Researchers have warned that other infections could be undiagnosed.
Stony Brook Medicine, in a press release concerning a virus study, warned that the Bourbon virus “transmitted by the common lone-star tick” could complicate diagnosis if the virus becomes more widespread this summer or in the future.
Since the Bourbon virus first was identified in Bourbon County in Kansas in 2014, only six cases of human infection have been documented. The patient who was diagnosed in 2014 later died.
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At least two deaths have been linked to the virus, including an original case in 2014 and a second reported 2026. However, researchers believe that there are likely to be more infections which have not been diagnosed.
The symptoms of Bourbon virus are fever, fatigue and rash. They also include headaches, nausea, body pains, and nausea. There is currently no diagnostic test available to doctors.
The release stated that many healthcare providers were also unaware of the virus. “This increases the risk of a misdiagnosis.”
Stonybrook Medicine led a team of researchers who confirmed New York’s first Bourbon virus case in a Long Island patient with very severe symptoms. The antibody titres of Bourbon viruses had increased eightfold. Patient was hospitalized.
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In a news release, Dr. Luis Marcos of Stony Brook Medicine, director of the Tickborne Disease Clinic and professor at Stony Brook Medicine, stated that there are many lone-star ticks living in New York, the Northeast and other parts of the country. The symptoms of Bourbon virus are very similar to those of tick-borne diseases.
The Bourbon virus may be more common than we thought in our area and that other cases have not been diagnosed.
Marcos, along with his co-authors, said that their research shows the need for better surveillance and testing in order to track and diagnose the Bourbon virus.
He said that without identifying the source of the infection, chances for developing effective diagnostic tests and treatments were minimal. It is important that we first know the impact of this virus on high-risk regions.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that “the lone-star tick is widespread in the Northeast United States, South United States and Midwest United States.”
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According to the CDC, this tiny parasitic arachnid that feeds on blood has populations in Arkansas Connecticut Delaware Georgia Illinois Indiana Kentucky Maryland Massachusetts Missouri New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Virginia West Virginia West Virginia West Virginia
According to the Agency, lone star ticks can be aggressive.
The adult female can be distinguished from the nymph by a small white spot or “lone star” on her back. According to the CDC, nymphs and females are most likely to bite people and transmit disease.
CDC reports that despite the severity of the Bourbon virus, only a few ticks bite people and spread bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Wear protective clothing to avoid tick bites. This includes long sleeves and pants that can be tucked into boots.
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The experts also advise that you apply insect repellents, like permethrin to outdoor equipment and clothing, rather than directly onto the skin.
Avoid overgrown areas and heavy wooded areas. Ticks are more likely to thrive there.
After spending some time outside, check for ticks and get rid of them immediately. If you experience a fever, rash or fatigue in the weeks or days following a bite, seek medical help.

A new study suggests that a popular everyday vitamin may do more than fill nutritional gaps—it could also help older adults maintain their ability to carry out everyday tasks as they age.
Researchers at Augusta University found that adults aged 60 and older who took a daily multivitamin reported better functional health after three years compared with those who took a placebo. The findings will be presented at NUTRITION 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.
Multivitamin-mineral supplements are the most commonly used dietary supplements across all age groups and may help fill nutritional gaps while supporting energy metabolism and immune function, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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“The effects were strongest among participants with existing cardiovascular conditions, particularly carotid stenosis, where improvements reached levels considered clinically meaningful,” Bayu B. Bekele, a postdoctoral fellow at the Georgia Prevention Institute of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, told Newsweek.
What the Study Found
The researchers analyzed data from more than 16,000 participants aged 60 and older who took part in the COcoa Supplement Multivitamins Outcomes Study (COSMOS).
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a daily multivitamin, a cocoa extract supplement, both supplements, or neither. Placebos were used for the control group and for those taking only one supplement.
After three years, those taking a multivitamin had significantly better functional health scores than those taking a placebo. The biggest differences were seen in symptom burden and the clinical summary score, which combines symptom burden and physical ability measures.
“Importantly, the multivitamin group was not suddenly able to do activities that the placebo group could not do,” Bekele told Newsweek. “The overall benefit was modest.”
