Federal health officials have linked two massive US measles outbreaks, confirming that the country is about two months away from losing its measles elimination status, according to a report by The New York Times. The Times obtained a recording of a call during which officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed to state health departments that the ongoing measles outbreak at the border of Arizona and Utah is a continuation of the explosive outbreak in West Texas that began in mid- to late-January.
More than 60% of surveyed healthcare professionals said they do not have modern and effective systems that enable them to work efficiently, new data published by IT company Presidio found. The research was conducted by Censuswide and involved surveying more than 1,000 frontline healthcare professionals directly involved in patient care. The survey revealed an ongoing reliance on legacy systems and frustration with outdated technology, which can lead healthcare professionals to use risky workarounds that create compliance and cybersecurity gaps.
Rates of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, are surging in Texas, Florida, California, Oregon, and other states and localities across the country. The outbreaks are fueled by falling vaccination rates, fading immunity, and delays in public health tracking systems, according to interviews with state and federal health officials. Babies too young to be fully vaccinated are most at risk.
Flu season isn't in full swing yet in the United States, but a mutated strain of the virus that has caused severe outbreaks abroad is sparking concern about the winter ahead. A new version of influenza A H3N2 emerged earlier this year after picking up a number of mutations, which may improve its ability to escape immunity from vaccines, experts say. The mutated H3N2 strain, called “subclade K,” has spread rapidly and gained dominance in several countries in the Northern hemisphere.
Food To Live is recalling its packaged Organic Moringa Leaf Powder (dried Moringa oleifera) and its Organic Supergreens Powder Mix. These products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is voluntarily recalling one batch of Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Ice Cream Bars because they may contain undeclared wheat and soy. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy and/or wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products. No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date.
Identify, Isolate and Inform: It is important to continueto ask travel questions. The purpose of this notice is to remind healthcare providers about actions to take in Georgia when evaluating patients for possible serious communicable diseases.
Travel Clinical Assistant (TCA)
TheTravel Clinical Assistantprovides post-travel clinical information on travel-related diseases for 231 countries. Diseases with recent outbreaks occurring in the last two years are listed first.
Violent Actors and Cyber Criminals Threaten Emergency Services Sector
The Office of Intelligence and Analysis sent anassessmentof threats to the Emergency Services Sector— police, firefighters, and other first responders— from violent extremists, other physical threat actors, or malicious cyber actors.
