Palisadas fire is wrecking havoc in Los Angeles and its vicinity. As per the latest reports, at least five people have died from the fire, several others have been injured and the famous Hollywood hills have been evacuated. While authorities are pulling all stops to control the fire, it has already spread to over 17,200 acres. Health experts, meanwhile, have warned that pollutants from these wildfires can travel miles and can affect people.

How Does Smoke From Wildfires Impact Your Lungs?

Wildfires are recurrent in US and Canada, burning more than 9.8 million acres just last year. As blazes continue to engulf LA, people are being warned about its impact on health.

Primarily, the smoke from these wildfires can be extremely harmful to the lungs, especially for children, older adults and those with asthma, COPD and bronchitis or a chronic heart disease or diabetes. Even if you don't live near wooded areas, you can learn more on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

One of the many pollutants found in wildfire smoke is particle pollution, which is a mix of very tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in air. How tiny? Many of the particles in wildfire smoke are no larger than one third the diameter of your hair. These particles are so small that they enter and lodge deep in the lungs.

Particle pollution triggers asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes—and can kill. Studies of children in California found that children who breathed the smoky air during wildfires had more coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, colds, and were more likely to have to go to the doctor or to the hospital for respiratory causes, especially from asthma.

Another threat from forest fire smoke is carbon monoxide(CO)—a colorless, odorless gas most common during the smoldering stages of a fire and in close proximity to the fire. Inhaling CO reduces oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues and can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness and, in high concentrations, premature death.

US Already Battered With HMPV

In Detail: How HMPV impacts your body

After entering the body, HMPV virus attaches to the epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract, which includes airways and the lungs. These cells form a protective barrier in the airways, helping to guard the respiratory system while clearing mucus, dust, and other debris. When the body's immune system recognizes this virus, it launches a counter attack, causing inflammation and other symptoms like fever, nasal congestion and cough. In a recent statement, CDC said that it is estimated that about 10% to 12% of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV. Most people will get HMPV at some point before age 5, and then reinfections can occur throughout life.

A widespread listeria outbreak traced to contaminated ready-to-eat meals has resulted in at least six deaths and 27 hospitalizations across 18 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised consumers to inspect their freezers for potentially affected items tied to the ongoing infections.

Nate’s Fine Foods, the company behind the products connected to the outbreak, issued a statement on September 29 confirming that listeria was found in some of its food products.

Listeria Outbreak Expands Across States, Linked to Ready-to-Eat Pasta Products

The number of deaths has increased in the ongoing listeria outbreak connected to ready-to-eat pasta dishes sold at major retailers including Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seven new cases of listeria infection have been confirmed in three additional states since the previous update on September 25. The outbreak has now affected 27 people across 18 states and caused six deaths as of October 30.

Of those infected, 25 required hospitalization, and one case involved a pregnancy-related loss, the FDA noted. The FDA, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), continues to investigate the nationwide outbreak.

The investigation, which began in June, has traced the outbreak to contaminated precooked pasta produced by Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc. The tainted pasta was used in a variety of ready-to-eat items, including pasta salads, frozen meals, and deli products distributed through several major grocery chains.

What Is Listeria?

Listeria is a harmful bacterium that causes listeriosis, a serious infection spread through contaminated food. It is commonly found in soil, water, and various ready-to-eat items such as deli meats, soft cheeses, and prepackaged meals like the recently recalled pasta sold at Walmart.

Unlike most bacteria, Listeria can survive and multiply in cold environments, including refrigerators, which is why safe food storage and thorough cooking are essential, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Who Is Most at Risk from Listeria?

Although anyone can become infected, certain people face a greater risk of complications. These include pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in newborns.

Symptoms of listeriosis usually appear within two weeks of eating contaminated food. The illness often starts with digestive discomfort, including nausea or diarrhea, and can progress to more severe signs such as fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance.

Full List of Recalled Products Linked to Listeria Outbreak

According to The Associated Press, the following ready-to-eat meals have been recalled due to potential Listeria contamination:

• Sprouts Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad – sold from deli or Grab & Go section; best-by dates Oct. 10–29
• Giant Eagle Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad – expiration dates Sept. 30–Oct. 7
• Kroger Deli Bowtie and Penne Pasta Salads – sold Aug. 29–Oct. 2
• Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls (9.6 oz) – best if used by Mar. 12, 13, 17, and 21, 2027
• Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (16 oz) – best if used by Sept. 20, 24, 27, 28; Oct. 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10
• Albertsons Deli Pasta Salads – sell through dates Sept. 8–Oct. 4
• Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (12 oz) – best-by Sept. 22, 24, 25; Sept. 29–Oct. 1
• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine (12.3 oz) – best-by June 26 or earlier; (32.8 oz) – best-by June 27 or earlier
• Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (12.5 oz) – best-by June 19 or earlier

Donald Trump Health: Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 10 for what he described as his “semi-annual physical.” He had already undergone a routine check-up in April. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Japan, Trump confirmed that he received an MRI during his appointment.

