Health

‘This Is a Dangerous Virus’

Published

10 months ago

January 27, 2025

When bird flu first struck dairy cattle a year ago, it seemed possible that it might affect a few isolated herds and disappear as quickly as it had appeared. Instead, the virus has infected more than 900 herds and dozens of people, killing one, and the outbreak shows no signs of abating.

A pandemic is not inevitable even now, more than a dozen experts said in interviews. But a series of developments over the past few weeks indicates that the possibility is no longer remote.

Toothless guidelines, inadequate testing and long delays in releasing data — echoes of the missteps during the Covid-19 pandemic — have squandered opportunities for containing the outbreak, the experts said.

In one example emblematic of the disarray, a few dairy herds in Idaho that were infected in the spring displayed mild symptoms for a second time in the late fall, The New York Times has learned. In mid-January, the Department of Agriculture said that no new infections in Idaho herds had been identified since October. But state officials publicly discussed milder cases in November.

That a second bout of infections would produce milder symptoms in cattle is unsurprising, experts said, and could be welcome news to farmers. But reinfections suggest that the virus, called H5N1, could circulate on farms indefinitely, creating opportunities for it to evolve into a more dangerous form — a “high-risk” scenario, said Louise Moncla, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Pennsylvania.

“You could easily end up with endemically circulating H5 in dairy herds without symptoms, obscuring rapid or easy detection,” Dr. Moncla said.

It’s impossible to predict whether the virus will evolve the ability to spread among people, let alone when, she and others said. But the worry is that if bird flu finds the right combination of genetic mutations, the outbreak could quickly escalate.

“I’m still not pack-my-bags-and-head-to-the-hills worried, but there’s been more signals over the past four to six weeks that this virus has the capacity” to set off a pandemic, said Richard Webby, an influenza expert at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Federal officials, too, have subtly altered their tone in discussing the outbreak, now emphasizing how quickly the situation might change.

For the general public, H5N1 is “a low risk, relative to the other risks they face today,” said Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But “100 percent, that could change,” he said. “This is a dangerous virus.”

Health experts emphasize that there are precautions Americans can take: Do not touch sick or dead birds or other animals; get tested if you have flulike symptoms; do not consume raw milk or meat, or feed them to your pets.

If a larger outbreak were to erupt, the federal vaccine stockpile holds a few million doses, although that vaccine might first need updating to match the evolved form of the virus. In either case, officials would have to scramble to produce enough for the population.

The C.D.C. recommends treatment with the antiviral Tamiflu, but studies have shown that the drug does very little to ease illness.

Underlining concerns among many experts is that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who would lead the federal health department if confirmed, was a vocal critic of Covid vaccines and has said the bird flu vaccines “appear to be dangerous.”

Even if the second Trump administration embraces vaccine development, as the first one did when Covid bore down, it’s unclear how many Americans would roll up their sleeves for the shots. Influenza typically affects children and older adults, and pandemic influenza has sometimes hit young adults the hardest. But the mistrust engendered during Covid-19 may make Americans eschew precautions, at least initially.

An evolving threat

Unlike the coronavirus, which caused havoc with its sudden arrival, influenza viruses typically start off in a specific animal species or in certain geographical regions.

When H5N1 emerged in East Asia nearly three decades ago, it mostly sickened birds. In the years that followed, it infected at least 940 people, nearly all of whom had close, sustained contact with infected birds; roughly half of those people died.

But since January 2022, when the virus was detected in wild aquatic birds in the United States, it has affected more than 136 million commercial, backyard and wild birds, helping to send egg prices soaring. It has also struck dozens of mammalian species, including cats both wild and domesticated, raccoons, bears and sea lions.

For at least a year, H5N1 has been infecting dairy cattle, which were not known to be susceptible to this type of influenza. In some cows, it has had lasting effects, reducing milk production and increasing the odds of spontaneous abortions.

And in 2024, the virus infected 67 Americans, compared with just one in the years before, in 2022. The sources of these infections are not all known; one person may have transmitted the virus to someone in their household.

Many of these developments are classic steps toward a pandemic, said Dr. James Lawler, a director at the University of Nebraska’s Global Center for Health Security. But, he noted, “where those were really supposed to trigger accelerated and amplified actions at the federal, state and local level, we’ve just kind of shrugged when each milestone has passed.”

