Latest news with #ADHS
Newsweek
11-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Weed Recall in One State Over Fungus That Can Be Life Threatening
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Marijuana sold in Arizona has been recalled by the state's health department due to fungus contamination. Newsweek has reached out to ADHS for further comment by email Sunday during non-working hours. Why It Matters Marijuana is legal for medical use in 38 states, and legal for recreational use in 24 states for those over the age of 21, as Newsweek previously reported. Five more states - Wisconsin, Florida, Hawaii, South Dakota, and South Carolina - could approve use in through legislation this year. As states allow both medical and recreational use, some state regulations have required testing to protect from medical dangers such as potential aspergillus contamination. What To Know The health department issued the recall Friday, warning that the batch in question could contain aspergillus. "An Arizona marijuana establishment is voluntarily recalling specific products due to possible contamination with Aspergillus," the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) said in the press release. The marijuana being recalled was sold under the name Odo, Batch PHX1164-ODO, the release said. Aspergillus is a fungus that can lead to life threatening infections of the lungs and blood stream called aspergillosis, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A cannabis plant in Ketama, Morocco on October 19, 2024. A cannabis plant in Ketama, Morocco on October 19, 2024. Photo by RAJ ALAYA/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images "Most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick," the CDC website said, cautioning that those who suffer from underlying conditions are at risk of serious medical risk from contamination. No one has reported any illnesses related to this batch of marijuana, the ADHS said in the press release. The department said it issued the recall "out of an abundance of caution" after the finding the aspergillus during testing. Aspergillus contamination in marijuana can cause an allergic reaction or a life- threatening infection. It usually is more of a risk to those who are already sick or have underlying conditions, according to the CDC. Symptoms can range from shortness of breathing, coughing, fever and wheezing to coughing up blood, loss of appetite and fatigue, the CDC warns. There are four types of infections that can occur from aspergillus contamination, the CDC website said. These include allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), allergic aspergillosis sinusitis, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis ICPA) and aspergilloma, also known as fungus ball, according to the CDC. People can also suffer from invasive aspergillosis, which means the infection spreads from the lungs into the rest of the body. This condition is usually only found in those with underlying medical conditions, the CDC said. While aspergillosis is not a reportable disease in the U.S., according to the CDC, the agency says is shows up more among certain groups like cystic fibrosis and sarcoidosis patients. Data recorded in the U.S. between 2000 and 2013 shows an increase of an average 3 percent of hospitalizations for invasive aspergillosis, with nearly 15,000 hospitalizations associated with the infection in 2014 alone. People who receive organ and stem cell transplants are also more compromised, with data from 2001 to 2006 showing "invasive aspergillosis was the most common type of fungal infection among stem cell transplant recipients and was the second-most common type of fungal infection among solid organ transplant recipients," according to the CDC. What People Are Saying The CDC said on their website: "Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) likely affects between 1 and 15% of cystic fibrosis patients. One study calculated that 2.5% of adults who have asthma also have ABPA, which is approximately 4.8 million people worldwide. Of these 4.8 million people who have ABPA, an estimated 400,000 also have chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). Another 1.2 million people are estimated to have CPA after having tuberculosis, and over 70,000 people are estimated to have CPA as a complication of sarcoidosis." ADHS said in the press release: "Once ADHS discovered the potential contamination, the Department contacted the facility that produced the products. The licensee took immediate action to work with all distribution and retail partners to remove any potentially impacted products from store shelves." What Happens Next It is unknown how many batches of the product were sold and ADHS has not named the specific location where it was sold. Anyone who purchased the batch is advised by ADHS to throw it away. If someone has ingested the product and is suffering from any symptoms they should get medical attention.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arizona cases of the same virus that killed Gene Hackman's wife were fatal in 2025
The two positive cases of Hantavirus in Arizona for 2025 have been fatal, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. These fatalities follow four Hantavirus-related deaths in Arizona in 2024 and come just days after the death of Betsy Arakawa in New Mexico, the pianist and wife of actor Gene Hackman, who passed away from the virus shortly before her husband. "Although contracting the virus is rare, 38% of cases are fatal," ADHS spokesperson Magda Rodriguez said. In addition to the 2025 infection data, the health department provided The Arizona Republic updated figures on positive 2024 Hantavirus cases. Hantavirus causes a potentially fatal illness known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which can lead to fever, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing. The ADHS reports that Arizona had 11 confirmed cases of Hantavirus in 2024, five of which were fatal. Most of the cases were in northern Arizona, with five in Apache County, three in Coconino County, two in Navajo County, and one in Pima County. Seven