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☆ 4 Americans charged with ammunition offenses in Turks and Caicos
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Four Americans are charged with possession of ammunition offenses in the tropical Atlantic getaway of Turks and Caicos, according to a post from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. Carrying firearms in Turks and Caicos is prohibited, according to the TCI Government. Another man visiting Turks and Caicos from Pennsylvania is set to appear before a TCI court Friday on similar charges, according to CNN affiliate WPXI. Two additional Americans – a 31-year-old from Virginia and a 72-year-old from Texas – are also facing lengthy prison sentences for possessing ammunition, according to the TCI Government. Firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons are not permitted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

Persons: Ryan Watson, Watson, Valerie, “, Valerie Watson, ”, Bryan Hagerich, Hagerich, Ashley, ” Ashley, WPXI, ” Hagerich, CNN’s Michael Rios, Tanika Gray, Forrest Brown Organizations: CNN, Turks, Caicos, Caicos Islands Government, TCI Government, British Overseas Territory, Embassy, Howard Hamilton International Airport, TCI, TSA, Will Rogers, Airport, WPXI, “, Transportation Security Administration, US State Department, British Overseas, State Department, United States, Firearms, Caicos Islands Locations: Caicos, Caicos Islands, Bahamas, Providenciales, Oklahoma, America, Oklahoma City, Turks, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, United States, United

☆ Tennessee school guns law: Governor signs into law a bill allowing teachers and staff to be armed on campus
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Bill Lee signed legislation Friday allowing teachers and school staff in the state to be armed in school buildings and campuses, according to the General Assembly’s website. Gun violence is the leading killer of children in the United States. So far, 443 children younger than 18 have been killed in gun violence this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive. Thirty-four states bar teachers and the general public from carrying guns in K-12 schools, according to data from Everytown for Gun Safety. Another educator applauded lawmakers for trying to improve safety but said the law won’t do that.

Persons: Bill Lee, ” Lee, “, Sen, Raumesh Akbari, ”, don’t, Chris Cogdill Organizations: CNN, Tennessee Gov, Republican, WSMV, Gun Safety, Democratic, Tennessee Education Association, Jefferson County High School Locations: United States, Tennessee, “

☆ Melatonin industry asked to voluntarily tighten standards after dramatic rise in childhood ER visits
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

As a dietary supplement, melatonin is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for safety, effectiveness or labeling before it is sold to the public. The council’s action follows recent reports of a massive rise in accidental ingestions of melatonin by children and an April 2023 study that found 25 products labeled as melatonin gummies contained dangerous levels of the hormone. Melatonin gummies were involved in nearly 5,000 of those cases. While the vast majority of unsupervised melatonin ingestions did not result in hospitalization, the number of accidental ingestions by children 5 and under may be underestimated, the report said. New and improved labelsThe council guidelines call for new labels that warn consumers about the danger of drowsiness after taking a melatonin supplement.

Persons: —, ”, Pieter Cohen, ” Cohen, it’s “, Cohen, Catherine McQueen, ” Dr, Cora Collette Breuner, “ It’s, Breuner, Amanda Musa Organizations: CNN, Council for Responsible Nutrition, US Food and Drug Administration, Cambridge Health Alliance, US Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, CDC, Food and Drug Administration, Getty, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington Locations: Somerville , Massachusetts, Seattle

☆ Arizona woman accused of trying to kill husband with poison in his coffee pleads guilty to lesser charge
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Steve Almasy | Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A woman in Arizona pleaded guilty this week to attempting to poison her husband’s coffee every day for months, court documents show. The defendant’s husband, Roby Johnson, told investigators he “believes she was trying to kill him to collect death benefits,” according to a criminal report obtained last year by CNN affiliate KVOA. Roby Johnson said he first noticed a foul taste to his coffee in March 2023 while he was an airman stationed in Germany, the document says. Roby Johnson told investigators he pretended to continue drinking the coffee so he could wait until they returned to Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson before filing a police report. Melody Felicano Johnson had been charged in August with attempted first-degree murder, attempting to commit aggravated assault, and poisoning food or drink.

