Formula Recall and Investigation

ByHeart Inc., a U.S.-based baby formula manufacturer, initiated a voluntary recall of two production lots—206VABP/251261P2 and 206VABP/251131P2—following reports of botulism infections. The FDA said Saturday that it is conducting a joint investigation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine the source and extent of the contamination.

No deaths have been reported. Officials emphasized that the recall is a precautionary measure as they assess whether any other batches were affected. The company’s products, available both online and through major retailers, represent roughly 1% of the national baby formula market, according to the CDC.

States Reporting Cases

The 13 confirmed cases have been identified in Arizona, California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington. All affected infants were hospitalized, but health officials have not disclosed further medical details.

Public Health Advisory

Authorities urged parents and caregivers who purchased ByHeart formula to immediately check the product lot numbers before discarding or returning any containers. The CDC advised consumers to record the lot number for reference and clean any bottles, utensils, or surfaces that came into contact with the recalled formula using a dishwasher or hot, soapy water.

The CDC also warned that symptoms of infant botulism can take several weeks to appear. Parents should seek medical attention immediately if their child shows signs such as poor feeding, weak crying, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing, or reduced facial expression.

Understanding Infant Botulism

Infant botulism is a rare but serious condition caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which produce toxins in the intestines that can affect the nervous system. According to the CDC, it is most common in babies under one year old, particularly those between two and six months.

While most infants recover fully with prompt medical treatment, the illness can cause severe muscle weakness and breathing difficulties if untreated. The bacteria responsible for botulism are naturally found in soil and dust and can contaminate food or formula under certain conditions.

Ongoing Federal Oversight

The FDA said it is reviewing ByHeart’s manufacturing processes and supply chain records to determine how the contamination occurred. The agency’s investigation will also assess whether current food safety protocols for powdered infant formula were followed and if further actions are needed to prevent future incidents.

ByHeart, which markets its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula as made with organic ingredients and designed for sensitive digestion, has not yet issued a public statement beyond confirming cooperation with federal authorities.

Health experts note that the incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in the U.S. infant formula industry, which has faced heightened regulatory scrutiny since a major formula recall in 2022 led to nationwide shortages.

Consumer Safety Measures

The FDA and CDC reiterated that consumers should only use formula from verified safe batches and avoid feeding any recalled products to infants. Parents uncertain about formula safety can contact their pediatrician or report concerns directly to the FDA’s consumer complaint system.

The agencies are expected to release additional updates as testing and traceability efforts continue in the coming weeks.

Source: AP News – Infant botulism in 10 US states linked to formula being recalled

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Despite some hopeful signs, measles continues to spread across the U.S., with the country approaching 1,200 confirmed cases this year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national tally hit 1,197 as of Friday. But there was a silver lining: health officials in Ohio declared three outbreaks in two counties officially over.

Measles Remains a Serious Threat

Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even breathes. Although preventable with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, the disease is making a comeback in areas with low vaccination rates.

Since January, outbreaks have erupted in at least nine U.S. states, with three confirmed deaths — two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico. All were unvaccinated.

Where Are the Outbreaks Happening?

Here’s a breakdown of current measles activity by state:

Texas

Texas has been hit hardest, with 744 cases across 35 counties — most in West Texas. Gaines County alone has seen 411 cases in a largely undervaccinated Mennonite community. Two children have died, including an 8-year-old in April and a 6-year-old in February. State officials estimate fewer than 10 current cases are actively infectious.

New Mexico

The state has reported 81 total cases, with seven hospitalizations and one death — an unvaccinated adult who did not seek care. Most cases are in Lea County, with smaller numbers in several others.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma has 16 confirmed and three probable cases. The state hasn’t released details about which counties are affected.

Arizona

Arizona has four confirmed cases in Navajo County, all linked to recent international travel. None of the individuals were vaccinated.

Colorado

Colorado has seen 14 cases this year, including an eight-case outbreak tied to a Turkish Airlines flight that landed in Denver in May. Cases have been reported in Arapahoe, El Paso, and Denver counties, among others.

Illinois

Illinois confirmed an eight-case outbreak in the far southern part of the state. Two additional, unrelated cases were found in Cook County.

Kansas

Kansas has recorded 76 cases across 11 counties, mainly in the southwest. Three people have been hospitalized.

Montana

Montana reported its first measles cases in 35 years, with 20 confirmed. Gallatin County is the main hotspot, but other cases are spread across four counties.

North Dakota

North Dakota now has 34 cases, its first since 2011. The largest clusters are in Williams, Grand Forks, and Cass counties. All patients were unvaccinated.

Other U.S. states reporting sporadic cases this year include:
Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Canada and Mexico Also Battling Outbreaks

The measles problem isn’t limited to the U.S.

