A new weight-loss drug variation is showing promise in early trials.

Research from the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity at Helmholtz Munich in Germany, published in the journal Nature, tested an experimental obesity and diabetes drug called GLP-1-GIP-Lani.

The drug combines GLP-1 and GIP — two natural hormones that help regulate appetite and blood sugar, similar to popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic — with PPAR activity, which may improve insulin sensitivity, inflammation, fat metabolism and liver health.

'NEXT OZEMPIC' AIMS TO DELIVER 30% WEIGHT LOSS WITH FEWER SIDE EFFECTS

The team of researchers, led by Professor Timo D. Muller at Helmoltz Munich, called the drug a quintuple agonist, as it targets five receptor systems.

In a press release, Muller described the drug as a "Trojan horse": the incretin component — hormones that help regulate blood sugar and appetite — allows it to enter target cells, and once inside, the PPAR "cargo" activates to help the body better use insulin, process fat and reduce inflammation.

This allows for the dosage of the drug to be lower, which could reduce side effects.

"A major advantage is the amount," Muller said. "Because the second component is not administered separately and systemically, but ‘travels along’ with the incretin part, it can be used at a dose that is orders of magnitude lower."

NEW WEIGHT-LOSS SHOT SHOWS MAJOR FAT REDUCTION, BUT EXPERTS URGE CAUTION

The study tested the drug combination in mouse models, including mice with diabetes-induced obesity, insulin resistance and genetic obesity.

In these mice, the compound was found to lower body weight, food intake, fat mass, blood sugar and insulin-related problems more than GLP-1 and GIP alone. It also outperformed semaglutide.

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The researchers reported that typical gastrointestinal side effects were similar to those seen with existing therapies.

"We see a principle with strong effects in the animal model — now the task is to optimize the approach for humans and move it toward the clinic," Muller said in the release.

Dr. Peter Balazs, MD, a hormone and weight-loss specialist practicing in New York and New Jersey, said the drug is designed to target obesity and insulin resistance "at multiple key sites simultaneously, including the brain, pancreas and metabolic tissues."

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"This is a novel mechanism because it's not just relying on a higher dose of an existing drug," he told Fox News Digital in an interview.

"Current GLP-1 medications are highly effective appetite suppressants, while this quintuple agonist seems to function both as an 'appetite brake' and a metabolic engine," he added.

While traditional GLP-1s primarily reduce appetite, slow gastric emptying and increase insulin secretion, this quintuple agonist "appears to do all of the above" while also "directly improving insulin sensitivity in the liver and muscle, reducing inflammation in adipose tissue and remodeling lipid metabolism," the expert confirmed.

"The result may be greater weight loss through a combination of caloric restriction, enhanced fat oxidation and potentially increased central energy expenditure," Balazs said.

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Although the drug provides a "promising direction for the future," Balazs noted that the study was conducted only on mouse models and there is no human safety or efficacy data, which means the drug cannot yet be recommended for clinical use.

"Additionally, it was conducted over a relatively short period of time, so we cannot draw conclusions about long-term effects," he added.

A case of clade I mpox — a more virulent version of the virus that causes monkeypox, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — has been confirmed in the U.S., as global health officials also monitor newly reported hantavirus cases in Europe.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CDPH) said Wednesday that the state’s first identified case of clade I mpox was detected in a person who recently traveled to Western Europe, where officials continue to monitor infectious disease activity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported new hantavirus cases in Spain and France, drawing attention to the rare but potentially severe disease, which can cause serious respiratory complications in humans.

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents and can lead to severe respiratory illness, though cases remain rare, according to the WHO.

While health officials said the mpox case "does not pose a risk to the general public," they still encourage those who may be at risk to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine.

NEW MPOX STRAIN CONFIRMED IN US STATE FOR FIRST TIME

Mpox symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rash, according to CDC.

"Mpox hasn't gone away, and we want people to be protected, especially as many in our community prepare for travel, festivals, and gatherings this summer," CDPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said in the release.

"The vaccine is safe, effective and widely available. Completing the two-dose series is the best way to protect yourself and your partners."

HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE

Clade I and clade II mpox are genetically distinct forms of the virus with key differences in severity and geographic origin, according to the CDC and the WHO.

Clade I, historically identified in Central Africa, has been linked to more severe illness and higher mortality rates, with cases often involving more widespread rashes and complications.

Clade II, which has circulated primarily in West Africa, is generally associated with milder disease and drove the global outbreak beginning in 2022, when most patients experienced less severe symptoms and lower hospitalization and death rates, according to the WHO.

The CDC and WHO say distinguishing between the two clades helps guide risk assessments, particularly as international travel increases.

A Dutch hospital has quarantined a dozen staff members after reports of a protocol breach involving a patient infected with hantavirus, hospital officials said Monday.

The breach occurred last week at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands, after the facility admitted a patient tied to a rare and deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius luxury cruise ship.

The hospital said the patient’s blood and urine were not processed and were not disposed of using the strictest international protocols required for handling the specific hantavirus strain.

"Because of these circumstances, 12 employees will go in preventive quarantine for six weeks as a precaution despite the fact that the chance of infection is small," the hospital said.

RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED

According to the hospital, when the patient was admitted May 7, the patient's blood was processed according to standard procedures but should have been handled under stricter protocols required for the nature of the virus.

Staff also realized Saturday that the most up-to-date international regulations for disposing of a hantavirus patient’s urine had not been followed. Instead, they had adhered to what was considered standard procedure.

Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans addressed the incident in Parliament Tuesday, reassuring officials the protocols that were followed were still considered strict.

"At Radboud Hospital in Nijmegen, strict procedures have been followed, but not the strictest procedures applicable in the case of this hantavirus," she said.

Hospital executives said they regretted what happened in a statement Monday, adding they remain committed to providing care for any new hantavirus patients who may arrive.

CRUISE SHIP LINKED TO DEADLY HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK ARRIVES OFF TENERIFE AS PASSENGER EVACUATION BEGINS

"Despite the fact that the chance of actual infection is very small, these measures have a major impact on all those involved. We regret that this happened in our [university medical center]. We will carefully investigate the course of events to learn from this so that it can be prevented in the future," Bertine Lahuis, chair of the hospital's executive board, said.

"Of course, we will ensure that the colleagues involved receive all the support they need. We have great appreciation for their commitment, and that of their colleagues, to ensure that care for the patient runs smoothly. In the meantime, our [university medical center] stands ready to admit any new patients should this be necessary."

The announcement marks a backtracking from earlier hospital statements during the patient’s admission that "appropriate isolation measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus, in accordance with internationally agreed protocols."

As of May 13, there have been 11 hantavirus cases — up from eight reported on May 8 — and three deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

THE EVERYDAY PLACES AMERICANS COULD BE EXPOSED TO HANTAVIRUS — WITHOUT KNOWING IT

The agency reported that two of the most recent cases have been confirmed and are from Spain and France. The French patient became symptomatic during repatriation, while the Spanish patient tested positive following repatriation and remains asymptomatic.

A third case returned inconclusive results, with the patient initially testing positive and later negative.

In total, eight cases are confirmed, two are probable and one is inconclusive. The three deaths also include two confirmed cases and one probable case.

Health officials say the virus can be deadly but poses a low risk to the public. Contact tracing for all individuals linked to the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship remains ongoing.

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday added that it has deployed a team to the Canary Islands, where passengers disembarked, to provide onsite healthcare, including speaking with each American passenger at risk of potential exposure.

The CDC said it will not release exactly how many passengers are being monitored.

The outbreak began when a Dutch cruise ship carrying 147 passengers and crew departed Argentina on April 1 for a South Atlantic voyage. It is believed the initial infection was contracted by a passenger who may have been exposed to rodents during regional birdwatching activities prior to boarding, according to the WHO.

After multiple infection reports, the ship docked in Spain’s Canary Islands on May 10, where the remaining passengers and most of the crew were evacuated under quarantine protocols.

Passengers have been repatriated to their home countries for a recommended 42-day isolation period.

The ship, along with a skeleton crew of 25 and two medical professionals, then sailed to Rotterdam, Netherlands, The Associated Press reported.

Prescriptions for an antiparasitic drug spiked for cancer patients after a celebrity endorsed the medication during a recent episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast.

Ivermectin–benzimidazole, a combination of antiparasitic medications, was touted as an off-label cancer treatment during actor Mel Gibson’s January 2025 appearance.

Gibson spoke about three of his friends who had stage 4 cancer, noting that "all three of them don’t have cancer right now at all." 

When Rogan asked what treatments they used, Gibson replied, "Ivermectin, fenbendazole."

WOMAN WITH CANCER REVEALS THE DIET THAT SHE SAYS SAVED HER LIFE

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication used in humans and animals to treat infections caused by certain worms and parasites.

Fenbendazole, a veterinary antiparasitic drug used to treat worms in animals, belongs to the benzimidazole class of medications, according to medical sources.

"I don’t believe that there is anything that can afflict mankind that hasn’t got a natural cure for it," Gibson added.

HIDDEN VIRUS INSIDE GUT BACTERIA LINKED TO DOUBLED COLORECTAL CANCER RISK, STUDY FINDS

Researchers from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, UCLA and the University of Michigan analyzed the health records of over 68 million patients in ambulatory care settings. 

They checked for increases in same-day prescribing of ivermectin, plus a benzimidazole — albendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole or thiabendazole — with the goal of determining whether Gibson’s endorsement resulted in a spike.

After the episode, which was viewed 60 million times in the month after airing, overall prescribing rates nearly doubled, rising 2½ times among cancer patients.

Among those patients, larger increases were seen in men, White patients, people 18-64 and those who lived in southern states, the researchers found.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open Tuesday, did not measure any safety outcomes of the drug combination.

No clinical trials have supported the safety or effectiveness of ivermectin–benzimidazole for treating cancer, experts noted.

"Clinicians talk about how difficult it is when the patient demands or asks for a medication that they really feel passionately might help," lead author Michelle Rockwell, a health services researcher at Virginia Tech, said in a press release. "And that's where I think these celebrity influencers really play a big role."

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While some laboratory and animal studies have shown that these drugs can promote anti-cancer activity, the required dose for even a small effect would "typically be considered toxic for humans," according to Dr. Skyler B. Johnson of the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute.

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Johnson, who was not involved in the research, shared with CIDRAP News his concerns about ivermectin’s effect on how the body processes cancer treatments and other medications.

The study did have some limitations, including that it was observational in design and could not prove that Gibson’s appearance led to the increase in prescriptions. Also, the fact that prescriptions were ordered does not necessarily mean that they were filled or used.

It is also possible some patients sought out ivermectin without a prescription, perhaps from agricultural retailers who sell it for livestock.

There is also the potential that cancer status was misclassified, the researchers noted.

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The study also did not assess whether patients were taking ivermectin alongside conventional treatment or if they used it as a substitute.

Patients should consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance before making treatment decisions, doctors say.

Amid the current hantavirus outbreak that started on the MV Hondius cruise ship as it sailed across the Atlantic, health experts are now examining whether Americans may be encountering the virus in everyday places without realizing it.

The rare Andes strain, which was linked to the MV Hondius outbreak, is the only known hantavirus that has the capability to spread from person to person, usually through prolonged close contact with an infected person.

Most cases of hantavirus in the U.S. occur in the desert Southwest and on the West Coast, according to Dr. Linda Yancey, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann in the Houston area.

ANDES VIRUS LINKED TO CRUISE SHIP DEATHS RAISES CONCERN OVER HUMAN-TO-HUMAN SPREAD

"In Texas, cases are mostly seen on the west side of the state," she told Fox News Digital. "The strain of hantavirus native to east Texas and west Louisiana, the Bayou strain, is not as infectious in humans as the western strain, the Sin Nombre strain."

Hantavirus is mainly spread through contact with infected rodents – primarily deer mice – and their urine, droppings or saliva, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

People can become infected after breathing in contaminated particles that are stirred into the air or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their nose or mouth. More rarely, rodent bites can spread the virus.

HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS KEY MOMENTS IN DEADLY CRUISE CRISIS

Exposure is most likely when cleaning enclosed or poorly ventilated areas where rodents may nest unnoticed for weeks or months, health officials say.

Risky locations can include garages, sheds, cabins, attics, barns and crawl spaces. Storage units, stables, kitchen cabinets and spaces behind appliances if rodents are present.

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Rodents can also nest in unused cars, RVs, campers and boats, which can be sources of exposure when reopened.

The National Park Service says that most human cases of hantavirus occur in the spring and are linked to buildings that become heavily infested with rodents over the winter.

