To conduct the analysis, as reported by The New York Post, scientists compared infusions from 14 brands that use plastic tea bags with 14 others prepared with loose-leaf tea. Each sample was allowed to steep for three minutes at a temperature of 203 degrees Fahrenheit.

The results showed that tea brewed from plastic tea bags released between 555 and 2,498 microplastic particles per cup, while teas made with loose leaves released between 0.3 and 2.4 particles.

The researchers identified the particles in the plastic bags as polyamide fibers, a material used in their manufacture. In the samples of loose-leaf tea, they found a combination of materials that, according to the study, could have come from environmental contamination or processing.

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Chemicals that may affect the endocrine system have been detected

In addition to counting microplastics, the scientists analyzed the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, substances linked to endocrine disruption.

The study detected BPA and several phthalates in herbal teas prepared using plastic tea bags. Although the concentrations were within the safety limits used as a reference, the researchers cautioned that these thresholds might not fully reflect the potential risks.

The authors specifically highlighted exposure to BPA, whose estimated intake could reach 21.7% of European safety limits. For this reason, they emphasized the importance of assessing the potential effects on vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and children.

BPA has been linked to disruptions in endocrine function and fetal development, as well as to problems with children's physical and behavioral development. Phthalates have also been linked to hormonal disruptions and potential health risks.

However, the study's results do not prove that drinking tea brewed with plastic tea bags directly causes illness. The researchers cautioned that adhering to safety limits does not necessarily imply the complete absence of risk.

A team of researchers from the University of South Florida (USF), led by Professor Benjamin Jacob, developed a system that combines satellite imagery, meteorological information and data on mosquito breeding sites to identify areas at highest risk for the proliferation of the disease-carrying insect.

As reported by Just the News on Monday, the technology makes it possible to locate potential breeding sites and provide that information to health authorities to facilitate mosquito eradication efforts.

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How the A.I. system works

The system can detect potential breeding sites in small spaces where stagnant water accumulates, such as abandoned tires, flowerpots and household containers. This allows control teams to focus their efforts on specific locations, rather than relying solely on widespread spraying.

The initiative comes amid a significant increase in infections. According to figures compiled by Just the News, Florida had recorded 425 cases of local transmission and another 288 associated with international travel , with Hillsborough County—where Tampa is located—as the main epicenter of the outbreak.

Dengue fever, transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, can cause high fever, muscle pain, nausea and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications. In September, health authorities confirmed the first dengue-related death in Florida this year.

The HHS explained that with this plan, the Trump administration also seeks not only to improve both the efficiency and affordability of medical care and to address the concentration of market power, but also to substantially expand access to kidney transplants in the country, given that nearly 90,000 Americans are on the waiting list and many must wait nearly five years to undergo the procedure.

To reduce this waiting list, HHS plans to promote a National Transplant Expansion Strategy that builds on reforms initiated by a 2019 executive order signed by President Trump during his first term. According to the department, the strategy will facilitate and expand access to living kidney donation, enabling more patients to receive life-saving transplants.

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In its statement, HHS explains that the plan also prioritizes prevention and early intervention, noting that one of its main priorities will be to detect kidney disease before it progresses, initiate treatment as soon as possible, and promote therapies capable of slowing or halting the progression of the disease.

The announcement comes just one day after U.S. First Lady Melania Trump unveiled a new White House initiative to promote women's health, coinciding with World Breast Cancer Day.

At an event at the White House, Trump signed an executive order establishing a task force on women's health and mandating a new specialized division within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "This is a transformative moment for women in the United States," Melania Trump said during the presentation, according to Just The News.

The initiative, titled "Advancing Women's Health to Improve Outcomes in All Phases of Life," seeks to strengthen scientific research, accelerate the development of treatments, and improve the prevention and diagnosis of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, endometriosis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's.

The breakthrough, developed by scientists at Mass General Brigham—one of the leading hospital and medical research systems in the United States—was presented in a study published in the scientific journal The Lancet Digital Health.

The tool, called FAHR-Face, was trained using more than 40 million facial images and aims to provide specialists with new indicators for assessing patients' physical condition before subjecting them to intensive treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or systemic therapies.

The system operates using two complementary algorithms. The first, FAHR-FaceAge, estimates biological age based on facial characteristics, while the second, FAHR-FaceSurvival, analyzes facial cues associated with the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer.

Unlike chronological age, which reflects the number of years since birth, biological age seeks to describe the body's state of aging, which is influenced by genetic and environmental factors as well as lifestyle habits.

