A new study has found that a combination of two drugs could enhance the immune system to treat one of the most common types of cancer in the world, bowel cancer. Also known as colorectal cancer, despite its widespread presence, the treatment options for this condition are limited. What the study specifically found was that this procedure could shrink the tumours caused by this condition by around 60%.

What Are The Drugs Involved

The trial involved the use of two immunotherapy drugs, botancilimab and balstilumab. It is a monoclonal antibody that works to stimulate the body's immune system to attack cancer. The study is a rather significant find, as it’s the first time that a consistent and durable response to immunotherapy has been reported in patients with solid MSS mCRC tumours.

The study was divided into several phases for more than 6 months. In the US trial, around around 101 patients with microsatile stable metastatic colorectal (MSS-mCRC) tumours showed a decrease . Around 61% of the patients experienced tumour shrinkage or stabilization after combined treatment with votancilumab and balstilumab. When it comes to downsides, diarrhea and fatigue were found to be the most common side effects or side effects of this drug.

These results are interesting and open to exploration. To date, immunotherapy has not been effective in patients with CNS-mCRC tumors. This study demonstrates the potential of the combination of botenlimab and balstilimab in the treatment of CNS mCRC, providing new hope for people diagnosed with colon cancer.

What Could This Mean For Bowel Cancer Treatment In The Future

The study is currently in the final stages of clinical trials, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hopes to quickly gain approval for its use because of the importance of this area that affects many people. The efficiency shown demonstrates the potential of botansilimab to contribute to broad antitumor immunity.

All in all, the combination of botensilimab and balstilimab represents a promising new direction in the treatment of colorectal cancer. This breakthrough could improve conditions for many patients worldwide and lights a new hope in the fight against this common disease. The results of this study show the effectiveness of immunotherapy in this field and how its potential to transform cancer treatment can only grow in the years to come.

Amid as many as 45 states in the US battling Cyclospora parasite infections, the UK has now reported a sharp rise in watery diarrhea-causing infections among travelers returning from Mexico.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) clarified that cyclospora, caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, does not naturally occur in the UK and cannot spread from person to person.

The agency has advised travelers to take precautions while abroad, including maintaining good food and water hygiene to reduce their risk of infection.

According to the latest data, 67 cases were reported between April 30 and July 15, among returning travelers in

• England (30),
• Scotland (27),
• Wales (10).

The agency noted that travel information was available for 52 of the 67 cases. Of these, 48 people had traveled to Mexico, with one also reporting travel to the US. One case involved travel only to the US, while another had traveled to Kenya.

Among those who visited Mexico, cases reported staying at various hotels in the Riviera Maya and Cancún regions and consuming a range of foods and drinks as part of all-inclusive holiday packages. Investigations into the source of the infections are ongoing, the UKHSA said.

"We have recently detected a rise in Cyclospora infections among travelers returning from Mexico. These infections are caused by a parasite and can affect the stomach and intestines," said Dr. Philip Veal, Consultant in Travel Health at UKHSA.

"If you develop symptoms after returning from travel, such as watery diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, increased wind, nausea, fatigue or other flu-like symptoms, please seek medical attention and inform your healthcare professional of your travel history," he added.

Cyclospora Outbreak In US: The Mexico Connection

Also read: Michigan Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Nears 10,000 Cases: Is Your Lettuce Safe?

The US is experiencing its largest Cyclospora outbreak, with infections reported across 45 states. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce grown by Taylor Farms in central Mexico, prompting the company to initiate a recall on July 17.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) weekly update on July 28, there have been 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of the illness, recorded in 45 states, since May 1. In addition, more than 11,500 additional cases, primarily in Michigan and Ohio, have not yet been confirmed by laboratories, the CDC said.

There have been 423 hospitalizations and no deaths, per the agency.

Foods Travelers Should Avoid

Dr. Philip Veal advised travelers to Mexico to avoid foods that may be contaminated with Cyclospora, particularly:

• Fresh, uncooked berries
• Fresh herbs
• Unpeeled fruits
• Raw salad items
• Ice in drinks
• Smoothies and juices that may contain raw fruits or vegetables

Read More: UK, France Brace for Another Heatwave: How Hot Weather Can Affect Medicines

Further, to reduce the risk of infection, the UKHSA also recommended:

• Washing hands regularly with soap and clean water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only when handwashing facilities are unavailable.
• Drinking bottled or boiled water where tap water is unsafe, including for brushing teeth.
• Choosing fruit that can be peeled, such as bananas and oranges.
• Opting for pasteurized dairy products.
• Eating freshly cooked food served hot.
• Following good food and water hygiene practices, even when staying at high-end all-inclusive resorts.

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a parasite that infects the stomach and intestines and is typically acquired by consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms include:

• Frequent watery diarrhoea
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Excessive gas (flatulence)
• Low-grade fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

Most cases are mild and resolve within a few days without treatment. However, the illness can be more severe or prolonged in people with weakened immune systems, who may require antibiotic treatment.

Vibrio vulnificus, a rare "flesh-eating" bacterium, has claimed its first life of 2026 in the US state of Florida, according to state health officials.

Florida health data show that, as of July 30, the state has reported 12 confirmed cases this year, including one death in an elderly person in Palm Beach County. In 2025, Florida recorded 33 Vibrio vulnificus infections and five deaths linked to the bacterium.

What Is Vibrio Vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium found in warm saltwater or brackish water, which is a mix of salt and freshwater. It thrives particularly well during the hotter months, which is why infections spike from May through October.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bacterium is halophilic, meaning it needs salt to survive.

