First clade I mpox case confirmed in Connecticut after patient traveled to Western Europe

A case of clade I mpox — a more virulent version of the virus that causes monkeypox, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — has been confirmed in the U.S., as global health officials also monitor newly reported hantavirus cases in Europe.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CDPH) said Wednesday that the state’s first identified case of clade I mpox was detected in a person who recently traveled to Western Europe, where officials continue to monitor infectious disease activity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported new hantavirus cases in Spain and France, drawing attention to the rare but potentially severe disease, which can cause serious respiratory complications in humans.

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents and can lead to severe respiratory illness, though cases remain rare, according to the WHO.

While health officials said the mpox case "does not pose a risk to the general public," they still encourage those who may be at risk to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine.

NEW MPOX STRAIN CONFIRMED IN US STATE FOR FIRST TIME

Mpox symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rash, according to CDC.

"Mpox hasn't gone away, and we want people to be protected, especially as many in our community prepare for travel, festivals, and gatherings this summer," CDPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said in the release.

"The vaccine is safe, effective and widely available. Completing the two-dose series is the best way to protect yourself and your partners."

HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE

Clade I and clade II mpox are genetically distinct forms of the virus with key differences in severity and geographic origin, according to the CDC and the WHO.

Clade I, historically identified in Central Africa, has been linked to more severe illness and higher mortality rates, with cases often involving more widespread rashes and complications.

Clade II, which has circulated primarily in West Africa, is generally associated with milder disease and drove the global outbreak beginning in 2022, when most patients experienced less severe symptoms and lower hospitalization and death rates, according to the WHO.

The CDC and WHO say distinguishing between the two clades helps guide risk assessments, particularly as international travel increases.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/mwfvWZp

Read More

Reported hantavirus protocol breach at hospital forces 12 employees into 6-week quarantine

A Dutch hospital has quarantined a dozen staff members following reports of a protocol breach involving a patient infected with hantavirus, hospital officials said Monday.

The breach occurred last week at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands, after the facility admitted a patient tied to a rare and deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius luxury cruise ship.

The hospital said the patient’s blood and urine were not processed and disposed of using the strictest international protocols required for handling the specific hantavirus strain.

"Because of these circumstances, 12 employees will go in preventive quarantine for six weeks as a precaution, despite the fact that the chance of infection is small," the hospital said.

RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED

According to the hospital, when the patient was admitted on May 7, their blood was processed according to standard procedures but should have been handled under stricter protocols required for the nature of the virus.

Staff also realized on Saturday that the most up-to-date international regulations for disposing of a hantavirus patient’s urine had not been followed. Instead, they had adhered to what was considered standard procedure.

Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans addressed the incident in Parliament on Tuesday, reassuring officials that the protocols that were followed were still considered strict.

"At Radboud Hospital in Nijmegen, strict procedures have been followed, but not the strictest procedures applicable in the case of this hantavirus," she said.

Hospital executives said they regretted what happened in a statement Monday, adding that they remain committed to providing care for any new hantavirus patients who may arrive.

CRUISE SHIP LINKED TO DEADLY HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK ARRIVES OFF TENERIFE AS PASSENGER EVACUATION BEGINS

"Despite the fact that the chance of actual infection is very small, these measures have a major impact on all those involved. We regret that this happened in our [university medical center]. We will carefully investigate the course of events to learn from this so that it can be prevented in the future," Bertine Lahuis, chair of the hospital's executive board, said.

"Of course, we will ensure that the colleagues involved receive all the support they need. We have great appreciation for their commitment, and that of their colleagues, to ensure that care for the patient runs smoothly. In the meantime, our [university medical center] stands ready to admit any new patients should this be necessary."

The announcement marks a backtracking from earlier hospital statements during the patient’s admission that "appropriate isolation measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus, in accordance with internationally agreed protocols."

As of May 13, there have been 11 hantavirus cases — up from eight reported on May 8 — and three deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

THE EVERYDAY PLACES AMERICANS COULD BE EXPOSED TO HANTAVIRUS — WITHOUT KNOWING IT

The agency reported that two of the most recent cases have been confirmed and are from Spain and France. The French patient became symptomatic during repatriation, while the Spanish patient tested positive following repatriation and remains asymptomatic.

A third case returned inconclusive results, with the patient initially testing positive and later negative.

In total, eight cases are confirmed, two are probable and one is inconclusive. The three deaths also include two confirmed cases and one probable case.

Health officials say the virus can be deadly but poses a low risk to the public. Contact tracing for all individuals linked to the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship remains ongoing.

