Monday, May 18Monday, May 18Hantavirus Outbreak and Response
A hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship has led to quarantine measures and medical investigations. Six individuals, including a British national, were placed in isolation at a remote Australian facility for at least three weeks after exposure on a hantavirus-affected cruise . The outbreak, first reported to the WHO on May 2, 2026, has resulted in 11 cases and three deaths among passengers of the MV Hondius. The Andes strain of hantavirus was identified by Geneva University Hospital (HUG) on May 5, enabling the WHO to better understand the virus and implement containment measures. Hantaviruses, carried by rodents, can cause severe illnesses, with this strain confirmed in South Africa by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) .
Cancer Research and Risk Factors
A Danish study involving 7.4 million individuals found that men face a 52% higher risk of developing cancer and a 10% higher risk of dying from it compared to women in shared cancer types. The disparity was observed in 24 of 35 investigated cancers, including lung and liver cancer .
Prostate cancer screening using the PSA blood test was found to reduce deaths by two per 1,000 men screened, though the absolute benefit remains small. The study, analyzing six trials with nearly 800,000 men, noted that 500 men must be screened to prevent one death, raising concerns about overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment .
A spike in ivermectin prescriptions among cancer patients has been linked to misinformation spread by Joe Rogan’s podcast, suggesting a growing reliance on unofficial medical sources during health crises .
Environmental and Toxicological Health Risks
A US study found that wood burning for heat is reintroducing lead pollution into local air, with evidence suggesting the neurotoxic metal originates from the wood itself rather than old paint. The findings raise concerns about long-term exposure risks in communities relying on wood heating .
California is experiencing an unprecedented surge in mushroom poisonings, with 47 severe cases and four deaths reported since November 2025. Toxic species like death caps and western destroying angels, which resemble edible mushrooms, have led to hospitalizations and liver transplants . Three additional hospitalizations were reported in Napa County amid the ongoing outbreak .
Welcome to hantavirus quarantine: Six people including a Brit arrive at remote Australian facility where they will be kept in isolation for at least three weeks A Briton is among the six people who have today arrived at a remote quarantine facility in Australia after they all sailed on a hantavirus-affected cruise.
dailymail · 3 days ago
Dangerous delivery: how doctors in Geneva handled the hantavirus Geneva University Hospital was the first to identify the hantavirus strain behind an outbreak on a cruise ship in May 2026. Heres how it did it. Swiss headlines were rife with news of the hantavirus last week, after an infected man who had been on a transatlantic cruise was hospitalised in Zurich. A total of 11 cases, including three deaths, have been reported among passengers of the MV Hondius ship since the World Health Organisation (WHO) was alerted on May 2. Hantaviruses are a group of more than 20 viral species carried by rodents which can cause various illnesses. South Africas National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed a case on May 2. The exact variant involved was identified as the Andes strain by a lab at Geneva University Hospital (HUG) on May 5. The discovery by HUG meant that the World Health Organization (WHO) was better able to understand the mechanisms of the virus and take appropriate measures to deal with the outbreak. Identifying the viral ...
swissinfo · 3 days ago
Wood burning is reintroducing lead pollution into the air, US scientists find Study of samples from seven winters suggests neurotoxic metal coming from wood itself rather than old paintWood heating is reintroducing lead into the air of local communities and homes, a systematic investigation by academics has found.Overwhelming evidence of leads neurotoxicity meant the metal was banned as an additive in petrol more than 25 years ago. The research by academics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst began by analysing samples of particle pollution from five suburban and rural towns in the north-east US. They looked for tiny particles of potassium that are given off when wood is burned and also particles containing lead. Continue reading...
theguardian · 3 days ago
New study: Men face higher risk for many cancer types A study of 7.4 million Danes by the Danish Cancer Society reveals that men have a 52 higher risk of developing cancer and a 10 higher risk of dying from it compared to women in shared cancer types. Men face significantly higher risks in 24 of 35 investigated cancers, including lung and liver cancer. Researcher […]
cphpost · 3 days ago
Prostate cancer screening can save lives but absolute benefit is small, study says Although blood test reduces deaths by two for every 1,000 men screened, many could face unnecessary treatment Screening for prostate cancer with a blood test can save mens lives, but the absolute benefit is small and many men could face unnecessary treatment and medical complications, according to the most comprehensive study yet.In a review that analysed six trials involving nearly 800,000 men, screening with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test reduced prostate cancer deaths by two for every 1,000 men screened, meaning 500 men must be screened to prevent one death from the disease. Continue reading...
theguardian · 3 days ago
Parts of California are seeing an unprecedented rise in mushroom poisonings. Experts think they know why Since November there have been 47 cases of severe poisonings and four deaths reported statewide, according to the Napa County Public Health Officer
independent · 3 days ago
One dead and two more ill after meningitis outbreak in Berkshire Health officials say close contacts being offered antibiotics as a precaution after cases discovered in ReadingA young person has died and two others are being treated after an outbreak of meningitis in Berkshire, health officials have said.It follows a major outbreak in Kent, linked to a Canterbury nightclub, that killed two people and left more than a dozen needing hospital treatment in March. Continue reading...
