Stony Brook Medicine

Suffolk County Department of Health Services confirmed three 'probable' cases of Tularemia, also known as Rabbit fever, on Long Island. Health officials are investigating the cases, which follow a publication by Stony Brook Medicine.

A Long Island man was diagnosed with the first confirmed case of the Bourbon virus in New York State. The virus, a rare and potentially fatal tick-borne illness, was confirmed through a publication by Stony Brook Medicine.

A rare tick-borne Bourbon virus with no vaccine or treatment has been confirmed in New York for the first time. The virus, transmitted by lone star ticks, is associated with two reported deaths and may lead to misdiagnosis due to similar symptoms as other tick-borne infections. Researchers emphasize the need for improved surveillance and testing to track its spread.

A study by Stony Brook Medicine found that older adults who walk significantly faster than peers (classified as 'super movers') have about half the risk of cognitive decline. These individuals maintained cognitive function despite similar brain pathologies as slower walkers, suggesting resilience mechanisms may protect brain health. The observational study, published in Neurology, emphasizes physical activity as a key factor in healthy aging but notes it does not prove faster walking prevents dementia.

There have been three deaths and at least eight reported cases of hantavirus among passengers of the MV Hondius cruise ship, with at least five states monitoring residents who returned from the ship. The virus has historically caused around 800 to 900 cases in the US, mostly west of the Mississippi River. Hantavirus can lead to a deadly syndrome called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), with a mortality rate of 30% to 60%.