Overall, flu activity in the U.S. remains low and is down significantly from the late fall peak. However, the percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza B has risen in recent weeks.
Category: Public Health
Researchers question NIH's long COVID study with exercise trials
Researchers and international organizations are probing for more information on long COVID studies run by the National Institutes of Health because of exercise measurements, Nature reported March 31.
Fentanyl and 'Tranq' mixtures are a 'deadly' combination on the rise
Widespread mixtures of fentanyl and xylazine are causing concern for health officials in South Dakota — particularly because the combination cannot be aided by naloxone, according to an April 4 news release from the state’s department of health.
US plans $300M database for Alzheimer's research
The federal government plans to build a massive Alzheimer’s research database capable of tracking the long-term health of up to 90 percent of the population, according to an exclusive April 3 report from Reuters.
Nevada and California lead nation in number of C. auris cases
Candida auris infections are increasingly on the rise across the U.S. — something the CDC has cited as “an emerging fungus that presents a serious global health threat.” Now, the fungus has induced infections across dozens of states.
FDA to clear another booster for high-risk groups, officials say
The FDA is planning to make another COVID-19 booster that targets omicron available for high-risk individuals, The Washington Post reported April 3.
Fatigue Is Common Among Older Adults, and It Has Many Possible Causes
Persistent fatigue — the feeling of having no energy — can contribute to frailty and affects 40% to 74% of older patients with chronic illness. Yet its causes can be elusive.
Raincoats, Undies, School Uniforms: Are Your Clothes Dripping in ‘Forever Chemicals’?
The full health risks of wearing apparel made with PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are still unknown. But states are taking action so clothing makers will remove them.
Coronavirus variant XBB 1.16 spotted in 18 US states
The new SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant XBB.1.16 has spurred increased hospitalizations and deaths in some countries. In the U.S., the dominant variant is still XBB.1.5, but health officials say other variants are on the rise.
Concerns grow over drug-resistant bacteria tied to eye infections
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the strain of drug-resistant bacteria that has been found in eye drops and ointment imported from India, has never been found before in the U.S., the CDC said.
