All articles tagged with #publichealth
FSIS issued a public health alert for Costco frozen ready-to-eat pastries after two consumer complaints that LA BOULANGERIE TURKEY PESTO & SWISS CHEESE POCKETS may contain ham and cheese instead of turkey pesto & Swiss, posing an allergy risk. The 25.4-ounce boxes (eight pastries) carry lot 04926 and best-by 02/18/27 and were distributed to Midwest Costco stores; customers who bought them should return for refunds.
Hospitals across the U.S. are re-encountering measles, with Mission Hospital in Asheville failing to isolate two infected twins promptly, exposing at least 26 people and drawing CMS Immediate Jeopardy sanctions. Many clinicians have never seen measles, making diagnosis and isolation difficult; outbreaks in North and South Carolina and Texas threaten measles elimination status. Health workers rely on the three Cs—cough, coryza, conjunctivitis—and CDC isolation-room guidance, while clinics pre-screen patients and advocate vaccination amid debates over federal messaging and vaccine policy. Public health officials warn of uneven immunization, with local schools showing gaps, and urge expanded vaccination to curb spread.
Measles is resurging in the U.S., challenging hospitals and clinicians who have rarely treated the disease. In Asheville, Mission Hospital’s delayed isolation of two infected twins led to a CMS Immediate Jeopardy designation and exposure of at least 26 others. Nationwide, over 3,000 cases have been reported since 2025, with North Carolina chalking up 20+ cases and South Carolina’s outbreak exceeding 900. Many clinicians must rely on unfamiliar 'morbilliform' presentations and the three Cs (cough, coryza, conjunctivitis) to diagnose quickly, while vaccine hesitancy and mixed public-health messaging complicate response efforts. Hospitals are expanding isolation precautions and vaccination campaigns as officials track outbreaks through dashboards and state health agencies.
A study in Annals of Internal Medicine finds that by Oct 2025 about half of the CDC’s monthly-updated databases—mostly vaccination-related—had been paused or gone stale, hindering assessment of vaccine coverage and disease trends; researchers and experts question the lapses, while officials describe them as routine data-management decisions rather than politicized moves.
Canadian officials in New Brunswick found no evidence of a new mystery brain illness after reviewing about 222 cases; most patients are likely diagnosed with existing conditions, and no consistent environmental exposure (herbicides or heavy metals) was identified, though testing issues limit conclusions. The protocol for unexplained neurological cases now requires two specialists, and findings will be shared with the Public Health Agency of Canada for further review.
A highly mutated H3N2 influenza variant, subclade K, has risen to global dominance, contributing to a worse-than-average flu season as the circulating strain differs from the vaccine, while immunity from past infections wanes. Vaccines may still protect against severe disease, but the season started earlier and cases are surging in multiple countries, straining healthcare systems.
Berkeley health officials warned after animals at a Harrison Street homeless encampment tested positive for leptospirosis, a bacterial disease spread by rats and capable of affecting dogs and humans. Residents are urged to relocate at least a third of a mile away due to ongoing rat infestations and transmission risk; dog and free-roaming cat owners are advised to vaccinate pets. Precautions include avoiding water in Codornices Creek and nearby standing water. Authorities are investigating the outbreak; cleanup and ongoing rodent control are expected to take about 30 days, but a federal injunction prevents full encampment clearance at Harrison Street as investigators work to curb spread to the surrounding area.
The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) supports the dietary recommendations in the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans but raises concerns about the lack of transparency and scientific rigor in the process of developing these guidelines, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based, transparent review processes to maintain public trust and improve health outcomes.
The World Health Organization warns that less than 10% of those who could benefit from obesity medications like Wegovy have access to them, citing high costs and supply issues, and calls for increased equitable access globally to combat the rising obesity epidemic projected to affect over two billion people by 2030.
Scientists may have discovered a potential universal treatment for snake bites, which could significantly reduce fatalities and amputations caused by venomous snakes like the black mamba in Africa.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to 'fix' the US vaccine injury compensation program by potentially making it harder for injured individuals to receive compensation, which could impact vaccine trust, market stability, and access to vaccines, amid ongoing debates about vaccine safety and industry regulation.
New York City has declared the end of a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem, with no new cases since August 9. The outbreak, linked to cooling towers at Harlem Hospital and a nearby construction site, resulted in 114 cases, 7 deaths, and prompted new safety measures including increased inspection and testing of cooling towers. City officials emphasize ongoing efforts to prevent future outbreaks and protect public health.
Health officials in Salt Lake County have detected the rare St. Louis encephalitis virus in local mosquitoes for the first time, a virus similar to West Nile but less common in the U.S., with most infections being asymptomatic or mild, and no reported fatalities in Utah. The virus has been previously found in other parts of Utah, but this is its first detection in Salt Lake County mosquitoes, prompting health advisories to prevent mosquito bites.
NYC health officials report a rise to 90 cases of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem, linked to cooling towers, prompting proposed regulations for testing and fines amid declining inspections. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths, and authorities are working to control the spread through testing and cleaning of cooling towers.
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City has infected 58 people and caused 2 deaths, likely linked to contaminated cooling towers in Central Harlem. The city is testing and remediating cooling towers, and health officials advise those with flu-like symptoms in the area to seek medical attention. Legionnaires’ disease, a bacterial lung infection, is treatable but can be fatal if untreated, especially for vulnerable populations.