Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Martha Lillard, the last U.S. polio patient to use an iron lung, died at 78 in Oklahoma. She lived with the disease since age 5, relied on the iron lung for breathing, and faced challenges with limited lung capacity exacerbated by long-haul COVID-19. She married Baha Salh after meeting online and maintained an active, creative life despite her condition.

Martha Lillard, the last U.S. polio patient who relied on an iron lung, died at 78 in Oklahoma. Her sister attributed her death to long-haul COVID-19 effects, and she was remembered for her resilience, creativity, and marriage to Baha Salh, whom she met online.

A Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite outbreak linked to contaminated fresh produce has sickened over 1,500 people in Michigan and spread to 30 other U.S. states, causing watery diarrhea. The CDC confirms the infection is treatable with antibiotics and emphasizes food safety practices like washing hands and produce to prevent transmission.

A cyclospora outbreak is spreading across 31 U.S. states, with 843 reported cases as of July 9. The illness, caused by a parasite in contaminated produce, causes severe diarrhea and requires hospitalization for 86 cases, though no deaths have been reported. Health officials emphasize washing produce and seeking medical care for symptoms.

A cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated produce has caused 843 reported cases across 31 U.S. states, with Michigan and New York having the most cases. Symptoms include watery diarrhea and cramping, though no deaths have been reported. Health officials warn of the illness's potential for dehydration and emphasize prevention through thorough produce washing and hand hygiene.

The article highlights the importance of water safety during summer, noting a 12% increase in childhood drownings in 2021 compared to 2020, with 75% of victims under six years old. It provides 13 safety tips, including supervision, swimming lessons, and avoiding unsupervised water activities, to reduce risks for both children and adults.

An intestinal parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, is causing 'explosive' diarrhea outbreaks in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with 145 reported cases between May 1 and June 16. Public health officials note clusters in multiple states, including Michigan (1,200+ cases as of July 9) and Ohio (177 cases as of July 2). The CDC reports symptoms like watery diarrhea, cramps, and fatigue, though no deaths have been recorded this year.

Two lawmakers urged the CDC to track vitamin K shot refusals for newborns after a ProPublica report highlighted preventable deaths linked to the refusal. The vitamin K shot, routine since 1961, is being declined by some families due to medical mistrust and misinformation, but federal and state agencies do not track refusal rates or related bleeding cases.

Health departments in Houston and Harris County reported 34 cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness linked to unwashed raw produce. The CDC notes the illness typically causes severe diarrhea but is usually not life-threatening.

Gun homicides in the U.S. declined by 16% in 2024, while firearm suicides reached a record high of 27,593 deaths. Total firearm-related deaths fell 5% to 44,447, with firearms remaining the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1–17 for the fifth consecutive year.

The CDC's public health data gaps, including the removal of 200 datasets and over 8,000 webpages in January 2025, create risks for disease tracking and prevention. A 2026 study found 46% of previously monthly updated CDC data had unexplained pauses, primarily affecting respiratory virus and HIV data.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin, requiring insulin treatment, while Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance and often responds to lifestyle changes or medications. The CDC reports 90-95% of diabetes cases are Type 2, with risk factors including being overweight. Early detection is critical as insulin resistance can precede diagnosis by years.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin, while Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance despite insulin production. The CDC reports 90-95% of diabetes cases are Type 2, often linked to overweight and lifestyle factors. Treatments differ, with Type 1 requiring insulin and Type 2 using medications or lifestyle changes.

An outbreak of cyclosporiasis caused by the Cyclospora parasite has infected over 1,000 people in Michigan and Ohio, with no deaths reported. The source remains unidentified, and investigations are ongoing in 28 other states. Previous large U.S. outbreaks include a 1997 case tied to Guatemalan raspberries and a 2019 outbreak linked to Mexican basil.

An outbreak of cyclospora, a parasite causing watery diarrhea, has infected over 1,000 people in Michigan and Ohio, marking the largest such outbreak in Michigan's history. No deaths have been reported, but the source remains unidentified, with investigations ongoing in 28 states.

Independence Day celebrations in the U.S. saw 139 shootings in 2024, a decline from 153 in 2023, with 35 deaths and 187 injuries reported. The reduction aligns with a broader five-year trend of decreasing gun violence, including a drop in gun deaths from 48,830 in 2021 to 44,447 in 2024. Notable incidents included multiple shootings in Centreville, Mississippi; Brooklyn, New York; and other locations, some linked to celebratory gunfire.

North Carolina has reported 145 cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1, a parasitic illness causing explosive diarrhea and other symptoms. The CDC notes cases in 17 U.S. states as of mid-June, with no deaths reported. The parasite is often linked to contaminated fresh herbs and produce.

Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in zero-premium drug plans from Wellcare and other insurers lost coverage after their premiums increased and they failed to pay, leading to termination. Jude Pare, a beneficiary, faced coverage cancellation and potential life-threatening risks due to lost access to critical medication.

