Diseases, Conditions, Treatments | Health FAQ

2 new plague cases confirmed in New Mexico

Two new cases of the human plague have been confirmed in Sante Fe County, New Mexico, according to health officials.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) says the disease has been reported in two women, 52, and 62.

The first case of the year was reported earlier this month in a 63-year-old man. All three patients were hospitalized but there have been no deaths.

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NMDOH conducted environmental investigations around their homes to try and find risks to family members and neighbors.

The disease, which once killed millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages, can now be treated with antibiotics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though without proper treatment, the disease can still cause serious illness and death.

The state dealt with the plague recently with four reported cases in both 2016 and 2015. One person died in the state two years ago from the disease.

The plague is a bacterial disease of rodents and is generally transmitted to humans from flea bites, but can also be spread from direct contact with animals including wildlife and pets. Symptoms of the plague include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache and weakness, according to NMDOH. There can also be painful swelling of the lymph node in the groin, armpit or neck.

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NMDOH recommends protecting pets by using safe flea control, taking them to a veterinarian promptly, and keeping their food and water away from areas with mice.

The organization says around the house clean up areas where rodents live like wood and brush piles, junk and abandoned vehicles. They also suggest putting wood, hay and compost as far away from your home as possible.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ray Bogan is a Fox News multimedia reporter based in El Paso, Texas. Follow him on twitter: @RayBogan

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Barry Cadden: Pharmacy exec sentenced in meningitis outbreak

Barry Cadden, the co-owner of a Massachusetts pharmacy that was blamed for the deaths of 76 people in a nation-wide meningitis outbreak, was sentenced to nine years in prison on Monday.

Cadden was acquitted of second-degree murder charges, but was convicted on conspiracy and fraud charges.

BARRY CADDEN: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE EX-PHARMACY EXEC TIED TO DEADLY MENINGITIS OUTBREAK

The deadly 2012 meningitis outbreak, which also sickened hundreds of people, was traced back to contaminated injections of medical steroids made by the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, which Cadden co-owned.

Cadden apologized to the victims who were sickened or lost loved ones in court Monday.

Prosecutors argued that Cadden ran the center dangerously by dodging industry sterility regulations in order to sell more products and make more money.

MENINGITIS OUTBREAK: MURDER OR PUBLIC HEALTH TRAGEDY?

Prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Cadden to 35 years in prison, while Cadden’s lawyer argued he should get 2 1/2 to 3 years. His lawyer also argued that Glenn Chin, a supervisory pharmacist who oversaw the rooms where the drugs were made, was responsible for the meningitis deaths.

The judge sentenced Cadden with the harshest penalty possible under the law. He must report to prison by August 7, but remains free on bond until that date.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Tick that causes meat allergy in humans heads north

A surge in an aggressive type of tick that triggers a meat allergy in humans has health officials on alert. While the tick is most commonly found in the southeastern and south central areas of the U.S., data has tracked its movements as far north as Duluth, Minnesota, and Hanover, New Hampshire.

The lone star tick, which is named for the white dot found on adult females and can be as small as a poppy seed, triggers an allergy to alpha-gal in victims, leaving patients unable to consume meat. Wired reports at least 100 cases have been reported in the eastern tip of New York’s Long Island.

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“We have three ticks here,” Rebecca Young, a nurse who assists at the Tick-Borne Disease Resource Center at Southampton Hospital in New York, told Fox News. “The dog tick, the deer tick, and now there’s a huge surge in the lone star tick in the last six to seven years.

While the lone star tick is not thought to transmit Lyme disease, a bite can result in itchy hives, stomach cramps, breathing problems and even death.

“You have to be aware you’ve been bitten,” Young said. “If you eat meat and you notice a rash and shallow breathing then you can deduce that you have this allergy.”

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Part of Young’s role at the hospital is helping people understand how to properly remove a tick, and to identify what type of tick it is. The lone star tick is able to transmit the allergy at all stages of its lifespan, causing health officials to urge people who spend time outdoors to be vigilant.

