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Authorities investigating whether first Kenyan and Nigerian Ebola cases crossed paths
Nigeria this week recorded its first case of Ebola in the current outbreak, which has spread from the epicenter in Congo to several other African countries.
More Than a Charcuterie Board: A Mother and Daughter Build a Business Around Gathering.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Birch Bay Retirement Village. NORTHEAST HARBOR—Food’s ability to be a social cornerstone is one of the founding premises of one of Mount Desert Island’s newest, and perhaps most unique, endeavors in cuisine based catering. From intimate gatherings to large functions, Olive & Pearl creates charcuterie boards that can not only astound the tongue but also the eye. Many would agree that food can bring people together. In fact, culinary delights, and sometimes adventures, have been utilized as the centerpiece for social and business occasions of all kinds for centuries. Often times it even has the ability to start conversation, temper differences, and build new relationships. Settings can vary, from a multi-course sit down meal, a backyard barbecue, or a couple of bowls of chips and dip in front of a television, but the result can be the same. Humans come together, they share food, and the whole process is a catalyst for thought, communication, and a shared experience. Imagined and created by the mother and daughter team of Dr. Susan Scanlan (formerly MacCready) and Kayla Musetti, Olive & Pearl was started in June of this year and has been creating, delighting, and growing since. We gave the two an opportunity to answer some questions about themselves and their new venture. The love, passion, and pride for what they are doing and the fact that they are doing it as a mother and daughter team came through so strongly in their answers that we decided to present the question and answer session in its entirety. The Interview What did you do prior to Olive & Pearl? We’re a mother-daughter team, and food, family, and hospitality have always been a big part of our lives. Susan grew up in a large family in Pennsylvania, where the table was always at the center of everything. There were multiple dishes, little bites, stories, and plenty of conversation. Food was never simply about eating. It was about gathering, celebrating, and spending time together. After living in several Southern states, Susan relocated to Maine more than 20 years ago, and Maine has truly become home. She loves its sense of community, natural beauty, and connection to local food and makers. Professionally, Susan is a registered nurse and holds a doctorate in health administration. She has worked in a variety of clinical, nonclinical, and leadership roles and currently works as a faculty academic director. Building Olive & Pearl has been an exciting creative venture alongside her career. Kayla is also a registered nurse and works in the ambulatory surgery unit at Mount Desert Island Hospital. While healthcare is an important part of both of our professional lives, Olive & Pearl has given us an entirely different way to connect, collaborate, and create something together. Tell us about the business. Olive & Pearl is a mother-daughter charcuterie business centered around beautiful food, thoughtful presentation, and bringing people together. We create curated charcuterie boards designed for everything from intimate gatherings and dinner parties to weddings, showers, corporate events, boat days, and celebrations of all kinds. We think of our boards as more than food. They’re an experience and an invitation to gather, slow down, and enjoy time with the people around you. We’re intentional about quality ingredients, artful presentation, and personalization. Whenever possible, we also incorporate Maine-made and locally sourced products, including cheeses, jams, honey, seasonal produce, and baked goods. What inspired you to start Olive & Pearl? In many ways, Olive & Pearl grew out of something we had been doing our entire lives —bringing people together around food. We’ve always loved creating beautiful spreads for family and friends. There was something special about watching people gather around a table, graze, talk, laugh, and simply enjoy being together. Friends and family began telling us, “You should do this as a business,” and one day, we stopped laughing it off and started mapping it out. We realized we had an opportunity to combine our different strengths and create something that reflected what we both value: hospitality, creativity, quality, and connection. Charcuterie felt like the perfect expression of that. It’s beautiful and creative, but it’s also communal and approachable. At its heart, it brings us right back to where the idea began, a table filled with food and people gathered around it. Do you have a business partner(s)? Our business partner is each other! Olive & Pearl is truly a mother-daughter partnership, and building it together has been incredibly meaningful and sometimes hilarious! We know each other extremely well, which can be both a strength and, occasionally, a challenge. We have different personalities and strengths, but we’ve learned to lean into those differences and use them to our advantage. There’s a lot of trust between us, and we’ve learned how to communicate, collaborate, and occasionally laugh at ourselves along the way. We’re also building Olive & Pearl while continuing our careers in healthcare and education, so we’re taking things thoughtfully and growing the business one step at a time. We all have to start somewhere. One of the most rewarding parts has been having something that belongs to both of us. We get to learn from one another, celebrate the small wins together, and create something that we hope will become part of our family’s story for years to come. When exactly did you launch the business? Recently, in June 2026, we launched Olive & Pearl, turning an idea we had talked about for years into real business. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch something that started around our own family table and begin to find a place within the community. How is it going so far? How do you feel it has been received? It has been going very well, and we’ve been incredibly encouraged by how warmly Olive & Pearl has been received. As more people hear about us, our orders have continued to increase, and we’re seeing growing interest in boards for events and celebrations. It’s exciting to watch something that began as an idea between the two of us start to grow within the community. One of the most rewarding parts is hearing from customers after their events or seeing photos of our boards being enjoyed. Knowing that something we created became part of someone’s celebration is incredibly meaningful to us. Is there a brick-and-mortar location or is it all online? Olive & Pearl is currently an online business. We’re intentionally starting this way so we can build relationships with our customers, learn what they love, and grow thoughtfully. Our long-term dream, if the business continues to grow, is to eventually have a sit-down space where people can experience Olive & Pearl in person. Do you have any