top of page

HealthNews RoundUp - 5th Week of June 2022

 

=========================

 

==========================

REPORTS

==========================

Another CoVid Wave On The Way

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/dvEKkhoQd4I

 

Just as CoVid Omicron cases seem to be declining in the US, the latest Omicron subvariants, particularly BA.5, have been sweeping across the world and now rising in the United States.

 

The Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 were first noted in South Africa early in the spring.  In May, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control declared these Omicron mutants variants of concern.

 

BA.5 has a 12 to 13% growth advantage over even BA.2, and by May was already responsible for 37% of cases in Portugal but few in the US..  Now, BA.5 is responsible for 37% of cases in the US.

 

Be aware too that a previous case of Omicron is no protection against becoming infected with Omicron BA.5.  CoVid vaccination and boosting after 3 months or more following your last shot offers only minimal protection against infection with BA.5 but does protect against a severe or deadly case of it.

 

The bottom line: CoVid is far from over so buckle up.  As we head into the summer, we need to return to more stringent precautions including masking indoors and in crowds using N95 masks, maintaining appropriate distancing, staying out of crowds, and avoiding indoor dining except in well-controlled bubbles.

 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/05/ecdc-ups-ba4-ba5-variants-concern-warns-case-rises

 

#CoVid #omicron #BA5 #vaccination #boosters

CoVid, omicron, BA5, vaccination, boosters

 

 

Monkeypox Likely Another Pandemic

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/GrJf8ShaRRc

 

Monkeypox, the orthodox virus that is a cousin of smallpox, is rapidly spreading around the world and…. within the US.  The CDC has confirmed over 300 cases in at least 28 states with the population-dense states of California, New York, Florida, and Illinois heading the pack.  So far, most of the US cases have involved sexual transmission, but, as the amount of monkeypox virus circulating rises, the virus could spread by more casual contact or through the air on respiratory droplets.

 

The CDC and the Biden administration are ramping up supplies of the preferred vaccine against monkeypox, Jynneos, but the demand far outpaces the available suppl.  That being the case, your best bet is avoiding a monkeypox infection.

 

If you received a smallpox vaccination years ago, you may have some residual protection.  Don’t count on it though.  Monkeypox is spread by contact with the characteristic skin lesions, by bodily secretions from an infected person, and by aerosol droplets from such a person.

 

Avoid prolonged contact with the skin of a person who may be infected or who has a rash with characteristic monkeypox macules, papules, or pustules.   Don’t be having intimate contact with people you don’t know well.  To avoid an infectious cloud of monkeypox in a crowd, use your dependable N95 mask.

 

If you think you have monkeypox, immediately consult your personal medical team or a hospital team.  Testing is available as is treatment with the antiviral agents TPOXX, cidofovir, and Vaccinia Immune Globulin IV.  These agents are not proven to be effective for monkeypox, so avoiding it is the best strategy.

 

What about vaccination?  Healthcare personnel and first responders with a monkeypox exposure risk should be vaccinated.  If you have been exposed to a person with known or suspected monkeypox, speak with your medical team or local public health department about vaccination.

 

One more thing:  monkeypox, like CoVid, has been shown to be mutating.  The best way we can all protect ourselves from yet another devastating pandemic is to avoid being infected.  Mutations occur when the virus replicates within a human host.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/treatment.html

 

#monkeypox #vaccine #STD #aerosol #Jynneos #TPOXX 

monkeypox, vaccine, STD, aerosol, Jynneos, TPOXX 

 

 

 

==========================

FDA Recalls

==========================

 

Panera Southwest Corn Chowder Has A Gluten Issue

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/VnYq2av33bw

 

The FDA and Blount One Foods are recalling Panera at Home Southwest Corn Chowder.  This soup contains undeclared wheat allergen.  Those with a wheat allergy, a gluten sensitivity, or celiac disease could develop a serious gastroenteritis after consuming this chowder.  2569 cases of this soup are involved with a lot number 042122-2K and a “Use By” date of 6/30/22.  The recalled chowder is not sold in Panera bakery-cafes but rather in the refrigerated cases of grocery stores in CA, IA, IL, MA, ME, MI, NH, NY, OH, TX, VA, and WA state.  If you bought this chowder, return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  For more information, contact Blount Fine Foods Customer Care at 1-866-674-4519.

 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blount-fine-foods-voluntarily-recalls-limited-amount-single-lot-southwest-corn-chowder-due

 

#panera #chowder #corn #wheat #gluten #celiac #allergy #recall

panera, chowder, corn, wheat, gluten, celiac, allergy, recall

 

 

Daily Harvest French Lentil + Leek Crumbles May Sicken You

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/9CwsynNmlUY

 

The FDA and Daily Harvest announce the recall of Daily Harvest French Lentil + Leek Crumbles.  About 470 persons consuming this product have become ill with gastrointestinal disorders and possible liver disease.  A total of 28,0090 units of this product were sold from late April though June and many are now in home freezers.  If you bought this product and have it in your freezer, do not consume it.  Contact Daily Harvest at 1-888-302-0305 or vis the email crumbles-recall@daily-harvest.com for further information regarding product disposal and a refund.

 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/daily-harvest-issues-voluntary-recall-french-lentil-leek-crumbles-due-potential-health-risk

 

#dailyharvest #crumbles #gastroenteritis #hepatitis #recall

dailyharvest, crumbles, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, recall

 

 

Baby Neck Floats Unsafe For Water Therapy

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/YkGSMV1kRsU

 

The FDA now issues a special communication warning parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers not to use neck floats with babies participating in water therapy.  The use of neck buoyancy devices can lead to serious injury or death by drowning, particularly for children with developmental delays,  spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy.  These neck float devices have not be evaluated or approved by the FDA, provide no demonstrated benefits, and may lead to an increased risk of neck strain snd injury for children with musculoskeletal problems.  The FDA is calling on all providers, healthcare teams, and parents to immediately stop using these devices.  Everyone should report any injuries or untoward incidents associated with the use of these devices to the FDA via the reporting portal.  I’ve provided the link with this report’s narrative.

 

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/do-not-use-baby-neck-floats-due-risk-death-or-injury-fda-safety-communication?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm

 

#neckfloats #fda #recall #drowning #neckinjuries #developmentaldelays #spinalcord #downsyndrome #cerebralpalsy

 

neckfloats, fda, recall, drowning, neckinjuries, developmentaldelays, spinalcord, downsyndrome, cerebralpalsy

bottom of page