“Mosquitos are better when it comes to letting you know that you’re being bitten,” Dr. Scott Campbell, of the Suffolk County Health Department, told My Long Island TV. “Ticks are a little more stealthier. What they do is they quest. They actually will sit on vegetation and put their front legs out and wait for something to come by and they latch on.”

To avoid tick bites while outdoors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), advises using repellent that contains 20 percent or more of DEET, picaridin or IR3535, and to walk in the center of trails.

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Zika virus a renewed threat

Last year, a combination of media coverage and scary outbreaks made Zika the most talked about disease of the year. Then, the winter season brought holiday cheer and diminished mosquito populations, and the public simply forgot about the health threat. However, people need to stay cautious about Zika this summer, especially if travelling to regions known for the virus.

In 2016, the United States saw over 5,000 cases of Zika and thousands more in American territories. People mainly contracted the virus by travelling abroad, but they unfortunately brought it back with them. In both Florida and Texas, several areas revealed cases of locally acquired infection, meaning that the Zika virus had made its way into the mosquito population.

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This year, health officials have not yet seen a major outbreak. That fact does not mean that Zika has left the country, though. Actually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 125 cases have been found in the states and just over 500 in the territories to date.

While these cases haven’t exactly hit outbreak numbers, they do show the virus’s presence. If mosquitoes contract it from any of these cases, Zika has the potential to spread.

THE BRA DEBATE

Pregnancy Risk

When a person gets the Zika virus, he often has little idea that he has the disease at all. It doesn’t always come with concerning symptoms and sometimes presents none.

When the virus does show up, a person may get a fever, rash, red eyes, headache, neck or other body pain. Since these symptoms are so generic, a person can easily mistake them for the flu. Other than these symptoms, the Zika virus does little harm to a healthy adult.

However, pregnant women do face a higher risk that the virus could affect their babies at birth. Particularly, it causes increased cases of microcephaly. So far, researchers have reported birth defects in 5 percent of infected pregnancies.

For Zika-related microcephaly, its rate of incidence has increased 20–30 times the norm for this defect. Perhaps the US should count its blessings, though, because other countries battling Zika have actually seen a much higher rate for birth defects.

In addition, researchers are still learning what other developmental problems might occur years after a Zika-infected birth. To guard against this disease, pregnant women should travel with caution, avoiding areas with recent cases—both in the US and in other countries.

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Testing Troubles

While the public may have somewhat forgotten about the Zika virus, health professionals and researchers have not. Unfortunately, the White House proposed funding cuts by the billions to the CDC and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. These cuts could mean a halt in expanding Zika research and limitations in testing.

Even without the funding cuts, the Zika virus poses several problems for health experts. As mentioned before, its lack of awareness and minor symptoms has likely resulted in many cases passing by unaware. To accurately monitor Zika, the US would need mass testing, a nearly impossible solution.

Then, in the event that an outbreak does occur, many health organizations may not have the staffing and equipment necessary. Hundreds or thousands of tests would need to go through labs, and state facilities would likely not be able to handle such a load. In turn, people would not get the quick diagnosis that the virus warrants to keep it from spreading.

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On a positive note, researchers have developed several vaccines that are in the testing stages. One has even moved on to the testing Phase 2. Despite the myriad of obstacles to active monitoring and testing, experts are making progress and working to protect the United States from an epidemic. In the meantime, people should use bug repellant when going outdoors and stay cautious during summer travel.

While the Zika virus may have disappeared from the public eye, it still holds risk in the US. People may not be identifying it when infected, putting others in danger of getting the virus. Of those at risk, pregnant women and their babies should have the greatest concern. This summer, avoid travelling to places affected by Zika and use caution when going outside.

This article first appeared on AskDrManny.com.

