Tag

Outbreaks

All articles tagged with #outbreaks

Two NYC Legionnaires' Outbreaks Spark Scrutiny Over Cooling-Tower Oversight
health1 day ago

Two NYC Legionnaires' Outbreaks Spark Scrutiny Over Cooling-Tower Oversight

NYC faces a second Legionnaires' outbreak in as many years, this time on the Upper East Side, sickening about 92 people and killing nine, as health officials race to identify cooling towers linked to the cases. Critics say staffing shortages and insufficient inspections allowed the outbreak to take hold, despite towers testing positive at sites like the Guggenheim and the Met. Officials insist they’ve increased inspectors and enforcement and quickly eliminated the source, but experts argue prevention requires more proactive testing, lower action thresholds, and closer collaboration with building owners. The city is also facing lawsuits over past outbreaks and ongoing debates over regulatory strategies to curb Legionella growth.)

2026 recalls surge triggers public health fatigue and safety doubts
science4 days ago

2026 recalls surge triggers public health fatigue and safety doubts

An uptick in food recalls this year—ranging from cyclospora-contaminated lettuce and salmonella in eggs to jalapeño peppers, berries, dog food, and eye drops—has left thousands ill and spotlighted 'recall fatigue' as a risk to public trust. Experts say recall activity this year appears elevated, though it’s not yet clear if total recalls will exceed 2025; the bigger deals, not volume, drive impact. Contributing factors include media amplification, seasonal outbreak spikes, and funding/staff cuts at FDA and CDC, plus surveillance shifts and delays to the Traceability Rule. The article argues the solution is stronger prevention and clearer communication, along with bolstering safety institutions rather than dialing back recalls.

Late-Summer COVID Wave Triggers 2026 Guidelines and Updated Booster
health7 days ago

Late-Summer COVID Wave Triggers 2026 Guidelines and Updated Booster

COVID-19 cases are rising in late summer 2026, with wastewater data showing increasing SARS-CoV-2 activity and about 15 states with outbreaks, though the surge is reportedly less severe than in past years and could peak in early September. The current wave is driven by Omicron-related variants XFG.1.1 and Cicada (BA.3.2); most symptoms resemble other Omicron infections. CDC guidance calls for staying home and isolating until fever-free and feeling better for 24 hours, plus masking around others. A new 2026-2027 booster targeting XFG is expected to roll out in September, and vaccination is still advised for eligible people, especially high-risk groups, to reduce severe illness and hospitalization.

Measles exposure at Universal Studios sparks health alert as US cases climb in 2026
health18 days ago

Measles exposure at Universal Studios sparks health alert as US cases climb in 2026

A person infected with measles spent about 11 hours at Universal Studios Hollywood, prompting the Los Angeles County Public Health Department to warn visitors from July 26 to monitor for symptoms through August 16. With 2,465 confirmed measles cases in 2026 so far, officials urge verification of immunity and vaccination (MMR is 97% effective after two doses). California has faced several outbreaks that have since ended, while the CDC notes dozens of outbreaks nationwide this year as health authorities stress vaccination and precautionary travel during crowded events.

Summer Salmonella Surge: Eggs, Jalapeños, Backyard Poultry and Pets Tied to Outbreaks
health19 days ago

Summer Salmonella Surge: Eggs, Jalapeños, Backyard Poultry and Pets Tied to Outbreaks

Health officials are facing multiple, concurrent salmonella outbreaks in the U.S. linked to eggs from Texas, jalapeño peppers from Mexico, backyard poultry, and pet veiled chameleons, sickening hundreds across dozens of states and causing one death; guidance stresses clean, separate, cook and chill to prevent infection, while antibiotics are usually reserved for severe cases and doctors distinguish salmonella from cyclospora in diagnosis.

Protect Your Plate: Practical Tips Amid Nationwide Foodborne Outbreaks
health-and-fitness19 days ago

Protect Your Plate: Practical Tips Amid Nationwide Foodborne Outbreaks

With nationwide outbreaks of salmonella, Cyclospora, and other pathogens, health officials urge safer dining and food-handling habits—cook chicken and ground meats thoroughly, use pasteurized eggs for sauces, avoid buffet foods left at room temperature, and report suspicious or spoiled-looking food; investigations point to jalapeños linked to Chipotle and Qdoba and lettuce grown in Mexico, among other outbreaks in baby formula and produce.

