The owner of a Wahiawa duck rescue noticed strange symptoms in her birds. Some showed lethargy, while others had unnatural twitching and twisting of their necks. Initially, she suspected poisoning. However, 20 of her rescued waterfowl and 13 wild zebra doves died.

State officials tested the deceased birds and confirmed avian flu infections. These are the first reported cases of avian flu in Hawaii, making it the last U.S. state to be affected.

Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Canada, a teenager with bird flu showed an alarming mutation. Tests revealed genetic changes that could make human-to-human transmission easier.

Both events have raised concerns among health officials. Experts, however, maintain that the risk of a large-scale pandemic is low.

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In 2022, Jeffrey Todd became one of more than 30,000 U.S. adults to contract mpox. After noticing his first lesion, he found online images of mpox rashes resembling his blemish. He assumed the rash would disappear by morning.

Instead, over two days, more bumps appeared on his right arm and back. A lesion also emerged on his neck. The spots itched, and he experienced fatigue, backaches, and shooting leg pains.

Todd was eventually tested for mpox and started antiviral treatment. However, the process involved a long and frustrating journey of self-advocacy. After 28 days in quarantine, he resolved to raise awareness about mpox. Todd hoped to prevent others from enduring the same ordeal.

Since 2022, mpox cases in non-endemic countries have dropped. Yet, mpox still harms tens of thousands worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) convened a meeting in December 2024 to evaluate whether mpox still constitutes a global emergency.

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A California resident has tested positive for mpox clade I. This strain has spread rapidly in parts of Africa. The development marks the first recorded case of clade I mpox in the United States. The infected person recently returned from East Africa to Sonoma County.

So far, there is no evidence that clade I is spreading in the U.S. Experts say the risk to the general population remains low. Still, the presence of clade I in the U.S. shows how mpox is continuing to spread globally.

In August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency. It confirmed this status again during a meeting in November.

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Sitting too much is dangerous for your health, especially in inactive jobs. Not moving enough raises your risk of death, heart problems, and mental health issues. It can also cause physical problems, like muscle pain and stiffness.

The good news is, small changes can make a big difference. A new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that daily walking can add years to one’s life.

People in the least active group gained over six hours of life for every hour walked. Those who walked as much as the most active group gained over five years of life expectancy, up to 11 years.

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In fall 2022, I developed a cough and shortness of breath. My symptoms worsened to fever, cold sweats, fatigue, and severe weakness. As a teacher, I missed weeks of work while seeking answers from medical professionals.

Two pulmonologists diagnosed allergic asthma, dismissing my hunch of valley fever. I was prescribed steroids and antibiotics, but neither treatment helped.

Months later, my condition left me barely able to move or breathe. Finally, Dr. Seth Assar, an Arizona pulmonologist, agreed valley fever was likely. Blood tests confirmed the presence of Coccidioides fungus in my system. Antifungal medication brought immediate relief, and I fully recovered in months.

A misdiagnosis of valley fever can be deadly. As cases rise nationwide, awareness and early diagnosis is essential to public health.

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