Dr. Manny Alvarez serves as Fox News Channel’s senior managing health editor. He also serves as chairman of the department of obstetrics/gynecology and reproductive science at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Click here for more information on Dr. Manny’s work with Hackensack University Medical Center. Visit AskDrManny.com for more.

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New Hampshire student credited with saving classmate’s life while on field trip

A quick-thinking 8th grader is being called a hero by his classmates and town after he helped to save his friend’s life while on a field trip last week. Timothy “T. Sully” Sullivan, of New Hampshire, noticed Haidar Faraj was struggling to breathe after he had eaten French fries, Boston 25 News reported.

Faraj, who has a severe allergy to nuts and wheat, did not know that the French fries had been cooked in peanut oil.

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“We went to go use the EpiPen, but I didn’t know how to use it,” Faraj told the news outlet. “So one classmate offered to help… She tried it, but it didn’t work at first. So that’s when T Sully came in and he helped me out.”

Sullivan had learned how to use an EpiPen while at summer camp last year.

“I took it. I said, ‘Haidar, are you ready?’ I said, ‘One, two, three,’ and I stabbed it into him,” Sullivan told Boston 25 News. “I told him to come sit down, give your leg a rest, where he got stabbed, and I went to go get some security guards.”

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Within minutes, Faraj’s breathing returned to normal and Sullivan was applauded for his life-saving actions. He was presented with a hero award by the Walpole Police Department and free movie tickets, Boston 25 News reported.

“I thought I was in trouble when he handed it to me,” Sullivan said of his award. “I honestly got proud of myself. It was honestly pretty cool to receive it.”

Faraj is happy his friend is being recognized for his actions.

“He saved my life,” he told the news outlet. “So it’s a good thing that he was recognized for that.”

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Tick-borne diseases on the rise

Ticks and tick-borne illnesses are found all over the U.S., and you can use these maps provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to see which ticks are found in your area. Different types of ticks carry different viral and bacterial illnesses, so it’s important to know which ticks are near you. There are seven varieties of ticks in the U.S. alone, and they carry at least 10 different viral and bacterial pathogens.

The tragic death of an Indianapolis toddler earlier this month, likely from a tick-borne disease called Rocky Mountain spotted fever, has focused public attention on the fact that tick-borne diseases are on the rise. In fact, there have been five tick-borne diseases identified for the first time in the U.S. since 2009. (No one’s really sure why new tick-borne diseases are showing up so quickly, but it could be connected to the overall increase in the identification of new diseases in the last several decades.)

THE SKINNY ON HIGH-FAT DIETS

One factor that’s increasing the rates of transmission of these diseases is the rising tick population. If have a yard or lawn, you may have noticed more ticks in recent years, and that’s a trend that’s being observed all over the country. Deer ticks, the carriers of Lyme disease, have been particularly plentiful.

One factor contributing to the increasing tick population is an increase in prey animal populations. Deer ticks feed primarily on deer and mice, populations that have been growing in recent years. One reason for this in the Northeastern US, where Lyme disease is most prevalent, is the lack of predators.

Larger predators that once hunted deer have been scarce for generations, and smaller predators that snack on mice like hawks, owls, and foxes have suffered from the loss of undisturbed forest habitats. Mice, on the other hand, are highly adaptable and live just as happily in abandoned structures and yards as they do in the forest. Any mouse that has been bitten by an infected tick then carries Lyme disease and spreads it to every new, uninfected tick that bites it.

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Many researchers also believe that rising global temperatures are allowing ticks populations to move northward and expanding the tick feeding season. There have even been recommendations to change Lyme disease awareness month from May to April, since the deer tick feeding season seems to be moving into earlier months.

So, how do you stay safe?

Some tick-borne diseases are treatable, but prevention is the most effective response. Ticks won’t usually bite as soon as they come into contact with you, and if they can be removed before they’re embedded, they can’t make you sick. But even quick removal of an embedded tick can prevent some illnesses. For example, Lyme disease transmission can be prevented if a tick is removed within 24 hours.

