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Public Health

Measles Cases In US Approaches 25-Year High As CDC Confirms 27 Outbreaks Measles Cases In US Approaches 25-Year High As CDC Confirms 27 Outbreaks
Measles Cases In US Approaches 25-Year High As CDC Confirms 27 Outbreaks America has reached another grim milestone as the number of confirmed cases of the measles hit a record high since the US declared the disease "under control" decades ago. A total of 1,267 confirmed measles cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 38 states and jurisdictions — more than triple the number reported in all of 2024, according to the agency's latest report. At least 27 outbreaks (defined as three or more connected cases) have been reported so far this year, with 88 percent of cases (1,115 of 1,267) linked to outbreaks, health officials …
Kraft Heinz Recalls Popular Oscar Mayer Product Sold Across US Kraft Heinz Recalls Popular Oscar Mayer Product Sold Across US
Kraft Heinz Recalls Popular Oscar Mayer Product Sold Across US A massive recall has been issued for a popular Oscar Mayer item sold nationwide due to possible listeria contamination. Kraft Heinz Foods is recalling 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon that may be contaminated with listeria, according to the US Department of Agriculture. The recalled products were sold under the Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original label in 12-, 36-, and 48-ounce vacuum-sealed packages. Each package bears the USDA inspection mark and was produced between Thursday, April 24 and Wednesday, June 11. Affected packages have “use by” dates between Friday, July 18 and…
Tick Takeover: Pleasure Beach Shuts Down For 2025 As Invasive Insects Overrun Shore Tick Takeover: Pleasure Beach Shuts Down For 2025 As Invasive Insects Overrun Shore
Tick Takeover: Pleasure Beach Shuts Down For 2025 As Invasive Insects Overrun Shore Pleasure Beach, Bridgeport’s beloved shoreline getaway, is closed through the 2025 summer season after city officials discovered an infestation of invasive Asian longhorned ticks. Bridgeport officials announced the closure on Facebook after "extensive consultation with state environmental experts." The Asian longhorned tick has established itself on the shoreline as part of its fast-moving spread across the Northeast. Related: Clone-Creating Tick Invades Connecticut: Health Officials Sound Alarm What makes this tick especially concerning is its ability to reproduce asexually. Unlike most t…
COVID-19: ‘Razor-Blade Throat’ Variant Spreading Rapidly In US COVID-19: ‘Razor-Blade Throat’ Variant Spreading Rapidly In US
Covid-19: ‘Razor-Blade Throat’ Variant Spreading Rapidly In US A new COVID-19 variant marked by a painful “razor-blade throat” symptom is spreading rapidly in the United States. The strain, NB.1.8.1, also called Nimbus, is an offshoot of the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant JN.1. The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled NB.1.8.1 a Variant Under Monitoring, and public health officials say existing vaccines are still expected to protect against severe illness. NB.1.8.1 now accounts for 43 percent of US COVID cases, according to CDC data through Saturday, June 21. Globally, 22 countries have now reported its presence, including major spikes …
EXCLUSIVE: 6-Year-Olds Hit By Meningitis—1 Dead, 1 Disabled—Despite Vaccination; GSK Responds EXCLUSIVE: 6-Year-Olds Hit By Meningitis—1 Dead, 1 Disabled—Despite Vaccination; GSK Responds
Exclusive: 6-Year-Olds Hit By Meningitis—1 Dead, 1 Disabled—Despite Vaccination; GSK Responds Two 6-year-old girls from Pennsylvania have been tragically impacted by meningitis — one fatally, one left unable to walk or speak — despite both being previously vaccinated, their families say. Now, the pharmaceutical giant GSK is responding to rising public concern. Aria, of Berks County, died earlier in June after a rare and severe meningitis infection despite being fully vaccinated, according to her family. Just days later, another child — Ruby Lutz of Morrisville (Bucks County) — was diagnosed with viral meningitis and encephalitis. Ruby survived, but the illness robbed her of the …
Muslim Progressive Zohran Mamdani Eyes Historic Upset In Crowded NYC Mayor Race Muslim Progressive Zohran Mamdani Eyes Historic Upset In Crowded NYC Mayor Race
Muslim Progressive Zohran Mamdani Eyes Historic Upset In Crowded NYC Mayor Race New York City voters are heading to the polls Tuesday, June 24, in a high-stakes Democratic primary that could end with history in the making. In a surprise twist, Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old progressive Assemblyman from Queens, has pulled ahead of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the latest polling—setting up what could be a stunning upset in the nation’s largest city. A final independent survey by PIX11 News, Emerson College, and The Hill shows Mamdani edging out Cuomo in the last round of a ranked-choice simulation, 52% to 48%, thanks to strong second- and third-choice support. The race is …
