Local Health Alerts
This Is Why Prescription Drugs Are So Expensive
High U.S. prescription drug costs are driven by a lack of price regulation, patent monopolies, and complex supply chain mechanics involving pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that incentivize high list prices. Infographics highlight that these factors, combined with extensive marketing spend over R&D, lead…
St. Anthony receives $2 million grant for permanent PET/CT scanner suite serving Leon-area patients
A $2 million Helmsley Charitable Trust grant will support construction of a permanent PET/CT scanner suite at St. Anthony Regional Hospital, replacing the hospital’s current mobile unit and adding backup CT capacity for regional patients.
West Nile Virus Detected in Barnstable Mosquitoes
West Nile virus was confirmed in mosquitoes collected in Barnstable, prompting increased bite-prevention awareness during the town’s 2026 summer season.
Worcester schedules mosquito spraying after West Nile detection
West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes from a Worcester trap site. Truck-mounted spraying was scheduled for July 16, with four tentative August dates.
WHO Lists First Bundibugyo Virus Diagnostic Test for Congo-Uganda Outbreak
The World Health Organization added the first diagnostic test for Bundibugyo virus to its emergency-use list on July 2, expanding confirmation capacity during an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
WHO’s Tedros Warns Ebola Response Is Falling Behind in Congo as Health Workers Strike
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading faster than response efforts, while some health workers strike over unpaid wages.
Afghanistan’s Child Malnutrition Crisis Worsens as U.N. and WFP Suspend Food Aid
The United Nations and World Food Programme say worsening malnutrition has reached critical levels in parts of Afghanistan, as funding shortages force food distributions to be suspended during the peak hunger season.
Boston Scientific issues software correction for 3,592 pacemakers and cardiac devices
The FDA says Boston Scientific has opened a worldwide correction for software used in certain ACCOLADE-family pacemakers and CRT-P devices.
CDC links multistate listeria outbreak to recalled soft ricotta and requesón cheese
Eight people in Maryland, New York and Virginia were sickened in a listeria outbreak investigation linked to recalled Clover Hill Dairy cheeses. Seven were hospitalized and one died.
Somerville healthcare project reaches top structural-beam milestone
Somerville and Fayette County officials marked placement of the topmost structural beam on a healthcare project, advancing construction while leaving its name, cost and opening date undisclosed.
Everett’s ARPA-Funded Community Meal Program Will End Aug. 31
Everett will end its ARPA-funded community meal program on Aug. 31, 2026. The city’s announcement does not identify a replacement service.
FDA Posts Nationwide Recall of All Nara Organics Powdered Infant Formula Lots
The FDA says Nara Organics recalled all lots of its powdered infant formula because of a possible health risk. The product was distributed nationwide through Target stores, Target.com and Nara.com.