Persons: Melody Felicano Johnson –, –, Roby Johnson, “, Melody Johnson, Melody Felicano Johnson Organizations: CNN, Court, KVOA, Johnsons, Davis Monthan Air Force Base Locations: Arizona, Pima County, Germany, Tucson

☆ Puerto Rico declares public health emergency as dengue cases surge
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Rafy Rivera | Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency due to a surging number of dengue cases. Puerto Rico Secretary of Heath Carlos Mellado said the health department has registered 549 cases of dengue so far this year, far exceeding historical numbers. Health officials in Puerto Rico are urging people to use insect repellent and eliminate possible mosquito breeding sites by preventing water from accumulating. Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team. “There are indeed efforts from the health department and other organizations like the Puerto Rico vector control unit to control dengue in the area.”Climate change will also encourage the spread of dengue around the world, Paz-Bailey said.

Persons: Heath Carlos Mellado, ” Mellado, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Gabriela Paz, Bailey, ” Paz, ”, Jamie Gumbrecht Organizations: CNN — Puerto, World Health Organization —, Virgin Islands, US Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Health, Get CNN, CNN Health, Vector, CNN, Paz Locations: CNN — Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, Virgin, American Samoa, United States, Florida

☆ New data shows asthma medicine may help reduce severe reactions in people with multiple food allergies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —A new study finds that the asthma medication Xolair may substantially reduce severe allergic reactions in people who have multiple food allergies and are accidentally exposed to those foods. There is no cure for food allergies, and the only other FDA-approved treatment is Palforzia, an oral immunotherapy for peanut allergies in children between 4 and 17 years old. “But the reality is that most of our patients don’t just have peanut allergy,” Wood added. For people who have multiple severe food allergies and even moderate to severe allergic asthma, Casale says, Xolair might be the best treatment option. Xolair does not eliminate food allergies, and unlike with some environmental allergies such as pollen, many people never outgrow them, Casale added.

Persons: ”, Sharon Chinthrajah, “, ” Xolair, Robert Wood, ” Wood, Xolair, Wood, omalizumab, Thomas Casale, Palforzia, Casale, they’ve, ” Lindsey Mathias, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Chinthrajah, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, New England, of Medicine, US Food and Drug Administration, Stanford University, of Allergy, Immunology, Johns Hopkins Children’s, Genentech, Novartis, FDA, National Institutes of Health, University of South, American Academy of Allergy Asthma, CNN Health, Xolair Locations: anaphylaxis, Eudowood, Johns, University of South Florida Tampa

☆ In Alabama, patients are praying for a change of heart on access to IVF
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Meg Tirrell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“It’s just frustrating, and it’s sad, and it’s heartbreaking,” Hardin said Thursday, the same day her clinic, Alabama Fertility Specialists, said it was temporarily stopping in vitro fertilization, or IVF, treatments because of legal risk. “I am a huge follower of Jesus,” said Hardin, who leads a group at her church for people who’ve had fertility issues. Those embryos are kept frozen in storage until they’re transferred in hopes of leading to a new pregnancy, or donated or discarded. The legal limbo has drawn the members of Hardin’s church group to lean on each other even more, she said. In July, she and her husband started the process for IVF, going through egg retrieval and freezing embryos, before she had hip surgery for a genetic condition.

Persons: Paula Jean Hardin, Wes, Hardin, “ It’s, ” Hardin, Jay Mitchell, Tom Parker, ”, Jesus, who’ve, “, –, ” Lauren Pleitz, ” Pleitz, Pleitz, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ” CNN’s Isabel Rosales, Amanda Musa Organizations: CNN, Alabama Fertility, University of Alabama, Center for Reproductive, CNN Health Locations: Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham

☆ Alaskapox: What to know about virus after officials report first known fatal case
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Health officials in Alaska have identified the first known death linked to a recently discovered virus called Alaskapox. Since its discovery in 2015, seven Alaskapox infections have been reported, according to the state Department of Health. “This is the first case of severe Alaskapox infection resulting in hospitalization and death,” the health department said in a release last week. Still, there is a lot that isn’t known about the virus, McLaughlin said, including how it spreads from animals to humans and how long it has been around. “What has changed is clinician awareness and the general public’s awareness that Alaskapox virus is something that’s a possibility,” McLaughlin said.

