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Hidden Killer in Floodwaters

The US is grappling with the aftermath of two major hurricanes, which have brought not only physical devastation but also health risks.

United States: The United States has been dealing with the havoc from two major hurricanes – Helene and Milton and amid this chaos, health officials have also sounded alarm for the floodwaters, which could leave deadly health risks behind.

Recently, the Florida Department of Health has asked the residents and citizens to avoid contact with floodwaters as it may lead to exposure to Vibrio vulnificus – a bacteria that can result in death.

The department, while sharing the warning, mentioned, “Vibrio bacteria, commonly found in warm coastal waters, can cause illness when ingested or when open wounds are exposed to contaminated water.” Along with this, it was mentioned that heavy rainfall and flooding provide an appropriate place for vibrio to grow, according to reports by ABC News.

In Cedar Key, approximately 100 miles distant from the epicenter of Helene’s Category 4 impact on September 26, an alarming surge of cellulitis cases, a bacterial infection exacerbated by exposure to contaminated floodwaters, was observed. Tami Wilkes, APRN, affiliated with Cedar Key Healthcare, a local clinic, reported this rise in infections alongside an uptick in patients requiring treatment for lacerations, respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis, and tetanus vaccinations.

Wilkes informed ABC News that the clinic had seen a convergence of these diverse medical needs. “The county health department dispatched a mobile unit to administer tetanus shots, and we collaborated by providing sutures, antibiotics, and nebulizer treatments to address the spectrum of needs,” she said, noting the exhaustive efforts being made to reopen the clinic under challenging conditions.

Helene’s landfall brought unprecedented storm surges to the Gulf Coast, a pattern anticipated to repeat with Milton’s approach. These surges result in the intermingling of saltwater with freshwater, creating a fertile environment for bacterial proliferation, according to Dr. Scott Rivkees, a renowned pediatric endocrinologist and physician-scientist who served as Florida’s state surgeon general and secretary of health from 2019 to 2021.

“Where saline and freshwater meet, vibrio bacteria find an ideal breeding ground,” Rivkees explained. “If an individual with an open wound, or someone with a compromised immune system—like cancer patients—comes into contact with brackish water, vibrio can swiftly take hold,” as per ABC News.

Rivkees, also a professor at Brown University’s School of Public Health, described vibrio as “one of the most virulent bacterial infections known,” cautioning that severe cases can necessitate skin debridement, amputation, or lead to mortality.

He further emphasized that long after a hurricane’s winds have dissipated, the most insidious threat to human health remains the contaminated waters left behind. “More fatalities occur in the aftermath of a storm than during it, with drowning being a predominant concern,” Rivkees stated, underscoring the hazards of navigating floodwaters by vehicle.

Beyond the risk of drowning, individuals unknowingly face further peril, especially if they bear open wounds or sustain cuts while engaging in post-storm debris removal efforts.

In Florida, Rivkees noted that septic systems are frequently compromised by hurricanes, spilling into the groundwater and contributing to the hazardous mix of brackish water where bacteria like vibrio flourish.

He further detailed that damaged boats, which release septic waste and fuel into residential flood zones, exacerbate the health risks in these communities, as per ABC News.

Additionally, Florida’s climate turns floodwaters into thriving ecosystems for mosquito populations, while displaced wildlife, such as venomous water moccasins, may lurk in the aftermath of habitat destruction, further endangering human safety.

In murky floodwaters, hidden debris such as sharp objects or downed electrical wires pose substantial risks of injury.

Critical Safety Measures

Rivkees stressed that the primary safeguard residents should follow after a hurricane is to heed the instructions of local safety officials regarding the timing of their return to affected areas. “There’s a strong temptation to rush back to check on homes, but first responders need time to ensure the area is secure,” he advised. “Waiting for the official ‘all clear’ is crucial to prevent further complications,” as per ABC News.

For those who must navigate flood-affected zones, Rivkees urged vigilance regarding any open cuts or abrasions and advised the use of protective gear.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advocates for protective measures when dealing with floodwaters, advising individuals to wear rubber boots, gloves, and goggles if unavoidable contact occurs.

ABC News reported that post-exposure hygiene is critical, with the CDC recommending thorough cleansing of skin with soap and clean water and laundering contaminated clothing in hot water and detergent. Open wounds exposed to floodwater should be washed immediately and monitored by healthcare professionals for signs of infection.

Symptoms of severe infection warranting medical intervention include increased redness, swelling, or tenderness around a wound, any presence of embedded foreign material, and systemic symptoms such as fever, nausea, confusion, extreme pain, breathing difficulties, or elevated heart rate, according to the CDC.

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News

UN Warns: Bird Flu Could Devastate Global Economy

United States: A United Nations food agency has issued a stark warning about the rapid spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus, calling it an “unprecedented” global food safety threat that requires urgent, coordinated action.

Escalating Crisis: Millions of Birds Lost

A Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) United Nations briefing identified worldwide poultry death masses and rising infections that cross between animal groups. Wild bird populations suffered from H5N1 disease in more than 300 species starting in 2021 and causing its spread to new distances according to The Hills.

FAO Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi emphasized the severe consequences:

“The disease is leading to serious impacts on food security, rural jobs, and rising consumer costs.”

Call for Coordinated Global Action

Beth Bechdol shared his opinion as another FAO Deputy Director-General that nations must collaborate to achieve desired outcomes.

According to an old wisdom a chain achieves its maximum strength through its least robust element. Animal health protection alongside human health protection can be achieved through international collaboration to decrease the impact of bird flu in both local and international scales.

The FAO recommends nations to enhance their bird flu surveillance capabilities while bettering their reporting systems and increasing laboratory capacities and implementing vaccination strategies together with biosecurity measures.

