Take Your Chance With The Flu? Experts Weigh In On Calculation Of Skipping Vaccine
KQED looks at how effective the flu vaccine is and whether getting the actual flu might protect someone from future illness. In other public health news, In-N-Out's antibiotics policy is under fire and Organic Pastures Dairy recalls raw milk that tested positive for E. coli.
KQED:
What Offers Better Immunity: The Flu Vaccine Or The Flu Itself?
This year’s flu season has been fairly mild so far, as predicted. But also as predicted, flu cases have been picking up, in line with the expected February peak this year. The most recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows an increase in influenza-like illnesses and notes that it’s never too late to get vaccinated. (Haelle, 2/24)
Reuters:
Activists Press In-N-Out On Antibiotic Policy Amid Superbug Worries
Hamburger chain In-N-Out Burger is the newest target in a push by public health, environmental and consumer groups to convince high-profile food sellers to stop serving meat from animals fed a routine diet of antibiotics. The new campaign from CALPIRG Education Fund, Friends of the Earth, the Center for Food Safety and other public interest groups was launched amid growing concern that the overuse of such drugs is contributing to increasing numbers of life-threatening human infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, known as "superbugs." (2/24)
The Fresno Bee:
Organic Pastures Dairy Recalls Milk
Organic Pastures Dairy in Fresno County voluntarily recalled its raw milk last month after internal tests found evidence of E. coli. The tainted milk caused at least 10 illnesses, with six of those victims reporting they drank Organic Pastures raw milk, said California Department of Public Health officials. The victims all had closely related strains of E. coli 0157, the health department said. (Rodriguez, 2/24)