COVID-19: New Variant From China Spreading In US With Painful Symptom COVID-19: New Variant From China Spreading In US With Painful Symptom
Covid-19: New Variant From China Spreading In US With Painful Symptom A painful new symptom is drawing attention from doctors as another COVID-19 variant begins to spread across the US. The sore throat has been described as “razor-blade throat” — an intensely sharp, uncomfortable sensation that can be an early warning sign of infection.  Lately, it’s been linked to a newly identified strain: NB.1.8.1, also called Nimbus, a descendant of the Omicron subvariant JN.1. The World Health Organization has labeled NB.1.8.1 a Variant Under Monitoring, and public health officials say existing vaccines are still expected to protect against severe illness. The var…
Ready-To-Eat Meals Sold At Supermarkets Recalled After Deadly Listeria Outbreak Ready-To-Eat Meals Sold At Supermarkets Recalled After Deadly Listeria Outbreak
Ready-To-Eat Meals Sold At Supermarkets Recalled After Deadly Listeria Outbreak Several popular ready-to-eat chicken pasta meals sold across the country at a pair of supermarkets are being recalled following a deadly outbreak of listeria. Federal officials say 17 people across 13 states have become sick after eating products linked to a strain of Listeria monocytogenes. Three people have died, and one fetal loss has been reported, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). They products were sold at Walmart and Kroger stores. The recall includes chicken fettuccine alfredo meals under the Marketside and Home Chef labels, produced by FreshRealm establishments…
Contamination Fears Prompt Nationwide Mushroom Recall Contamination Fears Prompt Nationwide Mushroom Recall
Contamination Fears Prompt Nationwide Mushroom Recall A nationwide recall has been issued for mushrooms sold in stores across the country due to possible listeria contamination, according to federal health officials. The voluntary recall affects 200-gram packages of enoki mushrooms distributed by New York City-based Hofood99 Inc., located in Brooklyn, according to a release posted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday, June 11. Authorities say the mushrooms may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes — a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older adults, or people with weake…
Global Business Pioneer Leonard Lauder, Among World's Richest People, Dies Global Business Pioneer Leonard Lauder, Among World's Richest People, Dies
Global Business Pioneer Leonard Lauder, Among World's Richest People, Dies Leonard Lauder, the billionaire businessman who helped turn his family’s cosmetics company into a global beauty empire, has died. The 92-year-old Lauder's death came on Saturday, June 14, at his home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, according to a statement from the Estée Lauder Companies, the business his parents founded and he helped transform into a multibillion-dollar giant. The Bronx-born executive formally joined the company in 1958.  Over the next six decades, he shaped the company’s identity, launched best-selling brands including Clinique and Aramis, spearheaded internati…
Deaths Linked To Poppy Seeds, FDA Under Fire Over Hidden Danger In Your Pantry Deaths Linked To Poppy Seeds, FDA Under Fire Over Hidden Danger In Your Pantry
Deaths Linked To Poppy Seeds, FDA Under Fire Over Hidden Danger In Your Pantry Poppy seeds — a staple on bagels and in pastries — are at the center of a stunning public health scare that has already cost lives, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed on Tuesday, April 8. The FDA has extended the public comment period for its Request for Information about poppy seed contamination after reports of adverse events, including respiratory arrest and death, were linked to the presence of opiate alkaloids — toxic substances naturally found in the poppy plant but not supposed to contaminate seeds FDA RFI Extension. The danger is not theoretical: at least 19 death…
Deadly Bacteria Risk In Fish Sold At Bridgeport Supermarket Prompts Large Recall, FDA Says Deadly Bacteria Risk In Fish Sold At Bridgeport Supermarket Prompts Large Recall, FDA Says
Deadly Bacteria Risk In Fish Sold At Bridgeport Supermarket Prompts Large Recall, FDA Says A smoked fish recall is affecting more than 70 grocery stores across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut due to a life-threatening botulism risk, health officials said. P. East Trading Corp., based in The Bronx, NY, issued the recall on Tuesday, June 10, the Food and Drug Administration said. State inspectors found that P. East's Salted Smoked Split Herring was uneviscerated and longer than five inches. The long fish is a violation that increases the risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum. "Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following …
RFK Jr. Removes All 17 Members Of CDC Vaccine Panel RFK Jr. Removes All 17 Members Of CDC Vaccine Panel
