All articles tagged with #minnesota department of health
The Minnesota Department of Health is seeking a woman seen handling a rabid bat on a downtown Minneapolis sidewalk. The bat, found on Hennepin Avenue, tested positive for rabies. Officials warn that bat bites can be painless and urge anyone with potential exposure to seek immediate medical attention, as rabies is fatal but preventable through vaccination.
The Minnesota Department of Health has linked an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Grand Rapids to the city's municipal water supply, with 14 confirmed cases since April 2023. Officials found Legionella bacteria in the water of two buildings, which matched bacteria found in patients' respiratory samples. While the public water is safe to drink, precautions are advised for showers, and the city is working on a plan to address the situation, including potential chlorination. Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, and the CDC recommends measures to control its spread, as cases may be underreported.
The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed two cases of measles in the state, involving unvaccinated siblings in the Twin Cities metro area. Both children had recently traveled out of the country, and the MDH is working to identify potential exposures. With declining vaccination rates, officials emphasize the importance of ensuring children are up to date on their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, especially before international travel, as measles is a serious and vaccine-preventable disease.
The Minnesota Department of Health has identified parts of the city water system in Grand Rapids as the source of a Legionnaires' disease outbreak, with 14 cases identified since last April. Health officials urge those experiencing symptoms of pneumonia to seek medical attention promptly, as most cases can be treated with antibiotics. The Grand Rapids Public Utilities is working on a plan to flush and disinfect the water system, and is considering adding chlorination to the previously unchlorinated system. Residents are advised to take steps to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, especially those at increased risk of infection and severe illness.
The Minnesota Department of Health has identified the municipal water system as the source of an ongoing Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Grand Rapids, with 14 reported cases and 11 hospitalizations since April 2023. Water samples from two buildings tested positive for Legionella bacteria, which is believed to have been inhaled through water mist from showers and faucets. Efforts are underway to remedy the water system and reduce the risk of Legionella, with consideration given to installing a chlorination system. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and the disease cannot be spread from person to person or through drinking infected water.
An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Grand Rapids, Minn., has been linked to the municipal water supply, with 14 cases identified and 11 people hospitalized. The city plans to flush and disinfect the water system to reduce the risk of the disease, caused by inhaling water droplets containing the Legionella bacteria. Genomic sequencing tied the infections to the same bacterial strain, and investigators found exposure to the city water supply was the only common risk factor. The state Health Department recommends using distilled or filtered water for aerosolizing devices and noted that Grand Rapids operates one of the few community water systems in Minnesota without chlorination.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is tracking an outbreak of tuberculosis, with seven confirmed cases and another possible case traced to three Minnesota counties. The affected cases are primarily within the Anywaa community, a group of immigrants who fled from East African countries. Language barriers and lack of familiarity with healthcare resources have hindered testing and treatment. Tuberculosis is preventable and curable but can be deadly if left untreated. The risk to the general public is low, and health officials are urging community members to seek evaluation and testing.
COVID-19 cases are increasing in the metro area, with a 54% rise in viral load in the wastewater compared to the previous week. The dominant variant is XBB, which is highly transmissible. Hospital admissions have also increased by 12% nationwide. However, hospitalizations remain low compared to the peak of the omicron variant. Medical experts advise taking precautions, especially for those with underlying health conditions, and staying up to date with vaccinations. The FDA is expected to roll out a monovalent vaccine targeting XBB in the fall.
Over 60 people have fallen ill after swimming in Schulze Lake at Dakota County's Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Minnesota. The lake has been closed due to fears of a viral outbreak, and health officials suspect norovirus as the cause of the illnesses. Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps that begin 12 to 48 hours after ingestion of the virus. Officials are urging people to stay out of the water until at least 72 hours after symptoms go away to prevent the spread of the virus.
Schulze Lake in Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Eagan, has been temporarily closed due to a potential waterborne viral outbreak after a visitor reported getting sick. The cause of the illness is unknown, and the Minnesota Department of Health is offering testing to a limited number of people exposed to the lake water who are experiencing symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. The swimming ban also includes canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing until at least June 8. The rest of the park remains open, and people are advised to take precautions until authorities determine the cause of the outbreak.