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Tag: CDC

  • CDC Report Shows More Children Are Either Dying or Becoming Severely Ill With Flu Amid Declining Vaccination Rates

    CDC Report Shows More Children Are Either Dying or Becoming Severely Ill With Flu Amid Declining Vaccination Rates

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report showing that more and more children are either dying or becoming severely ill with the flu amid declining vaccination rates in the United States.

    Now, cases of pediatric acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) are on the rise, with 109 children being diagnosed during the 2024-25 flu season. This is a rare inflammatory brain disease caused by the illness.

    Rise in Flu-Related Deaths Among Kids

    A new report also showed that 84% of kids who have influenza-associated encephalopathy whose vaccination status was known were not vaccinated. This comes as the country recorded 280 pediatric flu deaths last year, which is the deadliest since the 2009-10 H1N1 pandemic.

    A pediatric infectious disease physician at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Dr. Buddy Creech, said that they do not always know how to predict which children are going to get the most severe forms of flu. This is why they recommend the vaccine for everyone, according to NBC News.

    ANE is considered a rare disease, as there are only a handful of cases recorded every year, and it has never been formally tracked. However, this year, doctors noted an increase in kids affected by the brain inflammation after suffering from the flu.

    A pediatric neurologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, Dr. Molly Wilson-Murphy, said that they are not yet sure if there really is an increase in real numbers. However, being on the ground as a physician, she was struck that it certainly is.

    The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases also underscored the crucial role that annual flu vaccinations play in preventing serious illness, particularly among children. The CDC recommends the shots for everyone aged six months and older yearly, KSTE reported.

    A Decline in Vaccination Rates

    Despite the decline in vaccination rates, the CDC continues to advocate for flu shots, saying these are the most effective way to protect kids from severe flu-related complications, as well as death.

    The situation comes after the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently voted to change recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine. These recommendations must still be approved by the CDC director in order to become official guidance.

    Advice on the COVID-19 vaccine differs from the flu shots, as the CDC said parents of healthy children aged six months to 17 years should talk about the benefits with a health care provider. The CDC broadly recommends the vaccine for moderately or severely immunocompromised kids, as per CBS News.



    Originally published on parentherald.com

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  • Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 16, CDC Warns of More Cases

    Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 16, CDC Warns of More Cases

    A salmonella outbreak tied to frozen meals from the meal delivery service Metabolic Meals has sickened at least 16 people in 10 states, according to a CDC alert issued on September 5.

    Seven people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported so far.

    According to USA Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging customers not to eat specific meals delivered during the week of July 28, which may be contaminated.

    The CDC believes the number of sick people may grow, as it often takes weeks for infections to be reported and confirmed.

    The affected products include:

    • Four Cheese Tortellini with Pesto Sauce and Grilled Chicken – Lot Code: 25199 (Best by: Aug. 7, 2025)
    • Low Carb Chicken Teriyaki and Vegetables – Lot Code: 25202 (Best by: Aug. 5, 2025)
    • Black Garlic & Ranch Chicken Tenders with Roasted Vegetables – Lot Code: 25205 (Best by: Aug. 8, 2025)
    • Sliced Top Sirloin with Roasted Peanut Sauce and Summer Vegetables – Lot Code: 25203 (Best by: Aug. 6, 2025)
    • Additional affected lot codes: 25199, 25202, 25203, 25204, and 25205


    Consumers Urged to Discard Specific Metabolic Meals Over Illness Risk

    If you have any of these meals in your freezer or fridge, do not eat them, the CDC says. Instead, throw them away or call Metabolic Meals at 855-355-6325.

    Be sure to wash your hands, kitchen surfaces, and any items the food may have touched with hot, soapy water.

    The illnesses have been reported in these states:

    • Arkansas (1), California (3), Connecticut (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (3), Texas (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (1).

    In a statement, the CDC said Metabolic Meals is working with investigators and has already contacted customers who received the possibly contaminated meals.

    Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually appear between 6 hours to 6 days after infection and often last about a week,. ABC News said

    While most people recover on their own, young children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems may need medical care.

    According to the CDC, 1.35 million salmonella infections happen every year in the U.S., mostly from contaminated food.

    The investigation is ongoing. Consumers are urged to stay alert for more updates and check their homes for the listed products.

    Originally published on vcpost.com

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  • Louisiana Health Department Orders Employees to Stop Promoting Mass Vaccinations As it Accuses CDC of Being ‘Woefully Out of Touch’

    The Louisiana Department of Health has ordered its employees to stop promoting mass vaccinations, criticizing the CDC as “woefully out of touch” with public health concerns.

    Louisiana has historically promoted vaccinations for preventable diseases through public health initiatives, community events and partnerships. However, under the leadership of Gov. Jeff Landry and Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham, the state has shifted its stance on vaccines, CNN reported.

    Abraham, a former Republican congressman, has expressed skepticism about mass vaccination efforts and framed vaccine mandates as an infringement on personal autonomy.