Tick bites are surging in the US this year, with emergency department visits reaching the highest levels since 2017. Experts attribute the increase to geographic expansion of tick habitats due to rising temperatures and climate change, alongside a heightened risk of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome.

Tick bites are surging in Pennsylvania and the US, with emergency department visits reaching their highest levels since 2017. Experts attribute the increase to warmer climates enabling ticks to spread to previously colder regions, raising risks for tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome.

Dr. Debra Houry, former chief medical officer at the CDC, criticized HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for causing irreparable harm to the agency. She expressed concerns about the direction of the CDC under his leadership.

The U.S. death rate reached a record low in 2025, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Tick bites in the US are surging due to climate warming, with emergency department visits spiking in 2026. Experts attribute the increase to geographic expansion of tick habitats and rising temperatures, heightening risks of diseases like Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome.

Tick bites are surging in the US this year, with emergency department visits for bites reaching the highest levels since 2017. Experts attribute the increase to climate change expanding tick habitats into previously colder regions and warn of rising risks for tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome.

Michigan health officials are investigating over 300 cyclosporiasis cases in Southeast Michigan, a significant increase from typical annual reports. The outbreak, linked to potential contamination of fresh produce, involves symptoms like watery diarrhea and requires medical diagnosis and treatment.

The CDC is urging people to prevent mosquito bites as West Nile Virus season begins its earliest and worst start in over two decades, with at least 48 confirmed cases. Health officials recommend using bug spray and mosquito-control efforts to mitigate the risk.

The CDC issued a July 4 holiday advisory warning of a two-decade high in West Nile virus cases, with 48 cases reported through June 2026, including 38 severe neuroinvasive cases across 23 states. The agency recommends using EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding outdoor activity during dusk and dawn to prevent mosquito bites.

The U.S. death rate fell to a record low in 2025, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Thursday.

Tick bites are surging in the US this year, with emergency department visits reaching their highest levels since 2017 in April and remaining elevated through June. Experts attribute the increase to geographic expansion of tick habitats due to rising temperatures and warn of heightened risks for tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome.

Older adults are more vulnerable to heat-related health risks during heat waves due to reduced temperature regulation and medication effects. Early warning signs include dehydration, nausea, headaches, and confusion, while cooling strategies like damp cloths and air conditioning are recommended to mitigate risks.

Older adults face higher risks during heat waves due to reduced temperature regulation and medication effects. Early warning signs include dehydration, confusion, and lack of sweating, while cooling strategies like damp cloths and air conditioning are recommended. Dementia increases vulnerability by impairing temperature control.

Older adults are more vulnerable to heat-related health risks during heat waves due to reduced temperature regulation and medication effects. Early warning signs include dehydration, behavioral changes, confusion, and lack of sweating. Cooling strategies like using damp cloths and checking in on at-risk individuals are recommended, especially for those with dementia.

A bill introduced in Congress aims to increase black lung disability payments for coal miners and tie stipends to inflation. Sponsored by representatives from Pennsylvania and Kentucky, the Support Our Miners Act seeks to address stagnant benefits that have fallen below the federal poverty rate for many affected miners.

More than 100 passengers and 23 crew members on a Princess Cruises ship fell ill from suspected norovirus, marking the company’s third outbreak this year. The Ruby Princess, docked in San Francisco for disinfecting, was en route to Alaska and Canada when the CDC reported the outbreak, which affects 3% or more of passengers.

Over 100 passengers and 23 crew members on Princess Cruises' Ruby Princess ship fell ill from a suspected norovirus outbreak, marking the company's third such incident this year. The CDC reported the outbreak, which exceeded the 3% passenger threshold, leading to the ship's disinfection in San Francisco.

A 13-year-old Nashville boy, Rickey Buggs, underwent a 42-day gene-editing treatment at TriStar Centennial Children’s Hospital under Dr. Haydar Frangoul, potentially offering a cure for his sickle cell disease. The therapy, described as transformative, marks a significant advancement for patients without family matches for traditional treatments.

Tick bites in the US are surging, with emergency department visits reaching a five-year high in April 2026. Rising temperatures and geographic expansion of tick habitats, linked to climate change, are contributing to increased tick activity and associated diseases like Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome.

More than half of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 23 centers, institutes, and offices (CIOs) lack permanent leadership, with 11 of the CIOs having no permanent leaders. This situation raises concerns about the agency's direction and morale.

Tick bites in the US are surging this year, with emergency department visits spiking to their highest levels since 2017 in April and remaining high through June. Experts attribute the increase to geographic expansion of tick habitats due to rising temperatures and climate factors, raising risks for tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome.

A diarrhea-related parasite called Cyclosporiasis is spreading in the U.S., with 145 domestic cases and 45 international cases reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring the outbreak.