Zoonotic diseases can spread from animals, including the ones we consume or keep as pets, including cats. Why are we talking about cats today? It is because of the increasing numbers of bird flu in the United States, cats of all shapes and sizes have come down with bird flu.

Bird flu was seen in poultry, where chickens have been affected, and even cows too. Why is it a concern for cats? This is because barn cats drink raw milk. In recent days, 20 wild cats at a Washington State animal sanctuary that ate infected birds and other reports of indoor cats dying from eating contaminated food have come out.

Why do cats get bird flu?

One of the leading causes is that unlike dogs, cats hunt for smaller prey, which includes birds and mice, carriers of bird flu. Dr Michael Bailey, the president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in a guidance released for cat owners noted that by their very nature, cats have more "opportunity" to ger infected with bird flu.

“We don't know if the cats are more susceptible than anybody else,” he said. “It's just the fact they're exposed to higher viral burdens because of where they go.”

Reports say that domestic cats have been bird flu virus carrier since 2004. Kristen Coleman, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health told a media outlet that before, about half of cats died, and now with the spreading of the bird flu even in cows, about 90% of them seem to be dying. Coleman has also been tracking the deaths. She has also shared 4 main tips to protect pets from bird flu which includes:

• Do not touch or allow pets to touch sick or dead animals or animal dropping
• Do not consume, or feed your pet, raw meat or milk
• Keep a close watch on free-roaming outdoor pets
• Immediately report rabies-like symptoms to a veterinarian

Are there symptoms of bird flu in cats one should look out for?

As per AVMA, pet owners must look out for signs like:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever

Bird flu infection can also progress with neurologic signs, which includes:

• Tremors
• Seizures
• Not being coordinated
• Blindness

Cats may also suffer from:

• Severe depression
• Discharge from their eyes or nose
• Respiratory symptoms which includes rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and sneezing or coughing

Are humans at threat?

Sick animals may also be able to transmit influenza virus to humans through their saliva, excretion and other bodily fluids. People can also get infected by breathing in the virus or by touching something that has virus on it and then touching their eyes, mouth, or nose.

If you think your cat might have bird flu—or any other infectious disease—try to limit their contact with other pets and people in your household, especially those with weakened immune systems, until you get advice from a veterinarian, as recommended by the AVMA. While the chances of cats transmitting H5N1 to humans are extremely low, they aren’t zero.

According to CDC guidance, keep an eye on yourself and your family for flu-like symptoms and reach out to a healthcare provider if needed. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your cat or cleaning their litter box and bedding.

Alcohol use among US adults has declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, driven largely by Gen Z and millennials, a new study found.

However, alcohol use remains above pre-pandemic levels, according to the findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"It’s encouraging to see alcohol use decline for the first time since the start of the pandemic,” said Brian P. Lee, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist with Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California and principal investigator of the study.

“However, use remains above pre-pandemic levels and certain groups continue to have concerning trends," he added.

What Did The Study Find?

Researchers analyzed National Health Interview Survey data from 114,352 US adults between 2018 and 2024.

Heavy drinking was defined as five or more drinks per day or 15 or more drinks per week for men, and four or more drinks per day or eight or more per week for women, in the 12 months before the survey.

From 2022 to 2024, any alcohol use fell by nearly 2%, while heavy drinking declined by more than 8%.

Researchers said this was the first confirmed reduction in alcohol consumption since the pandemic began, following increases in drinking reported in previous studies.

Gen Z, Millennials Cut Back As Older Adults Drink More

The biggest decline in any alcohol use was among Gen Z adults, whose consumption fell by more than 5%.

Millennials recorded the largest drop in heavy drinking, at 17% between 2022 and 2024.

The study did not examine why younger adults reduced their drinking, though researchers noted that changing social attitudes toward alcohol may be one explanation.

In contrast, alcohol use increased among adults aged 50-64. From 2018 to 2024, any alcohol use in this group rose by nearly 4%, while heavy drinking increased by more than 36%.

According to Lee, the increase is particularly concerning because older adults face higher risks of alcohol-related conditions, including liver disease, certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.

"Heavy drinking among ages 50-64 is up by more than a third since 2018, a concerning trend because this age group faces some of the greatest risks of harm from alcohol, including cirrhosis and alcohol-related cancers,” Lee said.

