News & Perspective

(CIDRAP News) – The federal government yesterday announced reductions in the rates of several common foodborne bacterial infections in 2004, especially the potentially life-threatening Escherichia coli O157:H7.

(CIDRAP News) – Foodborne disease rates in 2008 stayed about the same as in the previous 3 years, underlining the need for renewed efforts to improve food safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today.

(CIDRAP News) – Part of the answer to the nation's food safety troubles lies in strengthening state and local food safety efforts and better integrating them with federal activities, according to a new report prepared by academic experts in collaboration with state and local public health groups.

(CIDRAP News) – Federal officials, speaking at a White House briefing on the swine influenza outbreak today, said the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is declaring a public health emergency, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 9 more human cases.

(CIDRAP News) –At an emergency hearing today of the Senate appropriations committee, Sen Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said the Obama administration will ask for $1.5 billion to fight the swine influenza epidemic, as committee members sought to get a handle on the elements and cost estimates of the public health response.