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Human Bird Flu Case Presumed in Canada, Teenage Patient Is Hospitalized
The first presumed human case of avian influenza (H5N1, or bird flu) has been reported in Canada. Canada’s Health Minister Mark Holland confirmed the report in a post on X.
“To date, there has been no evidence of person-to-person spread of the virus in any of the cases identified globally,” he wrote. “Based on current evidence in Canada, the risk to the general public remains low.”
Holland also noted that the Public Health Agency of Canada is working with the British Columbia (B.C.) Centre of Disease Control and Office of the Provincial Health Officer, and that the agencies “will remain in close contact to protect Canadians.”
The patient, a teenager in B.C., is currently being treated at B.C. Children’s Hospital, according to a press release from the B.C. government.
How ADHD May Influence a Child’s Weight
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can influence a child’s weight in ways that will shape their long-term health, a new study says. Kids with ADHD tend to have lower birth weight, which increases their risk of developmental delays and health problems, researchers in the U.K. found.
But these kids also are more likely to develop obesity after age five, a weight swing that can place even more risk upon their health in adulthood, researchers said. “Children with increased ADHD symptoms are typically lighter at birth than their peers but are later more likely to have obesity,” researcher Claire Reed of the University of Southampton said in a news release. “Research into the ‘when and why’ regarding this turning point is scarce.”
The data suggests there may be a period between ages three and five during which ADHD symptoms become associated with obesity. It’s not clear why this is, but it might have to do with the food choices children make, researchers said. “Those with higher levels of impulsivity may be less likely to make healthier choices,” they wrote.
The new study was recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Meta’s Zuckerberg Not Liable in Lawsuits Over Social Media Harm to Children
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California rejected accusations on Thursday that Zuckerberg directed Meta’s efforts to conceal from children the serious mental health risks of using Facebook and Instagram.
The plaintiffs called Meta’s billionaire co-founder the “guiding spirit” behind alleged concealment efforts, saying he ignored repeated internal warnings about the risks and publicly downplayed them. But the judge found a lack of specifics about what Zuckerberg did wrong, and said “control of corporate activity alone is insufficient” to establish liability. Her decision does not affect related claims against Meta itself.
The plaintiffs brought claims under the laws of 13 U.S. states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Previn Warren, a partner at Motley Rice representing the plaintiffs, said on Friday his clients will continue gathering evidence “to uncover the truth about how Big Tech has knowingly prioritized profits over the safety of our children.”
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‘Forever Chemicals’ in US Drinking Water: A Growing Problem
Formally identified as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of manmade chemicals known as PFAS are found in everything from soil and food to common household items and water. An overabundance of these compounds has been detected in U.S. drinking water and that of other industrialized nations, sparking discussion on control and mitigation among experts.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to serious chronic health issues such as increased risk of certain cancers, fertility problems, and immune system challenges. Unlike some industrial chemicals, PFAS don’t break down and are difficult to destroy, thus earning the moniker “forever chemicals.”
This year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it has observed forever chemicals in America’s groundwater at alarming levels, prompting the first-ever national, enforceable standard for drinking water, meant to protect communities from dangerous amounts of PFAS exposure.
“I believe this is a serious public health concern. From what I’ve seen in my work, chemical exposure — even at low levels — can affect communities long-term. And PFAS isn’t something that just disappears,” Previn Pillay, CEO of Pyromin Consulting, told The Epoch Times by email.
