Singer Jesy Nelson recently shared an emotional update regarding the complications she is experiencing in her pregnancy with twin babies. Former Little Mix singer Jesy, who is having twins with partner Zion Foster, announced that she has been diagnosed with pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (pre-TTTS). The condition, which is present in pregnancies involving twins with a shared placenta, has serious risks involved and needs intense medical supervision. As Nelson embarks on this difficult journey, her story enlightens us about a rare but dangerous condition many expectant parents may not know much about.

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare but dangerous condition that arises in monochorionic twin pregnancies, in which identical twins share a single placenta. The placenta supplies the developing babies with oxygen, nutrients, and blood flow, but in TTTS, there is an imbalance of blood vessels that interconnect the twins, and thus the vital resources are not evenly distributed. One twin, or the donor twin, shares excess blood with the other, referred to as the recipient twin. This leads to one baby becoming malnourished and possibly anemic, and the other in danger of heart problems due to too much blood.

Nelson described her diagnosis in a heartfelt Instagram video, explaining that she is currently in the pre-stage of TTTS and undergoing frequent monitoring. "I am being scanned twice a week, and each time, things have gotten a little worse," she shared, expressing her fears and hopes for the health of her babies.

Potential Risks of TTTS

If left untreated, TTTS can have devastating consequences. Medical research indicates that:

• 90% of the cases of untreated TTTS lead to loss of one or both twins.
• Despite treatment, only a 70% survival rate for both twins is assured.
• Severe forms can result in preterm labor, cardiac failure in the recipient twin, and organ failure in the donor twin.
• Complications in long-term survivors include neurological damage and developmental delay in surviving infants.

TTTS usually advances in stages, beginning with minimal changes in fluid levels and worsening as one twin continues to get an unequal share of blood. In extreme cases, fetal laser surgery, referred to as the Solomon technique, can be employed to divide the blood vessels and balance the twins.

Why Identical Twin Pregnancies Are More Complicated

Identical twins may develop differently, and their own unique form of placental sharing can have a dramatic effect on pregnancy risk. Jesy Nelson's twins are considered monochorionic diamniotic (mono/di), which means they share a placenta but have two amniotic sacs. This is the type of pregnancy in about 70% of identical twin pregnancies and carries an increased risk of complications like TTTS, umbilical cord entanglement, and growth restriction.

Conversely, dichorionic diamniotic (di/di) twins both have a separate placenta and amniotic sac, which greatly diminishes the threat of TTTS. Twin pregnancy type is normally identified by early ultrasound, with physicians being able to track future complications from inception.

Other Twin Pregnancy Health Risks

Twin pregnancies, even without the presence of TTTS, entail a variety of health risks to the mother as well as infants:

1. Premature Birth

Over 60% of twin pregnancies end in premature delivery, with birth usually taking place before 37 weeks. Premature infants can have immature organs and need neonatal intensive care (NICU) assistance to assist with breathing, feeding, and infection fighting.

2. Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia

Pregnant women with multiples are at increased risk of having high blood pressure during pregnancy. This, if left untreated, can result in preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that can result in damage to organs, preterm labor, and in some cases, maternal or fetal death.

3. Anemia

Pregnant women carrying multiples are twice as likely to experience anemia, a condition where the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and complications during delivery.

4. Birth Defects

According to John Hopkins Medicine, multiple birth babies are twice as likely to have congenital abnormalities compared to single births. These can include heart defects, neural tube defects, and gastrointestinal issues.

5. Amniotic Fluid Imbalances

When twins have to share a placenta, they are more likely to have polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) or oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid). Both result in distress to the babies during fetal development and can result in premature labor.

6. Postpartum Hemorrhage

Twins are at increased risk of excessive postpartum hemorrhage because their uterus is larger and there are greater blood supply needs.

Jesy Nelson's openness about her challenging experience is raising awareness for TTTS, a condition that few individuals—let alone expectant mothers and fathers—might be aware of. Through her tearful video, Nelson stressed the significance of knowing about twin pregnancies aside from the thrill of having multiples. "We had no idea that this type of thing occurs when you're having twins. We just desperately want to make people aware of this because there are so many people who aren't aware."