Men saw a larger decline in any alcohol use than women, 2.4% versus 1.1%. However, heavy alcohol use fell more among women than men, 9% versus 7.7%.

Lee noted that understanding differences in drinking patterns could help develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Does Drinking Less Reverse Alcohol-Related Harm?

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Alcohol accounts for approximately half of all liver-related deaths, while alcohol-associated cirrhosis has become the leading cause of liver transplants, according to Lee.

The World Health Organization says health risks begin with the first drop of alcohol, meaning no level of consumption is completely safe or risk-free.

Although the decline in alcohol use is a positive development, "we cannot assume alcohol-related harms will decline automatically,” said Lee. “Continued attention to screening, prevention and treatment will be critical, particularly among groups where alcohol use remains elevated.”

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often viewed as diseases of old age, with memory loss considered one of their most recognizable symptoms. However, emerging research increasingly points to factors such as diabetes, blood pressure, hormonal changes and lifestyle during midlife, particularly from the 40s onward, that may influence the risk of cognitive decline later in life.

As ageing populations worldwide face a growing dementia burden, doctors are emphasizing the importance of identifying and addressing these risks in midlife. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and the ability to manage everyday life.

HealthandMe spoke to doctors about the disproportionate burden of Alzheimer’s among women, the link between diabetes and accelerated brain ageing, and how disease-modifying treatments such as lecanemab are changing the treatment landscape. They also highlighted the importance of early assessment to identify cognitive problems that families may otherwise dismiss as normal ageing.

Diabetes And The Ageing Brain: The Quiet Connection

Also read: Alzheimer's Day: Why Can A Patient Remember An Event From Decades Ago But Forget What Happened This Morning?

Type 2 diabetes is an important modifiable factor associated with accelerated brain ageing, making cognitive health an important part of diabetes care.

Dr V Mohan, Chairman of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) told HealthandMe that every diabetes appointment follows a familiar rhythm: check blood sugar, examine the feet, check the eyes, review the heart and kidneys, and renew the prescription. But the brain, more often than not, receives little attention.

Research suggests that type 2 diabetes is associated with accelerated brain ageing, while vascular damage linked to high blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol can affect the brain as well as the heart, kidneys and eyes.

The 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care identified diabetes as one of 14 modifiable risk factors associated with nearly half of dementia cases worldwide.

“The message is simple: just as people routinely check their blood pressure, blood sugar, eyes, feet and kidneys, cognitive health deserves attention too,” he said, while suggesting ABCD for Protecting Brain Health in Diabetes:

A – Aim for HbA1c Control

B – Blood Pressure Control

C – Control Cholesterol

D – Diet Management

Why Menopause Matters For Women’s Brain Health

Read More: Hormone Replacement Therapy May Lower Dementia Risk In Women, Shows Study

Women carry a disproportionate burden of Alzheimer’s disease. According to Stanford, roughly three women are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s for every two men, while data from the Framingham Heart Study cited by the

Alzheimer’s Association estimated that at age 45, the lifetime risk of developing clinical Alzheimer’s dementia was about 20% for women compared with 10% for men.

Dr. Anmol Singh Rai, Consultant Neurology, Fortis Hospital Jalandhar, pointed out several factors that may contribute to this difference. He noted:

• APOE4 is one important factor. In women, the gene variant has been associated with a greater increase in dementia risk than in men.
• Age is another major factor, with dementia risk rising sharply in older age groups. Since women generally live longer, more women reach the ages when dementia becomes increasingly common.
• Hormonal changes may also play a role. Declining estrogen during menopause can affect brain metabolism and neuronal health, making the menopausal transition an important period for paying attention to cognitive and overall health.

“Managing blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, addressing hearing loss, identifying sleep apnea, staying physically active and addressing depression and social isolation can all form part of a broader approach to brain health,” he told HealthandMe.

Alzheimer’s: Why Early Detection Matters As Treatment Advances

More than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia today, with a new case developing every three seconds. This number is projected to rise to 139 million by 2050.

With the arrival of disease-modifying treatments such as Leqembi (lecanemab), the importance of identifying cognitive decline early has become even greater.

"For three decades, Alzheimer's treatment has leaned on drugs that modestly improve cognition, function and behavior, buying patients and caregivers meaningful time. But none of them alter the underlying biology of the disease," Dr. Praveen Gupta, Chairman, Marengo Asia International Institute for Neuro and Spine (MAIINS), Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, told HealthandMe.

The disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s, Leqembi, was cleared in the US in 2023, followed by Japan the same year, China in June 2024, the European Union in 2025, and India in August 2026.

"Unlike everything that came before it, lecanemab is designed to act on the pathological process itself, not merely its downstream consequences," Dr. Praveen Gupta said.

However, the treatment is not meant for everyone with Alzheimer’s. It is approved for early Alzheimer’s disease, including mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia, rather than moderate or advanced disease.

That makes timely diagnosis particularly important.

"Patient selection now hinges on confirming amyloid pathology, through cerebrospinal fluid analysis or blood-based biomarkers, before treatment even begins," Dr. Praveen Gupta explained.

Brain Health Should Begin Before Memory Loss

The experts noted that brain health is not something that needs attention only after memory loss begins.

Midlife is an important window to control blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, remain physically active, address hearing and sleep problems, and pay attention to changes in memory or thinking.

For people already showing cognitive symptoms, early medical assessment can help distinguish normal ageing from mild cognitive impairment, dementia or potentially treatable conditions.

Cardiac arrest is considered one of the most urgent medical situations. It can occur unpredictably, at home, at work, while traveling, or anywhere. It is characterized by a blockage in the heart's arteries, and it differs from a heart attack, which is a situation when the heart stops pumping blood into the body. After a few minutes, oxygen deficiency happens and affects the brain and other organs. Therefore, it is important to know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

CPR is an emergency lifesaving technique that uses chest compressions and, in some situations, blowing mouth-to-mouth air into the person who has suffered a cardiac arrest, to help maintain blood circulation and oxygen delivery to vital organs when a person's heart has stopped beating effectively. It does not restart the heart by itself, but it can keep blood flowing until an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available or emergency medical professionals arrive.

Importantly, CPR is not a skill limited to doctors or healthcare professionals. It can be administered by ordinary people for whom learning the basic CPR techniques is easy.

The Importance of Rapid and Efficient Actions in Case of Cardiac Arrest

If someone faces cardiac arrest, rapid actions may save this person's life. If CPR is performed directly and immediately after a cardiac arrest, it will be possible to keep the flow of blood to the brain and other organs before the arrival of medical experts. The use of CPR can improve the chances of survival for patients who have experienced cardiac arrest.

Besides, in combination with early defibrillation through an AED, it can be even more effective. AED is a portable medical device that checks the heart rhythm of the person experiencing cardiac arrest and delivers an electric shock to restart a normal heartbeat.

However, sometimes people prefer to do nothing for fear of mistakes. But it is much more dangerous not to act at all.

Recognizing Cardiac Arrest

It begins with identifying the presence of a possible cardiac arrest in the patient. The patient will generally fall, become unconscious, and will not breathe properly. They can occasionally breathe abnormally with strange sounds, which should not be considered breathing properly.

If you see anyone fall and become unresponsive, check whether they respond to your questions and breathe normally. Tell any passerby to call the emergency services and bring an AED device, if one is present. If the patient is not breathing normally, initiate CPR on them.

What To Do?

If the patient is an adult, hands-only CPR can be done easily by everyone. For this, you need to keep the heel of one of your hands in the center of the person’s chest, keep your other hand over it, and press down with a rapid rhythm. The compression must be continued at a pace of around 100-120 beats per minute.

Also, you can use the AED device if one is available. Turn on the AED and follow the steps according to the voice prompts from it. The AED device will analyze the rhythm of the heart and give a shock.

CPR is a Practical Skill, not Just Medical Knowledge

Another reason for reluctance to administer CPR is the notion that it should be administered only by doctors, nurses, and other professionals. However, even basic CPR can be taught to regular citizens using special courses. It takes only a couple of hours of practice for someone to gain enough confidence to use CPR in emergencies.

CPR training should be more accessible in schools, offices, and residential communities, as it would help people know what to do in those critical first few minutes.

Cardiac arrest will not wait for doctors to show up. When cardiac arrest occurs, the first person on the scene might be either a relative, co-worker, friend, or a total stranger. Knowing CPR will prepare you for these moments of life or death. A simple skill learned today may help save someone’s life tomorrow.

(Dr. Lalit Kapoor, Senior Consultant - Cardiac Surgery and Robotic Surgery – Narayana RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, Kolkata)