The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a new bird flu vaccine. Zoetis, the manufacturer, announced the approval in February.
The vaccine is for chickens and helps protect poultry flocks. It targets the H5N1 strain, which has infected 150 million birds. No existing vaccine fully matches this strain. Officials are now building a stockpile for livestock.
A new study links plastic takeout containers to a higher risk of heart disease. Researchers surveyed 3,179 people on plastic exposure and heart health. Frequent plastic use raised the risk of congestive heart failure by 13%.
The study suggests plastic exposure harms gut health and heart function. Researchers stress the need for further studies on plastic-related health risks.
Update: As of March 25, 2025, the DRC’s National Public Health Institute has attributed the outbreak deaths to severe malaria. Officials said the outbreak was likely worsened by poor access to healthcare and possible co-factors such as contaminated water.
An unknown illness has killed 53 people in northwest Congo, says WHO. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, headaches, and fatigue. Many deaths happened within 48 hours of symptoms appearing.
The cause of the outbreak is still unknown. Health officials are investigating to find the source and stop the spread.
A new NIH-funded study found a sharp rise in ME/CFS cases. Researchers discovered that 4.5% of post-COVID patients met ME/CFS criteria. Only 0.6% of uninfected people met the same criteria.
ME/CFS, or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is a chronic illness. It often develops after infections and affects the nervous and immune systems. The condition causes severe fatigue that worsens after activity, called post-exertional malaise. Other symptoms include brain fog, dizziness, headaches, muscle weakness, and sleep problems.
Most people know HPV can cause cervical cancer in women. However, many do not realize it also raises cancer risks for men.
A new survey from Ohio State University found widespread misunderstandings about HPV risks. Another study shows a major drop in cervical pre-cancer among likely vaccinated women. This progress follows nearly 20 years of U.S. HPV vaccine recommendations.
Despite this, low vaccination rates could allow preventable cancers to keep rising.
