On February 3rd, over 50 train cars derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, causing a fire that spanned the length of the derailed cars. Over a dozen cars carried vinyl chloride, a carcinogenic chemical, which caused officials to evacuate residents within a one-mile radius of the derailment.

The... See More following Monday, a mandatory evacuation was implemented as the threat of an explosion rose, which caused crews to release toxic chemicals from five derailed tanker cars to prevent an explosion.

The most concerning chemical being carried by the derailed train was vinyl chloride, which is used to make PVC, a hard resin used in plastic products. Local business owners and residents are suing Norfolk Southern for medical screenings for residents within a 30-mile radius of the derailment.

What are the possible health impacts?
Vinyl chloride can break down into hydrogen chloride and phosgene when burned, which can cause symptoms such as eye and throat irritation and difficulty breathing. Breathing high levels of vinyl chloride can cause dizziness, sleepiness, passing out, or death.

Exposure to high levels of vinyl chloride usually affects industrial workers, who are exposed to the chemical for a long period of time, and it has been associated with a rare form of liver cancer called hepatic angiosarcoma.

Burning of any material can create particle pollution, which can be harmful to health and has been linked to lung and throat irritation, breathing difficulties, lung cancer, and problems with babies at birth.

If you are experiencing health issues or observing environmental issues, or are affected in any way after this incident, it is important to report it. It can help to detect and determine the real scale of this situation and warn others. If the symptoms are severe or persistent, please seek medical attention. See Less

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The CDC is collaborating with the FDA and state and local health departments to investigate a multistate outbreak of an extensively drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa which has identified artificial tears as a common exposure for many patients. The outbreak strain, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Verona integron-mediated... See More metallo-β-lactamase and Guiana extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (VIM-GES-CRPA), had never been reported in the United States prior to this outbreak.

As of January 31, 2023, CDC, in partnership with state and local health departments, identified 55 patients in 12 states (CA, CO, CT, FL, NJ, NM, NY, NV, TX, UT, WA, WI) with VIM-GES-CRPA, a rare strain of extensively drug-resistant P. aeruginosa. 35 patients were linked to 4 healthcare facility clusters. 1 person has died and there have been 5 reports of vision loss. Dates of specimen collection were from May 2022 to January 2023. Isolates have been identified from clinical cultures of sputum or bronchial wash (13), cornea (11), urine (7), other nonsterile sources (4), and blood (2), and from rectal swabs (25) collected for surveillance; some patients had specimens collected from more than one anatomic site.

Patients reported over 10 different brands of artificial tears and some patients used multiple brands. EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multidose bottles, was the brand most commonly reported. This was the only common artificial tears product identified across the four healthcare facility clusters. Laboratory testing by CDC identified the presence of VIM-GES-CRPA in opened EzriCare bottles from multiple lots. CDC and FDA recommend clinicians and patients stop using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears products pending additional guidance from CDC and FDA.

At this time, there is no recommendation for testing of patients who have used this product and who are not experiencing any signs or symptoms of infection.

Eye infection symptoms may include:
- Yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Redness of the eye or eyelid
- Feeling of something in your eye (foreign body sensation)
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision

In case you experience harm after using these products, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve issues and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: cdc.gov See Less

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The CDC announced that they are currently investigating 2 multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections with serotypes Vitkin and IIIb linked to pet bearded dragons. As of January 20, 2023, a total of 32 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Vitkin (12 people) and Salmonella IIIb... See More 61:z52:z53 (20 people) have been reported from 20 states (CA, CO, IA, ID, KY, MA, MI, MN, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY). 10 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 24, 2021, to November 2, 2022.

According to the outbreak notice, Bearded dragons can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their bodies and anything in the area where they live and roam. You can get sick from touching your bearded dragon or anything in its environment and then touching your mouth and swallowing Salmonella germs.

CDC advises always take these steps to stay healthy around your pet bearded dragon:

- Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching or feeding your bearded dragon and after touching or cleaning the area where it lives and roams.
- Don’t kiss or snuggle your bearded dragon, and don’t eat or drink around it. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick.
- Keep your bearded dragon out of your kitchen and other areas where you eat, store, or prepare food.
- Clean your bearded dragon supplies outside the house, if possible. These supplies may include its feeders, toys, and food and water containers. If you clean the supplies indoors, don’t clean them in the kitchen or other areas where you eat or prepare food. Use a laundry sink or bathtub, and thoroughly clean and disinfect the area right after.

In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: cdc.gov See Less

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Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is urging the public to take precautions against infection and illness caused by Vibrio vulnificus following Hurricane Ian.

