COVID-19 Variant 'Cicada' (BA.3.2) Detected in Half of US States and 23 Countries

• Influenza cases are peaking for a second time this season, with at least 41 states reporting high or very high flu activity. • This surge coincides with ongoing respiratory illness pressures documented by health authorities. • Increased hospitalizations strain healthcare systems, particularly affecting unvaccinated children and adults.

• CDC data reveals sexually transmitted disease rates fell among US adults last year, but congenital syphilis in newborns kept increasing. • This trend highlights persistent challenges in prenatal screening and treatment access for at-risk pregnant women. • Rising newborn syphilis threatens infant health outcomes, prompting calls for enhanced public health interventions.

• The US measles case count increased by 43 cases last week to 1,714 total, according to the CDC's weekly update released April 10, 2026. • More than half of the new cases occurred in Utah, marking a smaller jump compared to the prior week's 96-case increase. • This ongoing outbreak highlights gaps in vaccination coverage amid public health concerns over declining immunization rates.

• The CDC has suspended dozens of diagnostic tests as part of agency downsizing, disrupting testing capabilities for critical infectious diseases including rabies and mpox. • The testing pause has left pharmacists and state health departments scrambling to identify alternative diagnostic pathways and coordinate emergency responses. • Public health officials and pharmacy professionals have raised alarms about the implications for disease surveillance, outbreak detection, and timely clinical decision-making.

• The CDC reported 43 new measles cases in the US for the week ending April 10, 2026, bringing the national total to 1,714 cases. • More than half of the new cases occurred in Utah, which saw 73 infections last week alone after 142 cases in the past three weeks versus 197 for all of 2025. • The slower increase compared to the prior week's 96 cases highlights ongoing outbreaks concentrated in specific states amid declining vaccination rates.

• FDA has approved an investigational new drug application for synthetic CAR-T (sCAR-T) therapy targeting autoimmune conditions. • The clearance enables clinical trials to test this engineered cell therapy in US patients with refractory autoimmune diseases. • sCAR-T represents a novel approach adapting cancer immunotherapy for immune disorders, potentially offering durable remissions.

• President released Fiscal Year 2027 budget request on April 10, 2026, proposing 46% cuts to global health programs under a consolidated account aligned with America First Global Health Strategy. • Cuts eliminate funding for HIV prevention like voluntary medical male circumcision, LGBTQ programming, and reproductive health services; also includes 12% NIH budget reduction. • Proposal signals deprioritization of science and research amid administration's rejection of Congress's appropriations power; Congress historically rejects such deep cuts.

• 95% of HR and benefits professionals view workplace mental health as vital to 2026 business strategy. • 61% of HR leaders report mental health leaves increased in the past year, with 16% noting 25% or more rise. • 36% of employees identify sleep issues tied to mental health as a top challenge, signaling burnout risks.

• Medi-Cal immigrant enrollment is declining, with researchers attributing the drop directly to Trump administration policies. • The reduction affects healthcare access for immigrant populations in California, exacerbating public health challenges. • This trend highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration policies and state-level health programs serving vulnerable groups.

• One in three women under 50 in the US—about 10 million people—is iron deficient, per AMA discussion. • Physicians address diagnosis and treatment strategies for this widespread nutritional deficiency. • Iron deficiency impacts energy, cognition, and overall health, warranting increased screening.

• As of March 24, 2026, CDC estimates national COVID-19 Rt at 1.05 (range 0.93-1.32), indicating epidemic not changing with 71% probability. • Infections growing or likely growing in 2 states, declining in 34, stable in 11; ED visits at very low 0.3%. • Weekly ED visit percentage remains minimal, informing ongoing public health monitoring and policy.