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Public Health

Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Cases of whooping cough are five times higher than at this time a year ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning. Officially known as pertussis, those infected have persistent, chronic fits of coughing followed by a “whoop” sound. "Reports of pertussis cases were lower than usual over the past few years, during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.," the CDC said in a new advisory. "However, the United States is beginning to return to pre-pandemic patterns where more than 10,000 cases are typically reported each year. It's likely mitigation measures used during the…
Euthanasia Of NY's 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation Euthanasia Of NY's 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation
Euthanasia Of NY's 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation Outrage is swirling after New York wildlife officials seized and later euthanized beloved social media sensation “Peanut” the squirrel. Chemung County resident Mark Longo, of Elmira, took to Instagram Wednesday, Oct 30, telling his 581,000 followers that Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers had seized the animal, which he rescued in 2017 after its mother was struck by a car. “Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness,” he wrote. “To the people who called (DEC), there’s a special place in hell for you.” In a…
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Cases of walking pneumonia have spiked significantly, especially among children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning in a brand-new advisory. The agency said increases in M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia infections began late this past spring, peaked in August, and have remained high.  The CDC said it's using various surveillance tools "to better understand any differences in demographics, severity of illness, and outcomes as compared to M. pneumoniae infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic." The agency said it's also contacting heal…
NJ Pediatrician Breaks Down Most Common Respiratory Illnesses, How To Stay Protected NJ Pediatrician Breaks Down Most Common Respiratory Illnesses, How To Stay Protected
NJ Pediatrician Breaks Down Most Common Respiratory Illnesses, How To Stay Protected You'd hardly know it with the recent streak of summer weather, but we're weeks away from colder days when respiratory viruses will thrive. Daily Voice sat down with Dr. Daniel Rauch, a pediatric physician at Hackensack Meridian Health's Hackensack University Medical Center, to learn about the most common respiratory viruses and how to stay protected. A release from Hackensack Meridian Health says some of the best ways to stay protected are to practice good hand hygiene, disinfect surfaces in your home, avoid contact with people who are sick, rest, and eat a healthy diet to boost your immuni…
Raccoon Tests Positive For Rabies In Hunterdon County: DOH Raccoon Tests Positive For Rabies In Hunterdon County: DOH
Raccoon Tests Positive For Rabies In Hunterdon County: DOH A raccoon in Hunterdon County tested positive for rabies on Wednesday, Oct. 16, authorities said. The racoon was in the area of Ramsey Road in Clinton Township, the Department of Health said. Area residents who may have had contact with this raccoon any time between Friday, Sept. 27 and Friday, Oct. 11 should notify their primary care physician immediately or the Hunterdon Medical Center Emergency Room to discuss concerns, the Department of Health said. Residents are reminded not to pick up stray animals at any time since saliva from infected animals should be considered infectious, the De…
Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands
Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands A massive voluntary recall has been issued for frozen waffles sold by over 14 different grocery store chains nationwide due to the potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, TreeHouse Foods, Inc. announced on Friday, Oct. 18. Over 500 varieties of frozen waffles manufactured by TreeHouse Foods and sold with the branding of major retailers such as Walmart's Great Value and Target's Good & Gather have been recalled because of possible Listeria.  As stated in the release: "Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections …
10M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry Recalled Due To Listeria Concerns: Product List 10M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry Recalled Due To Listeria Concerns: Product List
10M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry Recalled Due To Listeria Concerns: Product List The product list has now been released for a nationwide recall of nearly 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria. Click here for a new, updated story: New Update: Products Added To Recall Of 10M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry Due To Listeria Concerns The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)  announced that BrucePac is recalling approximately 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. The ready-to-eat meat and poultry items were produced…
NJ Water Company Pauses Billing After Cyberattack NJ Water Company Pauses Billing After Cyberattack
