For Tuesday, Dec. 24, WGN’s Jewell Hillery and Jenna Barnes have the latest on new medical information, including:
More Coverage: WGN’s Medical Watch
Health officials questioning rapid spread of H5N1 Bird flu
Infectious disease experts say they are skeptical that the USDA’s theory on how the bird flu is spreading in California’s dairy cows is the complete picture.
Government officials insist they know enough about the virus to put a stop to it.
But, since three infected herds were identified in California in late August, authorities have found the virus in 659 of the state’s 984 dairies. This is despite diligent efforts to control the spread.
Now scientists are looking to see if the virus is being transmitted between farms, through local wildlife or infectious dust plumes.
Drinking coffee, tea linked to lower neck, head cancer rates
Research suggests drinking tea and coffee is linked to lower head and neck cancer rates.
People who drank more than four cups of caffeinated coffee per day had a 17% lower chance of developing head and neck cancer compared to those who didn’t drink the beverage.