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Posted August 8, 2026
Posted August 8, 2026
An outbreak of diarrhea from a parasite is surging. Here’s what to eat and what to avoid
An outbreak of diarrhea from a parasite is surging. Here’s what to eat and what to avoid
By Jacqueline Howard
Updated Aug 7, 2026
A massive outbreak of diarrhea caused by the parasite cyclospora continues to grow and two deaths are now linked to the illness. With the threat of symptoms that can last for weeks, it’s easy to wonder: Is there anything in the produce aisle that’s safe to eat?
US health officials say they’re investigating multiple clusters of cyclospora cases, and they may not have common sources.
In mid-July, Taylor Fresh Foods said it has removed all of its iceberg lettuce from central Mexico from the US market. It had been shipped to restaurants, food services and some grocery stores in 27 states. Fifteen states have cases linked to the outbreak tied to lettuce.
Sources cited from CNN
Posted July 20, 2026
Posted July 20, 2026
Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half
Newly approved pill cuts LDL cholesterol levels by more than half
News briefs
News briefs
July 20, 2026
By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
A new pill that dramatically lowers harmful LDL cholesterol may be a good option for people who can’t tolerate statins or who haven’t lowered their LDL enough despite their current treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Approved by the FDA in July 2026, enlicitide (Lipfendra) is the first oral version of a class of drugs known as PCSK9 inhibitors. These drugs work by mimicking the effect of a naturally occurring variant in the PCSK9 gene that leads to very low LDL levels. But the original drugs — which are given by injection once or twice a month — aren’t widely used. Some people aren’t comfortable giving themselves an injection. Also, most insurance companies won’t cover the cost (which range from $200 to $500 or more per month) until a person has tried other therapies without success.
Enlicitide is a daily pill that must be taken on an empty stomach with a sip of water, black coffee, or plain tea. It lowers LDL by nearly 60%, which is similar to the injectable PCSK9 drugs. Less than 10% of users experienced either dizziness or diarrhea, the two most common side effects. A month’s supply will cost about $300; for now, insurance coverage remains unclear.
The drug might be especially helpful for people whose LDL remains above recommended levels, despite taking cholesterol-lowering drug such as statins. The 2026 cholesterol guidelines recommend that people who’ve had a heart attack or stroke should aim for an LDL cholesterol of less than 55 milligrams per deciliter.
The injectable PCSK9 drugs, alirocumab (Praluent) and evolocumab (Repatha), have been shown to reduce the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and death from cardiovascular disease by up to 20% among people at high risk, over periods of up to at least five years. A similar study is currently underway to see if enlicitide offers the same benefit, with results expected in several years.
Original article posted on Harvard Health Publishing
Posted May 19, 2026
US health officials order quarantine for 2 passengers from cruise ship with hantavirus outbreak
US health officials order quarantine for 2 passengers from cruise ship with hantavirus outbreak
Updated 4:53 PM EDT, May 19, 2026
OMAHA, Neb. (Associated Press) — U.S. health officials said Tuesday they have issued quarantine orders for two passengers from the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak who are now at a hospital in Nebraska.
The orders were signed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s acting director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the CDC said in a statement.
Quarantine orders, which can be enforced with fines and prison time, are a rare legal step that can be taken if someone objects to a public health request. All 18 passengers at the Nebraska hospital had been asked to stay at the facility through May 31, part of their monitoring period, according to the CDC.
On a call with reporters, the CDC’s Dr. David Fitter said there were no hantavirus cases among the returned U.S. passengers.
But symptoms of hantavirus have taken as long as 42 days to appear in previous outbreaks, said Jodie Guest, senior vice chair of epidemiology at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health.
“I’m certain that 42 days is starting to feel very long for those who are in quarantine, but the incubation period is what is setting that time period,” she said.
Cruise ship passenger making best of quarantine in US after hantavirus outbreak. Experts wonder ‘Where is the CDC?’ as a hantavirus outbreak unfolds on a cruise ship. One evacuated passenger tests positive for hantavirus and another develops symptoms on flight home
The CDC statement said three additional cases of hantavirus have been identified — one each in France, Spain and Canada — since the passengers left the ship.
The World Health Organization said last Wednesday that a total of 11 hantavirus cases linked to the cruise have been reported, including three deaths. Eight cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests.
Hantaviruses usually spread when people inhale contaminated residue of rodent droppings. But the hantavirus that has caused the current outbreak, called the Andes virus, may be able to spread between people in rare cases. The risk to the general public from the cruise ship outbreak is low, according to public health officials.
Posted Jan 14, 2026
Posted Jan 14, 2026
AAPD Affirms Support for Vaccines
AAPD Affirms Support for Vaccines
On January 5, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a revised childhood immunization schedule that reduces the number of recommended vaccinations. These changes were issued outside of the established, evidence-based scientific processes traditionally used to develop national immunization guidelines.
Given these developments, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) reaffirms its strong support for childhood vaccines. Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing disease. We share the deep concern expressed by our physician colleagues at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Medical Association (AMA) regarding the recent changes to the childhood vaccine schedule.
AAPD remains committed to providing clinical best practices and evidence-based guidance through our annually published Reference Manual. The 2025-26 Reference Manual continues to rely on the immunization schedule based on the 2024 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (CDC–ACIP) recommendations, which is currently maintained by the AAP (see page 658 of the print edition recently mailed to members).
Additionally, AAPD will continue to advocate for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine during this time of heightened vaccine scrutiny. This vaccine prevents HPV infections that are associated with a variety of cancers including oral and oropharyngeal cancers. Since its introduction in 2006, the HPV vaccine has been shown to prevent persistent HPV infection and significantly reduce future cancer risk. 1,2
National Cancer Institute. HPV and cancer. Last revision October 18, 2023. Available at: “https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer”. Accessed February 8, 2024.
Cogliano V, Baan R, Straif K, Grosse Y, Secretan B, El Ghissassi F. Carcinogenicity of human papillomaviruses. World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lancet Oncol 2005;6:204.
(Sources cited from the AAPD Research & Policy Center).
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