Dec 28 Bird flu virus likely mutated within Louisiana patient who became severely ill, CDC says By Laura Ungar, Associated Press A genetic analysis suggests the bird flu virus mutated inside a Louisiana patient who contracted the nation’s first severe case of the illness, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week. Continue reading
Dec 26 How America lost control of the bird flu and raised the risk of another pandemic By Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News Exclusive reporting reveals how the United States lost track of a virus that could cause the next pandemic. Problems like the sluggish pace of federal action, a deference to industry, and neglect for the safety of low-wage workers put the… Continue reading
Dec 24 Watch 5:59 New FDA rules aim to redefine what’s considered ‘healthy’ By William Brangham, Jackson Hudgins The Food and Drug Administration has issued new rules for food labels for the first time in three decades, an update the agency says will help empower consumers to make healthier choices in the grocery store. Lindsey Smith Taillie, a… Continue watching
Dec 23 Bill Clinton is in the hospital with a fever By Associated Press The 78-year-old was admitted in the “afternoon for testing and observation," Angel Urena, Clinton's deputy chief of staff, said in a statement. Continue reading
Dec 21 Watch 5:38 What to know about a surge of walking pneumonia cases among young children By Ali Rogin, Veronica Vela A rise in cases of a contagious lung infection across the United States is causing alarm, especially for parents of young children. Walking pneumonia usually sickens school-aged children and teens, but this year, toddlers are being hit the hardest. Ali… Continue watching
Dec 20 Flu cases surge in parts of the U.S. as vaccine rates for children drop compared to last year By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Thirteen states reported high or very high levels of flu-like illness last week, about double from the week before. Continue reading
Dec 20 ‘This is a moral failure.’ A Missouri community says leftover radioactive waste is making them sick By Gabrielle Hays St. Louis, Missouri, residents who grew up near contaminated nuclear waste, leftover from the Manhattan Project, say they are tired of waiting. Continue reading
Dec 20 VA faces urgent calls to fix benefits for vets with burn-pit injuries before time runs out By Dan Sagalyn, Elaine Grossman, Vivian Hoang The VA met with veterans behind closed doors Dec. 12 in what the agency termed a “listening session” about CB and other service-related lung conditions. Continue reading
Dec 19 Watch 8:29 Colorado dairy farms face calls to keep workers safe as bird flu spreads among cows By Stephanie Sy, Sam Weber California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to bird flu that's spreading among the state's dairy cows. The virus has already caused the deaths of more than 120 million birds across the country since 2022. Stephanie… Continue watching
Dec 19 Watch 6:41 Leading researcher explains how viewing addiction as a brain disorder improves treatments By William Brangham, Mike Fritz This week, we are reporting on some promising treatments for two of the deadliest drugs in America: opioids and alcohol. William Brangham sat down with one of the nation’s leading researchers who is studying America’s addictions and how we can… Continue watching