Tag: Sickness warning

Authorities urge caution after dead bat tests positive for rabies in DeKalb County

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Hundreds of bats flying across a sunset sky above a mountain valley

Health authorities are asking residents in DeKalb County to watch their pets after a dead bat tested positive for rabies. Authorities say the bat was found in the area around Terry Mill Road and tested positive on Aug. 21. Georgia is a rabies-endemic state, which means the virus can be found in wildlife year-round. Officials say that means it’s important for residents to make sure their pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations and avoid animals that may be behaving in unusual ways. In July, a dead bat was found in the area near South DeKalb Columbia Drive and York Place around Stone Mountain, health officials say.

Other animals, such as raccoons, have tested positive in recent months. The National Association of State Health Veterinarians says all unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal need to be quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month before being released. If you have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or an animal suspected to have rabies, seek medical care immediately and let your provider know about the possible exposure. After that, contact GNR Public Health at (770) 339-4260 and ask for the on-call epidemiologist. To report an animal behaving in an unusual way or to report an animal bite, call DeKalb County Animal Control at (404) 294-2996, ext. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, or (404) 294-2519 after hours.

Source: Authorities urge caution after dead bat tests positive for rabies in DeKalb County – CBS Atlanta

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18

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NYC man spent weeks suffering from cyclosporiasis: “My body would not allow me to eat food”

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man bowing down

There have been 517 reported cases of the parasitic infection cyclosporiasis across New York state since May, and nearly 400 of them are in New York City, health officials say. It comes as United States health officials investigate outbreaks across the country. “I was having a lot of pain” Chase Strangio, an attorney from Queens, says he spent weeks suffering from the illness. “Felt really lethargic, nauseous, had a low-grade fever, had diarrhea,” he said.

When he began experiencing these symptoms back in May, he thought he had a stomach virus, but as the days progressed, he didn’t see any improvements. “My body would not allow me to eat food, and it even reached the point where drinking water was challenging,” he said, “and I was having a lot of pain.” No one in Strangio’s family got sick, but many friends he had lunch with a week prior did.

“The common ingredient we were able to discern was either a lettuce or a cilantro,” he said. Research led Strangio to request a stool test, which came back positive for Cyclospora, the parasite which causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis. Strangio said he was put on an antibiotic, and he’s now feeling much better. Doctors stress handling produce properly Cyclosporiasis cases have been identified in 34 states since May 1.

In New York City alone, there are 374 cases. “This is three times the amount of our typical rate of Cyclospora infections,” City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet confirmed a specific source for this outbreak, but past outbreaks have been linked to various produce such as raspberries, leafy greens, onions, basil and cilantro.

“The actual parasite lives on the outside of those fruits and vegetables,” Martin said. “And so we’re working with our colleagues at the federal government and at the state to identify, is there one retailer or wholesaler upstream that is particularly causing this.” Mount Sinai South Nassau Chief of Infectious Diseases Dr. Aaron Glatt says it’s not about avoiding fruits and vegetables, but handling them properly.

“Cooking them or making sure that they’re washed well should be adequate,” he said. “If people are just going to eat junk food, that has its risks too … And I think having a well-balanced diet is something that’s very important.” Doctors also stress this is not spread from person to person. It can take up to two weeks for symptoms to appear, and the CDC says they can last longer without treatment. If you think you are infected, seek medical care.

Source: NYC man spent weeks suffering from cyclosporiasis: “My body would not allow me to eat food” – CBS New York

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24

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Lifeguard rescues dog at Hilton Head beach

A Hilton Head Island lifeguard saved a beach-goer’s dog Thursday morning. Lifeguard Otávio Cunha from Hilton Head’s Shore Beach Service swam 60 yards to rescue the K-9, according to a Facebook post from the organization.…

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Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak Hits 20 States: Full List of Affected Areas

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anonymous man hanging toilet paper in bathroom

A parasite that causes explosive, watery diarrhea has sickened 145 people across 20 US states, prompting an ongoing investigation by federal and state health officials into the source of the outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cases were reported between May and June 16 and involve patients ranging in age from 5 to 86 years old. So far, 20 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. Breaking It Down What is Shigella and how does it spread? What are the symptoms of Shigella infection? How are health authorities responding to the outbreak in Wayanad? Created with AI. Health officials believe the illnesses are linked to contaminated food because none of the patients reported recent international travel.

However, investigators have not yet identified the exact source. The parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, causes cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness that commonly leads to explosive, watery diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Symptoms usually appear about a week after infection and mainly affect the intestines, although some infected people may not develop symptoms. The CDC said local, state, and federal public health authorities are investigating several clusters of cases spanning multiple states. Officials also noted that the true number of infections may be higher because some cases may not have been diagnosed.

List of 20 States Affected By The Outbreak The CDC has reported cases in the following states and Washington, DC:

  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Connecticut
  • Pennsylvania
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin
  • Illinois
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Texas
  • Louisiana
  • Colorado
  • Alaska
  • Washington DC

Among the affected areas, New York has reported the highest number of cases, with between 31 and 80 infections, followed by Texas and Illinois, which have each recorded between 11 and 30 cases. While cyclosporiasis can resolve on its own, symptoms may last for a month or longer if left untreated, increasing the risk of dehydration. The CDC says the infection is typically treated with the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also sold under the brand names Bactrim, Septra and Cotrim. The agency also recommends following safe food handling and storage practices. Previous US outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh produce, including cilantro, raspberries, sweet peas, mesclun lettuce and basil.

Source: Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak Hits 20 States: Full List of Affected Areas | Times Now

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

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Tularemia detected in Northern Colorado after dead rabbit discovered in Berthoud

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photo of two rabbits in a forest

Tularemia has been detected in Northern Colorado after a dead rabbit was discovered in a Berthoud neighborhood. According to Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, the bacteria was identified in a dead rabbit.  Health officials said that because tularemia is natural to Larimer County, it is likely present in other areas throughout the county.  They are reminding residents and visitors that a few simple precautions can help prevent illness from rabbits, ticks and other wildlife while enjoying the outdoors.  According to LCDHE, tularemia is a rare but potentially serious bacterial infection found in local wildlife, especially rabbits and rodents.

Health officials said it can spread to humans through bites from infected ticks and deer flies, direct contact with sick or dead animals and contaminated soil, water and vegetation.  Common symptoms, according to LCDHE, include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and skin ulcers. When diagnosed early, tularemia can be effectively treated with antibiotics. In Larimer County, there have been seven human cases of tularemia since 2020. In Larimer County, there have been 7 human cases of tularemia since 2020.  “Because tularemia is present in Larimer County, it’s important to take steps to avoid infection,” said Dr. Paul Mayer, the health department’s Medical Officer, in a statement.

He recommends that residents and visitors always “use effective insect repellent, check skin for ticks after being outdoors, and keep children and pets away from wild animals, including rabbits and squirrels.” Additional Information from LCDHE: To help reduce your risk of tularemia,

LCDHE recommends the following precautions when spending time outdoors:

  • Wear gloves while gardening and wash hands before eating or touching your face
  • Use an EPA-registered insect repellent effective against ticks and biting flies (such as DEET or picaridin)
  • Wear a dust mask when mowing, using a leaf blower, or digging in soil
  • Wear shoes outdoors, especially in areas where dead animals may have been
  • Use protective gloves to remove dead rabbits or rodents from your property 

Source: Tularemia detected in Northern Colorado after dead rabbit discovered in Berthoud – CBS Colorado

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Luke 9:23

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