An unknown illness first discovered in three children who ate a bat has rapidly killed more than 50 people in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks, health experts say. The interval between the onset of symptoms – which include fever, vomiting and internal bleeding – and death has been 48 hours in most cases. These "hemorrhagic fever" symptoms are commonly linked to known deadly viruses, such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg and yellow fever, but researchers have ruled these out based on tests of more than a dozen samples collected so far. The latest disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began on Jan. 21, with 419 cases recorded and 53 deaths.
A shooting this weekend at a York hospital that killed a police officer and wounded five others, coupled with three separate attacks in Scranton hospitals within the past week, highlight the rising violence against U.S. health care workers and the challenge of protecting them.
Almost half of all primary care physicians are affiliated with hospitals, and an increasing number of physician practices are being acquired and consolidated by private equity firms, according to a recent study by Brown researchers. Compared to independent firms, these consolidated firms may lead to increased costs and limit access to primary care providers for patients.
Doctors often use antidepressants to manage the depression, anxiety and agitation that accompanies a diagnosis of dementia. Now, a new study suggests the use of antidepressants may hasten the cognitive decline of people with dementia. It’s a conclusion that some experts consider unwarranted.
There have been tremendous strides forward in providing resources for physicians to seek care for their own mental and behavioral health in recent years—and in making them feel safer to seek that help. But there's still a lot of work to be done to ensure that physicians, residents and medical students can take care of their own well-being.
The largest measles outbreak in decades has reached San Antonio, New Braunfels and San Marcos, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Officials say an individual who tested positive for the virus in West Texas traveled to two major universities and one of the nation's busiest tourist attractions — the San Antonio River Walk. Comal County public health officials also report the individual stopped in at a large New Braunfels travel center.