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.

Days after announcing that Pope Leo XIV will have surgery to have a lung nodule removed, he got a confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer. According to reports, he underwent surgery to have the lower lobe of his right lung removed.

The update comes as the 71-year-old pontiff's older brother, Louis Prevost, is undergoing treatment for relapsed multiple myeloma. The developments have brought attention to two different cancers affecting the papal family.

Pope Leo XIV's Lung Cancer Diagnosis

The pope underwent the procedure at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on October 13. According to the Vatican, tests confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in the cells lining the lungs.

The Vatican said in a medical bulletin, "The surgery was successful, and there were no complications."

The operation lasted approximately 90 minutes, and the pope subsequently returned to his hospital room. Pope Leo had announced on October 11 that doctors had discovered a lung nodule during routine medical examinations. He said the abnormality was detected early and that doctors recommended surgery to remove it.

"Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized," he said.

He added, “The doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation is already scheduled for the next few days.”

The Vatican has not yet disclosed Pope Leo's cancer's stage or whether it has metastatised to other parts of the body. Further testing, including examination of the lymph nodes, will help doctors determine the extent of the disease and whether additional treatment is necessary.

Also read: Pope Leo XIV Will Undergo Lung Nodule Surgery: When Does Removal Become Necessary

What Is Lung Adenocarcinoma?

Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer. It develops in glandular cells that produce substances like mucus. It is classified as a non-small cell lung cancer.

Although it is frequently linked with smoking, it can also occur in people who have never smoked. Other risk factors include exposure to radon, second-hand smoke and certain workplace carcinogens.

Symptoms may include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, breathlessness and unexplained weight loss. Early-stage disease may cause no noticeable symptoms but it can be detected through imaging and scans.

Treatment largely depends on the cancer's stage, location and characteristics of the tumour. Surgery to remove the affected portion of the lung is a common treatment strategy when the tumour is localised. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapies may be considered depending on further findings.

In Pope Leo's case, the lower lobe of his right lung was removed. The results of further tests will help establish whether surgery alone is sufficient.

Also read: How Does Second-hand Smoke Exposure Increase The Risk Of Lung Cancer In People Who Have Never Smoked Themselves?

Pope's Brother Louis Prevost's Multiple Myeloma Relapsed

Meanwhile, the pope's older brother, Louis Prevost, is receiving treatment for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. His wife, Deborah Prevost, told CBS News that he was first diagnosed in 2017.

Treatment in 2019, which included stem cell treatment and participation in a clinical trial, helped keep the disease at a "very low level".

However, she said he "fell out of remission" approximately three months ago. He is now participating in another clinical trial at a local hospital in Florida.

Multiple myeloma develops when abnormal plasma cells multiply in the bone marrow, interfering with normal blood cell production and damaging bones and kidneys.

Symptoms can include bone pain, fatigue, frequent infections, anaemia and kidney problems.

Unlike lung adenocarcinoma, which forms a solid tumour in lung tissue, multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells. It is generally considered treatable but not usually curable, and the disease can return after periods of remission.

Speaking about the family's situation, Deborah said, "We keep praying, keeping spirits up for both of them."

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has surpassed 9,000 confirmed cases and 4,300 deaths, making it the deadliest outbreak in the country's history. Meanwhile, Kenya has reported no new infections after testing 293 samples following its first confirmed case linked to the outbreak.

According to data released by Congo's public health institute on October 13, the country has recorded 9,066 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,381 deaths.

Health authorities continue to struggle to contain transmission across multiple hotspots in the country. The outbreak, declared in May 2026, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which has no approved vaccine or specific treatment yet. The epidemic has surpassed Congo's previous worst outbreak, which occurred between 2018 and 2020.

The outbreak is now the second-largest Ebola epidemic globally, after the 2014-2016 West African outbreak, which infected more than 28,600 people and killed over 11,000 across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Kenya Reports No New Cases

Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Ebola on October 6, after a Kenyan national who had travelled from Congo through Uganda died in Nairobi on October 5.

According to Health Minister Aden Duale, the patient fell ill about a month ago and was treated at several hospitals in the DRC before traveling to Nairobi. The patient died days after arriving in the Kenyan capital, according to Reuters.