theguardian · 3 days ago
Weight-loss jabs could halve sickness absence and ease strain on NHS, study suggests Research shows sick leave among patients prescribed GLP-1 injections over nine-month period reduced by 50Weight-loss drugs could halve sickness absence and significantly reduce the strain on the NHS, research suggests.A UK study of patients who received GLP-1 jabs for nine months found sickness days fell by nearly half and sickness absence lasting five days or more fell by more than 50. Analysis of the findings suggests expanding access could cut A&E attendance by obese patients by a quarter and free up nearly 10m GP appointments. Continue reading...
theguardian · 3 days ago
Antidepressants in pregnancy do not raise childrens risk of autism or ADHD, study finds Researchers say risk comes from other factors, including genetic predisposition to mental health conditionsTaking antidepressants during pregnancy does not increase the risk of children going on to develop autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to an analysis of more than half a million pregnancies.The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Hong Kong and published in the Lancet Psychiatry, analysed data from 37 existing studies that included 600,000 pregnant women who had taken antidepressants, and 25 million women who had no antidepressant use during their pregnancies. Continue reading...
theguardian · 3 days ago
Three more people sick in California amid unprecedented outbreak due to toxic mushrooms Since November, state has seen 47 cases of people accidentally ingesting poisonous wild mushroomsHealth authorities in Californias Napa county reported that three people had been hospitalized after consuming poisonous wild mushrooms as the state continues to grapple with an unprecedented outbreak of toxic mushroom illnesses.Since November 2025, California has seen 47 cases of people accidentally foraging and eating poisonous wild mushrooms, including death caps, which can resemble edible species, and western destroying angel mushrooms. Four people have died and several have required liver transplants. Continue reading...
theguardian · 3 days ago
More cancer patients are using the alternative treatment ivermectin and Joe Rogans podcast may be the reason why Researchers said the spike in prescriptions was a sign that Americans are turning towards unofficial sources for medical information in times of crisis
independent · 3 days ago
Craig Venter obituary Pioneering and controversial geneticist who was one of the first to sequence the human genome, in part by using his own DNAAt the international BioVision conference in Lyon in February 2001, the geneticist Craig Venter performed a remarkable piece of scientific barnstorming. Human beings possess far fewer genes than science had ever realised, he announced. We have about 30,000, far lower than previous estimates of 100,000.Such lack of heritable material showed people are not prisoners of their genes but are shaped primarily by environmental influences, he added. We simply do not have enough genes for this idea of biological determinism to be right, said Venter, who has died aged 79. The wonderful diversity of the human species is not hard-wired in our genetic code. Our environments are critical. Continue reading...
theguardian · 3 days ago
France Clears Cruise Ship to Sail After Norovirus Outbreak Sickens Dozens The ships 1,700 passengers had been prevented from disembarking to Bordeaux for hours while officials investigated a wave of illness on board.
new york times · 4 days ago
France lets asymptomatic passengers leave cruise ship after stomach flu outbreak A majority of the 1,233 passengers on the Ambition cruise ship are from Britain or Ireland.
thejournal · 4 days ago
Passengers allowed to leave norovirus-hit cruise ship Passengers on the ship showing no symptoms are allowed to leave, authorities say, after 49 people fell ill from gastrointestinal sickness.
bbc · 4 days ago
Everybody is enjoying themselves says Irish passenger on cruise being held in France A majority of the 1,233 passengers on the Ambition cruise ship are from Britain or Ireland.
thejournal · 4 days ago
1,700 passengers held on cruise ship over potential acute stomach bug sickness
news.yahoo.com · 4 days ago
Everyone enjoying themselves on cruise docked in France after suspected norovirus death A majority of the 1,233 passengers on the Ambition cruise ship are from Britain or Ireland.
thejournal · 4 days ago
Six from hantavirus cruise ship leave Arrowe Park hospital to isolate at home Passengers will now continue their 45 days of isolation at home, with health officials confirming they remain asymptomaticSix people who were on the cruise ship linked to an outbreak of hantavirus have left Arrowe Park hospital in Wirral to isolate at home, health officials have said.Passengers from the MV Hondius were taken to the Merseyside facility for checks by specialists. Continue reading...
theguardian · 4 days ago
France confines 1,700 passengers on cruise ship after suspected gastroenteritis outbreak More than 1,000 passengers on board a cruise ship off the coast of Bordeaux are held on the vessel after a gastroenteritis outbreak has infected around 50 passengers.
euronews · 4 days ago
France Bars 1,700 Cruise Passengers From Leaving Ship After Dozens Get Sick Around 50 people so far have symptoms consistent with an acute gastrointestinal infection on the Ambassador Cruise Line ship Ambition.
new york times · 4 days ago
Mosty Irish and British on board cruise ship docked in France after suspected norovirus death A majority of the 1,233 passengers on the Ambition cruise ship are from Britain or Ireland.
thejournal · 4 days ago
France confines over 1,700 passengers on cruise ship over gastroenteritis The British ship docked in the southwestern French city of Bordeaux reports 49 suspected cases.
aljazeera · 4 days ago
France: Cruise ship locked down over likely stomach flu outbreak The #cruise ship Ambition arrived in #Bordeaux... and its passengers were stopped from disembarking, due to suspicions of a stomach flu outbreak aboard. One passenger has died, and about 50 others have shown symptoms. Authorities say it has no connection to the #hantavirus outbreak.
france24 · 4 days ago