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday added that it has deployed a team to the Canary Islands, where passengers disembarked, to provide onsite healthcare, including speaking with each American passenger at risk of potential exposure.

The CDC said it will not release exactly how many passengers are currently being monitored.

The outbreak began when a Dutch cruise ship carrying 147 passengers and crew departed Argentina on April 1 for a South Atlantic voyage. It is believed the initial infection was contracted by a passenger who may have been exposed to rodents during regional birdwatching activities prior to boarding, according to the WHO.

Following multiple infection reports, the ship docked in Spain’s Canary Islands on May 10, where the remaining passengers and most of the crew were evacuated under quarantine protocols.

Passengers have been repatriated to their home countries for a recommended 42-day isolation period.

The ship, along with a skeleton crew of 25 and two medical professionals, then sailed to Rotterdam, Netherlands, The Associated Press reported.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/EAbVjJe

Read More

Joe Rogan podcast appearance tied to rise in demand for alternative cancer treatment

Prescriptions for an antiparasitic drug spiked for cancer patients after a celebrity endorsed the medication during a recent episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast.

Ivermectin–benzimidazole, a combination of antiparasitic medications, was touted as an off-label cancer treatment during actor Mel Gibson’s January 2025 appearance.

Gibson spoke about three of his friends who had stage 4 cancer, noting that "all three of them don’t have cancer right now at all." When Rogan asked what treatments they used, Gibson replied, "Ivermectin, fenbendazole."

WOMAN WITH CANCER REVEALS THE DIET THAT SHE SAYS SAVED HER LIFE

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication used in humans and animals to treat infections caused by certain worms and parasites.

Fenbendazoleis, a veterinary antiparasitic drug used to treat worms in animals, belongs to the benzimidazole class of medications, according to medical sources.

"I don’t believe that there is anything that can afflict mankind that hasn’t got a natural cure for it," Gibson added.

HIDDEN VIRUS INSIDE GUT BACTERIA LINKED TO DOUBLED COLORECTAL CANCER RISK, STUDY FINDS

Researchers from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, UCLA and the University of Michigan analyzed the health records of over 68 million patients in ambulatory care settings. 

They checked for increases in same-day prescribing of ivermectin plus a benzimidazole: albendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole or thiabendazole – with the goal of determining whether Gibson’s endorsement resulted in a spike.

Following the episode, which was viewed 60 million times in the month after airing, overall prescribing rates nearly doubled, rising 2.5 times among cancer patients.

Among those patients, larger increases were seen in men, White patients, people ages 18-64 and those who lived in southern states, the researchers found.

The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open on Tuesday, did not measure any safety outcomes of the drug combination.

No clinical trials have supported the safety or effectiveness of ivermectin–benzimidazole for treating cancer, experts noted.

"Clinicians talk about how difficult it is when the patient demands or asks for a medication that they really feel passionately might help," said lead author Michelle Rockwell, PhD, RD, a health services researcher at Virginia Tech, in a press release. "And that's where I think these celebrity influencers really play a big role."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

While some laboratory and animal studies have shown that these drugs can promote anti-cancer activity, the required dose for even a small effect would "typically be considered toxic for humans," according to Skyler B. Johnson, MD, of the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Johnson, who was not involved in the research, shared with CIDRAP News his concerns about ivermectin’s effect on how the body processes cancer treatments and other medications.

The study did have some limitations, including that it was observational in design and could not prove that Gibson’s appearance led to the increase in prescriptions. Also, the fact that prescriptions were ordered does not necessarily mean that they were filled or used.

It is also possible that some patients sought out ivermectin without a prescription, perhaps from agricultural retailers who sell it for livestock.

There is also the potential that cancer status was misclassified, the researchers noted.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The study also did not assess whether patients were taking ivermectin alongside conventional treatment or if they used it as a substitute.

Patients should consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance before making treatment decisions, doctors say.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/YP7MLu8

Read More

The everyday places Americans could be exposed to hantavirus — without knowing it

Amid the current hantavirus outbreak that started on the MV Hondius cruise ship as it sailed across the Atlantic, health experts are now examining whether Americans may be encountering the virus in everyday places without realizing it.

The rare Andes strain, which was linked to the MV Hondius outbreak, is the only known hantavirus that has the capability to spread from person to person, usually through prolonged close contact with an infected person.

Most cases of hantavirus in the U.S. occur in the desert southwest and on the west coast, according to Dr. Linda Yancey, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann in the Houston area.

ANDES VIRUS LINKED TO CRUISE SHIP DEATHS RAISES CONCERN OVER HUMAN-TO-HUMAN SPREAD

"In Texas, cases are mostly seen on the west side of the state," she told Fox News Digital. "The strain of hantavirus native to east Texas and west Louisiana, the Bayou strain, is not as infectious in humans as the western strain, the Sin Nombre strain."

