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Osterholm Update: Daily Summaries Delivered
by CIDRAP
A weekly report on the COVID-19 pandemic from infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH. Dr. Osterholm is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota and has spent a career investigating outbreaks. Since 2005, he has emphasized supply chain and other vulnerabilities and a critical need for pandemic preparedness. In this podcast, Dr. Osterholm dissects the latest COVID-19 news, data, and guidance. CIDRAP’s Chris Dall, MA, is the cohost of the Osterholm Update and a reporter for CIDRAP News.
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- 1 weeks ago
Cyclospora, Ticks, and Mosquitoes: Summertime Threats
<p dir="ltr">We all look forward to summer, that time of year when we can spend more time outside and less time worrying about things like colds and flu. However, the warm summer months can bring their own infectious disease threats, whether it's ticks, mosquitoes, or foodborne parasites. This week, hosts Chris Dall and Dr. Michael Osterholm discuss some of these summertime infectious disease threats, from the growing cyclospora outbreak in the US, to new research that suggests the tickborne allergy alpha-gal syndrome may be under-recognized. They'll also bring you the latest on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and answer a question about the World Cup.<br> </p> <p><strong>Links:</strong><br><a href="https://apnews.com/article/congo-ebola-workers-strike-salaries-b29edd0d7a98e05eaed1d76fa9ef2e20"><strong>Workers at an Ebola treatment center in Congo strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses</strong></a> (The Associated Press)<br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cyclospora/what-we-truly-know-about-huge-us-cyclospora-outbreak-and-what-we-don-t"><strong>What we truly know about the huge US Cyclospora outbreak—and what we don’t</strong></a> (CIDRAP)<br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/tick-borne-disease/1-4-adults-tick-heavy-states-test-positive-alpha-gal-antibodies"><strong>1 in 4 adults in tick-heavy states test positive for alpha-gal antibodies</strong></a> (CIDRAP)<br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>
- 3 weeks ago
Episode 212: Major Roadblocks
<p dir="ltr">As the Ebola crisis continues to escalate in the DRC, we must ask: what will it take to end this outbreak? This is one of many questions Chris Dall and Dr. Michael Osterholm will discuss in this week’s episode. They’ll also cover the flu outbreak at a Texas Air Force base, consider what some newly released CDC emails reveal about the tenure of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, and examine some recent studies on the effectiveness of last season's COVID vaccines. Plus, answering how New World screwworm could affect wildlife and another installment of This Week in Public Health History.<br> </p> <p><strong>Links:</strong><br><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/health/ebola-symptoms-death-rate.html">Ebola Symptoms in Current Outbreak May Be Milder Than in Previous Ones</a> (New York Times)<br><br><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-29/new-cdc-leaders-vow-to-boost-skeleton-staff-left-after-doge-cuts">New CDC Leaders Vow to Boost Skeleton Staff Left After. DOGE Cuts</a> (Bloomberg) </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/adult-non-flu-vaccines/vaccine-rct-spreadsheet-aims-show-data-dispel-myths-about-vaccines">Vaccine RCT spreadsheet aims to show the data, dispel myths about vaccines</a> (CIDRAP)<br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>
- Jun 18, 2026
Episode 211: A System Held With Duct Tape
<p dir="ltr">This week, Chris Dall and Dr. Michael Osterholm bring the latest on the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, what the World Cup means from a public health perspective, as well as explain what screwworm is and how it could threaten US livestock. They’ll also have updates on the hantavirus outbreak, discuss how the US could likely lose its measles elimination status, and give you an update on COVID and other respiratory infections. Plus, the latest installment of This Week in Public Health History.<br> </p> <p><strong>Links:</strong><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/diseases-crowds-experts-say-could-be-world-cup">The ‘diseases of crowds’ experts say could be at the World Cup</a> (CIDRAP)</p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/ebola/africa-cdc-head-warns-ebola-outbreak-could-be-worst-ever">Africa CDC head warns Ebola outbreak could be worst ever</a> (CIDRAP)</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/20-years-hpv-vaccine-success">20 Years of HPV Vaccine Success</a> (CIDRAP)<br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>
- Jun 4, 2026
Episode 210: Ebola: What the Past Tells Us about the Present
<p dir="ltr">This week on the Osterholm Update, Dr. Michael Osterholm and Chris Dall focus on the developing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, discussing the U.S. response, whether transmission can be airborne, and addressing travel concerns to Africa. We’ll also bring you the latest on the hantavirus outbreak, review a long-awaited report from the FDA on pediatric deaths linked to COVID vaccines, and provide updates on measles and other respiratory viruses. Plus, a Public Health History segment highlighting the first EMS service in the U.S.