Bird Flu in the U.S.: Impact and Response

According to the CDC, the U.S. is currently managing 70 bird flu cases, affecting 41 dairy farms and 24 egg-producing facilities. While officials state there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, concerns remain over its impact on the food supply.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture started a $1 billion plan which aims to battle the virus along with stabilizing egg market prices. The existing economic consequences of the virus outbreak have commenced.

#UN agency warns of ‘unprecedented’ #bird #flu threat as #H5N1 #virus jumps to #mammals …

| #pathogen | #infections | #AvianInfluenza | #birdflu | #avianflu | #publichealth | By @thisisbartosz.bsky.social via @politico.eu https://t.co/whr6b8ZX6I
— Microbes.info (@MicrobesInfo) March 19, 2025

Egg Prices Surge as Outbreak Disrupts Supply

The outbreak has created higher egg prices which forces restaurants to make customers pay more for meals with eggs. News reports indicate that the Justice Department began investigating important egg producers after discovering evidence of price manipulation related to the bird flu crisis.

New Bird Flu Strain Discovered in Mississippi

A bird flu strain of heightened virulence that the U.S. had not seen since 2017 was identified in a Mississippi commercial bird herd. Officials confirmed the new strain does not originate from the current H5N1 epidemic but experts remain watchful due to The Hills report.

What’s Next?

Global health experts advise taking rapid coordinated actions to stop the bird flu outbreak from escalating further because of growing worries regarding food safety and monetary consequences. Surveillance strengthening combined with preventive investments and market price fairness stands as the vital foundation for controlling the ongoing crisis.

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News

Daytime Sleepiness in Seniors Linked to Higher Dementia Risk

United States: Drowsy during the daytime?

Research findings suggest that daytime sleepiness among senior citizens signals an elevated risk of dementia development.

The journal Neurology published research showing women aged 80 experienced two times greater risk of dementia when their daytime sleepiness increased throughout five years, as reported by HealthDay.

Sleep Disruptions May Be an Early Warning Sign

“The brain requires sleep for cognitive health because this rest period allows mental rejuvenation to improve clear thinking and information retention” according to senior researcher Yue Leng who serves as associate professor of psychiatry at the University of California-San Francisco in the news release.

According to Leng sleep-related problems seem to affect cognitive aging processes and might detect or increase risks for dementia in women aged 80 years old.

Study Tracks Sleep Patterns and Cognitive Decline

The research team studied 733 women who were 83 years old on average for five years. The participants showed no signs of dementia or mild cognitive impairment when the study began.

Women utilized wrist devices during the three-day tracking phase at the study commencement point, followed by the termination point.

The devices monitored sleep pattern variations among 56% of participants across five years.

During the five-year study period, 22% of participants developed mild cognitive impairment, alongside 13% who suffered from dementia.

Sleep pattern shifts are linked to potential brain deterioration, according to results obtained in the study.

Among the study participants who maintained consistent sleep patterns, dementia developed in 8% but increased to 15% among those whose nighttime sleep deteriorated and reached 19% among participants who experienced daytime sleepiness.

Dementia Risk More Than Doubles with Daytime Sleepiness

Research outcomes showed that women experiencing increased sleepiness demonstrated a dementia risk, which was 2.2 times higher after accounting for additional risk variables.

“We observed that sleeping, napping, and circadian rhythms can change dramatically over only five years for women in their 80s,” Leng said.

“This highlights the need for future studies to look at all aspects of daily sleep patterns to better understand how changes in these patterns over time can be linked to dementia risk,” she added.

Experts Call for Sleep-Focused Interventions

The study findings suggest sleep serves as an essential brain protectant, according to Dr. Marino Muxfeldt Bianchin and his editorial partner, who are professors of internal medicine at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, as reported by HealthDay.

“Initiatives focusing on improving sleep efficiency, encouraging lifestyle changes, and implementing cognitive interventions may be essential in mitigating dementia risk in the aging population,” Bianchin wrote.

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CDC Warns of Rising Dengue Fever Cases Among U.S. Travelers

United States: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning about increasing dengue fever cases among U.S. travelers who are projected to experience more cases throughout this year.

Record-High Cases Reported, Surge Expected in 2025

The number of dengue fever cases detected among U.S. travelers reached “record high” levels during the previous year when 3,484 cases were reported which marked an 84 percent surge from the previous figures, as reported by The Hills.

“This trend is expected to continue with increased dengue activity in endemic areas in 2025,” the warning from the CDC reads.

High Transmission in the U.S. Territories

Dengue transmission continues at high levels across specific United States regions together with selected global areas, while Puerto Rico, along with the U.S. Virgin Islands, attains similar transmission rates within the Americas.

CDC Warns of Rising Dengue Fever Cases Among U.S. Travelers

Travelers can acquire dengue with greater ease when they visit sunnier regions from March through September, which heightens their risk of infection.

Recent years have brought a growing number of virus cases and these increases primarily affect the Americas based on World Health Organization (WHO) reports.

Developing nations reported 7.6 million virus cases to the WHO in 2024, showing 3.4 million confirmed cases along with over 16,000 serious cases and more than 3,000 fatalities from the disease.

Dengue fever cases in Puerto Rico have continued to surpass the outbreak threshold since Last February 2024. Public health declared an emergency status in March 2024 and continues to this day.

Dengue cases on the island totaled 6,291 for 2024 alongside more than 52 percent of patients needing hospital care and 13 fatalities documented by the CDC.

U.S. Hotspots for Travel-Related Cases

Recommendations have been issued for a dengue outbreak emergency in the U.S. Virgin Islands since August 2024 and remain current, as reported by The Hills.

A total of 208 dengue cases occurred in 2024, followed by 30 cases in 2025, according to early March records. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded that Florida, California and New York had the most travel-associated dengue cases throughout 2024.

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