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Showing posts from June, 2025

New COVID Variant ‘Nimbus’ Linked to Severe Sore Throat as Summer Cases Tick Up

 A newly emerging COVID-19 variant, officially designated NB.1.8.1 and nicknamed “Nimbus,” is drawing increasing attention from public health officials and medical experts as it spreads across the globe. First identified in early 2025, the variant has now been detected in over 20 countries, including the United States, where it is contributing to a subtle yet noticeable rise in summer COVID-19 cases. The World Health Organization classified NB.1.8.1 as a “variant under monitoring” in late May, signaling concern over its potential to spread more easily or evade some immune responses. While there is currently no indication that Nimbus causes more severe disease than previous Omicron subvariants, it has introduced a particularly painful symptom that is getting wide attention: a sore throat so intense that some patients have described it as feeling like swallowing razor blades or glass. Health professionals note that sore throat has long been a common COVID-19 symptom, particularly i...

Aflac Cyberattack Exposes Sensitive Data in Major U.S. Network Breach

On June 20, 2025, Aflac, one of the largest providers of health and life insurance in the United States, confirmed it had experienced a significant cybersecurity breach. The incident, which impacted the company’s U.S.-based systems, is believed to have compromised sensitive personal data, including Social Security numbers and medical claims information. The breach was first detected on June 12, when Aflac’s security teams identified unusual activity on its internal systems. The company responded swiftly, working closely with third-party cybersecurity experts to isolate the affected systems and mitigate further risk. Although the breach was contained within hours of detection, the full scope of the data exposure remains under investigation. Aflac’s initial assessment suggests that the attackers gained unauthorized access to customer, agent, and employee information. This may include Social Security numbers, policy details, and sensitive health-related records. The company has not disc...