Latest news with #medical experts
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Plague Death in Arizona Shows Insidious Disease Never Disappeared
A person in Arizona has died from the plague, local health officials reported on Friday. This marks the first such death in this region in 18 years. But it's a stark reminder that this historic disease, though rare nowadays, is not just a disease of the past. So what actually is "plague"? And is it any cause for concern in Australia? Related: There are 3 types of 'plague' The word "plague" is often used to refer to any major disease epidemic or pandemic, or even to other undesirable events, such as a mouse plague. Naturally, the word can evoke fear. But scientifically speaking, plague is a disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Plague has three main forms: bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic. Bubonic is the most common and is named after "buboes", which are the painful, swollen lymph nodes the infection causes. Other symptoms include fever, headache, chills and weakness. Bubonic plague is typically spread by fleas living on animals such as rats, prairie dogs and marmots. If an infected flea moves from their animal host to bite a human, this can cause an infection. People can also become infected through handling an animal infected with the disease. Septicemic plague occurs if bubonic plague is left untreated, or it can occur directly if the disease enters the bloodstream. Septicemic plague causes bleeding into the organs. The name comes from septicemia, which refers to a serious blood infection. The recent death in the United States was due to a case of pneumonic plague, which is the most severe form. Bubonic plague can in some cases spread to the lungs, where it becomes pneumonic plague. However, pneumonic plague can also spread from person to person via tiny respiratory droplets, in a similar way to COVID. Symptoms are similar to the other forms but also include severe pneumonia. Some 30–60% of people who contract bubonic plague will die, while the fatality rate can be up to 100% for pneumonic plague if left untreated. Plague: a potted history This disease is one of the most important in history. The Plague of Justinian (541–750CE) killed tens of millions of people in the western Mediterranean, heavily impacting the expansion of the Byzantine Empire. The medieval Black Death (1346–53) was also seismic, killing tens of millions of people and up to half of Europe's population. Spread by the growing trade networks of the British empire, the third and most recent plague pandemic spanned the years 1855 until roughly 1960, peaking in the early 1900s. It was responsible for 12 million deaths, primarily in India, and even reached Australia. It's believed the bubonic plague was largely behind these pandemics. Plague in the modern day First introduced into the US during the third pandemic, plague infects an average of seven people a year in the west of the country, due to being endemic in groundhog and prairie dog populations there. The last major outbreak was 100 years ago. Deaths are very rare, with 14 deaths in the past 25 years in the US. Globally, there have been a few thousand cases of plague over the past decade. The countries with the most cases currently include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar and Peru, with cases also occurring in India, central Asia and the US. Cases usually occur in rural and agricultural areas. Plague can be treated Plague can easily be treated with common antibiotics, typically a course of 10–14 days, which can include both oral and intravenous antibiotics. But it must be treated quickly. The recent death is concerning, as it involves the airborne pneumonic form of the disease, the only form that spreads easily from person to person. But there's no evidence of further spread of the disease within the US at this stage. As Y. pestis is not found in Australian animals, there is little risk here. Plague has not been reported in Australia in more than a century. But plague, like many diseases, is influenced by environmental conditions. The risk of climate change causing an expansion in the habitat of animal hosts means public health experts around the world should continue to monitor it closely. The plague, though often perceived as a disease of history, is still with us and can pose a major health threat if not treated early. Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Western Sydney University This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the . Related News Measles Can Erase Your Immune System's Memory, Expert Says Yo-Yo Dieting May Trigger Long-Lasting Changes in Gut Bacteria 11 Everyday Items That We Forget Are Nasty Hotspots For Bacteria
Fox News
10-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Should you swap fish oil with krill oil? Experts weigh in on the popular alternative
Americans are getting hooked on an alternative to fish oil that's packed with omega-3s and is easier for the body to absorb. Krill oil, which comes from tiny, shrimp-like crustaceans abundant in the Antarctic Ocean, boasts omega-3 fatty acids that may help improve heart health, fight inflammation and support brain and nervous system health, according to medical experts. The global krill market is expected to grow substantially over the next 10 years as an alternative to fish oil, according to data from Allied Market Research, as people seek the benefits that are abundant in fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel and anchovies. "Whole food comes first, but krill oil makes a powerful second line of defense," Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family physician in Florida and author of the book, "Your Guide to Cellular Health," told Fox News Digital. "The major benefit of krill oil over fish oil is that, in krill oil, the omega-3 fats – EPA and DHA – come bound to phospholipids, which makes them easier for your body to absorb and use," Mercola said. DHA in fish oil struggles to reach the retina, for example, while krill-based DHA crosses into the eyes and helps preserve vision, he said. Krill oil's ability to cross cellular barriers more effectively also allows it to better fight inflammation, improve memory and even counter age-related decline, Mercola added. Synthetic fish oils are especially hard for the body to process and offer fewer benefits, he said. Krill oil may also lower cholesterol and triglycerides, which can increase the risk of heart disease, according to a 2015 study published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease. Krill also has astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant with additional anti-inflammatory benefits, said Dr. David Rizik, an interventional cardiologist at HonorHealth in Arizona. The small crustaceans have fewer toxins like mercury, often found in large fish, according to experts. Krill are also a more sustainable option, Fox News Digital previously reported, because they are so plentiful in the Antarctic. There are some downsides to consider, however. "Krill oil tends to be lower in EPA and DHA when compared to high-quality fish oils, and is often more expensive," Rizik, also chief medical officer at High Level Science, told Fox News Digital. "Fish oil, particularly when in superior triglyceride form and combined with clinically-backed nutrients, delivers consistent omega-3 levels at a better value," he said, adding that the key is how it's sourced and formulated. But because krill oil is absorbed better, less of it is needed to see results. The research is still new on krill oil, Rizik noted. For more Health articles, visit "Most of the long-term and large-scale clinical data on omega-3s, especially for heart, brain and metabolic health, is on EPA and DHA from fish oil," he added. For most adults, about 500 to 1,000 mg of krill oil daily delivers effective amounts of EPA and DHA, Mercola said. Those with a shellfish allergy should check with a doctor before taking it, he advised. Fish oil and krill oil are known to have blood-thinning effects, and krill oil's use among pregnant and breast-feeding women has not been heavily researched, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The organization recommends consulting with doctors before adding any supplements to your diet.
