CDC Warns Mpox May Surge Again, Urges Vaccination
The CDC also noted that a deadlier version of mpox is hitting the Democratic Republic of Congo, though no cases of that subtype have yet been identified outside Africa. Other public health news is on military jets "rumbling," a Yogi tea recall, the health risks of warming waters, and more.
The New York Times:
C.D.C. Warns Of A Resurgence Of Mpox
With Pride events scheduled worldwide over the coming weeks, U.S. officials are bracing for a return of mpox, the infectious disease formerly called monkeypox that struck tens of thousands of gay and bisexual men worldwide in 2022. A combination of behavioral changes and vaccination quelled that outbreak, but a majority of those at risk have not yet been immunized. (Mandavilli, 5/16)
CIDRAP:
Study Suggests Mpox Patients With No Symptoms Partly Fueled 2022 Outbreak In New York City
About 1 in 15 unvaccinated adults who visited a New York City sexual health clinic for testing had antibodies to mpox despite no history of vaccination or infection during the peak of the city's 2022 outbreak, suggesting that asymptomatic infections contributed to transmission, according to a new report in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. (Van Beusekom, 5/16)
On other public health developments —
Newsweek:
Attack Jets' 'Rumbling' May Be Harming 74,000 People's Health In Washington
Military attack jets may be harming the health of up to 74,000 people in Washington state, a study has found. The research, published by University of Washington (UW) scientists, focused on how noise emitted from the Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft flying from the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is affecting the area's entire population. (White, 5/16)
CNN:
Nearly 900,000 Popular ‘Immune Support’ Tea Bags Recalled Due To Possible Pesticide Contamination
Nearly 900,000 tea bags by the organic tea brand Yogi are being recalled due to a detectable amount of pesticide on the product, according to an enforcement report posted on the US Food and Drug Administration’s website. (Hassan, 5/16)
Reuters:
Obesity And High Blood Sugar Play Ever Growing Role In Ill-Health, Study Shows
Obesity, high blood sugar and high blood pressure among other metabolic issues now lead to almost 50% more years of healthy life lost to either disease or premature death than in 2000, a major international study showed on Thursday. Over the same period, the number of years lost due to factors associated with undernutrition for mothers and children, such as stunting or wasting, dropped by 71.5%. (Rigby, 5/16)
Politico:
EU Agency Sounds Alarm Over Health Risks Of Warming Waters
Serious food poisoning from contaminated fish, drug-resistant bacteria emerging from melting permafrost and reindeer populations decimated by anthrax — these are just some of the looming threats to Europe as the continent's waters warm, the European Environment Agency said in a report released Wednesday. (Cater, 5/16)
Also —
CNN:
New USDA Testing With Substitute H5N1 Bird Flu Virus Reminds Us Why Eating Rare Burgers Can Still Be Risky
Laboratory tests by the US Department of Agriculture haven’t found any H5N1 bird flu virus in raw beef, but they are a good reminder why eating rare hamburgers can be risky. (Goodman, 5/16)
Reuters:
Properly Cooked Hamburgers Pose No Bird Flu Risk, US Study Finds
No bird flu virus was found after cooking ground beef to medium to well done, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a briefing on Thursday after conducting a study as it addresses concerns over an outbreak of the disease in dairy cattle. The findings, in which scientists injected high levels of an H5N1 bird flu virus surrogate into ground beef, indicate that properly cooking hamburgers to a temperature of about 145 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (63 to 71 degrees Celsius) keeps them safe for consumers. (Polansek and Steenhuysen, 5/16)
KFF Health News:
Bird Flu Lands As The Next Public Health Challenge
Public health authorities are closely watching an unusual strain of bird flu that has infected dairy cows in nine states and at least one dairy worker. Meanwhile, another major health system suffered a cyberattack, and Congress is moving to extend the availability of telehealth services. (Rovner, 5/16)
