Osterholm Update

<p dir="ltr">As the Ebola crisis continues to escalate in the DRC, we must ask: what will it take to end this outbreak? This is one of many questions Chris Dall and Dr. Michael Osterholm will discuss in this week’s episode. They’ll also cover the flu outbreak at a Texas Air Force base, consider what some newly released CDC emails reveal about the tenure of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, and examine some recent studies on the effectiveness of last season's COVID vaccines. Plus, answering how New World screwworm could affect wildlife and another installment of This Week in Public Health History.<br> </p> <p><strong>Links:</strong><br><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/health/ebola-symptoms-death-rate.html">Ebola Symptoms in Current Outbreak May Be Milder Than in Previous Ones</a> (New York Times)<br><br><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-29/new-cdc-leaders-vow-to-boost-skeleton-staff-left-after-doge-cuts">New CDC Leaders Vow to Boost Skeleton Staff Left After. DOGE Cuts</a> (Bloomberg) </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/adult-non-flu-vaccines/vaccine-rct-spreadsheet-aims-show-data-dispel-myths-about-vaccines">Vaccine RCT spreadsheet aims to show the data, dispel myths about vaccines</a> (CIDRAP)<br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a>      </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>

<p dir="ltr">This week, Chris Dall and Dr. Michael Osterholm bring the latest on the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, what the World Cup means from a public health perspective, as well as explain what screwworm is and how it could threaten US livestock. They’ll also have updates on the hantavirus outbreak, discuss how the US could likely lose its measles elimination status, and give you an update on COVID and other respiratory infections. Plus, the latest installment of This Week in Public Health History.<br> </p> <p><strong>Links:</strong><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/diseases-crowds-experts-say-could-be-world-cup">The ‘diseases of crowds’ experts say could be at the World Cup</a> (CIDRAP)</p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/ebola/africa-cdc-head-warns-ebola-outbreak-could-be-worst-ever">Africa CDC head warns Ebola outbreak could be worst ever</a> (CIDRAP)</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/20-years-hpv-vaccine-success">20 Years of HPV Vaccine Success</a> (CIDRAP)<br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a>      </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>

<p dir="ltr">This week on the Osterholm Update, Dr. Michael Osterholm and Chris Dall focus on the developing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, discussing the U.S. response, whether transmission can be airborne, and addressing travel concerns to Africa. We’ll also bring you the latest on the hantavirus outbreak, review a long-awaited report from the FDA on pediatric deaths linked to COVID vaccines, and provide updates on measles and other respiratory viruses. Plus, a Public Health History segment highlighting the first EMS service in the U.S.<br> </p> <p><strong>Links:</strong><br><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/may/28/medical-staff-ebola-frontline-congolese-doctors-nurses-disease">‘Among the things he feared most was death’: the doctors and nurses dying on the Ebola frontline</a> (The Guardian) <br><br><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/world/africa/ebola-epicenter-congo.html?unlocked_article_code=1.mVA.QYy-.GlYUZQTzvRw7&smid=url-share">Inside the Ebola Epicenter, the Virus Rages With Little to Stop It</a> (The New York Times)</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/05/21/congo-ebola-outbreak-is-test-world-doesnt-have-fail/">Opinion: This Ebola outbreak is a test the world doesn't have to fail</a> (The Washington Post)<br><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/ebola/people-ebola-pose-little-risk-public-us-experts-say">People with Ebola pose little risk to public in US, experts say</a> (CIDRAP)</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/epub/10.1128/mbio.00137-15">Transmission of Ebola Viruses: What We Know and What We Do Not Know</a> (ASM Journals)</p> <p><a href="https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/EVIDpha2600170">Public Health Alerts: Andes Hantavirus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship, 2026 </a>(NEJM and CIDRAP)<br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a>      </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>

<p dir="ltr">In Episode 209, Dr. Michael Osterholm and Chris Dall talk through the response to the hantavirus outbreak and the lingering questions about how the virus spreads. They also discuss a recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the latest findings from The Vaccine Integrity Project’s comprehensive review of peer-reviewed evidence on Tdap vaccination during pregnancy.</p> <p><strong>Links:</strong><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGMmgMke9p8">Hantavirus Is Not the Next Covid, But Try Telling That to the News Media </a>(The Daily Show)<br><br><a href="https://vaxintegrity.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/FINAL%20REPORT%20Tdap%20Vaccine%20in%20Pregnancy%20Evidence%20Review.pdf">Safety and Effectiveness of Tdap Vaccination During Pregnancy Report </a>(Vaccine Integrity Project)<br><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/anti-science/aluminum-vaccines-not-linked-autism-other-health-problems-study-finds">Aluminum in vaccines not linked to autism, other health problems, study finds</a> (CIDRAP)<br><br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a>      </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>

<p dir="ltr">This week on the Osterholm Update, Chris Dall and Dr. Osterholm dissect the latest results of Paxlovid trials and what they tell us about COVID-19. They'll also discuss a CDC study on COVID-19 vaccines that's been blocked by the acting CDC director, examine a survey that reveals the impact of changes to CDC messaging on vaccines and autism, explore the US Defense Secretary's decision to no longer require flu shots for US military members and bring you up to speed on the hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship. Plus, the latest findings of CIDRAP’s analysis of HPV vaccines.<br><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/paxlovid-doesn-t-reduce-hospitalization-death-rates-vaccinated-high-risk-covid-outpatients">Paxlovid doesn’t reduce hospitalization, death rates in vaccinated high-risk COVID outpatients, trial shows</a> (CIDRAP)<br><br><a href="https://insidemedicine.substack.com/p/the-end-of-the-paxlovid-era-why-two">The end of the Paxlovid era? Why two new negative trials are great news.</a> (Inside Medicine Substack) <br> </p> <p><a href="https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/27/is-covid-still-a-thing-expert-analysis-who-needs-vaccine-booster-shot/">​​What happened to Covid?</a> (STAT)<br><br><a href="https://vaxintegrity.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/FINAL%20REPORT%20HPV%20Vaccine%20Evidence%20Review_0.pdf">Safety and effectiveness of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine</a> (Vaccine Integrity Project)<br><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/human-papillomavirus-hpv/hardest-thing-i-ve-ever-gone-through-cervical-cancer-survivors-speak-out">‘The hardest thing I’ve ever gone through’: Cervical cancer survivors speak out about importance of HPV vaccine</a> (CIDRAP)<br><br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a>      </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>