"Most people are exposed when cleaning out sheds and garages where rodents have been living," Yancey confirmed. "You can be exposed by just the dust and droppings left behind by rodents – you don't even need to even see the rodent to be exposed."

The risk of inhalation is also higher when opening buildings that have gone unused for longer periods of time, sweeping dusty floors or moving and unpacking boxes, experts cautioned.

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Rodent exposure is not limited to buildings. Health officials say people can also encounter hantavirus risk while handling firewood, working in rodent-prone outdoor areas or disturbing rodent nests and burrows. 

To prevent infection, if cleaning a structure that might have harbored rodents, Yancey recommends wearing a mask and using a diluted bleach solution to wet down any dust or loose debris.

"This will help kill the exposed virus and reduce the amount of infectious dust," Yancey said.

The CDC advises against vacuuming or sweeping rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials, as this can aerosolize the virus and increase the risk of inhalation.

Instead, health officials recommend wearing gloves, soaking rodent droppings with disinfectant, wiping them up with paper towels, properly disposing of waste and thoroughly cleaning surfaces, followed by careful handwashing.

Some signs of rodent activity can include droppings, shredded nesting materials, gnaw marks, strong musky odors and scratching sounds in the walls or ceilings, according to public health guidance.

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Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, emphasized that hantavirus is not something that most Americans encounter in daily life, and is more prominent in certain parts of Europe and Asia.

"It is very rare in the U.S. and is seen out west, but rarely," he told Fox News Digital. "We need to avoid overpersonalizing the risk of a very rare virus."

One of the passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship posted video showing his quarantine room at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha as officials monitor a hantavirus outbreak tied to the voyage.

Jake Rosmarin, a passenger currently under quarantine, has been documenting his experience on social media, posting videos from both the ship and the medical facility. Fox News Digital has not independently verified the video.

Health officials have said the passengers are being monitored out of caution after potential exposure to Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, and have emphasized that the risk to the public remains low.

In one recent clip, Rosmarin showed his room, which included a wall-mounted hand sanitizer, a thermometer and other health provisions. The room also featured a stationary bike.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER DESCRIBES UNCERTAINTY AFTER 3 DEATHS AMID HANTAVIRUS PROBE

"I can have stuff sent here for the duration of my stay, so I'm definitely going to be getting some things for me to feel more at home and more comfortable," Rosmarin said.

He added that he plans to continue sharing updates in the coming days and said he is currently feeling "well."

Rosmarin also said he has not tested positive for hantavirus.

The footage shows conditions inside the quarantine unit as health officials monitor passengers for potential exposure following the outbreak.

CDC SPELLS OUT NEXT STEPS AFTER AMERICANS EXPOSED TO HANTAVIRUS ON CRUISE SHIP

Health officials have said passengers may be allowed to leave the Nebraska facility before a 42-day monitoring period ends if they meet certain conditions, including remaining symptom-free and being able to safely isolate at home.

Officials will also evaluate whether individuals can maintain contact with local health departments and quickly access testing or medical care if symptoms develop.

Of the 18 individuals transported to the U.S. after the outbreak, 16 are in Nebraska and two are in Atlanta. Most are in quarantine, while one individual was placed in a biocontainment unit after an earlier test result.

Officials have emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, noting that the Andes variant of hantavirus does not spread easily and typically requires prolonged, close contact with a symptomatic individual.

Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has green-lit the first-ever non-antipsychotic drug treatment for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

The drug, Auvelity, was originally FDA-approved in 2022 for treating adults with major depressive disorder. Most recently, its use has been expanded for agitation associated with dementia.

Agitation is a common and "distressing" symptom in adults with Alzheimer’s, according to the agency. The condition is characterized by excessive motor activity, or verbal or physical aggression.

ALZHEIMER’S SCIENTISTS FIND KEY TO HALTING BRAIN DECLINE BEFORE SYMPTOMS

The FDA noted that agitation can "significantly impact quality of life for patients and caregivers."

In a press release, the FDA commissioner commented that this approval "represents a significant advancement in our ability to help patients and families dealing with one of the most challenging aspects of Alzheimer's disease."

"With today’s action, patients and their families have access to an additional important treatment for complications of this devastating disease," he said.

DRUGS THAT REDUCE DEMENTIA RISK — AND OTHERS THAT INCREASE IT

Tracy Beth Hoeg, MD, PhD, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, also reflected on the approval, noting that Auvelity was found to be "efficacious for treating agitation in Alzheimer’s disease" in two randomized trials.

The first study was a five-week trial of the drug, in which patients were assessed for the frequency of agitated behaviors based on caregiver reports. The results found Auvelity, which is made by Axsome Therapeutics in New York City, to be "significantly superior" in improving behaviors.

The second study looked at patients who responded to Auvelity and were then randomly assigned to continue treatment or switch, tracking how long it took for agitation symptoms to return.

Participants who continued Auvelity reported significantly longer time periods before relapse compared to those receiving placebo treatment.

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"[This approval] now represents an additional option to address one of the most difficult sequelae of the disease, especially as it progresses," Hoeg said in a statement. "We hope this approval will provide meaningful benefit to patients, their families and caregivers."

Auvelity is administered in rapid-onset extended-release tablets. The FDA urged healthcare providers to monitor blood pressure, screen for a medical history of bipolar disorder, and determine whether patients are taking other medications that contain bupropion or dextromethorphan before prescribing Auvelity.

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The most common side effects of the medication include dizziness, upset stomach, headache, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction and uncontrolled sweating, according to the FDA.

The treatment can also cause seizures, with the risk increasing along with the dose. Other risks include elevated blood pressure, hypertension and mania in susceptible patients.

The drug's prescribing information also warns of increased suicidal thoughts in younger adults; providers should monitor patients for the emergence of these behaviors, the FDA advised.

CALLOUT: "It is a good choice [over] anti-psychotics in many cases, because it doesn't cause the same amount of drowsiness or other side effects."

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel applauded this approval in an interview with Fox News Digital.

The doctor said the treatment works on two brain targets — NMDA and sigma-1 receptors — helping to reduce agitation and depression in older adults with dementia, including Alzheimer’s patients.

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 "It is a good choice [over] anti-psychotics in many cases, because it doesn't cause the same amount of drowsiness or other side effects … and is much better tolerated by the heart in a very old person," Siegel added.