    On Thursday, Abraham issued a memo directing Louisiana health workers to cease mass vaccination promotion, emphasizing that vaccines should be treated with “nuance” rather than broad public campaigns.

    The policy, which was not initially communicated to the public, aligns with a growing conservative push against vaccine mandates and mass immunization programs.

    “Government should admit the limitations of its role in people’s lives and pull back its tentacles from the practice of medicine. The path to regaining public trust lies in acknowledging past missteps, refocusing on unbiased data collection, and providing transparent, balanced information for people to make their own health decisions. By demonstrating genuine integrity and respect for personal autonomy, public health agencies can begin to mend the rifts they’ve created,” Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman wrote in a published letter.

    Abraham and Coleman added that vaccination recommendations, particularly for the COVID-19 vaccine, by the CDC have become “woefully out of touch with reality and with most parents.”

    Louisiana, which already struggles with low vaccination rates, is experiencing a significant flu outbreak, and health experts warn that the new directive could further reduce immunization rates and increase the spread of preventable diseases.

    In response, New Orleans’ independent health department has rejected the state’s stance, vowing to continue mass vaccination efforts.

    Public health experts, including Dr. Jennifer Avegno of the New Orleans Health Department and Dr. Paul Offit of the Vaccine Education Center, warn that reduced vaccine promotion will likely lead to declining immunization rates and worsening disease outbreaks.

    Originally published by Latin Times.

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  • CDC Warns Travelers Of Deadly Virus That Has No Approved Vaccines Or Treatment

    CDC Warns Travelers Of Deadly Virus That Has No Approved Vaccines Or Treatment

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory warning travelers about an Ebola outbreak in Uganda caused by the deadly Sudan virus, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.

    The CDC raised the alert to Level 2, urging travelers to “Practice Enhanced Precautions,” according to a Health Alert Network advisory issued Thursday.

    The current outbreak of Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) has been reported in the Kampala, Mbale, and Wakiso regions of Uganda. Since 2000, the country has already experienced seven outbreaks of the virus.

    The first case of the current outbreak was identified after a male nurse died from the infection on January 29. A second case, identified as the wife of the index patient, has also developed symptoms and tested positive, according to a WHO weekly bulletin issued last week.

    While three of the man’s close contacts have developed symptoms and are in isolation for treatment and testing, a total of 234 contacts have been traced, including 118 linked to medical settings.

    Although there are no direct flights from Uganda to the United States, travelers from or passing through affected areas can enter the U.S. on flights connecting from other countries. Hence the CDC cautions health officials to be on alert and evaluate any patients suspected of having SVD.

    However, the CDC confirmed that “currently, no suspected, probable, or confirmed Ebola cases related to this outbreak have been reported in the United States, or outside of Uganda.”

    An initial investigation suggests the latest outbreak is not linked to the earlier outbreaks and officials suspect a new jump from animals to people.

    “The source of exposure remains unknown, raising concerns about undetected transmission chains or a new zoonotic spillover,” the WHO bulletin stated. Previous outbreaks have shown a case fatality rate ranging from 41% to 70%.

    As part of the “enhanced precautions” to reduce the risk of infection, the CDC recommends people who travel to Uganda avoid contact with sick individuals, their bodily fluids, and items they have touched, including those who have died. They are also advised to refrain from handling wild animals, visiting high-risk areas like caves or healthcare facilities in affected regions, and engaging in burial practices that involve touching the deceased.

    Travelers are asked to watch out for symptoms during the stay and three weeks after returning. Anyone experiencing symptoms is advised to isolate immediately and alert the local healthcare facility. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. As the disease progresses, the patients may also develop unexplained bleeding or bruising.

    “Calling ahead before going to a healthcare facility helps the facility prepare for your arrival, including contacting health authorities and taking any precautions needed to protect staff and other patients,” the CDC said.

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  • Child Flu Vaccinations Decline by Double Digits as Pediatric Deaths Soar: CDC

    Child Flu Vaccinations Decline by Double Digits as Pediatric Deaths Soar: CDC

    An alarmingly fewer number of children in the U.S. have received flu vaccinations in 2024, compared to last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    Among those aged six months to 17 years, just 36% received a flu vaccine in 2024, down from 43% last year, The Hill reported.

    This decline comes in the wake of a particularly deadly 2023-24 flu season, during which 205 pediatric flu deaths were officially reported.

    “Not all children whose death was related to an influenza virus infection may have been tested for influenza,” the CDC wrote in a Nov. 22 memo. The organization estimates the true number of deaths was closer to 724.

    While roughly 14% of parents said they still plan to “probably” obtain a flu vaccine for their children, CDC officials are concerned about the low vaccination rates heading into the winter months.

    This year’s flu vaccines are designed to protect against three common virus strains: A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and B/Victoria.

    The CDC emphasized the importance of flu shots in reducing severe illness and death, noting vaccine effectiveness has ranged from 19% to 60% over the past 15 years.

    Originally published by Latin Times.

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