Kenyan health authorities have placed the country on high alert and are monitoring for possible additional cases. At least 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers who cared for the patient, have been identified.

The country's Ministry of Health said on October 11 that 293 samples had been tested since the patient's death and no new infections were detected. The tests covered 289 alerts and only the initial confirmed case tested positive.

Authorities have continued contact tracing and monitoring people who may have been exposed to the virus. Kenya is also strengthening surveillance and public health measures to prevent further transmission.

Also read: Congo Ebola Cases Top 8,000; Deaths Near 4,000 As Treatment Delays Remain A Concern

A Challenging Outbreak

The spread of Ebola has been difficult to contain amid Congo's fragile healthcare infrastructure, insecurity, population movement and challenges in implementing response measures. Health officials are also concerned about transmission in communities outside treatment centres.

The outbreak has affected multiple provinces in eastern Congo, raising concerns about further international spread. Uganda previously reported cases linked to the epidemic but was declared Ebola-free in August.

Although Kenya's latest testing results offer some reassurance, authorities continue to monitor high-risk contacts.

What Is Bundibugyo Virus Disease?

READ: Can Obeldesivir Prevent Ebola Symptoms After Exposure? Drug Trial Moves Forward As Death Toll Crosses 4,000

Bundibugyo virus disease is a rare and deadly illness that has caused outbreaks in several African countries in the past.

It is distinctly different from other known ebolaviruses like the Zaire ebolavirus or Sudan ebolavirus. The 2007 outbreak, where Bundibugyo was detected for the first time, resulted in over 100 cases and was officially declared over in early 2008.

According to the US CDC, the Bundibugyo strain is spread by contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is infected with or has died from BVD.

It is also spread by contact with contaminated objects (such as clothing, bedding, needles, and medical equipment), or by contact with animals, such as bats and nonhuman primates, that are infected with BVD.

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising (a late stage of illness).

Two adults in central North Carolina have died after contracting West Nile virus, prompting health authorities to urge residents to take precautions against mosquito bites as cases continue to rise across the United States.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the deaths on October 9, warning that senior citizens and people with underlying health conditions face a higher risk of developing severe illness from the virus.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 11 human cases of West Nile virus in North Carolina this year. The state’s first human case of 2026 was identified in a Gaston County resident in August.

Dr Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease expert with Duke Health, told WRAL that people infected with the virus may not realise they have it. “If you get West Nile, you probably won't know it,” he said.

Symptoms Of West Nile Virus

Also read: Google Released 3 Million Mosquitoes In Australia, Cutting Pests By 95%: Why US Is Considering It Too

West Nile virus circulates in the environment between mosquitoes, and the species is called Culex. It also circulates via birds. People become infected when the mosquitoes feed on infected birds and then bite people.

The CDC says that people are dead-end hosts, because unlike birds, they do not develop high enough levels of virus in their bloodstream and cannot pass the virus on to other biting mosquitoes.

The virus is rarely transmitted from person-to-person by blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and mother to baby, during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

Because the virus can be transmitted through blood and organ transplantation, persons who were recently diagnosed with West Nile virus infection should not donate blood or bone marrow for 120 days following infection.

Symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and rash. In rare cases, the infection can become severe and affect the brain and nervous system, leading to encephalitis or meningitis.

Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain can cause confusion, altered consciousness, seizures and, in severe cases, coma.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord can cause severe headaches, fever and neck stiffness.

Acute flaccid paralysis, also one of the complications, occurs when the virus can damage nerve cells controlling muscles, causing sudden weakness or paralysis. In severe cases, respiratory muscles can be affected, leading to breathing failure.

Older adults and people with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer or weakened immunity are at greater risk of developing severe disease.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent West Nile virus infection in humans, and no antiviral treatment is available. Care for severe cases focuses on managing symptoms and complications.

How To Prevent?

Health officials continue to emphasize simple prevention measures as the best defense against WNV. These are:

• Using EPA-approved insect repellents
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants outside
• Adding screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering
• Eliminating standing water within homes, such as flowerpots, gutters, and bird baths

By doing these, residents will be able to drastically lower their chances of infection, particularly when it comes to the active mosquito season.