Polycystic-ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – a common women’s hormonal condition – has been renamed to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

The revised name was introduced in a paper penned by women’s health experts from around the globe, which was then published in The Lancet medical journal. The name change was reportedly presented at the European Congress of Endocrinology today in Prague.

The authors stated that the term PCOS is "inaccurate," as it implies that the condition is based solely on ovarian cysts, when it also involves a wider mix of hormonal, metabolic and ovarian issues.

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This misinterpretation could lead to delayed diagnosis, fragmented care and stigma, the experts noted.

The international group chose PMOS in collaboration with 56 academic, clinical and patient organizations, gathering input from more than 14,000 people with the condition as well as health professionals worldwide.

PMOS was chosen for its description of affecting multiple hormones, metabolism and ovarian function.

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The authors noted that a global implementation strategy is underway to change the disease classification, as well as education and alignment with health systems.

PCOS, now known as PMOS, affects one in eight women and is being diagnosed more frequently among American females.

The condition causes a variety of symptoms, such as irregular periods, weight gain, extra body hair growth, acne and difficulty becoming or staying pregnant, according to experts.

PCOS is also linked to chronic inflammation, which can then worsen insulin resistance, per to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

In some cases, a woman with PCOS does not make enough hormones to ovulate, which can cause the ovaries to develop cysts. These cysts may rupture, causing abdominal pain, nausea or bleeding.

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These cysts make hormones called androgens, which can cause problems with a woman’s menstrual cycle and lead to PCOS symptoms, Johns Hopkins stated.

There is no cure for PCOS, but some medications may help with symptoms.

A major Cochrane review recently cast doubt on the safety and effectiveness of amyloid-targeting Alzheimer’s drugs, although some experts and drugmakers have disputed the researchers' conclusions.

These types of monoclonal antibodies are designed to reduce or remove amyloid-beta, a naturally occurring protein that can accumulate into sticky plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

In the review, researchers analyzed results from 17 clinical trials involving 20,342 participants who had mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's dementia, according to a press release.

ALZHEIMER’S PILL COULD REDUCE BRAIN DECLINE IN SOME HIGH-RISK PATIENTS, TRIAL SUGGESTS

While previous studies have suggested that amyloid-targeting drugs can help slow disease progression, the Cochrane review found that their impact on memory decline and dementia severity was "either nonexistent or extremely small."

"Unfortunately, the evidence suggests that these drugs make no meaningful difference to patients," said lead author Francesco Nonino, neurologist and epidemiologist at the IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Italy, in the release.

ALZHEIMER’S-RELATED DEMENTIA COULD BE PREVENTED BY EXPERIMENTAL DRUG, RESEARCHERS SAY

"There is now a convincing body of evidence converging on the conclusion that there is no clinically meaningful effect," he went on. "While early trials showed results that were statistically significant, it is important to distinguish between this and clinical relevance. It is common for trials to find statistically significant results that do not translate into a meaningful clinical difference for patients."

The researchers also identified some potential safety concerns linked to the anti-amyloid drugs, including a higher likelihood of swelling and bleeding in the brain. 

In many cases, these changes were detectable only on brain scans and did not cause clear symptoms, they stated. However, the long-term effects are unknown, as symptom reporting was inconsistent across studies.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that lowering amyloid-beta alone is unlikely to produce meaningful clinical gains. While these drugs effectively reduce amyloid levels in the brain, this change does not appear to result in improved outcomes for patients, they said.

The team recommended that future research should explore other "biological pathways" involved in Alzheimer's disease. 

ALZHEIMER’S PREVENTION BREAKTHROUGH FOUND IN DECADES-OLD SEIZURE DRUG

"I see Alzheimer's patients in my clinic every week and I wish I had an effective treatment to offer them," said senior author Edo Richard, professor of neurology at Radboud University Medical Centre, in the release. "Existing approved drugs offer some benefit for some patients, but there remains a high unmet need for more effective treatments."

ALZHEIMER’S SCIENTISTS FIND KEY TO HALTING BRAIN DECLINE BEFORE SYMPTOMS

"Given the absence of correlation between amyloid removal and clinical benefit, we need to explore other pathways to help address this devastating disease."

Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.

The Alzheimer's Association has requested that Cochrane withdraw the analysis, calling it "scientifically flawed" and warning that it could lead to "misguided and potentially harmful conclusions." The Cochrane analysis is lacking patients’ perspectives, according to the association.

"Many people living with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease who are using these treatments are taking trips they weren’t sure they’d take, spending joyful time with friends and family, making plans for next month, doing things they love, and staying present in their lives and the lives of the people they care about," the group said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. 

DEMENTIA RISK FOR PEOPLE 55 AND OLDER HAS DOUBLED, NEW STUDY FINDS

The association also pointed to real-world clinical settings where amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibodies have shown efficacy and safety very similar to what was reported in the phase 3 clinical trials — "clinically meaningful slowing of disease progression/cognitive decline with modest side effects."

"Real-world data, along with clinical trial results, should guide decision-making," the group added.

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Lilly, maker of donanemab (Kisunla), agreed with the Alzheimer’s Association that the Cochrane review is built on an "inherently flawed methodology."

"It pools data from across multiple amyloid-targeting therapies as a class, including molecules that did not achieve their clinical trial endpoints and were never granted regulatory approval," a Lilly spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

"Combining data on unsuccessful molecules with approved medicines artificially dilutes the observed benefit and produces class-level conclusions that do not reflect the evidence for any individual approved therapy."

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Lilly noted that regulatory authorities around the world have evaluated donanemab’s clinical data "on its own merits," which is the "appropriate standard for determining benefit and risk for patients."

Eisai, which makes the Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab (Leqembi), echoed these concerns.

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated that lecanemab is part of a newer generation of anti-amyloid therapies targeting aggregated amyloid and has learned from previous failures," an Eisai spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

"Extensive long-term clinical data out to four years and real-world experience with tens of thousands of patients globally show that patients who receive lecanemab continue to benefit from treatment."

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The researchers acknowledged limitations of the study, including that clinical benefits may differ among subgroups and individual drugs. For some of the studies, follow-up periods may have been too short to detect long-term outcomes, they noted.

There was also variability between trials in terms of dosing and outcomes. Additionally, most of the trials focused on early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, which may not always apply to those with advanced disease. 

