Source: Scott Olson / Getty The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning US consumers to not eat romaine lettuce as it may be contaminated with E. coli. Thirty-two people, including 12 who have been hospitalized have been infected with the outbreak strain in 11 stages. One had a life threatening form of kidney failure. People have gotten sick in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio as well as Wisconsin. The CDC is reporting that if you have any romaine lettuce at home, you should throw it away, even if you have eaten some and didn’t get sick like other people. The warning goes for all brands and types of romaine lettuce considering that no one distributor or source has been determined. Illnesses in the current outbreak started in October. It is not related to the romaine lettuce outbreak from this past summer . According to the CDC , symptoms of E. coli infection, which usually begin about three or four days after consuming the bacteria, can include “watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.” It normally takes people to see their health improve within five to seven days but this strain of E. coli has caused more severe illnesses.
Source: Maria Aufmuth / Getty Serena Williams Reveals She Struggles With Self-Doubts As A Mom Serena Williams was one of several speakers at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women where she talked motherhood , disparities in health outcomes between black and white moms, and more. You’ll recall Serena nearly died after giving birth to her adorable daughter, Alexis Olympia . In an article written for CNN back in February, she revealed: “First my C-section wound popped open due to the intense coughing I endured as a result of the embolism. I returned to surgery, where the doctors found a large hematoma, a swelling of clotted blood, in my abdomen. And then I returned to the operating room for a procedure that prevents clots from traveling to my lungs.” At the time, Serena also spoke about Black moms-to-be not getting proper care: “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, black women in the United States are over three times more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes. But this is not just a challenge in the United States. Around the world, thousands of women struggle to give birth in the poorest countries. When they have complications like mine, there are often no drugs, health facilities or doctors to save them. If they don’t want to give birth at home, they have to travel great distances at the height of pregnancy.” Now, according to The Philly Voice , she told some 10,000 women on Friday: “I did some research and I was alarmed that our black mothers are not being taken care of. It’s in this country that is supposed to be so technologically advanced. Why are we treating out mothers like this?” Adding, “It’s really unacceptable…I feel like if I can help save lives—that’s one of the best things that you can do.” Source: Gilbert Carrasquillo / WireImage / Getty In the process of gushing about how supportive her husband, Alexis Ohanian , has been, Serena also told the crowd she has some insecurities: “I always have these insecurities that I’m not good enough as a mom. We all go through these different emotions that we all don’t feel comfortable talking about. But I think we should.” You’ve got to love her.
The very sad and unfortunate news is in: The official cause of death for music legend Tom Petty has been revealed. The veteran artist passed away in early October , with his manager making the announcement at the time that shook millions of fans. “We are devastated to announce the untimely death of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty,” said Tony Dimitriades, adding: “He died peacefully at 8:40 p.m. local time (0340 GMT Tuesday) surrounded by family, his bandmates and friends.” Petty was 66 years old. Now, nearly five months after Petty died, the results of his autopsy have been made public. In a statement posted on the late singer’s website Friday night, his family said the beloved musician had been using a number of medications, including opioid pain medication Fentanyl. He ultimately died of “multi-system organ failure” caused by “mixed drug toxicity,” according to the aforementioned autopsy report, released on Friday by the Los Angeles County Coroner. During an examination on October 3, the medical examiner found fentanyl, oxycodone, temazepam, alprazolam, citalopram, acetylfentanyl and despropionyl fentanyl. Petty was discovered to be suffering from coronary artery atherosclerosis and emphysema. “Our family sat together this morning with the Medical Examiner – Coroner’s office and we were informed of their final analysis that Tom Petty passed away due to an accidental drug overdose as a result of taking a variety of medications,” reads the family statement. It was signed by widow Dana and daughter Adria. Petty’s loved ones went on to explain that the linchpin to Petty’s demise was a fractured hip. The singer insisted on touring for 53 concert dates with this difficult condition, which only grew over time and which caused him to take the medications listed on the examiner’s findings. “On the day he died, [Petty] was informed his hip had graduated to a full-on break and it is our feeling that the pain was simply unbearable and was the cause for his overuse of medication,” the family continued in its statement. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office finished an autopsy on the rocker in October, but the official cause of death required further investigation at the time. Said his family on Friday: “We knew before the report was shared with us that he was prescribed various pain medications for a multitude of issues including Fentanyl patches and we feel confident that this was, as the coroner found, an unfortunate accident.” Fentanyl, it should be noted, is the same opiate that killed Prince in April . The Centers for Disease Control approximates that fentanyl is 80 times as potent as morphine and hundreds of times more potent than heroin. It is classified as a Schedule II drug by the federal government and its medical uses are normally pain management following surgery or for chronic pain. Petty’s relatives acknowledged these facts in its statement. As a family we recognize this report may spark a further discussion on the opioid crisis and we feel that it is a healthy and necessary discussion and we hope in some way this report can save lives. Many people who overdose begin with a legitimate injury or simply do not understand the potency and deadly nature of these medications. Concluded this lengthy note, which was shared on Facebook: On a positive note we now know for certain he went painlessly and beautifully exhausted after doing what he loved the most, for one last time, performing live with his unmatchable rock band for his loyal fans on the biggest tour of his 40 plus year career. He was extremely proud of that achievement in the days before he passed. We continue to mourn with you and marvel at Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ incredible positive impact on music and the world. And we thank you all for your love and support over the last months. May Tom Petty rest in peace. View Slideshow: 22 Celebrities Who Died from an Overdose
PORTLAND, ME – DECEMBER 23: Basket Island oysters at Eventide. (Photo by Derek Davis/Staff photographer) Dirty Raw Oysters Kill Texas Woman Some cautionary health related news is coming out of the south and seafood lovers might want to take heed. A woman from Texas named Jeannette LeBlanc ate raw oysters while on a trip to Louisiana with friends and family in September, reports news station KLFY-TV and the dinner ultimately cost her life. LeBlanc reportedly developed a rash and had trouble breathing for over 36 hours after consuming the Oysters. After spending 21 days in the hospital fighting the infection, caused by vibriosis,she died on Oct. 21. Now her wife, Vicki Bergquist, is raising awareness about the cause of her death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states most people who become infected with vibriosis do so by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. It is also possible to contract vibriosis by exposing an open wound to brackish or salt water.
