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Friday, nov 22
Tag:
CDC
News
Largest Egg Producer In US Halts Production After Bird Flu Found In Chickens
Production has been halted at the largest producer of fresh eggs in the United States after bird flu was discovered in chickens. Cal-Maine Foods reported that one of the company’s facilities located in Parmer County, Texas, tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), resulting in depopulation of approximately 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets, or approximately 3.6 percent of its total flock. "Production at the facility has temporarily ceased as the company follows the protocols prescribed by the USDA," Cal-Maine said in a statement, noting that it is working to s…
News
Bacterial Infection With Unusual, Serious Symptoms Prompts CDC Warning
A bacterial infection is appearing nationally with unusual and serious symptoms according to federal authorities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just issued a Health Alert warning that the rare illness, caused by a strain of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, has a higher fatality rate than normally seen with meningococcal infections. As of Monday, March 25, 143 cases have been reported to CDC for the current calendar year, an increase of 62 cases over the 81 reported as of this date in 2023. Cases caused by this strain are disproportionately occurring i…
News
Covid-
19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC
New isolation guidelines for those infected with COVID-19 or other respiratory infections have just been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency said there is no longer a need to isolate for five days before returning to work or school in a statement issued Friday, March 1. The CDC said it's making updates to the recommendations now because the US is seeing "far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV." Three "core prevention tips" were also detaile…
Business
Nationwide Recall Issued For Meat Products Due To Possible Contamination
A nationwide recall has been issued for a brand of meat products. Fratelli Beretta USA, Inc., based in Mount Olive, NJ, says the undetermined amount of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat charcuterie products containing Coppa may be under-processed, which may have resulted in possible contamination with foodborne pathogens. The recall was announced by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The Coppa products have various best-by-dates. Coppa, a dry-cured capicola, is a boneless pork shoulder product that is dry-cured. Click here to view product…
News
Covid-
19: US Sees Surge In Hospitalizations, Deaths; Take These Steps, CDC Director Says
COVID-19 is on the rise just in time for the height of the holiday season. "COVID is starting to increase again after being stable for the last few weeks," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Mandy Cohen said this week. Nationwide, in the latest data for the week ending Saturday, Dec. 2, there was a 17.6 percent rise in COVID hospitalizations (a total of 22,513) and 25 percent increase in deaths. COVID accounted for three percent of deaths in America from Sunday, Nov. 26 to the end of last week. In addition, the test positivity rate went up around one percent. …
News
Covid-
19: Here's How To Order Free At-Home Tests Through Mail Now
The federal program offering free COVID-19 rapid at-home tests through the mail has just been restarted. Every American household may order four of the tests starting Monday, Sept. 25 by visiting covid.gov/tests, the Department of Health and Human Services says. But first, before throwing out tests past their expiration dates, HHS recommends visiting this page to see if expiration dates have been extended. The news comes as a newly identified COVID-19 strain BA.2.86 strain, known as Pirola, with around 30 mutations, has now been identified in 10 states. Earlier report - COVID-…
News
Covid-
19: Here's When Free At-Home Tests Will Become Available Again By Mail
Just days after the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccination booster shot started, the Department of Health and Human Services announced on Wednesday, Sept. 20 that its program of offering free rapid tests for the virus through the mail will be restarted. Every American household may order four of the tests starting Monday, Sept. 25 by visiting covid.gov/tests. But first, before throwing out tests past their expiration dates, HHS recommends visiting this page to see if expiration dates have been extended. The news comes as a newly identified COVID-19 strain BA.2.86 strain, known as Pirola, w…
News
Potentially Fatal Bacteria Prompts CDC Warning
A potentially fatal bacteria confirmed in the United States has prompted a warning from federal authorities. Three cases of B. pseudomallei, which can become lethal if not treated, have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has declared the bacteria endemic in the US Gulf Coast with the most recent case reported in Mississippi in January, Julia Petras of the CDC's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, told HealthDay News. However, most of those exposed to the bacteria don't have symptoms and develop antibodies against it, s…
