Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This fall and winter, here’s what you need to know about the updated COVID-19 vaccine. ?? Vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces your risk of developing Long COVID. ? If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past 2 months, get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself this fall and winter. https://bit.ly/3XBO2Q7

9 in 10 people in the United States aren’t getting all recommended clinical preventive services. Encourage people in your community to take good care of their health by using MyHealthfinder to get recommendations for preventive care: https://lnkd.in/eFG35SG5

HCPs: Join CDC and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) on Nov. 19, 1-2pm EST to discuss Penicillin Allergy De-labeling as a Tool for Inpatient Antimicrobial Stewardship. Register here: https://bit.ly/4h9gzp4

It’s important that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against flu annually. Flu viruses change every year and vaccines are updated to help tame the wildest symptoms of that season’s viruses. When you see the leaves turning, it’s time to encourage your community to get vaccinated! Find more flu season best practices at https://bit.ly/3ZLkrpQ

STEM educators: Join us at CDC for a week next summer and learn how to inspire your students to explore public health. Applications open November 15. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4h1zMJn

Overdose deaths in which ketamine was detected were rare (<1%) but increased from July 2019–June 2023 and often involved other drugs, according to a new report in CDC MMWR. Although these deaths make up less than 1% of all overdose deaths, it’s important for health care professionals to be aware of these trends as ketamine use for treatment-resistant depression is likely to increase. Read the report: https://bit.ly/mm7344a4

During H5N1 bird flu outbreaks on dairy farms, workers can reduce their risk of infection by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like goggles, masks, and gloves according to instructions. A new study found PPE use increased during such an outbreak. Providing PPE to workers and explaining why and how to use it might increase use. Read the full report in this week's MMWR: bit.ly/mm7344a2

New CDC report: 7% of studied farm workers exposed to H5N1 bird flu during outbreaks among dairy cows in Michigan and Colorado had evidence of recent infection, further supporting that people with exposure to infected animals are at higher risk of avian influenza H5N1 virus infection. All 8 of these workers reported milking cows or cleaning the milking parlor. Read more in this week's MMWR: bit.ly/mm7344a3

Guinea worm disease remains endemic in five countries in Africa. There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent or treat the disease. Ongoing challenges to disease eradication include animal infections, civil unrest, and insecurity. Ministries of Health, The Carter Center, WHO, and other partners have implemented interventions to curb infections, resulting in only 14 human cases reported in 2023. Collaboration among public health partners remains key to reducing Guinea worm to zero: https://bit.ly/mm7344a1

While the risk to the U.S. general public remains low, there are ways that you can reduce your risk of infection with avian influenza H5N1 virus. Avoiding contact with sources of exposure, such as potentially infected wild birds, poultry and other animals, not drinking raw milk or consuming products made with raw milk, and wearing personal protective equipment if you work directly with animals are important steps for bird flu prevention. Read full: https://bit.ly/3NVekIG