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Infectious Diseases

Westchester Legionnaires’ Cases Rise: Cluster Of Sick Patients Found In Yonkers Westchester Legionnaires’ Cases Rise: Cluster Of Sick Patients Found In Yonkers
Westchester Legionnaires’ Cases Rise: Cluster Of Sick Patients Found In Yonkers Westchester health officials say Legionnaires’ disease cases continue to climb, with a new cluster of infections identified in one of the county's cities. As of Monday, Sept. 15, the county has reported 38 confirmed cases this season, up from 36 last week and well above the 24 cases logged all of last year, according to Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler.  Investigators have identified a cluster of five cases in Yonkers, prompting the New York State Department of Health to flag about a dozen cooling towers within a two-mile radius. Westchester inspectors will collect samples this w…
Kissing Bugs Spreading Deadly Chagas Disease In 29 States, Creeping North Kissing Bugs Spreading Deadly Chagas Disease In 29 States, Creeping North
Kissing Bugs Spreading Deadly Chagas Disease In 29 States, Creeping North They bite at night and leave more than an itch.  Kissing bugs capable of spreading the parasite behind Chagas disease have been found in 29 states, and the often-silent infection can turn deadly years later. Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is primarily spread by triatomine “kissing” bugs.  Most infections in the United States were acquired in Latin America, but local transmission does occur in the US, particularly in the South and Southwest where the insects are more common.  The CDC estimates about 280,000 people in the United States are livi…
Measles Exposure Alert: Out-of-State Visitor With Virus Stops In Lititz: PA Dept. Of Health Measles Exposure Alert: Out-of-State Visitor With Virus Stops In Lititz: PA Dept. Of Health
Measles Exposure Alert: Out-of-State Visitor With Virus Stops In Lititz: PA Dept. Of Health A person from another state who was contagious with measles visited four Pennsylvania counties earlier this month, prompting a public health alert from the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday, Aug. 21. The individual, who has since left the Commonwealth, may have exposed others while stopping in Adams, Clearfield, Lancaster, and York counties between Aug. 4 and Aug. 12. People may have been exposed to measles if they were at one of the following locations during the specified times: Sapp Bros. Travel Center, Clearfield — Aug. 5, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Farmhouse Restaurant at the Bar…
First 2025 Human Case Of West Nile Virus In Westchester Confirmed In Yonkers First 2025 Human Case Of West Nile Virus In Westchester Confirmed In Yonkers
First 2025 Human Case Of West Nile Virus In Westchester Confirmed In Yonkers The first human case of West Nile Virus this year has been confirmed in Westchester County, health officials announced.  The case involves a man from Yonkers, the Westchester County Department of Health said on Wednesday, Aug. 20.  "This first case of West Nile Virus should remind all of us to remove standing water around our homes every time after it rains, and use repellents when we spend time outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active," Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said.  Health Department staff will inspect and treat the area a…
Bill Gates To Donate Nearly All His Wealth In 20 Years: 'Too Many Urgent Problems To Solve' Bill Gates To Donate Nearly All His Wealth In 20 Years: 'Too Many Urgent Problems To Solve'
Bill Gates To Donate Nearly All His Wealth In 20 Years: 'Too Many Urgent Problems To Solve' Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said he'll give away virtually all of his fortune and permanently close his foundation by the end of 2045. Gates announced his massive philanthropy plans in a blog post on his website on Thursday, May 8. The billionaire also said the third-largest charitable foundation in the world will be shuttered on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2045. The Seattle businessman said he'll donate more than $100 billion over the next 20 years in what he calls the "last chapter" of his career. The Gates Foundation was created in 2000 by Gates and his ex-wife Melinda Gates French. …
First 2025 Measles Case Confirmed In Virginia: Officials Warn Of Woodbridge Clinic Exposure First 2025 Measles Case Confirmed In Virginia: Officials Warn Of Woodbridge Clinic Exposure
First 2025 Measles Case Confirmed In Virginia: Officials Warn Of Woodbridge Clinic Exposure Virginia has reported its first confirmed measles case of the year, health officials announced — and it’s tied to international travel. The patient is a child under the age of five from the state’s Northwest Region who recently returned from a trip abroad, according to the Virginia Department of Health on Saturday, April 19. To protect the child’s privacy, no further personal information was released. Officials said the child was at two Virginia medical centers earlier this week, raising concern for potential public exposure.  Health officials listed two locations tied to the case: t…
