Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Linked To Iceberg Lettuce To Be Declared Over, Insiders Say
The Washington Post: Federal Officials Poised To Declare End Of U.S.’s Largest Known Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
Federal officials are poised to declare the end of the nation’s largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak after thousands of people became sick after eating shredded iceberg lettuce, according to two people familiar with the matter. The update may come as soon as later Thursday, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. However, the timing is not guaranteed. In mid-July, Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled products from the market as federal officials began linking its lettuce from central Mexico to a cyclosporiasis outbreak. (Roubein, 9/10)
In other outbreaks and health threats —
CIDRAP: CDC Warns Of New Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Broccoli Sprouts
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday announced a new Salmonella outbreak linked to broccoli sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts. So far at least 22 people in four states have been sickened, and two patients have been hospitalized. No deaths have been linked to this outbreak. The sprouts were sold to food co-ops, restaurants, food service customers, and grocery stores in Idaho, Montana, and Washington. Sixteen people in Washington state have been sickened, four in Montana, and one each in Idaho and Utah. (Soucheray, 9/10)
The New York Times: Legionnaires’ Outbreak In The Bronx Kills One And Infects 4 Others
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx has killed one person and infected four others, New York City health officials announced on Thursday evening. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is investigating the potential cluster in parts of Melrose and Morrisania, it said in a news release. (Freeman, 9/10)
WUSF: Florida Investigates Possible Hillsborough Death Related To Dengue As Cases Hit 95
The Florida Department of Health said Thursday it was looking into whether dengue fever was responsible for the reported death of a woman in Hillsborough County, where locally acquired cases surged to 95 of the 111 recorded statewide since July. (Mayer and Sheridan, 9/10)
The Washington Post: Rabies Cases Increased 17 Percent In July And August, CDC Says
Rabies cases in the United States from July to August increased 17 percent compared to the same period last year, following several “high-profile rabies outbreaks” and exposure events, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. (Wang, 9/10)
CIDRAP: Repeat COVID Infections Tied To Higher Odds Of New Health Conditions
Adults who reported having COVID-19 at least twice were significantly more likely to be diagnosed as having a new medical condition than those who reported never having been infected, according to a study published this week in Canada Communicable Disease Report. It’s well known that preexisting conditions can increase the risk of severe COVID. The new research suggests that the relationship between COVID and chronic illness may run in both directions. (Bergeson, 9/10)
The Guardian: Texas Reports First Equine Infection Of New World Screwworm On Ranch Horse
A horse in southern Texas has been infected with the New World screwworm, marking the first US equine infection as health authorities race to contain an outbreak of the flesh-eating parasite. The pest was discovered on the hind limb of a working ranch horse in Presidio county, according to a statement on Thursday from US Equestrian Foundation. (Ede-Osifo, 9/10)
CIDRAP: Turkey Farms In Dakotas, Minnesota Hit With H5N1 Avian Flu
Since September 1, the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has noted seven H5N1 avian flu detections in commercial poultry operations, in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Idaho. (Soucheray, 9/10)
On vaccines and measles —
The Baltimore Sun: Maryland Issues Vaccine Guidance After Federal Changes
Officials from the Maryland Department of Health issued a vaccine schedule for children and adults Thursday for the first time. A state law changed on July 1 to permit the department to set its own vaccine recommendations, as federal guidance shifts under the Trump administration. (Wilson, 9/10)
Chicago Tribune: Illinois Issues Its Own Flu, COVID-19, RSV Vaccine Guidance
Illinois is issuing its own guidance about flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations for this fall – amid continuing confusion over federal vaccine recommendations. (Schencker, 9/10)
STLPR: Religious Exemptions To Vaccination Rising Among Missouri’s Children
More Missouri parents are opting their kindergarten-age children out of vaccinations for nonmedical reasons, according to state health department data. Vaccination rates have been dropping statewide for several years. At the same time, religious exemptions – in which a parent or guardian declines to vaccinate their child with some or all required immunizations on the basis of sincerely held religious beliefs – are on the rise. (Fentem, 9/10)
Chicago Tribune: Officials Warn Of Possible Measles Exposure At Union Station
City officials are warning of a possible measles exposure at Union Station after someone with the highly contagious illness passed through the West Loop hub late last month. (Kenny, 9/10)
On Ebola —
NPR: Caring For Children With Ebola Is An Unprecedented Challenge
An Ebola treatment unit in the city of Butembo, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has 30 beds. Tonight, they're all full. "I don't know how this is going to slow down," says Dr. Rupa Narra, a U.S. pediatrician who arrived in August to work for Doctors Without Borders. "It's the most devastating thing I've ever seen in my life." (Bouscaren, 9/10)
