Measles News:
- Measles is slowing significantly in South Carolina, but quickly spreading in Utah, which had 50 new cases this week. (CIDRAP)
- Colorado’s growing measles outbreak is up to about 10 cases. (CO Sun)
- There’s confusion about measles cases in TX. CDC reports 93 since the start of 2026, but the state stopped updating its dashboard in August. At least 16 cases in the state are linked to ICE detention facilities. (Brown Pandemic Center)
- A rare but devastating side effect from measles can paralyze or kill kids years after their infection. (KFF Health News)
Health News:
- One third of Americans skip meals or other needs to afford health care. (Washington Post)
- A first-of-its-kind vaccine offered significant protection against enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) in a recent trial. ETEC is the most common cause of traveler’s diarrhea. (Scientific American)
- Wyoming is raising the alarm about high rates of whooping cough this year, with 26 cases so far, mostly in Fremont county. (WPM)
- FDA vaccine advisors followed the WHO’s lead and added a subclade K strain to next year’s flu vaccine. (CIDRAP)
- A glucose monitor recall was linked to 7 deaths, concerning those who rely on the devices. (NBC)
- Nearly 40% of nonorganic fruits and veggies grown in California contain traces of PFAs (“forever chemicals”) from pesticides. CA provides about half of the nation’s fruit and veg. (CNN)
- Bird flu is still high in commercial and backyard poultry, particularly in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. (Brown Pandemic Center)
- There’s been a rise in child poisoning cases from nicotine pouches, often sold in colorful packages and fruity flavors. (Examination)
Best Question:
What can employees do about allergies to avoid missing work?
Allergy season is upon us - and getting longer every year. But there are things that you and your employees can do to limit the impact if you’re suffering from seasonal allergies.
- Decide when to spend extended time outdoors. There are pollen forecasts that can help decide if this is a good weekend to go camping: try Pollen.com or National Allergy Bureau.
- Keep the outdoors out. Change clothes and shower when you come back indoors to remove pollen. Keep windows closed on high pollen days, and run an air purifier or turn on the exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen.
- Take seasonal allergy meds early - and make sure you use the right kind. Allergy medicines work best when you start them about two weeks before the season is in full swing. Don’t wait til you’re a mess, take them at the first sign of allergies. And take later generation ones like Zyrtec or Claritin over older ones like Benadryl, which have more side effects.
- Rinse your nose with saline. YLE’s Katelyn Jetelina says to rinse your nose with saline water “just like you brush your teeth.” Allergies are triggered when pollen is in our nasal passages, so a regular saline rinse can help a lot.
Sources: YLE CA, YLE Dose
Best Read:
Some nice news to end your week: a former Utah restaurant owner who offered free school lunches for local kids is being supported now by that same community as he fights cancer.
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