Why Measles Outbreaks May Be the New Normal

Why Measles Outbreaks May Be the New Normal

As the Trump administration moves to dismantle international public health safeguards, pull funding from local health departments and legitimize health misinformation, some experts now fear that the country is setting the stage for a long-term measles resurgence. If federal health officials do not change course, large multistate outbreaks like the one that has torn through … Read more

Infectious disease doc warns against ‘70s trend making a comeback amid measles outbreaks

Infectious disease doc warns against ‘70s trend making a comeback amid measles outbreaks

Bell-bottoms, tie-dye and crochet have all made major comebacks — but a New York City doctor is warning that one trend that originated in the groovy ’70s should stay firmly in the past. In Texas, where 198 cases of measles have been confirmed so far this year, parents are reportedly holding “measles parties” to expose … Read more

How Foreign Aid Cuts Are Setting the Stage for Disease Outbreaks

How Foreign Aid Cuts Are Setting the Stage for Disease Outbreaks

Dangerous pathogens left unsecured at labs across Africa. Halted inspections for mpox, Ebola and other infections at airports and other checkpoints. Millions of unscreened animals shipped across borders. The Trump administration’s pause on foreign aid has hobbled programs that prevent and snuff out outbreaks around the world, scientists say, leaving people everywhere more vulnerable to … Read more

2024 was worst year for stomach virus outbreaks on cruise ships in over a decade: CDC

2024 was worst year for stomach virus outbreaks on cruise ships in over a decade: CDC

This year marked the worst in over a decade for stomach bug outbreaks on cruise ships docking in the US, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With one day left, 2024 recorded the highest number of stomach virus outbreaks onboard cruises since 2012 — with both years tying … Read more

2024’s nastiest cruise ships revealed based on viral outbreaks, food safety and hygiene: CDC

2024’s nastiest cruise ships revealed based on viral outbreaks, food safety and hygiene: CDC

These ships are cruisin’ for a refusin’ — from customers who value their health and well-being. On the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program review, scoring 85 out of 100 is considered a failure, per Business Insider. The CDC conducts random surprise sanitary inspections on cruise ships, scoring the ship on a … Read more

CDC tightens travel guidance amid measles outbreaks — what you need to know

CDC tightens travel guidance amid measles outbreaks — what you need to know

With 46 countries reporting large measles outbreaks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tightening guidance for American travelers. “Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles,” warns the agency. The CDC now recommends Americans consult their physicians six weeks before travel instead of only a month prior, as late-2023 guidance … Read more

40% of restaurant food poisoning outbreaks are caused by sick employees: CDC

40% of restaurant food poisoning outbreaks are caused by sick employees: CDC

Check, please! Sick restaurant employees were responsible for about 40% of food poisoning outbreaks with known causes between 2017 and 2019, federal health officials announced on Tuesday. Of the 800 outbreaks reviewed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 875 restaurants during the span, norovirus and salmonella were the most common causes, officials … Read more

CDC warns doctors to look out for Marburg virus after Africa outbreaks

CDC warns doctors to look out for Marburg virus after Africa outbreaks

After two deadly outbreaks of the rare Marburg virus disease in Africa, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning US doctors to be on the lookout for patients exhibiting symptoms. In the agency’s health advisory issued Thursday, officials urged clinicians to be vigilant due to the “potential for imported cases.” There are no … Read more

Norovirus outbreaks 2023: Which parts of the US have it the worst?

Norovirus outbreaks 2023: Which parts of the US have it the worst?

Parts of the US are feeling the pangs of stomach flu. The Midwest is experiencing the greatest impact this norovirus season with a testing positivity rate of 19.48% as of Feb. 4 — already surpassing last year’s high of 16.12%, recorded late in the season, on April 2, 2022. Norovirus is trending higher than projected … Read more

Dog flu outbreaks hit shelters, homes across US

Dog flu outbreaks hit shelters, homes across US

Humans are not the only ones suffering from this winter’s extreme flu season, with veterinarians across the U.S. advising dog owners to get their furry friends vaccinated.  “Canine flu is one of the infectious respiratory things that we can see in dogs,” Dr. Jess Fejes, medical director at the Veterinary Emergency Group, told Fox 29. Canine flu symptoms … Read more

Cholera outbreaks surging worldwide, fatality rates rising – WHO

Cholera outbreaks surging worldwide, fatality rates rising – WHO

A boy is administered with a cholera vaccine during a house-to-house vaccination campaign in Sanaa, Yemen. (Khaled Abdullah/Reuters) GENEVA (Reuters) – Cholera cases have surged this year, especially in places of poverty and conflict, with outbreaks reported in 26 countries and fatality rates rising sharply, a World Health Organization official said on Friday. In a … Read more

New omicron-specific COVID booster expected to be approved before trial data is in

New omicron-specific COVID booster expected to be approved before trial data is in

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize new COVID-19 booster shots this week without a staple of its normal decision-making process: data from a study showing whether the shots were safe and worked in humans. The shots, modified to target the latest versions of the omicron variant, won’t have finished testing in humans when the FDA … Read more