Massachusetts health officials have reported two new human cases of West Nile virus, raising the state’s total this season to eight. In its update on Friday, September 6, 2025, the Department of Public Health (MDPH) said the latest cases involve a woman in her 60s from Middlesex County and a man in his 50s from Suffolk County.

Because of these new infections, the risk level for West Nile has been raised to “high” in four communities, Arlington, Chelsea, Medford, and Waltham. Overall, 47 municipalities and more than 200 cities and towns across Massachusetts are now considered high-risk.

Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein noted that the state is “almost out of the peak season” for West Nile transmission, but added that the threat will remain until the first hard frost arrives. He advised residents to continue protecting themselves by using mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants to reduce exposed skin.

What Is the West Nile Virus?

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness that was first identified in Uganda’s West Nile district. Most people who are infected never develop symptoms, but about one in five will experience mild flu-like issues such as fever, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue, sometimes referred to as West Nile fever.

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In rare but serious cases, the virus can affect the nervous system, leading to brain or spinal cord inflammation (encephalitis or meningitis). These severe infections may cause symptoms such as confusion, seizures, paralysis, or even coma.

How Common Is West Nile Virus?

West Nile virus is found on nearly every continent, including North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. In the United States, it is the most common disease spread by mosquitoes, with cases documented in 49 states. Since it first appeared in the U.S. in 1999, more than 51,000 symptomatic cases have been reported.

This year alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 1,137 cases of West Nile across 42 states as of September 23, 2025. Of those, 742 were classified as “neuroinvasive,” meaning the infection spread to the nervous system.

West Nile Virus Symptoms and Causes

Typical symptoms of West Nile fever may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash on the chest or back
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Sore throat
• Pain behind the eyes

Severe symptoms of West Nile encephalitis or meningitis can include:

• Sudden, intense headache
• High fever (above 103°F or 39.5°C)
• Stiff neck
• Confusion or disorientation
• Muscle weakness
• Tremors or convulsions
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Coma

West Nile Virus: Public Awareness and Concerns

Despite the rising case count, concern among Americans remains relatively low. A recent survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania found that only 15 percent of U.S. adults worry about themselves or a family member contracting West Nile or dengue fever in the next three months. This level of concern is unchanged from September 2024.

“With the growing number of West Nile cases and an extended mosquito season, people need to be more aware of the risks,” said Ken Winneg, managing director of survey research at APPC. He advised communities to take everyday precautions, including reducing standing water where mosquitoes breed and protecting against bites.

Walmart pasta meals listeria recall: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a public health alert for a ready-to-eat pasta meal sold at Walmart due to possible listeria contamination, a potentially deadly bacteria. The alert, announced Thursday, affects customers nationwide. Officials are urging consumers to immediately check their freezers for the affected product.

Details of the Walmart Pasta Recall

The recall involves Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce, sold in 2-ounce clear plastic trays. Specific “best if used by” dates affected are September 22, 24, 25, 29, 30, and October 1, 2025. The products were distributed to Walmart stores across the country. Consumers are advised not to eat the pasta and should either discard it or return it for a full refund, as per CT Insider.

This alert is linked to a previous listeria outbreak involving recalled chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals in June. According to Fox Business, testing was expanded to include other products, and one sample of the Marketside linguine meal tested positive for listeria. The USDA issued the alert to prevent further illness, as the contamination could potentially be more widespread.

Walmart Recall Listeria: What Is Listeria?

Listeria is a type of bacteria that causes listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness. It can be found in soil, water, and contaminated foods, especially ready-to-eat meals, deli meats, soft cheeses, and prepackaged items like Walmart’s recalled pasta. Unlike many bacteria, Listeria can survive and even grow in refrigerated conditions, which makes proper food handling and cooking critical, as per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Listeria: Who Is Most At Risk?

While anyone can contract listeriosis, certain groups are more vulnerable. Pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness. For pregnant women, infection can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious infection in newborns.

Listeria Symptoms To Watch For

Symptoms of listeriosis usually appear within a few days to weeks of consuming contaminated food. Common signs include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. Severe infections can lead to headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions if the bacteria spread to the nervous system. Early medical attention is crucial, especially for high-risk individuals.

Walmart Recall Listeria: How to Stay Safe

Consumers should check their freezers and pantries for affected products, like the Marketside linguine with beef meatballs, and discard or return them. Proper cooking and avoiding unpasteurized dairy or prepackaged ready-to-eat meals can reduce risk. Always follow food safety guidelines, including cleaning, separating, cooking, and chilling foods.

Walmart Recall Listeria: Recent Trends in Food Recalls

Food recalls over listeria have become increasingly common in recent years. Just this summer, Kraft Heinz pulled back more than 367,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon due to contamination concerns. Now, Walmart’s ready-to-eat pasta joins the list.

Although listeria outbreaks are rare, the USDA emphasizes that even a single positive test can be serious and potentially deadly. For consumers, the safest action is clear: check the product dates, and if the affected pasta is in your freezer, do not risk consuming it.

It has been over two years since Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and his wife, Emma Heming Willis, revealed that the first symptom he showed, which eventually led to his diagnosis, left her stunned. Speaking on Katie Couric’s Next Question, Emma shared more about Bruce’s condition, explaining that in addition to FTD, he has primary progressive aphasia (PPA). “FTD can affect people in three different ways: language, movement, or behavior. These are like the subtypes of FTD. Bruce has primary progressive aphasia, which is known as PPA, so FTD and PPA,” she said. She also revealed the first symptom that made her suspect FTD.