Persons: ”, Joe McLaughlin, McLaughlin, Alaskapox, “, ” McLaughlin, Julia Rogers, ” Rogers, Rogers, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN — Health, of Health, Alaska ., Alaska Department of Health, Epidemic Intelligence, US Centers for Disease Control, Health, The Alaska Department of Health, Get CNN, CNN Health Locations: Alaska, Africa, Asia, Europe, Fairbanks, Kenai

☆ Some tianeptine products recalled as CDC links drug to ‘cluster of severe illness’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Neptune Resources, which makes some tianeptine products, has issued a nationwide recall, according to an announcement posted this week. Products that contain tianeptine are sold under several brand names, including Pegasus and Zaza, the CDC says. The FDA has issued a warning urging consumers not to purchase or use tianeptine products due to serious risks including seizures, loss of consciousness and death. In recent years, at least two deaths related to tianeptine products marketed as dietary supplements have been reported to the FDA, data shows. Nine people said they had used tianeptine previously; six ingested tianeptine along with other substances, including alprazolam, kratom, tramadol, trazodone and gabapentin.

Persons: ”, Zaza, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN, Centers for Disease Control, Neptune Resources, Resources, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Pegasus, CDC, Neptune, Jersey Poison Control, CNN Health Locations: Neptune, Europe, Asia, Latin America, United States, Jersey

☆ Dry January is over, but are ‘sober drinks’ a healthy way to keep it going?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Dry January “was the perfect eye-opener.”Now sober, Montejano has adopted several tactics to keep herself on track: talking to a therapist, journaling and drinking nonalcoholic beverages like mocktails. By comparison, a 12-ounce glass of beer contains about 5% alcohol, according to the CDC. “The nonalcoholic beverages have a lot of the cues that are associated with real alcoholic beverages,” she said. “Are you reaching those goals with nonalcoholic beverages?” she said. Ultimately, going sober can have social ramifications, so it’s important to surround yourself with people who can support you.

Persons: Corrina Montejano, Montejano, “, ”, Ginger Hultin, nonalcoholic, Hilary Sheinbaum, Molson Coors, ” Sheinbaum, Hultin, Dr, Lara Ray, Dana Ellis Hunnes, you’re, Hunnes, Ray, they’re, Sanjay Gupta, I’ve, ’ ”, “ You’ve, Journaling, ” Montejano Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, Heineken, Molson, US Department of, Tobacco Tax, Trade Bureau, UCLA, World Health Organization, ” WHO, UCLA Medical Center, US Food and Drug Administration, mocktails, CNN Health Locations: San Francisco, Seattle

☆ Common antibiotics are still in shortage as strep cases rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Some group A Strep bacteria are resistant to these antibiotics,” according to Dr. Kristina Bryant, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville. The precautions many people took to protect themselves from Covid-19, like wearing masks and social distancing, also protected them from strep throat. “Strep throat is a routine infection, and we know that cases are going to go up every year,” she said. If your child’s strep throat doesn’t get better with antibiotics, Bryant says, it may be that other bacteria in the throat are making the antibiotics less effective. “If the strep infection goes untreated, that individual can potentially be contagious with strep for weeks,” she said.

Persons: Amoxicillin, Kristina Bryant, Jennifer Stevenson, ”, “ Strep, ” Stevenson, Bryant, “, hasn’t, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Stevenson, McPhillips, Brenda Goodman Organizations: CNN, US Food, FDA, Norton Children’s Hospital, US Centers for Disease Control, Epic Research, Henry Ford Medical Center, CDC, Rapid, CNN Health Locations: Louisville, Dearborn , Michigan, Covid

☆ CDC to expand disease surveillance at four major US airports to include flu, RSV
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding its infectious disease surveillance program at four major US airports to more than 30 pathogens, including flu, RSV and other respiratory viruses. The program currently operates Covid-19 surveillance at seven major international airports in the United States. The traveler surveillance program was introduced in 2021 when the CDC began collecting nasal swab samples from anonymous international travelers arriving at participating airports who volunteer to get swabbed. The program has collected samples from travelers from more than 135 countries and has sequenced more than 14,000 samples for further analysis. The wastewater program, which was introduced in August 2022, collects wastewater from a single plane using a custom-made collection device.

