disease

Missouri lawmakers this year passed the No Patient Left Alone Act as a result of some patients being unable to have visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Months later, the impact of the law is likely dependent on a future health emergency.

Millions received the COVID-19 vaccine, which was the first widely used immunization to use mRNA technology. Washington University researchers hope they can use the same method to make an mRNA flu shot.

The United States recorded its first case of AIDS in 1981. On World AIDS Day, a survivor and a physician discuss how public perception and treatment of the disease has changed over 40 years.

Scientists at the University of Missouri have found mutations in the monkeypox virus are likely making it less responsive to medicines. The four-person team studied strains of the virus going back decades.

Attorneys for Jackson County and other municipalities argued that a judge's ruling last November, which declared "null and void" any unilaterally-issued COVID health orders, is impacting their ability to curb the spread of contagious disease.

This is the first school year in which all ages will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, but so far uptake has been lower for younger age groups.

COVID-19 cases in Kansas City remain at their highest levels since February 2022. But revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifts quarantine requirements and loosens protocols for schools.

The MS Achievement Center, located at the University of Kansas Medical Center, provides weekly therapies and socialization for those with the neurological disease.

COVID cases have increased in Kansas City by nearly 40% in the last two weeks, a surge attributed to the highly contagious variant BA.5.

The state and its partners at the University of Missouri are monitoring 112 sites to see if viral particles are increasing and if new COVID variants are emerging in the region's wastewater.

The BA.2 subvariant is about 30% more transmissible than the original omicron variant and is fueling a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Europe. However, it does not appear to cause any more severe illness than other forms of the coronavirus.

COVID has killed almost 16,000 Missourians and 7,000 Kansans in total. Experts now warn that the more transmissible omicron variant could bring a new spike in cases and deaths.