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Simple body movement could help the brain 'clean itself,' researchers find

Mon, 11 May 2026 07:00:33 -0400

Exercise is widely known to benefit the brain, and researchers at Penn State recently uncovered a surprisingly mechanical reason: Each time the body moves, the brain gets a kind of "rinse."

According to a study published in Nature Neuroscience, the secret to this internal wash cycle may lie in the abdominal muscles.

In mice models, the researchers found that the brain is mechanically linked to the abdomen through a network of blood vessels that functions like a hydraulic system.

FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS SIMPLE RULE TO GET IN SHAPE WITHOUT DREADING THE GYM: 'JUST MOVE'

"Every time the mice contract their abdominal muscles — like when they walk — blood moves from the abdomen into the spinal canal," said lead study author Patrick Drew, professor of engineering science and mechanics, neurosurgery, biology and biomedical engineering at Penn State, in a press release.

This movement of blood applies a tiny amount of pressure to the brain, causing it to physically shift or "sway" slightly within the skull.

This subtle brain movement occurs within a system where the brain is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear liquid that acts as a cleaning agent.

Scientists have long believed that CSF helps flush out cellular waste that, if left to accumulate, is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, according to Drew.

By using advanced computer simulations, the team discovered that when the brain moves, it can drive fluid movement in the brain.

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The physical displacement drives the flow of CSF through the brain’s tissues, potentially carrying away harmful waste products.

"Our research explains how just moving around might serve as an important physiological mechanism promoting brain health," Drew said.

To confirm that abdominal pressure was the primary driver, the researchers tested the effect on the mice.

Even without exercise or general movement, simply applying gentle pressure to a mouse’s belly — less pressure than a human feels during a standard blood pressure test — was enough to shift the brain and trigger fluid flow, they found.

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"We were surprised at how tightly linked the brain motion was to the abdominal muscle contraction," Drew said.

There were a few caveats, the researchers acknowledged. Because the study used mice and not humans, more research is needed to determine whether the results apply to people.

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Additionally, the researchers used simulations to track fluid movement rather than measuring the flow directly in a living brain.

Drew added, "Our research shows that a little bit of motion is good, and it could be another reason why exercise is good for our brain health."

American evacuated from cruise ship tests positive for hantavirus, another has symptoms, HHS confirms

Mon, 11 May 2026 06:57:19 -0400

One of the 17 American citizens evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship and flown back to the U.S. tested positive for hantavirus without symptoms, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and another person had mild symptoms.

Those two Americans traveled in the plane's biocontainment united "out of an abundance of caution," HHS noted in a Sunday night post on X.

A motorcade of emergency vehicles drove the 17 Americans to ASPR Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) facilities at the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine in Omaha.

"Each individual will undergo clinical assessment and receive appropriate care and support based on their condition," the post added.

CRUISE SHIP LINKED TO DEADLY HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK ARRIVES OFF TENERIFE AS PASSENGER EVACUATION BEGINS

The flight touched down early Monday morning. Three individuals died since the outbreak started.

"One passenger will be transported to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit upon arrival, while other passengers will go to the National Quarantine Unit for assessment and monitoring," a Nebraska Medicine Facebook post issued on Sunday night stated. "The passenger who is going to the Biocontainment Unit tested positive for the virus but does not have symptoms. They were managed separately from other passengers during transport using appropriate biocontainment measures. They will be monitored in the Biocontainment Unit out of an abundance of caution and follow-up testing will be performed."

HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS KEY MOMENTS IN DEADLY CRUISE CRISIS

A French individual tested positive and her health declined in the hospital overnight, French Health Minister Stephanie Rist French Health Minister noted Monday. The outlet reported that the individual was one of the five French people who had been passengers aboard the vessel who were repatriated Sunday. The woman developed symptoms while flying to Paris, Rist informed public broadcaster France-Inter.

"Andes virus is a type of hantavirus spread by rodents in South America and, less commonly, by other infected people. The rodents that carry Andes virus have not been found in the United States. It can cause a severe respiratory disease in people, called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HANTAVIRUS IN THE US: WHERE THE RARE, SOMETIMES DEADLY DISEASE HAS BEEN FOUND

"Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person. This spread is usually limited to people who have close contact with a sick person. This includes direct physical contact, prolonged time spent in close or enclosed spaces, and exposure to the sick person's body fluids," the CDC explained.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Celebrity chef reveals No. 1 mistake sabotaging your weight loss: 'Fuzzy math'

Sun, 10 May 2026 09:00:28 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated, according to celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the restaurateur and owner of New York City's new Bar Rocco – whose philosophy and cookbooks are rooted in health-conscious dieting – shared a few misconceptions about healthy eating, especially when the end goal is weight loss.

"There is no one fix, there's no one cure for everyone," he said. "Everyone has different needs and their weight-loss journey is going to be different. So, you really have to figure out what your problem is."

WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS ARE CHANGING DINING AS CUSTOMERS EAT HALF THEIR MEALS, TAKE REST HOME, CELEBRITY CHEF SAYS

This could be a body composition imbalance, a lack of exercise or a generally poor diet, DiSpirito mentioned. "Figure out what will help you address those issues most quickly," he advised.

"Even if you're working out, unless you're LeBron James and burning 8,000 calories a game, there's no way to out-train a bad diet, so at some point in our lives, we have to come to a reckoning with what we consume."

DiSpirito says it's "always a good idea" to start with the basics, including consuming less sugar, less alcohol, fewer processed foods and fewer processed carbs, as well as eating more protein.

DOCTOR REVEALS SECRETS TO LASTING WEIGHT LOSS WITHOUT COUNTING CALORIES

The chef revealed that the No. 1 issue he's witnessed is that people have "no idea how many calories they're consuming."

"We're all consuming two to three times more than we realize," he noted. "And even when we count and use the apps, there's a lot of fuzzy math going on."

"So, getting a handle on how much you're consuming, even the little picking that you do while you're cooking and cleaning, all that counts and adds up quickly."

SIMPLE WEIGHT-LOSS QUIZ MAY PINPOINT WHY SOME DIETS FAIL — AND HOW TO BOOST SUCCESS

As the healthy eating movement gains traction, DiSpirito called it "very important" for most of the U.S., as the country faces an "obesity issue."

"Restaurants are definitely thinking about it as well," he said. "[But] I wouldn't say restaurants are making it their [top] priority."

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"We still have a lot of work to do just getting people in and seated and fed and their checks to them when they want. But there are some restaurants that are focused on it."

Privately, DiSpirito said he has focused on providing healthy meal plans for clients.

"But for restaurants to approach healthy eating is a little difficult, because it's a whole different kind of cooking and a [different] kind of energy," he said.

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"Healthy eating isn't fun – so to bring that into a fun atmosphere is kind of difficult. It's difficult to mix the two."

This crossroads between indulgence and health may be a tricky mix, especially among the food supply in America, DiSpirito acknowledged – but the two align more easily in other countries where the food is not tampered with, he added.

"If you go to Italy, for example, and just eat everything they eat, it feels indulgent ... and it's also very healthy," he said. "And the key is the food supply is still natural. It's still organic."

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"There aren't lots of sprayed food [or] sprayed vegetables in Italy," DiSpirito went on. "They don't allow a lot of messing around with food that we allow in the United States, the GMO-ing, the modifying."

"So healthy and indulgent are not mutually exclusive, but in [our] food supply system ... it's very difficult."

Cruise ship linked to deadly Hantavirus outbreak arrives off Tenerife as passenger evacuation begins

Sun, 10 May 2026 03:21:07 -0400

The cruise ship linked to a deadly Hantavirus outbreak arrived early Sunday off the Spanish island of Tenerife, where passengers began to evacuate and fly to their home countries.

Passengers are being tested by Spanish health authorities to ensure they are asymptomatic before being transported ashore in small boats, Spanish officials said, according to Reuters.

Spanish health authorities confirmed that the first plane carrying the Spanish passengers has departed for a military hospital in Madrid, where they will be under quarantine.

The 17 Americans aboard the MV Hondius will be flown to a medical center in Nebraska after health officials allow them to disembark.

