public-health4.23 min read
FDA declines to cap PFAS in foods, opting for non-binding action levels
3 days ago•Source: The Guardian
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3.355 min•9 days ago
Michigan faces a large, growing Cyclospora outbreak across several counties
State health officials say more than 170 cyclosporiasis cases have been identified across at least seven Michigan counties (Monroe 70; Lenawee 33; Washtenaw 21; Wayne 12; Shiawassee 7; Jackson 7; Livingston 7), with 24 more cases in 11 other counties including Detroit, prompting an investigation into a likely contaminated produce source. The illness is food- or waterborne, not spread person-to-person; people with sudden, persistent diarrhea should seek medical care, and residents should follow food-safety practices such as washing hands and washing produce.
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Vacation-Rental Hot Tub Linked to Legionnaires’ Disease in New York
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)•29 days ago
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Public health advocates press for sweeping policy on ultra-processed foods
statnews.com•1 month ago
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US Ebola travel rule could slow care and deter volunteers
The United States has decided that Americans who contract Ebola will not be brought back to the U.S. for treatment or quarantine, instead evacuating them to Europe, a policy that could impede access to care for infected doctors and discourage volunteers and responders from assisting in the current Central African Ebola outbreak.
FSIS Issues Health Alert Over Beef Kofta Linked to E. coli Outbreak at The Kebab Shop
FSIS issued a Public Health Alert after raw beef kofta produced by Olympia Food Industries (dba Olympia Foods; Franklin Park, IL) tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 and is linked to California illnesses (9 cases; onset Mar 27–Apr 30, 2026). The kofta was served at The Kebab Shop locations in CA, TX, and FL; The Kebab Shop stopped selling the product on May 18, 2026; no recall was requested because the product is no longer available for purchase. Consumers should discard any leftovers and cook ground beef to 160°F. For questions, contact The Kebab Shop or USDA MP Hotline.
Bats, borders and bushmeat: why Ebola keeps flaring in the DRC
Public-health researcher James Baguma explains that the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the DRC is likely driven by bat-to-human spillover in a landscape of intense wildlife–people interaction—hunting, bushmeat markets, and bats entering homes—coupled with porous borders and cross-border movement with Uganda. Reducing risk hinges on trusted local leaders and women’s groups delivering locally resonant messages about safer practices around bats and wildlife contact.
Tick Season Arrives Early in Wisconsin: How to Protect Yourself
Wisconsin is seeing an early tick surge as unseasonably warm March weather wakes ticks, leading to more tick-bite ER visits; although wood ticks are common, the deer tick is the main public-health threat because it can transmit Lyme disease, and more tiny nymphs are expected in the coming weeks; watch for fatigue, stiff neck, or rash as possible Lyme symptoms; protect yourself by showering after outdoor time, treating clothing with permethrin, wearing light-colored clothing and tucking pants into socks, using lint rollers, and taking steps to protect pets; Wisconsinites can also join The Tick App, a research effort to track tick encounters.
Philly Health Dept. Alerts Patients After Dental Clinic License Suspension Over Unsafe Practices
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health says Smiles at Rittenhouse Square dental clinic has had its dentist’s license suspended for unsafe, unsanitary practices, and the clinic is closed. Patients seen from April 2025 through May 2026 are advised to get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV; the health department will mail exposure information and testing resources and has set up a hotline (215-685-5488) for questions. A separate investigation by the Pennsylvania Department of State is ongoing, and the clinic cannot reopen until safety standards are corrected and the license reinstated.
Backyard flock owners face knowledge gaps as bird-flu risk rises
A CDC MMWR report (July–December 2025) surveyed 638 U.S. backyard flock owners and found that while most have heard of avian influenza, many cannot identify all signs in birds or humans. About 16% know all human symptoms and roughly one-third know all bird signs; 77% view their personal risk as low, though 90% know recommended precautions. Willingness to use PPE increases with higher knowledge (gloves, boots, and respirators are common; goggles and coveralls less so). Flocks are often small with potential wild-bird access, raising exposure risk. Since 2024, 71 human H5 cases have been reported in the U.S., including three among backyard-flock owners (two deaths). The findings support targeted education to help owners protect themselves, their flocks, and families from avian influenza.
Record Dengue Surge in the United States in 2024 Fueled by Travel-Associated Cases
CDC data show a record 3,798 dengue cases in the United States and DC in 2024, up 359% from the 2010–2023 average, with travel-associated cases (97.2%) far exceeding locally acquired ones (2.8%). The Caribbean, Mexico, and Cuba were major exposure regions; Florida, California, and Texas reported local transmission in multiple counties. The median patient age was 49; 57.5% identified as Hispanic/Latino, and 36.1% were hospitalized, with six deaths (0.2%). DENV-3 was the most common serotype among those tested. The findings call for stronger prevention, vector control, and traveler-focused messaging, while vaccines are not yet available for short-term travelers; protective measures include EPA-approved repellents, protective clothing, screens, and reducing standing water.
Cannabis Edibles and Alcohol May Compound Driving Impairment, Study Finds
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study shows that consuming cannabis edibles with alcohol produces greater and longer-lasting driving impairment than either substance alone, and standard field sobriety tests often miss cannabis-related impairment, underscoring the need for better public awareness and detection tools as well as reexamination of the 0.08% alcohol limit when cannabis is involved.
New Fathers, Preventable Deaths: A Hidden Public Health Crisis
Northwestern researchers linked Georgia birth records (2017–2022) with death data for 130,267 births, finding 796 fathers died within five years and 60% of these deaths were preventable (homicide, accidental injury, suicide, overdose). While being a father was associated with lower overall mortality for men over 20, younger fathers faced more non-natural deaths, and risks were higher for those with Medicaid-financed births, unmarried status, or rural residence; higher education, Hispanic ethnicity, and Tricare-linked births were protective. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the study identifies a major public health blind spot—no systematic surveillance of paternal deaths after birth—and urges states to analyze their data and establish national monitoring (PRAMS for Dads).
Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship expands as FDA chief resigns in health roundup
A health roundup reports an ongoing hantavirus outbreak linked to a Dutch cruise ship has grown to 11 cases (9 confirmed) with 3 deaths; WHO says there are no signs of a larger outbreak yet but the long incubation could yield more cases. The package also notes FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s resignation amid controversy, FDA’s clearance of the first AI-based sepsis early-warning system, and a study showing rising incidence and mortality from candidemia in the US, including increases in Candida auris, alongside other brief health-policy items.