Her case reminds us of the intricacies involved in twin pregnancy and the significance of early identification and medical management. For mothers carrying twins, frequent ultrasounds and vigilance can become a life-and-death issue for early detection and better outcomes of both babies.

Through constant medical attention and care, she and her partner Zion Foster remain positive and get ready for their babies to be born. In other parents whose situations are no different, the story of Nelson highlights awareness, medical progress, and emotional encouragement in handling complicated pregnancies.

The expecting parents of twin siblings are advised to discuss TTTS screening and possible interventions with their physicians to give their babies the best chance.

The infant formula available on the US market is safe, according to results from the largest and most rigorous study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), released today.

Breast milk is widely known as the gold standard and optimal source of nutrition for infants whenever possible. However, as per the CDC, roughly 75 per cent of US infants are dependent on formula for the first six months, and for nearly 40 per cent, it is the exclusive source of nutrition.

The FDA noted that across 300 samples tested, an overwhelming majority had undetectable or very low levels of contaminants, affirming that the US infant formula supply is safe. But the federal agency plans to follow up with additional testing.

“We tested more infant formula than ever before, and the results are clear: most products meet a high safety standard—but even small exposures matter for newborns,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in a statement.

“We will hold manufacturers accountable and give parents honest, transparent data they can trust. Protecting our children’s health is nonnegotiable," he added.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study included more than 300 infant formula samples representative of products sold at retail across the US and included powders, ready-to-feed liquids, and concentrated liquids.

The samples were rigorously tested and analyzed in FDA laboratories. The results show that the overall levels of contaminants in the infant formula samples tested were low.

However, the FDA noted that it is following up with additional testing as part of the agency’s ongoing robust monitoring and oversight efforts and will take additional action where appropriate.

This includes conducting further testing, including for additional contaminants, continuing to engage with manufacturers on measures to reduce the levels of contaminants to as low as possible, and working to establish action levels for contaminants in infant formula.

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“You can judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable members. That’s why we’re doing everything in our power to make sure our babies and infants have safe, high-quality formula options that are backed by a resilient supply chain,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

“The results of this study are encouraging. We will continue to advance formula innovation and safety for the millions of families who depend on it.”

Why Was The Baby Formula Tested?

Formula is made to imitate human breast milk and usually comes from cow milk or soy. According to the present FDA guidelines, every infant formula product is required to have 30 nutrients essential for infants in specific proportions.

Yet, the technology of infants' digestion and nutrition requirements has progressed immensely, leading experts to wonder if the standards are yet sufficient.

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In 2025, the FDA in 2025 began conducting a comprehensive review of infant formula ingredients in the face of increasing parental distrust and industry trends, which indicate that existing rules might not be completely in accordance with recent worldwide research on infant feeding.

Some of the main issues that were considered during the testing include the possibility of iron content, added sugars, and seed oils.

Australia has become the 30th country in the world to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, announced the World Health Organization (WHO).

Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, which is preventable but cannot be reversed.

According to the WHO, Australia is among a growing number of countries that have successfully eliminated trachoma, contributing to global progress towards the targets set out in the WHO road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) 2021–2030.

“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities. It brings us closer to a world free from the suffering caused by trachoma," he added.

How Australia Eliminated Trachoma

Australia has achieved the milestone after decades of targeted public health action, particularly in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where trachoma persisted despite its earlier disappearance from the rest of the country.

The country established the National Trachoma Management Program in 2006 to boost efforts to fight the disease.

The program implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy:

• Surgery for trichiasis,
• Antibiotics to treat infection,
• Promotion of facial cleanliness,
• Environmental improvement.

Other measures undertaken include

• Regular screening of all communities classified as at-risk of trachoma
• Targeted treatment based on community-level data rather than mass drug administration,
• Prevention activities, including improvements in housing, water, sanitation, and hygiene,
• Strong integration with environmental health programs.

