Cyclospora had quite the summer. The parasite was linked to an outbreak involving iceberg lettuce that sickened people with a particularly miserable symptom: watery, explosive diarrhea. For anyone who got sick, the good news is that cyclospora infections can be treated. But foodborne illnesses don’t always run dry when the diarrhea does. Cyclospora was linked … Read more
Muddy waters ahead. Just before Labor Day weekend, Oregon health officials are warning beachgoers to stay away from the water at a picturesque beach due to unsafe levels of fecal bacteria. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released an advisory for Oceanside Beach in Tillamook County, Oregon on Wednesday, cautioning that visitors should “avoid direct contact with the … Read more
When it comes to detecting psychos, you just gotta go with their gut. Scientists have found a surprising link between certain microbes and darker personality characteristics, according to a shocking study in Nature. “We hypothesized that the composition of the gut and oral microbiota may be associated with subclinical psychopathic personality traits,” wrote the team, … Read more
That bag of frozen blueberries in your freezer could be more than just a smoothie staple. A recall of GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries has been slapped with the FDA’s highest-risk classification amid an investigation into a potentially dangerous E. coli outbreak that has sickened 12 people and hospitalized four. The FDA … Read more
A victim of the deadly flesh-eating bacteria that is surging in southern US states is sharing the harrowing details of his ordeal — as well as some stomach-churning photos. Officials along the Gulf Coast in Florida and Louisiana are warning about a rise in cases of Vibrio vulnificus, the deadliest species of Vibrio bacteria, which … Read more
Soup’s off. A popular soup sold at Walmart stores is being recalled amid fears of Listeria contamination. According to a Food and Drug Administration announcement, Kettle Cuisine LLC of Savage, MD is voluntarily recalling more than 3,000 Marketside 14oz Tomato Bisque Soup Kits. The affected products, which are packaged in a wrapped tray, have the … Read more
A flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters has led to the deaths of five Louisiana residents this year amid a summer time surge. Louisiana health officials are urging beachgoers to take precautions against Vibrio vulnificus, the deadliest species of Vibrio bacteria, which can cause severe and life-threatening infections resulting in gastrointestinal illness, wound infections or … Read more
Researchers used artificial intelligence to create 16 new viruses capable of being reproduced in a lab to fight antibiotic resistant infections — but experts warn that the computer-made pathogens pose “urgent” safety risks, including fears it could be used to create bioweapons. The Stanford University experiment used an AI model known as Evo1 and Evo2, … Read more
The Suffolk County Department of Health (SCDHS) announced three potential cases of an illness known as “rabbit fever.” The highly infectious bacterial disease tularemia is known to spread through tick and deerfly bites, as well as through infected rabbits, hares and rodents. While the disease is rare, four cases were reported in 2024, the highest … Read more
New day, new food scare. E. coli and Listeria were already putting shoppers on edge. Now, Cyclospora — a parasite that cause explosive, watery diarrhea — has people wondering if anything in the produce aisle is safe. If it feels like America’s food supply is under siege, you’re not imaging it. Foodborne illness outbreaks have dominated headlines … Read more
That guilt-free treat may not be as innocent as it seems. A new study suggests that alternative sweeteners commonly found in sugar-free and low-calorie foods and beverages may interfere with the growth of bacteria that help keep the gut healthy. But the effects aren’t always straightforward. Researchers found more than 100 cases where these ingredients … Read more
Think of it as a tiny, protective shield for your lady parts. Most women have never heard of their “vaginal biofilm,” but it’s an important part of their health, influencing symptoms like vaginal odor, discharge or recurring infections. “[It’s] a thin, sticky layer of bacteria that can attach to the vaginal lining and protect itself … Read more
Five New York city beaches are under advisory amid a heatwave set to make Independence Day weekend a real scorcher. The advisory means the water at these beaches has high levels of bacteria. The city’s Department of Health advises against swimming and wading under this warning. Warmer temps and direct sunlight can speed up bacterial … Read more
A common illness has turned one teen’s whole world upside down. Kaydin Baldwin from Kerrville Texas, was 13 when she contracted the flu — a disease that somewhere between 32 and 57 million people had between October and the end of May, according to the CDC. But her condition turned dire, leading to 117 days … Read more
What started as a simple scrape has turned into a medical nightmare for one Florida teen. After swimming at a park in Niceville, Florida, 17-year-old Joziah Thompson got what was initially a minor scratch on his leg. Only two days later, he was rushed to the hospital with a red, swollen leg, where doctors confirmed … Read more
Even if you’re not swapping spit, you’re definitely swapping microorganisms. Researchers in a new study found that people who lived together shared 26% of the same oral microbes. This was regardless of the relationship — participants included siblings, parents and children. Romantic partners shared even more oral microbes (44%), likely due to kissing. “Your microbiome … Read more
Here’s some surprisingly sweet science. Americans consume far more sugar than experts recommend — a habit linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and a host of other health problems. But while many people could benefit from scaling back their intake, a new study found that cutting sugar out entirely may backfire in unexpected ways. Cutting … Read more
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently got a scare that would rattle just about any man. While showering one Friday night, the 54-year-old actor and professional wrestler discovered a painful lump on his left testicle, sending his mind racing. Days later, his doctor told him it could be one of two things: epididymitis, a common inflammatory … Read more
There’s sour news in the dairy aisle. One person has died and at least eight others have been hospitalized in a listeria outbreak linked to soft cheese, with officials saying the true number of illnesses is likely higher. Federal health authorities are now urging consumers to steer clear of the recalled products, which were sold … Read more
Potentially deadly sepsis may be more likely in certain patients due to problems in the gut. Researchers from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology’s Infectious Disease Research Center used female mouse models to investigate why sepsis outcomes can vary so dramatically. The study, published in the journal Nature, looked at genetically similar mice … Read more