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What can a photograph reveal?

The researchers discovered that certain facial features provide information related to health status and survival prognosis.

The algorithm that estimates biological age primarily analyzes the wrinkles that form between the nose and mouth, on the forehead, and at the temples. Meanwhile, the model designed to calculate mortality risk focuses on the areas below the eyes and around the bridge of the nose.

The results showed that the difference between the age estimated by the A.I. and the patient's actual age was associated with their survival.

Furthermore, by combining both algorithms, the scientists were able to improve the accuracy of survival predictions in an independent group of cancer patients used to validate the system.

According to Hugo Aerts, director of the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine program at Mass General Brigham and one of the study's lead authors, this is a pioneering demonstration that an A.I. model can directly estimate cancer survival prognosis using only a facial photograph.

Smoking also leaves traces detectable by A.I.

The study identified associations between certain lifestyle habits and estimates of facial aging.

Among the factors examined were excessive alcohol consumption, drug use and smoking.

The researchers observed that current smokers tended to have a higher facial biological age than former smokers, while the latter had higher estimates than those who had never smoked.

The results suggest that automated facial analysis could provide information on certain factors related to aging and overall health.

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When might it be used in hospitals?

Although the results are promising, the technology still requires further research and validation before it can be widely incorporated into clinical practice.

The system does not diagnose cancer based on a photograph, nor does it determine on its own what treatment each patient should receive. Its potential utility lies in complementing available medical information to estimate risks and guide treatment decisions.

Scientists are also seeking to verify its accuracy in larger and more diverse populations.

As part of that process, Mass General Brigham launched the FaceAge Research Study, a study open to volunteers who can provide photographs to help refine and validate the algorithms.

This development represents a new advance in the application of artificial intelligence to personalized medicine, especially in a field such as oncology, where a better understanding of each patient's physical condition and prognosis can be decisive in choosing the most appropriate treatment.

During an event held at the White House, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a task force dedicated to women's health and mandating the creation of a new specialized division within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"This is a transformative moment for women in the United States," Melania Trump said during the presentation, as reported by Just the News.

The initiative, called Advancing Women's Health to Improve Outcomes in All Phases of Life, aims to strengthen scientific research, accelerate the development of treatments, and improve the prevention and diagnosis of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, endometriosis, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's.

The new task force will be led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who recently completed treatment for breast cancer.

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The order also sets a 90-day deadline to create the new women's health division within the NIH. Among its priorities are expanding women's participation in clinical trials, promoting new medical technologies, and facilitating access to treatments.

The announcement coincides with a day dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, a disease that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), caused approximately 694,000 deaths and 2.4 million new diagnoses among women worldwide in 2024.

The WHO emphasizes the importance of early detection and timely access to treatments to reduce mortality. October is internationally dedicated to raising awareness about this disease.

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As part of the new strategy, Melania Trump also advocated for the use of artificial intelligence to accelerate medical discoveries, increase the availability of treatments and improve their affordability.

The executive order replaces previous women's health research initiatives launched during the Joe Biden administration. Although it establishes new coordination structures, it does not specify an additional budget allocation for its implementation.

This is Shigella, a bacterium that causes approximately 450,000 infections per year in the country, according to data cited in reports published by ScienceAlert and The New York Post this Friday.

Historically, this infection has been transmitted primarily through contaminated food or water and through contact among young children, especially in daycare centers. However, since the late 20th century, sexual transmission has become increasingly significant.

Shigella infections can affect anyone, but they are considered endemic in some communities of gay and bisexual men. Experts warn that several of the strains circulating in these communities have developed resistance to multiple antibiotics.

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A recent analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified an increase in extremely drug-resistant Shigella strains, known as XDR, between 2011 and 2023.

According to the analysis, which examined nearly 17,000 samples of the bacterium, strains resistant to five commonly used antibiotics accounted for 0% of the samples in 2011. By 2023, that proportion had risen to 8.5%.

Diagnoses on the rise, but what is actually being measured?

Based on Dolan's review, the figures often cited as evidence of an epidemic measure, in almost all cases, clinical labels, not a stable biological count. The national survey reviewed by Yan and colleagues in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders places that diagnosis at about 4% of U.S. children and adolescents at the end of the 2013–2022 series. Since the data is self-reported by parents and only about half of households responded, it cannot be interpreted as a screening of the entire population.

