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.
Posts tagged as “the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”
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.
Residents of East Palestine, Ohio are still demanding answers from environmental officials after a train derailment caused toxic fumes to spread across the area. The EPA and CDC are conducting home re-entry screenings and air monitoring, and have reported no exceedances for residential air quality standards. The CDC is also committed to targeting any resident who may be affected by the incident and providing resources and support.






