Latest news with #influenza
CNA
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
Husband of late Barbie Hsu said to visit her grave almost daily
It has been almost six months since Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu died from influenza-related pneumonia while holidaying in Japan with her family. She was 48. However, it seems the sting of her sudden departure still haunts her loved ones, whom she left behind. According to reports, her widowed husband, South Korean rapper DJ Koo aka Koo Jun-yup, has been diligently visiting her grave at the Chin Pao San Cemetery in New Taipei, Taiwan, even when it's raining heavily or scorching hot. The rumour was confirmed by a netizen on Sunday (Jul 27) when he gave a ride to a Hsu fan who wanted to lay flowers at her grave. When they arrived, they saw a man in a black tank top and cap sitting silently on a foldable chair in the middle of the cemetery, enduring the heat from the sun. Deeply tanned and visibly thinner, Koo quietly thanked the visitors for paying their respects to his late wife. 'He is the most devoted man I have ever seen. Honestly, the moment I saw him, I could feel the deep sadness radiating from the figure. I can't imagine the pain of losing your soulmate so suddenly,' said the netizen. According to ETtoday, Koo was spotted viewing properties in the area two months ago and is believed to be eyeing a unit at Four Seasons Garden, a newly completed development nearby. When contacted, the property developer declined to comment, while Hsu's mother said it was the first she had heard of it. Hsu and Koo first met and dated briefly in 1998 before their split. After 23 years, they reunited and got married in 2022.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
COVID, flu, RSV: how these common viruses are tracking this winter – and how to protect yourself
Winter is here, and with it come higher rates of respiratory illnesses. If you've been struck down recently with a sore throat, runny nose and a cough, or perhaps even a fever, you're not alone. Last week, non-urgent surgeries were paused in several Queensland hospitals due to a surge of influenza and COVID cases filling up hospital beds. Meanwhile, more than 200 aged care facilities around Australia are reportedly facing COVID outbreaks. So, just how bad are respiratory infections this year, and which viruses are causing the biggest problems? COVID Until May, COVID case numbers were about half last year's level, but June's 32,348 notifications are closing the gap (compared with 45,634 in June 2024). That said, we know far fewer people test now than they did earlier in the pandemic, so these numbers are likely to be an underestimate. According to the latest Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report, Australia now appears to be emerging from a winter wave of COVID cases driven largely by the NB.1.8.1 subvariant, known as 'Nimbus'. Besides classic cold-like symptoms, this Omicron offshoot can reportedly cause particularly painful sore throats as well as gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea. While some people who catch COVID have no symptoms or just mild ones, for many people the virus can be serious. Older adults and those with chronic health issues remain at greatest risk of experiencing severe illness and dying from COVID. Some 138 aged care residents have died from COVID since the beginning of June. The COVID booster currently available is based on the JN.1 subvariant. Nimbus is a direct descendant of JN.1 – as is another subvariant in circulation, XFG or 'Stratus' – which means the vaccine should remain effective against current variants. Free boosters are available to most people annually, while those aged 75 and older are advised to get one every six months. Vaccination, as well as early treatment with antivirals, lowers the risk of severe illness and long COVID. People aged 70 and older, as well as younger people with certain risk factors, are eligible for antivirals if they test positive. Influenza The 2025 flu season has been unusually severe. From January to May, total case numbers were 30% higher than last year, increasing pressure on health systems. More recent case numbers seem to be trending lower than 2024, however we don't appear to have reached the peak yet. Flu symptoms are generally more severe than the common cold and may include high fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, sore throat and a runny or blocked nose. Most people recover in under a week, but the flu can be more severe (and even fatal) in groups including older people, young children and pregnant women. An annual vaccination is available for free to children aged 6 months to 4 years, pregnant women, those aged 65+, and other higher-risk groups. Queensland and Western Australia provide a free flu vaccine for all people aged 6 months and older, but in other states and territories, people not eligible for a free vaccine can pay (usually A$30 or less) to receive one. RSV The third significant respiratory virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), only became a notifiable disease in 2021 (before this doctors didn't need to record infections, meaning data is sparse). Last year saw Australia's highest case numbers since RSV reporting began. By May, cases in 2025 were lower than 2024, but by June, they had caught up: 27,243 cases this June versus 26,596 in June 2024. However it looks as though we may have just passed the peak. RSV's symptoms are usually mild and cold-like, but it can cause serious illness such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Infants, older people, and people with chronic health conditions are among those at highest risk. In young children, RSV is a leading cause of hospitalisation. A free vaccine is now available for pregnant women, protecting infants for up to six months. A monoclonal antibody (different to a vaccine but also given as an injection) is also available for at-risk children up to age two, especially if their mothers didn't receive the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. For older adults, two RSV vaccines (Arexvy and Abrysvo) are available, with a single dose recommended for everyone aged 75+, those over 60 at higher risk due to medical conditions, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60+. Unfortunately, these are not currently subsidised and cost about $300. Protection lasts at least three years. The common cold While viruses including COVID, RSV and influenza dominate headlines, we often overlook one of the most widespread – the common cold. The common cold can be caused by more than 200 different viruses – mainly rhinoviruses but also some coronaviruses, adenoviruses and enteroviruses. Typical symptoms include a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, headache, tiredness and sometimes a mild fever. Children get about 6–8 colds per year while adults average 2–4, and symptoms usually resolve in a week. Most recover with rest, fluids, and possibly over-the-counter medications. Because so many different viruses cause the common cold, and because these