CDC map shows flu season gaining traction in Florida

Doctor holding pen card that states “flu season ahead” – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Inna Kot The spread of COVID-19 is decreasing, but the flu season is still in its early stages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed new data on Friday that indicates an increase in influenza activity in numerous U.S.

According to CDC data, Florida leads the country in overdose deaths due to new synthetic drug

Dozens of Prescription Drug Pill Bottles – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by David Smart Florida is leading the country in overdose deaths with a dangerous synthetic drug that is new on the market. The substance is called eutylone. Eutylone is a specific psychoactive bath salt. Just in 2021, it was listed as the seventh most

Florida ice cream may have caused the listeria outbreak earlier this year, according to the CDC

Hand Scoops Ice Cream from Fridge – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Zoran Photographer A Florida ice cream company that health officials have linked to a multistate outbreak was sued on Tuesday by the estate of an Illinois woman who passed away earlier this year after contracting listeria. According to the lawsuit submitted in the

‘Presumptive’ case of monkeypox found in Florida

Small Child with Monkeypox – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by pavodam Florida health officials are working diligently to investigate a “presumptive” case of monkeypox–making Florida the third possible state in the U.S. to be hit by the disease after cases were found in New York City and Massachusetts. The Florida Department of Health in Broward

Florida judge rules CDC mask mandate for planes, trains as ‘unlawful’

Mask Mandate Protest — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Steve Sanchez Photos On Monday, a federal judge from Florida struck down the Biden administration’s mandate that masks be worn aboard buses, trains, planes, and other public transportation, leading to an immediate change in policy for air travelers and rail customers. U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle for

Florida health officials warn of ‘alarming’ outbreak of meningococcal disease

Meningococcal Disease — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Steph Photographies Florida health officials are warning residents about an ‘alarmingly large’ outbreak of a potentially fatal bacterial illness known as meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease commonly leads to two possibly fatal infections—meningitis, when the lining of the spinal cord and brain become infected, and a bloodstream infection. The disease

Up to 1 million COVID-19 rapid test kits found expired in Florida warehouse

BinaxNOW COVID-19 Rapid Test: Courtesy — Image by: Abbott Between 800,000 and 1 million COVID-19 rapid test kits were left to expire inside a Florida warehouse amid a nationwide shortage caused by the winter surge of coronavirus cases. Like many other Americans, Floridians have faced extremely long waits at testing sites for weeks, making the

COVID-19 cases decline in Florida: Health experts are optimistic we are reaching the end of the Delta wave

COVID-19 Vaccine – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Prostock-studio The COVID-19 case positivity rate has continued to decline for the eighth week in a row in the Sunshine State. It is now sitting at 3.8% for the week of October 8. Just this week, the FDA vaccine advisory panel unanimously recommended booster shots for those

Orange County, Florida mayor asks residents to continue wearing masks regardless of vaccination status

Woman with Face Mask – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by JDzacovsky The Mayor of Orange County, Florida, is asking residents to wear face masks inside as the county’s COVID-19 positivity rates continue to climb.  According to Mayor Jerry Demings, the county’s fourteen-day rolling positivity rate currently sits at 7.78%. “Two weeks ago on June 28,

Want to cruise? Not so fast-Royal Caribbean announces unvaccinated travelers must carry travel insurance to board ships

Sunset Open Deck of Cruise Ship – Courtesy: Shutterstock: Image by Yevgen Belich Making headlines yet again, Royal Caribbean International announced Tuesday that it will require all guests over the age of 16 departing from U.S. ports, excluding Florida, to be fully vaccinated before boarding their ships. The announcement comes two weeks after a scheduled