• Ontario, Canada is seeing its longest-running outbreak, with 2,083 cases and one infant death reported as of June 10.
• Alberta has recorded 868 cases.
• Mexico’s Chihuahua state has reported 2,179 cases and four deaths.

How Is Measles Spreading?

Most U.S. outbreaks begin with someone infected abroad who brings the virus back to a community with low vaccination coverage. According to the CDC, imported cases have more than doubled compared to the same time last year — largely from unvaccinated Americans returning home.

In 2019, the U.S. came dangerously close to losing its “measles elimination” status due to a surge in cases.

What to Know About the MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and the best defense against measles. Children should receive:

• The first dose between 12 and 15 months
• A second dose between 4 and 6 years old

Adults who are unsure of their immunity can safely receive another dose. Those vaccinated before 1968 with a “killed” virus version of the vaccine should get revaccinated. People born before 1957 likely have natural immunity.

High community vaccination rates — ideally above 95% — help create “herd immunity,” protecting even those who can’t be vaccinated. Unfortunately, U.S. childhood vaccination rates have dropped since the pandemic, with more parents claiming personal or religious exemptions.

What Are the Symptoms of Measles?

Measles starts like a bad cold:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes

Three to five days later, a rash appears — starting on the face and spreading down the body. The fever can spike over 104°F during this time.

While most kids recover, complications like pneumonia, blindness, brain inflammation, or even death can occur — especially in young children and unvaccinated individuals.

Is There a Cure?

There’s no direct treatment for measles. Medical care focuses on relieving symptoms, staying hydrated, and preventing complications.

Source: AP News – US measles count nears 1,200 cases as Ohio officials confirm 3 outbreaks are over

The post Texas and New Mexico Report Measles Deaths as National Case Count Rises appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Seminole, Texas — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the heart of Texas’ growing measles outbreak on Sunday — the same day a funeral was held for a second young child who died from complications tied to the disease.

Kennedy, who was once known for his anti-vaccine stance, shared on social media that he traveled to Gaines County “to help control the outbreak” and offer comfort to grieving families. He was seen outside a local Mennonite church where the child’s funeral took place, but did not attend a nearby CDC press briefing.

The outbreak, centered in Seminole, began in late January and shows no sign of slowing. Texas now reports nearly 500 cases, with infections believed to have spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and even Mexico.

The most recent victim — a child with no underlying health conditions — died Thursday from measles pulmonary failure, according to state health officials. The child had been receiving treatment at UMC Health System in Lubbock.

This marks the third death linked to the outbreak:

• A young child in Texas
• An adult in New Mexico
• And now, another young child in Seminole

None of the individuals who died were vaccinated.

Kennedy, who took office earlier this year, had previously resisted calls to promote vaccinations. But in a shift, he acknowledged in a statement posted to X that vaccination is “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles.”

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine has been safely used for over 60 years and is 97% effective after two doses.

Still, Kennedy’s earlier vaccine skepticism, combined with mixed messaging from officials, has raised concerns among public health experts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that a new team was sent to the region on Sunday, after a previous team departed April 1. Dr. Manisha Patel, leading the new response, urged families not to delay seeking care for children showing symptoms.

“Call your doctor,” Patel said. “A healthcare professional can guide you on the next steps.”

Despite the urgency, official CDC statements stopped short of urging the public to get vaccinated — instead calling it a “personal decision” while emphasizing the need to be informed about vaccine risks and benefits.

Between March 28 and April 4, Texas saw 81 new measles cases and 16 additional hospitalizations. Nationwide, the U.S. has already surpassed the total number of measles cases reported in all of 2024 — and it’s only April.

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and liver specialist who voted to confirm Kennedy, sharply criticized the response, writing on X:

“Everyone should be vaccinated! There is no treatment for measles. No benefit to getting measles.”

Cassidy has asked Kennedy to testify before the Senate health committee this Thursday. It remains unclear whether Kennedy will appear.

Medical staff in Lubbock report treating children with vitamin A toxicity, linked to attempts by some families to treat measles with high doses of the supplement — a method unsupported by doctors.

Dr. Lara Johnson of Covenant Children’s Hospital said parents reported using vitamin A to prevent or treat measles. Doctors emphasize that such supplements should only be given under medical supervision.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Marks, the former FDA vaccine chief ousted after clashing with Kennedy, placed blame on current leadership.

“These are needless deaths,” Marks told the Associated Press. “Vaccination is how you prevent people from dying of measles.”

The CDC warns that if the outbreak continues, the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status, a designation it earned in 2000.

With declining childhood vaccination rates and cases spreading across state lines, experts predict this outbreak may last months — or even into next year.

Measles is highly contagious. It can live in the air for up to two hours, and 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will get infected. The CDC recommends the first MMR dose between 12–15 months, and the second between 4–6 years.

Source: AP News – RFK Jr. visits epicenter of Texas measles outbreak after death of second child who was infected

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