future plans if things go well/keep going well? Absolutely. For now, our focus is on continuing to grow Olive & Pearl, getting to know our customers, and becoming part of more celebrations and gatherings throughout the area. Long term, we would love to have our own physical space where people can come together and experience Olive & Pearl beyond the boards themselves. We can imagine a place that combines food, hospitality, creativity, and community. Ultimately, we want to build something that continues to grow while still feeling personal and connected to the people and community around us. Is there an aspect of the business that you really love? There are so many things we love about it, but the people and the connection are probably at the top of the list. We love creating something beautiful, but what really matters to us is what happens after we hand it over to the customer. We picture our boards on kitchen islands, at backyard gatherings, on boats, at weddings, or around a long dinner table—with people laughing, talking, and lingering a little longer. We also love the creative side. Every board is an opportunity to play with color, texture, shape, seasonality, and flavor. We don’t just want to fill a board, we want to curate an experience. And supporting local makers is especially meaningful to us. Whenever possible, we love incorporating Maine-made cheeses, local jams and honey, seasonal produce, and products from nearby bakeries and businesses. It allows us to showcase some of what makes Maine so special. Perhaps most importantly, we love doing this together. Building something as a mother and daughter has given us another way to spend time together, learn from one another, celebrate small wins, and create memories. Is there anything regarding any aspect of Olive & Pearl that you may think is important that is not reflected on the website? One thing that may not always come through online is just how personal this business is to us. Olive & Pearl isn’t something we created simply because charcuterie was popular. It grew very naturally from our family, our traditions, and the way we’ve always enjoyed gathering with people we love. There is a lot of heart behind every board. We think about the people who will be enjoying it, the occasion they’re celebrating, and how we can make the experience feel special. We also want people to know that we care deeply about supporting locals whenever possible. Using Maine products isn’t just about sourcing ingredients, it’s about telling a little story about where we live and the talented people who make and grow wonderful things here. Is there anything that we have not asked that you think is important/relevant that would like readers to know? We hope people see Olive & Pearl as more than just a charcuterie business. At its heart, it’s about gathering. Our goal is to make it easier for people to create those moments when everyone gathers around the table, conversations last a little longer, and people simply enjoy being together. We also hope people see the mother-daughter story behind the business. We’re building Olive & Pearl alongside our careers, one step at a time, and there is something incredibly special about creating a shared family legacy in the process. For us, success isn’t just about how many boards we make. It’s about becoming part of people’s special moments - birthdays, weddings, weekends with friends, quiet evenings at home, or a beautiful day on the Maine coast. If one of our boards helps people put down their phones, linger a little longer, laugh a little more, and enjoy the people around them, then we feel like we’ve done exactly what we set out to do. All photos courtesy of Olive & Pearl. LINKS TO LEARN MORE Olive & Pearl website Olive & Pearl Facebook Olive & Pearl Instagram RECENT PRESS RELEASES AND BRIEFS To see all the press releases, click here. To see our news, click here. For the full archive, click here. All of these are on our dedicated website. [ ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/pemetic-students-share-thoughts-on) [ Pemetic Students Share Thoughts on Declaration of Independence Oct 22 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/pemetic-students-share-thoughts-on) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/pemetic-students-share-thoughts-on) [ ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/fall-festival-at-the-noreaster-for) [ Fall Festival at the Nor’Easter for Mount Desert Nursery School, October 24. Oct 22 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/fall-festival-at-the-noreaster-for) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/fall-festival-at-the-noreaster-for) [ ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/explore-career-opportunities-where) [ Explore career opportunities where you make a difference for Maine’s natural resources—and the people who enjoy them. Oct 22 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/explore-career-opportunities-where) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/explore-career-opportunities-where) [ Cranberry Isles Comprehensive Plan Committee Oct 22 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/cranberry-isles-comprehensive-plan) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/cranberry-isles-comprehensive-plan) [ ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/community-school-hosts-a-pancake) [ Community School Hosts a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser October 25! Oct 22 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/community-school-hosts-a-pancake) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/community-school-hosts-a-pancake) HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it. But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other. We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories takes time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going. If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship. It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light. Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now. Thank you so much for being here. Founding member information can be found here. Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you. Subscribe Share Bar Harbor Story Share Leave a comment
Understanding Illicit Political Finance to Counter State Threats
In 2024, Western governments warned that Russia was actively interfering in Moldova’s elections, seeking to prevent the re-election of pro-European Union politicians. This interference targeted Moldova’s political system from multiple angles, including covertly funding political actors and protest movements. There were widespread reports of vote-buying, including cash payments of up to €100 to voters. Reports […]
Proms, parties and gender politics: amazing photos from American dancefloors – and what they tell us about a changing nation
From George Balanchine to the Rockettes, the US magazine regularly ran lavish photo spreads dedicated to dance, with the myriad ways people moved their bodies holding up a mirror to the changing times
Fires Char New Guinea
Emissions on both sides of the island are unusually high as human-set fires spread in a landscape parched by drought.