AMERICANS TO BE EVACUATED FROM HANTAVIRUS CRUISE SHIP AS GLOBAL HEALTH CHIEF TRAVELS TO QUARANTINE ISLAND

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official told ABC News on Saturday morning that federal officials currently do not plan to mandate quarantine when the American passengers arrive in Nebraska.

They will instead be screened upon arrival in the U.S. and either stay briefly at Nebraska’s National Quarantine Unit or return home to monitor for symptoms for 42 days while staying in contact with local health authorities, the official said.

The ship set course for Spain on Wednesday from the coast of Cape Verde after the WHO and European Union requested assistance in managing the outbreak.

The ship’s arrival comes hours after World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived on the island.

The WHO said Friday that eight people aboard the ship had fallen ill, including three who died. Six cases have been confirmed, with two others suspected.

HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE

In a statement Saturday, Ghebreyesus said the public health risk remains low.

"I know you are worried. I know that when you hear the word 'outbreak' and watch a ship sail toward your shores, memories surface that none of us have fully put to rest," he said.

"The pain of 2020 is still real, and I do not dismiss it for a single moment. But I need you to hear me clearly: this is not another COVID-19. The current public health risk from Hantavirus remains low. My colleagues and I have said this unequivocally, and I will say it again to you now," he continued.

ARGENTINA INVESTIGATORS ZERO IN ON POSSIBLE ORIGIN POINT OF HANTAVIRUS IN DEADLY CRUISE OUTBREAK

Ghebreyesus noted that the virus identified aboard the ship is the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can be severe.

"Three people have lost their lives, and our hearts go out to their families," he wrote, reiterating that the public health risk posed by the virus remained low.

About 30 crew members are expected to remain on board as the vessel continues to the Netherlands, where it will be disinfected.

Fox News Digital's Robert McGreevy, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Single workout cuts cravings, offering new hope for smokers trying to quit

Sat, 09 May 2026 18:52:36 -0400

If you’re trying to quit smoking, try a brisk walk or bike ride to curb your craving for a cigarette.

Researchers found that just one workout can reduce the urge to light up. But the type of exercise you do and how you do it makes a big difference.

High-intensity, aerobic exercise is most effective at reducing people’s cigarette cravings, a review of 59 randomized controlled trials involving more than 9,000 adults found.

FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS SIMPLE RULE TO GET IN SHAPE WITHOUT DREADING THE GYM: 'JUST MOVE'

"Single-bout exercise reduced acute cravings immediately and up to 30 minutes post-exercise, but not longer-term cravings," the authors of the study, published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, reported.

The research team highlighted other key findings from their study of "exercise-based interventions for smoking cessation."

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Exercise training made people between 15% and 21% more likely to abstain from smoking than those who didn’t exercise, the authors found.

Regular exercise also caused smokers to cut back by an average of two cigarettes per day.

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In addition to being a free and accessible method for reducing smoking, exercise is also effective at reducing anxiety and stress, which drive many people to smoke.

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The authors suggest that because exercise boosts feel-good hormones, such as dopamine, and reduces the stress hormone cortisol, smokers who work out feel less inclined to use nicotine as a brain reward.

Exercise should be integrated into other smoking cessation programs to enhance quit success, the authors concluded.

They also noted that none of the trials addressed vaping and recommended that future research target the use of electronic cigarettes.

Americans to be evacuated from Hantavirus cruise ship as global health chief travels to quarantine island

Sat, 09 May 2026 14:50:50 -0400

Seventeen Americans will be among the 150 people evacuated from the M/V Hondius cruise ship after an outbreak of a strain of Hantavirus as the World Health Organization's head tells the public that the trending virus "is not another COVID-19."

The cruise ship, which will anchor off the coast of Spain's Canary Islands on Sunday, will be followed shortly after by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a lengthy Saturday morning message posted to X, Ghebreyesus assured the globe that the risk Hantavirus poses to public health remains low.

HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS KEY MOMENTS IN DEADLY CRUISE CRISIS

"I know you are worried. I know that when you hear the word 'outbreak' and watch a ship sail toward your shores, memories surface that none of us have fully put to rest," Ghebreyesus wrote.

Ghebreyesus claimed he would be personally visiting Tenerife, the Canary isle where passengers will arrive after evacuating the cruise ship.

DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS

"I intend to travel to Tenerife to observe this operation firsthand, to stand alongside the health workers, port staff, and officials who are making it happen, and to personally pay my respects to an island that has responded to a difficult situation with grace, solidarity, and compassion," he wrote.

"Your humanity deserves to be witnessed, not just acknowledged from a distance. As I have said many times: viruses do not care about politics, and they do not respect borders. The best immunity any of us has is solidarity," the WHO head continued.

Despite his assurances, however, Dr. Tedros also warned the public to stay vigilant against the virus which has already claimed three lives on the cruise ship.

"The virus aboard the MV Hondius is the Andes strain of hantavirus. It is serious. Three people have lost their lives, and our hearts go out to their families," he wrote, though again reiterated that public health risk was low.

The U.S. government is planning on further evacuating the American passengers to a military base in Nebraska for quarantine and monitoring, Fox News Digital previously reported.

HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE

President Donald Trump weighed in on the outbreak personally, telling reporters Friday, "We have very good people looking at it. It seems to be okay. They know the virus very well. They've worked with it for a long time. They know it very well. Not easy to pass on. So we hope that's true."

"Our American passengers, they're gonna be taken to Nebraska, to a center where they will be monitored. They will be isolated, they'll check their vital signs, their temperature, their oxygen level, their blood pressure," Dr. Janet Nesheiwat, a former Trump-tapped nominee for Surgeon General, told Fox News on Saturday.

"If they start to develop any symptoms, we can intervene early. Because as it is right now, there's no specific treatment for this virus other than supportive care, like oxygen, fluids, hydration, analgesics," she said.

Fox News Digital contacted the WHO and the CDC for further comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Fox News Digital's Brittany Miller contributed to this report.

Fitness expert visits gyms nationwide, shouts out 4 clubs for 'getting it right’

Sat, 09 May 2026 09:00:57 -0400

Gym membership in the U.S. hit a record high in 2025, according to the Health & Fitness Association, giving consumers more workout options — and more choices to sort through when picking the right fitness space.

Amid today's wellness renaissance, many gyms and fitness clubs can cost hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the level of access and amenities offered.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Kenny Santucci — New York City fitness trainer, gym owner and host of the "Strong New York" podcast — revealed the attributes of a great gym.

FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS SIMPLE RULE TO GET IN SHAPE WITHOUT DREADING THE GYM: 'JUST MOVE'

"A lot of people traditionally look at gyms [as if] they have to have all the bells and whistles," he said. "Spa, bathrooms, all these things. For me, a gym is a gym. I go there for the equipment, I go for the culture, I go for the look and feel of the place."

He added, "You can have an incredible gym [that's] a garage gym, and you can have an incredible gym [that] somebody could have built for $10 million."

Santucci, who visits new gyms across the country and posts his experiences on social media, said he looks for a balance between aesthetics and equipment quality, as well as "great people."

"I think you could go and get in a sweat or a workout anywhere — but if the people are great, that's what creates that great culture," he said.

MEET THE 80-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO HELD A PLANK FOR 50 MINUTES — AND LEARN HOW HE STAYS FIT

"If you ask the average person who goes to most big-box gyms, the things they tell you they love about the gym are, ‘Oh, I love the showers. They have really nice towels.’ It's nothing that actually pertains to the gym, and I believe that people should go to the gym to progress and get better," he added.

With these goals in mind, Santucci revealed some of his top-rated gyms in the U.S.

Life Time is a chain of luxury health clubs in the U.S., offering amenities like indoor courts, swimming pools, saunas and group fitness classes.

Santucci applauded the gym's founder and CEO, Bahram Akradi, for being a "very hands-on owner and operator," overseeing hundreds of gyms across the country.

"[Bahran’s] mentality and belief system around the fitness space, I absolutely love," he said.

"I give a lot of credit to the guys who are owners and operators," Santucci added. "They’re in the space, they're making sure things are going really well. I think if you're going to be in the gym business, you should be one of those people."

Santucci also shouted out Marc Megna, co-founder and co-CEO of Florida-based Anatomy Fitness for building a must-visit space.

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"It's an incredible culture there, and I think that's what they really push at that gym," he said.

