Investing.com – Stocks Moderna (NASDAQ:) and CureVac (NASDAQ:CVAC) are higher in pre-market trading on Tuesday as seasonal flu cases in the US show a marked increase. Moderna shares rose 3.4%, while CureVac shares soared 5%, extending gains from yesterday.
The upward trend in these biotech stocks comes amid broader gains in the vaccine sector. Novavax (NASDAQ:) and BioNTech (NASDAQ:) also posted gains of 7.3% and 1.2%, respectively. This increase follows a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which reported a surge in influenza activity across much of the country with significant increases in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses.
The latest data from the CDC shows an alarming trend: 18.7% of clinical laboratory tests came back positive for influenza, an increase from the previous week. The number of outpatient visits for respiratory illnesses also increased to 6.8%, remaining above the national baseline for the fifth week in a row.
In addition to the impact of seasonal influenza, what caught the market’s attention was the first reported avian influenza death in the United States, confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health. A person over the age of 65 with pre-existing medical conditions contracted the virus through contact with a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reaffirmed its recommendation of annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older and emphasized the importance of timely antiviral treatment, especially for those at higher risk of severe illness. With at least 5.3 million flu cases, 63,000 hospitalizations and 2,700 deaths reported this flu season, the health agency is closely monitoring the flu along with other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and RSV.
Investors appear to be responding to increased demand for vaccines and treatments due to increased flu activity that is likely to continue as the season progresses. The market’s reaction to these developments reflects the critical role that vaccine developers play in public health, especially during periods of increased disease prevalence.
This article was created with the help of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information please see our Terms and Conditions.