Health Watch USA

05/19/2026

The 2026 Ebola outbreak has now spread to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with the WHO reporting more than 513 cases and over 130 suspected deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. This article examines the outbreak through both a global health and infection prevention lens, highlighting concerns over weakened public health infrastructure, CDC staffing cuts, reduced USAID funding, and lessons still unlearned from prior Ebola and COVID-19 responses. Experts warn that while widespread US transmission remains unlikely, early investment in global outbreak response is critical to preventing future public health emergencies....The current Ebola outbreak needs to be a wakeup call. The dismantling of the CDC needs to be reversed, and its capabilities to track infections and respond to global outbreaks need to be restored. It is far better to stop a disease in Africa than to deal with it on our own soil and risk not only horrific disease, but also that the Ebola virus might also find a local animal host.
Infection Control Today May 19, 2026.

The 2026 Ebola outbreak has now spread to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with the WHO reporting more than 513 cases and over 130 suspected deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. This article examines the outbreak through both a glo...

05/01/2026

Military Vaccinations & The Dismantling of Science -- Health Watch USA(sm) Newsletter

Health Watch USA's May newsletter can be downloaded using the link below. Resources include an OpEd and presentation regarding the risks to US security created by an unvaccinated military. In addition, a review of preventable hospital mortality and COVID-19 hospital mortality can be accessed through the newsletter. Other resources include:
1. Several articles regarding the dismantling of the Federal Government's scientific infrastructure, including science advisory panels, EPA staff, CDC loss of staff and cancellation of an important CDC report.
2. Importance of the Hepatitis B dosage at birth.
3. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain.
4. More Evidence that COVID causes immune dysfunction.
5. Life expectancy in the United States compared to other nations.
6. Economic impact of Long COVID. Projected to be 116 billion Euros for OECD nations.

Download Newsletter: https://www.healthwatchusa.org/HWUSA-Publications/Newsletters/20260501-HWUSA-Newsletter.pdf

Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS
Health Watch USA(sm)

04/30/2026

Hegseth's end of military vaccine mandates risks US security
"Whether in 1776 with the continental army's control of smallpox or with today's armed forces' mitigation of the impact of flu and COVID-19, we should not be minimizing the importance of vaccinations. As stated by author Jack McCallum, American military leaders need to be reminded that "disease and pathogens are as great a threat as any human adversary"...One only needs to remember the devastation of the 1918 flu pandemic to realize the dangers of rescinding this mandate on maintaining troop readiness. The enemy would only have to surrender a few flu patients on the battlefield to wipe out our frontline readiness." Courier Journal. Apr. 20, 2026.

Unquestionably, our national security is at risk with the dismantling of our public health agencies and the curtailing of vaccine strategies

04/24/2026

The Measles Outbreak & Mandatory Flu Vaccinations in the Military - Jack Pattie Show WVLK 97.3 FM
Dr. Kavanagh emphasizes the dangers of measles, noting severe complications such as blindness, deafness, and immune suppression, and points out that the disease was once nearly eradicated due to high vaccination rates. However, he states that misinformation and declining immunization rates have led to the resurgence of measles, with over 1,700 cases recently reported. The discussion also addresses the importance of herd immunity and the vulnerability of infants who are too young to be vaccinated. Dr. Kavanagh criticizes anti-vaccine messaging and urges renewed efforts to promote proven interventions. Later, the conversation shifts to COVID-19 vaccination, especially for elderly individuals or those with complex health issues. Dr. Kavanagh personally favors the Novavax vaccine and recommends consulting with a doctor for personalized advice. Dr Kavanagh also discussed that diseases, including the flu, poses as much risk to military readiness as combat. Vaccinations are crucial for troop health, noting flu’s deadly impact historically and currently. The Spanish flu, whose origins has been traced back to a U.S. military base, caused as many deaths in World War I as combat itself. Jack Pattie Radio Show WVLK 97.3 FM, Lexington Kentucky YouTube Video:

The Measles Outbreak & Mandatory Flu Vaccinations in the Military - Jack Pattie Show WVLK 97.3 FM

04/01/2026

C.D.C. Pauses Testing for Rabies and Pox Viruses
The diseases were removed from a list of tests the agency conducts for state and local health departments. Experts worry that with drastic staff reductions, the testing may not resume.
"The C.D.C. offers testing for dozens of pathogens to assist state and local public health laboratories that are not equipped to conduct them. The organization began evaluating its tests in late 2024 as part of an agencywide review.

But widespread layoffs, hiring freezes and resignations have shrunk the number of qualified scientists who can assist state labs. The C.D.C.’s rabies and pox virus teams have lost many of their members. By July, the rabies team will be down to just one person with the clinical expertise to advise state and local officials, and the pox virus team will have none."

The diseases were removed from a list of tests the agency conducts for state and local health departments. Experts worry that with drastic staff reductions, the testing may not resume.

04/01/2026

As debate over COVID-19 origins continues, critics warn that reductions in NIH and CDC biodefense efforts could weaken US pandemic preparedness. From halted CDC databases to shifting NIH priorities, experts question whether scaling back federal response capacity leaves the nation vulnerable to future biological threats and emerging infectious diseases.

"I am perplexed about why right-leaning public health policies, which during the peak of COVID-19 seemed to emphasize the risks of a lab-created and modified virus, would also oppose strict pandemic measures to control its spread and weaken our federal agencies' response capabilities. If the administration does not change course, not only our health, but the security of our nation will be placed at grave risk."

