Three Things Thursday
July 21, 2022 -- rattlesnakes, monkeypox, & the decline in vaccinations
Last week I published my first Three Things Thursday Epidemiologist Mama edition — a weekly news summary. And it was a popular post; so popular that I’ve decided to make “Three Things Thursday” a weekly thing.
Given rising COVID cases, new vaccines, new outbreaks, and the reality that being healthy is actually a radical selfless act of loving others (read: we need to redefine what it means to be healthy), “Three Things Thursday” will continue to highlight three things I am paying attention to or experiencing (read the rattlesnake story below) as an epidemiologist each week.
Hoping these posts help to educate and empower you to be healthy and create healthy communities.
Here we go… Three Things Thursday.
My Rattlesnake Experience (what happened and what I learned from it)
Over the weekend, our pod family/quaranTEAM (our friends we have chosen to do life with throughout the pandemic) got away for the weekend. We hiked and kayaked, cooked meals, played games, and laughed together. On Saturday morning, we set out for a 6-mile hike along the Elk Trail. As we approached mile 4 of our hike, the kids were leading the way back to our car. They were skipping along like this —
Until they spotted IT — first by the sound of the rattle. The rattlesnake along the road. As the four kids came running back toward us (they had mad respect for the snake), there was no doubt in my mind that we were encountering a rattlesnake in the wild. The rattle sound was loud and indistinguishable. The snake was coiled up along the side of the road, rattling, and hissing at us. I stood there in a deep panic (I hate snakes). David got close enough to take some pictures. And we decided that we should continue down the path single-file on the opposite side of the road. But when we attempted this, the snake rattled and hissed again. And then the snake made its intentions clear; it wanted to cross the road.
Very slowly the snake moved across the road. It then slithered away, and we did not see or hear it again. We carried on and completed our hike (with adrenaline levels at an all-time high). That night I replayed the rattlesnake encounter over and over in my mind; realizing that we were lucky to walk away without being harmed. But it also got me thinking about what we would have done had someone been bitten. And this got me thinking about creating a safety/emergency plan for our family hikes.
There is a lot of great information online about how to hike safely (check out this & this). Three things I’d like to highlight here are —
the need to pack plenty of water
the need to have a communications plan
the requirement that no one hikes alone.
Our family communications plan for hiking (now/post-rattlesnake encounter) requires that we all take our cell phones for emergency purposes. On our hike last weekend, David left his phone in the car (why would he need it?). But in retrospect, had one of us been bitten we would have had to split up — someone(s) would have needed to run until we could get a cell signal and someone would have needed to stay in the injured person. Two phones would have been helpful. Additionally, knowing the proper first aid for a rattlesnake bite would have been really helpful. I know now.
I share this story for two reasons… first, because it is crazy. My heart still skips a beat thinking about seeing the rattlesnake shaking its tail at us. And second (and more importantly), as a reminder that life is full of risks and unexpected experiences. As a family, we do not want to stop hiking because of rattlesnakes, but we do need to be prepared for an emergency and as a family, we need to determine and discuss our emergency plans beforehand. You and your family should do the same. I highly recommend checking out Ready.gov.
Monkeypox Update
Monkeypox continues to spread in the US and around the world (there are currently 2,323 cases in the US and nearly 14,000 cases worldwide, including 5 deaths). Today —
“The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee will reconvene to review the latest data, and to consider whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.” ~ The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Many cases of monkeypox around the world have been identified and diagnosed in sexual health clinics. Therefore the WHO has issued specific public health advice for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men regarding monkeypox. Similarly, public health agencies in the United States are offering monkeypox vaccines to individuals who are at higher risk of exposure to the virus that causes monkeypox.
I want to be VERY CLEAR about monkeypox — it is NOT a sexually transmitted disease (though the close contact needed to have sex can spread the disease). Nor is the disease limited to the LGBTQI+ community.
Anyone can get monkeypox.
Individuals with more than one sexual partner are at increased risk of exposure to any disease that is spread through close contact or bodily fluids. Additionally, individuals seeking care at sexual health clinics are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease because they are seeking medical care. In epidemiology, we call this a form of detection bias — we are detecting/diagnosing monkeypox among individuals seeking care at a sexual health clinic because they are seeking care at a sexual health clinic. Individuals seeking contraception, PrEP, or other medical care are more likely to be diagnosed with monkeypox because they are being seen by a physician who will recognize and diagnose the disease.
I mention all of this for two reasons — first, to make it clear that this is not a disease limited to the LGBTQI+ community. We are all susceptible to monkeypox and could become ill if exposed. And second, under no circumstances should we stigmatize monkeypox or think/speak about it in ways that shame or blame a person for becoming infected. Monkeypox is an infectious disease. It spreads easily from person to person.
And like other infectious diseases, we must learn how to prevent transmission, what to do if we are exposed, how to handle a diagnosis, and what we can do to break the chain of transmission from person to person. (Want to learn more? Read more about monkeypox here.) There is no blame or shame involved in any of these steps. Instead, we should be encouraging family and friends who are part of the high-risk groups to get vaccinated for monkeypox, and we all need to be aware of the behaviors and activities that can lead to increased risk of exposure.
More on monkeypox to come… Be sure to sign up to receive updates in your inbox!
Global Decline in Vaccine Uptake
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization and UNICEF (the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) announced the largest decline in the uptake of childhood vaccinations in 30 years. Around the globe, we are seeing a decline in the uptake of important immunizations, including the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) and HPV (human papillomavirus). In fact, the global coverage of just the first dose of the HPV vaccine among girls is only 15 percent (and the vaccine is 15 years old). This is heartbreaking and a huge setback in terms of women’s health. Additionally, the decline in vaccine uptake has resulted in (preventable) outbreaks of measles and polio during the past year.
The decline in vaccine uptake needs to turn.
“This is a red alert for child health. We are witnessing the largest sustained drop in childhood immunization in a generation. The consequences will be measured in lives. While a pandemic hangover was expected last year as a result of COVID-19 disruptions and lockdowns, what we are seeing now is a continued decline. COVID-19 is not an excuse. We need immunization catch-ups for the missing millions or we will inevitably witness more outbreaks, more sick children and greater pressure on already strained health systems.” ~Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director
The decline in global vaccinations can be blamed on a host of factors — everything from misinformation to supply chain problems, and isolation and quarantine (limiting access to clinics) to resources being diverted away from vaccination programs to address other public health emergencies.
As we inch closer to the new school year (we have just six weeks of summer left here in Pennsylvania), NOW is the time to make sure that you, your children, your grandchildren, and those you love are up-to-date on their vaccinations. You can find the vaccination schedule for children here; and the schedule for adults here.
If you or your child are behind on your vaccinations, there is no shame — my second child was behind on his shots for several years (due to illness, our move from DC, and struggles to find a primary care physician). I understand just how easy it is to get behind. There is no shame or blame, but action is needed NOW to get caught up!
With vaccination rates dropping and diseases (old and new) spreading around the world, NOW is the time to play catch up. If you are worried about the cost of vaccines, please read more about the Vaccines for Children Program.
Vaccines prevent illness before it occurs. Vaccines are necessary to create healthy communities. Being vaccinated (read: adhering to the vaccination schedule) is a non-negotiable.
I had no idea we have rattlesnakes in PA!!!!!