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Most of us only remember to check ourselves for ticks if we’ve been hiking or visiting a state park, but experts recommend including a tick check in your daily routine if you live in a high risk area. Many tick bites occur after everyday activities like gardening or mowing the lawn. Favorite spots for ticks to bite include the groin area, under the arms, and behind the ears. The shower is a great place to check for ticks, and using a washcloth is usually enough to dislodge any that aren’t attached yet.

If you do remove an embedded tick, you can save it and get a good identification just in case you develop any unusual symptoms. Knowing which type of tick bit you can help doctors rule out specific diseases if you do get sick. If you see a doctor for symptoms like rash, fever, or headaches and know you’ve been bitten by a tick recently, always make sure to let your doctor know.

This article first appeared on AskDrManny.com.

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Hummus recalled over possible listeria contamination

A Tennessee company has issued a voluntary recall for select hummus products sold nationwide and in Canada over concerns of possible listeria contamination. House of Thaller said the affected products involve 10 ounce packages of Hummus with Pine Nut Topping marketed under three different names.

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Consumers who purchased Fresh Foods Market Artisan Hummus – Pine Nuts with use by dates from June 23, 2017, through August 17, 2017, Lantana White Bean Hummus with Pine Nut & Herb Topping with use by dates from June 19, 2017, through August 15, 2017, and Marketside Classic Hummus with Pine Nuts with use by dates from June 28, 2017, through June 19, 2017, are urged not to consume them and to contact House of Thaller Customer Service Center.

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Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in children, elderly people or those with weakened immune systems. It could cause high-fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection in pregnant women could cause stillbirth or miscarriage.

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Air Force says 135 patients possibly exposed to HIV, hepatitis

As many as 135 patients who underwent a colonoscopy or endoscopy at an Air Force base in Qatar may have potentially been exposed to HIV or hepatitis after it was revealed that the scopes used in the procedures were not properly cleaned.

The Air Force is contacting patients who received either of the procedures between April 2008 and April 2016 at Al Udeid Air Base. While the Air Force Surgeon General spokeswoman told Military.com that the risk of infection is “very small,” it is recommended that affected patients receive diagnostic testing for HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

During a review of procedures, the Air Force discovered that technicians used a manual cleaning and inspection method rather than the FDA-recommended automated process, spokeswoman Larine Barr told Military.com.

“Specifically it was noted that during equipment reprocessing, the flushing and brushing of the scope lumens were not completed as recommended by the manufacturer,” she told the news outlet.

The Air Force said the air base no longer performs colonoscopies or endoscopies, and no other procedures were affected. It is currently reviewing all reusable medical instruments and devices and is reviewing best practices to prevent the issue from happening again, Military.com reported.

“We apologize to our patients and assure them that appropriate actions have been taken to address and mitigate the cause that led to this problem,” Big. Gen. Robert Miller, Air Force Medical Operations Agency commander, said in a news release.

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Tick that makes you allergic to meat may be spreading

Ticks are out in force this year, and there’s one species in particular you should watch out for if you’d ever like to eat meat again.

Experts say the lone star tick appears to be spreading from its home base in the southeastern US. Whereas other ticks can spread ailments such as Lyme disease, the lone star tick is bothersome because it is believed to trigger a potentially life-threatening and apparently lifelong meat allergy with its bite.

The tick doesn’t technically make people allergic to meat, but rather to a sugar molecule found in red meat known as alpha-gal. This alpha-gal allergy has typically been limited to the southeastern US, where the lone star tick is prevalent, but no more, reports Wired.

Cases—in which the consumption of meat can result in hives, difficulty breathing, or death—have been reported in Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and New York, per Inverse.

Backyard chickens are getting people sick again

The CDC is investigating eight separate multi-state outbreaks of salmonella that have sickened nearly 400 people across the country. The cause, however, isn’t an unsanitary factory. Instead, blame backyard chickens, or at least owners who underestimate the risk of getting too close, reports the Fresno Bee.

