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U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC Public Health Matters Blog is a forum where health professionals can share their public health passions about the evolution of public health and the continual strides that are being made to protect and save lives through education, awareness, research, and promoting healthy lifestyles.  Contributors include scientists and other subject matter experts who spend their days working with some of the most critical infectious diseases, as well as preparing for and responding to public health emergencies that threaten us in the United States and around the world.  From high-tech labs in Atlanta to the field worldwide, please join us as we share our perspective and personal experiences working on the front lines of emerging infectious diseases and public health emergencies.

Food Safety Education Month

Whether you tried your hand at baking bread, followed a new recipe on Tik Tok, or even thought up some creative dishes “Iron Chef” style, the past 18 months have turned many more of us into home cooks. For Food Safety Education Month (FSEM) in September,
Continue Reading Simple actions can keep food safe and foodborne illnesses at bay

Contributed

Editor’s note: Even if you have already made holiday plans, it’s not to late to change them to reduce the chance of contracting or spreading the coronavirus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and isolating for many people. Gatherings during the upcoming holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect


Continue Reading Guidance for planning safe holiday gatherings amid COVID-19 pandemic

Planning to enjoy a picnic, barbecue, or meal under the summer sun on this holiday weekend? In addition to food safety, remember to practice social distancing — stay 6 feet apart from others you don’t live with — and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s safety precautions to
Continue Reading Food safety goes hand-in-hand with COVID-19 safety this year

Editor’s note: With summer unofficially beginning with this holiday weekend, the number of festive events and trips to farmers markets begin to balloon. Most offer foods and drinks that can easily pose food safety threats, especially for young children. Food Safety News encourages everyone to be mindful of frequent vectors


Continue Reading Food safety tips for fairs, festivals could save you this summer

On Dec. 1, 2017, PulseNet, CDC’s molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance, identified a cluster of three Listeria monocytogenes clinical isolates with indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern combinations. These isolates were closely related to one another by whole-genome multilocus sequence typing within three allele differences (range = 0–3
Continue Reading Report says listeriosis cases linked to caramel apples show need for controls

Contributed

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles and opinion columns we are publishing in recognition of Food Safety Education Month.


September is National Food Safety Education Month. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness about steps consumers, educators and others can take to prevent food
Continue Reading Learn it, do it, teach it — Make Food Safety Education Month last all year

It’s not every day that doctors see a Brucella infection among their patients. The disease is rare in the United States, with only about 120 cases annually. But when brucellosis is suspected, it’s vitally important to order the right tests to diagnose and treat the disease promptly with appropriate antibiotics.
Continue Reading Brucellosis diagnosis difficult; key questions can save lives

For many people, the holiday season is the perfect time to spend time together in the kitchen and share delicious baked foods and desserts. Follow these safety tips to help you and your loved ones stay healthy when handling raw dough.

When you prepare homemade cookie dough, cake mixes, or
Continue Reading Baking this weekend? Check your flour and don’t lick the bowl

Editor’s note: In recognition of Global Handwashing Day today, we have compiled information from the CDC about why it is so important to promote this simple activity. 

Handwashing is like a “do-it-yourself” vaccine to reduce the spread of diarrheal and respiratory illness so you and those around you can stay
Continue Reading Your life is in your hands: Global Handwashing Day is Oct. 15