Frozen shrimp sold at Jewel-Osco grocery stores in Illinois are being recalled following a federal investigation that raised concerns about possible contamination during handling and storage, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Federal officials said the affected shrimp may have been packaged, prepared, or held under insanitary conditions and could potentially contain trace amounts of radioactive material. The recall was issued Friday by Direct Source Seafood LLC, a

Norovirus infections are increasing earlier than expected this season across the United States, with particularly elevated activity being detected in parts of the Bay Area, according to recent wastewater monitoring data. Public health experts say the early rise is being driven in part by a new variant of the virus, leaving many people without prior exposure or immunity. Data collected from wastewater surveillance systems show especially high levels of norovirus in the South Bay, Red

Illinois has joined a growing number of states allowing medical aid in dying after Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation authorizing physician-assisted death for certain terminally ill patients. The governor’s office announced Friday that the measure, formally known as the Medical Aid in Dying Act, will take effect on Sept. 12, 2026, giving state health officials time to establish oversight procedures and implementation protocols. The law permits eligible adults diagnosed with termi

State lawmakers in Texas are preparing for a significant policy shift as dozens of new laws take effect across December and January, adding to the more than 800 measures already implemented earlier this year. The latest round of legislation, passed during the regular session and the second special session, is set to influence major areas including education, public health, redistricting, immigration enforcement and criminal justice. Each law reflects ongoing political debates in the state and

Health authorities in the United States have confirmed the country’s first human case of the H5N5 bird flu virus after a Washington state resident tested positive for the strain earlier this month. The infection marks the first documented instance of H5N5 in a person anywhere in the world, underscoring what experts describe as the unpredictable evolution of avian influenza viruses. Officials emphasized that the overall public risk remains low, but the case is being closely monitored due to the unusual nature of the strain. According to Washington state health officials, the patient became severely ill in early November, presenting with a high fever, significant breathing difficulty, and episodes of confusion. The individual was initially treated at a medical facility in Grays Harbor County, approximately 100 miles from Seattle, before being transferred to a hospital in King County for advanced care. Authorities revealed that the patient is older and has underlying health conditions, though no further identifying information was provided. Laboratory testing confirmed that the patient had contracted H5N5, a subtype of bird flu previously detected only in birds. Until now, human infections in the United States have involved the more widely recognized H5N1 strain. Researchers say the emergence of H5N5 in a human highlights the ongoing adaptability of influenza viruses circulating in domestic and wild bird populations. Investigators believe the patient’s exposure likely came from their own property, where they kept a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry. The area is also frequented by wild birds such as ducks and geese, which are known carriers of various avian influenza strains. Officials stated that either domestic birds or wild species could have transmitted the virus, and both scenarios are under review. Despite the unusual circumstances, health authorities maintain that the case does not indicate increased transmission risk to the broader public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Washington state officials reiterated that there is no evidence of human-to-human spread associated with H5N5. Individuals who had close contact with the patient were evaluated and tested, and no additional infections have been identified. Experts also clarified that H5N5 is not a newly discovered virus; it has been circulating among birds for some time. This instance simply marks the first confirmation of the strain infecting a human. Because influenza viruses regularly mutate as they pass between species, scientists continue to track their behavior, particularly when new patterns of infection appear. This case is the first recorded human bird flu infection in the United States in at least eight months. The country has been dealing with a widespread bird flu outbreak since early 2022, during which 71 human infections have been documented. One fatality was reported in Louisiana. Only a handful of cases have occurred so far this year, reflecting the sporadic and largely low-risk nature of avian influenza transmission to people. Health agencies continue to monitor bird populations, agricultural settings, and human cases to better understand how avian influenza evolves and to ensure timely guidance for the public. While the H5N5 infection represents a rare event, officials stressed that prevention measures, including avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and practicing proper hygiene around poultry, remain important tools in reducing exposure risks.