Thaddaeus McAdams/FilmMagic Here we go again… 50 Cent Says “Power” Was Snubbed By The Golden Globes Another day, another 50 Cent rant. The G-Unit head/”Power” producer is once again ranting about the show not receiving the recognition he thinks it deserves. According to 50 the Starz show got snubbed (once again) by the Golden Globes and he pettily posted about it on Instagram. “GOLDEN GOLBES [sic] S*** ON ME AGAIN, no POWER. SMH SO F*** ‘EM,” wrote 50 on a picture of toilet paper covering a Versace toilet seat. Oh boy. Back in 2016 50 Cent ranted about the Courtney Kemp production being left out of the Best Television Series category. “I’m on the move again, Golden Globes can suck a d***,” said 50. “I accept my series POWER was not intended to be a signature show for the network but its the highest rated show!” Fif, PLEASE. WENN.com Do YOU think “Power” deserves a Golden Globe??? Continue reading →
Y oung Black people are much more “concerned” about the global HIV and AIDS epidemic in comparison to all other demographic in America, according to a new study. And it’s for good reason, too, as African-Americans are affected the most by the sexually transmitted virus despite having a disproportionate representation among the overall population. Nearly half of Black Americans from 18 to 30 years old were especially worried about HIV and AIDS when it comes to people they know. That figure of 46 percent was more than three times the number for White people, a survey conducted by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation found. The survey was published Thursday ., one day before the annual observation of World AIDS Day. Exacerbating those findings are the fact that Black Americans “account for a higher proportion of new HIV diagnoses, those living with HIV, and those ever diagnosed with AIDS, compared to other races/ethnicities,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As such, about 34 percent of Black people were rightfully concerned about contracting the disease, compared to just 16 percent of White people. There appeared to be a silver lining when it comes to awareness, though: Young Black folks are also the ones most likely to get an HIV test, a key fact considering the virus is older than they are. “An entire generation has been born and grown up without ever knowing a time when HIV did not exist, and they may be the first to see it end,” Tina Hoff, Senior Vice President, Health Communications and Media Partnerships, Kaiser Family Foundation, said in a press release. “Whether this future is realized rests with those most affected being educated about – and having access to – the latest advances in prevention and treatment.” In the U.S., Black people accounted for 40 percent of Americans living with HIV in 2013, the year with the most recent statistics available, according to the CDC. Black people in general around the world have also been lopsidedly diagnosed with HIV and AIDS, with Africa being ground zero with a reported whopping 69 percent of the world’s 34 million HIV diagnoses. More than 90 percent of HIV positive children around the world are in Africa, as well. While there has yet to be a cure, vaccine trials are ongoing, including one that recently launched in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the National Institutes of Health. SEE ALSO: Who Is Next? Russell Simmons Steps Down From Companies After Rape Accusations Pioneer Of ‘Black Psychology’ Dies [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3478918″ overlay=”true”]
T he tobacco industry’s scheme to get Black people addicted to menthol cigarettes was highlighted in “ Black Lives/Black Lungs ,” a new documentary about the dangers of the flavored smokes, the Spokane Spokesman reported. Nine out of 10 Black smokers prefer menthol cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Filmmaker Lincoln Mondy , 23, examined the menthol cigarette advertising blitz that began since the 1950s. As a bi-racial child, Mondy said he noticed his White relatives tended to smoke non-menthol cigarettes and used chewing tobacco. On the other side of the family, his Black relatives used menthol cigarettes exclusively. Sen. Ed Markey calling for ban on menthol cigarettes, arguing tobacco ads target African-Americans. https://t.co/8KQ0ngBeCr pic.twitter.com/70hFiZFzG6 — WBZ Boston News (@cbsboston) August 26, 2017 The tobacco industry’s strategy included giving money to Black politicians, scholarships to African-American students and support for Black cultural events, Mondy’s film also revealed. The consequences have been devastating. African-Americans die from diseases related to tobacco use at a higher rate than Whites, even though Blacks smoke fewer cigarettes and start smoking at an older age than White people do, according to the CDC. Cigarette makers are not the only industry under fire for targeting the Black community. Earlier this year, two pastors from the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in D.C. Superior Court against Coca-Cola and the American Beverage Association, CBS News reported. According to the ministers, the soda industry shares a huge part of the responsibility for the diabetes epidemic that has swept through minority communities because the industry targets African-Americans and Hispanics. SEE ALSO: Philadelphians Battle Over Proposed Soda Tax That May Fund Pre-K One Of The Country’s Most Segregated Cities Has Easier Access To Tobacco Than Healthy Food [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3358541″ overlay=”true”]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has decided to retool its protocol for people treating Ebola patients. After two Dallas nurses became infected with…
