Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)

02/20/2026

Report underscores death toll of health care-related infections

Infections acquired in health care settings kill three times more people than car accidents each year.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/healthcare-associated-infections/report-underscores-death-toll-health-care-related-infections

Photo: Bart Heird / Flickr cc

02/20/2026

HIV infection linked to increased risk of long COVID

Adults living with HIV are 29% more likely to have long-term COVID symptoms, study suggests.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/hivaids/hiv-infection-linked-increased-risk-long-covid

02/20/2026

claims 5 more US children’s lives as virus continues circulating at moderate to very high levels

So far this season, the CDC estimates that there have been at least 24 million flu-related illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 20,000 deaths.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/flu-claims-5-more-us-children-s-lives-virus-continues-circulating-moderate-very

02/19/2026

Long COVID linked to higher risk of depression, anxiety up to 3 years after infection

Adults with long COVID had an 86% higher risk of depression and a 60% higher risk of anxiety.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/long-covid-linked-higher-risk-depression-anxiety-3-years-after-infection

02/19/2026

Studies suggest vaccination in pregnancy cuts risk of preeclampsia, doesn’t cause miscarriage

Full vaccination and a booster dose reduced the risk of preeclampsia by 15% and 33%, respectively, the authors estimate.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/studies-suggest-covid-vaccination-pregnancy-cuts-risk-preeclampsia-doesn-t-cause

02/19/2026

Renowned -disease expert Byron Caughey dies at 68

He was a section chief at the Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases at the National Institute of Health’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/chronic-wasting-disease/renowned-prion-disease-expert-byron-caughey-dies-68

Photo: NIH

02/19/2026

Avian flu continues spread in Pennsylvania egg, turkey facilities

In the past 30 days, 51 US flocks have been confirmed to have avian flu.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/avian-flu-continues-spread-pennsylvania-egg-turkey-facilities

Photo: Myles Tan/Flickr cc

02/19/2026

Libya eliminates highly contagious bacterial eye infection

The WHO said Libya is the 28th country to eliminate trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness.

The WHO said Libya is the 28th country to eliminate trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness.

02/19/2026

Utah’s measles outbreak reaches 300 cases

Of the 300 measles cases, 58 have been identified in the past 3 weeks.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/utah-s-measles-outbreak-reaches-300-cases

02/19/2026

Study highlights best antibiotic regimens for reducing infections after colorectal surgery

A systematic review and meta-analysis finds broad-spectrum penicillins and third-generation cephalosporins were the most strongly associated with SSI prevention.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobial-stewardship/study-highlights-best-antibiotic-regimens-reducing-infections-after

02/19/2026

Our latest collaboration w/ Unbiased Science!

The State of US Vaccine Policy

Between federal lawsuits, sweeping schedule changes, and states mobilizing their own legal challenges, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Let's dive right in.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-vaccines/state-us-vaccine-policy-feb-19-2026

02/19/2026

CIDRAP Op-Ed: The FDA refused to review a flu vaccine, contrary to evidence. Now the agency reversed itself



The latest reversal is welcome, but the episode of first denying Moderna review of its mRNA flu vaccine deserves close examination

Photo: Gary Lee/Flickr cc