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Public Health

Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services
Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services President-elect Donald Trump tapped a controversial New Yorker to oversee public health. Robert F Kennedy Jr. is his choice for secretary of health and human services, Trump announced Thursday, Nov. 14.  "For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trump said on Truth Social. Earlier Report: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Bid, Backs Donald Trump "The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any A…
Meeting Explains New Electric School Buses Coming To School District In Regio Meeting Explains New Electric School Buses Coming To School District In Regio
Meeting Explains New Electric School Buses Coming To School District In Regio Residents will have a chance to ask questions during an upcoming meeting when they will be asked to approve spending $2.27 million on electric school buses in a school district in the region. The meeting is in Dutchess County from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School at 156 S Cross Road in Staatsburg. Hyde Park Central School District officials said attendees will learn everything about implementing electric buses during the panel discussion. Representatives from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Leonard Bus Sales …
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…
McDonald's IDs Source Of E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Quarter Pounders McDonald's IDs Source Of E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Quarter Pounders
McDonald's IDs Source Of E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Quarter Pounders Health officials have pinpointed the specific ingredient that triggered an E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s that killed one person and sickened dozens more across several states. Testing done by the Colorado Department of Agriculture eliminated Quarter Pounder beef patties as the source of the outbreak, McDonald’s confirmed on Sunday, Oct. 27. That leaves the restaurant’s slivered onions, which are primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers, as the likely source of contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Earlier Report: E. Coli Outbreak Tied To McDonald'…
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…
COVID-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last COVID-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last
Covid-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last Free rapid tests for COVID-19 are now available to order online. As of Friday, Sept. 27, every American household may order four nasal swab tests through the Department of Health and Human Services program by visiting covid.gov/tests or covidtests.gov while supplies last. After orders are placed, a confirmation email will be sent to the household, with free shipping scheduled to start the week of Monday, Sept. 30, and email delivery updates available if requested. New COVID booster vaccines that became available at the start of September have been updated with a formula…
2nd NY Resident Dies In Listeria Outbreak Linked To Boar's Head Deli Meats 2nd NY Resident Dies In Listeria Outbreak Linked To Boar's Head Deli Meats
2nd NY Resident Dies In Listeria Outbreak Linked To Boar's Head Deli Meats A new death, the 10th overall, has been reported from a Listeria outbreak linked to the recall of millions of pounds of Boar's Head deli meats.The person who died was a New York resident, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The breakdown by states of the fatalities since the outbreak began in mid-May is as follows: New York (two), South Carolina (two), and one each in New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Illinois, Tennessee, and New Mexico. Since the bacteria was first discovered in liverwurst produced at Boar's Head's plant in Jarratt, Virginia, 59 people have been…
Free COVID-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online Free COVID-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online
Free Covid-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online The Department of Health and Human Services will soon restart its program of offering free rapid tests for the virus through the mail. Every American household may order four nasal swab tests starting by the end of September by visiting covid.gov/tests or covidtests.gov. Both standard and more accessible COVID-19 tests will be available, while supplies last. The department did not announce what specific day and date requests will start to be processed. New COVID booster vaccines that became available at the start of September have been updated with a formula to more closely target cu…
Resident In Region Dies From Rare Mosquito Virus; 'Imminent Threat To Public' Declared Resident In Region Dies From Rare Mosquito Virus; 'Imminent Threat To Public' Declared
Resident In Region Dies From Rare Mosquito Virus; 'Imminent Threat To Public' Declared A New York resident has died days after contracting the state’s first human case of a rare but serious mosquito-borne virus in nearly a decade. The Ulster County resident died from complications stemming from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office confirmed on Monday, Sept. 23. It marks the first human case of EEE in New York State since 2015. Earlier Report: Human Case Of Severe Mosquito-Borne Virus Confirmed In Ulster County, First In NY Since 2015 “We’ve been informed this patient has passed away from EEE, we extend our sympathies and our hearts go out t…
Human Case Of Potentially Deadly Mosquito-Borne Virus Confirmed For First In NY Since 2015 Human Case Of Potentially Deadly Mosquito-Borne Virus Confirmed For First In NY Since 2015
Human Case Of Potentially Deadly Mosquito-Borne Virus Confirmed For First In NY Since 2015 For the first time in a decade, health officials in New York confirmed a human case of a rare but serious mosquito-borne disease. Click here for updated story: Ulster County Resident Dies From EEE Virus; State Declares 'Imminent Threat To Public' In Ulster County, the New York State Department of Health confirmed that a resident was hospitalized after testing positive for eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE), the agency announced Friday, Sept. 20. It marks the first human case of EEE in New York State since 2015. The Ulster County Department of Health is investigating. Earlier …
