As Covid Surges, Program That Offers Free Vaccines Nears Its End
The CDC's Bridge Access Program is expected to run out of funds this month, making it harder for people who can't afford covid shots to get them. Separately, California's Contra Costa County revives mask recommendations. Also, a health warning was issued over oysters from Lewis Bay on Cape Cod.
The New York Times:
Free Covid Vaccines Will Soon Become Harder For Some To Find
After Covid-19 vaccines transitioned to the commercial market last fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stepped in to ensure that adults without insurance, or those whose insurance plans did not fully cover the vaccine, could receive shots for free. The agency’s Bridge Access Program provided roughly 1.5 million shots, said Dr. Georgina Peacock, the director of the immunization services division at the C.D.C. Nationwide, about 27 million adults do not have health insurance. But the program ends this month, making it even harder for health centers to provide shots for free. (Blum and Mogg, 8/6)
CBS News:
Contra Costa County Health Dept. Recommends Masks In Crowded Indoors As COVID Cases Rise
The Contra Costa County health department on Tuesday recommended people wear masks in crowded indoor settings as COVID-19 infections increase throughout the Bay Area. The department said masking is particularly important for those at high risk of serious illness if infected. However, the department also stressed that it is a recommendation, not a health order, and it aligns with existing state requirements and recent advice issued in neighboring counties. (Hicks, 8/6)
On bird flu, West Nile virus, and anthrax —
CIDRAP:
Colorado's Bulk-Tank Testing IDs More Avian Flu In Dairy Herds
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) today reported its first avian flu outbreaks in dairy herds that are based on mandatory weekly bulk-tank milk testing, which went into effect on July 22. The testing turned up nine more outbreaks in dairy herds, according to the CDA's line list, which now reflects 63 herds affected since late April. (Schnirring, 8/6)
USA Today:
West Nile Virus Kills Woman In Texas As Mosquito Season Picks Up
A Dallas woman has died from West Nile virus, local health officials announced Tuesday. Less than a week ago, a woman in her 50s was identified Dallas County’s sixth person with West Nile virus, Christian Grisales, spokesperson for the Dallas County Health and Human Services, told USA TODAY. On Tuesday, health officials announced she had become the county’s first West Nile death this year, at the start of the season when cases begin appearing when people get bit by infected mosquitoes. (Cuevas, 8/7)
Reuters:
China Shuts Cattle Farm After Anthrax Outbreak, Five Human Infections
China's eastern Shandong province reported five people were infected with anthrax and a beef cattle farm was shut after an outbreak was discovered in the agricultural province. All of the livestock on the farm were culled, the disease control and prevention centre of Yanggu county in Shandong said in a statement on WeChat. (8/6)
In other health threats —
The Boston Globe:
FDA Says Oysters Harvested From Lewis Bay On Cape Cod May Contain Dangerous Bacteria
The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday warned restaurants and seafood retailers not to sell oysters that were recently harvested from Lewis Bay on Cape Cod because they may be contaminated with a bacteria that can cause a food poisoning illness. The FDA said the contaminated oysters were harvested between July 1 and July 18 from two sites in the bay off Hyannis and Yarmouth. (Stoico, 8/6)
Axios:
How Discharged Patients Can Carry Superbugs Home
Discharged hospital patients can carry superbugs home and infect relatives or caregivers, even if they weren't sickened by the bacteria, per a study in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. The findings put an exclamation point on the concerns about the role hospitals play in the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections — and need to play in prevention, the authors say. (Reed, 8/7)