He explained participants taking a daily multivitamin reported slightly fewer cardiovascular symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath and a modestly better overall functional health status over time compared with those taking a placebo.
Bekele said in a statement that maintaining heart health and physical function may help senior people continue performing daily activities such as dressing, bathing, walking, climbing stairs, jogging, hurrying and completing household chores.
“For older adults, these findings suggest that a daily multivitamin could be a helpful, low-risk addition to a healthy lifestyle to support physical well-being as they age, although it is not a substitute for a good diet or exercise,” Bekele said in a statement.
“These benefits may be particularly relevant for individuals experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath or swelling in the feet, which can limit daily functioning.”
Cocoa extract did not significantly improve functional health scores across the overall study population, though researchers found a significant benefit among participants with congestive heart failure.
Choosing the Right Supplements After 60
Pankti Shah, a doctor of pharmacy at U.K.-based PharmaLink Academy, shared four key tips for older adults choosing supplements:
Pay attention to key nutrients. Senior formulas often contain higher levels of vitamins B12 and D, but little or no iron. Any additional iron supplementation should only be taken under medical supervision.
Avoid proprietary blends. Instead, choose products that clearly list ingredient amounts and are specifically formulated for adults aged 50 and over. Shah said these formulas typically provide nutrients closer to recommended daily intakes rather than excessive doses.
Look for independent quality verification. Certifications such as USP Verified or NSF can help confirm a product’s quality and safety. It’s also important to check whether a supplement could interact with any medications you take.
Speak to a health professional. Scotland-based Shah recommends consulting a pharmacist or physician before starting supplements, particularly if you already take vitamins, have liver or kidney disease, or use multiple medications.
Reference
EurekAlert! (2026). A daily multivitamin may help older adults maintain functional health. [online] Available at: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1136435

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In 2000, America officially eradicated the measles. Measles, like other 1990s remnants such as flip phones, baggy trousers, and CDs are now unavoidably returning.
This year, more than 2300 Americans are infected with the measles — the most since 1992. According to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more measles cases than ever before in the past 24 years.
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Some of these outbreaks have now ended. The underlying issue is much more complex and difficult to solve: as more parents fail to vaccinate their children, the once eradicated viruses are more likely to spread.
To stop the spread of measles – which is extremely — and almost frighteningly — contagious – 95 percent must be immunized in a community. Only 28 percent of US counties have enough kindergarteners vaccinated to reach that level.
Measles outbreak in 2017: Another record year
The lower vaccination rates can be attributed to political polarization and misinformation as well as a decline in trust for health authorities. There’s also a more ironic explanation for the measles’ return: we did a great job of eliminating it.
In the 1950s, almost every American child under 16 years old had contracted measles. Around 48,000 people are hospitalized every year for measles. It is one of the most contagious diseases known to mankind.
The development of an extremely effective vaccine during the 1960s and the subsequent aggressive immunization campaign in the following decades virtually eliminated a childhood disease that was once common. Millions of dollars were poured into vaccine programs by the federal government, mainly for children from low-income families. Michael Jackson and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were all in favor of measles vaccination.
All the campaigning was successful. At the end of 1990s, over 90 percent of Americans were vaccinated against measles, and an equal percentage believed that vaccination was essential. Most people who were born within the past 40 years are unaware of just how deadly measles can be.
One doctor told Vox in December that “we’ve done a good job”. Ironically, the success of America in vaccinating Americans against measles has led to Americans becoming complacent when it comes to measles vaccines.
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Follow your instinct. TikTok’s hashtag #GutTok is viewed over 6 billion times. Viral trends promising to “hack” your gut through miracle cleanses and products are also all the rage. You don’t have to rely on a supplement endorsed by an influential person for digestive health. Experts recommend taking simple lifestyle measures like eating more fiber and reducing your stress.
You should know…
Do you know that California has more species at risk of extinction than any other state in the US? The runner up is even more shocking: Alabama, after California, has the highest number of endangered species.
