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Picture this: a beloved cat, playful and healthy one day, falls mysteriously ill the next. Soon after, the shocking culprit is revealed -- bird flu, a virus that most people associate with poultry and wild birds.

Now, scientists are warning that domestic cats could potentially prompt a public health crisis.

According to a new study published Dec. 9 in the journal

  • India Edwards HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 12, 2024
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    • There's early evidence that a mysterious flu-like illness that has sickened 416 people and left 75 dead in the Democratic Republic of Congo over recent weeks may be malaria.

    Laboratory samples taken from infected people are suggestive of malaria, although more research is needed to confirm that, health officials said.

    “Of the 12 samples taken, nine were positive for malaria bu...

    Faced with rising cases of bird flu virus being detected in raw milk in California, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday announced it would mandate testing for the virus in milk nationwide.

    The National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) "builds on measures taken by USDA and federal and state partners since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza [HPAI] H5N1 in dairy ca...

    A California dairy farm has expanded a recall of its raw milk and cream after state health officials discovered bird flu virus in more milk samples.

    In a notice posted Tuesday, Fresno-based Raw Farm LLC said it has now recalled all whole milk and cream products with "use by" dates of Nov. 27 to Dec. 13.

    Meanwhile, California health ...

    Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo are racing to try to identify the cause of a mysterious, flu-like illness that has sickened 376 people and left 79 dead in that country.

    In a alert posted on the social media platform X on Tuesday, the Congo's Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security said t...

    A cutting-edge genetic test can rapidly detect and identify almost any kind of disease-causing microorganism in the human body, whether it’s a virus, bacteria, fungus or parasite, researchers say.

    Doctors have been using the genetic test for more than a decade to identify pathogens in spinal fluid, after its development at the University of California-San Francisco.

    And now re...

    The bad news first: shower heads and toothbrushes in an average bathroom are teeming with an extremely diverse collection of viruses, most of which have never been seen before, a new study finds.

    Now, the good news.

    These viruses target bacteria, not people, and could provide a new means of confronting the rise in antibiotic-resistant germs, researchers report.

    These microorga...

    A non-drug nasal spray could theoretically help stop the spread of respiratory viruses like the flu and COVID-19 better than wearing a mask, a new study suggests.

    The spray uses ingredients that are medically inactive to trap germs in the nose before they can infect a person, researchers said.

    <...

    New England is on alert following one death and a handful of infections of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus.

    A New Hampshire resident died after contracting EEE, which is spread by mosquito bites, according to a release issued in late August from t...

    Cancer growth can be fueled by flecks of ancient viral DNA lodged into the genetics of modern humans, a new study says.

    Overall, about 8% of the human genome is made of bits of DNA left behind by viruses that infected our primate ancestors, researchers say.

    Called “endogenous retroviruses,” these DNA fragments have long been considered harmless junk littering the modern ...

    Over-the-counter nasal sprays could be a potent weapon against a major public health threat -- antibiotic resistance, researchers report.

    Their analysis, which looked at data from nearly 14,000 adults, found that common nasal sprays could help keep upper respiratory tract infections at bay, reducing the need for antibiotics.

    Antibiotic resistance caused by overuse and misuse of thes...

    While exposure to raw cow's milk infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus can make you sick, a new study suggests the virus may not spread quickly to other people.

    Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that mice and ferrets got sick with influenza when H5N1 bird flu virus was...

    An experimental "air mask"could help ward off infectious diseases while people are on the job, researchers report.

    The mask uses an air curtain blowing down from the brim of a hard hat to prevent airborne viruses from reaching a worker's eyes, nose and mouth.

    The method can block 99.8% of viruses, lab tests show.

    "Our air curtain technology is precisely designed to protect wea...

    Health officials in the Florida Keys have issued a dengue fever alert after two confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne disease were reported there.

    In the alert, issued this week by the Monroe County Department of Health, officials said they were taking precautions to curb the spread of dengue fever. Those measures include ...

    Your children's never-ending colds and sniffles may have protected them from the worst effects of COVID-19, new research suggests.

    Throughout the pandemic, it was clear that the SARS-CoV-2 virus tends to cause less severe symptoms in children than in ad...

    As bird flu continues to spread among U.S. dairy cows, reassuring new government research finds the pasteurization process widely used in the industry effectively kills all bird flu virus in milk.

    In a health update posted Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administr...

    Live bird flu virus has not been found in any of the first batch of retail milk samples tested, federal health officials said Friday.

    Amid an ongoing outbreak of bird flu in U.S. dairy cows, the early findings should reassure the public that the milk sold in stores remains safe, officials added.

