All articles tagged with #health department
Wayne County Public Health confirmed Saturday two measles cases in unvaccinated individuals, marking the county’s first documented measles cases. Officials are coordinating with the patients, their contacts, NYS Department of Health, and local providers, amid nationwide updates from the CDC showing 3,294 measles cases across 47 states as of Sept. 10.
A fresh Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the South Bronx has killed 1 and sickened 5 in Morrisania and Melrose as city health investigators race to identify the source and begin outreach. Officials say cooling towers in the area will be tested and disinfected if positive, and note that a prior Upper East Side cluster that killed 11 is no longer spreading. An NYPD precinct cooling tower showed trace levels of Legionella, but health officials say there’s no public-health risk at this time.
A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the South Bronx has killed one person and infected four others, with the NYC Health Department investigating a potential cluster in Melrose and Morrisania; five cases had been diagnosed as of Thursday and officials planned to check nearby cooling towers, following a separate Manhattan outbreak that killed 11 earlier.
A diner in Hong Kong found a newborn pink, hairless rat in a Wa Jer Restaurant takeout meal. Local health authorities seized the food, cited unsatisfactory hygiene conditions after inspecting the premises, and the restaurant was shut for cleaning as investigators probe how the rodent ended up in the sauce.
Lancaster County coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni says his office is investigating the death of a second child who died while infected with measles; the child’s age and other details were not released. Gov. Josh Shapiro had announced two measles-associated deaths in the county, but the state Department of Health declined to release demographics, noting privacy. ‘Measles-associated’ means there is laboratory or epidemiological evidence of measles, with the official cause of death still under investigation.
Health officials are notifying patients, families and staff after two people who visited UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh tested positive for measles; exposures occurred in multiple areas of the hospital, including the waiting room and cafeteria, with ongoing contact tracing as Pennsylvania faces a broader outbreak and non-residents were among the exposed.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has identified two measles exposure sites: an Exxon gas station in Hendersonville and a Holiday Inn in Asheville, urging anyone who visited those locations during the exposure period to monitor for symptoms and seek medical advice if concerned.
A Richmond gastroenterologist woke to a bat in her mouth and shared the incident online, turning it into a viral warning: if a bat is found in your home, trap it for rabies testing and contact your local health department rather than trying to kill it; the bat tested negative for rabies, and authorities say prompt action is key in potential exposures.
A Dunkin’ Donuts employee aboard the Staten Island Ferry was filmed washing his bare feet in a kitchen sink, prompting a NYC Health Department probe into food-safety practices near food prep; witnesses called the scene revolting, and Dunkin’ has not commented.
The Upper East Side Legionnaires’ disease cluster has claimed nine lives, surpassing last year’s Harlem outbreak; officials say the source has been eliminated, no new confirmed cases for over three weeks, one person remains hospitalized, and grieving families have filed lawsuits against the city.
The Franklin County Health Department has confirmed several cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella bacteria are present in water systems and do not spread person-to-person. Officials are collaborating with state health agencies to identify a common source, while advising the public to reduce risk by cleaning water-mist devices, keeping water heaters at 140°F, and flushing and maintaining water systems.
A fourth death has been linked to Manhattan’s Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. The city’s health department reports 76 total cases and seven people still hospitalized; investigators continue inspecting cooling towers tied to the exposure, and a attorney for the widow of an 88-year-old man who died plans to pursue a suit against the building owner.
Tal Bagels on Broadway between 90th and 91st Street was closed by the NYC Health Department after a July 17 inspection scored 157 violation points, including contamination in the food prep/storage area, cross-contamination risks, mice, roaches, and sewage disposal issues. The shop had previously earned an A rating in June 2025, and it may reopen once the cited conditions are fixed, with a reopening window from 24 hours to several weeks; staff were seen cleaning as of Sunday noon.
Montgomery County Health Department confirms a rabies case in a Fultonville horse, linked to a raccoon variant. Five people are being treated for potential exposure, with vaccine-related costs estimated at $15,000–$20,000 for the department. Additional animals on the farm are quarantined and tested; pre-exposure vaccines exist for both animals and people and remain far cheaper than the post-exposure vaccine series.
The Dearborn County Health Department reports 37 chlamydia cases so far in 2026, up from 28 for all of 2025, and urges sexually active residents or those with unprotected sex to get screened. Chlamydia often has no symptoms, so routine testing is important for early detection and treatment, which is typically antibiotics. The department is offering free, confidential testing and can be scheduled at 812-537-8844.