Two Maryland residents are being monitored for potential hantavirus exposure, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

Health officials said the Maryland residents were on a flight that included a passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship who was infected with hantavirus.

Health authorities said they are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution. At this time, the risk to the public in Maryland remains "very low," state health officials said.

DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS

Maryland health officials said the two residents with potential hantavirus exposure were not on the MV Hondius cruise ship, but they were on a flight abroad with a passenger who has the virus.

The department declined to provide additional details about the residents, citing a need to protect their privacy.

The two Maryland residents are being monitored during the virus’s incubation period, which can range from four to 42 days. Officials said asymptomatic individuals are not considered infectious.

No hantavirus cases have been reported in Maryland since 2019, and Andes virus infections have never been identified in the state, officials said. Health authorities said they are coordinating with federal and international partners as the situation continues to evolve.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?

According to the Maryland Department of Health, hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents, but the strain tied to the cruise ship – the Andes virus – is the only known type capable of person-to-person transmission.

"The hantaviruses that are found throughout the United States are not known to spread between people," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare infectious disease that starts with flu-like symptoms and can quickly progress to life-threatening lung and heart problems. Several hantavirus strains can cause the illness, also known as hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, according to Mayo Clinic. 

Early symptoms of HPS can include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, with about half of all patients also experiencing headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC. 

HPS has a nearly 40% fatality rate in those who are infected, according to the CDC. Similar hantavirus cases have been reported in Arizona, California and Georgia.

As health officials track the hantavirus outbreak that began on the MV Hondius cruise ship, attention is turning to the Andes virus, a rare strain from South America that is causing concern.

The virus stemming from the cruise ship, which has caused around eight cases and three deaths as of May 11, was identified by the World Health Organization as the Andes strain.

Unlike most forms of hantavirus, which spread from rodents to humans, Andes is the only strain that is able to transmit from person to person, heightening fears about how outbreaks could unfold under the right conditions.

DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS

"The Andes strain has been increasing recently as rodents migrate north toward Buenos Aires in hot, wet climate conditions," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. "It is predominately a rodent virus – current sequencing shows no mutations so far."

The virus is endemic primarily in Argentina, Chile and parts of southern South America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is primarily carried by a wild rodent species known as the long-tailed pygmy rice rat.

The Andes strain tends to cause more serious complications, including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), according to Siegel.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?

HPS is a rare but severe respiratory disease that mainly affects the lungs, causing fluid buildup that makes it hard to breathe. It can quickly become life-threatening, with 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms dying from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Early symptoms of HPS can include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, with about half of all patients also experiencing headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, per the CDC.

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Symptoms typically appear between four and 42 days after exposure. In most cases, only people with symptoms are able to spread the virus to others.

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While the Andes virus does have the capability to spread person to person, Siegel noted that studies show it is still rare.

"There is currently no treatment or vaccine," the doctor noted. "The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases is working on monoclonal antibodies, and an MRNA vaccine is in the works."

Patients with the virus typically receive supportive care, including rest, hydration and medications to manage symptoms.

Health experts have shared that the Andes virus appears to spread much less efficiently than more contagious viruses like measles, influenza and COVID.

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The CDC has stated that overall risk to the American public and travelers remains "extremely low."

"Andes virus testing is limited to people who have relevant symptoms and exposure history," the agency wrote. "If you think you had contact with a person with Andes virus and are experiencing symptoms, contact a medical professional or your state or local health department immediately."

The cruise ship passengers being monitored for hantavirus in Nebraska will be allowed to leave the medical facility before the end of a 42-day period if certain conditions are met, a public health official indicated Monday.

The individuals will remain at the facility in Nebraska for at least a few days during assessments, said Brendan Jackson, acting director of the Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.

They will have the choice to stay in Nebraska all 42 days if they wish, but if they choose to return home, there will be several factors that play into the decision, such as whether "they remain symptom free," he said.

Health officials will also assess whether passengers can safely isolate at home, maintain contact with local health departments and quickly access testing or medical care if symptoms develop.

AMERICANS EXPOSED TO HANTAVIRUS ABOARD CRUISE SHIP LAND IN NEBRASKA

Only those who can meet those standards, and whose home states can coordinate monitoring, will be cleared to leave.

Still, officials emphasized that the final decision will ultimately involve the passengers themselves.

"Yes," Jackson said when asked if it would be their choice. "We want to do this in the least restrictive way possible… that protects the health and safety of both the passengers and their communities."

Jackson noted passengers can remain at the facility for the full monitoring period if needed.

Of the 18 individuals transported back to the U.S. after a hantavirus outbreak tied to a cruise ship, 16 are now in Nebraska, while two are in Atlanta.

TOP WHO OFFICIAL WARNS CRUISE PASSENGERS ARE 'HIGH-RISK CONTACTS' AS AMERICANS RETURN FROM HANTAVIRUS SHIP

Fifteen of the individuals in Nebraska are in quarantine, while one was placed in the biocontainment unit, noted Michael Wadman, medical director of the National Quarantine Unit at University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Angela Hewlett, medical director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, noted during the press conference that the individual in the biocontainment unit previously had an "equivocal positive test," which she noted was "not in the United States." The person was not experiencing any symptoms, she said.

One of the passengers transported to Atlanta was symptomatic, Matthew Ferreira of HHS noted.

The risk hantavirus poses to the general public is "very, very low," Adm. Brian Christine, assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said during the news conference.

"The Andes variant of this virus does not spread easily and it requires prolonged, close contact with someone who is already symptomatic," he explained.

HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS KEY MOMENTS IN DEADLY CRUISE CRISIS

The CDC explains online, "Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person. This spread is usually limited to people who have close contact with a sick person. This includes direct physical contact, prolonged time spent in close or enclosed spaces, and exposure to the sick person's body fluids."

Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.

Recess may look like downtime, but pediatricians say cutting it could cost kids far more than a few minutes on the playground.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance for the first time in more than a decade that urges schools to protect recess, highlighting that the unstructured break delivers major benefits for kids' health, learning and behavior.

"It has a very powerful benefit if it’s used to the fullest," said Dr. Robert Murray, a lead author of the new guidance, which was published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

Researchers say recess helps students reset between lessons, improving focus and memory. It also gives kids time to build social skills, boost confidence and stay physically active, a key factor as 1 in 5 U.S. children and teens struggle with obesity.

