Latest news with #DepartmentofPublicHealth
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
High bacteria levels prompt warnings for several L.A beaches
Los Angeles County health officials are advising beachgoers to avoid swimming, surfing, or playing in the ocean at two popular spots after testing revealed elevated levels of bacteria. The Department of Public Health issued warnings Tuesday for the waters near the Santa Monica Pier, extending 100 yards in both directions from the pier, and for the entire swim area of Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. Recent testing showed bacteria levels exceeded state health standards at these locations, officials said. Meanwhile, warnings have been lifted for Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu, the Pico-Kenter storm drain area at Santa Monica Beach (near Santa Monica South Tower 20), and the Castlerock Storm Drain area at Topanga County Beach. Recent samples showed water quality at those locations is now within acceptable levels. For the latest information on beach conditions, residents can call the county's 24-hour beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662 or visit for a map of affected areas and more details. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here's which Mass. beaches are closed on Memorial Day
Six beaches in Massachusetts are closed on Memorial Day due to dangerously high bacteria levels, according to the state Department of Public Health's beach closure dashboard. Three of the seven closed beaches are located in Central Mass.: Damon Pond Beach in Ashby, Walker Pond Beach in Sturbridge and Lake Quinsigamond's Lake Park Beach in Worcester, according to the dashboard. All three are closed due to bacteria levels, the dashboard reads. Kings' Beach in Lynn. Rowe Town Beach in Rowe and Tenean Beach in Boston are also closed due to high levels of bacteria in the water. Walden Pond's Main Beach in Concord is also designated as closed on the dashboard, however, a park spokesperson says that only some access to the beach is restricted because of construction. A communications official at Walden Pond did not immediately respond to a request for comment from MassLive on Monday. The state's beach water quality dashboard is updated twice daily — once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The dashboard displays the findings of recent water quality tests at beaches throughout Massachusetts. When a beach is closed, people should avoid swimming in that location as they could risk becoming ill, according to the dashboard's website. It is safe to take part in other recreational activities at the beaches. You can find the full list of closed beaches here. Dave Matthews Band closes out Boston Calling 2025 with Sunday headliner (Photos) Child dies after reportedly falling out of window in Central Mass. Dietary supplements containing drugs recalled due to serious health risks Red Sox lineup: Trevor Story returns to lineup as road trip opens Mass. weather: Slight chance of showers Monday afternoon, warm temps on Tuesday Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State health officials warn of possible Hepatitis A exposure in Provincetown
Massachusetts health officials are cautioning people who dined at The Red Inn in Provincetown on April 30 and May 15 to contact their healthcare provider, as they may have been exposed to hepatitis A. According to the Department of Public Health, a food service employee who worked on those days was confirmed to be infected with the hepatitis A virus. Customers who may have been in contact are urged to thoroughly wash their hands before handling food. Hepatitis A is spread through fecal contamination, commonly orally. The virus can also be spread person-to-person through close contact, or from food handling, and contaminated foods or drinks. The first symptoms of hepatitis A are: Fever Fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Jaundice (dark urine, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes) The severity of the illness can vary; mild cases usually last two weeks or less, while more severe cases may persist for a month or longer. In some instances, individuals may experience symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed, yet they can still be highly contagious. Preventive measures, such as a hepatitis A vaccine and a hepatitis A immune globulin are considered the only effective ways at preventing the infection. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate adopts Senator Velis' amendment to fund mental health training for hate crime victims
BOSTON (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Senate on Tuesday adopted an amendment filed by Senator John C. Velis that would allocate funding for the development of specialized mental health training to support victims of hate and bias. The amendment, part of the Senate's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget deliberations, directs the Department of Public Health to establish a competitive grant program for training clinicians and counselors in trauma-informed care tailored to individuals impacted by specific forms of hate. Audit shows migrant crisis mismanagement Velis, who co-chairs the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism, emphasized the need for culturally competent support systems during remarks on the Senate floor. 'It has become evident in talking with victims of hate who have come forward to the Commission, including children, that there is a real gap when it comes to providers who are trained to understand, address, and treat these unique forms of trauma,' Senator Velis said. 'Hate manifests in different ways for different groups, and it is essential that clinicians have access to training that is culturally sensitive and considers the historical prejudice the group has faced.' The measure calls for the training to be tailored to address various forms of hate rather than using a uniform approach, reflecting the differing impacts and cultural contexts of hate-based trauma. Velis' amendment comes amid a documented increase in hate crimes across Massachusetts. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security reported 557 hate crime incidents in 2023, a 26% increase from 2022 and a sharp rise from 351 incidents recorded in 2018. The report noted particularly alarming spikes in incidents targeting Jewish, LGBTQ, and Arabic communities. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State health department confirms new measles case in Georgia
A person from metro Atlanta has been confirmed to have measles, making them the fourth case in the state. The Department of Public Health said the unvaccinated person had been traveling internationally between May 10 and May 18 and caught the virus. As of Friday, there had been 1,024 confirmed measles cases across the U.S. amid an outbreak of the virus, with Texas seeing the vast majority of cases. What you need to know about the measles vaccine The best way to avoid getting the virus is by getting the measles vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old, and the second between 4 and 6 years old. Getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don't need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine made from 'killed' virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said. RELATED STORIES: The US has more than 900 measles cases and 10 states have outbreaks. Here's what to know Measles cases spike to largest number in years What parents need to know about the measles vaccine People who have documentation that they had measles are immune, and those born before 1957 generally don't need the shots because so many children got measles back then that they have 'presumptive immunity.' Measles has a harder time spreading through communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — due to 'herd immunity.' But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots. What are the symptoms of measles? Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash. The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC. Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death. The Associated Press contributed to this article.
