By Marsha Mullings, MPH
USA
Cases: 87.8 million
Deaths: 1.02 million
Florida
Cases: 6.5 million
Deaths: 75,891
Update
*New coronavirus cases across the US have remained flat over the last two week.
The country is now averaging 113,000 new coronavirus cases per day.
Coronavirus cases have remained flat over the last two weeks in Florida. The state reports an average of 10,600 new cases per day.
Coronavirus deaths in Florida are up 64% over the last two weeks.
Announcement
Vaccines for Children Under 5 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has cleared the way for COVID-19 vaccinations for children under 5 years of age. It recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible.
For more information on coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention, visit www.FloridaHealth.org; nyt.com; www.coronavirus.jhu.edu; www.cdc.gov;
Other infectious disease note
*Monkeypox – Monkeypox cases continue to rise across the globe and in the US.
5783 cases reported in 52 countries
460 confirmed cases in the United States
51 cases in Florida
15 confirmed cases in Broward County
Monkeypox cases are rising rapidly in Broward County. There are numerous suspect cases awaiting laboratory confirmation.
Monkeypox is an infectious disease that causes pox-like vesicles on the face, hands, and other parts of the body. The disease is spread by direct physical contact with someone who is infected with the disease. Anyone is at risk for Monkeypox. For more information on Monkeypox, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html
*Meningococcal Disease – Meningococcal Disease in Florida
There is an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Florida, primarily among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, including those living with HIV. Leon County, FL, has also reported a cluster of meningococcal disease cases among college and university students.
Meningococcal disease refers to any illness caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These illnesses are often severe, can be deadly, and include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best protection against meningococcal disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC).
For more information on meningitis and the current meningitis outbreak in Florida please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/outbreaks/FL2022.html
Listeriosis – There is an outbreak of Listeriosis connected to Big Olaf Creamery, an ice-cream brand manufactured in Sarasota, Florida. 23 persons have been sickened, 22 hospitalized; one person has died. A pregnant woman has suffered a fetal loss due to the illness. The CDC recommends that consumers who have Big Olaf brand ice-cream at home dispose of any remaining product.
Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems (CDC).
For information on Listeriosis, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/index.html