"The way the gym’s set up, the cleanliness of it, the aesthetics – you walk in that place, and you want to train … and those are things you can't just buy ... You have to live it, love it and be involved in the day-to-day operations."

In a newer recommendation, Santucci said he’s enjoyed stopping into Powerhouse Gym in New York City.

The New York- and New Jersey-based gym focuses on weight training and bodybuilding, including a powerlifting room and boxing rig at its locations.

"I just started going there, once or twice a week," he said. "I really love the people and the culture."

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For more of a group fitness and Hyrox training experience, Santucci recommends The Training Lab in New York City. (Hyrox is a global fitness racing brand and training system with affiliated gyms and training clubs.)

FITNESS EXPERTS SAY VIRAL WORKOUT FEELS 'TOO EASY' BUT DELIVERS REAL HEALTH BENEFITS

"The guys over at Training Lab are incredible," he told Fox News Digital. "Another owner-operator who's involved in the business, who partakes in everything. I think they're another great gym."

"If you're looking for group training, Training Lab's a great space."

While some premier gym memberships can cost upward of $300 a month, Santucci said it isn’t necessary to spend a lot to get results, although it may result in more of an "experience."

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"We need to restructure the way we think about health and wellness," he said. "People aren't going out as much anymore. They're not spending as much on alcohol.

"It's all what you prioritize. I prioritize fitness," he went on. "I belong to multiple gyms. I have a membership to TMPL Gym here in [New York City]. I have a membership to Renzo Gracie's. That's what I like to do with my money."

Santucci said what he’s paying for goes beyond the equipment — pointing to the staff, community and overall atmosphere as part of the value.

"If you want that elevated experience, you're going to pay for that just like you would at a hotel or a restaurant or anything else," he said.

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The expert suggested that wellness has recently become a "third form of hygiene."

"It's like you take a shower, you brush your teeth and you go to the gym," he said. "I think those are three non-negotiables for almost everybody on a daily basis when it comes to your hygiene."

CDC spells out next steps after Americans exposed to hantavirus on cruise ship

Fri, 08 May 2026 20:45:00 -0400

The U.S. government is moving to evacuate American passengers from a cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak, with plans to transport them to a military base in Nebraska for quarantine and monitoring, federal health officials said Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the risk to the American public remains extremely low as officials move forward with a medical repatriation flight for passengers aboard the M/V Hondius.

President Donald Trump said earlier Friday that the situation appears to be under control, pointing to the virus being difficult to transmit.

"We have very good people looking at it. It seems to be okay. They know the virus very well. They've worked with it for a long time. They know it very well. Not easy to pass on. So we hope that's true," he said.

DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS

"We seem to have things under very good control. They know that virus very well. It's been around a long time. Not easily transferable, unlike COVID. But we'll see. We have very good people studying it very closely."

The outbreak has escalated over several weeks, beginning with a passenger who became sick in early April and later resulting in at least three deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

Cases are now reported across multiple countries after passengers disembarked in Africa and Europe, prompting health officials to trace contacts globally.

Authorities in Cape Verde at one point blocked passengers from leaving the ship, underscoring concerns about containment.

HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS KEY MOMENTS IN DEADLY CRUISE CRISIS

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease typically spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, according to the CDC. While most strains do not spread between people, health officials say the Andes virus — identified in some cases linked to the cruise ship — is the only known strain capable of limited person-to-person transmission.

The vessel is expected to dock in Spain’s Canary Islands, where international teams are coordinating next steps for passengers and crew.

A CDC team has been deployed to the Canary Islands to assess potential exposure among American passengers and determine monitoring needs.

Returning passengers are expected to be flown on a U.S. government medical repatriation flight to Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska.

They will then be transported to the National Quarantine Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for further monitoring.

Additional CDC personnel will be stationed at Offutt Air Force Base to support health assessments.

Deadly cruise virus timeline shows how hantavirus spread among passengers

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:44:51 -0400

→ Hantavirus outbreak timeline highlights key moments in deadly cruise crisis

→ Viral footprint: Where the rare, sometimes deadly disease has been found in the US

→ Sleep apnea may be quietly changing your body in an unexpected way, study finds

→ Fitness expert reveals simple rule to get in shape without dreading the gym

→ Experts reveal whether red light therapy and cold plunges really work

→ Just 10 minutes of daily floor exercises may improve balance and agility

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→ Vision problem leads to man's stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis

→ Trapped cruise ship passenger shares update on cleanliness of ship amid deadly outbreak

→ Alzheimer’s risk slashed by eating more of one common food

Highly contagious norovirus spreads on cruise ship, sickening over 100 passengers and crew

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:22:10 -0400

Over 100 people were affected by a norovirus outbreak aboard the Caribbean Princess cruise, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report released Thursday.

According to the report, 102 of 3,116 passengers (3.3%) and 13 of 1,131 crew members (1.2%) were ill with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting. The outbreak was reported to the CDC May 7.

The cruise voyage took place from April 28 to May 11, according to the CDC.

Princess Cruises said a limited number of individuals reported mild gastrointestinal illness during the voyage.

NOROVIRUS SICKENS OVER 200 CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS ON MONTH-LONG VOYAGE

"Princess Cruises can confirm that a limited number of individuals reported mild gastrointestinal illness during the April 28 Caribbean Princess voyage from Port Everglades," the statement read.

"We quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitizing throughout the voyage. Upon arrival to Port Canaveral on May 11, Caribbean Princess will undergo comprehensive cleaning and disinfection before departing for her next voyage," the statement continued.

To mitigate the spread of the virus, Princess Cruises reported to the CDC that the ship increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in line with its outbreak response plan, collected stool specimens for testing, isolated ill passengers and crew and consulted with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) on sanitation measures and case reporting.

CDC REPORTS 21ST CRUISE SHIP NOROVIRUS OUTBREAK THIS YEAR, WITH NEARLY 100 PEOPLE INFECTED

The CDC said its Vessel Sanitation Program is conducting a field response, including an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation, to help control the spread of the illness.

Stewart Chiron, a Miami-based cruise industry expert known as "The Cruise Guy," told Fox News Digital norovirus is common in the U.S., with millions of cases reported each year, while cases linked to cruise ships make up a small fraction of the total.

He said outbreaks often begin when infected passengers board a ship and unknowingly spread the virus, but cruise lines follow strict sanitation protocols and quickly isolate sick individuals to limit transmission. He added that the reported cases on the Caribbean Princess just exceed the CDC’s 3% threshold used to define an outbreak.

Norovirus is a common cause of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships. The CDC notes that reported case totals reflect illnesses over the entire voyage and do not mean all passengers were sick at the same time.

Hantavirus outbreak timeline highlights key moments in deadly cruise crisis

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:21:08 -0400

Amid a deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard an Antarctic cruise ship, a timeline shows how the situation unfolded, from the first reported illnesses at sea to ongoing efforts to trace passengers and contain the spread.

The outbreak, which originated aboard the MV Hondius, has been linked to at least three deaths and eight reported cases as of May 8, according to reports citing the World Health Organization.

Below is a timeline of the outbreak, as reported by The Associated Press.

HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE

April 1

The Dutch vessel, which is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed from Ushuaia, a city in southern Argentina. Planned stops included Antarctica and several remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.

April 6

A Dutch male passenger, 70, became ill with a fever, headache and mild diarrhea. Prior to boarding, he and his wife had been sightseeing in Ushuaia and traveling through other parts of Argentina and Chile, according to the World Health Organization.

April 11

The Dutch man later developed respiratory distress and died on board. The cause of death was not immediately determined, according to the cruise company.

DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS

April 15

Six passengers boarded the cruise during a stop at Tristan da Cunha, a group of remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. The Dutch man’s body remained on the ship.

April 24

The man’s body was removed from the vessel at the island of St. Helena. His wife disembarked along with more than two dozen other passengers. The stop also marked the end of the cruise for some travelers, per AP.

April 25

The Dutch woman, who was experiencing symptoms of illness, took a commercial flight from St. Helena to South Africa with 88 passengers and crew members on board.

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April 26

The Dutch woman collapsed at an airport in South Africa while attempting to board another flight home and later died.

April 27

After the ship departed St. Helena, a third passenger, a British man, became ill. He was evacuated to South Africa and placed in intensive care with a high fever, shortness of breath and symptoms of pneumonia.

