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.

Nipah Virus Outbreak India: Two cases of Nipah virus, a rare, bat-borne pathogen had been confirmed in West Bengal. The virus has been detected in two nurses, both working at the private Narayana Multispecialty Hospital in Barasat. Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Narayan Swaroop Nigam, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, said, "Two nurses at a private hospital are infected with Nipah virus, and one of them is in critical condition."

Was Nipah Virus Found In West Bengal?

A survey conducted on bats in West Bengal found no active Nipah virus infection. Though there were antibodies detected in one specimen, which indicated prior exposure. This was confirmed by a senior state forest department official on Tuesday. The survey was conducted amid the identification of two confirmed Nipah virus cases.

To conduct the survey, nine bats near Kuberpur on the Kolkata-Barasat Road in Madhyamgram were tested using RT-PCR. All samples were negative, however, one bat, tested positive for antibodies. However, it only suggested prior infection, meaning there was no current risk of transmission.

The survey was conducted by the state forest department in collaboration with scientists form Pune-based National Institute of Virology. "The findings are reassuring, but caution is warranted. Surveillance and prevent measures will continue until we are fully assured that there is no risk," confirmed a senior official of the West Bengal Health Department.

What Is Nipah Virus?

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted to people from animals, and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person to person.

In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.

Although Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people.

During the first recognized outbreak in Malaysia, which also affected Singapore, most human infections resulted from direct contact with sick pigs or their contaminated tissues. Transmission is thought to have occurred via unprotected exposure to secretions from the pigs, or unprotected contact with the tissue of a sick animal.

In subsequent outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, consumption of fruits or fruit products (such as raw date palm juice) contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats was the most likely source of infection.

Human-to-human transmission of Nipah virus has also been reported among family and care givers of infected patients.

Read: Doctor Debunks Five Myths Around Nipah Virus

Nipah Virus Symptoms

• Fever
• Headache
• Breathing difficulties
• Cough and sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Muscle pain and severe weakness

Unique Symptoms Of Nipah Virus

While most of the symptoms of Nipah virus may resemble the symptoms from any common flu, however, what makes it unique is that the symptoms come in stages.

Dr Shaikh Abdul Kalam, MD Physician, an Andhra Pradesh-based GP writes for Apollo 24 that the symptoms come in three different phases.

Nipah Virus Phase 1: Flu Like Symptoms

Like mentioned above, most symptoms seem like common flu symptoms. Even Nipah virus begins like a common flu or viral infections. This is what makes the diagnosis difficult.

Most common sign is a fever and a headache. It is often a severe headache and does not break with simple pain medication. What follows is myalgia or muscle pain and sore throat.

The initial symptoms could last for 3 to 14 days before more severe symptoms appear. What helps best is to know the patient's travel history to make the right diagnosis.

Also Read: Unique Symptoms Of Nipah Virus Found In West Bengal And How Long Infection Now Last

Nipah Virus Phase 2: Respiratory Symptoms

As the infection progresses, it begins to attack the respiratory system. This causes dry cough, and dyspnea, or acute difficulty with breathing. This means that the virus has started causing inflammation in the respiratory tract.

Atypical pneumonia is also a symptom, which means air sacs in the lungs get filled with fluid and leads to acute respiratory distress.

Nipah Virus Phase 3: Neurological Signs or Encephalitis

This is usually the most dangerous phase of Nipah virus, because it crosses the blood-brain barrier. A person may experience drowsiness, disorientation, and even mental confusion. Complications could lead to seizures and even coma.

All these symptoms could last from 3 to 14 days.

NHS doctors are now warning people against vitamin D tablets as it may have negative health impacts after a prolonged use or due to overdose. Posting on X, an NHS spokesperson said: "From October to March, we cannot make enough vitamin D from sunlight, so to keep bones and muscles healthy, it is best to take a daily 10 microgram supplement of vitamin D. You can get vitamin D from most pharmacies and retailers."

However, this advice comes with a note of caution.

Tobias Mapulanga, biomedical scientist and co-founder of Repose Healthcare, as reported by Wales Online warned people of the overdose of the vitamin D pills. "As the NHS encourages vitamin D in winter, many people are reaching for bottles in the darker months and accidentally overshooting, then blaming the fallout on seasonal bugs; when constant thirst and needing the loo more often, queasiness, tummy pain or constipation, headaches or brain fog, and new aches or cramps appear soon after increasing your intake or adding sprays or gummies, that points to a supplement backfiring. The stakes are clear: the right amount supports you, but doubling up can turn a well-meant routine into feeling worse rather than better,” he explained.

