HEALTH  UPDATES

Health

New measles cases tied to N.J. patient who visited 3 health facilities.  Updated: Feb. 27, 2025, 10:16 a.m.  |Published: Feb. 27, 2025, 7:02 a.m.   New Jersey health officials have confirmed two additional cases of measles in the state this year linked to a Bergen County resident who recently traveled internationally.  The initial case was reported Feb. 14 in an unvaccinated person.

The state Department of Health officials warned that the person may have exposed others during a visit to the emergency department at Englewood Hospital in Bergen County, Feb. 9 between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.  Two additional cases had been identified, both involving individuals who had close contact with the original patient, health officials said.

The original patient may have also spread the virus at Hackensack University Medical Center and an urgent care facility in Fort Lee.  A spokesperson for the Hackensack hospital said the patient, a child with measles, was transferred from another hospital and immediately placed into isolation.

The two new cases also involved unvaccinated people, state officials said.  The state health department is working with local health agencies to track any possible exposures and notify individuals who may have been in contact with the infected patients when they were contagious.

The department is urging residents to check vaccination records and ensure they are up to date, particularly for the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, which provides protection against the highly contagious virus.

New Jersey residents can verify their immunization records using the Docket App, which provides access to information stored in the New Jersey Immunization Information System.  Vaccination records may also be available through healthcare providers, former schools, colleges, employers, the military, or obstetricians' offices.  The outbreak in New Jersey comes amid a surge in measles cases across the United States.

Given the global spread of measles, New Jersey health officials strongly advises all residents planning to travel—regardless of destination—to ensure they are fully vaccinated.  The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is recommended for all travelers, particularly those visiting international locations where measles is more prevalent.

A child, unvaccinated, died in a measles outbreak in rural West Texas, the first U.S. death from the highly contagious, but preventable, respiratory disease since 2015, according to state officials. 

As of Feb. 20, a rash of 124 cases has erupted across nine counties.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, reported a total of 93 measles cases in Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas.

For parents traveling with infants 6 to 11 months, health officials recommend consulting a pediatrician about receiving an early dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine before departure.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and include:

• high fever,
• cough,
• runny nose,
• watery eyes,
• a characteristic red rash.

Severe complications can include:  pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and in rare cases, death.

Measles Outbreaks in U.S. Are Growing: How to Protect Yourself.  Feb. 21, 2025.   Cases of measles are rising across the United States, with the largest outbreak reported in Texas.  The Texas Department of State Health Services says 90 cases have been discovered in the South Plains region of the state since late January, with 16 patients needing hospitalization. 

Gaines County has reported 57 cases, the highest number in the state so far.  In Lea County, New Mexico, which borders Gaines County, has reported eight cases of measles, according to New Mexico Department of Health.   Alaska, Georgia, New York City, and Rhode Island have also reported measles cases this year.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that appears to be making a comeback as vaccination rates across the U.S. decline. In Texas, only five of the patients had been vaccinated for measles, the state health services department says. 

Measles is a contagious virus that mainly affects babies and young children. Learn about how it spreads, dangerous complications, and the vaccine.  Health experts agree, vaccination is the best way to avoid getting measles.   The CDC says that two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective against measles.

The CDC  also recommends all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine,

• the first dose at 12-15 months  
• the second dose at 4-6 years. 
• Unvaccinated older children should be vaccinated

It’s not only children who need the vaccine.  Adults who don’t have presumptive evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, the CDC says.  Some need two doses - who are in post-secondary educational settings, work in health care, have contact with immunocompromised people, or travel internationally. 

Evidence of immunity is documentation that you’ve been vaccinated for measles or have tested positive for measles IgG antibodies or for the disease.  Generally, adults born before 1957 are considered immune to measles and don’t need a booster.

Adults born in 1957 or later should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.  Adults who were previously given a vaccine in the 1960s made with “killed” measles, as opposed to the live-type vaccine used today, or were given an MMR vaccine between 1963-1967 but there’s no record of what type of vaccine.

Because of the risk of birth defects, all women of childbearing age should have the MMR vaccine unless they're pregnant, have proof of immunity, or have proof of being vaccinated for rubella.

Measles cases could exceed the number reported in 2024 (285), which easily topped the number in 2023 (59), the CDC says.

FDA outbreak investigation continues.  Coral Beach, February27, 2025.  The Food and Drug Administration continues to investigate four foodborne illness outbreaks, two from Salmonella and two from Listeria monocytogenes.

• For Salmonella Newport, the number reported is 29 patients, up two from the previous week.  The FDA has not reported the age of the patients.   The FDA first posted the outbreak on Feb. 20.
• For Salmonella Enteritidis, the patient count remains at 18.  The strain of Salmonella has been reported from seven states.