Tracking tsunamis triggered by extreme weather
As much of Western Europe faced record-breaking temperatures and extended drought this summer, Croatia experienced another weather event that could also set a worrisome precedent.Over the course of two weeks, a series of meteorological tsunamis (meteotsunamis) struck Croatia’s Adriatic coast, alarming both residents and tourists. Social media posts showed flooded seaside promenades and people walking through knee-deep water. Fortunately, no deaths or major damage were reported.In a world where natural disasters seem to be increasing, meteotsunamis — tsunamis caused by rapid weather changes – rarely make headline news. But warming sea temperatures and changing atmospheric conditions may help explain why these phenomena could become more common, especially in shallower seas and inland lakes with wide coastal shelves.“We have definitely become more aware of them, and there have been a lot more reports of these events in the last 10 years,” says Jadranka Šepić, an associate professor of environmental physics at the University of Split whose research focuses on efforts to track meteotsunamis in real time. She is also one of Croatia’s ambassadors for Science Comes to Town (SCTT), a European Commission-funded programme aimed at making research more accessible to the public.Šepić sees two possible reasons for the apparent increase in meteotsunamis. One is that photos and videos shared on social media are providing more empirical evidence, while rising air and sea temperatures could also play a role. The geophysicist “cannot say with certainty” that warming is a contributing factor because research is still ongoing. “But I can say that previously in Croatia we might have had one exceptionally strong event every 10 or 15 years, and one strong event every five years, and within 15 days this summer we had five strong events,” Šepić notes. “This is not typical.”‘A fist against the sea surface’Unlike tsunamis that are triggered by underwater earthquakes or volcanoes, meteotsunamis are caused by sudden changes in atmospheric pressure combined with other rapidly developing weather events, such as thunderstorms. The effect “is like pushing a fist against the sea surface,” Šepić explains. The resulting oscillation intensifies as it reaches shallower water, and “can be far more destructive than a wind-driven wave because meteotsunamis are accompanied by very strong currents than can penetrate much deeper inland.” The meteotsunami, she continues, “then behaves the same as a tsunami — they slow down and grow as the sea shallows, and then grow further in places like harbours due to further shallowing and narrowing. When they come ashore, they can be very destructive — taking everything with them out to sea and then taking it back.”Croatian research institutions have tracked such sea oscillations since the 1930s because the relatively shallow Adriatic Sea is prone to meteotsunamis. The strongest recorded so far was in June 1978, according to the Adriatic Meteotsunami Catalogue, which is supported by the European Research Council (ERC), Croatian Science Foundation and the country’s leading research institutions. During that event, six-metre-high waves flooded the coastal town of Vela Luka on Korčula Island, causing major damage.Other meteotsunami “hotspots” in Europe include the Mediterranean Sea as well the Atlantic coastal shelves off France, Portugal and Spain. In June 2006, a meteotsunami with five-metre-high waves swept through the harbour of Ciutadella in Spain’s Balearic Islands, causing widespread damage to boats. Several less powerful events were reported in the Balearics and off the coast of Spain this summer, leading to some beach closures.Forecasting is challenging because of how quickly meteotsunamis can develop and their uncertain trajectory. Šepić is involved in two ERC-funded research projects — SHExtreme and MeD-Track — aimed in part at strengthening monitoring and real-time data collection. Access to accurate and immediate information is essential for early-warning systems.Early exposure to meteotsunamisŠepić first learned about meteotsunamis from her parents while growing up in Croatia. She later had the opportunity to investigate these events during her master and doctoral studies in geophysics at the University of Zagreb. The geophysicist has also conducted research at the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split, the University of the Balearic Islands in Palma de Mallorca and the Institute of Ocean Science in the Canadian province of British Columbia.Projects like SCTT are important to raise awareness about research and inspiring young people to pursue studies and careers in science, notes Šepić. She credits her colleagues at the University of Split and the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries for their community outreach and engagement in the European project, which includes partner universities and institutions in Brest (France) and Kiel (Germany). As an example of town-gown collaboration, Šepić highlights her own university’s ‘Oceanographers on the Island’ programme. This initiative offers workshops and hands-on learning for children living on numerous Croatian islands.“It is a great privilege for Split to be involved in a project like Science Comes to Town, which is the first of its kind in the European Union," Šepić says. As for encouraging new generations of scientists, “This is a great effort, and I hope that we will see an effect in a few years.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
Women’s Health Wednesday: Protecting against the measles
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – As New York has declared a statewide emergency with measles spreading through rural parts of the state, we are taking a closer look at this latest outbreak as part of …
Six Flags Sinks 10%, United Parks & Resorts Drops 5%: Is the Goliath Accident Still Weighing on Theme Park Stocks?
