Is smallpox still a threat?

Smallpox, a disease that killed an estimated 500 million people in the 20th century alone, is the only human disease to be eradicated. However, a new report, "Future State of Smallpox Medical Countermeasures," from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) argues that the U.S. and the global community should prepare for smallpox to make a return.

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Bogus 'tax service specialists' duped business owners in latest Covid relief debacle, IRS says IRS officials say the Employee Retention Tax Credit program has been a magnet for unscrupulous promoters who filed a “tsunami of bad claims.” NBC News

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Congress said the Employee Retention Tax Credit would cost around $55 billion, but new estimates put the cost at $250 billion, and claims are still pouring in...

Many healthcare workers unsure about COVID vaccine boosters for themselves, kids A survey of more than 4,100 healthcare personnel (HCP) at a New York healthcare system from 2021 to 2022 reveals that 17% were hesitant to receive the recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster, and 33% were unsure about vaccinating their children.  CIDRAP

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Many of the HCP polled held unsubstantiated beliefs not only about COVID vaccines but also childhood vaccines.

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U.S. pharmacy database shows record-high shortages of medical drugs - UPI.com Americans are facing more shortages of the drugs they need for medical care than ever before, a national pharmacy database shows. UPI

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The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service started tracking drug shortages as far back as 2001.

Ocean heat is driving a global coral bleaching event, and it could be the worst on record | CNN At least 54 countries are experiencing mass coral bleaching as the climate crisis drives ocean temperatures to record-breaking levels Rebecca Wright CNN

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Young nose cells may help children fight off Covid Lab tests show ageing adult nose cells contain 100 times more virus soon after an infection. BBC News

Children are less likely than adults to develop severe Covid, because cells in their nose are better at fighting off the virus, a study suggests.

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H5N1 bird flu in U.S. cattle: A wake-up call to action Comparisons to seasonal flu management underestimate the unique challenges posed by H5N1 bird flu. Patrick Skerrett STAT

The recent detection of H5N1 bird flu in U.S. cattle, coupled with reports of a dairy worker contracting the virus, demands a departure from the usual reassurances offered by federal health officials. While they emphasize there’s no cause for alarm and assert diligent monitoring, it’s imperative we break from this familiar script.

Interior Department will give tribal nations $120 million to fight climate-related threats The Interior Department will be allocating more than $120 million to tribal governments to fight the impacts of climate change. AP News

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The funding is designed to help tribal nations adapt to climate threats, including relocating infrastructure.

Global mining investment too low to support energy transition, Rio Tinto chairman says

EU countries to pledge help for solar sector, but no trade curbs on China, draft shows Most European Union countries are set to commit more support to help Europe's ailing solar panel manufacturers on Monday, but steer clear of restrictions on cheap panel imports from China, a draft document showed. Kate Abnett Reuters

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COP28: 124 Countries Commit To Milestone 'Declaration On Climate And Health' - Health Policy Watch DUBAI, UAE - In what is being described as a historic and pivotal moment by top COP28 and World Health Organization (WHO) officials, 124 countries have Health Policy Watch

In what is being described as a historic and pivotal moment by top COP28 and World Health Organization (WHO) officials, 124 countries have endorsed the Declaration of Climate and Health. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, President of COP28 in Dubai, made the announcement.