RFK Jr. Removes All 17 Members Of CDC Vaccine Panel The entire roster of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) independent vaccine advisory committee is being replaced, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. Kennedy announced that all 17 will be leaving their posts, saying that "a clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science." Kennedy said that the committee, known as the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), has been plagued with persistent conflicts of interest. The committee is made up of medical and public health professionals …
Massive Cucumber Recall Expands To Include New Products Massive Cucumber Recall Expands To Include New Products
Massive Cucumber Recall Expands To Include New Products A cucumber-linked Salmonella outbreak that’s sickened dozens has now led to another round of product recalls. this time targeting fresh food trays and tubs sold across five states. TGD Cuts, LLC of Jessup, Maryland, announced it is voluntarily recalling several cucumber-containing products distributed under multiple brands.  The affected items — including pre-packaged salsas, salads, and produce trays — were made using cucumbers from Bedner Growers Inc., the same Florida-based supplier at the center of a nationwide recall and Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 45 people and…
Canadian Wildfire Smoke Drifting Into CT Triggering Alerts: Check Your Town's Index Canadian Wildfire Smoke Drifting Into CT Triggering Alerts: Check Your Town's Index
Canadian Wildfire Smoke Drifting Into CT Triggering Alerts: Check Your Town's Index With summer-like heat moving in, health officials have issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for much of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and the Philadelphia metro area on Wednesday, June 4 (scroll down to check your town's air quality index). The alerts, in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., warn that ground-level ozone pollution could reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and those with heart or lung disease, authorities in each state said. Click here to see today's air quality forecast. In New Jersey, the Department of Environmental Protection iss…
Lead Dangers To Kids Trigger Recall Of 100K+ Kitchen Faucets: See If Yours Is Affected Lead Dangers To Kids Trigger Recall Of 100K+ Kitchen Faucets: See If Yours Is Affected
Lead Dangers To Kids Trigger Recall Of 100K+ Kitchen Faucets: See If Yours Is Affected Three popular brands of kitchen faucets sold on Amazon have been recalled after tests revealed dangerously high lead levels that could harm babies and young children. The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of about 103,000 faucets on Thursday, May 29. The recalled models were sold under the brand names VFAUOSIT, KICIMPRO, and BASDEHEN. Testing found that the faucets can leach "dangerous" amounts of lead into drinking water, posing serious health risks, especially for kids. "Lead ingestion can cause harmful neurological effects on infants and young childr…
COVID-19: Here Are Symptoms Of New Variant Sparking China Surge Now Surfacing In US COVID-19: Here Are Symptoms Of New Variant Sparking China Surge Now Surfacing In US
Covid-19: Here Are Symptoms Of New Variant Sparking China Surge Now Surfacing In US A highly transmissible COVID-19 variant behind a rise in cases in China has made its way to the United States, and now attention is starting to focus on whether its symptoms bear any distinctions from numerous other strains. Earlier report: COVID-19: NB.1.8.1 Strain Behind China Surge Surfacing In US Cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant have shown up in US airport screenings, but there have not been enough for it to appear on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracker of COVID variants. NB.1.8.1 is now considered a “variant under monitoring,” with current vaccines expe…
Popular Beef Stew Pulled From Shelves After Reports Of Contamination Popular Beef Stew Pulled From Shelves After Reports Of Contamination
Popular Beef Stew Pulled From Shelves After Reports Of Contamination A nationwide recall has been issued for more than 256,000 pounds of a popular canned beef stew after it was found to contain pieces of wood. Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Tucker, Georgia, is recalling the product after receiving three consumer complaints reporting pieces of wood inside the stew, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The recall includes 20-ounce cans of “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with a “BEST BY FEB 2028” date and the lot code “T02045” (which may include an additional number). The affected products were produced on Tuesd…
COVID-19: Strain Behind New China Surge Now Surfacing In US, CDC Says COVID-19: Strain Behind New China Surge Now Surfacing In US, CDC Says