Measles Case Confirmed In Person Who Rode Amtrak Train From New York Measles Case Confirmed In Person Who Rode Amtrak Train From New York
Measles Case Confirmed In Person Who Rode Amtrak Train From New York A person with a confirmed measles case may have exposed Amtrak passengers on a recent train trip. An infected passenger with a rare breakthrough infection may have exposed others during the trip last week between New York City and Washington, DC, health officials say. The vaccinated person from Minnesota became infected while traveling abroad after returning to the US, boarded the train from NYC before becoming sick several days after arriving in DC. DC Health said the person visited multiple locations in DC while contagious.  Amtrak is contacting passengers who may have been exposed…
First Measles Case Outside Of NYC In 2025 Confirmed In Suffolk County, Officials Urge Vaccines First Measles Case Outside Of NYC In 2025 Confirmed In Suffolk County, Officials Urge Vaccines
First Measles Case Outside Of NYC In 2025 Confirmed In Suffolk County, Officials Urge Vaccines A child under 5 years old on Long Island has been diagnosed with measles, marking the first case outside of New York City in 2025, health officials announced Tuesday, March 11. The case in Suffolk County, confirmed at the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Laboratory, comes as measles cases rise globally and across the United States, including in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The New York State Department of Health, Suffolk County health officials, and Northwell Health are investigating the case and tracking potential exposures. The child is currently being treated at…
Mysterious Illness Claims 53 Lives In Africa With Many Dying Hours After Onset Of Symptoms Mysterious Illness Claims 53 Lives In Africa With Many Dying Hours After Onset Of Symptoms
Mysterious Illness Claims 53 Lives In Africa With Many Dying Hours After Onset Of Symptoms A mysterious illness has led to 53 fatalities, with many dying within hours of developing symptoms.  The outbreak in Central Africa has emerged in a northwestern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify the situation as "a significant public health threat." Frontline medics from the WHO have reported hundreds of cases, revealing a chillingly brief timeline from symptom onset to death.  Since the outbreak began on Tuesday, Jan. 21, there have been 419 reported cases and 53 deaths, resulting in a mortality rate of 12.49 p…
Measles Case Confirmed At Englewood Hospital, NJDOH Warns Of Possible Exposure Measles Case Confirmed At Englewood Hospital, NJDOH Warns Of Possible Exposure
Measles Case Confirmed At Englewood Hospital, Njdoh Warns Of Possible Exposure A confirmed case of measles in Bergen County has prompted an alert from the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), warning residents about possible exposure and urging vaccination. The infected individual, who recently traveled internationally, visited the Englewood Hospital Emergency Department at 350 Engle Street on Sunday, Sunday, Feb. 9, between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., health officials said. While New Jersey is not experiencing an outbreak, the highly contagious virus can spread quickly, particularly among those who are unvaccinated, NJDOH said. According to NJ health officials, ea…
First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported
First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported Authorities have confirmed the first human death in the United States caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1.  The announcement was made by the Louisiana Department of Health on Monday, Jan. 6.  Earlier Report: First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US The patient, a man over 65 with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized before succumbing to the illness after exposure to a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds. The Louisiana Department of Health said it has conducted a public health investigation and found no additional cases or …
Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says
Rare Bird Flu Case Confirmed In Child, CDC Says A rare case of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in a child in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The child, who is a resident of California, experienced only mild symptoms and is now recovering. The case, detected through routine flu testing, revealed low levels of the virus in the initial sample, and follow-up tests were negative for bird flu, but positive for other common respiratory viruses.  The CDC is working with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to determine how the child might hav…