What is today’s trivia? Which Irish singer sings “Orinoco Flow?” You can also find other brain-teasers in Vox’s crossword. The answer will be in the next edition.
You were asked to name the university in Athens that has four letters. Ohio. There are over two dozen Athens in the US. A rival Athens also houses the University of Georgia.

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According to a recent study, adults who experienced persistent financial difficulties showed signs of brain aging and poorer cognition later on in life.
In a recent press release, researchers at University College London examined 2,759 U.K. respondents from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development who were born in 1946.
The cognitive abilities of adults who report persistent financial difficulties or low income are lower.
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MRI scans showed that those with persistently low income had a worse brain, as measured by markers like shrinkage of the brain and enlarged ventricles.
Fox News Digital reported that “[while] we are aware of the fact that genetic risk and childhood experiences can lead to cognitive decline, we were unaware about the effects on the adult brain, particularly persistent financial strain over a lifetime,” said Dr Jacques Wels, study author from UCL’s Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing.
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The study shows that poverty accumulation is associated with cognitive decline. The results are solid because we used a variety of measures to measure financial hardship over the course of a person’s life and cognitive decline.
Men, those who experienced a disadvantaged childhood and people with the APOE-e4 gene variant were most likely to be affected by Alzheimer’s.
Wels said, “The study indicates that cognitive decline affects both genetic risk and individual behavior. It is also influenced by experiences that we have in our life that we do not always control.”
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The researchers concluded that the link between cognitive ageing and chronic financial hardship over decades rather than brief periods of difficulty was based on their findings.
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The authors suggested that this could be due to chronic stress causing inflammation, or an increased cognitive burden from constant financial worries.
The study had some limitations, such as the fact that it was based on observational data and could not prove the cause of cognitive impairment.
Wels said, “We’re looking at people who were born in 1946. Their life experience really depends on where they lived.” Wels noted that we observed stronger effects in males. This reflects men’s ‘breadwinner role’ in older cohorts.
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The study’s authors acknowledge that even after accounting for other variables that may influence brain health it is still possible that results could have been affected by unmeasured factors.
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The UCL team stated that while reducing poverty over a long period of time could protect the brain, further research is needed to see if improving finances directly lowers cognitive decline or dementia risk.

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Democratic Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke has been indicted on criminal charges for conspiracy to commit corruption, bribery as well as falsifying reports of the candidate committee. This stems from a bribe that she is alleged to have taken in her capacity as state legislator in 2022.
Indictment: Local businessman Tobi Solidum, a lobbyist and local politician offered Luke $35,000 in connection with a COVID-19 contract that a company recommended by him had been awarded to the state.
Solidum, former Hawaii Transportation Department employee Ford Fuchigami and Leo Asuncion – a former Hawaii Public Utility Commission official – were also charged as part of a state Attorney General’s investigation.
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The five defendants all were caught up in the January investigation of Attorney General Anne Lopez, which grew out of an federal corruption probe.
Solidum was the representative of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii which held contracts with Hawaii to provide COVID-19 test sites.
According to prosecutors, Solidum, whose client’s contract was about to expire, met Luke in a steakhouse. He allegedly handed her two $5,000 check made payable to Friends of Sylvia Luke.
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Solidum, who allegedly promised to pay Luke $70,000 for her 35 employees, reportedly told Luke that they would have them all by next week.
According to documents, Luke is said to have replied “Oh wow” and added “That’s fantastic.”
Luke acknowledged accepting two checks for $5,000, but she denied that more money was involved. She also denied any influence of money on her decision-making.
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In a post on social media, she stated that “I have never given special treatment to any contributor.” She also added that “integrity and honesty were her top priorities throughout her entire career.”
Indictment also claims that Solidum seemed to have been trying to influence Luke’s forthcoming run for lieutenant-governor. Solidum allegedly said to another representative about Luke, “All that I have to do now is give her even more money,” according the indictment.
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Hawaii Gov. Josh Green demanded that Luke resign within hours of the indictment.
Green, a local media outlet in Maui Now told Maui Now that Green should consider formal resignation to deal with this issue and move the state forward.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Governor’s Office and Lieutenant Governor’s office for more information.