Measles News:
- In a grim milestone, the US is on the cusp of losing its official measles elimination status. (Stat)
- California has already surpassed its 2024 measles case count. (Medical Xpress)
- Iowa declared a measles outbreak with three new cases this week. Measles was last seen in Iowa back in 2019. (Des Moines Register)
Health News:
- The USDA is preparing a plan to potentially vaccinate poultry for avian flu - while also evaluating its impact on exports. (MSN)
- There are now more than 2000 Hep A cases and 9 deaths in an outbreak across four European vacation hotspots (Austria, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia). (ECDC)
- The FDA is warning that scopolamine patches, used for nausea and motion sickness, may increase body temperature - particularly risky right now. (FDA)
- This week’s ACIP meeting on U.S. vaccine recommendations is still up in the air after calls for postponement. (STAT)
- Older adults are embracing newer vaccines and research is proving them right. (KFF Health News)
- Daily marijuana use was tied to a 25% higher risk of dying from heart disease. (CNN)
- Death from accidental falls increased by 70% over the last 20 years for older adults, according to a new report. (CDC)
- Insurers have pledged to improve the prior authorization process over the next 18 months. (KFF Health News)
- Medical groups are exploring a new, non-governmental source for vaccine guidance. (NBC News)
- Diet drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy may cut migraine days in half. (ABC News)
Mental Health & Substance Use News:
- A part of a US national suicide prevention hotline that serves LGBTQ young people says it will soon close, after its funding was cut. (BBC)
- A new study finds that addiction to social media, mobile phones and video games is linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. (NPR)
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or need help, call 988 or message the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Best Questions:
We have a public restroom with signs of drug use. What should my team know before they clean it up?
DO:
- Close the area immediately
- Wear PPE (always wear gloves, and if loose powder is present, wear a mask and eye protection, too)
- Use your body fluid clean up kits, where possible
- Wash hands and arms thoroughly with soap and water immediately after carefully removing gloves
- Consider the scope of the issue; if there are large quantities of drugs or they’re still packaged, call the local police and then consider using a professional cleaning service
DON’T:
- Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Use your hands to directly dispose of drugs, needles or sharp objects
- Use hand sanitizer (only soap and water!)
- Hand sanitizer can actually increase exposure through skin absorption, but good old soap works great.
- Eat, drink, smoke, or use the restroom before cleaning the space and washing your hands thoroughly.
Sources: ZHH, NIOSH
An employee had GI symptoms and then was diagnosed with a chronic illness. Can they return to work with a doctor’s note?
Generally, yes, as long as the chronic illness they were diagnosed with reasonably includes the initial GI symptoms, and they are now symptom-free. In rare cases, you can allow an employee to continue working with a doctor’s note (specifically clearing them to work in a food handling role, if applicable), though it’s important to ensure that they stay home if there are any changes in symptoms or new ones. Some of the most dangerous outbreaks we’ve seen are when someone with a chronic condition comes to work thinking their recently-changed symptoms are not a big deal, while in fact they’re infecting their coworkers and patrons with something contagious, like norovirus. The specifics for each situation can be a bit tricky, especially with chronic illnesses that may be covered under the ADA, so it’s important to get good clinical expertise when making decisions about whether it’s safe for someone to work. ZHH clients can always reach out via the ZHH App to ask a member of our clinical team about the specific issue they’re dealing with.
Source: ZHH App
Best Read:
We’ve been talking about measles for months, but this piece is a good reminder that real families are navigating breakthrough cases, confusing guidance, and exposure timelines that don’t always make sense. No panic here, just a grounded look at where the cracks still show.