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CDC

Largest Egg Producer In US Halts Production After Bird Flu Found In Chickens Largest Egg Producer In US Halts Production After Bird Flu Found In Chickens
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…
Bacterial Infection With Unusual, Serious Symptoms Prompts CDC Warning Bacterial Infection With Unusual, Serious Symptoms Prompts CDC Warning
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…
COVID-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC COVID-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC
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…
Nationwide Recall Issued For Meat Products Due To Possible Contamination Nationwide Recall Issued For Meat Products Due To Possible Contamination
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…
COVID-19: US Sees Surge In Hospitalizations, Deaths; Take These Steps, CDC Director Says COVID-19: US Sees Surge In Hospitalizations, Deaths; Take These Steps, CDC Director Says
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. …
COVID-19: Here's How To Order Free At-Home Tests Through Mail Now COVID-19: Here's How To Order Free At-Home Tests Through Mail Now
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-…
COVID-19: Here's When Free At-Home Tests Will Become Available Again By Mail COVID-19: Here's When Free At-Home Tests Will Become Available Again By Mail
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…
Potentially Fatal Bacteria Prompts CDC Warning Potentially Fatal Bacteria Prompts CDC Warning
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…
Bacteria Alert: Brighton-Based Hospital Restricts Water For Drinking, Bathing Bacteria Alert: Brighton-Based Hospital Restricts Water For Drinking, Bathing
Bacteria Alert: Brighton-Based Hospital Restricts Water For Drinking, Bathing Franciscan Children's Hospital has restricted water usage after tests revealed the presence of a specific bacteria, the hospital recently announced.  After initially detecting the presence of the bacteria in the water supply in 2019, Franciscan Children's has continued to extensively test its water, with help from the DPH and the CDC.  Tests regularly came back negative until Nov. 22, when two isolated areas on the hospital's campus tested positive for the bacteria.  The bacteria, called Burkholderia cepacia, is usually not harmful to healthy people, but poses a special…
2 In Massachusetts Infected With Listeria Amid Nationwide Outbreak 2 In Massachusetts Infected With Listeria Amid Nationwide Outbreak
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 …
Norovirus Possible Catalyst Behind Closure Of Central Mass Elementary School Norovirus Possible Catalyst Behind Closure Of Central Mass Elementary School
Norovirus Possible Catalyst Behind Closure Of Central Mass Elementary School An elementary school in northern Massachusetts was closed after numerous students came down with an unknown stomach illness, officials said.  Florence Roche Elementary School in Groton was closed after 204 students contracted the illness, reports said. School officials believe the illness was caused by a virus.  Florence Roche Elementary School #Groton has 200 of its 530 students sick. Superintedent reported #norovirus like symptoms in students, staff is healthy. School dismissed early.#wcvb pic.twitter.com/k0C5tihxBk — Rhondella Richardson (@wcvbrhondella) October 14, 2022 "Given the …
Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Purchase Of Small Turtles Hits Massachusetts Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Purchase Of Small Turtles Hits Massachusetts
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…
COVID-19: CDC Announces Sweeping New Guidance, Including For Schools, Quarantines COVID-19: CDC Announces Sweeping New Guidance, Including For Schools, Quarantines
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…
West Nile Virus Found In Brookline, Officials Urge Precautions West Nile Virus Found In Brookline, Officials Urge Precautions
West Nile Virus Found In Brookline, Officials Urge Precautions Officials in Massachusetts are warning residents to take precautions after mosquitos in Brookline tested positive for the potentially fatal West Nile virus.  The Brookline Department of Health issued a warning on Thursday, Aug. 4, after mosquitos samples collected the day before contained the virus. While the risk levels are relatively low, officials still ask residents to be careful.  According to the CDC, most people infected with the West Nile Virus do not get sick, but about 20 percent will develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 in 150 develop an illness that can be …
COVID-19: Newly Emerging Omicron Mutant Strain Sparking Concerns Among Scientists COVID-19: Newly Emerging Omicron Mutant Strain Sparking Concerns Among Scientists
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…
COVID-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says COVID-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says
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…
Seven Monkeypox Cases Confirmed In Massachusetts Seven Monkeypox Cases Confirmed In Massachusetts
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…
Connecticut Woman Dies After Tick Bite, Department Of Health Says Connecticut Woman Dies After Tick Bite, Department Of Health Says
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…
First Probable Monkeypox Case In New York State Outside NYC Confirmed First Probable Monkeypox Case In New York State Outside NYC Confirmed
First Probable Monkeypox Case In New York State Outside NYC Confirmed 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…