OUTBREAKS AND HEALTH THREATS MedPage Today: CDC, Epidemiologists Work On Definition For Measles Deaths (+++++)

OUTBREAKS AND HEALTH THREATS MedPage Today: CDC, Epidemiologists Work On Definition For Measles Deaths https://www.medpagetoday.com/washington-watch/washington-watch/123108?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9kzERyP7fLHKd--HhIrk2d8O-UvmrG1wL2TNmgDTP2wHb-Q9P3Nxwwa8_wodd3xqjr_q13kdaCw-a_KeDbb9MyZULijw&_hsmi=440453853&utm_content=440453853&utm_source=hs_email The CDC is indeed working with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) on a definition for measles deaths, but the initiative was launched earlier this year and it was not at the request of the CDC. That's according to CSTE spokesperson Amy Heldman, MPH, who explained that a CSTE workgroup was launched earlier this summer "to develop future guidance to inform measles epidemiology case investigations associated with deaths." (Fiore, 9/22) San Francisco Chronicle: Amtrak Passenger With Measles Traveled On These California Trains https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/amtrak-measles-exposure-travel-itinerary-22444170.php?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_L2q33YnCSF3iuMIuKx8PSZWX-Sq5jlgz3xFvD6U8l48T-Jfbx3-vIn4_1799Svjn5ovdlObD9cCCl6kNOH3i4RbzGHw&_hsmi=440453853&utm_content=440453853&utm_source=hs_email A detailed California itinerary of the person who may have exposed other Amtrak passengers to measles this month included train travel from Sacramento to Emeryville on Sept. 13, and a departure from Emeryville on Sept. 14, Alameda County health officials said Tuesday. The passenger, who was unvaccinated and later hospitalized with measles, had been traveling through six California counties on their way to Colorado, state health officials said last week. They originally arrived in Los Angeles on Sept. 10, by train from Chicago. (Ho, 9/22) ABC News: LA County Sees Highest Number Of West Nile Virus Cases In Nearly A Decade https://abcnews.com/Health/la-county-sees-highest-number-west-nile-virus/story?id=136645469&utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--RS-zyjrRsLQGiL2W0gE3kg9Of48BGmSophE0B4gplWudSI0hcLSesnxamUu6FunFmmz5xiPH9w1hTYXcIdiJ0OlkUBQ&_hsmi=440453853&utm_content=440453853&utm_source=hs_email Los Angeles County is seeing the highest number of West Nile virus cases in nearly a decade, health officials said Monday. The county has reported 100 cases so far this year. This is the highest figure since 2017 when 268 cases were recorded for the entire season. The number of current cases is also greater than the five-year average during the same period, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LA County DPH). (Benadjaoud and Kekatos, 9/22) CIDRAP: CDC Confirms 37-Case Multistate Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked To Frozen Clams https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/hepatitis/cdc-confirms-37-case-multistate-hepatitis-outbreak-linked-frozen-clams?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--3yEj6WcgTExzolggd880fB97MVlyKvW3EEYHedBQHEiL5zyzHxfM4JIqf-kuBmjNTzkArMWbZ2pjVpBIAkQMw2ysybQ&_hsmi=440453853&utm_content=440453853&utm_source=hs_email The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced late last week that a multistate hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen clams has sickened at least 37 people. So far cases have been identified in four states, Massachusetts (three cases), Minnesota (three), New York (27), and Pennsylvania (four). No deaths have been reported but 30 people have required hospitalization. Illness-onset dates range from July 30, 2025, to June 23, 2026. (Soucheray, 9/22) The Hill: Walmart Recalls Pasta Due To Listeria Concerns https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/6104240-walmart-gias-foods-pasta-recall-listeria-fda/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_BicyeoHzGOoGe4FmfaV9CHIUTjt7uh-ztsskcARt20AqcmCiVNBPgyrfCVomNMpPaOBINGDcRgikGR6fP4-S5g7Nsig&_hsmi=440453853&utm_content=440453853&utm_source=hs_email Pasta sold at Walmart locations nationwide is being recalled over possible listeria contamination, according to a notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration. New York-based Gias Foods said it is recalling two lots of bettergoods brand Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine, distributed nationwide at Walmart Inc. stores. The product, which is frozen in 22-ounce packages with the UPC number 194346442706, has lot numbers L6079C or L6080C and expiration dates of Sept. 19, 2027, or Sept. 20, 2027. (Swaim, 9/22)