The international average is not constant either. Zeidan and colleagues, in Autism Research, place the median at around 1%, but the range across studies varies from 1.09 to 436 cases per 10,000 inhabitants. They attribute this variation, a factor of about 400, to differences in how cases are identified and to the country, not to biological differences. Talantseva and others, in Frontiers in Psychiatry, arrive at a slightly lower combined prevalence yet still observe the figure rising over the years. The measurement tool is just as important as the phenomenon itself. When medical records are actively reviewed, the figure reaches 1.22%. When insurance databases are consulted, it drops to 0.35%.

Primary care records highlight the contrast. Russell and colleagues, in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, estimate a 787% increase in new diagnoses in England and Northern Ireland between 1998 and 2018, nearly nine times the initial figure. If the sole driver were earlier detection, the average age of diagnosis should decrease. The opposite is true: it has risen from 9.6 to 14.5 years.

Who is being diagnosed now?

The change is not only in volume but also in who is receiving the diagnosis. Russell and colleagues show that autism is no longer concentrated among young children: in British registries, the largest increase in new diagnoses is among adults and women.

The Swedish registry points in the same direction, with a nuance regarding coverage. Fyfe and colleagues, in The BMJ, tracked the records of 2,756,779 children born between 1985 and 2020, and excluded about 26% because neither parent was born in Sweden. Among minors, boys continue to outnumber girls. The ratio reverses later: in 2020–2022, among those aged 15 to 24, there were more diagnoses among females than males, and at older ages the numbers even out. Cumulative parity is not observed across the entire life course. The study projects it to be achieved by age 20 in 2024.

Female "catch-up" or a lowering of the diagnostic threshold?

There is no single interpretation of this change. Fyfe and colleagues view it as a catch-up: girls may have been underdiagnosed, and clinical practice is correcting this bias.

Ranjan and Breunig, in the Journal of Health Economics, test a similar idea in another system. They study Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme, where public funding is tied to diagnosis, and one of the authors took an unpaid leave of absence from the agency that administers it.

The regional effect, measured by differences in differences, was 0.56 percentage points. Projected to the entire country compared to a scenario without the reform, the scheme would account for 32% of the reported increase in prevalence. The impact was greater among men than among women, was concentrated in metropolitan areas, and did not lower the age of diagnosis. Based on this pattern, the authors conclude that the threshold for recognition has lowered, not that the scheme was merely addressing a long-standing disparity affecting girls.

Funding also changes clinical practice. Since 2018, more children diagnosed with autism have been enrolled in the program than children whose diagnosis was issued by a professional enrolled in Medicare. An official from the program described a model in which private diagnoses are linked to the program in exchange for ensuring the subsequent provision of services.

Broader criteria and diagnostic substitution

The sharp expansion of diagnostic criteria occurred in the 1990s, with the inclusion of Asperger's syndrome in the DSM-IV, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that defines what constitutes a psychiatric diagnosis. That change accounts for about a quarter of the increase recorded in California.

In British Columbia, up to one-third of new diagnoses between 1996 and 2004 resulted from the replacement of previous labels, such as intellectual disability. The shift to a single spectrum in the DSM-5, the 2013 edition that eliminated Asperger's syndrome as a separate category and merged it with other forms of autism, did not drive the increase: several studies associate it with decreases or no change in the number of diagnoses.

However, in Australia, when autism diagnoses rose following new funding, diagnoses of intellectual disability also increased, indicating that this is not a simple substitution but rather a net expansion of the diagnosis.

When the entire population is screened, the prevalence stabilizes

Kim and others, in JAMA Pediatrics, screened 62,081 children entering elementary school in a single South Korean city using the same method, across 12 birth cohorts. Only about 42% of those who tested positive completed the clinical evaluation. Researchers used machine learning models to estimate the rest.

Those who met the criteria accounted for about 2–3%, above the global median of about 1%, because the screening identified children who had never been seen in a clinic. That proportion did not change significantly across cohorts. What did increase was the shift from the undiagnosed group to the already-diagnosed group. The study therefore points to detection, not to a rising biological incidence.

Milder cases, less intellectual disability

Beyond the increase in the number of cases, the composition of the population diagnosed with autism has undergone a profound transformation. In an article published at Psychological Medicine, Uta Frith notes that, according to data from Sweden, the proportion of people diagnosed with autism who also had an intellectual disability fell from more than 55% in 2001 to less than 7% in 2020.