The growing popularity of having a home-grown source of eggs once again has federal officials issuing a warning. This year’s numbers are about on par with last year’s, when 895 people got sick.

While three people died last year, none have died this year, though 71 have ended up in the hospital. In all, people in 47 states have fallen ill.

Cuddling cute baby chicks appears to be a problem, notes the Washington Post. Last year, about half of those who got sick admitted to doing so, and about half also said they let their poultry in the house.

‘Death cap’ mushrooms sicken 14 in California

More than a dozen people in Northern California recently became seriously ill from eating wild "death cap" mushrooms that they gathered themselves, according to a new report.

During the first two weeks in December 2016, the California Poison Control System received reports of 14 people who had to be hospitalized after consuming wild death cap mushrooms, known as Amanita phalloides. The mushrooms can be deadly, but all of the patients in this outbreak recovered. Three of the patients required a liver transplant, including an 18-month-old infant.

The cases occurred around the same time that Northern California saw a rise in the growth of wild poisonous mushrooms , due to increased rainfall in the region. This particularly large outbreak of serious mushroom poisonings may have been related to that spike in growth, although it’s not possible to prove this, the researchers said in the report.

Given the potentially lethal consequences of consuming wild mushrooms, the researchers stressed that people should eat wild mushrooms only if the mushrooms have first been evaluated by a trained mycologist, or an expert in fungi.

Powassan virus: Potentially fatal tick disease that can be transmitted in minutes reported in Maine

Two new cases of a dangerous and potentially fatal tick-borne illness have health officials in Maine on high alert as agencies across the nation brace for a particularly high-population tick season. The patients, who were not identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contracted Powassan virus, which differs from Lyme disease as it can be transferred from tick to human in a matter of minutes.

“It’s a virus, whereas Lyme is a bacteria,” Dr. Kent Holtorf, a Lyme disease expert and medical director of Holtorf Medical Group, told Fox News. “If you catch Lyme early, antibiotics can eradicate it, but with a virus, you have much less options to do anything about it.”

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Holtorf added that the symptoms of Powassan are more severe than Lyme, and can quickly reach a patient’s brain, leaving them susceptible to long-term neurological damage. The patients in Maine began presenting symptoms in late April and were hospitalized with encephalitis. They’ve since been discharged and are continuing to recover. Not all patients will have symptoms and will not be impacted by the infection, but those who are may experience fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures and memory loss. In 10-15 percent of cases, the virus proves fatal.

Holtorf said people who are most likely to be symptomatic are those who are immunosuppressed or those who have previously contracted tick-borne illnesses like West Nile, Dengue and Lyme disease.

“In terms of the risk of you getting it, it’s very low,” Holtorf said, citing an average of seven cases reported annually by the CDC. “But there are going to be people that are going to get it, and though most won’t have symptoms, there are going to be people that are going to have severe brain damage from it — so it is concerning that you’re normal one day, and a few weeks later, you’re on a respirator and never the same again.”

According to the CDC, the two most recent cases brings Maine’s total count to nine since 2000. Holtorf said the overall recent spike in tick-borne illnesses likely has to do with the warmer temperatures during the two previous winters, and that the pests are developing mutated versions of some diseases.

“These things are mutating, and it’s becoming a scary world out there,” he said.

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While officials in the state are calling for hikers and others who choose to head outdoors to be vigilant, politicians and health agencies in other states are making similar pleas. In New York City, where more than 8,000 people were diagnosed with Lyme disease over the past 15 years, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) called for greater federal funding to fight against the disease.

Holtorf cited CDC recommendations to use tick repellent with DEET, and advised people who enjoy the outdoors to wear long pants, tuck jeans into pants or socks, and conduct frequent tick checks.

“With Lyme, you go back, take a shower and check yourself for ticks because you have time,” he said. “The problem with this is you don’t have much time.”

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