Infections in dairy herds, which first emerged in Texas, appeared to be declining last summer. But in late August, California announced its first case. The state’s figures soon rose sharply, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a public health emergency in December.

“That was sort of a flag to me, like, ‘OK, this hasn’t gone away,’” said Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health. “Over the last couple of months, it has felt like the tempo has increased,” she said.

Several other recent events have raised the level of alarm among experts. In early December, scientists reported that in a lab setting, a single mutation helped the virus infect human cells more efficiently.

And late last year two people, a 13-year-old Canadian girl and a Louisiana resident older than 65, became seriously ill; previously, most people infected with H5N1 had not experienced severe symptoms. The Louisiana patient, who had health conditions and cared for sick and dying birds, died in early January.

The girl was placed on life support because of organ failure, but eventually recovered. Scientists still do not know how she became infected; her only risk factor was obesity.

Both patients had contracted a new version of the virus that is distinct from the one in dairy cattle and is now widespread in birds. In both individuals, the virus gained mutations during the course of infection that might allow it to better infect people.

“We are clearly now getting novel viruses forming in the wild bird reservoir,” Dr. Moncla said. “It’s become challenging to keep a handle on all of the various threats.”

Some experts see it as particularly worrisome that the virus seems to be in food sources like raw milk and raw pet food. Domesticated cats have died in numerous states, prompting the recall of at least one brand of pet food and new federal guidelines on pet food quality.

“The raw-pet-food thing to me is, I think, quite alarming,” said Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Pasteurization kills live virus, as does cooking meat at high temperatures. Still, neither procedure is perfect, Dr. Marrazzo noted: “There’s no way that you can police production and sterilization in a way that’s going to make sure 100 percent of the time that food supply is going to be safe.”

A flawed response

In the year since the outbreak began, federal officials have announced other measures to prevent or prepare for a pandemic. But each is deeply flawed, experts said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture was slow to begin testing H5N1 vaccines for cows, leaving interested companies in limbo. Dr. Marrazzo said that the department had released genetic information from virus samples but had not said where or when they were collected — details that would help scientists track the virus’s evolution.

It is also unclear how many herds are reinfected or have been battling monthslong infections. In Idaho, some herds infected in the spring seemed to recover but showed milder symptoms again in November.

“From the data we have to date, we do not see evidence of new infections or reinfections in previously affected herds, but rather a lack of clearance of the original infection,” a spokesman for the U.S.D.A. said in an emailed response. But outside experts said that the trajectory of symptoms suggested a second round of illness.

The U.S.D.A.’s program to test bulk milk began in December — nearly a year after the outbreak began — and still does not include Idaho. Engaging private companies may help the program move faster.

Ginkgo Bioworks, a company that worked with federal agencies during the Covid pandemic, already assesses roughly half the nation’s commercial milk supply for bacteria, antibiotics and other substances.

Adding H5N1 to the list would be straightforward, so “why wouldn’t we just add assays into this infrastructure that we already have?” said Matt McKnight, a manager at the company’s biosecurity division.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration announced $306 million in new funding, about one-third of it for surveillance, testing and outreach to farmworkers.

But farmworkers in some places like the Texas Panhandle are still unaware of what bird flu is, how it spreads and why it should matter to them, said Bethany Alcauter, director of research and public health programs at the National Center for Farmworker Health.

As a result, she said, many workers still do not use protective gear, including in milk parlors where the virus is thought to spread.

Human testing has been voluntary, and infections have been missed. Few farmworkers have opted to be tested, out of fear of immigration officials or their own employers.

“If you don’t look for it, you won’t find it, right?,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, who served as White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator under President Trump. “This is not about lockdowns or restricting activity. It’s about protecting the individual American by empowering them with the information.”

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Health

6 Ways to Avoid Winter Weight Gain (Without Skipping Comfort!)

Published

5 hours ago

December 2, 2025

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Health

GLP-1 drugs may reach fewer than one in 10 people who need them, experts predict

Published

6 hours ago

December 2, 2025

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GLP-1 drugs may reach fewer than one in 10 people who need them, experts predict

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced its official guidance on the use of GLP-1 drugs for treating obesity.

GLP-1 drugs are medications that mimic the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which are most commonly used for type 2 diabetes and medical weight loss.

