Download CDC podcasts to your desktop and portable music/video player for health information at your convenience and on the go. New to podcasting? See Podcast Help and RSS Help
Stay updated with new content from the CDC. From this page you can subscribe to CDC or other US Government RSS feeds or view their contents directly on this page without having to use an aggregator.
This health advisory outlines public health preparedness, control, and response in healthcare settings and in communities following measles outbreaks in the United States. (Published: 4/4/2008)
CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) invites accredited Schools of Public Health to submit grant applications for the development of Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Centers (PERRCs) that will investigate the structure, capabilities, and performance of public health systems for preparedness and emergency response activities. (Published: 3/7/2008)
Ricin is made from the waste left over from processing castor beans, and can be extremely lethal. It has some potential medical uses, such as bone marrow transplants and cancer treatment (to kill cancer cells). (Published: 2/29/2008)
CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) has released its inaugural report on public health emergency preparedness. The report highlights progress made in state and local preparedness and response, identifies preparedness challenges facing public health departments, and outlines CDC’s efforts to address those challenges. Designed to increase accountability regarding the country’s investment in preparedness activities, the report presents national data as well as state-specific snapshots for all 50 states and four directly funded localities. (Published: 2/20/2008)
Hydrazines are clear, colorless liquids with an ammonia-like odor. Most hydrazines are manufactured for use as rocket propellants and fuels, boiler water treatments, chemical reactants, medicines, and in cancer research. Hydrazines are highly reactive and easily catch fire. (Published: 2/20/2008)
School shootings are sobering and tragic events that cause much concern about the safety of children. Despite these events, schools remain a very safe place for children to spend their days. In fact, the vast majority of children and youth homicides occur outside school hours and property. CDC has assembled a collection of resources on violence prevention to help parents, students, and school personnel cope with the aftermath of a traumatic event.
(Published: 2/15/2008)
CDC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released preliminary results from recent testing that found higher than typical indoor exposure levels of formaldehyde in travel trailers and mobile homes used as emergency housing in the Gulf Coast Region. (Published: 2/14/2008)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency assists the Midwest states affected by the recent ice storms to help state and local governments respond to communities impacted by widespread power outages and icy conditions. (Published: 12/13/2007)
By subscribing to CDC's Cool Tip of the Week, you'll receive timely messages about how you can prepare for winter weather and what you can do during a storm to protect yourself, your family, and your community. This is a free service provided by CDC. (Published: 12/7/2007)
The service transmits email alerts when new and important information is posted on FEMA.gov. Through these alerts, FEMA’s news and information is delivered directly to you – to your PC, laptop or wireless device. It’s a fast, effective way of being informed about updates on FEMA's website. (Published: 12/7/2007)
Free publications from FEMA about how to protect yourself and your property from flooding are a toll-free phone call or mouse-click away.
(Published: 11/27/2007)
With winter rapidly approaching, every family should be prepared to face another season of destructive cold, storms and flooding. Every home should have a Disaster Supply Kit that includes a weather radio. FEMA urges all residents to act now to assemble their family's emergency supplies before the start of the winter storm season. (Published: 11/27/2007)
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states across the United States and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Agona infections. (Published: 4/25/2008)
CDC is working collaboratively with state health departments, the American Association of Poison Control Centers, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on reports of adverse health effects following consumption of the dietary supplement “Total Body Formula,” and “Total Body Mega Formula.” (Published: 4/14/2008)
COTPER has a new website. Learn how COTPER helps the nation prepare for and respond to urgent public health threats by providing direction, coordination, and support for all of CDC’s terrorism preparedness and emergency response activities. (Published: 4/10/2008)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Shipping Instructions for Specimens Collected from People Who May Have Been Exposed to Chemical-Terrorism Agents" (Published: 3/19/2008)
This is a one-page document containing photographs, and related text, of the required steps necessary for packaging and shipping blood specimens to CDC. (Published: 3/19/2008)
This is a one-page document containing photographs, and related text, of the required steps necessary for packaging and shipping urine specimens to CDC.
(Published: 3/19/2008)
CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) invites accredited Schools of Public Health to submit grant applications for the development of Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Centers (PERRCs) that will investigate the structure, capabilities, and performance of public health systems for preparedness and emergency response activities.
