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Public Health

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 takes weeks or even months before it …
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…
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 approval of a new COVID-19 vaccination booster shot, the Department of Health and Human Services has announced that it will restart its program of offering free rapid tests for the virus through the mail. Every American household may order four nasal swab tests starting at a date to be announced in late September, visiting covid.gov/tests. The new vaccines have been updated with a formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against severe consequences of COVID, including hospitalization and death. The updated vaccines incl…
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 Red Hook: Here's What To Know 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…
Algae Bloom Closed Popular State Park Beach In Region To Swimming Algae Bloom Closed Popular State Park Beach In Region To Swimming
Algae Bloom Closed Popular State Park Beach In Region To Swimming Due to an unhealthy algae bloom, a popular boating and swimming lake in the region has been temporarily closed. The blooms were found in Sullivan County at Lake Superior State Park in Bethel on Tuesday, Aug. 6.  “Cyanobacteria, better known as blue-green algae, has increased to potentially harmful levels at Lake Superior’s beach, due in large part to the ongoing hot weather,” Parks, Recreation and Beautification Director Brian Scardefield explained. “People and animals who come in contact with the algae may develop irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract – or …
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…
Brand Of Jalapenos, Green Peppers, Green Beans Recalled Due To Listeria Concerns Brand Of Jalapenos, Green Peppers, Green Beans Recalled Due To Listeria Concerns
Brand Of Jalapenos, Green Peppers, Green Beans Recalled Due To Listeria Concerns A recall has been issued for a brand of peppers and green beans due to potential Listeria contamination. ALDI Inc. announced it is recalling Freshire Farms jalapenos, green peppers, and green beans in connection to an earlier recall by Wiers Farm and R.S. Hanline Co. The full product details, with product name, package description, and UPC code, are: Jalapeno 8 oz. bag 4099100087680 Green Pepper 16 oz. (3 pack) bag 4099100087598 Green Beans 16 oz. bag 4099100087826 The affected product was sold at select ALDI stores in New York,  Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Re…
Court Discontinues Lawsuit Claiming Finger Was Found In Salad At Northern Westchester Eatery Court Discontinues Lawsuit Claiming Finger Was Found In Salad At Northern Westchester Eatery
Court Discontinues Lawsuit Claiming Finger Was Found In Salad At Northern Westchester Eatery A court has discontinued a lawsuit filed against a restaurant chain by a Connecticut woman who claimed she found herself chewing on part of a severed human finger while eating a salad served at one of the company's locations in New York.  The lawsuit, filed against Rye Brook-based Chop't Creative Salad Company LLC by Fairfield County resident Allison Cozzi of Greenwich, was discontinued by the Westchester County Supreme Court on Thursday, July 11.  Cozzi, who brought the suit against Chop't in November, claimed she found part of a severed finger inside her meal…
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…
Harmful Algae Blooms Close Several Hudson Valley Beaches Harmful Algae Blooms Close Several Hudson Valley Beaches
Harmful Algae Blooms Close Several Hudson Valley Beaches Several beaches in the Hudson Valley are closed to the public thanks to harmful algae blooms that can harm the health of swimmers.  Five beaches in Putnam County are currently closed as a result of the blooms, according to county officials.  The affected beaches include:  Barger Pond Beach in Putnam Valley, which was closed on Saturday, July 6; Carraras Beach in Putnam Valley, which was closed on Friday, July 5;  Jackson Beach in Patterson, which was closed on Tuesday, July 2; Singers Beach in Putnam Valley, which was closed on Saturday, July 6; Warren Beach in Patters…
COVID-19: NY Hospitalizations Well Above Same Period Last Year Amid Increase In Virus Activity COVID-19: NY Hospitalizations Well Above Same Period Last Year Amid Increase In Virus Activity
