Forget bedbugs and cockroaches — NYC is battling “superbugs” that can’t easily be quashed. Candida auris, for one, survives on surfaces even after cleaning, frequently evades standard antifungal treatments and can trigger fatal bloodstream infections. New York has seen a steady increase in Candida auris cases since the state officially detected the dangerous fungus in … Read more
Sacramento health officials sounded the alarm about a potential measles outbreak on Monday after more than 100 children were exposed to an unvaccinated child at an educational enrichment program. It’s far from the only community at risk. The US has already passed 1,000 confirmed cases this year, with infections “worse than expected” in Utah and … Read more
Cold, flu and COVID may get the most attention, but a lesser-known, highly contagious virus is taking the West Coast by storm. Wastewater SCAN data show that human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is rampant in Northern California — specifically San Francisco, Marin, Vallejo, Napa, Novato, Santa Rosa, Sacramento and Davis, per reports. The virus peaked sharply in January and … Read more
During peak holiday travel, one of the most infectious diseases was detected at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. A case of measles was identified in a passenger at terminals B & C on Dec. 12, according to a New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) press release. “Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, … Read more
The flu had a glow-up. This year’s flu season is proving to be worse than normal, with hospitalizations up significantly compared to last year, and the CDC reporting 4.6 million cases of the flu so far. But with peak flu season still going on until at least February, signs of the unusual “super flu” variant … Read more
Measles outbreaks are growing along the Utah-Arizona border and in South Carolina, where hundreds are in quarantine. Between Friday and Tuesday, South Carolina health officials confirmed 27 new measles cases in an outbreak in and around northwestern Spartanburg County. In two months, 111 people have been sickened by the vaccine-preventable virus. More than 250 people, … Read more
US health officials have issued travel advisories for Americans planning trips to certain tropical countries amid outbreaks of an untreatable mosquito-borne disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Friday that it has issued Level 2 travel advisories for Cuba, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Guangdong Province in southern China, advising Americans to “practice enhanced … Read more
There’s a new kid on the block this cold and flu season — and it could prove worse than your average winter sniffles. The flu strain known as subclade K is ringing alarm bells due to its potential severity and resistance to current vaccines, public health experts warn. The strain is rapidly spreading internationally, with … Read more
In a startling first, a Washington state man has been infected with a strain of bird flu previously only detected in animals and never before in humans. The “severely ill” man was hospitalized with a high fever, confusion and respiratory distress earlier this month and confirmed to have H5N5, a subtype of avian influenza carried … Read more
Aging well never gets old. We used to think of successful aging as simply avoiding disease — that concept has evolved over the years to a broader, more holistic view that includes physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. The problem is that it can be difficult to tell how well you’re aging without wearing a … Read more
Just in time for respiratory virus season, a highly transmissible COVID-19 strain is fueling a wave of infections across the US. The XFG variant, informally known as “Stratus,” has been driving up case numbers. Stratus’ ability to evade immune system defenses has propelled it past NB.1.8.1 (aka “Nimbus”) as the dominant Covid strain. The increased … Read more
It’s about thyme! The flu is one of the most common and contagious diseases — it causes up to 41 million illnesses, 710,000 hospitalizations and 52,000 deaths each year in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s often diagnosed with a nasal or throat swab that’s tested for the presence … Read more
Don’t sweat the fall stuff — including respiratory viruses. Cases of the common cold, flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) tend to increase in the autumn and winter as people spend more time indoors. Drier air also helps these viruses survive and spread more easily. Here are the best ways to protect yourself from … Read more
Oh, deer. An outbreak of the viral epizootic hemorrhagic disease is killing white-tailed deer in numerous Eastern states, sparking a warning to hunters about the potential dangers of eating infected venison. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released a statement urging calm after almost 100 cases were clocked across the state in recent weeks. “Humans … Read more
Watch your mouth! Imbalances in our oral microbiome — the millions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in our mouth — have been linked to many systemic diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes and certain cancers. New research out of NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center ties over two dozen of these microbes to a … Read more
A school-aged child in L.A. recently died after developing a rare neurological disease years after contracting the measles. Authorities didn’t reveal many details about the case, except that the child was infected with measles as an infant, before they were eligible for the vaccine. Measles is a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to … Read more
Do newborns need the hepatitis B vaccine to B healthy? That’s slated to be deliberated Thursday at a meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The influential vaccine advisory panel is expected to vote to recommend delaying a shot typically given at birth to age 4, NPR reported. “There is going to … Read more
West Nile virus infections are intense so far this year, with case counts running 40% higher than normal, health officials say. More than 770 cases, including about 490 severe cases, were reported as of early September, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data posted this week. About 550 cases — 350 of them severe … Read more
It’s ah-choo much for the body to handle. Viral infections like the flu and COVID-19 can “awaken” dormant breast cancer cells hiding in the lungs, paving the way for deadly metastatic disease, a new study finds. “Our findings indicate that individuals with a history of cancer may benefit from taking precautions against respiratory viruses,” Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, … Read more
Your medicine cabinet could be packing more than just cold and flu relief. A groundbreaking new study found that a widely available over-the-counter nasal spray may help healthy adults fend off COVID-19. The news comes amid a late-summer surge driving up cases across the country — including in New York City. A widely available over-the-counter … Read more