Trump Taps Another Vaccine Skeptic, An Amityville Native, To Lead CDC Trump Taps Another Vaccine Skeptic, An Amityville Native, To Lead CDC
Trump Taps Another Vaccine Skeptic, An Amityville Native, To Lead CDC Another vaccine skeptic with New York ties could soon shape public health policy. President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Florida congressman and physician Dave Weldon to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon was born on Long Island, in Amityville, and graduated from Stony Brook University in 1978 before earning his M.D. degree at the University of Buffalo in 1981. Earlier Report: Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services “In addition to being a medical doctor for 40 years, and an Ar…
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Cases of walking pneumonia have spiked significantly, especially among children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning in a brand-new advisory. The agency said increases in M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia infections began late this past spring, peaked in August, and have remained high.  The CDC said it's using various surveillance tools "to better understand any differences in demographics, severity of illness, and outcomes as compared to M. pneumoniae infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic." The agency said it's also contacting heal…
Dead Whale That Washed Ashore In Lavallette Had Infectious Disease, Necropsy Says Dead Whale That Washed Ashore In Lavallette Had Infectious Disease, Necropsy Says
Dead Whale That Washed Ashore In Lavallette Had Infectious Disease, Necropsy Says Two whales found dead along the Jersey Shore suffered from infectious diseases, marine biologists said. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) posted on Facebook to release the necropsy findings for the 17-and-a-half-foot minke whale discovered in Lavallette on Friday, Oct. 4. The animal's body was found near Trenton Avenue at around 6:30 a.m. The male was considered thin and had no food in its digestive tract. "Evidence of inflammation in multiple organs consistent with infectious disease was documented," MMSC posted. "Biological samples were col…
COVID-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe COVID-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe
Covid-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe A new highly transmissible COVID-19 strain that first appeared in Europe is now beginning to spread in the United States. Called XEC, the offshoot of the Omicron strain was initially identified in Germany early this past summer before quickly spreading throughout Europe. It is not causing more serious symptoms than other COVID strains, but it is causing concern. “The rate of infections from XEC they're seeing in some countries rose pretty quickly compared to previous variants in those same places," Dr. Scott Roberts, a Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist said in YaleMedicine.…
FirstFirst CT Human West Nile Case Confirmed In New Haven County FirstFirst CT Human West Nile Case Confirmed In New Haven County
FirstFirst CT Human West Nile Case Confirmed In New Haven County It's time to protect yourself from mosquitoes, as the first case of the West Nile virus in a person in the state has been confirmed.  On Friday, Aug. 16, the Connecticut Department of Public Health announced that a New Haven County resident had tested positive for the virus. A woman between 60–69 became ill during the first week of August with a WNV infection and has since recovered, the department said.  “Symptoms include fever, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, rash, or gastrointestinal symptoms for non-neuroinvasive disease, while neuroinvasive signs and symptoms can include high…
Season's First Positive Human West Nile Virus Cases Confirmed In Mount Vernon, New Rochelle Season's First Positive Human West Nile Virus Cases Confirmed In Mount Vernon, New Rochelle
Season's First Positive Human West Nile Virus Cases Confirmed In Mount Vernon, New Rochelle West Nile Virus has made its way to humans in Westchester, officials announced.  A New Rochelle resident and Mount Vernon resident both tested positive for the virus, making them the first confirmed human cases in the county this year, Westchester health officials announced on Thursday, Aug. 15.  According to Westchester Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, the confirmation came a little sooner than expected.  "These first cases of West Nile Virus are earlier than usual and should serve as a reminder to all of us to remove all standing water around your home every time a…
3 Cases Of West Nile Virus Reported In These NJ Counties 3 Cases Of West Nile Virus Reported In These NJ Counties
