All articles tagged with #centers for disease control and prevention
A Kenyan court suspended the Trump-era plan to set up a U.S.-run Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, citing a threat to life even as authorities prepared to open the makeshift hospital for Americans exposed to Ebola in the Congo outbreak; a June 2 hearing was scheduled to review the case.
A hantavirus outbreak linked to a Dutch cruise ship that departed from Argentina infected 11 people and killed three; 18 Americans are under a six-week quarantine, longer than guidelines for most contagious diseases. Experts point to Andes hantavirus’s longer incubation period and transmission via bodily fluids, meaning the overall risk to the U.S. public remains low even as authorities maintain extended monitoring to prevent further spread.
The CDC is boosting health screenings and traveler monitoring amid an Ebola outbreak in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. Non-U.S. passport holders who recently traveled to those countries within 21 days may be barred from entering under a Title 42 order, as the U.S. coordinates with airlines and port officials. The WHO has declared a public health emergency, with hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths; the Bundibugyo strain has no vaccine and high mortality. U.S. officials say the immediate risk to the general public remains low while continuing to monitor and adjust measures as needed.
The acting CDC director delayed publication of a report showing the COVID-19 vaccine reduced emergency department visits and hospitalizations for healthy adults last winter by about half, citing concerns with the methodology. The move, while the design has long been used to test vaccine effectiveness, has drawn criticism that vaccine benefits may be downplayed and was reported by scientists who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The White House has delayed nominating a permanent CDC director and is continuing a leadership search, leaving Jay Bhattacharya as acting CDC director to oversee the agency amid political and operational risks complicating health appointments.
Pfizer and Valneva report that their four-dose experimental Lyme disease vaccine reduced infections by more than 70% in a 9,400-person trial and plan to seek regulatory approval, potentially becoming the first widely available Lyme vaccine; a previous vaccine, LYMErix, drew controversy despite no proven harm.
A little-known respiratory virus called human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is spreading in multiple states, including New Jersey, drawing attention from the CDC; most people have likely already had it by age five, making awareness of symptoms important as cases rise.
The Washington Post reports that RFK Jr., depicted as health secretary, has long campaigned against vaccines and has tied his own voice-change to the flu vaccine—an assertion medical experts say lacks scientific support. Amid a severe flu season, federal guidance was revised to no longer routinely recommend flu vaccines for children and adolescents, and Kennedy ordered an end to a government flu-vaccine ad campaign, signaling a notable shift in public health policy.
The White House named Jay Bhattacharya, a critic of the CDC’s pandemic response and co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, to lead the CDC on an acting basis.
Measles outbreaks are on the rise in the U.S. due to declining vaccination rates, which are compromising herd immunity. Experts warn that vaccination levels for the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, have dropped below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, leading to an increase in measles cases. Additionally, a record number of kindergarten students have received exemptions from key vaccines, with nonmedical exemptions on the rise. This trend poses a significant risk of further measles outbreaks across the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a map showing the provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, are increasing. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel health notice, warning of the possibility of mpox transmission in travelers who have visited the DRC. The WHO reports that the number of mpox cases and provinces reporting mpox in the DRC have been rising. The most heavily impacted province is Tshuapa, followed by Tshopo, South-Ubangi, Équateur, and Mai-Ndombe. The DRC has reported a significant increase in suspected mpox cases and deaths compared to previous years. Mpox is typically transmitted through contact with infected animals or humans, and person-to-person transmission has occurred through sexual contact and household contact. Symptoms include rash, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. A vaccine is available for those at risk.
More than two dozen counties in Ohio, including larger ones like Cuyahoga and Franklin, have opioid usage rates higher than the national average, despite the overall decrease in opioid prescriptions in the country. Opioid usage tends to be prevalent in predominantly white areas with more physicians per capita but also more uninsured individuals with chronic conditions. While prescription drug monitoring programs have been implemented in all 50 states, their effectiveness in reducing opioid abuse is mixed. Some studies suggest that decreasing prescriptions may have contributed to the rise of synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about the alarming rise in congenital syphilis cases in the United States, reaching "dire levels." The number of cases has more than tripled since 2017, with over 2,000 cases documented in 2021, the highest in 27 years. Congenital syphilis can lead to severe health problems and even death for newborns. The infection is preventable and treatable through testing and antibiotic treatment during pregnancy. However, the shortage of crucial antibiotics used to treat syphilis is exacerbating the situation. Health experts are urging the Biden Administration to declare congenital syphilis a public health emergency.
The infant-mortality rate in the United States has increased by 3% for the first time in two decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This rise raises concerns about maternal-infant health in the country, as the rate of infant deaths per 1,000 births increased from 5.44 to 5.6 in 2022. The higher rate highlights the need for further attention and improvement in this area.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to recommend the use of doxycycline, an antibiotic, after unprotected sexual encounters to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The recommendation would initially apply to gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have had an STI within the previous year or who may be at risk for one. Rates of STIs have been increasing, with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cases reaching alarming levels in the United States. Doxycycline has shown promising results in reducing the risk of STIs when taken within 72 hours of exposure. However, concerns about antibiotic resistance and ensuring access to those who need it most remain. The CDC will finalize the guidelines after a public comment period.