Flu shot cuts infection risk by less than half as virus spreads according to : Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network. "It's a big number for what is a moderate level of Vaccine effectiveness," he said. Most of the flu sufferers this year have contracted H3N2, a strain of the virus known to be particularly hard on the elderly. The good news is the Vaccine provides significant protection for people aged 50 to 64 and children under age 8. The Vaccine was just 40 percent effective in the 2012-13 season, when a similar strain was circulating, he said.




Spain's top research institution said Thursday it has patented an HIV test that can detect the AIDS-causing virus within a week of infection, the fastest yet. Current antigen tests can detect HIV only about three weeks after infection. (AFP)RNA tests can detect the virus directly after about 10 days, but are more expensive. A "biosensor" developed by scientists of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) detects the p24 antigen, a protein attached to the HIV virus, in human blood, the council said in a statement. Early detection is crucial to stop an infected person unknowingly passing the virus on to other people through sex.

Pennsylvania rats euthanized after Seoul virus infection

The infected Pennsylvania rat was purchased from a Tennessee breeding facility with confirmed Seoul virus infections, part of an outbreak of Seoul virus infection that has recently infected 13 people in eight states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC on its website offers tips for safely cleaning up after pet rodents to reduce the risk of Seoul virus infection. Drought watch: Lehigh Valley not quite normalThere is no effective treatment for Seoul virus infections, the Department of Health says. One pet rat in a Pennsylvania home-based breeding facility has tested positive for Seoul virus, an untreatable and potentially serious condition in humans, the Pennsylvania Department of Health said Thursday. "While this virus is spread only through infected rats, the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians is our priority."



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