Several European countries have reported an early spike of group A strep infections, mostly among children, including cases of rare but deadly bacterial infections. There is no evidence the increase is being caused by nasal spray flu vaccines, as social media posts baselessly suggest. Flu vaccination may even indirectly prevent strep A. Read more»

Green Valley will host a series of four free COVID-19 and flu vaccination events to make sure adults 65 years and older get protected against a worse-than-normal spread of respiratory diseases. Read more»

The continued spread of RSV, influenza and COVID-19 has caused an increase in the number of area hospital beds in use, the Pima County Health Department warned. People should wear masks and socially distance during holiday gatherings, and get vaccinated, officials said. Read more»

Pima County has started offering free at-home COVID-19 test kits at all 26 of their public libraries as respiratory infections continue to spike here. Read more»

COVID transmission is back at "high" levels across Arizona, and local hospitals are being filled up with flu and RSV cases as well, prompting Pima County to issue a public health advisory about the "tripledemic" of respiratory infections. Read more»

A new mobile health clinic will be making its way to Pima County public libraries starting this Friday. Read more»

Respiratory viruses such as RSV, COVID-19 and the flu are spreading at higher rates than normal for this time of year, and people be cautious during Thanksgiving weekend, Pima County health officials said. Read more»

Pima County reported its first case of monkeypox on Tuesday, with supplies of vaccines arriving soon for people who come into contact with the virus. The BA.5 variant of COVID is spreading quickly, officials said. Read more»

Pima County is seeing an uptick in COVID cases though hospitalizations remain low, Health Director Dr. Theresa Cullen said Friday. She also discussed the county's plans in case of a monkeypox outbreak, and the distribution of free gun locks in the coming weeks. Read more»

Clinical trials are underway at the Fred Hutch cancer research center that’s part of an international effort to test an antiviral treatment that could halt COVID early in its course. Read more»

State officials Monday laid out a plan for “aggressively” combating the upcoming influenza season as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, with the first step being to urge people to get a flu shot as soon as possible. Read more»

The start of flu season isn't generally until October, but public health officials are already preparing for a different kind of response and public outreach campaign than in previous years in advance of what the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said could be the "worst fall" in history. Read more»

Blood donation centers across the U.S. are ramping up efforts to collect plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 in hopes it could be used to save the lives of others infected with the pandemic disease. Read more»

President Donald Trump has enthusiastically pushed the use of two malaria drugs — one in combination with an antibiotic — to treat COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. But there is currently only limited evidence to suggest the drugs are effective against the new virus. Read more»

The current national emergency has drawn comparisons to the worldwide influenza epidemic of 1918, which killed tens of millions. Though the loss of life was tragic for the community, decisive action by local officials prevented the sort of disaster that was seen in other places. Read more»