THIS SIMPLE OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CAN IMPROVE AMERICANS' HEALTH, SAYS GOVERNOR

Despite those benefits, recess time has been shrinking for years. Since the mid-2000s, up to 40% of school districts have reduced or eliminated it, according to data from the Springboard to Active Schools group and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The group is pushing schools to reverse that trend, recommending at least 20 minutes of daily recess and multiple breaks. It further warned against using it as punishment.

"If the child is disruptive or rude and disrespectful, recess is one of the things that teachers use to punish kids," Murray said, noting that those students often need it most.

GOV. KATHY HOCHUL: WHY NEW YORK IS SAVING EDUCATION BY GETTING PHONES OUT OF CLASSROOMS

Doctors also stress that recess isn’t just for younger children. As screen time rises, older students need time to unplug, move and recharge.

"As kids get older, they’re more on their screens," said Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, a pediatric specialist. "So it’s really helpful, I think, for outdoor activity and recess to be happening. Recess is great. We all kind of need recess."

In other countries such as Denmark, Japan and the United Kingdom, students already get more frequent breaks, often after every 45 to 50 minutes of instruction. Experts say this model could help U.S. schools improve both learning and student well-being.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Exercise is widely known to benefit the brain, and researchers at Penn State recently uncovered a surprisingly mechanical reason: Each time the body moves, the brain gets a kind of "rinse."

According to a study published in Nature Neuroscience, the secret to this internal wash cycle may lie in the abdominal muscles.

In mice models, the researchers found that the brain is mechanically linked to the abdomen through a network of blood vessels that functions like a hydraulic system.

FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS SIMPLE RULE TO GET IN SHAPE WITHOUT DREADING THE GYM: 'JUST MOVE'

"Every time the mice contract their abdominal muscles — like when they walk — blood moves from the abdomen into the spinal canal," said lead study author Patrick Drew, professor of engineering science and mechanics, neurosurgery, biology and biomedical engineering at Penn State, in a press release.

This movement of blood applies a tiny amount of pressure to the brain, causing it to physically shift or "sway" slightly within the skull.

This subtle brain movement occurs within a system where the brain is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear liquid that acts as a cleaning agent.

Scientists have long believed that CSF helps flush out cellular waste that, if left to accumulate, is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, according to Drew.

By using advanced computer simulations, the team discovered that when the brain moves, it can drive fluid movement in the brain.

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The physical displacement drives the flow of CSF through the brain’s tissues, potentially carrying away harmful waste products.

"Our research explains how just moving around might serve as an important physiological mechanism promoting brain health," Drew said.

To confirm that abdominal pressure was the primary driver, the researchers tested the effect on the mice.

Even without exercise or general movement, simply applying gentle pressure to a mouse’s belly — less pressure than a human feels during a standard blood pressure test — was enough to shift the brain and trigger fluid flow, they found.

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"We were surprised at how tightly linked the brain motion was to the abdominal muscle contraction," Drew said.

There were a few caveats, the researchers acknowledged. Because the study used mice and not humans, more research is needed to determine whether the results apply to people.

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Additionally, the researchers used simulations to track fluid movement rather than measuring the flow directly in a living brain.

Drew added, "Our research shows that a little bit of motion is good, and it could be another reason why exercise is good for our brain health."

One of the American citizens evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship and flown back to the U.S. tested positive for hantavirus without symptoms, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and another person had mild symptoms.

Those two Americans traveled "in the plane's biocontainment units out of an abundance of caution," HHS noted in a Sunday night post on X. 

Seventeen Americans and one dual U.S.-U.K citizen from the ship were flown to the U.S.

That dual national "is at the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) in Omaha with 15 of the other repatriated passengers," HHS noted in the post. 

CRUISE SHIP LINKED TO DEADLY HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK ARRIVES OFF TENERIFE AS PASSENGER EVACUATION BEGINS

The flight touched down in Nebraska early Monday morning. Three individuals died since the outbreak started.

"One passenger will be transported to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit upon arrival, while other passengers will go to the National Quarantine Unit for assessment and monitoring," a Nebraska Medicine Facebook post issued on Sunday night stated. "The passenger who is going to the Biocontainment Unit tested positive for the virus but does not have symptoms. They were managed separately from other passengers during transport using appropriate biocontainment measures. They will be monitored in the Biocontainment Unit out of an abundance of caution and follow-up testing will be performed."

HHS's post on Monday morning also noted, "Two passengers from the airlift, including one who traveled with mild symptoms in the plane's biocontainment unit, are now at Emory University's RESPTC in Atlanta."

HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS KEY MOMENTS IN DEADLY CRUISE CRISIS

A French individual tested positive and her health declined in the hospital overnight, French Health Minister Stephanie Rist noted Monday. The outlet reported that the individual was one of five from France aboard the vessel who were repatriated Sunday. The woman developed symptoms while flying to Paris, Rist informed public broadcaster France-Inter.

"Andes virus is a type of hantavirus spread by rodents in South America and, less commonly, by other infected people. The rodents that carry Andes virus have not been found in the United States. It can cause a severe respiratory disease in people, called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HANTAVIRUS IN THE US: WHERE THE RARE, SOMETIMES DEADLY DISEASE HAS BEEN FOUND

"Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person. This spread is usually limited to people who have close contact with a sick person. This includes direct physical contact, prolonged time spent in close or enclosed spaces, and exposure to the sick person's body fluids," the CDC explained.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

FIRST ON FOX: Eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated, according to celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the restaurateur and owner of New York City's new Bar Rocco – whose philosophy and cookbooks are rooted in health-conscious dieting – shared a few misconceptions about healthy eating, especially when the end goal is weight loss.

"There is no one fix, there's no one cure for everyone," he said. "Everyone has different needs and their weight-loss journey is going to be different. So, you really have to figure out what your problem is."

WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS ARE CHANGING DINING AS CUSTOMERS EAT HALF THEIR MEALS, TAKE REST HOME, CELEBRITY CHEF SAYS

This could be a body composition imbalance, a lack of exercise or a generally poor diet, DiSpirito mentioned. "Figure out what will help you address those issues most quickly," he advised.

"Even if you're working out, unless you're LeBron James and burning 8,000 calories a game, there's no way to out-train a bad diet, so at some point in our lives, we have to come to a reckoning with what we consume."

DiSpirito says it's "always a good idea" to start with the basics, including consuming less sugar, less alcohol, fewer processed foods and fewer processed carbs, as well as eating more protein.

