{
  "id": 12350583,
  "title": "Plague in Russia? Plus flu, common cold, a new opioid, and good news",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/plague-in-russia-plus-flu-common-cold-a-new-opioid-and-good-news",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-06T10:03:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Your Local Epidemiologist",
    "slug": "your-local-epidemiologist",
    "url": "https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/plague-in-russia-plus-flu-common"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The plague in Russia has been a topic of concern, especially considering the current geopolitical tensions with NATO. However, the focus of this report is on the ongoing health issues, including the increasing flu season and a surge in common cold cases. Flu is still low nationally but is increasing in almost every state, with the H1N1 strain causing concern due to a mutation that may decrease vaccine effectiveness in teens and young adults. Despite this, the flu vaccine is still highly recommended as it provides protection against multiple strains. The common cold, on the other hand, is surging with 32% of physician tests coming back positive for rhinovirus/enterovirus, a significant increase since the 2019 season.",
  "summary": "The Dose (October 6)",
  "key_points": [
    "Plague in Russia raises concerns amid NATO tensions",
    "Flu season increasing nationally, H1N1 strain causes worry",
    "Common cold cases surge, rhinovirus/enterovirus at 32% positivity"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}