U.S. reports first severe human case of bird flu, in a patient hospitalized in Louisiana The CDC said the person was most likely exposed to the virus from sick or dead birds in a backyard flock. NBC News

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“The patient is experiencing severe respiratory illness related to H5N1 infection and is currently hospitalized in critical condition,” said Emma Herrock, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Health Department.

Five years on from the pandemic, long COVID keeps lives on hold Three years ago, Andrea Vanek was studying to be an arts and crafts teacher when spells of dizziness and heart palpitations suddenly started to make it impossible for her to even take short walks. Science X Medical Xpress

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About six percent of people infected by coronavirus develop long COVID, according to the global health body, which has recorded some 777 million COVID cases to date. ...

Health workers think COVID, flu vaccines safe and effective, but many remain hesitant, global survey shows A survey of more than 7,700 healthcare workers (HCWs) in 12 countries in 2022 and 2023 finds that respondents agreed that COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are safe, effective, and useful, yet 1 in 5 reported moderate or strong COVID vaccine hesitation. CIDRAP

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https://www.science.org/content/article/infamous-paper-popularized-unproven-covid-19-treatment-finally-retracted

Infamous paper that popularized unproven COVID-19 treatment finally retracted

A 2020 paper that sparked widespread enthusiasm for hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment was retracted today, following years of campaigning by scientists who alleged the research contained major scientific flaws and may have breached ethics regulations. The paper was pulled because of ethical concerns and methodological problems, according to a retraction notice.

Congo's health ministry says unknown disease is severe malaria

Long COVID's effects on employment: Financial distress, fear of judgment Though research has shown that people with long COVID are more likely to be unemployed, the statistics don't reveal what patients go through before they cut their hours, stop working or lose their jobs. Emily Caldwell Medical Xpress

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COVID-19 linked to more heart complications than flu, RSV The odds of myocarditis were 61% lower in flu and 85% lower in RSV than with COVID-19. CIDRAP

A new study published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders shows that pediatric and young adult COVID-19 patients are more at risk for cardiac complications than flu or RSV patients of the same age. 

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Health Gap at End of Life Is Now Wider in US Than Any Other Country Lifespan vs healthspan. Yahoo News

Humans today are living longer than ever before, but how many of those added years are spent in good health?

COVID: Updated CDC map reveals infection rates across US The latest data reveals that COVID-19 rates are rising in the U.S. compared to the previous week. Newsweek

The percentage of emergency department visits that were diagnosed as COVID has remained largely unchanged in recent weeks, at 0.6 percent—with the highest rates located in the Southwest: New Mexico at 1.8 percent and Arizona at 1.5 percent.

Deaths from COVID are highest in North Carolina, with 1.4 percent of deaths attributed to the virus.

California, Michigan, New York and Florida also have higher than average rates of COVID-related deaths, ranging from 1.2 percent in California to 0.6 percent in Florida.

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More Californians Are Freezing to Death. Experts Point to More Older Homeless People. - KFF Health News Hypothermia deaths have risen in California and across the nation. Experts point to the growing number of older, unsheltered homeless people as a key factor in the trend. paulavirna KFF Health News

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Rich countries, island states lock horns on climate change at UN court