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New York City on Tuesday ramped up the battle against the spread of a measles outbreak in a Brooklyn hot spot, declaring a public health emergency and calling for mandatory vaccinations. Mayor Bill de Blasio said the emergency covers four Brooklyn ZIP codes, including most of Williamsburg and Borough Park, which have seen more than 285 cases of the measles since October. The order mandates that all unimmunized children and adults living or working in the area must receive vaccinations unless they can prove a medical exemption applies. Those who do not comply could be guilty of misdemeanor violations and incur fines.
A US jury has found that one of the world’s most widely-used weedkillers was a “substantial factor” in causing a man’s cancer. Pharmaceutical group Bayer had strongly rejected claims that its glyphosate-based Roundup product was carcinogenic. But the jury in San Francisco ruled unanimously that it contributed to causing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in California resident Edwin Hardeman. The next stage of the trial will consider Bayer’s liability and damages.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched a collection of restrictions on Thursday aimed at reducing the increase in underage use of tobacco products. Sales restrictions will be imposed on flavored e-cigarettes with plans to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. If enacted against the tobacco industry’s wishes, the steps could significantly improve public health.
In an effort to reduce teen use of electronic cigarettes, Juul Labs Inc. announced on Tuesday that it will pull popular flavors from retail stores. The announcement comes two months after teen vaping was declared an epidemic by federal regulators. The Food and Drug Administration is reportedly planning to propose further restrictions on e-cigarette sales.
A recent study finds new mums who become pregnant less than a year after giving birth could be putting themselves and their unborn baby in danger. The discovery was made by experts at University of British Columbia (UBC) and the Harvard TH Chan School of Public health. Parents who waited 12 to 18 months after their first child reduced the short and long term risks to both the mother and baby.
An outbreak of adenovirus in New Jersey killed 6 children and left another 12 ill. The Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, New Jersey will not admit new patients until the outbreak ends. Adenovirus causes illnesses ranging from common colds to neurologic conditions according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The FDA announced on Wednesday that teenage use of electronic cigarettes has reached ‘an epidemic proportion.’ The FDA targeted both makers and sellers, giving them 60 days to prove devices can be kept from minors. Juul Labs and four other manufacturers must halt sales to minors or risk having their products pulled from the market.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Thursday that US suicide rates have increased by 30% across the nation since 1999. In addition to mental illness, the CDC cited relationship stress, financial trouble, and substance abuse as contributing factors to the trend. The findings show that rates are highest in middle age.
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, resigned Wednesday, due to her ‘complex financial interests that have imposed a broad recusal limiting her ability to complete all her duties as the C.D.C. director.’ Fitzgerald made financial investments in tobacco and healthcare companies, a potential conflict of interest.
The salmonella outbreak that sickened 60 people in five states last month is linked to pre-cut melon sold in supermarket chains according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caito Foods, LLC recalled packages of fresh-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and mixed fruit. An investigation is underway to determine if other products were affected.