Food

Legionnaires’ outbreak rocks New York as experts warn of rising climate threat

The growing impact of the bacteria in an increasingly warming climate is highlighted by a recent outbreak of legionnaires disease (a rare, but serious form of pneumonia) that occurred in New York.
In an Upper East Side outbreak, between Central Park in Manhattan and the East River lies a wealthy area. At least 28 individuals have become ill. In an effort to contain the outbreak, officials from the Health Department have tested water samples taken from 160 cooling towers in buildings to detect the bacteria.
The commissioner of New York City’s health department, Dr AlisterMartin, said that the climate is subtropical. Climate change has worsened our exposure to legionnaires disease and increased the likelihood of clusters.
Martin stated that the city had taken an aggressive approach against the outbreak, despite the fact that the likelihood of contracting legionnaires disease is “extremely rare”. Martin told the Guardian that at least 19 cooling towers in large buildings, part of their heating and cooling system, were ordered to be drained, cleaned and disinfected. Another official called these “buildings that are of particular interest”, and said extensive testing would be needed to determine which building was responsible.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a serious illness that can be fatal. The bacterium Legionella phlegmophila causes the condition. This microorganism, which thrives in warm-water environments, has been linked to this severe illness. This bacterium, most of the time harmless, can be dangerous if inhaled as vapors or mists.
It can lead to a range of illnesses, from mild ones like Pontiac Fever, up to more serious conditions such as legionnaires disease. This multi-system infection causes fever, coughing, headaches and muscle pains. Legionnaires disease affects fewer than 3 people in 100,000. However, 10% of those diagnosed will eventually die.
The name Legionella comes from the group that was first found to be sick by epidemiologists: an American Legion veteran group who met in Philadelphia, 1976.
The bacterium is now responsible for a growing number of global outbreaks, from New York, to Melbourne, to the Lombardy area of Italy, to Lincoln, New Hampshire. Urban conditions like aging infrastructures, poor maintenance and chronically ill populations can cause outbreaks.
George Yates, 54, was diagnosed as having legionnaires disease in Washington Heights, during an outbreak that occurred in 2018.
Yates said that he did not work or live in Washington Heights at the time. He was driving for a ride-share company and he believes he came into contact with Legionella by chance. He spent five days in hospital but recovered.
The advice that I would give the average New Yorker is to not live in fear, said Dr Benjamin Wyler. He’s an emergency medicine doctor at Mount Sinai Health System and has studied Legionnaires’ Disease.
He added: “But, if symptoms such as a fever, cough or malaise develop, then you may want to consider seeking medical attention.”
Three zip codes in the Upper East Side are affected by this outbreak. Multiple studies and past outbreaks of the disease in New York have revealed that it disproportionately impacts people in poverty, especially Black Americans, to the dismay of local officials.
Marquis Harrison said, “I began to think that Legionella was only in Black and Brown neighborhoods”, at a meeting of the Harlem community board in Manhattan. We only found it in Harlem and the South Bronx, communities of color.
Martin told New Yorkers that they would be able to identify buildings in the near future that were being forced by the city to clean the cooling towers of their buildings, but the list wouldn’t reveal the exact building where the epidemic was centered.
For this, the epidemiologists must culture water samples in order to confirm that the Legionella bacterium detected by polymerase-chain reaction (PCR), was a living colony. Lab workers must then sequence the genomes of these cultures and compare them with sequences from sputum collected from patients suffering legionnaires. Doctors typically perform a legionnaires test with urine, which means that some patients might not even have had their sputum collected.
The health department still has much work to complete, and the results of the investigation could be a month away. The CDC says that in many small outbreaks the cause of the outbreak has never been found.
Every summer, we get calls from New Yorkers who are sickened by this illness, said Jory L. Lange, an attorney specializing in food safety in Houston, Texas, who represented 50 Harlem residents who were sickened with the disease in 2025.
Even after the study is completed, climate change may continue to create conditions that are favorable to Legionella.
Many of the reservoirs where Legionnaires cases are found have been left stagnant by industrialized mankind, such as hot tubs. A study revealed that truckers are remarkably susceptible to Legionnaires because they use non-genuine window cleaners in their cars.
The bacteria do not care, said Dr Rene Najera. Director of Public Health at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. If they find a spot that is warm and has water, they will multiply.
He added that “it’s certainly not helping.”