Persons: Dr, Cindy Friedman, John F, “, ” Friedman, Friedman, Ginkgo Bioworks, Matthew McKnight, ” McKnight, Sanjay Gupta, Deidre McPhillips Organizations: CNN, Centers for Disease Control, CDC’s, Health, Boston Logan International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Dulles International, Washington , D.C, Kennedy International, CDC, Get CNN, CNN Health Locations: United States, Washington ,, New York, Ginkgo

☆ British health agency warns of fake Ozempic pens linked to hospitalizations
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Britain’s health agency is warning the public not to buy pre-filled pens claiming to contain the weight loss drugs Ozempic and Saxenda without a prescription, after a small number of people were hospitalized. Ozempic is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes, and is used off-label for weight loss. More than 350 potentially fake Ozempic pens have been seized since January of this year, according to the MHRA. The agency has also received reports that patients have obtained fake Saxenda pens in the UK through “through non-legitimate routes.”No fake weight-loss pens were seized before January 2023, the agency says. The maker of both drugs, Novo Nordisk, told CNN Thursday that it is aware that counterfeit pens are being circulated.

Persons: Ozempic, ” Allison Schneider, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Alison Cave, ” Ozempic, “, Meg Tirrell Organizations: CNN, Medicines, Healthcare, Agency, Novo Nordisk, “, “ Novo Nordisk, General Pharmaceutical Council, Get CNN, CNN Health, European Medicines Agency, European Union Locations: Ozempic, “ Novo, Novo, Germany, Europe

☆ US firearm homicide rate ticks down from pandemic peak, but remains elevated
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

This is the first time the national firearm homicide rate has fallen since a sharp increase was recorded from 2019 to 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the CDC. Between 2019 and 2020, the overall firearm homicide rate increased by about 35%, from 4.4 deaths per 100,000 people nationwide in 2019 to 5.8 in 2020. However, last year’s numbers are still substantially higher than the 2019 rate of 4.4 deaths per 100,000. Despite a minor decrease, non-Hispanic Black or African American people continue to experience the highest firearm homicide rates. On Thursday, the White House touted the new report saying the overall reduction in the gun homicide rate last year reflects meaningful progress.

Persons: Karine Jean, Pierre, ”, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Biden, “, ” Biden, Betsy Klein Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, Provisional CDC, Pacific Islanders, White House, CNN Health, Safer Locations: United States, Provisional, Alaska, White

☆ Proper treatment for hypertension could avert 76 million deaths globally by 2050, WHO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It commonly leads to a number of other health problems including stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney damage. High-performing countries like Canada and South Korea have delivered comprehensive national hypertension treatment programs, according to WHO, and both nations have surpassed the 50% mark for blood pressure control in adults with hypertension. An increase in the number of people effectively treated for hypertension to levels observed in high-performing countries could prevent 76 million deaths between 2023 and 2030, the WHO says. Another tactic is lowering daily sodium intake. Recommended sodium intake varies from country to country, but WHO recommends less than 2,000 milligrams a day.

Persons: WHO’s, ”, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Michael Bloomberg, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Tom Frieden, Frieden, ‘ Organizations: CNN, World Health Organization, WHO, New, US Centers for Disease Control, United States, CNN Health, CDC Locations: Canada, South Korea, New York, ‘, ’

☆ It may be time to break out the masks against Covid, some experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“And since the masks that are most effective are N95 that are now readily available, that’s the kind of mask you should wear,” he added. But the agency doesn’t make a broad recommendation for everyone to adopt masks. Morris Brown College in Atlanta announced a return to mandated physical distancing and masks just one week after classes started in August. And pediatricians are poised for the typical return-to-school surge in all kinds of respiratory illness, whether colds, flu or Covid. “The virus is always lurking, waiting for openings, so I think Covid is just going to be a bit of a roller coaster, probably forever,” Wachter said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Reiner, “, ” Reiner, Biden, ”, Reiner, Eric Topol, ” Topol, ” What’s, Robert Wachter, ” Wachter, haven’t, Peter Chin, Topol, Dr, Sara Bode, Bode, It’s, ‘, ” Chin, Hong, You’ve, you’ve, Amanda Musa, Brenda Goodman, Deidre McPhillips, Meg Tirrell Organizations: CNN, George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, US Centers for Disease Control, CDC, Scripps, Research, Covid, Department of Medicine, University of California San, University of California, Morris Brown College, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, American Academy of Pediatrics ’, School Health, Internal Locations: Covid, Florida, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, Atlanta, Columbus , Ohio, Washington