This trend is consistent with what has been observed in other parts of the world. A review by Lyall and others in Annual Review of Public Health notes that, historically, about 70% of autism cases were accompanied by intellectual disability, but by 2012 that figure had dropped to approximately 30%. The authors emphasize that much of the increase recorded in the previous decade was concentrated in milder cases, while the prevalence of autism associated with intellectual disability remained largely unchanged.

A study conducted in South Korea by Kim and colleagues provides a complementary example. According to the PsyPost, among children who had already been diagnosed through traditional medical services, 33% had an intellectual disability; in contrast, among previously unidentified cases detected through population-based screening, only 6% had one. This contrast suggests that, as the search expands beyond the usual clinical system, many cases with milder cognitive impairment are included in the count, which substantially alters the profile of the diagnosed population.

Diagnostic shift and risk of overdiagnosis in adults

The shift toward milder cases has changed the public meaning of the term. Uta Frith argues that the concept of autism has become semantically unstable: neurodiversity reduced stigma, and online communities transformed it into a cultural identity. She describes a feedback loop, whereby more people interpret their everyday difficulties through this framework, and rejects the notion that the historical criterion was limited to male children.

Croce and Fusaro, in Frontiers in Psychiatry, warn of a dual risk in adult clinics. Underdiagnosis in women and minorities is a reality, and recognizing the female phenotype has been a significant advance over the past fifteen years. At the same time, they point to a possible overdiagnosis when the clinical picture is better explained by a personality disorder or complex trauma. Their distinction between a Type I, which has childhood onset and a greater genetic component, and a Type II, which is milder and overlaps with other mental health issues, is not included in the diagnostic manuals. Social camouflage is not specific either: Milner shows that it also appears in people with high autistic traits who have not been diagnosed. An isolated self-report may, therefore, lead to a mislabeling.

Biological risk factors: Real, but with limited population-wide impact

A risk factor can only increase population incidence if exposure becomes more frequent. Wang and Wang estimate the heritability of autism to be between 40% and 90%, while Love and colleagues place it at around 50%.

According to Dolan's review, advanced parental age, maternal obesity and gestational diabetes are associated with increased individual risk and have risen during the same decades in which diagnoses have increased, so they could contribute to a modest biological increase.

Vaccines are not part of this explanation: Lyall and colleagues find no association in reviews covering 67 studies. As for pollutants, Duque-Cartagena and colleagues find modest risks, but they rate the overall certainty of this evidence as low or very low.

Despite that situation, Prida says her experience allowed her to discover a new perspective on the disease and on life itself. "Today, receiving a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence as it once was; today it means I'm going to fight for my life," she stated. The author and speaker described cancer as "the bipolar disease" because, although it can be "cruel and treacherous," it also taught her "the meaning of true love, compassion and humanity." According to Prida, these lessons aren't exclusive to the patient but also apply to those who support a person during their illness.

One of the messages she most wanted to emphasize during the conversation was the importance of knowing your own body and paying attention to any changes. "No one knows your body better than you do," she said, insisting that any changes in the breasts should be checked by a doctor. "The earlier it's detected, the better your chances of survival," she said.

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Prida also spoke about her "urban spirituality" project, which she defines as a way to connect with one's inner self and seek balance between the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions. For her, learning to process emotions and find that balance is part of the toolkit that can help people cope with life's challenges.

Her story, more than two decades after that diagnosis that seemed to mark the end, has become a message of hope for others going through similar situations: facing an illness can also pave the way toward a new way of understanding life.

You can watch the full interview by clicking on the video below.

The recall affects Chlorthalidone Tablets, USP, 25 mg, a medication used to treat high blood pressure and certain types of fluid retention.

The pharmaceutical company Inventia Healthcare Limited, based in India, voluntarily initiated the recall on September 3. Subsequently, the FDA classified it as a Class II recall on September 17.

According to the FDA, a Class II recall means that use of the product could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems, although the likelihood of serious consequences is considered remote.

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In total, the recall involves 13,567 bottles of chlorthalidone. Each bottle contains 100 25-mg tablets.

The affected products are from lot RISA24002, have an expiration date of April 2027, and bear the NDC number 64980-599-01.

The FDA stated that the drug was recalled because the tablets did not dissolve properly.

In its update this week, the agency noted that reports of these infections "are beginning to increase" nationwide. Data on emergency department visits also show a spike in cases related to strep throat and scarlet fever, two illnesses caused by this bacterium.

Group A streptococcus—streptococcus pyogenes—can cause various types of infections. Among the most common are throat infections, scarlet fever and certain skin infections.