Food

1 dead as Guadalupe River flooding devastates Kerr County

Watch It Live
KERR County, Texas – A deadly flood emergency became fatal early this morning, as the rapidly rising waters along the Guadalupe River prompted water rescues, evacuations and road closures throughout Kerr County.
Kerrville’s Mayor Pro-Tem confirmed that one person died in the devastating flooding which swept across the region. The official has not revealed any details about the deceased.
Emergency crews responded to numerous rescue requests and warned that flooding in the county was a serious problem.
Residents living near the Guadalupe River were urged to evacuate immediately, especially those who live downstream towards Comfort. The river had risen 16 feet within 30 minutes. Emergency managers have warned residents to evacuate before floodwaters reach their home. They also urged them to avoid flooded roads and low-water crossings, as well as river access points.
This is just the second disaster that has struck the Texas Hill Country in the past year. The July 4th floods, which killed over 100 people including Camp Mystic campers and staff members, were the first. National Weather Service issued a warning that another “large, deadly flood wave” would be moving down the Guadalupe River. Residents were urged to immediately move higher ground.
Gov. Greg Abbott stated that more than 1300 emergency personnel were deployed in the area and rescue crews have already saved over 70 lives.
Abbott stated that “our number one priority is to save lives”.
Flash Flood Emergency
After torrential rainfall continued across the South Fork watershed of the Guadalupe River, the National Weather Service declared a Flash Flood Emergency in Hunt and Kerrville. The warning was that flooding would be catastrophic and further rains could worsen the situation.
Flood Watch in South Texas continues through Thursday night
Kerrville City officials urged their residents to stay put, to move up to the safest level in their home and to avoid traveling while floodwaters were rising.
According to Tierra Linda Volunteer Fire Department, emergency officials have also been warning of an enormous wall of water that is moving along Harper Road.
Out of caution, the Sidney Baker Bridge has been temporarily closed.
Evacuations and Shelters
The Buckhorn Lake Resort, located on Goat Creek Road close to Interstate 10, and Ingram RV Park evacuated guests as conditions began rapidly worsening. Calvary Temple Church (3000 Loop 534) in Kerrville was designated as a shelter and center for reunification.
Three shelters were opened by emergency officials in Uvalde due to widespread flooding along the Leona and Nueces rivers. Shelters are available for residents in the following locations:
Flores Primary Campus 901 N. Getty St.
Dalton Elementary School 600 N. Fourth St.
Southwest Texas College is located at 2401 Garner Field Road.
Overnight, floodwaters also flooded Uvalde. They trapped people in their vehicles and blocked access to the city. Texas Game Wardens evacuated and rescued about 12 people, while local crews reached stranded citizens using boats.
Road & Bridge Closures
Kerr County has been devastated by flooding, which has caused severe damage to the bridges, transportation infrastructure, and other structures.
Sidney Baker Street Bridge is closed after a barge was lodged under the bridge.
Anderson Ranch Bridge, Junction Highway: washed out.
Ingram Hills Road Bridge : washed out
Henderson Branch Bridge, State Highway 173/Bandera Highway: washed out.
Main Street and Water Street Bridges are covered in debris following Town Creek’s overflow.
Highway 39 Bridge has suffered significant damage from washout and is being temporarily stabilised by TxDOT.
480 bridge in Center Point: In less than 45 mins, the Guadalupe River rose from 3 to 4 ft. The water level at Highway 27 was about 4 ft.
The county is still a very dangerous place to travel. Interstate 10 and portions of Highways 27 & 39, as well Medina Highway remain closed. Many Center Point roads, such as River Road and Sutherland Road are either flooded or unpassable. Arcadia has also been completely closed after flooding washed buildings onto the road.
As the flood waters remain hazardous and new storms are approaching, city officials urge residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. They also encourage them to monitor alerts for emergencies and to follow any evacuation orders.
Water Rescues
Around 2:30 am, Kerr County emergency crews responded to six water rescue calls. Floodwaters made it impossible for firefighters to reach a trapped mother and her child near Indian Creek Road, Ingram. The flooding also rendered the road connecting Kerrville to Hunt impassable. This limited access by emergency personnel.
As rescues grew, Ingram, Kerrville and the Texas Department of Public Safety called for additional help.
Safety for Campers
CAMP officials said that everyone is still safe at the CAMP camp, despite it being cut off temporarily by floodwaters. Skyline Drive was flooded by a storm upstream. However, officials say the camp is still dry and that the cabins are more than 80 feet high above the Guadalupe River.
Campers and staff shelter in place, with food, essential supplies, and backup generators while staying in touch with emergency management officials.
Flooding continues
Ingram was also affected by flooding, with authorities warning of impassability on many streets.
Residents of an RV park in Comfort moved their trailers higher as the sirens began to sound and another wave of water was approaching. The managers said that floodwater levels reached a level similar to the devastating flooding of last year, and warned residents to remain put until conditions improved.
As rain moves across the area, officials warned that flooding is still a serious situation. Forecasters reported that some areas received between 10 and 20 inches of rainfall over the last two days. Rivers rose more than 30 foot in just a couple hours. Further heavy rains are expected until Friday.
Residents should monitor weather alerts to avoid flooding and move higher if it threatens.
Disaster Declaration
Rob Kelly, Kerr County judge, signed the local disaster declaration. He also requested official assistance from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Greg Abbott was notified of the continuing flooding in Kerr County.
Declaring a disaster allows local authorities to access emergency resources quickly, coordinate state aid and claim reimbursement for the costs of emergency response.
Kerr County is currently facing life-threatening floods, road closures across the county, and water rescues. The rapid rise of waters on the Guadalupe River has also caused extensive damage.