First Symptom of Bruce Willis’ Frontotemporal Dementia

Bruce Willis has frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a neurodegenerative disorder that followed his earlier diagnosis of aphasia in 2022. FTD affects the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes, causing difficulties with language and communication, as well as changes in behavior and personality.

Reflecting on the first symptom that shocked her, Emma Heming Willis explained that it was Bruce’s speech that first signaled something was wrong. “For him, I started noticing his stutter returning. He had a severe stutter as a child, and it began to come back,” she said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was a symptom of young-onset dementia.”

She added, “A doctor at UCFF, Bruce Miller, an incredible neurologist, explained that in your 40s, 50s, or 60s—when you’re established in your career and raising a family—any drastic personality changes can signal something happening in the brain that needs to be addressed.”

Sharing more about Bruce’s experience, Emma said, “For Bruce, the stutter returned and words didn’t come as naturally to him, which was wild because he’s all about words. It was confusing. I felt something was just off, it wasn’t the person I married.”

Emma has been caring for Bruce since his diagnosis in early 2023. During last month’s ABC special, Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey with Diane Sawyer, she revealed that she had moved Bruce into a separate single-story home with a full-time care team. “It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make so far,” the mother of two explained.

Other Symptoms Of Frontotemporal Dementia

FTD primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in behavior, language, movement, and emotion. Symptoms generally fall into two main types: behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Other possible signs include movement issues and emotional changes, such as a loss of empathy or inappropriate moods, according to the National Institute on Aging.

Behavioral Changes (Behavioral Variant FTD)

• Personality and behavior shifts: Acting inappropriately, impulsivity, or showing reduced emotional warmth and empathy.
• Apathy and disinterest: Loss of interest in hobbies, activities, or people once valued.
• Compulsive behaviors: Repeating the same activities or words, developing obsessions, or compulsive eating, including eating from others’ plates.
• Poor judgment and decision-making: Difficulty planning, prioritizing tasks, or making sound decisions.

Language Problems (Primary Progressive Aphasia)

• Difficulty finding words: Trouble retrieving words or naming people and objects.
• Problems with speech production: Speaking more slowly, using simplified sentences, or slurring words.
• Trouble understanding language: Difficulty comprehending what others are saying.
• Difficulty with reading and writing: Challenges in reading comprehension and written expression.

Movement and Physical Symptoms

• Stiff or slow movements: Movements may resemble Parkinson’s disease, with slow or stiff walking.
• Shaky hands: Tremors in the hands may develop.
• Swallowing difficulties: Issues with chewing and swallowing can ociticur.
• Other muscle issues: Muscle weakness, loss, or difficulty controlling everyday movements.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that targets the nervous system. Once symptoms set in, survival is extremely rare. The reassuring fact, however, is that rabies is entirely preventable when prompt and proper care is taken after exposure. To spread awareness about prevention and control, World Rabies Day was established in 2007 as a global initiative. Since then, it has been observed every year to educate people about the risks of rabies and the importance of timely action. Let us take a closer look at the significance of this day.

World Rabies Day 2025 Date: When is World Rabies Day Celebrated

World Rabies Day is observed every year on September 28. It was launched in 2007 by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) as a global health initiative. On this day, communities and organizations around the world come together to raise awareness about rabies, highlight preventive measures such as vaccinating pets, and discuss strategies to eliminate the disease.

World Rabies Day 2025 Theme

On September 28, 2025, the world will mark the 19th World Rabies Day. As per World Health Organization, this year’s theme is, “Act now: You, Me, Community”, which is a reminder that responsibility for rabies prevention rests with all of us. Interestingly, for the first time in nearly two decades, the theme does not directly mention rabies, showing how established the campaign has become over the years. Whether you are an individual, part of an organization, or a policymaker, the call is the same: the time to act is today.

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The idea behind the theme is simple. You can play your part by vaccinating pets, learning about prevention methods, and understanding available treatments such as Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. Me reflects the role of leadership—setting an example, training others, or supporting efforts to eliminate rabies. Community highlights the strength of collective action, from organizing vaccination drives to educating children and their families, and pushing for stronger health programs.

The appeal to “Act Now” carries life-or-death urgency. Rabies is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) that disproportionately affects poorer regions, especially in Africa and Asia. Every nine minutes, someone dies from the virus—yet every one of these deaths can be prevented. Ending rabies is possible, but only if individuals, leaders, and communities act together.

World Rabies Day 2025 Significance

World Rabies Day draws global attention to a disease that is still claiming lives despite being fully preventable. It serves as a reminder that timely vaccination of animals, immediate treatment after bites, and public awareness can stop rabies deaths entirely. Beyond prevention, the day also aims to tackle inequities, since the burden of rabies falls most heavily on rural and underserved communities. By uniting individuals, organizations, and governments, World Rabies Day reinforces the urgency of ending this neglected disease and building a safer, healthier future.

World Rabies Day 2025: Why Vaccination Matters?

Getting vaccinated on time is vital if someone is exposed to rabies, because once the virus reaches the brain, it is almost always fatal. After a bite or scratch from an infected animal, the virus can move quickly through the nerves, so acting fast is the only way to stop it. Getting the vaccine as soon as possible gives your body the chance to fight the infection before it becomes deadly. Delaying even a little can put your life at serious risk, which is why prompt medical care and following the vaccination schedule are so important.

Awareness about preventing dog bites and knowing how to respond if one occurs is essential. Rabies does not have to be fatal if all recommended post-exposure measures are followed promptly. To support community understanding, the World Health Organization has created a series of educational films that guide people on bite prevention, immediate care, and the importance of timely vaccination.