(Published: 3/7/2008)
Ricin is made from the waste left over from processing castor beans, and can be extremely lethal. It has some potential medical uses, such as bone marrow transplants and cancer treatment (to kill cancer cells). (Published: 2/29/2008)
This document provides guidance for applying for competitive funding for
demonstration projects designed to further pandemic influenza preparedness and response. (Published: 2/26/2008)
CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) has released its inaugural report on public health emergency preparedness. The report highlights progress made in state and local preparedness and response, identifies preparedness challenges facing public health departments, and outlines CDC’s efforts to address those challenges. Designed to increase accountability regarding the country’s investment in preparedness activities, the report presents national data as well as state-specific snapshots for all 50 states and four directly funded localities. (Published: 2/20/2008)
Hydrazines are clear, colorless liquids with an ammonia-like odor. Most hydrazines are manufactured for use as rocket propellants and fuels, boiler water treatments, chemical reactants, medicines, and in cancer research. Hydrazines are highly reactive and easily catch fire.
(Published: 2/20/2008)
CDC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released preliminary results from recent testing that found higher than typical indoor exposure levels of formaldehyde in travel trailers and mobile homes used as emergency housing in the Gulf Coast Region. (Published: 2/14/2008)
NEW: The "Recommendations for postexposure interventions to prevent HBV, HCV, or HIV infections and tetanus for persons wounded during bombings and similar mass casualty events in the United States 2007. Recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)", a DRAFT document, distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines, which does not represent and should not be construed to represent any CDC determination or policy, is now available for public review and comment. (Published: 2/7/2008)
This fact sheet provides an overview of the emergency MedKit evaluation study which was designed to evaluate a strategy that addresses the timeliness of distributing antibiotics to the general public as an effective measure against a release of anthrax. (Published: 1/31/2008)
Hypothermia is a serious medical condition that strikes during very cold weather or when people are chilled from rain, sweat, or cold water… (Published: 12/11/2007)
Canal RSS de CDC en Español.
Manténgase al tanto de la nueva información que generan los CDC. En esta página se puede suscribir al canal de RSS de CDC en Español. Para suscribirse, haga clic en el enlace o en el ícono XML, o copie e inserte el enlace en su programa para RSS.
To subscribe, click the subscribe link or XML icon or copy and paste this address into you RSS reader.
Este canal contiene información que se actualiza constantemente. Cuando usted se suscriba, se le añadirá a la lista común de canales. La información actualizada del canal se descargará automáticamente en su computadora y la podrá ver con Internet Explorer o con otros programas. Conozca más sobre los canales RSS.
(Published: 5/6/2008)
Este año se conmemora el centenario de uno de los avances más trascendentales en la historia de la salud pública de Estados Unidos: la desinfección del agua para el consumo. Desde 1908, la mayor parte del agua potable de Estados Unidos se desinfecta para prevenir las infecciones transmitidas por el agua.
(Published: 5/6/2008)
Investigadores de los CDC determinaron que los hispanos en Estados Unidos que prefieren hablar en español tienen menos probabilidades de acceso a los servicios de atención médica frente a los hispanos que prefieren hablar en inglés. Para disminuir esta brecha se debe investigar más los vínculos entre la preferencia del idioma y otras barreras que tiene la población hispana de los Estados Unidos en su acceso al sistema de salud.
(Published: 5/6/2008)
Una reciente columna de opinión Give Us Answers on Vaccines escrita por David Kirby y publicada en el Atlanta Journal-Constitution, en la que se malinterpreta la información existente sobre un caso presentado ante el Programa Nacional de Compensaciones por Lesiones provocadas por Vacunas, puede estar generando dudas entre los padres de familia sobre qué es lo que más les conviene a sus hijos con relación a las vacunas. Esto es algo lamentable, dado que las vacunaciones infantiles en nuestro país son muy seguras y se ha comprobado que protegen y salvan vidas. (Published: 5/5/2008)
El 17 de marzo los CDC realizaron la primera de las cinco reuniones regionales con el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHS) para debatir el esquema de la iniciativa Gente Sana 2020. La iniciativa Gente Sana establece objetivos nacionales con base científica que se deben cumplir en períodos de 10 años para promover la salud y prevenir las enfermedades. (Published: 5/5/2008)
Según información de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC), el tabaquismo es responsable de una de cada cinco muertes anuales en Estados Unidos. Y con más de 45 millones de personas que fuman cigarrillos en Estados Unidos, este hábito es también la principal causa prevenible de muerte en este país.