<br> </p> <p><strong>Links:</strong><br><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/may/28/medical-staff-ebola-frontline-congolese-doctors-nurses-disease">‘Among the things he feared most was death’: the doctors and nurses dying on the Ebola frontline</a> (The Guardian) <br><br><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/world/africa/ebola-epicenter-congo.html?unlocked_article_code=1.mVA.QYy-.GlYUZQTzvRw7&smid=url-share">Inside the Ebola Epicenter, the Virus Rages With Little to Stop It</a> (The New York Times)</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/05/21/congo-ebola-outbreak-is-test-world-doesnt-have-fail/">Opinion: This Ebola outbreak is a test the world doesn't have to fail</a> (The Washington Post)<br><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/ebola/people-ebola-pose-little-risk-public-us-experts-say">People with Ebola pose little risk to public in US, experts say</a> (CIDRAP)</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/epub/10.1128/mbio.00137-15">Transmission of Ebola Viruses: What We Know and What We Do Not Know</a> (ASM Journals)</p> <p><a href="https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/EVIDpha2600170">Public Health Alerts: Andes Hantavirus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship, 2026 </a>(NEJM and CIDRAP)<br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>
- May 21, 2026
Episode 209: Awareness vs. Alarm: Making Sense of the Headlines
<p dir="ltr">In Episode 209, Dr. Michael Osterholm and Chris Dall talk through the response to the hantavirus outbreak and the lingering questions about how the virus spreads. They also discuss a recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the latest findings from The Vaccine Integrity Project’s comprehensive review of peer-reviewed evidence on Tdap vaccination during pregnancy.</p> <p><strong>Links:</strong><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGMmgMke9p8">Hantavirus Is Not the Next Covid, But Try Telling That to the News Media </a>(The Daily Show)<br><br><a href="https://vaxintegrity.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/FINAL%20REPORT%20Tdap%20Vaccine%20in%20Pregnancy%20Evidence%20Review.pdf">Safety and Effectiveness of Tdap Vaccination During Pregnancy Report </a>(Vaccine Integrity Project)<br><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/anti-science/aluminum-vaccines-not-linked-autism-other-health-problems-study-finds">Aluminum in vaccines not linked to autism, other health problems, study finds</a> (CIDRAP)<br><br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>
- May 7, 2026narrative5-min read
Episode 208: Bad News, Good News
The latest Osterholm Update explores the paradoxical results of recent Paxlovid trials: while the drug failed to reduce hospitalizations or deaths, the reason is profoundly positive — severe COVID outcomes have become so rare due to high population immunity. The episode combines this insight with urgent concerns about political suppression of vaccine data, rising measles cases, and the power of clear public health communication.
- Apr 23, 2026
Episode 207: Asking the Right Questions
<p dir="ltr">This week Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall talk about Erica Schwartz, the Trump's administration's most recent nomination for the CDC Director, as well as changes to the charter of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Dr. Osterholm also examines a somewhat misleading Politico poll on public support for vaccines, provides a spring respiratory update and answers a listener's question about long COVID in women. Chris Dall explains a concerning rise in <em>Shigella</em> cases, plus a special space-themed Public Health History segment.<br><br><br><a href="https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/17/vaccine-skepticism-politico-poll-analysis/"><strong>Don’t believe headlines saying that vaccine skepticism is widespread </strong></a>(STAT)</p> <p>Respiratory Immunization Protocols for <a href="https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261365950">COVID</a> , <a href="https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261365916">Flu</a>, <a href="https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261365938">RSV</a> (Vaccine Integrity Project) <br><br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>
- Apr 9, 2026
Episode 206: What we know about long COVID
<p dir="ltr">This week Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall focus on long COVID, tackling some listener questions and providing context about what long COVID is, its potential risks, as well as some of the latest research and reports about it. Dr. Osterholm also discusses the CDC's pause on testing for rabies and pox viruses, plus a respiratory update and the latest on US measles outbreaks. Dr. Osterholm also honors National Health Week in the public health history segment.<br><br><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/antidepressant-relieves-fatigue-people-long-covid-study-finds">Antidepressant relieves fatigues in people with long COVID, study finds</a> (CIDRAP)</p> <p><a href="https://recovercovid.org/">The RECOVER Initiative</a> (NIH)</p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/end-sight-south-carolina-s-measles-outbreak-chicago-alert-after-potential-airport-exposure">End in sight for South Carolina’s measles outbreak; Chicago on alert after potential airport exposure</a> (CIDRAP)<br> </p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Music:</strong></p> <p>"Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br>Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</p>
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About Osterholm Update
A weekly report on the COVID-19 pandemic from infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH. Dr. Osterholm is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota and has spent a career investigating outbreaks. Since 2005, he has emphasized supply chain and other vulnerabilities and a critical need for pandemic preparedness. In this podcast, Dr. Osterholm dissects the latest COVID-19 news, data, and guidance. CIDRAP’s Chris Dall, MA, is the cohost of the Osterholm Update and a reporter for CIDRAP News.
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