constantly mutate, developing a vaccine has been extremely challenging. Researchers continue to explore solutions, but a universal cold vaccine remains elusive. How do I protect myself and others? The precautions we learned during the COVID pandemic remain valid. These are all airborne viruses which can be spread by coughing, sneezing and touching contaminated surfaces. Practise good hygiene, teach children proper cough etiquette, wear a high-quality mask if you're at high risk, and stay home to rest if unwell. You can now buy rapid antigen tests (called panel tests) that test for influenza (A or B), COVID and RSV. So, if you're unwell with a respiratory infection, consider testing yourself at home. While many winter lurgies can be trivial, this is not always the case. We can all do our bit to reduce the impact. This article is republished from The Conversation. It was written by: Adrian Esterman, University of South Australia Read more: Here's why 3-person embryos are a breakthrough for science – but not LGBTQ+ families Pumped up with poison: new research shows many anabolic steroids contain toxic metals From painkillers to antibiotics: five medicines that could harm your hearing Adrian Esterman receives funding from the Medical Research Future Fund.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
US ends use of flu shots with thimerosal in latest move by health secretary Kennedy
July 23 (Reuters) - The United States will stop distributing all influenza vaccines that contain mercury-based preservative thimerosal, marking the latest move by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reshape vaccine policy. Last month, a vaccine panel with members handpicked by Kennedy voted in favor of Americans receiving seasonal flu shots that are free from thimerosal, despite decades of studies showing no related safety issues. About 5% of flu shots given in the U.S. in the last flu season were multi-dose vials that contained the preservative, which was largely phased out decades ago. Anti-vaccine groups have for decades linked thimerosal to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and Kennedy wrote a book in 2014 in which he advocated for "the immediate removal of mercury" from vaccines. The FDA on its website says "there was no evidence that thimerosal in vaccines was dangerous," and that the decision to remove it previously was a precautionary measure to decrease overall exposure to mercury among young infants. One of the panelists, who voted against the recommendation, had pointed out that the risk of not receiving the influenza vaccine because it contains thimerosal is greater than any known risks of the preservative. CSL's ( opens new tab Afluria, and Flucelvax and Sanofi's ( opens new tab Fluzone include thimerosal in multi-dose versions, according to the FDA's website. Kennedy accepted the panel's recommendation, the Department of Health and Human Services said on Wednesday, in the absence of the CDC director, who typically signs off on them before they are implemented. President Donald Trump's nominee for the CDC director, Susan Monarez, is yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Other recommendations made by the panel, known as the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, at a meeting in June are still under review, the HHS said. Vaccine manufacturers have confirmed that they have the capacity to replace multi-dose vials containing the preservative, ensuring that supplies will not be interrupted, HHS said. Sanofi said it acknowledges the new policy and will have sufficient supply of the flu vaccine this season. CSL did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. to remove controversial ingredient from all flu vaccines in the US
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed a controversial recommendation July 23 from a vaccine panel that recommended removing thimerosal from all influenza vaccines. Thimerosal is a preservative that has largely been phased out of U.S. vaccines and has long been targeted by anti-vaccine advocates despite broad scientific consensus on its safety. The call against thimerosal was first presented by Lyn Redwood, former leader of Children's Health Defense, an anti-vaccine group founded by Kennedy, during a June 26 meeting for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. During the meeting, ACIP members voted against recommending certain vaccines to contain thimerosal, despite widespread disapproval from the medical community. 'After more than two decades of delay, this action fulfills a long-overdue promise to protect our most vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure,' Kennedy said in a statement. What is thimerosal? RFK Jr.'s vaccine panel votes no on controversial ingredient Dr. Cody Meissner, the only ACIP member to reject the recommendation, said thimerosal has been used since World War II and 'no study has ever indicated any harm.' He said removing thimerosal from all vaccines could reduce access and increase costs, especially in other countries where vaccine alternatives may not be available. Preservatives, such as thimerosal, are compounds that kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, according to the Food and Drug Administration. However, improvements in manufacturing technology have decreased the need to add such preservatives. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention briefing document compiled by staff and posted on its website noted that in the 2024-2025 season, 96% of all influenza vaccines in the U.S. were thimerosal-free. While most vaccines don't contain thimerosal, the FDA states that 'a robust body of peer-reviewed, scientific studies conducted in the United States and countries around the world support the safety of thimerosal-containing vaccines.' Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr. to remove thimerosal from US flu vaccines Solve the daily Crossword
Reuters
6 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
Kennedy accepts vaccine panel's recommendation to remove thimerosal from US flu shots
July 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday accepted the recommendation of a panel of experts to remove mercury-based preservative thimerosal from all influenza vaccines distributed in the country. A newly revamped vaccine advisory panel, members of which were chosen by Kennedy, had made the recommendation last month. Other recommendations made by the panel, known as the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, at a meeting in June are still under review, the Department of Health and Human Services said. The recommendations were accepted by Kennedy in the absence of the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control's director, who typically signs off on them before they are implemented. President Donald Trump's nomination for the CDC director, Susan Monarez, is yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Vaccine manufacturers have confirmed that they have the capacity to replace multi-dose vials containing the preservative, ensuring that supplies will not be interrupted, HHS said.
