Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Experts Warn Of Incoming Wave Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
NBC News: Post-Pandemic Rise In Sexually Transmitted Diseases Imminent, Experts Warn
As Americans start to emerge from the pandemic, public health experts and doctors have a dire warning about a possible new health crisis this summer, one that involves a different type of infection: sexually transmitted diseases. “We are expecting the summer of love,” said David Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors. “People are going to be connecting this summer as they come out of the pandemic and we think that is unfortunately going to drive STI rates even higher,” he said, referring to sexually transmitted infections. (Dunn, 7/1)
In other public health news —
Southern California News Group: Flea-Borne Typhus Cases Are On The Rise In Southern California
Cases of flea-borne typhus are on the rise in Long Beach, officials announced Tuesday, June 29. There have been 10 cases reported so far this year, more than double the four cases that had been reported this time last year. Typhus can cause high fever, chills, headache and rash and enters the skin through scratching a bite from an infected flea, which rats, cats, dogs, raccoons and opossums can carry. Pets and animals do not become sick from typhus, but if it’s left untreated in humans, the disease can cause severe illness. (Munguia, 6/30)
Fox News: Maine Confirms Tick-Borne Powassan Virus Case: Symptoms To Watch For
Maine confirmed the first case of Powassan virus this year in a midcoastal resident who was hospitalized due to the illness. According to a health advisory, the resident, whose age and exact location were not revealed, exhibited symptoms of the illness in June. Officials did not say what the patient’s current health status is. "This individual likely acquired this Powassan encephalitis infection in the state of Maine," the health advisory said. "There are two types of Powassan virus in the United States. The first type, often called lineage 1 Powassan virus is associated with Ixodes cookei or the woodchuck tick. Lineage 2 POW, sometimes called Deer tick virus, is associated with Ixodes scapularis or the deer tick." (Hein, 6/30)
Louisville Courier Journal: First Rabid Bat Found In Oldham County, Kentucky, In Decade
A dead bat found in a La Grange residential area has tested positive for rabies, the first case in almost a decade, according to the Oldham County Health Department. Four other bats have been found in the same area since Friday, the department announced on social media Wednesday. "According to our records, this is the first confirmed rabid bat in Oldham County in nearly ten years," Oldham County Health Department director Matt Rhodes said in a statement. "Currently, there is no imminent risk to Oldham County residents. OCHD is taking all precautions to keep our residents and their pets protected." (Ladd, 6/30)
Carroll County Times: Think Before You Light That Firework. Maryland Fire Officials, Doctors Urge Caution When Celebrating July 4
An M-80, an illegal type of firework in Maryland, can explode a melon in about 5 seconds. A firecracker, also illegal, breaks an egg almost instantly. And sparklers, which are legal in some counties, can burn a cotton shirt in less than 30 seconds. If not properly handled, fireworks can cause severe injuries, state fire marshal Brian Geraci said at Wednesday event at which fire officials and doctors urged for caution celebrating the Fourth of July. (Longo De Freitas, 7/1)
KHN: Damage To Children’s Education — And Their Health — Could Last A Lifetime
Before the pandemic, 16-year-old Na’ryen Cayou had everything he needed. He had his own room. A partial scholarship to a boys’ prep school. A spot playing trombone in the marching band, performing in parades all over New Orleans. Then covid-19 blew through the Big Easy like a hurricane, washing away nearly everything that helped him feel safe and secure. Schools shut down. His mom lost her job and couldn’t make the rent. Their landlord evicted them. (Szabo, 7/1)