Cyclospora Outbreak Turns Deadly as Michigan Reports First Fatalities
health21 days ago

Cyclospora Outbreak Turns Deadly as Michigan Reports First Fatalities

Two Michiganders have died from cyclosporiasis in what officials call the year’s first outbreak-related fatalities, as the U.S. grapples with a record-spreading cyclospora problem across 45 states, with thousands of confirmed and pending cases; the largest cluster is linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, though other outbreaks lack identified sources. Vulnerable populations face higher risk, while authorities urge thorough handwashing and washing produce to reduce infection risk.

Tennessee Faces Major Cyclosporiasis Outbreaks Tied to Travel
health21 days ago

Tennessee Faces Major Cyclosporiasis Outbreaks Tied to Travel

Tennessee health officials say the state is experiencing several large cyclosporiasis outbreaks, with Knox County reporting mostly travel-related cases. The CDC records 50–199 Tennessee cases since May 1, and Michigan has reported two deaths linked to the outbreak. Preventive steps include thorough washing of raw produce, refrigerating cut or cooked fruits and vegetables, and seeking medical care if symptoms such as explosive diarrhea occur.

US Measles Outbreak Reaches Decades-High Amid Vaccination Gaps
health26 days ago

US Measles Outbreak Reaches Decades-High Amid Vaccination Gaps

Measles cases in the United States have surged to a decades-high in 2026, with over 2,200 confirmed by July across more than 40 states, driven largely by pockets of unvaccinated individuals as vaccination rates dip below the 95% herd-immunity target; experts warn continued transmission could threaten elimination status, and health officials urge up-to-date measles vaccination (MMR) to curb spread.

Cyclosporiasis surge to 45 states tied to iceberg lettuce recall
health27 days ago

Cyclosporiasis surge to 45 states tied to iceberg lettuce recall

CDC reports 6,707 lab-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 45 states since May 1, with 423 hospitalizations and no deaths; more than 11,500 additional cases remain unconfirmed by laboratories, as federal tallies lag state reports. The largest outbreak centers on Michigan and is linked to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, with nine states connected to that outbreak; multiple separate clusters are under investigation amid the parasite's long incubation period.

Measles resurges as herd immunity fades in the US
health28 days ago

Measles resurges as herd immunity fades in the US

Measles has re-emerged in the U.S., with more than 2,300 cases this year—the highest since 1992—amid dropping childhood vaccination rates and rising misinformation; CDC data shows more cases in the last two years than in the prior 24, and only about 28% of US counties meet the 95% herd-immunity threshold, fueling outbreaks in several states.

Produce panic: Cyclospora outbreak tests Americans’ appetite for healthy food
health29 days ago

Produce panic: Cyclospora outbreak tests Americans’ appetite for healthy food

An ongoing Cyclospora outbreak linked to fresh produce has sickened more than 11,500 people across 41 states, with the largest cluster tied to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce sold at Taco Bell; about 300 hospitalizations have occurred and Michigan accounts for 9,253 cases. The surge appears to be driving roughly 40% of Americans to buy or eat less produce, complicating Kennedy Jr.’s push for more “real” foods amid criticisms of federal budget cuts to the FDA and CDC and perceived delays in food-safety measures.

Measles makes a brutal comeback as doctors warn of a vaccine-trust crisis
health29 days ago

Measles makes a brutal comeback as doctors warn of a vaccine-trust crisis

Measles cases in the United States have surged to a 35-year high, driven by domestic outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities (notably in Utah), with hundreds hospitalized and several deaths. The CDC is finalizing a comprehensive assessment that could strip the nation of measles-elimination status, while doctors describe the emotional and clinical toll of severe illness and argue for rebuilding trust through consistent, compassionate public health messaging and policy support to boost vaccination.

Measles Surges to Record High as Seven States Lead the Outbreak
health1 month ago

Measles Surges to Record High as Seven States Lead the Outbreak

CDC data through late July show 2,318 measles cases in 2026—the most in over 30 years—driven largely by seven states that account for about 84% of total. South Carolina (670) and Utah (522) together make up 1,192 cases (roughly 51%), with Texas, Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania and Arizona also seeing sizable totals. Most cases are in people under 20 who are unvaccinated or have unknown status, reflecting slippage in vaccination coverage, especially among kindergarteners. While there have been no deaths, outbreaks continue in areas with low vaccine uptake, including a confirmed outbreak in Virginia counties Buckingham and Cumberland.