A fatal roller coaster accident cast a shadow over one theme park operator, but now a second company with no connection to the ride is getting pulled down alongside it, raising questions about how far the damage spreads through the sector.
As Ebola spreads in Congo, grieving families face a growing mental health toll
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is taking a psychological toll on families dealing with loss, fear and stigma
Nigeria confirms its 1st Ebola case as Kenya reports 9th infection: Health officials
Nigeria is confirming an Ebola case after a patient arrived from Uganda as an outbreak continues to spread in the nearby Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Bank of America (BAC): Is Its Wealth Business More Valuable Than the Headline Bank Suggests?
Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) has a wealth franchise that deserves attention beyond lending spreads. Second-quarter 2026 Global Wealth and Investment Management net income reached $1.41 billion, roughly 16% of group earnings. That contribution matters when comparing bank stocks favored by billionaires: advisory fees diversify revenue, although rising markets still influence their value. Bank of […]
Trump Says Data Centers Must Provide Their Own Electricity
The move is the president’s latest attempt to address widespread opposition to the AI boom ahead of the midterm elections.
How knocking on doors can help beat measles
“As measles outbreaks spread in the U.S., it may be time to learn how other countries get their outbreaks under control,” writes Raj Panjabi.
Monkeys also avoid germs after viral outbreaks
Macaques who survived the spread of a deadly disease were more wary of potentially contaminated food.
Health professionals prepare for 2026 flu season
Medical professionals say it’s not too late to stop the spread. For the past few weeks, local health organizations have hosted clinics urging people to get their flu shots.
Nigeria confirms an Ebola case in Abuja as a woman arriving from Uganda tests positive
Nigeria is the latest country to report an Ebola case as the outbreak spreads across the region. Kenya confirmed its first case earlier this month and has since recorded nine infections.
Senate Democrats launch first ad in Mississippi as their midterm optimism spreads in the South
Senate Democrats' campaign spending group is wading into Mississippi's Senate race for the first time this cycle.
Senate Democrats launch first ad in Mississippi as their midterm optimism spreads to the South
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats' top campaign spending group is wading into Mississippi's U.S. Senate race for the first time this year, an aggressive move i
Scientists discover a promising blood sugar–regulating compound in red alga
It is a dietary staple found in sushi, rice wraps and ramen toppings. Commonly known as nori in Japan and gim in Korea, red seaweed is especially popular across Asia. Yet, despite its widespread consumption, ...
New Apple TV 4K Features 'Whole Room Audio' With Four HomePods
The new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K announced last week can connect to up to four HomePods in front-left, front-right, rear-left, and rear-right positions, enabling an all-Apple surround sound system for home theater setups. There is also a related new feature that has not received as much attention: Whole Room Audio. Apple says the Whole Room Audio feature spreads sound evenly across four HomePods in a room.
Gene Editing Is Giving Crops a Way to Tell Farmers When They’re Feeling Stressed
From glowing plants to purple leaves, the signals empower farmers to quickly detect diseases and pests, reducing the need for widespread chemical use.
GOP focuses on fraud, seeking to redirect voters’ ire over healthcare costs
Heading into the midterm elections, high healthcare costs rank among voters’ biggest concerns. But lately, there’s a twist giving the issue new momentum on campaign agendas: a focus on fraud in government health programs. The administration of President Donald Trump has used claims of widespread wrongdoing to justify investigations, suspensions of billions of dollars in […]
HOMETOWN HEALTH: New menopause care guidelines aim to improve treatment options
Doctors say awareness of menopause is spreading, but so is misinformation.
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers Point Spread Revealed
The Detroit Lions are favored by 3 points over the Green Bay Packers in Week 7. See the latest DraftKings spread, moneyline and over/under.
"We're using AI": Xbox business strategist claims he could be fired "because I told you the truth that nobody wants you to know"
Xbox's Brandon Stirrup says the gaming industry is already using AI, despite widespread negative sentiment among players.
New iPhone spyware can steal passwords and photos
P7 DarkSword iPhone spyware can steal saved passwords, photos, Apple Notes and cryptocurrency wallet data by checking for commands every 15 seconds.
France's government under pressure after weekend of widespread violence
Political tension grips France after rioting marred protests over the cost of living and struggling public services, Katya Adler writes.
US SECTORS CALL: Tech Wrecked, Health Care & Staples Rally
The S&P 500 fell 2.0% this week, and Information Technology (MW) took the biggest hit. The sector fell 6.4%, the worst of the 11 sectors (chart). The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) fell 11.8%. Credit worries spread to AI infrastructure. CoreWeave fell 25% last week. Its worst
DR Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak spreads to eighth province
The Health Ministry has recorded two cases, including one death, in Nord-Ubangi province. Both people were men in their 20s, the ministry said.
