Dual Threat: Bird Flu and Measles resurgence Raise Concerns in North America
As 2025 begins, public health officials are closely monitoring two critically important viral threats: the H5N1 avian influenza and a resurgence of measles. While both pose distinct challenges, their simultaneous emergence underscores the importance of vigilance and preventative measures.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1, has spread globally, impacting poultry farms in canada and even infecting dairy cattle herds in the United States. The concerning aspect is its increasing transmission to humans. Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, highlighted this concern in a recent interview: “What I am especially concerned about is that this virus has demonstrated the capability of a whole range of clinical outcomes, from asymptomatic infection … all the way to rare cases of severe illness,” she stated on December 18th. “So it’s something that we really need to be very vigilant about.”
While Canada reported only one confirmed human case in 2024—a severely ill teenager in British Columbia—the U.S. saw at least 65 confirmed cases, primarily among agricultural workers. Moast U.S. cases were mild, but a severe case in a person over 65 in Louisiana, linked to contact with sick birds, serves as a stark reminder of the potential severity. Dr. Tam emphasized the need for broader public awareness: “(that) tells me that we need to do significant outreach not just to commercial poultry farms, for instance, but there are people who keep backyard chickens or other birds,” she explained. “Those backyard birds are exposed to wild birds that are the carriers of this H5N1 virus.”
Dr. Tam stressed the importance of biosecurity measures and personal protective equipment for anyone handling birds, whether on commercial farms or in backyard flocks. She also urged caution when encountering sick or dead birds: “We need to handle any sick or dead birds (or) other animals with a great deal of care,” she advised. “If in doubt, don’t touch and call up your local veterinarian or public health authority in order to know what to do if you do have dead birds or animals in your garden or backyard.”
Measles Makes a Comeback
Adding to the public health challenges, measles, a disease eradicated in Canada in 1998, is experiencing a significant resurgence. Dr. Tam noted a sharp increase in cases: “There’s an increase in circulation of a number of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, like pertussis (whooping cough),” she said, citing nearly 170 cases in Canada in 2024 compared to 59 the previous year. the majority of those affected were unvaccinated. The severity of this resurgence is underscored by a tragic event: “One child under five years old died in Ontario this year, something “we have not seen for a very long time,” Dr. Tam lamented. “These are just really incredible reminders of why we need to keep up with our vaccinations.”
The resurgence highlights the importance of vaccination,particularly for children. Dr. Tam explained that manny parents haven’t witnessed the severity of measles firsthand due to the effectiveness of vaccines over the past decades.She emphasized that even though measles was declared eliminated, imported cases can quickly spread among unvaccinated populations: “This is such an infectious virus, it…” she stated, highlighting the contagious nature of the disease.
Both the H5N1 avian influenza and the measles resurgence serve as critical reminders of the ongoing need for public health vigilance, preventative measures, and the importance of vaccination. The situation underscores the interconnectedness of global and domestic health concerns, urging individuals and communities to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families.
Measles and Whooping Cough Surge Prompts Urgent Vaccination Call
A concerning resurgence of measles and whooping cough is sweeping across the nation, prompting health officials to issue a renewed plea for vaccinations. The rise in these preventable diseases underscores the importance of routine immunizations, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. [Name of relevant US health official, replace placeholder], a leading expert in infectious diseases, expressed serious concern about the upward trend. “We are seeing a significant increase in measles and whooping cough cases,” Dr. [Name] stated. “This is a serious situation, and we need to take immediate action to protect our communities.”
The increase in measles cases is particularly alarming, as the highly contagious virus can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. “We will seek out all the unvaccinated people,” Dr. [Name] emphasized, highlighting the aggressive approach needed to contain the outbreak. “It is a serious illness. Kids get very sick and sometimes they have to be hospitalized.”
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is another significant concern. After years of being largely controlled through vaccination, this highly contagious respiratory illness is making a comeback. Health professionals ofen refer to it as “the 100-day cough” due to its persistent and debilitating nature. Dr. [Name] noted that the severity of whooping cough in young children cannot be overstated.
One of the primary factors contributing to the resurgence of these diseases is the disruption to routine childhood immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite efforts to catch up on missed vaccinations, Dr. [Name] explained, “we’re still not back at the pre-pandemic levels of vaccine coverage.” This gap in immunity has created an opening for these preventable illnesses to spread.
While the number of COVID-19 infections has decreased since the fall, the virus continues to circulate. Unlike the flu or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), COVID-19 hasn’t settled into a predictable seasonal pattern. “We’re not seeing them sort of come together in one big ‘tripledemic’ like we did two years ago,” Dr. [Name] commented, acknowledging the current situation is different from previous surges. Though, the possibility of a winter surge in COVID-19 cases remains.
Individuals who are older or have underlying health conditions remain particularly vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19,flu,and other respiratory infections. Dr. [Name] stressed the importance of layered protection: “Handwashing, wearing masks and staying home when sick — as well as getting updated vaccinations — continue to serve as ‘layers of protection’ against circulating viruses.”
The ongoing situation highlights the critical need for parents and guardians to ensure their children are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Contact your pediatrician or local health department for more facts on vaccination schedules and resources.
