Maryland Department of Health announces first travel-related death due to tickborne illness Powassan

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Health on Friday announced the first travel-related Powassan virus death in Maryland. The Department confirmed the presence of Powassan, which is spread by the bite of an infected tick, on September 22, with subsequent follow-ups reinforcing that result. “We are very saddened to report the first death due to the Powassan virus in our state,” […]

Maryland Department of Health announces first human case of West Nile virus for 2023

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Health this week announced that an adult living in the Eastern Shore region has tested positive for West Nile virus – the first confirmed human case of the virus in Maryland this year. The patient is recovering from the infection. West Nile is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes infected by feeding on birds that have […]

Maryland Department of Health announces positive case of locally acquired malaria

Baltimore, MD—The Maryland Department of Health has confirmed and reported a positive case of locally acquired malaria in a Maryland resident who lives in the National Capital Region. The individual was hospitalized and is now recovering. They did not travel recently outside of the United States or to other U.S. states with recent locally acquired malaria cases. “Malaria was once […]

Listeria outbreak potentially linked to ice cream cups

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections potentially linked to Soft Serve On The Go ice cream cups produced by Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn, NY. Based on epidemiological data provided by CDC, both sick people reported eating […]

NOW YOU KNOW: Taxpayers fund full-term abortions in Maryland

The following is an op-ed piece from Delegates Kathy Szeliga and Ryan Nawrocki. Maryland’s laws allow abortion for all nine months of pregnancy. For the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, there are no restrictions for abortion. For the last 16 weeks of pregnancy, the minimal restriction requires a medical provider performing the abortion to verify that the pregnant woman would […]

Maryland Department of Health announces new COVID-19 website, reporting changes as Public Health Emergency ends

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Health this week announced changes to how it will continue providing COVID-19 information as the federal Public Health Emergency ends in May. The department has launched a set of new COVID-19 webpages where information on vaccines, testing, treatment, data, and other resources may be found long-term. “These changes reflect the new phase of COVID-19 that […]

DEA warns of sharp increase in trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for veterinary use. “Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” said Administrator […]

Artificial Tears eye drops recalled after numerous reports of eye infections, 1 death

WASHINGTON, DC—Global Pharma Healthcare is voluntarily recalling all lots within expiry of their Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, distributed by EzriCare, LLC- and Delsam Pharma, to the consumer level, due to possible contamination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerted the FDA to an investigation of a multi-state cluster of Verona Integron-mediated Metallo-β-lactamase (VIM)- and Guiana-Extended Spectrum-β-Lactamase (GES)- producing […]