Latest news with #U.S.CenterforDiseaseControlandPrevention
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Health
- Business Insider
U.S. CDC issues alert as mpox outbreak in Central, East Africa leads to new cases in the U.S.
CDC urges vigilance as Clade I mpox cases appear in the U.S. following travel to affected regions in Central Africa, especially the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The CDC issued a health advisory concerning Clade I mpox cases appearing in the U.S. from Central Africa-associated travel. Clade I of the mpox virus is more severe and has higher mortality rates compared to Clade II, as seen in past outbreaks. Health professionals are urged to evaluate patients with recent travel history to affected areas and provide preventive measures. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an official Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory in response to a growing mpox outbreak in Central Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The outbreak has led to a small number of travel-associated mpox cases diagnosed in the United States since 2024. This outbreak involves Clade I of the mpox virus, a variant historically associated with more severe illness and a higher case fatality rate than Clade II, which was responsible for the 2022–2023 global outbreak. The Clade I of the mpox virus is also known as the Congo Basin clade and is one of two types of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) viruses. Laboratory testing has confirmed that the virus detected in the current U.S. cases is genetically consistent with strains circulating in Central Africa and distinct from the Clade II strain previously seen in the United States. Disease contained in the U.S. As of May 2025, there is no evidence of sustained local transmission in the U.S., but the CDC is urging healthcare providers to remain alert, especially when evaluating patients with recent trave l to the DRC or neighboring countries. According to the CDC, the outbreak in the DRC shows signs of sustained human-to-human transmission. Mpox cases have been reported among men, women, and children, suggesting a possible shift in transmission dynamics compared to previous outbreaks that largely affected men who have sex with men. Vaccination remains a key preventive measure. The CDC supports the continued use of the JYNNEOS vaccine, which is effective against both Clade I and Clade II strains. However, the agency notes that uptake of the vaccine has declined since the height of the previous outbreak. The HAN advisory encourages health departments to identify individuals at risk and ensure they have access to testing, treatment, and vaccination. To support early detection and reduce the risk of further spread, the CDC recommends that clinicians: Consider mpox in the differential diagnosis of patients with compatible symptoms and relevant travel history. Promptly report suspected cases to local or state public health authorities. Collect specimens for confirmatory testing through the CDC or designated public health laboratories. US CDC issues warning No travel restrictions have been issued at this time, but travelers to the DRC are advised to avoid close contact with sick individuals, wild animals, and materials contaminated with bodily fluids. The CDC continues to monitor the situation and will provide updated guidance as more information becomes available. For now, health officials are emphasizing early recognition and public health response, given that Clade I mpox presents more serious health risks and has resulted in fatalities in affected countries abroad.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dr. Nirav Shah, former Maine CDC director, to be commencement speaker at UMF graduation
May 1—FARMINGTON — Dr. Nirav Dinesh Shah, former principal deputy director of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention and leader of the pandemic response in Maine during his time at the Maine CDC, will be the commencement speaker at the University of Maine at Farmington graduation May 10. The university announced this week that it will also award Jonathan Moody, UMF alumnus and Maine's 2024 State Superintendent of the Year, an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters. Graduation will be held at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the Narrow Gauge Outdoor Venue behind the Narrow Gauge Cinemas in downtown Farmington. Shah is an epidemiologist, economist and attorney. While in medical school, he worked for the Ministry of Health in Cambodia where his work included outbreak investigation and he aided in the response to the SARS and Avian Influenza outbreaks, according to a Wednesday news release from UMF. "We are honored to have Dr. Nirav Shah as this year's Commencement Speaker," UMF President Joseph McDonnell said. "He became a daily presence in the lives of Mainers as he led the state's response to the Covid 19 pandemic, which was a significant event in the lives of our students and families. His professionalism, compassion and leadership are a wonderful example for our new graduates as they chart their own career pathways as tomorrow's leaders." In 2019, Shah was appointed by Gov. Janet Mills as the director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention where he became the voice and face of the pandemic response. In 2023, he was appointed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the principal deputy director, followed by appointment as the acting director. Shah recently returned to Maine to launch a public health education program at Colby College in Waterville. Moody earned a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from UMF in 1998, the news release said. During his career, he has served as a coach, tutor, secondary teacher, middle school administrator, high school principal and is Maine School Administrative District 54 superintendent of schools serving Skowhegan, Canaan, Mercer, Smithfield, Cornville and Norridgewock. Under his leadership and in tandem with the district's partnership with Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, MSAD 54 developed a first-of-its-kind-in-Maine elementary school that will provide early childhood programming for children 6 weeks old to three years, and comprehensive educational programming to students in prekindergarten through grade 5. Additionally, the Margaret Chase Smith Community School will provide technical center early childhood space for high school students and will be a learning lab for professional development as well as the support of pre-service teachers. "We are pleased to award an honorary doctoral degree to Jonathan Moody for his significant contribution to pre-k to 12 students in Maine," McDonnell said. "We are proud of this UMF alumnus, a UMF Athletics Hall of Fame member, a UMF Board of Visitor member, and a part-time faculty member in our Education program. And we congratulate Jon for being named Maine's 2024 State Superintendent of the Year." Moody serves on the board of directors of the Mitchell Institute, is a member of the Redington-Fairview Hospital board, is a member of the Early Childhood Advisory committee with Educate Maine and serves as an adjunct instructor for the Educational Leadership program at University of Maine at Farmington. No tickets are required for the outdoor graduation ceremony. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. in the Fitness and Recreation Center on the UMF campus. Tickets are distributed to students for their guests and will be required if the ceremony is indoors. Additional information and updates can be found here. Copy the Story Link Auburn lowers tax impact of proposed school budget