The CDC explains that respiratory infections caused by group A streptococcus can occur year-round, although they are more common during the winter and early spring. In the United States, reports typically reach their lowest levels during the summer and begin to rise when children return to school.

Who is at highest risk?

Strep throat is especially common among school-age children. Close contact with an infected person is the main risk factor.

Schools and daycare centers are among the places where transmission is most likely due to frequent contact between people. Parents of school-aged children and other adults who have regular contact with children are also at higher risk.

In the case of scarlet fever, the CDC notes that it is most common among children aged 5 to 15 and rare in children under 3.

Most group A streptococcal infections are mild. However, the bacteria can also cause much more serious illnesses, including streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as "flesh-eating" disease.

Older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of developing severe forms of the infection.

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What are the symptoms of a strep throat infection?

Among the symptoms that may appear include:

• A sore throat that may come on suddenly
• Pain when swallowing
• Fever
• Red and swollen tonsils
• White spots or pus-filled patches on the tonsils
• Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck

When the infection causes scarlet fever, one of its characteristic signs is a reddish rash that may feel similar to sandpaper.

The CDC notes that patients may also experience fever, sore throat, headache or body aches, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The tongue may later take on a red and rough appearance, known as "strawberry tongue."

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How is it transmitted?

Group A streptococcus bacteria are contagious and can spread through close contact with an infected person.

To reduce the risk, the CDC recommends washing your hands frequently with soap and water, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and avoiding sharing glasses, utensils or food with sick people.

The agency also advises seeking medical care when an infection is suspected. Healthcare providers can perform tests to determine whether the patient has strep and, when appropriate, treat the infection with antibiotics.

In confirmed cases of strep throat, the CDC recommends that patients not return to school, daycare or work until they are fever-free and at least 12 to 24 hours have passed since the start of appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Despite the increase in strep, the overall incidence of acute respiratory illnesses leading Americans to seek medical care remained at a very low level nationwide, according to the latest CDC data.

To address this concern, Dr. Alfredo Melgar, an internist and director of nursing homes in Miami-Dade explained in an interview with Voz the mechanism behind these drugs and the specific risk that has them under scrutiny today: possible inflammation of the optic nerve that can lead to irreversible vision loss.

"These medications have sparked a revolution in the treatment of obesity and diabetes," Melgar said in a conversation with Karina Yapor, executive producer at Voz. The doctor explained that their popularity stems from three specific effects: They improve insulin release from the pancreas, optimize liver metabolism to lower blood sugarand send a signal of satiety to the brain that reduces appetite. In addition, the FDA also approved them for their cardiovascular benefits, as they reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

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But the doctor was just as clear about the other side of the coin. "That's where I see the serious issue," he said, referring specifically to the link with blindness. As he explained, there are approximately 12 reported cases, and although pharmaceutical companies deny a direct link, he stressed that "we need to see what's going on." Melgar detailed the possible mechanism behind the damage: "These medications can cause inflammation of the optic nerve, reducing blood flow to the optic nerve — which is involved in vision — and then the person loses their sight" .

The doctor also pointed to a risk factor that often goes unnoticed but is very common, namely self-medication with incorrect doses. "There are people who want to lose weight immediately" and end up buying the medication "on the black market in Europe, Latin America or Canada," he warned, since in the United States health insurance coverage remains "extremely expensive."

That informal route often leads to the use of doses that are not appropriate for the patient, he pointed out.

For this reason, Melgar emphasized the need for strict medical monitoring before and during treatment, recommending prior evaluation of pancreatic, thyroid and kidney function, and now also a preliminary eye exam, especially in patients with a history of glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy. "What cannot be hidden cannot be hidden," the doctor said regarding the adverse effects of these drugs, noting that if a link to blindness is confirmed, some medications could be modified or withdrawn from the market altogether.

Ultimately, the specialist's conclusion is that any GLP-1 treatment must be administered under medical supervision. "Not what your gym trainer tells you, not what your neighbor does, not what you see on TikTok," he warned, "but under a doctor's supervision, because there may be some irreversible damage."

The products bear the establishment number "EST. 1363," which does not correspond to a federally authorized inspection facility. The FSIS stated that any product bearing this number should be considered mislabeled and unfit for consumption.

The meat was produced on various dates prior to Sept. 22, 2026, vacuum-sealed and packed in cardboard boxes for distribution. The products were shipped to A&D Foods, a distributor in Georgia, to be subsequently distributed to retail establishments and restaurants throughout the United States.

