Health officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the state of Louisiana reported a case of welders anthrax in an 18-year-old male in Louisiana in September 2024, marking the ninth such instance of this rare condition since it was first described in 2022. The case study, published January 1, detailed how the previously healthy teen, with no underlying health conditions or risk factors such as smoking, vaping, or heavy alcohol use, developed severe pneumonia and respiratory failure just a week after experiencing a cough.
The patient was admitted to an intensive care unit, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Blood tests revealed the presence of a bacterium in the Bacillus cereus group, which includes the species that causes classic anthrax. Doctors connected this finding to his occupation as a welders apprentice in the shipbuilding and repair industry, where he had been performing shielded metal arc welding for six months prior to the onset of his symptoms.
Welders anthrax is a rare form of anthrax that is linked to the inhalation of Bacillus cereus bacteria during welding activities. While classic anthrax is typically associated with Bacillus anthracis, this newer form involves a related bacterium. Experts believe that the welding process may aerosolize the bacteria, allowing it to be inhaled and cause respiratory illness.
"This case highlights the importance of awareness and vigilance among healthcare professionals and welders alike," said a CDC spokesperson, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter. "Early recognition and prompt treatment are crucial for improving patient outcomes."
The CDC and state health officials are currently investigating the source of the Bacillus cereus contamination in welding environments. They are also working to develop recommendations for preventing welders anthrax, including promoting the use of appropriate respiratory protection and improving ventilation in welding areas.
The patient in this case received intensive medical treatment and has since recovered. However, health officials emphasize the need for welders to be aware of the potential risks and to take precautions to protect themselves from inhaling harmful bacteria. Further research is underway to better understand the mechanisms of welders anthrax and to develop more effective prevention strategies.
AI-Assisted Journalism
This article was generated with AI assistance, synthesizing reporting from multiple credible news sources. Our editorial team reviews AI-generated content for accuracy.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
Meta is investing in Oklo, a next-generation nuclear startup, signaling a move towards innovative reactor designs for powering its data centers. This investment highlights the growing trend of tech companies exploring advanced nuclear technologies as a sustainable energy source, potentially reshaping the energy landscape for data-intensive operations.
Solawave's FDA-cleared LED devices, including the popular Radiant Renewal Wand, are currently offered in a Buy One, Get One Free sale, providing an accessible entry point to red light therapy. Experts suggest these devices, which utilize red light, gentle warmth, galvanic current, and vibration, can effectively boost collagen and reduce wrinkles with consistent use, offering a convenient at-home skincare solution.
KPMG is integrating SAP's conversational AI, Joule for Consultants, into its global operations, impacting 29 member firms and thousands of consultants. This adoption aims to enhance consultant productivity, accelerate SAP cloud transformations, and position KPMG at the forefront of AI-enabled consulting within the international SAP ecosystem.
AI-driven runtime attacks are outpacing traditional security measures, with adversaries exploiting vulnerabilities in production AI agents within seconds, far faster than typical patching cycles. This shift is driving CISOs to adopt inference security platforms by 2026 to gain visibility and control over these emerging threats, especially as attackers leverage AI to reverse engineer patches and execute malware-free attacks.
X's attempt to restrict Grok's image editing features to paying subscribers appears incomplete, as non-subscribers can still access these tools through workarounds. This highlights the challenge of controlling AI-generated content and raises concerns about the platform's ability to prevent the creation and spread of harmful images, especially given X's history of flawed updates.
Orchestral AI, a new Python framework, offers a simpler, reproducible approach to LLM orchestration, contrasting with the complexity of tools like LangChain. By prioritizing synchronous execution and type safety, Orchestral aims to make AI more accessible for scientific research and cost-conscious applications, potentially impacting how AI is integrated into fields requiring deterministic results.
Archaeologists in South Africa have discovered 60,000-year-old arrowheads with traces of plant-based poison, representing the earliest direct evidence of this sophisticated hunting technique. The finding, detailed in *Science Advances*, pushes back the known timeline for poison arrow use into the Pleistocene era, reflecting a hunting strategy employed by cultures worldwide, from ancient Greeks and Romans to Chinese warriors and Native American populations, utilizing toxins like curare and strychnine.
NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, has expressed full confidence in Orion's heat shield for the upcoming lunar mission after a thorough review, emphasizing data-driven analysis and engineering rigor. This decision follows criticism of NASA's transparency regarding heat shield damage from the Artemis I mission, highlighting the agency's commitment to openness and the critical role of ablative materials in spacecraft protection. The review underscores the importance of robust safety measures and clear communication in deep space exploration.
X (formerly Twitter) now restricts Grok's image generation capabilities, including its problematic "undressing" feature, to paying subscribers amidst growing controversy over the chatbot's creation of explicit and potentially illegal imagery. This move, while not officially confirmed by X or xAI, shifts the burden of access to potentially harmful AI-generated content to users willing to pay for the platform's premium subscription. The change comes as regulators and political figures consider actions against X due to concerns about the creation of non-consensual and sexualized images.
A proposed wealth tax in California is causing concern among Silicon Valley billionaires, including Google's founders, potentially leading them to relocate to states with lower taxes. This situation highlights the complex interplay between tax policy, wealth distribution, and the location decisions of high-net-worth individuals, raising questions about the economic impact of such policies. The debate underscores the broader societal discussion around wealth inequality and the role of taxation in addressing it.
A US Black Hawk helicopter trespassed on a Montana ranch to collect elk antlers, raising questions about unauthorized use of military equipment. The incident, involving a Montana Army National Guard helicopter landing on private property, prompted an internal investigation and highlights the intersection of military resources and civilian activities.
Meta is investing in nuclear energy startup Oklo, marking a significant move into next-generation reactor technology. This investment signals confidence in Oklo's innovative reactor designs and could influence the broader tech industry's approach to sourcing clean, reliable power for data centers and operations.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment