Tag:

Public Health

Middlesex NJ
Police & Fire
Rabid Raccoon Fought With Dogs In South Brunswick: Police Rabid Raccoon Fought With Dogs In South Brunswick: Police
Rabid Raccoon Fought With Dogs In South Brunswick: Police A raccoon has tested positive for rabies after an altercation with dogs in South Brunswick, authorities said. The fight between a resident's dogs and a raccoon occurred on Deans Lane on Saturday, July 20, according to South Brunswick police. The raccoon was retrieved by animal control and sent for testing.  On Wednesday, July 24, the township's Health Department was notified that the raccoon tested positive for rabies, police said. Police did not say whether the dogs became infected or had to be treated. Anyone who feels they or their animals has had an incident involving a wild ani…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Mt. Kisco
News
Court Dismisses Lawsuit Claiming Finger Was Found In Salad At Mount Kisco Eatery Court Dismisses Lawsuit Claiming Finger Was Found In Salad At Mount Kisco Eatery
Court Dismisses Lawsuit Claiming Finger Was Found In Salad At Mount Kisco 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…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Cape May
News
West Nile, EEE Detected In Eight Mosquito Groups In Cape May County West Nile, EEE Detected In Eight Mosquito Groups In Cape May County
West Nile, EEE Detected In Eight Mosquito Groups In Cape May County Cape May County leaders are issuing a warning after eight mosquito groups tested positive for West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis. Seven mosquito collections tested positive for West Nile and EEE was detected in another during June and July, the Cape May County Department of Health said in a news release on Monday, July 22. No human cases of either virus have been reported. The West Nile-positive mosquitoes were found in Cape May, Lower Township, Upper Township, and Woodbine. The mosquitoes with EEE were discovered in Lower. The county's mosquito control departme…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Hackensack
News
1 Dead In NJ, 28 Sickened In Multi-State Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak, CDC Says 1 Dead In NJ, 28 Sickened In Multi-State Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak, CDC Says
1 Dead In NJ, 28 Sickened In Multi-State 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…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Nassau
News
Swimming Discouraged At 14 Nassau County Beaches Over Bacteria Concerns Swimming Discouraged At 14 Nassau County Beaches Over Bacteria Concerns
Swimming Discouraged At 14 Nassau County Beaches Over Bacteria Concerns You’ll want to think twice about taking a dip in these Long Island beaches. The Nassau County Department of Health issued an advisory Thursday, July 18, against swimming at 14 beaches known to be impacted by stormwater runoff. Health officials said recent heavy rainfall in the region may have led to elevated bacteria levels that exceed the New York State standards for bathing water quality. The following beaches are included in the advisory: Centre Island Sound – Bayville Creek Club – Lattingtown Lattingtown Beach – Lattingtown Laurel Hollow Beach – Laurel Hollow Morgan Sound – Glen Co…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Yorktown
News
Latest Update: 2 Mohegan Lake Beaches Reopened After Algae Blooms Disappear Latest Update: 2 Mohegan Lake Beaches Reopened After Algae Blooms Disappear
Latest Update: 2 Mohegan Lake Beaches Reopened After Algae Blooms Disappear Two beaches in Northern Westchester have been allowed to open after testing confirmed the complete clearing of harmful algae blooms from the water.  The following two beaches, both located in Mohegan Lake, were cleared to open on Thursday, July 18, the Westchester County Department of Health announced:  Mohegan Colony Association; Mohegan Beach Park District.  Both beaches were originally shut down on Monday, July 8 as a precautionary measure, according to health officials.  Earlier Report - Harmful Algae Blooms Close Pair Of Mohegan Lake Beaches Their reopenings…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Lehigh
News
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. 

