Jul 11 The U.S. sees 7 plague cases a year. Here’s why By Devi Shastri, Associated Press Colorado health officials have confirmed a human case of the plague. The rare bacterial infection spreads naturally among rodents and is transmitted through the bites of infected fleas. Continue reading
May 23 This COVID vaccine program offered a ‘bridge’ to uninsured adults, and then the funding crumbled By Laura Santhanam The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched the Bridge Access Program to connect U.S. adults with little to no health insurance to COVID vaccines. But funding cuts mean it will end this August. Continue reading
May 19 Watch 6:51 What more can be done to treat Lyme disease and its potential long-term effects By Ali Rogin, Andrew Corkery As many as 476,000 people in the U.S. contract Lyme disease each year, according to the CDC. For most people, symptoms go away after two to four weeks of antibiotics, but five to 10 percent of patients have debilitating, long-term… Continue watching
Mar 06 Watch 5:55 Measles outbreak raises concerns about drop in vaccinations By William Brangham, Murrey Jacobson, Shoshana Dubnow There were 58 reported cases of measles in the U.S. during all of 2023. But there's already been 41 cases across 16 states so far this year. The outbreak of this highly contagious virus is cause for concern for many… Continue watching
Mar 05 Watch 5:51 What’s behind the stunning rise in alcohol-related deaths By William Brangham, Maea Lenei Buhre Alcohol is one of the most commonly used drugs in America, and it is also one of the deadliest, with more and more people losing their lives to alcohol-related causes over the last two decades. A new report reveals how… Continue watching
Mar 04 White House lifting its COVID-19 testing rule for people around Biden By Zeke Miller, Associated Press The White House says the change aligns its policies with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. The CDC last week relaxed its recommendation for those who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate for five days. Continue reading
Mar 01 Alcohol-related deaths in U.S. jumped 29 percent in 5 years. Here’s why, according to experts By Laura Santhanam Experts are urging the U.S. to intervene as new federal data show nationwide deaths tied to alcohol use rose 29 percent in just five years, with the COVID pandemic "most likely" a main cause of the increase. Continue reading
Mar 01 Watch 6:11 CDC director on new COVID guidance ending 5-day isolation By Amna Nawaz, Courtney Norris, Leila Jackson, Laura Santhanam The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed its COVID guidance for when people need to isolate, return to school or work and get a booster shot. It's part of broader recommendations on respiratory illnesses. CDC Director Dr. Mandy… Continue watching
Mar 01 CDC shortens official COVID quarantine guidance By Laura Santhanam The nation is “in a different place” with the COVID pandemic than it was four years ago, said Dr. Mandy Cohen, who directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with wider access to treatments and prevention strategies. These new… Continue reading
Feb 29 Norovirus illnesses are up in some places. Here’s what you need to know By JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press Cases of norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug, are climbing in the Northeastern U.S. Continue reading