“Elimination of trachoma is a win for the eye health of communities across Australia, particularly those whose lives have been impacted by a disease that is entirely preventable,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing, Australia.

In addition to trachoma, Australia has several endemic NTDs, including Buruli ulcer, leprosy, and scabies.

Validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem marks the first time that WHO has confirmed the elimination of an NTD in Australia, which becomes the 63rd country globally and 16th in the Western Pacific Region to have eliminated at least one NTD.

What is Trachoma?

Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

It spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and flies that carry eye and nose discharge.

Environmental risks like poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water and sanitation facilities can also lead to trachoma.

Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the eyelids, turning eyelashes inward, and ultimately causing blindness if untreated.

As per the WHO, trachoma is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.

Blindness from trachoma is difficult to reverse.

In areas where trachoma is endemic, active (inflammatory) trachoma is common among preschool-aged children, with the proportion of such children affected sometimes being as high as 90 per cent infection becomes less frequent and shorter in duration with increasing age.

Infection is usually acquired when living in close proximity to others with active disease, and the family is the main setting for transmission.

An individual’s immune system can clear a single episode of infection, but in endemic communities, re-acquisition of the organism occurs frequently.

Trachoma is one of 21 diseases and disease groups that are regarded by the WHO as NTDs.

Together, NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, primarily in underserved populations with limited access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and health care.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that the Salmonella outbreak that infected 34 people in 13 states in the country is linked to backyard poultry.

The CDC, in its latest report, noted that backyard poultry, like chickens and ducks, can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. To date, no deaths have been associated with this outbreak, which started on February 26 and lasted up to March 31. However, 13 people have been hospitalized, the federal agency said.

Notably, the CDC analysis revealed that the Salmonella strain may be resistant to the antibiotic fosfomycin. Samples from eight of those patients showed there could be resistance to other antibiotics commonly used in Salmonella infections.

States Reporting Salmonella Outbreak

Michigan has the most cases, with six, followed by Wisconsin and Ohio, each of which has five cases.

Indiana, Kentucky, and Maine each have three cases. Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Tennessee have each confirmed a single case.

Children Under Age 5 More Affected

Forty-one percent of case-patients in this outbreak are under the age of 5 years, and of the 29 people interviewed by investigators, 23 (79%) reported contact with backyard poultry in the days prior to illness.

“Children younger than 5 years old shouldn't handle the birds (including chicks and ducklings) or anything in the area where the birds live and roam. They are more likely to get sick from Salmonella,” the CDC said.

“Of 14 people who reported owning backyard poultry, 13 (93%) bought or obtained poultry since January 1, 2026,” the CDC said. “People reported getting their poultry from various places, including agricultural retail stores.”

The CDC said it will continue to investigate the hatcheries associated with cases.

What Can You Do To Be Safe?

• Always wash your hands for 20 seconds after touching birds, their supplies, or collecting eggs.
• Use a pair of dedicated shoes or boots for your coop and don't wear them inside your house.
• Keep birds and supplies outside the house to prevent spreading germs into your house.
• Children younger than 5 years old shouldn't handle the birds (including chicks and ducklings) or anything in the area where the birds live and roam. They are more likely to get sick from Salmonella.

The CDC also advised businesses to

• Source poultry from hatcheries that take steps to reduce Salmonella contamination.
• Clean and sanitize poultry display areas between shipments of new poultry.
• Provide handwashing stations or hand sanitizers next to poultry display areas and tell customers to wash their hands right after leaving these areas.
• Display poultry out of reach of customers, especially chil­dren, so they cannot easily touch the poultry.

What is Salmonella?

As per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. It can be spread by food handlers who do not wash their hands and/or the surfaces and tools they use between food preparation steps. It can also happen when people consume uncooked and raw food. Salmonella can also spread from animals to people.

The FDA notes that people who have direct contact with certain animals, including poultry and reptiles, can spread the bacteria from the animal to food if hand washing hygiene is not practiced.

Pets, too, could spread the bacteria within the home environment if they eat food contaminated with Salmonella.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria.

The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.

In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized.

Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.