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Westlake Village Raccoon Marks First Rabies Case in LA County Since 1973
2 days ago•Source: The Guardian
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First Rabid Raccoon in LA County in 50 Years Triggers Public Health Alert
Los Angeles County health officials issued a warning after a rabid raccoon was found in Westlake Village, marking the first such case in the county in over 50 years. The animal, which appeared sick but not aggressive, exposed a vaccinated dog and four people at a nearby worksite, all of whom are receiving post-exposure prophylaxis. While the specific rabies variant is under investigation, officials suspect a bat-to-raccoon transmission, coinciding with a record 70 rabid bat detections in the county this year.
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Florida Measles Risk Peaks as Mandate Debate Looms
A new University of Maryland model suggests Florida is nearing a critical threshold for a major measles outbreak, with potential pediatric deaths if vaccination rates drop further. While current coverage is below the 95% herd immunity threshold, experts debate the model's accuracy amid ongoing legislative proposals to remove school vaccine mandates.
public-health12 days ago
Cychlorphine Threatens Campus Safety as Officials Warn of Potent Opioid Spread
Health officials at the University of Arizona and in Ohio are warning students about cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl. Detected in California and Nevada, the drug has caused fatal overdoses and is now being monitored in Arizona and the Miami Valley. While it does not appear on standard drug test strips, officials confirm that Narcan remains effective, though multiple doses may be required to reverse an overdose. Campus organizations are distributing Narcan and educating students to mitigate risks before the substance spreads further.
LA County Investigates Second 2026 Flea-Borne Typhus Cluster in Wilshire Center
Los Angeles County health officials are investigating a new flea-borne typhus outbreak in the Wilshire Center neighborhood, where seven people have been infected and six hospitalized. This is the second localized cluster reported in 2026, following an earlier incident in Pico-Union. While all current patients have recovered, countywide cases have reached 109 this year, continuing a multi-year upward trend. Officials attribute the rise to flea exposure linked to rats, stray cats, and opossums, urging residents to maintain year-round pet flea control and secure homes against wildlife.
San Francisco’s addiction crisis: 41% of patients denied immediate detox access
A new San Francisco Department of Public Health report reveals that 41% of individuals seeking residential detox beds in fiscal 2024-25 were turned away on the same day or the next. While the city has expanded access to 78% of other addiction services, residential detox remains a critical bottleneck. The report attributes these turnaways to complex medical and mental health needs, limited bed capacity, and patients leaving before assessments. Public Health Director Daniel Tsai called the gap a 'huge priority' and is seeking state licensing flexibility to serve patients with complex conditions. A 16-bed dual-diagnosis facility is planned for early next year. Despite these efforts, advocates and some residents argue the system still fails to meet demand, with some patients leaving the city to seek treatment elsewhere.
Second 2026 LA Typhus Cluster in Wilshire Center Hospitalizes Six
Los Angeles County health officials are investigating a new flea-borne typhus outbreak in the Wilshire Center neighborhood after seven people fell ill and six were hospitalized. This is the second localized cluster reported in 2026, following an earlier incident in Pico-Union. The outbreak occurs against a backdrop of record-breaking typhus cases in the county, with 109 reported so far this year and 220 in 2025. Health experts attribute the rise to flea exposure linked to rats, stray cats, and opossums, urging residents to maintain year-round pet flea control and prevent wildlife from entering homes.
CDC Links 37 Hepatitis A Cases to Ecuadorian Frozen Clams
The CDC and FDA confirmed a multistate hepatitis A outbreak linked to imported frozen black clams, affecting 37 people across four states. Thirty patients required hospitalization, with no deaths reported. The outbreak is tied to La Serranita brand shell meat from Ecuador, which was recalled in April 2026. Illness onset dates span from late 2025 to mid-2026, highlighting the long incubation period of the virus.
Measles Isn’t Just a Kid’s Problem: Adults Now Face Real Risk
Measles is increasingly a grown-up concern: in 2026, 38% of cases are among adults and hospitalizations in adults are substantial, with Pennsylvania seeing a large share of adult cases and several adult deaths. The op‑ed urges adults to check their MMR status, since many may assume childhood immunity remains protective, and explains when a second dose or revaccination is advised, how to verify records, and steps to take if exposed or pregnant. It also notes MMR is a live vaccine available at pharmacies, and emphasizes not delaying protection due to misconceptions about age.
HHS seeks public input on vaccine recommendation labels as deadline looms
CIDRAP Op-Ed explains that HHS issued a Federal Register request for information asking how to name and structure vaccine recommendation categories, with 18 questions and a Sept 20 deadline tied to an executive order to reform the childhood schedule. It reviews the three categories—Routine, Risk-based, and Shared clinical decision-making—and argues the notice misses key policy and practical issues, such as how a “no default” category would work in clinics and how past votes and current rules should influence labeling. The piece urges practitioners and other stakeholders to weigh in with concrete experiences on clinic workflow, insurance coverage, and patient consent.
Airport air surveillance finds pervasive COVID signals, notable influenza presence
A CDC-led study at four US airports during 2023–2024 detected SARS-CoV-2 in 98.3% of 463 air samples and influenza A in 17.2% using in-air samplers near immigration and arrivals. Genetic sequencing showed circulating lineages similar to wastewater, and multiple other respiratory viruses were identified. The findings suggest airport air monitoring can complement wastewater and clinical data to inform ventilation improvements, public health messaging, and resource allocation for future pandemics.
New York Measles Dashboard Tracks Weekly Cases and Vaccination Rates (Excluding NYC)
New York's Measles Dashboard, updated weekly (Tuesdays) and excluding New York City, shows preliminary confirmed measles cases by time and by region/county from the CDESS, includes vaccination rates and provider resources, and notes that NYC data are tracked separately and that data are provisional as investigations continue.