SHARE

by Mac Bullock
Arlington
News
Alert Issued For Possible Measles Exposure At Arlington Grocery Store Alert Issued For Possible Measles Exposure At Arlington Grocery Store
Alert Issued For Possible Measles Exposure At Arlington Grocery Store The Arlington County Public Health Division has issued an alert after being notified of a confirmed case of measles in a person who visited a grocery store earlier this month.  An out-of-state resident reportedly visited Harris Teeter on North Glebe Road between noon and 4 p.m. on Monday, July 1, and the health department is cautioning that some shoppers may have been exposed. The same person may have also reportedly visited CVS and a LabCorp site in the 2200 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW the following day, investigators are warning. "Measles is a contagious vaccine-preventable vi…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Montgomery MD
Lifestyle
Pet Owners Warned To Keep Animals Away From Potomac River Due To Algae Mats Pet Owners Warned To Keep Animals Away From Potomac River Due To Algae Mats
Pet Owners Warned To Keep Animals Away From Potomac River Due To Algae Mats Pet owners are being advised to keep their animals away from parts of the Potomac River after potentially deadly algae mats were detected.  An alert was issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources cautioning that the algae - which was collected from Williamsport to Riley Lock - could be harmful to animals if ingested. According to officials, "the algae has the appearance of mats of fine, green cotton and can be found along the shoreline, attached to rocks or plants, on the bottom or floating downstream."  PET HEALTH ALERT: Algae mats detected in the Potomac Riv…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
New Rochelle
News
Summer Bummer: High Bacteria Levels Force Beach To Close In New Rochelle Summer Bummer: High Bacteria Levels Force Beach To Close In New Rochelle
Summer Bummer: High Bacteria Levels Force Beach To Close In New Rochelle A beach in Westchester is closed until further notice as a result of high bacteria levels.  New, updated report - Latest Update: Beach In New Rochelle Reopens After Water Samples Show Lower Bacteria Levels Following the collection of water samples on Monday, July 8, and Wednesday, July 10, Hudson Park East Beach in New Rochelle has closed to visitors, Westchester County officials announced on Thursday, July 11.   The collected samples exceeded the bacteria levels allowed by New York State, officials said, adding that the beach would soon be re-tested.  Additionall…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Monmouth
News
$8.5M Project Will Upgrade Water Infrastructure In Tinton Falls $8.5M Project Will Upgrade Water Infrastructure In Tinton Falls
$8.5M Project Will Upgrade Water Infrastructure In Tinton Falls A Monmouth County borough will get $8.5 million in upgrades to its water systems, officials said. New Jersey American Water will replace about 4,900 feet of water main in Tinton Falls, the company said in a news release on Tuesday, July 9. The project will upgrade the 30-inch transmission main installed as old as the 1970s with a new 30-inch ductile iron main. The replacements will happen along these routes: Wayside Road from Drift to Shafto roads Shafto Road from Wayside to Hope roads Hope Road from Shafto Road to Alpine Trail NJ American Water will also install abou…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Yorktown
News
Harmful Algae Blooms Close Pair Of Mohegan Lake Beaches Harmful Algae Blooms Close Pair Of Mohegan Lake Beaches
Harmful Algae Blooms Close Pair Of Mohegan Lake Beaches Two beaches in Northern Westchester are closed thanks to an outbreak of harmful algae blooms that could harm the health of swimmers who come into contact with it.  New, updated report - Summer Bummer: High Bacteria Levels Force Beach To Close In New Rochelle Two beaches in Mohegan Lake are closed until further notice due to the algae blooms, the Westchester County Department of Health announced on Monday, July 8.  The affected beaches are:  Mohegan Colony Association; Mohegan Beach Park District.  The decision to close the beaches was a "precautionary measure,"&n…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Putnam
News
Harmful Algae Blooms Close Several Putnam County Beaches Harmful Algae Blooms Close Several Putnam County Beaches
Harmful Algae Blooms Close Several Putnam County 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…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Putnam
News
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 …

