February 24, 2014
USA Today (2/24, Weise) reports a polio-like condition has affected 25 children in the state of California, paralyzing many of their limbs. After emerging in 2012, the state has begun cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although no cases have yet been reported outside the state. According to California Department of Public Health Chief of the Encephalitis and Special Investigation Section Carol Glaser, “The California Department of Public Health has asked health care providers to report any polio-like cases they might identify and send specimens so that we can better assess the situation.”
The AP (2/24) reports California Department of Public Health officials are concerned about the recent illness because the US eradicated polio and some patients had not yet been overseas.
[Read more…]
ABC World News (2/17, story 5, 0:25, Sawyer) reported, “Thirty five years after the first test-tube baby, in vitro fertilization” has “skyrocketed.”
Two network television news segments, major US newspapers and wire sources report that heroin use in the US has skyrocketed. NBC Nightly News (2/3, story 3, 2:30, Williams) reported, “The death of…star Philip Seymour Hoffman at 46 is bringing attention to a heroin problem that is exploding among people in all walks of life across our country.” NBC News correspondent Kate Snow explained, “Heroin use in the US nearly doubled over the last five years. More than a quarter million people a year end up in the” emergency department.