Ebola: Kenya cases rise to 8, spreads to 8th Congo province
A senior health official in Kenya said there have now been 8 Ebola infections in the country, while in DR Congo the disease has spread to an eighth province.
DR Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak spreads to eighth province
The Health Ministry has recorded 2 cases, including 1 death, in Nord-Ubangi province, bordering the Central African Republic.
Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak spreads to eighth province
The Ebola outbreak in Congo, the deadliest ever recorded in the country, has spread to an eighth province.
French business leaders call for order after widespread looting
French business owners are speaking out after cost-of-living protests turned into widespread rioting and looting across the country over the weekend.
French business leaders call for order after riots and looting: 'The Republic must protect its shopkeepers!'
French business owners are speaking out after cost-of-living protests turned into widespread rioting and looting across the country over the weekend.
Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak spreads to eighth province
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has spread to an eighth province. The Health Ministry has recorded two cases, including one death, in Nord-Ubangi province. The outbreak, declared in mid-May, has
Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak spreads to eighth province
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has spread to an eighth province.
Congo’s Fast-Moving Ebola Outbreak Spreads to Eighth Province
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has spread to an eighth province in the country’s north, authorities said on Sunday. The Health Ministry has recorded two cases, including one death, in Nord-Ubangi province, bordering the Central African Republic. The ministry said both patients were men in their 20s ...
Campaign advancements: UTC professor weighs in on use of AI for political purposes
The Tennessee gubernatorial race heats up as candidates make their final election pushes with Senator Marsha Blackburn’s AI-generated video sparking widespread online attention and debate about AI’s role in political campaigns.
Fire heavily damages gyro shop in south Everett
Fire crews prevented a smoky fire from spreading at a business in the Westgate neighborhood of Edmonds Saturday morning.
Business in Edmonds' Westgate Village 'heavily damaged' by early Saturday morning fire
South County firefighters extinguished a fire that heavily damaged an Edmonds business Saturday morning and stopped the fire from spreading to other businesses. Around 5:45 a.m., firefighters responded after a […]
Supporting quantitative skills in biomedical science with smart worksheets: intentions, impact and barriers to engagement
Every year, hundreds of thousands of students arrive at university with one shared weakness: the maths hiding inside their science. In biomedical science, where pipetting volumes, dilution factors, calibration curves and statistical spread underpin nearly every practical
This week in health care policy: October 8–15, 2026
Innovation watch Merck expects faster production of its personalized cancer vaccine. CEO Rob Davis told CNBC the six-week turnaround for intismeran autogene, built from each patient’s tumor and paired with Keytruda, will shrink over time. In August, Merck and Moderna reported that the vaccine delayed recurrence and spread in a 1,137-patient Phase 3 melanoma trial, […]
Health officials warn mosquito-borne illnesses confirmed on Gulf Coast
We're taking a look at what these illnesses are, where they are being reported and what's being done to stop the spread.
Health officials warn mosquito-borne illnesses confirmed on Gulf Coast
IN-DEPTH WITH SARAH WALL: A warning from health officials about several mosquito-borne illnesses confirmed on the Gulf Coast: We're taking a look at what these illnesses are, where they are being reported and what's being done to stop the spread.
Democrats eyeing the presidency can’t stop talking about this issue
The attention from prominent Democrats reflects a spreading belief inside the party that a winning 2028 agenda must tackle Americans’ deep worries
Can States Still Protect Public Health? The Risk of a Climate Regulatory Vacuum - Petrie-Flom Center
On Oct. 5, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that has the potential to greatly impact state and local municipalities’ ability to fight widespread threats to public and environmental health.
Morocco health alert issued due to diphtheria: US Embassy
In the North African country of Morocco, the country’s Ministry of Health reported a small diphtheria outbreak with clusters in multiple regions in Morocco in late September. Moroccan health teams are tracing contacts and providing preventive treatment and vaccines. This has prompted the US Embassy to issue a health alert for U.S. citizens in Morocco. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. It spreads primarily from person to person through coughs and sneezes (respiratory droplets). Most Americans were vaccinated as children and have received Td or TdaP boosters as adults. The risk to U.S. citizens in Morocco remains low. U.S. Citizens may contact their local doctors if they would like immunizations. Embassy officials advise citizens to watch out for the following symptoms: Sore throat or hoarse voice, mild fever, a thick gray or white coating in the throat or nose, swollen neck and trouble swallowing or breathing. If you or a family member has trouble breathing or swallowing, please contact your local doctor. They also advise on the following actions concerning vaccines: Check your vaccination records and your family members’ records. Get a booster if you need one. Adults need a diphtheria booster (Td or Tdap) every 10 years. Make sure your children are up to date on their routine vaccines. Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Plague is stoppable. The next health threat may not be.