DOCTOR REVEALS SECRETS TO LASTING WEIGHT LOSS WITHOUT COUNTING CALORIES

The chef revealed that the No. 1 issue he's witnessed is that people have "no idea how many calories they're consuming."

"We're all consuming two to three times more than we realize," he noted. "And even when we count and use the apps, there's a lot of fuzzy math going on."

"So, getting a handle on how much you're consuming, even the little picking that you do while you're cooking and cleaning, all that counts and adds up quickly."

SIMPLE WEIGHT-LOSS QUIZ MAY PINPOINT WHY SOME DIETS FAIL — AND HOW TO BOOST SUCCESS

As the healthy eating movement gains traction, DiSpirito called it "very important" for most of the U.S., as the country faces an "obesity issue."

"Restaurants are definitely thinking about it as well," he said. "[But] I wouldn't say restaurants are making it their [top] priority."

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"We still have a lot of work to do just getting people in and seated and fed and their checks to them when they want. But there are some restaurants that are focused on it."

Privately, DiSpirito said he has focused on providing healthy meal plans for clients.

"But for restaurants to approach healthy eating is a little difficult, because it's a whole different kind of cooking and a [different] kind of energy," he said.

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"Healthy eating isn't fun – so to bring that into a fun atmosphere is kind of difficult. It's difficult to mix the two."

This crossroads between indulgence and health may be a tricky mix, especially among the food supply in America, DiSpirito acknowledged – but the two align more easily in other countries where the food is not tampered with, he added.

"If you go to Italy, for example, and just eat everything they eat, it feels indulgent ... and it's also very healthy," he said. "And the key is the food supply is still natural. It's still organic."

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"There aren't lots of sprayed food [or] sprayed vegetables in Italy," DiSpirito went on. "They don't allow a lot of messing around with food that we allow in the United States, the GMO-ing, the modifying."

"So healthy and indulgent are not mutually exclusive, but in [our] food supply system ... it's very difficult."

The cruise ship linked to a deadly Hantavirus outbreak arrived early Sunday off the Spanish island of Tenerife, where passengers began to evacuate and fly to their home countries.

Passengers are being tested by Spanish health authorities to ensure they are asymptomatic before being transported ashore in small boats, Spanish officials said, according to Reuters.

Spanish health authorities confirmed that the first plane carrying the Spanish passengers has departed for a military hospital in Madrid, where they will be under quarantine.

The 17 Americans aboard the MV Hondius will be flown to a medical center in Nebraska after health officials allow them to disembark.

AMERICANS TO BE EVACUATED FROM HANTAVIRUS CRUISE SHIP AS GLOBAL HEALTH CHIEF TRAVELS TO QUARANTINE ISLAND

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official told ABC News on Saturday morning that federal officials currently do not plan to mandate quarantine when the American passengers arrive in Nebraska.

They will instead be screened upon arrival in the U.S. and either stay briefly at Nebraska’s National Quarantine Unit or return home to monitor for symptoms for 42 days while staying in contact with local health authorities, the official said.

The ship set course for Spain on Wednesday from the coast of Cape Verde after the WHO and European Union requested assistance in managing the outbreak.

The ship’s arrival comes hours after World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived on the island.

The WHO said Friday that eight people aboard the ship had fallen ill, including three who died. Six cases have been confirmed, with two others suspected.

HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE

In a statement Saturday, Ghebreyesus said the public health risk remains low.

"I know you are worried. I know that when you hear the word 'outbreak' and watch a ship sail toward your shores, memories surface that none of us have fully put to rest," he said.

"The pain of 2020 is still real, and I do not dismiss it for a single moment. But I need you to hear me clearly: this is not another COVID-19. The current public health risk from Hantavirus remains low. My colleagues and I have said this unequivocally, and I will say it again to you now," he continued.

ARGENTINA INVESTIGATORS ZERO IN ON POSSIBLE ORIGIN POINT OF HANTAVIRUS IN DEADLY CRUISE OUTBREAK

Ghebreyesus noted that the virus identified aboard the ship is the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can be severe.

"Three people have lost their lives, and our hearts go out to their families," he wrote, reiterating that the public health risk posed by the virus remained low.

About 30 crew members are expected to remain on board as the vessel continues to the Netherlands, where it will be disinfected.

Fox News Digital's Robert McGreevy, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

If you’re trying to quit smoking, try a brisk walk or bike ride to curb your craving for a cigarette.

Researchers found that just one workout can reduce the urge to light up. But the type of exercise you do and how you do it makes a big difference.

High-intensity, aerobic exercise is most effective at reducing people’s cigarette cravings, a review of 59 randomized controlled trials involving more than 9,000 adults found.

FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS SIMPLE RULE TO GET IN SHAPE WITHOUT DREADING THE GYM: 'JUST MOVE'

"Single-bout exercise reduced acute cravings immediately and up to 30 minutes post-exercise, but not longer-term cravings," the authors of the study, published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, reported.

The research team highlighted other key findings from their study of "exercise-based interventions for smoking cessation."

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Exercise training made people between 15% and 21% more likely to abstain from smoking than those who didn’t exercise, the authors found.

Regular exercise also caused smokers to cut back by an average of two cigarettes per day.

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In addition to being a free and accessible method for reducing smoking, exercise is also effective at reducing anxiety and stress, which drive many people to smoke.  

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The authors suggest that because exercise boosts feel-good hormones, such as dopamine, and reduces the stress hormone cortisol, smokers who work out feel less inclined to use nicotine as a brain reward.

Exercise should be integrated into other smoking cessation programs to enhance quit success, the authors concluded.

They also noted that none of the trials addressed vaping and recommended that future research target the use of electronic cigarettes.

Seventeen Americans will be among the 150 people evacuated from the M/V Hondius cruise ship after an outbreak of a strain of Hantavirus as the World Health Organization's head tells the public that the trending virus "is not another COVID-19."

The cruise ship, which will anchor off the coast of Spain's Canary Islands on Sunday, will be followed shortly after by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a lengthy Saturday morning message posted to X, Ghebreyesus assured the globe that the risk Hantavirus poses to public health remains low.

HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS KEY MOMENTS IN DEADLY CRUISE CRISIS

"I know you are worried. I know that when you hear the word 'outbreak' and watch a ship sail toward your shores, memories surface that none of us have fully put to rest," Ghebreyesus wrote.

