Archive for June, 2018
![[Image of probabilities of 34-kt winds]](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/EP04/refresh/EP042018_wind_probs_34_F120+png/083805.png)
Yemen’s humanitarian crisis can turn into a catastrophe with fighting at the port city of Hudaida
Saturday, June 16th, 2018- Since early 2015, more than 10,000 people have been killed
- Since 2015, some 2 million have been driven from their homes because of the fighting between a Saudi-led coalition and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
- Some 22 million people, rely on aid
- 8.4 million of them are facing famine.
- The country has been plagued by the largest cholera epidemic in recorded history, with 1 million suspected cases
- Meanwhile, Hudaida is home to about 600,000 people and a port responsible for 70 percent of imports into Yemen
- The fighting in and around the port city could ignite a humanitarian catastrophe.
Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal linked to a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections.
Saturday, June 16th, 2018CDC recommends people do not eat recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal because it has been linked to a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections.
Important advice for consumers and retailers:
- Do not eat recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. Check your home for it and throw it away, or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
- Retailers should not sell or serve recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.
- On June 14, 2018, the Kellogg Company recalled 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.
- Recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal have a “best if used by” date from June 14, 2018 through June 14, 2019. The “best if used by” date is on the box top.
- The recalled 15.3 oz. Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal has a UPC code of 38000 39103. The recalled 23.0 oz. Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal has a UPC code of 38000 14810. The UPC code is on the bottom of the box.
- Even if some of the cereal was eaten and no one got sick, throw the rest of it away or return it for a refund.
- If you store cereal in a container without the packaging and don’t remember the brand or type, throw it away.
- Thoroughly wash the container with warm, soapy water before using it again to remove harmful germs that could contaminate other food.
Investigation details:
- CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka infections.
- 73 people infected with the outbreak strain have been reported from 31 states.
- 24 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
- Epidemiologic evidence indicates that Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal is a likely source of this multistate outbreak.
- This investigation is ongoing and CDC will provide updates when more information is available.
A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.
Saturday, June 16th, 2018June 14, 2018
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka illnesses that may be linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.
Fast Facts
- The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka infections. Kellogg’s Honey Smacks sweetened puffed wheat cereal are a likely source of this outbreak.
- The CDC reports that 73 people in 31 states have become ill. There have been 24 hospitalizations and no deaths.
- Following discussion with FDA, CDC, and state partners, the Kellogg Company voluntarily recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. The recalled products were distributed across the United States including Guam and Saipan and internationally in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean and Tahiti. Consumers should not eat any of the recalled Honey Smacks cereal.
- The FDA’s staff has initiated an inspection at the facility that manufactures Kellogg’s Honey Smacks and is working quickly with the company to collect additional information.
- As this is an ongoing investigation, the FDA will update this page as more information becomes available, such as product information, epidemiological results, and recalls.
- Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most infections usually lasts 4 to 7 days and most people recover without treatment, however some people develop diarrhea so severe that they need to be hospitalized.
What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?
The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka infections. Epidemiologic and preliminary traceback evidence indicates that Kellogg’s Honey Smacks sweetened puffed wheat cereal is a likely source of this outbreak.
The FDA and CDC, along with our state partners contacted The Kellogg Company and as a result of discussions, the company has voluntarily recalled Kellogg’s Honey Smacks to prevent further distribution of potentially contaminated products. The recalled products were distributed across the United States including Guam and Saipan and internationally in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Tahiti.
There are 73 people ill with this strain of Salmonella in 31 states: Alabama (2), Arizona (1), California (5), Connecticut (3), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (3), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (2), Massachusetts (5), Maryland (1), Michigan (4), Mississippi (1), Montana (1), North Carolina (3), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (3), New York (7), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (5), Rhode Island (2), South Carolina (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (2), Utah (1), Virginia (4), Washington (3), Wisconsin (1), West Virginia (3).The ages of the ill people range from less than one year to 87 (median 58 years) and 65% of cases are female. Reported illness onset dates range from 3/3/18 – 5/28/18. Among 55 with available information, 24 (44%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Recalled Products
|
Description (Retail)
|
Size
|
BEST if Used By Date
|
|---|---|---|
| Honey Smacks (with limited distribution outside the U.S.) | 15.3 oz. | JUN 14, 2018 through JUN 14, 2019 |
| Honey Smacks | 23 oz. | JUN 14, 2018 through JUN 14, 2019 |
What are the Symptoms of Salmonella Infections?
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
In some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
Who is at Risk?
Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is higher than the rate in all other people. Children younger than five, the elderly, and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 persons in the United States die each year with acute salmonellosis.
What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need To Do?
Retailers should not sell and should discard all recalled products. The recalled products were distributed across the United States including Guam and Saipan and internationally in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Tahiti.
Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.
- Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators regularly.
- Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to prepare, serve, or store food.
- Wash hands with hot water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
- Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.