Food

Cyclospora outbreak: Hamilton County reports additional cases

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio —
Hamilton County continues to report more cyclosporiasis cases as the disease spreads to other counties and states.
Hamilton County officials have reported an increase of 17 cases in their most recent update, which was reported Tuesday.
Number of confirmed cases increased from 10 to 12. The number for probable cases remained the same, while number of suspect cases went from 5 to 4
On Wednesday, 366 new cases were reported in Ohio, and 46 of them required hospitalization. There have not been any reported deaths.
Hamilton County Public Health reports that the following are reasons for hospitalization: diarrhea, abdominal cramps, indigestion, abdominal blood, shortness in breath, coughing, food poisoning concerns, a urinary infection, nausea, abscess or fever, stomach pains, headaches and chills. Other causes include colitis, fatigue, heart palpitations; loss of appetite; sore throats and constipation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as of today, there were 1,645 cases with 141 hospitalizations.
Watery diarrhea, bloating, cramping and loss of appetite are all symptoms of cyclosporiasis.
Health officials advise that if you have these symptoms then it is best to consult your doctor.
Antibiotics and rest, as well as fluids and fluids can help treat the disease.
Health officials recommend the following measures to prevent cyclosporiasis:
Hands should be washed with soap and warm water after handling raw fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly in running water. Clean a produce brush to scrub firm produce such as melons.
Eat or store cut, cooked, and peeled fruits and vegetables immediately.
Hamilton County officials state that every year about 1 in 6 people get a foodborne disease. The county offers best practices on how to prepare, store and cook food safely.
Ohio officials have not yet confirmed the source of this outbreak.