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
White Plains
News
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…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
White Plains
News
Latest Update: Pair Of Westchester Beaches Cleared To Open By Health Officials Latest Update: Pair Of Westchester Beaches Cleared To Open By Health Officials
Latest Update: Pair Of Westchester Beaches Cleared To Open By Health Officials This story has been updated.  Two Westchester County-owned beaches have been cleared to open after tests confirmed that bacteria levels were back to a safe amount, officials announced.  The two beaches, Croton Point Park Beach in Croton-on-Hudson and Philipse Manor Beach in Sleepy Hollow, were cleared to open on Tuesday, July 2, the Westchester County Department of Health announced around 4 p.m.  Both beaches were originally ordered closed on Thursday, June 27 after tests revealed the presence of the maximum level of enterococcus bacteria outlined by the sanitary c…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
White Plains
News
New Update: Pair Of Westchester Beaches Closed Through Weekend Due To High Bacteria Levels New Update: Pair Of Westchester Beaches Closed Through Weekend Due To High Bacteria Levels
New Update: Pair Of Westchester Beaches Closed Through Weekend Due To High Bacteria Levels This story has been updated.  Sorry, beachgoers — two popular beaches in Westchester have been ordered closed for the weekend following the discovery of high bacteria levels.  New, updated report - Update: Pair Of Westchester Beaches Still Closed Due To High Bacteria Levels Both Croton Point Park Beach in Croton-on-Hudson and Philipse Manor Beach in Sleepy Hollow have been closed through Monday, July 1 due to high bacteria levels, the Westchester County Department of Health announced on Friday, June 28. The beaches were originally closed on Thursday, June 27. However, after…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Suffolk NY
News
Bacteria Scare: 63 Suffolk County Beaches Closed After Heavy Rainfall Bacteria Scare: 63 Suffolk County Beaches Closed After Heavy Rainfall
Bacteria Scare: 63 Suffolk County Beaches Closed After Heavy Rainfall Health officials on Long Island have advised against going to over 60 local beaches after a period of heavy rainfall could lead to elevated bacteria levels. On Thursday, June 27, the Suffolk County Health Department announced an advisory against bathing at 63 beaches. The warning will stay in place until 5 a.m. on Friday, June 28. Officials said the decision is based on the potential bacteria levels at these beaches, which currently exceed New York State standards due to the recent rainfall in the area. Related: Here's Timing For Next Round Of Storms Taking Aim At Northeast Aft…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
South Passaic
News
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…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Arlington
News
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…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Orangetown
News
West Nile Virus Detected In Orangetown West Nile Virus Detected In Orangetown
West Nile Virus Detected In Orangetown 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…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Peekskill
News
Caseworker Dies More Than Month After Peekskill Attack During Shift: 'Enraging' Caseworker Dies More Than Month After Peekskill Attack During Shift: 'Enraging'
Caseworker Dies More Than Month After Peekskill 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…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Paramus
News
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…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Dauphin
Lifestyle
FDA Warns Against Microdosed' Chocolate After PA Resident Sickened FDA Warns Against Microdosed' Chocolate After PA Resident Sickened
FDA Warns Against Microdosed' Chocolate After PA Resident Sickened Consumers should avoid Diamond Shruumz branded chocolate, cones, and gummies, federal regulators say.  Twelve people, including one Pennsylvania resident, became sick after eating Diamond Shruumz products, which according to the company's website contain a "proprietary blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms." The Food and Drug Administration said consumers reported a variety of symptoms including seizures, central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness), agitation, abnormal heart rates, hyper/hypotension, nausea, and vomiting. Of the 12 peopl…