While rare, the infection can cause necrotizing fasciitis. It is a condition where flesh-eating bacteria could destroy the tissue under the skin and can lead to death in just a few days if left untreated.

How People Get Infected?

The bacterium earned its "flesh-eating" moniker from its ability to cause an infection called vibriosis that damages or "eats away" at skin and tissue.

According to Dr. Norman Beatty, an infectious disease specialist and associate professor at the University of Florida, as reported by WUSF, there are two main ways people typically contract Vibrio vulnificus.

“We can consume it through contaminated shellfish, specifically oysters,” Beatty said. If ingested, the bacteria can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

But the more dangerous and more common route, he explains, is through open wounds. “If someone with a cut or scrape enters brackish or saltwater contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus, the bacteria can enter the body through the skin and cause serious infection,” he warned.

Also read: Rare Tick-Borne Bourbon Virus Case Detected In New York For The First Time

Symptoms To Watch For

Symptoms often appear quickly; sometimes within hours of exposure. Early signs include redness, pain, and swelling around the wound. As the infection progresses, it can cause skin ulcers, blisters, and even tissue death. Systemic symptoms like fever, chills, and low blood pressure may also follow.

“A delay in treatment can lead to serious complications, including amputations or even death,” Dr. Beatty cautioned.

Who’s Most at Risk?

People with weakened immune systems, liver disease, or chronic health conditions are at greater risk of developing severe infections. But Dr. Beatty emphasized that even healthy individuals aren’t immune.

“I’ve seen otherwise healthy people who got a small cut while fishing or kayaking and ended up battling this infection,” he said.

How to Stay Safe?

Read More: Milestone In Kala-Azar Treatment: WHO Updates Treatment Guidelines, Recommends Shorter & Safer Regimens

With summer in full swing and more people spending time in and around water, doctors urge caution. If you have an open wound, avoid wading or swimming in warm seawater or brackish water. If exposure happens accidentally, clean the wound immediately with soap and bottled water. Covering healing wounds with waterproof bandages can also reduce the risk of infection.

If symptoms develop after being in such water or consuming raw seafood, particularly oysters, seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of your recent exposure.

A Persistent Health Threat

An average of 100 to 200 cases of vibriosis caused by Vibrio vulnificus are reported in the United States each year, with most of them in Gulf Coast states, according to CDC data. “This is not a bacteria to take lightly. With increased awareness and a bit of caution, we can lower the risk and save lives,” Dr. Beatty said.

US researchers have identified the first known infection caused by Bourbon virus in a man from New York's Long Island, raising concerns that the rare tick-borne virus may have gone undetected for years.

The case, published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, suggests that the virus could be circulating more widely in the Long Island region than previously believed.

Because Bourbon virus causes symptoms similar to more common tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, experts believe some infections may have been misdiagnosed.

What Is the Case?

In 2021, 67-year-old Michael Larkin was bitten by two lone star ticks while working outdoors. However, it took about 5 years to get a proper diagnosis.

Because his symptoms resembled those of more common tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, doctors initially treated him with antibiotics. However, since antibiotics do not work against viral infections, his condition worsened and he developed fever, rash, night sweats and debilitating headaches.

The lack of a commercially available diagnostic test further complicated his diagnosis, making it difficult for physicians to identify the virus during the acute stage of illness.

Larkin's illness was confirmed to have been caused by Bourbon virus recently, after he got enrolled in a year-long antibody study, with blood samples collected every three months.

"Now we know the virus can be lethal. On Long Island, at least, we have a lot of lone star ticks," Dr. Luis Marcos, who treated Larkin, told CBS News. "And honestly this may be the very, very tip of the iceberg."

What Is Bourbon Virus?

Bourbon virus is a rare tick-borne virus believed to spread through the bite of infected lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum).

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases have previously been reported in parts of the Midwest, East Coast and Southern United States.

The virus was first identified in 2014 and was named after Bourbon County, Kansas, where it was initially discovered. There is currently no vaccine to prevent Bourbon virus infection and no specific antiviral treatment.

Symptoms of Bourbon Virus

People infected with Bourbon virus have reported symptoms including:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Rash
• Headache
• Muscle and body aches
• Nausea and vomiting

• Low white blood cell counts
• Low platelet counts

How Does It Spread?

Bourbon virus is believed to spread through the bite of infected lone star ticks. These aggressive ticks are identified by the single white spot—or "lone star"—on the backs of adult females. They are commonly found in wooded areas, brush and tall grass.

Lone star ticks are also known to transmit several other diseases, including:

• Ehrlichiosis
• Tularemia
• Alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy)

Could More Cases Be Going Undetected?

The researchers noted that the Bourbon virus is likely more prevalent than we think in New York and other cases are likely not being diagnosed.

Marcos added that the findings highlight the urgent need for improved surveillance, expanded testing and better guidance for healthcare providers.

"Without identifying the cause of an infection, the chances of developing accurate diagnostic tests or effective treatments are minimal," Marcos said. "That is why it is so important to first understand the true impact of the virus in high-risk areas."

How to Prevent The Deadly Infection?

Health experts recommend taking the following precautions:

• Protect yourself from tick bites by avoiding wooded, brushy and grassy areas whenever possible.
• Stay in the center of hiking trails.
• Wear long sleeves and long pants outdoors.
• Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin.
• Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing ingredients such as DEET.
• Check your body, clothing and pets for ticks after spending time outdoors and remove attached ticks promptly.