Results tagged “cdc”

This Thanksgiving, the CDC has been concerned that the H1N1 virus may spread further, what with holiday-related travel. The CDC's Dr. Beth Bell said, "It's important to remember the things that everybody can do to stay healthy," as in not traveling if you're sick, washing your hands frequently, and covering your sneezes and coughs—not to mention getting the vaccine. But what about coughing relatives already parked in your home? Long Island College Hospital's Dr. Clifford Bassett tells WCBS 2, "Without causing a political crisis within your family, you really want to quarantine anybody that's ill from an area where the people are congregating. If someone is ill, keep them away from the food preparation area - that's very important."

Yesterday, the CDC said that about 3,900 Americans have died from the swine flu while 22 million had become sick from it in the past six months. The Washington Post reports that the new estimates are based on "detailed surveillance and record-checking in 10 states." Unlike the seasonal flu, in which 90% of the deaths are of people 65 and over (and many are very sick), for the swine flu, "The vast majority of deaths -- about 2,920 -- have been in people age 18 to 64."

Swine flu has spread nationwide, and cases are rapidly rising in many parts of the country, according to an announcement yesterday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is significant flu activity in virtually all states," says Dr. Anne Schuch at the CDC. "It's quite unusual for this time of year." It was also announced yesterday that a 23-year-old recruit in basic training in Fort Jackson, S.C., has become the Army’s first swine flu death. Specialist Christopher M. Hog died of pneumonia on September 10th, and swine flu was found on autopsy.

While the city's Health Department has emphasized that cases of swine flu are declining, the Daily News reports that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data suggests "half a million New Yorkers have been infected by swine flu." The CDC thinks there are actually 50 times more cases of swine flu than what's been reported to health authorities: "The CDC study was not based on laboratory evidence. Instead, researchers relied on mathematical modelling of surveys conducted in areas, like New York City, that have had high levels of H1N1 infections." Hmm. The Health Department had no comment; so far, the city has had 32 deaths and 804 hospitalizations due to swine flu. The next Health Department update will be on July 1.

Raw cookie dough is soooo yummy, but some people with weak immune systems have gotten E. coli poisoning from it, and now we all have to suffer because Nestle is recalling their Toll House cookie dough products, even though some 66 reported illnesses haven't been linked directly to Toll House. The voluntary recall includes refrigerated cookie bar dough, cookie dough tub, cookie dough tubes, seasonal cookie dough and—it gets worse—Ultimates cookie bar dough! We don't know what that is, but it's the Ultimates so we want it in our mouth holes. The Toll House products do have warnings on their packaging about the dangers of raw dough, but with the FDA and CDC now investigating the E. coli/cookie dough connection, the company decided it would be best to just take it out of harm's way, like we're irresponsible children who'll eat whatever's in front of us. And in other corporate food product news, Pizza Hut execs would like you to start calling their company "The Hut," which they think "ties in nicely with (today's) texting generation." cu@hut l8r?

A ninth person has died from swine flu, according to the NYC Health Department: "The death occurred in a person in their mid-50s with an underlying condition that increased the risk of severe illness from flu." So far, 428 New Yorkers have been hospitalized and there are 694 confirmed cases of swine flu. Yesterday, acting director of the CDC Dr. Richard Besser said that people could very well be getting two flu shots—one for the regular flu, another for the H1N1 virus—this fall, because health officials expect the swine flu to come back, "My biggest concern is complacency, a sense that we dodged a bullet here. I don't think we can let our guard down." He added that the CDC would take the summer to examine the effect of the school closures, "Clearly, schools can be seen as an area where there's a multiplier effect. But you also have to understand what happens when the schools close. Where do the children go? Do they become less of a multiplier or more of a multiplier? I don't know that we have the answers to any of that."

President Obama is expected to announce today that he's appointing Dr. Thomas Frieden, NYC's health commissioner, as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frieden, who will take office next month, is respected in the public health field for focusing on threats that affect the largest numbers of people—during the Bush years, for example, he found himself at odds with an administration that was funneling billions into bioterrorism initiatives while he was focused on stopping cigarette smoking in NYC. The Times offers a telling anecdote that underscores his agenda:

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

Continue reading "WHO Raises Flu Pandemic Threat Level To 5"

The Centers for Disease Control confirmed the first American death from the swine flu—a 23-month-old child from Texas died. The CDC also said the child had recently traveled to Mexico. Acting CDC chief Dr. Richard Besser told the Today Show, "Even though we've been expecting [that there would be some deaths], it is very, very sad. As a pediatrician and a parent, my heart goes out to the family." He added, "I don't think it (the reported death in Texas) indicates any change in the strain. We see with any flu virus a spectrum of disease symptoms... It's very important that people take their concern and channel it into action...it is crucial that people understand what they need to do if symptoms appear." Here's the CDC's Swine Flu & You website, which points out, "Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods." (Children are also very vulnerable to the seasonal flu.)

As the swine flu death toll in Mexico rose to 149 yesterday (with 2,000 hospitalized), for the first time ever the World Health Organization raised its global epidemic threat level to Phase IV. That's two phases below a full blown pandemic, and the alert means there is sustained human-to-human transmission, with containment is no longer possible.

In case you can't get enough swine flu information, be sure to follow the Centers for Disease Control's Twitter accounts. CNET has the scoop: "@CDCemergency... is posting new recommendations, bulletins on confirmed cases, and information on antiviral drugs and other ways to deal with or prevent the disease" and "@CDC-eHealth, is updated less often but has some good advice including this link to a CDC site where you can send family and friends a 'handwashing eCard.'" And, naturally, outside of the CDC, there's the all-purpose #swineflu—example, "My grandpa says he did his part to combat #swineflu by having a pork sandwich today."

In addition to sorting out the emerging swine flu crisis, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control are today warning the public not to eat raw alfalfa sprouts (and sprout blends containing alfalfa), after determining that 31 incidents of illness across six states were linked to sprouts contaminated with Salmonella Saintpaul. This is the same kind of salmonella related to some 1300 cases of fresh produce-related foodborne illness last year. So far New York is not among the mostly Midwestern states reporting salmonella infection; the FDA and CDC have issued a general advisory, however, “because suspect lots of seeds may be sold around the country and may account for a large proportion of the alfalfa seeds currently being used by sprout growers.” More information can be found in the FDA’s news release. In the meantime, cook your sprouts thoroughly.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into...any place serving food, a new outbreak of Salmonella has brought back the fear, sickening at least 372 people in 42 states, and possibly felling an elderly woman in Minnesota who had the infection when she died. The Centers for Disease Control [CDC] says 18% of the Salmonella victims have been hospitalized since this outbreak was first noticed back in the beginning of September.

The NY Times reports that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention will give $30 million "to hospitals and clinics that monitor and treat residents, students and other so-called nonresponders who were exposed to dust and smoke at ground zero." The money will come in three installments of $10 million each, and hospitals and clinics can apply for grants. NY lawmakers are glad the money is coming, but think it's long overdue (it's true--it's going to be the seventh anniversary of attacks this year). And this comes a few weeks after President Bush declined to reappoint "World Trade Center health czar" Dr. John Howard to another term, even despite the pleas of NY lawmakers like Governor Paterson and Representative Carolyn Maloney.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Center for Disease Control is looking into other causes of the salmonella outbreak that has affected hundreds of Americans across the country.

Well, this explains a lot: The Center for Disease Control and Protection says this year's flu shot is only good for 40% of the flu bugs going around. Thanks a lot, new strains of flu viruses that are kicking people's butts!