Covid-19: Strain Behind New China Surge Now Surfacing In US, CDC Says A new strain of COVID-19 gaining traction overseas is now being detected in the United States, according to health officials tracking the virus. Click here for a new, updated story: COVID-19: Here Are Symptoms Of New Variant Sparking China Surge Now Surfacing In US Airport screenings have identified cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant — the same strain linked to a surge in infections in China — among international travelers arriving in several US states, CBS News reports. The variant has been found in passengers tested at airports in the New York City area, California, Virginia, and Washington…
COVID-19: FDA Says It Will Limit Who Can Get Future Booster Shots COVID-19: FDA Says It Will Limit Who Can Get Future Booster Shots
Covid-19: FDA Says It Will Limit Who Can Get Future Booster Shots In a significant shift in vaccination policy, the Trump administration has revealed that approval for seasonal COVID-19 shots will be restricted to certain groups. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it will continue to approve boosters for those 65 and older as well as others at higher risk of severe disease. But it will require vaccine makers to conduct major new clinical trials on their effectiveness before approving them for wider use on the broader population.  The FDA’s revised framework, published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Tuesday, May 20, stat…
These Are Top 10 Most, Least Obese States, Study Reveals These Are Top 10 Most, Least Obese States, Study Reveals
These Are Top 10 Most, Least Obese States, Study Reveals A new nationwide analysis is shedding light on how states compare when it comes to a major public health challenge, and the results show striking geographic patterns. The report from U.S. News reveals which states are most affected by obesity and which are faring better — a factor that plays a critical role in overall health rankings. The data is part of the 2025 Best States rankings. It is based on self-reported obesity rates from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments. Obesi…
Gruesome Dolphin Decapitation On Remote East Coast Island Sparks Federal Probe Gruesome Dolphin Decapitation On Remote East Coast Island Sparks Federal Probe
Gruesome Dolphin Decapitation On Remote East Coast Island Sparks Federal Probe Wildlife authorities are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the capture of whoever decapitated a dolphin off the coast of North Carolina. The incident was reported last week, when a dolphin was found dead — but intact — near a remote island off the Tar Heel State's coast. Days later, however, when experts returned, they discovered the animal had been gruesomely mutilated. “This animal was intentionally decapitated, a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The remote location where the dolphin was found adds to the difficulty of investigating this incident and the c…
Wrap Products Sold In CT Linked To Potential Contamination Risk Wrap Products Sold In CT Linked To Potential Contamination Risk
Wrap Products Sold In CT Linked To Potential Contamination Risk A public health alert has been issued for a pair of ready-to-eat wrap products due to possible Listeria contamination, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced. The items — chicken and bacon ranch wraps sold under two brand labels — are no longer being sold, but officials are concerned some may still be in consumer refrigerators. The wraps were produced on Friday, May 2, and distributed to retail locations in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The affected items include: 10-ounce packages labeled “Big Y quick easy meals CHICKEN BACON RANCH WRAP” with a Sell By date of Tue…
Nationwide Recall Issued For These Packaged Food Products Nationwide Recall Issued For These Packaged Food Products
Nationwide Recall Issued For These Packaged Food Products A nationwide recall has been issued for a variety of packaged food items due to the presence of undeclared allergens, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products were sold through a national distributor and may still be in consumer pantries, prompting an urgent alert for those with dietary sensitivities. The company behind the recall, based in Texas, flagged a labeling issue discovered during a routine internal audit. The packaging error affected products distributed between Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 and Friday, May 10, 2025. Consumers with allergies or sensitivities to…
Nationwide Recall Issued For Popular Yogurt Product Nationwide Recall Issued For Popular Yogurt Product
Nationwide Recall Issued For Popular Yogurt Product A widely sold refrigerated food item has been pulled from store shelves due to a labeling issue that could pose a serious health risk for certain consumers. Knockro Inc., based in Pennsylvania, is recalling its Bonya-branded low fat yogurt parfaits because they may contain almonds that are not listed on the label.  Almonds are considered a tree nut and can cause severe or even life-threatening allergic reactions in individuals with sensitivities. The product is sold in 12-ounce clear plastic cups with an expiration date of Monday, May 5. It was available in retail stores across the US…
