Latest news with #RobbieGoldstein
CBS News
2 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
EEE virus detected in Massachusetts mosquitoes for first time in 2025
The Eastern equine encephalitis virus, commonly known as EEE, has been identified in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time in 2025. The Department of Public Health says EEE was confirmed in a mosquito sample collected on July 21 in Belchertown in Hampshire County. There have not been any human or animal cases reported yet in the state this year. Last year, the first EEE-positive mosquitoes were identified on July 3 in southeastern Massachusetts. Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said Wednesday that 2024 was an "active EEE season" with four recorded human cases, one of which was fatal. "This is only a first finding and mosquito surveillance will be key to tracking any developing areas of increasing risk," Goldstein said in a statement. "Today's finding is an important reminder for residents to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites." The threat of EEE last year forced schools to move Friday night football games to the afternoon and some towns closed their parks from dusk to dawn. EEE is transferred to humans via mosquito bites. Medical experts say it is an "exceedingly rare virus" that normally spreads in swamps, including red maple and white cedar swamps in Massachusetts. Most people infected with EEE don't develop symptoms. But about 30% people with the disease die because it is not treatable. Public health officials urge Massachusetts residents to wear insect repellent when outside. They suggest staying inside during the peak mosquito hours between dusk and dawn. They also recommend wearing long sleeves and pants, and eliminating standing water around your home.
Boston Globe
15-07-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Lunenburg goat is the state's first animal case of West Nile virus this year, state says
The state last week No human cases of West Nile virus have been detected yet this year, health officials said. In 2024, there were 19 confirmed human cases of the mosquito-borne virus reported in the state, and no animal cases. Advertisement 'With this evidence of an animal infected with West Nile virus, we know that there are the right conditions and enough disease circulating to result in a human infection,' Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement. 'The elevated temperatures combined with high humidity increase mosquito activity,' Goldstein's statement said. 'We want to remind people that there are easy ways to prevent mosquitoes from biting you, like using mosquito repellent when you are outdoors and being mindful of peak mosquito activity hours.' People of all ages can be infected by the virus, but people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease, health officials said. Most people who are infected will show no symptoms. When symptoms are present, they generally include fever and flu-like illness, the department's statement said. Advertisement 'Animals that live outdoors are at somewhat higher risk from arboviruses than humans who spend more time indoors,' state epidemiologist Catherine M. Brown said in the statement. 'The weather this summer is creating the opportunity for it to be a busy WNV season and it is important to take steps to prevent mosquito bites,' Brown said. People are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites by staying indoors during peak biting times in the early mornings and evenings, or by using insect repellents containing EPA-registered ingredients, or by applying oil of lemon eucalyptus. To protect animals, owners should eliminate standing water from containers, buckets, tires, wading pools, and water troughs. 'Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas,' health officials said. Horse owners are advised to keep their animals in indoor stalls at night to reduce risk of exposure, and to check with their veterinarians about mosquito repellents approved for animal use. Eastern Equine Encephalitis, another mosquito-borne illness, has not yet been detected this season, according to the Department of Public Health. Last year, there were four human and three animal cases confirmed in the state. If an animal is suspected of infection, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health at 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800. More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800. Advertisement Tonya Alanez can be reached at
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mass. nonprofits receive grant funds to combat opioid crisis
BOSTON (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll administration awarded $1.5 million in matching grant funds to municipalities and organizations across the state to address areas impacted by the opioid crisis. The grants have been delivered in collaboration with the Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership, which began its partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (DPH) Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and RIZE Massachusetts in 2024. The administration announced on Monday that 30 nonprofits and municipalities received funding. First responders host Public Safety Day in South Hadley 'Our ability to meaningfully reduce the devastating impacts of the overdose crisis is dependent on expanding pathways to accessible services at the grassroots level. These nonprofit organizations are equipped with the knowledge and resources to respond effectively to the unique needs of their communities,' said Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. 'Supporting culturally responsive and evidence-based strategies in our hardest-hit communities has – and will continue to – save lives.' Through this funding, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000, organizations will be able to fund initiatives in their communities to support those impacted by the opioid crisis. These initiatives focus on at least one of these areas: prevention, harm reduction, access to care, recovery, trauma, grief, and family support. This is the second round of grants distributed through the Mosaic partnership. RIZE Massachusetts plans to conduct two more rounds of matching grants through 2027. The grant recipients receiving funds are the following: Adult & Teen Challenge Southern New England Women's Home Behavioral Health Innovators (BHI) Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Choices City of Cambridge City of Fall River City of Fitchburg City of Lawrence City of Lynn City of Medford City of New Bedford City of Revere City of Somerville Community Legal Aid, Inc. Franklin Regional Council of Governments Gloucester, Ipswich, Rockport Opioid Abatement Collaborative Justice Resource Institute d/b/a Program RISE Latin American Health Alliance Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Metro Mayors Coalition Power Forward Inc. Tapestry Health The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Town of Arlington Town of Brookline Town of Falmouth Town of Holbrook Town of Natick Town of Orange Town of Winthrop Troubled Waters Inc d/b/a The Bridge Club of Greater Lowell WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
02-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Walmart launches WIC online shopping in 2 states
Walmart has started offering online shopping to Women, Infants and Children Nutrition program participants in Massachusetts and Washington state, the states' health departments separately announced Tuesday. Massachusetts participants can, for the first time, buy WIC-approved foods online for in-store pickup or delivery from 48 Walmart stores across the state. The WIC program serves more than 125,000 residents in the state each year. In Washington, WIC participants can now place online orders from 67 Walmart stores. The state has approximately 205,000 WIC participants, according to the state's health department. The WIC pilot project in that state is set to last through the end of 2025, with the goal of expanding online ordering for WIC participants to other retailers after an evaluation period. In both states, WIC shoppers can use Walmart's app and website to place orders. "Walmart's multi-channel capabilities provide customers with a seamless shopping experience, whether through in-store, online, pickup or delivery to help increase access to healthy foods," Ryland Allen, vice president of baby merchandising at Walmart, said in the Washington announcement. WIC online ordering can address challenges like limited mobility, lack of transportation, language barriers, and time constraints facing WIC shoppers, Public Health Commissioner for Massachusetts Robbie Goldstein said in a statement. These launches stem from a pilot program by the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service to modernize the WIC program by allowing e-commerce orders, similar to the agency's pilot and subsequent rollout of SNAP online purchasing. Nine other states have also signed up for the WIC pilot. As part of the WIC pilot, Hy-Vee offers online shopping to WIC participants in Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. Buche Foods in the Midwest is also participating in the pilot. Copyright 2025 Industry Dive. All rights reserved.
