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Quademic 2025: Hospitals in the United States are dealing with a surge in patients admission, the reason is the quademic it is dealing with at this moment. This has led to an influx of patients. It is all caused by seasonal infections, including common flu, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that dominate the winter season in the US. This year, norovirus also joined the list, which has further increased the load on the healthcare.
The healthcare company founded in academics M Health Fairview, confirmed that their hospitals are overflowing due to the quademic.
The hospitals of M Health Fairview's volume is up by 30% and as a results, patients are being treated in the hallways and in alternative care areas. There is also a longer wait time and shortages for resources that are required to treat these emergencies. This has also impacted other life-threatening emergencies like heart attacks and strokes, as the healthcare resources and caregivers are occupied with the surge in seasonal cases.
ALSO READ: Birmingham Struggles With 4 Different Virus Hits, Know What They Are
Common cold and flu: The common cold and influenza (flu) are perhaps the most well-known illnesses that peak during the fall. As temperatures drop and humidity levels fluctuate, viruses that cause colds and the flu become more active. The flu, in particular, can be more severe than a common cold, leading to complications such as pneumonia, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, coughing, fever, and body aches.
Covid-19: As per the World Health Organization, Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with this virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment, However, there could be some cases of seriously ill patients who may require medical attention. It is also because of the other existing medical conditions like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, or older age.
The best way to protect against this virus is by following social isolation form those who are infected, using mask to prevent droplets from infecting others when you cough or sneeze and to wash your hands for 20 seconds frequently.
RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus: As per the Centers of Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), RSV is a common respiratory virus that infects nose, throat and lungs. Though symptoms are similar to the viruses like flu or COVID-19, the disease in itself is different. It also peaks during the winter season, especially between December and January.
However, the main difference between RSV and other respiratory illness, above mentioned is that RSV can cause pneumonia or bronchiolitis, especially for those who are over the age of 50 or with an existing heart or lung disease.
Norovirus: It is a number 1 cause of foodborne illness in the US and this happens when virus gets into the food and then it accidentally enters your mouth. These particles are from faeces or vomit from infected people, or can be transmitted via contaminated food and water. It could also spread by touching unclean surfaces like door handles or cutlery.
For most people, having norovirus is unpleasant, but mild and recovery could be made in 1 to 2 days. However, it could be more serious for babies, older people and anyone with any existing health condition.
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A humanitarian worker has been admitted to a specialist infectious disease unit in London after being potentially exposed to the Ebola virus while working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
UK health officials have stressed that there are no confirmed Ebola cases in the United Kingdom and that the risk to the public remains very low.
The individual, a UK resident involved in treating Ebola patients in eastern DRC, was medically evacuated to London as a precaution and is being monitored in a high-level isolation unit. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the worker is not showing symptoms of Ebola but is under observation because the virus has an incubation period of 2 to 21 days.
The evacuation follows established international protocols for healthcare and humanitarian workers who may have been exposed to highly infectious diseases. Health authorities emphasized that:
Officials are also conducting routine contact assessments where necessary, although no wider public health concerns have been identified.
Also read: Ebola Outbreak: Confirmed Cases Hit 2,344, Deaths Rise To 930
The admission comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo is battling one of its most severe Ebola outbreaks in recent history.
The outbreak, declared on May 15, 2026, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a less common species for which there are currently no licensed vaccines or proven antiviral treatments.
This has made containment significantly more challenging than previous Ebola outbreaks caused by the Zaire strain. According to the latest reports from Congolese health authorities and international agencies:
WHO believes the true number of infections could be two to four times higher because many cases remain undetected in conflict-affected areas.
Also read: Ebola Outbreak In Congo: UN Warns Frontline Responders As Cases Surface In New Areas
Recognizing the growing threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 16, 2026, just one day after the outbreak was officially announced.
WHO warned that the outbreak poses a significant regional and international public health risk due to rapid transmission, cross-border spread, limited access to affected communities, lack of approved vaccines for the Bundibugyo virus and ongoing armed conflict disrupting healthcare operations.
Experts say the current situation should not cause public alarm. The UK's specialist infectious disease units are designed to safely manage suspected cases of high-consequence infectious diseases, and precautionary evacuations of healthcare workers have occurred during previous Ebola outbreaks.
Public health officials stress that:
A U.S. humanitarian worker in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) had tested positive for Ebola a few days ago.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed, saying it is working closely with the individual's employer, U.S. government health agencies, and Congolese health authorities to prevent further transmission by tracing contacts to identify people who may have been exposed.