Health officials across the United States are closely monitoring a rapidly spreading H3N2 influenza strain that has already led to unusually large outbreaks in several countries. The early and aggressive activity observed abroad is raising concern that the U.S. may be headed toward a more challenging flu season than in recent years. Countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan have recorded stronger-than-normal waves of influenza infection, with some regions reporting significant

Santa Clara County’s recently approved sales tax increase has triggered a growing conflict among its supporters, with county officials, law enforcement leaders and community advocates divided over how the revenue should be distributed. The dispute centers on Measure A, a five-eighths-cent sales tax increase approved by 57% of voters, which county leaders described as a critical source of funding for the region’s strained public hospital system. Now, disagreements over future budget alloca

Health officials across North America are raising concerns over a growing surge in measles cases, urging travelers to remain cautious and ensure they are vaccinated. The warning follows multiple confirmed exposures at major U.S. airports, increasing fears of renewed transmission of the highly contagious disease that had been largely controlled for decades through widespread immunization. The latest alert comes after an individual infected with measles was present at Philadelphia Int

Students in the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District now have a new way to stay active and healthy thanks to the installation of an outdoor fitness court in Monmouth County. The project, which blends physical fitness with community engagement, officially opened this week, giving students and local residents access to a modern open-air gym designed to promote exercise and wellness. The new fitness court includes seven distinct zones that offer a full-body circuit training experi

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of certain lots of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula following a multi-state investigation into a cluster of infant botulism cases. The outbreak, which spans ten states, has resulted in 13 hospitalizations since August, though no deaths have been reported. Federal health officials said the recall applies to two specific lots of ByHeart powdered formula with “use by” dates of December 1. The af

City officials in Frisco, Texas, have confirmed that two mosquito pools collected within city limits have tested positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV), prompting immediate action from local authorities to control the spread of infected mosquitoes. The discovery marks the twenty-first confirmed mosquito pool in Frisco this year, underscoring ongoing public health concerns across North Texas during mosquito season. No human infections linked to the virus have been reported in Frisco at this ti

Dallas County, Texas — Health officials have confirmed the first death related to the West Nile Virus (WNV) in the 2025 season, marking a sobering reminder of ongoing mosquito risks across North Texas. The Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) announced that the victim was a man in his seventies who suffered from underlying medical conditions and had been diagnosed with the neuroinvasive form of the disease, known as West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND). This severe form aff

US Congresswoman Haley Stevens announced on Thursday, September 25, that she will introduce articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. The move marks an escalation of her opposition to Kennedy’s policies, which she described as creating “healthcare chaos” across the country. In her post, Stevens stated that the time for patience has ended, declaring “enough is enough” and pledging to pursue formal impeachment proceedi

World Environmental Health Day is observed globally on September 26 every year. It serves as a reminder of the deep connection between the environment and human health. The day encourages governments, organizations, and communities to come together to safeguard people from environmental risks. Theme of  World Environmental Health Day 2025 The theme for Wo

Kerala is battling a serious health challenge after 19 people lost their lives to Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but deadly infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. The state has confirmed 69 cases in 2025, almost double last year’s count, making it one of the worst outbreaks in recent years. Cases have been reported across multiple districts, affecting patients as young as three months and as old as 91 y

Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed Executive Order 2025-04, launching a statewide initiative to secure vaccine access across Illinois as the fall respiratory virus season approaches. The governor emphasized that the move was necessary following widespread confusion over shifting federal COVID vaccine guidance and controversial decisions by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Pritzker explained in his announcement that no Illinois family should have to question w

After one of the most severe flu seasons in recent years, health experts are urging Californians to prepare for another difficult outbreak by getting vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19. Medical specialists caution that early immunization is especially important for vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions. Jeffrey Silvers, an infectious disease specialist based in Sacramento, explained in a recent w

Chicago health officials have issued a public health alert following reports of multiple leptospirosis cases in the city, including one that resulted in death. The Chicago Department of Public Health confirmed that at least four recent infections have been identified, with all patients either directly or indirectly exposed to animal urine or droppings, most commonly from rats. The department stressed that residents should remain vigilant, particularly those involved in outdoor activities such

A salmonella outbreak across multiple states in the United States has been linked to certain packaged home delivery meals, prompting a nationwide health alert. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person in Illinois and more than a dozen others across the country were sickened after consuming meals distributed by Metabolic Meals. Sixteen confirmed cases, including seven hospitalizations, have been reported across ten states, though officials warned the actual numbe

Water worries are finally easing for many residents in Passaic County after weeks of uncertainty, as officials announced that the long-standing boil water advisory has been lifted for Prospect Park and most customers in Paterson. The advisory, which had been in place for more than three weeks, was first issued on August 8 following a major water main break in Paterson that disrupted supply and raised concerns about water safety across multiple communities.