Thinking of trying some new foods this holiday season? That fancy appetizer has quite the array of seafood, but you may want to do some checking before you dig in.
With the holidays bringing parties and get-togethers with fancier foods that are often not eaten on a daily basis, it is wise for consumers to stay alert to advisories issued by FDA and USDA on potentially contaminated foods. It’s wise to do so at all times, but you may be used to overlooking advisories on foods such as oysters and clams if you don’t regularly consume these.
Although few details have been provided on the latest alert on certain oysters and manila clams from Pickering Passage, Washington, the advisory states that they may be contaminated with norovirus, which can affect people of all ages. Symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache, and body aches and generally last up to 3 days. But symptoms don’t usually develop until 12 to 48 hours after exposure. (For more information on norovirus and other diseases, see TAG’s Infectious Disease Fact Sheets)
The FDA alerts page also includes links to follow the agency on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or to register for constituent updates or emails on various topics.
Infectious Disease News:
- The FDA has updated the criteria for the “healthy” claim on food packaging, making it easier for consumers to identify healthier options. Foods labeled “healthy” must meet limits on saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium, and contain enough of certain food groups like vegetables, fruits, or whole grains. Companies can adopt the new standards starting February 25, 2025, and must comply by February 25, 2028. Learn more at www.fda.gov/healthy.
- Pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the U.S. have risen sixfold in 2024, with over 28,000 cases reported by November 30, according to the CDC. Despite its vaccine-preventable nature, a survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center reveals gaps in public knowledge: 30% of respondents didn’t know pertussis and whooping cough are the same, and only 29% correctly identified all diseases the Tdap vaccine protects against. The CDC recommends the Tdap vaccine for everyone aged 7 and older, including pregnant women, and the DTaP vaccine for infants and young children. Experts urge public health communicators to emphasize the “whooping cough vaccine” to boost awareness and vaccination rates.
- A new study in JAMA Network Open shows that the RSVpreF (Abrysvo) vaccine is 90% effective in preventing RSV-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits among adults 60 and older. Based on real-world data from the 2023-24 RSV season at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, the study included over 7,000 patients, with an average age of 76.8 years. Among those tested, 8.8% were RSV-positive, and 3.2% had received the vaccine. The vaccine’s effectiveness remained consistent through five months of follow-up, reinforcing its value in protecting older adults from severe RSV infections.
- A survey of 7,793 healthcare workers (HCWs) across 12 countries in 2022-2023 found that while most viewed COVID-19 and flu vaccines as safe (89%), effective (92%), and useful (92%), 21% reported moderate to strong COVID vaccine hesitancy. Published in Public Health, the study noted that reluctance among HCWs, driven by fears of side effects and lack of trust in vaccine safety data, risks undermining public confidence in vaccines. Though 89% of respondents had received three or four COVID vaccine doses and 84% believed the benefits outweighed risks, only 61% supported vaccinating pregnant women. The findings highlight the need for tailored, nation-specific strategies to address hesitancy and build vaccine confidence among HCWs.