The outbreak is linked to Sweet Cream-brand mini pastries manufactured in Italy and exported into the United States by Importations Piu Che Dolci Inc. of Quebec, Canada. The outbreak began in Canada where 69 patients are reported sick.  The pastries have been recalled in both countries. The FDA first posted the outbreak on Feb. 5.

• For Listeria monocytogenes, traced to frozen nutritional shakes, the patient counts is 38 - with 12 deaths. The implicated shakes were sold to nursing homes under the Sysco and Lyons ReadyCare brands.  Both brands of shakes have been recalled.

The shakes were produced by Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. at its facility in Fort Wayne, IN. The FDA found Listeria monocytogenes in the facility.  The FDA first heard of the outbreak in October 2024, posting as being of unknown origin in Dec. 26, 2024.  It announced the cause on Feb. 21.

• Another outbreak of infections from Listeria monocytogenes remains under investigation, with 36 patients.  A cause is yet to be determined.. The FDA first posted the outbreak on Jan. 15.

CDC warns of Listeria outbreak linked to supplement shakes distributed in long-term care facilities.  Media alert - For immediate release: February 24, 2025

CDC Media Relations

(404) 639-3286

media@cdc.gov

https://www.cdc.gov/media/

A CDC food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/shakes-022025/index.html

Key Points:

• Thirty-eight people from 21 states have been infected with this outbreak strain of Listeria.  Thirty-seven people have been hospitalized, 12 people have died.
• Cases date back to 2018.  Over half of the people affected by this outbreak got sick in either 2024 or 2025.  It is common for Listeria outbreaks to last several years because it is an incredibly hardy germ that can survive on surfaces for long periods of time.
• CDC has investigated this strain several times but never had enough information to identify a food source, beyond something being served in long-term care facilities. Environmental testing and whole genome sequencing helped solve the outbreak this year.
• Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco have recalled all supplement shakes under their brands and within shelf life, and questions about the recall should be directed to FDA.
• Those affected ages range from 43-101 years, with adults over age 65 years being the most affected.
• The shakes were distributed nationwide to institutional settings like long-term care facilities and given most commonly to those on medically necessary soft diets.
• The products are not available to the general public and are only available to institutional settings like long-term care facilities.

What You Should Do:

• Do not eat any recalled products.
• Throw them away or return them to where you bought them.
• Clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched the recalled products.  Listeria can survive in the refrigerator and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
• Call a healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms after eating recalled products.

What Businesses Should Do:

• Do not sell or serve recalled supplement shakes.
• Follow FDA's safe handling and cleaning advice if you sold or served recalled products.

Listeria Symptoms:

Listeria is especially harmful to women who are pregnant, those aged 65 years or older, or those with weakened immune systems causing a severe condition known as invasive listeriosis.

• For women who are pregnant, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in their newborn.
• For people who are 65 years or older or who have a weakened immune system, Listeria often results in hospitalization and sometimes death.

Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.

• Pregnant women usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
• Other people usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.

For more information about Listeria, see the Listeria homepage.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state's health department.

VARIANT  UPDATES

Is Another Pandemic On The Horizon? All You Need to Know About Deadly HKU5-CoV-2 COVID-19 Variant Detected In China.  MSNBC.  New China COVID Variant News.  Four years after the first case of the COVID-19 virus was reported from China's Wuhan city, the world is once again on the verge of witnessing another pandemic outbreak.  

According to the report, experts issued a high alert after Chinese scientists revealed that they have detected another highly infectious COVID-19 variant -- HKU5-CoV-2 in bats, capable of evading the human immunity system.  

The main reason for global concern is the possibility of human transmission.  No human infections have been confirmed, but the virus's ability to infect laboratory-cultured human cells is alarming.  The HKU5-CoV-2 variant possesses mutations that might allow it to partially evade the immune system.  This raises fears about the effectiveness of existing COVID-19 vaccines and the potential need for updated formulations, experts told media.

Thailand Health Officials Respond to Newly Detected HK5-CoV-2 COVID-19 Variant. 

Responding to the detection of HKU5-CoV-2 in bats in China, Thailand's disease surveillance network , which comprises:  the Department of Disease Control, Department of Medical Sciences, and university researchers,.  Their specialized team is closely monitoring the variant and remains vigilant of any potential outbreak.  Officials also stressed that HKU5-CoV-2 is a variant within an existing viral family rather than a new strain or mutation.

