Health dangers of flooding: Disease, injuries and mental health concerns | CNN Even after a hurricane’s immediate flooding threat goes away, residents could face a host of potential health problems from the water — and what it leaves behind. Jen Christensen CNN

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XEC, like countless others before it, is a part of the omicron family. The variant is closely related to KP.2, the strain targeted by the updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. And both XEC and KP.1 are descendants of the JN.1 strain, targeted by the updated Novavax vaccine.

“I think we have good reason to think that there will be substantial protection from the boosters that are available,” Hanage said.

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Older people should take a new vaccine to protect them against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Older people should take a new vaccine to protect them against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), according to new research from the University of Aberdeen and the MRC-University of Glasgow Center for ... University of Glasgow Medical Xpress

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Sequencing wastewater material may be the key to getting a grip on the H5N1 bird flu outbreak Opinion: It’s time to take a new approach to monitoring the H5N1 outbreak in dairy cows. Torie Bosch STAT

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COVID-19 reinfection ups risk of long COVID, new data show People who had 2 COVID infections were more than twice as likely to report long COVID as those with 1 infection, and the risk rose with more reinfections. CIDRAP

A new survey study reveals that people who had two COVID-19 infections were more than twice as likely—and those who had three or more COVID-19 infections were almost four times more likely—to report long COVID as those with one infection.

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Sending home COVID-positive nursing home staff means worse outcomes for patients, study says Sending nursing staff home who are mildly ill with COVID-19 could lead to unnecessary patient hospitalizations, deaths, and costs, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. The City University of New York Medical Xpress

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New COVID Variant XEC Is Spreading in Europe. Here's What You Need to Know Experts say the variant might become dominant globally in the next few months. Fran Kritz Verywell Health

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Cognitive Impacts of COVID Equivalent to 20 Years of Brain Aging - Neuroscience News A new study reveals that 12-18 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, patients show significant cognitive decline comparable to 20 years of aging. Neuroscience News Neuroscience News

A new study reveals that 12-18 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, patients show significant cognitive decline comparable to 20 years of aging. MRI scans and blood tests also show brain injury markers and reduced brain volume in these patients. The findings suggest that COVID-19 has lasting effects on brain health, even in those without neurological complications.

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No increased risk of autism seen in pandemic-era children Children born during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic—with or without exposure to maternal infections—do not seem to be at increased risk for developing autism, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open. CIDRAP

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Why climate change means more blood shortages: Q&A with HHS’ Rachel Levine “The only way to solve this is more donations,” said HHS's Rachel Levine. Theresa Gaffney STAT

This summer, the American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage in the U.S. There’s a seasonal pattern to blood donations, which often dip over the summer and during the winter holidays. But experts also say that climate change disrupts the national blood supply, with extreme heat and worsening storms in certain regions keeping people away from blood banks.

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