3 Cases Of West Nile Virus Reported In These NJ Counties New Jersey has its first cases of West Nile Virus of the year, the state's health department confirmed. Three men tested positive for the virus in Bergen, Morris, and Ocean counties. Two are in their 50s, one is in his 80s, and all were hospitalized. Two were recovering at home and one remains hospitalized.  WNV has also been detected in 293 mosquito pools and a red-tailed hawk this year in New Jersey. No cases of WNV have been reported in horses in 2022. In a typical year, there are eight human WNV infections reported. Last year, New Jersey had 36 human cases of WNV. WNV activit…
COVID-19: Fairfield County City Lifts Mask Mandate For Most COVID-19: Fairfield County City Lifts Mask Mandate For Most
Covid-19: Fairfield County City Lifts Mask Mandate For Most A city-wide mask mandate in a Fairfield County city will soon be lifted due to the falling number of COVID-19 cases. Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons announced on Friday, Feb. 11 that the city-wide mask mandate will be lifted on Wed., Feb. 16.  Masks are still required to be worn in hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare and childcare facilities, schools, municipal buildings, and on public transit, Simmons said. The announcement comes in response to a decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Stamford.  As of Thursday, Feb.10, Stamford’s current seven-day average in ca…
COVID-19: Omicron Surge Affecting Staffing Levels For Essential Workers COVID-19: Omicron Surge Affecting Staffing Levels For Essential Workers
Covid-19: Omicron Surge Affecting Staffing Levels For Essential Workers The spread of the more-transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant is leading to staffing shortages for some essential employers who have been hit hardest by the winter surge of the virus. Essential employees have been forced to call out of work en masse in recent weeks due to positive Omicron infections that have led to staffing shortages for first responders, healthcare workers, supermarket workers, flight crews, and other key professions. The shortages have led to hundreds of canceled flights, closed restaurants, and short-staffed retail stores, leaving workers frustrated and fatigued af…
COVID-19: New Study Finds Significant Virus Spread Among Deer Population COVID-19: New Study Finds Significant Virus Spread Among Deer Population
Covid-19: New Study Finds Significant Virus Spread Among Deer Population A new study has found widespread COVID-19 infections among deer populations in Iowa. Researchers from the Penn State University found that more than 80 percent of white-tailed deer sampled in parts of Iowa between December of 2020 and January of 2021 tested positive for COVID-19, according to an announcement from the university on Wednesday, Nov. 3. “We found that 80 percent of the sampled deer in December were positive for SARS-CoV-2, which proportionally represents about a 50-fold greater burden of positivity than what was reported at the peak of infection in humans at the time,” said Sur…
COVID-19: Drugmaker To Seek Emergency Approval For Pill To Treat Virus COVID-19: Drugmaker To Seek Emergency Approval For Pill To Treat Virus
Covid-19: Drugmaker To Seek Emergency Approval For Pill To Treat Virus A new pharmaceutical company is throwing its hat in the ring as the country continues its fight against COVID-19. Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics announced on Friday, Oct. 1 that it is planning to apply for federal emergency approval of a pill that can reportedly help prevent hospitalizations and deaths in COVID-19 patients. According to the company, trials have found that the pill - dubbed molnupiravir - could potentially reduce the risk of hospitalization or death in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 by approximately 50 percent. The results of the late-stage trial have bee…
Lamont Picks Yale Physician To Be State's New Health Commissioner Lamont Picks Yale Physician To Be State's New Health Commissioner
Lamont Picks Yale Physician To Be State's New Health Commissioner Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has nominated a prominent Yale School of Medicine physician to serve as the state’s Health Commissioner. On Monday, July 26, Lamont announced that he is nominating Dr. Manisha Juthani to serve as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Earlier story. - Chief Of CT Schools To Join President-Elect Biden's Cabinet As Education Secretary, Reports Say Juthani is an infectious diseases physician at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, where she specializes in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of infections in older adults. Lamont s…
Renowned Infectious Disease Doc, Rutgers Professor Dies Of COVID While Treating Family In India Renowned Infectious Disease Doc, Rutgers Professor Dies Of COVID While Treating Family In India
