The CDC released a report showing that the rate of new HIV infections in the US has decreased by 12% between 2017 and 2021, despite a sharp drop in HIV testing in 2020. Other wealthy Western nations have seen even greater success, with annual infection rates dropping by more than 70% in the Netherlands, 68% in Italy and 44% in Australia. The CDC report is a positive sign of progress, but there is still much work to be done to ensure all Americans have access to HIV testing, treatment, and prevention.
Posts tagged as “the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has announced her resignation, effective June 30. President Biden praised her work, saying she has saved lives with her focus on the health of every American. Walensky has been a key figure in the administration's pandemic response, helping to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States. It is unclear who will take over the role and what the future of the agency will be.
The CDC has announced that older adults aged 65 and up, as well as those with weakened immune systems, can now receive a second dose of the updated versions of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid booster shots. The agency has recommended that people wait at least two weeks after their first dose before getting the second dose, and that those immunocompromised should wait at least two months. Vaccination is the best way to protect against the virus, but it is not 100% effective, so people should still take precautions such as wearing a mask and social distancing.
The CDC has issued a warning about the rapid spread of Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus, in U.S. health care facilities. In 2020, 756 cases were reported, but in 2021 that number had increased to 1,471, a 95% increase. The CDC is urging health care providers to take steps to prevent its spread, as it could become a major public health threat.
The CDC has released preliminary data showing that the number of maternal deaths in the United States has dropped significantly from a six-decade high in 2021. Though the final number is likely to be higher, the maternal death rate is on track to get close to pre-pandemic levels. The CDC is urging pregnant women to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their babies during the pandemic, and is committed to providing the latest information and guidance to help protect them.
A new study published in Pediatrics has revealed an unexpected jump in unexplained deaths in Black infants during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, with the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) increasing by 15%. The overall infant mortality rate dropped to a record low in 2020, but the rate for Black babies in particular spiked, widening an already stark disparity. Dr. Marian Willinger noted that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on Black communities and could be a factor in the increase in SUID rates. The CDC is urging parents to practice safe sleep habits and seek medical care for their babies if they have any concerns.
The US is planning to relax Covid-19 testing restrictions for travelers from China on Friday, following a surge in cases and lack of transparency from Chinese officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had previously announced a requirement for travelers to prove they had tested negative for the virus before flying to the US from China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This decision is part of an effort to protect US citizens from the spread of the virus, though it is unclear if the US will continue to require negative tests in the future.
A man in Charlotte County, Florida has died from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection believed to have been contracted after rinsing his sinuses with tap water. The infection is caused by the single-celled organism Naegleria fowleri, which thrives in warm temperatures and is most commonly found in soil and fresh water. The Florida Department of Health is conducting an epidemiological investigation and urging people to take precautions to avoid infection.