Hantavirus is mainly spread through contact with infected rodents – primarily deer mice – and their urine, droppings or saliva, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

People can become infected after breathing in contaminated particles that are stirred into the air or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their nose or mouth. More rarely, rodent bites can spread the virus.

HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS KEY MOMENTS IN DEADLY CRUISE CRISIS

Exposure is most likely when cleaning enclosed or poorly ventilated areas where rodents may nest unnoticed for weeks or months, health officials say.

Risky locations can include garages, sheds, cabins, attics, barns and crawl spaces. Storage units, stables, kitchen cabinets, and spaces behind appliances if rodents are present.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Rodents can also nest in unused cars, RVs, campers and boats, which can be sources of exposure when reopened.

The National Park Service says that most human cases of hantavirus occur in the spring and are linked to buildings that become heavily infested with rodents over the winter.

"Most people are exposed when cleaning out sheds and garages where rodents have been living," Yancey confirmed. "You can be exposed by just the dust and droppings left behind by rodents – you don't even need to even see the rodent to be exposed."

The risk of inhalation is also higher when opening buildings that have gone unused for longer periods of time, sweeping dusty floors, or moving and unpacking boxes, experts cautioned.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Rodent exposure is not limited to buildings. Health officials say people can also encounter hantavirus risk while handling firewood, working in rodent-prone outdoor areas, or disturbing rodent nests and burrows. 

To prevent infection, if cleaning a structure that might have harbored rodents, Yancey recommends wearing a mask and using a diluted bleach solution to wet down any dust or loose debris.

"This will help kill the exposed virus and reduce the amount of infectious dust," Yancey said.

The CDC advises against vacuuming or sweeping rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials, as this can aerosolize the virus and increase the risk of inhalation.

Instead, health officials recommend wearing gloves, soaking rodent droppings with disinfectant, wiping them up with paper towels, properly disposing of waste and thoroughly cleaning surfaces, followed by careful handwashing.

Some signs of rodent activity can include droppings, shredded nesting materials, gnaw marks, strong musky odors and scratching sounds in the walls or ceilings, according to public health guidance.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, emphasized that hantavirus is not something that most Americans encounter in daily life, and is more prominent in certain parts of Europe and Asia.

"It is very rare in the U.S. and is seen out west, but rarely," he told Fox News Digital. "We need to avoid overpersonalizing the risk of a very rare virus."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/cKi6HVt

Read More

Cruise passenger shows life inside Nebraska quarantine after hantavirus exposure scare

One of the passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship posted video showing his quarantine room at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha as officials monitor a hantavirus outbreak tied to the voyage.

Jake Rosmarin, a passenger currently under quarantine, has been documenting his experience on social media, posting videos from both the ship and the medical facility. Fox News Digital has not independently verified the video.

Health officials have said the passengers are being monitored out of caution after potential exposure to Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, and have emphasized that the risk to the public remains low.

In one recent clip, Rosmarin showed his room, which included a wall-mounted hand sanitizer, a thermometer and other health provisions. The room also featured a stationary bike.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER DESCRIBES UNCERTAINTY AFTER 3 DEATHS AMID HANTAVIRUS PROBE

"I can have stuff sent here for the duration of my stay, so I'm definitely going to be getting some things for me to feel more at home and more comfortable," Rosmarin said.

He added that he plans to continue sharing updates in the coming days and said he is currently feeling "well."

Rosmarin also said he has not tested positive for hantavirus.

The footage shows conditions inside the quarantine unit as health officials monitor passengers for potential exposure following the outbreak.

CDC SPELLS OUT NEXT STEPS AFTER AMERICANS EXPOSED TO HANTAVIRUS ON CRUISE SHIP

Health officials have said passengers may be allowed to leave the Nebraska facility before a 42-day monitoring period ends if they meet certain conditions, including remaining symptom-free and being able to safely isolate at home.

Officials will also evaluate whether individuals can maintain contact with local health departments and quickly access testing or medical care if symptoms develop.

Of the 18 individuals transported to the U.S. after the outbreak, 16 are in Nebraska and two are in Atlanta. Most are in quarantine, while one individual was placed in a biocontainment unit after an earlier test result.

Officials have emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, noting that the Andes variant of hantavirus does not spread easily and typically requires prolonged, close contact with a symptomatic individual.

Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/0HeF5cr

Read More

New option available for Alzheimer’s patients as FDA approves expanded drug use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has green-lit the first-ever non-antipsychotic drug treatment for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

The drug, Auvelity, was originally FDA-approved in 2022 for treating adults with major depressive disorder. Most recently, its use has been expanded for agitation associated with dementia.