The first guideline, released on Dec. 1, aims to address the “growing global health challenge of obesity,” WHO wrote in a press release.

WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS COULD ADD YEARS TO AMERICANS’ LIVES, RESEARCHERS PROJECT

Obesity affects more than one billion people globally and was associated with 3.7 million deaths. The number of people with obesity is expected to double by 2030.

While GLP-1 medications were added to the WHO’s Essential Medicines List for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups in September 2025, the new guideline adds two key “conditional recommendations” for people with obesity.

The World Health Organization has announced its official guidance on the use of GLP-1 drugs for treating obesity. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse/File Photo)

“GLP-1 therapies may be used by adults, but excluding pregnant women, for the long-term treatment of obesity,” the first condition states.

“While the efficacy of these therapies in treating obesity and improving metabolic and other outcomes was evident, the recommendation is conditional due to limited data on their long-term efficacy and safety, maintenance and discontinuation, their current costs, inadequate health-system preparedness and potential equity implications.”

“Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care.”

The second condition allows “intensive behavioral interventions,” including healthy diets, regular physical activity and support from health professionals, to be offered to adults with obesity who are prescribed a GLP-1, as part of a “comprehensive approach.”

The price of health

In addition to the health impacts, the cost of obesity is projected to hit $3 trillion annually by 2030. The WHO’s guideline attempts to reduce “skyrocketing” health costs associated with management of the condition and other complications.

The WHO guideline emphasized the importance of fair access to GLP-1 therapies.

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“Without deliberate policies, access to these therapies could exacerbate existing health disparities,” they wrote. “WHO calls for urgent action on manufacturing, affordability and system readiness to meet global needs.”

“GLP-1 therapies may be used by adults, but excluding pregnant women, for the long-term treatment of obesity,” the first condition states. (iStock)

Despite the “rapid expansion” of GLP-1 production, the health agency revealed that by 2030, these therapies are predicted to reach less than 10% of people who could benefit from them.

“The guideline calls on the global community to consider strategies to expand access, such as pooled procurement, tiered pricing and voluntary licensing among others,” WHO stated.

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Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, wrote in a statement addressing the guideline that obesity is a “major global health challenge that WHO is committed to addressing by supporting countries and people worldwide to control it, effectively and equitably.”

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“Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care,” he said. “While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms.”

The new WHO guideline offers support for those with obesity by offering behavioral interventions like diet, exercise and access to doctors. (iStock)

The agency added that obesity is a “complex, chronic disease” that is a driver of other illnesses like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

While GLP-1 therapies alone won’t solve the obesity problem, these therapies represent the “first efficacious treatment option for adults,” WHO stated.

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The organization stressed that obesity requires creating healthier environments to promote wellness and prevent obesity, protecting high-risk individuals through screening and early interventions and ensuring lifelong access to healthcare.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.

Health

Heavy drinkers cut alcohol use by nearly 30% after adopting one new habit, study finds

Published

18 hours ago

December 2, 2025

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Heavy drinkers cut alcohol use by nearly 30% after adopting one new habit, study finds

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Certain people who use cannabis tend to drink less alcohol, a new study found.

Researchers from Brown University’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies set out to determine whether cannabis use has an effect on alcohol craving and consumption — specifically, whether smoking marijuana can reduce alcohol use in heavy drinkers.

The randomized, controlled study included 157 adults between the ages of 21 and 44 who reported heavy drinking and regular cannabis use (at least bi-weekly).

ALCOHOL DEATHS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED IN RECENT YEARS, ESPECIALLY AMONG WOMEN

Each participant completed three two-hour “lab sessions” with different types of cannabis use. They received one of two levels of THC or a placebo, and then were given the choice to drink alcohol or accept a cash payment.

Those who smoked cannabis with the higher level of THC (7.2%) consumed about 27% less alcohol than those who smoked a placebo. They also reported an immediate reduction in the urge to drink.

Those who smoked cannabis with the higher level of THC (7.2%) consumed about 27% less alcohol than those who smoked a placebo. (iStock)

Participants who smoked cannabis with 3.1% THC smoked about 19% less alcohol.

“In our controlled bar lab study, after people smoked cannabis, they drank about a quarter less alcohol over the next two hours,” lead study author Jane Metrik, Ph.D., professor of behavioral and social sciences at Brown’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, told Fox News Digital.