"The pain of 2020 is still real, and I do not dismiss it for a single moment. But I need you to hear me clearly: this is not another COVID-19. The current public health risk from Hantavirus remains low. My colleagues and I have said this unequivocally, and I will say it again to you now," he continued.

Ghebreyesus claimed he would be personally visiting Tenerife, the Canary isle where passengers will arrive after evacuating the cruise ship.

DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS

"I intend to travel to Tenerife to observe this operation firsthand, to stand alongside the health workers, port staff, and officials who are making it happen, and to personally pay my respects to an island that has responded to a difficult situation with grace, solidarity, and compassion," he wrote.

"Your humanity deserves to be witnessed, not just acknowledged from a distance. As I have said many times: viruses do not care about politics, and they do not respect borders. The best immunity any of us has is solidarity," the WHO head continued.

Despite his assurances, however, Dr. Tedros also warned the public to stay vigilant against the virus which has already claimed three lives on the cruise ship.

"The virus aboard the MV Hondius is the Andes strain of hantavirus. It is serious. Three people have lost their lives, and our hearts go out to their families," he wrote, though again reiterated that public health risk was low.

The U.S. government is planning on further evacuating the American passengers to a military base in Nebraska for quarantine and monitoring, Fox News Digital previously reported.

HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE

President Donald Trump weighed in on the outbreak personally, telling reporters Friday, "We have very good people looking at it. It seems to be okay. They know the virus very well. They've worked with it for a long time. They know it very well. Not easy to pass on. So we hope that's true."

"Our American passengers, they're gonna be taken to Nebraska, to a center where they will be monitored. They will be isolated, they'll check their vital signs, their temperature, their oxygen level, their blood pressure," Dr. Janet Nesheiwat, a former Trump-tapped nominee for Surgeon General, told Fox News on Saturday.

"If they start to develop any symptoms, we can intervene early. Because as it is right now, there's no specific treatment for this virus other than supportive care, like oxygen, fluids, hydration, analgesics," she said.

Fox News Digital contacted the WHO and the CDC for further comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Fox News Digital's Brittany Miller contributed to this report.

Gym membership in the U.S. hit a record high in 2025, according to the Health & Fitness Association, giving consumers more workout options — and more choices to sort through when picking the right fitness space.

Amid today's wellness renaissance, many gyms and fitness clubs can cost hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the level of access and amenities offered.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Kenny Santucci — New York City fitness trainer, gym owner and host of the "Strong New York" podcast — revealed the attributes of a great gym.

FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS SIMPLE RULE TO GET IN SHAPE WITHOUT DREADING THE GYM: 'JUST MOVE'

"A lot of people traditionally look at gyms [as if] they have to have all the bells and whistles," he said. "Spa, bathrooms, all these things. For me, a gym is a gym. I go there for the equipment, I go for the culture, I go for the look and feel of the place."

He added, "You can have an incredible gym [that's] a garage gym, and you can have an incredible gym [that] somebody could have built for $10 million."

Santucci, who visits new gyms across the country and posts his experiences on social media, said he looks for a balance between aesthetics and equipment quality, as well as "great people."

"I think you could go and get in a sweat or a workout anywhere — but if the people are great, that's what creates that great culture," he said.

MEET THE 80-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO HELD A PLANK FOR 50 MINUTES — AND LEARN HOW HE STAYS FIT

"If you ask the average person who goes to most big-box gyms, the things they tell you they love about the gym are, ‘Oh, I love the showers. They have really nice towels.’ It's nothing that actually pertains to the gym, and I believe that people should go to the gym to progress and get better," he added.

With these goals in mind, Santucci revealed some of his top-rated gyms in the U.S.

Life Time is a chain of luxury health clubs in the U.S., offering amenities like indoor courts, swimming pools, saunas and group fitness classes.

Santucci applauded the gym's founder and CEO, Bahram Akradi, for being a "very hands-on owner and operator," overseeing hundreds of gyms across the country.

"[Bahran’s] mentality and belief system around the fitness space, I absolutely love," he said.

"I give a lot of credit to the guys who are owners and operators," Santucci added. "They’re in the space, they're making sure things are going really well. I think if you're going to be in the gym business, you should be one of those people."

Santucci also shouted out Marc Megna, co-founder and co-CEO of Florida-based Anatomy Fitness for building a must-visit space.

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"It's an incredible culture there, and I think that's what they really push at that gym," he said.

"The way the gym’s set up, the cleanliness of it, the aesthetics – you walk in that place, and you want to train … and those are things you can't just buy ... You have to live it, love it and be involved in the day-to-day operations."

In a newer recommendation, Santucci said he’s enjoyed stopping into Powerhouse Gym in New York City.

The New York- and New Jersey-based gym focuses on weight training and bodybuilding, including a powerlifting room and boxing rig at its locations.

"I just started going there, once or twice a week," he said. "I really love the people and the culture."

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For more of a group fitness and Hyrox training experience, Santucci recommends The Training Lab in New York City. (Hyrox is a global fitness racing brand and training system with affiliated gyms and training clubs.)

FITNESS EXPERTS SAY VIRAL WORKOUT FEELS 'TOO EASY' BUT DELIVERS REAL HEALTH BENEFITS

"The guys over at Training Lab are incredible," he told Fox News Digital. "Another owner-operator who's involved in the business, who partakes in everything. I think they're another great gym."

"If you're looking for group training, Training Lab's a great space."

While some premier gym memberships can cost upward of $300 a month, Santucci said it isn’t necessary to spend a lot to get results, although it may result in more of an "experience."

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"We need to restructure the way we think about health and wellness," he said. "People aren't going out as much anymore. They're not spending as much on alcohol.

"It's all what you prioritize. I prioritize fitness," he went on. "I belong to multiple gyms. I have a membership to TMPL Gym here in [New York City]. I have a membership to Renzo Gracie's. That's what I like to do with my money."

Santucci said what he’s paying for goes beyond the equipment — pointing to the staff, community and overall atmosphere as part of the value.

"If you want that elevated experience, you're going to pay for that just like you would at a hotel or a restaurant or anything else," he said.

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The expert suggested that wellness has recently become a "third form of hygiene."

"It's like you take a shower, you brush your teeth and you go to the gym," he said. "I think those are three non-negotiables for almost everybody on a daily basis when it comes to your hygiene."