Latest news with #NatalieNeysaAlund
USA Today
9 hours ago
- USA Today
American bit by shark while boating in The Bahamas
A shark attacked and injured an American man in waters off a Bahamian island this week, local police said. The Royal Bahamas Police Force reported the incident took place off Manjack Cay in the Abacos Islands in the northern Bahamas, east of South Florida. Locally known as Nunjack Cay, Manjack Cay is in North Abaco. According to a police report, just after 2 p.m. on Monday, July 28, a United States citizen was on a boat with friends "with his leg hanging in the water" when the shark bit him. The man was taken to a local medical clinic where he was treated for his injuries and later released, acccording to police. Police did not release the man's name or age in the report or indicate what type of shark was responsible for the attack. USA TODAY has reached out to Bahamian police. Manjack Cay in North Abaco is just east of the island of Grand Bahama where the city of Freeport is located. They survived shark bites: Here's what they've learned and the wonders they've seen. How many people died in shark attacks last year? According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 47 people were bitten in unprovoked attacks last year. Four people died, including one person in the U.S. Each year, according to ISAF, the world averages about 65 documented shark attacks. On average, six fatal attacks are reported each year. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
USA Today
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
More than 56,000 Ford trucks recalled over seatbelt issue
More than 56,000 Ford vehicles are being recalled due to an issue involving seatbelts, federal safety regulators reported this week. In a Wednesday, July 30, letter to the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the vehicle's audible warning chime may not activate when a driver or passenger's seat belt is unbuckled and the vehicle is started. The vehicle's failure to ping passengers when their seatbelt is not fastened can increase a person's risk of injury or death if a crash takes place, according to the NHTSA. Ford reported it is not aware of any accidents or injuries connected to the faulty seat belt systems. Here's what you need to know about the vehicle recall published by the NHTSA: Is your car on the list? Ford has issued over 30 recalls since late May. What Ford model is being recalled? Ford is recalling certain 2025 F-150 hybrid vehicles. There are potentially 56,473 vehicles impacted. The affected vehicles are equipped with the 3.5L Hybrid Electric powertrain, according to the report. Ford recall number for seatbelt problem Drivers can check the NHTSA website to see if their vehicle has been affected by the recall. Ford's number for this recall is 25C31. For more information, contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. What should I do if my Ford is recalled? Dealers will update the audio control module software, free of charge, the NHTSA recall notice reads. Notification letters were expected to be mailed to owners by Aug. 25. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
USA Today
23-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Deadly 'flesh-eating bacteria' can thrive at the beach. How to stay safe.
The bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, most often causes infection through open wounds and the consumption of undercooked or raw seafood. A rare "flesh-eating bacteria" that lives in warm saltwater has led to at least four deaths this year, but some simple safety precautions can keep you safe while on vacation. The bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, most often causes infection through open wounds and the consumption of undercooked or raw seafood. That has caused worries for some vacationers and residents in the Gulf Coast, especially in Florida where infections are most prevalent. Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Health said the bacteria led to four deaths in four counties across the state and made at least seven people ill in 2025. Vibrio vulnificus is not the only microscopic threat sparking worry among swimmers and vacationers. A children's hospital in South Carolina recently confirmed one of its patients died of Naegleria fowleri, a "brain-eating amoeba" that thrives in warm fresh water sources like lakes and streams. While Vibrio vulnificus and the rarer Naegleria fowleri don't share much in common, both are fueled by warm temperatures and may be becoming more prevalent due to climate change, studies show. Here's how you can limit your risk of exposure to these dangerous infections. How to avoid Vibrio vulnificus First, the good news: infections are rare, with an an average of 150 to 200 cases reported each year to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most of them in Gulf Coast states. And while the "flesh-eating bacteria" can be deadly, Vibrio vulnificus does not technically eat tissue. If the bacteria enters the body through a cut, scrape or wound, it can cause necrotizing fasciitis, and the flesh around the infection site could die. The bacteria cannot penetrate unharmed skin and can only can enter through an existing break. Most infections occur when people swallow contaminated water or get it in an open wound. Another source of infection is contaminated raw or undercooked seafood, especially shellfish such as oysters. Below are some tips to avoid Vibrio vulnificus, according to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC. How to avoid catching a brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri is often called a "brain-eating amoeba" because it can infect the brain and destroy brain tissue, according to the CDC. The agency says if water contaminated with the amoeba reaches the brain through the nose, it can cause a rare but deadly infection. From 2011 to 2022, the CDC received reports of about 40 infections nationwide. The amoeba can be found in warm fresh water sources but has been detected in poorly maintained pools, splash pads and even tap water. Here are some tips on how to avoid Naegleria fowleri. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, Thao Nguyen, Gabe Hauari and Mike Snider, USA TODAY; Nina Tran, Greenville News; C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network - Florida
