Caitlin Rivers

Thanksgiving Outlook Respiratory virus activity low for most of the country, but flu and RSV are picking up

We’re in pretty good shape heading into Thanksgiving week. Flu is low but that is changing. Same with RSV. Covid is very low. Enjoy the holiday!
caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/thanksgivi...

Here's the same data as a %. Slightly softer but still growing quickly.

In Texas' public health region 6/5S, which includes Houston, the number of emergency department visits for influenza is already almost on par with the *peak* of last year.

can cloudfare take down outlook next time?

Outbreak Outlook - National - Nov 16 A look at the upcoming flu season, including H3N2

I do think we're in for a big flu season, thanks to a new subclade (variant) of H3N2. Activity is currently low but that will change quickly. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/outbreak-o...

Yes. State and local jurisdictions collect and submit the data. State and local health departments would be able to see if what CDC is reporting does not match what they submitted.

And to answer an FAQ, the UK is reporting that the flu vaccine is holding up ok, 30-40% protection for adults against hospitalization. It is definitely worth getting this year.

CDC flu data is back! I’m so happy I could cry. H3N2 is predominating, especially the new subclade K. This supports the emerging hypothesis that we will have a big flu season. More to come.

A bad flu season is on the table as a possibility. UK is reporting a new variant (subclade of H3N2), and multiple countries are reporting big seasons. I’m hoping U.S. data will be published tomorrow now that the shutdown is over. But in any case, our current activity is low right now.

Pediatricians fill vaccine messaging void left by CDC amid bad flu season Doctors step up after US health department suspended its flu vaccine campaign following Trump’s election

Severe outbreaks in Australia and Japan, the latter of which has declared a flu epidemic, have experts concerned.

“It’s not a direct lesson for what we can expect, but it’s a clue,” @cmyeaton.bsky.social said. “And that does give me pause that maybe we’ll be in for something a little bit bigger.”

That's awesome to hear!

Flu and RSV begin to stir Week 5 of the disease surveillance data gap

It's now November, and flu and RSV are beginning to stir, as they do. For the 5th week in a row, we went to all 50 state websites to take a look at what's going around. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/flu-and-rs...

Crisis Averted is still on sale for $6 on kindle or $15 hardback. Shortlisted for a Phi Beta Kappa book award!

More than a miracle Pandemic preparedness is as essential as ever, argues a journalist

I had a great time reviewing @cohenjon.bsky.social 's fascinating new book, Planning Miracles. It's a good time to shine a light on why pandemic preparedness is in our own best interest. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

I wrote it for the normie moms! (or what PBK would call broad readership 😂). Glad she enjoyed it, thanks for reading.

2025 Phi Beta Kappa Book Awards Shortlist The 2025 Phi Beta Kappa Book Awards Short List

Thrilled that my book, Crisis Averted, is shortlisted for a Phi Beta Kappa book award, in the category that “recognizes superior books by scientists written to illuminate aspects of science for a broad readership” 🥰 www.pbk.org/awards/booka...

Outbreak Outlook: Week 4 of DIY Surveillance Unusually quiet autumn for respiratory infections

For the 4th week in a row, we went state-by-state to check on flu, Covid-19 and RSV. All quiet, for now. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/outbreak-o...

Outbreak Outlook: Week 4 of DIY Surveillance Unusually quiet autumn for respiratory infections

For the 4th week in a row, we went state-by-state to check on flu, Covid-19 and RSV. All quiet, for now. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/outbreak-o...

Outbreak Outlook: Week 3 of DIY Surveillance Slow start to the flu and RSV seasons, COVID-19 quiet

Careful what you wish for 😂 Here's 5,000 words of detail ⬇️ caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/outbreak-o...

Starting my FOURTH tour of all 50 states + DC to collect data on Covid-19, flu and RSV activity. And no end to this shutdown in sight. Pretty tired of living in ‘interesting times’ tbh.

Kindle version is still on sale!

Crisis Averted by Caitlin Rivers, PhD: 9780593490792 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books “Readers should come away from Crisis Averted with a better comprehension of what public health does and why it is such a crucial endeavor.” —The Washington Post "A master class in how...

Most major booksellers have it. Thanks for your interest! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704843...

thank you!

Thanks for your kind words! I'm so glad you liked it.

Also the examples you gave of times we have cancelled public health programs only to need to rebuild them and how expensive it was to rebuild 😭😭😭

These two vaccine experts say this is when you should get covid, flu shots Flu season is here and a covid uptick is around the corner. Two infectious diseases experts offer their tips on how to plan for vaccination against those viruses.

Helpful tips from @cmyeaton.bsky.social and @andrewpaviamd.bsky.social on how (and when) to get the latest flu and COVID vaccines 👇

Gift link:
wapo.st/4ndf3nK

(the kindle version specifically is on sale)

Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks Buy Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks: Read Kindle Store Reviews - Amazon.com

My book, Crisis Averted, is on sale at Amazon for $6. It’s filled with behind-the-scenes characters and suspenseful stories of how outbreaks get stopped. Although it was written before All This, it puts into context what’s at stake if we let public health dissolve. www.amazon.com/Crisis-Avert...

Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks Buy Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks: Read Kindle Store Reviews - Amazon.com

My book, Crisis Averted, is on sale at Amazon for $6. www.amazon.com/Crisis-Avert...

‘Instability and confusion’ as CDC slashes 1,300 jobs before reinstating half Trump administration says 700 notices were sent in error, while top CDC officer says ‘they didn’t think through what they were doing’

The entire HR department at the CDC is gone. Everyone at the IRB, which makes sure studies are conducted ethically and rigorously, and the ethics office, which oversee conflicts of interest for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...