Agitation is a common and "distressing" symptom in adults with Alzheimer’s, according to the agency. The condition is characterized by excessive motor activity, or verbal or physical aggression.

ALZHEIMER’S SCIENTISTS FIND KEY TO HALTING BRAIN DECLINE BEFORE SYMPTOMS

The FDA noted that agitation can "significantly impact quality of life for patients and caregivers."

In a press release, the FDA commissioner commented that this approval "represents a significant advancement in our ability to help patients and families dealing with one of the most challenging aspects of Alzheimer's disease."

"With today’s action, patients and their families have access to an additional important treatment for complications of this devastating disease," he said.

DRUGS THAT REDUCE DEMENTIA RISK — AND OTHERS THAT INCREASE IT

Tracy Beth Hoeg, MD, PhD, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, also reflected on the approval, noting that Auvelity was found to be "efficacious for treating agitation in Alzheimer’s disease" in two randomized trials.

The first study was a five-week trial of the drug, in which patients were assessed for the frequency of agitated behaviors based on caregiver reports. The results found Auvelity, which is made by Axsome Therapeutics in New York City, to be "significantly superior" in improving behaviors.

The second study looked at patients who responded to Auvelity and were then randomly assigned to continue treatment or switch, tracking how long it took for agitation symptoms to return.

Participants who continued Auvelity reported significantly longer time periods before relapse compared to those receiving placebo treatment.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"[This approval] now represents an additional option to address one of the most difficult sequelae of the disease, especially as it progresses," Hoeg said in a statement. "We hope this approval will provide meaningful benefit to patients, their families and caregivers."

Auvelity is administered in rapid-onset extended-release tablets. The FDA urged healthcare providers to monitor blood pressure, screen for a medical history of bipolar disorder, and determine whether patients are taking other medications that contain bupropion or dextromethorphan before prescribing Auvelity.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The most common side effects of the medication include dizziness, upset stomach, headache, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction and uncontrolled sweating, according to the FDA.

The treatment can also cause seizures, with the risk increasing along with the dose. Other risks include elevated blood pressure, hypertension and mania in susceptible patients.

The drug's prescribing information also warns of increased suicidal thoughts in younger adults; providers should monitor patients for the emergence of these behaviors, the FDA advised.

CALLOUT: "It is a good choice [over] anti-psychotics in many cases, because it doesn't cause the same amount of drowsiness or other side effects."

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel applauded this approval in an interview with Fox News Digital.

The doctor said the treatment works on two brain targets — NMDA and sigma-1 receptors — helping to reduce agitation and depression in older adults with dementia, including Alzheimer’s patients.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

 "It is a good choice [over] anti-psychotics in many cases, because it doesn't cause the same amount of drowsiness or other side effects … and is much better tolerated by the heart in a very old person," Siegel added.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/IvaPFqE

Read More

Name of common medical condition could be misleading patients, experts warn

Polycystic-ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – a common women’s hormonal condition – has been renamed to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

The revised name was introduced in a paper penned by women’s health experts from around the globe, which was then published in The Lancet medical journal. The name change was reportedly presented at the European Congress of Endocrinology today in Prague.

The authors stated that the term PCOS is "inaccurate," as it implies that the condition is based solely on ovarian cysts, when it also involves a wider mix of hormonal, metabolic and ovarian issues.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

This misinterpretation could lead to delayed diagnosis, fragmented care and stigma, the experts noted.

The international group chose PMOS in collaboration with 56 academic, clinical and patient organizations, gathering input from more than 14,000 people with the condition as well as health professionals worldwide.

PMOS was chosen for its description of affecting multiple hormones, metabolism and ovarian function.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

The authors noted that a global implementation strategy is underway to change the disease classification, as well as education and alignment with health systems.

PCOS, now known as PMOS, affects one in eight women and is being diagnosed more frequently among American females.

The condition causes a variety of symptoms, such as irregular periods, weight gain, extra body hair growth, acne and difficulty becoming or staying pregnant, according to experts.

PCOS is also linked to chronic inflammation, which can then worsen insulin resistance, per to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

In some cases, a woman with PCOS does not make enough hormones to ovulate, which can cause the ovaries to develop cysts. These cysts may rupture, causing abdominal pain, nausea or bleeding.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

These cysts make hormones called androgens, which can cause problems with a woman’s menstrual cycle and lead to PCOS symptoms, Johns Hopkins stated.

There is no cure for PCOS, but some medications may help with symptoms.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/MbLTuiI

Read More