Hillsborough County, FL health officials are reporting a confirmed local transmission of dengue fever, prompting the issuance of a mosquito-borne advisory. This follows 11 previous locally acquired cases (Miami-10 and Broward-1) this year. In addition, Florida has seen a larger number of travel-associated dengue cases this year. Through Oct. 5,Continue Reading
The Fourth Annual Jordan Smelski Foundation for Amoeba Awareness Beach Walk is scheduled for Saturday, November 2 at St. Pete Beach. The beach walk benefits the Jordan Smelski Foundation for Amoeba Awareness (research and community education) & the USF Foundation Philip T. Gompf Memorial Fund (I-4 billboards). Sponsorships are availableContinue Reading
We are now in the first week of autumn, although it still feels like summer in Florida. The arrival of fall means it’s time to think about flu season and your annual vaccine for protection against a virus that can mean lost days of work and school later. The FloridaContinue Reading
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in an update today on the lung injury cases and deaths associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products. According to the latest data, 1,299 confirmed and probable lung injury cases associated with use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products were reportedContinue Reading
Pasco County health officials issued a rabies alert for the southwest region of Zephyrhills due to a raccoon testing positive last week. The raccoon was tested after it attacked an owned dog the previous day. The dog was recently vaccinated against rabies and has been placed on observation. The recentContinue Reading
Florida state health officials released the latest numbers to the hepatitis A outbreak and it shows that Pasco County has reported nearly 400 cases in 2019, the most in the state to date. Through Oct. 5, 397 outbreak cases have been reported in Pasco County. Nearby Pinellas County has reportedContinue Reading
Yesterday federal Judge William F. Jung issued an order granting summary judgment to Liberty Counsel in its suit to invalidate the Tampa ordinance that prohibited licensed counselors from providing voluntary talk therapy to minors seeking help to reduce or eliminate their unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or identity. Today’s ruling permanently strikes down theContinue Reading
Liberty Counsel filed a motion for summary judgment asking a federal court to permanently block the city of Tampa’s ordinance which violates the First Amendment by prohibiting licensed counselors from providing voluntary talk therapy to minors seeking help to reduce or eliminate their unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or identity. The ordinance imposes significantContinue Reading
Brutus & Barnaby of Clearwater, Florida is recalling all size variations of our Pig Ears for Dogs because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact withContinue Reading
A Florida physician mishandled an abortion by performing the procedure on the wrong woman in 2017 at A Women’s Center of Hollywood, an abortion facility in Hollywood, Florida. That doctor, Harvey Craig Roth, will now have to pay a $10,000 fine and take additional courses as a punishment for hisContinue Reading
Take one student with measles and plunk him or her down in an area where measles vaccination rates have dropped 10 percent overall. What would happen? It’s a question Dr. Karen Liller, a USF COPH professor of community and family health, posed to Dr. Mark Roberts, a professor and chair at the University ofContinue Reading
June 6th is World Pest Day, a multinational event established to raise awareness among the public, government and media about the work that pest control professionals do on a daily basis to ensure public health and safety. McCall Service is joining the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) in the worldwide celebration, recognizing the vital role pestContinue Reading
Florida Cancer Specialists Physician Recognized for Her Expertise and Leadership Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) is pleased to announce that FCS physician Dr. Faithlore Gardner has been appointed as a Session Chair for one of the Oral Abstract Sessions at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)Annual Meeting, which will be held inContinue Reading
Emergency situations, such as hurricanes, can significantly impact everyone’s safety, but they can be especially upsetting and confusing for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in any stage of the disease. Being prepared is crucial. There are steps and precautions caregivers can take to be as ready as possible.Continue Reading
Dermatologists urge the public to “practice safe sun” when outside this holiday weekend to reduce the risk of skin cancer An estimated 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, yet many Americans will put themselves at greater risk for skin cancer over the upcoming holiday weekend.Continue Reading
By Robert Herriman @bactiman63 On this week’s Outbreak News This Week Radio Show in the Tampa Bay area, two important topics were covered concerning Florida and the Tampa Bay area in particular with two great guests. In the first half, Regional Epidemiologist & Laboratory Liason with the Bureau of Epidemiology at the FloridaContinue Reading
Sarasota County health officials have identified a positive case of hepatitis A in a food service worker at Duval’s at 1435 Main Street Sarasota. The employee may have exposed patrons between April 26 through May 10, 2019. The epidemiological investigation determined the individual may have been infectious. If you frequented this restaurantContinue Reading
By Robert Herriman @bactiman63 Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba which is a single-celled living organism. It can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The amoeba is commonly found in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, ponds and canals. Of the 140 or so documented cases in the US since 1962,Continue Reading
The latest breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s disease research will be the primary topic discussed at “Discoveries,” a free and educational program to be hosted by the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association on Tuesday, June 11 in Lakeland. Featuring presentations regarding “Healthy Living for Your Body and Brain” andContinue Reading
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section confirmed on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, the fifth positive Rabies case in Polk County for the year. On Sunday, May 12, 2019, PCSO received a call in reference to a Winter Haven resident who stepped on a bat that was on theContinue Reading
Measles has been a major topic in the media of late as the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 764 individual confirmed cases of measles in 23 states through May 3. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1994 and since measlesContinue Reading
