Dec 28 Bird flu virus likely mutated within Louisiana patient who became severely ill, CDC says By Laura Ungar, Associated Press A genetic analysis suggests the bird flu virus mutated inside a Louisiana patient who contracted the nation’s first severe case of the illness, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week. Continue reading
Dec 18 First severe bird flu case in U.S. reported in Louisiana, according to health officials By Mike Stobbe, JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press A person in Louisiana has the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the U.S., health officials said Wednesday. Continue reading
Nov 23 Trump names a Fox News personality, a COVID mandate critic and an anti-vaccine doctor to key public health roles By Matthew Perrone, Amanda Seitz, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Trump on Friday nominated Dr. Janette Nesheiwat to be the nation's next surgeon general, Dr. Marty Makary to lead the Food and Drug Administration, and doctor and former Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla., to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Continue reading
Nov 23 Watch 6:22 What Trump’s latest picks mean for the future of U.S. public health policy By Laura Barrón-López, Harry Zahn, Claire Mufson Trump has made his picks for key public health roles in his administration, nominating family medicine doctor and Fox News contributor Dr. Janette Nesheiwat to be the next surgeon general, Johns Hopkins surgeon Dr. Marty Makary to lead the FDA,… Continue watching
Nov 22 First case of bird flu infection in a U.S. child confirmed in California, officials say By Mike Stobbe, JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press The infection brings the reported number of U.S. bird flu cases this year to 55, including 29 in California, the CDC said. Most were farmworkers who tested positive with mild symptoms. Continue reading
Nov 17 One person dies, dozens sickened after eating carrots contaminated with E. coli By Cathy Bussewitz, Associated Press Grimmway Farms, based in Bakersfield, California, has recalled the carrots, which included whole and baby organic carrots sold in bags under multiple brand names including 365, Cal-Organic, Nature's Promise, O-Organics, Trader Joe's and Wegmans, among others. Continue reading
Nov 07 CDC calls for expanded testing for bird flu after blood tests reveal more farmworker infections By JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press Farmworkers in close contact with infected animals should be tested and offered treatment even if they show no symptoms, said Dr. Nirav Shah, principal director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Continue reading
Oct 25 McDonald’s E. coli outbreak expands with at least 75 sickened By JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press A total of 22 people have now been hospitalized, and two have developed a dangerous kidney disease complications, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. One person has died in Colorado. Continue reading
Oct 23 5 things to know about E. coli and the McDonald’s outbreak By JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press A preliminary investigation suggests raw slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders are a likely source of the outbreak. Continue reading
Oct 17 Smoking and other tobacco use by teens drop to lowest level in 25 years, CDC reports By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Teen smoking hit an all-time low in the U.S. this year, part of a big drop in the youth use of tobacco overall, the government reported Thursday. Continue reading