LOCAL
Lingering warning about blackberries associated with Hep A outbreak
Federal officials still cannot say for sure where the blackberries, associated with a Hepatitis A outbreak leading to 20 lab confirm cases, came from. More than half of the 20 cases have required hospitalization according to the CDC. Despite the outbreaks being declared over, there is ongoing concern consumers may have froze fresh berries to consume later.
Hepatitis A virus has a mean incubation time of 30 days but it can range from 15 all the way to 50 days. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hepatitis with a duration of 1 to 2 weeks. The source of infection is via fecal contaminated food and food products. Although it's found throughout much of the world, immunity can be developed through vaccination against the virus.
Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets stores were implicated with the sale of contaminated blackberries in eleven states, including Minnesota. Although the last confirmed case was in November, federal officials still recommend disposing of any frozen recalled blackberries bought during September from Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets, as Hepatitis A easily survives in food and beverages at freezing temperatures.
NATIONAL
Where should we send Coronavirus patients?
The Trump administration has decided not to use a federal facility in Alabama to quarantine patients returning from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) thanked President Trump in a Tweet for not sending any of the patients to Alabama and working to ensure the safety of all Alabamians. As of now it is unclear where those patients will be quarantined if not in Alabama.
Prior to President Trump's announcement, The U.S. Department of Human and Health Services said they would be using a former Army base in Anniston, Alabama to house the passengers evacuated from the cruise ship who had tested positive for coronavirus.
Other cities in the U.S. such as Costa Mesa, California, are also resisting plans to house evacuees. Local political leaders in Costa Mesa have gone to the courts to block state and federal officials, at least temporarily, from placing dozens of people evacuated from Asia in a state-owned residential center in their community; instead, they will now be housed at Travis Air Force Base. Uncertainty, misinformation, and stigma surrounding the coronavirus is leading to outrage and mistrust as the world is working to figure out what to do with the outbreaks and infected patients.
INTERNATIONAL
Coronavirus hits Italy
Italy is battling the largest outbreak of coronavirus in Europe. Over 200 people have come down with the virus and six people have died. The majority of cases are located in Lombardy and Veneto, two regions in the north of Italy. As a result of this outbreak, authorities have shut down schools, universities, museums, cinemas, and banned public gatherings including the famed Venice carnival as they fight to try and control the outbreak.
Combined, Lombardy and Veneto have a population of some 50,000 people and together account for 30% of Italy’s gross domestic output. Prolonged disruption in this region is likely to have a serious impact on an already fragile economy and analysts speculate that the outbreak could push the country into another recession. Italian shares fell 4.2% on Monday morning.
Italian authorities are still trying to locate the source of the outbreak. Bordering and nearby countries are discussing individual control plans to try and prevent the spread of disease to their regions. Austria has discussed whether to introduce border controls with Italy and recently suspended periodically a train service over the Alps to Italy while two passengers were being tested for coronavirus (both passengers tested negative). In addition, other countries like Ireland have also warned citizens to not travel to the parts of Italy most affected by the outbreak.
Reuters:
Gus Brihn
Gus completed his undergraduate degree at the U of M in Global Studies, and has spent much of his time abroad, including time in France and Namibia. Gus became interested in emergency medicine from becoming a Wilderness First Responder and NR-EMT. He completed his veterinary degree at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Gus is interested in zoonotic disease outbreak investigation, prevention, and epidemiology. Outside of work, Gus enjoys rock climbing and doing Brazilian Jiu jitsu. He has an 11 year-old Staffordshire terrier mix breed dog named Sweet Pea.