May 26 CDC urges speed on Zika funding as House struggles to reach agreement By Andrew Taylor and Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The U.S. must act more quickly to protect pregnant women from birth defect-causing Zika, a top health official said today. Continue reading
May 20 How many U.S. pregnancies affected by Zika? Almost 300, CDC says By Nsikan Akpan The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has changed the way it reports Zika-affected pregnancies, making a broader number of cases known to the public. Continue reading
May 18 How many Zika-infected infants will develop microcephaly and other FAQs By Nsikan Akpan An outbreak detective squad from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention offers the latest insights on Zika virus. Continue reading
May 18 CDC director warns GOP bill is inadequate to fight Zika By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Wednesday that a House GOP measure to combat the Zika virus is inadequate to deal with the swelling threat to public health. Continue reading
May 17 HIV rates soar among men who have sex with men in Southern states, D.C. By Helen Branswell, STAT Rates of HIV infection among men who have sex with men are highest in six Southern states and the District of Columbia, according to a new analysis, conducted by researchers at Emory University. Continue reading
May 16 3 months later, Congress ready to act on Obama’s call to battle Zika By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Congress is ready to act on President Barack Obama’s long-stalled request for emergency funds to combat the Zika virus, which has been linked to serious birth defects and other major health problems. Continue reading
May 10 Too many American women die during pregnancy By Michael Ollove, Stateline The Joint Commission, a nonprofit that accredits health care organizations and programs, calls maternal deaths “sentinel” events. “For every woman who dies, there are 50 who are very ill, suffering significant complications of pregnancy, labor and delivery,” Dr. William Callaghan,… Continue reading
Apr 30 Watch 2:55 Teen birthrate reaches all-time low, CDC report says By PBS News Hour The teenage birthrate has reached an all-time low. During the last 25 years the teen birthrate has plummeted from 62 births per one thousand teenage women to 24 per thousand, according to a report released this week by the CDC. Continue watching
Apr 29 U.S. records first Zika death; Congress breaks without decision on emergency funds By Nsikan Akpan The United States has reported its first Zika-related death in Puerto Rico. The Zika virus also was spotted in tiger mosquitoes, a species with a broad range in the U.S. Continue reading
Apr 14 Sexual transmission of Zika seen between gay men for first time By Helen Branswell, STAT Men can contract Zika through unprotected sex with other men who are infected with the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday, a finding that adds to experts’ understanding of how Zika can be transmitted. Continue reading