The word plague is scary. Centuries ago, the Black Death killed tens of millions of people and changed the course of history. Plague still kills people around the world, and the word still evokes catastrophe. New fears of plague surfaced on October 2, when a lab worker in Irkutsk, Russia, died of pneumonia. Reports suggested that she may have contracted plague through a laboratory exposure. Understandably, people were alarmed. On October 7, the World Health Organization called for the Russian Federation to be transparent about what it knew. WHO issued an update on October 10. Russian authorities told WHO that testing did not identify plague and that investigations found no laboratory release. WHO said confidence in its risk assessment remained limited and that further clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory information was needed. The cause of the woman’s illness remains unknown, and WHO says a laboratory-associated exposure cannot be excluded. As I explained in a recent interview, this incident is very unlikely to lead to a pandemic. Plague is still active, including in the U.S., which sees a handful of cases each year. But it is a disease we can prevent and treat. Plague doesn’t spread readily, and it responds to antibiotics. The standard response—isolate the patient, trace contacts, and administer antibiotics and monitor for symptoms among contacts for seven days—works. We have even planned for antibiotic-resistant plague. At CDC, we developed a playbook for antibiotic-resistant plague and ran exercises on how to find and stop it. CDC guidance anticipates engineered resistance and recommends two different classes of antibiotics if there’s reason to suspect it. There is no evidence that resistance—or even confirmed plague—is involved in this incident. We have thought through how to address plague, but we’re not ready for the next major health threat that emerges from a lab or from animal spillover to humans. What should concern people is how little stands between the world and the next pathogen to get loose. Since peak COVID, epidemic preparedness has fallen off the political agenda, but the risk is greater than ever. More labs handle dangerous pathogens with more ways to make those pathogens deadlier, and more people live and work in close contact with animals. There are actions we can take now: We need better lab safety in every country. The number of labs that work with dangerous pathogens has increased worldwide over two decades, but there’s no enforceable international standard and no inspection regime; the Biological Weapons Convention, fifty years on, still has no verification mechanism. Labs that study dangerous germs need strong safety systems, training, and oversight. We need to reduce spillover events. Three in four emerging human infections start in animals, and there’s a lot we can do to reduce spillover risk, but the world is doing very little of it. Live-animal markets are one place to act. For instance, closing live-bird markets helped control H7N9 influenza in China. Reducing opportunities for people to encounter infected animals can prevent infections before they become outbreaks. In The Formula for Better Health, which is now out in paperback along with the hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook versions, I argue that labs do too many risky experiments with too many dangerous pathogens in too many institutions, and that every experiment should first answer one basic question: Is the likely benefit greater than the risk? Spillover risk can also be reduced: In the book, I discuss how Brazil cut its deforestation rate by 70% from 2004 to 2012 while increasing agricultural production and reducing risky contact between people and forest animals. We need faster detection and response. Delay costs lives. Strong surveillance, good labs, and trained responders can turn a single case into a small cluster of infections instead of an epidemic. Resolve to Save Lives has worked for nearly a decade to help countries find and stop outbreaks faster. The 7-1-7 target, which Resolve to Save Lives developed with partners in Uganda and elsewhere, provides a clear standard: detect within 7 days, notify within 1 day and complete all essential early response actions within 7 days. In Uganda’s Kasese district, for example, a review of a measles outbreak using 7-1-7 identified shortages of accessible funds, fuel, and vehicles that delayed the response. District leaders established funds they could access quickly. When, a few months later, the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever appeared, the district detected it in three days, notified authorities in one, and mounted an effective response in two. Only one case was confirmed, and the patient survived. Because funds were available before the emergency, authorities were prepared and able to act. This kind of preparation can’t wait until the next crisis begins. Plague is an old disease we that know how to stop. The next threat may be harder to recognize, harder to treat, and easier to spread. Safer labs, less risk of spillover, and faster outbreak detection and response need sustained investment now, while we still have time to prevent the next emergency. Share
BTS' Grammy boycott spreads to K-pop's biggest agencies
The decision of BTS to boycott the Grammys amid the newly introduced Asian pop category appears to have grown into an industrywide stand, with arti...
Cook County Public Health encourages vaccinations as respiratory illness season approaches
As temperatures drop and residents spend more time indoors, Cook County Public Health and Human Services is reminding residents to get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19. Respiratory illnesses become more common during the colder months as people gather indoors, increasing opportunities for viruses to spread. “From a public health perspective, this is a good time to...
Patients are why Lee Health made UnitedHealthcare decision
When people hear the words "hospital finances," they often think about budgets, spreadsheets, and balance sheets.
Hollywood Layoffs: Netflix, Skydance and UMG Cut Jobs
Hollywood faces widespread layoffs as Netflix, Universal Music Group and Skydance announce job cuts amid major industry changes.