What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Consumers should not eat any recalled Honey Smacks sweetened puffed wheat cereal. If already purchased, consumers should throw it away or return to the place of purchase for a refund. The FDA continues to collect information to determine any additional sources. The FDA will update this posting as soon as more information becomes available.
Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.
Who Should be Contacted?
People who think they might have symptoms of a Salmonella infection should consult their health care provider. The FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to Submit An Inquiry, or to visit www.fda.gov/fcic for additional information.
Additional Information
6/15/1904: More than 1,000 people taking a pleasure trip on New York City’s East River are drowned or burned to death when a fire sweeps through the General Slocum steamboat.
Friday, June 15th, 2018Why did the man have ricin in his home?
Friday, June 15th, 2018“……A written statement said a 29-year-old – identified only as Sief Allah H. –
was arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion on violating the country’s War
Weapons Control Act.
He is accused of having started procuring material, including a large
quantity of seeds needed for the creation of ricin, online in mid-May.
The suspect succeeded in creating the toxin this month and investigators
found it during a search of his Cologne apartment, the statement said.
The authorities are still investigating exactly how the suspect planned to
use the ricin, but stated he was working on a “biological weapon” and there
was “initial suspicion” that he could have been preparing a terrorist
attack…….”
Ntwetwe virus: Scientists identify a novel virus in a Ugandan child who had severe encephalopathy and died
Friday, June 15th, 2018“……A Ugandan child with an unexplained encephalitis was investigated using viral metagenomics…… The virus was named Ntwetwe virus, after the hometown of the patient…..”
Ghana eliminates trachoma
Friday, June 15th, 201813 June 2018 ¦ Brazzaville ¦ Accra ¦ Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) today congratulated Ghana for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, two decades after the World Health Assembly resolved to tackle the leading infectious cause of blindness. The announcement comes the day after a commitment from Pfizer, the manufacturer of Zithromax (azithromycin) to extend their donation programme for the antibiotic until 2025, if required, to finish the task of global trachoma elimination.
“It’s been 20 years since the global health community committed to eliminating trachoma worldwide” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Although there’s more work to do elsewhere, the validation of elimination in Ghana allows another previously heavily-endemic country to celebrate significant success.”
Ghana is the first country in WHO’s African Region to achieve this milestone.
“This success is a result of a tremendous amount of hard work by thousands of health, education and development workers to improve the lives of individuals with trachoma and their families”, said Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, Ghana’s Minister of Health. “The Government of Ghana is enormously grateful to its staff and to the many partners that have joined forces with us to eliminate trachoma and the cycle of poverty it triggers.”
The global trachoma community learnt a lot from Ghana’s experience. Innovations pioneered there include the use of height-based dosing for azithromycin; systematic active case-searches for trichiasis involving door-to-door, community-by-community fieldwork; and, intensive counselling of patients found to have trichiasis with an offer of immediate surgery, which produced considerable improvement in surgical uptake.
“Success in Ghana is a result of the strong leadership at all levels, implementation of the full SAFE strategy right from the outset, strong collaboration between Ghana Health Service and its many partners, and integration at lower levels of programme delivery, including community ownership,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Hearty congratulations are deserved for this achievement.”
Trachoma: Ghana’s story
Trachoma was identified in the 1950s as the most important cause of blindness in Ghana. By the 1990s, the disease was known to persist as a significant public health problem in the Northern and Upper West Regions. There were about 2.8 million people at risk of trachomatous blindness nationally, with an estimated 13 000 people suffering from trichiasis. In 2000, the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service set up a national Trachoma Elimination Programme.
Ghana’s Trachoma Elimination Programme implemented the WHO-recommended elimination strategy, SAFE, which comprises Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotics to clear infection, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement to reduce transmission.
Trichiasis surgery was provided at no cost, a critical Ghana Health Service decision reflecting the socioeconomic disadvantage of people with trichiasis and the impact of the condition on future earning potential.
Azithromycin, donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, was distributed with support from FHI 360 (using funds from the United States Agency for International Development), The Carter Center, Sightsavers and other organizations.
Facial cleanliness was promoted through community events, dramas, the school health education programme, radio messages and radio clubs. Environmental improvement was coordinated by Ghana’s Community Water and Sanitation Agency.
The disease
Trachoma, a devastating eye disease caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is spread through contact with infective eye or nose discharges, either directly from person to person, or mediated by flies. Active (inflammatory) trachoma occurs as a result of infection, and is common among preschool-aged children. Women are blinded up to four times as often as men, mainly due to their close contact with infected children.
Transmission is associated with poor sanitation and hygiene, which increase the availability of eye discharges and encourage the breeding of flies.
GET2020
In 1996, WHO launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020 (GET2020). With other partners in the Alliance, WHO supports country implementation of the SAFE strategy and strengthening of national capacity through epidemiological assessment, monitoring, surveillance, project evaluation and resource mobilization. Elimination of trachoma is inexpensive, simple and extremely cost effective, yielding a high rate of net economic return.