Food

State health officials confirm 43 cases of Cyclosporiasis, WI farmers on alert

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued Air Quality Advisory to the following counties. Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha The PM2.5 (24-hour) AQI is predicted to be at the level of Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy. NowCast (one-hour average) AQI will reach Hazardous levels. WHERE…Statewide. When…Tuesday noon until Thursday noon. Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: For Very Unhealthy (Purple) AQI: Sensitive groups: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Replan activities for a better time of day or indoors. Asthmatics: Keep your quick-relief medication and asthma action plan handy. Heart disease patients: Palpitations, breathlessness, and unusual fatigue are all signs of a problem. Contact your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. All others: Reduce outdoor activity. If you are experiencing symptoms, go indoors. If the AQI is unhealthy (red), sensitive groups should consider rescheduling activities or moving them inside. If you are experiencing symptoms, go inside. Asthmatics: Keep your quick-relief medication and asthma action plan handy. Heart disease patients: Palpitations, breathlessness, and unusual fatigue are all signs of a problem. Contact your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. All others: Limit outdoor activity duration and intensity. If you are experiencing symptoms, go inside. If the AQI is unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange), then you should reduce your outdoor activity and make it shorter. You can be outdoors, but you should take frequent breaks. Be on the lookout for signs such as shortness of breathing or coughing. Asthmatics: Keep your quick-relief medicine and asthma action plan handy. Heart disease patients: Palpitations, breathlessness, and unusual fatigue are all signs of a problem. Contact your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. This advisory will be re-evaluated Thursday morning and likely extended for at least some portion of the state beyond noon on Thursday. Wildfire smoke from Minnesota and Ontario is expected to enter the northern WI area between 8 pm and midnight on Tuesday. Smoke will move southward, reaching approximately a line from Eau Claire up to Sheboygan by midday Wednesday. The smoke will move south-southwest and reach a line between La Crosse and Janesville by Wednesday evening. By 6 am Thursday, statewide impacts are possible. In northwest Wisconsin and especially along Lake Superior, the heaviest impacts of smoke, as well as the potential Hazardous (Maroon AQI) NowCast AQI are to be expected. Lake-added smoke will be a possibility for the communities that are near Lake Michigan. For more information on current air quality, please see: https://airquality.wi.gov

Food

Hegseth requires testosterone deficiency screening for service members over 30

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that the Pentagon would require all servicemen and women over 30 years of age to undergo a testosterone screening annually. They can choose testosterone replacement therapy if they’re recommended to be treated.
Hegseth said in a video titled, “High-T Dept.” that he was authorizing a screening program to detect testosterone deficiencies among our military personnel. This will ensure you are operating at your best.
The service member’s health will be assessed periodically, and he said that they would undergo a test every year. Under 30s can also choose to have their blood tested.
Hegseth stated in the video that “we owe our soldiers the best possible medical care, and the program fulfills this obligation.” In order to thrive after your military service, it is important that you maintain your health for the long term.
Additional guidance on the policy hasn’t been released by the Pentagon. Defense Health Agency directed questions to the Pentagon.
According to the American Urological Association, low testosterone is defined differently in each study. Its prevalence can range from 2 to 50 percent.
Marty Makary of the Food and Drug Administration, then citing a study from 2007, said that during a panel discussion on 2025 testosterone replacement therapy, 5.6% men aged 30 to 79 had low testosterone and other symptoms like depression and reduced strength.
The researchers found that military training has a significant impact on testosterone levels in servicemen.
The high stress and operations pace that servicemen experience can decrease testosterone. Sometimes this is acutely felt, and other times it may be long-term. This was stated by Army Major Theodore Crisostomo Wynne at the FDA 2025 panel.
Major Crisostomo Wynne, a Madigan Army Center urologist, said that he was speaking to the panel on a personal basis and not in the capacity of representing views from the Pentagon or Defense Health Agency.
The lack of testosterone is a concern for the Special Operations community, where scientists have discovered a syndrome that they call “The Operator’s Syndrome.”
Crisostomo Wynne explained that the syndrome is likely caused by chronic stress and other factors, such as blast exposure and traumatic brain injury, leading to hormone dysregulation and mood changes. The syndrome is a combination of medical, psychologic and psychological factors. One of them, which seems to affect almost all these men, is a decrease in testosterone.
Hegseth referred to servicemen as the “most decisive tactic advantage” in his video.
The battlefield requires and demands “maximum psychological and mental preparedness” and by treating these markers of health early we keep you at the forefront of lethality, giving you support to the level that you provide this nation with the best.