April 28

A German woman became ill on board the MV Hondius as the ship headed toward Cape Verde off Africa’s west coast.

May 2

HANTAVIRUS, CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH, KILLS THREE IN CALIFORNIA

The German woman died on board nearly a month after the first passenger became ill, marking the third fatality.

The British man being treated in South Africa tested positive for hantavirus.

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May 3

The World Health Organization announced it is investigating a suspected hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship, which had entered waters off Cape Verde.

May 4

In light of the British man’s positive result, South African health officials conducted a posthumous test and confirmed that the Dutch woman who collapsed at an airport and later died was also infected with hantavirus.

The World Health Organization officially classified the situation an outbreak.

May 5

Authorities in Cape Verde refused the ship’s requests to evacuate additional sick individuals or allow passengers and crew to disembark, creating a standoff. The country sent health workers to provide assistance on board, but no one was allowed off. Two crew members, including the ship’s doctor, became seriously ill, and another was placed under monitoring.

May 6

The three individuals — two of whom tested positive for hantavirus — were evacuated from the ship and flown to specialized hospitals in Europe. The vessel headed for Spain’s Canary Islands after authorities agreed to receive it.

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Officials in Switzerland later reported another confirmed hantavirus case in a man who had disembarked earlier in St. Helena, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to five.

Health authorities in South Africa and Switzerland identified the circulating strain as the Andes virus, the only hantavirus believed to spread from person to person, which is found in South America.

May 7

Health authorities in Switzerland, Britain, the Netherlands, France, Singapore, South Africa and other countries have isolated former passengers who have already left the ship and are tracing those who may have been in contact with them.

May 8

The ship approached Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, where authorities are organizing an evacuation and repatriation effort involving several countries. Spanish officials say passengers will be screened on board before being quarantined or flown home.

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Authorities on Tristan da Cunha said a resident who may have been in contact with cruise passengers has been hospitalized with symptoms.

Additionally, two New Jersey residents who were not on board the ship are being monitored after possible exposure during air travel abroad, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.

Can wearables detect heart problems early? Doctor breaks down real data

Fri, 08 May 2026 09:56:04 -0400

From tracking sleep and steps to monitoring heart rate, temperature and stress levels, wearable devices like smartwatches and rings are growing in popularity as wellness tools.

Fox News' Brian Kilmeade recently used one of these — an Oura ring — to track his metrics from the early morning hours through a demanding work schedule and reported the results live on "Fox & Friends."

"I just got four hours and one minute [of sleep], but I have some REM sleep, 14%, over 20% of deep sleep. Feeling pretty good, I feel pretty fresh," Kilmeade shared during his first early morning update, reviewing the stats from his ring.

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Throughout the day, the wearable tracked his physiological responses to various environments, from the stress of a live television broadcast to the physical exertion of a workout.

Kilmeade observed the data in real time, noting, "You see the stress level spike just a little bit … as I make my way over to radio, my activity is going to pick up."

By the end of his day, which included a trip to West Point and hours spent in a car, the device provided a summary of Kilmeade's activity levels and heart rate stability.

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Dr. Craig Basman, a New Jersey cardiologist, joined the program to interpret the data and discuss the clinical implications of such technology.

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Basman immediately addressed Kilmeade’s limited rest. "Well, I don't think you have to be a cardiologist to diagnose him with suboptimal sleep," he said.

However, the doctor highlighted the broader potential of these tools, explaining that "these wearable devices are changing the landscape of cardiology" and that "the future is bright, not just for preventative care ... but also screening and detection of actual cardiovascular pathology."

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The cardiologist urged users to treat the data as a catalyst for lifestyle changes, noting that he wouldn't recommend detection tools unless you’re "going to do something about it."

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Regarding the accuracy of the technology, Basman said there is "robust data" to suggest that the numbers are "incredibly accurate" for a lot of the metrics people are viewing, specifically data like resting heart rate and heart rate variability.

He also mentioned that some devices can detect serious conditions like atrial fibrillation, which affects millions and can often go undetected during a standard physical exam.

For younger individuals, wearables can serve as a "great primary prevention tool," according to the doctor, given that plaque can begin to develop in the arteries as early as the 20s and 30s.

For the older population, the devices act more as a "screening tool for actual existing cardiac pathology," he added.

Anyone concerned about wearable health data should consult a doctor for medical guidance.

Alzheimer’s risk slashed by eating more of one common food, study suggests

Fri, 08 May 2026 07:00:47 -0400

A new study has revealed a link between egg consumption and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The research from California’s Loma Linda University, published in the Journal of Nutrition, aimed to analyze the relationship between the neurological condition and dietary habits.

The study noted that eggs are known to be a "source of key nutrients that support brain health," which led to this investigation.

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The researchers analyzed data from nearly 40,000 U.S. adults over 65 years old, from a large study linked to Medicare records, to identify Alzheimer’s diagnoses.

After 15 years, 2,858 people had developed Alzheimer’s. The participants’ diet and lifestyle were assessed via questionnaire.

Egg consumption was characterized by how often people ate them, on a scale from never to more than five times per week.

Egg intake was divided into two types: "visible" eggs, like boiled, scrambled or fried eggs eaten on their own, and "hidden" eggs, which are used as ingredients in foods like baked goods and packaged products.

People who ate eggs one to three times per month, or once a week, had a 17% lower risk of Alzheimer’s, the researchers found. Those who ate eggs five or more times per week had a 27% lower risk.

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Those who consumed no eggs had a higher risk of Alzheimer’s compared to those who ate about 10 grams of eggs per day, based on a separate model in the study.

"In this health-conscious population, moderate egg consumption was associated with a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer's disease," the researchers concluded. "These findings suggest a potential neuroprotective benefit of nutrients found in eggs when consumed as part of a balanced diet."

Dr. Joel Salinas, a Harvard-trained behavioral neurologist and chief medical officer at Isaac Health, called this a "reasonably well-designed study with a long follow-up," with a finding that is consistent with previous research.

"Eggs are concentrated sources of choline, DHA and B12, which are nutrients the aging brain depends on," Salinas, who practices at NYU Langone, told Fox News Digital in an interview.

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"That said, this is observational data from a uniquely health-conscious population, so causation can't be established here," he pointed out. "It’s more directional rather than definitive."

While eggs "aren't quite the prescription yet," Salinas said, they're "one piece of a much larger health picture that includes exercise, a brain-healthy diet and more."

Lauri Wright, director of nutrition programs at the University of South Florida's College of Public Health, also reflected on these "encouraging" findings in an interview with Fox News Digital, urging people to "interpret them with some caution."

Wright, who was not involved in the study, reiterated that the study is observational and can only show an association, not causation.

People who eat eggs regularly may have different lifestyle habits and dietary patterns that could influence the findings, she noted.

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Even so, she said, there are "some good reasons that eggs could play a role in brain health."

"Egg yolks are one of the richest dietary sources of choline, which the body uses to make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory and cognitive function," Wright said. "Eggs also provide nutrients linked to healthy aging, including lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin B12, quality protein and small amounts of omega-3 fats."

Wright added that eggs can "absolutely fit" into a healthy dietary pattern that supports brain health, but noted that the overall context of the diet matters.

"Eggs served with vegetables, whole grains, fruit, beans, nuts or fish are very different nutritionally than eggs consistently paired with processed meats, refined carbohydrates and high-sodium foods," she said. "For most healthy adults, moderate egg intake can fit within a heart-healthy eating pattern."

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Healthy eating is rarely about "one superfood," according to the nutritionist.

"The bigger picture is maintaining an overall dietary pattern that supports cardiovascular and metabolic health, because what is good for the heart is often good for the brain as well," she added.

Hantavirus in the US: Where the rare, sometimes deadly disease has been found

Thu, 07 May 2026 14:47:44 -0400

As investigations continue into the hantavirus outbreak that originated on the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, concerns swirl about the prevalence of the virus in the U.S.

Among passengers of the ship, which was traveling from Argentina across the Atlantic, there have been three deaths and at least eight reported cases, several of them laboratory-confirmed, according to the World Health Organization and subsequent health reports.

At least five states are now monitoring residents who returned from the MV Hondius, including Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Arizona and California, reports have noted.

