FDA authorizes combination flu-COVID test for home use
February 25, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first combination test for flu and C OVID-19 that can be used at home, giving consumers an easy way to determine if a runny nose is caused by either disease.
Flu vaccine worked well in season that faded fast, CDC says
February 22, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Early estimates suggest the flu vaccine performed well in a U.S. winter flu season that has already dissipated.
The vaccines were more than 40% effective in preventing adults from getting sick enough from the flu that they had to go to a doctor's office, clinic or hospital, health officials said during a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccines meeting Wednesday.
Olivari scores 28, Rice knocks off FlU 85-78
February 12, 2023 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Quincy Olivari scored 28 points as Rice beat Florida International 85-78 on Saturday night.
Olivari also contributed nine rebounds and five assists for the Owls (16-9, 7-7 Conference USA).
1st pediatric-related death in Maricopa County this season
January 24, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Health officials in Arizona’s largest county have confirmed the first pediatric-related death this season in the Phoenix metro area.
Maricopa County Department of Public Health officials said the child wasn’t immunized against influenza.
Holidays didn’t lead to feared bump in flu cases, CDC says
January 13, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — New U.S. government data suggests holiday gatherings didn't spark surges in respiratory diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that visits to doctors' offices for the flu-like illnesses fell for the sixth straight week.
Father of peace deal that ended Lebanon’s civil war dies
January 11, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Hussein Husseini, Lebanon’s former parliament speaker and the father of the 1989 Taif Agreement that ended the country’s 15-year civil war, died Wednesday after days of illness. He was 85.
Drugstores make slow headway on staffing problems
January 7, 2023 GMTJoan Cohrs missed her chance to grab a prescription at her usual drugstore by about 30 seconds.
Cohrs walked up to the counter of an Indianapolis CVS pharmacy shortly after a metal curtain descended, closing it for lunch.
UK leader calls crisis meeting over struggling health system
January 7, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gathered government ministers, medics and health service managers in 10 Downing St. on Saturday for talks aimed at fixing a health care crisis that has seen thousands of patients stranded outside overflowing hospitals.
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week
December 30, 2022 GMTA roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out.
Flu starting to wane in US after brutal start to season
December 23, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Flu is decreasing in many parts of the U.S. after an alarmingly early and strong start to the season.
As flu rages, US releases medicine from national stockpile
December 22, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Wednesday it will release doses of prescription flu medicine from the Strategic National Stockpile to states as flu-sickened patients continue to flock to hospitals and doctors' offices around the country.
Flu deaths rise to 40 in Washington state, vaccines urged
December 21, 2022 GMTOLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The flu is spreading at a high rate in Washington state with deaths at higher rates than are usually seen at this point in the season, according to health officials.
The Washington Department of Health said Tuesday that 40 people have died from the flu in Washington including three children, as of Dec.
Kentucky on track for worst flu season in at least a decade
December 19, 2022 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear reported six flu-related pediatric deaths Monday as health officials warn that Kentucky is on pace for its worst influenza season in at least a decade.
Beshear encouraged Kentuckians to get vaccinated against the flu.
Fewer than 20% of Minnesotans are current on COVID-19 shots
December 13, 2022 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Fewer than 20% of Minnesotans are current on their COVID-19 shots ahead of the Christmas holiday, and health officials said Tuesday that that has them worried.
Some Albuquerque-area hospitals dealing with a patient surge
December 13, 2022 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Some hospitals in the Albuquerque area are taking measures to free up more space amid a surge of patients that are pushing some hospitals beyond their licensed capacity.
The University of New Mexico Hospital has opened a tent outside the emergency room to triage adult patients, the Albuquerque Journal reported Tuesday.
Hoosiers urged to get flu vaccine amid surge in flu cases
December 12, 2022 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — State health officials urged Indiana residents Monday to get vaccinated soon against influenza as hospitals face a surge in cases during a flu season that's already claimed at least two dozen lives.
