The Link - May 2026

On May 2, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses among passengers aboard a cruise ship. At the time of reporting, 147 passengers and crew remained onboard, while 34 had already disembarked. As of May 13, eleven cases, including three deaths, had been identified. Eight cases have been laboratory‑confirmed as hantavirus infections, all caused by Andes virus (ANDV).

The emergence of these cases has understandably drawn global attention. Public health authorities emphasize that the overall risk to the general public remains extremely low.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a common condition affecting approximately 1%–3% of adolescents, most of whom never require treatment. However, severe cases may result in restrictive pulmonary disease, chronic pain and, rarely, cardiopulmonary compromise. The condition is characterized by a three-dimensional spinal deformity with lateral curvature measuring at least 10° in addition to vertebral rotation. Idiopathic scoliosis is classified by age at diagnosis (infantile, juvenile or adolescent). Non-idiopathic forms of scoliosis are classified by etiology (e.g., neuromuscular, syndromic, congenital). In infantile and juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, severe deformity raises particular concern for impaired pulmonary development and long-term cardiopulmonary function. In contrast, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis more commonly presents concerns related to pain and psychosocial well-being.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects about 1% of children and adolescents and often begins in childhood. It is marked by a cycle of unwanted thoughts, fears or urges (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions). Symptoms may look different depending on a child’s developmental stage and are often seen alongside anxiety, tic disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Early recognition and treatment can reduce symptom progression, improve functioning and lessen the strain on families. Children do not typically outgrow OCD on their own, and untreated symptoms may worsen during periods of stress or transition. Early intervention gives children the best chance to build coping skills and return to normal developmental activities.

Narrative ethics helps us to connect with others through stories while understanding each other’s lived experiences and collective values, creating true partnership in developing health and well-being. These personal connections can also assist with making health and ethical decisions with patients and families, especially during difficult times. An essential part of this practice is acknowledging culture, rituals and stories passed down generationally that lead to shared empathy, the creation of safe and collaborative spaces, understanding, and trust. 

We can use skills such as inviting storytelling, listening attentively to one another, identifying ethical lessons and moral virtues that can be derived from the stories, and working together to co-construct the next steps of the story’s plot. This process includes understanding our own morals and values, as well as those of others, and beliefs about what is ethical or unethical through storytelling.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a commonly underrecognized cause of prolonged school absence and functional impairment among children and adolescents. Early recognition and supportive management can improve long‑term outcomes. In the first half of this two-part series, we review the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical evaluation and diagnosis of ME/CFS.

Spring is here, and many of us are once again enjoying longer walks, outdoor activities and time in nature. However, along with warmer weather comes a growing concern for many people: ticks. This concern is well founded. This year, the incidence of tick bites has reached unusually high levels across the United States.

Emergency department visits for tick bites are currently three times higher than expected for this time of year. Most cases are being reported in the Northeast, with the Midwest experiencing the second-highest number of emergency department visits related to tick bites. Increased outdoor exposure combined with expanding tick habitats has intensified concerns about tick-borne illnesses, particularly Lyme disease.