Why does an administration which has as one of its central tenants that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, was an engineered entity, possibly a biological weapon, now appears to be dismantling our capabilities for biodefense? The importance of this question is self-evident. As we are co

03/31/2026

Healthcare worker violence & COVID-19 updates - Health Watch USA(sm) newsletter

Using the link below the Health Watch USA(sm) April 2026 Newsletter can be downloaded. There are a number of timely updates and confirmatory research regarding the dangers of COVID-19 and the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, along with reports of increases in tuberculosis. Strategies for hospitals to achieve cleaner air are discussed along with concerns regarding artificial intelligence. Other resources are as follows:

1. Strategies for hospital clean air
2. AI and risks to national security and our economy.
3. Healthcare worker violent injury prevention.
4. Tuberculosis.
5. 60% of healthcare workers may have long COVID.
6. Machine learning identifies an additional 155,000 COVID-19 deaths.
7. Living with Long-COVID Graphics.
8. COVID-19 tied to increased thyroid disease risk.
9. COVID-19 raises the risk of kidney disease.
10. Decades lost in public health infrastructure.
11. Safety of COVID-19 vaccinations in young individuals.
12. COVID-19 and the increase risk of reactivation of Epstein Barr Verses

https://www.healthwatchusa.org/HWUSA-Publications/Newsletters/20260401-HWUSA-Newsletter.pdf

03/25/2026

Tuberculosis and Infection Prevention: What IPC Professionals Need to Know for World TB DAY 2026
"Patient education is important and prevalent, but the social and political climate is resistant to medical preventative strategies. “Unfortunately, the current public health climate is facilitating the spread and lethality of TB,” Kevin Kavanagh, MD, board chairman at Health Watch USA, and another EAB member, wrote. “A culmination of antibiotic overuse, the public's aversion to airborne control measures, along with an increase in immune dysfunction in our population, has culminated in a worldwide resurgence of highly antibiotic-resistant TB.”" Infection Control Today. Mar. 24, 2026.

Tuberculosis affects 10.7 million annually. IPC professionals prevent health care-associated TB through respiratory isolation, staff screening, and contact investigation. World TB Day 2026 affirms TB elimination is achievable through dedicated infection prevention.

03/21/2026

Characterizing Violent Injuries to Inform Prevention among Healthcare Workers
View Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/tYz0X4dFKjM

Dr. Devin Hawkins, DrS describes the initial report of a project that is designed to characterize and prevent violent injuries among healthcare workers. National Bureau of Labor Statistics data show healthcare and social assistance workers have the highest severe workplace-violence injury rates, with rising trends before COVID-19 and apparent acceleration during and after the pandemic. Risk varies by setting and job (e.g., nursing/residential care facilities; nurses and aides), and disparities are evident, with higher rates among Black healthcare practitioners and support workers. Using IRB-approved data from OSHA 300 injury logs from 14 Massachusetts hospitals (2022–2024), the research team identified 333 violent incidents among 5,035 total reported injuries/illnesses, then applied an AI/large language model schema to extract circumstances from narrative descriptions (injury type, body part, context, location, triggers, patient state, team response, weapons/objects, outcomes, and medical actions). Early patterns include being struck/kicked/punched, bites, grabbing/twisting, and injuries to the face and upper extremities; events often occur during routine care, ambulation/bathroom assistance, restraint/security interventions, or patient elopement. The team is refining categories, measuring agreement between automated and reviewed coding, and plans to translate results into transparent SAS code and test on future data (2024–2025), culminating in a public report. The presentation highlights prevention-oriented policies, including California’s healthcare violence-prevention standard and a pending Massachusetts bill emphasizing risk assessment, prevention plans, training, reporting, and worker support. Health Watch USA(tm) meeting Mar. 19, 2026. View Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/tYz0X4dFKjM

Key points
• Healthcare and social assistance workers experience the highest rates of severe workplace-violence injuries nationally, with increases seen pre-COVID and during and after the pandemic.
• Violent-injury risk varies substantially by setting and occupation (e.g., nursing/residential care; nurses, aides), and contributes to disparities (higher rates among Black healthcare workers in multiple groups).
• The project used IRB-approved OSHA 300 injury log data from 14 Massachusetts hospitals (2022–2024): 5,035 total reported injuries/illnesses, including 333 violent incidents.
• Violent cases were identified using established SAS code (NIOSH/Stephen Burke) plus manual review to capture misses.
• Early recurring patterns include strikes (kick/punch), bites, grabbing/twisting, and injuries to the face and upper extremities; common contexts include routine care and ambulation/bathroom assistance.

Dr. Devin Hawkins, DrS describes the initial report of a project that is designed to characterize and prevent violent injuries among healthcare workers. Nati...

03/18/2026

AI has its own social network and jobs humans badly need | Opinion
The MAGA promise of promoting human jobs by incentivizing the construction of factories is falling prey to humanoid robots, who will largely benefit from this initiative. The United States’ premier robotic company, Boston Dynamics, was sold to Hyundai, a South Korean company, in June of 2021. Hyundai will be using its technology to largely operate its new factories being built in the United States. Boston Dynamics’ groundbreaking robot dog “spot” is designed for non-military usage. Another company, Ghost Robotics was accused of using Boston Dynamics tech to manufacture military adaptable quadruped robots. There was a lawsuit between the two, which was reported as settled in 2025. Ghost Robotics was bought out by a South Korean defense giant. The company is a spinoff from the University of Pennsylvania and in part was supported by federal funds. Boston Dynamics has also received significant support from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Courier Journal. Mar. 18, 2026

It's not a sci-fi hypothetical anymore. Developments in AI have allowed the technology to run rampant, perhaps beyond our control.