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.

It may sound unreal, but by just altering one gene could one day help many people to permanently lower their dangerously high cholesterol and blood fat levels. This is the biggest takeaway from the latest research which had been unveiled at the American Heart Association's annual meeting in New Orleans.

The early stage human trial tested a first of its kind CRISPR based therapy, and the results were way better and way more powerful than what the cardiologists had expected.

What Is This Experimental Treatment All About?

The Phase 1 trial involved 15 adults, all with severely high levels of LDL cholesterol, or the bad cholesterol. They also had high triglycerides, some had both. The main goal of the experiment was not to prove whether the drug would improve health, but to confirm if it is safe enough to be tested in humans.

Dr Steven Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic, one of the study investigators, admitted he never imagined such a treatment would be possible. “The results were pretty spectacular,” he said.

Researchers say it passed that initial test. Even more striking, a single infusion of the gene editing therapy reduced LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides by around 50 percent. That kind of drop could sharply reduce a patient’s lifetime risk of heart attack and stroke.

How Does Gene Editing Work?

This treatment uses a gene editing tool called CRISPR. This tool can cut and alter DNA. This is thus able to target a single liver gene called ANGPTL#. While usually this gene boosts cholesterol levels by blocking the liver's ability to break down fats, some people may have naturally versions of this gene that do not work as strongly, and thus give them low cholesterol levels their entire lives.

The experimental drug is designed to mimic that natural advantage by turning off the gene permanently. Unlike statins, which must be taken daily, this therapy aims to work after just one dose. The drug, CTX310, was developed by CRISPR Therapeutics, which also funded the trial.

Excitement, But With Caution

The findings, which were simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine, sparked a mix of enthusiasm and hesitation among heart experts.

Dr Karol Watson of UCLA called it an important proof of concept, but emphasized that permanent gene changes require long term safety data. “We already have safe, effective medications,” she said. “CRISPR must prove it’s both effective and safe over the long haul.”

Others note that many patients stop taking statins due to side effects, meaning a one time alternative could eventually fill a real need. Still, doctors stress that such a therapy must be studied for years before it becomes a mainstream option.

How Was The Study Conducted?

Most participants in the study were in their 50s or 60s, and lived in Australia, New Zealand, and in the UK. They received a single IV infusion lasting up to four and four and a half hours. Side effects were mild and temporary: nausea, back pain, and one brief increase in liver enzymes. One participant died months later from an unrelated cause.

Those who received the highest dose saw the biggest change. LDL levels fell by nearly 49 percent and triglycerides dropped by about 55 percent within two months.

Experts like Dr Elizabeth McNally of Northwestern say the dual effect on both LDL and triglycerides is promising, especially for people with very high triglycerides. Still, she cautioned that researchers must prove the therapy offers clear advantages over existing treatments.

Sally Kirkland, American actress and producer has now entered hospice care in Palm Springs. The news was confirmed on November 9 by her rep Michael Greene, as per TMZ. The same was also updated on her GoFundMe page.

The November 7 post read from the account's manager read: "Thank you for all your love and support. Sally is grateful for your kindness and love. Sally is on hospice now and is resting comfortably. Please hold and send the light for Sally."

This update has come just over a month after organizers shared that Sally, who is now 84, had endured "a challenging few months".

What Happened To Sally?

On October 2, an update read: "Hi: Sally sends her love to everyone. It has been a challenging few months for Sally as her health continues to struggle. She had a fall in the shower, when she was left unattended, injuring her ribs and foot, along with cuts and bruises. Sally is now receiving 24/7 care in a specialized facility that is providing wonderful safety and care. We are continuing to raise money to cover the gaps between income and care costs. Thank you for all the love, support, and care for Sally."

Sally's fundraiser was created in November 2024, after Sally "fractured her four bones in neck, right wrist, and her left hip" and while she was recovering, she had developed "two separate life-threatening infections". Her medical bills would mount more than her insurance could cover.

She also created a video shortly after her GoFundMe account was made where she thanked everyone who donated. "Everyone, I just wanted to thank you for sending me your love and your light and helping me get through this, day by day, helping me with my GoFundMe page. It really touches my heart. [I] really feel your love."

What Is A Hospice?

Hospice is a specialized care focused on the comfort and quality of life for people with serious illnesses near the end of life. This happens typically when a cure is not possible. It provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support for the patient, as well as for their family. The hospice also aims to manage pain and symptoms, rather than focusing on life-prolonging treatments. This care can be provided at home, in a hospice center, a hospital, or a nursing home.

Why Do People Choose Hospice?

One of the key reasons why patients who have a degenerative condition choose hospice is because of the patient-centric care that it provides. A hospice has a team of professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains, who provide a range of support to the patient and their loved ones. The care too is personalized to meet the needs of all individual patients, their needs, values, and preferences. The primary goal is to control their pain and other symptoms in order to maximize the patient's comfort and quality of life. There are also family-centered hospice that extends support to the family and loved ones of the patients, and help them cope with the illness and grief.

Hospice is typically used when a person has a prognosis of six months or less and has decided to stop treatment to cure or control their illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, has issued a statement recalling an organic baby formula. The company ByHeart Inc's two lots of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula has been recalled, the lots are:

• Lot: 206VABP/251261P2 ("Use by 01 Dec 2026")
• Lot: 206VABP/251131P2 ("Use by 01 Dec 2026")

In a statement, the CDC wrote:

CDC and public health officials in several states, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to recalled infant formula. Infant botulism happens when swallowed spores from a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum infects a baby's large intestine and make toxin in it. Infant botulism often starts with constipation but is usually first noticed as difficulty feeding (sucking and swallowing), a weak and altered cry, and loss of muscle tone.

The CDC also notes that 10 states have seen the cases infant botulism. 13 cases have been reported, all of them leading to hospitalization.

The Food and Drug Administration (DA), US has also asked parents and caregivers who have this product to identify the given lot information at the bottom of the packaging and if it matches, they must throw it away. The FDA has said that it is working with retailers to remove "all potentially impacted product" from the store shelves.

FDA has also asked parents who have fed their kids ByHeart's infant formula to keep and eye on them as a precaution and botulism can take two weeks to develop.

The States Which Have Reported The Cases Of Infant Botulism Linked With ByHeart Formula:

• Arizona
• California
• Illinois
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Texas
• Washington

What Is Infant Botulism?

Most common form of all botulism in babies, who are between 2 to 8 months old. It happens when the bacteria spores grow in a baby’s intestines and produce the toxin. Honey and contaminated soil can be sources of infant botulism. Adults can also get this type, though it’s rare.

What Are The Symptoms Of Botulism In Infants?

As per CDC, the symptoms include:

• Most infants with infant botulism will initially develop constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing
• If untreated, infants with infant botulism experience a progressive flaccid paralysis that can lead to breathing difficulties and required weeks of hospitalization

The CDC has also recommended that if clinical supports infant botulism then parents and caregivers must begin the treatment and should not wait for laboratory confirmation.

What Did The Makers Of The Infant Formula Say?

ByHeart, which is a New York City based company said that the FDA has as of now tracked 83 reports of infant botulism across the nation since August, 13 of them from the formula. In the statement, the company said: "ByHeart is taking the proactive step to remove any potential risk from the market and ensure the highest level of safety for infants. The FDA has not identified a direct link between any infant formula and these cases and there is no historical precedent of infant formula causing infant botulism."