According to the DOH-Lee warning, Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that usually lives in warm, brackish sea water. These bacteria typically grow... See More faster during warmer months. Sewage spills in coastal waters, like those caused by Hurricane Ian, may increase bacteria levels. People with open wounds, cuts, or scratches can be exposed to Vibrio vulnificus through direct contact with sea water or brackish water. Brackish water is a mixture of fresh and sea water and is often found where rivers meet the sea. Vibrio vulnificus can also cause disease in those who eat raw or undercooked oysters and shellfish. Vibrio vulnificus has the potential to cause severe illness or death.

According to the department, there are currently 65 confirmed cases and 11 deaths from the rare bacterium, with an asterisk noting there is an "abnormal increase due to the impacts of Hurricane Ian.

Source: foxnews.com See Less

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Alberta Health Services (AHS) is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella infections across the province linked to reptiles and feeder rodents. As of July 22, 2022 , a total of 12 cases have been identified in 4 of 5 AHS Zones (North, Edmonton, Central, and Calgary). Investigation findings... See More have identified exposure to both snakes and feeder rodents (used as reptile food) as a likely source of the outbreak. Investigation into the facilities carrying feeder rodents is still ongoing.

Even if snakes and rodents appear to be healthy, clean and show no signs of illness, they can still carry Salmonella bacteria. Having indirect contact by touching their environments can put you at risk for developing a Salmonella infection.

To prevent direct or indirect spread of Salmonella to yourself or others, AHS advises following these simple steps to help reduce your risk of becoming ill from contact with reptiles (including snakes), rodents and their environments:

- Always wash your hands immediately after touching a reptile or rodent, and anything they eat, or after being in the area where they live, play or touch.
- Regularly clean with soapy water followed by a household disinfectant any surfaces or objects your reptile or rodent touches.
- Never kiss a pet rodent or reptile.
- Reptiles or rodents in homes, daycare centres, schools or other facilities with children aged 5 years and under is not recommended.
- Always supervise children when they touch or play with reptiles or rodents. Do not let them put reptiles and rodents or their supplies near their face or share their food or drinks with pets. Make sure they thoroughly wash their hands after touching reptiles or rodents.
- Do not clean or bathe reptiles and rodents in the kitchen sink or in bathroom sinks or bathtubs.
- Keep reptiles and rodents and all their food, containers and toys away from the kitchen and other places where food is made or eaten.
- Do not keep frozen feeder rodents in the same fridge or freezer as human food. Freezing rodents does not kill Salmonella.
- Always defrost and prepare frozen feeder rodents outside the kitchen, using dedicated utensils and containers.
- Be aware of the specific needs of your reptile. Stress for a reptile can increase shedding of Salmonella.
- Always keep reptiles and live rodents in habitats specifically designed for them.
- If you choose to have a reptile or rodent in your home, talk to your health care provider or veterinarian about the right reptile or rodent for your family, especially if your family includes children, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, or adults 65 years of age and over.

In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: albertahealthservices.ca See Less

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The CDC announced that they are currently investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Stanley infections linked to Small Turtles. As of July 19, 2022, a total of 15 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Stanley have been reported from 11 states (FL, IA, KS, MA,... See More NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA and WA), of the 12 people with information available, 5 (42%) have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. Illnesses started on dates ranging from January 3, 2022, to June 24, 2022.

Many people in this outbreak reported purchasing turtles with shells less than 4 inches long from online stores before getting sick. Three people in this outbreak purchased their turtles from a website called myturtlestore.com. The same strain of Salmonella making people sick in this outbreak was also found on turtles purchased from myturtlestore.com.

Pet turtles of any size can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their bodies, tank water, and anything in the area where they live and roam. You can get sick from touching your turtle or anything in its environment and then touching your mouth or food with unwashed hands and swallowing Salmonella germs.

Do not buy small turtles with shells less than 4 inches long. A federal law bans the sale of these small turtles as pets, because they have caused many Salmonella outbreaks, but they are sometimes available for sale online and at stores, flea markets, and roadside stands.

The CDC advises always taking these steps to stay healthy around your pet turtle:

- Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching or feeding your turtle and after touching or cleaning the area where it lives and roams.
- Don’t kiss or snuggle your turtle, and don’t eat or drink around it. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick.
- Keep your turtle out of your kitchen and other areas where you eat, store, or prepare food.
- Clean your turtle supplies outside the house, if possible. These supplies may include its tank, toys, and feeders.
- If you clean the supplies indoors, don’t clean them in the kitchen or other areas where you eat or prepare food. Use a laundry sink or bathtub, and thoroughly clean and disinfect the area right after.