“I did, I got an MRI—it was perfect,” Trump said, adding that reporters would need to ask his doctors for the reason behind it. “I think they gave you very conclusive reports. Nobody has ever given reports like I did. And if I didn’t think it would be good, I wouldn’t run. The doctor said they were some of the best results for someone my age.”

What Is An MRI?

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It produces detailed scans of internal soft tissues and is commonly used for examining organs and detecting abnormalities.

When Did Trump Visit Walter Reed?

He returned to Walter Reed on October 10 for “advanced imaging, laboratory tests, and preventive evaluations.” During the same visit, Trump also received his flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Barbabella later stated that the former president remains in “excellent overall health.”

What Health Condition Has Trump Been Diagnosed With?

Earlier this year, the White House disclosed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a common vascular disorder in which leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart properly. This condition can cause swelling and discomfort in the legs.

On October 10, Trump made another trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, described it as a “routine annual check-up,” even though it was his second visit to the facility in just six months. Dr. Sean Barbabella, the White House physician, did not provide details about the imaging or preventive evaluations carried out during the appointment. However, he stated that Trump’s lab results were “exceptional” and that his cardiac health appeared to be roughly 14 years younger than his actual age.

On October 27, Trump mentioned that he had undergone an undisclosed MRI scan during a previous visit to Walter Reed. Though he said the test produced “some of the best reports for the age” and “some of the best reports they’ve ever seen,” the lack of details surrounding the procedure has fueled speculation about his health.

Trump has also previously spoken about taking the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a test used to detect cognitive decline, but has repeatedly described it as a “very difficult IQ test.” It is not known whether another MoCA test was conducted during his October visit or if Trump was referring to the tests he took in April 2025 or January 2018.

A wide range of people in the UK may be eligible for a free flu vaccine this season after the NHS confirmed that infections are increasing “earlier than usual.” Each year, the NHS provides flu vaccinations throughout autumn and early winter, as this is when flu activity tends to peak. Although influenza is typically mild for most people and symptoms clear up within a few weeks, some individuals face a much higher risk of serious complications and therefore need extra protection.

To ensure those at greatest risk are shielded from severe illness, the flu jab is offered free of charge to certain groups.

According to NHS England on X (formerly Twitter): “Flu cases have arrived earlier than usual and are already three times higher than this point last year, with infections climbing fastest among children. So far, NHS teams have administered 12.2 million flu vaccines to help safeguard the most vulnerable.”

How the Flu Jab Protects You?

The flu vaccine trains your immune system to recognise and fight the influenza virus without needing to be infected first. It contains a small, inactive portion of the flu virus, which triggers your body’s natural defences to produce antibodies.

After receiving the jab, it takes around ten days for protection to fully develop. Importantly, the vaccine cannot cause the flu, as the virus it contains is inactive. Most people only need one dose each year to stay protected through the season.

Who Can Get the Flu Jab for Free?

As per current NHS guidelines, six main groups of people can receive the flu jab at no cost. You qualify for a free vaccination if you are at higher risk or live with someone who may be.

Those eligible include:

• Adults aged 65 or older, or anyone turning 65 by March 31, 2026
• People living with someone whose immune system is compromised (for example, those undergoing chemotherapy)
• Main carers for older or disabled individuals, or anyone receiving carer’s allowance
• Individuals with certain long-term medical conditions
• Residents of care homes
• Pregnant women

How to Access Your Free Flu Vaccine?

If you qualify, you can receive the free vaccine in several convenient ways. You may book an appointment through your GP practice, or if you are aged 18 or over, you can arrange one online or through the NHS App at a participating pharmacy.

Many pharmacies also allow eligible individuals to walk in for the jab without a prior appointment, making it easier for those who need protection to get vaccinated quickly and safely.

However, not every pharmacy is part of the free flu vaccination programme. You can check which nearby pharmacies offer the service through the NHS website’s locator tool. The site also provides complete details about the flu vaccine, including information on its ingredients and how it works.