    In the

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • April 29, 2024
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    • As bird flu continues to spread among dairy cows in the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday it will start requiring testing of the animals if they are moved across state lines.

    The "USDA has identified [bird flu] spread between cows within the same herd, spread from cows to poultry, spread between dairies associated with cattle movements and cows without clin...

    Alaska health officials say a man in that state has died after contracting Alaskapox, a rare virus that mostly infects small mammals.

    In a statement, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology said the patient was "an elderly man from the Kenai Peninsula with a history of drug-induced immunosuppression" due to cancer treatments.

    ...

    Low vaccination rates for the flu, RSV and COVID-19 are putting Americans at higher risk for severe illness and hospitalization this winter, a new government alert warned Thursday.

    There is an "urgent need"to boost vaccination rates as the trio of viruses spread through the country, the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said.

    "Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing...

    FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2023 (Healthday News) -- In testimony provided Thursday to members of Congress, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that a surge in respiratory illnesses in China is not being fueled by a new virus.

    Instead, the spike can be linked to existing viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19, the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Mycop...

    Air filters might help keep the air in your home fresh, but a new review finds they don't appear to reduce your risk of catching an airborne virus.

    Technologies designed to make indoor spaces safer from infection are not effective in the real world, researchers from the University of East Anglia in the UK argue.

    The team analyzed data from 32 prior studies in which air treatment tec...

    FRIDAY, Nov. 10, 2023 (Healthday News) -- The first vaccine to prevent infection with the chikungunya virus was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday.

    The single-dose shot, known as Ixchiq, is approved for adults who are at increased risk of exposure to the virus.

    "Infection with chikungunya virus can lead to severe disease and prolonged health problems, part...

    A cheap, do-it-yourself air purifier is powerful enough to effectively protect a home from free-floating flu and COVID-19 viruses, according to test results from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

    The filter, crafted with common hardware store supplies costing $60, outperformed pricey off-the-shelf air filters in

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 30, 2023
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    • Demand for a new shot that protects babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has outpaced supply, prompting U.S. health officials to recommend the doses be saved for high-risk infants.

    In an alert posted Monday afternoon, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said nirsevimab (Beyfortus) should be reserved ...

    A potentially deadly infection carried by mosquitoes may be more prevalent than once thought, U.S. health officials report.

    Named the Cache Valley virus after the Utah area in which it was first found in 1956, it has caused seven serious infections nationwide. But it may have infected up to 18% of the population, ac...

    Yellow fever may be resurfacing in the United States, thanks to climate change.

    The mosquito-borne viral illness decimated southern U.S. cities from 1820 to 1905, and now a new report says it could return to those areas.

    One of the potential reasons for a yellow fever resurgence? Global warming, because mosquitoes love warm, wet weather.

    Exactly where yellow fever...

    New research has uncovered evidence that remnants of the COVID-19 virus may remain in some patients' guts for months, contributing to the lingering symptoms known as long COVID.

    The remnants appear to trigger a drop in levels of the chemical serotonin, which may explain such symptoms as fatigue, brain fog and memory loss.

    About 20% of people who have had COVID-19 infections have sy...

    Toilet bowls reveal much about the health of a community, alerting scientists to coming outbreaks of flu and other seasonal viruses, researchers say.

    "Just one flush can hold a lot of information," said Kristine Du, co-author of a new Canadian study.

    "Wastewater surveillance equ...

    In rare cases, some patients may develop an autoimmune disease following a bout of COVID, Korean researchers report.

    Conditions such as alopecia (hair loss), psoriasis, vitiligo (white skin patches), vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, adult-onset Still's disease (painful skin rash), Sjogren's syndrome (autoimmune disease...

    It's time to get the flu shot.

    They're important not just for adults, but also for children, and keeping the whole family safe, according to an expert in pediatrics.

    "You never know how bad a flu season will be,"said Dr. Mona Patel, attending physician in the department of general pediatrics at Children's Hos...

    Long COVID, a constellation of symptoms that extend past the initial illness, is now a recognized condition.

    But researchers say COVID-19 may not be the only respiratory virus that causes these lasting health impacts -- "long colds" may also exist.

    "Our findings shine a light not only on the impact of long COVID on people's lives, but also other respiratory infections. A lack of aw...

    Moderna Inc. announced Wednesday that it has seen positive early results with a new vaccine that would guard against four strains of flu plus COVID-19.

    In interim findings from a Phase 1/2 trial, the vaccine showed both a strong immune response compared to the standard dose of flu vaccine in adults aged 50 to 64 and an enhanced flu shot in people aged 65 to 79. It also showed a strong res...

