Weekly Health Digest: Wastewater Surveillance, Post-Helene Insurance, IV Shortages, COVID Heart Disease, and Jellyfish Immunity

Wastewater Offers an Early Alarm System for Another Deadly Virus

By Chris Stokel-Walker, WIRED

Wastewater testing may mitigate a wave of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) that health officials predicted to hit the U.S. 

RSV is a common virus disproportionately affecting younger and older populations. RSV can be prevented at both the individual and population levels, but protective measures must be enacted quickly. Often times, RSV has already spread across populations before preventative efforts have an impact.

Virus-tracking in wastewater became important during COVID-19, resulting in the launch of the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS). The process has been adapted in order to look for RSV markers, and other pathogens, in wastewater.  In fact, scientists detected the virus at higher levels in the northeast region of the country in early attempts to use the NWSS for RSV. 

Public health officials hope that this technology becomes widespread in the U.S. to detect viruses, like RSV, earlier, allowing hospitals and communities to prepare and prevent further transmission. Researchers believe the benefit of these insights outweighs the cost to scale-up wastewater testing. 

— by Joy Lee

Hurricane Helene Shows How Broken the US Insurance System Is

By Molly Taft, WIRED

Several North Carolina residents may not be insured against the damages caused by Hurricane Helene.

Windspeed up to 140 miles per hour brought landfalls in Florida at the end of the September. The impacts of Helene, were not isolated, however, with intense rain in North Carolina. Waters levels rose drastically, wreaking havoc on streets and destroying houses. Many affected homeowners, however, may not be insured against flood damage.

Private homeowners’ insurance plans in the US cover damages from wind – not floods. Instead, homeowners must enroll in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in at-risk areas. Studies suggest that only four percent of homeowners are protected, despite NFIP mandates for residents of flood-prone areas.

Some residents may not even know their risk. Outdated flood maps leave many unaware they need the plan.  These homeowners fail to understand the dangers of unprecedented rain in their region or its deadly consequences, such as mudslides or sinkholes.

Increases in climate disasters have led to reorganizations within the NFIP, as climate modeling maps new areas of concern. Experts suggest that new and adjusted policies will lead to increases in the insurance costs, reflecting the high cost of living in disaster-prone areas.  

— by Ananya Dash

U.S. Races to Replenish Storm-Battered Supplies of IV Fluids at Hospitals

By Christina Jewett, New York Times

Hurricane Helene left North Carolina in disarray with extensive fatalities, flooding, and property damage. Many have failed to consider another deadly cost of the Category 4 hurricane: the shortages of IV fluids at hospitals. The Baxter Plant in North Carolina, which contributes about 60 percent of the United States’ IV-fluid supply, was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane Milton, which hit the Gulf Coast on October 10, could also damage IV fluid supplies at the B. Braun Plant in Daytona Beach, Florida. The B. Braun Plant supplies over a quarter of the country’s IV fluid, leaving more vulnerable patients without critical medical supplies. 

The impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton emphasizes the danger of such over-concentration of critical supplies, especially at locations highly vulnerable to adverse weather conditions. Healthcare providers must limit IV use, working with only 40 to 60 percent of their typical supplies due to the severity of destruction. The FDA has authorized overseas imports of IV produce to combat the shortage of supplies due to Helene and Milton. These hurricanes have highlighted the need to improve production and distribution of essential medical supplies, like IV fluids, to prevent shortages and prioritize medical access. 

— by Rama Esrawee

COVID’s Risk to Heart May Rival That of Heart Disease

By Sarah Amandolare, WebMD

Emerging research suggests that severe COVID-19 poses cardiovascular risks similar to those of pre-existing heart disease. One study found that individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 in 2020 experienced an increased risk of  major cardiac events, such as strokes and heart attacks. Additionally, a new 2024 COVID-19 study notes that the risk for COVID-related complications can persist up to three years post-hospitalization. This elevated risk was found to be as severe as, or, in some cases, even higher than, the risk faced by people with coronary artery disease (CAD).

The study also highlights that certain individuals, particularly those with blood types A, B, or AB, may have twice the risk of experiencing heart disease, regardless of vaccination. The mounting evidence suggests possible gene-virus interactions might elevate cardiovascular risk. As such, researchers at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine emphasize the need for a paradigm shift. They urge providers treat COVID-19 like a chronic condition, rather than an acute infection. 

This groundbreaking information could influence clinical guidelines. For example, it may prompt healthcare providers to include COVID-19 history in cardiovascular disease prevention plans. Preventive measures, such as administering aspirin or statins, might also be considered for at-risk patients who had severe COVID-19?.

These findings emphasize the importance of long-term monitoring for cardiovascular issues in COVID-19 survivors. Moreover, continued research on this relationship has potential implications for creating strategies and recommendations for communities, especially as it seems that COVID-19 may continue to strain healthcare systems for years to come.

— by Jaden Hayes

When Two Sea Aliens Become One

By Carl Zimmer, New York Times

A recent study revealed that two independent animals of a specific species can fuse to become one. Comb jellies, often called “aliens of the sea,” have puzzled scientists for years. These creatures, which diverged from the evolutionary tree 700 million years ago, can merge their bodies—including their nervous systems, digestive tracts, and muscles—in just two hours, functioning as a single organism and even sharing food.

Comb jellies provide fascinating insights into the understanding of physiology in the animal kingdom due to their unique evolutionary history. Specifically, this most recent discovery has pushed scientists to explore the diverse structures and functions of animal immunity. Most animals, including humans, have immune systems that reject foreign tissue to protect against potential threats. This defense explains why organ transplants, despite careful preparation, can fail. If humans tried to merge like comb jellies, our immune systems would attack the foreign tissue, making fusion impossible.

The comb jellies’ immune systems are completely different. They rapidly repair wounds, allowing for quick fusion without rejecting foreign tissue. The exact reason why this occurs is still unclear to scientists; however, this discovery has paved the way for an exciting new field of research. These sea aliens offer a unique perspective on how life forms might have adapted over millions of years.

— by Alya Khoury

Items contributed by: Joy Lee, Ananya Dash, Rama Esrawee, Jade Hayes, Alya Khoury