News
2 In Massachusetts Infected With Listeria Amid Nationwide Outbreak
Two Massachusetts residents are among 16 across the country to become infected in the latest national Listeria outbreak, which is likely tied to deli meats and cheeses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the US, federal health officials are evaluating and monitoring the outbreak across six states that led to 13 hospitalizations and one death, launching an active investigation. According to the CDC, the initial investigation found that deli meat and cheese purchased at deli counters in multiple states are the likely sources of this outbreak. “Deli meats …
News
Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Purchase Of Small Turtles Hits Massachusetts
At least 21 people, including one person from Massachusetts, have been impacted by a multi-state Salmonella outbreak linked to the purchase of small turtles, the CDC reports. Five people reported getting sick after buying pet turtles with shells smaller than four inches long from an online store known as myturtlestore.com, the CDC said. That number has since grown to 21 with eight being hospitalized. The first reported illness was on January 3, 2022, according to CDC data. It is unclear as to when the Massachusetts resident became infected and where they live. I…
News
Covid-
19: CDC Announces Sweeping New Guidance, Including For Schools, Quarantines
Federal health officials have announced sweeping new COVID-19 guidelines, including for schools and quarantines for those infected. In the updated guidance unveiled on Thursday, Aug. 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it was no longer recommending that unvaccinated people quarantine after possibly being exposed to the virus. Instead, the CDC said they should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested five days after they were exposed. The agency had previously said unvaccinated people and those who haven't received their booster shots should q…
News
Covid-
19: Newly Emerging Omicron Mutant Strain Sparking Concerns Among Scientists
More people are contracting the Omicron strain of COVID-19 multiple times in quicker sequences compared to other subvariants, and a newly emerging mutant of the strain is sparking concerns among scientists. The BA.5 strain is now the most dominant COVID variant in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A new mutation of the Omicron strain -- identified as BA.2.75 -- is being described as perhaps the most contagious yet. "Previous infections from Omicron are not giving us the same antibody protection against the newer variants," Dr. Alok Patel of St…
News
Spike In Overdoses Reported In This CT County
A Connecticut county is reporting a spike alert in overdoses associated with the supply of available drugs in the area. Litchfield County County officials reported that from Tuesday, June 28 to Tuesday, July 5, there were dozens of overdoses, with two of them fatal, according to Fox61. A spike alert is triggered when there have been more than three overdoses in a 24-hour period, officials said. When an alert is issued, the county's Opiate Task Force responds with messaging to make sure that drug users are aware and also offers information on where and how to get help. Some of the resource…
News
Covid-
19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says
A new COVID-19 wave with the strongest strain of the Omicron variant appears to have started in New York, one of NYC's top epidemiologists in the city is saying. Dr. Jay Varma, who was former Mayor Bill de Blasio's top public health advisor during the pandemic, said the infection rate appears to have stabilized at a high level rather than subsiding as summer starts to get into full swing. "This is likely the beginning of a BA.5 wave," Varma stated in a Tweet. "Reported cases are at a high plateau, which means actual transmission is very high when you account for the &g…
News
Seven Monkeypox Cases Confirmed In Massachusetts
Seven Monkeypox cases have been confirmed in Massachusetts as of Thursday, June 16, the Department of Public Health (DPH) said. This comes nearly a month after the first confirmed case in the state on May 18, according to DPH. Overall, there have been 84 cases of the Monkeypox virus in the US this year. “Although monkeypox infections remain rare, and none of the close contacts from Massachusetts’ first case developed monkeypox during their monitoring period, the CDC is reporting that cases continue to rise across the United States,” said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Catheri…
News
Connecticut Woman Dies After Tick Bite, Department Of Health Says
State health officials announced the death of a Connecticut resident who developed symptoms of Powassan virus weeks after she was bit by a tick. The Connecticut Department of Public Health announced on Tuesday, June 7, that the New London County resident who was in her 90s died at the hospital on Tuesday, May 17. Powassan virus is typically spread through the bite of an infected black-legged or deer tick, and it takes between a week and a month to develop symptoms, health officials said. The woman began experiencing symptoms in early May that included fever, altered mental statu…
