A 71-year-old Texas woman died after contracting the deadly brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri from using tap water in her sinus rinse, highlighting the importance of using only distilled, sterile, or boiled water for nasal irrigation to prevent such infections.
Nine family members across several states fell ill with trichinellosis after consuming undercooked bear meat at a gathering in South Dakota. The illness, caused by the trichinella parasite, led to severe symptoms such as muscle pain, vomiting, and fever. The CDC emphasized the importance of thoroughly cooking meat to prevent such infections. All affected individuals have since recovered.
As daylight saving time approaches, concerns arise about children's use of melatonin supplements to aid sleep. While considered safe for short-term use, caution is advised due to potential side effects and lack of FDA regulation. The CDC warns of an increase in ER visits due to accidental melatonin ingestion by children, particularly from gummy forms that resemble candy. Experts recommend prioritizing sleep hygiene and behavioral interventions, such as limiting screen time before bed, as alternatives to melatonin for kids.
A deadly and drug-resistant fungal infection known as Candida auris is rapidly spreading across the US, with a high fatality rate of up to 60%. The infection, which primarily affects those with weakened immune systems, has seen a significant increase in cases since its first appearance 15 years ago. The CDC has issued warnings about its ability to spread in healthcare settings and the challenges in identifying and treating it. Experts emphasize the need for strict precautions to prevent its spread and the potential for a "nightmare scenario" if its spread is ignored.
A California woman, Laura Barajas, has lost all her limbs after contracting a bacterial infection, likely from eating undercooked tilapia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about the infection, known as vibrio vulnificus, which can be acquired through consuming raw or undercooked fish or exposing an open wound to coastal waters. Barajas was hospitalized and placed in a medically induced coma, and her limbs were amputated due to the severity of the infection. The CDC reports that about 150-200 cases of this infection are reported annually, with a fatality rate of one in five. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with Barajas' medical expenses.
A San Jose woman has lost all her limbs after contracting a bacterial infection believed to be Vibrio vulnificus, which she likely acquired from eating undercooked tilapia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about this infection, which can also be contracted by exposing an open wound to coastal waters. The woman was hospitalized and placed in a medically induced coma, and her condition deteriorated rapidly. The CDC reports that about 150-200 cases of this infection are reported each year, with a fatality rate of one in five. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with her medical expenses.
The FDA and CDC have issued warnings about fraudulent weight loss supplements that claim to be natural but actually contain yellow oleander, a deadly plant species. Two individuals in Maryland and New Jersey were poisoned by these supplements, which were marketed as Nuez de la India and tejocote root. The FDA specifically called out Nut Diet Max and Todorganic Natural Products brands. The lack of FDA oversight allows supplement manufacturers to bypass safety regulations, creating a potentially dangerous market. Consumers are advised to stop using these products and seek medical attention if they have taken them.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning after a dozen deaths and nearly a dozen ongoing cases of fungal meningitis were linked to clinics in Mexico where Americans have been getting cosmetic procedures. A woman from Phoenix, who underwent plastic surgery in Mexico, survived but was diagnosed with fungal meningitis months later. Other women who had procedures at the same clinic also fell ill, leading to concerns about patient safety. The CDC has identified two clinics in Mexico where patients who received epidural anesthesia between January and May of this year are at risk. The woman's doctors in Phoenix were able to save her life using injectable antifungal medication, but the exact cause of the infection remains uncertain.