Hello, health and wellness readers. My name is Kaitlin, your guide to the latest news you may have missed.
Here’s what the Yahoo Life team wrote this week:
Here are three more stories you need to know about this week:
EPA bans a widely used pesticide
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took emergency action to suspend the use of a pesticide over health concerns — the first time it has done so in more than 40 years. The EPA found that dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, also known as DCPA or Dacthal, was linked to low birth weights in babies exposed in utero, as well as problems with brain development later in life, leading the EPA to call for its immediate removal. of the market.
Why it matters: DCPA was first used in 1958 and is a common pesticide for produce such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, onions and cabbage, and is also used as a herbicide for grass. Agricultural workers who come into close contact with the chemical are at greater risk of harmful health exposure. Many pregnant people were unaware they were exposed to a dangerous chemical, making it vital that the EPA intervene to protect future generations from the pesticide.
The EPA previously intervened and banned DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) in 1972 due to its harmful environmental effects and its potential risks to human health. DDT, which was widely used as an insecticide before its ban, has been linked to a number of conditions, including breast cancer, obesity, birth defects, reduced fertility and testicular cancer. Due to the dumping of the chemical, it can still be found in ocean life.
Doctors Learn More About a COVID Mystery for Kids
For some children, a COVID-19 infection leads to multisystem inflammatory syndrome, or MIS-C for short. This rare disease, which occurs in about 1 in every 2,000 children affected by COVID, includes symptoms such as vomiting, high fever and heart inflammation. Although most children eventually recover, MIS-C can lead to hospitalization and, in rare cases, even death.
Now a new study published in Nature says there is a reason why some children develop this condition. Research has found that this has to do with a miscalculation on the part of the child’s immune system. In cases of MIS-C, the system that is supposed to help the body fight the infection mistakenly believes that part of the coronavirus is a protein produced by the immune system itself. This means the immune system targets itself rather than the virus, causing inflammation and other symptoms.
What it means: COVID is often considered a higher risk for the elderly, but MIS-C shows that COVID can also cause serious harm to children. Knowing exactly why MIS-C happens can help doctors combat it in the future.
It is also important to note that MIS-C is more common in children who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, and that the number of MIS-C cases is also increases about four weeks after waves of COVID-19 cases reached a community. We are currently experiencing a surge of COVID across the country, so if your child has been exposed and is experiencing symptoms consistent with MIS-C, it is important to speak with their doctor.
Third person dies after listeria outbreak
An unidentified Virginia resident has become the third person to die from a listeria outbreak linked to packaged deli meats, for a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In total, 43 people have been hospitalized after falling ill from listeria during this outbreak in 13 states.
The outbreak has been linked to Boar’s Head products, with a sample of Boar’s Head liverwurst testing positive for listeria in July. The company has recalled all of its deli products with expiration dates between July 29 and October 17, 2024.
Why it matters: Listeria is a type of bacteria found in contaminated foods and is most common in raw or undercooked meats, dairy products, and ready-to-eat foods such as cold cuts or hot dogs. It can cause a serious infection, especially in the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, diarrhea and vomiting.
Although only 13 states reported illnesses, it is important to note that the recalled deli meat was sold nationwide and that there may be a delay in reporting illnesses caused by this meat. Some people may also recover at home and not even realize they are affected.
To keep you and your family safe, it is recommended that you discard or return these meats to the store for a refund. Because Listeria bacteria can survive and even grow in cold conditions, experts recommend that you Thoroughly clean and sanitize your refrigerator after removing these products.
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