The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a final rule to update the “healthy” nutrient content claim to help consumers identify foods that are particularly useful as the foundation of a diet that is consistent with dietary recommendations. Manufacturers can voluntarily use the claim on a food package if the product meets the updated criteria.
E. coli Outbreak Linked to Organic Carrots
CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 infections linked to multiple brands of recalled organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms. Carrots on store shelves right now are likely not affected but may be in people’s homes. If you have any recalled carrots in your home, throw them out or return them to the store.
E. coli Outbreak Linked to Onions Served at McDonald’s
Public health officials in multiple states, including Utah, are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Most people in this outbreak are reporting eating the Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s before becoming sick. McDonald’s stopped using slivered onions on the Quarter Pounder hamburger in some states to try to prevent more people from getting sick. […]
More Ground Cinnamon Products Added to FDA Public Health Alert Due to Presence of Elevated Levels of Lead
The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy the ground cinnamon products listed above because samples of these products were found to contain elevated levels of lead. Consuming these products could contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood. Long-term exposure (months to years) to elevated levels of lead in the diet could contribute to adverse health effects.
Stay away from bats!
Stay away from bats! Published: August 6, 2024 Bats in Utah often use building structures as a place to rest or find safety. Every year, the UtahDepartment of Health and Human Services (DHHS) gets reports of bat exposures in cabins at campfacilities. Because bats are the most common source for rabies in Utah, it is […]
CDC Reports Second Human Case of H5 Bird Flu Tied to Dairy Cow Outbreak
A human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) (“H5 bird flu”) virus infection in the United States has been identified in the state of Michigan. This is the second case associated with an ongoing multistate outbreak of A(H5N1) in dairy cows. As with the case in Texas, the individual is a worker on a dairy farm where H5N1 virus has been identified in cows. CDC’s Risk Assessment for the General Public Remains Low.
Readout of CDC Call with State Public Health Partners Regarding Avian Influenza and Farmworker Protection
CDC asked that jurisdictions make PPE available to workers on dairy farms, poultry farms, and in slaughterhouses. Specifically, CDC asked state health departments to work with their state agriculture department counterparts and partners in communities, such as farmworker organizations, that can help coordinate and facilitate PPE distributions.
U.S. Syphilis Cases in Newborns Continue to Increase: A 10-Times Increase Over a Decade
CDC is recommending concerted action to stop the increase of newborn syphilis cases and continues to sound the alarm about the consequences of a rapidly accelerating epidemic of sexually transmitted infections in the United States. Syphilis during pregnancy can cause tragic outcomes, like miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death, and lifelong medical issues. Newborn syphilis occurs when mothers do not receive timely testing and treatment during pregnancy.
Preventing Tick Bites
Tick exposure can occur year-round, but ticks are most active during warmer months (April-September). Know which ticks are most common in your area. Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood.
Tick Bite Bot
The Tick Bite Bot is an interactive tool that will assist individuals on removing attached ticks and determining when to seek health care, if appropriate, after a tick bite. The online mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions covering topics such as tick attachment time and symptoms. Based on the user’s responses, the tool then provides information about recommended actions and resources.