News
First Probable Monkeypox Case In New York State Outside NYC Confirmed In Region
State health officials have confirmed the first case of monkeypox outside New York City has been diagnosed in a patient in the region. The infected person is located in Sullivan County, the first case beyond NYC, the New York State Department of Health announced on Tuesday, June 7. The Sullivan County Health Department is treating this as a probable monkeypox case, and contact tracing efforts are underway, department of health officials aid. As of Tuesday, a total of nine confirmed orthopoxvirus/monkeypox cases have been identified in the state, including eight in New York City. "As…
News
Cases Of Mysterious Hepatitis Outbreak Now Confirmed In 10 States, Including NY
New York is among a growing number of states reporting a mysterious outbreak of hepatitis among children, NBC News reports. So far, health officials in at least 10 states have reported multiple severe cases of pediatric hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, according to the New York Post. The latest to report such cases is Minnesota. Earlier Report: Death Confirmed Days After CDC Issues Nationwide Alert For Mysterious Hepatitis Outbreak It comes days after the World Health Organization announced that one child has died from the condition and 17 others had to undergo liver transplan…
Politics
Covid-
19: VP Kamala Harris Tests Positive
Fully vaccinated Vice President Kamala Harris has become the latest high-ranking elected official to test positive for COVID-19 amid an outbreak of cases in the Biden Administration. Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on both rapid and PCR tests, her office announced on Tuesday, April 26. According to Kirsten Allen, the press secretary to the vice president, Harris has exhibited no symptoms, is in isolation, and will continue to work from the Vice President’s residence. Harris "has not been a close contact to the President or First Lady due to their respective recent travel schedules,” …
News
New England Man Dies After Contracting Rare 'POW' Virus From Tick Bite, CDC Says
A New England man died after becoming infected with a rare tick-borne infection, officials announced. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has confirmed a fatal case of Powassan (POW) virus infection in a Waldo County, Maine resident who developed neurologic symptoms and died while being treated in the hospital. According to the Maine CDC, the person - whose name has not been released and was described only as being an adult - likely became infected in Maine. They said humans can become infected with the virus through the bite of an infected deer or woodchuck ti…
News
Covid-
19: US Infections Expected To Rise As Subvariant Cases Triple Every Two Weeks
Federal health experts are cautioning Americans about a new, highly-contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant that may lead to a sudden rise in new infections. The emerging variant, called BA.2, is believed to be upwards of 60 percent more transmissible than Omicron, according to infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, though it is not more severe than the original strain. Earlier story - COVID-19: New Strain Of Virus Detected That Combines Two Omicron Sub-Variants According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BA.2 has been tripling its presence in the US every two wee…
News
Covid-
19: Here's How You Can Now Order Four More Free At-Home Tests
Americans are now eligible to order a second round of free at-home COVID-19 test kits from the federal government. In January, the website covidtests.gov was launched, permitting Americans to order up to four more free testing kits per household, though supplies were initially limited. Families that ordered up to four tests during the first round are now eligible to order another four, while households that missed the first round are now also able to order up to eight kits. During the first round of distribution of the kits, federal officials said that more than half of US households order…
News
Covid-
19: CDC Unveils New Strategy Allowing Communities To Ease Masking, Social Distancing
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance to permit most healthy Americans to ditch their masks indoors, including students. On Friday, Feb. 25, the CDC announced it was altering its metrics that are used to determine which communities can begin lifting their mask mandates with a focus less on positive test results and more on virus-related hospitalization numbers. Previously, the CDC’s prevention guidance for local communities focused on the rate of new COVID-19 cases and the seven-day average positive infection rate; however, as the ongoing fight aga…
News
Covid-
19: CDC Expected To Greatly Ease Indoor Mask Guidance, Reports Say
