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Multiple infectious diseases are spreading globally, with recent outbreaks of mpox in Europe and the US, severe influenza in Hong Kong and Australia, and early flu surges in Japan. Authorities emphasize vaccination and hygiene to mitigate impacts amid evolving virus strains and rising case numbers.
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As of late October 2025, Hong Kong reports its first locally acquired chikungunya case, prompting intensified mosquito control in Diamond Hill. Meanwhile, the US and UK detect local transmission of mpox clade Ib, primarily outside traditional risk groups. Authorities emphasize vaccination, mosquito control, and public awareness to curb spread amid seasonal mosquito inactivity.
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Recent weeks have seen multiple food recalls in Australia and the US due to contamination with salmonella and listeria. In Australia, alfalfa sprouts from Parilla Fresh linked to salmonella infections prompted a nationwide recall. In the US, Nate’s Fine Foods pasta and Member’s Mark Super Greens Powder were recalled after Listeria and salmonella were detected, causing fatalities and illnesses across several states.
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The Bank of England's upcoming rate decision is highly uncertain, with analysts split on whether to cut or hold at 4.0%. Recent data shows inflation easing, but external factors and political signals complicate the decision. The outcome will influence borrowing costs and economic outlook.
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Recent measles outbreaks in the US and Canada, linked to ongoing transmission since early 2025, have caused both countries to lose their WHO elimination status. The outbreaks are driven by low vaccination rates and community resistance, with authorities warning that the virus may continue spreading into 2026.
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The US government ended its 43-day shutdown after Congress passed funding through January 30. Federal workers will receive back pay, and agencies are resuming operations. The shutdown caused widespread disruptions, including furloughs, service closures, and economic impacts, especially in the Washington D.C. area.
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As of late November 2025, the US, UK, Canada, and Japan face an early, severe flu season driven by the H3N2 subclade K variant, which has mutated beyond current vaccine strains. Hospital admissions and flu cases, especially among children and vulnerable groups, are rising. Concurrently, norovirus infections are doubling nationwide, with health officials urging hygiene and vaccination to mitigate risks.
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A leak from a tanker truck carrying 25,000 pounds of ammonia in Weatherford, Oklahoma, caused evacuations and hospitalizations. The leak was caused by a gasket failure, prompting emergency responses including shelter-in-place orders, hospital treatments, and ongoing environmental monitoring. No fatalities reported.
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Recent research indicates bird flu may resist the body's fever response, thriving at higher temperatures typical of birds. The first US human case of H5N5 was reported in Washington, involving an older adult with underlying conditions. Public health officials say the risk remains low, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation from Congress, citing her desire to avoid a Trump-backed primary and potential impeachment battles. The move follows her feud with Trump and reflects ongoing political shifts within the Republican Party ahead of next year's elections.
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The CDC changed its website to dispute the scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism, prompting criticism from health experts. The move aligns with political influences challenging established science, amid ongoing debates about vaccine safety and policy decisions.
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Multiple stories highlight critical health issues: a UK girl with aplastic anaemia seeks a stem cell donor, a UK girl with Type 1 diabetes dies from neglect, and a US girl with Hunter syndrome benefits from experimental gene therapy. Investigations reveal neglect, malpractice, and advances in treatment.
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The CDC advisory committee is set to reconsider the recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth, amid political pressure and vaccine skepticism. The decision could impact childhood immunization rates and public health efforts to prevent lifelong liver disease.
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A measles outbreak in South Carolina has grown to 111 cases, with ongoing transmission linked to low vaccination rates and holiday gatherings. Similar outbreaks are ongoing in Arizona and Utah, threatening US measles elimination status. Experts warn that declining vaccination and increased travel are fueling the resurgence of the disease.
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U.S. health officials, under the influence of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have reversed decades of vaccination policy by ending universal hepatitis B vaccination for newborns. The move, driven by a panel with controversial appointees, faces widespread criticism from medical groups and public health experts, raising concerns over increased hepatitis B risks.
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Recent outbreaks of avian influenza across Europe and North America have led to mass bird culls and raised fears of a potential human pandemic. Spain reports its first outbreak since 1994, while the US and India also face significant challenges. Experts warn of the virus's high mutation risk.
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Israel reports a rise in influenza cases, with 513 new infections and four child deaths in three weeks. Most children who died were unvaccinated. Globally, flu activity is higher than usual, driven by a new influenza A(H3N2) sub-variant. Public health officials urge vaccination.
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President Trump has directed health officials to consider aligning the US childhood vaccination schedule with European countries like Denmark, which recommend fewer vaccines. This move, supported by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., raises concerns among health experts about potential impacts on disease control amid rising outbreaks of preventable illnesses.
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On January 5, 2026, the US CDC, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and acting director Jim O’Neill, reduced the number of vaccines routinely recommended for all children from 18 diseases to 11. Vaccines for hepatitis A, B, influenza, meningitis, RSV, and rotavirus are now recommended only for high-risk groups or via shared clinical decision-making. The move, aligned with President Trump’s directive to match European schedules, bypassed usual expert review and drew widespread criticism from medical groups and public health experts.
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A new flu subclade K is causing a surge in hospitalizations across the US, with symptoms including high fevers and respiratory issues. Meanwhile, a measles outbreak linked to vaccine hesitancy threatens US measles elimination status. Experts urge vaccination and caution as cases rise.
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The US reports nine pediatric flu deaths, including cases in Ohio and Kentucky, amid a severe flu season driven by the H3N2 subclade K strain. Hospitalizations and cases are rising sharply, with New York experiencing record weekly infections. Experts emphasize vaccination despite vaccine mismatch concerns.
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A resurgence of measles has led to over 310 cases in South Carolina and other states, marking the worst outbreak since 1991. The rise is linked to declining vaccination rates amid misinformation and political skepticism, threatening US's eliminated status for measles.
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South Carolina reports 124 new measles cases since Tuesday, totaling 558, amid a nationwide surge. Outbreaks also persist in Arizona and Utah, with declining vaccination rates raising concerns about herd immunity and potential for further spread. Last year was the worst for measles since 1991, with 2,144 cases across 44 states.