This Week in Virology TWiV 1278: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin
Dec 13, 2025
Dr. Daniel Griffin, a physician and infectious disease expert, shares critical insights on recent health developments. He discusses the alarming rise in norovirus infections and the infant botulism outbreak linked to contaminated formula. The controversy surrounding the CDC's recommendation on hepatitis B birth doses is examined, alongside the implications of rising measles cases and responses from various states. Additionally, Griffin highlights the significance of RSV and COVID vaccines, along with alarming statistics on pediatric flu deaths, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance in public health.
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H5N1 Retains Brain-Tropic Properties
- Highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses retain neurotropism in human cerebral organoids, infecting neuron- and astrocyte-like cells.
- Infection triggered interferon responses, cell death, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in organoid models.
Act Quickly During Measles Outbreaks
- Quarantine and aggressive contact tracing are necessary when measles outbreaks accelerate, especially among unvaccinated communities.
- Promote and provide MMR vaccination to halt spread after large gatherings and travel-related seeding events.
RSV's Serious Short- and Long-Term Risks
- RSV causes substantial adult severe disease: ~31% of RSV hospitalizations required ICU care and it raises cardiovascular events in the following year.
- RSV infection was associated with ≈4.69 additional cardiovascular events per 100 older adults in the year after infection.