Boar's Head Shuts Down Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak, Will No Longer Make Liverwurst Boar's Head Shuts Down Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak, Will No Longer Make Liverwurst
Boar's Head Shuts Down Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak, Will No Longer Make Liverwurst The Boar’s Head plant at the center of a recall of millions of pounds of deli meat that has led to nine deaths due to Listeria contamination will be shut down.The company made the announce early Friday afternoon, Sept. 13. "Major deficiencies" at the facility in the rural southern Virginia town of Jarratt posed an “imminent threat” government inspectors warned after discovering "rusted equipment, condensation dripping on the floor and green mold on a wall" about two years before the initial recall on Friday, July 26, according to The Washington Post. But the US Agriculture Department did n…
COVID-19: Hochul Urges NYers To Receive New Vaccines Ahead Of Flu Season COVID-19: Hochul Urges NYers To Receive New Vaccines Ahead Of Flu Season
Covid-19: Hochul Urges NYers To Receive New Vaccines Ahead Of Flu Season Now that the new COVID-19 vaccine is available in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging residents to get their updated shots ahead of this year's respiratory virus illness season. Related story - COVID-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases In an announcement this week, Hochul encouraged eligible New Yorkers to get the new Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccine for the 2024-2025 season, offered by Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax.  According to Hochul, receiving the new vaccine is more pressing as students return to school and …
COVID-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases COVID-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases
Covid-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases A newly discovered more contagious COVID-19 strain spreading rapidly through Europe is sparking concerns among health authorities around the globe as the United States is experiencing its largest wave of cases in over two years. XEC, which was first identified in Germany, may eventually overtake the current dominant subvariant, KP.3.1.1, which is currently most common in the United States, accounting for about 42 percent of cases nationally according to data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Saturday, Aug. 31. XEC make take weeks or even months before it s…
Person Who Consumed Recalled Boar’s Head Products May Have Permanent Injuries, Lawsuit Says Person Who Consumed Recalled Boar’s Head Products May Have Permanent Injuries, Lawsuit Says
Person Who Consumed Recalled Boar’s Head Products May Have Permanent Injuries, Lawsuit Says A person in the New York metropolitan area who purchased and consumed recalled Boar's Head products is believed to have permanent injuries, a new lawsuit alleges. Manhattan-based injury and food safety attorney John Beatty has been retained to file the suit against Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc. for a client who suffered severe health consequences due to Listeria contamination. The person, whose precise place of residence has not been released, contracted Listeria, leading to a near-fatal case of meningitis and an almost month-long hospital stay, according to Beatty. "The client is belie…
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…
NY Resident Dies After Eating Recalled Boar's Head Deli Meat NY Resident Dies After Eating Recalled Boar's Head Deli Meat
NY Resident Dies After Eating Recalled Boar's Head Deli Meat The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says six more people have died from a listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meats since authorities issued a recall notice last month.  Over 50 people have been hospitalized.  Federal authorities warned about Boar's Head deli meats after people in 13 states reported getting sick after eating the products. That number has grown to 18 states, with new deaths being reported in New York, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, and South Carolina, the CDC said on Wednesday, Aug. 28.  The agency said it is the biggest listeria ou…
41-Year-Old In Northeast Dies From Serious Mosquito Virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis 41-Year-Old In Northeast Dies From Serious Mosquito Virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis
41-Year-Old In Northeast Dies From Serious Mosquito Virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis One person has died and two others in the Northeast have been infected this summer with a rare but serious mosquito-borne disease. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is caused by a virus spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, similar to the West Nile virus. On Tuesday, Aug. 27, an adult from the town of Hampstead, in southeastern New Hampshire who tested positive for EEE died, the New Hampshire Department of Public Health announced. He had been hospitalized with the illness. The man has been identified by his family as 41-year-old Steven Perry, according to ABC…
NY County's Mask Ban Causes 'Great Stress, Fear,' Federal Lawsuit Argues NY County's Mask Ban Causes 'Great Stress, Fear,' Federal Lawsuit Argues
NY County's Mask Ban Causes 'Great Stress, Fear,' Federal Lawsuit Argues A New York county’s controversial mask ban is already facing legal challenges. Click here for a new, updated story: Mask Ban Arrest: Hicksville 18-Year-Old First Person Charged Under Controversial Law In a class action lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of New York on Thursday, Aug. 22, Disability Rights of New York argued that Nassau County’s law barring face coverings in public violates federal law and discriminates against people with disabilities. The filing came a little more than a week after Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, signed the “Mask Transparenc…
