Infectious Disease Expert: No Need To Panic Over Zika Virus
In other public health news, the San Diego metro area sees a spike in gonorrhea cases, a California Chipotle is facing a class action suit over an employee who allegedly exposed customers to Norovirus, closing arguments wrap on "The pH Miracle" trial and hospitals are increasingly using CT scans on patients.
The San Diego Tribune:
What You Should Know About Zika Virus
A mosquito-borne virus suspected of causing brain damage in newborn babies is drawing growing concern from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has issued a travel alert for the regions where the Zika virus is spreading. The CDC says women who are pregnant should postpone travel to 14 Latin American and Caribbean countries where Zika infections are on the rise, including Mexico. Women who are considering getting pregnant should talk to their doctors before visiting the countries covered by the alert. (Robins, 1/20)
The San Diego Tribune:
County Gonorrhea Spike Outstrips National Trend
The rate of gonorrhea cases in the San Diego metro area has increased significantly since 2010, according to recently released federal data on sexually transmitted diseases. When the county’s health department publicized the new data earlier this month, it portrayed the spike as part of a broader trend. (Schroeder, 1/18)
Sinclair Broadcast Group:
Lawsuit: Chipotle Covered Up Evidence Of Norovirus In Tainted Food
A class action lawsuit was filed against Chipotle Tuesday, claiming a California store waited to inform health officials about an employee who worked while sick with Norovirus, exposing more than 200 people to it. The August 2015 incident took place at a Simi Valley location. (McKernan, 1/20)
The San Diego Tribune:
'Wizard Of pHraud' Or Victim Of A Witch Hunt?
For Robert O. Young, “The pH Miracle” was a life-changer, the first in a series of books he authored espousing an alkaline diet as a way to improve health. First published in 2002, and later translated into more than 18 languages, it has sold millions. To the North County jury that will be tasked with deciding Young’s fate, the book is exhibit No. 13. (Figueroa, 1/20)
Payers & Providers:
CT Scan Usage Zooms At Hospital ERs
Hospital emergency rooms in California are performing increasingly more CT scans on patients with minor injuries, part of a nationwide trend that has some medical experts worried about the potential long-term health impact. The analysis of more than 8.5 million patient records by UC San Francisco and Stanford University researchers was eye-opening: Hospital ERs were more than twice as likely to perform at least one CT scan on a patient with minor trauma in 2013 than in 2005, less than a decade ago. (Shinkman, 1/21)
Reuters:
Lack Of Resilience As A Teen Tied To Higher Diabetes Risk As Adult
Men who have low resistance to psychological stress at age 18 may face considerably higher risk for type 2 diabetes in adulthood compared to those better able to handle stress, according to new research. “Other studies have found that stressful life experiences in mid-adulthood are linked with a higher risk of developing diabetes,” said lead author Dr. Casey Crump of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. (Doyle, 1/20)