Health News:

• By next year, you might be able to take a flu vaccine via nasal spray at home. The FDA is reviewing an application now from AstraZeneca. (CNN)
• There’s been a slight rise in flu cases this week. (CDC)
• A ‘seasonal viral stew’ is brewing this winter, with not just flu, COVID, and RSV but also lots of other viruses that we can track more easily with wastewater. (NPR)
• Millions of rural Americans rely on private wells, but very few test their water, which may be contaminated. (KFF Health News)
• Pfizer’s new vaccine to protect against 5 types of bacterial meningitis was approved by the FDA. (Reuters)
• California reported its first locally-acquired dengue case. (CIDRAP)
• 3 more outbreaks of avian flu have occurred at turkey farms in the Midwest. (CIDRAP)
• The new RSV shot that protects babies is in short supply, even as cases rise. (NBC)
• One hospital in Michigan had so many strep cases they worried their tests were faulty - but they were working, and case rates were at a 25-year high. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
• Several people in Austria were hospitalized after using counterfeit Ozempic. (Reuters)
• Long COVID research is in its ‘most hopeful’ phase yet. (TIME)
• Kids with COVID shed the virus for a median of 3 days (some shorter and some longer). Adults studies show a longer median of 5 infectious days. (CIDRAP)
  
  

Mental Health & Substance Use News: 

• Officials say Narcan is now in NYC public schools, but some principals say they haven’t received it yet. (CBS)
• Nearly 1 in 4 people worldwide feel lonely, a new Gallup poll shows. (CNN)
• Texas cities and counties are destroying expired Narcan, but some say it could still be used to save lives. (Texas Tribune)

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or need help, call 988 or message the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. 

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Best Questions:

An employee brought a note from the health department saying they were exposed to TB. Can they continue to work?

We’ve seen more TB in the past few weeks than we have in years, so you’re not alone! If an employee was exposed outside of work, they may bring a letter from the health department saying they were exposed. As long as they have no symptoms, anyone exposed to TB can continue to work unless their doctor’s note or health department letter says otherwise. They should be aware of the symptoms of TB (especially a bad cough, chest pain, or coughing up blood). In most TB exposure cases, the health department will not require testing but may offer it (usually free) to the exposed person. If they don’t, ZHH can work with clients to coordinate testing, though it’s not generally necessary. You can’t spread TB unless you are actively sick and have symptoms, so it’s safe for this person to work as long as they are symptom-free. 

Source: CDC

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Is OSHA going to issue guidance on Narcan in the workplace?  

There’s a new bill, not yet voted on, that would create new OSHA guidelines on opioid overdose reversal kits in the workplace. In its current form, it would include non-mandatory guidelines for employers and requirements for federal worksites. The wording of the bill includes acquiring, maintaining, and training employees on the use of naloxone for reversing opioid overdoses. That would mean replacing expired doses, ensuring proper storage temps, and organizing training for employees. The details are still unclear, and businesses would have time to comply, but we’ll be watching to see how this bill progresses and how Honolulu’s city-wide naloxone requirement for bars and restaurants goes. As always, we’ll keep you updated with what we know!

Source: Congress

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Should we be worried about the new HV.1 variant? 

The latest variant about town is called HV.1. While it’s growing quickly and may even become the dominant strain in the U.S., we aren’t worrying too much just yet. HV.1 is another Omicron sub-variant, and it’s actually a direct descendant of the currently dominant strain, EG.5. But there’s no evidence that it’s much more transmissible than any other Omicron subvariant we’ve seen, and it’s unlikely to cause more severe illness. It’s not a particularly high-risk variant in terms of mutations, but like all new variants, we’ll have to keep an eye on it as it continues to evolve. In the meantime, it’s best to go get your updated COVID shot by Halloween, so you’re fully protected by Thanksgiving (unless you were recently sick - in that case, you may choose to wait!).

Sources: MedPage Today, CDC

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Best Listen:

Osterholm Update Ep. 142: Long COVID, Intranasal Vaccines, & Booster Dose Timing | CIDRAP

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