HOUSTON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- There is a mystery brewing in south Alabama. An illness has hospitalized several people, killing two of them.

It is something that leaves the patient struggling to breathe.

The Alabama Department of Public Health is putting everyone on notice about a mystery illness.  Epidemiologists are conferring with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about a cluster of respiratory illnesses. 

The origin of the illness is unknown, but it is striking people in the Houston County area.  So far, seven people have been hospitalized with fever, cough, and shortness of breath.   Two of those patients have died.  

Lab specimens have been collected and are being studied.   For now, both the Public Health Department and the CDC are recommending hospitals use respiratory protocol when dealing someone with such an illness, meaning masks and gloves.  

MADISON, AL (WAFF)- This is the time of year sun lovers are gearing up for summer.  While the sun's rays are inviting, there is a hidden danger. Just ask melanoma patient, Catherine Reynolds. 

"About three years ago, my parents noticed a mole on my leg and they advised me to go get it checked," she said.  "It was on my shin and it was a large black mole, and it looks like nothing else."

She said she put it off for a while, but eventually went in. 

"Dr. Rivera looked at it and he said that we definitely had to have it removed," said Reynolds.

It was taken off that day and sent to a lab.

"The next day he called me and said , 'You need to come in because we need to remove a lot of the tissue because you definitely have Melanoma,'" she said.  "I was very surprised because I'm 29 years old and I thought, 'Skin cancer? That's for older people.'"

By Sunday afternoon the greater threat for rain will begin to shift to our east. A few isolated storms are possible, but most will stay dry. Temperatures will be on the climb with highs in the upper 80s.

The new work week will be bordering on hot. It's going to be humid as well. Highs Monday and Tuesday will climb to near 90. Heat indices could be in the low 90s.

A cold front nearing the area by Tuesday night will bring our next chance of showers and thunderstorms for the midweek.  Slightly cooler and drier weather is expected next weekend.