(Published: 5/5/2008)
El cuidado de las personas se ha convertido en una prioridad de salud que concierne a todo el país. Es imperativo que los sectores dedicados a la investigación y las comunidades trabajen juntos a fin de llevar a la práctica los programas basados en evidencias y las políticas. El marco de trabajo RE-AIM (metodología para evaluar el impacto de las intervenciones en la salud pública) puede facilitar la consecución de este objetivo e influir de manera positiva en las vidas de los cuidadores de personas, sus familias y sus amigos.
(Published: 5/5/2008)
Conozca más sobre el estudio científico más extenso hasta la fecha sobre las causas del autismo (titulado en inglés Study to Explore Early Development), realizado por los CDC en colaboración con otras instituciones.
(Published: 5/5/2008)
La trombosis venosa profunda (también conocida como TVP o coágulos de sangre) es una afección médica producto de la formación de coágulos de sangre en una vena de gran tamaño, que a menudo pasa desapercibida, pero que puede prevenirse. Anualmente mueren en Estados Unidos entre 30,000 y 60,000 personas a consecuencia del desprendimiento de parte de un coágulo que luego viaja por el torrente sanguíneo hasta llegar a los pulmones, donde causa un embolismo pulmonar. Infórmese si usted corre algún riesgo y cómo protegerse. (Published: 5/5/2008)
Heart Health for Under-Insured Women ~ WISEWOMAN programs provide women 40–64 years of age with opportunities, skills, and knowledge to help them adopt a heart healthy lifestyle and prevent heart disease and stroke. (Published: 3/24/2008)
Know warning signs and when to call 9-1-1 ~ According to the American Heart Association, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. They work best given within 1 hour of when heart attack signs begin. That's why it's important to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack and act right away. (Published: 3/24/2008)
New Data Show 1 in 278 Children Have CP ~ Learn more about the signs and causes of cerebral palsy and what to do if you think your child might have it. (Published: 3/24/2008)
Be On Alert for a Debilitating Disease ~ March 25, 2008 is America Diabetes Alert Day, a one-day health observation meant to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes. Use this day to learn how to prevent and control diabetes, its complications, and take steps towards better overall health (Published: 3/21/2008)
Partnerships for Tuberculosis Elimination ~ World TB Day is March 24. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of M. tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB). Among infectious diseases, TB remains the second leading killer of adults in the world, with 1.6 million TB-related deaths worldwide in 2005. (Published: 3/20/2008)
Recent surveillance data indicate that many communities are reporting substantially increased influenza activity. This advisory is intended to re-emphasize the importance of considering antiviral medications for use in the treatment or prevention of influenza. (Published: 2/29/2008)
What kind of flu vaccines are there? What does the influenza vaccine protect against? How are viruses chosen for the vaccine each year? (Published: 2/22/2008)
Can the flu shot give you the flu? Why do some people not feel well after getting the flu shot? Does getting vaccinated against flu early in the season pose a risk that immunity may wane before the end of the season? (Published: 2/15/2008)
World Health Organization (WHO) recommends composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2008-2009 northern hemisphere influenza season. (Published: 2/14/2008)
As of February 8, 2008, all states in the U.S. are reported influenza activity — 31 states reported widespread influenza activity; 17 states reproted regional influenza activity; and two states as well as the District of Columbia reported local influenza activity.
(Published: 2/12/2008)
CDC is requesting that states report all cases of influenza-related pediatric mortality during the 2007-2008 influenza season. This health advisory contains updated information about influenza and bacterial co-infections in children and provides interim testing and treatment recommendations. (Published: 1/31/2008)
1) Take time to get a vaccine. 2) Take everyday actions to stop germs like frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes. 3) Take antiviral drugs if your doctor says you need them.