A wide variety of products

The recall includes pork, beef and goat products marketed under the A&D Foods label. Among the affected items are goat cuts, sliced ribeye, beef chuck, beef tail, ribs, beef shanks and beef feet, as well as ground pork, chorizo, pork chops, pork feet, ribs and various cuts of pork Boston butt.

Also included is a product identified as "Menudo Mix."

The FSIS warned that the list of products could expand as more information becomes available.

One challenge for consumers is that individual packages may not display the original label. The agency explained that some retailers may have affixed their own labels with pricing information and instructions for safe food handling.

The problem was detected during an FSIS inspection

The issue was discovered during FSIS oversight activities.

The agency noted that food produced without inspection may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria or other contaminants that pose a risk to consumer health and safety.

The FSIS expressed concern that some of the recalled products might still be found in the refrigerators or freezers of consumers, restaurants and retail establishments.

As of the Sept. 22 announcement, no illnesses or injuries related to the consumption of these products had been confirmed.

The new case was announced on Tuesday, September 22, by state and local authorities. The patient, a resident of Chippewa County, is believed to have been exposed to the virus during a trip outside of Wisconsin, and the infection is not related to the active outbreak in the southwestern part of the state.

At this time, authorities say no public places have been identified where others may have been exposed. The Chippewa County Department of Public Health and DHS are working to locate and directly contact those who may have had contact with the patient.

"Confirming a case in our community is concerning," said Brittnay Herrick, Chippewa County Health Officer, who explained that investigators are working with healthcare providers to determine possible exposures and provide guidance to affected individuals.

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The main outbreak is in southwestern Wisconsin

The Chippewa County case comes as Wisconsin continues to try to contain a significantly larger outbreak centered in Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, and Vernon counties.

According to the official DHS record, as of September 18, 161 confirmed cases and six additional probable cases had been identified in those four counties. Epidemiological investigations indicate that localized transmission of the virus is occurring there.

The outbreak began to grow in August. On the 18th of that month, for example, authorities reported just 36 confirmed cases and three probable cases associated with the outbreak in the southwest. By mid-September, the number had surpassed 160.

In addition, on September 15, another isolated case was confirmed in Marathon County, also linked to out-of-state travel and with no known connection to the outbreak in the southwest. No public exposures related to that patient have been identified so far.

In total, cases have been reported since August in Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Vernon, Marathon, and Chippewa counties, according to health authorities.

More than 3,400 cases in the United States

The spike in Wisconsin comes amid a major measles resurgence in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had recorded 3,471 confirmed cases nationwide as of September 17, spread across 47 jurisdictions. Wisconsin is among the affected states.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is transmitted through the air. Infectious particles can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room, according to Wisconsin health authorities.

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Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 10 to 21 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, fatigue, red or watery eyes , and later a rash that typically starts at the hairline and spreads to the arms and legs.

The DHS states that those who are not vaccinated or are unaware of their immunization status are at the highest risk. Authorities recommend reviewing vaccination records and note that two doses of the MMR vaccine are approximately 97% effective in preventing measles.

"My thoughts are with the two families who lost loved ones to this highly contagious virus, as Pennsylvania faces its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades," said State Health Secretary Debra Bogen.

According to local medical examiners, the latest fatality was an 18-year-old man, who joins the two infants who were too young to be vaccinated and a 40-year-old man.

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Last year, when the current outbreak began, three other measles-related deaths were reported in the United States, including two children.

Since early 2026, more than 3,290 cases of this serious disease have been reported in the United States, including nearly 700 in Pennsylvania.

The product was distributed to 20 recipients—19 wholesalers and one retailer—located in 15 states: North Carolina, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Maryland, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Texas, and Washington.

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For the first two products, the report identifies the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas monteilii, Serratia marcescens, and Serratia nematodiphila as potential contaminants. For the other four, indicates possible bacterial contamination, without specifying the microorganisms.

The recall is still ongoing

The recall was initiated on June 29, 2026, and was classified by the FDA on September 11. The report indicates that the recall is still ongoing and that no end date is available.

The agency lists the action as voluntary and initiated by the company. It also notes that no specific press release was issued for this recall.

The latest advisory, dated August 21, 2026, brings the total number of infected to 431, 86 more than in the previous report. There are 57 people hospitalized, 21 of whom are new cases. No one has died. The map now covers 32 states, five more than last time.