In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

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The CDC announced that they are currently investigating multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections with serotypes Enteritidis, Hadar, Infantis, and Typhimurium.

As of June 2, 2022, 219 people infected with one of the outbreak strains have been reported from 38 states. 27 have been hospitalized. One death has... See More been reported from Tennessee. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 15, 2022, to May 19, 2022.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the animals they came into contact with in the week before they got sick. Of the 87 people interviewed, 61 (70%) reported contact with backyard poultry before getting sick. Of 56 people with information available, 16 reported eating eggs from backyard poultry, and 2 reported eating meat from backyard poultry.

Backyard poultry, like chickens and ducks, can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to anything in the areas where the poultry live and roam. You can get sick from touching your backyard poultry or anything in their environment and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing Salmonella germs.

CDC advises Backyard Flock Owners:
-Always wash your hands with soap and water immediately after touching backyard poultry, their eggs, or anything in the area where they live and roam.
- Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available. Consider having hand sanitizer at your coop.
- Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don’t eat or drink around them. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick.
- Keep your backyard flock and supplies you use to care for them (like feed containers and shoes you wear in the coop) outside of the house. You should also clean the supplies outside the house.
-Don’t let children younger than 5 years touch chicks, ducklings, or other backyard poultry. Young children are more likely to get sick from germs like Salmonella.
- Collect eggs often. Eggs that sit in the nest can become dirty or break.
- Throw away cracked eggs. Germs on the shell can more easily enter the egg through a cracked shell.
- Rub off dirt on eggs with fine sandpaper, a brush, or a cloth. Don’t wash eggs because colder water can pull germs into the egg.
- Refrigerate eggs to keep them fresh and slow the growth of germs.
- Cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm, and cook egg dishes to an internal temperature of 160°F to kill all germs.

In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

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The CDC announced that they are currently investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Uganda infections linked to Pet Bearded Dragons. As of January 10, 2022, 44 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Uganda have been reported from 25 states (AL, AR, CA, CT,FL, KS, LA,... See More MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI). 15 people of the total have required hospitalization but no deaths have been reported to date.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 24, 2020, to December 2, 2021. According to the outbreak notice, Bearded dragons can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their bodies and anything in the area where they live and roam. You can get sick from touching your bearded dragon or anything in its environment and then touching your mouth and swallowing Salmonella germs.

CDC advises always take these steps to stay healthy around your pet bearded dragon:

- Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching or feeding your bearded dragon and after touching or cleaning the area where it lives and roams.
- Don’t kiss or snuggle your bearded dragon, and don’t eat or drink around it. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick.
- Keep your bearded dragon out of your kitchen and other areas where you eat, store, or prepare food.
- Clean your bearded dragon supplies outside the house, if possible. These supplies may include its feeders, toys, and food and water containers. If you clean the supplies indoors, don’t clean them in the kitchen or other areas where you eat or prepare food. Use a laundry sink or bathtub, and thoroughly clean and disinfect the area right after.

In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance.

Check the CDC website for the full investigation details on: cdc.gov

Source: CDC See Less

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Over recent weeks, SafelyHQ received a surge of reports from our community citing lost and delayed packages from the US Postal Service specifically citing packages that routed through Teterboro NJ Distribution Center. The New York Post - which follows and identifies signals from our community followed up... See More on our story and reported on it yesterday.

If you have any health, safety, or community issue, including issues with delivery services, report it to SafelyHQ. Reporting will help identify and bring attention to common problems that impact friends, family, and our communities at the local and national level.

Read the full NY Post story here: nypost.com See Less

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UPDATE Jun 24, 2021

To date, the outbreak includes 474 confirmed cases from 46 states, 103 people have been hospitalized and 1 death has been reported. Additionally, one additional serotype (Salmonella Mbandaka) has been added.

Source: CDC

May 20, 2021

The CDC announced that they are currently... See More investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to backyard poultry, like chickens and ducks. As of May 20, 2021, a total of 163 people infected with one of the outbreak strains have been reported from 43 states. 34 people of the total have required hospitalization but no deaths have been reported to date. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 12, 2021, to April 25, 2021.

According to the outbreak notice, backyard poultry can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean and these germs can easily spread to anything in the areas where they live and roam. So, people can get sick from touching backyard poultry or anything in their environment and then touching their mouth or food, and swallowing Salmonella germs.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria and the illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and many recover without treatment.

Check the CDC website for the full investigation details cdc.gov

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