Walmart Issues Massive Recall For Juice Product Sold In 23 States, Including NY Walmart Issues Massive Recall For Juice Product Sold In 23 States, Including NY
Walmart Issues Massive Recall For Juice Product Sold In 23 States, Including NY Apple juice sold at Walmart has been recalled due to high arsenic levels. The US Food and Drug Administration says 9,535 cases of the company's  Great Value brand 100 percent apple juice were sold in six-packs of 8-ounce plastic bottles bearing this expiration date: Best if Used by DEC2824 CT89-6, and a UPC code of 0-78742-29655-5. According to the FDA, the product contains inorganic arsenic above the action level set in industry guidance (13.2 parts per billion). They were sold in 23 states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia,…
FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available
FDA Approves Updated Covid-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available The US Food and Drug Administration has just approved new COVID-19 vaccines.It marks the third time the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have been updated to match circulating strains since the original shot. The shots should be available within days, the FDA said in making the announcement Thursday afternoon, Aug. 22. The new vaccines have been updated with a formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID, including hospitalization and death. “Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 preventi…
Horse Dies In Hudson Valley From Rare Brain Disease Spread By Mosquitoes Horse Dies In Hudson Valley From Rare Brain Disease Spread By Mosquitoes
Horse Dies In Hudson Valley From Rare Brain Disease Spread By Mosquitoes A horse has died in the region from a rare brain disease spread by mosquitoes that can also infect people. The Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) reports a horse in the town of Newburgh died late last week of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).  The diagnosis was confirmed in test results released by the New York State Department of Health. Officials said the horse had not been vaccinated for EEE and did not travel outside the County. EEE is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection spread by mosquitoes. It can infect people and horses.  It causes encephalit…
Milk From NY Farm Recalled Over Possible Bacteria Concerns Milk From NY Farm Recalled Over Possible Bacteria Concerns
Milk From NY Farm Recalled Over Possible Bacteria Concerns State officials are warning people not to consume unpasteurized raw milk that was sold by a New York farm due to possible bacteria concerns. Routine testing revealed the presence of bacteria in unpasteurized milk that was sold by Montgomery County’s HuHill Farm in Fort Plain, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture and Markets. The farm was prohibited from selling raw milk until further testing indicated it was free of the harmful bacteria. No illnesses connected to the recall had been reported to the agency as of Wednesday, Aug. 7. The particular bacteria found, Campylobacter …
Person From Virginia Third To Die From Listeria Outbreak Linked To Boar's Head Deli Meat Person From Virginia Third To Die From Listeria Outbreak Linked To Boar's Head Deli Meat
Person From Virginia Third To Die From Listeria Outbreak Linked To Boar's Head Deli Meat A person from Virginia has become the third person to die during an ongoing Listeria food poisoning outbreak linked to millions of pounds of Boar's Head deli meats that were recalled. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update on Thursday, Aug. 8 advising that there have been nine more cases reported in connection to the recall, bringing the total to 43 hospitalized - three of which who died, including one from Virginia. No details about the person who died in Virginia have been released. Two others in the state have also been sickened with Listeria amid the outbr…
Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park
Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park Although a large, squirrel-sized snail found in a New York park may have looked harmless, it posed enough of a danger to people and the environment that its discovery prompted a police response.  The invasive giant African land snail was discovered within Brooklyn's Prospect Park in early May following a report from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.  After it was seen in the park, it was surrendered to the City Parks department in a box, officials said, promoting a response from …
Rabid Beaver Found In Hudson Valley Rabid Beaver Found In Hudson Valley
Rabid Beaver Found In Hudson Valley Residents in the region are being alerted to the discovery of a rabid beaver in the region. The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health has confirmed a positive rabies test in a beaver captured after being observed at the Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area in the Town of Red Hook on Monday, Aug. 6. "Residents and visitors enjoying Tivoli Bay for paddleboarding and other activities should be aware of their surroundings and be cautious for any wildlife acting aggressively," according to a statement by the Dutchess County Government. If any individual or any dom…
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…
NY Mom Claims To Find Human Blood In Daughter's Burger King Meal: 'She Is Traumatized' NY Mom Claims To Find Human Blood In Daughter's Burger King Meal: 'She Is Traumatized'
NY Mom Claims To Find Human Blood In Daughter's Burger King Meal: 'She Is Traumatized' A New York mother is considering a lawsuit against Burger King after claiming she found human blood in her daughter’s meal. Erie County resident Tiffany Floyd, of the hamlet of Getzville, recounted the horrifying incident in a now-viral TikTok video posted Friday, July 26. In the clip, Floyd recounts how she stopped by a Getzville Burger King for lunch with her 4-year-old daughter and went through the drive-through. “Obviously, I’m a busy mom, I just gave her the bag to eat the food,” she said. “And I heard, ‘Mom, I don’t want ketchup.’” Floyd then grabbed the bag of hamburger and fries, …
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…