These five stories provide an overview of the work I do as STAT’s infectious diseases and public health reporter. The first (chronologically) explored whether the trend towards giving flu shots in the mid-to-late summer risks undermining the effectiveness of a huge public health program. The second challenged the dogma that people should routinely take full courses of antibiotics even after their symptoms have resolved. The third used a large mumps outbreak in northwestern Arkansas to explore the problem of why mumps outbreaks are on the rise, even among vaccinated populations. The fourth revealed that the CDC and Puerto Rico’s health department were at loggerheads over the health department’s under-reporting of cases of Zika-induced microcephaly. The final article explored the potential consequences for the World Health Organization of the decision by new director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to appoint Zimbabwean president (since deposed) Robert Mugabe as a WHO goodwill ambassador.
Judges’ comments: Helen Branswell exemplifies the best in beat reporting. She addresses a wide variety of issues that are very current and very important. Her stories are well sourced and beautifully written. Regardless of length, her clear and compelling writing style keeps readers hooked to the end of every story.