Health
First-ever human case of rare bird flu strain confirmed in western US
Can bird flu be the next pandemic?
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, weighs in on how concerned people should be about bird flu spreading on ‘Fox Report.’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that a resident of Grays Harbor County is the first person in the U.S. known to be infected with the H5N5 strain of avian influenza.
The case also marks the country’s first human bird flu diagnosis since February.
The patient, described by officials as “an older adult with underlying health conditions,” remains hospitalized after showing influenza-like symptoms in early November.
BIRD FLU CASES ON THE RISE, AS ILLNESS CONFIRMED AT GEORGIA COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARM
The DOH stated that the individual “had a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at home that had exposure to wild birds.
“Additional testing shows the virus to be H5N5, an avian influenza virus that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans.”
The H5N5 virus is a close cousin of H5N1 — both are types of bird flu — but they’re not the same, experts say. (Reuters/Mike Blake)
Domestic poultry and wild birds are considered the most likely sources of the virus exposure, though the health investigation is ongoing.
Public health experts have not found any increased risk to the public to date, according to the press release.
RABIES INFECTIONS ARE INCREASING IN WILD ANIMALS — SHOULD YOU WORRY?
“Transmission of avian influenza between humans is extremely rare and has never been documented in the United States,” the report states.
The patient, who is only described as an “older adult,” remains hospitalized as of the latest report. (iStock)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DOH “currently consider the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
The DOH urges poultry owners, wildlife handlers and others who have contact with animals to exercise caution.
Measures include avoiding contact with sick or dead birds, using appropriate protective equipment and reporting sick wildlife or domestic animals to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).
“Infection with both [regular flu and bird flu] could result in the emergence of an avian influenza virus that is more easily transmitted from person to person.” (iStock)
The release also emphasizes that although the seasonal flu vaccine does not prevent bird flu infections, it is important because “infection with both viruses could result in the emergence of an avian influenza virus that is more easily transmitted from person to person.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Previously this year, the CDC declared the bird flu emergency officially over.
The agency’s emergency response to H5N1 bird flu, which was activated in 2024, was “deactivated” July 2, the agency told Reuters, citing declining animal infections and an absence of human cases since February.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The H5N5 virus is a close cousin of H5N1. While both viruses come from birds and share part of their genetic code, H5N5 has a different “end piece” of its structure that changes how it behaves, experts say.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
While H5N1 has caused human illness — and even deaths — for years, H5N5 has mostly been limited to birds until now, per health officials.
Health
Common nighttime noise exposure may trigger heart problems, study suggests
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Living near heavy traffic could negatively impact your heart health.
A European study, published in the journal Environmental Research, found that exposure to nighttime road traffic noise is linked to changes in the blood, leading to worsened cholesterol and cardiovascular risks.
The researchers considered data from the U.K. Biobank, Rotterdam Study, and Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, including more than 272,000 adults over the age of 30, according to a press release.
Nighttime road noise exposure was estimated at all participants’ homes based on national noise maps. Researchers also took blood samples to measure the participants’ metabolic biomarkers for disease, then mapped the link between nightly noise levels and existence of biomarkers.
Exposure to loud noise was associated with increased concentrations of cholesterol-related biomarkers. (iStock)
The study found that people exposed to louder noise at night — especially sounds above 55 decibels — showed changes in 48 different substances in their blood. Twenty of these associations “remained robust” throughout all cohorts.
Exposure to loud noise was associated with increased concentrations of cholesterol-related biomarkers, especially LDL “bad” cholesterol, IDL (intermediate-density lipoprotein) and unsaturated fatty acids.
NEARLY 90% OF AMERICANS AT RISK OF SILENT DISEASE — HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW
As noise levels increased, starting at around 50 decibels, cholesterol markers rose steadily, the release stated.
The authors concluded that this study “provides evidence that nighttime road traffic noise exposure from 50 dB upward is associated with alterations in blood cholesterol and lipid profiles in adults.”
Researchers noted a link between traffic noise and cardiometabolic disease. (iStock)
Study co-author Yiyan He, doctoral researcher at the University of Oulu in Finland, noted that in this type of research, small effect sizes are expected, and environmental exposures such as traffic noise are “typically modest.”
