Pharmacies in Northern Ireland are facing a funding crisis, leading to the closure of 12 businesses over the past 18 months. Pharmacists are dispensing prescription medicines at a loss and relying on sales of non-medical items to stay afloat. Community Pharmacy NI is calling for increased funding and a specific drug tariff for Northern Ireland. The Department of Health has a strategic plan to increase core funding, but full implementation will require additional resources. The crisis is impacting patient access to medicines and the financial stability of pharmacies.
The state Department of Health has confirmed two cases of whooping cough on Hawaii Island, with eight probable cases also identified. The affected households have children attending local schools in different areas of the island, and officials are working to identify close contacts. No one is hospitalized, and the cases are not connected to previous ones on Oahu. Whooping cough, caused by bacteria, can lead to severe complications, and vaccination is the best prevention method.
The Hawaii Department of Health is investigating two confirmed cases of whooping cough and eight probable cases on Hawaii Island, with no current hospitalizations. The cases are not linked to a previous cluster in Oahu. The public is urged to seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms and to ensure vaccination against whooping cough, as it can lead to serious complications, especially in infants.
The New Mexico Department of Health has confirmed two cases of rabies in bobcats, one in Grant County and the other in Sierra County. A man was attacked by one of the bobcats and is receiving preventive rabies shots, while a dog attacked by the second bobcat is being monitored despite being up to date on its rabies vaccine. The DOH advises keeping pets vaccinated and on a leash, considering rabies vaccinations for livestock, avoiding contact with wild animals, and seeking medical care if bitten or exposed to wild animal saliva. Reporting sick or abnormal wild animals to local authorities is also recommended.
The New Mexico Department of Health has reported the first human plague case in the state since 2021, with a Lincoln County man succumbing to the disease. Spread through infected flea bites and direct contact with animals, the plague can cause fever, chills, and painful swelling of lymph nodes. The Department of Health is conducting outreach and advising precautions, including avoiding sick rodents and rabbits, preventing pets from hunting, and promptly examining sick pets. This marks the first fatal human plague case in New Mexico since 2020.
A case of Hepatitis A has been confirmed in an employee at a Cracker Barrel in Erie, Pennsylvania, prompting health officials to advise diners who visited the restaurant between January 30 and February 21, 2024, to watch for symptoms of the contagious liver disease. The restaurant has taken measures to ensure the safety of its guests and staff, and the health department is working to provide vaccinations and set up vaccine events for those potentially exposed.
Health officials in Erie County are advising individuals who dined at the Cracker Barrel at 7810 Interstate Drive to watch for symptoms of Hepatitis A after a confirmed case in a restaurant employee. Symptoms can appear two to seven weeks after exposure, and those who visited the restaurant between January 30 and February 21, 2024, are urged to be vigilant. Cracker Barrel has taken measures to ensure the safety of guests and staff at the affected location, and the health department is providing vaccinations and setting up vaccine events for those potentially exposed.
The South Dakota Department of Health is warning medical providers to be vigilant for potential cases of measles, as the state braces for a possible outbreak following recent cases in other states. Travelers, especially those visiting countries with measles outbreaks, are at increased risk, and the last identified case in South Dakota was in 2015. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease with symptoms including fever, cough, and conjunctivitis.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued a warning about children's cups that have been recalled due to high levels of lead. The recalled cups include PandaEar, LAOION, and Green Sprouts stainless steel bottles and cups. The lead levels in these products exceeded the federal content ban. The recall affects specific models of these cups, and parents and caregivers are advised to contact their child's healthcare provider for a blood test if their child has used the recalled products. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has a toll-free lead information hotline for more information on lead poisoning prevention and resources.
Florida's COVID-19 death toll has risen to 91,590, with an increase of 412 deaths in the past two weeks. The state has seen a decrease in new COVID-19 cases, with 6,380 cases reported in the week starting October 6, compared to 23,980 cases in the week starting August 25. The Department of Health releases COVID-19 data every two weeks.
The Washington State Department of Health has launched a new Respiratory Illness Data Dashboard, which replaces the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. The new dashboard allows people to track COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease activity by region across the state. It includes data from previous years for clearer comparisons and will be updated weekly through April 2024. The department hopes that the dashboard will inform communities and guide personal decision-making on prevention measures.
The Department of Health in Rhode Island has reported an "unprecedented" bat season, with about 200 residents being treated for possible rabies exposure. The increase in bat encounters has raised concerns about public health and safety in the state.
The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued a warning about an increase in rabies cases among bats in the state, urging residents to take precautions.
Two bats at the Great Plains Zoo in South Dakota have tested positive for rabies. The zoo staff who handled the bats are vaccinated and wore proper protective equipment, so there is no concern of infection. Individuals who may have had contact with the bats should contact the South Dakota Department of Health. Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease contracted through exposure to a rabid animal, typically through a bite. Prompt treatment can prevent rabies, which includes administration of rabies immune globulin and a series of four vaccine doses.