Maricopa County sees large spike in flu, COVID-19 and RSV
December 9, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's most populous county is warning of a significantly rise in cases of the flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health issued an alert Friday that cases among these viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus—known as RSV—are higher than normal for this time of year.
Lakers lose star Davis with flu-like symptoms, fall to Cavs
December 7, 2022 GMTCLEVELAND (AP) — The flu shut down Anthony Davis. That's the only thing that has stopped him lately.
Davis was forced to leave Los Angeles' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after the first quarter on Tuesday night and the Lakers struggled without their All-Star center in a 116-102 loss.
Some Indiana hospitals retrict visitors over flu rates
December 5, 2022 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The hospitals in Indiana's largest health system and in its most populous county have begun visitor restrictions because of a rise in reported cases of flu and other respiratory viruses, they announced Monday.
Pelicans dying as bird flu outbreak spreads to Venezuela
December 5, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — An outbreak of bird flu in pelicans has authorities in Venezuela taking emergency efforts to protect poultry producers.
Numerous pelicans were found dead over the weekend along Venezuela’s coast as the species arrived amid their annual winter migration.
Flu season worsens as 44 states report high activity
December 2, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season keeps getting worse.
Health officials said Friday that 7.5% of outpatient medical visits last week were due to flu-like illnesses. That's as high as the peak of the 2017-18 flu season and higher than any season since.
7 die from flu in Washington state, activity ‘very high’
December 2, 2022 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — Flu activity in the state is now considered very high, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
State health officials on Thursday reported over 1,200 new flu cases from Nov.
Illinois DNR suspects bird flu in deaths of 300 waterfowl
November 30, 2022 GMTBELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) — State wildlife officials suspect that bird flu killed at least 300 waterfowl recently found dead at public hunting sites across southern Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday the wild birds, mostly snow geese, have been found dead at Baldwin Lake, Pyramid State Recreation Area, Rend Lake and Carlyle Lake.
9,000 hens killed after latest Missouri case of avian flu
November 28, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nearly 9,000 laying hens in Webster County were killed after federal officials confirmed an outbreak of bird flu in the flock, state agriculture officials said.
It is the 11th case of the highly contagious avian influenza in Missouri this year, involving nearly 435,000 birds on six commercial farms and four backyard flocks, the Missouri Department of Agriculture said.
Bird flu prompts slaughter of 1.8M chickens in Nebraska
November 27, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska agriculture officials say another 1.8 million chickens must be killed after bird flu was found on a farm in the latest sign that the outbreak that has already prompted the slaughter of more than 50 million birds nationwide continues to spread.
Pediatric respiratory cases, flu strain Pacific NW hospitals
November 23, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Children's hospitals in the Pacific Northwest are struggling to maintain enough space for their young patients, and some report being over capacity amid increasing strain due to a surge in respiratory illness and hospitalizations.
Sudanese officials say Dengue fever outbreak kills 26
November 23, 2022 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Sudanese health officials on Wednesday said at least 26 people have died from Dengue fever in one of the worst outbreaks the country has seen in recent years.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that occurs in tropical areas of the world, usually spreading near stagnant sources of water.
Washington sheriff’s trial delayed, lawyers say he has flu
November 23, 2022 GMTTACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Jury selection in a case accusing a Washington county sheriff of crimes after his confrontation with a Black newspaper carrier has been delayed.
A judge ordered Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer to take a PCR COVID-19 test Monday after he took two rapid tests, one of which had a faintly positive line, KING 5 reported.
Iowa jury gives $27 million verdict in misdiagnosed flu case
November 22, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa jury has returned a $27 million verdict against a Des Moines medical clinic after a man with bacterial meningitis was misdiagnosed with the flu, suffered strokes and said he has been permanently injured.
Bird flu detected in southeast Alaska black bear cub
November 19, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A black bear cub in southeast Alaska was euthanized after it became ill with avian influenza, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said.
It is believed that the cub, which was located in Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve west of Juneau, is the second bear diagnosed with the highly pathogenic bird flu, the Juneau Empire reported.