Renowned Infectious Disease Doc, Rutgers Professor Dies Of COVID While Treating Family In India A Rutgers University professor and infectious disease expert who went to India to help his family during a ravenous wave of COVID-19 died of the virus himself, the university said in a statement. Dr. Rajendra Kapila, 81, founded Rutgers' Division of Infectious Diseases and was a professor of medicine at the university. Kapila had been practicing for 50 years and was passionate about developing the university's infectious disease program. According to his biography on the Rutgers website, Kapila was the assistant chief of medicine for the U.S. Army in Okinawa Japan, during the Vietnam confl…
COVID-19: Here's When Teens Could Start Getting Vaccinated, Dr. Fauci Says COVID-19: Here's When Teens Could Start Getting Vaccinated, Dr. Fauci Says
Covid-19: Here's When Teens Could Start Getting Vaccinated, Dr. Fauci Says It may not be long until high school students and other teenagers can begin getting vaccinated for COVID-19, according to infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is President Biden's chief medical advisor. Fauci said on CBS News Sunday, March 7 that teens should be able to receive their COVID-19 vaccines by the fall, with younger students likely to become eligible for vaccinations early next year. High school students should expect to receive the vaccine at or near the beginning of the next academic school year, Fauci said. Tests are currently ongoing to ensure that the shots are s…
COVID-19: CT Releases Travel Advisory List With 40 States, Including Neighboring Massachusetts COVID-19: CT Releases Travel Advisory List With 40 States, Including Neighboring Massachusetts
Covid-19: CT Releases Travel Advisory List With 40 States, Including Neighboring Massachusetts With COVID-19 cases spiking across the country as the holiday season fast approaches, Connecticut has added three states - including neighboring Massachusetts - to its travel advisory list. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced that California and Pennsylvania have also been added to the list, and travelers coming into the state will have to quarantine for 14 days due to high COVID-19 infection rates. There are now 40 states and two territories on Connecticut’s travel advisory list.  No states were removed in the latest update.  Officials have also asked for no non-essential tr…
COVID-19: Worcester Is On Newest List Of 'High-Risk' Communities COVID-19: Worcester Is On Newest List Of 'High-Risk' Communities
Covid-19: Worcester Is On Newest List Of 'High-Risk' Communities The people of Worcester are at high-risk of catching COVID-19, according to new information from the state. On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Massachusetts released an updated COVID-19 map showing where the “hot-spots” or areas with high infection rates are located. Worcester has made the state's “red” list, so named for the state’s color-coded risk assessment. Red is reserved for the communities with the highest risk of COVID-19 infection. Worcester's infection rate is 9.5 COVID-19 infections per 100,000 people. The most recently listed high-risk communities in Massachusetts are: Chelsea Dedham …
What Parents Need To Know About MIS-C What Parents Need To Know About MIS-C
What Parents Need To Know About Mis-c Dear Doctor, As the parent of three young kids, I’m kind of freaked out by the recent news that there’s a new life-threatening complication of COVID-19 in children. What do we know about this problem, and how worried should I be? Sincerely, “Panicked Parent” Dear Panicked: It’s totally understandable that you’re concerned about this new complication called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Since MIS-C is so new (it was first identified in April), there’s still a lot that we don’t know about it. But we are fairly confident that it’s related to the coronavirus as all o…
What Parents Need To Know About MIS-C What Parents Need To Know About MIS-C
What Parents Need To Know About Mis-c Dear Doctor, As the parent of three young kids, I’m kind of freaked out by the recent news that there’s a new life-threatening complication of COVID-19 in children. What do we know about this problem, and how worried should I be? Sincerely, “Panicked Parent” Dear Panicked: It’s totally understandable that you’re concerned about this new complication called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Since MIS-C is so new (it was first identified in April), there’s still a lot that we don’t know about it. But we are fairly confident that it’s related to the coronavirus as all o…
How Does COVID-19 Affect Diabetics? How Does COVID-19 Affect Diabetics?
How Does Covid-19 Affect Diabetics? Infectious diseases such as COVID-19 are more serious in people with diabetes, according to the CDC. Why is this? 1) The immune system of diabetics does not function as well, which makes it harder for their bodies to fight the virus; and 2) the coronavirus appears to thrive in an environment of elevated blood glucose levels which makes the healing response to any infection slower. High blood sugar levels combined with a persistent state of inflammation make it much more difficult for people with diabetes to recover from illnesses such as COVID-19. Anyone with diabetes who notices symptoms …