CDC’s Rochelle Walensky resigns, citing pandemic transition
May 5, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, submitted her resignation Friday, saying the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic was a good time to make a transition.
Gun injuries in US surged during pandemic, CDC study shows
March 30, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — For every American killed by gunfire, an estimated two or more more survive, often with terrible injuries — a fact that public health experts say is crucial to understanding the full impact of guns on society.
Mississippi man gets 2 years for threats to CDC officials
March 10, 2023 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi man allegedly upset about the COVID-19 vaccination program has been sentenced to two years in prison for threatening federal health officials, federal prosecutors said.
Maine CDC head who led COVID-19 response leaves for fed post
January 12, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Dr. Nirav Shah, the director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention who became the face of the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is leaving for a high-ranking post in federal disease control, officials said Thursday.
As COVID surges in China, US begins testing more travelers
January 5, 2023 GMTNEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Shubham Chandra knows how dangerous the coronavirus can be: He lost his dad during the pandemic. So when he cleared customs at Newark Liberty International Airport and saw people offering anonymous COVID-19 testing, he was happy to volunteer.
US plans end to mpox public health emergency in January
December 2, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government plans to end in January the public health emergency it declared earlier this year after an outbreak of mpox infected more than 29,000 people across the U.S.
African continent finally to receive 1st mpox vaccines
December 1, 2022 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Africa's top public health body says the continent is set to receive its first batch of mpox vaccines as a donation from South Korea.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday the 50,000 doses will be used first for health workers and people living in the hardest-hit areas.
US officials say 2 more places will test sewage for polio
November 30, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia and Oakland County, Michigan, are joining the small list of U.S. localities that are looking for signs of polio infections in sewage, U.S. health officials said Wednesday.
WHO, CDC: A record 40 million kids miss measles vaccine dose
November 23, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say measles immunization has dropped significantly since the coronavirus pandemic began, resulting in a record high of nearly 40 million children missing a vaccine dose last year.
‘Viral jambalaya’: Early flu adding to woes for US hospitals
November 18, 2022 GMTAs Americans head into the holiday season, a rapidly intensifying flu season is straining hospitals already overburdened with patients sick from other respiratory infections.
More than half the states have high or very high levels of flu, unusually high for this early in the season, the government reported Friday.
Africa CDC chief urges more COVID-19 testing as cases rise
November 17, 2022 GMTKAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The head of Africa's top public health institute is urging authorities across the continent to step up COVID-19 testing amid a concerning rise in new cases in some countries.
US home births rise in pandemic, to highest level in decades
November 17, 2022 GMTU.S. home births increased slightly in the pandemic’s second year, rising to the highest level in decades, according to a government report published Thursday.
US overdose deaths may be peaking, but experts are wary
November 16, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Have U.S. drug overdose deaths stopped rising? Preliminary government data suggests they may have, but many experts are urging caution, noting that past plateaus didn't last.
CDC to conduct health study at polluted former Army base
November 9, 2022 GMTFederal health officials are conducting a new study to determine whether veterans once stationed at a now-shuttered California military base were exposed to dangerously high levels of cancer-causing toxins.
1 dead, over a dozen sick from outbreak tied to deli meat
November 9, 2022 GMTA food poisoning outbreak tied to deli meat and cheese has sickened 16 people, including one who died, U.S. health officials said Wednesday.
Most were hospitalized and one illness resulted in the loss of a pregnancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
US flu season off to a fast start as other viruses spread
November 4, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season is off to an unusually fast start, adding to an autumn mix of viruses that have been filling hospitals and doctor waiting rooms.
Reports of flu are already high in 17 states, and the hospitalization rate hasn’t been this high this early since the 2009 swine flu pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Alcohol death toll is growing, US government reports say
November 4, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The rate of deaths that can be directly attributed to alcohol rose nearly 30% in the U.S. during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new government data.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had already said the overall number of such deaths rose in 2020 and 2021.
US agency softens opioid prescribing guidelines for doctors
November 3, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The nation’s top public health agency on Thursday softened its guidelines for U.S. doctors prescribing oxycodone and other opioid painkillers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention new recommendations are an update to 2016 guidelines that added momentum to a decline in opioid painkiller prescriptions.
Education secretary tests positive for COVID-19
November 1, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's education secretary has tested positive for COVID-19.
Miguel Cardona, who has been vaccinated and boosted against the virus, tested positive Tuesday and has mild symptoms, the Education Department said in a statement.
CDC director tests positive for COVID again
October 31, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tested positive again for COVID-19.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky had mild symptoms Sunday and is isolating at her home in Massachusetts, the CDC said Monday.
