48 Deaths Linked to Local Brew; Lancet Staff Strike; RFK Jr. Targets 5G Radiation

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At least 48 people in southern Nigeria have died and around 100 others are receiving treatment after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic concoction suspected to contain methanol. (AP)

In other international news, STAT looked at the dangers for patients in Sudan, where more than 200 medical facilities have been attacked since the start of the civil war there in 2023.

As measles rages, Pennsylvania’s health department requested emergency aid from the CDC and demanded the agency recognize the state’s four measles-associated deaths. (The Guardian)

CDC delays have meant that states have not yet been able to order new COVID shots for the Vaccines for Children Program. (Reuters via AOL)

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said she tested positive for COVID. (The Floridian)

After seeing him in action, doctors are raising concerns on whether Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is fit enough for the demands of the Senate. (Futurism)

Leaders in the health insurance industry warned lawmakers about premium hikes because of costs related to the No Surprises Act. (Politico)

Workers at The Lancet are striking for the first time in the journal’s 200-year history, their union announced.

As more menopausal women are being prescribed testosterone therapy off-label, denials and prescription delays are also increasing. (Reuters via CNN)

Meanwhile, the FDA held a meeting on Thursday examining the evidence for testosterone therapy for menopausal women.

After a brief pause, the Pentagon will continue its controversial program to test troops’ testosterone levels. (Reuters via AOL)

Four in 10 pediatricians said immigrant patients have avoided care because of concerns around immigration, according to a national survey from the American Academy of Pediatrics. (Pediatrics)

Has President Trump actually lowered drug prices in Medicaid? (NPR)

Aid groups and lawmakers are calling on the Trump administration to release more than a billion dollars in global health funding set to expire at the end of the month that Congress earmarked for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, malnutrition, and maternal mortality programs. (CIDRAP)

The heat wave that swept much of the country from late June to early July came with a spike in heat-related emergency department visits. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is asking for public feedback on the purported health effects of electromagnetic radiation emitted from Wi-Fi, wearables, and 5G cell phone towers — a potential first step toward government warnings. (Washington Examiner)

Scientists discovered a 4 billion-year-old gene-editing defense in viruses, called VIPR, that could be more powerful than CRISPR. (New York Times)

Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced a bill aimed at phasing out the long waiting periods for disability benefits in Social Security and Medicare. (The Hill)

A mother of two with Lyme disease detailed her experience with the psychedelic psilocybin as part of a pilot trial. (Washington Post)

Fiji declared an HIV national emergency after data showed 1 in 60 people in the South Pacific island nation was estimated to be infected. (AP)

South Korea plans to approve abortion pills for the first time. (AP)