Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Serious West Nile Virus Case Reported In New Orleans
AP: New Orleans Resident Has Serious West Nile Case
The City of New Orleans says a city resident has a serious case of West Nile virus, and an airplane will spray part of the city for mosquitoes Tuesday night. The state health department reported the case this week, saying it involves the patient’s brain or nervous system, a news release from the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board said. The symptoms began showing up the week of Aug. 13. (8/23)
Axios: Police Launch New Probe Into Muzzle Sent To Fired Tennessee Vaccine Official
Fraud detectives with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department launched a new investigation into a dog muzzle sent to the state’s fired vaccine chief, Michelle Fiscus, after she reported the matter to officers last week. State investigators closed their own probe into the muzzle earlier this month after determining it was purchased using Fiscus’ American Express card. Fiscus denied she bought the muzzle, and said someone else must have accessed her credit card information. Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said local detectives will seek an answer. (Rau and Tamburin, 8/23)
In news from Arizona —
CBS News: Arizona Election Review Delayed Again After 3 Team Members Contract COVID-19
The contractors hired to conduct a review of Maricopa County's 2020 election on Monday turned in part of their draft report to the Arizona Senate, but the full report is not yet ready because three of the team members have tested positive for COVID-19. Arizona Senate president Karen Fann said in a statement that the team expected to have the full draft report finished on Monday, but has not been able to finish it because of the virus. (Brewster, 8/23)
The Washington Post: Report On Arizona Ballot Review Is Delayed After Cyber Ninjas Chief And Colleagues Test Positive For Coronavirus
The report detailing the conclusions of a GOP-backed review of ballots cast last year in Arizona has been delayed after the chief executive of the private company conducting the widely pilloried audit and two other members of his team tested positive for the coronavirus. Arizona Senate President Karen Fann (R) announced the delay Monday, saying that Doug Logan, chief executive of the Florida firm Cyber Ninjas, and two other members of the audit team had been infected and were “quite sick.” (Helderman, 8/23)
