Health

Public Health Alerts: Detection of a single measles infection using untargeted ultra-deep metagenomic sequencing of wastewater in Cook County, Illinois

The authors conclude, “The detection of measles RNA through ultra‐deep MGS of municipal wastewater appeared to capture a single case within the population of more than 1 million people and wastewater flow exceeding 300 million gallons per day.”

Exposure to Wildfire Smoke May Be Linked To Increased Risk of Developing Several Cancers

“For the general public, the key message is that wildfire smoke is not only a short-term respiratory or cardiovascular concern—chronic exposure may also carry long-term cancer risks . . . Notably, increased cancer risk may occur even at relatively low levels of wildfire smoke PM2.5 commonly experienced by general populations.”

Editorial - The Lancet: The US CDC on the brink

The CDC was once the gold standard for public health leadership. Today, it is struggling to maintain scientific excellence, trustworthiness, and relevance, a result of the actions of the Trump administration and the US Department of Health and Human Services that have undermined the agency.

Approximately 40 homes in Enid damaged after severe storms produced large tornado

The National Weather Service said the preliminary rating for the Enid tornado is EF-4.

CDC blocks publication of report showing COVID vaccine efficacy

The report, initially scheduled to be published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on March 19, showed the COVID-19 vaccine cut the likelihood of emergency department visits and hospitalizations in half this past winter.

Cambodian MOH Announces 4th Human H5N1 Case of 2026

The following announcement is from Cambodia's Ministry of Health on their 4th confirmed HPAI H5N1 human infection of 2026 - and 38th in just over 3 years - this time involving a 66 y.o. woman from Svay Rieng province who had recent contact with sick chickens and was confirmed positive on April 21st.

Humans may already have some immunity to H5N1 bird flu, study suggests

Research finds that those vaccinated or previously infected with seasonal flu had special antibodies that help fight H5N1

LIVE Updates: Iran War

AP Exclusive: Trump administration admits a glaring error in its New York health fraud accusations

"The error, which the administration admitted first to The Associated Press, prompted health analysts to question how many of the Republican administration’s sweeping anti-fraud efforts around the country were based on faulty findings. One of a few mischaracterizations it made about New York’s Medicaid program, it also reflected a common criticism that’s been made of Trump’s second administration — that it tends to attack first and confirm the facts later."

Alarm as acting CDC director delays report showing Covid vaccine benefits

Research by CDC scientists found that the Covid vaccine cut the likelihood of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for healthy adults last winter by about half . . .

LIVE Updates - Iran War

Valero refinery blast released 157K pounds of chemicals over 10 days, state report reveals

“They have been left in a dangerous situation." . . . The report also identified additional chemicals released during the event, including benzene, ethylene, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides — all substances that can pose health risks.

Scientists discover why flu and COVID hit older adults so hard

Aging lungs may spark runaway inflammation that makes infections far more dangerous.

More than 150,000 uncounted Covid-19 deaths occurred early in the pandemic, a study finds

The Covid-19 pandemic’s early death toll was much higher than the official U.S. count, according to a new study that spotlights dramatic disparities in the uncounted deaths.

EID Journal: Tropism and Replication Competence of Cattle Influenza A(H5N1) Genotype B3.13 Virus in Human Bronchus and Lung Tissue

In 2024, influenza A(H5N1) genotype B3.13 viruses emerged from cattle and caused mild spillover infections in humans. Using human bronchus and lung tissue, we evaluated tropism, replication, and pathogenesis of 2 cattle influenza isolates. Those viruses showed moderate replication competence and induced robust proinflammatory responses, suggesting potential risk for human health.

Cambodian MOH Announces 3rd Human H5N1 Case of 2026

Cambodia - Ministry of Health - 3rd confirmed HPAI H5N1 human infection of 2026 - and 37th in just over 3 years

Detailed Harris County cancer prevalence maps released

Houston, Texas - Harris County Public Health has released comprehensive cancer prevalence data, including interactive maps accessible online. Brain cancer occurrence is abnormally high in much of Harris County. Environmental advocates praised county leaders for the new level of transparency.

New COVID variant with immune escape potential confirmed in US, 22 other countries

As BA.3.2 mutations in the spike protein could reduce protection from a vaccination or infection, “continued genomic surveillance is needed to track SARS-CoV-2 evolution and determine its potential effect on public health” . . .

Up to 60% of health care workers may have long COVID 4 years after infection

LIVE Updates - Middle East Crisis

WHO verifies deadly hospital attack in war-torn Sudan

The Al Deain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur’s capital, Al Deain, was struck late Friday, killing scores of people, including 13 children, two nurses, a doctor and multiple patients.

WM truck overturns transporting dead ducks suspected of bird flu contamination

A Waste Management truck overturned on U.S. 33 near Blue Lake in Whitley County, Indiana on Friday while transporting dead ducks from farms known to be carrying bird flu.

Federal Judge Blocks Immunization Schedule Changes, Stays ACIP Member Appointments

Antibiotic used in COVID patients tied to increased signs of antibiotic resistance

In a new study this week in Nature Microbiology, Langelier and a team of US researchers show that, in addition to having no clinical benefit for COVID patients, use of azithromycin was associated with potentially harmful changes in the upper respiratory microbiome and increased expression of antibiotic-resistance genes after only one day of exposure.

Newer Groundwater Linked to Increased Parkinson’s Disease Risk

PD risk was 24% higher among individuals whose drinking water came from municipal groundwater systems or private wells on carbonate aquifers — the most common aquifer type in the US — compared with those whose drinking water came from all other aquifer types.