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Massive 13-foot great white shark pings off New England coast
The largest Atlantic great white shark tagged by a marine research company continues to make his way north. Named after a popular boat brand, scientists reported "Contender," a great white shark, pinged dozens of miles off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The island, a popular travel destination, is about 100 miles from Boston. At nearly 14 feet in length, the adult male shark surfaced on July 17, according to Ocearch, a global non-profit marine research group tracking shark sightings and migration. 'I didn't see it': Surfer bitten by shark in second attack at Florida beach this month A ping means the tag attached to the fish's dorsal fin was spotted above the surface for a brief period as it swam, transmitting a near-live location signal to the Ocearch shark tracker. How much does the great white weigh? According to Ocearch's shark tracker page, Contender weighs 1,653 pounds and measures 13 feet, 9 inches in length. The shark is believed to be just over 30 years old. Great white sharks' life span are typically between 30 and 40 years old, but according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration some can live past age 70. 'Dancing With Sharks': Tom Bergeron heads back to a watery ballroom Where has the great white pinged? Contender's location has pinged more than 40 times after researchers tagged the beast in January off the Florida-Georgia border. After that, a Feb. 23 ping showed he'd swam as far south as just off the coast of Vero Beach in Florida, before making his trek more than one thousand miles north. And last month, the big fish resurfaced off the coast of North Carolina, just off the Outer Banks near Cape Hatteras. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Microsoft SharePoint attack: Officials issue warning about 'active exploitation'
Federal cybersecurity officials have issued a warning to Microsoft users about a security flaw allowing hackers to access to certain SharePoint systems. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) posted an alert on its website Sunday, July 20, saying it was aware of "active exploitation" of a security vulnerability that was allowing unauthorized access to on-site SharePoint servers. The "scope and impact" of the issue was still being assessed, CISA said in the notice posted July 20, but officials said the vulnerability "poses a risk" to organizations that house their own SharePoint servers. Microsoft, in an alert posted Saturday, July 19, said the vulnerability enables an 'authorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network,' a type of cyberattack in which an attacker attempts to trick a user or system into believing they are a trusted or known source. "The FBI is aware of the matter, and we are working closely with our federal government and private sector partners," a Microsoft spokesperson told USA TODAY Monday. SharePoint is used by government agencies and businesses in the U.S. and around the world, as reported by Reuters and the Washington Post, which first reported the attacks. It was not immediately known who was behind the attack, but a cybersecurity researcher told Reuters on Monday, July 21, it is likely the work of a single actor. "Based on the consistency of the tradecraft seen across observed attacks, the campaign launched on Friday appears to be a single actor," Rafe Pilling, Director of Threat Intelligence at Sophos, a British cybersecurity firm, told the outlet. "However, it's possible that this will quickly change." Markets news: US stocks open higher as investors eye more earnings and tariff news Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability In its alert about the ongoing attacks on SharePoint servers, Microsoft urged customers to install new security updates. The company said SharePoint Online in Microsoft 365, stored in the cloud, was not hit by the exploit. The attack is dubbed by experts as "zero day," because, officials said, it was a shock to cybersecurity researchers. Microsoft's stock price was mostly flat on Monday morning, July 21. 'Customers should apply these updates' Microsoft reported it issued recommendations to stop attackers from exploiting it. "Microsoft has released security updates that fully protect customers using SharePoint Subscription Edition and SharePoint 2019 against the risks posed by CVE-2025-53770, and CVE-2025-53771," the post reads. 'Customers should apply these updates immediately to ensure they're protected." To access Microsoft's link to the updates click here. USA TODAY has reached out to Microsoft for more information. Contributing: Reuters Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
