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Senator Tina Smith's Bipartisan Bill to Combat Tick-Borne Diseases Heads to President's Desk

Senator Tina Smith's Bipartisan Bill to Combat Tick-Borne Diseases Heads to President's Desk

U.S. Senator Tina Smith's (D-MN) bipartisan bill, The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act, has successfully passed both chambers of Congress and is now awaiting the President's signature to become law. The bill, co-led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), aims to expand research, testing, and treatment for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Named in honor of former Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC), who passed away from complications of the Powassan virus, the legislation addresses a growing public health concern. Minnesota, Senator Smith's home state, has seen a significant increase in tick-borne diseases over the past two decades, with 3,551 probable cases of Lyme disease reported in 2024, alongside hundreds of cases of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus disease.
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CDC Issues Rabies Advisory Following Increase in Human Exposures and Vaccine Use Across U.S.

CDC Issues Rabies Advisory Following Increase in Human Exposures and Vaccine Use Across U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory due to a reported increase in human exposures to rabid or potentially rabid animals across multiple U.S. jurisdictions. The advisory, released on September 10, also addresses concerns about errors in administering rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Rabies-related inquiries to the CDC increased by 17% from July through August compared to the same period last year, and the use of rabies vaccines saw an estimated 33% increase, according to weekly pharmacy data. In California, bats account for over 9 in 10 rabid animals reported this year, with 232 out of 252 rabid animals being bats between January 1 and August 31. Three rabid bats have been reported in Sutter County, California, since late July, including one where a child may have had contact. The CDC emphasizes that rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system, nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, but preventable with timely and appropriate post-ex...
Cincinnati EnquirerCincinnati Enquirer
CDC declares cyclosporiasis outbreak over, new Ohio cases drop significantly

CDC declares cyclosporiasis outbreak over, new Ohio cases drop significantly

U.S. health officials have declared the largest known outbreak of cyclosporiasis is over as new cases in Ohio drop dramatically over the past week.
Asheville Citizen-TimesAsheville Citizen-Times
Which states have the most brain-eating amoeba cases? What data shows

Which states have the most brain-eating amoeba cases? What data shows

A North Carolina teen died from the rare brain-eating amoeba. Here's how often cases happen in the U.S.
USA TodayUSA Today
Teen's brain-eating amoeba infection likely linked to water feature

Teen's brain-eating amoeba infection likely linked to water feature

A North Carolina teen who died from a brain-eating amoeba was likely infected through contact with a community center water feature, officials say.
USA TodayUSA Today
Rare 'flesh-eating' bacteria causes 9 deaths this season. See where

Rare 'flesh-eating' bacteria causes 9 deaths this season. See where

All of the season's deaths linked to the rare "flesh-eating" bacteria have occurred in these two states.
ReutersReuters
Exclusive-Pennsylvania asks for CDC help on measles outbreak, demands agency recognize measles deaths

Exclusive-Pennsylvania asks for CDC help on measles outbreak, demands agency recognize measles deaths

By Yasmeen Abutaleb and Dan Levine WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - The Pennsylvania health department said it was requesting emergency support from the US CDC as it grapples with one of the country's largest and most deadly measles outbreaks, according to a document reviewed by Reuters on Thursday. 
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Durham Water Feature Identified as Likely Source of Fatal 'Brain-Eating' Amoeba Infection

Durham Water Feature Identified as Likely Source of Fatal 'Brain-Eating' Amoeba Infection

A state investigation has identified a water feature at El Futuro, a nonprofit mental health organization in Durham, North Carolina, as the most likely source of a rare 'brain-eating' amoeba infection that resulted in the death of a teenager. While the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) cannot definitively confirm the exact location of exposure, epidemiological, laboratory, and environmental findings strongly suggest the water feature was the source. Investigators believe the teen splashed water on his face in the clinic's outdoor green space on August 13. He was admitted to the emergency room on August 21 with severe headaches and died on August 31. El Futuro has released a statement expressing sorrow and confirming the closure of the water feature since being contacted by county officials. Durham County health officials closed the water feature on August 28 for CDC testing, which detected non-viable Naegleria fowleri DNA in water from the fountain's storage tank. The NCDHHS i...
Asheville Citizen-TimesAsheville Citizen-Times
Likely source of NC brain-eating amoeba that killed teen determined

Likely source of NC brain-eating amoeba that killed teen determined

N.C. Department of Health and Human service believes it found the source of a brain-eating amoeba that killed teen
ReutersReuters
Pennsylvania measles-associated deaths climb to four as outbreak grows

Pennsylvania measles-associated deaths climb to four as outbreak grows

By Sriparna Roy and Kamal Choudhury Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported two more measles-associated deaths, both in unvaccinated individuals, bringing the state's total fatalities linked to the disease outbreak to four.
The Columbus DispatchThe Columbus Dispatch
CDC declares cyclosporiasis outbreak over, new Ohio cases drop significantly

CDC declares cyclosporiasis outbreak over, new Ohio cases drop significantly

U.S. health officials have declared the largest known outbreak of cyclosporiasis is over as new cases in Ohio drop dramatically over the past week.
USA TodayUSA Today
Fourth measles-associated death reported in Pennsylvania outbreak

Fourth measles-associated death reported in Pennsylvania outbreak

The Keystone State has been at the center of a deadly outbreak as cases of the highly infectious disease reach a 30-year high nationwide.