(Published: 1/29/2008)
Getting vaccinated now can still provide protection from the flu for the remainder of the flu season. Vaccine is still available. (Published: 1/29/2008)
TABLE: Self-reported pneumococcal vaccination coverage trends 1989 - 2006 among adults by age group, risk group, race/ethnicity, health-care
worker status, and pregnancy status, United States, National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (Published: 10/1/2007)
This season's materials reflect outreach to high-risk groups, including caregivers and parents of infants, parents of children with asthma and diabetes, adults who live with at-risk seniors, and Spanish language materials emphasizing protecting the family. (Published: 9/17/2007)
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the Hispanic/Latino community. In 2005, HIV/AIDS was the fourth leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino men and women aged 35 to 44. (Published: 3/31/2008)
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its annual report, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2006. Vol. 18 (Published: 3/28/2008)
At the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS. In 2006, 35,314 new cases of HIV/AIDS in adults, adolescents, and children were diagnosed in the 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting. New HIV/AIDS diagnoses tell us how many people have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, but do not necessarily represent new HIV infections because a person may have been infected in years past but received a diagnosis in 2006. CDC plans to release the estimated number of new HIV infections this year. (Published: 3/24/2008)
The HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report is published annually by the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia. (Published: 3/24/2008)
Tuberculosis (TB) is the second most common cause of death from infectious disease in the world after human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Immunosuppressed HIV-infected persons are highly susceptible to TB disease, and countries in sub-Saharan Africa have the highest TB incidence rates, primarily because of the HIV epidemic. (Published: 3/24/2008)
Surveillance slide set of HIV/AIDS cases among adult and adolescent men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States, from 1985 through 2005. (Published: 3/12/2008)
The number of persons aged 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS has been increasing in recent years. This increase is partly due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which has made it possible for many HIV-infected persons to live longer, and partly due to newly diagnosed infections in persons over the age of 50. (Published: 2/29/2008)
The number of persons aged 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS has been increasing in recent years. This increase is partly due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which has made it possible for many HIV-infected persons to live longer, and partly due to newly diagnosed infections in persons over the age of 50. (Published: 2/29/2008)
An article recently published by Switzerland’s Federal Commission for HIV/AIDS states that HIV-positive individuals on effective antiretroviral therapy are not at risk for transmitting HIV to their sexual partners under certain circumstances. The Commission acknowledges that there are no scientific data that the risk of transmission in these circumstances is zero. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscores its recommendation that people living with HIV who are sexually active use condoms consistently and correctly with all sex partners. (Published: 2/1/2008)
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is spread from person to person through the air. This disease is particularly dangerous for persons infected with HIV. (Published: 1/28/2008)
Worldwide, tuberculosis is the most common opportunistic infection among people with HIV infection. In addition to its frequency, tuberculosis is also associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. (Published: 1/28/2008)
CDC is revising its HIV counseling and testing guidelines. Separate guidelines are being developed for HIV testing in health care settings and HIV counseling, testing, and referral in non-healthcare settings. (Published: 1/10/2008)
The HIV Prevention Strategic Plan: Extended Through 2010 ( Extended Plan), which will serve as CDC’s strategic guide for HIV prevention through 2010, includes a short-term goal of reducing new HIV infections by 5 percent per year or at least 10 percent by the end of 2010. (Published: 1/4/2008)
The CDC NPIN 2007 National HIV Prevention Conference Presentation Web Library is a resource for those that were unable to attend the conference and for those that attended and want to share information with their colleagues. (Published: 12/10/2007)
CDC's newest Health Disparities Report entitled "Health Disparities in HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Tuberculosis in the US: Issues, Burden and Response" is now available. (Published: 11/26/2007)
Syringe exchange programs (SEPs) provide free sterile syringes* in exchange for used syringes to reduce transmission of bloodborne pathogens among injection-drug users (IDUs). (Published: 11/8/2007)