NJ Water Company Pauses Billing After Cyberattack A water utility company based in Camden said it is pausing billing in the wake of a cyberattack on Thursday, Oct. 3. American Water serves 2.8 million people in the Garden State, providing water to municipalities in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Union and Warren counties. "American Water learned of unauthorized activity in our computer networks and systems," the company said in a release. "This activity has since been determined to be the result of a cybersecurity incident. In an effort to protect our …
Kay Escobar, Morristown Native, Activist Dies At 32 Kay Escobar, Morristown Native, Activist Dies At 32
Kay Escobar, Morristown Native, Activist Dies At 32 Kevin "Kay" Escobar, a Morristown native who advocated for immigration and racial justice, died on Thursday, Sept. 26, according to their obituary posted at the Cochran Funeral Home website. Escobar enrolled at CUNY Law School where they co-founded several student groups and initiatives, scoring an internship at the New York Civil Liberties Union, according to their obituary.  They championed a statewide survey that documented immigrants' access to reproductive healthcare and worked with Black Lives Matter Morristown, leading marches throughout the state, their obituary reads. During t…
'Gas Station Heroin' Killed Toms River Man, Family Says In Lawsuit 'Gas Station Heroin' Killed Toms River Man, Family Says In Lawsuit
'Gas Station Heroin' Killed Toms River Man, Family Says In Lawsuit The family of a Toms River man has filed a lawsuit claiming he was killed by a supplement known by many as "gas station heroin." The suit, filed on Thursday, Sept. 5 by the family of 32-year-old Matthew Cornier, names Neptune Resources, LLC; Super Chill CBD Products; and Hometown Market. Philadelphia-based law firm Feldman Shepherd announced the legal action in a news release on Thursday, Sept. 12. Cornier died on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, after consuming Neptune's Fix Elixir purchased from a store in Point Pleasant, the suit claimed. The product is marketed as a dietary supplement…
Camden Schools Superintendent Calls On Board President To Quit In Wake Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Camden Schools Superintendent Calls On Board President To Quit In Wake Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Camden Schools Superintendent Calls On Board President To Quit In Wake Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit The state-appointed superintendent for the Camden City School District is calling for the resignation of the advisory school board president amid sexual abuse allegations. Camden Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs, in a letter to the community, wrote: "In order to allow our community to heal and refocus on what truly matters—the education and future of our students— it would be in the best interest of the state-operated district of Camden City for Advisory Board President Wasim Muhammad to voluntarily relinquish his seat." "We are at the beginning of a new school year—a time that s…
E. Coli Found In Two Morris County Water Systems E. Coli Found In Two Morris County Water Systems
E. Coli Found In Two Morris County Water Systems A water boil advisory is in effect in parts of Morris County after E. coli was discovered in two distribution systems. E.coli was detected in routine water samples collected on Aug. 28 and Aug. 30 in Mount Olive. The boil water advisories cover the following water systems: Main Water System Cloverhill Development & Sutton Park Flanders Crossing Mount Olive Manor Regency at Flanders & Marveland Crescent Development Overlook Apartments Main Street & Park Place Mountain Avenue Laurel Drive Chestnut Way & Red Maple Lane Village Green Water System Village Green Apartments …
Two West Nile Virus-Related Deaths Among Six New Cases Reported In New Jersey Two West Nile Virus-Related Deaths Among Six New Cases Reported In New Jersey
Two West Nile Virus-Related Deaths Among Six New Cases Reported In New Jersey New Jersey health officials are reporting an additional six cases of West Nile Virus including two deaths, and two presumptive viremic blood donor (PVD) cases in the state.  The six new WNV cases are residents of Bergen, Camden, Cumberland, Hudson, Mercer, and Middlesex counties (one 50+, two 60+, one 70+, two 80+). The two individuals who died were older adults from Cumberland and Mercer counties, the DOH said. Two human cases of WNV were reported earlier this year in Middlesex and Union counties. Seven out of the eight cases were hospitalized with neuroinvasive disease, includi…
Mold, Mildew, Insects Found At Boar’s Head Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak, Report Says Mold, Mildew, Insects Found At Boar’s Head Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak, Report Says
Mold, Mildew, Insects Found At Boar’s Head Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak, Report Says Inspectors at the Boar's Head plant tied to a deadly Listeria outbreak discovered mold, mildew and insects among dozens of violations, according to a report by CBS News. Dozens of violations at the plant in Jarratt, Virginia, were outlined in records released by the US Department of Agriculture, the report said. After an initial recall of around 200,000 pounds of deli meat due to possible Listeria contamination, the company expanded it to approximately seven million additional pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products on Tuesday, July 30. Boar's Head's recall includes 71 p…