SIMPLE NIGHTLY HABIT LINKED TO HEALTHIER BLOOD PRESSURE, STUDY SUGGESTS
“Despite this, we observed statistically robust and consistent associations across many biomarkers, especially those related to LDL and IDL lipoproteins,” she told Fox News Digital.
MISSING SLEEP MAY TAKE A HIDDEN TOLL ON YOUR BRAIN AND LONGEVITY, RESEARCH REVEALS
“We also identified a clear exposure-response pattern starting at around 50 dB, suggesting that metabolic changes become more evident as noise levels increase.”
This aligns with public health guidance, as the World Health Organization recommends lower nighttime noise limits at around 40 to 45 dB, Yiyan He added.
“This finding may clarify the association between traffic noise and cardiometabolic diseases,” the researchers wrote. (iStock)
“The 55 dB level is often used as an interim benchmark associated with substantial noise annoyance and sleep disturbance,” she said. “In our study, we observed associations not only at 55 dB, but also indications of effects emerging at around 50 dB.”
The strength and consistency of the cholesterol-related associations were surprising, as these changes are usually “subtle.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Instead, we found consistent associations across multiple large European cohorts, which strengthens confidence that the findings may reflect real biological patterns,” Yiyan He went on. “We were also interested to see that effects were minimal below ~50 dB, suggesting a possible threshold-like pattern.”
HEART DISEASE THREAT PROJECTED TO CLIMB SHARPLY FOR KEY DEMOGRAPHIC
The researcher noted that these findings were consistent across genders, education levels and obesity status.
The study was restricted to White Europeans, which posed a limitation. There was also a lack of information on the fasting status in the UK Biobank.
Changes in cholesterol levels were more severe than researchers expected. (iStock)
“Fasting can influence levels of certain metabolites, particularly fatty acids,” Yiyan He said. “However, based on UK Biobank documentation, fewer than 10% of participants were fasting for at least eight hours, and our main findings focused on cholesterol-related biomarkers, which are generally less sensitive to short-term fasting.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
The researchers also lacked information on bedroom location, indoor noise exposure and time spent at home.
“These factors may introduce non-differential exposure misclassification,” Yiyan He said. “Additionally, noise exposure estimates were based on participants’ temporary residential addresses at the time of blood sampling, without considering the duration of residence.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Many of these limitations would tend to bias results toward the null, so the consistent associations we observed remain noteworthy.”
Experts recommend taking measures to limit traffic noise at night. (iStock)
Based on this latest research, Yiyan He noted that nighttime noise is a “health-relevant exposure,” not just “an annoyance.”
“Our findings suggest that nighttime traffic noise may subtly but consistently affect metabolic health,” she said. “While the changes in cholesterol and lipid levels for any one individual are small, traffic noise affects a very large number of people, which means the potential public health impact could be substantial.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The researcher recommends taking measures like improving sound insulation, using noise-reducing strategies and placing bedrooms on the quieter side of the home when possible.
“Because sleep is a key pathway linking noise to health, protecting the nighttime sleep environment is especially important,” she added.
Health
The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and a Faster Metabolism
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
Health
‘SuperAgers’ stay mentally sharp well past 80, as scientists reveal the reason
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Top stories
→ Some 80-year-olds still have razor-sharp brains — and now scientists know why
→ One father’s nightly bathroom habit was missed sign of common cancer
→ 5 ways to preserve vision as you age, according to an ophthalmologist
SuperAger Ralph Rehbock sits with his wife in his home. (Shane Collins, Northwestern University)
On the lookout
→ Heart disease threat projected to climb sharply for key demographic
→ Heavy snow is recipe for serious heart attack risk, experts say
→ Flu season could linger into spring as doctors warn of second wave
A doctor says the second wave of flu season may be worse than previous years. (iStock)
Conversation starters
→ One type of olive oil has a surprising effect on brainpower in aging adults
→ Common vision issue linked to type of lighting used in homes
→ Some supplements may pose risks for people with diabetes, experts say
Medical advances
→ Alzheimer’s symptoms could be predicted years in advance through one simple test
→ Combination nasal spray vaccine could protect against COVID, flu and pneumonia
→ Weight-loss medications could impact sexual health in unexpected ways
Stat of the week
More than 59% of women may have high blood pressure by 2050, according to a new report from the American Heart Association.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
-
World2 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Louisiana5 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Denver, CO3 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT