Mysterious Fog in the US , Canada and UK: A dense, eerie fog with a "burning chemical-like smell" has spooked a good part of North America and parts of the United Kingdom and Canada. With social media amplifying all concerns, this phenomenon has sparked attention across all social media platforms. However, at the heart of this mysterious fog are a conjunction of natural events, social psychology, and environmental conditions that culminated in all the conspiracy theories and public health fears. Here's a closer look at the mysterious fog, its potential causes, and the societal response it has triggered.

Fog that Feeds Fear

The first reports of this "mysterious fog" came in from Florida where a resident said that they experienced respiratory symptoms, feverish warmth, and stomach cramps after contact with the fog. Similar stories started flooding social media, and within a day or two, a sinister force seemed to sweep across the United States, Canada, and parts of the UK. From Texas to Minnesota, people reported weird odors and health issues that they thought were linked to this bizarre atmospheric event.

Some witnesses were said to see "white particles" swirling through the air; theories ranged from a chemical attack or experimental weapon to drone-related chemical dispersals and references to historical military experiments, such as the infamous 1950s "Operation Sea-Spray."

Fuel to the fire were added when videos and posts, hundreds of thousands in number, began circulating on social media sites like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) speculating on the origin of the fog. Hashtags like #ToxicFog went trending for days. Hysteria created a self-reinforcing loop in which every post spurred further scrutiny and fear.

Scientific Explanation of the Dense Mysterious Fog

1. What is Fog?

Fog is essentially a low-lying cloud formed when the air temperature cools to its dew point, causing water vapor to condense into tiny droplets or ice crystals. Several types of fog—advection fog, radiation fog, and valley fog—can form depending on conditions such as warm, moist air moving over cooler land or when temperatures plummet rapidly under clear skies.

2. Why the Chemical Smell?

Such chemical-like smell as reported during the occurrence of fog events is sometimes attributed to air pollution. It acts like a sponge, where it absorbs these pollutants, which include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, among others, that emit from industries. This mixture, therefore, leads to a stench that could be mistaken as unnatural or even toxic.

Also Read: Health Concerns Rise As US, Canada, and UK Come Under The Blanket Of Thick, Dense, Toxic Fog

3. What are the Health Concerns?

High moisture levels from fog can significantly exacerbate symptoms related to respiration, but especially in already predisposed asthmatics and allergy patients. The connection of these symptoms with actual fever, stomach cramps, and puffy eyes is too remote. Experts assume that the irritating effects of entrapped pollutants trapped in fog tend to affect more the eyes and throat rather than the rest of the body affected by some report.

Psychological Effects of Mass Panic Caused by Social Media

Social media amplified a natural weather event into a health epidemic. It made the personal experience of individuals become a cause for fear and speculation, a domino effect.

According to psychologists, this is a concept of selective perception, wherein once people's attention is drawn to environmental anomalies, they begin to notice them. This mirrors earlier panics, such as the Seattle windshield pitting panic of 1954. Then, atomic bomb testing caused fear in many and started to have people looking at their windshields for small marks that they had not seen before. Likewise, postings on the strangeness of the fog probably increased public awareness and suspicion, with people looking to attach unrelated symptoms to the phenomenon.

The fog hysteria shares a commonality with other instances of mass panic, such as the "drone sightings" of recent years or the Cold War-era fears of biological warfare.

Also Read: Mysterious Fog Is Making Americans Sick

These events underscore how fear can cloud judgment, especially when amplified by social media and sensationalist headlines. While historical cases, such as "Operation Sea-Spray," offer concrete evidence of the existence of unethical experiments, the jump from a natural weather condition to theories of chemical attacks exemplifies a more modern trend of connecting unrelated dots, all wonderfully seeded in distrust and anxiety.

Despite the swirling rumors, meteorologists and scientists are in agreement that the mysterious fog is not as alarming as it seems. It is well known that fog traps and amplifies pollutants, especially in urban and industrial regions. Moreover, winter months are the most conducive for fog formation, so its recent prevalence is unsurprising.

On the other hand, environmentalists advise that the fog should wake everyone up to increased levels of pollution. The reported odors and health irritations could be just symptoms of far deeper systemic issues like industrial emissions and lack of control over air quality.

The authorities must be transparent in their communication to combat misinformation and allay public fears. Governments and environmental agencies must provide timely updates on weather phenomena, air quality, and health risks. Initiatives like real-time pollutant tracking and public education campaigns can help demystify natural occurrences while addressing valid environmental concerns.

The mysterious Canada fog is a compelling case study in how environmental events intersect with psychology and societal dynamics. While rooted in natural phenomena, the fog became a vessel for collective fears, amplified by modern technology and historical anxieties.

In this information era where communication occurs at an almost lightning pace, the fog becomes a metaphor that reminds everyone about scientific literacy, environmental responsibility, and an effective balance when considering public concern. Whether perceived as a marvel of nature or as a tale that serves to teach, it left a very powerful mark in people's minds.

The NHS has issued an urgent reminder about symptoms that many might shrug off as “normal,” urging anyone noticing them to get medical advice promptly. In a post on X, the health service highlighted the importance of checking in with a doctor if something feels off.

NHS warned: "Symptoms of pancreatic cancer are common and can be caused by many things. It’s important to be seen by a GP if anything doesn’t feel normal. If your symptoms are due to cancer, catching it early may make treatment easier."

What Is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach. These cells can form a tumor. Most cases start in the exocrine cells that produce digestive enzymes; this type is often referred to as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, according to the National Cancer Institute.

NHS experts also explained that pancreatic cancer can develop anywhere in this crucial organ, which sits in the upper abdomen and helps with digestion while producing important hormones like insulin. The severity of pancreatic cancer depends on its location, size, whether it has spread, and the person’s overall health.

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect, and many people show no symptoms at first. Some signs may include:

• Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice), often accompanied by itchy skin, dark urine, and pale stools
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Feeling constantly tired or low on energy
• Fever, or feeling hot and shivery

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea, constipation, or other changes in bowel habits
• Pain in the upper abdomen or back, sometimes worse when eating or lying down and eased by leaning forward
• Indigestion, bloating, or discomfort

Common Signs Don’t Always Mean Cancer

It’s worth noting that these symptoms are fairly common and may be caused by other health issues. That’s why early medical assessment is so important.

The NHS emphasized: "Having these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have pancreatic cancer, but it’s crucial to see a GP. If cancer is the cause, early detection could make treatment more effective."

Types Of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic tumors are generally classified into two main types, as per Cleveland Clinic:

• Exocrine tumors: These make up more than 90% of all pancreatic tumors. The most common form is adenocarcinoma, which starts in the cells that line the pancreas and other organs.
• Neuroendocrine tumors: Representing less than 10% of pancreatic tumors, these are also called islet cell carcinomas and develop from hormone-producing cells in the pancreas.

Risk Factors of Pancreatic Cancer

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, including:

• Smoking
• Type 2 diabetes
• Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Family history of genetic changes that raise cancer risk, such as BRCA2 mutations, Lynch syndrome, or FAMMM syndrome
• Family history of pancreatic cancer
• Obesity
Older age; most patients are over 65

A daily pill could soon serve as an alternative to Wegovy and Ozempic injections, after a recent trial revealed it helped people with obesity and type 2 diabetes lose significant weight and improve blood sugar control. This new once-a-day tablet, which could be cheaper than injectable treatments, helped participants shed up to 10 per cent of their body weight, according to the study.

Researchers note that orforglipron may make these medications more accessible to people who currently cannot afford costly injections. Orforglipron is a GLP-1 agonist, a type of drug that lowers blood sugar, slows digestion, and can reduce appetite. At present, GLP-1 medications are injected by around 2.5 million people in the UK and can cost up to £206 per dose.

What Is Orforglipron?

Orforglipron (LY3502970) is a small-molecule, non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) designed for oral use. Unlike popular GLP-1RAs such as semaglutide, orforglipron does not require injections or fasting to achieve absorption and can be taken without restrictions on water or food, according to Phase 1 pharmacokinetic studies. “Its weight loss and diabetes benefits may not match tirzepatide, but the convenience of a pill could appeal to those who prefer not to inject,” explained Alex Miras, professor of endocrinology at Ulster University, to the Independent.

Is Orforglipron Safe To Take?

Orforglipron is being studied for safety and effectiveness in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes through ongoing clinical trials by Lilly. Early results are promising, and further data is expected in the first quarter of 2026. It has not yet been approved for use, as per the official page Eli Lilly and Company.

Orforglipron Price

Eli Lilly has not yet revealed the final price of Orforglipron, as it is still undergoing clinical trials and has not been approved for public use. Analysts anticipate that its cost could be comparable to existing drugs like Zepbound, likely ranging from $400 to $1,000 per month, depending on insurance coverage and market factors.

Lancet Study On Orforglipron

In the United States, patients are expected to start taking the pill in early 2026, with a global rollout to follow. A study done by Lancet included 1,444 participants with obesity across 10 countries, given varying doses of the pill or a placebo for comparison. All participants received guidance on healthy eating and exercise and were monitored over 16 months.

Participants taking the highest dose, 36mg, lost an average of 9.6 per cent of their body weight. Those on 12mg lost 7 per cent, and those on the lowest dose, 6mg, lost 5.1 per cent. Placebo participants lost 2.5 per cent.

The pill not only promoted weight loss but also helped reduce blood sugar levels. The most common side effects were mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues, as per The Indepedent.

Researchers highlighted that the pill could be cheaper, does not require cold storage, and can be taken without specific instructions around food or fasting, making it more accessible to a broader population.

“Having additional safe and effective weight loss options is a significant step forward,” said Naveed Sattar, professor of cardiometabolic medicine at Glasgow University, to the Independent.

“A new oral weight-loss tablet that can be taken alongside other medications without fasting could provide a convenient solution for people with mild to moderate obesity who want to prevent further weight gain,” he added.

“Given its safety profile and predicted lower cost, orforglipron could allow many more individuals, with or without diabetes, to access treatment for obesity worldwide,” said senior study author Dr. Deborah Horn, medical director of the Centre for Obesity Medicine at UTHealth Houston.

“My hope is that orforglipron will become the ‘metformin’ of obesity—a low-cost, widely accessible, low-risk, and effective medication for obesity and related conditions.”

"We just saw it, and everyone is freaking out," told one scientists to the Washington Post on account of anonymity on seeing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update its website backpedaling on the link between vaccines and autism. The said link had long been debunked, however, the Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. has echoed the thought, and has a long history of critiquing vaccines and linking it to autism.

The agency's website was updated on Thursday and under Autism and Vaccine, it notes: 'The claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccine cause autism.'

Also Read: After Lancet Links Ultra-Processed Foods to Organ Damage, New Study Ties Them to Bowel Polyps in Women Under 50

The first header reads: 'Vaccine do not cause autism', the reason the header has not been removed is all thanks to an agreement with the chair of the US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee that it would remain on the CDC website, as per the website.

As the Post reported, the scientists did not have any prior information about the changes to the website, neither were they consulted for it. Before the Wednesday update, the CDC website stated that studies have shown that there is "no link" between vaccines and developing autism in infants. The website previously stated that "no links" have been found between any vaccine ingredients and disorders.

Read: CDC Plans Vaccine-Autism Study Despite Scientific Consensus

The CDC's Claim: Autism and Vaccine Link

As per the CDC website, approximately 1 in 2 surveyed parents of autistic children believe vaccines played a role in their child's autism. For this, the CDC cites a 2006 survey published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. The CDC notes that these vaccines are often those that the child receives in the first six months of life, including Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP), Hepatitis B (HepB), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), Poliovirus, inactivated (IPV), and Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) and one given at or after the first year of life (Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)).

According to CDC a timeline has been provided that shows the correlation between the prevalence in autism cases and higher doses of the above mentioned vaccines. In 1986, the CDC recommended five infant vaccine doses: two oral polio (OPV) doses and three DTP injections. By 2025, the schedule expanded to include multiple doses of rotavirus, HepB, DTaP, Hib, PCV, IPV, influenza, and, at 12 months, MMR, varicella, and HepA.

Autism rates have risen since the 1980s, and while this trend coincides with an increase in recommended childhood vaccines, correlation alone does not establish causation. Autism is believed to have multiple contributing factors, and some researchers have examined possible environmental links. One study reported a statistical correlation between aluminum adjuvants and autism prevalence.

Read: Fact Check: Does Aluminum In Vaccines Cause Food Allergies As RFK Jr Claims?

While the CDC notes that correlation does not prove causation it also mentions that "it does merit further study".

What Are The Scientists Saying?

“CDC cannot currently be trusted as a scientific voice,” said Demetre Daskalakis, who formerly led the agency’s center responsible for respiratory viruses and immunizations. He resigned in August. “My question is, how language that misrepresents decades of research ended up on a CDC website,” said Debra Houry, the CDC’s former chief medical officer who also resigned in August.

However, the spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services that oversees the CDC, Andrew Nixon, said, "We are updating the CDC’s website to reflect gold standard, evidence-based science.”

The Origin Of This Vaccine-Autism Theory

This originated from now debunked 1998 study, which was retracted after its author, Andrew Wakefield, was found guilty of professional misconduct and barred from practicing medicine in the UK. Despite decades or research no such link could be proven, however, the claim still continues in the political and public discourse.

Kennedy, who had long been anti-vaxxer, also made numerous claims, even though studies have long debunked this theory.

Many years of extensive study has shown that there is no real connection between vaccines and autism. As per a 2019 study, which was conducted over a decade in Denmark, involving half a million children, confirmed that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine does not increase any risk of autism. Other studies too have confirmed the same, being studied over large sample sizes. It had reinforced the medical consensus that vaccines are safe and essential for public health.