Tracking the U.S. bird flu outbreak has been hard. It's about to get harder Tracking the U.S. bird flu outbreak has been hard. It's about to get harder. Helen Branswell STAT

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with cold and flu season looming, it is likely to become significantly more difficult for the country’s public health departments to track the virus.

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'Perfect storm' of distrust deepened inequalities during COVID-19 pandemic

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Research led by University of Manchester academics, examined the attitudes of people from minoritized ethnic groups, young adults and those with long-term physical and mental health conditions toward the COVID-19 vaccination program.

Researchers found that a "perfect storm" of marginalization and experience of structural inequalities led to distrust of the COVID-19 vaccination drive—and that marginalized communities felt "left behind" by policy and decision-makers prior to and during the pandemic.

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US COVID markers continue to decline Though the KP.3.1.1 variant is still dominant, levels of the newer XEC variant continue to rise. CIDRAP

After a long summer wave that peaked in August, COVID-19 activity continues to decline in most areas, with more downward trends seen in wastewater detections, test positivity, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its latest respiratory virus updates (Friday)...

Contrary to perceptions, vaccine refusal found to be lower for Black patients than white patients Throughout the COVID pandemic, the media widely reported that Black patients were more likely than white patients to refuse vaccines, including the influenza and COVID vaccines. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Xpress

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