SHARE

by Mac Bullock
Stafford
News
E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Lake Anna, Memorial Day Weekend Visits, State Health Officials Say E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Lake Anna, Memorial Day Weekend Visits, State Health Officials Say
E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Lake Anna, Memorial Day Weekend Visits, State Health Officials Say A cluster of stomach viruses including some people who have been diagnosed with E. coli has been linked to a Northern Virginia lake, state health officials said. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) said it is investigating a cluster of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses in people who were in the Lake Anna area over Memorial Day weekend.  E. coli infection causes stomach cramps and diarrhea (often watery or bloody), and symptoms can also include vomiting, fever, and chills. In severe cases, the infection can damage organs, such as the kidneys, and lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Middlesex NJ
News
Measles Exposure Possible At Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Health Department Warns Measles Exposure Possible At Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Health Department Warns
Measles Exposure Possible At Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, 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…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
White Plains
News
These Westchester Beaches Ordered Closed By Health Department These Westchester Beaches Ordered Closed By Health Department
These Westchester Beaches Ordered Closed By Health Department If you were looking to spend a fun day in the sand, be warned — several county-owned beaches in Westchester have been ordered closed by health officials.  A total of nine beaches across the county were preemptively closed on Friday, June 7 as a result of 1.25 inches of rain observed in the last 24 hours, according to the Westchester County Department of Health.  The closed beaches are:  Harbor Island, Mamaroneck; Beach Point Club, Mamaroneck; Orienta Beach Club, Mamaroneck; Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club; Coveleigh Club, Rye; Hudson Park Beach, New Rochelle; Davenport…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Suffolk NY
News
Stay Out: Swimming Not Recommended At Several Suffolk County Beaches Over Bacteria Concerns Stay Out: Swimming Not Recommended At Several Suffolk County Beaches Over Bacteria Concerns
Stay Out: Swimming Not Recommended At Several Suffolk County Beaches Over Bacteria Concerns Long Islanders hoping to hit the beach will have to choose wisely as swimming is not recommended at several locales due to possible bacteria concerns. An advisory issued Thursday, June 6, by the Suffolk County Department of Health said recent heavy rainfall may have resulted in elevated bacteria levels at 55 county beaches. The beaches are located in areas that are heavily impacted by stormwater runoff and, because of their enclosed nature, undergo limited tidal flushing. Health officials recommended against swimming or other contact until the waters have been flushed by two successive tid…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Greenburgh
News
Update: Sewer Break Along Busy Greenburgh Road Could Take Up To Few Months To Repair Update: Sewer Break Along Busy Greenburgh Road Could Take Up To Few Months To Repair
Update: Sewer Break Along Busy Greenburgh Road Could Take Up To Few Months To Repair A sewer pipe leak along a busy road in Westchester could take as much as a few months to repair, officials said.  The break occurred in the area of 100 East Hartsdale Ave. in Greenburgh over Memorial Day weekend and has caused traffic delays and sidewalk closures, according to Greenburgh Police and town officials.  Earlier Report - Sewer Break Closes East Hartsdale Ave Sidewalk In Greenburgh In an announcement on Wednesday, June 5, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said that the town still does not have an estimate for the completion of repairs. However, he added t…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Bucks
News
27 Pennsylvanians Sickened In Salmonella Outbreak: CDC 27 Pennsylvanians Sickened In Salmonella Outbreak: CDC
27 Pennsylvanians Sickened In Salmonella Outbreak: CDC Dozens of Pennsylvanians are among the 162 people affected by a salmonella outbreak, according to health officials.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the outbreak is linked to cucumbers sold in bulk to retail distribution centers in 14 states. Sellers may also have shipped the affected produce to other states.  The supplier, Fresh Start Produce Sales, recalled the cucumbers on May 31. They were grown in Florida and shipped from May 17 to May 21, according to the CDC.  Officials said 27 Pennsylvanians have gotten sick, more than in any other state.…

SHARE

by Mac Bullock
Prince George's
News
First Heat-Related Death Of Summer Reported In Prince George's County First Heat-Related Death Of Summer Reported In Prince George's County
First Heat-Related Death Of Summer Reported In Prince George's County A 59-year-old Prince George's County man has become the first heat-related death this year in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Health issued an alert on Wednesday, June 5 advising of the man's death, though few details were released. Each year, health officials monitor temperature conditions and incidents of heat-related illness and death between May and September, officials said. “We are very saddened to report our first heat-relat​ed death of the 2024 season,” Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Nilesh Kalyanaraman said. “As we experience more hot days in Maryland this summer…

SHARE

by Zak Failla