Health News:

• A Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to now-recalled eggs has sickened at least 95 people in 18 states, with the majority of cases in California. (CDC)
  
  
• More companies pulled thousands of packages of shrimp due to potential radioactive contamination, including those sold at Walmart, Kroger, and other stores. (AP)
  
  
• Two people have died after eating Vibrio-infected raw oysters in Louisiana. (NBC)

• The CDC has made major cuts to its FoodNet surveillance program due to funding cuts, from tracking eight pathogens to just two: E. coli and Salmonella. States will have to pick up the slack. (Food Safety Magazine)
  
  
• U.S. COVID levels are still climbing gradually, with hotspots in the South, West, and Southeast. (CIDRAP)
  
  
• CVS and Walgreens are limiting access to COVID vaccines in some states that have laws that require CDC approval. CVS said it can’t vaccinate people even with a prescription in MA, NV, and NM; in 16 other states, a prescription is needed. (CBS)  
  
  
• The DOT issued new proposed rules for drug screening that include the addition of fentanyl to their testing panel, among other significant changes. (Federal Register)
  
  
• Four senior CDC officials resigned after Director Monarez’s ouster last week, citing concerns over scientific independence. (KFF Health News)
  
  
• The top vaccine panel, the ACIP, will meet this month to review COVID, Hep B, and MMRV vaccine recommendations. (CIDRAP)
  
  
• NYC’s Legionnaires’ outbreak was declared over after contaminated water cooling towers at a hospital and public health lab sickened 114 and killed seven people. (Bloomberg)

Climate Health News:

• Chagas disease, long considered only a threat abroad, is now established in California and the Southern U.S. Up to 300,000 people in the U.S. might have it, raising their risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. (LA Times)
  
  
• Ticks are migrating, but health departments can’t keep up to survey for ticks and warn doctors about new species and the diseases they carry, leaving many doctors in the dark on how to treat patients. (NPR)
  
  

Best Questions:

My employee says they need sick time because they’re allergic to our cleaning products. Is that legit?

Maybe, but they shouldn’t be out for long, and you should definitely get in touch with HR.

In rare cases, some employees have diagnosed allergies or sensitivities to common cleaning agents (like bleach or quats) that can trigger asthma, skin reactions, or other health issues. Under the ADA, these sensitivities may qualify as a disability if they significantly impact breathing or other major life functions. That means employers must consider “reasonable accommodations” to keep the person working.

Common solutions include switching to fragrance-free or hypoallergenic products, upgrading PPE, or reassigning the employee’s tasks to avoid exposure. If an employee says they’re allergic to the cleaning solutions you use, direct them to your HR team. HR may request a doctor’s note outlining the issue and suggesting accommodations.

These symptoms shouldn’t be dismissed – OSHA notes that repeat exposure to respiratory irritants can worsen over time. And any questions about this are a great opportunity to remind your team about proper chemical use for workplace safety.

Sources: OSHA, ALA, AAFA

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Will people be able to get updated COVID shots this fall?

Here at ZHH we are all planning on trying to get updated COVID shots this fall, and encouraging our family members to do the same. The reality, though, is that it will be a lot harder for most of us to get those. Here’s why:

The CDC is recommending the updated COVID shot for fewer people. While it’s still recommended for those 65+ and anyone who has a health problem that puts them at high risk for severe disease. That’s still a long list, including common conditions like asthma, diabetes, or being overweight or obese. Pregnant women and kids, however, were dropped, and until now, COVID vaccines had been available for anyone 6 months and older, regardless of their health.

Pharmacies may not offer them in many states, or may require a prescription.  There are 16 states where pharmacists can only give vaccines to people who qualify under FDA and CDC guidelines. CVS is requiring people in 13 states to have a prescription even if they qualify under FDA guidelines. The crazy part? Walgreens has a list of 16 states, too - but not the same 16 states!

While the administration has said that COVID shots are “available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors,” the reality is that’s just not true. The barriers to entry will mean that millions of people who might have otherwise gotten an updated vaccine simply won’t this year.

If you want an updated COVID shot:

• Check the CDC list (found here) to see if you have a health issue that qualifies you. You already qualify if you’re 65 or older.
• Call your pharmacy to see if they have any requirements. In some cases you may need to ask your doctor for a prescription.
• Check local urgent care, community health centers, or your doctor’s office. While some doctors’ offices do offer shots, it’s rare. But there are other options that may have the updated COVID vaccine, including community health clinics and urgent care centers.
  

Sources: CBS, NY Times

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Best Read:

Nine former CDC directors, under both Republican and Democratic administrations, published a joint op-ed in the NY Times yesterday. While we don’t normally use opinion pieces for the Best Read, this unprecedented piece feels worth your time to read.

Collectively, the authors have over 100 years of CDC experience and have served under every president from Jimmy Carter to Donald Trump. They raise real concerns about America’s health security:

Opinion | We Ran the C.D.C.: Secretary Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health - The New York Times (Gift Article)

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