cdc Archives - WPTF-AM

Fired CDC chief Susan Monarez warns senators that RFK Jr. is endangering public health

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fired Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Susan Monarez is warning senators America’s public health system is headed to a “dangerous place” under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his anti-vaccine advisers. Monarez and ex-CDC official Debra Houry describe exchanges in which Kennedy or political advisers rebuffed data supporting vaccine safety and efficacy. Monarez told the Senate health committee Wednesday deadly diseases including polio are poised to make a comeback in the U.S. Monarez says Kennedy demanded she “preapprove” recommendations from a CDC panel or face termination. The panel is expected to vote on new vaccine guidelines this week in Atlanta. Kennedy denies Monarez’s accusations he ordered “rubber-stamped” vaccine recommendations.… Continue Reading

Shooter attacked CDC headquarters to protest COVID-19 vaccines

ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the man who fired more than 180 shots with a long gun at the headquarters of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wanted to send a message against COVID-19 vaccines. GBI Director Chris Hosey said 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White also recently verbalized thoughts of suicide, which led to law enforcement being contacted several weeks before the shooting. He said White broke into his father’s safe to get the long gun, and fatally shot DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose during the attack. The GBI said more than 500 shell casings were recovered from the scene.… Continue Reading

CDC shooter believed COVID vaccine made him suicidal, his father tells police

ATLANTA (AP) — A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that a Georgia man who opened fire Friday on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta had blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal. The 30-year-old shooter tried to get into the CDC’s headquarters but was stopped by guards. He then drove to a pharmacy across the street and opened fire. The official spoke anonymously Saturday because they are not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation. The official says the shooter was armed with at least five guns. DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was mortally wounded while responding.… Continue Reading

Poll shows broad support for vaccines, rising concern over decline in childhood immunizations

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – A new national poll from the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease reveals strong bipartisan support for FDA-approved vaccines, even as concerns grow over declining childhood immunization rates. Despite lingering mistrust fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, most Americans still trust their personal healthcare providers and back continued vaccine development. Experts like Candace DeMatteis say states like North Carolina play a key role in medical innovation—and maintaining public trust and access is essential to protecting public health.
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Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month highlights the importance of brain health in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, and the Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern North Carolina is urging residents to take charge of their brain health. With more than 7 million Americans—over 210,000 in North Carolina—currently living with Alzheimer’s, experts say early detection and healthy habits like exercise, managing blood pressure and good sleep can reduce your risk. The organization encourages the public to watch for early warning signs and talk to a doctor if concerns arise.… Continue Reading

US overdose deaths fell 27% last year, the largest one-year decline ever seen

There were 30,000 fewer U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before — the largest one-year decline ever recorded. An estimated 80,000 people died from an overdose 2024. That’s down 27% from the 110,000 in 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released the data Wednesday. The CDC has been collecting comparable data for 45 years. The previous largest one-year drop was 4% in 2018. Experts say several things could be driving the decline. They include increased availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone, expanded addiction treatment and shifts in how people use drugs.… Continue Reading

First US bird flu death is announced in Louisiana

NEW YORK (AP) — The first U.S. bird flu death has been reported. Louisiana health officials announced the death Monday of a person who had been hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms. Health officials have said the person was older than 65, had underlying medical problems and had been in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock. They also said a genetic analysis had suggested the bird flu virus had mutated inside the patient, which could have led to the more severe illness. Officials continue to urge people who have contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry.… Continue Reading

Listeria outbreak tied to Yu Shang Food leaves California infant dead and 10 people sick

U.S. health officials said a California infant has died and at least 10 other people have been sickened in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning tied to ready-to-eat meat and poultry products that include chicken feet, duck neck and pork hock, feet and tongue. Yu Shang Food Inc. of Spartanburg, South Carolina, has recalled more than 72,000 pounds of products. The problem was discovered in October after routine tests detected listeria in the foods and the production environment. The CDC said a California woman who was pregnant with twins was sickened and both infants died but listeria was only found in a sample from one of the infants, so that child and the mother were included in the count.… Continue Reading

US towns plunge into debates about fluoride in water

NEW YORK (AP) — Fights are cropping up nationwide over fluoride in drinking water. Communities in Florida, Texas, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming and elsewhere have debated the idea in recent months. And several have decided to stop adding it to drinking water. In August, a federal agency for the first time reported that there is a link between high levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in kids. And in September, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate it in drinking water. The decision to add fluoride to drinking water rests with state and local officials, but advisers to Donald Trump have suggested he would push to remove it.… Continue Reading

CDC calls for expanded testing for bird flu after blood tests reveal more farmworker infections

Federal health officials are calling for more testing and treatment of workers on farms with bird flu. The new guidance comes after a study showed that some dairy workers had signs of infection, even when they didn’t report feeling sick. Blood tests of 115 workers on farms in Michigan and Colorado showed that eight workers had antibodies that indicated previous infection. The finding suggests the virus may be spreading more widely. Four of the workers reported feeling sick and four reported no symptoms. Officials said the risk to the public remains low.… Continue Reading