HKU5-CoV-2 COVID.  MSNBC.  TheHealthSite.com.  HKU5-CoV-2 Coronavirus Variant: Chinese researchers, led by virologist Shi Zhengli, discovered a new bat coronavirus that poses potential risks of animal-to-human transmission, sparking concerns of future spillover events.  The virus, identified as HKU5-CoV-2, belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which includes the MERS virus.

According to initial reports, this newly isolated strain can bind to the ACE2 receptor in human cells, the same pathway used by the Covid-19 virus.

 No human cases have been reported so far associated with this newly detected variant of coronavirus.

• Viruses that jump from animals to humans often pose the highest pandemic risks because humans have no pre-existing immunity. The genetic structure of HKU5-CoV-2 suggests it could adapt to human infection.
• As with COVID-19, the best way to stay safe is to avoid crowded places, wear a properly fitted face mask, and keep a tab of bodily symptoms.

Symptoms of This New Bat Coronavirus.  There are no confirmed cases of HKU5-CoV-2 in humans yet, so symptoms are unknown.  However, it belongs to the same subgenus as MERS and COVID-19 and might cause similar respiratory symptoms, such as: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue and body aches.

VACCINE UPDATES

COVID-19.  Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines. January 7, 2025

CDC’s website is being modified to comply with President Trump’s Executive Orders.

What to know

• Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine.  This includes people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine, who have had COVID-19, or experiencing long COVID.
• The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect from severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
• The 2024–2025 vaccine if ages 65 and older, are at high risk for severe COVID-19, or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Vaccine protection decreases over time.  It is important to get your 2024–2025 vaccine.

Importance of staying up to date

• Getting the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is important because:
• Protection from the vaccine decreases with time.
• Immunity after a COVID infection decreases with time.
• Vaccines are updated to give the best protection from the currently circulating strains.
• Getting the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is especially important if you:
• Never received a vaccine
• Ages 65 years and older
• At high risk for severe COVID-19
• Living in a long-term care facility
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or may become pregnant in the future.
• Want to lower the risk of getting Long COVID

When are you up to date?

• Children 6 months–4 years - when they have received all recommended doses, including at least 1 dose of the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine.

• Children 5–11 years - when they have received:
  • 1 dose of 2024–2025 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine OR
  • 1 dose of 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

• Ages 12–64 years - when you have received:
  • 1 dose of 2024–2025 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine OR
  • 1 dose of  2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine OR
  • 1 dose of  2024–2025 Novavax vaccine unless you are receiving a vaccine for the very first time.  If you have never received a vaccination and get Novavax, you need 2 doses of 2024–2025 of vaccine to be up to date.

• Ages 65 years and older - when you have received:
• 2 doses of any 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine 6 months apart.  
• The minimum time is 2 months apart, which allows flexibility to get the second dose prior to typical COVID-19 surges, travel, life events, and healthcare visits

• If you are receiving a COVID-19 vaccine for the first time and getting Novavax, you need:
  • 2 doses of 2024–2025 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 3–8 weeks apart
  • A 3rd dose of any vaccine 6 months later
• If you received 1 dose of Novavax vaccine before the 2024–2025 vaccine, you need:
  • A 2nd dose of 2024–2025 Novavax vaccine AND
  • A 3rd dose of any 2024–2025 vaccine 6 months later

• People who recently had COVID-19
  • may delay getting a vaccine for 3 months after symptoms started OR after receiving a positive test with no symptoms
  • The risk of getting COVID-19 is less likely in the weeks to months following a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Recommended COVID-19 Vaccines.  Three vaccines are available for use in the United States. There is no preference for one vaccine over the other when more than one vaccine is recommended for an age group.

The 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines more closely target the JN.1 lineage of the Omicron variant.

2024–2025 vaccines are updated to give you the best protection from the currently circulating strains.

How to Protect Yourself?  Getting vaccinated is your best bet!

IT’S NOT OVER!

Stay safe.  Mask.  Social distance.  Frequent hand washing.  Avoid crowds

ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

• https://www.nj.com/healthfit/2025/02/new-measles-cases-tied-to-nj-patient-who-visited-3-health-facilities.html
• https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20250221/measles-outbreaks-spreading-us
• https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/02/fda-outbreak-investigations-continue-2/
• https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2025/2025-supplement-shakes-listeria-outbreak.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/shakes-022025/index.html
• https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/other/is-another-pandemic-on-the-horizon-all-you-need-to-know-about-deadly-hku5-cov-2-covid-19-variant-detected-in-china/ar-AA1zE3ID?ocid=BingNewsSerp
• https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/other/hku5-cov-2-new-detected-bat-coronavirus-discovered-at-chinas-wuhan-lab-sparks-global-pandemic-fears-10-points-to-know/ar-AA1zGwVk?ocid=BingNewsSerp

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