African health official: Ebola in Uganda is under control
October 27, 2022 GMTKAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Uganda's Ebola outbreak is under control, a top public health official in Africa said Thursday, noting that local health authorities are doing well to trace most contacts.
“The situation is not getting out of control,” said Dr.
CDC director tests positive for COVID-19, has mild symptoms
October 22, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who is up to date on her vaccinations, tested positive Friday night and had mild symptoms, the CDC said in a statement.
Experts: Lake Mead brain-eating amoeba death among few in US
October 21, 2022 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — The death of a Las Vegas-area teenager from a rare brain-eating amoeba that investigators think he was exposed to in warm waters at Lake Mead should prompt caution, not panic, among people at freshwater lakes, rivers and springs, experts said Friday.
Youngkin, Gilbert oppose adding COVID vaccines to state list
October 21, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Republican elected leaders said this week they will oppose any legislative effort to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the state's list of required immunizations.
FACT FOCUS: States, not CDC, set school vaccine requirements
October 20, 2022 GMTA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee on Thursday voted that the agency should update its recommended immunization schedules to add the COVID-19 vaccine, including to the schedule for children.
Head of Africa CDC alleges mistreatment at German airport
October 15, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The acting director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alleged he was “mistreated” upon his arrival at Germany's Frankfurt Airport on Saturday and had decided to return to Africa.
White House: Get new booster by Halloween for safer holidays
October 11, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Tuesday said eligible Americans should get the updated COVID-19 boosters by Halloween to have maximum protection against the coronavirus by Thanksgiving and the holidays, as it warned of a “challenging” virus season ahead.
CDC, WHO, Uganda to host regional meeting as Ebola spreads
October 6, 2022 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Uganda next week will host a ministerial meeting on the outbreak of the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus which has no proven vaccine and has caused alarm in the East Africa region.
CDC drops traveler health notices for individual countries
October 4, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is scrapping another of its responses to the pandemic.
On Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dropped its country-by-country COVID-19 travel health notices that it began issuing early in the pandemic.
Some officials now say monkeypox elimination unlikely in US
September 30, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Some U.S. health officials are conceding that monkeypox is probably not going away anytime soon.
The disease’s spread is slowing but the virus is so widespread that elimination is unlikely, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Vaccine appears to protect against monkeypox, CDC says
September 28, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — At-risk people who received a single dose of the monkeypox vaccine in U.S. efforts against the virus appeared to be significantly less likely to get sick, public health officials announced Wednesday, even as they urged a second dose for full protection.
Iowa tops 10,000 COVID deaths as many residents unvaccinated
September 23, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More than 10,000 people have died with COVID-19 infections in Iowa, state officials reported this week.
Iowa data updated Wednesday shows 10,051 deaths associated with the viral infection.
Study: Too few kids with sickle cell get stroke screen, care
September 20, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Too few U.S. kids with sickle cell anemia get a needed screening for stroke, according to a study released Tuesday.
The study found fewer than half get the screening and only about half or fewer get a treatment that can help with pain and anemia.
‘Out of control’ STD situation prompts call for changes
September 19, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Sharply rising cases of some sexually transmitted diseases — including a 26% rise in new syphilis infections reported last year — are prompting U.S. health officials to call for new prevention and treatment efforts.
Monkeypox death confirmed by LA County health officials
September 13, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles County resident with a compromised immune system has died from monkeypox, local health officials announced Monday. It's believed to be the first U.S. fatality from the disease.
US may expand monkeypox vaccine eligibility to men with HIV
September 8, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. officials are considering broadening recommendations for who gets vaccinated against monkeypox, possibly to include many men with HIV or those recently diagnosed with other sexually transmitted diseases.
CDC: West Virginia sees decline in drug overdose deaths
September 8, 2022 GMTCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Overdose deaths in West Virginia declined during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, health officials said.
From March 2021 to March 2022, West Virginia saw 1,485 overdose deaths, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC endorses updated COVID boosters, shots to begin soon
September 2, 2022 GMTThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday endorsed updated COIVD-19 boosters, opening the way for a fall vaccination campaign that could blunt a winter surge if enough Americans roll up their sleeves.
US life expectancy plunged again in 2021, down nearly a year
August 31, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. life expectancy dropped for the second consecutive year in 2021, falling by nearly a year from 2020, according to a government report being released Wednesday.
In the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the estimated American lifespan has shortened by nearly three years.
US data reveals racial gaps in monkeypox vaccinations
August 26, 2022 GMTThe Biden administration said Friday there's enough monkeypox vaccine available now but health officials say the shots aren’t getting to some of the people who need the protection the most.
Wendy’s pulls lettuce from sandwiches amid E. coli outbreak
August 20, 2022 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The fast-food chain Wendy’s says it is pulling lettuce from sandwiches in its restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania after people eating them there reported falling ill.
CDC confirms Nebraska child died of brain-eating amoeba
August 19, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal health officials confirmed Friday that a Nebraska child died from a rare infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in a river near Omaha.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the presence of the naegleria fowleri amoeba in the child, according to the Douglas County Department of Health in Omaha.
Health officials: 87 monkeypox cases so far in Minnesota
August 18, 2022 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials on Thursday reported 87 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the state, as they offered an update on a viral infection that has aroused concern around the globe.
Africa CDC says renaming of monkeypox variants curbs stigma
August 18, 2022 GMTKAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The head of Africa's public health agency says he's “really pleased” that the World Health Organization is renaming the strains of the monkeypox disease to remove references to African regions amid concerns about stigmatization.
CDC director announces shake-up, citing COVID mistakes
August 17, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The head of the nation's top public health agency on Wednesday announced a shake-up of the organization, saying it fell short responding to COVID-19 and needs to become more nimble.
Monkeypox can spread to pet dogs, doctors report
August 16, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Health officials are warning people who are infected with monkeypox to stay away from household pets, since the animals could be at risk of catching the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for months has had the advice in place as monkeypox spreads in the U.S.
New Mexico updates public health order following CDC changes
August 12, 2022 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's emergency public health order was streamlined Friday, with state health officials saying the changes were in order given the evolution of the virus, the changing nature of the pandemic and new recommendations adopted by the federal government.
CDC drops quarantine, distancing recommendations for COVID
August 11, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The nation's top public health agency relaxed its COVID-19 guidelines Thursday, dropping the recommendation that Americans quarantine themselves if they come into close contact with an infected person.
Africa CDC in ‘advanced’ talks to obtain monkeypox vaccines
August 11, 2022 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Africa’s public health agency says the continent of 1.3 billion people still does not have a single dose of the monkeypox vaccine, but “very advanced discussions” are underway with at least two partners.
Masks to be required again at Great Smoky National Park
August 11, 2022 GMTGATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — Masks will once again be required for visitors inside all Great Smoky Mountains National Park buildings due to the high transmission of the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to the park's website, the mask mandate will apply to all visitors regardless of vaccination status.
COVID-19 staffing shortages close NC town hall to public
August 10, 2022 GMTPITTSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Staffing shortages related to COVID-19 are closing one North Carolina town’s police department and town hall to the public, a town spokesman said.
Pittsboro town spokesman Colby Sawyer said Tuesday that the closure will affect walk-in and drive-through services at Town Hall, The Herald Sun reported.
Report: Dozens got sick after visiting Kansas splash park
August 7, 2022 GMTGODDARD, Kan. (AP) — A new federal study said dozens of people got sick after visiting a splash park near Wichita, Kansas, last summer.
The study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that 21 people contracted Shigella bacteria and six others became sick with the norovirus after visiting the splash park at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard.
Flathead County has Montana’s first suspected monkeypox case
August 5, 2022 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — A day after the federal government declared a public health emergency to respond to monkeypox, the Montana health department on Friday reported the state's first suspected case of the virus.
Africa CDC says gay sex ‘not relevant’ in monkeypox there
August 4, 2022 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Africa’s public health agency says it doesn’t know how many of the continent's reported monkeypox cases this year are in men who have sex with men, and it warned Thursday against “any stigmatization” that might delay case reporting and affect the outbreak response.
Polio virus found in New York wastewater, but no new cases
August 2, 2022 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The polio virus was detected in wastewater samples from the suburban county near New York City where an unvaccinated adult recently contracted the life-threatening disease, but health officials said Tuesday they have not identified any additional cases.
Biden names FEMA, CDC officials to head monkeypox response
August 2, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to name top officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to serve as the White House coordinators to combat the growing monkeypox outbreak.
Biden tests positive for COVID-19, returns to isolation
July 30, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again Saturday, slightly more than three days after he was cleared to exit coronavirus isolation, the White House said, in a rare case of “rebound” following treatment with an anti-viral drug.
Los Angeles County avoids new mask rule as COVID stabilizes
July 28, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County dropped a plan to impose a universal indoor mask mandate this week as COVID-19 infections and rates of hospitalizations have stabilized, a top health official said Thursday.
After Biden COVID recovery, admin launches new booster push
July 28, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration is launching a renewed push for COVID-19 booster shots for those eligible, pointing to the enhanced protections they offer against severe illness as the highly transmissible BA.5 variant spreads across the country.
Africa’s alone in monkeypox deaths but has no vaccine doses
July 28, 2022 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Africa still does not have a single dose of the monkeypox vaccine even though it’s the only continent to have documented deaths from the disease that’s newly declared a global emergency, its public health agency announced Thursday.