Mayo Clinic Minute: Wash your hands for better health
Note: Oct. 15 is Global Handwashing Day As respiratory infections rise in the fall months, washing your hands with soap and water is more important than ever. Regular hand-washing stops germs from spreading and lowers your chances of getting sick. Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, before eating or cooking, and after coughing or sneezing. Washing your hands for […]
Climate extremes are the new health threats
Climate change is not only reshaping our weather - it may also be changing the way diseases like malaria spread. And: Prepping for El Niño across Africa.
Spartans Wire Big Ten Football Picks: Week 7
Check out our picks against the betting spread for each of the Big Ten games this week
Forty percent of high school students report binge eating in new CDC survey
About 40% of high school students reported binge-eating in the past month in a new CDC survey, highlighting how widespread this form of disordered eating is among young people.
Widespread power outage hits Central City, prompting several business closures
A widespread power outage in Central City has forced multiple local businesses to close their doors for the day.
Longtime ESPN producer says network ‘neutered’ stories critical of sports gambling
ESPN’s outlook on sports gambling has done a complete 180 in less than a decade. The network once treated the topic as a faux pas. Point spreads and parlays were rarely, if ever, mentioned. And when they were, it was always tongue-in-cheek. Fast-forward to 2026, and ESPN has fully embraced sports gambling. Every show is…
Finnish study finds poor oral health increases jawbone necrosis risks in breast cancer patients
Antiresorptive drugs, which reduce bone breakdown, are an important part of treatment for breast cancer that has spread to the bones. However, their use can be associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), a condition in which bone tissue in the jaw dies.
NY measles outbreak more widespread than official count, health officials say
In some upstate communities, officials say entire households have been found to be infected.
Climate change is putting Europe’s brain health at risk
Rising temperatures, poor air quality and the spread of infectious diseases could increase the burden of neurological disorders, with the most vulnerable communities facing the greatest risks.
Climate change is putting Europe’s brain health at risk
Rising temperatures, poor air quality and the spread of infectious diseases could increase the burden of neurological disorders, with the most vulnerable communities facing the greatest risks.
22 People Got Together For a Dinner Party. So Did Their A.I. Agents.
As artificial intelligence bots spread, we are increasingly glimpsing how these digital entities interact and what they talk about with one another.
Viewpoint: How the anti-abortion movement twists medical facts and promotes science misinformation
Misinformation and junk science about abortion are spreading at alarming rates and are becoming key components in legislation and litigation as well as in
From Tariffs to Broken Supply Chains, Small Business Owners under Siege
Punishing U.S. tariff policies have fractured once-reliable supply chains, pushing vulnerable small businesses to retrench in an increasingly complex economic environment, entrepreneurs and advocates told the National Press Foundation’s Local Business Fellowship program. The widespread uncertainty has shriveled profit margins, forced layoffs and has small business owners seeking new manufacturers in remote corners of the...Read More
Doctors Explain How Long Flu Symptoms Last
Knowing the timeline can help you recover—and avoid spreading it.
Northwestern Opens as Road Favorite Against Michigan State
Northwestern opened as a 9.5-point favorite against Michigan State, but the spread has dropped to 7.5 as the Wildcats prepare for a key Big Ten road matchup.
Rams vs. Cardinals odds: Opening lines for Week 6 matchup
The Los Angeles Rams host the Arizona Cardinals next week, and FanDuel has the Rams favored at the time of this writing by 12.5 points. 12.5 points is a rather large spread, so keep you eye on that line to move, though it’s no real surprise the Rams are favored even after their rather tough […]
With measles spreading in Lancaster County, could mumps and rubella be next?
With the number of measles cases escalating by the day in Pennsylvania, people may wonder will the other two diseases covered by the MMR vaccine – mumps and rubella –
Republicans Promoted a False Rumor That James Talarico Was in Ohio
The Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas spent nine days off the trail with what he and his campaign said was a bad case of the flu. His opponents fueled rumors, including one that spread widely before it was debunked.
False claims that Talarico was treated at mental health facility spread
Republican officials and conservative social media users are spreading unfounded rumors that state Rep.
Fact check: No, James Talarico was not in a mental health facility in Ohio
When James Talarico took time off the trail with the flu, conservative influencers spread rumors he was being treated at a mental health facility - which he and the center have denied.
No, James Talarico was not in a mental health facility in Ohio
When James Talarico took time off the trail with the flu, conservative influencers spread rumors he was being treated at a mental health facility — which he and the center have denied.
Can keeping your phone in your pocket harm sperm health? Doctor explains what the science says
The idea that carrying a phone in your pocket might affect fertility sounds like the kind of health scare that spreads faster than the science behind it. According to Dr.
Man City charges cloud hangs over Premier League season
Manchester City emerged unscathed from a hostile reception at Anfield in their first match since a guilty verdict on widespread financial impropriety, but a 3-0 win over Liverpool highlighted the uncertainty that now surrounds the Premier League season.Yet those points could count for nothing unless City are successful in their appeal against the findings of an independent commission, that found them guilty of over 100 Premier League charges.