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In the U.S., there have historically been around 800 to 900 cases of hantavirus, according to Luis Marcos, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program at Stony Brook Medicine in New York.

CDC data supports this, showing that 890 cases of hantavirus disease have been reported in the U.S. from 1993 through the end of 2023.

"Most of these cases have been west of the Mississippi River, and classically the risk factors are being in contact with feces and urine from rodents," Marcos told Fox News Digital.

The most common strain is called Sin Nombre, which is not transmitted from human to human, the doctor said.

Most strains of hantavirus spread from inhaling contaminated particles from rodent urine, droppings or saliva – or, less commonly, from touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes – and are not transmitted person-to-person.

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Typical scenarios include people who have been camping or hiking in remote areas and were inadvertently in contact with these feces or urine.

"The only proven human-to-human transmission has been with the Andean virus from South America — and that's what's happening now," Marcos told Fox News Digital.

The current cruise ship outbreak reportedly originated with a couple who contracted the virus while traveling in Argentina.

"They were not symptomatic at all — the incubation period can be one, two, three or four weeks," Marcos said.

Most infected people become ill with symptoms that are similar to flu and COVID, such as fever and muscle pain.

"Some people may have mild disease, so not everybody will be very, very sick," the doctor noted.

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In rare cases, hantavirus can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which causes the lungs to fill with fluid and can be fatal, the doctor noted.

"The mortality rate [among those with HPS] is between 30% and 60% — so yes, it's a deadly virus," the doctor added.

In terms of transmission, Marcos emphasized that those at highest risk are the people in "close contact," which typically means living in the same environment where fluids can be exchanged.

"It has to be really, really close contact," he said. "The transmission is not as efficient as other viruses."

While it's possible for the virus to be airborne via droplets, Marcos pointed out that those transmissions are "not as effective" as COVID, influenza or cold viruses.

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"For this cruise, it’s important to have people in quarantine for a period of time," he said.

The virus has a long incubation period, which means the quarantine duration will likely be several weeks. "The longest incubation period has been 56 days or so, so two months, roughly," Marcos said. "But most cases will get sick within two to three weeks."

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There are not currently any antiviral treatments for hantavirus.

"So what happens is the patient will end up in the hospital. We will do supportive care, which means if your lungs are full of fluid, you will require a ventilator until you know the virus runs its course," Marcos said.

Although there is not currently a vaccine for hantavirus in the U.S., Marcos noted that several are in development.

The doctor said he believes the risk of hantavirus leading to a pandemic is "pretty much almost zero."

"I don't feel a strong risk of a pandemic," he told Fox News Digital. "The transmission is not like COVID. It's very different."

"I really think this is going to go away in the next two to three weeks, and we will know exactly the number of cases," he added.

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To prevent hantavirus, Marcos recommends wearing gloves and a mask in environments where mice might be present, such as cleaning a basement.

Proper ventilation and frequent hand-washing can also help curb spread.

Where are they now? Officials race to find 40 passengers who disembarked cruise ship stricken with hantavirus

Thu, 07 May 2026 07:41:17 -0400

Nearly 40 passengers exposed to a deadly hantavirus outbreak are believed to have walked off a cruise ship without contact tracing and scattered across multiple countries, leaving authorities scrambling to find them.

Oceanwide Expeditions, the company that operates the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, said Thursday that 29 passengers disembarked on April 24, nearly two weeks after the first death on board, while Dutch officials put the number closer to 40.

The passengers, representing at least a dozen nationalities, returned to their home countries across Europe, Africa and beyond, creating a complex international search effort, the company said, adding that nationalities of two of the people were unknown.

Health officials have already confirmed that at least one passenger who left the ship, a man who returned to Switzerland, tested positive for the Andes strain of the hantavirus, a rare variant that can spread between people through close contact.

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The outbreak has already resulted in at least three deaths, while several others have fallen ill as the virus spread among passengers.

A Dutch man died on April 11, and his body was taken off the ship onto the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena. His wife also disembarked there before flying to South Africa, where she collapsed and died at the Johannesburg airport.

Argentine officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the leading hypothesis is that the couple may have been exposed to rodents while visiting a landfill during a bird-watching tour in the city of Ushuaia, unknowingly contracting the virus before boarding the cruise ship.

RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED

Hantavirus usually spreads by inhaling contaminated rodent droppings. The World Health Organization (WHO) said human-to-human transfer is uncommon, but possible.

Additional evacuations followed the Dutch man’s death.

A British man was flown to South Africa from Ascension Island, according to the company, while three more people, including the ship’s doctor, were airlifted to Europe for treatment as the vessel drifted near Cape Verde.

With passengers dispersing across continents and limited records of their movements, officials in South Africa and across Europe are now working to reconstruct travel paths and identify anyone who may have been exposed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Fitness expert reveals simple rule to get in shape without dreading the gym: 'Just move'

Thu, 07 May 2026 07:00:45 -0400

Gym attendance typically spikes in the months leading up to summer, according to industry data, as many Americans ramp up their fitness routines.

While fitness routines work differently for everyone, one expert offers simple advice for looking and feeling your best: Just move.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Kenny Santucci, fitness trainer, gym owner and host of the "Strong New York" podcast, shared advice on achieving fitness goals without dreading workouts.

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Santucci admitted that he dislikes certain types of exercises, like back squatting, and will opt for alternatives instead.

"I hate back squatting. I don't like doing it," he said. "But I squat every time I go to the gym, or every time I have a leg day … I'll go use a pendulum squat. I'll use a leg press. I will do lunges. It doesn't matter."

"Do I believe in [fitness] programming? Yes. For the average person who lives a normal life, do you have to adhere to a strict program? [No]."

When an exercise feels like a chore, Santucci said that could make it harder to stay consistent with workouts.

"If you're thinking in your head, ‘Oh, God, I’ve got to go do legs, I don't want to…’ Go do something else," he suggested. "Swing a kettlebell, push a sled, do something. Just move. I’d rather encourage people to move than anything else."

"I want people to look forward to it," Santucci added. "You should never question, ‘Should I go or should I not?’ You should go, and then what you do when you get there – sky's the limit."

While Santucci emphasizes general movement, he noted that not all forms of exercise will deliver the desired muscle-building results.

For a better outcome, he often encourages gym-goers to add more strength training to their routines and to lift "a little bit heavier."

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"Strength training should be the basis of what you do, not cycling," he said, as an example. "I don't have anything against cycling … but if you're telling me that that's the basis of your training, and your goal is aesthetics, then you are not really helping yourself get to that point any easier."

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Santucci recommends working at about 60% to 80% of capacity, pushing to a point of fatigue with moderate intensity.

"And if you're not doing those things, then you're probably not going to get out what you think you're going to," he said.

"There's a science behind muscle growth, and if there's no external force pushing against the muscle tissue, and you're not fueling yourself with protein, then you're probably not going to build muscle."

Despite this, Santucci still encourages "everyone to do everything."

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"Hard doesn't necessarily mean it's a better workout," he said. "If you're training at levels of intensity, then you're reproducing good outcomes."

"I don't want it to be hard for the sake of it being hard," he went on. "I want to progress at something. I want to get better at something. So, understanding your goal and working backwards from there will help you ... design a better program for yourself."

'Looksmaxxing' trend has young men taking hammers to their faces in pursuit of sharper features

Wed, 06 May 2026 16:06:50 -0400

Brian Kilmeade sat down with experts to dissect a growing online phenomenon that has captured the attention of young men across the country.

Known as "looksmaxxing," this trend involves a quest for sharper physical features and increased confidence, often categorized into two distinct paths: "softmaxxing" and "hardmaxxing."

While the movement promises self-improvement, the segment revealed deeper concerns regarding safety and the psychological motivations driving these young "looksmaxxers."

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Kilmeade opened the discussion by describing the trend as a quest for young men to "surpass genetic potential." He noted that the methods vary wildly, ranging from "elaborate skin care routines" to extreme physical interventions.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Claire Wolinsky said the trend has been gaining momentum for at least a year, highlighting popular techniques like "mewing," where young men attempt to reshape their jawlines through specific tongue positioning.

The New York-based expert was quick to debunk the effectiveness of such methods, stating that they are "clearly not science-based at all."