    More than 80% of eligible Americans did not get a COVID-19 booster shot last fall. Now, a new study reveals the reasons for the hesitation.

    Nearly 40% of survey participants said a prior COVID-19 infection factored into their decision to not get the booster. Another 31.5% were worried about side effects. And an additional 28% didn't think a booster would provide extra protection, while 23...

    Recent research has suggested that viruses could play a role in the loss of pancreatic beta cells, which triggers type 1 diabetes.

    Now, a new trial finds antiviral medications, when given soon after a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, might help preserve those vital beta cells.

    Antiviral drugs could be "used alone, or as part of combination treatment regimens, to rescue insu...

    New research shows the COVID-19 virus can directly infect coronary arteries, inflaming fatty plaque inside them, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

    This may explain why some people who get COVID-19 have a greater chance of developing heart disease. It also may shed light on why those who already have heart trouble develop more heart-related complications.

    "Sinc...

    Rabies virus is incurable and almost always fatal once it has invaded the central nervous system, with the victim doomed to suffer a horrible death.

    But researchers now think they've found an effective and simple treatment that can cure even advanced cases of rabies.

    A monoclonal antibody injected into lab mice successfully protected them from a lethal dose of rabies virus, research...

    Women may soon have a vaccine they can take during a pregnancy to help protect their newborn from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

    Following approval one month ago by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday also approved the shot, called Abrysvo. That marks the last hurdle needed for the vaccine to become widely available.

    "T...

    Symptoms of mild COVID-19 infection have shifted this season, and now are more akin to those of allergies and the common cold, doctors say.

    Many people with COVID-19 now are presenting with upper respiratory symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes and a sore throat, said Dr. ...

    COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are gradually increasing in the United States, as two new variants gain a foothold in the nation. And with that rise, more people are looking for COVID test kits.

    Hospitalizations rose by nearly 9% and deaths by nearly 11% in late August/early September, according to

    Following on an approval granted Monday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an expert panel from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday also signed off on new COVID boosters for Americans.

    Final approval is expected from CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, which would set the stage for the updated vaccines to soon become available.

    The COVID-19 shots from Pf...

    When you have COVID-19, when are you most infectious? Researchers are getting closer to an answer, with a new study finding that folks exhale the highest amounts of virus during the first eight days of their illness.

    Scientists found that patients exhale quite a bit of virus during the first several days -- as many as 1,000 copies of airborne virus per minute.

    Those levels drop st...

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday gave the green light to new COVID boosters for Americans, setting the stage for the updated vaccines to become available within days.

    The COVID-19 shots from Pfizer and Moderna will join the flu shot and newly approved RSV shots as part of a three-pronged public health strategy to tame the spread of all three viruses this coming winter. The ...

    You've probably heard of West Nile virus, but mosquitoes spread various other illnesses, too, including the little-known Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), which is garnering attention across the United States.

    For example, health officials in Connecticut have so far identified mosquitoes carrying JCV in 12 towns across the state. Although no confirmed human cases of the disease have occurred ...

    Some good news for folks who are worried about the new, troublesome COVID variant known as BA.2.86: Moderna Inc. said Wednesday that its updated vaccine held its own against this highly mutated version of the virus.

    While approval for the newest version of the vaccine is still pending from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the company offered good reason for why the agency should gi...

    Doctors are seeing a spike in severe cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among young children in Florida and Georgia, U.S. health officials warned Tuesday.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent an advisory to doctors, noting that regional increases us...

    A new COVID-19 surge is underway, with seasonal changes and new variants fueling an increase in hospitalizations and deaths.

    A new Omicron variant, named Eris, has become dominant in the United States amid signs that an even more highly evolved COVID variant called BA.2.86 is starting to spread across America.

    However, experts say the public should react to this latest surge not wit...

    COVID-19 variants are evolving three times faster in white-tailed deer than in humans, according to a new study.

    Deer serve as virus reservoirs, places where a virus thrives and multiplies, making them the perfect host for ongoing mutation.

    The virus also appears to be passing between humans and deer, where genomic analysis showed at least 30 infections in deer were introduced by ...

    Public health officials have detected the new BA.2.86 variant of COVID-19 in U.S. wastewater, giving rise to concerns about the highly mutated variant in the United States.

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the detection on Wednesday. ...

    Women may soon have a vaccine they can take during a pregnancy to help protect their newborn from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), following U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the shot, called Abrysvo, on Monday

    The vaccine is designed to be given to pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy as a way to protect infants from birth through 6 months from the sometimes ...