ALCOHOL-RELATED LIVER TRANSPLANTS ON THE RISE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS, DOCTOR SAYS

Cannabis had mixed effects on alcohol cravings, the researchers reported.

“We found a significant decrease in alcohol urge immediately after smoking cannabis, but not a consistent effect on a different measure of alcohol craving,” Metrik said. “This suggests that cannabis may not exert a uniform effect on alcohol motivation, and that other mechanisms may also explain how cannabis impacts subsequent alcohol use.”

CANNABIS GUMMY POISONINGS SURGE AMONG VULNERABLE GROUP, EXPERTS WARN

The study, which was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, was published last month in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Risks and limitations

The study did have limitations, the researchers acknowledged.

“The study tested only one cannabinoid (THC) in smoked cannabis, which means the results may not generalize to the wide range of cannabis products, formulations and other cannabinoids,” Metrik told Fox News Digital. “The study sample also consisted of individuals who used cannabis nearly every day, so those who use cannabis less often may show different alcohol-related behaviors.”

THESE ARE THE TOP HEALTH RISKS OF MARIJUANA USE, ESPECIALLY SMOKING CANNABIS

The researchers also did not look at the effects of using cannabis and alcohol at the same time.

As the research was short-term and conducted in a “lab” setting, it’s unclear whether the reduced alcohol use would continue in the longer term or in real-world settings, they noted.

“In our controlled bar lab study, after people smoked cannabis, they drank about a quarter less alcohol over the next two hours,” the lead researcher said. (iStock)

The study results do not justify recommending cannabis as a substitute for alcohol among people with alcohol-use disorder, the researchers stated, as the long-term health effects and addiction risks for cannabis remain uncertain.

“It is important to understand that cannabis’ impact varies substantially across individuals,” Mitek said, noting that while the substance may reduce drinking in the short term, it also presents its own risks.

MORE SENIORS ARE USING CANNABIS THAN EVER BEFORE DESPITE HEALTH RISKS, RESEARCH SHOWS

“Our study is a first step, and we need more long-term research before drawing conclusions for public health,” she said. “We do not have clear evidence of long-term safety and efficacy of using cannabis as alcohol treatment. For now, I would not recommend using cannabis to cut down on alcohol use.”

For people who are already substituting cannabis for alcohol, Mitek recommends that they closely monitor their use and be aware of the risk of cannabis use disorder. She also “strongly encourages” them to consider evidence-based alcohol treatments.

Experts weigh in

Marcel Bonn-Miller, Ph.D., a cannabis researcher with Ajna BioSciences in Colorado, noted that the study highlights the current market trends, which show that alcohol sales have decreased significantly as THC has become more accessible.

“In our controlled bar lab study, after people smoked cannabis, they drank about a quarter less alcohol over the next two hours.”

“As many consumers report using THC beverages and other non-inhaled methods of administration as alternatives to alcohol, it would be important for future clinical trials to determine the effect of these formats on alcohol use behavior over time,” the researcher, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

Riana Durrett, director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, praised the study’s “rigorous” design.

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“Overall, the experimental design is a rare feature in this area of research because it can be logistically difficult to give people cannabis in the lab (given its federal Schedule I status), so this is a really unique study,” Durrett, who was also not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

The results align with the “California sober” trend, where smoking cannabis may be a way to reduce other substance use, she noted.

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While some individuals have reported that cannabis has helped them recover from other substance use disorders, the effect hasn’t been tested extensively, according to Durrett.

While the study infers cannabis use does decrease alcohol use in a single session, the long-term effects of cannabis use on alcohol consumption are unknown. (iStock)

The expert agreed that while the study infers cannabis use does decrease alcohol use in a single session, there are some unknowns, including the long-term effects of cannabis use on alcohol consumption.

“So, it is still possible that in the longer term, cannabis use may be harmful for drinking outcomes,” she said. “We also don’t know the net effect of swapping out one substance (such as alcohol) for another (such as cannabis).”

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“It might be easy to believe that using cannabis instead of alcohol is a win, but we really don’t know if that is true or not from the current research.”

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Durrett added, “Hopefully, this study and similar ones can add tools to our toolkit on how to reduce problem drinking.”

Mitek noted that additional research is needed to evaluate “clinically relevant alcohol outcomes,” particularly among people who are seeking treatment for alcohol-use disorder.

Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.