☆ Vaccines for flu and RSV now available ahead of fall virus season
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —With the fall respiratory virus season just around the corner, major US pharmacy chains have begun rolling out flu and RSV vaccine appointments. CVS is now scheduling flu vaccinations, as well as allowing walk-in vaccinations at certain pharmacies, spokesperson Amy Thibault said. Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreens say they will also offer the new Covid-19 vaccines once they’re available. The US Food and Drug Administration approved the world’s first RSV vaccines, from GSK and Pfizer, this year. Those who want all three vaccines should get their RSV vaccine well before or after their flu and Covid-19 shots, Schaffner says.

Persons: Catherine Carter, Amy Thibault, Xavier Becerra, Becerra, Albert Bourla, William Schaffner, it’s, ” Schaffner, Schaffner, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, “ We’re, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Walgreens, Aid, CVS, Walmart, Publix, Kroger, Rite, FDA, US Centers for Disease Control, US Department of Health, Human Services, Pfizer, Moderna, Food and Drug Administration, GSK, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, CDC, CNN Health

☆ Opill: The FDA approved the US’ first over-the-counter birth control pill. What happens next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the oral contraceptive Opill for over-the-counter use, making it the first nonprescription birth control pill in the United States, but it will be months before it’s available. The typical combination birth control pill, the most commonly used form of oral contraception, uses both hormones to prevent pregnancy. “People use birth control for things outside of preventing pregnancy like [polycystic ovary syndrome], treating heavy periods, painful periods,” she said. “There’s a lot of uses for it outside of birth control that people also will benefit if they can get it over the counter.”Who can use Opill? This could have a major impact for adolescents and young adults who may not otherwise have the resources to access birth control, according to Brandi.

Persons: Gynecologists, ” ACOG, Carolyn Westhoff, they’re, “, ”, Opill, Kristyn Brandi, Brandi, ” Brandi, Anne, Marie Amies Oelschlager, Amies Oelschlager, Jennifer Robinson, ” Robinson, Frederique, Joe Biden, Court’s Dobbs, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Meg Tirrell Organizations: CNN, Food and Drug Administration, American College of Obstetricians, FDA, Columbia University, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Gynecology, of Gynecology, Johns Hopkins University, Treasury, Labor, Human, CNN Health Locations: United States, Opill, New Jersey

Stanton, Kentucky CNN —All Heather and Nick Maberry wanted to do was hold their dead baby, but strict Kentucky abortion laws meant they couldn’t. They were “furious” that the laws meant they never got to kiss or cuddle their daughter, Willow Rose, or tell her goodbye, Heather said. The Maberrys wanted to terminate the pregnancy, but a near-complete abortion ban in their state doesn’t have exceptions for birth defects – even severe ones like anencephaly. CNN reached out to three sponsors of Kentucky abortion laws to ask why fatal fetal anomalies aren’t an exception to the current laws. While she was willing to take that risk for a live baby, Willow was not going to live.

Persons: Heather, Nick Maberry, ”, Willow Rose, “ We’ll, We’ll, “ We’re, we’ve, –, Maberrys, “, ” Heather, Nick, Heather Maberry, Heather Neace Maberry Heather, ‘, Heather Neace Maberry, gravidarum, “ I’d, Anencephaly, Willow, ‘ We’ll, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ” “ Organizations: Kentucky CNN, Kentucky Medicaid, CNN, Maberrys, Facebook, University of Kentucky, National Institutes of Health, Heather’s, CNN Health, Family Planning, of Chicago Locations: Stanton, Kentucky, Madison, Aubrie, Stanton , Kentucky, Lexington, Chicago

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