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The shift toward male-centric beauty standards appears to be heavily influenced by the digital landscape, according to Wolinsky, who observed that "social media is pushing this way." Many young people have become suspicious of traditional medical advice, she added.

Instead, she said, they "look online for their information, and they look at attractive peers to see what they're doing, and they want to look like them."

This digital influence has created a vacuum where influencers dictate health and grooming standards for a generation of men instead of physicians, Wolinsky noted.

Family therapist Tom Kersting shared concerns about the underlying mental health of those participating in the movement.

The New Jersey-based expert questioned whether these young men are acting out of "narcissistic behavior" or if they are in "search of some form of external gratification from strangers online."

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Kersting emphasized that true self-worth cannot be measured by digital metrics, adding that "self-esteem is how I feel about myself. It has nothing to do with how many likes, followers or thumbs-up that I get from the outside world."

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While the experts acknowledged that some aspects of the trend are benign, the line between self-care and self-harm is becoming increasingly blurred.

Wolinsky pointed out that taking care of your skin or sleeping well can be beneficial.

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In contrast, she expressed alarm over "hardmaxxing" behaviors, which include taking steroids and supplements or seeking plastic surgery at a young age. These practices, she noted, "concern me as a mom and also as a physician."

The conversation shifted to "bone smashing," a practice where individuals purportedly use physical objects to alter their facial structure.

Wolinsky clarified the danger of such actions, explaining that "they're apparently taking hammers or physical objects and hurting themselves."

"There's no way that by destroying a bone, it gets thicker or better, or your jawline's going to look improved," she said.

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Kersting suggested that the rise of looksmaxxing may be a symptom of a broader societal crisis facing young males who feel "pushed aside and forgotten about."

As young men struggle to find their identity, he said, they may turn to the internet for guidance.

"The people that are influencing them… these social media influencers… don't really have anything very influential to offer."

Shift in cancer screening guidance has experts clashing over new guidance

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:21:37 -0400

Most women gear up for their first annual mammogram at age 40 to screen for breast cancer, but some experts are questioning whether this is too soon and too frequent.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recently released new guidance for breast cancer screening based on risk, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

The updated guidance suggests that all average-risk, asymptomatic females between 50 and 74 years old should undergo mammograms every two years.

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Those who are between 40 and 49 years of age are encouraged to discuss their risk of breast cancer with a doctor, weighing the potential benefits and harms of screening.

The ACP cautioned that unnecessary screening can produce false positive results, psychological distress, over-diagnosis, over-treatment, additional testing and radiation exposure.

Women 75 and older who are asymptomatic and at average risk, as well as those with limited life expectancy, can discuss halting screening with their doctors, the ACP added.

"This is because the benefits of screening beyond age 74 are reduced or uncertain, while potential harms, such as over-diagnosis, become more likely with increasing age," it said.

For patients who have dense breasts, the ACP encourages doctors to consider supplemental digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), often called 3D mammography.

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"Decisions should consider potential benefits and harms, radiation exposure, availability, patient values and preferences, and cost," the group wrote. "However, ACP advises against using supplemental MRI or ultrasound for screening in this population."

This guidance was backed by ACP’s Clinical Guidelines Committee, which defined "average-risk" as women who do not have a personal breast cancer history or diagnosis of a high-risk breast lesion, BRCA 1 or 2 genetic mutation, another familial breast cancer risk syndrome or history of high-dose radiation therapy to the chest at a young age.

Dr. Jason M. Goldman, president of ACP, commented in a statement that screening for breast cancer is "essential and should be guided by the best available evidence."

"ACP developed this guidance to provide physicians and females with the information they need to make breast cancer screening decisions, including when to start and discontinue, how often to screen and which methods to use for screening," he said.

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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Lauren Carcas, a medical oncologist with the Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, scrutinized these new guidelines, saying they "add to the confusion of screening recommendations."

"Generally, this recommendation is based on a risk-based screening approach to determine who needs more frequent and/or aggressive screening versus who could safely space out screening frequency," she said.

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"Doing so implies that all women have equal access to individualized discussions and nuanced risk-assessment through either their primary care or gynecologic physicians."

These biennial screening recommendations could "potentially widen disparities and increase the likelihood of missing cancer in the populations that are already impacted by barriers to care," according to Carcas.

The new recommendation differs from other institutes like the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the American College of Radiology/Society of Breast Imaging, which call for annual mammography screenings, typically starting at age 40.

The screening interval "remains the most consequential disagreement between all of the medical societies and the screening task force," Carcas noted.

"All major U.S. societies agree that mammography screening should be available starting at age 40," she said. "However, by age 25, all women should undergo a formal breast cancer risk assessment in order to direct their ongoing screening."

Carcas also challenged ACP’s recommendation against supplemental MRI and ultrasounds for women with dense breast tissue, in favor of only using DBT.

"The radiologic societies very strongly recommend the addition and consideration of breast ultrasound and/or MRI for more complete and accurate imaging," she said.

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Women who have a 20% or higher lifetime risk of developing breast cancer are considered high-risk, according to Carcas, and should undergo annual screening with supplemental ultrasound and MRI consideration.

"For the average-risk woman, the conversation will be more nuanced between the patient and her physician," she said. "Depending on the individual's preference and the recommendation of her gynecologist or primary care, the patient would screen with mammogram on an annual basis or biennially, per shared-decision making."

Carcas pointed to a "gap in evidence" regarding mortality risk between annual and biennial screening, as there has not been a randomized controlled trial investigating the difference between the two.

"Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer would certainly be grateful to have it diagnosed at an earlier stage, when there is less likely need for chemotherapy and other aggressive modalities of treatment," she said.

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The doctor said she still plans to recommend annual screenings to her patients and to offer ultrasounds and MRIs to those who require it.

"I remain hopeful that this new recommendation from ACP will not alter insurance coverage for patients undergoing screening, particularly in light of the differing recommendations among medical societies," Carcas added.

Swiss man tests positive for hantavirus after returning from cruise linked to deadly outbreak

Wed, 06 May 2026 08:05:16 -0400

A Swiss man who returned from a cruise linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak has tested positive and been isolated, as health officials say the strain involved can spread between people in rare cases — though the overall risk remains low.

Health authorities in Switzerland confirmed the man recently traveled aboard the MV Hondius, the cruise ship at the center of an outbreak that has already killed three passengers and sickened several others.

Swiss health officials said the man sought medical care after developing symptoms and was immediately placed in isolation. His wife, who traveled with him, is self-isolating but has not shown symptoms.

The officials confirmed his case involves the Andes strain of hantavirus.

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The World Health Organization said the Andes strain is a rare form of hantavirus that can spread between humans through close contact — unlike most hantavirus infections, which are typically linked to exposure to rodent droppings.

South African health authorities said they also identified the Andes strain in two other passengers who were on the ship.

The outbreak left the Dutch-flagged cruise ship stranded off the coast of Cape Verde, with nearly 150 passengers and crew on board as authorities scramble to contain the situation.

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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that three suspected cases were evacuated from the vessel and are being transported to the Netherlands for treatment.

"At this stage, the overall public health risk remains low," Tedros said.

Authorities stress that while the Andes strain can spread person-to-person, transmission remains uncommon and typically requires close, prolonged contact.

Health officials have launched monitoring efforts for passengers both on board and those who have already disembarked, coordinating across multiple countries as the investigation continues.

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The ship departed Argentina on April 1 and was scheduled to travel through the Southern Atlantic, including stops in Antarctica, before the outbreak disrupted its itinerary.

Spain has agreed to receive the vessel in the Canary Islands, though local officials have raised concerns about potential risk to residents.

Hantavirus infections are rare but can be severe, with symptoms ranging from fever and fatigue to serious respiratory illness.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Could hantavirus spread on a cruise ship? Experts weigh risks after deadly outbreak

Wed, 06 May 2026 07:00:09 -0400

A deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic has raised new questions about how the rare, rodent-borne disease may have spread.

The outbreak has left at least three people dead with five additional suspected cases, as the World Health Organization investigates.

Although hantavirus is usually transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings, experts say the close quarters of the vessel could have amplified the risk.

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The virus is typically found in rodent saliva, urine and feces, becoming airborne near contaminated surfaces, according to Dr. Carrie Horn, chief medical officer at National Jewish Health in Colorado.