Food

Hegseth announces new policy to test troops for low testosterone and offer them hormone replacement therapy

Hegseth’s move coincides with other Trump Administration officials who have been advocating for easier access to testosterone therapy. However, the message from Hegseth, along with others, blends well-known science about the hormone, as well as broader and less supported claims.
The Pentagon, when asked what Hegseth hoped to achieve with his new policy, referred back to Hegseth’s comments in the video, which mentioned that troops must be “strong, capable and resilient” as well as that modern warfare demands “maximum mental and psychological readiness”.
Read more: Georgia may resume enforcement of the ban on hormone therapy for youth transgender, says a judge
Special operations forces, and in particular Navy SEALs, have been under fire for using testosterone and other similar substances as performance enhancers.
In 2022, the death of a SEAL trainee during training led to the discovery of testosterone and other substances. This revealed that drug abuse was far more widespread than previously thought.
The Navy announced that a year after the death of the recruit, it will begin a program for drug testing to detect “any hormone substance chemically or pharmaceutically related to testosterone” which promotes muscle development.
Read more: Federal workers file complaint about Trump’s ban of gender affirming care
Hegseth stated that his initiative “is not about artificial enhancement.”
No response was given by the Pentagon to inquiries about academic or research studies that supported this move. The Pentagon did not say whether female soldiers who are entering perimenopause would be eligible for an estrogen-based treatment.
The testosterone levels of men naturally decline with age. They have been associated for a long time with issues such as erectile dysfunction, low libido and mood swings. Experts have been debating for many years about how to diagnose these problems, and whether or not they can be corrected by replacing testosterone.
Hegseth made his announcement at the same time that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other Trump Administration officials were working to ease doctors’ prescription of testosterone. The Food and Drug Administration announced last month that it would ease the limits for doctors to prescribe testosterone patches, gels and pills.
According to the current FDA label, these medications are for men who have hypogonadism. This is a condition in which testosterone levels are drastically reduced.
Many influencers, including Kennedy supporters of the “Make America Healthy Again,” movement, tout testosterone to help look younger and build muscle. Most medical experts do not accept these uses.
Recent studies, however, have provided evidence that testosterone is beneficial for some conditions and has eased concerns over its safety, especially in relation to heart health.
The FDA has removed the boxed warnings about the possible risk of stroke and heart attacks from these drugs.
A series of National Institutes of Health studies on older men showed that testosterone treatment improved sexual performance, libido, and other measures, and also had a slight effect on the mood. There was no or little improvement on other measures such as fatigue, memory and overall health.
There are other studies that show potential improvement in strength, muscle mass and bone density.
Nevertheless, medical guidelines recommend that testosterone testing should not be done on a blanket basis. Doctors are typically advised to talk about testosterone therapy when men have symptoms that concern them and who show low levels in two blood tests.
Testosterone levels fluctuate during the day, making it difficult to test for them. The morning following a fast is the best time to measure testosterone levels.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (a Pennsylvania Democrat who is also an Air Force veteran) said that the announcement “proves Secretary Hegseth receives direction from far corners of manosphere.”
A congresswoman from the House Armed Services Committee expressed her hope that testosterone testing would be made available to both men and woman, and servicewomen could have access to similar resources so they can be among the world’s most elite warriors.
Hegseth said previously that he did not think women should have combat roles, and that these positions should reflect the “highest standard of males.” Since becoming the head of Pentagon, he has either blocked or dismissed female military leaders.
Other changes have been made to medical care for troops.
He announced in April that the longstanding military flu vaccination mandate would be repealed, citing religious freedom and “medical autonomy”. A flu outbreak in June at the U.S. Air Force boot camp caused at least 300 illnesses.
Ben Finley, a writer for the Associated Press, contributed to this article.