All articles tagged with #exposure
A measles outbreak in southern Iowa has expanded to 17 cases, with Sunnyside Grocery in Bloomfield added as a potential exposure site on Aug. 15 (11 a.m.–2 p.m.). The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services lists multiple exposure locations across central and southern Iowa and continues urging vaccination to curb spread.
Iowa HHS added Ottumwa’s Pizza Ranch (1791 Venture Dr) as a new measles exposure site for Aug. 14 (noon–3 p.m.), joining five Des Moines metro locations and two in Bloomfield; the state has 15 measles cases in 2026, with 13 of those patients unvaccinated.
South Carolina health officials say 13 people and four pets have been exposed to rabies after three animals—an Aiken County horse, an Anderson County skunk, and a Charleston County raccoon—tested positive; two dogs exposed in Anderson and two in Charleston will be quarantined under the Rabies Control Act. The state requires vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets, and there have been 72 rabid-animal cases statewide this year.
A raccoon in Rutland tested positive for rabies after attacking an unvaccinated dog, which was euthanized; three people exposed to the animal will receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. Jefferson County reports this as the 14th confirmed rabies case this year, with additional positives among raccoons, skunks, a bat and a bobcat, underscoring the ongoing risk of rabies and the importance of timely treatment for exposures.
Southern Iowa's measles outbreak has grown to 12 confirmed cases as officials say the virus is spreading between people. State and local health departments are coordinating with affected families and communities, and have published locations visited by contagious individuals where exposure could have occurred. People who were at those sites during the specified times should monitor for symptoms (fever, cough, red/watery eyes, runny nose, rash) and contact a healthcare provider before presenting to care. Vaccination access is being promoted, and an interactive map of exposure sites is available.
Pigs at the Kent County Youth Fair in Lowell tested positive for swine flu after several hogs showed illness; to prevent spread, the fair closed the barn and moved sick animals off-site. As of Aug. 12, several people who were exposed report flu-like symptoms and are being tested, but no human cases have been confirmed. Public health officials have issued precautions and are continuing the investigation, including monitoring exposed individuals for 10 days and advising hygiene and PPE where appropriate.
Mount Nittany Health warns of possible measles exposure at its Emergency Department (Mount Nittany Medical Center) and Mount Nittany Health Toftrees on July 31–Aug. 1, urging exposed individuals to contact their primary care provider or ExpressCare and to wear a mask if concerned; vaccination remains the best protection as Pennsylvania reports rising measles cases this year.
Public health officials warned that a person infected with measles spent 11 hours at Universal Studios Hollywood on July 26, potentially exposing other parkgoers. Anyone who visited the park from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. may be at risk and should verify their immunity, monitor for symptoms for 7 to 21 days, and get the MMR vaccine if needed (two doses is recommended). The last day to monitor is Aug. 16. High-risk individuals should contact their healthcare provider if symptoms develop; vaccination remains the best defense.
A global analysis of ALS studies over 35 years finds occupational pesticide exposure is linked to a 61%–71% higher risk of developing ALS, with higher risk tied to greater exposure and a stronger signal in men; glyphosate and other herbicides are implicated, and farmworkers face higher exposure, while pesticide use continues worldwide even as US use declines; ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease and may be part of broader health concerns linked to pesticides.
New research finds that workers exposed to pesticides have about a 60% higher risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), adding to growing evidence that pesticide exposure is linked to several neurodegenerative and health conditions as ALS cases have risen in the U.S. over the past decade.
South Carolina health officials confirmed rabies in a raccoon in Charleston County and a bat in Greenville County, resulting in two people being exposed and referred for treatment; authorities note that rabies cannot be diagnosed visually and urge anyone potentially exposed to contact their local health offices.
A bat at the Yellow Deli Restaurant in Vista tested positive for rabies, prompting San Diego County health officials to warn anyone who may have touched the animal to seek medical guidance immediately; authorities are trying to identify those involved, and the incident underscores the risk of wildlife contact since rabies treatment is most effective before symptoms begin.
Public health officials in San Diego County warned that a rabid bat landed on a family’s table at a San Diego deli, and anyone who touched the bat should seek medical advice for potential rabies exposure; the bat tested positive for rabies—the 22nd case in the county this year—marking the highest yearly count since at least 2021, though no human rabies cases have been reported.
A rabid bat landed on a family’s table at a San Diego deli; no direct contact was reported, but a diner bagged the bat and took it to the Humane Society, where it tested positive. The bat is the 22nd rabies-positive bat in San Diego County this year, the most since 2021. Health officials warn anyone who may have touched the bat to seek medical advice, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear but preventable with prompt treatment; residents are reminded to avoid handling wildlife.
A rabies-positive bat fell onto a table at the Yellow Deli in Vista during a family lunch; there’s no known direct contact yet, but anyone who touched the bat should seek medical guidance, as post-exposure rabies treatment is highly effective. San Diego County has recorded 22 rabid bats so far in 2026, highlighting ongoing wildlife exposure risks.