NJ Reports Three West Nile Virus Cases NJ Reports Three West Nile Virus Cases
NJ Reports Three West Nile Virus Cases The New Jersey Department of Health has confirmed the state’s first human cases of the West Nile Virus, much earlier than in prior seasons. Two residents, one more than 70 years old and the other under 18, tested positive for the illness transmitted by mosquitoes after reporting symptoms in the first week of July, the state's health department said. The individuals, from Union and Middlesex counties, were hospitalized and have since been discharged. A third case of an asymptomatic WNV-positive blood donor was later reported, the DOH said. They were identified as a Somerset County resid…
NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In COVID-19 Cases NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In COVID-19 Cases
NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In Covid-19 Cases Lawmakers in a New York county approved a controversial bill criminalizing mask wearing amid a summer bump in COVID-19 cases. On Long Island, the Republican-controlled Nassau County Legislature passed the “Mask Transparency Act” by a vote of 12-0 on Monday night, Aug. 5. All seven Democrats abstained from voting. The bill makes it a misdemeanor for anyone 16 and older to wear a face mask in public spaces in the county. It also gives private businesses the right to prohibit masks on their premises. It grants exceptions for health or religious reasons, though that distinction will be determ…
Boar's Head Expands Deli Meat Recall To Include 7 Million Extra Pounds Boar's Head Expands Deli Meat Recall To Include 7 Million Extra Pounds
Boar's Head Expands Deli Meat Recall To Include 7 Million Extra Pounds Boar's Head has expanded a recall of deli meat products due to possible Listeria contamination. Click here for a new, updated story: Boar's Head Facing Lawsuit Over Deli Meat Recall  The company said on Tuesday, July 30, that it is now recalling approximately seven million additional pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.  This expansion includes 71 products produced between Friday, May 10, and Monday, July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said. They have “s…
Insects, Human Hair Found In NJ Cannabis Products Recalled By State Board Insects, Human Hair Found In NJ Cannabis Products Recalled By State Board
Insects, Human Hair Found In NJ Cannabis Products Recalled By State Board Cannabis products from a New Jersey cultivator are being recalled after lab testing found insects and human hair in a dozen samples, state officials said. The discoveries of wholesale flower sold by Green Medicine NJ, which was resold under the trade name "Green Joy" were made earlier this month following a complaint lodged with the New Jersey Cannabis Regulation Commission (NJCRC), the board said in a letter dated Monday, July 29. "In a lab test of 15 samples of the cannabis from a single dispensary, 12 flower packages were found to contain insects and one package contained what appea…
FDA Recalls Ground Cinnamon Over Lead Contamination FDA Recalls Ground Cinnamon Over Lead Contamination
FDA Recalls Ground Cinnamon Over Lead Contamination The FDA is recalling two brands of ground Cinnamon shipped out to several states due to elevated levels of lead. Both Advance Food International, Inc. of Maspeth, NY, and American Spices, LLC. of Ozone Park, NY, recalled the products Shahzada's Cinnamon powder was distributed to retailers in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts between Jan. 1 and May 24. AFI's powder was distributed across the NYC area between Dec. 1, 2023 and May 15. ALB-USA Enterprises Recalls ALB Flavor Ground Cinnamon Because of Possible Health Risk https://t.co/FkvWx4vA9R pic.twitter.com/pG…
2 Dead, 28 Sickened In Multistate Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak, CDC Says 2 Dead, 28 Sickened In Multistate Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak, CDC Says
2 Dead, 28 Sickened In Multistate Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak, CDC Says Two people died, and dozens of others sickened in a Listeria outbreak tied to deli meats in several states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty-eight people across 12 states had been sickened between late May and mid-July, the CDC says. The deaths occurred in New Jersey and Illinois, health officials said. All 28 individuals had been hospitalized as of Friday, July 19. According to the CDC map, seven illnesses were reported in New York; six in Maryland; two in New Jersey; two in Virginia; two in Massachusetts; and one in Pennsylvania. Click here for the…
Lehigh Coroner Seeks Next Of Kin For New Jersey Woman Lehigh Coroner Seeks Next Of Kin For New Jersey Woman
Lehigh Coroner Seeks Next Of Kin For New Jersey Woman Officials are looking for the loved ones of a New Jersey woman who died on Friday, July 12.  Shirley J. Smith, 77, of Belvidere, broke her right femur in a fall and died from complications at St. Luke's University Hospital in Bethlehem, said the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. Her death was ruled an accident.  Anyone who can contact her family is asked to call the Coroner's Office at 610-782-3426 or email danielbuglio@lehighcounty.org. 