Patriots vs. Raiders Odds: FanDuel, Kalshi, Polymarket and Prediction
The New England Patriots are favored to get back above .500 on Sunday, but the Week 5 betting board is sending a more cautious message about how comfortable that victory might be.New England enters at 2-2, while the Las Vegas Raiders are 3-1 and have covered the spread in all four games.The Patriots also head […] The post Patriots vs. Raiders Odds: FanDuel, Kalshi, Polymarket and Prediction appeared first on HEAVY.
What to like about Ohio State’s win over Maryland
Despite failing to cover the point spread, there still was a lot to like about Ohio State’s 45-16 win over Maryland on Saturday
NFL Week 5 expert picks, predictions: Moneyline, against the spread
NFL expert picks, predictions for Week 5 of the 2026 season.
Substitute teacher fired over OnlyFans account says business is booming
A Missouri woman says her free speech was violated. Her adult content site has attracted more subscribers after news spread of her dismissal.
Ebola spreads in eastern DRC as Kenya confirms imported case
New cases in eastern DRC and a fatal imported infection in Kenya highlight the challenges of containing Ebola.
Isaias leaves thousands without power, kills at least 4 people
Downpours spread across the Appalachians and mid-Atlantic as Isaias’ remnants headed north after knocking out power to hundreds of thousands in three states and killing at least four people in
Kenya prepared for Ebola. It still slipped through — a warning of wider cross-border spread
Kenya had spent months preparing for Ebola, one of the world’s deadliest viral diseases, screening hundreds of thousands of travelers and training nearly 5,000 health workers in case it crossed the borders.
The midterm Senate fight spreads to a surprising new battleground
Republicans are suddenly racing to defend a seat in Kansas, where Democrats are trying to win a Senate race for the first time in nearly a century.
New Haven Board of Alders outlines immediate action plan after ongoing reports of health, safety hazards
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Despite widespread community testimony regarding health and safety hazards at New Haven Public Schools, and official confirmation of the situation’s “extent an…
Facing tight race, Gov. Tina Kotek taps friendly influencers to spread message
The Democratic governor has granted in-person interviews to a cast of social media users this year.
Scientists Trace How Cancer Spread Between Identical Twins Before Birth
Scientists have used DNA analysis to trace how a rare soft tissue cancer spread from one identical twin to her sister before birth.
Floodwaters Overwhelm Thailand
Heavy rains since mid-September have caused widespread flooding that has affected millions of people across the country.
US suspends visa program for tech firms including Microsoft
The Trump administration said it would suspend an immigration program for multiple tech firms, including Microsoft Corp., alleging widespread abuse of a worker visa system. “There has been no company
Arc Raiders' Big Update Has It Surging To Numbers It Hasn't Seen In Months
Embark's extraction shooter got a patch today for its major Frozen Trail update.
Week 5 NFL picks against the spread, predictions for every game: Packers need a win, but rival Bears are favored
Images: Science Square's latest jobs hub arrives on Westside
One of the world’s leading battery makers officially cut the ribbon this week on a $56-million, jobs-producing investment into research and development at the cusp of Georgia Tech.Spread across four stories where English Avenue meets Midtown, Duracell’s Global Innovation Center for Research and Development marks a key addition for Science Square, an 18-acre, mixed-use district expected to produce 500 homes, retail, and nearly 2 million square feet of lab and office space across multiple phases.
Russia’s public health watchdog denies a second infection in suspected pneumonic plague case
Russia’s public health watchdog has denied that a lab worker who died in Siberia had spread infection to another person as global concerns swirled about suspected pneumonic plague.
Russia's public health watchdog denies a second infection in suspected pneumonic plague case
Russia's public health watchdog on Thursday denied that a lab worker who died in Siberia had spread infection to another person, as global concerns swirled about suspected pneumonic plague.Rospotrebna...
Russia's public health watchdog denies a second infection in suspected pneumonic plague case
Russia’s public health watchdog has denied that a lab worker who died in Siberia had spread infection to another person as global concerns swirled about suspected pneumonic plague.
Russia's public health watchdog denies a second infection in suspected pneumonic plague case
Russia’s public health watchdog has denied that a lab worker who died in Siberia had spread infection to another person as global concerns swirled about suspected pneumonic plague.
An Ohio edge. An Iowa tossup. New CNN polls give Democrats hope in a pair of red states
Widespread dissatisfaction with the state of the country has opened up a prime Senate pickup opportunity for Democrats in Ohio and made for a razor-thin contest in Iowa, according to new CNN polls conducted by SSRS.
Open Science and Equity: Does openness alone lead to fairness?
Open Science improves sharing and reuse of knowledge, increases transparency, and encourages public participation in the research process. While this approach has gained widespread support from researchers and policymakers, the new report, “Equity in Open Science: Case studies of Open Science infrastructures and Open Peer Review”, shows that openness alone does not automatically lead to […]