of the cases were residents of the Navajo Nation, where the most common strain of the virus first emerged and led to a historic outbreak in 1993. Hantavirus is typically spread by wild rodents like the deer mouse, though the virus is not exclusively transmitted by these animals, according to ADHS. Despite recent headlines, the health department reassures that "Hantavirus is a rare disease." Since 1990, the reported cases per 100,000 Arizonans have remained between 0% and 0.2%. However, the virus is not confined to one area and can be found throughout the Southwest. Hantavirus is usually spread from rodents through viral droplets agitated from stirring up material contaminated with rodent urine, saliva or feces, according ADHS. "Most Hantavirus exposure is due to residential rodent infestation. Additionally, people can be exposed when entering unused buildings, and coming in contact with rodent burrows outdoors," said the spokesperson. The virus is not spread from person to person. ADHS stated that there is no vaccine for Hantavirus, and treatment only involves supportive care for symptoms, which can appear 1-8 weeks after exposure. A positive infection leading to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome may cause symptoms such as fatigue, fever, muscle aches, dizziness, chills, diarrhea, vomiting, cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing, according to ADHS. ADHS provided the public the following tips to prevent the spread of Hantavirus and a possible case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Reduce rodent habitats around the home, work, and recreational environments. Remove brush, rock piles, firewood, and possible food sources. Eliminate or minimize contact with rodents in the home by sealing holes and gaps in homes or garages, placing traps in and around homes, and cleaning up any easy-to-get food. If you suspect rodent activity in/around your home: Avoid actions that raise dust, such as sweeping or vacuuming and take precaution when cleaning areas where rodents may be present Before cleaning an area suspected of contamination, open all doors and windows. Ventilate the space by airing it out for 30 minutes and leave the area during this time. Use a 10% bleach solution and spray down areas where rodent/mouse droppings or nests are found and allow the solution to soak for at least 15 minutes to kill the virus. After disinfecting, wear rubber gloves and a mask to clean up the droppings with disposable materials such as paper towels or rags. Contact public health officials and seek medical care if you are experiencing signs of Hantavirus after possible exposure to areas with rodents or rodent droppings. Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@ Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hantavirus cases in Arizona in 2025 have, to date, all been deadly
Axios
05-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
Low vaccination rates a warning sign for measles in Arizona
Arizona hasn't had a reported measles case so far this year, but red flags are leading some experts to worry we could see an outbreak like the one in Texas. Why it matters: Some Arizona counties have lower measles vaccination rates than in west Texas, where the outbreak has infected at least 159 people since it was first reported in early February and has killed one child. What they're saying: There are "places here where it could spin out of control, just like it has in Texas. The conditions are right here for that to happen in some parts of the state," Arizona Public Health Association executive director Will Humble told Axios. State of play: A vaccination rate above 95% is needed to prevent measles from spreading, according to the National Institutes of Health. Four Arizona counties had lower kindergarten immunization rates for the 2023-24 school year than Gaines County, Texas, the epicenter of the Texas outbreak. Gaines County's vaccination rate is 82%, which is higher than Gila (79.9), Mohave (76), Navajo (79.7) and Yavapai (75.2) counties, per the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). Statewide, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 89.3% of kindergartners last school year had received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, lower than the national rate of 92.7%. Zoom in: Measles is highly contagious, and "all it takes is a spark," Humble said. Outbreaks are often driven by tight-knit pockets of unvaccinated people, Megan Jehn, an epidemiologist and professor at ASU's School of Human Evolution and Social Change, told Axios. The Arizona Republic reported last year that Arizona has seen an increase in students skipping the measles vaccine under the state's "personal belief" exemption. Between the lines: The MMR vaccine is about 97% effective against measles, Jehn said. Humble emphasized you can be vaccinated and still get measles if you go somewhere where the disease is rampant. Yes, but: Even when Arizona sees measles infections, they're generally isolated cases and not part of an outbreak, said Dr. Joel Terriquez, medical director at ADHS. Arizona had five cases last year, all unrelated, he said. Most of the cases Arizona sees are "travel cases," Humble said, and there isn't a lot of traffic between here and the Lubbock, Texas area, where the outbreak is centered. Threat level: Though measles is a minor illness for most, it can pose a risk for serious complications or even death, especially for children under 5. That includes acute encephalitis, which is brain inflammation that can lead to permanent brain damage. Other potential complications include blindness, ear infections, diarrhea and pneumonia. An estimated one to three children out of 1,000 who become infected with measles will die, according to the CDC. Zoom out: Measles cases have also been reported this year in an area of New Mexico near the Texas outbreak epicenter, as well as in Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. The bottom line: The best way to protect yourself against measles is vaccination, the CDC says. There is no specific treatment other than managing symptoms and preventing complications.