While other viruses like COVID-19 also enter through inhalation, they originate from another person’s respiratory tract, she noted. In contrast, person-to-person hantavirus transmission is very unlikely.

"It most often gets into the air when the rodent nest is disturbed, such as when being cleaned up. It is then inhaled into the lungs," Horn told Fox News Digital.

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It is "technically possible" that the virus could be aerosolized (spread into the air) through a ventilation system, the doctor said.

"It is also possible that if a rodent infestation occurred and passengers tried to clean something up, they could have become infected," Horn added. "This is very low risk, but possible. It is also possible that they were exposed off of the ship."

Another possibility, she said, is eating contaminated food could cause disease, although that would be less likely than breathing it in.

Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, reiterated that hantavirus could potentially spread on a cruise ship under certain conditions.

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"It’s possible, either because there are infected mice on the ship and people are being infected from those mice, or because of human-to-human contact transmission, which the Andes strain has been previously demonstrated to be capable of," he told Fox News Digital.

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He also pointed out that the ship had stopped in South America and that the lethality appeared more consistent with strains from the Americas.

Glanville cautioned that until it can be ruled out that a more transmissible strain is involved, removing passengers from the ship could pose risks.

"Otherwise, there is a small but high-consequence risk of creating a lethal international outbreak," he warned.

Historically, hantavirus has been "far less transmissible" than COVID-19, the doctor said. "Unless that changes with a new mutant strain, the risk remains very low to the public."

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, confirmed that hantavirus almost always requires a rodent vector to spread, though rare cases can occur through contact with contaminated materials or bites.

The experts agreed that the risk to the wider public is low. Siegel reiterated that people should "not be very concerned."

Glanville noted that it’s still unclear whether the cluster came from human-to-human transmission – "although given a potential Andes strain origin, that is a risk."

"Even if it’s an Andes strain, historically transmission human-to-human is inefficient," he told Fox News Digital. "However, it is always possible that a novel mutant can arise that is able to propagate more easily between humans."

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If any new transmission cases are found from contacts who were not on the ship, the situation would become much more concerning, according to Glanville.

"Hantavirus can be 30% to 50% lethal, has a long silent incubation period of one to six weeks, and has the potential for droplet transmission," he warned.

Experts say symptoms typically begin with fever, muscle aches, fatigue and headaches, followed by cough, shortness of breath and, in severe cases, fluid buildup in the lungs.

These symptoms can mimic flu-like illness, according to Horn.

"From there, it can progress to having trouble breathing, needing oxygen and requiring hospitalization," she told Fox News Digital. "Some people can have gastrointestinal issues as well, such as vomiting and diarrhea."

In extreme cases, the virus can cause severe lung and cardiovascular disease, with a fatality rate of 30% to 50%.

"It can affect the heart, lungs and kidneys, causing all of them not to work appropriately," Horn told Fox News Digital. "Infected people can have trouble maintaining their oxygen levels to the point of needing to be on a ventilator or to get external oxygenation support."

Because the virus is rare, specific risk factors are not well-known, but overall health can influence outcomes, the expert added. Age may also be a factor, as those who died on the cruise ship were elderly.

Experts advise avoiding areas where rodents may be present — particularly dusty or enclosed spaces with signs of infestation — and not disturbing nests or droppings. If cleaning such areas, wearing a filtered mask can help reduce risk.

Travelers should also avoid contact with rodents and contaminated materials, while taking basic precautions like handwashing, disinfecting surfaces and maintaining good overall health.

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"This is a very unusual situation," Horn added, emphasizing that hantavirus poses a very low risk to the public — especially for those not on the affected ship.

Missouri tests medical drones to speed up rural health care

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:42:54 -0400

A new medical drone program being tested in Missouri could help speed up how critical supplies like blood and lab samples are delivered, especially in rural areas where access to care can take longer.

At a test site in Missouri, a drone company working with Missouri University of Science and Technology is trialing flights designed to move medical materials between smaller communities and larger hospital hubs.

The goal is to speed up the distribution of care — including blood for testing, lab samples needed for diagnoses, and tissue used to help match organ donors with recipients.

"It’s very essential. For instance, if you miss sample pickup at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, if you miss that time, it’s another week you can get it delivered on time," said a drone operator involved in the project.

HOSPITAL USING DRONES TO FLY BLOOD SAMPLES BETWEEN BUILDINGS

The effort comes as rural healthcare access remains a challenge nationwide. More than 130 rural hospitals closed between 2010 and 2021, according to the Senate Joint Economic Committee, leaving some patients traveling about 20 extra miles for care, including time-sensitive testing and procedures.

"When you’re looking at things like transplant speed, it’s an issue," said David Borrok, vice provost and dean of the College of Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology.

The company says its drones can fly about 100 miles per hour and are being tested along a proposed Missouri route connecting Springfield, Rolla and the St. Louis region.

DRONE DELIVERY EXPANDS AS RETAILERS LIKE STARBUCKS TEST FASTER SERVICE FOR CUSTOMERS

"We’re partnering with American Transplant, and we’re running our test corridor from all the way from Springfield, pit stop in Rolla, all the way up to St. Louis," the operator said.

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Flights are monitored in real time using live maps, weather tools and air traffic data.

"So right now, this is the station. So this is what the pilot sees whenever the aircraft is actually in flight," the operator added.

Programs like this are beginning to emerge across the country, and researchers say the technology could expand how medical supplies are delivered in the future.

PATIENTS REMAIN CANCER-FREE NEARLY 3 YEARS AFTER RECEIVING EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOTHERAPY

"It’s really unique. And I think it could work in a lot of different ways for a lot of different people," Borrok said.

The team hopes to begin official flights this summer, with the initial focus on transporting medical samples. Future versions of the drones are being developed to eventually carry transplant-related materials.

A planned landing site in St. Albans would serve as the easternmost drop point along the current route.

Sleep apnea may be quietly changing your body in an unexpected way, study finds

Tue, 05 May 2026 17:20:25 -0400

Researchers in Israel have discovered a difference in muscle structure in those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

According to a new study published in the journal Sleep and Breathing, people with OSA tend to have a higher muscle mass index, reflecting greater area relative to height, as well as lower density.

This means people with OSA may look like they have more muscle, but that muscle tends to be less dense and potentially less functional.

The researchers gathered data from 209 adults in an overnight sleep study who underwent chest or abdominal CT scans, according to a press release.

Compared with a control group, the researchers found that people with OSA were older, more often male and heavier on average. They were also more likely to have hypertension, cardiovascular disease and poorer oxygen levels during sleep.

The findings showed a significant link between OSA and higher muscle mass index. However, lower muscle density was more strongly associated with age and weight than with OSA.

Worse sleep apnea severity was linked with lower skeletal muscle density (SMD) and higher skeletal muscle index (SMI), indicating larger but less dense muscle.

SIMPLE NIGHTLY HABIT LINKED TO HEALTHIER BLOOD PRESSURE, STUDY SUGGESTS

Higher BMI was strongly linked with lower SMD and higher SMI, while older age was strongly linked with lower SMD.

Individuals over 60 years old and those with a BMI over 30 had much stronger links to lower muscle density than OSA alone, according to the research.

Dr. Wendy Troxel, a Utah-based licensed clinical psychologist and senior behavioral scientist at RAND, simplified the main study findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"Individuals with OSA may have more muscle mass, but that muscle may be less healthy because it contains more fat, which can impair strength and metabolic function," said Troxel, who was not involved in the study.

"This pattern overlaps with sarcopenia, a clinical condition where muscle becomes weaker and less efficient, even if muscle size doesn’t dramatically decline."

Troxel pointed out an "important" association between OSA severity and muscle quality, which was "modest compared to known risk factors, including age and body mass."

SLEEP PATTERNS COULD PREDICT RISK FOR DEMENTIA, CANCER AND STROKE, STUDY SUGGESTS

"[This indicates] that OSA may be one marker within a broader profile of metabolic risk," she said.

"Clinically, these findings highlight that OSA is much more than a nighttime breathing disorder. It may signal underlying metabolic dysfunction affecting multiple systems, including muscle health."

In an interview with Fox News Digital, study co-author Ariel Tarasiuk, professor at the department of physiology and cell biology at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, shared his thoughts on the "paradoxical" findings.

