Measles cases grow to 351 — plus more headlines
Medical Watch Digest for March 24
The measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico now total 351 cases.
Two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes.
Cases are also being reported in 17 other states.
Measles is caused by a highly contagious airborne virus and spreads easily when an infected person sneezes or coughs.
Doctors warn about claims that vitamin a will prevent infection.
They say, while the vitamin is part of a regulated treatment for measles, taking too much vitamin a can cause liver damage.
The only way to prevent measles is a vaccine.
More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch
Health officials are raising the alarm over new cases of a dangerous, drug-resistant fungus.
Georgia and Florida are both reporting cases of candida auris, also called C.auris.
Cases have increased every year since it was first identified in 2016.
Since then, more than 1600 cases have been reported in Illinois.
There is no treatment for the fungus, and the CDC is now calling it an 'urgent threat.'
People with a healthy immune system may be able to fight it on their own.
But those with health issues are vulnerable.
A rare red meat allergy believed to be caused by one type of tick, may involve other species, in other parts of the U.S.
Alpha-gal syndrome can cause full-on anaphylactic shock.
The CDC estimates 450,000 people in the U.S. have it.
Most cases are linked to the Lone Star Tick, common in the Southeast and lower Midwest. But new reports show cases in Maine and Washington state.
Scientists say tick populations are increasing all over the country.
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The Hill
2 hours ago
- The Hill
Measles cases see biggest rise in over a month
The Big Story The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 80 new measles cases this week, the biggest jump since April. © AP A total of 1,168 confirmed measles cases were reported in 34 states as of Thursday. The number of cases has quadrupled since 2024, when the country saw just 285 cases. At the current rate, the U.S. will likely soon surpass the 1,274 cases from 2019, the highest annual number since the disease was eliminated in 2000. The 2019 outbreak was driven largely by spread among under-vaccinated communities in New York City and the state. Measles was officially eliminated in 2000 due to a highly effective vaccination program, but vaccinations have waned, and the 2019 outbreak threatened that status. According to the CDC, vaccination coverage for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) among kindergarteners is below the 95 percent target — and much lower in some communities. And it's decreasing. During the 2023 to 2024 school year, just under 93 percent of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine. Among the nationally confirmed cases, the CDC said 95 percent are among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. An outbreak has been spreading in West Texas, but has slowed in recent weeks. There have been 742 cases confirmed in the state since late January, but no new cases since Tuesday. Many of the latest cases seem to be linked to travel, as the CDC reported 17 separate outbreaks. Of cases reported so far, 89 percent are linked to outbreaks, the agency said. There have been three confirmed deaths this year. Two of them were unvaccinated children in Texas who had no known underlying conditions. A third death was reported in New Mexico in an unvaccinated adult who tested positive after dying. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to humans. 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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs Due to Microbial Contamination
EWING, N.J., June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Church & Dwight Co., Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots within expiry of Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs to the consumer level. The products are being recalled due to potential microbial contamination identified as fungi in cotton swab components. Swabs found to contain microbial contamination can potentially present a significant risk to the health and safety of consumers including serious and life-threatening blood infections in users whose nasal mucosa may be compromised due to inflammation and mechanical injuries. The risk is highest (potentially severe or life-threatening) among children and individuals with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions. To date, no serious adverse events associated with the affected product have been reported. The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the United States and in Puerto Rico. Recalled Product Information Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, with UPC 732216301205, all lots: A zinc-free, homeopathic cold remedy swab designed to shorten the duration of the common cold. Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, with UPC 732216301656, all lots: A nasal cleansing swab product (discontinued in December 2024). Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs, with UPC 310310400002, all lots: Pre-moistened swabs designed to soothe teething discomfort in infants and toddlers. What Consumers Should Do Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products should stop using the product immediately. Please visit or call its Consumer Relations team at (800) 981-4710 for a full refund. Any additional questions can also be directed to its Consumer Relations team Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm ET. Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax. Complete and submit the report Online: Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This recall is limited exclusively to Zicam and Orajel swab products. All other Zicam and Orajel products, including Zicam RapidMelts, are not affected by this recall. About Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Church & Dwight Co., Inc. is a leading manufacturer of consumer household and personal care products. For more information, visit Media Contact:Keith View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Church & Dwight Co. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs Due to Microbial Contamination
EWING, N.J., June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Church & Dwight Co., Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots within expiry of Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs to the consumer level. The products are being recalled due to potential microbial contamination identified as fungi in cotton swab components. Swabs found to contain microbial contamination can potentially present a significant risk to the health and safety of consumers including serious and life-threatening blood infections in users whose nasal mucosa may be compromised due to inflammation and mechanical injuries. The risk is highest (potentially severe or life-threatening) among children and individuals with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions. To date, no serious adverse events associated with the affected product have been reported. The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the United States and in Puerto Rico. Recalled Product Information Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, with UPC 732216301205, all lots: A zinc-free, homeopathic cold remedy swab designed to shorten the duration of the common cold. Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, with UPC 732216301656, all lots: A nasal cleansing swab product (discontinued in December 2024). Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs, with UPC 310310400002, all lots: Pre-moistened swabs designed to soothe teething discomfort in infants and toddlers. What Consumers Should Do Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products should stop using the product immediately. Please visit or call its Consumer Relations team at (800) 981-4710 for a full refund. Any additional questions can also be directed to its Consumer Relations team Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm ET. Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax. Complete and submit the report Online: Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This recall is limited exclusively to Zicam and Orajel swab products. All other Zicam and Orajel products, including Zicam RapidMelts, are not affected by this recall. About Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Church & Dwight Co., Inc. is a leading manufacturer of consumer household and personal care products. For more information, visit Media Contact:Keith View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Church & Dwight Co. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
