LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
CDC Warns of Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Jalapeños
A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled jalapeño peppers has sickened 345 people across 27 states, with 36 hospitalizations reported and no deaths.
Epidemiologic and traceback data identify jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors as the outbreak source; recalls include whole peppers and foods containing them. Recalled products were distributed through restaurants, wholesalers and multiple grocery retailers, with “Best if used by” dates through Aug. 16, 2026.
Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems face greater risk of severe illness. Public health officials urge consumers and businesses not to eat, sell or serve recalled products. Find the CDC’s official food safety alert here.
Dr. Erica Schwartz Confirmed as CDC’s First Official Director in a Year
The CDC now has a Senate-confirmed director for the first time in a year, restoring permanent leadership to the nation’s leading public health agency. The Senate voted 51-44 to confirm Dr. Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general and retired U.S. Coast Guard officer who is the first Black woman to lead the CDC.
Schwartz brings extensive experience overseeing vaccination programs and crisis responses after a year of interim leadership following Susan Monarez’s removal.
Her confirmation comes amid scrutiny over CDC autonomy, vaccine-related information and the agency’s ability to maintain evidence-based public health decision-making. Read more from CNN Health here.
FDA Moves to Increase Oversight of Food Additives
U.S. Food and Drug Administration is moving to strengthen oversight of food additives by requiring manufacturers to notify the agency when they determine an ingredient is “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS).
Since 1958, companies have been able to self-affirm GRAS status without full government review, and notification has been encouraged but not required. The proposed rule would make notification mandatory and expand a public inventory, addressing what officials describe as a decades-old information gap about chemicals entering the food supply.
The FDA is accepting public comments for 120 days, while additional produce-safety guidance is planned. Read more from Reuters here.
FEATURED TOPICS
New CDC Data Shows Decline in Healthcare-Associated Infections
According to new CDC data, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in U.S. hospitals declined between 2015 and 2023, signaling progress in patient safety while highlighting ongoing risks. In 2023, about 1 in 38 hospitalized patients had at least one HAI, compared with 1 in 31 patients in 2015, though an estimated 518,000 HAIs still occurred nationwide.
Reductions were seen in central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridioides difficile infections, while pneumonia and surgical site infections showed limited change.
The new findings underscore the continued need for prevention strategies and infection control efforts to reduce avoidable harm in healthcare settings. See the data from the CDC here.
US Death Rate at Record Low: CDC Data
The U.S. death rate fell to a record low in 2025, reaching 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people, a 4.6% decline from 2024. Heart disease and cancer remained the leading causes of death, followed by unintentional injuries, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
Death rates were highest among males, older adults, and Black people, with no declines among American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and Asian populations.
Provisional CDC data from the National Vital Statistics System covering 99 percent of deaths informs public health policy and prevention efforts. Read more from The Hill here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Linked with Lower Risk of Heart Attack
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that COVID-19 vaccination was associated with substantially lower risks of several serious cardiovascular outcomes among more than 1 million U.S. veterans.
Researchers reported nearly a 60% reduction in cardiovascular deaths linked to COVID-19, a roughly 40% lower risk of heart attack and heart failure hospitalization, and more than a 30% reduction in stroke risk. Benefits were greatest among adults age 75 and older and those with preexisting health conditions.
The study also found modest reductions in overall cardiovascular disease, deaths and hospitalizations, highlighting potential cardiovascular protection as an important consideration in COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Read more from The Hill here.
CDC releases 2026 Annual US Cancer Statistics Release
CDC’s latest United States Cancer Statistics release expands access to one of the nation’s most comprehensive cancer datasets, now including complete county-level cancer incidence data for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
The new data reveal that rural communities experienced higher cancer incidence rates than urban areas from 2019–2023, with approximately 467 versus 451 new cases per 100,000 people. In 2023, nearly 1.94 million new cancer cases were reported nationwide, and cancer remained the second leading cause of death in 2024, accounting for 619,871 deaths.
The addition of county-level and rural–urban data can help public health professionals better identify disparities, target interventions, and inform cancer control planning and resource allocation. See the full report from the CDC here.
