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Summary

Oregon confirmed its first human case of avian influenza, linked to a poultry operation in Clackamas County.

The H5N1 strain has infected millions of birds and other animals, but poses a low risk to the public with mild symptoms and no evidence of person-to-person transmission

Summary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as head of the Department of Health and Human Services has reignited concerns over his vaccine-skeptic views.

Kennedy, who has previously promoted debunked claims linking vaccines to autism and criticized COVID-19 vaccines, is seen by experts as a “vaccine cynic” undermining trust in vaccine safety.

Health officials worry his leadership could worsen declining vaccination rates, already linked to rising measles and whooping cough cases.

Experts fear Kennedy’s influence may lead to unqualified leadership appointments at health agencies and deepen vaccine hesitancy among parents.

Summary

U.S. health officials confirmed the first case of a new form of mpox in a traveler who returned from eastern Africa.

Treated in Northern California, the individual is isolating at home with improving symptoms, and the public risk is deemed low.

This form of mpox, first identified in eastern Congo, spreads through close contact, including sexual transmission.

While endemic in parts of Africa, over 3,100 cases have recently been reported, primarily in Burundi, Uganda, and Congo.