According to reports, the infected individual was working for a humanitarian organization in eastern Congo, where the outbreak has continued to spread despite ongoing response efforts.
The CDC has not released details about the patient's identity or condition but emphasized that contact tracing and public health measures are underway.
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Research suggests that disruptions in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which we dream, consolidate memory, and process emotions, could be among the earliest biological signs of Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists now believe that changes in sleep are not just a consequence of Alzheimer's, but may actually appear years before primary cognitive symptoms emerge.
Also read: Scientists Discover Brain Protein That Could Slow Alzheimer's Disease Progression
The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, studied 128 older adults, including people with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and cognitively healthy individuals.
Participants underwent overnight polysomnography, the gold standard sleep test that records brain activity, breathing, heart rate, eye movements, and muscle activity during sleep.
Researchers discovered that participants who took significantly longer to enter REM sleep, known as REM sleep latency, were more likely to have Alzheimer's disease.
These individuals also showed:
Also read: Can One Partner's Dementia Raise the Other's Risk? New Study Suggests An Interesting Link
Scientists believe REM sleep also supports the brain's "cleaning system," helping remove waste products that accumulate during the day.
When REM sleep is delayed or disrupted, this process may become less efficient, allowing toxic proteins like amyloid-beta to build up over time.
According to Dr. Yue Leng, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco and one of the study's authors: "Delayed REM sleep may disrupt the brain's ability to consolidate memories by interfering with the process that converts recent experiences into long-term memories. If this is insufficient because REM sleep is delayed or shortened, it could increase the stress hormone cortisol. This may impair the brain's hippocampus, a critical structure for memory consolidation."
Commenting on the findings, Dr. Jocelyn Cheng, neurologist and Senior Director of Neuroscience Clinical Research at Eisai U.S., said:
"The relationship may be bidirectional. Delayed REM may contribute to Alzheimer's-type changes, and/or Alzheimer's itself may result in prolonged REM latency."
The new findings offer a possible biological explanation. Researchers suggest that the accumulation of amyloid may interfere with the brain's internal clock and its ability to regulate normal sleep cycles, creating a vicious cycle where poor sleep accelerates brain changes linked to Alzheimer's.
Researchers say future studies should examine whether improving REM sleep through better sleep hygiene or treatment of conditions such as sleep apnea could help slow or delay Alzheimer's-related brain changes.
Experts recommend maintaining a regular sleep schedule, limiting alcohol before bedtime, reducing evening screen exposure, and seeking medical evaluation for persistent sleep disorders.
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While the US is seeing one of its largest-ever Cyclospora outbreaks, with Michigan reporting more than 6,500 cases and several hospitalizations, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak is "under control."
"We do have the outbreak under control," Kennedy told ABC News. "We have an extensive forensics, epidemiological forensics, and we've identified the source of the outbreak. We and the companies that are involved have implemented a recall."
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have linked the outbreak, which has sickened at least 1,600 people across five states, to shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell locations. The lettuce was supplied by Taylor Farms and sourced from central Mexico.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 6,571 cases in the state as of July 21, up by 423 from the 6,148 cases reported a day earlier. The state's patients include a woman who said she remained ill for several days after becoming infected.
As of July 16, 102 people had been hospitalized, more than double the 44 hospitalizations reported the previous week.
Lettuce Recall
Taylor Farms has voluntarily recalled dozens of lettuce products across 27 states and said it will not source iceberg lettuce from central Mexico for "the rest of the growing season."
Health officials are continuing to investigate additional cases and any other potential sources of infection. So far, no other sources have been identified for the domestically acquired infections reported in 29 other states.
Taylor Farms also said on social media that none of its Taylor Farms-branded salad kits are linked to the outbreak. Most of the recalled lettuce was sold in large bags to food-service operations, including restaurants, with many products blended with romaine lettuce.
Media reports also said several companies have begun removing affected products from stores and supply chains, including:
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, a foodborne intestinal illness. People become infected by consuming contaminated food or water.
The infection typically causes watery diarrhea and other digestive symptoms. While many cases are mild, the illness can last for weeks or even months if left untreated. Doctors usually treat the infection with antibiotics.
People with weakened immune systems, including those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or other conditions that affect immunity, are at greater risk of developing severe illness.
Symptoms usually appear about one week after consuming contaminated food or water and may include:
Health officials recommend:
Experts also recommend choosing whole heads of lettuce instead of bagged greens. Remove the outer leaves, wash the inner leaves thoroughly under running water, and cook produce whenever possible, as heat is the most effective way to kill Cyclospora.
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