Boil Water Advisory Issued For Thousands Of Passaic, Morris County Residents Boil Water Advisory Issued For Thousands Of Passaic, Morris County Residents
Boil Water Advisory Issued For Thousands Of Passaic, Morris County Residents Thousands of residents across Morris and Passaic counties are urged to boil their water due to high turbidity, or cloudiness, officials said. Officials in both Butler and Bloomingdale made the announcement earlier this week due to "emergent conditions" at the Butler water treatment plant. A water sample taken on Monday, June 24 showed a peak turbidity level of 8.34 nephelometric turbidity — which is above the standard of 1 nephelometric turbidity unit, Butler Water said.  "Because of the high levels of turbidity, there is an increased chance that the water may contain d…
Popular Ice Cream Products Recalled Over Listeria Concerns, FDA Says Popular Ice Cream Products Recalled Over Listeria Concerns, FDA Says
Popular Ice Cream Products Recalled Over Listeria Concerns, FDA Says Approximately 70 ice cream products sold by multiple brands including Friendly's and Hershey's are being recalled due to a possible presence of listeria, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said. The brands were recalled this week by Totally Cool, Inc. based in Owings Mills, MD, which has stopped the production and distribution of the affected products due to FDA sampling. Some of the most popular items recalled include: Friendly's 60 fl oz Celebration Ice Cream Cake 40 fl oz Strawberry Krunch Ice Cream Cake; Hershey's 38 fl oz vanilla and chocolat…
Dollar Tree Sold Lead-Infused Applesauce Pouches For Weeks After Recall, FDA Says Dollar Tree Sold Lead-Infused Applesauce Pouches For Weeks After Recall, FDA Says
Dollar Tree Sold Lead-Infused Applesauce Pouches For Weeks After Recall, FDA Says Despite a recall notice and multiple warnings from the Food and Drug Administration, Dollar Tree continued to sell applesauce pouches containing lead for weeks, federal officials say. The popular retail chain was issued a letter from the FDA this month regarding the WanaBana fruit puree pouches, distributed by Negasmart. "As described below, laboratory analysis of multiple lots of WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches, including finished product samples collected from Dollar Tree stores, detected extremely high concentrations of lead," the letter reads.  "... you conti…
Measles Exposure Possible At This New Jersey Hospital, Health Department Warns Measles Exposure Possible At This New Jersey Hospital, Health Department Warns
Measles Exposure Possible At This New Jersey Hospital, Health Department Warns The New Jersey Health Department is warning residents of a potential measles exposure at a Central Jersey hospital. The department said anyone who visited the emergency room at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro between noon and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 1 may have been exposed to the virus. The confirmed case was Somerset County resident who developed measles following travel from a country that is currently experiencing an ongoing outbreak of measles. Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash that usually appears between thr…
Cucumbers Shipped To 14 States Recalled Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination Cucumbers Shipped To 14 States Recalled Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination
Cucumbers Shipped To 14 States Recalled Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination A Florida-based company is recalling whole cucumbers that were shipped to 14 states, but may be contaminated with Salmonella, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced. According to the FDA, the cucumbers subject to recall are dark green, between 1.5 inches and two inches thick and between five to nine inches long. Officials made note that mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in the recall. FDA The recalled cucumbers were shipped in bulk cartons between Friday, May 17 and Tuesday, May 21 to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributor…
Raccoon Tests Positives For Rabies: Hunterdon County Department Of Health Raccoon Tests Positives For Rabies: Hunterdon County Department Of Health
Raccoon Tests Positives For Rabies: Hunterdon County Department Of Health A raccoon in Hunterdon County tested positive for rabies on Friday, May 17, the Hunterdon County Department of Health. The raccoon was found in Clinton Township in the area of Andreann Drive and Hamden Road, health officials said. Anyone who have may have had contact with the raccoon between Tuesday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 14, should notify their primary care physician immediately or the Hunterdon Medical Center Emergency Room to discuss concerns of possible exposure and the need for post exposure prophylaxis treatment, health officials said. The Health Department HCHD is working w…
Demolition Of Nabisco Site Resuming Year After Postponement Demolition Of Nabisco Site Resuming Year After Postponement
Demolition Of Nabisco Site Resuming Year After Postponement Almost a year after it was called of amid public outcry, plans to demolish the shuttered Nabisco factory in Fair Lawn have once again been finalized. "Demolition at the Nabisco site is expected to resume shortly, with state approval. A non-explosive demolition will be undertaken," said a post on the borough's website on Monday, April 22. No other details were provided. Last May, Greek Development, which is redeveloping the property, announced the building will not be imploded and they would use an alternative method. The implosion was originally set for April 2023 but was postponed. …
Botched Botox Causes Illness For 19 People In 9 States Including New Jersey, New York: CDC Botched Botox Causes Illness For 19 People In 9 States Including New Jersey, New York: CDC
Botched Botox Causes Illness For 19 People In 9 States Including New Jersey, New York: CDC Nineteen people in nine states, including New Jersey and New York, reported illness after injections from a "counterfeit or mishandled" injection of botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. As of April 15, a total of 19 people from 9 states reported harmful reactions after receiving botulinum toxin injections from unlicensed or untrained individuals or in non-healthcare settings, such as homes and spas, the CDC said.  Counterfeit Botox packages. FDA States reporting these reactions include Colorado, Florida, Illinois, K…
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…
Deadly Cheeses Prompt Massive Recall Nationwide: CDC, FDA, USDA Deadly Cheeses Prompt Massive Recall Nationwide: CDC, FDA, USDA
Deadly Cheeses Prompt Massive Recall Nationwide: CDC, FDA, USDA Dairy products linked to deaths and serious illness — sold nationwide at many major retailers — are being recalled, the Center for Disease Control, the US Department of Agriculture, and the Food And Drug Administration announced in multiple releases over the first week of February.  Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. is recalling over 50 products after 26 illnesses, 23 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths, according to the CDC.  The California-based company issued the recall following the report of Listeria monocytogenes contamination causing illnesses in 11 states. Listeria monocytogene…