Invasive group A strep on the rise in parts of the US: What to know

Invasive group A strep on the rise in parts of the US: What to know

(NEW YORK) -- Cases of invasive group A strep infections, which can cause severe illness and be deadly, remain elevated in some parts of the country, officials warned Wednesday. In a statement to ABC News, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that "preliminary" data from 2023 suggests cases…
COVID-19 death rates varied dramatically across US, major analysis finds

COVID-19 death rates varied dramatically across US, major analysis finds

(NEW YORK) -- Death rates from COVID-19 varied dramatically across the United States, a major new analysis finds. The report, published Monday in medical journal The Lancet, looked at the rate of deaths throughout the country between January 2020 and July 2022. COVID death rates in states like Arizona and New…
Biden administration plans overhaul of US organ transplant system

Biden administration plans overhaul of US organ transplant system

(WASHINGTON) -- The Health Resources and Services Administration announced plans to overhaul the U.S. organ transplant system, after congressional scrutiny of the current operation — which critics said has poor oversight that has led to wasted organs, serious errors, and patient deaths. The department says it aims to modernize the IT…
Gerber powdered infant formula voluntarily recalled due to possible bacteria exposure

Gerber powdered infant formula voluntarily recalled due to possible bacteria exposure

(NEW YORK) -- Some of Gerber's powdered infant formula products that were manufactured at a facility in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, have been voluntarily recalled due to possible bacterial contamination. The infant formulas are "being recalled out of an abundance of caution due to potential presence of cronobacter sakazakii," Perrigo Company,…
Potentially deadly fungus spreading rapidly in US health care facilities

Potentially deadly fungus spreading rapidly in US health care facilities

(ATLANTA) -- A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed the fungus Candida auris is spreading rapidly through U.S. health care facilities. Also known as C. auris, reports of cases linked to the drug-resistant fungus have doubled in 2021. In addition, the fungus is behind an outbreak…
What to know about the drug xylazine and why it’s making fentanyl worse

What to know about the drug xylazine and why it’s making fentanyl worse

(WASHINGTON) -- The Drug Enforcement Administration is warning that a powerful veterinary sedative is being combined illicitly with fentanyl, making it even more dangerous. DEA issued a public safety alert about the widespread threat posed by a mixture of a non-opioid animal sedative called xylazine, also known as "Tranq," and fentanyl.…