‘Viral jambalaya’: Early flu adding to woes for US hospitals
November 18, 2022 GMTAs Americans head into the holiday season, a rapidly intensifying flu season is straining hospitals already overburdened with patients sick from other respiratory infections.
More than half the states have high or very high levels of flu, unusually high for this early in the season, the government reported Friday.
Berlin Zoo closes door to visitors over bird flu case
November 18, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The Berlin Zoo shut its doors to visitors Friday after one of its aquatic birds tested positive for avian flu, the facility said.
A routine check on a hamerkop — a medium-sized wading bird — that had died last week found that it tested positive for the disease.
New Mexico urges flu, COVID immunization for children
November 16, 2022 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State health officials are encouraging the immunization of children against flu and COVID-19 without making changes to its list of other vaccines required for school entry in the fall of 2023.
California hospitals erect tents to cope with rise in flu
November 12, 2022 GMTSAN DIEGO (AP) — Several Southern California hospitals have begun using overflow tents outside emergency rooms to cope with a rising number of patients with flu and other respiratory illness.
Bird flu cases prompt Iowa to limit movement of live birds
November 10, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa agriculture official on Thursday limited the movement of live birds in the state as a response to a return of bird flu with the fall migration of wild birds.
State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand signed an order cancelling all events where live birds are brought together, including bird sales, auctions, swap meets and exhibitions.
Flu forces Alabama school district to go virtual for a week
November 6, 2022 GMTAn Alabama school district is switching to virtual classes for the next week because of rising flu cases among students and teachers.
Marshall County school officials have put in-person classes on hold and asked students to log in for remote learning Monday through Thursday.
US flu season off to a fast start as other viruses spread
November 4, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season is off to an unusually fast start, adding to an autumn mix of viruses that have been filling hospitals and doctor waiting rooms.
Reports of flu are already high in 17 states, and the hospitalization rate hasn’t been this high this early since the 2009 swine flu pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Bird flu infects Iowa egg farm with 1 million chickens
October 31, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa agriculture officials said Monday that another commercial egg farm in the state has been infected with bird flu, the first commercial farm case identified since April, when a turkey farm was infected.
UK orders all England’s poultry kept in to fight bird flu
October 31, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — British authorities said Monday that all poultry and other captive birds in England must be kept indoors from next week after bird flu was detected in dozens of farms across the country, as well as in wild birds.
Bird flu case prompts Omaha zoo to close several exhibits
October 16, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium has closed several exhibits and taken other precautions after one of its pelicans died from the bird flu.
The zoo said one of its pink-backed pelicans that died on Thursday tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Large flu outbreak suspected at San Diego high school
October 13, 2022 GMTSAN DIEGO (AP) — Respiratory and flu-like symptoms among a large number of students at a San Diego County high school are under investigation by health authorities, the county said.
Bird flu worries prompt Albuquerque BioPark Zoo closures
October 11, 2022 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A popular penguin exhibit at the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo has been shut down due to concerns about bird flu.
The Albuquerque Journal reports zoo officials announced Tuesday that Penguin Chill will be closed indefinitely as a precaution.
It’s flu vaccine time and seniors need revved-up shots
October 3, 2022 GMTDoctors have a message for vaccine-weary Americans: Don’t skip your flu shot this fall -- and seniors, ask for a special extra-strength kind.
Bird flu forces egg farm to euthanize 3 million chickens
September 7, 2022 GMTTOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — An outbreak of bird flu that has led to the deaths of 43 million chickens and turkeys this year across the U.S. has been found at a giant egg-laying operation in Ohio, state and federal agriculture officials said Wednesday.
Health officials: Get updated COVID-19 booster, flu shot
September 7, 2022 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — Health officials in Washington’s most populous county are urging people to get the new COVID-19 booster.
Public Health – Seattle & King County’s health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin said in a briefing Tuesday that even people who have had a booster shot should get all recommended doses for maximum protection, The Seattle Times reported.
EXPLAINER: Is COVID-19 winding down? Scientists say no.
September 6, 2022 GMTIs the coronavirus on its way out?
