigger increase: 1,093 positive pools this year vs. 628 last year.

1102

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

4/ Next, Cyclospora cases in New York are finally heading in the right direction. The timing itself isn’t surprising. Cyclospora season generally runs from May through August, and over 80% of cases historically occur in June and July. But this year’s increase was far from normal.

1151

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

2/ It's important to highlight that risk isn’t evenly distributed. NYC, Long Island, the Mid-Hudson region, and Central NY currently have the highest hospitalization rates. Kids ages 0–4 have the highest ED visit rates, while recent infection rates are higher among Black and Hispanic New Yorkers.

1163

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

1/ Covid is increasing in New York. Hospitalizations are increasing, but remain lower than this time last year. The Northeast also tends to lag behind other parts of the country during summer waves, so when we look at what’s happening in states like Texas, it’s a pretty good sign this wave will rise

37224

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

7/ We also need to consider our information environment. Low trust in government, algorithms, political polarization, and news organizations competing for clicks all increase anxiety, questions and confusion. This could all be contributing to the feeling that there are more outbreaks than normal.

1611

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

3/ So what about recalls? We must be having more of those, right? Surprisingly, the number of food recalls this year is pretty average. We’ve had 483 so far, compared with roughly 400-800 per year over the past decade. But that doesn’t necessarily mean everything is fine.

1561

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

6/ Moving on from the rare stuff: Covid is continuing to increase across all of New York. NYC emergency department visits are rising, with young children currently seeing the largest increases in Covid-related ER visits and hospitalizations.

193

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

9/ And finally: vaccination rates are moving backward according to new data. We'll start with the good news: 92.4% of U.S. kindergarteners received the MMR vaccine. The less-good news is that vaccination rates are slowly declining, while exemptions are rising quickly in some states.

2243

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

7/ Now, mosquitoes. It’s peak mosquito season, and dengue is creeping into places where epidemiologists wouldn't have expected to see local transmission a few decades ago. Last week, Virginia reported its first locally acquired case.

1154

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

1/ The summer Covid wave is continuing to rise. Levels are still low nationally, but we’re now clearly at the beginning of the annual summer wave. Emergency department visits and wastewater levels are rising in every state, with the South and West leading the way.

78435

Your Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

11/ Finally, West Nile virus continues to increase in mosquitoes. Positive mosquitoes were detected this week in Erie, Nassau, Rockland, and Suffolk counties, as well as all five NYC boroughs. Prevention is key here, so use insect repellent and empty standing water from around your home.

1242