AI-generated summary
Pneumonic plague is a highly contagious form of plague caused by bacteria and can cause death if the infection is left untreated. It spreads primarily through close contact.
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AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The EU will examine and possibly impose travel restrictions on Russia.
Likely · Within weeks
Russia will make an official statement on the events in Irkutsk under international pressure.
Possible · Within days

The President of the Federal Association of Food Chemists in the Public Service, Birgit Bienzle, calls for a nationwide uniform risk assessment for food controls and warns of loss of quality if requirements are deleted. The association is meeting in Potsdam until Sunday under the title “Slim State – a Challenge for Food Safety”.

Medical costs in Germany rose by 7.6 percent to 528.5 billion euros in 2024. At 6,960 euros per capita, women had 22.5 percent higher costs than men. People over 65 accounted for over half of the costs, with cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders being the most expensive disease groups.
The next global health crisis will not start with a new virus, but with growing antibiotic resistance. Five million people worldwide die from resistant germs every year; by 2050 the number could rise to over 39 million. Hannah Grünewald speaks in the podcast »What now? – The Week” with Jan Schweitzer from ZEIT about this underestimated threat.
In Thuringia, days of absence due to mental illness are increasing sharply. According to the AOK report, days lost have increased by 68 percent since 2016. Professions in dialogue marketing, geriatric care and social administration are particularly affected.

According to an AOK evaluation, absenteeism due to mental illnesses such as burnout or depression is increasing massively. With an average of 28.5 days per case, they cause significantly longer absences than respiratory infections. Social professions are particularly affected.

Medical costs in Germany rose to 528.5 billion euros in 2024, an increase of 7.6 percent. This corresponds to 6,330 euros per capita. Older people as well as cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders cause particularly high costs.