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman hospitalized in Wyoming with H5N1 bird flu
A woman in Wyoming was hospitalized with H5N1 bird flu, according to health officials who say she was likely infected by handling sickened birds in a backyard flock. According to a statement from Wyoming's public health department, the woman is "an older adult" and has "other health conditions," which may have made her more susceptible to the disease. She is being treated in another state. This marks the first human case of bird flu in Wyoming and the 70th human case in the United States since 2024. Although the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website lists only 68 human cases on its website, it does not yet include this case or another announced earlier this week in a poultry worker from Ohio. She is also the fourth person in North America to have been hospitalized with the disease. One person in Louisiana died from the infection. It is not clear whether she was infected with the D1.1 version of the H5N1 virus, which is now widespread in wild birds, poultry and cattle herds in Nevada and Arizona — or the B3.13 version, which is associated with the vast majority of dairy herds. According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, 968 dairy herds have been infected across 16 states — this does not include the herd in Arizona that was reported earlier this week. 'While this is a significant development as bird flu activity is monitored in Wyoming and across the country, it is not something we believe requires a high level of concern among most Wyoming residents,' said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health. H5N1 has been reported in wild birds in Wyoming. There have also been reported infections in the state's commercial poultry and dairy cattle. Harrist and the CDC say there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus, and the risk for the general public remains low. She recommended that people do not eat raw or undercooked eggs, meat or other animal products, that they avoid contact with wild birds, and that they don't touch sick or dying wild or domestic birds. She also said people should not drink raw milk or raw milk dairy products.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman hospitalized in Wyoming with H5N1 bird blu
A woman in Wyoming was hospitalized with H5N1 bird flu, according to health officials who say she was likely infected by handling sickened birds in a backyard flock. According to a statement from Wyoming's public health department, the woman is "an older adult" and has "other health conditions," which may have made her more susceptible to the disease. She is being treated in another state. This marks the first human case of bird flu in Wyoming and the 70th human case in the United States since 2024. Although the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website lists only 68 human cases on its website, it does not yet include this case or another announced earlier this week in a poultry worker from Ohio. She is also the fourth person in North America to have been hospitalized with the disease. One person in Louisiana died from the infection. It is not clear whether she was infected with the D1.1 version of the H5N1 virus, which is now widespread in wild birds, poultry and cattle herds in Nevada and Arizona — or the B3.13 version, which is associated with the vast majority of dairy herds. According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, 968 dairy herds have been infected across 16 states — this does not include the herd in Arizona that was reported earlier this week. 'While this is a significant development as bird flu activity is monitored in Wyoming and across the country, it is not something we believe requires a high level of concern among most Wyoming residents,' said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health. H5N1 has been reported in wild birds in Wyoming. There have also been reported infections in the state's commercial poultry and dairy cattle. Harrist and the CDC say there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus, and the risk for the general public remains low. She recommended that people do not eat raw or undercooked eggs, meat or other animal products, that they avoid contact with wild birds, and that they don't touch sick or dying wild or domestic birds. She also said people should not drink raw milk or raw milk dairy products. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
15-02-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Woman hospitalized in Wyoming with H5N1 bird blu
A woman in Wyoming was hospitalized with H5N1 bird flu, according to health officials who say she was likely infected by handling sickened birds in a backyard flock. According to a statement from Wyoming's public health department, the woman is 'an older adult' and has 'other health conditions,' which may have made her more susceptible to the disease. She is being treated in another state. This marks the first human case of bird flu in Wyoming and the 70th human case in the United States since 2024. Although the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website lists only 68 human cases on its website, it does not yet include this case or another announced earlier this week in a poultry worker from Ohio. She is also the fourth person in North America to have been hospitalized with the disease. One person in Louisiana died from the infection. It is not clear whether she was infected with the D1.1 version of the H5N1 virus, which is now widespread in wild birds, poultry and cattle herds in Nevada and Arizona — or the B3.13 version, which is associated with the vast majority of dairy herds. According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, 968 dairy herds have been infected across 16 states — this does not include the herd in Arizona that was reported earlier this week. 'While this is a significant development as bird flu activity is monitored in Wyoming and across the country, it is not something we believe requires a high level of concern among most Wyoming residents,' said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health. H5N1 has been reported in wild birds in Wyoming. There have also been reported infections in the state's commercial poultry and dairy cattle. Harrist and the CDC say there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus, and the risk for the general public remains low. She recommended that people do not eat raw or undercooked eggs, meat or other animal products, that they avoid contact with wild birds, and that they don't touch sick or dying wild or domestic birds. She also said people should not drink raw milk or raw milk dairy products.