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What’s been recalled

According to the CDC, the jalapeños in question were distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors and were grown in Sinaloa, Mexico. These peppers ended up in burritos, bowls, guacamole, pico de gallo, sandwiches, salsa, salads, soup mixes, stuffed mushrooms, and condiments.

Several products made with these jalapeños have already been recalled. The CDC refers readers to the FDA and FSIS lists to check, product by product, which brands and lots are affected.

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What to do if you have these jalapeños at home

Anyone who has jalapeños or products made with those peppers at home should stop eating, selling, or serving them. The CDC's advice is clear: throw them away or return them to the store. Afterward, scrub any cutting board, knife, or container that has come into contact with these peppers with hot water and soap—or run them through the dishwasher.

The CDC advises seeking urgent medical attention if you experience diarrhea accompanied by a fever of over 102°F, diarrhea lasting more than two days, blood in the stool, vomiting that prevents you from drinking, or signs of dehydration.

Common symptoms—diarrhea, fever, and cramps—appear between 6 hours and 6 days later. Most people recover within 4 to 7 days without treatment. Children under 5, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of being hospitalized.

The warning remains in effect: do not assume these jalapeños are safe until the FDA and CDC conclude their investigation.

For this reason, a higher reading in the evening or after a large meal does not necessarily mean you have gained fat. In most cases, it reflects temporary changes in the amount of fluids and food in the body.

Is there a best day of the week?

There is no single day universally considered the most accurate. If you decide to weigh yourself once a week, the key is to choose a fixed day and always maintain the same conditions.

Some research has identified a weekly pattern: weight tends to increase over the weekend and gradually decrease on weekdays. A study published in Obesity Facts found higher readings on Sundays and Mondays, followed by a decline toward the end of the week.

Another study published in PLOS ONE observed weekly fluctuations of about 0.35% of body weight, associated with changes in diet and physical activity.

This may make Friday seem like a more favorable day for some people, but it doesn't mean it's scientifically "better." Choosing it solely because it tends to yield a lower number can skew the assessment. What's truly useful is comparing each Friday to previous Fridays, or each Monday to previous Mondays.

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The trend matters more than a single number

Daily fluctuations of as much as a few pounds can be normal. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these are usually related to fluid retention, digestion, constipation, exercise, hormonal changes or certain medications.

To get the most out of your scale, it is recommended that you:

• Weigh yourself at the same time each day and under similar conditions.
• Always use the same scale.
• Record your results and analyze the weekly average or trend.
• Do not interpret a one-time increase as an immediate gain in body fat.
• Supplement your weight measurements with waist circumference, how your clothes fit and other health indicators.

Weighing yourself correctly isn't about finding the lowest number, but about obtaining comparable data. The first hour of the morning offers the most stable conditions, while consistency and trends over several weeks provide much more useful information than any single reading.

A sudden, unexplained weight gain—especially if accompanied by bloating, shortness of breath or other symptoms—should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Likewise, if weight monitoring causes anxiety or obsessive behaviors, it may be better to reduce the frequency of weigh-ins and seek specialized guidance.

The last confirmed patient—an imported case—was discharged on July 16, 2026. Since then, no transmission linked to that person has been documented, according to a report by the WHO on X.

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The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now the deadliest in the country's history

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A small but imported outbreak

According to AFP, Uganda reported 20 cases and two deaths. Almost all of those infected had traveled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the epidemic remains severe.

The WHO commended the Ugandan government, healthcare workers and international partners for containing the outbreak and preventing it from spreading throughout the country.

The approval, announced by the FDA on Wednesday, offers a new treatment option for adults with metastatic pancreatic cancer who have received at least one prior systemic treatment or who are not candidates for multi-drug systemic therapy.

Rasonque is a once-daily tablet that targets different forms of a protein called RAS, a key factor in tumor growth in most patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This type of cancer originates in the cells lining the pancreatic ducts.

"Today's approval offers a crucial new option for patients facing an extraordinarily difficult and traditionally hard-to-treat cancer. It is our fundamental duty to provide more cures and effective treatments to patients as soon as possible," said FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, J.D.

The FDA noted that the approval comes 6.5 months ahead of the user fee deadline, as part of the agency's efforts to accelerate the evaluation of new treatments for serious and life-threatening diseases.

Improved Survival Outcomes

The decision was based on a randomized, open-label, multicenter clinical trial involving 500 adults with previously treated metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

According to the FDA, patients treated with Rasonque achieved a median overall survival of 13.2 months, compared to 6.7 months among those who received standard chemotherapy.

