Uganda reports two new Ebola cases, total at seven
Uganda’s health authorities confirmed two new Ebola cases, bringing the outbreak total to seven as of May 25, 2026.
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Europe’s early heatwave shatters May records, sparking health and climate alarms
An unprecedented, early heatwave is breaking May temperature records across Western Europe, with the UK hitting 34.8°C (then 35°C) and France also reporting record May heat. Scientists say climate change is making such heatwaves more frequent, intense, and deadly as a persistent heat dome traps hot air across the continent. The heat has already led to dangerous conditions (wildfires near Edinburgh, water shortages in parts of England) and a rising death toll linked to heat; France reports several heat-related deaths at sports events, while 62,000 Europeans died from heat-related causes in 2024. With El Niño potentially boosting global temperatures, experts warn 2026–27 could be even hotter, underscoring the vulnerability of housing and infrastructure—especially in a UK ill-equipped with cooling options.
Colorado man contracts hantavirus from rodents, not cruise-ship outbreak
An Arapahoe County man tested positive for Sin Nombre hantavirus, likely from local rodent exposure, and is recovering at home. The case is not tied to the MV Hondius cruise-ship outbreak; Sin Nombre is not spread person-to-person. Colorado hantavirus infections are rare but occur, usually in spring/summer, and prevention focuses on avoiding rodent contact and following proper cleaning precautions.
Ebola Evacuation Sheds Light on Congo Crisis as Colleagues Die
An American missionary physician evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo after Ebola exposure waits in a Prague hospital room for a possible diagnosis, recounting how Congolese colleagues are dying as he expresses gratitude for his care while lamenting the lack of safeguards for local health workers amid a severe outbreak.
Outbreaks Ignite Conspiracy Theories Across a Divided America
Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks in the US spark widespread conspiracy theories—ranging from plandemics to anti-vaccine plots—amids social media amplification and distrust in institutions, while funding cuts and political tensions threaten an effective public health response.
Dust Storms Return: Climate Change Spurs Health Risks Across the U.S.
The piece argues that dust storms—historically deadly 'Dust Bowl' events—are returning to the US as hotter, drier conditions and waning vegetation lift dust into the sky, with health risks ranging from dust pneumonia to Valley Fever; it cites 2025 events in El Paso and New Mexico and warns that climate change could make such 'deathstorms' more frequent and costly unless mitigation and forecasting improve.
Coloradan Contracts Hantavirus as Colorado Sees Second Case This Year
An Arapahoe County resident has tested positive for hantavirus after rodent exposure; this is Colorado's second hantavirus case this year and is not linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. Deer mice are the virus source, with no person-to-person transmission. Officials emphasize avoiding rodent exposure and waste; CDPHE notes 132 Sin Nombre cases since 1993 with 47 fatalities.
New Review Links Alcohol to Dozens of Health Conditions Across the Body
A major review in Addiction synthesizes decades of evidence showing alcohol contributes to dozens of diseases and injuries across nearly every organ, weakens immune defenses and raises infection risk, and while some harms can lessen with reduced or stopped drinking, many damages persist; potential heart benefits of light drinking remain disputed.
Ebola Outbreak Has Risen to 220 Deaths as 11 Countries Remain at Risk
The Ebola outbreak has risen to 220 deaths, with health officials warning that 11 countries are now at risk as authorities monitor the situation with ongoing live updates.
Fish-Oil Fatty Acids Linked to Broad Reductions in Aggression, Large Meta-Analysis Shows
A meta-analysis of 29 randomized trials (3,918 participants, 1996–2024) finds omega-3 supplementation modestly reduces aggression—up to 28% in the strongest lab-based estimate—across age groups, sexes, diagnoses, durations, and doses, with both reactive and proactive aggression affected. Proposed mechanisms include anti-inflammatory effects, changes to neuronal membrane composition, and maintained prefrontal cortex function. While not a magic bullet, the intervention is safe and cheap, with potential implications for parenting, correctional facilities, and public health, though adoption may be slowed by cultural biases against nutritional explanations of violence.
FSIS Issues Health Alert Over Beef Kofta Linked to E. coli Outbreak at The Kebab Shop
FSIS issued a Public Health Alert after raw beef kofta produced by Olympia Food Industries (dba Olympia Foods; Franklin Park, IL) tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 and is linked to California illnesses (9 cases; onset Mar 27–Apr 30, 2026). The kofta was served at The Kebab Shop locations in CA, TX, and FL; The Kebab Shop stopped selling the product on May 18, 2026; no recall was requested because the product is no longer available for purchase. Consumers should discard any leftovers and cook ground beef to 160°F. For questions, contact The Kebab Shop or USDA MP Hotline.
NYC and NJ Prep for World Cup–Scale Health Challenges Across Six Weeks
With more than a million fans expected for World Cup games at MetLife, NYC and NJ are running cross-agency drills, activating an incident command system from June to July, and training healthcare workers to handle heat, travel-related illnesses, infections, food safety, and mass-casualty scenarios.
San Diego County Reports Two Unrelated Measles Cases, Exposure Alert at Marriott Marquis and Baskin-Robbins
San Diego County confirmed two unrelated measles cases; one involved public exposure at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina (May 17, 2026, 9 a.m.–3:45 p.m.) and a Baskin Robbins in Imperial Beach (May 20, 5–7:30 p.m.), while the second case had no exposure. Health officials are coordinating with the Marriott to identify exposed staff and guests, emphasize vaccination as the best protection, and advise anyone with symptoms to contact their healthcare provider. Measles symptoms typically appear 7–21 days after exposure, and statewide cases total 49 this year.
Norovirus Outbreak Hits Hikers Along California's Pacific Crest Trail
Dozens of hikers on California’s portion of the Pacific Crest Trail have fallen ill with a norovirus outbreak, with 7–12 confirmed cases reported near Wrightwood in San Bernardino County. Norovirus is highly contagious and causes vomiting and diarrhea; health officials urge thorough handwashing, cleaning of contaminated surfaces, and avoiding food preparation for a few days after recovery as thousands continue to trek the trail each year.
Birx: U.S. ready to confront Ebola outbreak despite leadership vacancies
Dr. Deborah Birx says the United States is well-positioned to respond to Africa’s Ebola outbreak thanks to a deep bench of experts and ongoing interagency efforts, even with vacancies at the CDC, FDA, and surgeon general; she notes that a rapid deployment of assets is underway and that detection delays can skew case trends, while suggesting that past U.S. withdrawals from WHO and aid cuts may not significantly undermine the response.