As per a survey, 42% of adults in the UK take vitamin D supplements, and the NHS England shows at least 42 reports over the two years of high-strength vitamin D given more frequently. In some cases, hospitalization for the treatment of hypercalcaemia also were noted.

Four Signs To Keep An Eye For While Using Vitamin D

Vitamin D Overdose: Feeling Frequently Thirsty And Want To Urinate

If you find yourself feeling thirsty or want to urinate more, it could be because you are taking too much of vitamin D. NHS experts suggest to cut the intake to a single 10 microgram tablet and drop any extras if these symptoms appear.

What happens is that excess vitamin D could disrupt fluid and salt balance in the body and thus you may want to visit the loo a little more. Also, keep hydrating yourself. In case the symptoms persist, go to your GP.

Read: Doctors Advise UK Residents To Take This Daily Supplement Until March

Vitamin D Overdose: Burping Constantly, Feel Nausea And Have A Sour Stomach

If you feel like puking, and are burping constantly, for feel like a sour stomach, then try to take your supplement after a meal. If you are taking gummies or spray, it is the best time to switch to a tablet. This happens because food buffers the supplement in the gut and reduces irritation, whereas sprays and gummies contain sweeteners or flavors that could create problems for some people.

Vitamin D Overdose: Bones And Muscles Hurt

If you feel your muscles are cramping more and bones also ache, it is a red flag. The key to this is to prioritize your fluids, mineral -rich foods, and physical activities.

Excess vitamin D could disturb the minerals muscles rely on. Furthermore, dehydration makes cramping worse. You can improve your hydration, drink water with meals and also include yogurt and leafy greens in your food. Include some exercise or gentle stretching in your schedule.

Vitamin D Overdose: Cannot Think Straight

Excess vitamin D could also make your brain fog or cause headaches. So, when you buy any supplement, make sure you read the label. Choose a product listing only cholecalciferol and simple bulking agents. Take it with food at the same time each day to keep intake steady and gentler on the gut. Experts also suggest leaving combined A+D products behind and only pick simple D3 tablet.

When a child is born, parents must decide whether to vaccinate them against a range of preventable illnesses. While immunisations are not mandatory, health authorities strongly recommend them to protect both individual children and the wider community. Some professions, particularly in healthcare, require certain vaccinations as a condition of work.

UK Childhood Vaccination Rates Are Falling

Since 2022, no childhood vaccine in the UK has reached the World Health Organization’s recommended 95 per cent uptake, which is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable populations. As a result, preventable diseases like measles are making a comeback.

What’s Driving The Decline In Vaccination

Several factors contribute to falling vaccination rates. Parents may worry about safety, distrust healthcare systems, or follow religious or philosophical beliefs, such as preferring “natural immunity.” Access issues, like difficulties booking GP appointments, have also played a role, according to a BBC report. A malfunctioning NHS IT system has left thousands of children without appointment letters for essential vaccines.

NHS Doctor Issues Urgent Reminder

As per Mirror, NHS GP Dr Bhasha Mukherjee has shared a crucial message for parents. “Every parent wants to keep their child safe,” she wrote. “But here’s what the data reveals about the real risks today.” Dr Mukherjee highlighted that fewer children receiving full immunisation is directly linked to a surge in vaccine-preventable diseases. “This isn’t theoretical – it’s happening right now,” she added.

Measles Cases On The Rise

In 2024, confirmed measles cases in the UK jumped to nearly 3,000, compared with just 367 in 2023, marking the highest annual figure since 2012. Most cases were children aged one to four and five to ten, with 710 and 730 cases respectively, according to the UK Health Security Agency. Global data also shows over 10 million measles cases in 2023, a 20 per cent increase from 2022, linked directly to drops in routine vaccination coverage.

Whooping Cough and Other Illnesses Are Also Resurfacing

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is rising too. In England alone, more than 14,000 lab-confirmed cases were recorded in 2024, including hundreds among infants under three months old – the age group most vulnerable to severe illness. Sadly, several deaths were reported. Other diseases, like polio, are also reappearing in regions where children are missing essential jabs.

Why Vaccines Are Still Crucial

Many parents fear side effects, but Dr Mukherjee emphasised the dangers of avoiding vaccination. “Diseases like measles can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation, hearing loss, long-term disability, or even death,” she said. “Vaccines aren’t perfect, but high coverage protects the whole community, especially infants and children with weakened immune systems.”

MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination rates in 2023–24 were 88.9 per cent, far short of the 95 per cent needed to prevent outbreaks. Dr Mukherjee warns that this shortfall is driving a resurgence in these serious illnesses.

Choosing not to vaccinate increases your child’s risk of catching real, rising threats – and contributes to outbreaks that put many other children at risk too,” Dr Mukherjee concluded.