Across the United States, children attended school today dressed as ninjas and pirates for Halloween, but left their toy weapons at home, in compliance with school safety policies. Prompted by shootings and other violent incidents on school campuses, many elementary schools and school districts have told parents that their children cannot wear masks or bring weapons of any kind to school on Halloween. "The banning of masks and weapons for safety concerns is something I've seen in policies in many states across the country," said Cullen Casey, an attorney for the National School Boards Association. School officials say they banned toy weapons because of their potential for injury and because allowing fake weapons in schools "sends the wrong message." Some parents say they understand the reason behind the policies. "Kids are growing up too fast today," said Mary Ellen Manniello, ... (Published: 11/2/2007)
The authors of this article explored how investment by British American Tobacco (BAT) influenced tobacco control and tax policies in Uzbekistan during privatization. According to the authors, "[s]uch an understanding is particularly critical given that the International Monetary Fund [IMF] pressure for tobacco industry privatization continues in the remaining state monopolies, which account for some 40 percent of the world's cigarette consumption." Searching publicly-released BAT documents revealed the company's efforts to influence tax policy in Uzbekistan beginning in 1993, to "promote market growth and to secure competitive advantage." At that time, the government actively encouraged cigarette imports by giving tax advantages; meanwhile, the authors found, BAT was "complicit" in smuggling cigarettes into Uzbekistan. BAT saw competition from Philip Morris International and o... (Published: 11/2/2007)
The Philadelphia City Council voted 16-1 last week to exempt mom-and-pop bakeries from the city's relatively new trans fat ban. Though the mayor could still veto the bill, only 12 votes would be needed to override a veto. The council created the exemption after small Philadelphia bakeries complained that the trans fat ban put them at an economic disadvantage. Under the city's original ban, retailers could sell foods that contain trans fat if served "directly to patrons in a manufacturer's original sealed package." But small businesses were prohibited from using recipes for freshly-baked goods that contained trans fats. Now, under the newly amended ban, smaller scale bakeries are also exempt if
engaged both in the preparation and retail sale of bakery products on the premises; or any other location operated by such establishment for the retail sale of its bakery... (Published: 11/2/2007)
Tune in November 29, 2007, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET for the Webcast and satellite broadcast premiere of "Cutting-Edge Legal Preparedness for Chronic Disease Prevention," a Public Health Grand Rounds presentation spotlighting innovative legal tools New York City is using to fight chronic disease. The program's goals are to: a) illuminate how law can affect chronic diseases, and b) illustrate the practical relevance of "public health legal preparedness" to the full spectrum of public health goals and strategies. For information regarding free registration and program details, visit http://www.publichealthgrandrounds.unc.edu/legal/index.htm.
(Published: 11/2/2007)
"I think tomorrow they won't even remember it, to be quite honest. They weren't that happy during the interim. Now that they're back, it's like all is forgotten."
-- Dale Phillip, a resident of the Remington Club Health Care Center in Rancho Bernardo, California. Ms. Phillip was speculating on whether her fellow nursing home residents would require counseling or long-term help to deal with trauma caused by evacuations during the fires in San Diego County last week.
(Published: 11/2/2007)
The University of Maine has released a study entitled "The Economic Burden of Childhood Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in Maine." For a full-text version of the article, visit http://www.umaine.edu/soe/publications/SOESTAFFPAPER570.pdf.
(Published: 11/2/2007)
The National Conference of State Legislatures has released a podcast featuring CDC experts on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The doctors explain MRSA and give advice on how legislatures may play a role in combating its spread. For more, visit http://ncsl.typepad.com/the_thicket/2007/10/the-cdc-speaks-.html
(Published: 11/2/2007)
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have launched Healthy Canadians, a Website designed to provide Canadians with information on dangerous or recalled food and children's products.
(Published: 11/2/2007)
The Georgetown University Law Center invites student candidates to apply for its new Masters of Laws (L.L.M.) in Global Health Law. This full- or part-time intensive course of study is open to highly qualified candidates in public and private sectors with their J.D. and specific interest in global health law, policy, ethics, and human rights. For more information, visit http://www.law.georgetown.edu/graduate/globalhealth.htm.
(Published: 11/2/2007)
The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Highways and Transit will hold a hearing entitled "Drug and alcohol testing of commercial motor vehicle drivers," on November 1, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. ET, in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building. For more information, visit http://transportation.house.gov/hearings/hearingdetail.aspx?NewsID=361.
(Published: 11/2/2007)
The American College of Legal Medicine (ACLM) has announced a 2008 Student Writing Competition in Legal Medicine. ACLM will award $1,000 to one winner in each of three categories: medical student; law student; dentistry, podiatry, nursing, pharmacy, health science, healthcare administration, or public health student. Papers must be submitted by January 15, 2008.
