A person in Washington state has caught a rare bird flu strain that hasn't been seen in humans before. This individual, who has other health issues, got very sick with a high fever, confusion, and breathing problems. Experts say the risk to the public is low. The flu strain, called H5N5, is usually found in wild birds in the U. S. and Canada, not people. The person ...
Vaccines have been a crucial part of child healthcare for a long time. They protect kids from serious diseases that used to be common. Dr. Stanley Plotkin, a well-known vaccine expert, remembers a time when parents were scared of diseases like polio and measles. Now, thanks to vaccines, these fears are mostly gone. But not everyone agrees on the current vaccine sche...
A group of independent experts in the U. S. is set to review the data on giving the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns. This comes after a delay in a decision about when babies should get their first dose. The Vaccine Integrity Project is taking on this task. They want to check the safety and benefits of giving the vaccine within 24 hours of birth. They also want to se...
The CDC has been in a state of chaos, with employees facing repeated layoffs and reinstatements. Aryn Melton Backus, a CDC worker, has been through this cycle three times this year alone. The latest round of layoffs, which occurred during the government shutdown, has left many employees in limbo, unsure of their future with the agency. The layoffs have not been with...
The flu is back, and it's not playing nice. After a tough flu season last year, health experts are keeping a close eye on things. In the U. K. , flu cases are popping up early, especially among kids and young adults. Over in Japan, the flu has hit so hard that schools have had to close. So, what does this mean for the U. S. ? Normally, flu cases start climbing in No...
Measles is back and spreading fast across the United States. In Minnesota alone, there are now 20 confirmed cases, with three new infections just reported in Dakota County. The latest cases involve unvaccinated kids who likely caught the virus from an unvaccinated adult. This is part of a bigger problem. Since late August, the CDC has seen an average of 27 new measle...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its guidance on Covid vaccines. Now, shots are mainly recommended for people aged 65 and older, but only after consulting with a healthcare provider. This change comes after months of uncertainty and controversy. The CDC's decision follows a shake-up in the advisory panel. Earlier this year, a...
Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is becoming more common in the U. S. It can be very serious, especially for babies. The disease can cause severe breathing problems and even be life-threatening for infants under two months old. Many people think of whooping cough as a bad cough with a "whoop" sound, but in babies, it can look different. They might stop breathin...
In the United States, the number of infections caused by "nightmare bacteria" has been rising. These bacteria are tough to treat because they have a special gene called NDM. This gene makes them resistant to most antibiotics. Only two medicines can fight these infections, and they are expensive and must be given through an IV. These bacteria were once rare and mostl...
A recent Senate hearing shed light on the controversial firing of Susan Monarez, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The hearing, led by Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, aimed to uncover the true reasons behind her abrupt dismissal just weeks after her confirmation. Monarez, during her testimony, provided a detailed account of t...