Local Health Alerts
This Is Why Prescription Drugs Are So Expensive
High U.S. prescription drug costs are driven by a lack of price regulation, patent monopolies, and complex supply chain mechanics involving pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that incentivize high list prices. Infographics highlight that these factors, combined with extensive marketing spend over R&D, lead…
FDA links frozen GreenWise berries sold at Publix to E. coli investigation and nationwide recall
Publix recalled all lots of specified GreenWise organic frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries on July 29 after the FDA identified the products as the leading food item of interest in a multistate E. coli O145 investigation.
WHO Says Ebola Outbreak in Eastern Congo Is Outpacing Response as Health Workers Strike
The World Health Organization says a Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is spreading faster than response teams can contain it, as unpaid health workers strike and contact-tracing gaps widen.
Publix recalls GreenWise frozen blueberries and mixed berries over possible E. coli contamination
The FDA lists a July 30 recall of GreenWise frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries sold in 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages through Publix stores in the United States.
E. coli Detection Closes South Point Access Park Swim Beach in Belmont
Gaston County closed the South Point Access Park swim beach in Belmont on July 16 after routine testing found an elevated E. coli reading. Confirmatory testing was expected.
Federal environmental review requested after rare childhood cancer cases in Ladera Ranch
A federal prosecutor has asked the EPA to investigate possible environmental causes after families reported six Ladera Ranch children diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma.
If CDC Respiratory Activity Is High: Family and School Steps This Week
CDC’s respiratory virus “activity levels” (based on emergency department data) and wastewater monitoring both aim to show whether viruses are circulating more than usual. Here’s how families and schools can use those signals this week—calmly and practically.
CMS proposes broad Medicare payment and accountable-care overhaul
The proposed changes would make accountable-care organizations easier to join and shift clinicians away from traditional MIPS reporting. Comments are due Sept. 14, 2026.
Cyclospora outbreak expands to 15 states as federal officials focus on recalled iceberg lettuce
Federal officials say a Cyclospora outbreak has expanded from five states to 15, with the investigation focused on iceberg lettuce from central Mexico recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico.
HHS pauses more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota during fraud reviews
Federal health officials paused more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota while reviewing high-risk claims, including California in-home-care claims.
WHO Says Infant-Formula Toxin Recall Has Reached 99 Countries and Territories
The World Health Organization says infant-formula products linked to cereulide toxin have been subject to recall across 99 countries and territories, with further recalls possible.
WHO Reports Rising Bundibugyo Virus Cases in Congo and Uganda as U.S. Worker Is Evacuated to Germany
The WHO said confirmed cases and deaths from the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak had risen substantially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since its July 3 update. A second U.S. humanitarian worker was evacuated to Frankfurt after testing positive.
