Sameer Elsayed – The Conversation

Microscopic view of a cell infected with the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles. (NIAID)

October 5, 2023

Fall COVID‑19 update: Will there be a new surge? Who should get the new mRNA vaccines? Are they safe and effective?

Sameer Elsayed, Western University

COVID-19 remains a global public health threat despite its current non-pandemic status.

Avian influenza (‘bird flu’) is a highly transmissible and usually mild disease that affects wild birds such as geese, swans, seagulls, shorebirds, and also domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. (CDC and NIAID)

March 27, 2023

Bird flu FAQ: What is avian influenza? How is it transmitted to humans? What are the symptoms? Are there effective treatments and vaccines? Will H5N1 become the next viral pandemic?

Sameer Elsayed, Western University

Avian influenza — commonly known as ‘bird flu’ — is infecting domestic and wild birds in Canada and around the world.

XBB.1.5 menyebar dengan cepat ke seluruh dunia dan kemungkinan akan menjadi subvarian COVID-19 dominan berikutnya. (Shutterstock)

January 19, 2023

FAQ terkait COVID‑19 subvarian XBB.1.5: Apa itu? Di mana banyak ditemukan? Apa bedanya dengan Omicron? Apakah sebabkan sakit serius? Bagaimana lindungi diri? Kenapa dinamai ‘Kraken’?

Sameer Elsayed, Western University

XBB.1.5 dianggap sama-sama mampu menyebabkan penyakit serius pada lansia dan orang dengan gangguan kekebalan dibandingkan dengan subvarian Omicron yang menjadi perhatian sebelumnya.

XBB.1.5 is rapidly spreading across the globe and will likely become the next dominant COVID-19 subvariant. (Shutterstock)

January 16, 2023

FAQ on COVID‑19 subvariant XBB.1.5: What is it? Where is it prevalent? How does it differ from Omicron? Does it cause serious illness? How can I protect myself? Why is it nicknamed ‘Kraken’?

Sameer Elsayed, Western University

The XBB.1.5 subvariant — nicknamed ‘Kraken’ — is arguably the most genetically rich and most transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant yet.

Tout comme l'ensemble des urgences pédiatriques du pays, celle du CHEO, à Ottawa, est bondée par les temps qui courent, en raison notamment du VRS. La Presse Canadienne/Adrian Wyld

November 18, 2022

Grippe, rhume et Covid‑19 : que nous réserve la saison des virus respiratoires ?

Sameer Elsayed, Western University

Après une accalmie en raison des confinements, la grippe, le VRS et la Covid-19 devraient progresser au cours de la saison actuelle des virus respiratoires.

Model of an influenza virus. Flu season is expected to make a big comeback this year. (NIAID)

November 10, 2022

Influenza and COVID‑19: What’s in store for the fall/winter respiratory virus season?

Sameer Elsayed, Western University

Flu and COVID-19 are expected to make headway during the current respiratory virus season. The best way to stay healthy is vaccination in conjunction with personal protective measures.

Particules du virus de la variole du singe agrandies et colorisées. Depuis début mai, plus de 550 cas confirmés d'infection humaine par le virus ont été signalés dans 30 pays. (NIAID)

June 9, 2022

Variole du singe : comment se transmet‑elle ? D’où vient‑elle ? Quels sont les symptômes ?

Sameer Elsayed, Western University

Voici les réponses aux questions les plus courantes sur ce virus apparenté à la variole, notamment sur sa transmission, ses symptômes et l’efficacité du vaccin antivariolique.

Magnified and colourized monkeypox virus particles. Since early May, over 550 confirmed cases of human infection with monkeypox virus have been reported in 30 countries. (NIAID)

June 5, 2022

Monkeypox FAQ: How is it transmitted? Where did it come from? What are the symptoms? Does smallpox vaccine prevent it?

Sameer Elsayed, Western University

Recent outbreaks have drawn attention to monkeypox. Get answers to common questions about this relative of the smallpox virus, including transmission, symptoms and effectiveness of smallpox vaccine.

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