Helen Branswell
Senior Writer, Infectious Diseases Helen Branswell is a senior writer at STAT covering infectious diseases and global health; she joined STAT at its founding in 2015. Helen was introduced to epidemic reporting during the 2003 SARS outbreak; in the years since she has written about bird flu, the H1N1 flu pandemic, Ebola, Zika, polio, mpox and led STAT’s coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic. Helen was a 2011 Nieman Global Health Fellow at Harvard. She was the recipient of the 2020 George Polk Award for Public Service for coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic and was awarded the 2021 Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting.
90%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
95%
Examples:
- Helen Branswell has a clear bias towards reporting on infectious diseases and global health.
- She has covered numerous outbreaks including bird flu, H1N1 flu pandemic, Ebola, Zika, mpox and led STAT's coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Conflicts of Interest
90%
Examples:
- However, her focus on infectious diseases and global health may lead to a perceived conflict of interest in some cases.
- There are no direct conflicts of interest reported for Helen Branswell.
Contradictions
86%
Examples:
- In one article she mentions that more than 30% of employees at affected dairies also work at another farm with livestock, most of which had dairy cattle. In another article she states that up to 75% of new and emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals.
- She reports contradictory information about the USDA's handling of H5N1 outbreak data, stating that they have released sparse information while also criticizing their lack of transparency.
Deceptions
85%
Examples:
- In one article she states that Americans will almost certainly be getting vaccines that no longer contain protection against a family of flu viruses that appears to be extinct. This statement is false.
- She also reports on the deceptive practice of sharing vehicles between farms without cleaning them between shipments, which can lead to the spread of disease.
Recent Articles
US Government Awards $176 Million to Moderna for Developing New Bird Flu Vaccine
Broke On: Tuesday, 02 July 2024The US government awards Moderna $176 million to develop and test a new mRNA-based vaccine for the H5N1 avian influenza strain, following recent human cases and concerns over potential transmission. The collaboration with BARDA builds on their success in producing the COVID-19 vaccine. Testing of candidate vaccine mRNA-1018 is underway, with results expected later this year. 
H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak in US Dairy Herds: 197 Farms Affected, Raw Milk Safety Concerns
Broke On: Friday, 28 June 2024At least 197 dairy herds in the US have been impacted by H5N1 bird flu since late March, with traces of the virus found in half of tested raw milk samples. Public health authorities urge warnings and testing for raw milk and dairy products, while flash pasteurization neutralizes the virus. Depending on the strain, a potential bird flu pandemic could have mortality rates between 25% and 50%. The USDA leads response efforts to contain H5N1 spread in animals, with parallels drawn to Netherlands' Q fever outbreaks. 
New Merck Vaccine, Capvaxive, Secures FDA Approval for Adult Protection Against Pneumococcal Diseases: 85% Effectiveness and Fewer Side Effects Than Pfizer's Prevnar
Broke On: Monday, 17 June 2024Merck's new pneumococcal vaccine, Capvaxive, receives FDA approval for protecting adults from bacterial infections leading to pneumonia and meningitis. With coverage against 21 strains of bacteria and ability to prevent 85% of invasive diseases in older adults, it aims to surpass Pfizer's Prevnar. Capvaxive is well-tolerated with common side effects including pain, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches. No reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome have been recorded. 
Thousands of Bird Flu Outbreaks: Debate on Urgent Response Amidst Spread in Bird and Mammal Populations and Dairy Farms
Broke On: Tuesday, 11 June 2024Thousands of bird flu outbreaks have been documented across continents, resulting in over 96 million bird deaths in the US alone since February 2022. The H5N1 virus is spreading to mammals and there's debate on response urgency. Transmission in humans remains low but concerns about potential human spread and evolving virus have led to calls for increased testing. USDA reports reveal shared equipment and personnel as main risk factors for H5N1 spread in dairy cows, with half of farms not cleaning vehicles between shipments. CDC prepares for possible human transmission while acknowledging potential trust damage from increased testing among agricultural workers. 
CDC Urges Peak Influenza Surveillance Amidst Ongoing Bird Flu Threat: Human Cases and Livestock Outbreaks in Nine US States
Broke On: Tuesday, 21 May 2024The CDC urges heightened influenza surveillance due to the ongoing threat of bird flu, specifically the H5N1 subtype, following human infections in Texas and Colorado and outbreaks in dairy cattle across nine US states. Over 90 million cases have been detected since January 2022, with first known transmission to livestock reported in Texas. The CDC recommends increased submission of positive influenza A samples for further testing, encourages use of personal protective equipment for those working with birds or livestock, and reports no human-to-human transmission but concerns over potential new epidemic or pandemic. 
Bird Flu Outbreaks in Dairy Cattle: A Complex Response Involving Federal, State, and Local Authorities
Broke On: Thursday, 02 May 2024Bird flu outbreaks affecting dairy cattle in the US prompt concerns over CDC's involvement and its impact on local containment efforts. The CDC leads federal response, but state agriculture officials and the dairy industry worry about potential federal interventions disrupting operations and hindering local responses. High viral loads found in milk of sick cows indicate bird flu transmission between them through milk, while avian influenza spreads in wild animals, posing potential health threats. 
H5N1 Bird Flu Virus Detected in Raw Milk: WHO Urges Safe Food Practices and Increased Monitoring
Broke On: Thursday, 18 April 2024The H5N1 bird flu virus, which has infected birds and mammals since 1996 and caused over 800 human deaths worldwide, was recently detected in raw milk from infected animals. This development raises concerns about potential transmission to humans through contaminated milk. The WHO urges consumption of pasteurized milk and products to prevent infection, but the length of time H5N1 survives in raw milk is unclear. Scientists call for more information as countries assess risks to their herds and populations. 
RSV Monoclonal Antibody Products Show 90% Effectiveness in Preventing Hospitalization for Children and Infants During RSV Season
Broke On: Friday, 08 March 2024A new study shows that two monoclonal antibody treatments, Beyfortus and nirsevimab, can effectively prevent RSV hospitalization in infants. These treatments are given as a single dose at the first sign of symptoms or before exposure to high-risk settings. Parents should be aware of the signs of RSV and seek medical help if their child has difficulty breathing or bluish skin. 
2024-25 Flu Vaccine to Contain Trivalent Instead of Quadrivalent Formulations, Influenza B Yamagata No Longer a Public Health Threat
Broke On: Thursday, 07 March 2024The flu vaccine for the 2024-25 season will contain trivalent vaccines instead of quadrivalent, as recommended by a federal vaccine advisory group. This decision was made after evidence suggested that influenza B Yamagata no longer poses a public health threat. CDC Warns of Shortage in Key Drug for Preventing Severe RSV in Infants
Broke On: Tuesday, 24 October 2023The CDC has warned of a shortage in a key drug, palivizumab, used to prevent severe RSV in infants. The shortage is due to unprecedented demand, possibly linked to a surge in RSV cases. The CDC has recommended rationing of the drug, prioritizing infants at the highest risk of severe RSV disease.