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to significantly ease its indoor mask mandate as the country continues its recovery from the latest wave of COVID-19 infections. According to multiple reports, the CDC is expected to announce a change in its guidance regarding masks, allowing most Americans to ditch their facial coverings indoors. The AP first reported the news, citing “two people familiar with the matter.” The new guidance is expected to be announced as soon as Friday, Feb. 25. It marks the first indoor mask guidance change from the CDC since July 2021. …
News
Listeria Outbreak Linked To Dole Salads Kills Two, CDC Says
A listeria outbreak connected to Dole packaged salads is being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). A total of 17 confirmed illnesses in 13 states have been connected to the outbreak, with two deaths being reported. Packaged salads produced by Dole were sold and are now being recalled under these multiple brands: Ahold Dole HEB Kroger Lidl Little Salad Bar Marketside Naturally Better Nature’s Promise President’s Choice Simply Nature Products include mixed greens, garden salads, Caesar kits, and many other types of salads in bags or clam…
News
Covid-
19: Here's How Massachusetts Residents Can Access Vaccine Card, History Digitally
Massachusetts has launched a brand-new tool for residents to access their digital COVID-19 vaccine card and vaccination history. "My Vax Records" allows those who received their vaccine in Massachusetts to access their vaccination history and receive a digital vaccine card, state officials announced on Monday, Jan. 10. To use the tool, people can enter their name, date of birth and cellphone number or email address associated with their vaccine record, and will receive a link to their vaccine record. The vaccine record will display the same information as the paper CDC vaccine card, and a …
News
Covid-
19: CDC Issues New Update On Isolation Guidance
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance about who should isolate or quarantine if potentially exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19. The CDC had shortened its isolation and quarantine recommendations, while clarifying that the guidance applies to kids as well as adults. Under the new guidance, for people who catch COVID, testing is not required to emerge from five days of isolation instead of 10 days, much to the chagrin of some in the public. Previously, anyone who tested positive was required to isolate for no less than 10 days. The…
News
Covid-
19: Omicron Surge Will Make It Hard To Keep Everyday Life Operating, Medical Expert Warns
An infectious disease expert said the growing surge in COVID-19 cases led by the Omicron variant will make it difficult for the United States to keep everyday life operating. Dr. Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, made the comment in an interview with MSNBC on Thursday, Dec. 30. "Over the next three to four weeks we are going to see the number of cases in this country rise so dramatically, that we're going to have a hard time keeping everyday life operating," he said. Osterholm added that the country is s…
News
Whole Onion Recall Expanded To Include New Products Due To Salmonella Concerns
An ongoing recall of whole onions has been expanded as two more produce brands issued alerts due to potential concerns of a salmonella outbreak. Potandon Produce and Alsum Farms Produce Inc. have become the latest to announce a recall of onions that have been linked to an outbreak of salmonella that has left hundreds ill. Earlier story - Salmonella Outbreak Now Linked To Onions, CDC Says The Potandon Produce recall includes Green Giant 3- and 5-pound bags of whole yellow onions and 2-pound bags of whole white onions shipped between Thursday, July 15 and Sunday, Aug. 22. Officials said th…
News
Covid-
19: These States Have Highest, Lowest Case Rates To Start November
The Northeast seems to be trending in the right direction when it comes to COVID cases to start out November. New data from the CDC shows the states with the highest COVID cases reported in the last 7 days. The 12 states with the highest number of new cases in the last week (per 100,000) are New Hampshire: 622 North Dakota: 611 Montana: 866 Wyoming: 414 Alaska: 667 Minnesota: 2941 Maine: 1348 Idaho: 1244 Utah: 2152 Colorado: 2747 New Mexico: 1161 West Virginia 849 Hey Utah, once again we’re trending in the wrong direction. Utah now among top 10 states in nation with new COVID cases (…
Schools
Covid-
19: Children Should Keep Wearing Masks In School Even If Vaccinated, CDC Says
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the agency will continue to recommend that children wear masks this winter while in school, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky made the announcement on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at a news briefing. She said once COVID-19 vaccinations are authorized for children ages 5 to 11, the CDC will work to scale up pediatric vaccinations, but she added that this will take some time. "And as I just noted, as we head into these winter months, we know we cannot be complacent,"…
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