Covid-19: NY Hospitalizations Well Above Same Period Last Year Amid Increase In Virus Activity As new highly contagious COVID-19 variants emerge, authorities are reporting that statewide hospitalizations in New York have significantly increased compared to the same period last summer. With social gatherings increasing during the summer months and high temperatures forcing people indoors, New York Gov. Kathy Hocul stated on Saturday, July 6, that New Yorkers should get tested if they have symptoms.  In addition, they should also follow the usual precautions, including current CDC guidance, stay current with COVID vaccines, and seek appropriate treatments if necessary. “While we …
COVID-19: New LB.1 Variant Sees Climb In Infections Amid Nationwide Uptick In Cases COVID-19: New LB.1 Variant Sees Climb In Infections Amid Nationwide Uptick In Cases
Covid-19: New LB.1 Variant Sees Climb In Infections Amid Nationwide Uptick In Cases Cases of a new COVID-19 variant are on the rise nationally as the spread of the virus overall is climbing, according to brand-new data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The highly contagious variant, LB.1, now accounts for 17.5 percent of US cases in the two weeks ending Saturday, June 22. LB.1 cases have more than doubled since May, and some experts think it could be on a path to surpass two offshoots of the highly contagious Omicron variant who are part of the so-called "FLiRT" group: KP.3 and KP. 2. Combined, those two subvariants account for mo…
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…
West Nile Virus Detected In Hudson Valley County West Nile Virus Detected In Hudson Valley County
West Nile Virus Detected In Hudson Valley County Health officials in a Hudson Valley county warn residents to protect themselves after a group of mosquitoes tested positive for the West Nile Virus. The group was detected on Monday, June 17, in Rockland County in the town of Orangetown, according to the Rockland County Department of Health.  So far this year, 33 groups have been submitted for testing. No human cases have been reported this season, and Rockland's last reported human case was in 2023. "This time of year is when we see a rise in West Nile Virus activity, and this positive mosquito pool confirms that," said Amy Isen…
Caseworker Dies More Than Month After Northern Westchester Attack During Shift: 'Enraging' Caseworker Dies More Than Month After Northern Westchester Attack During Shift: 'Enraging'
Caseworker Dies More Than Month After Northern Westchester Attack During Shift: 'Enraging' A Westchester caseworker has succumbed to her injuries more than a month after she was brutally attacked while performing her duties.  Maria Coto, age 56, died on Wednesday, June 19 as a result of injuries she sustained during an assault in Peekskill on Tuesday, May 14, according to Peekskill Police Lieutenant Adam Renwick.  On the day of the attack, just after 3 p.m., Coto was assaulted by a suspect identified as 31-year-old Haseem Jenkins inside a Peekskill apartment on South Street while making contact with clients, according to county officials and Peekskill Police. Coto…
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…
Back In Business: Capital Region Diner Reopens After Health Inspector's Closure For Insects Back In Business: Capital Region Diner Reopens After Health Inspector's Closure For Insects
Back In Business: Capital Region Diner Reopens After Health Inspector's Closure For Insects This story has been updated. A troubled restaurant in the region is back open days after state health inspectors shut it down over an insect problem. Saratoga County’s Route 50 Diner – located in Ballston Spa at 2002 Doubleday Avenue – was closed Thursday, May 30, after a New York State Department of Health inspector uncovered a cockroach infestation, according to the agency’s report.  The report added that the business, which opened in 2017, is working with a pest control company “for ongoing treatment” to mitigate the issue. Owner Brian Hyra confirmed the development in a defi…
Nationwide Recall Issued For Ground Black Pepper Due To Possible Health Risk Nationwide Recall Issued For Ground Black Pepper Due To Possible Health Risk
Nationwide Recall Issued For Ground Black Pepper Due To Possible Health Risk A nationwide recall has been issued for a brand of ground black pepper that could be contaminated with Salmonella. UBC Food Distributors issued the recall for the product under the Baraka brand name in 7-ounce plastic containers with UPC code 8 22514 26626 6, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced. The company said it was notified of the potential for contamination based on a routine state surveillance sample collected by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets that tested positive for Salmonella the presence of Salmonella in some packages of the product. Salmon…