(Published: 11/2/2007)
Last week, Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine approved an emergency regulation requiring laboratories to report all cases of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to the state health department. Officials in Virginia hope that using the mandatory reporting procedure will present a more detailed picture of the scope of such infections, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Under the emergency proviso, testing laboratories will be required to report all identified cases of drug-resistant staph infection to state health officials. Knowing the number of such infections in the state will enable health officials to monitor cases of MRSA and offer guidance on how to stave off new infections, supporters of the measure say. "It will allow us to gauge how well our prevention efforts and the prevention efforts of schools and hospitals are working," said Carl Armstrong, ... (Published: 11/2/2007)
By most reports, the evacuation of senior living facilities went according to disaster preparedness plans last week during the fires in San Diego County, California. The California Department of Public Health estimated that some 1,200 residents from 14 nursing homes were evacuated. Also, 85 assisted-living facilities that housed as many as 2,189 seniors were emptied, as were two acute-care hospitals, a psychiatric hospital, and an "untold number" of independent-living centers. "[Southern California has] learned the lessons of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma," said Robert E. Roush, an expert on aging at Baylor College of Medicine, who leads national efforts to help elder-care providers prepare for disasters. Nursing home disaster preparedness plans in California have also changed much since a 1994 earthquake in Northridge, said Dr. Debra Saliba, a researcher at UCLA's Borun C... (Published: 11/2/2007)
In January, a new California law will require raw milk to meet a stricter coliform bacteria limit in order to be sold in stores. Food safety and public health officials included it as part of a broader bill that aligns California milk standards with federal ones. Milk safety authorities agree that most strains of coliform bacteria do not cause illness, and raw milk is already tested for strains that do -- E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter. "A coliform count by itself doesn't mean there's an organism that will make you sick," but a high count "will lead you to solve a problem before it becomes a greater problem," said Stephen Beam, of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Currently, about 25 percent of raw milk tested in California meets the new limit of 10 coliform per milliliter. Yet, some raw milk advocates view the new limit as a de facto ban. "[... (Published: 11/2/2007)
Cruise ship passengers injured as a result of poor medical care at sea have found it difficult to obtain legal remedies once back on land. A landmark 1823 ruling held that while ships' owners are considered responsible for the health care provided to crew members, they are not responsible for medical services provided to passengers. Since doctors and nurses are considered independent contractors, cruise companies say they are not liable for the care provided by on-board physicians and argue it would be unfair to hold them responsible. At least 40 medical malpractice cases filed during the last decade against Florida cruise lines -- where many such businesses are based -- have been dismissed. In February 2007, the Florida Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals ruling, and held that cruise lines are not "vicariously liable ... for the negligence of the shipboard physician." In... (Published: 11/2/2007)
Last week, New York and the six New England states filed a plan with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to continue reducing atmospheric mercury emissions affecting waterways in the Northeast. The plan, known as the Northeast Regional Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load, outlines the region's continuing activities in reducing mercury emissions from power plants, incinerators, and other sources to meet obligations under the federal Clean Water Act. The seven states also urged EPA to enact more stringent controls on mercury emissions in other states. Officials from the region say winds carry mercury from dirty, coal-burning power plants in the Midwest into the Northeast, where the toxin settles in lakes and waterways. Maine and other states have reduced mercury emissions by regulating municipal and medical waste incinerators and also by keeping mercury from automobile sw... (Published: 11/2/2007)
Since 2000, many popcorn manufacturing plant employees have developed a debilitating lung disease some experts claim is caused by the chemical used to give foods a buttery taste. Congress, federal agencies, and private attorneys have weighed in, but no resolution on how to handle the issue has been agreed upon. Allen Parmet, a Kansas City physician, was the first to link the lung disease, bronchiolitis obliterans, with the chemical, diacetyl. In response to Parmet's diagnosis, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), sent investigators to the popcorn plant where the patients worked. By 2001, NIOSH had confirmed the link, and three years later sent an alert to 4,000 companies with about 150,000 workers, explaining safety precautions. Since then, hundreds of popcorn factory workers have filed lawsuits against their companies. One Missouri attorney has mo... (Published: 11/2/2007)
Information about a yellow fever outbreak in Paraguay and CDC's interim recommendations for yellow fever vaccination for travelers going to all areas of Paraguay has been posted to the CDC Travelers' Health website. (Published: 4/4/2008)
CDC travel notice highlighting information about the recent yellow fever cases and deaths in Brazil and the resulting changes in yellow fever vaccination for travelers to certain areas of Brazil. (Published: 4/4/2008)
CDC E. coli
CDC E. coli