You might think so. New, updated booster shots are being rolled out to better protect against the variants circulating now.
White House: How about a COVID-19 boost with that flu shot?
September 1, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration hopes to make getting a COVID-19 booster as routine as going in for the yearly flu shot.
That’s at the heart of its campaign to sell the newly authorized shot to an American public that has widely rejected COVID-19 boosters since they first became available last fall.
Deadly bird flu returns to Midwest earlier than expected
August 31, 2022 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Bird flu has returned to the Midwest earlier than authorities expected after a lull of several months, with the highly pathogenic disease being detected in two commercial turkey flocks in western Minnesota and a hobby flock in Indiana, officials said Wednesday.
Could be months before sanctuary reopens after bird flu
August 30, 2022 GMTIt could be months before a Georgia animal sanctuary reopens after being closed by bird flu that killed wild vultures roosting there, part of an outbreak that has led to 40.3 million deaths in commercial and backyard flocks nationwide.
North Korea says new fever cases were flu, not COVID-19
August 26, 2022 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Friday said the latest fever cases detected in its border region with China were tested to be influenza, not coronavirus infections as initially feared.
The report by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency came a day after the North said it locked down unspecified areas in Ryanggang province after four people had fevers that were suspected to be COVID-19.
Bird flu kills 700 black vultures, closes animal sanctuary
August 23, 2022 GMTLOCUST GROVE, Ga. (AP) — Bird flu has killed hundreds of wild black vultures at a Georgia sanctuary that houses more than 1,500 other animals.
Alaska fair cancels poultry exhibits amid bird flu concerns
August 5, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Officials with the Alaska State Fair have decided against the usual array of poultry exhibits this year amid avian flu concerns.
Fair CEO Jerome Hertel in a statement said officials believed it was best "to err on the side of caution."
Swine flu investigated after people sickened at WVa fair
August 4, 2022 GMTCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Health officials said they are investigating after several people developed a flu-like illness after working closely with pigs that exhibited respiratory symptoms and fever at a county fair.
‘Unusual’: Feds investigate seal deaths linked to avian flu
July 20, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The deaths of dozens of seals off the coast of Maine has been deemed an “unusual mortality event,” sparking a federal investigation into strandings that appear linked to avian influenza.
Ban on North Dakota poultry events lifted, too late for fair
July 18, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota animal health officials are ending a ban on poultry events that was instituted when bird flu was on the rise.
However, the decision by the State Board of Animal Health comes too late for State Fair poultry exhibits this year.
West Nile detected in Massachusetts for 1st time this summer
July 14, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The potentially dangerous West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito in Massachusetts for the first time this year, state public health officials said.
The presence of the virus, which is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, was confirmed in a mosquito sample collected in Easton on Monday, according to a statement from the Department of Public Health.
High number of seal deaths linked to bird flu, feds say
July 5, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — An unusual number of seals are becoming stranded and dying off Maine this summer, and avian influenza is to blame, the federal government said Tuesday.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed that samples from four Maine seals tested positive for the virus.
Dead and dying seabirds identified off Maine coast
June 24, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine Audubon scientist is alarmed by reports of more dead seabirds — this time in Casco Bay.
Shannon Silverson, who lives on Peaks Island, noticed about 30 dead and dying birds this week.
CDC panel recommends US seniors get souped-up flu vaccines
June 22, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Americans 65 and older should get newer, souped-up flu vaccines because regular shots don't provide them enough protection, a federal advisory panel said Wednesday.
The panel unanimously recommended certain flu vaccines that might offer more or longer protection for seniors, whose weakened immune systems don't respond as well to traditional shots.
Hundreds of birds wash up on island, officials fear bird flu
June 21, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Hundreds of dead birds have washed up on Martha's Vineyard and animal control officials there think a highly contagious strain of avian flu may be responsible.
The Tisbury Animal Control posted an “avian influenza warning” on social media Monday, telling residents that hundreds of dead cormorants have washed up all over the island and it's “extremely dangerous” for a small island.