"Age and obesity appeared to have a stronger influence on muscle health than sleep apnea itself," he said. "This suggests that while sleep apnea may play a role, it is unlikely to be the primary factor driving these changes."

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Patients should be aware that sleep apnea is not just about snoring or poor sleep, Tarasiuk said, as it can affect overall health, including muscle function.

"Getting properly diagnosed and treated matters," he said. "CPAP therapy can make a real difference in improving breathing and sleep quality, but it’s only part of the picture."

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"Maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active are equally important for muscle health and for reducing the severity of sleep apnea," he went on. "In short, treating sleep apnea is about protecting long-term health, not just getting a better night’s sleep."

Tarasiuk reminded clinicians that larger muscles don’t always mean healthier, as some muscles may be infiltrated with fat, which may reduce their strength and performance.

"This highlights the importance of looking beyond muscle size alone," he said. "Routine imaging, such as CT scans performed for other reasons, can sometimes provide additional insight into muscle quality."

"Overall, the findings point toward a more holistic approach: treating the airway while also focusing on weight, physical activity and metabolic health."

The study findings may not apply to all populations, as it was conducted at a single center, according to Tarasiuk.

The researchers also did not have access to information on lifestyle factors like physical activity, diet, smoking or alcohol use, factors that can influence muscle health.

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"Looking ahead, larger studies across multiple centers will help confirm these findings and provide a broader picture," Tarasiuk added.

"Future research will also focus more on outcomes that matter in real life, such as how patients respond to treatments like CPAP, and on understanding how muscle changes develop over time in people with sleep apnea."

Trapped cruise ship passenger shares update on cleanliness of ship amid deadly hantavirus outbreak

Tue, 05 May 2026 12:55:21 -0400

A trapped cruise ship passenger is sharing an updated statement amid a hantavirus outbreak.

Jake Rosmarin, a travel blogger from Boston, is aboard the Dutch vessel M/V Hondius, which was on a weeks-long polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica and several isolated islands in the South Atlantic when the deadly outbreak began.

In a tearful video shared to Instagram on Monday, Rosmarin said, "All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home."

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER DESCRIBES UNCERTAINTY AFTER 3 DEATHS AMID HANTAVIRUS PROBE

On Tuesday, Rosmarin shared an updated statement with Fox News Digital.

"Other than the two ill passengers that have already been referenced in the media, everyone else onboard is doing well and remains in good spirits," Rosmarin said. "We are hopeful that this situation will be resolved soon."

Rosmarin praised the crew of Oceanwide Expeditions’ "best efforts" to keep passengers "safe, informed and as comfortable as possible during this time."

The passenger also pointed out that the M/V Hondius is not a traditional cruise ship, but an expedition vessel.

CLEANEST CRUISE LINES REVEALED AFTER CDC SURPRISE SANITATION INSPECTIONS

"These ships operate with strict protocols and a strong emphasis on cleanliness, especially given the remote and environmentally sensitive regions they visit, which require high levels of biosecurity," he said. "The vessel is maintained to a very high standard, and suggestions that it is unclean are not accurate."

Rosmarin also detailed the safety measures in place on the ship, including social distancing and masking.

"Passengers also have the option to have meals delivered directly to their cabins," he said. "Access to the outer decks is permitted for fresh air, while gathering in indoor common areas such as the lounge is currently restricted."

"We continue to be well cared for, and additional medical provisions and supplies have been brought onboard."

Rosmarin said he remains hopeful that the situation will be resolved soon.

The ship originally departed from Argentina on April 1. The first illness and death occurred on April 11, and the ship reached Saint Helena on April 22 with the first victim onboard.

Hantaviruses include a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents that can cause severe respiratory or renal diseases in humans.

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There have now been a total of seven cases reported (two confirmed and five suspected), and three deaths among passengers, the World Health Organization confirmed. Two crew members are currently ill and one passenger was evacuated to intensive care in South Africa, according to reports.

WHO said the agency is still investigating the outbreak as the ship remains off the coast of Cape Verde, noting that human-to-human transmission is uncommon and that there is not a high risk to the wider ‌public.

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"We do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission that's happening among the really close contacts, the husband and wife, people who have shared cabins," Maria Van Kerkhove, the director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention at the WHO, told reporters in Geneva.

Fox News Digital reached out to the cruise ship company requesting comment.

IV therapy and supplements under scrutiny as experts warn of potential side effects

Tue, 05 May 2026 11:21:44 -0400

As the buzz grows around IV drips, peptides and creatine, experts are focusing on whether they are helpful health hacks or overblown hype.

In a recent "Fox & Friends" segment, host Lawrence Jones undergoes a session of IV therapy. According to the clinic staff, the treatment is designed to help with stress and overall wellness, making patients "less likely to get sick."

Jones was treated with a cocktail of B vitamins, high-dose vitamin C, magnesium and amino acids.

DO RED LIGHT THERAPY AND COLD PLUNGES REALLY WORK? A DOCTOR REVEALS THE TRUTH

The staff also touted the benefits of NAD, claiming it "is going to clear up any brain fog" and is "amazing for physical injury."

When asked about potential downsides, the clinician told Jones, "Honestly, there are no negative side effects," and suggested that "you should sleep really well, wake up really well-rested to your first alarm."

However, family medicine physician Dr. Mike Varshavski expressed concern over the lack of informed consent and the nature of the claims.

SUPPLEMENT HEALTH RISKS TO KNOW ABOUT, PLUS A CELEBRITY'S 'BRUTAL' INFECTION

"It's tough to say what actually happened in that visit because there were a lot of promises being made," said the New Jersey-based doctor.

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He compared the human body to a car's fuel tank, warning that "putting more and having it spill all over the place just creates added side effects."

Varshavski noted that over-supplementing is not a harmless endeavor.

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Fat-soluble vitamins "can actually build up in your fat stores and create toxicities," he said, adding that high levels of vitamin B have been associated with a higher cancer risk.

The conversation then shifted to creatine and peptides.

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Varshavski was supportive of creatine, stating that it "actually has great evidence behind it" for explosive movements, though he clarified that it accounts for only about 5% of total fitness enhancements.

In contrast, he described the use of unregulated injectable peptides as "incredibly frightening."

The FDA does not regulate many of these products, leaving patients vulnerable to "black-market" substances sold for "research use only," Varshavski cautioned.

When it comes to vitamins and miracle cures, he concluded, "it's not as simple as more equals better."

Rare hantavirus human-to-human transmission suspected on luxury cruise ship where 3 have died

Tue, 05 May 2026 10:50:01 -0400

Rare human-to-human transmission of the hantavirus may have happened aboard a cruise ship of nearly 150 passengers, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday, after three passengers died and at least four others were left sickened.

The U.N. health agency said it is still investigating the outbreak aboard the Dutch vessel MV Hondius as it remains off the coast of Cape Verde, emphasizing that human-to-human transmission is uncommon and that the risk to the wider ‌public was low.

"Some people on the ship were couples, they were sharing rooms so that's quite intimate contact," Van Kerkhove said.

CRUISE SHIP OUTBREAK LEAVES 3 DEAD AS OFFICIALS DELAY MEDICAL EVACUATIONS AND PROBE HANTAVIRUS THREAT

The WHO said Monday that two cases of hantavirus infection have been laboratory confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending. Of the seven people affected, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.

Humans are primarily infected with hantavirus infection through contact with the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents, according to the U.N. health agency, though limited human-to-human transmission has been reported in previous outbreaks of the Andes variant of the virus.

The WHO said it had been told there were no rats aboard the cruise vessel, leading to the working assumption that the deceased Dutch couple was infected in Argentina before boarding.

NOROVIRUS SICKENS OVER 200 CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS ON MONTH-LONG VOYAGE

The vessel was on a weeks-long polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica and several isolated islands in the South Atlantic.

Authorities are working to determine whether the cases are connected and when those requiring medical care will be allowed to disembark.

The WHO said Monday that passengers were asked to stay in their cabins and "limit their risk while disinfection and other measures are being taken."

Van Kerkhove told reporters that the plan for now is for the ship "to continue on to the Canary Islands."

"We’re working with Spanish authorities, who will welcome the ship," Van Kerkhove said.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner, along with The Associated Press and Reuters, contributed to this report.