RFK Jr. Posts Pics Of Family In Rock Creek, Where Swimming Is Banned For Health Risks RFK Jr. Posts Pics Of Family In Rock Creek, Where Swimming Is Banned For Health Risks
RFK Jr. Posts Pics Of Family In Rock Creek, Where Swimming Is Banned For Health Risks Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took a questionable swim with his family to celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday.  Kennedy shared photos of himself and his grandchildren on Sunday afternoon, posing and playing in the water in Rock Creek. "Mother’s Day hike in Dumbarton Oaks Park with Amaryllis, Bobby, Kick, and Jackson, and a swim with my grandchildren, Bobcat and Cassius in Rock Creek," he wrote on X.  Mother’s Day hike in Dumbarton Oaks Park with Amaryllis, Bobby, Kick, and Jackson, and a swim with my grandchildren, Bobcat and Cassius in Rock Creek. pic…
US Measles Cases Surge Past 1,000 As CDC Reports 14 Outbreaks US Measles Cases Surge Past 1,000 As CDC Reports 14 Outbreaks
US Measles Cases Surge Past 1,000 As CDC Reports 14 Outbreaks America reached a grim milestone this week as the number of confirmed measles cases across the country has soared past 1,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 1,001 confirmed measles cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 31 states and jurisdictions — more than triple the number reported in all of 2024, according to the agency's latest report. At least 14 outbreaks (defined as three or more connected cases) have been reported so far this year, with 93 percent of cases (928 of 1,001) linked to outbreaks,…
Woman Claims She Found Rodent In Half-Eaten Takeout Order From Midtown Manhattan Restaurant Woman Claims She Found Rodent In Half-Eaten Takeout Order From Midtown Manhattan Restaurant
Woman Claims She Found Rodent In Half-Eaten Takeout Order From Midtown Manhattan Restaurant A woman reported finding a dead rodent in her half-eaten salad she bought at a restaurant in New York City. The 28-year-old told ABC 7 New York she picked up the takeout order from the eatery in midtown Manhattan on Monday, May 5. The rodent was mixed in with lettuce, sautéed beets, and salmon. The owner of the restaurant, Ongi, on West 37th Street, told Eyewitness News the rodent didn't come from the eatery and said he has no idea how it got in the salad and doesn't want to guess. He provided ABC 7 video footage of employees making the woman's salad. After visiting her doctor,…
CT Among 19 States Suing To Reverse Trump's 20,000 Health Care Job Cuts: 'Reckless, Dangerous' CT Among 19 States Suing To Reverse Trump's 20,000 Health Care Job Cuts: 'Reckless, Dangerous'
CT Among 19 States Suing To Reverse Trump's 20,000 Health Care Job Cuts: 'Reckless, Dangerous' Over one-third of U.S. states are urging a federal judge to reverse President Donald Trump’s decision to cut 20,000 Department of Health and Human Services employees, arguing the move could have dangerous and long-lasting effects on public health. Nineteen states — including Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland — along with Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit in Rhode Island on Monday, May 5. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced in March that the agency would cut nearly 25 percent of its workforce as part of Trump’s push to overhaul the federal government and reduce spendin…
Measles Surge: Nearly 1,000 Cases Reported In US As Outbreaks Explode Measles Surge: Nearly 1,000 Cases Reported In US As Outbreaks Explode
Measles Surge: Nearly 1,000 Cases Reported In US As Outbreaks Explode Measles is making a disturbing comeback in the United States — and it's spreading faster than health officials have seen in years. A total of 935 confirmed measles cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 30 states and jurisdictions — more than triple the number reported in all of 2024, according to the agency's latest report. At least 12 outbreaks (three or more connected cases) have been reported so far this year. A staggering 93 percent of cases (869 of 935) are linked to outbreaks, according to the CDC. For comparison, 2024 saw 285 total cases…
COVID-19: China Lab Leak Cited As Pandemic's 'True Origin' By Trump Administration COVID-19: China Lab Leak Cited As Pandemic's 'True Origin' By Trump Administration
Covid-19: China Lab Leak Cited As Pandemic's 'True Origin' By Trump Administration A lab-related incident involving gain-of-function research in China is the "true origin" of COVID-19, according to comprehensive new statement issued by the Trump Administration on Friday, April 18. The statement, which accuses public health officials and intelligence agencies of suppressing this narrative for political motives, now appears on both the covid.gov and whitehouse.gov websites. The newly launched webpage by the White House claims that public health officials have misled the American public through inconsistent messaging, impulsive reactions, and a lack of transparenc…