Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
First Months of 2012 Warmest on Record in U.S.
The United States had record warm temperatures during the first
few months of 2012, especially in March.
In the lower 48 states, temperatures were 6 degrees higher than
average for the first three months of year, and 8.6 degrees above
normal in March, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the
Associated Press reported.
The warm temperatures in the first three months broke the
previous January-March record by 1.4 degrees.
The warm start to 2012 is the result of an unusual combination
of La Nina and a number of other weather patterns, according to
meteorologists.
The 2011-12 winter was the fourth warmest on record in the
United States and the period since last April has been the warmest
12-month stretch on record, NOAA climate scientist Jake Crouch told
the
AP.
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Diamond Naturals Dog Food Recalled
Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food is being
recalled due to possible salmonella contamination, Diamond Pet
Foods says.
The recalled 6-, 20- and 40-pound bags were distributed to
customers in 12 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina and Virginia. It is possible that some of these
customers distributed the product to other states, the
AP reported.
Pets who eat the food or people who handle it could become
infected with salmonella. Symptoms of salmonella infection in
people include nausea, vomting, diarrhea or blood diarrhea, fever
and abdominal cramping. Pets with salmonella may have decreased
appetite, abdominal pain and fever.
In a statement issued Friday, Diamond Pet Foods said no
illnesses have been reported and no other Diamond products are
affected by the recall, the
AP reported.
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Salmonella Outbreak Affects 100 People in 19 States: CDC
A outbreak of salmonella has now affected 100 people across 19
states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
reported Friday.
According to the agency, between Jan. 28 and March 25 salmonella
infections linked to the outbreak have been reported in Alabama (2
cases), Arkansas (1), Connecticut (5), District of Columbia (2),
Georgia (4), Illinois (9), Louisiana (2), Maryland (10),
Massachusetts (4), Mississippi (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (7),
New York (23), North Carolina (2), Pennsylvania (3), Rhode Island
(4), South Carolina (3), Texas (3), Virginia (5) and Wisconsin
(9).
So far 10 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been
reported, the CDC said.
All of the infections have been from a strain of salmonella
called Salmonella Bareilly. The CDC had previously tied the
outbreak to sushi/sashimi, but no one food source has yet been
conclusively pinpointed as the source of illness.
Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and
abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. Most people
recover within 4 to 7 days without treatment, but some cases are
deadly if not treated with antibiotics. The elderly, the very young
and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of a
severe illness from salmonella infection.
If you suspect you have eaten contaminated food, the CDC
recommends contacting your doctor. "CDC will update the public on
the progress of this investigation as information becomes
available," the agency said.
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