A disease with high mortality

Between 90% and 95% of the approximately 67,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed each year in the United States are pancreatic adenocarcinomas, according to the National Cancer Institute, as cited by the FDA.

Although it accounts for about 3.2% of all cancer diagnoses, this type of cancer accounts for a disproportionately high proportion of cancer deaths. The FDA attributes this situation to its typically late detection, aggressive progression, and historically limited treatment options.

This is the conclusion of a study published in the scientific journal Science Advances, whose findings were reported by Northwestern University and reported by The Associated Press.

The researchers analyzed 916,904 emergency and urgent care visits involving 372,140 adults treated in five healthcare systems in Chicago between May and September from 2011 to 2023. In total, they studied 1,803 diagnoses to determine which ones occurred most frequently when temperatures reached or exceeded 92.66 °F.

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Heat was linked to 33 diagnoses

The analysis identified 33 diagnoses associated with extreme heat. These include acute kidney failure, fluid loss, hypotension, edema, rashes and other skin problems, multiple sclerosis, varicose veins and various injuries.

There were also increases in mental and behavioral disorders, insect bites, traffic accidents, assaults and firearm-related injuries.

Some conditions doubled or tripled during days of intense heat. In the case of accidental gunshot wounds, the incidence was more than 30 times higher than that observed on days with temperatures below the analyzed threshold, although these events are rare.

Dr. Abel Kho, one of the study's authors and a professor of internal medicine at Northwestern, explained to the AP that high temperatures increase the likelihood of external injuries and complications linked to kidney disorders or the effects of certain substances, including cannabinoids.

Experts suggest that the physiological stress caused by heat can intensify the effects of certain medications and drugs. Furthermore, previous research has linked high temperatures to increased aggression, irritability and loss of concentration, factors that could contribute to an increase in accidents and violent incidents.

World

France | More than 7,300 excess deaths and 52 days of heat waves: Longest summer on record

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According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), between January and July 2026, more than 1.5 million cases and more than 500 deaths related to the disease were reported worldwide. Although this figure represents a decrease compared to the same period in 2025, the geographic spread continues to concern health authorities.

Why is dengue spreading?

The World Health Organization identifies several factors behind the phenomenon: climate change, urbanization without proper planning, inadequate access to water and sanitation, population displacement and the growth of international travel.

Higher temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns extend the mosquito activity season and allow species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus to survive in new latitudes. In continental Europe, France confirmed a locally acquired case of dengue fever in 2026, according to latest ECDC update.

Nearly 4 billion people, almost half the world's population, currently live in areas at risk for dengue, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health

Poor sleep also harms the gut: The hidden danger of insomnia to the microbiota

Dra. Amny Acosta Then

Today, science confirms that there's an explanation for this feeling: lack of rest disrupts the gut microbiota, the ecosystem of trillions of bacteria that helps regulate digestion, the immune system and metabolism.

Research presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) revealed that chronic sleep deprivation alters the composition and function of the microbiota. These bacteria lose some of their protective capacity, promoting inflammatory processes that can affect various systems in the body.

Researchers observed that insufficient sleep disrupts the circadian rhythm of the microbiota and reduces its ability to protect the intestinal barrier. This can result in abdominal inflammation, gas, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, or increased sensitivity to certain foods.

In addition, the microbiota maintains constant communication with the immune system. When this balance is disrupted, a phenomenon known as dysbiosis, low-grade inflammation increases, and the body may be less able to respond to infections and diseases.

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The study also found that, in experimental models, alterations in the microbiota promoted the progression of colorectal cancer and reduced the effectiveness of chemotherapy. This does not mean that poor sleep causes cancer, but rather that insufficient rest can create a less favorable biological environment when a disease is already present.

So, how can you tell if your gut is also paying the price?

Frequent abdominal inflammation, sluggish digestion, changes in bowel movements, or persistent fatigue may be signs that your sleep and gut health need attention.

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When we think about taking care of our gut microbiota, we tend to focus on probiotics or increasing our fiber intake. However, getting good sleep is also key. Maintaining regular bedtimes and wake-up times, reducing screen time before bed, getting exposure to natural light in the morning and following a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains all benefit both the brain and the gut.

For years, we believed that gut health depended solely on what we ate. Today we know that rest is also part of the solution. Sleeping well not only allows the brain to recover; it also helps maintain the balance of the bacteria that protect our digestion, metabolism and immune system.

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